Ankle Biter

     May 30, 2012 This morning Zia Pupa, mom, and I went down to the mercatino that is outside of Zia Pupa's house. My mom needed to look for a specific gift for my dad that she has been having trouble finding since she decided that is actually what she wanted to get. I also finally found a couple little things I was looking forto make some gifts for a couple of friends. My cousin Franco had called while we were at the mercatino, and asked if we wanted to go to his house Saturday for dinner. After my mom and I talking we asked if we could do it tonight or sometime during the week because we only have a couple of weekends left and we are trying to plan some out of town trips. It ended up working out that we were able to go to his house for dinner tonight, and I was excited because all five kids were going to be there. My two cousins and then my three step cousins. I keep waiting for one of them to come visit me, so we will see which one of them will be on their way first.

     

     There was another guy there eating dinner with us which was the kids cousin. Right before we were about to eat his phone rang and his older brother was calling him. All of my cousins told me to answer the phone and speak in English to play a jokeon this guy because they always screw around with him when he calls. I started talking to him in English and then a little in Italian. When I didn't know what to say my cousins would tell me what to tell him in Italian. When he was talking he spoke so fast I could not understand what he was saying and I would tell him I don't understand his language.  Well him knowing that we were playing around with him responded back with a dirty remark that I understood. I couldn't understand anything else he said except for that sexual inuendo, so I put the phone down and I was laughing so hard I started crying. He totally caught me off guard and I did not know how to respond. Then they handed the phone to my mom to talk to him. She said she couldn't understand him either, but she knew he was talking dirty. My cousins kept asking me what he said, but I was laughing so hard I couldn't catch my breath. I have not laughed that hard in a long time. It was definitely a fun night, and tonight made me realize that I actually understand a little more Italian than I thought.

     I made a little new friend while I was at their house tonight. This little minature pincher is named Lilly. She eventually quit barking and let me hold her, then she also started playing with me. When I went to get off the couch to get my camera from my mom the dog jumped off my lap, and then she ran by my ankle and bit me. What the heck?!? It didn't hurt or leave a mark, but geez I thought we were friends haha I guess I need  to watch out for this ankle biter a little more. I would have brought her home with me if I could, but we know there was no way I would get her past my mom.

Italian Meat Market

     May 29, 2012 This morning after we were all ready Zio Leopoldo drove me, mom, and Zia Pupa to the hospital. My aunt had an appointment with the hematology doctor to see if he would order some tests, because she has been having some pain in her arms, and she is worried that her cancer is back and may have spread. This hospital that we went to  does not have an Emergency Room, and it was a lot nicer and cleaner. There were a bunch of medical offices and I had asked my mom why they call it a hospital if it is just for appointments, but I guess they admit patients to this hospital as well. The doctor ordered some tests for her to have done in June since she already had some tests done when she was in the emergency room. After we were done at the hospital I went home with Zia Pupa and Zio Leopoldo, so that Veruska could come pick me up and take me to her house. Mom walked home with Zia Giovanna, and Zio Gaetanno because she wanted to go visit a friend that lived by  their house. Zio Gaetano wanted me to take a picture of  the "old ladies" because with their ages combined they are "antique" 200 years. The bottom picture is a view from outside the hospital...absolutely gorgeous.

     Veruska ended up having to work, but at least I was able to catch up on my journaling and updating my pictures on Facebook. Mom, Zia Giovanna, and Zio Gaetano showed up at Veruska's unexpectedly because they changed their minds on what they were going to do. Instead of going to the supermarket they decided to go to Catanzaro Lido to get gelatto. Of course I jumped at that because any time someone is going near the beach I am going  with them.  I wanted to get a panini for dinner again. This is the second time I have tried going to get a panini at Alexander's and the pub has been closed. I really do not understand how people make a living here when their stores are closed all of the time, so who knows when I will get my panini I have been wanting since  this resteraunt is always closed. I know there are other places I can get one, but this place is really good.
     Another reason they wanted to go to Catanzaro Lido was because Zia Pupa wanted to get some meat from a meat market here that is really good. This is definitely different than our meat departments at home. Here they have meat and sausages hanging from the ceiling, complete chickens (with feet) and rabbits (with full body including eyes and head) that look lilke they have just been skinned out back. GROSS!!

     It's really hard being a far away from family and friends when there are big events going on back at home whether it be a birthday, a wedding, or even the loss of a family or friend. Today I found out that my friend Aimee her granny passed away. I am very close to her family and consider them all a part of my family. I have been a part of their family for over 10 years, and it is very hard now knowing that I cannot be there now for my friends during the loss of their Mother/Granny. We have been in Italy for so long I feel like I live here now rather than being on vacation because a lot has gone on here and back at home.

Zia Giovanna's Birthday

     May 28, 2012 Today mom and I didn't go anywhere. We had planned to stay home and start organizing some luggages and getting some things out of the way and packed since we only have a couple weeks left. We got one luggaged packed with the clothes and things we don't need anymore and are not using since the weather has slightly changed. I thought it was going to be overweight, but after we weighed it we still have probably have a couple more pounds that we can add...now only if we can find the room to get it packed.

     While we were finishing up Claudia called to see if we wanted to go have lunch at her house. It was my Zia Giovanna's  birthday and we didn't even know. We agreed to go, so Zio Gaetno and Zia Giovanna came to pick mom and I up to take us to Claudia's house for lunch. We only got to visit for a little after we ate because  here everyone likes to take naps after they eat, and my Zio Gaetano never misses his nap. He was ready to go home, so we had to leave after we were done eating desert.

Francesco's 1st Communion

     May 27, 2012 Today was Francesco's 1st Communion. I was going to go watch my cousin Antonio play football, and then join them for a party for my cousin Gaetanno, but instead I decided to go to the first communion. I have not seen these cousins since I have been here and felt that I should go. I am happy that I went becaue I was able to see my cousins I have not seen yet since we have been here plus I got to meet some other step cousins of mine. They were actually all a lot of fun. They were practicing their English and then having me practice my Italian. When we were done eating lunch one of Francesco's uncles heard that I was from America, and moved closer to where me and the kids were sitting, so that he could hear us talking and teaching each other phrases. Mario asked if we had any American money with us because he has never seen American money before. I think my mom is going to give them a little surprise the next time we see them before we leave! Shhh!

     The first communion's here are definitely a lot different and bigger than those I have been to at home. When I was younger I got to pick a pretty white dress, and here all of the kids where the same type of gown. The kids also carry gifts to the front of the alter. Some items included were bread, fruits, and vegetables. Here it is also an all day event. Most of the time is because of the food. There were so many servings of food, that I didn't think the food would ever stop coming. By the end of the day when the party was over, we were all exhausted and just went home to lay down and relax. When we got home for some reason mom wasn't feeling good and had to lay down for a little while. I had finally found a movie on tv and was excited because I found a movie for the first time that I was actually able to understand.

L' Hosteria

     May 26, 2012 Last night I stayed the night at Claudia's, so when I woke up this morning we got ready and went out to look for a tool that my mom and I wanted to get for our nails. It wasn't exactly what we were looking for, but we will see if it works. By the time we got the stores and found what we were looking for it was time for lunch, so we went to go eat at Massi's. When we got there they had a party of 16 people, and there was only one person in the kitchen and one waiter. Massi was not working today, so Claudia had to get dressed to help in the kitchen since they were extremely busy.
     Some family that we have not seen had planned to come see us today, so after lunch Vincenzo took me back home since Claudia had to work. My cousin Antonio and his family finally came by after they were done running errands. It was nice to see them finally since we only got to see Arianna for a few minutes when we landed at the airport, and then Antonio we saw  for a quick "hi" and "bye" when he came to pick up my cousin Roberta because her car was not working and was not safe to drive home. Hopefully Arianna will be coming to visit us next year. After everyone left I just stayed home and watched tv because I was exhausted.

Another Day of Horsin' Around

     May 25, 2012 This morning Claudia picked my mom and I up to take us to the mall in La Mezia which is about twenty minutes away, so that we could continue to look for a gift for my cousin Francesco. We walked around the entire mall, and all three of us shopped and bought something for ourselves before we even found a gift for my cousin. Finally on the way out we found a bracelet that we all agreed on, and ended up buying it. After shopping instead of heading back home to Zia Pupa's we went to Zia Giovanna's for lunch. After we ate Claudia called Angelo; the kid she flagged down in the middle of the road a couple days ago with the horse. When she called him she told him who she was and said "My American cousin" he immediately knew who was calling. She asked how much it would cost for us to go horseback riding, but he said that he would let me go for a ride. I told Claudia I am going to start using this "American girl" thing to my advantage and she started laughing.

                                                    When we got there we met him at a resteraunt that he works at, and I am pretty sure his family owns. His house was next to the resteraunt, and the stalls were down the hill. One of the horses just had a baby 3 days prior and I was able to go into the stall and take a picture with the little baby. He let me ride one of the horses for about thirty minutes to an hour and took me out on the country roads. It was so much fun and a completely different experience. The saddles that they have here are different than the ones we have in the states. I found out that the saddles we have are found in the West, and something they do not have here. The entire reason this topic was brought up was because I was explaining that our saddles have (I don't know what it is called) a knot near the horses neck that I usually use to help myself up, and these ones do not have anything like that. It was definitely a lot of fun, and I am very grateful that he let us ride for free. Hopefully before we leave we will get to go watch him jump the horses.
     After our adventure I had to go home and change, so that we could go have dinner at Massi's resteraunt. We have been trying to go on a Friday night since we got here because people start dancing after they eat, but of course the Friday we finally get to go no one showed up. After dinner I got some things together and went to stay the night at Claudia's house. Silvia and I were minding our own business talking when Alfredo walked in and smaked me upside the head with a pillow. That began the pillow fight and tickle war that he lost becaues of course Silvia is going to take my side everytime. When Claudia see's Alfredo loosing she will jump in and help him attack me. It was a fun day/night, but unfortunately for them the kids had to get up early to go to school, but I got to sleep in. I am really not going to like my alarm waking me up when I get back home and have to start working again.

My New Cousin Sara

     May 24, 2012 This morning we had to get up early to take my aunt back to the hospital since she didn't want to stay overnight. They had to re-check her blood work and see if her cardiac enzymes were still elevated. If they were normal they were going to let her return home, but if they were elevated they were going to have to admit her. The first blood test they took this morning came back again with an elevated troponin level. Roberto talked to the doctor and they decided to re-check her levels again in 4 hours. During this time they allowed my aunt to come sit out in the waiting room with us since we aren't allowed to go into the back.
     Roberto again was going back and forth between his wife and mom today. He asked me if I wanted to go upstairs to see the baby, and of course I wasn't going to say no. I got to meet my new cousin Sara and hold her for the first time(today was actually the first time I got to meet his wife too). She was so precious. Roberto took pictures for me, and when I got back to my mom I was bragging that I got to hold her first. They should be coming home today, and since they live close to my aunt hopefully I will get to see her a little more before we leave.
    We then took my aunt's EKG and blood work results upstairs while we were waiting for the final results of the last blood test. My cousin had a cardiologist look at the EKG and ask his advice. My aunt keeps telling everyone she thinks it is her pacemaker that is causing her pain since it is hurting in her arm and chest, but it hurts a lot when she touches it. We thought it had to do with a possible MI which some of it could have been, but I saw how she grimaces when the doctor touched her chest and I think she is partly right as well. When they replace her pacemaker because the first one was old they placed the new one in a different spot from where the first one had been. The cardiologist ordered an echo to check the position of the pacemaker, but did not see anything abnormal. They ended up discharging my aunt from the hospital because the last set of blood work came back normal. When we got home my aunt found her x-ray films that show the pacemaker and its wires, so that she can take them with her to her next dr. appointment. Luckily everything today turned out to be ok, and she was able to return home.
     I have to say with all that I have seen in the hospital and ER, I never expected to see something that could possibly be a useful tool in our ER waiting room. In their waiting room they have a flat screen tv with patient information. When a patient checks in, they are assigned a number and given a triage tag stating their acuity. This monitor switches back and forth between two different screens. The first screen shows the patients who are currently waiting listed by their number (instead of name) that they were assigned, the time they checked in, and the color of their acuity. The next screen shows the different colors of acuity and explains what each color means(this is also explained on the triage tag given to them). I thought this was actually a good way of educating and informing patients plus they know how many more patients are "sicker" than they are. I know it's probably a long shot, but heck it might even eliminate our patients constantly asking, "how many more people are in front of me?" and "how much longer do I have to wait?"

     Later this eveneing Veruska and I went to pick up my mom, so that we could go look for a gift for Francesco's 1st communion. Veruska took us to a jewelry store, and I already didn't like it when I walked in because there wasn't anything to look at, and I like to browse and see what they have. Instead the owner pulls out some wraps from the safe with jewelry in it to show us. They know we were American's because my cousins are friends with them plus they made a comment that they remembered us when we walked in. Why do all the other countries think that American's have money? I'm just curious because I wish I was as rich as they think I am. The man pulled out one wrap with chains only. I told my mom that I want to see the entire necklace together as one or start with a charm and then choose the chain. Well he kept showing us the chains, and even with the discount we were going to get on chain (without the charm) was going to cost us 600-800 Euros. That is probably $1,000.00 What the heck?!? One gold chain??? You've got to be kidding me. I know I am American, but do they think I have a money tree in my backyard. LOL I wish that were the case. We obviously didn't purchase anything from that store, but I do have to say they were very nice and helpful which I haven't seen very much since we have been here. 

Italian Emergency Room (Pronto Socorso)

     May 23, 2012 This morning when I woke up I checked to see how my aunt was feeling. She said she doesn't feel the palpitations like she did last night. They had me take her manual blood pressure again this morning because my uncle wasn't able to hear it. I also had a little trouble, but for her it was a little low today. We also checked it with the automatic pressure just to double check because she needs to determine if she is able to take her diuretic pill this morning. Her heart rate is still running fast and a little faster than it was last night. If she continues to stay tachy like this for the rest of the day I think I am going to tell her she needs to go to the hospital, so that they can medicate her with some different meds, that we won't be using at the house because they need to be used in a more controlled environment. Hopefully she will not have to go, so we are hoping that she feels better. One thing I have noticed when my famiy speaks about anything having to do with anything medical I am able to understand almost everything they say. Here the general public uses medical terminology and it is not just used for those in the medical field. At home only those of us that work in the medical field communcate via medical terminiology. When we need to communicate with our patients, family,or friends we then change the vocabulary to layman terms so that it is easier for others to understand what we are talking about. I like how I do not need someone to translate all of the medical information here for me because I am able to understand most of it myself.
     By the time I was dressed and ready for the day this morning, my cousin had decided it was time for my aunt to go to the emergency room because her heart right was continuing to run high. When we got there my uncle drove us right up to the door. Roberto was already at the hospital because his wife was getting ready to deliver a baby, so he met us at the front of the emergency room. He took my aunt to 1 small window (triage) and gave them her name, birthdate, and the reason why she was there. After that she had to wait for a little bit until they called her name to the back. I found an Italian triage tag sitting at the window that they use to triage their patients and took a picture to show the difference. This obviously wasn't my aunts because her acuity was red "fast", and not "when possible". Here in the emergency room the waiting room out front is for family, and only patients are allowed to enter the double doors into the actual emergency room.When they called my aunts name my cousin called me and told me to hurry. He told me to go with my aunt, but when they got mad that I was there I would have to go out. I got a quick glimpse of how the ER was ran. To me it looked disorganized. First they have no patient identifiers they just call your name and you answer. When they opened the door to the ER there was a long hallway and on the ceiling were colored signs hanging that read Codice Verde (Code Green)

these specified the patients level of acuity. When we first walked in they had my aunt and I go into a room on the right. When we walked in there were two gurneys each with a patient on it and no curtain for privacy. We had to sit against the wall behind a patients gurney and wait for the nurse to call my aunt. I was asking my aunt questions about how things work plus I saw tons of people in white running around in white scrubs. She explained to me that everyone in white are nurses, and the people in green are the doctors. It sure felt like home for an instant listening a woman next to us probably with dementia talking to herself and yelling random things aloud. The area on the opposite side of the hallway directly across from us was another waiting room with just chairs for patients to sit and wait. At this point they still have not checked my aunts vitals. We were just told to sit in the room. Oh and here they also have morbidly obese patients like we do at home. Once they called my aunts name I walked with her into the Code Red room which is a higher acuity. I stepped back out of the way hoping they would let me stay.There was about 6 nurses in this room, and one asked another if it was ok for me to stay. The other nurse started talking to me very fast that I was only able to understand a little bit. My aunt told her I didn't understand a lot, so they asked me to go get my aunts medicine for them and then I would have to wait outside. I think if I would have understood they would have let me stay because I think she was trying to tell me I could stay in case the doctor had questions, but when my Zia Giovanna took them my aunts medications they wouldn't let her go in either. With the quick glimpse of the room that I could see in that 1 minute was a table/bed with a sheet in the center of the room, and carts and machines all around the outer walls. It looked like an operating room. Now was my time to leave.
     Like our hospitals we are not suppose to take pictures, but I put my phone on silent and snapped some quick photos when I could and as best as I could to share my experience. Hopefully my cousin or uncle will be able to get me in their again before I leave. My cousin Roberto was going  back and forth between his wife and his mom to give us information. My cousin told us we could go home and eat and then he would call us when my aunt was ready to be picked up, or if he had any information. While we were outside talking to him an ambulance came through and I saw them pull out the gurney with a normal blanket on it. I asked him if they use that same blanket for everyone and he said unless it's dirty, so they probably don't change the sheets either. I told my mom heaven forbid we need to go on  a stretcher, we are taking our own linen! Before we left my mom wanted to go visit a friend of hers who is in the hospital for a problem with her knee and whom we have not been able to see yet since we have been here.

     Walking into the patients room was crazy. I swear it is like they are living in the old days. They are definitely behind the times here. I walked into the room and there were 4 beds with 4 patients. NO curtains/patient dividers, NO doors (except the one we entered), and NO privacy! My mom's friend said at one point there were 6 patients in her room. Also when I asked her what they do when someone needs privacy she explained that here the word privacy doesn't exist. My Zia Giovanna did try to help me sneak some photos. She had me pretend I was talking on the phone instead the camera was open and as she grabbed my arm and turned me around I kept snapping pictures. Only got one or two and not as good as I would have liked, but at least it is something to prtray what I saw.
     After lunch and while we were waiting to receive information on how my aunt was doing, I was spending time with Veruska. After we picked up Karol from school and were on our way to their house Veruska saw that the Air Ambulance was getting ready to land, so she drove me all the way to the top of the hill to see it. They did not land on an actual helipad though. She explained to me that they landed on a road that was an entrance to another hospital. In order for the helicopter to land they close the gates at the entrance and exit, so that traffic can not go through. The ground ambulance met the helicopter at the top of the hill. They then transferred the patient from the helicopter to the ground ambulance, and the ground ambulance would then transport the patient to the hospital.

     My mom attempts to explain to me things going on with my aunt, but I have trouble understanding her or she doesn't know how to explain a certain word in English. When I talk to my cousin Roberto and he explains the medical things to me I understand. If I don't understand what he is saying I have him write the word down so that I can see it, and I then realize what medication he is talking about or what blood tests they were doing. After talking with my cousin I found out that they were treating my aunt with Amiodarone today to control her heart rate. They were going to let her go home, but then saw that her troponin levels came back elevated, and talked about admitting her to the hospital. They gave her medication to control these enzyme levels, and after my cousin talking to the doctor they decided that instead of her staying overnight in the hospital they would send her home, but tomorrow morning she would have to return to have her enzyme levels checked again. The EKG showed an inverted T wave and they are suspecting and MI, but they are still unsure. All of the other blood work  (CPK) came back normal, and it was just the troponin that was high. Tomorrow when she returns to the hospital if the troponin is still elevated she will be admitted to the hospital until they can get her numbers under control. Please keep my aunt in your prayers and that her heart rate and enzyme levels go down, so that she will not have to be admitted into the hospital.

911 = *118

     May 22, 2012 Last night I did not sleep well at all. I probably woke up just about every hour. My Zia Giovanna  lives in my nonna's old house. They are up high on the edge of the mountain, and they live on the top floor of their building. Since they are so close to the edge of the mountain they tend to get more wind in that area. Last night was just miserable. The wind was so loud I could have swore the building was going to blow down. The shutters were closed, but there was something banging against them all night long whenever the wind would hit it just right. I was waiting for the shutters to blow off and the windows to blow open. As loud as the wind was I bet it's probably just as loud in the center of a tornado.
     I was so tired when I woke up this morning. Luckily Veruska came by and I decided to go to her house while she worked, so that I would be able to catch up on all my journaling and posting my pictures up on Facebook. It was a good decision because I am finally caught up and not behind like I was before. I had decided to stay the night at her house that so I would be able to sleep, but everything changed when we found out that my Zia Pupa was not feeling well and having problems with her heart. My cousin Roberto is a medic on the ambulance, and they always call him first. Then if he feels that they need to call the ambulance for my aunt he will. Because of the pain my aunt was having in her chest and left arm plus her elevated heart rate they decided to call 911 which here you have to dial *118 instead.
     I was at Veruska's when my mom called me and told me what was going on, so Veruska and I came to my aunt's house to see how she was doing. Here I have noticed that they call everyone doctor. I think they call everyone doctor here if they have their doctorite. I still haven't quite figured out how it works, but it is really confusing. For instance, last night when the ambulance arrived their is a man on the ambulance who is a doctor, yet his jumpsuit sais medic. Roberto said he is a doctor because he makes a lot of money every month. By the time Veruska and I got here Zia Pupa had already had her EKG done, and an IV hanging. They had given her some medicine to relax her plus some Lanoxin for her A-fib. The medic wanted my aunt to go to the hospital, but she refused because Roberto said they would just do the same thing we are doing here at the house for her. Because he is a medic they left her at home with the IV line for us to DC once it was finished. Roberto's wife was induced today and they are expecting the baby at any minute, so he had to get back to the hospital. He asked if I would watch my aunt and DC the IV once it was completed. After the ambulance people left I found out that the "doctor" told my aunt that she was having an MI, but my cousin Roberto said no she wasn't. From what my mom had told me Roberto was telling the "doctor" what to do and what medicines to give. The doctor even wanted my cousin here before he did anything, and had my mom call him to make sure he was coming to the house. So basically the ambulance brought the jump bag, and my cousin ran the call on his own mom.
     Veruska and I had to go pick up mine and my mom's clothes from Zia Giovann's house and bring them back here since tonight we were both going to be staying with Zia Pupa again in case she needed something. I explained to my mom that if the IV fluids ran out before we got back how she needed to turn off the IV. She didn't want to DC the IV because it grossed her out, so when we got back I DC'd my aunts IV and re-checked her vitals. Blood pressure was good, but she is still a little tachy. Hopefully after she gets some rest tonight she will be better in the morning. Praying that she feels better soon.
    The first thing my mom said when I got there was "Are you going to take a picture?" because she knows I am journaling everyday of my experience here plus six years ago when they called the ambulance for my aunt I took a picture of her then too. We had to improvise on the IV pole, but hey it works.

Please Mr. Postman

     May 21, 2012 When I woke up this morning I found out that a cousin of mine was on her way over. She called my aunt and told her they were half way to her house. Not much a warning considering we had a lot to do today, but it was nice of them to come over to see us and visit with us for a little while. Six years ago when I saw my cousin Valentina she was recently married. Today when I saw her I got to meet another cousin of mine that is only 23 days old. She was so cute! Before they left we took pictures and I asked her if I could hold the baby. Of course she said yes and then told me that she has a picture of her holding me when I was a baby. Now it is my turn to hold her baby Benedetta. After they left we were out of the house because we had a lot of important errands to run.

     First priority today was to mail out my nursing application for my RN upgrade. We attempted on Friday, but like I have said before here very few people have concept of customer service. We tried to ask at the post office on Friday about mailing my paper work to the states and the man wouldn't help us at all. All we wanted to know was how much and about how long it would take to get there. He told us about a month. My mom had asked him about air mail and he was a smart @$$ and said he would have to call the airport. There was one lady there that quietly gave us some advice and was helpful, but her co-worker sucked. Anyways that is why we are where we are today...trying another post office. The lady today was a little nicer, but she also couldn't tell us anything. I don't understand, but it seems like most things here they make a lot more difficult than they need to be.
     I told my Zia Giovanna that Antonio's friend Massimo that brought me home from Naples works at a post office. It is a different post office and he said they only ship the large packages and handle UPS. He was my last resort, or I was going to be screwed with applying this semester. Luckily he was able to help us and give us some information. I totally forgot that he delt with UPS, and if I would have remembered that we wouldn't have delt with the Italian postal service we would have just gone straight to his work. Thankfully he told us who we needed to speak to and the lady helped us mail the documents via UPS and will be arriving in my father's hands in 3 days!! Thanks to my new friend Massimo Marino who was my lifesaver my application will be arriving just in time for the deadline! After all of our running around we stopped and ate at Massi's resteraunt for lunch. He surprised us with one of his ex-girlfriends showing up and visiting from Rome. I like her a lot and I told here she can come visit us in America with or without my cousin. While we were eating I was trying some new type of meat my cousin made. Typical Massi always playing around wanted to feed me. They thought I wasn't eating because I was affraid it was horse meat, but I really was full. Everyone napped while I continued to journal because I am falling behind again.

     Once everyone woke up we were out again. I had to re-charge the cell phone my cousin gave me, so that I would be able to call my family and friends in the US. My mom then was looking for a gift for dad, but tonight we were unsuccessful. I don't like how all the stores close down in the middle of the day and then re-open. Then they close early too at 8pm, so it's hard to get anything done sometimes around here. But I did accomplish a little family reunion task that needed to be completed. I ordered the souvenirs for our reunion, now I just have to wait for them to send me the sample of the art and approve or decline. That will be one thing to decrease my stress level of things to do when I get home. I can't wait to see the final result!

Horsin' Around

     May 20, 2012 I woke up this morning feeling a little better. I still didn't sleep very well though last night considering I was waking up every two hours, but at least my stomach is feeling a little better. However, my Zia Giovanna woke up feeling dizzy, so this morning I got to give her another IM injection. I never thought I would be getting all this experience while on vacation. Later in the morning Claudia came to Zia Giovanna's and after lunch her, mom, Zia, and I left to go get Silvia from a first communion that she was at. Before picking her up we had to make a quick stop to Zia Pupa's to pick up mom's bowling glove because we are all going out bowling tonight and she wanted to go in style. I'm surprised she didn't pack her ball and her shoes to bring here with her.

     On the way there we saw a jockey horseback riding down the busy rode. I completely joking said, "He's pretty cute maybe he will take me around for a ride on the horse." My cousin Claudia asks, "should I turn the car around?" My mom immediatley says, "No!" and I then say, "Yes!" totally joking and not thinking that she would actually turn the car around. Well she did, and she followed them and honked the horn to get their attention. She waved her arm out the window saying, "excuse me, but can I ask a question?" Then she played the whole "my American cousin" (because for some reason they really like American's here and think we are great) want's to go horseback riding..blah blah blah. Then she asks if I can take a picture. I am assuming next to the jockey and the horse.
 Nope! he dismounts and then lets me get on the horse for a picture. In America I would probably have been embarassed, but since I will probably never see this guy again I thought it was pretty funny. When we were all done and before I got in the car I asked him to take a picture with me. Might as well since I got a picture with his horse I should take a picture with him too.
     What's even funnier is that first the stirrups were so high I had trouble getting up. Second the saddle was different and it didn't have the knob by the neck of the horse that I normally use to help pull myself up, so the poor kid had to help me up by grabbing my other leg and pushing me up. A gentleman he was for not trying to push me up by my rear since it was directly in his face, and thanks to my cousin Claudia she captured a picture of the awkwardness...my rear in his face!

 I do have to say though that he himself had to use the tire on my cousins car to hoist himself back up, so it wasn't just me that had trouble.

     Tonight we all went bowling. My mom has wanted to go since we got here and she even brought her bowling glove with her in case we went. The bowling alley was actually at one of the mall's here where they have an arcade, roller rink that at first looked like an ice skating rink until you see that the kids have wheels, and also a movie theater. Tonight was the first time my Zia Giovanna has ever bowled. She maintained a score of 7 throughout the entire game, and then finally decided to let Silvia throw the ball for her to help her get some points. At one point we told her to try a smaller ball and when Zia Giovanna went to through the ball down the lane the ball went up in the air with her arm because her fingers were stuck in the holes. It was a lot of fun. Alfredo was actually the first person to get a strike and then I was the second. My mom was determined to beat me, and she did but ONLY by 8 pins.

Sick And Home Sick

     May 19, 2012 This morning I woke up not feeling well and with a lot of allergy symptoms. Hopefully it won't last too long because I do not want to be sick while I am here. Today we are getting ready to go stay a few days at my Zia Giovanna's house which is just on the other side of town, but farther away from my cousin Veruska...I don't know what I am going to do with out her. haha (that is the joke here because we are practically inseperable). After Zia Giovanna and Zio Gaetano came to pick us up we ran some errands in town before we headed to their house. On the way there we saw a car speeding with its hazzard lights and constantly honking the horn. I found out that here when they do that it means that they are taking someone to the emergency room. Instead of waiting for the ambulance because they take longer to arrive than ours in America people transport their family and friends themselves to the hospital for treatment.

     Today I have not been feeling well at all. I am dealing with allergies. On top of that my stomach has been upset and I have been anxious all day. I didn't think I would get home sick because I am here with my mom. I could see if I came here to visit family by myself I might get home sick, but today is actually the first day that it has hit me. A couple of times I just wanted to go lay down and cry because I feel miserable and would rather have my own bed when I am not feeling well, but don't get me wrong I am loving the time here with my family that I don't get to see as often too. I am definitely missing my dad even though we are each others pain in the rear (I love you dad), my dog, and my friends.
     Some friends of my mom whom she went to high school with called this morning and asked if her and I wanted to go out with them tonight for pizza and social dancing. Not sure exactly what that is, but I told my mom if I felt better I would go with them. Well the day progressed and I still felt a little crummy, but decided to go out with them anyways because I did not want to stay home on a Saturday night. They picked us up at my Zia Giovanna's house and the first stop was at a church for a little mass that was about 30minutes long. After mass was over we went to the mall for a little bit, and then we headed over to the pizzeria. There was a room near our table where the dancing was. THEY LINE DANCE IN ITALY! I couldn't believe it. It is a little different than ours because they line dance rumba, salsa, merengue, and some others. They did do one country line dance that I know that was the same one we do at home, but I only saw a little of it because I was on a long distance phone call with a friend back at home.

Soverato

     May 18, 2012 Well Veruska was late as usual, even with us telling her we were leaving at 8:30am instead of 9am. When we finally left we were headed to Soverato...the place I would probably buy a vacation home if I ever had enough money. Gorgeous city on the ocean! Soverato had a mercatino today and I remember from six years ago that it was a very nice one. It actually ended up being larger than any of the ones we've been too plus they also have a lot of nice things. On the way there I saw the factory where they make my favorite coffee Guglielmo, and the scent of coffee driving by was awesome...to bad they don't have tours in the factories here like we do in America because it would be pretty cool to see how they make the coffee here.
     After we were all done shopping we stopped by my cousin Sonia's house for lunch. Her daughter is very shy, but this time she finally let me hold her. Veruska and I had to take Sonia to class because a friend called her and told her that today was a day she couldn't miss even after the instructor told her it was ok.

                                                 When we got back to the house everyone was napping. After they woke up we headed back home, but stopped off first at the Carpisa here in Soverato to look for a certain wallet I want to get, but can't seem to find anywhere. Then we stopped to see my cousin Antonio and his family to see how Gaga was doing. On the way to Antonio's house Veruska and I wanted to play with my mom and scare her a little. Veruska and I were in the front see and her mom, my Zia Rita and my mom were in the back seat. I told my mom look, look!! Look how pretty the ocean is!!! When she stopped talking and looked out the window at the ocean my cousin Veruska jerked the car toward the ocean and scared my mom. Veruska said I should have seen my mom's face in the mirror. Either way it was still funny. Later tonight we were suppose to have dinner at Massi's resteraunt because on Friday nights they have people that dance, but he forgot to tell the guy that does reservation that we were going, so there ended up being no room for us to sit. Since there was the change in plans I decided to stay home tonight and organize everything I bought, something that needed to be done.

Pietragrande

     May 17, 2012 Last night Alfredo and I planned for them to pick me up after he got out of school. I was going to their house today, so that he could help me attempt something with my iphone. We tried three times to download the software and for some reason we could not get it to work with my phone. After I took a little nap and then found out that for the third time the downloads were not working we decided to go out for a ride in the car. They ended up taking me to Pietragrande which is a large rock in the middle of the ocean. This is a rock that my Zio Silvio and my dad would dive off of several times when they were younger and my dad was here in the coast guard. I still have not been able to go swimming in the ocean because the water is still cold and the weather is still not hot enough. I will be lucky if I am able to go before I leave. The ocean is so beautiful here that if I were to ever win the lottery I know just the house I would be buying and it would be here in Italy overlooking the ocean...gorgeous!! I saw it 6 years ago and it is still there now waiting for me. The water is a clear turqoise in the shallow part and then a royal dark blue when it drops off into the deep part of the ocean. I remember from six years ago when you walk out into the ocean you can walk out probably a 1/4 of a mile and still be in the shallow part of the water. The other amazing thing is that when you go under the water you can see everything around you clearly for probably 100 yards...it is amazing! The bottom of the ocean here is all sand, and you can even find star fish on the bottom when you are snorkling in the shallow water.
I am praying that the weather gets hot before we leave because there is a little cave my cousin and I went to six years ago, but you have to go swim out into the ocean and around a rock to get to it. Here they say you don't have to worry about sharks because they are far out in the ocean, but what we do have to watch out for are the jellyfish which they call medusa here. Silvia and I took off our shoes and got our feet wet. We even climbed on a large rock. Alfredo thought he was being funny throwing rocks at us while we were trying to climb up the rock and he actually pegged me on the side of the head with one. I told Silvia I was going to get him, so I hid behind the rock and Silvia called him over to where we were. When he came near us I started kicking the cold water at him to get him wet.
     Later this evening after we got back from Pietra Grande I went with my Zia Giovanna to my cousin Massimiliano's resteraunt. I went there to help with whatever he needed help with, but I also felt like I was in the way, so I just waited around until they gave me something to do. Of course I had to wear an apron and then put on one of those fancy little Betty Crocker caps. At first he had me go answer the door.   Ther resteraunt is upstairs and downstair and since the kitchen is upstairs they have to lock the door, and then when a customer rings the bell someone will go down to answer it. He sent me down there to get the door for the first customer. Massi told me what to say and luckily I didn't have to say much because the customer was on his phone. After a little while they had me in the kitchen cutting potatoes for frennch fries. They don't use cutting boards here, so I had to cut the potatoes by hand. Probably for every five potatoes my aunt cut I would finish with one. Next they had me cutting strawberries. I told my aunt by the time I was done cutting all these fruits and vegetables I'll probably need to go to the hospital to get stitches for cutting my hand...luckily that was not on the agenda tonight. I left the resteraunt with my Zio Gaetano around 9pm because we were getting up early in the morning to go to Soverato (a gorgeous city on the beach) for the mercatino, and they don't close the resteraunt here until 1am-4am. My Zia Giovanna and Zia Rita, along with my cousin Ivan, they all help Massi out with his resteraunt. When I was leaving I told my Zia Rita that I am going to tell Veruska (her daughter) that we are leaving at 8:30am instead of 9am since she is always late, this way everyone could play along and we would be able to leave on time. We'll see if it worked tomorrow morning.

Riding Around Town On The Moto

    May 16, 2012 Last night I stayed at my cousin Veruska's, so this morning when we woke up we got  ready and took the car. We went to the mercatino that is by my aunt's house where I am staying every Wednesday. Zio Gaetano and I took a few minutes to walk down a hill and try to get a couple pictures of the city. It wasn't a very good view, and I still need to go around the city and take some better pictures with my nicer camera. My uncle is an artist, so when we take pictures he sometimes ends up painting a portrait of the picture. After we finished looking around we took the car home and grabbed the scooter since the weather was semi decent and went for a ride around downtown Catanzaro. We ended up seeing the homeless man that had the seizure a couple weeks ago that I had helped. This time he had a dog with him. I ended up getting a picture of him, but I will have to post it at a later time. We came back to Zia Pupa's and ate lunch. Veruska had to eat quick because she had to get to work. She ended up calling me at 3:30 pm asking me to go pick up Karol from school since she was not done with work yet, and his school is right down the street from us. After she was finished with work she came to pick up me, mom, and Karol.We were headed to the mall again because I wanted to buy an Italian CD. They sell the copies here, and my cousin could have made me one, but I like how the CD's comce with the booklet inside with all the music. That way I can actually read it and learn the song. When we arrivedat the mall and got out of the car my mom asked Karol if he was going to hold her hand. He told her no and then ran to me and grabbed my hand. We were both shocked and looked at each other at the same time. It was another long day, but I finally got home and started putting more pictures on Facebook. I saw my cousin Alfredo was on line and started talking to  him asking what he was doing. He said he was thinking of his cousin and told me I was beautiful in English...how sweet is that!! He is going to make a good husband for some lucky girl in the future when he is older. I already told my mom I had someone in mind for him back at home. They would make an absolutely cute couple, but there is a little bit of an age difference.

Lazy Day

     May 15, 2012 When I woke up this morning my Zia Pupa gave my mom and I both a cute little bag. I was expecting to find candy, instead it was a ready rose that opens up and in it had a little white gold charm for a necklace that I have been looking for since we got here. It is a horn, and in Italy the horn is a symbol of good luck. I rememeber seeing my dad with one when I was younger and this time I decided I wanted to get one for myself, but my aunt found it before I did and it is perfect! I was so tired from our trip to Naples, and also because I have not stopped running around since we got here I decided I wanted to be lazy today. I got a late start to my day because after I woke up I immediately got on the computer and started writing my blogs. I am a week behind now and need to catch up. I also wanted to put all of my pictures on Facebook, so that I don't have to do it when I get home. While I was waiting for my mom to get ready Zio Leopoldo was playing with some Italian cards, so I asked him if he wanted to play Briscola or Scopa (Italian card games).

I had my mom take a picture because it is not that often he is around here, or will allow a picture to be taken.  We finally left the house around noon to go to the market and get some pasta to make lunch. We stopped by my Zio Nino's house to see if he wanted to go with us, but he was still in his pajamas. My cousin Nico had called to see if I wanted to go to the gym with him and I had to tell him no because I was so tired. He started giving me crap because I am always with my cousin Veruska. He told my aunt "I bet if Veruska calls she will go out." LOL
     Well Veruska did come by that night to say hello since I had just gotten back from Naples again. She wanted me to stay the night at her house again, so I ended up staying with her. Luckily we didn't do anything because I was exhausted. We just ate dinner and then I went to bed.

Welcome Home and Happy Birthday Gaetano!!!

     May 14, 2012 This morning we got up early and we were out the door by 8:30am. It was another quick trip around the city for me to grab a couple more gifts and souvenirs, and also for my aunt to do a little sightseeing because she has never been to Naples before. We took the bus since the view is amazing and if you go by metro there is nothing to see, but for some reason today the traffic was insane. It took us an hour to an hour and a half to get down to the center of Naples. The last time Claudia and I went around it was a Friday and there was not this many people out and about. Today is Monday and there is people every where.  This time around I finally found my Italia sweater I have been looking for since the one I bought 6 years ago shrank when I washed it. I got to see a couple of different things this time around in Naples that was quite interesting.I swear sometimes when I take pictures I wonder what goes through peoples minds especially this man who was having his shoes shined and staring right at me.

I got the chance to buy another coffee at the famous coffee bar called Gambrinus and then I also got to see what Piazza Plebiscito looks like without all of the miliary demonstration and a ton of people. Today was definitely a different day around Naples. On our way to this Piazza we saw a Regent ship and I told my cousins that I think that is an American cruise ship. Sure enough when we got to the Piazza there were Americans everywhere. On my way out of the coffee bar a couple of them looked lost and I offered to help them order something, but they said they were ok. Made me realize even more how much I like speaking two languages. Even though it's not perfect grammar they understand me here. I went to a newstand to look for a little map of Napoli, and the guy asked if I was American. He could tell probably because of the way I spoke and my accent. He was the first person that knew where Modesto was because he has been to San Diego. Everyone else when they ask where in California I am from I have to tell them either 2 hours away from San Fransisco or 6 hours North of Los Angeles. There are two things I don't like when I go sightseeing and that is all the tourists around speaking English and the music at the discotecas, on the radio, and in the stores. It makes me feel like I am at home rather than in another country.

              We had to rush around Naples today because we only had a few hours to find what we wanted to buy and do all of our sightseeing. Gaetano was coming home from the hospital and we had to rush home to be there when he got home.  On the way back we bought some balloons at a newstand to have ready at home since Gaetano was coming home from the hospital and today was his birthday. The bus wasted an hour of our time so on the way home we decided to take the metro instead because it was a lot faster and we wouldn't have to wait for all of the traffic.
     We got home and Claudia and Zia Giovanna set the table and started cooking lunch while Silvia, Alfredo, Giacomo, and I blew up the balloons and threw them all over the floor. Everyone was ready and waiting, and when he finally got there we started singing happy birthday to him in Italian. He was shy at first entering the house, but then you could see that he was happy to be out of the hospital and with all of his family.

     Gaetanno was home and it was now time for lunch. He requested lasagna, but then changed his mind to rigatoni after he got  home. My aunt had made a cake for him with some cookies that are pretty amazing. The cake was similar to the one my mom made for my birthday minus the alcohol. It was delicious! After lunch we had to leave and head back home to Catanzaro. It is a 4 hour drive, so we couldn't stay around to long. Tomorrow GaGa will have a follow-up appointment with his doctor in Naples and then they will be on their way home to Catanzaro as well.

     It felt like it took forever to get home this time around. It seemed like there was a lot more road construction going on this time too. On the way home I took several picture because this would be the last time I would see Naples for a while. Who would have thought that Naples would have skyscrapers. I couldn't believe it when I saw it. It is definitely different than some of the other cities I have seen. I finally was able to get a good picture of Mt. Vesuvias after several attempts and only getting pictures of trees obstructing my view. You can even see the grooves down the side of the mountain where the lava once flowed...pretty amazing! I also saw a mountain with a huge white cross on it. It was pretty amazing scenery this trip back. Shortly after taking the picture of the cross on the mountain once I turned back around I saw some sheep on a hill off the side of the freeway. If I would have known what I was about to see next I would have snapped a picture, but everything went by so fast. After we passed the sheep there was a man standing on the hill a little ways down with two dogs sitting one on each side of him. It finally clicked after my cousin was explaining to me in Italian. He was the sheppard. It looked just like one of the scenes from the Bible, the only thing missing was the large stick that the sheppards hold. Talk about a symbolic journey home after all that we have been through the last couple of weeks. It was some pretty amazing scenery, and I will definitely not forgetting it anytime soon.

When I got back home to Catanzaro tonight I was talking with my mom and she was telling me what one of the doctors had told my aunt at the hospital. He had asked her if she was a believer, and she told him yes. He then told her he could tell because some one from up above pulled this little boy (Gaetanno) back up and brought him back to life. Gives me chills everytime I think about or talk about this miracle I was able to witness. God is so good!!!