Friday, April 11, 2008
Pictures
Sso sorry. this computer is not reading my pictures.. iàll try to find another place to post pictures.
Meanwhile, we have all received our certificates of completion of the 2 week course. Benissimo! We can leave now. Cathy has been all business like in class.. Cookie is ok with school now that she asked to never be called on.. Cathy tries to make sure cookie knows that she really does know what she is doing,, much more so than the bambini in the class! i think that now that we are getting ready to leave, we are getting the hang of it. figures!
Meanwhile, we have all received our certificates of completion of the 2 week course. Benissimo! We can leave now. Cathy has been all business like in class.. Cookie is ok with school now that she asked to never be called on.. Cathy tries to make sure cookie knows that she really does know what she is doing,, much more so than the bambini in the class! i think that now that we are getting ready to leave, we are getting the hang of it. figures!
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Cece
Cece says that, starting today, she will only speak to people who speak only English. She has no intention of doing her homework tonight because she is going to bolt when the conversation part of the class begins. That could be a problem because Mariola, our Polish classmate, who is as dense as a rock, but not quite as dense as Taki, the Giaponaise, has attached herself to Cece. Mariola may just jump out of the window if Cece, her new patron saint, abandons her.
Stay tuned.
Stay tuned.
Domani
Domani, Cece ed io abbiamo bisogno di una ricetta per suoi paese. Cece parla rubare la mia riceta per i granchii cuchinare avapore. Can you believe the audacity of that broad?
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
La corso cucina
Ciao,
I am at the cooking class tonight. Cece bowed out. Did?t want to eat so late and then go to bed. Mi dispiace. There are many more people here tonight than last week so the cooking is going quite slowly with much confusion. The plans were way too ambitious for this group and I think Giuseppe has made a diversion from his original plan of 4 antipasti, marinated eggplant, eggplant parmiggiana, lasagne with bechamel, risotto with funghi porcini, and risotto with carciofi, zuppa anglaise, and some other dessert milefoile. Looks good, but not to sure what the heck is in it or whether or not I will ever be able to reproduce any of this stuff.
I think we all have learned a lot more than we thought we would. We?ve certainly seen wonderful sights and really have gotten to almost feel like Fiorentine. Really cool to walk around this ancient city and feel comfortable going from place to place without a map. And we can order in the bar or ristorante senza usiamo english.
Although it has been wonderful, I am looking forward to coming home. I'm sure the others are as well. Have many stories to tell. Will show the pictures later. Maybe I'll even be able to post the pictures once we return!
A piu' tarde.
Ria
I am at the cooking class tonight. Cece bowed out. Did?t want to eat so late and then go to bed. Mi dispiace. There are many more people here tonight than last week so the cooking is going quite slowly with much confusion. The plans were way too ambitious for this group and I think Giuseppe has made a diversion from his original plan of 4 antipasti, marinated eggplant, eggplant parmiggiana, lasagne with bechamel, risotto with funghi porcini, and risotto with carciofi, zuppa anglaise, and some other dessert milefoile. Looks good, but not to sure what the heck is in it or whether or not I will ever be able to reproduce any of this stuff.
I think we all have learned a lot more than we thought we would. We?ve certainly seen wonderful sights and really have gotten to almost feel like Fiorentine. Really cool to walk around this ancient city and feel comfortable going from place to place without a map. And we can order in the bar or ristorante senza usiamo english.
Although it has been wonderful, I am looking forward to coming home. I'm sure the others are as well. Have many stories to tell. Will show the pictures later. Maybe I'll even be able to post the pictures once we return!
A piu' tarde.
Ria
Monday, April 7, 2008
From Cece
Ria is our great leader. She puts a nose ring in each of us and leads us around everywhere.
Cookie keeps clicking her heels together in hopes that her sneakers will pass as ruby slippers. Other than the school, cookie is actually quite happy.
Ria and the 3 bambine! Everyday ria and her 3 bambine leave the castle of annamaria and ria gladly goes to class and the 3 bambine have to be kicked and shoved. In class, ria smiles and speaks quickly and softly. The bambinos struggle and say every syllable. Ria gets food and the 3 bambine eat it. Ria does her homework. The 3 bambine take a pill and go to sleep. Ria is a star student and the 3 bambine are el stupida. Hopefully the bambine will get better or escape. To be continued.
Cece
Ria: The pictures did not come through - no doubt due to some great exaulted level of ignorance on my part. (my spelling not much better) Oh re-snoring. Ask Cathy about me in Florida on at least three occasions.
I am glad you are keeping us posted on the exploits of your three companions. I believe they are much worst than you say. But, then, they don't seem to be saying much.
I am glad you are keeping us posted on the exploits of your three companions. I believe they are much worst than you say. But, then, they don't seem to be saying much.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Buona sera
Ciao. Cece and I had a terrific cooking experience last night. I tried to call you on his computer phone, Neil, but I think Cece broke it talking to Phil. Just kidding.
We had 4 different crostini, herb stuffed pork roast, spaghetti carbonara, salad, tiramisu, and special wine with each course.
Cathy and Cookie went out together and shared a whole bottle of wine! Cathy says Cookie is an ugly drunk!
Our new place is much better.
I now know why Phil doesn't mind Cece traveling so much. She is real competition for his snoring title.
OMG! Good thing I don't have to sleep with her again. I just might have to hurt her otherwise! Poor Cece, she is the brunt of everyone's jokes or frustrations. She doesn't deserve it but she sure is a trooper in addition to being an amazing trooper and good sport. We can't believe how much she has walked everywhere with a cast on her foot! She is one tough I-talian.
Today we walked all over oltrano. Our new friend, Kay, went with us. She is here for a month. She came by herself. We saw all sorts of beautiful sites today. Great view from piazza Michelangelo. Then went to Mass at Santa croce. Now having dinner at a repeat trattoria.
We wanted to go the sea today but just couldn't decide where or how. Cece and cookie are contemplating playing hookey on Friday and go to viareggio.
We are too tired to venture to Fiesole today. We will go some afternoon last week.
Going back to the casa to study tonight. Nothing but Italian will be spoke starting Lunedi.
Buona notte!
We had 4 different crostini, herb stuffed pork roast, spaghetti carbonara, salad, tiramisu, and special wine with each course.
Cathy and Cookie went out together and shared a whole bottle of wine! Cathy says Cookie is an ugly drunk!
Our new place is much better.
I now know why Phil doesn't mind Cece traveling so much. She is real competition for his snoring title.
OMG! Good thing I don't have to sleep with her again. I just might have to hurt her otherwise! Poor Cece, she is the brunt of everyone's jokes or frustrations. She doesn't deserve it but she sure is a trooper in addition to being an amazing trooper and good sport. We can't believe how much she has walked everywhere with a cast on her foot! She is one tough I-talian.
Today we walked all over oltrano. Our new friend, Kay, went with us. She is here for a month. She came by herself. We saw all sorts of beautiful sites today. Great view from piazza Michelangelo. Then went to Mass at Santa croce. Now having dinner at a repeat trattoria.
We wanted to go the sea today but just couldn't decide where or how. Cece and cookie are contemplating playing hookey on Friday and go to viareggio.
We are too tired to venture to Fiesole today. We will go some afternoon last week.
Going back to the casa to study tonight. Nothing but Italian will be spoke starting Lunedi.
Buona notte!
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Food & Wine
We have been very fortunate to have stumbled on some really fine restaurants. The house wine is pretty good, but not exceptional. The prosecco was great, however, and 11 1/2% alcohol. These gals are not much into the wine, though. But they are plenty into the fun.
The school is challenging but is getting more fun day by day. We will have more time to walk for enjoyment, sleep later and stay out later after we move tomorrow! Yea!
Oggi sera una bella giornata!
Ciao!
The school is challenging but is getting more fun day by day. We will have more time to walk for enjoyment, sleep later and stay out later after we move tomorrow! Yea!
Oggi sera una bella giornata!
Ciao!
Firenze Update
So sorry to disappoint you. We have had quite the adventure. We had a rumble, of sorts, with our landlady. And, for once, I was not the biggest complainer. I'm not naming names, but I think many of you can guess of the 3 remaining, who are the 2 most vocal! If you get my drift. I do so wish I had an actual foto of Cece bowing repeatedly to Fifi and saying 'mea culpa' for leaving a dirty coffee cup on the terrace.
We will be moving to another apartment tomorrow. Closer to the school. Cece and I are taking a cooking class tomorrow night. And 7 of us have arranged for a driver to take us on a tour of Siena and San Gimignano and then through Chianti on the way back.
A piu tarde
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Stasera Martedi
Cathy says that from now on, she will bear a personal grudge against anyone who has an over abundance of gee gaws hanging from every possible orafice known to humankind (and then some) including anything resembling a canine or red flower. Unless it is in the form of an angel hanging 12 feet over your bed, praying that you stay safe and quiet every night. Especially quiet! Buona notte
Secondo giorno
-----Original Message-----
From: riamalloy@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 1 Apr 2008 15:44:31
To:postgateway@blogger.com
Cc:"Maria Malloy" <riamalloy@gmail.com>
Subject: Secondo giorno
Firenze e bella citta'. The school is challenging on several levels. The 4 of us are having a great time in spite of the brain drain. Our host house is an apartment. There are 6 women here including our landlady, Fiommetta. But only one bathroom. Plenty of hot water but the tub is the size of a half whiskey barrel. And no curtain. Water goes all over the place. Mamma mia!
At the end of school today I could NOT have recalled my own name! There are maybe 75-100 students in the school. We are never all together at once so it is hard to know for sure. We range in age from 19 to, well, us. And from all over the world. Everyone is really very friendly.
The breakfasts leave a lot to be desired. But lunch and dinner make up for it. School is a brisk 40-45 minute walk from our house. That is, once we could agree on the correct route. It took us 90 or more minutes the first time. But we found some great sites along the way.
Ciao for now. Ria
------Original Message------
From: postgateway@blogger.com
To: Maria Malloy
Sent: Mar 28, 2008 1:02 AM
Subject: Blogger Mobile Post
Success! Your Ok, so I c... post made it to Blogger (Your mobile blog is ramblingsbyria.blogs...)
From: riamalloy@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 1 Apr 2008 15:44:31
To:postgateway@blogger.com
Cc:"Maria Malloy" <riamalloy@gmail.com>
Subject: Secondo giorno
Firenze e bella citta'. The school is challenging on several levels. The 4 of us are having a great time in spite of the brain drain. Our host house is an apartment. There are 6 women here including our landlady, Fiommetta. But only one bathroom. Plenty of hot water but the tub is the size of a half whiskey barrel. And no curtain. Water goes all over the place. Mamma mia!
At the end of school today I could NOT have recalled my own name! There are maybe 75-100 students in the school. We are never all together at once so it is hard to know for sure. We range in age from 19 to, well, us. And from all over the world. Everyone is really very friendly.
The breakfasts leave a lot to be desired. But lunch and dinner make up for it. School is a brisk 40-45 minute walk from our house. That is, once we could agree on the correct route. It took us 90 or more minutes the first time. But we found some great sites along the way.
Ciao for now. Ria
------Original Message------
From: postgateway@blogger.com
To: Maria Malloy
Sent: Mar 28, 2008 1:02 AM
Subject: Blogger Mobile Post
Success! Your Ok, so I c... post made it to Blogger (Your mobile blog is ramblingsbyria.blogs...)
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