My first post

Ciao!

 I've decided to create this blog because i thought "if everyone else can have a blog...why cant I?"  I also figure its a good way to stay in touch with my friends and family, and to share some funny/ridiculous stories on life in italy (believe me, there are MANY!).   So here we go!  Who knows how many people will actually read this, but for the few of you out there..enjoy!

Ok heres a little summary to bring everyone up to date.  2 1/2 years ago ago I came on vacation with my mother to Florence for a graduation/birthday celebration.  (Little did I know that it would be the best and most life changing vacation I would ever take!)  During our stay at the beautiful Montebello Splendid Hotel we encountered this handsome and charming Italian man, Alberto.  My mother was in search of Italian wine to bring back to the States and Alberto, being the gentleman he is, offered to take us to a place unknown to most tourists where we could get a great bottle of chianti at a low cost---the supermarket!!--  little did he know that my mom is a sucker for supermarkets (she loves to find foods/spices original to the places we visit.)So you can just imagine an Italian supermarket with the aisles and aisles of pasta, biscotti, olive oil, nutella, and breadsticks my mom was in her own little heaven.  Having lost my mother to the wonders of la cuicna italiana, Alberto and I were left to get to know each other.   In the meantime discovering how two people so seemingly different, from different cultures, opposite sides of the world, could have so much in common.  After the supermarket experience Alberto took us out for a tour of the chianti hills/vineyards and finally a wonderful little trattoria he likes to call "il bastardo".    

Needless to say after our short 5 day visit it was hard to say arrivederci, but something deep down told me I would be back.  Alberto and I exchanged emails, kept in touch via skype, visited each other... yada yada yada...and last September I packed up my things and made my way to Scarperia (a little town in the countryside, 45 minutes from Florence).  We got married January 5, 2008, in an intimate, beautiful ceremony at the castle in the center of our town.  I have recently started working at a private language school teaching English to Italians, and I love it! 

 Although i have to admit it took a bit of adjusting (learning a new language, understanding and accepting cultural differences, dealing with italian bureaucracy, and most importantly learning to drive a STICK SHIFT!!)  I am happy to say I feel that this is my home. And although there are a few things I miss from the states -- my family and friends, mexican food, Target, personal space, people with organizational skills, etc...I know I made the right choice in moving here.  

I leave you now with a recipe for my favorite aperitivo cocktail, usually served in Italy as a before dinner drink!  enjoy!

A Presto!

APEROL SPRITZ

Ingredients:

Aperol 

Prosecco

orange slices(for garnish)

ice

Mix one part Aperol to 2 parts prosecco, add orange slice and ice.  stir, and enjoy! Buonissimo!