A+ day

Antonello, his family, and I all went to a beautiful beach last Friday, just south of Rome and had a wonderful day playing in the water, kicking around the soccer ball, eating delicious food and.....getting burned. Oh, that part. That definitely wasn't wonderful or is it wonderful to look at my cooked body even today...on Monday.

I know, I know. Didn't you wear sunscreen Sarah? You have such white, delicate skin!! And the answer is YES, I put on so so so much sunscreen but I'm telling you, the sun that day was cookin' everyone. Antonello's shoulders took a beating, and even his aunt and uncle who came along got burnt as well.

On Saturday, I spent all day in bed with a 101 degree temperature feeling like fried chicken...horrible. The good news is that even though I can still see/feel the effects of that hot Friday, I am feeling so much better. I even slept for 6 hours straight last night without having to get up, get some ice, go to the bathroom, drink some water, & pray over my aloe vera bottle.

Today has been quite joyful to say the least. I did both loads of laundry I needed to get done, hung all my clothes out to dry, went to the grocery store and bought some yummy fruit, eggs and stuff to make home-made pasta sauce, made a delicious lunch with penne pasta and marinara with fresh basil and parm cheese, studied for my online TEFL (Teach English as a Foreign Language) certificate, am now updating my blog and later, after my afternoon caffe', study this beautiful language I am surrounded by daily.

Grade for the day: A+

no words

Antonello and I the night before camp ended :(

Antonello and the "American" boys!


Antonello and I with our new friends, Sarah and David


Sarah, Leanne and I

my beautiful Italian loves

I just got back from a week of being a leader for an Italian/American camp with 12 Americans from California and over 50 campers from 3 different churches here in Naples.

Crazy? Yes. Loud? Very. Fun? Of course. Memories to Last a Lifetime? Many.

Are there words? Are there words to describe when God literally picks you up and shakes the chains loose? I was actually dreading this camp; I was dreading trying to survive and spend any more time in Italy with my broken Italian...and on top of still not being able to fully communicate, I was just hoping that Antonello and I would make it out....together.

I am literally staring at my computer screen, shaking my head and feeling so THANKFUL. I wish I could put into words what happened at the Old Mill Camp; I feel so much of it is just something that lives within me now and is a part of how I operate and see the world.

I not only survived, but lived the experience. 12 Americans flew over from Los Altos, California and were critical in leading the program part of camp. From the moment I found out I would be able to spend a week with fellow english speakers, my heart did a little leap...what I didn't expect was the kind of relationships that would be formed during that time as well. It was an absolute joy and answer to prayer to spend day after day with such talented and gifted leaders. We prayed together, ate the most delicious food (every day :)), watched kids make beautiful choices for their lives, played in the hot Italian sun and did it all for God. Nothing is more powerful than that.

A definite blessing my new American friends were to me during camp, but the way I connected with my new culture as well left me floored. My Italian grew in leaps and bounds and the love and appreciation I have for this country and for these beautiful campers/students/friends is overflowing. Antonello and I were able to spend time with about 20 of them last night for a little reunion, and you could feel the growth between us all; what a gift.

As for Antonello and I...well...I have never felt such respect, appreciation, admiration and love for another man. I saw him become this amazing leader, not only with the campers but with the staff as well. I have always been a little worried in the back of my mind if Antonello would fit in America, if we move over there. The answer I got was loud and clear; ABSOLUTELY. It was such a joy to watch him laugh and grow and be able to share this experience together.

At one point during the week, one of the American leaders, Sarah, ran outside to find me because she had to show me something. Antonello and Sarah were on the same team together and their group was in charge of cleaning the kitchen that night. Sarah grabbed my hand and led me to the kitchen where I poked my head in and saw Antonello's whole team dancing to the radio while doing the dishes. Antonello had his back to me and was in his own world, shaking his little booty while drying the silverware. Of course, I joined in the dancing and will always have that beautiful smile on Antonello's face in my mind.

As Antonello and I got home last Saturday, we had 3 bags of laundry (which took 2 days to do!) and tears in our eyes. It was incredible.

Not only do I get to live with camp in my heart, I had an interview with an English language school yesterday and am now a registered teacher there. I will be able to give individual lessons as well as travel to different schools throughout Naples to prepare students for exams or even to provide english teaching to people in the business world. There is no set schedule as of yet and there are other teachers that have first priority, seeing that they have worked there longer, but I am not going to let that discourage me. I trust in God and I know opportunities will open for me just the same. For the rest of the summer, I enrolled in an online course to be certified to teach English as a second language so that will keep me busy until September rolls around to begin! :)

a sneak peek

"Old Mill Camp 2009"

It has been WAY TOO LONG since my last post so here is a picture of what I have been up to this past week and a half and I promise an actual post will be coming soon!

edible art

I am continually amazed by Franco, Antonello's dad, when he uses his exceptional artist skills and creates these delicious pieces of edible art. I better watch next time! :)

buckets and food :o)

The first video was from yesterday as I was hanging my clothes out to dry. All of a sudden, a rope with a bucket tied on it flew down from nowhere (well, from a couple stories up) and landed on the street below to catch some much needed items. I caught the bucket just as it was heading home. :) What fun to live in Italy....

The second is a video that speaks for itself. I gotta get started if I want to cook like grammy!!!!

living

The best beginning to each of my days in Italy is to make myself a hot little cup of espresso. It was my first Sunday alone at my house today because I am usually with Antonello and his family for a busy day of church, a HUGE lunch and a soccer game. But on this day, on this glorious day, I was here by myself and loved each moment of the quiet streets and cool wind running across my balcony.

After waking up to no power and then having it restored at 9 a.m., I was able to get in 2 loads of laundry...there is nothing like clothes hung out to dry by the golden sun. If you take a close look, Antonello and I put up a yellow mosquito net to keep those little rascals out at night. I currently have 11 bites on my feet alone. Grrr....


After journaling and a little "soul searching" (much needed with being so far away from home, not working, and stress upon stress), I looked out towards the sea and found the most beautiful clouds that ended one of my most peaceful days I have had since I have been here. It was a pure gift from God.
This little photo, which wasn't exactly from today, is a photo taken from the most beautiful park overlooking Napoli. I included this pic because I am ending my day dreaming tonight...of being with a certain someone on a certain day wearing certain clothes with all of it happening at this certain park. We'll see...buona notte. (good-night)

Positano

Antonello, 4 visiting Americans, 3 Italian brothers and myself all took a trip down the Amalfi coast to visit one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen, Positano. Don't get me started on how dumb I am because I forgot my camera but we ended taking some pics on Antonello's phone which we haven't uploaded yet. We ended up catching the last bit of sun while walking through the narrow streets filled with little shops and restaurants; it was quite magical. By the time we reached the center of the little city which is located right on the sea, it was already dark outside so the picture above gives a very clear picture of what I saw that night.

I have to go back during the day...WITH my camera! :) Now, to figure out a way to start earning some money because I have walked past too many beautiful, Italian clothes that I can't quite get my hands on. Oh, and rent. :)