Fashion's Animals!

Niagara on the Lake!

I cannot imagine going to Canada without making a stroll through the romantic streets of Niagara on the Lake. This little town has an old England atmosphere, a delicate touch of nostalgy that seduces me every time. I cannot imagine going to Niagara on the Lake without stopping at the Christmas' store. It's enough to cross the entrance's doors to be catapulted into a living Christmas' carol. The music, lights and smell bring back to my memory the same excitement I felt, when I was a child, and I could not wait to open all the gifts under the Christmas' tree. It's pure magic. I love the tinkling of the crystal spheres, the strong smell of bark on the Christma's tree, finding the right spot for the most beautiful Christmas's sphere!! What a joy singing "White Christmas" or "Jingle Bells"...! If you walk little further, down the road, you will find the "Prince of Wales", and old building transformed into a magnificent hotel. I dreamt of staying in this cozy hotel since I was 17! Why none of my partners has ever caught my desire to stay here? I guess that I will not found an answer so when Sandra told me that Jerry had booked a night there for their honeymoon I was so excited for her. A little jealous too.
So, now, can you probably understand my excitement when Nancy told me that John was driving us to Niagara on the eve of Sandra’s wedding! I made a little jump with joy!! Steve, Jerry’s son, decided to join us and the 4 of us left for our little excursion. The trip to Niagara is already quite awesome because you drive through vineyards and beautiful mansions. It’s like being in a postcard! But this was a special evening: just before going to the Falls an idea come up to our minds: “Why we don’t make a surprise to Sandra and Jerry?” So we parked again, rushed into the hotels and asked to the manager if they had honeymoon packages. The choice was not easy but, finally, we decided for a bottle of wine, a bouquet of white roses, and strawberries dipped into chocolate! The guy asked us if we wanted to write a card to accompany the gift! So we settled in the fancy hotel’s hall and started to write this card to the future couple : “Jerry be gentle but Sandra be wild” “We want also a night of wild sex!”. It was a moment of complicity, a moment of laughter, a moment to remember.!
When we drove later on that evening to the Falls, the rainbow’s colour enlightened the mauve sky above our heads. We smiled because we knew this was a perfect evening!

News from Ombretta!!

Ciao bellezza... tu hai ragione...sono imperdonabile! ho uno strano rapporto con il pc...siccome ci passo sopra l'intera giornata lavorativa - che per me significa molto più delle canoniche 8 ore - non riesco a viverlo come un amico con cui passare il mio tempo libero...anyway... tornando a noi...che bella idea quella del blog...in realtà, per quanto dicevo prima appunto, non so bene come funzionino in realtà... mi pare che una volta un mio amico che ne ha creato uno per chattare con le sue amiche mi abbia detto che bisogna innanzitutto prima iscriversi...beh insomma dovrai spiegarmi bene....poi non assicuro però la mia presenza...soprattutto se deve essere in inglese! comunque vi terrò senz'altro sott'occhio ...e mi raccomando informatemi di mie presenze foto....per il resto... tutto procede. non so come, ma procede. Ho una delle mie solite storie d'amore complicate, quindi non ancora tanto solida da poter pronosticare entro breve di costruire una famiglia....per fortuna ci sono le mie splendide nipotine...in realtà in questi giorni ho provato quello che mi hanno detto le mie amiche...in amore vince chi fugge.....ma ho resistito solo una settimana e poi...sono crollata ed ho risposto al telefono. Continuo la mia attività subacquea che mi porta a "straviarmi" come si dice da noi ed a fare bellissime gite - più o meno lunghe e lontane.insomma...la solita pizza...forse...ma forse no. in fondo me la passo e non vorrei essere nei panni di molta, moltissima gente...ma è dura svegliarsi da sole...è che sai come siamo noi donne....non siamo mai contente e mettiamo in discussione sempre tutto!e voi? come sta la piccolina? ma ti rendi conto che è nata il mio stesso giorno?! - adesso che mi viene in mente anche la mia "sister" canadese angela - te la ricordi? - è nata il 18/3. beh, ma a parte questo inciso....crescerà in modo fantastico...una pesciolina come lei.
E tu che fai a parigi? come vi siete sistemati? insomma.....aggiornami anche tu...e poi....non venite mai in italia dell'est? il mitico nord est? O è più facile che venga io a parigi? tienimi aggiornata di tutto....se non mi vedi rispondere è perchè quando arrivano i tuoi messaggi...li metto da parte per trovare un pò di tempo per me per risponderti, ma mi fanno tutti così tanto piacere!!!! non puoi avere idea di quanto. mi fanno sorridere il cuore.
quindi comunque..confido su di te... keep in touch
un bacione, per ora
a presto
o.
a proposito...a dimostrazione che sono ancora una bellezza...e per nulla vecchia...ti allego per ora una mia fotografia con la mia istruttrice di sub fatta nel borneo malese...vediamo se capisci chi sono io.... so che non si vede granchè...ma per ora va così poi ne trovo una in cui sono tirata da STRAFIGA!!!!!!

ri bacio

Keep a promise!

"We should always keep our word!" I said that I would search for old pictures and that I would post them on "amiche e sorelle". It took a little while but I kept my promise!! Sandra, Ombretta, me, Nancy and little Norma! Can you imagine that Norma is now taller than everybody else in the picture?? And Ombretta?? Well she was on this exchange student programm and while I was matched with Sandra she was matched with Angela. But she loved to stay with us and I have many memories of Ombretta at the Tarquini's. This picture was taken in 1985. When our Canadian adventure was over and we returned back to Italy, Ombretta and I kept contact. We were sending postcards and making phone calls, and promosing each other that we would see each other again, but then one day she moved in a new place and I "lost" her. Everytime I was back in Hamilton they all asked me if I had news of Ombretta but unfortunately my letters returned with the stamp "address unknown". Then couple of years ago, I tried to find her, searching on internet on the white pages....and found a possible match! I was not sure if it was proper to call this person and ask if she was the Ombretta that in 1985 had spent 5 months in Hamilton, Ontario but then one day I just dialed the number and...trying to overcome the embarassement I asked if she was "our" Ombretta! And guess what?? I really had found her!! It was so exciting to exchange news after all these years! I emailed her, couple of days ago, to tell her about this "voyage" in the old years where she was part of an incredible adventure that had changed our lives forever!

The Italian Thuth! Especially applying when living abroad!!

Italians have a $40,000 kitchen, but use the $259 stove from Sears in the basement to cook.
There is some sort of religious statue in the hallway, living room, front porch and backyard.
The living room is filled with old Bombonieri (they are too pretty to open) with puffy fancy bows and stale Almonds.
A portrait of the Pope and Padre Pio in the dining room.
God forbid if anyone EVER attempted to eat Chef Boy-are-dee, Ragu, Prego, Kraft TV dinner, even Michelina's frozen entré, or anything else in a jar, box or can; that's "PORCHERIA di Mangiacakie. UNICO & LANCIA Tomato paste are the ONLY exceptions.
Complaints our parents have about takeout Foods: Mikka donalds - too mucha grease - "Porcheria" YEP" Chinese Food - they eata the snakes and cats - "Sckifo" YEP Pizza Hut, Domino's - I can make da same pizza for $ 2.00 - you pay $25.00!
Greek Food - Too much da salt...make you drink more vino.
The following are Italian Holidays: 1st weekend in October - Grapes for the Wine; 3rd weekend in August (or Labour Day - if your parents really hate you) - Tomatoes for the sauce; "Eh...no maka no plans we worka in da garage" Meatballs are made with Pork, Veal and Beef. We are Italians,we don't care about cholesterolo.
Turkey is served on Thanksgiving, AFTER the antipasto, manicotti, gnocchi and lasagna.
Later on we have da Barbaque with da Bistecka. Sunday dinner is at 1:00pm -After da Church (and you better go...God he watcha you!)
While listening to "Radio Maria" (the special radio that only receives one frequency) The meal went like this... Table is set with everyday dishes. (UNLESS, Zio Luigi is visiting from Italy... then we take out the dishes in the velvet suitcase).
Doesn't matter if they don't match...they're clean. What more do you want.
All the utensils go on the right side of the plate and the napkin goes on the left. (Nonno's Fork has been widened to spear more pasta).Put a clean kitchen towel at Nonno & Papa's plate because they won't use paper napkins. Home-made wine in recycled wine bottles with a twist top; and bottles of Tap water in recycled plastic water bottles with the label worn off, are on the table. (Unless Zio Luigi is visiting from Italy....then we use the crystal Carafe with the dust in the engraved sections). First course, Antipasto...change platesNext, Macaroni (Nonna calls all pasta Macaroni)...change plate. After that, Roasted Meats, Roasted Potatoes, and Overcooked Vegetables. AND CHANGE THE PLATES THEN and ONLY then, (NEVER AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MEAL) would you eat the salad (HOMEMADE OIL & VINEGAR (Last years wine)DRESSING ONLY)...change plates Next, Fruit, Nuts & LUPINI (on paper napkins because you ran out of dishes by now) Coffee (Espresso for Nonno, "Café Canadese" for the rest) with Sambuca and Hard Cookies (from the last time Nonna went to a Bridal Shower) with the stale almonds and freezer burn, to dip in the coffee. The kids go play...the men go to lie down, (or have a game of"Tre Sette") They sleep so soundly you could perform brain surgery on them without anaesthesia.
The women clean the kitchen and gossip about "il figlio de Maria" or someone that's dying" Getting screamed at by Mom or Nonna - Half the sentence was English, the other half Italian Italian mothers never threw a baseball in their life, but they can nail you in the head with a shoe thrown from the kitchen while you're in the living room. TIME OUT? That was the "interval in time" that Dad dropped the broomstick and took off his leather belt to beat the crap out of you!Prom Dress that Zia Caterina made for you......$20.00 for material.
Goofy hair-do from Cousin Carmela....$ Free. (not true!!)
Turning around at the prom to see your entire family (including grandparents) standing in the back of the gym...with a camera........PRICELESS! The true Italians will love this; those of you who are married to Italians will understand this, and those of you who are friends with Italians will forward it to them.

COURTESY OF NORMA

Wedding shots!

The cake!

We cannot finish the story of Sandra&Jerry's Wedding without mentioning the dinner and above all the cake. But let me go back to Licia e Gigino's just after the cerimony! Licia wanted to organize for her daughter a nice cocktail but Sandra said that no one would show up and it would have been just too much! No one would come, eh?? Everybody was there and poor Licia had to improvise a light brunch out of nothing but without blinking an eye Licia was able to solve the situation and everyhting went smooth nevertheless! Nancy, Norma and me left earlier for the reception because we still had to do some arrangements before the guests'arrival. Sandra and Jerry had chosen a cute hall at the Knights of Columbus. People started to arrive and a part a little mistake, in the beginning, when we thought that table 1 was on the right but it was on the left, everything went really well and the dinner could start! Zia Clara was in charge of the catering: an outstanding Italian menu was served with nice antipasti, homemade lasagne, meat and vegetables, fried calamari, and much more! Really delicious! gnammi gnammi !My table was animated by Nancy and John, their kids and John's parents and also Lialiane's daughter with her husband. Some moments will remain always in my mind : Sandra and Jerry first dance, Angie's speech and Sandra telling how much she loved to have me there! I could not have being happier! I laughed, so much, with Nancy and Norma in the parking lot while smoking a cigarette (just one and just for special occasions!) and making the squeezed boobies' pictures! Around 7pm, finally, the sun made his way from the clouds and I asked the newly married couple to come out for a sunny photo! But the party still had to begin....we danced, throught the evening, Nancy took off her hills, Norma changed her dress in a more confy pair of shorts and the bride looked always fresh as a rose!!! Steve, Jerry's son, found the courage to ask Maria Celeste for a dance, and I never saw anybody happier, afterwards!! Zio Vittorio asked me for a dance, and so did Italo and John's dad! The average age dropped thanks to Italy and I am grateful to him for this!! And finally it was time to cut the cake : Sandra and Jerry tasted the cake and I can imagine what they were laughing about while they were eating it! Norma thought that the cake was really gorgeous but tasted like crap! I had to laugh really hard!! But we kept on dancing and when finally the dj said it was time to go home I thought I had no more strenght to walk to the car! The bride and Jerry, after kissing us, left for their still movimented night, and I went home with Norma. But we stopped first at Licia's to say good night and to chat little more! Finally Norma and I dived in Sandra's old bed and I guess 5 seconds later we were both snoring! Yes girls they do snore and the bride too!!

Greetings from Cannes!

News from Nancy!

Hey Olg,
It's been soooo long since we have talked.
First off....I received your post card...thank you Paris looks crazier than Hamilton.
Secondly ...Sorry I missed your phone call that Sunday. Yes we had Angelica's baby shower it was really nice. While we were at the shower, Jerry with some very little help from John installed my dishwasher....I LOVE IT.
Last Sunday we had Tina's baby shower. Do you remebmber Tina? She's Norma's good friend.
Tomorrow night I have another baby shower... for a nurse that works here at JBH.
Tonight I have to go and buy a gift for John's Uncle Johnny and Aunt Frances......they live in Scotland and are celebrating there 25th Anniversary next week. My in laws are driving to Florida to meet up with them this Saturday for 2 weeks, Johnny and Frances bought a gorgeous house in Florida 2 years ago and travel to Florida quite often throughtou the year. This will be there 3rd time there this year and this time my inlaws are joining them.
Well, I have to go back to work, however, I just wanted to stop and say HELLO.
A very big hug to you and the family,
I'll talk to you soon,
Nancy
xoxoxox

Leaves...

Dongurigal leaves today. A new adventure is waiting for her. A new life in Vietnam. We met here in Paris on April 1st. at this bloggers' meeting organized by Ptt Anglaise. The evening went by fast talking, with la Pagefrançaise too, about our International marriages, our difficulties in living abroad and also about blogging. At the time I did not have one yet. At the end of the evening I had the feeling that I would see Dongurigal again. We shared nice moments and yesterday we said good bye, for now, over a delicious plate of fried calamari in a nice Italian restaurant called "Ziti" just off the Champs Elysées! I will be reading her stories and looking forward in seeing her, again, with the new year!

Moments!

Xochicalco, Mexico 1997
New York, 1999
Sarzana, 2002
Villarbasse, 2002

2 decades of my life...!!

• Went on a 4 weeks trip, after graduading from High School, through the States (New York and California), went of course to see my family in Hamilton (1987)
• Law Studies at the University of Turin, even with a high average I quit because I found a job with FrancoRosso. This is one of my biggest regret so far!! But not the only one...
• Went to Sandra's wedding on June 1991. I was one of her bride's maid! Went back the same year on September. Some people know why.
• Met Massimo and married him in 1993 after dating for one year and a half. Sandra was at my wedding!
• Went to see Sandra's & Family with Massimo in 1994.
• After 3 years and one week (July 31st 1996) I decided that this marriage was not working and after a long and painful period I made up my mind and left.
• Went to live alone in Rivoli in a beautiful apartment. Quite sad time, dated couple of guys but I have to admitt just one worth it.
• 1996 went on a trip to Mexico invited by Antonella. The purpuse was not to be alone at Christmas' time and to learn to waterski. Symphatized with Marco who was the coach.
• Saw Marco again in January and joined him in Miami for a small trip. Started dating and decided to start business together.
• April 1997 Dema and I take over Aquaski waterskiing school close to Tequesquitengo, Morelos. Went to the Waterskiing World Championship in Medellin, Colombia
• October 1997 moved to Mexico.
• 1998 went back to University in Mexico. Studyed Languages this time.
• 1999 got really sick with typhood fever, while in hospital, my beloved Nonna passed away. This is so far the most sad day of my life. But not the only one....
  My dad had a heart attack and Marco got expulsed from the country. Our relation did not hold against the "turbolence" and we went separate ways.
• Went to Canada again, finally. With short hair and a sad heart! July1999
• End of August of this same, extremely long year, Michèle invites me in Paris. To get some perspective about my life.
• In Dec. 1999 I found a job in Paris and short after I moved in with Arnaud. I lived close to my oldest friend Micaela and Michèle.
• September 2000 on a strange evening out with Arnaud and her good friend Aurore I met Wouter.
• December 17th 2000 Wouter asked me to marry him under the Christmas tree. I said "yes"!!
• January 2000 I left Paris to move to the Netherlands.
• 19th March 2001 Wouter and I got married in the Little Chapel of the Flowers in Vegas! A beautiful honeymoon through Nevada, Arizona and then to Polinesia in the SoutPacific.
• July 2001 : got pregnant!
• November 2001 we moved to Italy. Bought a house in Villarbasse. Close to my parents
• 18th March 2002 Margherita is born in Torino. Margherita was my Nonna's name.
• One year later, 2003, we moved to Spain to start "El zocalo"café with Gio.
• End of 2004 we moved back to Holland. Giovanni remained in Spain.
• Summer 2005 went to Canada to celebrate 20 years of friendship and sistership
• End of 2005 against all odds and with just few people supporting me, I accepted a job in Paris.
• January 2006 I move to Paris. Meggie and Wouter will join me.
• July 2006 I stepped on a plane and went to Sandra's wedding.
• September 2006 I live, again, close to Micaela, unfortunately Michèle moved to Geneve.
  

20 years. Sandra and I said "I do" twice". We had kids. And we both are married with widowers.
Coincidence again??

One year ago....

This trip on July 2005 was organized to celebrate our 20 years of friendship!! Yes 17 + 20 makes 37!! Ahhhhhh!!! Where did time go in these 20 years? What have we done in these 2 decades??? Ok I start telling what I did and hopefully Sandra, Nancy and Norma will make their own list!!!

The toe-ring story!

This is the story of my little toe-ring! I always wanted to have a toe-ring! But never dared to buy one! But this summer during my short break in Canada I saw both Nancy and Norma wearing beautiful toe-rings!! "Oohhh" I said to myself "I want to have one too!!" My wish was fullfilled the day Nancy bought this lovely toe-ring for me! We were shopping at Limeridge Mall, on Friday, when Nancy said "Hey Ol, let's give a look to some toe-rings!!!" We both loved this one, fine and with a pink stone in it...she bought two : one for her too!! We thought it was so cute to wear the same one!! I have to admitt that the first day it bothered a little...but as Nancy said "don't you worry : you gonna get use to it!!". So I wore, proudly, this new "outfit", every day and it was also on my foot the day Nancy, Norma and Steve drove me to the airport to go back to Europe.
We tryed to be cheerfull on the way to Pearson Int. Airport, we made plans for future get together, even asked Norma to find a decent boyfriend and eventually to get married to give us an extra opportunity to see each other! I spare you with her answer!! Well, after checking in my luggage and sharing a pizza it was time for me to say good bye and go through customs! I tryed, I promised I did but when I saw a little tear making her way on Nancy's face I could not hold a sob! Damn it was time again to go away. In tears I went through the metal detector : Alarm Alarm Alarm!! Immediately stoppped by a security guard and checked all over my body with a strange object, I was asked to take my shoes off!!! Ohh dear I start laughing so hard...because there it was : the little toe-ring making his pubblic appearance!!! I turned around and saw Nancy, Norma and Steve laughing their heads off!!! The security man was laughing too and he asked me "Italian??" "Si" I aswered "Very much!!" Waved kisses to the girls and Steve and walked to my gate.

9/11

This morning....

This morning, September 11th 2006, while I was walking to my office I saw this gigantic poster of the movie "World Trade center" who is opening here in Paris on the 20th of September. I took this picture with my mobile and its quality it's not great but it's to pay tribute to all the people whose lives have been distressed, broken and torn apart by this wound that has hardly healed - the disaster of 9/11.

http://fr.movies.yahoo.com/w/world-trade-center/index-1242751.html#_Cliquer to see movie trailer.

I am reading:Extremely loud & incredibly close

Remembering 9/11

Nine-year-old Oskar Schell is an inventor, amateur entomologist, Francophile, letter writer, pacifist, natural historian, percussionist, romantic, Great Explorer, jeweller, detective, vegan, and collector of butterflies. When his father is killed in the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Centre, Oskar sets out to solve the mystery of a key he disovers in his father's closet. It is a search which leads him into the lives of strangers, through the five boroughs of New York, into history, to the bombings of Dresden and Hiroshima, and on an inward journey which brings him ever closer to some kind of peace.

Sa & Ol

Same bench for pictures in July 2005 & 2006!!
Carriage ride in Montréal in 1994 and Niagara Falls in 1987

Garbage's collecting..

Picture this : Sandra and I both still in our pyjiamas, no make up, no teeth brushing and worst of all no bras... running around Camelot Drive trying to distribute to innocent neighbours tons of garbage that Sandra had been able to collect in the years, and I assure you without difficulty, before the garbage's truck arrival! Being both ashemed that someone could come out from their house and see our total "natural look" and call the police for "disturbance of the pubblic order" we tried to break the 100-meter world record but did not achieve it because we laughed too hard!! When we finally found shelter back home and tried to catch our breath, Wouter thought it was the perfect time to make a nice picture! This was July 2005.

Sandra & Jerry!