Large trucks and fireworks??

So sorry its been a while, we've finally gotten into a groove of a normal routine over here and I can say its pretty nice. I was feeling a little crazy with the whole unemployment business! We've been getting out and about every weekend and every once and a while can get somewhere without getting lost! But let me catch you up on a few things;

Our home: We finally have all of our belongings! It was like christmas and torture on the same day. It's so nice to have our bed and couch and other comfort items. However, we packed up our good ole American 3 bedroom home with a garage and shipped it here to our 2 bdrm Italian apartment with no basement, no attic, no garage, and ONE closet. Thats right folks, ONE. In the whole place. So our living room and kitchen are pretty well unpacked, but our extra bathroom and extra bedroom are a makeshift garage/storage. We can't wait for visitors, but please give us plenty of notice so we can sell half of our belongings. We've discovered that we have a pretty awesome rose garden in the back, and another family pet.



Vehicles: The volvo is doing great, we've been carpooling to work on base everyday which is somewhat of a pain because our hours don't always match up, so as of this week we are now the proud owners of a 1999 Lancia Y. Your standard European teeny tiny crap box. Just to give you some perspective, my car gets 240 HP. Gabes new ride- 56 HP. It will be a big adjustment for him coming from his big truck! Haha. Pictures soon to follow.

My job: Started last week. I work for the Fleet and Family Support Center on base. Most larger military bases have one. Its a collection of social services including counseling, parenting support, life skills, advocacy programs and deployment support. So far I am totally loving it. All of my coworkers are friendly, helpful, professional and a pleasure to work with. I think its going to be great! My role is a home visitor with the new parent support program, offering education, suport and resources to new Moms on infant care etc. Its a little different for me, but a good challenge and very rewarding.

Traveling- Two weeks ago we visited the village of AciTrezza. Its a small fishing village and its beautiful. The three rocks are the Island of Cyclops and are very famous in Greek Mythology we are told. The town is only about 30 min from us and has lots of great seafood places to eat.





Last weekend we visited Taormina and did all of our christmas shopping. It is by far my favorite city. It is so clean and beautiful, you feel as though you are walking through Epcot or something. It is one of the more touristy areas of the island, so many restaraunts are open all day ( usually places do not open until 8pm, it is hard to find a place to eat lunch in most towns). This is where most scenes for the "Godfather" were flimed and where celebrities come when they come to Sicily. Its about 45 north of us on the coast.






Holidays: We spent Thanksgiving with friends from Gabe's kennel, and had a really good time. We will probably do something similar for xmas. Its nice because everyone is in the same boat, as far as being away from family, so people really bond together and support each other for the holidays. Our town where we live is also preparing for the holidays with some traditions we just can not figure out. Every morning since last weekend there are fireworks. Big, loud, booming fireworks, at 5am. Today they brought in about 30 tractor trailer trucks, and set them up in the town center square . Almost like a car show? Everyone gathered around and looked at the trucks. ( Think : Target or Shaws delivery trucks. On display) There were no food vendors or anything else, just trucks. And people looking at the trucks. Merry christmas.

All and all we are still adjusting well, missing some modern conveniences of the states, but enjoying every minute of this awesome experience. Today we went through the Drive in at the Mcdonalds just to order fountain sodas because I haven't had one in two months. With the exchange rate, I think I paid about 4 dollars for a medium diet coke. On the other hand, I paid about 3 dollars for a half carafe of red wine last night. I promise to post more often from here on out!!!