Archive for the ‘me me me’ Category
My One-Word Theme for 2011: Now
During my 2010 Year End meme, I mentioned I don’t do resolutions, but I am doing something different regarding goal-setting this year. I’ve been setting goals for a while now, and although I’ve been fairly successful at reaching them, I feel like I need to kick things up a notch in 2011 to really make some progress on several items that have been hanging around on the to-do list.
And wouldn’t you know it, the Universe, as it is wont to do, sent me in the direction of a concept that is all over the place but that I have somehow missed up to this point in my life.
Reverb 10 calls it the “One-Word” prompt, asking readers to think of one word that described 2010 and then to imagine what they’d like that one word to be for the upcoming year. Chris Guillebeau calls it his “theme” for the year, while Christine Kane labels it the “Word of the Year,” and even offers a free worksheet to help you figure out yours.
I love this idea, and the first word that popped in my mind was “NOW.”
now by Genista on Flickr
And then I immediately tried to analyze it away, telling myself it was too ordinary, too vague, too plain — and that it came too damn easy. But I just kept coming back to it because it speaks to me on so many levels.
*NOW* : stop procrastination when there are tasks that need to be done.
*NOW* : move forward on personal projects that have been sitting on the backburner for far too long.
*NOW* : live in the moment, practice mindfulness – one of the most important lessons I’ve learned in the past couple years and am still learning.
Then, just as all this was turning around in my head, my friend Pam posted this on Facebook on January 1:
“Inner peace comes with staying in the NOW!”
Yes. Yes. Yes.
And in the words of Van Halen:
(Right now) Hey! It’s your tomorrow
(Right now) Come on, it’s everything
(Right now) Catch your magic moment
Do it right here and now
It means everything.
So now I feel a little like Ally McBeal with a theme song in my head. You might not believe me, but I promise you that just having this word in my head has already pushed me to do several things that I may have otherwise convinced myself could wait another day. We’re but 10 days into January, and the word has been with me constantly as I stare down something else I’d rather put off…and you know what? Things are getting done.
Sure, you say, but how long will that last? Well, I’m hoping for another 11 months and a couple weeks, but who knows? And who really cares? I’ll still have all those accomplishments, and as many of you have probably already figured out, getting things done actually breeds getting more things done. There’s something so inherently inspiring about progress.
By the way, my “now” doesn’t refer only to work and chores either. It also plays nicely with downtime as I tell myself NOW is the time to turn off the computer, load that movie, make some popcorn, and just relax.
Do you have a word for 2011?
The Annual Year End Meme: 2010 Edition
I don’t remember being this excited for a new year in a long time — probably 10 years ago when I was entering my final semester of law school and would finally, finally be entering the “real world” in a few short months. I feel that same kind of anticipation now in the early days of 2011. This past year was one of growth, learning, and clarity for me, and I truly can’t wait to see what 2011 brings.
I first saw this Year End meme at Sundry Mourning, who originally copied it from Gwen’s Petty, Judgmental, Evil Thoughts back in 2004. This year’s version follows, and you can also check out previous ones: 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009.
Pinta, about 20 hours old
1. What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before? The biggest one that sticks out in my memory is delivering a baby goat – yes, with icky, gooey hands and all. In another huge milestone, I earned more as a freelance writer in one year than I ever have in my life. We also produced our very own olive oil, and I became an Eye on Italy podcast co-host, visited two new-to-me regions of Italy (Lombardia (Milan) and Piemonte (Acqui Terme)); met several online friends in person; trimmed goat hooves; made yoga a daily practice (had dabbled before but never with such regularity); participated in 750words.com, and I’m sure many other things I’m forgetting as it was really a full year.
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I don’t do resolutions, but I’m happy with my year overall. For next year, I have a new plan – and I will tell you about it shortly. Stay tuned!
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Yes, all my goats and several friends, including one on December 21. Welcome to Calabria, Baby Max!
4. Did anyone close to you die? No one in my immediate family or friends, but an old high school friend.
5. What countries did you visit? Stayed in Italy this year.
6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010? A book deal.
7. What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? Pinta’s birth (March 22) because I’ll never forget my first goat midwifery experience.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? More than doubling my freelance writing income from last year.
9. What was your biggest failure? Unfinished manuscripts…AGAIN, but I’m already working on that. For real!
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? A really nasty cut on my right middle finger knuckle, right down to the bone, all healed now. Also a cold upon coming back from northern Italy — my first in several years!
L'amaca in campagna
11. What was the best thing you bought? Our campagna! And my iMac, which despite looking like it had died has rebounded wonderfully.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration? My dogs, who accepted a cat into the house with very little to-do.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Most high-profile conservative politicians in the U.S. and Berlusconi.
14. Where did most of your money go? Our campagna!
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Our campagna!
16. What song will always remind you of 2010? Bad Romance, particularly this version:
17. Compared to this time last year, are you: (a) happier or sadder? (b) thinner or fatter? (c) richer or poorer? Definitely not sadder or poorer…not sure if happier, thinner, fatter, or about the same. Eh, I’m happy. That’s plenty.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of? Various personal projects.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Wasting time.
20. How did you spend Christmas? With P’s parents.
21. Did you fall in love in 2010? Yup, with Pinters Magooch a million times over.
22. What was your favorite TV program? I liked several: The Good Wife, Brothers & Sisters, and Being Erica are probably the top three — ah and Lost, may it rest in peace.
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? I don’t do hate.
24. What was the best book you read? Voices by Dacia Maraini.
25. What was your greatest musical discovery? See #16 (hint: not Gaga).
26. What did you want and get? An actual work space.
27. What did you want and not get? An actual kitchen.
Letters to Juliet on Amazon
28. What was your favorite film of this year? Letters to Juliet in all its cheeseball glory, although in my defense, I didn’t see many new movies this year.
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I turned 34, and we had a quiet dinner at home.
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? See #6.
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010? Comfort and goats first.
32. What kept you sane? The girls – goats and dogs.
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Gotta be the Bear (same as last year).
34. What political issue stirred you the most? Probably health care once again.
35. Who did you miss? Same people I always miss.
36. Who was the best new person you met? I met several online friends in northern Italy in November. Yay!
37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010. Simplicity (I’m still learning).
38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
There’s a song that they sing when they take to the highway
A song that they sing when they take to the sea
A song that they sing of their home in the sky
Maybe you can believe it if it helps you to sleep
But singing works just fine for me.
~Sweet Baby James, James Taylor
Please feel free to fill out your own end of year meme and post the link in the comments!
Five in Focus: American Expat Bloggers on Italian Movies
In conjunction with the release of George Clooney’s The American, I was one of the American expat bloggers asked by Focus Features to choose the five films I feel sum up Italy for me.
Please click on the screenshot to go see the five films I chose…
and then please come back and let me know what yours are and why in the comments.
And by the way, have you seen The American? What did you think?
P.S. I’ve put up a “Media Buzz” page to gather some of the other places that mention Bleeding Espresso. Have a look see!
The Eye on Italy Podcast
If you follow me on Twitter or Facebook, you have probably already heard about the Eye on Italy podcast (but please make sure to read through the post for updated info!). For those of you who haven’t, here’s your official introduction:
Eye on Italy is “[a] podcast for anyone who’s loved Italy or wants to love it.” Each week, Jessica Spiegel (WhyGo Italy), Sara Rosso (Ms Adventures in Italy), and I talk about current events and other interesting topics that relate to the Bel Paese.
We have been privileged to host some rather awesome guests so far, including Gelato King David Lebovitz; B&B owner and creative soul Diana Baur; and art historian, sommelier, and food expert Katie Parla. We’ve tackled all kinds of issues from the freedom of the press in Italy with Livia Iacolare, community coordinator and assistant producer of Italy’s Current TV, to uncovering the Holy Foreskin with author David Farley.
There are already 14 podcasts available for your listening pleasure, but there’s no need to feel behind! Now that we’re taking a little August break like the rest of Italy, you have plenty of time to catch up on what you’ve been missing so far. You can subscribe on our page or directly at iTunes.
And for those of you who have been following, first thank you! Second (and this goes for everyone) keep an eye (hah!) on the Eye on Italy website for posts throughout August as we’ll be sharing links to some of the news stories and blog posts that have caught our attention . . . starting today with the spotlight on Art & Culture.
Thanks again to all who have been listening, and as always, if you have feedback, comments, or even guest suggestions, please pass them along either through the website or at the following locations:
- Eye on Italy on Facebook
- @EyeonItaly on Twitter
Happy listening (and reading)!
Celebrating the Fourth of July in Italy
Quite a few people have asked me over the years whether Italians celebrate the Fourth of July. The simple answer is no, as Italians don’t particularly care when the United States became an independent nation.
But chances are if you find an American on July 4th, you’ll at least find some kind of cookout around. Most of the Americans in Italy I know still find a way to celebrate — and many of us also wear our American flag t-shirts as well (myself included). P.S. Those stylin’ nails in the photo are *not* mine, but those of Dreamgirl Pumpkincat210 on Flickr.
Yesterday was actually a festa in the village (Madonna della Provvidenza) so we ended up even having fireworks, which we watched from our house; every year this celebration is held the first weekend of July, so I’m always guaranteed fireworks around the 4th. Funny how things work out.
Before the fireworks, though, yesterday morning, P and I went up into the campagna (the land we just bought in the country — yes it’s final now!), and had our own little feast with grilled chicken, salad, baked beans, suppressata, and pecorino. Quite appropriately a mix of American and Italian, I suppose. Ah, and fresh figs from one of trees for dessert:
Truth be told, though, while P prepared, I spent a lot of time either reading David Farley’s An Irreverent Curiosity: In Search of the Church’s Strangest Relic in Italy’s Oddest Town on my iPod Touch (Farley will be our guest on the Eye on Italy podcast this week!) or just staring off into space while sitting here:
Last week was quite stressful for me with all the Amanda Knox-related posts, and if you haven’t noticed, I’ve now turned comments off on them. I wanted to start this week stress-free and get back to focusing on my life and the people, animals, and few objects I’ve chosen to surround myself with.
I do appreciate that there are horrible events in the world every day, but many years ago I stopped watching the news because it’s too easy for me to get emotionally involved in all the bad — there is *so* much bad — and that just isn’t good for me. I still like to think I stay well-informed by picking and choosing what to read, and I lend my support to causes I truly believe in, but I just can’t let in all that negative and still live a happy life.
Perhaps that’s selfish, but it’s the best — and only — method of self-preservation I know.
Thanks to everyone who read and commented last week; hopefully some of the newcomers will stick around, but if it’s just the “regulars” here, that’s cool too. You’re the best regulars around.
And now, gratuitous kitty photo entitled “iz reddee 4 mah closeup” just because:
Have a great week!
Michelle Fabio is an American attorney-turned-freelance writer living in her family's ancestral village in Calabria, Italy and savoring simplicity one sip at a time.
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