BASTA!
Ok, so "I'll update later" has apparently turned into an entire month later. This is ok, though, since none of you seem to want to keep me updated on what is happening with you. ::glares::
1. We come home in one week and one day. I am SO excited about this. I miss the States. I really, really miss our grocery store.
2. The method of parenting in Italy seems very similar to the popular mode of parenting in the U.S. Basically, allow your children to run wild whenever and wherever it pleases them. Even if you are a librarian, and your three hellions are running amok through the library shrieking and giggling. Apparently it is enough to simply yell "BASTA" every ten seconds, which has no effect other than to increase the noise level. SPANKING IS NOT CRUELTY, IT'S DISCIPLINE. And if you don't get off your lazy ass, I will spank them for you.
3. We went with the whole group to this interesting little restaurant somewhat near the lab this summer. The owner is apparently a hard-core feminist, and when your party is seated, the men are required to report to the kitchen. It is then their duty to set the table, order the food, serve the food, and clear the table. Oh, and she slaps the ones who displease her. It was a fun experience. Luckily, Ben did not get slapped.
4. We managed to take a few side trips this summer, which was necessary to preserve ones sanity. First, we went to this cute beach town, Pineto.
Ok, you don't want/need to know this, but I find I must brag to someone, because it is something I never thought I would ever do. Ocean sex. Like, on a semi-crowded beach. Heh! But it's ok, because I have spared you all such gruesome details in an entire year of marriage, and hell, it was in the OCEAN. Plus, everything seems ok in Italy, and a quick glance around was enough to confirm that other Italians were probably doing the same thing. But heh...that's going on the list. And then later we saw Sorrento/Capri, Florence, and it's off to Rome the two days before we leave. We're going to be broke.
5. It's rather unpleasant being the only Christian in the bunch, since drunken, ill-informed discussions of religion seem to happen rather frequently. One of the new first-years was here this summer, and he very nearly got himself eviscerated by my butter knife.
He was arguing with me that the definition of a fundamentalist Christian is "anyone who actually believes that Jesus resurrected," and a Christian "is anyone who follows the basic moral code taught by Jesus, but who doesn't have to believe Jesus was in any way God." He rather blunted stated his opinion, as fact, that only ignorant morons could possibly believe in Christ. In the same evening, he was mourning for his friend, who was getting married "for the first time" this summer and would only be having missionary-style sex her entire life because she was a "fundamentalist Christian."
Now, I'm not saying that everyone is not entitled to their own opinion, but where does such a complete lack of respect for another person come from? I don't believe in Buddha, but that doesn't mean I would ever speak to someone who did with such contempt for their own belief. One day, he's going to get killed by a radical fundamentalist of some faith, and it will serve him right.
6. The hellions are now having races in rolling desk chairs on the hardwood floors. Which echo. Loudly.
7. Basta!
1. We come home in one week and one day. I am SO excited about this. I miss the States. I really, really miss our grocery store.
2. The method of parenting in Italy seems very similar to the popular mode of parenting in the U.S. Basically, allow your children to run wild whenever and wherever it pleases them. Even if you are a librarian, and your three hellions are running amok through the library shrieking and giggling. Apparently it is enough to simply yell "BASTA" every ten seconds, which has no effect other than to increase the noise level. SPANKING IS NOT CRUELTY, IT'S DISCIPLINE. And if you don't get off your lazy ass, I will spank them for you.
3. We went with the whole group to this interesting little restaurant somewhat near the lab this summer. The owner is apparently a hard-core feminist, and when your party is seated, the men are required to report to the kitchen. It is then their duty to set the table, order the food, serve the food, and clear the table. Oh, and she slaps the ones who displease her. It was a fun experience. Luckily, Ben did not get slapped.
4. We managed to take a few side trips this summer, which was necessary to preserve ones sanity. First, we went to this cute beach town, Pineto.
Ok, you don't want/need to know this, but I find I must brag to someone, because it is something I never thought I would ever do. Ocean sex. Like, on a semi-crowded beach. Heh! But it's ok, because I have spared you all such gruesome details in an entire year of marriage, and hell, it was in the OCEAN. Plus, everything seems ok in Italy, and a quick glance around was enough to confirm that other Italians were probably doing the same thing. But heh...that's going on the list. And then later we saw Sorrento/Capri, Florence, and it's off to Rome the two days before we leave. We're going to be broke.
5. It's rather unpleasant being the only Christian in the bunch, since drunken, ill-informed discussions of religion seem to happen rather frequently. One of the new first-years was here this summer, and he very nearly got himself eviscerated by my butter knife.
He was arguing with me that the definition of a fundamentalist Christian is "anyone who actually believes that Jesus resurrected," and a Christian "is anyone who follows the basic moral code taught by Jesus, but who doesn't have to believe Jesus was in any way God." He rather blunted stated his opinion, as fact, that only ignorant morons could possibly believe in Christ. In the same evening, he was mourning for his friend, who was getting married "for the first time" this summer and would only be having missionary-style sex her entire life because she was a "fundamentalist Christian."
Now, I'm not saying that everyone is not entitled to their own opinion, but where does such a complete lack of respect for another person come from? I don't believe in Buddha, but that doesn't mean I would ever speak to someone who did with such contempt for their own belief. One day, he's going to get killed by a radical fundamentalist of some faith, and it will serve him right.
6. The hellions are now having races in rolling desk chairs on the hardwood floors. Which echo. Loudly.
7. Basta!