Hiccup

I apologize for the hiccup in my posting, it was one of those weeks! Exhausting but very satisfying too. The Embassy job is going well - I like everyone I work with and the traning is going fine. I am looking forward to purshasing many a not-found-elsewhere-in-Italy American treat in the near future - black beans, peanut butter, marshmallows, Pumpkin Pie mix - maybe some Lucky Charms. In the meantime I am getting speak some Italian at work, lots at home, and some when I go out in the evenings, and I can feel it improving. It's a good job and I hope they can give me the hours they may be possible, closer to full-time...either way, I still believe I have to move out of my apartment because it is costing me too much. But I love it here and really really really don't want to leave. See why:

Celebrating my new job with Mika - she brought out a delicious bottle of Barbera d'Asti and this cheese that is made by only 3 producers in all of Italy (and probably the world). It began as a poor man's cheese and is a mixture of different kinds. The outside is either a crust of nuts or of raisins, and it was really REALLY good, especially with some artisan chestnut honey she broke out for our mini-party too!

I also went out with the Carlotta and Wendy last week, to have a beer in the always lively Campo di Fiori and to catch up with Lisa T. from the Boston office! Then two nights later I met all the EIS girls for dinner at l'Angoletto, where we had a 3 hour meal beginning with prosecco, ending with limoncello, with lots and lots of food in between. Most satisfying where the giggles over Maccheroni, hard-to-explain crushes on over the hill actors (Bruce Willis?) and my constant "what does that word mean" throughout the conversation. I am proud that I am able to joke and argue in Italian though and feel like it should mean something!

Tina and Flavio are off to the States but not before leaving me with some of their homemade limoncello which came out so tastilicious, especially for their first try!! I think I will try to make some with a little deviation, like mixing lemon and lime or something like that.

Thanks for everyone's encouraging comments and emails!