Just another typical day at the beach, right?

Well, on the 4th of July Thomas and I spent our first day at a beach in Italy with some friends. There was water, sand, umbrellas, and blue skies. All the things you could ever want to see and have at the beach. Of course, we are in Italy, so there are a few things you really don't want to see, but are forced to because let's face it modesty is non-existent here. The boys were very lucky because they got to see some topless bikini babes. Well, actually, I'm not sure if they were really quite that lucky. The women were definitely topless and in bikinis, but I'm not sure anyone would actually classify them as babes. Twice we saw two older and pleasantly plump women who sat up and proceeded to pull their tops down to get some extra sun. It was one of those, "is this really happening?" moments. On this beach one should feel like a super model. There are many ladies who wear itsy bitsy teeny weeny bikinis who should not. On another note, the husbands felt the need to blend in with the Italian men. They disappeared for about 15 or 20 minutes. When your husband leaves for this long and does not tell you where he is going you should be alarmed, very very alarmed. My friend and I were greeted by our husbands wearing big grins and tiny speedos. Excuse me. Did I say tiny speedos? I meant to say matching tiny speedos. Im not sure which was more hilarious, the fact that they wearing speedos or the fact they bought ones that matched. After this we rented a paddle boat with a slide and the boys played like little boys...sliding down the slide, jumping off the slide, flipping off the slide, etc. etc. Ah, yes, just another typical day at the beach.

Everything comes in threes....

Before Thomas left for his most recent training in Germany he informed me that if I ever locked myself out of our apartment there was a way I could get in. As long as the deadbolt wasnt locked I could "kick the door down." Im thinking he is crazy as a bed bug. Me? Kick down a door? Seriously, have you seen me or know me at all? Well, here begins the three bad things that happened within two days time...

The day after I was informed about what to do if I locked myself out I indeed did just that. I closed the door and realized by keys were still inside. I almost went into panic mode, but then remembered my husband's advice. So, with all of my might, using both my hands and my ninja kick I got the door open. Later that day I tried to get some stuff done on base. I was not very successful. I have to get a tourist passport and of course go in and they say Ive filled out the wrong paperwork. Then the next night I broke my key off into the lock of the gate of our apartment. This resulted in me having to climb over the gate later that night to get back in. And at midnight I went outside with pliers and successfully removed the piece of key that was stuck in the lock. I guess that was the start of good things to come, hopefully. It was also nice to know that I could handle whatever difficult things come up without Thomas being here.

Ciao!

Pandamania- VBS

I had the opportunity to volunteer at the chapel on base during vacation bible school (VBS). I was a member of the Panda Preschoolers. I spent my days with three and four year olds. I had so much fun!! Of course, I ended up catching a cold afterwards from all the little tikes, but I think it was still worth it. Kids really say the darndest things!! I had one little boy who was somewhat attached to my hip you could say. One morning as I walked up he looked at me and said, "Your late, where have you been?" I said, "I was in the back setting up so you can have fun today." His response was a simple, "oh." Then later he proceeded to ask me, "Are you a mom?" My response, "No, I have a husband that's enough for right now." Then he says, "Where is your husband?" My response, "well, he's at work." Then I was asked, "where does he work?" My response, "he works here on post, he's in the Army." The little boy grins and says, "Is he shooting today?" "No, not today" I replied. Then it was back to the mom thing again. "When are you going to be a mom?" Ohh my ohhh my, kids crack me up. He had me rolling the whole time. Oh and another child asked if he could go home with me. They were sweet and funny. It was a good experience for me. On the last day I was interviewed about it by the base's paper. That was quite interesting. :) Haha!

Benvenuti

I was able to participate in a welcome to Italy class. It's called Benvenuti which means "welcome" in Italian. It was a great opportunity to learn more about Italy and meet new people.

Day one consisted of basically a class type setting. We learned things about the base and some information on the Italian culture. We also had a cooking lesson where we were able to not only eat the food, but help fix it. We made a pasta with a pesto-zucchini sauce, bruschetta (which I have discovered the Italians do not pronounce it with the "sh" sound in the middle, it's pronounced "brusketta" with the "k" sound in the middle), fruit salad, and regular salad. Everything was delicious and I look forward to making the dish for Thomas one day.

Day two consisted of a trip to Verona. We weren't able to see everything as planned, but I loved all we were able to see. We saw Juliet's house which had a balcony and a statue of Juliet where it is custom to grab her right boob for good luck. There were too many people in line for that so we weren't able to grab her boob. ;) I will have to go back and do that so I will be blessed with good luck :)  We saw an old roman street and a tomb. The churches and architecture were beautiful. It amazes that people were able to build such wondering structures without the materials and equipment we have these days.

Day three consisted of a bus ride down to downtown Vicenza where we visited the local market. It was at the market that I bought a dress that I was told the style of it was very "in" right now. There were vendors with fresh fruit, fresh meat, fresh veggies, and fresh cheeses. We also went to one of the local grocery stores and did some shopping/browsing.

Day four was supposed to be a trip to Nove and Maristico where we would encounter the "Chicken Man" who has a furniture store and a ceramics store. The story behind the "Chicken Man" is that chickens would sometimes randomly be in drawers, etc. and would pop out from time to time. However, I overslept and missed this part of the class!! Ugh, I was very annoyed. I will just have to go on my own one day.


I'm glad I was able to experience this. I met some nice people, learned a lot, and saw some amazing sites.

Ciao!

Little Reminders

Everyday I fall more in love with the views that surround me. I love it when the mountains are clear and you can see all the ridges and some of the towns. It's so beautiful and I never get tired of it. I miss home and my family, but the mountains make me think of them. We've taken several trips to the mountains over the years and my family loves them. Another reminder I have of my family is the church bells that ring every hour in our neighborhood. I think of a certain mountain trip we took. It was a lovely day in the mountains and me, my mom, and aunt were sitting outside. All of a sudden this bell like sound began to chime. Immediately, my mom and aunt were in heaven saying, "Oh, how wonderful that we can hear church bells." They were so excited that there was a church close by ringing it's bells. To their dismay, it was the cabin's doorbell. My dad was pressing it and it sounded a tad like church bells. Needless to say, it is a story that will live on and be laughed at for many years. But, anyway, s0 everyday when I hear the church bells and see the mountains I think of my family and how much they would enjoy it. Especially the authentic church bells. ;) Ciao!

Holes in the ground and roses for the loved. This is Italy.

Italy gives new experiences constantly. I am getting to the point that nothing should surprise me anymore. I went out to eat with a friend. It was imperative that I find a place to pop a squat and relieve myself. Little did I know how literally I would be popping a squat. My friend was kind enough to warn me that this particular restaurant had a squatty potty. Of course, after I used it and she saw my reaction to the squatty potty she wished she had left it as a surprise. But, basically it was a hole in the ground. To assume the position you pop a squat. I'm pretty sure for those who are elderly or have bad legs this could present to be a challenge. However, it is less to touch so at least they won't catch as many germs. Of course, if you can't squat and accidentally fall this would sort of defeat the purpose of being less exposed to germs as you would be sitting in this huge hole in the ground. But, nevertheless, it was definitely one of those experiences that I will never forget. 

Italian men have no shame. If they find you attractive in any way they will make it known. I have heard this, but had never actually experienced first hand. As I walked back from the bathroom, I thought I noticed a group of Italian men look towards me and say hello, but I just brushed it off thinking I imagined it. I didn't. Next thing I know they are buying two roses from one of those really annoying guys who comes around asking if you want to buy a rose. My friend and I were both presented with a rose followed by a declaration of love... "Senora I love you!" Thankfully we had finished eating already. On that interesting note it was time to go home. 

Never a dull moment in Italia. Ciao! 

An Army Sort of Morning

As most of us know, the Army hours are far from convenient or perfect. They typically don't leave on time and it's usually at odd hours or what most of us would consider odd and tortuous hours to be up. Thomas has left for training and will be gone for several days. Our morning first started with me tossing and turning and not being able to sleep at all. I kept thinking of things I meant to do or ask him before he left. I kept thinking of things I needed to add to a list and felt myself getting hotter by the minute. No, not menopause, just probably thinking too much. The alarm awoke us at 445 am. Now, this isn't unusual by any means. The part that was unusual and tortuous was the fact that normally I sleep at night and I don't typically get up when he does. We decided to just keep his car here while he's gone, so I was his chauffeur. Once we were actually leaving, it was around this time that my body decided it was time to go to bed. I got Thomas dropped off and everything feeling like a zombie. As I got out of my car and saw all the abundance of sun that Italy gives every morning, I found myself feeling a little more awake at an hour I should not be awake. This awakeness made me not want to go back to sleep, but at the same time I knew very well that it would hit me at some point. And it did. I decided since I was awake to make myself some breakfast. It was during my early morning breakfast that it hit. I barely finished it before I was cuddled up on the couch falling fast asleep. The rain that immediately began pouring did not help with waking me up. It helped with making me sleep that much more soundly. I have now forced myself to get up. I'm pretty sure I could have slept clear into the afternoon. The rain has stopped and the sun is trying to come out. I now have an important date with a pot of Community Coffee. Until next time, Ciao!