The Survival of the American Dream

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2024136,00.html?xid=rss-mostpopular

I wanted to share this article that was published in this week's Time Magazine.  The timing of this article couldn't have come at a better time for me.  Going into my fifth week here, I have gotten sick of hearing about how fantastic America is. My appreciation for my country has definitely increased and I miss many of its familiar ways, but I still do not idolize my culture the way my peers here do.  I have had many discussions about the reality of America with my peers, but still they refuse to believe it is anything less than perfect.  The general sentiment here is that 'it's easier to be successful in the United States if you have the talent and the desire to put in the effort than it is in my country (Italy)" (quote from the Time article).  For most, the only thing keeping them in Italy for college is their families. 

I didn't know that the American dream still existed in other countries beyond third world or war-ridden countries.  I thought that it had died after the world watched America suffer through a great depression, WWII, Nixon, September 11th, etc.  It seems so clear that America is no less susceptible to hard times and corruption to me and my American peers. We study 'the American Dream' as a historical sentiment written about by Fitzgerald that is currently withering. (Only 8 pages before this article on Italy, there is one on the United States discussing “the growing sense that our best days as a nation are behind us, that our kids won’t live as well as we did…”)

It all makes for an interesting conversation at the very least, and I am definetely having my fill of those here in Italy. 

(I recognize the article is written about foreign countries in general and their appeal to Italian youths.  I simply chose to focus on the American lure, because of its relationship to my current experiences.)

Mi chiamo Melissa, sono Italo-americana, e ho freddo.




First Italian Train Ticket



This weeks are flying by! I can hardly believe I am into my fifth week abroad...This past week was by far the craziest and best week I have had yet.  The high point of my week was a trip to Pescara with my girlfriends on Thursday. After school, we went to lunch and I had my first (of what is sure to be many) kebab. I cant explain what makes this sandwhich so delicious, but I think it may have something to do with the magical Italian food ingredients they use...I seriously believe it is impossible for the Italians to cook something that is not delicious (one disclaimer, Antonella cooked Sardines last week and I did NOT find those tasty...).  This sandwhich consists of fresh lamb meat right off the spit, mayo, ketchup, tomatoes, lettuce, onions, and bun right out of the oven. Delicious. Then we bought our train tickets, which only cost 3.5 Euros each way, and got on the train.  The ride was only a hour long, but when we got off the train, it was clear something had changed.  It no longer felt like I was the obligatory American guest who was following around this group of close knit friends; we had clicked during the train ride and were starting to become friends.  We were sharing secrets and gushing about boys and making fun of my awful Italian skills. It was a fantastic feeling and I felt a lot less homesick Thursday night.  It was the first time I felt like I would be sad if I left here right now...don't get me wrong, Antonella and Giovanni and the boys are wonderful, and I would be sad to leave them as well, but they couldn't fill the huge void I felt from leaving my family and friends and native language in America on their own.  I needed the companionship of girls my own age.  Anyways, back to Pescara...Pescara feels much different from San Benedetto and is in the Abruzzo region, further south than the Marche region. Pescara and San Benedetto are rival cities in many aspects...their football (American soccer teams) rival eachother and the residents of both towns are constantly arguing over which town is superior. Traditionally, it was home to the gypsies and, according to Antonella, gypsies still reside in the area surronding the central city.  I was told numerous times to watch my pockets and my bag, because the gypsies are notorious for pick pocketing.  The city center itself, though, is very commercialized and there is even a H&M! I, of course, found something to buy at the H&M making it my first Italian clothing purchase :) (Antonella bought me a goregous suede purse earlier this month, meaning I now have an entire 'Italian' outift :) After shopping, we got some coffee (I think I am addicted), met up with some boys, and then caught the train back home.  The ride back was just as fun as the way there, and I went home exhausted but grateful for having found such great friends.



School Strike



Friday was another first for me as a school wide strike took place in the Centre.  I didn't take part in the parade part of the strike, but once it reached the centre, we all gathered around to listen.  I understood nothing they were saying, but I understood the general idea: they want to go to school less. It was interesting to observe and take part in another part of the Italian culture.  I spent the rest of the day at the open air market (where I luckily found a vendor who sells English books and is willing to help me order which ever ones I would like!) and then was picked up by Antonella, who took me out to eat at a Macrobiotica ristorante...Another unforgettable cultural experience.  This restaurant actually stemmed from a way of life for some people in traditionally Japanese cultures and cancer patients (so I am told...I researched the latter part, and it is used as a mean for cancer treatment...I learn something everyday!)  Regardless, the restaurant only serves very plain, very bland food...the use of salt or other seasonings is prohibited, as well as using foods that have natural flavor... They do not believe in using knifes because it disturbs the balance between food and man, and there are a ton of other 'rules'.  For this lunch I ate: white rice in water with carrots; steamed cabbage; plain lettuce; a large brown piece of something (no flavor so I am not sure what); and beans.  It wasn't a bad meal, but I was starving three hours later...so I had some gelato to counteract the healthiness:)

Sara's Birthday

Saturday was also a bunch of fun:) After school (I will never get used to school on Saturday), I went with Elvira and Sara to get our make-up done.  Afterwards, we went to Sara's house, had pizza and french fries, and danced for a while.  One of Sara's friends DJs for fun and it was interesting talking to him about the American songs.  I told him about some songs that are popular in America, but haven't made Italy yet and he was so grateful.  At about midnight, we headed to the disco, had a blast there, and then I slept at Sofia's house.  She has the largest dog I have ever seen! It could put its chin on the table without even trying! It was adorable.  We spent all of Sunday afternoon watching movies with English subtitles (score!) and then meet the girls in the Centre. I had some gelato, but am very sad because the Cuore Matto is no longer available :( It was a summer flavor and now we are well into fall.  That is one thing I wanted to add: it is freezing here.  I have been living in my winter jacket, sweats, three pairs of socks, and a scarf.  More than half of my class has caught colds, and unfortunately I think I have one too.  I can't believe how quickly it turned from decent weather to freezing cold! (It was only 12C this morning!)





Making Smores



Last two things: first, I am so so grateful for Skype. Technology is a beautiful thing.  Second, my package with the marshmellows finally arrived! Valerio and Francesco were beside themselves with excitement and they absolutely love them! We made smores last night, and at first they were a bit skeptical about the legitimacy of roasting the marshmellows, adding Nutella (we had no chocolate), and a graham cracker, but once they tried them, they were hooked! They are begging me to make them again, so now I am off to start a fire:) (not really...just turn on the gas stove :)









Kebab



I officially feel Italian; I know my favorite gelato flavor!




Host Family in Ascoli Piceno's People's Piazza



Today marks my 21st day in Italy.  Wow.  I am torn between feeling like it feels longer or shorter than that amount of time.  I have never been away from my parents for this long and it defiantely took a toll on me earlier this week.  I miss them, understanding what is going on more than 25% of the time, and being independent.   I felt like living in another country without my parents was going to make me feel more grown up, but it has done the opposite in a lot of ways.  I don't know the norms and schedules of this culture completely yet, so I feel like I can never make an educated decision (even on getting dressed! It takes me way to long to pick out an outfit in the morning because I always debate if it is appropriate or not); I can't communicate very well in Italian, so I rely on the assistance of Antonella or a friend; and I can't drive, which is not a major problem in itself, but there is a level of independence that comes from not asking for a ride everywhere and now that is gone too.  Along with this child-like dependency, though, has come child-like excitability.  I get excited about going to the most basic places, like the supermarket.  More often though I get excited about understanding or saying something correctly in Italian.  Last night, I had the first completely Italian conversation with my host dad and I stayed up for about an hour thinking about it and replaying it in my head.  Of course, the source of most of my current excitement is our quickly approaching trip to Roma:)  Either next or the following weekend, Antonella and I are taking a bus to Roma with a group of French exchange students who are staying in San Benedetto.  I can't wait :)



Gelato



In other news, Antonella and I have started cooking almost every day together.  Sometimes it is just a pasta sauce (which their sauces are amazingly simple), and other times, it is a delicious dessert. My favorite is thus far is Tiramisu. So very good! I sent the recipe to my mother, and my family back home likes it too:) I will put the recipe at the end of this post.  PS my favorite gelato flavor is Cuore Matto (translates to 'heart of the matter').  So yummy! It is a cream based ice cream with fresh strawberries, chocolate sauce, raspberries, and crushed up cookies :))



I find it somewhat strange the novelty item I am here.  Everyone wants to meet me and touch me, just to see if I am real.  I went out Saturday night with a group of new friends, and I met at least 50 people.  Every time I turned around a new person was standing there with their hand outreached.  They are very friendly here and I love meeting everyone.  I am even starting to get used to being kissed all the time...it was strange in the beginning because I didn't know these people, but they were still kissing me! Now though I have accepted that it is just part of their warm, friendly culture.



Last note, I will be attending my very first strike on Monday! There is a new school reformation this year which makes the school days one hour longer, which the Italians do not like.  So there have been petitions floating around and meetings occuring, but Monday we are not going to school.  I feel like I am getting to witness every part of the Italian culture now! My host mom told me that strikes are very common here; usually there is one a month!

Tiramisu

1 package lady fingers (a big package)


1 tablesppon white sugar

1 tablespoon brown sugar

I tablespoon anice liquor (my mom used Sambuca instead...works the same!)

2 tablespoons of strong instant coffee

2 cups of boiling water

1 cup of made strong coffee

100 grams of Mascrapone/1 egg  (we used 3 eggs...I would recommened 4 for a family :)



 Mix together sugar, liquor, coffee, and water into a seperate bowl.  Seperate the eggs (whites/yolks) into two bowls. Add 3 spoonfuls of white sugar to both bowls of eggs. Then beat together into creamy (still in seperate bowls).  Add one half of the mascarpone to each the white and yellow creams.  Beat for 30 seconds.  Dip the lday fingers into the liquid mixture and cover the bottom of a 8X8 (ish) brownie pan with them.  Then layer, starting with the white mixture and alternating at each level.   Add a layer of cocoa powder before the next layer of lady fingers.  Lat layer is of lady fingers facing up and a sprinkle of cocoa powder to coat them.  The longer it stays in the fridge, the stronger (better) it gets.

Okay so the layering is written confusingly, but it goes lady fingers, white, cocoa, lady fingers, yellow, cocoa, etc!



"Working, working, working.  I prefer the noise of the sea."

First week in Italy!

Ciao ciao!!
I apologize for not writing earlier, but I have been very very busy!! I have been keeping a travel journal though so I will not forget all the details between blog posts.

School is getting better and I am starting to understand some entire Italian sentences (quite a feat since they talk so quickly!). I was assigned a Philosophy essay on 'why we live' 'where we come from' and 'who we are', which I have to write in Italian...luckily Antonella is going to help me with the translation.  It is strange to have school Saturdays.  It makes the weekends very very short.  Friday night we went to one of Giovanni's friend's birthday dinners, and it lasted until almost one AM! The food was incredible and just kept coming for three hours.  I have never seen so much seafood at one table before! I met the birthday boy's daughters, as well Friday night, and they invited me to spend a weekend with them in Milano. I am very excited and hopefully I can go! 

Now to recount the rest of the week... I arrived Saturday the 11th in Rome and we drove from the airport straight to Cossignano...It took about 2.5 hours.  Sunday we went to the beach in Grottamare, but it was freezing cold so I did not get to enjoy the sun or the sea.  I ate my first Italian gelato!! It was delicious and frozen Nutella flavored :)  Monday I went to Antonella's school and then walked around downtown San Benedetto.  I found a cute little market selling clothes and fresh bread, fish, fruit, etc.  Later on in the week, I found out that there are a bunch of these little market places all around San Benedetto and Grottamare! Tuesday I started school and met all of my very nice classmates.  Everyone was interested in the 'American girl' so I got a lot of Italian practice. Luckily though most of them speak English well so they are very helpful in teaching me words and such.  In this school, they do not change classrooms or classmates for all five years of school so they all know eachother very well which is a better intimidating but also good.  I also went to Cossignano (the actual town part) later Tuesday afternoon.It is very pretty and very very old and calm.  It was interesting seeing the Medieval era infrastructure that is still left, and equally interesting to see the little 'houses' people live in in the center. Wednesday and Thursday were both frustrating school days, but then we went to Offida and I got to see a theater and church from the 14th century!! Both were goregous and I have never seen something that old.  Yesterday I went to the supermarket with Antonella and holy cow! It really was Super! It is absolutely incredible how many kinds of pasta exist in Italy! And their cheese, wine, and fish sections are the size of small stores themselves! They have hundreds of wines organized by region, and I had some from Cossignano the other day! It was very good...I put a picture of the local grapes up :)


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Open Air Market, Downtown San Benedetto (sorry its sideways...)

It feels like it I have been here longer than just a week!  I feel pretty adjusted to my family's schedule and Valerio and Francesco are starting to open up to me a little bit.  Two nights ago, I taught them how to play chess in horrible Italian, so now they are more comfortable making mistakes in English. We all are warming up to each other.  Antonella is very very informative! She is full of information and always is telling me something new.  She knows about the history and culture of practically every town in Italy. It is incredible how much she knows! Saturday night we spent an hour in a book shop, and she had read almost every book in there! She is very well-read to say the least. Plus she knows and speaks German, French, English, and Italian, so their personal library is full of books from all over Europe.  

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It wouldn't be Italia without a scooter! Everyone has one of these :)



Last thing and then ciao...Marshmellows. Last night, Antonella asked me what a marshmellow was and I didnt know how to explain it!  I guess they talk about them in TV shows and movies a lot, but no one here has had one! Valerio got very excited at the mention of them because he thought I might have brought them with...but I asked my aunt to send some, so they will be very pleased!

In Italy!

Ciao Ciao!

This is going to be a short hello, because I must go learn some Italian, but I am alive and well in Italy, eating obnoxious amounts of food, and making a bunch of friends.  Everyone here is incredibly friendly, and my host mom knows a ton of people.  School is much harder, but only because everything is in fast paced Italian...and there are many more classes...Everything is going fabulously and I feel very blessed to be in this beautiful place, with these incredible people.

More later...

A Week in Pictures

This week flew by, and now I leave in only two days...I am so excited! My host mom emailed me this morning letting me know they are staying in Rome Friday night so they can pick me up bright and early Saturday morning.  I am to the point now where I am nothing but excited to leave...but at the same time I am also freaking out about school. I start a week from today, and I am trying to imagine learning philosophy in Italian and it seems like it will be quite the challenge...I will keep you updated though.

Of course, this week was incredibly busy...had to get in all the sights and people...

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Monday with my mom at the baseball game

T-Minus 10 days...

Well my bags are packed, my visa picked up, and my host family gifts purchased. The past week and a half has flown by, and all I have left to do is apply to colleges and spend time with my friends and family.




I ended up buying my host dad and grandpa Cubs jerseys, brothers Bears shirts and sweatshirts, mom an Illini t-shirt and Chicago coffee mug, and grandma Chicago oven mitts and a t-shirt. I am still thinking about getting some kind of picture book, so they can see Chicago...Yesterday we went downtown and picked up my Visa, which was probably the single most exciting thing yet. Everything I need is done, and all I have to do now is wait...While I am waiting, I have been googling Cossignano and San Benedetto del Tronto religiously and have found an aerial picture of the Cossignano area. I don't know where my house is located, but I will find out shortly:)

This, ladies and gentlemen, is the metropolis of Cossignano.

Sadly, before I can live in this goregous place, I have to finish my college apps:( Thankfully though I don't have a ton more essays to do...only five which is completely do-able in ten days:)



Lastly, I have been trying to take a photo every day, starting last Sunday until I leave to put in my photo frame...here is what I have so far :)

Sunday-Shopping with my best friends.

Monday-Downtown with my mom.

Three more weeks

In three short weeks from today, I will be getting on a plane and flying across the pond to Italy!! I can't wait, but at the same time I am becoming more aware of how hard it will be to be away from my friends and family for six months.  I also am realizing how much stuff I have to do before I leave! Yesterday, Kassie and I made a huge to-do list of everything that must be done, and it was daunting to say the least.  The list:

1. 
   
   Pack! Do you know how hard it is to try to figure out everything you are going to need for the next six months?! I keep thinking of more and more things I am going to need but my suitcase isn't getting any larger...really its the all the little things that are taking up so much room..and shoes. The shoes take up so much room.
2. 
   
   Buy gifts for my host family! In my family, there are two little boys, Francesco who is eleven and Valerio who is nine. Both of them are aboslutely adorable.  The dad's name is Giovanni and the mom's is Antonella.  The grandparents also live in the house.  I am thinking of getting the boys Cubs jerseys, but I am at a total loss for the mom and grandma...any ideas?
3. 
   
   Apply to college! Nothing too exciting here...just a bunch of applications to fill out before I leave :)
4. 
   
    Fill up my address book! I want to send postcards and have a pen pal or two, so I am trying to get all the addresses I can before I leave:)

My house in Italy:) The upstairs they are turning into my apartment and the grandparents live on the bottom floor.

The rest of the list isn't very exciting, so I'll stop here:)

 With so little time left in the states, I have started to feel a flurry of various emotions all at once-excitement and nervousness, uncertainty, hope, anticipation, and stress. I'm not really sure any of them outweigh any other, they just sprout up within me at various times for various lengths of time. I'm sad to leave behind my friends and family. The people I have grown up with and spent my whole life around. I guess it's just scary because I know this is one of those moments and decisions that will change me. My newfound experiences living in another culture, learning a new language, and forming new relationships will forever alter the path moving forward. There are very few moments in life when you know this is going to happen. Normally, change unfolds for us and we adapt to the outcome, but every once in while when we're ready, we make a big choice for ourselves and navigate a new course in life.