Ever have a bad encounter with a clerk?

When I was grocery shopping the other day I ended up picking a line with a cashier who was obviously miserable in his job. He was a dodgy looking little man with glasses and flapping skin. As I started loading my groceries on the conveyor belt he gave me the "stink eye." Seriously, then he muttered under his breath that "I had more than a few items." Well, there was NO SIGN indicating that it was an express lane!

The nasty crudgmudgen didn't even bother to pack my bags... and on top of it all I was in such a rush to scramble out from under his hateful glare that I squashed my loaf of bread! My children ended up eating sandwiches made on bread slices resembling pieces of a jig-saw puzzle!

The next time I popped in, there he was behind his cash register, his eyes darting wildly about like an evil troll guarding his treasure. His lane was empty (no shocker there), but you better believe I would stand in a line 20 people deep before I got in his lane again!!!

A Mom Decoder Ring...

The other day my mom phoned to ask if I had watched a particular movie. Now you have to personally know my mom to understand that she has her own unique form of communication. There are always a lot of whatchamacallits, doodads, and thingamabobs thrown into the mix. You need a decoder of sorts to interpret what she says. Of course over the years I've become masterful at translating my mom's banter, but I must admit that sometimes even I get stumped. This is how our recent exchange went...


"It was a really good movie," she tells me.

"What's the name of it?" I asked.

"I'm not sure," she replies. "But is has that actress in it. You know... whodoyoucallit."

"Uhm... would you please be a little more specific."

"Blond. I think she was on a TV show."

"OK Mom, I still need something more to go on..."

"She was married to that one guy and then he went off with that other woman."

Eesh! That covered more than half the celebrity couples out there.

Hmm. I thought for a moment. Aha! "Jennifer Aniston," I guessed. "She was on Friends, married to Brad Pitt, who is now with Angelina Jolie."

Silence.

"Mom? Hello? Is the actress Jennifer Aniston?"

"Maybe," she offers. "It was a really cute movie, you should watch it."

*Sigh*

"Thanks Mom, I will."

Learning Italian - (Bucket List Part III)

Buongiorno mi amici...

Just an update on my quest to learn Italian... Sto imparando l'italiano da tre mesi. Ancora molto da imparare. Which hopefully I did not totally mangle, but it should translate to "I am studying Italian for three months.  There is still much to learn." Seriously, it has been quite a long time since I had to review the rules of grammar, but in another language no less! Prepositions, present indicative, past participles, present progressive and possesives, well really it is enough to make my head swim! 

I also do not always have time for as much studying as I would like. However, I have made a lot of progress and even surprise myself sometimes with how much I have picked up so far. I read better than I write and I still have some trouble with a verbal conversation, but I try not to be too hard on myself. After all, this is a self-taught program and not a traditional course.

I think one of my favorite parts about this whole experience has been the friendships I have made.  I don't know if I am just fortunate or if all the people in Italy are as lovely as the ones I have been writing to. I would not be as far along in my studies if it was not for their help. There is one friend in particular that I really owe a deep debt of gratitude. His unwavering patience and help have been invaluable.
 
Maybe in a few more months I will be ready for a lengthy conversation in Italian. The program I am using let's me speak the language and grades me on my pronunciation.  So far I have passed each test.  I am excited and can't wait for the day that I can converse a little more fluently.  My dream is to visit Italy at some point in my life and try out my new language skills.
 
Ciao, a presto!

Ladies: Single for the Holidays?

As the holiday season approaches I sometimes hear women lamenting about the fact that for one reason or another they don’t have a man in their life. Well fear not single ladies, you are not alone. There are many women who will be pulling off the holidays solo. Take advantage of this time and make the most of it! Remember, you are fabulous!

If you need a little help, I compiled a list of reasons to be thankful for not having a man in your life...

TOP 10 REASONS TO BE THANKFUL (for not having a man in your life)!

10. The passing of gas (in any form) will not be turned into a time-honored tradition.

9. You don't have to shop for a beer holster. (Yes, Virginia they really do exist.)

8. You can skip shaving for a day (or two or three…).

7. You can save money by not paying for 5 ESPN channels. (5? Seriously?)

6. Dirty clothes will be in the hamper, not on the floor.

5. The toilet lid is always down.

4. No fighting over whose parent’s house to visit for the holidays.

3. The leftover piece of cake you’ve been saving will still be there when you want it.

2. No eye-rolling when you bring home a new pair of shoes.

And the #1 reason to be thankful...

1. The shower remains a shower and NOT a giant urinal.

Bucket List - Part II

For those of you keeping up with my blog, you know that recently I have taken up Italian. And to help supplement my studies I enrolled in a language exchange program. It was easy. I just set up a profile, waited the 24 hr approval period, and began my search for a pen pal. Graciously three out of four people responded to my plea for help with my Italian (in exchange for lessons in English). All three have faithfully corresponded with me from our initial contact.

I am fortunate that they are all very patient. Obviously I love to write (it's what I do!). And for this reason I am easily frustrated when I can't string together the appropriate words to translate into comprehensible Italian. Even with the help of an English/Italian dictionary I end of up saying strange things like.."we should buy more butter to write us back at the library!" However, I am so determined to master this second language that I read everything I can get my hands on. Then every once in awhile I get something right! "Perfect Italian" one of my new friends tell me. Grazie mille!!!

I am so impressed by the level of English all three can read and write. Some days I am not sure if this is more intimidating than inspiring. I feel like I am struggling along, but mainly because I want to rush. I sit through my lessons of un, una, il, la, etc.,etc. All the time wondering if I will be able to speak Italian in 6 months (as guaranteed), or if I'll be the first person to have her money refunded! Ah well, I continue to write to these new friends of mine, that are so kind and gracious. One day who knows, maybe I will be able to write an entire blog in Italian...and I promise, it won't have anything to do about butter!

Self-doubt: The Unwanted Interloper

In my previous post, I wrote about participating in a language exchange program (in an effort to complete the item on my bucket list - learn a second language). Now whenever I have a free moment I try to study Italian. Truthfully, I'm not exactly the best student and my lap top isn't helping matters. For instance when it freezes up in the middle of a lesson. I inevitably see it as a sign that this just isn't meant to be. But realistically I know that it's just self-doubt creeping in.

Oh, I thought this unwanted interloper was long gone, dismissed alongside other disparaging insecurities from a long ago adolescence. But there it is, still lurking in the shadows. He is a sly one, self-doubt. He waits until I am tired and frustrated, then slowly sidles up and whispers in my ear that maybe, just maybe, I can't accomplish this. But it's not my fault he coos, after all I'm not a kid anymore. Things just don't stick like they used to and I'm so busy now. So many other things to get done, more important things, than a silly wish on a bucket list. But, I shake it off, take a deep breath and refocus my efforts.

I will reboot my computer.

I will call the tech support helpline.

I will have patience!

I will kick self-doubt to the curb!!!

It's relearning how to slow down. To remember that some things (no matter how old-fashioned it sounds) just take time to complete. We are currently living in a world of instant gratification...on-demand movies, instant MP3 downloads, digital cameras, email. It's easy to forget that you can't just download a new language into your brain like you can a music file to your iPod. So I will continue to study, practice and most importantly believe in myself. I won't allow the unwanted interloper to get the best of me.

As one of my new Italian friends reminds me, "Roma non è stata fatta in un giorno" -The Roman Empire was not built in a day.

The Bucket List

A few years ago I put together a bucket list. Since that time it's been relatively status quo...nothing crossed off and nothing added. Sad truth is there is very little time left in the day to do something just for myself and even when there is I'm too exhausted! One item on my list is to learn a second language, specifically Italian. I took Spanish in high school, but my true desire has always leaned towards the Italian culture. Maybe due in part to the artistry and cuisine the country is renowned for. But let me back up a bit. I am sure that by now, most people (thanks to the Julia Roberts' cinematic version), have heard of "Eat, Pray, Love", the memoir written by Elizabeth Gilbert. It has always been a preference of mine to read the book before watching the movie so I picked up a copy to see what all the fuss was about. I won't be reviewing the book here, as I have heard many people are divided on the subject. I just wanted to note that it was the author's contagious enthusiam for Italy that motivated me to dust off this particular item on my bucket list.

Now on to learning Italian. Unfortunately there were no traditional classes currently being offered in my area. Not to be deterred, I purchased a self-study program, one that utilizes the immersion method. Truthfully, some days I find it rather slow and tedious, but I am learning so I won't complain. However, "slow" is not really in my vocabulary and I wanted something to supplement my studies. I believe it is important to actively apply a new skill...using what you learn in the every day world. So what I really wanted was to practice Italian with someone. Someone who lives in Italy. Unlike the aforementioned author I do not posses the financial resources to spend four months in the next zip code let alone a new country, so I opted for the next best thing...a pen pal. Yes, I am embarking on a old-fashioned relationship, albeit with a twist of technology.

Through a language exchange site I will be paired with individuals seeking to practice English while they help me with Italian. I'm looking forward to the experience and will be journaling my progress (interspersed with my usual, general musings). In the meantime, I encourage everyone to dust off their own bucket list and try something new. Ciao! a presto.