Very Important Information:

Here is some catchup on my part. I have been meaning to share these pictures for some time. Speaking of which, they sell ketchup and mayo in a douple container here, where they both squeeze out at once. Perfect for all your nausea inducing meals!

Anyways, I have some things to say. First of all, this:

These trucks are everywhere. Mostly they are driven by young men. They are often pimped out in awesome colours with stickers and other add on's. Apparently they stunt and race with them. But, I would like to point out this is the equivilent of Canadian youth using a tricycle with a tin can on top and a lawn-mower motor. They are junk and they are loud and they are often seen on the side of the road with someone beside it scratching their head. Everytime I see them they make me laugh. As in, haha, why is this thing street legal?

Also, speaking of cars, I have been trying to get some pictures of nice cars. Specifically for Beth, but also anyone else who will appreciate them. Leo loves cars. He will stop long enough for me to walk three blocks. He talks about them ALL the time. However, and I am not making this up, they actually move to fast for me to get my camera and take a picture. I will persist, however.

Secondly, a bit about male fashion:

I took this picture for two reasons. One, the United Colors of Benetton. I do not know if I have mentions this already, but they are everywhere. About 3 in Urbino alone, and Urbino is small. I went to check some prices and they aren't cheap! Many of the shirts just have "United Colors of Benetton" written across it. I hate that. Who pays 40 euros to be a billboard?

The second reason I took this is that lovely guy in the pink. This lovely guy and his lovely popped collar. Now, I know this was a hit when I left Canada, and it is definately a hit here. But c'mon. How long can people continue to walk around looking like fools? Seriously. I mean it is kind of helpful because I know who to avoid making friends with. But these popped collars are everywhere and they come with a chauch (Spelling? That's how I would spell it) guy attached. Another thing you should all be on the lookout for is everybodies favourite male hair style: The Rattail. It seems to be making a comeback. Leo cannot wait for his to grow and I cannot wait to cut it off in his sleep. I am not saying I will avoid friendship with these people. I mean, it is just a hairstyle and they are just being expressive. I like that. In fact, I applaud that. I just think, that for what it's worth, it looks stupid. And it may be popular in Canada by the time I get back. I will have more on the Italian Fashion world as time goes by. I just need to take some more pervy pictures.

Thirdly, a bit about directions:

I am often stopped in the street and asked for directions. The first 18 times I just said, "Scusa, poco Italiano, mi dispiace." I tend to look like a local, especially when I am carting the girls around. I mean, I am a local, but not a real one. On that note, I see the same people all the time. I know who is not just a tourist. It is truly a small town and I know the cooks, the students, the gelato makers, the butchers, the grocers, the teachers, the bus drivers, the cute maintenence guys that work on my building, the servers and the parents. Anyways, today, a girl asked me for directions and I understood! It was pretty awesome to point her in the right direction. I was on my way to the linguistic centre. I have finally figured out my classes and I start on Tuesday. I also have some small conversations with the mothers at the girls' school. They are all quite nice and they know I am Canadian and an Au Pair for Alessandra. I tell them I am from ovest (West) Canada. They all usually go "ohhh", and then they ask me something else on another topic because they do not know anything about the west of Canada. Only Toronto, I have discovered. I get asked often if I am from Toronto.

Fourthly, and finally, a moment for my habits:

As many of you know, I have horrible habits. I peel my feet, chew my nails, bite my pens, scratch my scabs and pick my ears. Now, I do not know if it is because I am hyper sensitive of my manners, such as eating with my hands as the children have picked up from me and therefore we both must stop, or if it is the climate or if I just don't have time, but for the most part, I have quit many bad habits. I have not picked at my feet since I got here. Now, I often wear shoes. I have no sandals and we wear shoes in the house so I never really get the chance, but still. I will say I have quit. I am currently on the go for quitting the chewing of my poor nails. I have chewed them for as long as I can remember. Things are going well. I file them everyday and I bought some clear polish to keep them underwraps, so to say. Wish me luck! I really feel that this experience (the trip, not quitting the nails) will make me a better person, but only if I use it properly. I am improving my language skills, my frame of mind, my view of the world and why not bump in some physical improvement, too? I though, I have eight more months and I may as well use them on every level possible. But then I though, why could I not just do this at home? Say, in nine months, I will have quit chewing my nails and grown my hair how I like it and make my body look like I want it to. Then a person can take time, instead of rushing like the world wants you to, to make healthy, personal choices. I think for me, I started a whole new routine, and therefore I can do what I want with it, but at home, it is hard to change one thing, since it is connected with everything else around you.

I suppose what I am trying to say is we should all set long term goals, don't rush them but stick with them. I am not expecting results tomorrow or the next day, but maybe when I come home I will have completed what I wanted to complete. Physical or otherwise. If you want to quit something or start something by the time I get back, let me know. I think it might be fun to do it together. We've got 8 months.

Anyways, I have to go walk Bella. Oh! But first, I finally had a beer. I have not had one since I left Canada. It was a German beer and it was very tasty. Good with a salty croissant at my new favourite cafe! You should all drink a beer today. Take that good Canadian stuff for granted!

Cheers to you.

Ciao.