A New Beginning! Bring it on!: November 2009

Ok I must keep my promise of updating my blog a bit more.. I can’t believe its already mid November pretty much. The time has FLOWN by and I need to go shopping for a wedding present for my friend who is getting married on the 5th in Texas.. And a few things that won’t “break the bank” . So I should probably plan on heading over the markets soon and break out my “ you are NOT going to overcharge me face”.. I learned in China that if you can’t bargain well you have no business being IN that market.. Hehe.. And I take that to heart.. But then again I negotiate for a living!

Halloween was fun! we met up at Naimas , a little bar in the center and had some drinks and basically our group got bigger and bigger, it was great seeing all of my friends, we did a little bar-hopping, ate some falafel and the only sore point of the night is when some idiotic american guy spilled his beer on my foot and accused ME of being in his way.. umm no knucklehead.. work on your hand-eye coordination next time. His GF quickly apologized to me "oh hes drunk" and i said " yeah well i would suggest getting another boyfriend.." .. hehe. Sorry but come ON.. I have never been SO drunk to be completely rude to a stranger that I did something to.. hjehdjkjk

So latest news.. I have been doing GREAT at work.. My job is NOT easy and it was very slow going to the point where I thought I may lose my job. I really had to take a step back and start believing in myself and realize what I was trying to do is difficult when the economy is doing well much less right now.. Also selling in another language can quite a trial and error. I have errr put my foot in my mouth at times.. Tee-hee. So lately, I have been more aggressive and organized and believed in myself and what I am doing and it has worked. I have made a couple of significant sales and made my bosses happy and me happy which in Italy can be tough! Working here can want to make you stab your brain with an ice-pick.. Seriously.. I hope my luck streak doesn’t run out. I have an important appointment tomorrow with a school here and must bring my A-Game to the table.. That way I can enjoy my weekend with PEACE of mind.. Woohoo ..and wine..and good friends.. And a great boyfriend..:P

Other news.. I just booked a plane ticket to go to Los Angeles in December and I am soooooooooooooooooooo excited. Yes the extras o’s were needed.. I haven’t been there since August 2008 and the cheap ticket, offer of a car was too much for me to turn down since the prospect of staying 26 days I n texas was enough to make me want to change nationality.. No offense Texas.. I love you its just staying with my mom/ limited use of a vehicle and boredom takes its tole on me.. You see I am a very social person, I need a constant presence with me.. ( I grew up in a big family ) and since tommaso is not coming with me.. Extra hard.. He hasn’t been back to the states with me since 2007! Crazy.. I know he has to work and I can’t do anything about it but to be honest I was really pissed and disappointed that he didn’t find a way to come for the wedding nor Christmas.. I don’t feel like he really got how important it was to me. I kinda freaked out one night and started bawling and telling him that U feel as if I put so much of me , living here in Italy with him and I really couldn’t understand how he couldn’t tell his work that he HAD to come.. Maybe since I am so upfront with my jobs about times I need off it was unfathomable that he couldn’t do the same.. To be honest its still a sore subject with me and him and I we will have to have a serious talk about it.. I think anyone’s partner needs to make the effort to come see your family and not have a convenient excuse such as money/work/timing.. Every year.., he said “well why don’t we go in February together” as if I could pull 1000$ out of my ear after my December trip and go.. Sorry NO… so for now I am not going to dwell on it anymore and have now reached “acceptance” mode.. Even if the aftertaste is a little “amaro” or “bitter”..

Something that crossed my mind the other day is how different my spending habits are here than in America.. When I was back “home” .. I spent money without thinking, a latte here- trip to target there- dinner out like there was no tomorrow. Its easy to see how we are the most consumerist country in the world.. While in Italy, I watch every penny ( also because of crap pay ) , have “buyers remorse” horribly and everything is to be considered- night out-dinner ect ect. Its crazy how different the cultures are with spending.. I see the bad and the good in both.. Which is kind of how you become as an expat. I will never say I can totally adapt to the Italian model of doing things ( hence a country does NOT grow if people do not spend-hoard money and cheat on their taxes like they do here in Italy) .. But nor can I say I totally adopt the American model of “SPEND! SPEND!SPEND!”. I think that will change as we have now been hit hard twice with a recession.. In my generation at least. But IT is a good thing to take a step back and realize that you need to save your money, be a little more frugal and be a lot more creative! Here I can go out and spend 5-10 euros, maybe for 2 drinks and have a great night out . Which I could never do back home… or just spend the day walking around with friends- making lunch for them at home, having wine. Watching movies, exploring areas of town you have never seen. Its all there for the taking..

Oh and I found the most wonderful website ever:

http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/

We all know Walmart and its classy clientele but this site basically is a slideshow of the craziest sightings at wal-mart and I can attest to this having grown up in Texas.. Walmart can be open 24 hours and let me tell you how many freak shows I have seen wandering about the aisles at 1 am ( I can be a bit of an insomniac). So hilarious!

So for now, I am determined to make the most of my winter.. Going out.. Doing things.. Like this film festival, I gotta get my hair done which I have NO idea what I am going to do. Ugh.. I hate decisions.. Any advice?? I was thinking light bang and edgy layers and dyed darker.. I don’t want to pay for a haircut that will make me look the same as I did yesterday hehe..

So for now.. Its Thursday… going to il centro commerciale with my shopping-addictive boyfriend but as long as he treats me to some Brazilian cuisine… IM GAME!