Posts filed under ‘Milan’
Waiting for Miss Panino
Ciao Bloggisti!
Hope you’ve been having a good summer. I got back a week ago from our holidays in Liguria. Lots of swimming, walking and, of course, eating! We went to quite a few sagre (village fairs featuring local gastronomical specialities, live music, etc.) and stuffed ourselves silly. And I discovered a heavenly ice cream parlour in the town where we stayed. It had the most decadent, delicious chocolate ice cream I’ve ever had. The shop also specializes in real Sicilian granita but I was too smitten with their ice cream to try one. Definitely next time!
So now I’m back at my unusually quiet home, organizing the last few things in the house while the kids are still at seaside with their nonni. My mom arrived from Canada this morning, laden with so many goodies that getting back to my pre-pregnancy weight will take a lot longer than expected. But how can I resist Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, chocolate-covered almonds, cheddar cheese, banana chips, jackfruit chips, fluorescent orange cheese puffs, Sweet Tarts and my beloved Ketchup chips? My mouth is watering at the very thought! But I guess it’s a good thing to be distracted since tomorrow is D-day.
Yep, I’m still lugging that panino around. I know I haven’t been keeping you up to speed with my pregnancy but I’m no Dooce. I worked full-time up until the end of my eighth month and went on holiday soon afterwards. In the evenings I was too, too tired to have the energy to turn the computer on so I spent most of my time watching 30 Rock or reading (books such as the Baby Whisperer, Kurt Cobain’s biography, The Help, The Scarlet Letter, etc.). And just between you and me, I couldn’t really sit down for long periods in front of my computer because, ahem, my keister would hurt like mad. Blame it on the belly. But the hubster recently got me a new laptop so I can write anywhere now.
Another book I’ve been reading lately is the Canadian Medical Association’s book of Mother and Baby Care. Since I’m almost at Week 40, let’s see what they have to tell me:
By this stage, you will feel very ungainly, and will be bumping into objects. (Yes and yes)
Your skin will feel stretched and taut across your abdomen and may be itchy (oh yeah!)
Your belly will be so large that you have difficulty getting comfortable in bed (ok, I get it – I’m a freakin’ whale!)
But seriously, since I know that in max. 10 days my girl will be making her appearance, I’m enjoying my last days with the bump. It may be a pain sometimes but it’s by far the easiest way to carry a little ‘un. And there’s no way to describe the sensation of a baby moving around inside of you. I will miss it. For now, she seems to be in no hurry to move out. My mom, who used to be a maternity nurse, checked my belly today and said the baby’s head still hasn’t engaged. But tomorrow there will be a full moon and anything could happen.
Since I’m not sure if I’ll be able to write more in the next few days, here’s a very overdue and brief overview of my pregnancy.
FIRST TRIMESTER
Found out the big news on Xmas day. Was more nauseous than in the previous pregnancies. So much so it was hard to hide my condition at work. Started cleaning up the house to make room for baby. She’s going to take over the old kitchen. Had a bad stomach flu, which always happens when I’m expecting. I was also DOG-TIRED, all the time! But I did have enough energy to go on a trip to Liguria, Nice and Piedmont, where Bellie had her first skiing lesson.
SECOND TRIMESTER
Felt much better. No more nausea and my energy levels (and my appetite) went up. Could start to feel baby kicking! And found out we were expecting a little girl!! The search for a name began. Started explaining to Diggy that he was going to be a big brother. Was not immediately impressed. Asked if he could punch and pinch her. Must keep an eye on him. Major cleaning and renovation work at home.
Went on a lovely Easter vacation to Tuscany and Rome. Hubby turned 40 and we threw a big party for the old guy. Started doing yoga and prenatal exercises at home. Bump started to show and I was at that awkward stage: I could barely fit in my pre-pregnancy clothes but I wasn’t big enough for maternity wear.
THIRD TRIMESTER
Felt really good during most of this trimester except for one thing: my swollen feet! But it’s normal with the heat and humidity of Milan. I would get massages and do reflexology but it was only when I was in Liguria that my feet miraculously recovered. We finished up renovations and prepared the baby’s room. I forgot how annoying it is to wash and hang onesies, tiny socks and bibs. Bellie went away to summer camp for the first time and we travelled to Carnia to visit the site.
The still nameless baby was kicking up a storm, which would provoke cramps and other fun things but nothing serious. I still had enough strength to do some major spring cleaning all over the house. Doctor confirmed that baby was going to be a big girl! It was really busy at work in this period but I managed to wrap everything up before starting mat leave at the end of July. Little bro came to visit. And finally… the panino and me went on holiday!
Now we’re in the home stretch. I thought that with all the activity and travelling that went on over the last nine months, she’d make an early appearance. But it looks like she’s a late bloomer, just like her brother and sister before her. That’s ok. I don’t mind waiting a little bit longer.
Will keep you posted!
Sorry, eh!
Ciao Bloggisti,
Yeah, it’s been a while. But I have a really good excuse. I’m working on a certain project which has temporarily diverted all my creativity into another worthy outlet. I can’t go into details right now but I’ll let you know soon enough ;).
But can I let something off my chest right now? WOOO HOOOO!!!! Here’s to my home and native land that did a SUPER job hosting the 2010 Winter Olympics!!
There were some weather issues, technical problems and tragedies. But Canada managed to overcome it all with characteristic hard work, spirit and sense of humour (did you see those inflatable beavers?). And we Owned the Gold, including the top spot in the hockey firmament! Because of Sid Crosby, Obama now owes Prime Minister Harper a case of beer. Hee hee! But our neighbours to the south did very well for themselves despite yesterday’s loss, earning 37 medals. The Russians, on the other hand, were still smarting from their less than stellar results when they bid Vancouver a “classy” farewell in this Pravda article: “Doesn’t it feel great to slam the door behind you as you walk out, stick up the middle finger using the palm of the left hand on the upper right forearm for extra leverage and blow a giant raspberry? That is exactly how it feels as Russia leaves Vancouver after disappointing Games with a question, was the Canadian ice hockey team on drugs?” Um, no, but perhaps the Editorial Staff of Pravda was.
But enough about them. What’s more tragic is the fact I missed my date with Clive Owen!! Well, I didn’t actually have a “date” date but he was in Milan over the weekend for Fashion Week and I had no idea till a few minutes ago when I read this! Does that man know how to wear a suit or what? And just look at those EYES! And where was I? Lying on the sofa watching the Canada vs. US hockey game in German. It was worth it in the end but “scheiße”!
What else is new in my corner of the world? It’s been a pretty busy year so far but we took a much-needed break over the Carnival period. We travelled to Liguria, the south of France and the mountains of Limone Piemonte where Bellie had her first skiing lessons. She was reluctant at first but was speeding down the slopes like a pro in no time. And here’s Diggy climbing his own personal Everest.
So that’s what’s been going around here and in my mind. And what about you? I’d love to find out how your year has been so far and what you thought of the Olympics (or Clive Owen in a suit!).
Ciao ciao
Blogiversary and Book Giveaway!
Ciao Bloggisti!
It’s a very special moment for me. This proud mammina is thrilled to celebrate my baby’s 1st birthday with y’all.
Yes, Milanese Masala is a year old! Well, to be honest, the actual blogiversary was a couple of weeks ago but (surprise, surprise!) I didn’t get around to writing this post till now. Maybe it’s the change of season, maybe it’s my latent narcolepsy waking up again. Whatever it is, I’m just too exhausted to stay up late and write like I used to in the early days.
In honour of her birthday I’ve decided to give the old broad a facelift. It’s just what best friends do. You like? It’s still a work in progress but I think it’s much easier to read. I plan on improving my photos and start putting myself on a stricter schedule but I ain’t making no promises!
I guess now I should take the customary stroll down Blogiversary Lane, look back, take stock of the past year, etc, etc. What have I learned? Well, that I’m a touch crazy to have decided to embark on a blogging career considering that a) I already have a full-time job b) we moved into our new house 2 years ago and still have a garage full of boxes to unpack and c) I have two little ‘uns, one of whom is a terremoto toddler who leaps small cabinets in a single bound.
So why in the hoo ha did I start blogging in the first place ? Truth be told, despite my busy life, I really love writing and I thought what better outlet to spew my senseless ramblings in than a blog. Plus, it would get me in the habit of writing regularly (or so I thought). I was also muchly inspired by my pal Joanne at Frutto della Passione. She’s taught me so much and helped this tech numbskull out on many a occasion. Thanks Jo! And of course, there’s a great community of expat bloggers that I wanted to get to know better. I “met” so many cool people because of my blog and for that I’m grateful.
Now, on with the shoe…
To celebrate my blogiversary I wanted to subject you to a meme that I did on FB. Some of you have probably already read this but for those who haven’t, it’s a way for all you newbies to get to know me a little better. Here are 25 Random Things About Me:
1. I believe humour and music can save your soul…
2. … so at the ripe old age of 30-something, I’ve decided to learn to play the guitar! Funny, eh?
3. I am slow at everything except driving.
4. Yet I was picked to be a part of a 4×100 relay team in Gr.8
5. I’m crazy for cats. They are the smartest, coolest, calmest, most beautiful animals in the world.
6. I’m a plant killer. I love flowers and gardens so I’m hoping to change my homicidal ways.
7. There’s nothing sexier than talking to a man who’s actually listening to you. A sense of humour don’t hurt either.
8. It’s terrible but I love gossip, from reading it to doing it. All harmless but it’s a bad habit I hope to kick.
9. I’d like to be a writer. Of some sort. I think.
10. I used to throw cutlery from our 6th floor balcony when I was a toddler.
11. My 2 yr old is obsessed with dinner knives. Coincidence?
12. I once sang The Greatest Love of All in an audition for a high school musical. I vaguely remember people chuckling during my heartfelt performance. I didn’t get the part.
13. I’ve had a love affair with the city of Paris ever since I first went there at 16 and did everything possible to live there, which I finally managed to do at university.
14. I think dictionaries are cool
15. Is there anything better than hugging a baby/child who’s just woken up, all toasty and warm?
16. If you want to ride in my car you have to listen to music. My music. Unless you’re a kid which means you can choose from either Raffi or Sharon, Lois & Bram.
17. If I had the chance to meet one famous person it would have to be Paul McCartney.
18. I’ve been married twice. To the same guy. Still waiting for that engagement ring, though.
19. I’ve been to India five times.
20. I used to have straight hair when I was a kid. My hair started going all wonky at puberty. I was so desperate to fix it I even had two perms when I was in high school. No joke.
21. I love lists. I love it when a plan comes together. I absolutely hate it when they don’t, especially if it’s due to somebody going back on their word.
22. I’m a terrible procrastinator. I really should be doing something else instead of writing this list.
23. I used to collect dryer lint.
24. My people can’t dance. Well, that’s what my father used to say.
25. I really wish I could have heard him say that to his grandkids.
I am also commemorating the blogiversary by doing my very first giveaway. Yes, you read right! I am giving away an autographed copy of renowned novelist and translator Tim Parks‘s latest book, Dreams of Rivers and Seas.
As Jane Shilling of the Sunday Telegraph says, Dreams of Rivers and Seas is “a love story (or rather several love stories), an oblique and engrossing mystery, but above all a story about language and its limitations.”
If you want to win a copy of the book, all you have to do is post a comment from today (17 March) till Thursday 19 March. You can leave any comment you wish (be nice!) but it would be nice to hear about your experiences with language limitations or even read what you have to say about the meme or even do your own. The winner will be chosen randomly from all those who posted comments. I will send the book anywhere so all you international lurkers can start speaking up for a change!
Can’t wait to read your comments!
p.s. Don’t forget about the Ultimate Blog Party 2009 at 5 Minutes for Mom from 20-27 March. I’m doing a giveaway there too!! Yes, la sciura è impazzita!
Eating guitar strings
Some of my commensali had another speciality from Abruzzo, roasted lamb with potatoes. The meat was fall-off-the-bone tender, flavourful yet not gamey, a result that’s often difficult to achieve when cooking lamb.
I, however, opted for one of the dishes I just have to eat whenever we visit our friends in L’Aquila, Arrosticini. They’re succulent skewers of grilled mutton which, traditionally, should be eaten by holding the skewer with your hands and pulling the meat off the stick with your teeth. And that’s exactly what I did! I don’t know about you but I get a visceral pleasure from eating food with my hands, however messy it can be.
These arrosticini did not disappoint, all washed down with a house wine (which I failed to note) served in lovely, hand-painted ceramic jugs.
All in all, I was thrilled with my dinner. The food was great, the service fast and very friendly and best of all, it was extremely affordable. We paid about €25 each, which included pasta, main course, dessert, wine, coffee and some deadly liqueurs. Prices like that are a rarity in Milan. So next time you’re in town and you’re hankering for a taste of Abruzzo , give Giannino a call. And please do call in advance because the place is literally an angolo, tiny and always, always packed.
Da Giannino – L’angolo d’Abruzzo
Via Rosolino Pilo, 20 – Milano
Phone: +39 02/29.40.65.26
Opening hrs: Tues – Sat 12:00pm – 11:00pm, Sun 12:00pm – 3:00pm
(Phew! I did it! Monkey #2 is still fast asleep. It’s a good blogging day!)
Becks: Milan forever, Galaxy never?
Well, that just might be the mantra David Beckham is repeating in his mind right now, especially since he finally came out of the open and declared his desire to stay with AC Milan. As you might know, and as I wrote back in October, Becks is on loan to Milan from the Los Angeles Galaxy and was supposed to return to the California team on 9th March. But after his impressive performance over the last few weeks, including scoring two goals, AC Milan’s management have been repeatedly expressing their wish that Becks stay at San Siro even if the team’s CEO, Adriano “Uncle Fester” Galliani, has stated, “David is a player with Los Anglese Galaxy. We can’t kidnap him.”
But Wednesday Becks added his two cents and finally admitted that he would rather play for the Serie A team and also gushed, “I have enjoyed my time here. I knew I would enjoy it but I didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I have and do as well as I have.” Yes, he has done rather well, contrary to what I predicted in my previous post, but for once I’m happy to have been wrong! Beckham has proved to be a valuable player and more importantly, he’s caught the eye of England captain (and former Milan coach) Fabio Capello.
Yes, he’s been such a good boy! So much so that he doesn’t even indulge in any Milanese par-taying, preferring to hang at his luxurious hotel watching DVDs all on his lonesome than celebrating with his teammates and Italian starlets, well, that is if you believe this Daily Mail story. So that’s why I haven’t bumped into him at H&M yet. Ah, what a martyr!
And I also didn’t run into him Wednesday night at the Casa 139, a small club where I caught a fantastic young band from Naples called GNUT. I appreciated their musicianship, their lyrics, their stage presence and it didn’t hurt that they were EXTREMELY easy on the eyes. You can see for yourself in their video Esistere:
Buon weekend!
Will change come to Italy, too?
Ciao Bloggisti
Just thought I’d show you the POSITIVE coverage Barack Obama’s victory has been getting in the papers and magazines here in Italy. From what I’ve seen and heard, most Italians are thrilled by this historic event and hope that it will inspire a similar change in the country’s political class.
But it was class, or the lack thereof, that came to the forefront during Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi’s press conference in Russia yesterday. His mindless, condescending comment about Barack Obama only goes to show how provincial and out of touch Italy’s politicians actually are. Now I don’t know what possessed that little man to say that – senility, vodka, too much Viagra. Whatever it is, he’ll have to snap out of it soon because the country is changing. I took the subway yesterday and was pleasantly surprised to see how multicultural Milan has gotten over the last couple of years. There was a Muslim girl, a Filipino man, an Asian woman and an Italian guy standing on the platform in front of me, all reading the same page in the newspaper, all reading about Obama and the change that has come not only to America but to the world. Is Italy ready?
Ciao Davide!
Ciao Bloggisti!
Be still my beating Milanista heart, David Beckham might be coming to town in January!! It still hasn’t been officially confirmed but AC Milan’s vice-president Adriano Galliani announced today that the former England captain “wants to train and play for Milan.” If Beckham does decide to sign, he would only be on short-term loan from Los Angeles Galaxy, his current team.
Now, while the man doesn’t really set my loins afire (ugh, that voice!), I wouldn’t mind having some extra eye candy in the city. Hey, I just might run into him at the local H&M, rifling through the 3 for 1 underpants rack. Oops, I forgot! The only underwear he’s into is this:
As for the possible ramifications for AC Milan, personally, I don’t think Beckham would be a good fit for the team. They have all the players they need right now, like Ronaldinho and Kakà. And let’s not forget that Milan’s star playmaker, Andrea Pirlo, is on the road to recovery and should be back in December. But I’m sure Milan is just salivating at all the publicity as well as the merchandising they can sell with the Beckham name. Even though Becks is a great player, he and his family are basically a very successful brand, pimping their way around the world.
And what about the missus? Yes, Posh is loving the LA life right now but I’m sure she’s just gagging at the chance to present her “collection” during Milan fashion week in February. And I’ll bet my Sweet Tarts the freakoid TV producers in Italy are going to give Victoria her own reality show, Buongiorno Beckham. Just think of the possibilities!! Ooooh, I’m just imagining Posh negotiating Milan’s cobblestone streets in her sensible shoes. Or Mrs. Beckham and Berlusconi sitting side by side at San Siro stadium. Oh, what a pretty couple they would make! They’re even the same shade of orange!!
You know what, I wouldn’t mind Beckham playing in Milan just for the drama alone. Who cares about soccer! Bring on the Beckhams!!!
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