Some people are just naturally gifted language learners. They hear a word a few times and bam!-it’s engrained in their memories. They see something written and viola!-they can pronounce it. They can easily pick up grammar rules, idioms and tada! language nuances. I am no such person. Rather, I need to hear something oh, a...Read More
You all know what a brave fearless silly girl I am, right? I moved to hole-in-the-bottom-of-the-boot Calabria, had a baby in italiano and most recently, traveled with said baby on six separate flights. Intimidating, huh? As soon as our bambino was home and the doctor approved him for travel, I began planning our first international...Read More
I’m gearing up for my first Calabrian Easter celebration with my new bambino. Yes, my husband and I have done the traditional American Easter Basket vs. Italian Chocolate Egg thing in the past and we’re planning on continuing our Easter traditions, plus one. The weather is warming up and if it holds, we’ll spend an...Read More
Five years ago today I embarked on an adventure that would change the course of my life. Dramatic any? Oh yea. But it is also true. Five years ago today-on April 18, 2006-I bid a tearful goodbye to my mom, dad, sister, nephew and a culmination of 30 years of life as I’d known it....Read More
As if being married to a cute Italian didn’t already have its advantages-living in a foreign country, learning about a new culture, being able to backtrack if you say something mean by claiming ignorance of his language-my Italian also likes to cook. And he is good at it. Sometimes he’ll see a recipe on TV...Read More
As many of you know, I recently found myself jolted into motherhood … sour milk stains, dingy diapers, dodging a sprinkler system with every changing and more exhaustion than I ever thought possible. My bags have bags … my circles have circles … and yes, I’m loving it. Tuesday was eight weeks since our little...Read More
As part of yesterday’s newsletter (you *do* subscribe to my newsletter, don’t you?) I listed five sweet Italian words you could use with your Valentine this year. Today, I’m expanding on that list and offering up five sexy, seductive phrases that are sure to impress your favorite Italophile. You’ve probably heard Ti Amo and Amore...Read More
Although I’m still six or seven weeks away from being an official expat mamma, the stress, worries and insecurities have crept in and in addition to over-thinking diaper brands, bottle warmers and car seats, I’m perhaps even more concerned about our baby’s eventual bilingualism. Like many modern bi-cultural families, my husband and I want to...Read More
Earlier this year I wrote a post with five tips for surviving a long-distance relationship and interestingly enough, Google Analytics says a lot of people like it. Since this is my our anniversary week-yes, we are celebrating all week-I thought I’d revisit how we got here and offer some more tips for those of you...Read More
It is hard to believe three years have passed-to the day … Happy Anniversary, Sweetie!-since my husband and I tied the proverbial knot in southeast Texas. In that time we’ve taken more than a few international trips together and picked up some tips for traveling as a couple. In honor of our 3rd anniversary, I’m...Read More
