Wow, it has been quite a while since I entered anything on here. So much for my up to date updates!
I've been sitting here at the computer most of the day trying to find a place to go for the week after Christmas. Istanbul is probably where we'll end up, but trying to find a decent price for tickets AND a flight that isn't an overnight one is proving to be tricky. I had hoped that flying out of Rome would make it easier...yeah, not so much. I shall press on until we find something.
In the meantime, the weather here is getting cooler, but still just sweatshirt weather. Not nearly as much rain as we have had for the last two years. Last year, the rain started on November 1st and didn't stop until late April. Glad that doesn't seem to be the case this year.
We're gearing up for the next show, "A Walk on Broadway". Patrick is directing again, as well as singing. Emily is going to be in one of the more memorable numbers (its going to be great!), and I'm dancing in one number. Poor Michael...he just gets to come to all the rehearsals and shows! We hit the stage the first two weekends of December, including a performance in downtown Naples.
Ciao for now!
Monday, November 16, 2009
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Pictures Part II
I can't believe I forgot! We went to Kosta in Glass Country for a demonstration in glass blowing. Very cool-er...hot in the factory though! We also stopped by Eksjö, which is about 16km from where Jim and Katarina live. It is one of the few towns left with all wooden structures.
Much more than IKEA lets on
IKEA has been misleading. So has the Swedish Chef from The Muppet Show. Sweden is absolutely wonderful and I don't think we have breathed cleaner air in any major city. This might all sound silly to you, but it was one of the highlights of our trip to be able to turn on a water faucet and fill up a glass with pure, cold, water. Want to hear more?
We arrived in Stockholm last Thursday (the 24th) and were greeted by hosts Jim and Katarina and their daughter Linnea. After a quick freshening up, off we went on a walking tour of Stockholm. The sun was warm and bright, the people lovely, and we wound our way down to the ferry to take us to Old Town for dinner. We found what looked to be a lovely restaurant with inside and outside seating and decided this would be a good place. Turned out to be an Italian restaurant for our first meal! Oh, take that back-McDonald's by the airport was our first meal, which was very welcomed by the kids who have felt denied on occasion. Back to the Italian place-the kids and I drank glass after glass of water that the waiter finally gave up and put the bottle (with water from the tap) on the table. We took the long way back past the Royal Palace and along the waterfront to the apartments and all slept very well.
Friday we took in Skansa, a zoo/museum/cultural park that had buildings from throughout the years and regions that were there to explore. The kids also got to see their first moose (and only moose as it turned out) here. Swedish pancakes for lunch with strawberries and cream and we were off again. A quick rest at the apartment and then back out for dinner with Jim and Katarina's friend Martin (who is wonderfully funny) at, well, another Italian restaurant. The food was good, the company even better, and our party of 8 closed the place down. Katarina took the kids home, and the rest of us walked about two blocks and found out that Stockholm has quite the night scene! It was funny in that everything was sooo quiet and then BOOM!, people everywhere!
Saturday morning, Patrick and I took the kids to the Vasa Museum. Check out their website: www.vasamuseet.se/InEnglish/about.aspx (you need to copy and paste this). If you find yourself in Stockholm, make a point to go see this place. Even if you don't like old ships, it is impressive and well worth the time. All the kids enjoyed it, as did Patrick and I. Jim picked us all up and shortly after, we were off to Monkebo (pronounced "monkey bal", but with a silent "l" sound) to their country house.
Their home there was a masterpiece waiting for a renovating owner, and that is what Jim and Katarina are doing. It hadn't been updated since the 60's, but they have done a lot of work so far and I'm hoping Katarina will document everything they are doing. It comes complete with apple trees, rhubarb, and roses. Surrounded by trees with a creek that you can drink water directly from....ahhhh....small piece of paradise! We spent our time there walking through the woods, fishing (well everyone buy Katarina and I), cooking, talking and playing games. Just what the doctor ordered I think.
It was hard to come back home yesterday, but we're hoping we can visit them again as well as play host to the Family F some time when we get back to the States.
We arrived in Stockholm last Thursday (the 24th) and were greeted by hosts Jim and Katarina and their daughter Linnea. After a quick freshening up, off we went on a walking tour of Stockholm. The sun was warm and bright, the people lovely, and we wound our way down to the ferry to take us to Old Town for dinner. We found what looked to be a lovely restaurant with inside and outside seating and decided this would be a good place. Turned out to be an Italian restaurant for our first meal! Oh, take that back-McDonald's by the airport was our first meal, which was very welcomed by the kids who have felt denied on occasion. Back to the Italian place-the kids and I drank glass after glass of water that the waiter finally gave up and put the bottle (with water from the tap) on the table. We took the long way back past the Royal Palace and along the waterfront to the apartments and all slept very well.
Friday we took in Skansa, a zoo/museum/cultural park that had buildings from throughout the years and regions that were there to explore. The kids also got to see their first moose (and only moose as it turned out) here. Swedish pancakes for lunch with strawberries and cream and we were off again. A quick rest at the apartment and then back out for dinner with Jim and Katarina's friend Martin (who is wonderfully funny) at, well, another Italian restaurant. The food was good, the company even better, and our party of 8 closed the place down. Katarina took the kids home, and the rest of us walked about two blocks and found out that Stockholm has quite the night scene! It was funny in that everything was sooo quiet and then BOOM!, people everywhere!
Saturday morning, Patrick and I took the kids to the Vasa Museum. Check out their website: www.vasamuseet.se/InEnglish/about.aspx (you need to copy and paste this). If you find yourself in Stockholm, make a point to go see this place. Even if you don't like old ships, it is impressive and well worth the time. All the kids enjoyed it, as did Patrick and I. Jim picked us all up and shortly after, we were off to Monkebo (pronounced "monkey bal", but with a silent "l" sound) to their country house.
Their home there was a masterpiece waiting for a renovating owner, and that is what Jim and Katarina are doing. It hadn't been updated since the 60's, but they have done a lot of work so far and I'm hoping Katarina will document everything they are doing. It comes complete with apple trees, rhubarb, and roses. Surrounded by trees with a creek that you can drink water directly from....ahhhh....small piece of paradise! We spent our time there walking through the woods, fishing (well everyone buy Katarina and I), cooking, talking and playing games. Just what the doctor ordered I think.
It was hard to come back home yesterday, but we're hoping we can visit them again as well as play host to the Family F some time when we get back to the States.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Summer is coming
How do you know summer is coming in Naples? Fireworks exploding over your house at 11:30pm. If they go off tonight, I might try to get some pictures of them.
Another sign? Your husband cleans the grill and slices his finger in the process. Only 3 stitches, so not too bad. But to have it happen on your birthday weekend is no fun.
We've also booked tickets for a week in Stockholm, Sweden in July. Some friends of ours are finished here and moving back to Stockholm and have graciously offered to be our lodging AND guides. We'll spend two days in Stockholm, and then drive with them to their country house for some relaxing days fishing, walking through the woods (there are no fences really), and just enjoying the clean water, clean air, and clean land.
Speaking of clean....Naples is not....again. Since May 1st, the trash at our (meaning the neighborhood's) trash spot has been collected twice, maybe three times. Heavy sigh.
The kids only have one more week of school left. Emily's class will only have 10 NATO students as the Italian students have to travel downtown for their national exams. The teachers are trying to think of things to do with these guys all week. Anyone have any ideas?
The kids have their piano recital this coming week, Michael's birthday party on the 18th, a couple of end of the year parties to attend, and THEN I think we can relax for a bit!
Another sign? Your husband cleans the grill and slices his finger in the process. Only 3 stitches, so not too bad. But to have it happen on your birthday weekend is no fun.
We've also booked tickets for a week in Stockholm, Sweden in July. Some friends of ours are finished here and moving back to Stockholm and have graciously offered to be our lodging AND guides. We'll spend two days in Stockholm, and then drive with them to their country house for some relaxing days fishing, walking through the woods (there are no fences really), and just enjoying the clean water, clean air, and clean land.
Speaking of clean....Naples is not....again. Since May 1st, the trash at our (meaning the neighborhood's) trash spot has been collected twice, maybe three times. Heavy sigh.
The kids only have one more week of school left. Emily's class will only have 10 NATO students as the Italian students have to travel downtown for their national exams. The teachers are trying to think of things to do with these guys all week. Anyone have any ideas?
The kids have their piano recital this coming week, Michael's birthday party on the 18th, a couple of end of the year parties to attend, and THEN I think we can relax for a bit!
Saturday, May 10, 2008
History Day at School
Yesterday, the entire school had History Day. This is an annual event where all the classes do months of research on a particular time or people. The kids then dress the part, prepare food, show their reports and even build things such as a working printing press. Each classroom is decorated and the kids roleplay for all the parents. All in all, it is a pretty amazing day! The funny part of it is as I was touring the different civilizations, I was offered (by the kids) traditional foods of that time. Today, I realized that I was offered wine in at least 4 of the classrooms and I didn't even think twice about it! In the states, this would NEVER EVER EVER happen, but I'm glad that the kids had a chance to do it here! Back in October, they also had a chance to make wine in their ISL (Italian as a Second Language) class as well as homemade pizza. Funny the things we get used to, isn't it?
Anyway...here are some pictures from History Day.
Emily was a German shopkeeper from the Renaissance (that is her German teacher with her), Michael was an Egyptian pyramid builder. He's playing the role of Tomb Guard in the picture with his teacher, and is dancing for the pharoh and queen in the other picture.
What fun!
Anyway...here are some pictures from History Day.
Emily was a German shopkeeper from the Renaissance (that is her German teacher with her), Michael was an Egyptian pyramid builder. He's playing the role of Tomb Guard in the picture with his teacher, and is dancing for the pharoh and queen in the other picture.
What fun!
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
April Fools?
After re-reading my last post, I need to clarify two things. First, I am just now posting pictures. Secondly, my timeline doesn't make much sense and I must have some of the events mixed up, but rest assured they happened!
On to Paris!
or maybe not...pictures not loading....heavy sigh
On to Paris!
or maybe not...pictures not loading....heavy sigh
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