A new year...

I guess that a lot hasn't change in three years, I spent new years eve 2006 in Italy pretty much the same way that I did new years eve 2010 in Toronto, with great friends, good food and board games...good times!

Reading this week's email made me laugh and cry...

I remember not looking forward to Christmas in Italy, I was worried about not being at "home" in Canada. I was without MY friends, MY church to go to on Christmas eve and the rest of MY family. I guess now I realize how special that Christmas really was. It was up to me to make Christmas great, I had the power to make it what I wanted it to be. I bought the tree (not an easy task in a country that doesn't sell evergreen trees on every corner), I picked out the ornaments, I bought and wrapped all of the gifts and I made the turkey dinner (again not easy in a country that doesn't "do" turkey dinners, let's just say there was no cranberry sauce). It was an amazing growing experience, no longer was it someone else's idea of Christmas, it was mine.

It would also end up being the last Christmas that I would spend with the Nonna. I laughed when I read the email and remembered how excited she was when Dad opened the scrapbook I made for him, she was like a 5 year old helping him rip open the wrapping paper. She truly was more excited about his gift than she was about her's. It is sad for me to realize that this year was the first Christmas without her around, there were no Christmas day phone calls wishing her a merry Christmas, even if you weren't sure that she knew which kid you were or if she could hear what you were saying! She was the beautiful, strong, stubborn matriarch of our family and I miss her every day.

JS

Week 13-Ringing in the New Year
January 3, 2006
Happy New Year all, I hope that this email finds you all enjoying day number 3 of 2006! Here's to a great year of prosperity, joy, love and fun times.
We had a quiet Christmas here at home. Dad and I did a whirl wind tour to visit relatives and give them gifts on Christmas Eve. Nonna didn't join us because she didn't feel like she could go out. We opened gifts Christmas morning before I went to church and then we had a typical Italian Christmas meal of tortellini in broth. I gave Dad a scrapbook of all of his old photos. He totally loved it. He has shown it to every visitor we've had since he got it. We were going to have lunch with family on Christmas day but didn't end up going. All in all it was good but took some getting used to as it was a very different one than any I have ever had. It is all part of the experience.
We had my friends from church here for lunch on Boxing Day. I made a complete turkey dinner. The turkey didn't look pretty but it sure tasted good. I have to say it went really well especially for my first turkey dinner. The family I invited really enjoyed our time together and getting to know Nonna and Dad. Dad was my assistant all day, it was so fun. He did all of the jobs that I usually do when we have company like setting the table.
The week in between Christmas and New Years yielded little excitement. I spent one day in Carpi hanging out with friends. We played the board game that I got some of you hooked on before I left called "The Settlers of Catan". I got the Italian version for Christmas. Other than that the week was pretty normal.
I spent the weekend in the mountains to ring in the New Year. It was so beautiful, like nothing I have ever seen. The company was also great. It was fun to get to know new people. The weather in the mountains is very similar to T.O. It was cold but dry so if totally felt like home!
We spent some time at the ski hill and chalet. I didn't ski because I don't really like to but I did enjoy sitting in the sun and people watching, one of my favourite past times. New Years Eve was excellent. We had a five course meal before we rang in the New Year with champagne and dancing. I even stayed up until 2:30am, can you believe it?
We also played my new board game in the mountains. Now everyone that played it there is also hooked!
Nonna is doing much better these days. Yesterday when I returned from the mountains she was walking around without her walker. She is a little unsteady on her feet still so I encouraged her to use a can so she won't fall. That is all we need.
She went to the hospital today for a check up and everything went well. Her foot is healing well it looks like we are on the road to recovery.
Well that is all from me for now. I must go prepare for my English lesson today. Lots of love, Julia