Summer Reading, Applying for Citizenship, Weddings

I am reading a great book right now by a friend by the name of Dario Castagno. It is called A Day in Tuscany. It is superbly written and gives you a great laugh. I actually catch myself laughing out loud. His first book was the same way. Too Much Tuscan Sun, was a rollar coaster of weird and obsure tourists he catered around the Chianti. A must read and a touching story. I recommend reading both of these fabulous books. You won't regret it.

I am in the process of obtaining Italian citizenship, alas I am missing some papers that is over the pond to prove I am of Italian descent. I am writing letters to the Comune's of Toano and Montefiorino to ask them to send me authentic birth and marriage certificates of my great grandparents. I hope to send those out this next week.

I have a very good friend's wedding that is coming up in August. I bought a plane ticket to attend the wedding because driving these days is soooo expensive even when it is going from IL to MN. So then I started thinking about money. OK, now I am not by any means wealthy, but for some reason I feel that I should be able to fork over some spending money to attend this fabulous party. Alas I am also trying to save, save, save for my ticket over the pond, AND paying off my credit cards from the previous summer when I was in Firenze. So it all comes back to my job in which I don't get paid as much as I hope. THEN, I start telling myself well you need to quit then and find a better paying job, or get another job Katie. (Essentially I am a bit of a thinker and analyzer when it comes to my life choices), But who isn't. To calm myself down I think, My job is adequate and I like the people, I know what I am doing and I am learning and networking at the same time. Everyone in my office knows I am the Italian Fan. If anyone mentions Italy they ask, have you spoke to Katie? HAHA! Very nice! I have made a name for myself there. They will never forget me when I leave.

My money issues I think, well once I do get a job in Italy, I will be paid in Euro and then I can pay off my credit cards hopefully a little faster because of the exchange rate. And the most important thing is that I am Happy right now. I spend time with my Nana and Papa as much as I can, My sister is due in August with my first niece or nephew, and I am planning a life for myself that no one in my family has ever dream of. I am so driven and determined that I can't sleep. I am up late tonight cuz I just wanted to get this off my chest so I just put all these thoughts I randomly have into perspective. My life is just how it should be. All that stuff I mentioned above are things, things I will pay off and I will get a better job. None of it compares to a life being brought into this world in which he or she will have an awesome, Italian-speaking aunt, who will love it so much. (and will teach it all the Italian it's parents won't know) haha!

La Vita e Bellissima!!