Comments on: My Top 10 Realizations After Being “Home” for the First Time in Nearly Six Years http://bleedingespresso.com/2010/01/my-top-10-realizations-after-being-home-for-the-first-time-in-nearly-six-years.html Sun, 20 May 2012 13:45:19 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: michelle http://bleedingespresso.com/2010/01/my-top-10-realizations-after-being-home-for-the-first-time-in-nearly-six-years.html/comment-page-1#comment-291537 michelle Fri, 16 Sep 2011 19:41:45 +0000 http://bleedingespresso.com/?p=5148#comment-291537 This is so lovely, Adrianne; thank you for sharing. It's funny how sometimes when you finally get a chance to enjoy some of the things you think you miss, you find out they weren't all that great begin with . . . I'm just about due for another trip back myself. We'll see ;) This is so lovely, Adrianne; thank you for sharing. It’s funny how sometimes when you finally get a chance to enjoy some of the things you think you miss, you find out they weren’t all that great begin with . . . I’m just about due for another trip back myself. We’ll see ;)

]]> By: Adrianne http://bleedingespresso.com/2010/01/my-top-10-realizations-after-being-home-for-the-first-time-in-nearly-six-years.html/comment-page-1#comment-291536 Adrianne Fri, 16 Sep 2011 19:03:00 +0000 http://bleedingespresso.com/?p=5148#comment-291536 We just came back from a visit from the US and I've been thinking about this post off and on our entire trip. I missed the dryer and now I wholeheartedly agree that its awful (my what used to be black pants do to). The first year of being here is rough, nothing ever prepares you for that lol. I admit there were a lot of times and about 6 month period where I was ready to pack it up and leave. But as we got closer to going back to the US I didnt want to go lol. And it was so hard not to compare everything to how it is in Italy. The food is so much better quality in italy, my baby had a rash, nothing major just little bumps on her arms the entire time we were in the US and it didnt matter what kind of food we bought it wouldnt go away. Now that we are back its almost gone. Its such a different feeling being back here this time around. The house still needs work, I know the winter is coming soon and the mosquitoes are still out, but I think going back to the US was the best thing we could have done to be more satisfied (even though I was already getting there) about our move to Italy. Sure we had fun with the fast food and the huge grocery stores and being able to find everything we wanted at one quick stop. But nothing compares to the sense of belonging that I get being here. We just came back from a visit from the US and I’ve been thinking about this post off and on our entire trip. I missed the dryer and now I wholeheartedly agree that its awful (my what used to be black pants do to). The first year of being here is rough, nothing ever prepares you for that lol. I admit there were a lot of times and about 6 month period where I was ready to pack it up and leave. But as we got closer to going back to the US I didnt want to go lol.

And it was so hard not to compare everything to how it is in Italy. The food is so much better quality in italy, my baby had a rash, nothing major just little bumps on her arms the entire time we were in the US and it didnt matter what kind of food we bought it wouldnt go away. Now that we are back its almost gone.

Its such a different feeling being back here this time around. The house still needs work, I know the winter is coming soon and the mosquitoes are still out, but I think going back to the US was the best thing we could have done to be more satisfied (even though I was already getting there) about our move to Italy. Sure we had fun with the fast food and the huge grocery stores and being able to find everything we wanted at one quick stop.

But nothing compares to the sense of belonging that I get being here.

]]> By: Elisa http://bleedingespresso.com/2010/01/my-top-10-realizations-after-being-home-for-the-first-time-in-nearly-six-years.html/comment-page-1#comment-283037 Elisa Thu, 01 Apr 2010 16:19:51 +0000 http://bleedingespresso.com/?p=5148#comment-283037 I'm glad I found this post, you see in a 12 days to be exact I'm going home IOWA for the first time in one year. And funny enough that I was just mentioning to my sisters how I miss Mom's cooked meals. the chile con queso, quesadillas. and starbucks although if I have been without it for all this time, I think I can save my 3 dollars and buy more aguacates (avocados).LOL. I also miss my grandparents and we will be visiting them as well in Texas. and yes they do watch alot of talk shows, and novelas (soap operas). I was reading your profile and how exciting about your move, ..'tending to chickens, goats' I love animals as well. ok enough rambling, I'm going back for more poking around your blog. <strong><em>Hope you enjoy your trip to the States, and thanks for coming over :)</em></strong> I’m glad I found this post, you see in a 12 days to be exact I’m going home IOWA for the first time in one year. And funny enough that I was just mentioning to my sisters how I miss Mom’s cooked meals. the chile con queso, quesadillas. and starbucks although if I have been without it for all this time, I think I can save my 3 dollars and buy more aguacates (avocados).LOL. I also miss my grandparents and we will be visiting them as well in Texas. and yes they do watch alot of talk shows, and novelas (soap operas).

I was reading your profile and how exciting about your move, ..’tending to chickens, goats’ I love animals as well.

ok enough rambling, I’m going back for more poking around your blog.

Hope you enjoy your trip to the States, and thanks for coming over :)

]]> By: Laura http://bleedingespresso.com/2010/01/my-top-10-realizations-after-being-home-for-the-first-time-in-nearly-six-years.html/comment-page-1#comment-282459 Laura Sun, 28 Feb 2010 15:25:08 +0000 http://bleedingespresso.com/?p=5148#comment-282459 Michelle, I live your opposite life, Italian living in the States. I went to Venice for Christmas and I had the best of time. And nothing can beat being with old time friends and starting exactly where you left. No time has passed. Another realization, and that could be number two is the warm feeling I got when my kids were playing with my childhood friends' kids, coming full circle, just amazing. I not only wish my two homes were closer (I live in CA), but that I could pick the best of the two worlds and combine them. Americans don't have the same sense self deprecating humor Italians have, but Americans are much more respectful from a civic standpoint. I have two friends coming to Calabria, they bought a house there. I will ask them where. CIAO! <strong><em>Yes, definitely let me know where they'll be Laura! And again, thank you so much for your message :)</em></strong> Michelle, I live your opposite life, Italian living in the States.

I went to Venice for Christmas and I had the best of time. And nothing can beat being with old time friends and starting exactly where you left. No time has passed.

Another realization, and that could be number two is the warm feeling I got when my kids were playing with my childhood friends’ kids, coming full circle, just amazing.

I not only wish my two homes were closer (I live in CA), but that I could pick the best of the two worlds and combine them. Americans don’t have the same sense self deprecating humor Italians have, but Americans are much more respectful from a civic standpoint.

I have two friends coming to Calabria, they bought a house there. I will ask them where.

CIAO!

Yes, definitely let me know where they’ll be Laura! And again, thank you so much for your message :)

]]> By: Nerys http://bleedingespresso.com/2010/01/my-top-10-realizations-after-being-home-for-the-first-time-in-nearly-six-years.html/comment-page-1#comment-281635 Nerys Tue, 02 Feb 2010 20:33:34 +0000 http://bleedingespresso.com/?p=5148#comment-281635 Even though I'm originally from the other side of the pond, I found myself agreeing with nearly everything! The food I completely agree with, every time I've gone home since I moved to Italy I've been amazed at how unhealthily Brits eat, and how easily available junk food is. And it's shocking to really *realise* how much we drink too, it was like I was seeing it from an foreigner's point of view, it really was an eye-opener. When I went home for Christmas I felt very out of place at times, it was nice to come back to Milan! <strong><em>It's a really strange feeling, isn't it? Being away really does give you a new perspective...thanks so much for coming by and sharing your observations!</em></strong> .-= Nerys´s last blog ..<a href="http://welshieinitaly.blogspot.com/2010/01/beginners-guide-to-italian-tv-part-2.html" rel="nofollow">A Beginner's Guide to Italian TV - Part 2</a> =-. Even though I’m originally from the other side of the pond, I found myself agreeing with nearly everything! The food I completely agree with, every time I’ve gone home since I moved to Italy I’ve been amazed at how unhealthily Brits eat, and how easily available junk food is. And it’s shocking to really *realise* how much we drink too, it was like I was seeing it from an foreigner’s point of view, it really was an eye-opener. When I went home for Christmas I felt very out of place at times, it was nice to come back to Milan!

It’s a really strange feeling, isn’t it? Being away really does give you a new perspective…thanks so much for coming by and sharing your observations!
.-= Nerys´s last blog ..A Beginner’s Guide to Italian TV – Part 2 =-.

]]> By: Patrick http://bleedingespresso.com/2010/01/my-top-10-realizations-after-being-home-for-the-first-time-in-nearly-six-years.html/comment-page-1#comment-281568 Patrick Mon, 01 Feb 2010 06:07:23 +0000 http://bleedingespresso.com/?p=5148#comment-281568 Great list Michelle! You've definitely covered many of the things I noticed! One thing that struck me upon returning to the States from Italy was the nearly obsessive commitment to customer service that you find here! Everything is super easy, hotlines are open 24/7, stores are open until 8PM, and so on. On the flip side, I am constantly having to turn down offers to get an extra this-or-that for only $.99 cents more. That constant upselling is a bit annoying! <strong><em>I've had a good run with Italian customer service lately so I won't say anything to jinx it *and* I also got ripped off in America when a cashier *assured* me a discount had been taken off when it hadn't been...but yes, the overselling is definitely annoying, all that supersize stuff is getting contagious!</em></strong> Great list Michelle! You’ve definitely covered many of the things I noticed!

One thing that struck me upon returning to the States from Italy was the nearly obsessive commitment to customer service that you find here! Everything is super easy, hotlines are open 24/7, stores are open until 8PM, and so on. On the flip side, I am constantly having to turn down offers to get an extra this-or-that for only $.99 cents more. That constant upselling is a bit annoying!

I’ve had a good run with Italian customer service lately so I won’t say anything to jinx it *and* I also got ripped off in America when a cashier *assured* me a discount had been taken off when it hadn’t been…but yes, the overselling is definitely annoying, all that supersize stuff is getting contagious!

]]> By: Frances http://bleedingespresso.com/2010/01/my-top-10-realizations-after-being-home-for-the-first-time-in-nearly-six-years.html/comment-page-1#comment-281501 Frances Sat, 30 Jan 2010 21:01:03 +0000 http://bleedingespresso.com/?p=5148#comment-281501 Most of my clothes have never seen the inside of a dryer either. The mailbox pic is amazing! Waving at you wildly from New York Bella Send Mom my best :) <strong><em>Thanks Frances! Mom says hello as well :)</em></strong> .-= Frances´s last blog ..<a href="http://blogjem.com/2010/01/27/contest-at-the-daytrippers-photoblog/" rel="nofollow">Contest at the daytrippers photoblog</a> =-. Most of my clothes have never seen the inside of a dryer either.
The mailbox pic is amazing!
Waving at you wildly from New York Bella
Send Mom my best :)

Thanks Frances! Mom says hello as well :)

.-= Frances´s last blog ..Contest at the daytrippers photoblog =-.

]]> By: Rosina http://bleedingespresso.com/2010/01/my-top-10-realizations-after-being-home-for-the-first-time-in-nearly-six-years.html/comment-page-1#comment-281465 Rosina Sat, 30 Jan 2010 06:23:42 +0000 http://bleedingespresso.com/?p=5148#comment-281465 ...and when you get older, then all this stuff you accumulated or inherited can become overwhelming. Now, it's time to have less, not more. The crime rate here in Albuquerque seems to be increasing. Last week, someone brought a hand gun into the movie theater and it went off hitting a woman in the ankle. We live in a time filled with turmoil and uncertainty. Today, was the 3rd lock down in a school in one week. Lot's of unstable nut cases out there. We had our 6th bank robbery so far this year. I am missing family and friends in NY, as well as the sounds of the ocean. Not to mention all the great food in NY. Especially fresh seafood. But, the mountains here look beautiful after all the snowfall. <strong><em>That is scary, Rosina! Hope you can get back for a visit soon...when the weather is nice :)</em></strong> …and when you get older, then all this stuff you accumulated or inherited can become overwhelming. Now, it’s time to have less, not more.
The crime rate here in Albuquerque seems to be increasing. Last week, someone brought a hand gun into the movie theater and it went off hitting a woman in the ankle. We live in a time filled with turmoil and uncertainty. Today, was the 3rd lock down in a school in one week. Lot’s of unstable nut cases out there.
We had our 6th bank robbery so far this year.
I am missing family and friends in NY, as well as the sounds of the ocean. Not to mention all the great food in NY. Especially fresh seafood.
But, the mountains here look beautiful after all the snowfall.

That is scary, Rosina! Hope you can get back for a visit soon…when the weather is nice :)

]]> By: Erika http://bleedingespresso.com/2010/01/my-top-10-realizations-after-being-home-for-the-first-time-in-nearly-six-years.html/comment-page-1#comment-281438 Erika Fri, 29 Jan 2010 11:05:43 +0000 http://bleedingespresso.com/?p=5148#comment-281438 Hey there, # 10 - I definitely share your feelings re the clothes dryer. But I do miss it for fluffing up the towels. As a Canadian ex-pat living in Geneva, what strikes me 1st is always the space - in Switzerland everything is so close together! Highways - at home you can choose from any one of 16 routes to get from point A to B. In Switzerland there is 1 route. A little thing called mountains gets in the way At home you can turn right on a red light. In Geneva I would be getting a 'lovely' ticket for that one. And your # 3 - fast food & restaurant chains are abundant (as is salt) The fridge.... is it on steroids? You could fit 3 Swiss fridges into one American style fridge The grocery store - again size & choice And in Geneva, saying goodbye at the end of an evening is just a jumping off point for a new conversation. It can take an hour to finally leave a friend’s house, sweet! Have a nice weekend xxx <strong><em>Haha, so much of that is true for Italy too! And *so* very true on the fridge...I think Paolo would faint if he saw the "normal" fridges in America...thanks for coming by!</em></strong> Hey there,

# 10 – I definitely share your feelings re the clothes dryer. But I do miss it for fluffing up the towels.

As a Canadian ex-pat living in Geneva, what strikes me 1st is always the space – in Switzerland everything is so close together!

Highways – at home you can choose from any one of 16 routes to get from point A to B. In Switzerland there is 1 route. A little thing called mountains gets in the way

At home you can turn right on a red light. In Geneva I would be getting a ‘lovely’ ticket for that one.

And your # 3 – fast food & restaurant chains are abundant (as is salt)

The fridge…. is it on steroids? You could fit 3 Swiss fridges into one American style fridge

The grocery store – again size & choice

And in Geneva, saying goodbye at the end of an evening is just a jumping off point for a new conversation. It can take an hour to finally leave a friend’s house, sweet!

Have a nice weekend
xxx

Haha, so much of that is true for Italy too! And *so* very true on the fridge…I think Paolo would faint if he saw the “normal” fridges in America…thanks for coming by!

]]> By: Brian H. http://bleedingespresso.com/2010/01/my-top-10-realizations-after-being-home-for-the-first-time-in-nearly-six-years.html/comment-page-1#comment-281389 Brian H. Thu, 28 Jan 2010 06:14:29 +0000 http://bleedingespresso.com/?p=5148#comment-281389 I love #6. Always nice to have friends like that. <strong><em>Aren't we lucky?! Thanks for coming by, Brian!</em></strong> .-= Brian H. ´s last blog ..<a href="http://gleestreet.com/travel/?p=105" rel="nofollow">10 Days European Motorhome Hire from Just Go (a great way to experience Europe)</a> =-. I love #6. Always nice to have friends like that.

Aren’t we lucky?! Thanks for coming by, Brian!

.-= Brian H. ´s last blog ..10 Days European Motorhome Hire from Just Go (a great way to experience Europe) =-.

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