If you have a favorite seat, do NOT go to Rome.
The height of Italian linguistic skills here.
Alas, poor Juliet, thy breast hast been rubbed too oft.
Quick post to share the most awesome reader comment ever. Can you top it?
Watching the Super Bowl from Italy. Dedication required.
My tips about how to watch American men in spandex… with an Italian husband.
The case of the mysterious blue underwear.
The super stealth detective skills of yours truly, put to the test in the ultimate question: “did my Italian man cheat on me?”
Pointing the finger at me: My 5 biggest mistakes as an immigrant expat in Italy.
In an effort to stay on the happy side of life, I’ve decided that I should first point the finger at myself. So, let’s all breathe and take a look at some of the crazy crap we foreigners in Italy try to pull, shall we?
How to purchase a little piece of Italy (and look like an idiot in the process).
A cryptic, yet literal, ‘How To’ guide for the logistics of buying land in Italy. (By the way, we now own 0.000023% of Italy!!!)
1,2,3, è così: Learning to submit to the system.
Those of you expats who are particularly strong-willed (read ‘stubborn’) may be able to relate to this short, yet accurate, assessment detailing the three phases of submitting to the way things are done here in Italy – or, as I like to call it, “1,2,3, é cos씑.
Looking back on one year of marriage… to an Italian man.
In my vast one year of experience (but 6 years together, with 5 of them in Italy), I shall try to address and debunk some common myths about marrying an Italiano, with a concerted effort to artfully sidestep the stereotypes and generalizations that sometimes get me in trouble.
Italian marketing mistake #2: ‘Soffass’ toilet paper
The most interesting discoveries can come from lack of reading material while you’re on the toilet.
That horrible moment when you realize you married a Speedo wearing European.
Exploring my thoughts on tight versus loose, regarding men’s lower body garments.
La Casa di Sand and Fog, Emilia edition… (less sand and more fog).
This is the Hollywood-like (only not really) dramatic retelling of our persistent loathing of the vista from our balcony: ‘La Casa di Sand and Fog’.
If you’re going to live in Emilia, you need to know what “sisso” is.
What is sisso? Some would say it’s like gold. It’s the fuel of the regional agricultural industry. It’s the byproduct of the rich food culture of traditional Emilia. It’s a farmer’s most essential source of nourishment. It’s the smell that fills the air at dinner time in the summer. It’s the taste that lingers in your mouth after exhaling.
It’s pig poo.
Please, please, don’t name your baby something that translates to ‘butt hole’ in English.
How do you tactfully beg this of your fiance’s brother at their mother’s dinner table? This was the task I was charged with one memorable evening two years ago.
è così: Potty humor and pace of life in a small Italian town.
The second week after arriving in Italy, as I was knee deep in my attempt to nest in my boyfriend’s bachelor pad, our toilet broke… it was a Friday morning. This is the story of my naive attempt to have it fixed.
A handy guide to gender roles in European architectural standards.
The architectural standards guide that answers all questions, both about architecture… and life… let’s take a look, shall we?
The Latino Love Factor: how an Italian husband gets out of the doghouse.
The story of an Italian husband saving his own hide with none other than… food.
The Bank of La Famiglia discovers that I am worth nothing.
The following story has been one of my favorites to tell and retell over the course of my time here in Italy. It was one of my first culture shock experiences, and it took place the first month I was in Italy – about 4 years ago. It exemplifies the understatement that Italian do all business by word-of-mouth and personal recommendations.
Listen up, Italians. Air conditioning will NOT make you sick.
disclaimer: This is me just venting (ha!). I actually am not a big fan of air conditioning (ha again! I kill me.). Here’s what I really think helps indoor air quality: http://emuarchitects.com/2013/08/20/mold-and-condensation-problems/ ______________________ I am originally from a hot climate. My home state in the US regularly sees summer temperatures over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. I remember…
Itanglish: “stop romping my palles”
To “romp one’s palles“ is a fantastic Italian phrase that I have Americanized to the point of sheer embarrassment. In order to get the full effect, remember to use this with a heavy American accent… leaning towards Californian (think ‘surfer dude’). Keep in mind the added ‘s‘ is simply to make it sound plural in…
The bellissimo reputation of Italian automaker Fiat… proven valid.
“F.I.A.T. = Fix it again, Tony,” was my uncle’s response to the story I’m about to tell. I was pretty sure that phrase was born out of some sort of prejudice against Italian-American immigrants back in the day (which would be funny since my uncle was one), so I went to check on it before…
Married to Italy 