Be Kind, Rewind

I'm very slowly catching up on a month of blogging and am doing it retroactively as always, so if you'd like to read about Sardegna, Lago di Garda, and whatever else has happened please click on the June 2011 section on the right. So far I have added Cala Gonone and Palau and have at least 7 more entries to go.

My parents arrived in Milan yesterday evening and I was so excited and happy to see them after more than five months apart. We didn't have a ton to catch up on since we had weekly Skype dates, plus we aren't chatty people to begin with, but just having them here and safe--in huggable distance--made it all the better. They will be here for six weeks with me and each time they come they have a packed schedule of travelling and visiting relatives, so I will be along for the ride.

Thank you all for thinking and asking about Chiara. She's been slowly improving since a month ago but is still not at the same weight or energy level as before. I can see that my parents have gotten very attached to her since my absence (it would be hard for anyone not to!) and we're all a bit worried about her, but we're also very lucky to have her old owner come to our place to check on her every day while my parents are away.

For the past week I have been watching Friday Night Lights, a series that I had never seen before and started watching based on recommendations. I'm on the second season of a show that just ended its fifth and final season. A show about high school football. I wouldn't have believed myself either but it's really good. It's a show with lots of heart, good acting, several quote-worthy lines, and a piece of eye candy named Taylor Kitsch. YUM-ZORZ! I like him more and more as the show goes on. He's from Kelowna, BC and lives in Vancouver. I'm just saying, I may have a chance here...

Other than that, I am very excited to announce that I'll be singing Ave Maria at my cousin's wedding next week! I was delighted and honoured when my aunt came by today to ask. I have no idea how much practice time I'll get (by myself and with the organist) and I'm pretty nervous about it, but to get the chance to be part of my cousin's special day is a true privilege. He's someone who I think would have been an older brother figure to me had I grown up in Italy since he's such a warm and kind person.

This week I'm looking forward to shopping at the mercato, pizza dinner with my relatives, and whatever else my parents have planned for me. Then we're off to Firenze on Monday!