Italia, I've arrived!

I'm feeling a little overwhelmed with all of the things I want to write about! Like most of my fellow ex-pats advised, all of the anxiety and nervousness went away as soon as I settled in. I'm sure I owe much of that to my amazing ragazzo, Emanuele who has gone above and beyond to make everything as easy as possible.

Some of the things I want to share about my first week here in Terni:

Finally met mamma Masci. I am relieved to say she quite adores me! I don't really know why, I can barely put together a full sentence in Italian. I guess it doesn't matter, because I feel happy when she pinches my cheeks or smiles at me. It's amazing that even with the language barrier, we can laugh and enjoy sitting together. She has been nothing but hospitable, kind and considerate. A huge wave of relief! Oh, and I can't forget...she cooks us lunch every day and dinner every evening that we stay in. It can't get better than that!






I've successfully applied for my permesso di soggiorno (permit to stay) and I pick it up in 25 days!! The best part is that I will have it for 2 years. This is a BIG deal as I've read in many blogs that it is an extremely tedious process. I really owe this one to my Emanuele since he did all of the talking at the questura (police station). I didn't know that I would need to get a codice fiscale (like our SIN or SSN, you need it to work) at a different office first, or that I would need passport photos, and photocopies of my passport and visa. I also didn't know that I would need to go to the post office to pay for the permesso (side note: I'm still not sure why you need to go to the post office to do things like this. If you live in Italy, you know that it is NOT a fun place to go with the long lineups and horrible service, if you can even call it that). The best part of the whole process was probably when the administrator at the questura assumed I was from China, then realized my passport was Canadian. She didn't seem to understand how I could be Canadian, until my boyfriend explained that Canada is multicultural and that my parents are from S. Korea. We all shared a laugh about it, then carried on. After three visits to the questura, I finally got fingerprinted and now all I have to do is wait 25 days! If anyone reading this is planning on living in Italy, please don't be afraid to ask about this process. You will save a lot of time being way more prepared than I was!

View from our apartment in Terni

Checked out my new home in Terni. It was pretty interesting going to the realtor's office. At first I was hesitant since I didn't think I'd understand anything and wasn't really needed to sign anything. But I'm glad I went. Watching the process of going over the contracts and signing the agreement was a significant moment for me because it meant that this wasn't a vacation. This was real. We will be creating a home for ourselves, and I am going to begin a new life here in Italia. It's overwhelming, but gratifying at the same time. All that stress I was feeling the last few weeks literally vanished. I know my life won't be a fairy tale, but at least we're off to a good start!

  

Spending time with "my" Italian friends! This is one of the things that I love the most about being here. As my boyfriend puts it, his friends are now my friends. They have really embraced me without any hesitation. They are so easy to get along with and so much fun! I love that everyone makes time to hang out, even if they worked all day....and so what if it's a Monday night? They took me to a sagra my second night here--this is a place where everyone sits outside to eat, drink and listen to music. It kind of reminded me of a school yard, except there were rows of wooden tables and benches and it was dark out.

After a delicious dinner of tasty antipasti, supplì (stuffed rice balls), pappardelle with cinghiale (wild boar), people headed over to the stage where the band was playing to dance! I found it so entertaining to see that everyone was doing the same dance moves in a line. Maybe they're regulars?? When I thought the evening was over around midnight, we all headed to a local bar to meet some other friends on the patio. Even though some friends looked a little tired, no one complained, no one rushed the others. We just relaxed and chatted until every one of us was ready to get up and head home.

Another night, one of the girls hosted a dinner at her house where the table was full with grilled meats, pizza, fruit, desserts, wine...oh mio dio! It was great being outside on a summer night eating & laughing for hours. Surprisingly, I had more conversations in English that night than I ever expected. They love to learn more English and I am dying to speak more Italian...so it works out! I really do appreciate how friendly every one has been here in Terni. Mille grazie tutti!

I have to admit, one of my main concerns was being stared at in a negative way as I obviously look different. Especially since I'm from a city as diverse as Toronto where everyone looks "different". But so far, I feel pretty comfortable, accepted and welcomed. I only hope I can learn more Italian and that my confidence gets stronger. I really want to establish a life here where I can be the independent woman that I was back home. Until then, I will continue to enjoy every new adventure and embrace any challenges. I know that I can only grow stronger and learn from all the experiences to come. 

Emanuele and I with "our" crazy friends!

Well, I'm off to the Amalfi Coast for our long awaited vacation! As soon as I get back, I'll be heading to Florence to start the next chapter of my life here in Italy. I hope I can write again soon! Miss everyone back home and please keep in touch! Until next time....

xoT

ps. Okay, if there was one complaint I had to make, it would be....DAMN these mosquitoes! They have been feasting on me the last week. 16 bites and counting....=(

Farewell...

So the time has finally come. It's the morning of my last day at home. My brain is a little foggy right now. All I know is that I'm anxious, nervous, excited, scared, and tired from the lack of sleep. The next few months will be a huge adjustment and very emotional.....but I'm ready.

To my family & friends: Thank you for all of your support and generosity. I can't even really express how much it means to me. I will miss you dearly...love you guys!

xoT

Three days to go...

I really dislike packing. I mean, really.

La Dolce Vita Series: Friends & Family

Sorry, I'm a little late on my Dolce Vita post this week. Life has been pretty hectic the last little while. I had my last day at work this past Friday. I always thought that day would feel amazing. I thought I would walk out of that building, never wanting to look back....but I was so wrong. If you think about it, I spent the last six years going into work 5 days a week, 8 hours a day...which is normal for many people. That's more time you spend with your own family! I developed so many relationships with co-workers that they pretty much became my "family". Without them, every day at work would have been dull and a struggle to get through. I guess I could only realize all of this as it came to an end. I truly am thankful for all the wonderful friendships that I have accumulated over the years.

Thanks for the last 6 years guys!

On top of that, the weekend before last, 25 of my fabulous friends threw me the most amazing surprise party. It was amazing because I really had absolutely NO clue. In fact, I almost stayed at home that evening. I was extremely exhausted from cleaning out my whole garage to make room for my car while I'm gone. My sister had to practically dress me to get me to go out and have dinner. So when I got to the restaurant, and opened the door to be greeted by the loudest "SURPRIIIISEEE!" ever, I was completely stunned. I have never felt so special and loved in my whole life! It was definitely an emotional moment for me.

adorable cupcakes by my talented friend Esther @ Flour Studio, Toronto

thanks for the surprise cupcakes sis!

So to all my friends & family, remember that you are irreplaceable. No matter how many new people I meet in Italy, the memories we have made and the laughs we've shared will always be with me. Whether I'm in Italy or any other place in this world, I will always appreciate the relationships that make my dolce vita!

xoT

La Dolce Vita Series: Ferragosto!

Obvious, I know. But for my friends in Toronto that don't know, August 15th is an Italian holiday called Ferragosto. I'm not sure about the history of why it is and all that jazz, I just know that pretty much all Italians migrate to the "sea". I actually like that term.... "We're going to the sea". Growing up in Toronto, we don't really say that since we just have lakes and, what we like to think are, beaches.  Ferragosto is something that I am REALLY looking forward to next summer. To take off and go to the sea with my man and maybe some of his crazy friends with the perfect excuse to relax and maybe get a lil to partyin' time on the beach...if I can keep up.

This past weekend, il mio ragazzo (my boyfriend) snapped some quick pics on his phone for me to see what I was missing. They took a short drive to the Adriatic coast to a little place called Milano Marittima in Cervia. They spent the weekend drinking, eating, laying on the beach, dancing, drinking, sleeping, eating, oh and did I say drinking? Wow. Must have been tough. I don't know about you, but that's my kinda August 15th. Ah, the sweet, sweet holidays....

13 days left in Toronto.....but who's counting?
xoT

       

       

These shoes aren't made for walkin', but they look good!

I like to shop. Okay, I know those of you that know me are thinking, "Uh, like is a little too modest". Alright, I really love shopping but ever since I made the decision to move to Italy, I had to deprive myself so that I could save some money. And no, I don't shop to fill some kind of a "void" or feeling of emptiness. I just truly have a huge appreciation for fashion and I absolutely love it. There is just something so visually pleasing about an outfit that is perfectly put together from head to toe. The garments, the accessories, the footwear....I can't help it - fashion is my passion. So this post is to express my gratitude to Italy for making, in my opinion, the world's most wonderful shoes.

When you take a girl like me, throw her in a country that produces these fine shoes, what else is a girl to do? My first time in Florence: One train, one bus, and 3 new pairs of Miu Miu shoes later equals one happy girl. Full price? I said I appreciate fashion, that doesn't mean I can afford it all. But you see, that is why Italians are so considerate of shopaholics who are trying to shop more economically. They came up with this genius idea to have a place where women like me (the kind that will stay in a hostel, take the bus instead of the taxi, and eat cheese & bread for lunch because she'd rather spend the extra bucks on footwear) can go and have those pretty little Prada shoes on her feet for a tiny fraction of the retail cost. Yes ladies & gents, you heard it here. Italians really are that generous and thoughtful. I mean, the prices are unimaginable here in Toronto. That is why Italy deserves a huge bravo. Will there be an encore? To be continued....

.....oh who the hell am I kidding. I already went back during my second time in Florence and yet again, the they did not disappoint. If you plan on going, I recommend taking a tour bus from Florence that will take you to the famous shopping outlets. Much easier than the way I went....that's another story. And if you're curious about the prices: Valentino dress retail price, 1200€. Discount price, 130€. Me, happy.
:) T

The Mall, surrounded by Tuscan hills

GUCCI, YSL, Burberry, Valentino, Fendi, Bottega Veneta, the list never ends...  
The Mall
Via Europa 8
Leccio, Reggello 50060

Grazie Miuccia Prada....

Prada, Miu Miu & Jill Sander:
Levanella Spacceo (SPACE outlet)
Strada Statale 69 
Montevarchi
                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                                                         
                                                                                    

La Dolce Vita Series: Italia!

One of the most fabulous things about moving to Italy is well....the country itself! One day, you can be walking through the streets of Rome, then later that same day be having dinner on the beach in Positano. Obvious, I know...but coming from a country as large as Canada, I can really appreciate moving to a place that will allow me to travel to some amazing cities without breaking the bank on airfare. Miss dolce vita...wait for me, I'm coming soon!

xoT

road trip, Febbraio 2010