Don't bring us the Swine flu!!!!

It's been almost 2 weeks since the Swine Flu made it's debut in Mexico. Since then, more and more people are becoming more concerned about this virus. Italy has yet to be affected by it and I hope it stays that way.

Even though this virus seems to be spreading quickly, I can't help to think if we're getting out of control here. According to the this Yahoo News article, (click here) pigs are being slaughtered, people are being told not to kiss and Doctors will be on board all Lufthansa flights to and from Mexico. (I like the that last one)

The WHO (World Health Organization) has raised their Pandemic level to a 5, "because of their capacity to spread rapidly to every country in the world." (Statement by WHO Direction- General, Dr. Margaret Chan.. click here) I do see the importance of trying to stop the spreading... but there are 9 countries who have confirmed cases. There are 195 countries in this world. That means there are 186 countries trying to stop the virus before it even gets to them.

I say.. let's be smart and not get paranoid. Here's what the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has to say....

What You Can Do to Stay Healthy

• Stay informed. This website will be updated regularly as information becomes available.
• Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
• Take everyday actions to stay healthy.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
• Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

• Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
• Develop a family emergency plan as a precaution. This should include storing a supply of food, medicines, facemasks, alcohol-based hand rubs and other essential supplies.
• Call 1-800-CDC-INFO for more information.

CDC website here

So, let's all relax... be smart... and try to stay healthy... or you can freak out like Raymond.....

April Showers

I can see clearly now... the rain is gone! I feel like April has been nothing but one big wet month. I didn't keep track of the weather but, I think it has rained for 20 days. Which means we have had about 10 days of partly cloudy or sunny weather. With so much rain, some of the smaller towns in Piemonte are flooded.... which caused Carlo to recall the great flood of 1994. Apparently, there was so much rain that year, Torino was flooded. It's times like this... that I miss having a car.

Halfway to Citizenship!

Yesterday, Carlo took the day off so that we could run some errands. First on the list....

The Questura

(Police Headquarters)

I really don't enjoy going to the Questura. One reason is because it's not in the best area of town but mainly because it's takes all day. First you have to get there really early in the morning to wait in line. The first line is for you to receive your numbered ticket. If you're lucky, you get your number and go into the building. If you don't get a number (because they've run out) then... you have to come back the next business day and wait in line again... and maybe you'll get a number then... or maybe not!!!!

Once you get your number and go into the building, you have to wait in the waiting room until they call your number before you can be helped. This again... will take a very long time. (We once waited 5 hours just to get some fingerprints done!) Anyway, once they call your number then you can finally go through the rotating door and get what you need done.

Well, after 2 months (our last visit to the Questura was in Feb.), I finally received my Permesso di Soggiorno (Resident Permit)!!!!

So, after we leave the Questura, our 2nd stop was.....

The Anagrafe Office

(Office of Vital Statistics)

The Anagrafe office isn't that bad.. sometimes. Usually you only wait about 15 minutes or so. Unfortunately, yesterday was NOT one of those days. Carlo and I waited 1-1/2 hours. Luckily Carlo and I learned from our mistake the last time we were at the Questura and brought books with us to read while we waited. Once it's was our turn, we went to the window to be help and the lady got upset because we both needed something done and we should have each taken a number. She calmed down a bit but I could tell she was still annoyed. Carlo renewed his ID Card and I got one as well.

One thing we wanted to do but didn't was get the Doctor's assignment. I'm really not sure how this works so, I'll elaborate when I actually get this done.

Now that I have done all of this... in 3 months, I can apply for citizenship! So of course, we're not wasting time on that. I've already sent my Birth Certificate to Austin to get an Apostille. My friend Paige works for a company that handles Background checks for companies so, she was kind enough to send me a copy of my Criminal Record clearance. There are so many more things to do in the next 3 months....

But for now... I will celebrate! I now have my ID card, my Permesso and I also received my Codice Fiscale (Fiscal Code is the same as a SSN). I can officially & legally obtain a job!

Anyone want to join me in a celebration dance?????

Pasqua Weekend

Buona Pasqua a tutti!!

It's my first Easter in Italy and I'm very excited about it. Like all religious holidays, Easter is a major event here in Italy. That also means that it's a 4-day weekend... for Carlo that is.

So we started off by going for a hike to Sacra di San Michele on Good Friday. Here's a picture of Sacra di San Michele which is on Mount Pirchiriano.

**This picture was taken from our balcony**

As most of you know, Carlo is a very devout Catholic. He's goes to Mass every week, does charity work every other Sunday AND every Friday night, he goes to School of Community. So, it's no surprise when he tells me that this hike is the procession for The Way of the Cross.

The procession for The Way of the Cross is remembering the last hours of Jesus Christ. You follow a man who is carrying a cross. When you get to a stopping point, they read a scripture and sing a hymn, then it's off to the next stop. Once you get to your destination, it ends with a Mass.

So, we go to a small village called Sant'Ambrogio di Torino which is at the foot of the mountain and follow the signs.


We meet at the church and wait until 2 o'clock. As people are arriving, the choir is warming up.


Once the priest welcomes everyone, he gives a short prayer and also dedicates the procession to the victims of the Earthquake in Abruzzo. Then we begin our journey up the mountain.

We finally come to the first stop and I'm already sweating a lot... but I'm ok. I kept thinking to myself that it wasn't that bad. So, about 10 minutes later, we make our way to the 2nd stop.

The trail to the 2nd stop was the hardest. I was smiling because Carlo kept taking pictures of me but, 5 minutes later, I was sweating so much that I had to leave my glasses off, keep my hair up and open my jacket. My heart was beating so fast and I thought I was going to throw up!! The funny thing is that the path looks easy but, it had just rained so, it was muddy and the rocks were slippery.

**This is the view on our way to the 3rd stop**

As we got closer to the next stop, I thought we were done. The path was getting easier and it was level on the top. So, I had told Carlo that it wasn't as bad and that I couldn't believe we were finished. He said the hardest part was over and the rest was just paved roads. (not true!)

Once we got to the top... I realized it was only the 3rd stop when I looked up... and saw this...

So, it's on to the next stop, but we're getting closer.


The 4th stop- at the bottom of the church.

Just when I think we're done, Carlo tells me that we still have to go to the stop of the church. He's telling me this as we make our way up the hill.

So, then he tells me that we just have to go up these stairs and we're finished and I can sit and relax.

As I make my way up the stairs, I stop to take a breath but also to notice how pretty the church is.

So, I make finally make it to the top of the stairs when we reach the door and Carlo says, "Oh.. I forgot about these stairs."

I was so tired and I didn't think I could make it, but I did! This is one of the views from the church.


So today, on Easter Sunday, when I came from Church, Carlo was already home and we started our Easter celebration. Instead of a big fancy meal, (because we're poor) we ate pizza. For dessert, we ate our Colomba.

**Colomba is Italian for Dove. So this is actually a Dove shaped Panettone.**

It wouldn't be Easter without some Chocolate right? Well, Carlo bought me a Chocolate Egg. The big chocolate eggs are a big deal here. They're hollow inside and have a surprise when you break them open.

So, my 1st Easter in Italy was perfect!

While we hiked up the mountain, I had moments where I didn't think I was going to finish. Carlo would tell me to take my time and then say, "We're not doing this for us, we're doing this for Jesus." So, I had to keep going. It really made me appreciate more the sacrifice he did for us. I can't imagine that what I went through on this hike was a million times worse for him. Infact, today in church, we sang 'I Stand All Amazed' and I thought about the hike on Friday and it made the meaning of the song much more powerful. I said I would not do this hike again, but I know that I probably will.

I'm not Catholic but I do appreciate and respect their traditions and it has helped me to become a better member of the LDS (mormon) church.

Reason #23: Mercato

One of the many things that I love about living in Italy, is that I have a Mercato just a few blocks from our building. I see it everyday. Carlo's mom and her friends go there at least twice a week. So, I thought it was about time I go for a visit.

Carlo and I usually do our passeggiata on Sunday but, we needed to go run an errand and before we knew it, we were walking through the Mercato.

I love that you can find ANYTHING & EVERYTHING! From fruits & veggies to meats & cheeses. Of course that's not all.... I also saw some clothes, shoes, make-up and some really cute (and fake) Dolce & Gabbana, and Prada bags!