Madrigal Madrid y Toledo

I have put a ring on Spain's finger because I absolutely love it! I went to Barcelona last year and a few weeks ago, I ventured to Espana again to visit Madrid and Toledo and WOW- such beauty, such culture, and you haven't lived until you've had authentic Sangria.

Spaniards also really know how to party, while simultaneously being completely relaxed and seemingly unpretentious. It's custom to have dinner as late as 1 AM and then head out to a club. You party until breakfast time, get something to eat, nap, have lunch, meander about the streets, shop, then head back to your place for a siesta around 7 or 8 (some shops would actually close around this time just to reopen in a few hours!) You wake up, grab a 10/11PM dinner then start the process all over again. SIGN ME UP! The biggest adjustment was learning not to devour too much paella and avoid taking shots of tequila on a full stomach.

We were happy that our room looked exactly like the photos we saw on the web and the location couldn't have been any better. We were a stone's throw from the Puerta de Sol square and within walking distance from countless bars and clubs. The first night, we made it our mission to stop in as many bars as possible and enjoy a shot of tequila in each. It wasn't the best idea we'd ever had but it made for an interesting evening.

We even managed to be up earlier than I'd ever thought possible, enjoying lunch and a stroll in the noonday sun. We did a bit of shopping, took in a Monet art exhibit at the Thyssen Museum and managed to lay out in the sun for an hour, admiring the beautiful scenery and letting the sweet melodies of a nearby guitarist take us away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Luckily we walked around for hours, because I ate my weight in food throughout the weekend, and drank my volume in alcoholic beverages. Not to mention the fact that we were eating late in the evening, one night as late as 12 AM!

I also got to see my Brazilian friend, Mayra, who also has moved to Europe to be with the man she loves. They live happily near Toledo, Spain in a beautiful country house with 4 of the sweetest, cutest dogs ever. Toledo is about 25 minutes away from Madrid by Spain, but we felt like we were boarding a plane due to the security! We had to have our bags scanned and there was even a little desk by the door leading to our platform, where employees were waiting to scan our tickets and rip off that little piece like they do with airline tickets. These precautions were necessary after the 2004 Madrid train bombings.

It was great to see them again and it was reassuring to talk to someone going through a similar situation. I could tell Mic really enjoyed the day and that it reminded him of his native Sicily, with the beautiful olive and almond trees. He'll be spending Easter at home so I'm sure he's very excited. Me, not so much. What the hell am I gonna do with myself for the 6 days he's gone?! Oh, I know... I'll devote more time to my book, learning Italiano and wreaking havoc on the streets of Holland!

We still got the taste dancing on our tongues

I had a bad taste in my mouth earlier this morning and although pride doesn't follow this statement, I had to wash it down with red wine.

I'm great. I got a lot done today, for which I'm very proud of myself. I managed to make a dent in some of the goals I discussed in a previous post, started up another idea altogether (top-secret for now, don't want any copycats)and even managed to do some domestic things around the house. It's been a running joke with Mic and my friends that I spend my days in my "office" (um, the couch), doing lots of paperwork, faxing, composing financial reports, etc. (translation: watching television, resting, and watching episodes of The King of Queens online). Today I actually got work done!

I decided that my book will be about my relationship with Mic, our living on different continents for 3 months, and a bit about long distance relationships and how to make them work. I began my outline today of what I want to include and how I want to begin and how to go about publishing it. I came across several options and got more of my outline done than I thought I would. Once I started writing, I felt very comfortable and didn't have to force it at all.What I've always enjoyed most about writing is the process: you have an idea and you express it uninhibitedly in your own voice. Even if only 10 people purchase it, I'll be content knowing I came up with it all on my own and I worked hard to achieve my goal. It's less about attention, rather it's mostly about ME. That being said, I'd still very much appreciate all your support and maybe my experience will benefit those in similiar situations who've given up hope!

Th3r3'5 a F1r5t T1m3 4 3v3rYtH1nG

I've never posted twice in one day but having little else better to do affords me such luxuries.

So I'm browsing through Facebook and I realized: a lot of my 'friends' are complete strangers, total idiots and depressingly illiterate. The fact that I don't know many of my contacts on The Book is admittedly my own fault; I shouldn't have accepted them as friends or gotten so drunk at Nickel Night on Thursdays during college and made so many beer buddies. But I am not to blame for the stupidity and overwhelming spelling and grammatical errors plaguing the pages of that blue and white addictive demon who seems to have a death-grip on so many of our lives.

Recently I've gotten into the habit of taking advantage of the 'Hide' option on my News Feed so as not to be bombarded by people who treat Facebook like it's their Twitter (constantly updating me on gems like them watching TV, urinating, having a Cesarian section, breathing, etc.). I also don't want to participate in Mafia Wars, Farmville, Let's eat Gerbils, or whatever silliness people insist on sending me invites to. Don't get me wrong, there are people whose lives I'm genuinely interested in but I undoubtedly couldn't care less about your deviated septum or who you're hitting with those god awful pillows!

Despite the majority of my friends being college educated, you wouldn't know it from their posts. I'm not asserting that a college education makes you any smarter than someone who didn't go any further than high school. In fact, I'm arguing the very opposite. I am flabbergasted by some people making it even past the 6th grade. I realize Facebook is a social network and it's informal blah blah blah but COME ON... some of these errors appear to be blatant- like people are actually going out of their way to misspell things or TyP3 1iK3 tHi5. It just doesn't make any sense! This pales in comparison to some of the 'intellects' that post on topics like politics and religion. While these posts lack grammatical errors, they tend to be based on under-developed ideologies and lack any research/truth/thought/originality whatsoever. They're walking puppets who think they know everything about everything because they watch Fox News.

I've just explained to myself why more than half of my FaceBook friends are hidden from my News Feed. Good riddance.

GO BIG OR GO HOME.

So it's been 2 weeks since I left Stamford, CT and relocated to Rotterdam, Netherlands. It's been amazing to be back with Mic and strangely enough, it wasn't difficult for me to make the decision to come back. Perhaps professionally and monetarily it wasn't the wisest decision but when there's a battle, my head tends to defer to my heart.

& my heart is here, simple as that.

That being said, things haven't been as simple. I realize that not much time has gone by but I am perhaps one of the most impatient people you'll ever meet (I perpetually burn my tongue on piping hot food because I refuse to wait). I don't like CAN'T sit still so being home throughout the day is quickly losing its appeal. Last week was great because we'd just gotten a Wii system so I could amuse myself with that. Then we flew to Madrid and Toledo for a long weekend which was amazing.

This week I've devoted myself to trying to find work but that's basically impossible on account of me not having a work permit yet. That will come in due time, I know, but it doesn't make the waiting any less arduous. I have a penchant for shopping, traveling and keeping this unruly mane of mine tamed (oh and paying bills, but that's obviously not as important as me looking damn good), so this whole "no paycheck" thing really isn't my style. So I've come up with a few ideas/things to do that I'm diligently going to work on while being unemployed and even after I've found work:

*Teach myself to play the piano- I've always wanted to be able to play. Mic has shown me some basic songs and I thoroughly enjoy it. Additionally, it will also help with...
*Perfecting my singing skills- Those of you who've had the pleasure of hearing my renditions of various songs can tell that I'm blessed but I'd like to sharpen my talent so that I can eventually...
*Write an original song! I've been writing poetry since I was 11 and would love to apply them to melodies. I'm sure I've written poems cheesy and nonsensical enough to be made into music.. But nowadays, I'm sure I can create a hit by cooing into the microphone and singing about a sandwich I'm about to make. Include a video with a creative dance sequence and broads in their bras & panties and I'd shoot straight to the top. Yes, people are that damn stupid.
*Learn Italian- Thus far I've perfected several phrases and song lyrics but I need to do better. It's an alluring language and it'd be great to communicate with my Mic and his friends and family who may not have the best grasp on the English language.
*Write a book- This is something I've wanted to do since high school. I've always said that my life would make a great television show but apparently shows are given to people my age who are shallow, already rich and not that interesting. I'll attempt to keep that dream alive but in the meanwhile, I'd love to detail my life abroad or even write a book about this romance I got going with my Sicilian. I kept a journal and can always reference this blog for inspiration.. Mic and I also wrote each other emails for everyday we were apart (excuse me while I barf up breakfast, due to all this sappiness) so I could very well create a screenplay. I could even star in it, hmmmmmmm.

Those are only a few of the ideas raging in my medulla oblongata but they are my currently my largest obsessions. I realize they're also huge tasks to take on, but I thrive off challenge. I'll keep you all updated on my progress on here as well as my youtube channel:

Ciao, buon giorno!

I knew you'd take all my honey..

So I woke up this morning with the intention of updating this and finally posting pictures from last September. Instead, I've been distracted by the epic collaboration that is Lady Gaga's "Telephone" featuring Beyonce "that bitch" Knowles. For those of you who have failed to experience this over-the-top, thirsty display of creativity and awesomeness, feast your lovely pupils on these two pupils of fuckery:



Now to be clear, I am a huge fan of people expressing themselves but come on Gaga, COKE CAN ROLLERS & CIGARETTE SHADES?! If that's not a cry for attention, I've failed to absorb all the psychological babble I've heard over the years from people who are obviously experts on psychology, sometimes as soon as having only taken an introductory class. Not to mention, these were the very people losing their own damn minds and suffering from the very ailments they diagnosed and criticized others for. But I digress; back to Gaga & Honey B...

I will give credit where credit is due: Beyonce has managed to thaw my icebox heart in the past (but only by a few degrees, no bitchassness) with her singing (shout outs to Dangerously in love & Halo!). She's obviously beautiful, puts on a great show, and sings live while dancing/seizuring her ass off. Usually her lace front game is tight, and while I understand they were going for a certain look in this video, all signs point to that weave being TRAGIC. But B has finally found someone she can't upstage.. Gaga answers the bell with her telephone receiver bangs. CHECKMATE.

A lot can be said about this video but in summation, it was exactly what I'd expect from BeGaga: EXTRA EXTRA, READ ALL ABOUT IT! I wish I could've seen Beyonce's entire outfit from when she was driving, it looked trampy enough to be cute but perhaps all the time she's been spending with Gaga has diminished her looks- she was looking rather manish in the face. & despite Gaga trying to shoot down hermaphrodite rumors by putting her pussycat on display, she could be post-op and I'd even say she is 1/3 horse. Great effort though! Nonetheless, this is a video that will get people talking, have renditions of it on YouTube and create a buzz over a song that honestly, isn't that good. Mission accomplished.

I'll leave you with a bonus treat:

1, 2, 3- not only you & me

Down to the last three days, ahhhhhhhh!!!!! I can't believe this day that I've waited for for so long is finally here after all this time. I feel like going to bed earlier each night just so it'll feel like mornings are coming quicker.

My parents are surprisingly handling this very well. My mom is still trying to convince me to stay home and take a CNA class, even though I've never expressed an interest in nursing. My dad has actually been pretty nonchalant and we talked about the areas I'd look into while out there. They're both skeptical, which is reasonable, but they've accepted that come 6:30 PM on Thursday, I'll be buckled into my aisle seat, en route to Amsterdam.

I've already packed and can proudly say that I'm not bringing much with me. So far I do have a bag to check in but I may even be able to fit everything into a carry-on and a big purse. Actually, I'm being completely overzealous; no way is that possible.

It's National Restaurant Week in the Netherlands from March 2-8th, where some of the best restaurants across the country will be serving up 3-course dinners at the flat rate of EUR 25! Mic made reservations at LULU restaurant which boasts authentic Thai, Indonesian, Indian and Chinese cuisine

It's a popular place with comfie seating and amazing food. After dinner we'll head out for a night out on the town, woo hoo! Let's hope my jet lag has the decency to wait until Saturday to kick in. Let's also hope I don't drink too much and add a hangover to my Saturday afternoon as well.

Mic and I are also headed to Madrid the following weekend, hooray! We are staying at Petit Palace Puerta del Sol, right in the center which seems to be beautiful in the pictures, but we'll see if that's actually the case.

To be honest, I'll be happy enough just to be there, seeing new things and spending time with Mic <3

Passport? CHECK!

It's official.. In ONE WEEK, I'll be relocating to Rotterdam, Holland!! I'm very very excited to leave boring CT and although it'll be bittersweet to leave the people I love, I'm happy to leave the nouns (people, places and things) I no longer care for and have outgrown.. avoiding them will be a lot easier when I'm 3,000 miles away!

So I fly out the 4th of March (next Thursday) and there's such a mix of emotions running through me. The strongest is happiness but I am also a bit nervous, as I don't have things all planned out and I have a feeling things won't be as easy as I'm hoping. Nonetheless, I have no fear about my decision. I'll get to be with the one I love, be around the same amazing people that helped me fall in love with Europe, continue my traveling expeditions (I'll be posting videos on Youtube this time, be on the look out!), being adventurous yet responsible, and doing things that most people only dream of but never do.

I bought a hot pink bag today that goes perfectly with my mood. I also decided to get myself this camera:

What a sexy camera.. just like it's future owner.

Mic and I will also be traveling to Madrid from the 12th-15th of March to get away from Holland (even though I'll have only been there for a week) but I've never been to Madrid so I'm looking forward to it. A good friend of mine, Mayra, is living with her boyfriend near there so we'll meet up and double date.

That's all for now, cheerio!

so put another song on the jukebox baby

Lately I've been in the greatest of moods. Things are going well for me.. I have my family, my health, my love and I got a manicure Monday and LOVE this new color! I went with my mom and my sisters which was fun, and I'm taking my grandmother this weekend for her birthday. I meant to talk about this before, but fortunately for my family and me, none of our immediate family was harmed in the earthquake that ravaged Haiti. I'm very grateful for that because the images that were plastered all over the tv, magazines, newspapers brought tears to my eyes. The thought of all those children being orphaned and having nowhere to go breaks my heart. I'm lucky to have such compassionate parents who despite their heavy workload, are looking in to ways to bring more of my family to the US, via adoption and helping them with legality issues. I support it 120% and will help any way I can.

I've been in a very giving mood these past few weeks. I spent Valentine's day with my brother Matt, doing damage at the Stamford Mall and somehow he managed to convince me to buy some expensive sneakers for him, treat him to lunch and take him to see that Percy Jackson movie- which was actually quite good. I bought my mom a new dress, my dad a few dress shirts and of course, lots of new delightful things for me! Is it sad that my favorite purchases so far involve Dove bodywash and socks?

I've been working a lot, and rather strange, hours which is fantastic. Not only am I making money, but it's helping time to fly by. I'm very excited for the month of March and the direction my life is heading in. As the days go by, I get increasingly happier knowing that soon I'll be reunited with my Mimmo and it doesn't get any better than that <3

Turning 24 was easier than I thought...

Normally I count down the days to my birthday and plan some kind of big get together but this year, I honestly didn't care about it at all. It was great to turn 21 because then I could finally start using my own ID. 22 was great because I'd become a seasoned veteran of legal aged drinking and could act all nonchalant about it. 23 is my favorite number and I brought that year in with a BANG (ask Damaly for the details, she tells the story fantastically!) Next year I'll be a 1/4 of a century old then at 26 I'll have my nervous breakdown on account of being closer to 30. 24 just didn't count.

Perhaps it was also because I got to see my Mimmo this weekend which completely overshadowed the joyous event that is usually my birthday. After writing each other everyday for 75 days and having to settle for seeing each other via Skype, it was great to be able to see him and do all the sappy crap couples do. We made all kinds of future plans including a two week road trip from Denver to California and spent 2 and a 1/2 blissful days together that I hold dear to my heart.

I learned so much about myself this past year and I'm pleased with the person I am. I know the people & things I do and don't want in my life, the things that are most important to me and what I want for myself. Oddly enough, I still don't have a clear cut plan for what I want to do exactly but when I see myself in 5 years, I'm smiling and I'm happy and my bangs have finally grown out. There's money in my bank account, food in the fridge and my favorite buttana in the whole wide world sitting next to me, spoon-feeding me shrimp & mushroom risotto and he's wearing some kind of hat.

Vorrei che questa pagina tornasse bianca, per scriverci ti amo... punto.

I have neglected the shit out of this blog, not that I've had much use for it lately on account of being back home. So much has happened betweeen June and now, things I never thought would ever happen and feelings I never thought I'd feel. I managed to spend another 5 months in Holland, travel to amazing places, and meet the love of my life! This post is very vague and lacking detail but I promised myself I'd pick it up again and just writing this makes me feel like I'm keeping it. I'm working a lot now but I will update this more often and keep the 4 of you reading this abreast of any major life decisions. Expect more thorough updates soon!

i went missing in the month of June.

Soooooo I haven't updated this thing in over a month!I had every intention of posting but as my last few weeks wind down and the weather is warmer, my schedule just keeps getting more hectic. I am so excited to be going HOME! Of course I don't regret coming here although there are some things I would've done differently but I need the following things in my life:

*STAMFORD Mall/shopping & Alive @ 5
*My family
*Driving.. I am soooooo over biking!
*Getting my hair/naps & nails done!
*Cheesecake Factory
*FRIENDSSSSSSSSS!
*NYC- where I will search incessantly for a Wok to Walk
*English as the national language (if you don't count Spanish of course)
*P.F. Changs or my favorite Chinese spot in my town
*THAI food at my favorite spot in New Haven

the list could go on for days but most of what I can't wait to do involves eating so I'll spare you. Although I can't wait to see anyone, I'm am NOT looking forward to answering the same questions 4959848595083 times. My friend gave me a brilliant idea- I'm going to make flyers and just pass them out to everyone.

I'm also not looking forward to packing. I brought a shitload of things with me over here and I've accumulated probably triple that amount in my time here. Good thing I'm only allowed 2 suitcases. Luckily, I am only going to be home for 2 weeks before coming back out here for another 4 months! In that time I'd like to further explore the option of finding a more career-oriented job or the possibility of going back to school. I recently found out that me finding a job here really isn't as easy as I'd thought so I'm definitely leaning more towards schooling. I'm also excited to travel and see more of the places I haven't yet gotten to go too. I'll be out here from July 29th-November 24th so if you're planning any trips, let me know and maybe we can meet up!!!

I'm still really happy with life. Naturally, I still have some frustrations but the thought of almost being done is very comforting. I still can't believe that I've been here for over 10 months. I've made so many memories and the year really flew by. These past few days and future week or so will surely crawl by (except for the weekends).

Speaking of weekends, some friends of mine from Romania are visiting and I'm really excited to show them around Amsterdam and to party! Next week I'm going to two concerts (Lil Wayne and Tracy Chapman) and spending quality time with the people I care most about here. I'm gonna miss everyone but I'm so so happy I'm coming back so it's really not good bye.

More later... and hopefully not in a month

5 MORE WEEKS.

...and I'm thrilled about it. Not so much the part about leaving but now that I'm almost positive I'll be coming back, it doesn't bother me as much. I'm just happy to almost be doneeeeeeeeeeeeeeee. Don't get me wrong, I'd make the decision to come out here again but would've done things a lot differently. Knowing what I do now and how the experience went, I would've gotten some things cleared up/made binding agreements with my host parents from day 1. I also wouldn't have agreed to do it for so long and I would've looked into finding a way to live on my own. I think that would have made all the difference. I really love the kids and watching them grow and develop as well as all the things I got to do made it worth it but I would never want to do it again. I'm really happy I didn't agree to stay until the end of August.

In other aspects of my life, things are going well. Still having fun with my friends. I spent the weekend in Hellevoetsluis/Rotterdam with my male friend, seeing the Cube Houses, doing some shopping, having a wonderful dinner and bar hopping. It was loads of fun and as usual, I was super sad the weekend ended and I had to come back. I wish weekends were longer or I had the power to stop time/fast forward through the not so pleasant ones.

super happy.

The past week has been outrageously super for me. I got to spend time with Lizzy, going to the movies and catching up on all the juicy details of our lives. I also had Thursday and Friday off so I ventured out to the Hellevoetsluis island area of Holland, to see my friend's new place as well as enjoy a few days of beach and relaxation. It was gorgeous weather, good company and sweet times.

I didn't get much sleep last night and intended to nap during any time off I had today and though that didn't happen, I'm not upset at all about it. I spent my morning at the beach reading a magazine, playing in the sea, getting sand in all my crevices, and having good conversation with Eline. We came home and had a relaxing afternoon of playing. But today was extra special for me because after dinner I got to play with Lara, Niek and Tijn and it was so much fun! Of course they all wanted to be spun around and tickled and normally I wouldn't do it because it winds them up before bed but they had the biggest smiles and even though Lara and Tijn had to take baths, she jumped into my arms and was begging for me to go with her. She gave me the biggest hug and let me hug her back which hasn't happened before and it really made me feel good. She's the one I've felt the least close too on account of us having less time to bond (she plays a lot with friends and has all kinds of lessons) so it really made me happy to see that I was making her as happy as I was.

This week I intend to devote more time to making concrete plans to stay and will hopefully have an update in the upcoming days. Now, it's time for bed. Night!

bring on the weekend.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! I have to settle for screaming in writing since I can't exactly scream out-loud.

Sometimes I get so frustrated then I'm frustrated with myself for letting myself get frustrated! I tell myself to stop whining and focus on the positives but putting up with the same shit on an almost daily basis really works my nerves.

I really love being here and all but it's times like these where I can't wait to not have to put up with stuff anymore. I can't wait to have a job where break times are followed and respected and I don't have to feel guilty for taking them! I can't wait to not have to make small talk when I don't feel like talking or having to pretend I'm okay with things to spare the feelings of others cuz God forbid I say anything negative. I'm so tired of always being the last to be considered when things are planned or when I finally make plans of my own. But most of all, I'm sick of the empty apologies because the same shit continues to happen. Sometimes I feel forced to leave just to make use of my break time! I feel like if I don't have concrete plans, I'll be asked to stay and though I love what I do, sometimes I just want a moment to myself! I HATE feeling like I'm being taken advantage of. Either way doesn't matter cuz even if I do have plans, they're less important than playing, grocery shopping, and basically everything else.

I'm sure I'll be over this by tonight but it's really annoying. Guess it doesn't help that I'm on my period & it's only Tuesday.

I quit.

Just when I think I have it together, I go and do something completely outrageous and over the top. Yes, alcohol is always to blame but I think my latest shenanigan takes the cake!

So I spent a relaxing, quiet evening at home Friday night as well as relaxed and hit the gym on Saturday. Then I decided to head into town for a few drinks. I'm doing my usual tequila & white wine combination, feeling good and having a good time. I found myself feeling so tired and out of it after staying until the bar closed and grabbing food that I figured taking a bus home would be the best idea. Sounds rational, right? WRONG. It would be had I a)gotten on the right bus and b)not fallen asleep! I awoke around 7:30 AM dazed and confused, concluding that I'd been on the bus sleeping for hours! I must have been a sight as I emerged from my coma but luckily the two people around me found it funny and helped me collect my wits.

my life really, truly is stupid.