Getting An Education.

I attended elementary school a long time ago. In my hometown in Italy. Back then girls had to wear a white smock and boys a black one. I am the one with braids in this photo [first grade class]. Amazingly I actually remember all the first and last names of my elementary school mates. Maybe … Continue reading →

My Weirdest Pet Peeve

Weathermen!!! They act as they were God, “giving” us nice weather for the weekend with their puffed up attitude, or believing we can’t be without them if major weather events come up: a newsman could easily inform us of those with no problem. And they interrupt my favorite shows to tell me what I can … Continue reading →

My Weirdest Pet Peeve

Weathermen!!! They act as they were God, “giving” us nice weather for the weekend with their puffed up attitude, or believing we can’t be without them if major weather events come up: a newsman could easily inform us of those with no problem. And they interrupt my favorite shows to tell me what I can … Continue reading →

What’s My Favorite Summer Memory?

Definitely a summer vacation spent in Palau, Sardinia, in Italy. Definitely.That summer I met my husband. But this is not the only reason that made that summer memory my favorite one…I really felt free and happy that year. I think it was the happiest I’ve ever been. I even remember being conflicted about going or … Continue reading →

Random Dozen

1. Have you ever been so lost that you were really afraid? I remember getting lost looking for an address and another time taking the wrong junction on the highway which made me lose one hour of driving, but I did not get scared; I felt frustrated and irritated, and maybe a little worried for … Continue reading →

Random Dozen

photo by  Declan McCullagh 1. Define a great relationship.One in which you can be yourself at all times: no acting, no pretending, no lying… 2. Why is it called a “drive-through” if you have to stop? (Real question: What was the last food/drink you purchased at a drive-through?)Wendy’s Spicy Chicken Fillet3. As I type this, … Continue reading →

Easter Memories

The Easter bunny was not part of my Easter family celebration when I was little. I grew up in Italy.  Easter in Italian is “Pasqua”, and it is the second most important religious holiday after Christmas. Of course, because Italy is such an overwhelmingly Catholic country, the holiday is all about the remembrance of the passion of Christ. … Continue reading →

Random Dozen

1. On a scale of 1-10, how superstitious are you, honestly?I think I am a 3, there is still that ladder I cannot walk under…. 2. Julius Caesar is quoted as saying, “I came, I saw, I conquered.” Which circumstance or experience of yours does this saying best describe? As a young girl I always dreamed … Continue reading →

4 Wheeled Marina

I learned how to drive in Italy and it was not until I was almost 20 years old. I was not very interested in learning how to drive automobiles, as I enjoyed my scooter too much!I dedicated a whole post [Wheeled Marina] to my history on less-than-4 wheels. In Italy automatic transmission cars were not … Continue reading →

Ode To Oreo

Good bye, little Oreo 1996 – 2009 (12-7-09) Visit Mosaic Monday to view more photo mosaics. Today I am grateful for having shared 13 years of my life with Oreo.

And Happy Birthday To Me, Too

So here I am bragging about it.. I had a great day.  I really felt I was celebrated throughout the day, and I am not saying that because of the gifts I was given; it’s just that the gifts are what I can show in pictures… So here it goes: The flowers  Stephanie sent to me: so … Continue reading →

My Name Is Marina And I Am A Book Sniffer

I have been sniffing books and other paper products, since I was a little girl.I think it is due to the fact that I have always been attracted to all types of stationary objects and books in general, and therefore I spent a lot of time in stores that sell these items when I was … Continue reading →

Quaresima

It’s true: we really appreciate things more when, for some reason, we no longer have them. Of course, like many of us, I experienced this several times in my life, and on many different levels. For example, when I moved to the USA from Italy, I found myself without a whole lot of things I was used … Continue reading →

98 Things Meme

I thought that I would try this meme and maybe discover some things I didn’t know/remember about myself. Things you’ve already done: boldThings you want to do: italiciseThings you haven’t done and don’t want to: leave in plain font Started your own blogSlept under the starsPlayed in a band Visited HawaiiWatched a meteor shower Given … Continue reading →

Notable #1 = Nonsense

I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living, It’s a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope. Which is what I do, And that enables you to laugh at life’s realities. – Dr. Seuss Today I am grateful for nonsense.

Identical Identity

My friend Valerie posted a question on her blog today asking “if we could pick an identity other than ours, what would it be?”I immediately thought it was a cool question, but when I sat there thinking of an answer I really could not think of anyONE I would want to be. I responded that … Continue reading →

Arriva La Befana!

Befana is coming! Today, January 6th, is an observed holiday in Italy, celebrating the day the 3 Magi visited baby Jesus. It is also the last day of the Christmas holidays: tomorrow all kids will be back in school after the long break that began before Christmas! January 6th is also called the day of … Continue reading →

Mamma e Nonni

I remember finding a bunch of negatives in my parents’ attic years ago; they looked so interesting that I decided to print them [I had a dark room, back then, even though I was developing photos very amateurishly]. The negatives were not well kept, they had scratches or acid marks, but I did not care, … Continue reading →

Harmony

“Why resolutions don’t work.The reason most resolutions don’t work is that they address only one level of your life. The DO level. It’s the DO-HAVE-BE model. “I will DO this thing.” (i.e., Lose weight) “So I can HAVE this other thing” (Self-Esteem) and I can BE this thing. (Confident.)The average New Year’s Resolution doesn’t address … Continue reading →

Licorice

I found a box of Finnish Sweet Licorice at TJMaxx and I had to try it.It is so good that I had to dedicate a post to it. I have been a fan of black licorice since I was little. Like every kids in Italy, i used to spend all my Sunday afternoons at the … Continue reading →

Marina, You Finally Did It!

Continuing on the”compliments to myself” challenge. I finally made it to the gym after a looong time. I feel very proud of myself and I hope I’ll keep it up. I did some cardio workout and then swam few laps. It was great! When I got home, I even took Oreo and Loki for a … Continue reading →

Something In The Way She Moves by James Taylor

There is not much to be said about James Taylor other than “he’s just great!”. I have been listening to his ballads for more than 20 years…“Something In The Way She Moves” and the other songs in the album remind me of a friend of mine, Fernando. We used to play these songs non-stop while … Continue reading →

10 Things I Really Like

My friend Valerie recently “suggested” to blog about 10 things I really like. So here goes. This list does not record the things I like the most, just the first 10 THINGS I really like that came to my mind. 1) Good & Plenty candies 2)The moment when, after work, I change into my comfy … Continue reading →