Testing...uno, due, tre...

Today I am putting my broken Italian to the test. It is Andrea's birthday on Friday and I am calling a local florist(fiorista) in Udine, Italy to order a delivery of flowers to his residence. I am quite nervous but have prepared a sheet of scenarios and translations in case no one speaks Inglese. I know I will feel better once it is over and I hear from Andrea that everything turned out the way I wanted.

You see, instead of going through an international floral company that had nothing I liked but also charged an arm and a leg, I wanted to ask for certain flowers to make my own arrangement. Andrea's favorite flower is the sunflower(girasole) and I wanted to add some deep blue delphinium(fiori azzuro) with some native greens all tied into a bouquet(mazzolino). I figured if I did it locally it won't cost as much and I get what I REALLY want him to have. What I didn't realize was all the different scenarios that could take place...I laugh to myself.

Hopefully I will get someone who can match their broken Inglese with my broken Italiano :) Wish me luck(fortuna). ANGELO

Always Italy

Buon Giorno Amici Mio!!
I wanted to update you on my dream of living in Italy.
It is a slower process than I originally imagined but a very natural one.
By saying "natural", I include not only researching the country but slowly melding into it.
I have always been one to hate being rushed and when I am rushed, I make mistakes.
Therefore, I feel better that I am taking things slower and learning what comes to me naturally.
Not only does this include history, geography, language, social concepts and lifestyles but alas the elusive topic of AMORE :)
I am going with my gut instincts and letting what I feel to be the BIGGEST change of my life take place, again, naturally.
You see, I believe I fell head-over-heels in love when I visited my friend Andrea this past September.
It is a good thing we have so many miles separating us because I tend to fall hard and fast. The distance between us has allowed me to think clearer and learn more about this man. Only this week did I discover a major plus in his character. Humbleness! A wonderful quality in my book. You see, I knew he was a curator for a small modern art museum...which is a fabulous thing in itself but he never elaborated any further. This week after looking for his museum's mailing address online I thought I would Google his name for fun......WOW!!!...I was amazed. This man is a stunningly accomplished individual in his field. He not only is the director of his museum but curates other museum's exhibitions, he is an author, AND is a recognized art critic in Europe. He has won awards for his work and yet is so unassuming about it.
To me, this is just the frosting on the delectable cake!
We are going to meet this March in New York City for 5 days. I can't wait to share all I have learned with him :)
ANGELO

Absence Makes The Heart Grow Fonder

I have been M.I.A for quite some time now. I must apologize but life seemed to happen and there was no room for blogging. My briend Wilmaryad commented in a note to me that he wished to see more postings from me. I made a promise to do so. I view my blog as a personal life journal and it is time I kept track of events, friends, loves, ideas, and family. I have missed doing so because I do LOVE to write. I hope everyone out there who passes thru and even is interested enough to stay a while can benefit in some way from reading my posts. Happy day everyone! A special congratulations to Wilmaryad Ben O'Scallas for being an uncle once again and being honored by his cousin in remembering him affectionately. It's the little things folks....always remember that...the smallest thing can change so many lives!! Angelo