Last week the theme was "What's the luck you'll run into that one person you know in a crowded city?" because I literally walked past (of all the streets, of all the days, of all the hours, of all the places) a friend from London but just happened to have stopped into town on the one day I'm free and happened to be in the same street at the same time in the same place as me.
Then the following day I somehow sat down next to the best-friend-of-our-Boston-family-friends-who-lives-in-Toscana-and-whom-I've-never-met-but-heard-about at this big house party in the middle of nowhere out in the Tuscan hills. Yup. In a party full of three dozen kiddies in Halloween costumes with twice as many parents, I sat down. Within minutes we exchanged the typical-introduction-full-of-short-useless-vague-details-just-to-be-polite and I dared to ask if she was perhaps THE Tuscan-interior-designer-originally-from-Boston-and-friends-with-our-friends. Too bad it wasn't the winning lottery number that I guessed...but I know that a wealth of friends is what makes a person rich.
This week's theme: "What's the luck you'll be a celebrity for a day?" Well both my sister and I were spotted on the local TV channels cheering or volunteering for the 2008 US election night. She was in France, I was in Italy.What's the luck of that especially considering there are 5,000 other Americans in town!
Now to top it off, I told our mom the story and the real coincidence is that she was interviewed for German tv on a visit! History repeats itself I guess.**
disclaimer: *Let's hope history repeats itself in only the good ways from now on...like electing more black Presidents!
November 7, 2008
Being ordinary is extraordinary!
"I believe we have the power to create our own happiness. I believe the real magic in the world is done by humans. I believe normal life is extraordinary." -Wayne Coyne
As of November 4th, 2008, it IS cool to an American abroad!!!!
"Is it cool to be an American abroad?", asks William Kole.
YES!!!
...but click on the link then make your own opinion!
YES!!!
...but click on the link then make your own opinion!
I'm elated. Actually, the whole world is. We can now say President-elect Barack Obama.
It was astounding and emotional to see the whole world erupt into festivities on the day of his election (ok, the whole world except for some teary eyed Republican diehards...but I can't feel too sad since they got 8 years of Bush and they are already cheering "2012! 2012!" to Sarah Palin). They weren't the only teary eyed onlookers...I couldn't keep help but sniffle every time I saw him standing proudly on the stage speaking to the Chicago crowd about how nothing is impossible in America. Now every country is talking about how we've turned the page, changed our skin, and regained our popularity.
Even in Italy the media is talking nonstop about the event. The program AnnoZero featured Marco Trovaglio to analyze the differences between American and Italian politics. There was of course the immediate outcry over Berlusconi's first comment about the new American Commander in Chief: "Obama ha tutto bello, giovane e abbronzato." Ok. Hold on. Should I laugh or cringe over this comment? Is it an insult or a joke? I mean there should be a LOT more to say than that about Obama...therefore I say "Vergognati Silvio!"
I can't go into the analysis because that's the journalists job but I can remember the day as a historic and emotional day in my life! I feel like it is the first historic turning point in the 21st century. When I walked past my bicycle-man yesterday and said hello, an old woman shuffled by slowly and said to him, "Venerdì piglio novanta-nove." Wow. If there was one century I wish I could live in from start to finish it was the 20th century! I'm so jealous! Imagine how many historic events she witnessed in a century....two world wars and several others, inventions of modern household things like television and the technology boom in the seventies, the civil rights era, the womens' rights, the invention of the internet and more specifically to Florence was the devasting flood of 1966 that haunts and fascinates me.
Now I can say that I grew up with cellphones and internet AND more importantly I witnessed the first Black president to be elected in the United States of America.
And I believe that soon I will witness the election of the first female President***!!
***Exceptions: Sarah Palin...
It was astounding and emotional to see the whole world erupt into festivities on the day of his election (ok, the whole world except for some teary eyed Republican diehards...but I can't feel too sad since they got 8 years of Bush and they are already cheering "2012! 2012!" to Sarah Palin). They weren't the only teary eyed onlookers...I couldn't keep help but sniffle every time I saw him standing proudly on the stage speaking to the Chicago crowd about how nothing is impossible in America. Now every country is talking about how we've turned the page, changed our skin, and regained our popularity.
Even in Italy the media is talking nonstop about the event. The program AnnoZero featured Marco Trovaglio to analyze the differences between American and Italian politics. There was of course the immediate outcry over Berlusconi's first comment about the new American Commander in Chief: "Obama ha tutto bello, giovane e abbronzato." Ok. Hold on. Should I laugh or cringe over this comment? Is it an insult or a joke? I mean there should be a LOT more to say than that about Obama...therefore I say "Vergognati Silvio!"
I can't go into the analysis because that's the journalists job but I can remember the day as a historic and emotional day in my life! I feel like it is the first historic turning point in the 21st century. When I walked past my bicycle-man yesterday and said hello, an old woman shuffled by slowly and said to him, "Venerdì piglio novanta-nove." Wow. If there was one century I wish I could live in from start to finish it was the 20th century! I'm so jealous! Imagine how many historic events she witnessed in a century....two world wars and several others, inventions of modern household things like television and the technology boom in the seventies, the civil rights era, the womens' rights, the invention of the internet and more specifically to Florence was the devasting flood of 1966 that haunts and fascinates me.
Now I can say that I grew up with cellphones and internet AND more importantly I witnessed the first Black president to be elected in the United States of America.
And I believe that soon I will witness the election of the first female President***!!
***Exceptions: Sarah Palin...
Passing the torch...
"Rosa sat so Martin could march. Martin marched so Obama could run."
-anonymous (as found on John Ridley's NPR blog Visible Man)
-anonymous (as found on John Ridley's NPR blog Visible Man)
Okay okay fine if you say so.
Your Horoscope - Today, November 7, 2008
MSN.com...
MSN.com...
A letter from France
If this email had been a handwritten letter, I would have put it in a box and share it with my grandchildren in the future. But in this day and age of technology...all I have to do is cut and paste it somewhere on the internet and it is immortalized. Thank you for remembering this day in history! My grandchildren will have to thank you later too.
Salut Famille!
We had a lot of fun over here for the elections- we started watching at 11pm here in a local pub, but it was too early for much election coverage, the first polls were just starting to close. So we returned home to get some sleep...going to bed felt like the night before Christmas! Only because you know you'll wake up early for a very nice, inevitable surprise...
We woke up at 5 am and had a little party with fresh croissants et espresso at our director's office au centre ville. Some journalists from the local France-3 channel came by to film us all huddled around a computer feeding us live info off the internet on CNN.com - at 5am here they announced that Obama won and we all went wild! A few of us got a little teary eyed at his acceptance speech. Very inspiring and very exciting. It's a much different experience for me here in France with the election results than in the States- I'm finally proud to say I'm American again. The French have gained a little more respect for me, and each time I say I'm American, they reply with "You voted Obama! Good job!" . The French are extremely informed over here, at least in Grenoble, about the elections. I had a conversation with a guy the other day who knew so many details about each candidate, I was very impressed. Even before the election, Obama was on the cover of many newspapers and magazines, one saying "Would they dare elect him?". I guess I'm seeing how much the results of our decisions as a nation affect our neighbors, allies and the whole world. Do you think its the other way around though ? For example, when France was choosing their next Pres, I'll admit I had no idea who the candidates were ! Maybe that's the difference between our country and others..
Anyway, we each were interviewed Wed morning about our thoughts on the election results, here it is! Its all in French, but bon courage! Its the video all the way at the end of the page, labeled "Grenoble Etudiants Americains Emus (Elated)"...Im all the way at the end of the video.
http://rhone-alpes-auvergne.france3.fr/info/48272388-fr.php#para48286006
Much love to all and Gobama!
J xoxo
Salut Famille!
We had a lot of fun over here for the elections- we started watching at 11pm here in a local pub, but it was too early for much election coverage, the first polls were just starting to close. So we returned home to get some sleep...going to bed felt like the night before Christmas! Only because you know you'll wake up early for a very nice, inevitable surprise...
We woke up at 5 am and had a little party with fresh croissants et espresso at our director's office au centre ville. Some journalists from the local France-3 channel came by to film us all huddled around a computer feeding us live info off the internet on CNN.com - at 5am here they announced that Obama won and we all went wild! A few of us got a little teary eyed at his acceptance speech. Very inspiring and very exciting. It's a much different experience for me here in France with the election results than in the States- I'm finally proud to say I'm American again. The French have gained a little more respect for me, and each time I say I'm American, they reply with "You voted Obama! Good job!" . The French are extremely informed over here, at least in Grenoble, about the elections. I had a conversation with a guy the other day who knew so many details about each candidate, I was very impressed. Even before the election, Obama was on the cover of many newspapers and magazines, one saying "Would they dare elect him?". I guess I'm seeing how much the results of our decisions as a nation affect our neighbors, allies and the whole world. Do you think its the other way around though ? For example, when France was choosing their next Pres, I'll admit I had no idea who the candidates were ! Maybe that's the difference between our country and others..
Anyway, we each were interviewed Wed morning about our thoughts on the election results, here it is! Its all in French, but bon courage! Its the video all the way at the end of the page, labeled "Grenoble Etudiants Americains Emus (Elated)"...Im all the way at the end of the video.
http://rhone-alpes-auvergne.
Much love to all and Gobama!
J xoxo
the day chris martin read my mind
Are you lost or incomplete?
Do you feel like a puzzle, you can't find your missing piece?
Tell me how do you feel?
Well I feel like they're talking in a language I don't speak
And they're talking it to me
So you take a picture of something you see
In the future where will I be?
You can climb a ladder up to the sun
Or write a song nobody has sung
Or do something that's never been done
Or do something that's never been done
So you don't know where you're going and you wanna talk
And you feel like you're going where you've been before
You tell anyone who'll listen but you feel ignored
Nothing's really making any sense at all, let's talk
Let's talk, let's talk, let's talk.
-Coldplay Talk
Do you feel like a puzzle, you can't find your missing piece?
Tell me how do you feel?
Well I feel like they're talking in a language I don't speak
And they're talking it to me
So you take a picture of something you see
In the future where will I be?
You can climb a ladder up to the sun
Or write a song nobody has sung
Or do something that's never been done
Or do something that's never been done
So you don't know where you're going and you wanna talk
And you feel like you're going where you've been before
You tell anyone who'll listen but you feel ignored
Nothing's really making any sense at all, let's talk
Let's talk, let's talk, let's talk.
-Coldplay Talk
October 31, 2008
the McCANE/Palin ticket
My grammer grandma was hospitalized after an unexpected back injury this fall. Fortunately she is up and walking, but with the use of her walker...which she detests because she is determined to be independent and walking on her own. With all this hype and drama around the Elections, she just couldn't help but joke: "I'm sick of ma cane!" Hey who knows, maybe he could borrow the walker when she's done with it.
Go figure....
You know the 2008 Presidential Election is historic and unlike any other when it stirs up a sense of interest in youngsters like my fourteen and fifteen year old sister and her friends, who are choosing to dress up as Sarah Palin and her secret service agents on Halloween....so what happened to the Witch, the Monster, the Devil costumes....oh, wait a minute...I guess it is appropriate for the occasion after all...
October 26, 2008
Six word biographies
I was inspired by the biographies in Smith Magazine so I wrote my own....
I built my future on love.
Inspired by the biographies on www.smithmag.net:
Luise by William Lauth 
by Melissa Appleby by Melissa Appleby 
by Phil Jacobsen 
by Colleen Scheider 
by Leesa Bequette 
by Rose Hutchinson by oneHOTblonde 
by Andy Glaze
thank you to writers and www.smithmag.net
I built my future on love.
Inspired by the biographies on www.smithmag.net:
Living in dreamworld. Waking up sucks.
Luise You, a bruise. Me, a scar.
by William Lauth I photoshopped out your worst features
by Melissa Appleby Always the salad. Never the steak.
by Melissa Appleby Pee'd on White House floor. Really.
by Phil Jacobsen I only did it for him.
by Colleen Scheider Inertia should be my middle name.
by Leesa Bequette Ian Tim Greg Jon Fernando Eric
by Rose Hutchinson spending money like i've got it
by oneHOTblonde I could live on tater tots
by Andy Glazethank you to writers and www.smithmag.net
[5:14:23 PM] LILL says: she almost has as many houses as McCain
[5:14:28 PM] LILL says: by the way
[5:14:38 PM] LILL says: the anticipation for the election is killing me
[5:14:43 PM] LILL says: i just want to find out the results already
[5:14:45 PM] LILL says: and move on
[5:14:52 PM] LILL says: my Obama facebook profile picture is going to go back to normal
[5:14:58 PM] Q says: ah i know
[5:15:02 PM] LILL says: and im going to stop harassing people on facebook with articles about OBAMA
[5:15:03 PM] Q says: its coming so soon!
[5:15:06 PM] LILL says: i just want to know!
[5:15:11 PM] LILL says: I have a feeling we've got our hopes up
[5:15:17 PM] LILL says: our country is far behind
[5:15:22 PM] LILL says: unintelligent for the most part
[5:15:32 PM] LILL says: certainly uninformed and uninterested in most areas
[5:15:43 PM] LILL says: and we are so unwilling to change
[5:15:52 PM] LILL says: so my hopes aren't up
[5:15:55 PM] LILL says: why should they be
[5:16:00 PM] Q says: mine aren't either
[5:16:10 PM] LILL says: i really had them up for Gore
[5:16:14 PM] LILL says: I really had them up more for 2004
[5:16:18 PM] Q says: we live in the most liberal part of the country
[5:16:19 PM] LILL says: then there was bush then bush
[5:16:21 PM] LILL says: and i was like
[5:16:23 PM] LILL says: HOW?
[5:16:50 PM] Q says: and theres a whole HUGE mass of people that live a completely different lifestyle than we do...
[5:16:54 PM] LILL says: i know!
[5:17:05 PM] LILL says: they just can't see anything good about Obama
[5:17:16 PM] LILL says: there are actually ppl who are convinced he's a muslim terrorist
[5:17:18 PM] Q says: because he's not white too
[5:17:20 PM] LILL says: are you kidding me?
[5:17:25 PM] Q says: I KNOW!
[5:17:32 PM] LILL says: then it scares me coz im like well maybe they know something we don't know
[5:17:40 PM] LILL says: sometimes i think that im just as easily fooled by what i hear as they are
[5:17:47 PM] LILL says: how DOES anyone know what to believe
[5:17:55 PM] Q says: and the fact that people around here that we know are going to vote for mccain scares me
[5:17:56 PM] LILL says: when is it the media and when is it your real instinct
[5:18:03 PM] LILL says: we know McCain ppl
[5:18:07 PM] LILL says: it's ridiculous
[5:18:09 PM] Q says: T*
[5:18:11 PM] LILL says: i dont know why im even friends with them
[5:18:15 PM] LILL says: and R!!!
[5:18:15 PM] Q says: R*
[5:18:17 PM] LILL says: yeah
[5:18:22 PM] LILL says: coz his parents have a business
[5:18:25 PM] LILL says: and they dont want taxes
[5:18:29 PM] LILL says: is that all ppl care about?
[5:18:33 PM] Q says: your dad has a business
[5:18:35 PM] LILL says: losing some money that will be used for the good
[5:18:40 PM] Q says: my parents both do
[5:18:45 PM] LILL says: yeah thats true
[5:19:05 PM] Q says: and if people would realize that taxes are only going up for people that make over 250,000 a year!
[5:19:15 PM] Q says: well those people should pay higher taxes!
[5:19:15 PM] LILL says: i know!
[5:19:22 PM] LILL says: its the people who just dont read
[5:19:23 PM] LILL says: they don't read
[5:19:29 PM] LILL says: and therefore they dont know
[5:19:32 PM] LILL says: they just keep saying
[5:19:33 PM] Q says: improve the school systems
[5:19:36 PM] LILL says: "obama doesnt have experience"
[5:19:42 PM] LILL says: oh come on!
[5:19:50 PM] Q says: i know!
[5:20:40 PM] LILL says: grr
[5:20:42 PM] LILL says: it scares me
[5:21:01 PM] Q says: can you imagine palin and mccain
[5:21:13 PM] Q says: running this country!?!?!
[5:21:27 PM] Q says: even republicans are publicly endorsing obama!
[5:21:35 PM] Q says: what does that tell you???
[5:22:55 PM] LILL says: omg
[5:22:56 PM] LILL says: scary
[5:22:59 PM] LILL says: my sister has had nightmares about Palin as President
[5:23:03 PM] LILL says: haha i know
[5:23:05 PM] LILL says: seriously
[5:23:08 PM] LILL says: their campaign is a joke
[5:23:09 PM] LILL says: thats why
[5:23:20 PM] LILL says: it would be disgusting to have a white president
[5:23:39 PM] LILL says: white white fake blond wife who has no credibility unlike Michelle Obama
[5:23:47 PM] LILL says: and then there is Sarah Palin
[5:23:50 PM] Q says: ew i know!
[5:24:09 PM] LILL says: whose husband, if he becomes the first man, would only make a contribution to our country as a SNOWMOBILER
[5:24:11 PM] LILL says: for real?
[5:24:20 PM] LILL says: Americans think this is the kind of family that runs the White House
[5:24:21 PM] Q says: I KNOW
[5:24:25 PM] LILL says: that's an insult to my intelligence
[5:14:28 PM] LILL says: by the way
[5:14:38 PM] LILL says: the anticipation for the election is killing me
[5:14:43 PM] LILL says: i just want to find out the results already
[5:14:45 PM] LILL says: and move on
[5:14:52 PM] LILL says: my Obama facebook profile picture is going to go back to normal
[5:14:58 PM] Q says: ah i know
[5:15:02 PM] LILL says: and im going to stop harassing people on facebook with articles about OBAMA
[5:15:03 PM] Q says: its coming so soon!
[5:15:06 PM] LILL says: i just want to know!
[5:15:11 PM] LILL says: I have a feeling we've got our hopes up
[5:15:17 PM] LILL says: our country is far behind
[5:15:22 PM] LILL says: unintelligent for the most part
[5:15:32 PM] LILL says: certainly uninformed and uninterested in most areas
[5:15:43 PM] LILL says: and we are so unwilling to change
[5:15:52 PM] LILL says: so my hopes aren't up
[5:15:55 PM] LILL says: why should they be
[5:16:00 PM] Q says: mine aren't either
[5:16:10 PM] LILL says: i really had them up for Gore
[5:16:14 PM] LILL says: I really had them up more for 2004
[5:16:18 PM] Q says: we live in the most liberal part of the country
[5:16:19 PM] LILL says: then there was bush then bush
[5:16:21 PM] LILL says: and i was like
[5:16:23 PM] LILL says: HOW?
[5:16:50 PM] Q says: and theres a whole HUGE mass of people that live a completely different lifestyle than we do...
[5:16:54 PM] LILL says: i know!
[5:17:05 PM] LILL says: they just can't see anything good about Obama
[5:17:16 PM] LILL says: there are actually ppl who are convinced he's a muslim terrorist
[5:17:18 PM] Q says: because he's not white too
[5:17:20 PM] LILL says: are you kidding me?
[5:17:25 PM] Q says: I KNOW!
[5:17:32 PM] LILL says: then it scares me coz im like well maybe they know something we don't know
[5:17:40 PM] LILL says: sometimes i think that im just as easily fooled by what i hear as they are
[5:17:47 PM] LILL says: how DOES anyone know what to believe
[5:17:55 PM] Q says: and the fact that people around here that we know are going to vote for mccain scares me
[5:17:56 PM] LILL says: when is it the media and when is it your real instinct
[5:18:03 PM] LILL says: we know McCain ppl
[5:18:07 PM] LILL says: it's ridiculous
[5:18:09 PM] Q says: T*
[5:18:11 PM] LILL says: i dont know why im even friends with them
[5:18:15 PM] LILL says: and R!!!
[5:18:15 PM] Q says: R*
[5:18:17 PM] LILL says: yeah
[5:18:22 PM] LILL says: coz his parents have a business
[5:18:25 PM] LILL says: and they dont want taxes
[5:18:29 PM] LILL says: is that all ppl care about?
[5:18:33 PM] Q says: your dad has a business
[5:18:35 PM] LILL says: losing some money that will be used for the good
[5:18:40 PM] Q says: my parents both do
[5:18:45 PM] LILL says: yeah thats true
[5:19:05 PM] Q says: and if people would realize that taxes are only going up for people that make over 250,000 a year!
[5:19:15 PM] Q says: well those people should pay higher taxes!
[5:19:15 PM] LILL says: i know!
[5:19:22 PM] LILL says: its the people who just dont read
[5:19:23 PM] LILL says: they don't read
[5:19:29 PM] LILL says: and therefore they dont know
[5:19:32 PM] LILL says: they just keep saying
[5:19:33 PM] Q says: improve the school systems
[5:19:36 PM] LILL says: "obama doesnt have experience"
[5:19:42 PM] LILL says: oh come on!
[5:19:50 PM] Q says: i know!
[5:20:40 PM] LILL says: grr
[5:20:42 PM] LILL says: it scares me
[5:21:01 PM] Q says: can you imagine palin and mccain
[5:21:13 PM] Q says: running this country!?!?!
[5:21:27 PM] Q says: even republicans are publicly endorsing obama!
[5:21:35 PM] Q says: what does that tell you???
[5:22:55 PM] LILL says: omg
[5:22:56 PM] LILL says: scary
[5:22:59 PM] LILL says: my sister has had nightmares about Palin as President
[5:23:03 PM] LILL says: haha i know
[5:23:05 PM] LILL says: seriously
[5:23:08 PM] LILL says: their campaign is a joke
[5:23:09 PM] LILL says: thats why
[5:23:20 PM] LILL says: it would be disgusting to have a white president
[5:23:39 PM] LILL says: white white fake blond wife who has no credibility unlike Michelle Obama
[5:23:47 PM] LILL says: and then there is Sarah Palin
[5:23:50 PM] Q says: ew i know!
[5:24:09 PM] LILL says: whose husband, if he becomes the first man, would only make a contribution to our country as a SNOWMOBILER
[5:24:11 PM] LILL says: for real?
[5:24:20 PM] LILL says: Americans think this is the kind of family that runs the White House
[5:24:21 PM] Q says: I KNOW
[5:24:25 PM] LILL says: that's an insult to my intelligence
October 15, 2008
No, it's not incorrect, it's simply a ColloquiaLILism
I can't help but love word play, especially after having grown up with my grammar, manner and vocabulary conscious grandma, who has earned the fitting moniker of Grammer (which is of course pronounced like "Gramma" since Bostonians have the idear that the " r" fell off the moving cah.) So she lectured me the differences between I & me, so I would know that "she make a Sunshine cake with my sister and me", but only if "Julia and I ate dinner first". And recently I thought that after four years of a private college education taught me everything, I realized that she could still teach me that you can't call something "really unique" because if it's unique, then it's completely singular and there's no need for an superlative or comparative adjective in front of another adjective.
My argument was that it was a colloquialism, since our everyday teenagers and adults alike use this kind of exaggerated, over-adjectified phrase. (I did not win the argument, because there was no stretching or bending the rules of grammar.)
However, I continued to think about the definition of a colloquialism. I feel like our language is so exemplary (maybe embarrassingly so) of colloquialisms all over the country. We've got "y'all" in the south and "that's wicked awesome" up by me. Can you really argue that there's anything wrong with that kind of talk? I'll be the first one to take after my grammar-grandma and defend the use of I not me or "I goes before E except after C", but there's no way you can take away those really unique ways of talking in each part of the country.
And don't even get me started about Italy...I'd love to start writing down all the ways in which they have warped and bent and changed the rules of their language. Each region has it's own!! (well, what do you expect? you know how the Italians love to bend the rules....)
I'll have to think about those words they have when I'm not so tired...then I'll write them down (for all you Grammar and Grandpa's out there!) In the meanwhile, if you'd like to argue that "really unique" isn't a colloquialism, then I'll at least argue that it's a colloquiaLILLism.
PS and if you're curious, here's my defense for a colloquialism, as written in Webster dictionary:
Colloquialisms or colloquial language are considered to be characteristic of or only appropriate for ordinary, familiar or informal conversation rather than formal speech or writing. Some examples of informal colloquialisms can include words (such as "y'all" or "gonna" or "wanna"), phrases (such as "ain't nothin'", "dressed for bear"
My argument was that it was a colloquialism, since our everyday teenagers and adults alike use this kind of exaggerated, over-adjectified phrase. (I did not win the argument, because there was no stretching or bending the rules of grammar.)
However, I continued to think about the definition of a colloquialism. I feel like our language is so exemplary (maybe embarrassingly so) of colloquialisms all over the country. We've got "y'all" in the south and "that's wicked awesome" up by me. Can you really argue that there's anything wrong with that kind of talk? I'll be the first one to take after my grammar-grandma and defend the use of I not me or "I goes before E except after C", but there's no way you can take away those really unique ways of talking in each part of the country.
And don't even get me started about Italy...I'd love to start writing down all the ways in which they have warped and bent and changed the rules of their language. Each region has it's own!! (well, what do you expect? you know how the Italians love to bend the rules....)
I'll have to think about those words they have when I'm not so tired...then I'll write them down (for all you Grammar and Grandpa's out there!) In the meanwhile, if you'd like to argue that "really unique" isn't a colloquialism, then I'll at least argue that it's a colloquiaLILLism.
PS and if you're curious, here's my defense for a colloquialism, as written in Webster dictionary:
Colloquialisms or colloquial language are considered to be characteristic of or only appropriate for ordinary, familiar or informal conversation rather than formal speech or writing. Some examples of informal colloquialisms can include words (such as "y'all" or "gonna" or "wanna"), phrases (such as "ain't nothin'", "dressed for bear"
Long live Coldplay!!
There is nothing better than watching a 3 year old start on a "why" and "why?", "but why" tirade about my favorite band of all time. What's even better is not knowing how to answer her questions.
bambina: "Why does he sleep alone", she asks.
me: "I don't know..."
bambina:"but you're a grown-up. You're supposed to know."
me:"Grown-up's don't know everything."
bambina:"Why?".....
(and it continues with about six-hundred more "why"s.)
COLDPLAY:
Viva la Vida
I used to rule the world
Seas would rise when I gave the word
Now in the morning I sleep alone
Sweep the streets I used to own
I used to roll the dice
Feel the fear in my enemies eyes
Listen as the crowd would sing:
"Now the old king is dead! Long live the king!"
One minute I held the key
Next the walls were closed on me
And I discovered that my castles stand
Upon pillars of salt, and pillars of sand
I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror, my sword, and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
Once you'd gone it was never, never an honest word
That was when I ruled the world
It was the wicked and wild wind
Blew down the doors to let me in.
Shattered windows and the sound of drums
People couldn't believe what I'd become
Revolutionaries Wait
For my head on a silver plate
Just a puppet on a lonely string
Oh who would ever want to be king?
I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror, my sword, and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
I know Saint Peter won't call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world
Hear Jerusalem bells are ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror, my sword, and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
I know Saint Peter won't call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world
bambina: "Why does he sleep alone", she asks.
me: "I don't know..."
bambina:"but you're a grown-up. You're supposed to know."
me:"Grown-up's don't know everything."
bambina:"Why?".....
(and it continues with about six-hundred more "why"s.)
COLDPLAY:
Viva la Vida
I used to rule the world
Seas would rise when I gave the word
Now in the morning I sleep alone
Sweep the streets I used to own
I used to roll the dice
Feel the fear in my enemies eyes
Listen as the crowd would sing:
"Now the old king is dead! Long live the king!"
One minute I held the key
Next the walls were closed on me
And I discovered that my castles stand
Upon pillars of salt, and pillars of sand
I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror, my sword, and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
Once you'd gone it was never, never an honest word
That was when I ruled the world
It was the wicked and wild wind
Blew down the doors to let me in.
Shattered windows and the sound of drums
People couldn't believe what I'd become
Revolutionaries Wait
For my head on a silver plate
Just a puppet on a lonely string
Oh who would ever want to be king?
I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror, my sword, and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
I know Saint Peter won't call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world
Hear Jerusalem bells are ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror, my sword, and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
I know Saint Peter won't call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world
October 12, 2008
Deep breaths
As we played outside today, I watched how a child picks up the little white round cotton-ball flowers out of the grass. A Dandelion. It's ironic that such an airy, fairy-like cottony sprout would refer to a fierce grounded predator.
I watched how in one breath, an exhale, could disconnect the small seeds, along with its white cotton parachute...In one breath, it lifted up and made it fly up and away. The seeds float off, in search of a place to settle down. It might be under the next tree, but it risks the chance of being caught in an unexpected gust of wind that might blow through at that exact moment, causing the seed to be carried to a place faraway from home. There's no foreseeing where a seed could land. Its destination is completely random for each of the seeds that release from the original dandelion. One thing is determinable: this seedling is looking for a place and not just any place. A place where it will be protected. A place where it will be grounded, where it can put its roots into the earth. What are the chances it will be grounded? What are the chances it will sprout roots and grow? Only time can tell.
I watched how in one breath, an exhale, could disconnect the small seeds, along with its white cotton parachute...In one breath, it lifted up and made it fly up and away. The seeds float off, in search of a place to settle down. It might be under the next tree, but it risks the chance of being caught in an unexpected gust of wind that might blow through at that exact moment, causing the seed to be carried to a place faraway from home. There's no foreseeing where a seed could land. Its destination is completely random for each of the seeds that release from the original dandelion. One thing is determinable: this seedling is looking for a place and not just any place. A place where it will be protected. A place where it will be grounded, where it can put its roots into the earth. What are the chances it will be grounded? What are the chances it will sprout roots and grow? Only time can tell.
October 5, 2008
Let it grow!
So, Lil is here...time to get blogging!
The hardest part is getting something started (for example: I've wanted to start a blog for more than a year now) but now this is like having a plant, because I have to tend to it often and keep adding to it (no water in this blog). I've planted the seed, now I'm going to tend to it and hope it blooms.
In fact, I've been very busy watching things develop and grow lately. I'm absolutely consumed by how the US presidential election has developed into a full-fledged media frenzy! But who can resist all the Obama/Biden vs. McCain/Palin drama!!?!? I've got my hands on articles, videos, NPR analyses, and even the SNL skits, such as the most recent one between Biden/Palin. It's sooo hilarious!! I love how Tina Fey makes a comeback on SNL just to ridicule Palin (and she does it seamlessly and brilliantly.) I've always admired comedians...how on earth do you keep a straight face when you are imitating a politician WINKING on public television!!!?!? (I still can't believe Palin did that...).
I was itching to get involved with the campaign, so I donated by purchasing some souvenir-ish stuff like Obama pins. Then I've used facebook and gmail to share his message to all my friends...but i still feel like I haven't done enough. Now I'm getting in contact with the Democrats Abroad in Italy. Apparently they are doing a debate-watching party at one of the local universities. That's great! Most importantly I have to start figuring out my absentee ballot because I want to make sure I get it in on time. If you ever have any questions about voting abroad, the best website is this one!!!
The hardest part is getting something started (for example: I've wanted to start a blog for more than a year now) but now this is like having a plant, because I have to tend to it often and keep adding to it (no water in this blog). I've planted the seed, now I'm going to tend to it and hope it blooms.
In fact, I've been very busy watching things develop and grow lately. I'm absolutely consumed by how the US presidential election has developed into a full-fledged media frenzy! But who can resist all the Obama/Biden vs. McCain/Palin drama!!?!? I've got my hands on articles, videos, NPR analyses, and even the SNL skits, such as the most recent one between Biden/Palin. It's sooo hilarious!! I love how Tina Fey makes a comeback on SNL just to ridicule Palin (and she does it seamlessly and brilliantly.) I've always admired comedians...how on earth do you keep a straight face when you are imitating a politician WINKING on public television!!!?!? (I still can't believe Palin did that...).
I was itching to get involved with the campaign, so I donated by purchasing some souvenir-ish stuff like Obama pins. Then I've used facebook and gmail to share his message to all my friends...but i still feel like I haven't done enough. Now I'm getting in contact with the Democrats Abroad in Italy. Apparently they are doing a debate-watching party at one of the local universities. That's great! Most importantly I have to start figuring out my absentee ballot because I want to make sure I get it in on time. If you ever have any questions about voting abroad, the best website is this one!!!
Now let's just hope this flower blooms on November 4th. GOBAMA!
October 4, 2008
Stick together
Ciao....wow I finally did it! hello, YOU! Hello, me! my blog! i finally made a blog. i put it off for so long because of a few reasons: I was lazy...I was busy, I had my excuses such as homework...but really it was for all these insecurities and fear of being vulnerable. I mean now that I've written this, it's out there! It's published on the web...I already feel like I'm known! I also have a fear of being judged by friends and strangers alike.
This needs to change.
Oh, this blog is about change too! GOBAMA! The change we need! That's a big inspiration to make a change in my life now: to do something instead of putting it off. To speak my mind and to let other's know it...instead of hiding my opinions in fear of criticism. I've always admired those that speak their mind, whether to defend someone passionately or to make a risky comment that could result them humiliation. I love that courage. I mean why do I really care if my entry is perfect? ("perfect" doesn't exist) If they laugh or don't laugh at my jokes (I admit my future is not in television)? If my spelling is wrong (that's Microsoft's fault) or my stories are meaningful to me, yet meaningless to everyone else? (I'm not an author and who is this "everyone" anyway!!?) Maybe no one will read my blog.
And that' s fine with me because this blog will be my space to write cazzate about my life. To analyze and over-analyze things as boring as "why did I chose the pink scarf today?") and of course to express my not-very-exotic identity as a broke college grad white girl trying to find my destiny in a crystal ball (or on the horoscope websites) while building my future on a foundation as solid as jello, because i am building my future on love. This blog will be about my hybridity as an American, Italophile and ex-Pat...which will be extremely evident in my obsessive referencing to Italy, and through my hybrid lexicon of Italian and English.
This is my space to record the inner monologue that gets tossed around in my brain all day like dice in the dice popper of the 1990's "Frustration" board game. It's going to reveal a lot of frustration in fact....all my curiosity and confusion about the future. That's why my story starts with my open ended dot-dot-dot sentence:
So, Lil e' Qui...now what?
........................................................................................................................................................................
Welcome to my soliloquy.
This needs to change.
Oh, this blog is about change too! GOBAMA! The change we need! That's a big inspiration to make a change in my life now: to do something instead of putting it off. To speak my mind and to let other's know it...instead of hiding my opinions in fear of criticism. I've always admired those that speak their mind, whether to defend someone passionately or to make a risky comment that could result them humiliation. I love that courage. I mean why do I really care if my entry is perfect? ("perfect" doesn't exist) If they laugh or don't laugh at my jokes (I admit my future is not in television)? If my spelling is wrong (that's Microsoft's fault) or my stories are meaningful to me, yet meaningless to everyone else? (I'm not an author and who is this "everyone" anyway!!?) Maybe no one will read my blog.
And that' s fine with me because this blog will be my space to write cazzate about my life. To analyze and over-analyze things as boring as "why did I chose the pink scarf today?") and of course to express my not-very-exotic identity as a broke college grad white girl trying to find my destiny in a crystal ball (or on the horoscope websites) while building my future on a foundation as solid as jello, because i am building my future on love. This blog will be about my hybridity as an American, Italophile and ex-Pat...which will be extremely evident in my obsessive referencing to Italy, and through my hybrid lexicon of Italian and English.
This is my space to record the inner monologue that gets tossed around in my brain all day like dice in the dice popper of the 1990's "Frustration" board game. It's going to reveal a lot of frustration in fact....all my curiosity and confusion about the future. That's why my story starts with my open ended dot-dot-dot sentence:
So, Lil e' Qui...now what?
........................................................................................................................................................................
Welcome to my soliloquy.
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