Christmas in New York

Ahh Christmas in Levittown. The table, the tree, and the winner of "The Most Lights on one House" contest in Levittown. The lawn decoration everyone seems to have to have this year, the blow up Santas, snow globes, snowmen, etc.... Tacky, tacky....



And here are the men in my life. They say you do marry the man who is most like your father.... hmm... I think there might be something to that theory. Check out the fly catching skills, like father, like son-in-law. Porca Miseria!

It is Better in the Bahamas

Even the pigs live the high life...

Annna Banana turned 11!

We celebrated Anna's 11th birthday, a day early, at her favorite place to eat in New York, Portofino. Yup that is right. You can eat at Portofino in Levittown and Anna just loves the lasagna.

Anna ate cake and opened pressies with her family including her Uncle Jack and cousin Julia. If you ask Anna, her favorite present was her new Nintendo DS lite. She hasn't put it down much since she opened it.

The next day, which was her actual birthday, we left for the Bahamas. Early wake up and quicker than expected arrival to Laguadia airport, which Sarah so correctly pointed out is an Italian name so I had to tell what little I remembered about Fiorello Laguadia the late former Governor of New York (See, in my life, Italians are everywhere), we were sitting in the terminal sipping coffee and eating Dunkin Dounuts. Earliest any of us especially Sam, has been to the airport to catch a plane. After boarding, a couple hours later, we were in Nassau ready to hop on Peter's plane and be whisked to his island. I know, I am a lucky woman.

As you can see by the photo, Anna's special treat on her birthday was to sit in the cockpit of Peter's plane for the entire 30 minute flight to the Exumas!

Krista

Welcome Me Back!

Here I am. Back from a way too long hiatus from you all. I know. I am lazy. But, life has been, since my last post, going a mile a minute. Who has time to sit and blog? No excuse, but the truth. So. Now. After a long sojourn in New York for Christmas with a quick hop down to the Bahamas to ring in the New Year's with dear friends.... I have been shamed into posting once again. So many friends have clicked over and to read what I have been up to and, well, you know, nothing.

What have we been up to all these months? Where do I begin?

1. Sarah got into the conservatory and I have become a taxi driver. Three times a week I drive her to Genoa and wait. Can't wait untill she can take the train.

2. Sam's business has taken off and he has hit the road again. London, Monaco, Brazil, Bahamas.... the lad is on the go. And, get this, Sam actually thinks I work for HIM! Sheesh.

3. Anna, always on the go. Swimming, Piano, Drums, and her social calendar to keep up with. So many friends, so little time.

4. Let's not forget, the ladies of the American International Women's Club of Genoa. Remember, I am their leader! Man do they keep me on my toes.

Have I got a minute to sit at the laptop and bang out a post? I am lucky to read the Drudge Report. Aw come on, you know you click over to read it, someone has to with over 14 million hits a day

So, here I go with a few quick posts to bring you all up to date on Our Italian Adventure.

Krista

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