According to the French, Santa Claus comes from Finland! I found this out when my french friend Noemie happened to mention it, after which I mentioned that she was crazy because he was from the North Pole...
Very interesting!!!!
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Very Interesting and Very True
Today on MSN there was this article entitled "10 reasons to give thanks to women".... I read it out of curiosity, I don't always agree with what is said because they are usually extreme generalizations... however, this article spoke to me in a way that these types of articles normally don't. In fact, I found it so relevant, to myself at least, that I decided to post the reasons here.... Here we go:
"1. Like it or not, we groom you for a real relationship
Whether it’s the mom who taught you to respect us, the sister who told you our secrets, or even the last girl who dumped you because you weren't ready to settle down, the women in your life help to shape you into the best man you can possibly be. So that when you meet The One, you’ll be ready, willing and able. "
This is fairly true, I mean think about it... we always give our guy friends advice... in my case, with regards to a certain friend, I am brutally honest and blunt. I like to think this gives him a slight insight into women's minds!
"2. We’re sympathetic
Before we try to solve the problem (as men tend to do), we acknowledge it. We say things like: “That must have hard for you seeing your friend get the promotion instead of you—how do you feel about it?” It may not seem like much, but a world without women’s compassion and understanding would be a pretty cold place."
This is extremely true. I can't even count how many times I've said "wow, that's horrible, how are you dealing with that?" or something along those lines, while from a male the response would have been "wow, what are you going to do about it?" which offers no sympathy, no mention of the other persons feelings....
"3. We’re extraordinary ego-boosters
If it seems as though women are forever fishing for compliments, it’s because they’re nice to hear, especially when they’re sincere. That’s why we dole them out—about how handsome you look in that suit, how awesome you are at air hockey, how mind-blowing you are in bed, et cetera."
Soooo true! I am always giving Antonio compliments, and I mean them, I dole them out constantly and willingly... I like to make him feel good about himself.....
"4. We’re soft
Soft hair, soft lips, soft skin… and so forth. All in all, it’s a pretty huggable package."
This is also true. Antonio makes fun of the fact that every time I get out of the shower I spend a good chunk of time, when I have it, putting on lotion.....it's so #1 I smell good and #2 so I am soft! So there!!!!
"5. We keep your social life hopping
Before there were Palm Pilots, there were women. We organize, we schedule, we remember. Admit it—you get out a whole lot more and have a more interesting life when you’re dating someone who wants to do something besides sit home and watch TV all the time."
I will admit that I am a bit of a homebody, but it is true that if it wasn't for me Antonio wouldn't travel as much as he does!
"6. We listen
The stereotype of woman as chatterbox is unfair. OK, scratch that—we do love to talk. But not in a vacuum. That’s why we’re always urging you to talk; we believe in communication and that means we want to listen, too. Go ahead, open up—tell us what you were like as a little kid and how you plan to save the world."
I do love to talk.... a lot, but I am an amazing listener too!
"7. We have a civilizing influence
Yes, you probably could survive in a bachelor pad adorned with nothing but a TV and a six-pack in the fridge. But once a woman enters the picture, prepare to see some improvements even if you’re not living together yet. Due to our nest-feathering instincts, we strategically place pillows, search for thick, absorbent bath towels, and not only use sheets but change them regularly. Ahhhh! "
Oh dear lord... this couldn't be more true!!!! Antonio had been living in our first apartment for over 3 years when I moved in and the only thin on the walls was a calendar, within a week of me having moved in the entire room was decorated... when his parents came to visit his mom commented, "it's obvious that there is a girl living here now". In our new apartment I decorated right away and he always comments on how nice it looks and how much he likes it... yea that's because I have that feminine touch! I like the house clean, and I change the sheets somewhere between every week to every 2.5 weeks, depending on the weather, whereas Antonio would change them like once a month, if that!!!! Gross!
"8. We inspire you to shoot for gold
Think it’s an accident the Muses were all women? Somebody’s got to encourage your rock opera, psyche you up before that job interview, and root for your basketball team. We do it because we recognize your potential and know you can achieve your goals. And we want to cheer you on."
I am Antonio's very personal cheerleader. I always cheer him on and let him know that if he puts his mind to it, he can achieve his goals!
"9. We make worthy opponents
Yeah, yeah, we’re soft and sweet most of the time. But engage us in battle, and we will tear your #%$^@ing head off. So be thankful — be very, very thankful — that we like you right now."
Females are the most cruel species I know of... Not only are we able to engage in physical battle, but our specialty is psychological war tactics.... and not only do we know your week points, but we aren't afraid to use them!
"10. If you want kids someday, we’re usually willing to have them
And the labor pains. And the stretch marks. And in between, the periods. You’re welcome."
Enough said!
"1. Like it or not, we groom you for a real relationship
Whether it’s the mom who taught you to respect us, the sister who told you our secrets, or even the last girl who dumped you because you weren't ready to settle down, the women in your life help to shape you into the best man you can possibly be. So that when you meet The One, you’ll be ready, willing and able. "
This is fairly true, I mean think about it... we always give our guy friends advice... in my case, with regards to a certain friend, I am brutally honest and blunt. I like to think this gives him a slight insight into women's minds!
"2. We’re sympathetic
Before we try to solve the problem (as men tend to do), we acknowledge it. We say things like: “That must have hard for you seeing your friend get the promotion instead of you—how do you feel about it?” It may not seem like much, but a world without women’s compassion and understanding would be a pretty cold place."
This is extremely true. I can't even count how many times I've said "wow, that's horrible, how are you dealing with that?" or something along those lines, while from a male the response would have been "wow, what are you going to do about it?" which offers no sympathy, no mention of the other persons feelings....
"3. We’re extraordinary ego-boosters
If it seems as though women are forever fishing for compliments, it’s because they’re nice to hear, especially when they’re sincere. That’s why we dole them out—about how handsome you look in that suit, how awesome you are at air hockey, how mind-blowing you are in bed, et cetera."
Soooo true! I am always giving Antonio compliments, and I mean them, I dole them out constantly and willingly... I like to make him feel good about himself.....
"4. We’re soft
Soft hair, soft lips, soft skin… and so forth. All in all, it’s a pretty huggable package."
This is also true. Antonio makes fun of the fact that every time I get out of the shower I spend a good chunk of time, when I have it, putting on lotion.....it's so #1 I smell good and #2 so I am soft! So there!!!!
"5. We keep your social life hopping
Before there were Palm Pilots, there were women. We organize, we schedule, we remember. Admit it—you get out a whole lot more and have a more interesting life when you’re dating someone who wants to do something besides sit home and watch TV all the time."
I will admit that I am a bit of a homebody, but it is true that if it wasn't for me Antonio wouldn't travel as much as he does!
"6. We listen
The stereotype of woman as chatterbox is unfair. OK, scratch that—we do love to talk. But not in a vacuum. That’s why we’re always urging you to talk; we believe in communication and that means we want to listen, too. Go ahead, open up—tell us what you were like as a little kid and how you plan to save the world."
I do love to talk.... a lot, but I am an amazing listener too!
"7. We have a civilizing influence
Yes, you probably could survive in a bachelor pad adorned with nothing but a TV and a six-pack in the fridge. But once a woman enters the picture, prepare to see some improvements even if you’re not living together yet. Due to our nest-feathering instincts, we strategically place pillows, search for thick, absorbent bath towels, and not only use sheets but change them regularly. Ahhhh! "
Oh dear lord... this couldn't be more true!!!! Antonio had been living in our first apartment for over 3 years when I moved in and the only thin on the walls was a calendar, within a week of me having moved in the entire room was decorated... when his parents came to visit his mom commented, "it's obvious that there is a girl living here now". In our new apartment I decorated right away and he always comments on how nice it looks and how much he likes it... yea that's because I have that feminine touch! I like the house clean, and I change the sheets somewhere between every week to every 2.5 weeks, depending on the weather, whereas Antonio would change them like once a month, if that!!!! Gross!
"8. We inspire you to shoot for gold
Think it’s an accident the Muses were all women? Somebody’s got to encourage your rock opera, psyche you up before that job interview, and root for your basketball team. We do it because we recognize your potential and know you can achieve your goals. And we want to cheer you on."
I am Antonio's very personal cheerleader. I always cheer him on and let him know that if he puts his mind to it, he can achieve his goals!
"9. We make worthy opponents
Yeah, yeah, we’re soft and sweet most of the time. But engage us in battle, and we will tear your #%$^@ing head off. So be thankful — be very, very thankful — that we like you right now."
Females are the most cruel species I know of... Not only are we able to engage in physical battle, but our specialty is psychological war tactics.... and not only do we know your week points, but we aren't afraid to use them!
"10. If you want kids someday, we’re usually willing to have them
And the labor pains. And the stretch marks. And in between, the periods. You’re welcome."
Enough said!
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
I feel bad about complaining
So, as the title of this post suggests, I feel kind of bad about the fact that I complained so much about having to be up early yesterday. I still think it sucks that I woke up so early for nothing, but it seems insignificant now that I know the reason the professor didnt show up is because his brother died! Poor professor, and he seems so sweet and the class is actually pretty interesting. This professor not only came out of retirement to teach this class, but he is also doing it for free, due to some beaurocratic difficulties... so he isn't just doing it because he has to, he really wants to teach this class... and he already called on me twice in class today after he found out I was American, not in an 'Im going to pick on her' kind of way... but to ask me if what he was saying applied to American "communities" or to translate the word 'hobo', which he knew what the translation was, but he asked me anyway...Now I know I have to be on my toes and make sure I don't make an idiot out of myself... but there are only about 20 of us in the class, if that, and almost all the people in this class were in my class last module, so it's nice.... I get a feeling I am going to be seeing the same faces a lot in the next 2 years!
So moral of the story: don't assume the prof. just didn't want to come or was trying to make your life more difficult (it happens out here) and I have to make sure to pay attention in class so he doesn't catch me off guard
I think I am really going to like this class!
So moral of the story: don't assume the prof. just didn't want to come or was trying to make your life more difficult (it happens out here) and I have to make sure to pay attention in class so he doesn't catch me off guard
I think I am really going to like this class!
Monday, November 12, 2007
I am going to freeze to death
Just one last thing, since I am in a bitchy venting mood.... the weather out here is not OK.....
It should not be 2 degrees Celsius when I leave at almost 9am to go to class.....that is just not acceptable for my So. Cal raised body... I thought Davis used to get cold... well 2 degrees is freezing, literally... if it were to rain at the moment at 2 degrees celsius it would freeze and become snow. This is bullshit! Don't even get me started on how cold it is at night... this week they predicted lows of -10!!!!!
My body is feeling it too, my lips are super cracked, even though I slather on Chapstick (the good kind too, the medicated kind), everytime I step outside and throughout the day too. My hands are super dry and one of the looked like it was almost going to start bleeding the other day, my skin is super dry ... so no everytime I come home the first thing I do is slather on lotion on any body part that was exposed to the cold... and I started getting dandruff, because of the cold apparently... it's GROSS... but I'be noticed almost everyone has it out here, at least mine isn't visible if I wash my hair daily, but I was trying to wash it every other day, guess that isn't going to work! I noticed it last year too, as soon as the weather gets freezing my body really starts acting up, I guess I'm just not used to it.... because as soon as it warms up just a bit everything goes back to normal. The scary thing is that it gets colder out here.... a lot colder, it's barely November... January and February are going to be brutal!
For all my U.S. based friends, ie people who don't have to deal with the metric system... 2degrees Celsius would probably be mid- to low- 30's... and I'll just let you imagine what -10 would be.... the idea of what it is in Farenheit pains me!
It should not be 2 degrees Celsius when I leave at almost 9am to go to class.....that is just not acceptable for my So. Cal raised body... I thought Davis used to get cold... well 2 degrees is freezing, literally... if it were to rain at the moment at 2 degrees celsius it would freeze and become snow. This is bullshit! Don't even get me started on how cold it is at night... this week they predicted lows of -10!!!!!
My body is feeling it too, my lips are super cracked, even though I slather on Chapstick (the good kind too, the medicated kind), everytime I step outside and throughout the day too. My hands are super dry and one of the looked like it was almost going to start bleeding the other day, my skin is super dry ... so no everytime I come home the first thing I do is slather on lotion on any body part that was exposed to the cold... and I started getting dandruff, because of the cold apparently... it's GROSS... but I'be noticed almost everyone has it out here, at least mine isn't visible if I wash my hair daily, but I was trying to wash it every other day, guess that isn't going to work! I noticed it last year too, as soon as the weather gets freezing my body really starts acting up, I guess I'm just not used to it.... because as soon as it warms up just a bit everything goes back to normal. The scary thing is that it gets colder out here.... a lot colder, it's barely November... January and February are going to be brutal!
For all my U.S. based friends, ie people who don't have to deal with the metric system... 2degrees Celsius would probably be mid- to low- 30's... and I'll just let you imagine what -10 would be.... the idea of what it is in Farenheit pains me!
I woke up early for nothing/ I STILL don't understand the Italian Uni. system
The second module of classes started today. I had class this morning at 9am, I woke up at a quarter to 8 and did my hair and my make-up, got dressed, ate breakfast and was out the door by 8:45ish....I get to my dept. and I go and check the announcements board, usually if a Prof. decides to cancel a class or the entire course (it's happened) they put up an announcement on the board to let students know.... so I'm looking at all the orange announcements, and trying to see if my course is up there... I don't see it so I go to find the classroom... I know it is room 105 so I know it is going to be on the first floor (out in Europe the floor when you first walk in is the Ground Floor, the first floor up is the First floor and so on). I climb the stairs and see room 108, 112, 115, and so on, but not room 105, so I finally had to ask someone, and they go oh are you doing that course with Gubert, I say yes, and he goes... class has been cancelled for today, there's an announcement.... so I woke up early for nothing today... I go back to the announcement board, and sure enough on the corner on WHITE paper (all the announcement are on ORANGE paper) there is announcement saying class has been cancelled for today... it doesn't say anything about tomorrow... so hopefully I won't wake up for nothing tomorrow too.
I get so frustrated with the school system out here. When I studied abroad the system was different for us Americans because the regular Uni. rules didn't apply to us. So it is really hard to have to figure it out on my own. Compared to the school system out here the American University system holds our hands through the whole process...
*Out here each department is like their own mini-university... the rules for the engineering dept. are not the same for the soc dept. and so on... it's like these mini-universities put together make the whole University... but they all have their own rules and regulations to follow, so just because your friend in the letters and philosophy dept. can do something doesn't mean I can, since I am in a different dept. (facolta').
*Most Professors don't hand out a syllabus, you have to find it online... that's something I noticed you have to search for everything here, hunt it down, nothing is spelled out clearly for you like it is in the states. The "syllabus", and I use the term loosely, you do find doesn't have any contact info for the prof. and they don't offer it up during class. I had to actually stop my professor after class and ask when his office hours were, and the response was... all my information is online... So, I went online and looked and his information was NOT online, at least not where I could find it, so I had to stop him and ask again after the next class and finally he told me... thursday from 11-1....how hard was that? You couldn't just tel me that last time I asked.
*There are no class study sessions for exams, there are no handouts to help you out with focussing on what you should be studying for the exam, there are no midterms, and mostly oral exams... so the whole outcome of the course depends on your 20-30 minute oral exam... and for someone who has never really had to do oral exams that is not only frustrating, but also terrifying.
*I freak out about the idea of not passing an exam, while most Italians take the attitude of "well, you'll pass it next time". That's because here in Italy you can take an exam as many times as you want. They have different exam periods and if you didn't pass the exam in exam period 1, then you can try and take the exam again during exam period 2, and so on. When I tell Italians that in the U.S. you generally only take a course once, and if you fail you have to take the whole course over again, not just the final exam they are completely shocked, the idea blows them away, it's unfathomable out here.
*This is more specifically aimed at the Soc dept and more spefically at my specialty... I am a first year in my specialty, and they won't let me take any second year exams which wouldn't be a problem except that they have really shitty planning. I only had 1 course last module, and only 1 this module (technically there is another course, but it is offered during the time that I work, so I am going to take the exam 'Non frequentante', which means I'm taking the exam w/o attending the course)... so 1 course every module sounds great... but then next semester.... the 1st module of the 2nd semester I have like 7 or 8 courses and ditto for the 2nd module.... I mean come on people spread it out... this is really shitty planning. I wanted to try to get that course for the second year out of the way, but they won't even give me the opportunity to register for the exam, it's not like there is a pre-req course from the 1st year coursework for this course, there are no pre-req's and it has nothing to do with the other courses, so why can't I take it if it is going to help me out in the long run? It's so frustrating, I am going to go to the class today anyway and try to talk to the professor and see if he will cut me some slack and let me take the exam and then freeze my grade and not register it until next year... I doubt he'll do it, but it's worth a shot!
I'm just annoyed and frustrated because I don't fully understand the school system out here!
Oh and one last thing, I really want to get these exams out of the way, because I am going to have make-up credits to do since I didn't get my B.A. out here, which is ridiculous, but those are the rules... I don't know how many make-up credits I am going to have to take... but I'm sure I won't be able to graduate in 2 years, probably more like 3 or 3.5 years.... They're supposed to send me a letter sometime this month letting me know how many credits I have to make-up. Stupd Italian school system! Grad School is hard enough without this extra stress!
I get so frustrated with the school system out here. When I studied abroad the system was different for us Americans because the regular Uni. rules didn't apply to us. So it is really hard to have to figure it out on my own. Compared to the school system out here the American University system holds our hands through the whole process...
*Out here each department is like their own mini-university... the rules for the engineering dept. are not the same for the soc dept. and so on... it's like these mini-universities put together make the whole University... but they all have their own rules and regulations to follow, so just because your friend in the letters and philosophy dept. can do something doesn't mean I can, since I am in a different dept. (facolta').
*Most Professors don't hand out a syllabus, you have to find it online... that's something I noticed you have to search for everything here, hunt it down, nothing is spelled out clearly for you like it is in the states. The "syllabus", and I use the term loosely, you do find doesn't have any contact info for the prof. and they don't offer it up during class. I had to actually stop my professor after class and ask when his office hours were, and the response was... all my information is online... So, I went online and looked and his information was NOT online, at least not where I could find it, so I had to stop him and ask again after the next class and finally he told me... thursday from 11-1....how hard was that? You couldn't just tel me that last time I asked.
*There are no class study sessions for exams, there are no handouts to help you out with focussing on what you should be studying for the exam, there are no midterms, and mostly oral exams... so the whole outcome of the course depends on your 20-30 minute oral exam... and for someone who has never really had to do oral exams that is not only frustrating, but also terrifying.
*I freak out about the idea of not passing an exam, while most Italians take the attitude of "well, you'll pass it next time". That's because here in Italy you can take an exam as many times as you want. They have different exam periods and if you didn't pass the exam in exam period 1, then you can try and take the exam again during exam period 2, and so on. When I tell Italians that in the U.S. you generally only take a course once, and if you fail you have to take the whole course over again, not just the final exam they are completely shocked, the idea blows them away, it's unfathomable out here.
*This is more specifically aimed at the Soc dept and more spefically at my specialty... I am a first year in my specialty, and they won't let me take any second year exams which wouldn't be a problem except that they have really shitty planning. I only had 1 course last module, and only 1 this module (technically there is another course, but it is offered during the time that I work, so I am going to take the exam 'Non frequentante', which means I'm taking the exam w/o attending the course)... so 1 course every module sounds great... but then next semester.... the 1st module of the 2nd semester I have like 7 or 8 courses and ditto for the 2nd module.... I mean come on people spread it out... this is really shitty planning. I wanted to try to get that course for the second year out of the way, but they won't even give me the opportunity to register for the exam, it's not like there is a pre-req course from the 1st year coursework for this course, there are no pre-req's and it has nothing to do with the other courses, so why can't I take it if it is going to help me out in the long run? It's so frustrating, I am going to go to the class today anyway and try to talk to the professor and see if he will cut me some slack and let me take the exam and then freeze my grade and not register it until next year... I doubt he'll do it, but it's worth a shot!
I'm just annoyed and frustrated because I don't fully understand the school system out here!
Oh and one last thing, I really want to get these exams out of the way, because I am going to have make-up credits to do since I didn't get my B.A. out here, which is ridiculous, but those are the rules... I don't know how many make-up credits I am going to have to take... but I'm sure I won't be able to graduate in 2 years, probably more like 3 or 3.5 years.... They're supposed to send me a letter sometime this month letting me know how many credits I have to make-up. Stupd Italian school system! Grad School is hard enough without this extra stress!
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
I am right..... as always
Words uttered from Antonio's mouth just now..... "you are right, as always" he said it, and now he can't take it back... it's out there....
I am right.....ALWAYS
I am right.....ALWAYS
I'm an idiot!!!!
Folks, don't clean your vases by stuffing your sponge down them! This is a lesson I learned today. I was washing the dishes and I had to clean a vase that had been recently used, this vase is rather small so I took the sponge and stuffed it own there with a knife, but was then unable to get it out! Antonio and I tried everything, we tried with a knife, a fork, pliers, 2 knives at the same time. Antonio told me I shoudl just break the vase, but I wasn't about to do that, it's made out of Murano glass and I paid a nice price for it, then he said I should just leave the sponge in there, which I couldn't do because then it would get all stinky... so finally after about half an hour of struggling I managed to get it out!!!!
So, the moral of the story is to not clean your vases by stuffing a sponge down them unless you are 100% you are going to be able to get it out after!
So, the moral of the story is to not clean your vases by stuffing a sponge down them unless you are 100% you are going to be able to get it out after!
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