I found a Family in FIRENZE!!!

Yes, the rumors are true. I found a family to work for and live with starting in January 07. I hope to be speaking with my new sister, Valentina, this weekend. Details to come....

Moving would make it go faster...

I was just reading on Expats in Italy about how this woman and her husband have obtained citizenship by going to the comune his grandfather was born in. I read and read and read and READ how she (or should I say her husband) did it. I read people complaining about the consulates all over the States, how slow they were, how inconsiderate they were or are, how they were just not helpful, how they wouldn't stop this couple for obtaining a right of jure sanguis.

All this bitching got me thinking, if this whole citizenship thru the consulate doesn't work for me, what the hell, I will try this process. I will move to Montefiorino, my Nana and Great Grandfathers' hometown and apply with all my papers in hand.

It is so funny how this one guy on this forum was writing in an angry and frustrated tone how pissed he is with the consulate in Chicago and how he thought he will be screwed if he can't obtain citizenship here. Someone replied back, Just move there, that is what you plan on doing anyways.

He got really offended by that remark, Move? NOW!

When will it ever be the right time to follow your heart unless you just jump in head first. No need to get your panties in a bunch....just take the leap and go for it!

Almost done....perhaps not...

Well...I almost have all the right paperwork for the good ole consulate, I mean Italia. My favorite place on earth. I am waiting for my Dad to get our certificates out of the safety deposit box, and I wrote to my Nana's home town to see if they can send me a similiar letter with proof she was born in Montefiorino just like Grandpa. Good news there.

As for my book, well, I am still technically working on it. Some have asked me to post a portion of it on my blog but alas, I feel it still needs more work. From the help my British amica, Giovanna. She has been proofreading for me and tells me I need to work on it just a bit more. (katie types in a british accent) :-)

I do want to start writing again. About my adventures going on at this moment, citizenship, finding a family in conjunction with being an au pair, and finally finding myself. I still feel there is a lot more to who I am. I suppose this past year being back in my hometown, in my childhood bedroom, in my parents house, amongst my siblings, and old photos, I must be ready to venture off again. Being around this safe environment of "Nana's house, being home at a decent time, not drinking heavily at the bars with friends, staying home on a friday AND saturday night to watch reruns of Law and Order:SVU with mom, blogging my way thru the weekend" seems to be leading me somewhere that encompasses me being in an unfamilar place. So I am able to challenge myself even farther than before. Why not huh? I think the things that are the most worthwhile is the things we are most afraid of. (isn't that a line in a movie?) So like I posted a few weeks before about Dr. John Poling, he once said to me:

"The royal road to achieving genuine satisfaction in life is going the bloodly hard way."

Words to live by.

Sono finito con mia libro....

Not a lot of you know but I have written a book about my adventures of my summer in Firenze 2005. I got the idea to write about my life during that summer from my mother. She thought it would keep me busy while I was looking for a job once I returned to the States.

I would tell her all my adventures on the seaside and on my excursions to Roma with Em, she said why not just write a great book about all these wonderful experiences. Why not exactly?? So I did....I collaborated all my journal entries into a keepsake of the summer of a lifetime. I am now letting a few close friends read it to see what they think and then I shall start sending it off to some publishers. Who knows....I could be the next Frances Mayes....j/k. It would be fabulous though. To be a writer in the Tuscan hills outside of Firenze....ahhhhhh.....I'm dreaming of my gorgeous villa and my gorgeous counterpart of the Italian persuasion by my side.

Dreams can come true. Just ask me :-)

Shot down again at the Consulate...

Luciano wants more. I am such an idiot. I need to get more birth and marriage certificates leading from my great grandparents to me. It is such a pain cuz I wanted to send these delicate documents back to my Great Zio Lorenzo back in London asap.

AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

I don't know what to do next. I don't want to give up cuz I am just so frustrated. BUT I REFUSE TO GIVE UP!!!!!!

I am Impressionistic....

You Are Impressionism

You think the world is quite beautiful, especially if you look at it in new and interesting ways. You tend to focus on color and movement in art. For you, seeing the big picture is much more important than recording every little detail. You can find inspiration anywhere... especially from nature.

What Art Movement Are You?

Zio Lorenzo delivers...

In my possession now is the original documents of my great grandparents. How amazing is that??? I plan on taking another day off soon so I can scurry down to the consulate and show my friend Luciano Oddo. I am certain I am in now. I will write more later but right now I need to dry my hair for work.

Buona Giornata!!!

a presto ragazzi

Zio Lorenzo to the Rescue...

Today, I received an email from my great Zio Lorenzo da Londra. He has agreed to send me the documents I need to hand in to the consulate to copy. WHOOOO HAAAAAA!!!!

If you didn't read my post on Amici Over the Ocean about my Friday visit to the consulate here is what happened:

I went there with the "replica's" of my great Grandparents birth certificates, it was notierized and everything. Luciano Oddo, consular agent, said I needed to get the original Original from my uncle in London.

So I emailed him and he has agreed to lend his great niece these precious documents. How lovely of my Zio??!!!

SO now you are all up to speed. Keep your fingers crossed and your Buona Fortuna's flowing my way!!!

Grazie mille ragazzi!!!

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Parliamo Italiano insieme

Nana and I went to an Italian language group Ieri sera. It was lovely seeing my Nana speaking her native lingua. SHE WAS SOOOOO HAPPY!!!! And that in return made me happy! The group consisted of a bunch of older people that seemed to be very well aquainted already. So we felt rather left out. Alas we did have a great conversation with a charming man named Gino and his sorella Julia. They were fabulous to talk to! Also there was a man that sat next to me named Niccola, who looked so familiar to me. He was very kind and warm. My greatest joy of the evening was to hear my Nana said, "I think I want to join that Italian language group in my community."

She loves to talk and be social just like me. That is probably why she is my best friend!

La Mia Nonna certificato di nascita e qui!!!

I am almost there. I just have to travel to Chi-town to the consulate on Michigan Ave. I received Nonna's birth certificate yesterday among all the other Labor day mail. I am so excited!!! Hope everyone has a great day!!!

Ciao

My 2nd Collage

Here is my other Collage that is located right over my desk. I love looking at it.

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Collages: It helps me realize how close my dream is

Here is my favorite collages. I just finished it yesterday. I love looking at it. I know it is hard to read here but I love it! I have it hanging on my wall so I can see it everyday. The one with the saying is a collage facing me as a write this. I couldn't get a good picture of it because it is on a vertical bulletin board. I love this quote by my Professor of Philosophy, Dr. John Poling and also my great friend! Dream into Reality....exactly. I love that part of my collage. It is smack dab in the middle. Something I must keep reading over and over again. Nothing is impossible if my heart is set on it. Don't ever give up on what you truly want in life!!

Thanks John!

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Is everything planned in our lives???

I read an article in the newspaper yesterday about a friend of mine that was in a tragic car accident. The car in front of him drove over a piece and sheet metal and it was flung into his windshield and it struck him in the neck and head. Is our lives planned out?? Was there a no way he could've avoided this tragic accident?? Or was there a way or a choice he could've made that would've have changed the outcome?

I keep thinking that the choices I have made that have drawn me closer to Italy is all ME! NO ONE has directed my life in the way it has unfolded right now. However, my Nana was born in Italy and My Nonna (my Nana's mom), who always called me on birthday, as well, maybe my path was already decided for me because of my background. My Nana wanted to travel the world, she had my drive, but she got married young. My Nonna was an independent and never wanted to hear the word "no". She was driven just like me. She was selfish and always wanted attention. In many ways, Nana, Nonna, and I are sooooo similar. Was this path already made once I was born??

I know this is deep thinking, but I am curious if anyone else thinks like this.

I have decided that I am uncertain on whether our lives are planned or developed by us.

Now that I am in my mid-20s, I feel that I can't waste one day. I am constantly trying to find a way to live, thrive, and BE in Italy!

SONO ZIA!!!!!!!!!!

HERE IS MY NIECE: ADDISON CHRISTINA BAEDKE BORN 7:03PM AUGUST 18TH, 2006, 7LBS, 20.5 IN LONG.

I CAN'T BELIEVE I AM AN AUNT!!! ISN'T SHE JUST GORGEOUS!!!

BELLISSIMA BAMBINA!!!

Where I have traveled.....

Your Travel Profile:

You Are Well Traveled in the Midwestern United States (50%) You Are Somewhat Well Traveled in Southern Europe (40%) You Are Somewhat Well Traveled in Western Europe (36%) You Are Mostly Untraveled in the Southern United States (15%) You Are Mostly Untraveled in the United Kingdom (13%) You Are Untraveled in Africa (0%) You Are Untraveled in Asia (0%) You Are Untraveled in Australia (0%) You Are Untraveled in Canada (0%) You Are Untraveled in Eastern Europe (0%) You Are Untraveled in Latin America (0%) You Are Untraveled in New Zealand (0%) You Are Untraveled in Scandinavia (0%) You Are Untraveled in the Middle East (0%) You Are Untraveled in the Northeastern United States (0%) You Are Untraveled in the Western United States (0%)

How Well Traveled Are You?

I need to do some more traveling according to this survey.....who wants to go with me???

Anyone??? Anyone??

TOANO not Siena

I received a letter back from the Comune di Toano. The birthplace of my great grandma, Teresa Gazzotti. They informed me that I was an idiot. Ha! I put in the form letter that she was born in Siena because as I was copying the letter from expatsinitaly.com the letter was using Siena as the birthtown. So I sent another letter yesterday to the Signora Sindaco of the Comune with the correct town. Wish me luck once again. I read the letter thoroughly this time.

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Il Mio Nonno's Certificato di Nascita e qui!

I received my great grandpa's birth certificate in the mail yesterday!!! I was so excited that I forgot to write in my blog. Now I am waiting for my great grandma's and then I am heading back to the Consulate in Chicago. Thanks for all of the well wishes and kind thoughts from you all!!! I will keep you updated on the progress!!

A presto ragazzi!!

Parlo Italiano....

I have been practicing my Italian by using the website LearnItalianpod.com. I really like it. I am able to comprehend the intermediate levels so I am now working on my pronouciation which was always a problem for me. I try to translate my thoughts into italian. Like when I think of decribing a person from afar... Lei e bella e grosso. OR something else. That isn't a fair statement. Ha! Yeah I wish I spoke it better. I try to listen to Nek, Jovanotti, and Negramaro. And I love there music so it is good. I hope once I get over there it will just hit me again, like I never left. I will pick up where I left off. Let's hope!!

I WANT SO BAD TO BECOME FLUENT!!!! I LOVE ITALIAN, EVERYTHING ITALIAN!!!!

TI AMO ITALIANA!!! VOGLIO CORRENTE!!!!!

I'm not sure if that is correct but what the hell.... :-)

What Kind of Art Best Describes You??

You Are Best Described By...

Farbstudie Quadrate By Wassily Kandinsky

What Famous Work of Art Are You?

Thinking Positive....Being Proactive

That is my goal. I am saving all my money's from my small paying job and I am also applying at resturants to be a server. The fastest way to get cash is to be a server. I am not going to think of it as a bad thing and how I didn't like working at Rainforest Cafe before when I first left college. It is just a segway until I find a life that really challenges me and a life that I am striving for. A life in Italy! I am keeping my mind busy by working on projects, putting together collages of Italy, doing something that doesn't let me overanalyze my job right now. Ya know? I hope someone out there understands what I mean, if not it is ok. I just want to pass along the thought of just keep positive with a long term goal in mind. Let it be choosing a better job, finding a better exercise schedule, or in my case, moving to a different country.

As my wise professor and friend said to me once, "The royal road to achieving genuine satisfaction in life is going the bloody hard way". I LOVE LOVE LOVE this quote! Something to think about, because most people aren't happy with their jobs. What I say to these people is then do something about it to change your career or direction in life!! What are you waiting for??

Life is too short to waste it unhappily.

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