Here are the cruisin' ladies on board the "Costa Fortuna" sitting at our "last supper" dinner table.

Left to right. Molly from Torino who hails from Motor City, Detroit. Ann, who organized the cruise for FAWCO and lives in Genoa, Ivana from Genoa - who was our resident "Papparazzi" how she got in a photo, I don't know, Me - no explanation there, Dianne my cabin mate - an Army brat who now lives in Abu Dhabi with her husband, Maria, a fellow "New Yawker" who was the last President of the AIWC of Genoa, and finally Margherita, also from our club and the beautiful city of Genoa.

I hope you enjoy the last photo, me, I am off to bed. I have that feeling one of those change of season "colds" is working its wonderous magic.

Buona Notte!

Krista

Kruisin Krista

Ok, I am back and blogging again. Long hiatus, I know. September in Italy always starts out running and life goes full steam till June.

To catch you all up on what is going on in my life:

September started with Sarah's audition for the Conservatory. Followed up with the start of operations of the American Women's Club of Genoa, which I am president of. I know, I am nuts. Then the first day of school which was Anna's first day of MIDDLE SCHOOL, goodness she is growing up. Sam and I were running around buying textbooks and school supplies, yes you BUY textbooks for your children in Italy. That is a whole other post for another day. Those of you that know boating know that September also means the start of Boat Show Season! There was Cannes followed up by Monaco, which meant I was juggling kids, travel and work all at the same time. I just got back from Monaco to work the last Saturday at the Luna Blu Beach Bar.... Mark and Cristina were in a bind for a waitress. I bet those nice customers are still talking about their "American Waitress" who can't speak Italian. Next day, Sunday.... I was off on my cruise/ FAWCO conference on the Costa Fortuna. Click here and you can see the photos of me and my FAWCO buddies working hard at our "conference"!

I disembarked the ship on Sunday October 1st and went straight to Gavi (Piemonte) to go to a good friend's wedding. I also took home a friend from the cruise... No, not a handsome man, but, Dianne Reed who was kind enough to share a cabin and the cruise with me. She is worthy of a post too. I will save that. We spent Monday sightseeing. The speed tour of Chiavari and Portofino and then mad dash to the airport. Wednesday, dear old Dad arrived and the Genoa Boat show started on Saturday.

Are you tired yet? Dad is. He is still here eating good food, drinking fine wine, and sleeping in the sun on my sofa. Ahhh la dolce vita. Grandpa is here till next Tuesday when he leaves back to New York. Not bad for a 81 year old man.

As for going on a cruise anytime soon.... Maybe, but not with 2,750 of my closest friends. That is how many the Costa Fortuna can hold! Porca Miseria!


A presto!

Krista

Here is my baby.

After weeks of suspense, yesterday I got the call Sarah has been waiting for.

SHE GOT INTO THE CONSERVATORY!!!!!!!!

A little history. Sarah studied, albeit, not as much as Sam and I would have liked, auditioned and earned enough points to be 13th on a list of 26 who actually passed the "test". Only the top 10 were guaranteed entrance. Given that over 60 hopeful violinist from all over Liguria played their hearts out along with Sarah, to be 13th, Sarah had done well. Sarah went through many highs and many lows since the lists were posted the last week of September. Poor her, mommy was on her curise, Sam was great and Sarah was brave. She was always hopeful. Sarah studied the lists over and over again.... viola and violin. There were many of the same names on both lists. Her teacher was hopeful. At last, finally the call that she had been waiting for had come.

Yesterday I met Sarah at school with a huge bouquet of flowers - I told her the good news and when it registered - we both broke into tears! We went home. Had lunch with Joanne and Sara Costa - Sara also is going to the conservatory, she was number 4 on the list for Piano - Barbara, Silvia, Silvia, and of course dear old Dad. We toasted the Sara(h)s and their hard work.

Today I dragged poor dad to Genoa and sealed the deal. Sarah is all registered and her new life as a student of music is set to begin.

Am I a proud mom or what?

Go Sarah!

Krista