it’s all on you
My fellow She Who Blogs-er Jennie Boo has tagged me to write another 8 things about me, and darn it, I’m fresh out of Sognatrice trivia.
So…I’m asking help from you, faithful readers.
What would *you* like to know?
I’ll answer the first eight questions you post in the comments in response to Jennie Boo’s tag, but I promise to eventually answer anything you ask–while reserving the right to offer up a “No Comment” or an “I don’t recall” just like any remotely public figure, of course.
Fire away! We’re waiting….
(Photo by P)
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[tags]dogs[/tags]
45 Beans of Wisdom to “it’s all on you”
Michelle Kaminsky is an American attorney-turned-freelance writer who lived in her family's ancestral village in Calabria, Italy for 15 years. This blog is now archived.
Calabria Guidebook
Recipes
I don’t think you have posted about this but what made you quit law and move? Were you worried about working? Did you plan to stay at the time?
signed, nervous expat-in-training
NYC, no, I haven’t posted about that specifically, and I’m glad you brought it up–I remember your mentioning this in passing in a comment a while back, and I kept meaning to post about it. Now’s my chance. Excellent question (and yes, even though there are technically three, I’ll count it as one; I’m feeling generous) 😉
What is the strangest thing you have come across in Italy….as far as everyday life?
The most delicious thing you’ve eaten in Calabria. Something that just blew you away when you tasted it.
Ok, I took a book I have “the Book of Questions” by Gregory Stock, Ph.D – very good conversation starter…and just opened it up and pointed. So here’s question #72:
If you could have free, unlimited service for 5 years from an extremely good cook, chauffeur, housekeeper, masseuse, or personal secretary, which would you choose?
I was going to ask basically the same thing NYC asked. I’ve always been intrigued by how you were able to just pick up and move across the world. So I’ll pass on asking another question and just second that one. 🙂
what did you do
with all your childhood STUFF
when you moved to italy?
all those little bits of memory things…
i guess what i’m asking is this,
are there bits of your life still stored
in the states somewhere
or
did you majorly purge
and then move everything left completely…
i am think christmas ornaments,
high school annuals, dental charts,
those types of things…
whatwhowhenhow?
[one question, really.]
🙂
From my count, we’re up to 5. Some head-scratchers here…brava 🙂
Do you hold any deep dark secret? If so, does it eat at you knowing you can’t say anything or you aren’t bothered by it at all? No, I don’t want to know the secret. Just how you react to keeping it.
I ask because I HATE keeping other people’s secrets. When I hear the words “I have something to tell you, but you can’t tell a soul!” I usually stop them mid sentence and say “NO I don’t want to know!” LOL
Sognatrice,
You lead such a charmed life, and we love that you share it with us (you should definitely publish a book about your move and your life there now… hint hint… think how popular your blog is, a book would be terrific) …I digress.
What next? Do you want to keep things as they are? Do you want to do anything more? What dreams do you have for the days to come?
em… that is supposed to be one question… ;o) you get the idea…
Scarlett & Viaggiatore
Wow ladies, these are some toughies. I think I may end up writing entire blog posts on all of these questions…excellent work! You’ve given me topics for a whole week (even a What’s Cooking Wednesday mixed in)!
Giulia, it’s funny you should ask that because last week or the week before (don’t remember which), the Sunday Scribblings prompt was “I’ve got a secret…” and I didn’t end up having time to do it. And now lookie where we are 😉
One slot left for the first 8, but do keep ’em coming! And you know, if any of you would like to take any of these questions and run with blog posts of your own, I won’t be offended 😉
Who needs writing prompts when you’ve got inquiring minds???
Isn’t anyone interested, though, in the kind of hand soap I use or something else easy? 😉
I also wonder about nyc’s question. I’ve been wanting to ask you about that, but yeah, I get distracted easily!
Oh, can I add… I think it was you who mentioned being fascinated by the events of JFK’s assasination. Was it you? Ugh, I can’t remember! Anyway, if it was you, have you ever watched the Zapruder film? If so, what did you think of it?
Ah, so NYC’s question is popular! In case anyone missed it, I wrote a little about my decision to move here, but I didn’t address NYC’s specific questions, so the answers are forthcoming.
Giulia, yes, that was me, and you may not want to get me started on that subject 😉
hi, thanks for coming by my blog, i know you are good friends with my shan, and you picked a great person there, as we are friends here in our own town, cya soon
Ok, I’ll bite. What is your favorite place/city you have visited in Italy other than where you live and where haven’t you been in Italy that you have a burning desire to go? And before you say it- it is NOT 2 questions…it’s a 2-part question…heehee 🙂
I know I’m way too late for the 8 things, cos there’s 16 comments already ha ha. But I would like to know anyway if you have the time to reply sometime… How long did it take you to become fluent in Italian? Or at least, to understand everything and reply with the basics.
Darlene, thanks for coming by! Shan is a sweetie, huh? I’m enjoying exploring all your wonderful links 🙂
My Melange, two-part questions are completely allowed…that’s a great one. Well, two 😉
Bec, all questions will be answered in due time! Yours is a toughie b/c I’m not sure that I really noted this, but I’ll figure something out to tell you 😉
This is actually turning out to be quite fun…can’t wait to see what other questions come up–
Come on, you know you want to know something? The meaning of life? Anyone?
You got questions–we got answers!
Being more traveled than, oh say…me, where would you suggest a first time overseas traveler head first?
Great idea! Can’t wait to read all the answers.
And you’re a sweetie too!
Well, I ‘m not so much a faithful reader as an enthusiastic first time reader, so maybe you’ve already answered this & I’ve just missed it somewhere, but here it goes, anyway: It seems to me that there are so many romantic memoirs published about life in Italy (Eat Pray Love, which I Loved Loved Loved; and Under the Tuscan Sun); when you read these books, do you snort in derision, or is there something in them that still resonates with you?
When you think of home, where is it? Do you expect to return to the States?
The puppy is darling! Is it a member of the family?
Well, I’m sure that’s more than one question, but then, I was never any good at math.
Looking forward to your responses…
Sognatrice,
Thank you so much for your sweet comment on my blog. Knowing others care about me, makes me feel so much better.
Also, what a great idea for your 8. Having guests question you is such a great idea!
I’ll give a easy question. What’s your favorite scent of shampoo?
Thanks! And by the way, Luna DOES make me feel better!
Ciao!
Ooh, more great questions! I’m going to leave this post up at least for today yet and leave it open for more questions….don’t be shy!
And, btw, Anno, Luna is very much a family member 🙂
Somehow I have stumbled on your blog – and the oddest part is I am not a blog reader?! You have me hooked – as I have an Italian heritage that has me longing to travel to your area.
So my question is – is the lifestyle more laid back as they say compared to the States? How do you spend your days?
I can’t remember if I read this, but did you marry your beau or is that something you are planning on doing?
i know your list is getting out of control, but as a new blogger, i cannot resist asking what are the most profound lessons you have learned from keeping a blog? it’s funny how these things change your life!
Three more excellent questions. Hoping to start answering tomorrow 🙂
Hey there, don’t forget to cast your vote in the lions writing circle contest. 🙂 Only 3 days left to get your votes in at seak@caramail.com
See the circle blog for full details!
Hello,
We would like to do an interview with you about your blog for
http://www.BlogInterviewer.com . We’d like to give you the opportunity to
give us some insight on the “person behind the blog.”
It would just take a few minutes of your time. The interview form can
be submitted online at http://bloginterviewer.com/submit-an-interview
Best regards,
Mike Thomas
What is the best way to get traffic on a blog? How did you get started? I know – 2 questions but I’m assuming they have the same answer. 🙂
Shameless, done!
And now I must get working on all these answers….
Will you be staying in Calabria this August?
Caroline, this one I’ll give you immediately–yes, the plan is that we’ll be in Calabria in August. The biggest reason is because we’re moving house right now, and a lot of the busy work will be when P has off (August). I’m going to try to see if we can’t get in a weekend in Sicily, though, or, if I’m really persuasive, a week in southern France with P’s sister.
Most likely, though, it’s Porchville, as my dad used to say…or I guess in my case, it’s Balconyville 😉
Are you headed down this way by any chance???
Again, do you think I could honestly come up with a question after getting so distracted with a picture of Italy’s most beautiful pooch?
That dog is too sweet!
Oh. . . this was about you, right?
Mmmhhh. . . . let me think?
Still thinking.
I’m going to come up with something but I’m still too distracted, as is the story of my life!
xo
Cheeky, you’ve just made it very clear to me that if I ever want to kind of sneak anything past everyone on the blog, I should frame it in Luna photos.
Brilliant!
Oh, I hope I’m not too late! I have a few that I want to sneak by you while you’re “feeling answery”.
How frequently do you visit the US? When you visit, what’s the thing you can’t wait to see/eat/visit/do?
What is P like? What is your favorite thing about him?
What are your pet peeves?
Cookie, well this will teach you to show up late to the party….
Just kidding. I’m still feeling answery, so long as everyone is a bit patient 🙂
Well, I know I am beyond late, maybe some of the Italian culture is rubbing off on me? 🙂 My question, if you are still feeling ‘answery’ is this: Is your personal journal digital or paper? If digital, do you use journaling software? (I have boxes of diaries in storage back in the states. It would be soooooo nice to have all those words on a cd, for instance…)
Tui, you’re still in time! Answers forthcoming….
Ah what a gorgeous dog – just posted dogs on Hyde DP this morning but found yours following comments [about three blogs deep by now!]
Thank you much Hyde DP! I’m rather fond of Luna myself 😉
Just in case you’re still taking questions – because when can there ever be enough? – I have one:
LIHOP or MIHOP?
I’ll take my answer off the air. Thanks!
Paolo, well I’ve given you the answer on the DL, and if anyone else is curious, I’m a LIHOPper with MIHOP tendencies.
Luna could be Paolo’s sister! Has anyone ever told you that she is part CIRNECO DELL’ETNA? People stop me in the street to tell me that Paolo’s breed is only found in Sicily and that his ears make him an exceptional rabbit hunter. I tell them that Paolo is too lazy to hunt and too sweet to kill bunnies.
Currier(‘s mom I think), oh my goodness–I had never seen that breed. Found a Cirneco dell’Etna Club of America! Who knew?
I don’t know how P (the human in this house) is going to take his dog being part Sicilian, but we’ll have to deal 😉
Luna does rather enjoy having a look at the rabbits that we raise–don’t think she’d kill one though, more like play. Must’ve lost that instinct somewhere along the way.
I still can’t believe how much they look alike (and the naming coincidence)!