Archive for March, 2009

Dale Eggers:

Dale is a brave and fortuitous soul. Although he’s passed from this physical eden, he is sure to be watching us from the vaulted halls of heaven. While in our world, Dale was a man sure in his beliefs and devout in his faith; a loving father, caring, gentle and a modest husband who always put others before him. Throughout his full life Dale was a man of principle and simple truth. His tenents: treat others as family, trust others and most importantly, love and value each day for the joy it offers. As a man Dale lead an extraordinary life… from working on the Mississippi to Arizona and Missouri…there was never a day Dale let slip past him.

Dale often said to me, “God has gifted me with two beautiful women, sons to treasure and a full life, I have no regrets.” He knew that his life was full and he knew this day would come. He took precautions and made sure we knew how much he loved all of us. His understanding of life ensured that no matter what, his love Lois Eggers, and family would be taken care of after his passing. Dale passed doing what he had to do to ensure that his family was protected. And we can say without doubt that Lois and our great family all together were by his side in his thoughts as he passed. His eternal love and strength has gifted him with the beauty of fortitude, virtue, love and a life that he wouldn’t have traded for anything. He now watches over his family in heaven. Without a doubt giving his characteristic strong hugs and drinking a bottle of blackberry brandy.

Dale was a man who touched my life. Always a strong supporter of our family, he was able to see me off and we said our goodbyes as I left for the airport to come to Italy. Now, thousands of miles away, I don’t know how to salute such a soul as he continues his journey beyond our understanding. I can only celebrate my memories of him…teaching Alex and me gin rummy at a ranch where we’d learned to ride…hiking through the hills in Sedona – Mandy by our side…or his hugs and confident unwavering support of everything Alex and I did. There was never question of his love or his spirit. I remember so vividly the day he came for Thanksgiving at our house and offered me a cup of strong blackberry brandy. We took a sip and savored the strong vicious discourse of brandy with the sweet tang of blackberry. A tradition he’d held every Thanksgiving. His stories of life captaining barges on the Mississippi, the joy that he’d had in his life, the pure enjoyment that he could never forget.

Dale, you’re in my thoughts every day. Both you and the wonderful lady who brought you into our family. I wear a ring with a star sapphire, set in white gold and guarded by diamonds that you gave to me on my 16th birthday. I think of it as a representation of our family spirit, the sapphire and its star shining bright like our souls, combined forever. The earth and beauty of life reflected in the sparkling diamonds that demonstrate the fascination of the stone and metal. It has not left my hand in all the time I’ve been away from home. It’s a tangible memory of you and my family which now is so far in physical space but so close in spirit and soul. As I watch the star twist and turn in the light I know that it, like you, will always remain strong and never fade from the light. Forever your star will shine in the light of our hearts and you will never be forgotten.

My dear uncle, I cannot express how much I will miss you or how much I wish I’d been able to say one last good bye. I know how much you loved us all and I know that you know how much each of us loves you. There is nothing that can take that from us. We will guard our family, as you guarded us.

Sleep in peace,

Forever under your watch,

David N. Berger

Journal entry March 29th 2009:

Ciao Ragazzi! Come state? Io sto bene, ma oggi é una brutta giornata. Il tempo é freddo, piove c’é anche la nebbia. Terribile. Ammalato un po’, mal di gola e anche mal di testa. Ho pensato che il tempo é il problema.

Allora, ieri mi sono divertito molto, particolarmente a casa di Frank e gli amici di Valeria.

Ma la cosa piú importante ieri e che sono andato a Monza con un donna molto bella. La piccola ragazza mi ha mostrato la città di Monza. Prima siamo andati al centro di Monza, al parco, al mercatino e anche alla chiesa nel centro di Monza. La chiesa é una piccola versione del Duomo. É molto bella, e indentro tutto sono senza voce. Il parco e un po lontano del centro di Monza. La regis ha usato il parco per i giardini personale. É grande con molti alberi. Dopo un pieno giorno con la bella donna, io sono andato ai navigli. A navigli ho mangiato apertivi e dopo sono andato a casa di frank, beve con miei amici e sono ritornato a Navigli a beve a una barca con amici e anche la bella donna. É più divertente.

Hello friends! I hope this note reaches out and finds you well. The weather today is disastrous. Rain, fog, and brutal cold, so much for spring. However despite the terrible weather I’m still having fun. Besides, it’s Sunday the day for relaxing and eating with friends. Tonight we’re having guests for dinner, Mimo, Leo, Nico, Kim, Pino, Michele, and another from Bari will all sit down and end up eating … not sure what will be cooked as of now but I’m excited it should turn out pretty well. I mean Italian cooks, from southern Italy, can a man ask for better food. I doubt it. In the south life is organized in the following pyramid. First and foremost, strongest and most important is food. Second is drinking and cheese, third is family and the sun, fourth and least important is work and being trapped by any idea of scheduling or plans. As such, I’m sure I’ll be fed well.

Primo importante di piú e la conversazione. Miei amici pensavo che io sono un po’ stranerò perché io mangia patate crudo, aglio crudo e anche é possibile per me a scrivere alle computer senza vedere.

It ends up being quite entertaining in the long run. I am finding it harder and harder to type everything in English as my mind is switching in commonly used Italian words for English words, especially since I’m holding a conversation and watching them cook while listening to Italian music and writing. I am literally multi-tasking, writing while listening and thinking in two separate processes at the same time. It’s very difficult and I find myself alternating between parallel processing and multi-tasking… rough for sure but at least spell checker is there to help me out. On the English side at least. I’ve yet to find the Microsoft office 2003 language proofing tools. Microsoft no longer sells them and I can’t find a legit download. What to do when pressed into such a corner.

On a more personal note, I had an absolutely lovely day on Saturday despite the rain and cold wind. A beautiful, intelligent young woman took me on a tour of her home town. I had a best. We went through the center of the city, visited the farmers market on Saturday and even got to visit a few of the churches. After we had lunch in a small ristorante vicino the statue commemorating the loss of Italian soldiers in WWII from the town. We left the center of the city and went on a drive through the park. The park itself was a part of the king’s former residence. With mansions built within it the preserve was open to the public with driving areas, pedestrian path’s and a course which holds the Italian grand prix! What a trip, to see so much green after spending so long in Milan was a welcome relief and with the rain the smells of the park were overwhelming. After leaving the park we went to the commercial center (mall) and saw Push. I was sorely disappointed as I felt that it dragged and that although parts of it were definitely cool… it did not live up to my American expectations of sex, violence, Minimal plot (there was only a very simple plot with bad background work) and destruction… I mean it was rated R after all.

In the end I think we should have seen Inkheart. Regardless seeing a film in Italian is a trip and I’d 100% suggest it. The mixture of imagery with a foreign language and how you can summarily understand the story is an interesting insight into how the human mind works.

On to the evening, she drove me back to a metro station within the urban limit and I headed off to find an apertivi with my colleagues. We decided to meet up at the McDonalds in Piazza 24 di maggio. I arrived a little late but off we went. Annamaria, Fabrizia, Paul and I went to a little bar on the Navigli and started the apertivi. We had some great food. French fries, house fries, grilled eggplant and red/yellow/green peppers, pasta, spaghetti, penne, sausage, pepperoni, multiple types of salamis, hot dog’s with sauerkraut, and a myriad of cheeses. To finish it off there were plates filled with bread slathered in nutella. All for the cost of 1 drink (8 Euro earns the right for all you can eat access). Finishing the appertivo we headed out, down the wet street to Porta Genoa. After Porta Genoa we took the metro to Cadorna, switched lines and headed to pagano. At Pagano we headed to Frank’s house, a friend of Valeria and an all around good guy. He’s very laid back and a wonderful host. We had a little party there and then headed out once again. We ended up back in the Navigli (Milan’s eastern pub district) and finished our night enjoying drinks on a barge parked in the canals (Navigli is Italian for canals). A beautiful young woman took me home and after some fun trying to get tom tom to give us the correct directions I arrived back at my doorstep.

Personal Note: 2009 March 25th.

I thought I’d prepared myself for this trip mentally and physically. I’d thought thoroughly of how long I’d go without seeing my family, and I’d been sure to say goodbye and spend time with each part of my life I valued most before I left. I said my goodbye preparing for a seven month journey away from friends, and more importantly away from family. However, I thoroughly underestimated my reaction to today.

I sit with tears streaming down my face, not out of sadness and not out of joy. I’m not sure what exactly triggered it. I know that its to do with my brother being thousands of miles away, the poetry my father and mother have written in his honor for today… and the fact that I cannot be a part of his birthday.

I suppose it’s a culmination, the first point since January where I am genuinely home sick. I love my family, and respect my brother very much. With my parents aging, I am growing more concerned with the importance of time spent with them and involvement in their lives. I know that spiritually and mentally I am connected…they are in my thoughts every day and I am doing my best to keep abreast of what they are working on.

I think I’ve passed the gut check as it were to see if I could do this as a living. I am sure now that I could without hesitation. I know that moments like this will come again in my future but, as I write this, I let the feelings overwhelm me…I am dealing with them, understanding them, and filing them away to explore how I can make my blood connections even stronger. There must be some connection at a genetic level that allows a person to constantly feel their family. I feel my brother, his excitement and deep gratitude for the well wishes and support of his friends. Especially of our family. It is always so difficult to put down in words how beautiful that connection is. Especially to respond to notes like our family has a tradition of writing on birthdays. The emotions – raw, crude love, gratitude, guidance, joy and a mixture of understanding is so complex it drives us all to distraction.

I want to work overseas, and more specifically, I want to work in a job that allows travel and exploration of the country I’m assigned. Political and Economic section for the state department is the section that will allow me that freedom. As such, it’s an avenue I will strongly pursue when I return to the United States. On the other side, I’ll also pursue commercial avenues while I await the government’s decision. I can only hope that the experiences I’ve had at the consulate further enhance my understanding to a level where I can succeed in both areas and reap the personal benefits while enhancing a rewarding career. I am enjoying my work at the consulate to be sure and each day I get to see a new facet of life in government service. The investment of time around FS officers alone is worth the internship to view internal politics and to see the structure and interaction within a single small institution. Putting the elephant together, as my supervisor mentioned, is difficult but from what I’ve seen I think it’s a good elephant to be a part of. In my view its a puzzle that offers a lot of opportunity if you’re willing to take initiative and get what you desire.

Gut check complete I’m now pondering the next step. I’ll start finding information from those I can in the consulate to help me advance. Perhaps I’ll find ideas on grad schools and funding to assist my application? Or opportunities to get extra schooling once in the service. I’m not sure, a ton of questions and only a month to find answers. Sounds like fun. I think I’ve got at least a year if not more before I’d be able to start a Foreign Service career if all went perfectly….if I take and pass the test in the fall when I return and am tapped by the state dept. I’m excited.

More on my economic paper later.

Alex, My brother – Happy birthday.

Journal entry March 23rd 2009

Not much to report this week. My brother turns 24…now that’s an event worthy of an entire week’s writings.

Been dancing every Tuesday and Thursday. I have found a young woman who’s company I appreciate. Nice to have company.

Been practicing my Italian and filming pieces of my work for my independent study. I’ve also been collecting a pile of newspaper clippings in preparation for my paper on the future form of Milan.

Pretty cool stuff all around!

Journal Summary 2009 – March 20th Equinox
In the last two weeks I’ve had a bit of time to really get into work and settle into it. Specifically three things have distracted me from this bent – the departure of my friends for the U.S., Africa, and Greece…my own travel planning for May…and my continued foray into the darker areas of Milan seeking the full picture of a metropolitan area in Italy.

In my opinion the concept of violent crime is one that is shocking to Italians. It is only recently that Italians have had to deal with increased small crime, rising murder/rape rates and they have avoided the idea that it is Italians themselves who are perpetrating the majority. The amount of fear in the populace has skyrocketed due to political and media manipulation of the facts. Every day the media runs stories about the Rom – the Romanian/gypsy population that live in communes around cities and towns throughout Italy. This media attention is driving increased hatred and fear of immigrant populations within Italy and furthering support for their removal.

As is happening in the U.S., immigration is becoming a major issue. However, unlike the U.S. which has a sustainable birthrate (2.1 babies per woman) Italy is not breeding fast enough to maintain its population. In addition, the population that is present is aging quickly placing a heavy burden on the extensive social welfare system here. Thus immigration is a necessary factor in the Italian economy especially the labor sectors. With the economic slowdown and the increased layoffs many Italians, like nationals of countries through the world, are feeling cheated out of jobs that they had happily abandoned to immigrants in their quest for a higher quality of life. This rift is boiling under the seams of Italy’s britches. I can only imagine what its next step will be. The news seems to foster support for total expulsion which would destroy Italy’s labor sector and remove cheaper labor sources forcing price increases… it does not bode well for the country.

I am constantly surprised by facets of Italian culture. Again and again the differences between the north and south stand out like a flame in a darkened wine cellar. Southern Italians in general appear to be louder, more opinionated and less politically concerned. Additionally they eat later. I was classified as southern the other day because my roommates and I eat dinner around 9-10pm instead of before 8. Italians are also very good at picking out where another Italian is from. In part this is due to the fragmented remainders of different dialects. The Italian language wasn’t unified until relatively recently and as such dialects and pronunciation differences are still quite pronounced. I’ve begun to recognize subtle differences – folks from Napoli for instance just leave off the last few letters on their words, leading to forchett (fork) Amic (friends) Aspett (wait) and other variations.

Paul approached me to assist in the creation of an intern resource page and faq’s for incoming interns for mission Italy – I’m pretty excited at the prospect.

T- 4 days to bro’s B-day – T- 3.5 months to UK w/ him!
This weekend I plan to venture out into Milan suburbs considered to be less than wonderful (slums). I don’t feel my personal safety will be called into question but I’ll also be wandering during around midday to avoid any question. It’s part of my desire to catalog the different sectors here for my independent study paper on Milan’s changing physical form.

I’m feeling better and the week long cold/sinus issue I’ve had is on its last leg. It’s a battle I’m steadily winning. Tonight we go out to celebrate Paul’s birthday. More later.

Ciao tutti!

Journal 2009 – March 20th

Today is the equinox. And in 4 days my brother will turn 24. 22 years we’ve spent exploring this world together, 24 years of life, experience, joy, and innovation. 24 years of a path no other person could dream of having. A brilliant young man full of promise and strength, dedication and vitality. My brother is an individual, a true originality among a crowd. I’d like to dedicate this blog to him. As a signal of our family bond.

Family… Blood ties, relation through DNA, spirit, anima… life. But not only through blood, not only by birth. Family is inclusive, it is all those with whom you share a deep seated common goal. It is a bond which transcends petty argument and instead calls forth alliance and camaraderie. Family is a driving force which is united for the betterment of our world, the strengthening of our children’s future, personal development and a desire to leave the world better than we’ve found it. These things are impossible alone. They cannot be accomplished without the support structure that is family. The unquestioning support and the cutting criticism which helps us to understand our choices and stand resolute in our choices. It is family that fuels one’s ability to stand before judgment and understand that you’ll never be alone.

My family is unique; we have never had major quarrels or internal strife. My parents fostered a home of love and mutual respect and encouraged us to be as different as possible. Alex and I share many values and goals but in-so-much as we are the same, we are also instinctively different. We have experienced two sides of the same guiding blade. Split down our individual paths – trials, and quests which have shaped us – we have our values, our family and most importantly the support that they bring. Infused since childhood by our family bond we have a core desire to leave the world a strong better place for those that follow has remained strong and burns passionately.

My brother’s work with FusionVirtual is only a single example of the steps he’s taken to accomplish these goals. Education is paramount in the creation of a class of humanity which cares and seeks to deliver the world from the darkness which threatens to eliminate our species. He recognizes that, and seeks to revolutionize the accessibility of education to millions of people around the world… no easy feat.

Growing up together Alex and I fought as all brothers do. We worked together and learned from our experiences and conflicts. Without that give and take, that constant struggle for individuality and attention, neither of us would be the men we are today. We are both so strong in our core ideals that it is often difficult to understand where one man ends and another begins. Yet this is not due to our being the same. Instead it is our differences which allow us to understand and compliment the weaknesses of the other, generating a united front which fights for a common goal. Our parent’s are also a unifying factor in this maturation. Without them, their personal strength, passion, and guidance we would be hopeless, lost in the dark.

Parents are fully responsible for their children throughout their lives. The decision to have a child means that your life is no longer solely yours. Your life becomes that of your children as well, their education, their behavior and the person they grow to be is a reflection as well as a monument – whether good or disturbed – to you… the parent. Children learn because at home their parents stress the importance of education, children act out because at home they are taught it is the way they should act. They see parents at all times, in every moment and learn what is acceptable from them. No other influence is as influential to a child as their parents/guardians. I hope that those planning on families take this to heart and understand that when the decision to bear children comes to pass, it signals a transcendence from a single person into an entity combined and unified in the world… a family. We can only love our parents for the example they set. Their fortitude and fervor created in every way the men that my brother and I are.

Edward Alexander Berger. In these few days before you celebrate the passage of another year, Know that your brother is with you, understands the man you are and welcomes your influence in his life at all times.

Morning folks! I’m working on figuring out my travel schedule while backpacking from May 1st to August 6th. This schedule will rely on the use of cheap flights, student rates and the hope that visas on arrival aren’t as expensive as they look. I’d like to get an introspective look at the different cultures in the middle east through a fly by tour, revisit memories of my childhood in Greece and Crete, see Cyprus and visit Israel – Jerusalem and Haifa. After that I’d like to head to Turkey to see Istanbul (Korhan a little advice on what I must see and the best way to get around plus some transliterated greetings w/ pronunciation would be awesome!!) After visiting Constantinople I believe I’ll have to return to Rome to assist the Honors college trip for 2-4 days, then I want to hightail it to Eastern Europe via Austria – Budapest, Czech Republic, Slovakia, maybe more. Northern Germany across to Denmark, Copenhagen and finish up the trip hitting the U.K. with Alex and then down into Holland catch a quickie or a train to Milan from Holland or Munich and return to Milan to fly out from Linate August 6th 2009. Whirlwind for sure but I wanna pack as much as I can into these dates. So again, any advice, experience, or sights that are must see including cities in these area’s toss me a comment please!

Let’s estimate 1-12th May in South Italy
12-13 to Greece
13-15 Athens
15-20 travel to and in Crete

21-22 Cyprus
22-25 major sites on Cyprus

25th flight connecting through Athens or another country to Damascus since Syria doesn’t get along all too well.
25th -30 Damascus and then over to Cairo –

1st – 6th April – Israel – Jerusalem and Haifa
5-6th run like hell from Israel to safer ground – Turkey….

6-7th get to Istanbul
8th-12/15 tour Istanbul and figure out how to get to Rome/Eastern Europe whichever I need probably Rome for the presentations then high tail it to the EE

18th-20th Budapest,

21-25/27 Slovakia

27-2nd or 3rd of July Prague and Czech Republic.

3rd-10th N. Germany / Denmark trains etc

14/18th meet up with Alex for the remainder? UK and Holland? August return to Milan, Linate to fly home.

2010 come back. Do the middle east and Africa.
2011 do S. America

It’s a ton of ground and I know some places I’ll get stuck but it’s a start – Any suggestions for sites/towns to visit while hittin up these places toss me a comment! Love advice on cheap airfare, travel passes, visa costs etc!

Journal entry 2009-03-15

Today is the Ides of March. March 15th 2009 – a moment in time which reaches back across ages and cultures. In Roman times, the Ides of March was a day dedicated to the Greek and Roman god and military parades were held in his honor. In modern times, the term Ides of March is best known as the date that Julius Caesar was assassinated. I think that perhaps this day serves as a reminder of the risks of standing out against the accepted trend of politics, as it should. Ignorance seems to inevitably yield hatred for the unknown. Strikingly unfortunate.

Our world is a combination of all history written or otherwise. There is no action that can be taken in this world that is not reliant on past cultural influences. Each day, every moment we live, each word we speak, every building and edifice constructed has its history rooted across time, cultures and imagination.

Unfortunately for me this is the first time during my trip I am ill. I’ve got a nasty little head cold. Stuffy nose, roughed up throat, and some sinus pressure. Wonderful. Spent the weekend trying to recover as I don’t want to prolong being ill. Watched the marines try to re-felt their pool table – they had a pretty rough time, awfully sad but downright funny – everything that could go wrong did. The lining was too short, the old lining shrunk and wouldn’t re attach. We couldn’t find a store with replacement felt, and the marines have an inspection this week.

Parents have booked and are coming in late April – I can’t wait, it’s pretty exciting to know they’ll be here so soon. Time is flying by faster than I can imagine. I can only believe it will accelerate even more when I start on my walkabout.

I’m not sure what this week will hold regarding workload but I think it will be a wonderful chance for me to film one of the three introductory video’s and get it finalized. I’m hoping to use my Italian friends as real live Italian actors in these scenarios. We’ll see what I can pull together.

I had a lovely conversation with an Italian girl the other night. We discussed Italian cultural perceptions and the unbridled truth that northern Italians are far more materialistic than southern Italians. A harsh stereotype and it only applies to a set percentage, however it has proven accurate in my experience so far. Girls and guys from the south are much warmer and open minded to just hanging out, they give less importance to your appearance and more emphasis on the quality of time spent. Girls especially but also guys from the north are more concerned with what they are wearing, if your jeans cost over 300 euro and how you’re accessorizing… don’t get me confused here, this is both men and women. If you’re not dressed properly and don’t look like you make the right salary it’s quite a bit less likely that you will be approached. Disappointing.

Materialism reaches around the entire world. People put so much value on hard, cold cash. Some even willing to sacrifice their lives at the perceived loss of it. The stories of stock brokers and others who commit suicide after losing only a fraction of their fortunes is a sad indicator of our society’s emphasis on monetary success. I believe there are other considerations – a man or woman’s life is the sum of all its parts, not their bank account. Their experiences, growth, and what they contribute at the end of the day for example.

Enough discouraging thoughts. Italian television is just downright strange. They do however have their own version of America’s funniest home videos… most of the video’s are American, with Italian dubbing.

I’m hoping to find a time next week or the week after to run down to Rome and switch out with one of their interns, get an idea of the difference between a consulate and an embassy.

Ciao.

Journal March 11th 2009.

A beautiful, golden rayed day, streams of gold falling into rare, glimmering pools of light and warmth. The morning was filled with bird song, beautiful Italians, and a relaxed day at work. A language which contains a passionate cantor, flowing pronunciation, and the emotion. Not bad. Tomorrow more fun at a U.N. conference. A great opportunity for some neat information. After an afternoon at Università Cattolica its walled gardens open to my exploration. Friday a barbecue at the marine house, and Saturday a Farwell to a brave man. A man who is headed off to serve his country in a strange new land, Godspeed Sir.

This week has been a week of farewells and solemn thoughts. Alex, Adam, and Kevin are all leaving within the next few days – Greece, Italy, and Africa… what a trip. I’m left with only one other American intern. I’m concerned… I feel outnumbered and in a difficult position. Eleven female interns, ten of which are Italian… cornered – what shall I do? I guess its time to break out the dancing card.

My roommates are doing very well, Nico works hard, Leo and Kim study for their exams and are enjoying their classes. Nico made tortellini come funghi. Tonight, which is just as good as it sounds, tortellini al dente con funghi, picante (peperoncino) e salsa verde. Bello! We scarfed it down just in time for a glass of wine and a Napolese special – Beer and coke together. Sounds strange but if you get the mix just right it’s a sweet, sugary beer which perfectly mingle both tastes.

On Sunday I’ll cook an American meal, Kevin got me some Bacon and six Chuck eye steaks… so good. So I’m doing steak, eggs and bacon. I was thinking maybe I’d also do pork chops and bacon. Having American steak is amazing. I can’t express how excited I am to have American tasting beef.

Back to the American crowd. Tuesday night we went out to Gánas – which is a Mexican (ohh hell yeah) restaurant here in Milan. Its located in corso Como and unfortunately is rather expensive. But the Mexican food is on par with the best I’ve had in the U.S. and mexico. Dinner cost 25 euro which was a lot of my budget, however it was the last chance I had to have dinner with Alex, Adam and Kevin together. P.S. order the Fajitas.

I worked out on Monday and Wednesday and tried doing the bench press. I was stoked to discover I could do three sets of twelve reps of 125 lbs I think next week I’ll try 150 or more and see where I have to reduce (12 – 10 – 8). I’m stoked I figured I could bench at most 40-70 lbs.

I’m excited to have my superior back in office and get some progress done on the projects I was working on whilst he was away.

Each time I wander my way home I am reminded that I am in Italy, I am in Milan. it is difficult to remember at times because each city is very different but at the same time, so much the same.

In Italiano! Solo! Io ho bisogno di praticare mi italiano. Sono cosi cosi con grammatica ma e piú dificile per me i struttura e i articoli. No lo so che faro. Ma quando io parlare… parlare buona. Oggi io ho fato chiamare a italiani per il departemento consulare… e molto divertente e buon practica per mi parlare. Ma, e piú importante aggiungere parole a mi vocabulario.

Penso che é dificile per me a apprendo piú grammatica fra i giornale ho letto. I giornale usa vocabulari e anche grammatica e conjugazione c’é molto dificile a capire.

Gli Italiano é piú bella, con un passo passionata e forte ma anche con molto intonazione. Anche le ragazze sono piú bella. A me piace due ragazze piú di altri. Forse in il futuro andare con loro.

A, Mi dispiace per i errori in miei italiano, io apprendere lento.

Ciao tutti, a domani.

Journal entry for March 08, 2009

Today is international women’s day celebrated here in Italy by a small march and the giving of flowers. It’s an awfully nice thought to have a holiday celebrating the wonder of women… I love Italy more and more each day! Last night was an extremely interesting experience. First I went to the birthday party of a colleague at the consulate. Around 10:30 PM I left the birthday party and headed down to the Moscova metro stop. Once there I headed down the green line to Cadorna. From there I switched metros to the red line and took it to Pagano.

At Pagano I met up with Valeria, a beautiful young woman with whom I work. Her friends arrived and we went out for the night. First we stopped by a young man’s house and I was introduced to the entire group of Valeria’s friends. Although we later split up into smaller groups, it was interesting to have everyone together at a common meeting place before we went our separate ways for the evening’s festivities. There seems to be some fascination with the idea that Americans only drink whiskey. I disagree…however one does not refuse their host. I got to do a little salsa dancing and was asked to invite a young woman and her friends out to salsa. They were very excited to have met a young guy who knows how to salsa and was willing to take them dancing.

After socializing for a little while we made our way outside the apartment complex and decided to go to a club called Giola 69. Although it was small and extremely crowded the music was great, the company was entertaining, and the conversation was hilarious. Two of the young gentlemen played World of Warcraft. Now I, having battled in the online gaming world myself, and being retired from World of Warcraft as well as currently playing Everquest 2, was able to hold quite an entertaining conversation about PvP versus PvE, class specs, and how the new expansion was making the game too easy and without challenges that made it fun. We ended the night a little early coming back around 3:00 AM.