Comments on: (almost) everything you always wanted to know about me (part the second)

By: romerican

romerican — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 19:06:22 +0000

Yay, thanks for answering my question. Calabria rocks- wow! I’m truly impressed and surprised because the small town (guess it could be called a village) my mom comes from in Campania is still super severe about living together without being married. They still have a very old-school, catholic mentality so “living in sin” is considered a huge scandal. Calabria-1 Campania- 0!

Hee hee…guest Christ really *did* stop at Eboli

By: Meg

Meg — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:48:48 +0000

It’s funny that you found you’re more direct in Italian, at first because of a more limited ability to express yourself and then… well, it continues, doesn’t it? It seems that’s the case for many Americans; although I didn’t live in Italy for very long, I had a very similar thing happen- I was fairly blunt in Italian in a way that I am not when I use English. Some of it was because my Italian is very clumsy, but also, I found that since I was considered a crazy American regardless of how properly I behaved that I might as well use the leeway it gave me to speak my mind. Does that make any sense?

Meg’s last blog post..Insufferably Smug Tiramisu Triumph

Ooh does it ever Meg! I still play the American card sometimes too–not intentionally, actually, just because that’s the way I am and then later I realize that what I said (probably speaking my mind/speaking up) might not have been very “Italian” of me. Oh well. What you see is what you get with me no matter what country I’m in apparently

By: Leanne

Leanne — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:43:15 +0000

I have another question!

“Are you trying to teach or do you want to try and teach P English?”

I am lucky that my boyfriend speaks fluent english as when we first got together…well… we would not have got together if he didn’t speak English as I spoke hardly any Italian and we would have never been able to chat and see if we liked each other!

Leanne’s last blog post..Signs everywhere

Another great question Leanne

By: Alex

Alex — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 09:13:01 +0000

Hi Michelle – actually I have quite a quantity of Irish blood in me somewhere, but the Italian stuff seems to be more dominant, for some reason. Must be the iron content in the water…

As for chatting about ‘living in sin’ – look forward to hearing from you:-)

Cheers!

Alex

Alex’s last blog post..The Pirelli and Telecom Italia Mafia Godfather

You may be onto something with that iron content….

By: judy haley (coffeejitters)

judy haley (coffeejitters) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 04:00:46 +0000

I haven’t thought of a smart question yet but i wanted to let you know that I’m really enjoying this series of posts and cant wait to read more.

judy haley (coffeejitters)’s last blog post..Sail Away

Thanks so much for letting me know Judy

By: vita

vita — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 02:14:52 +0000

Michelle, I’m really liking these posts – this is what I read for – insight into others lives, in other countries, nuances . . . really compelling! So I’m wondering much of the same.

I lived in Italy on and off for a while – perhaps never long enough to really become a part of it. Perhaps if I’d met an Italian, things might have been different, but I always had ex-pat friends and felt like an outsider.

But your move is really stunning – you left one day and never came back. Your life is clearly there now. And I wonder (okay, this would be my “official” question – do you have some philosophy or view point about that – like that Italians have simpler, happier lives?) I know that’s a very personal question and I know people have asked about what you miss in the States and I’ve read those posts (coffee, etc..) but I’m wondering about more esoteric ideas – like the way Americans are direct. The way things get done more efficiently – or, have you somehow moved through that and found that the way of life in Italy is somehow more satisfying to your soul?

I’d love love love to hear more of your thoughts on this.

Thank you! (And added you on FB)

Ciao! So nice to see you, here and on FB! Great question. All of these are so great; may have to work on them over the weekend

By: Dory

Dory — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:58:43 +0000

Great posts Michelle.

Dory’s last blog post..Spelling Bee… cracks me up

Glad you’re enjoying them Dory

By: Chel

Chel — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:13:31 +0000

Ok, Michelle. I’m taking questions. Let’s see what you’ve got.

Chel’s last blog post..Any questions?

Have already chimed in my dear

By: Wanderlust Scarlett

Wanderlust Scarlett — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 21:52:49 +0000

There’s so much love in this post, it could almost be a love thursday post!
Good stuff, all through, and as always, the photos are incredible.

Grazie Cara!

Scarlett & Viaggiatore

PS~ I trust that you are saving the dance question for another post?
;o)

Wanderlust Scarlett’s last blog post..Submarine Races

Yes, the dance question will be part of an “answers” post(s) in the near future. If I don’t write one for Friday, there will certainly be some answers on Monday

By: Alex

Alex — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 21:04:06 +0000

So you are another one with Italian ancestors! Something about this country that has those of us, including me, with Italian blood coursing through our veins, returning to our roots.

Having Italian blood seems to be a bit like having a kind of magnet in your body – something inexplicably draws you here – and ensures you never leave! Possibly.

Nice to know more about the ‘smart’ writer behind the words.

All the best from Milan,

Alex

PS I’m not married either, and I have a child. This fact has never caused me any problems whatsoever here. It sometimes is a a catholic country

Alex’s last blog post..The Pirelli and Telecom Italia Mafia Godfather

I love that Alex–the magnet. What *is* it about this heritage? I don’t know about you, but I have other heritages as well…just not the same pull though….

I had no idea that you’re living in sin too! Woohoo! I’d like to talk more to you about this at some point. Will be in touch