Sushi!

I ate sushi and sashimi! Raw fish! I did it! Can't really believe. Trying not to dwell on it either.

So I know you are all dying to hear about my first time...eating sushi! Vance, Paolo, Inis and I went to Sushisen in Rome (near Piramide metro stop-for those who want to know) (thanks Romy!). We ordered the barca dell'amore and barca dei sashimi! Big boats with raw fish....just another reminder that those raw things came right from the boat to my plate...well sort of!



Oh yeah! I even attempted to use chopsticks! Hello! Poverina, io, I don't know how to use those damn things BUT I tried my best. Vance was so kind to place the raw fishes on my plate so I can somewhat try to maneuver it to my mouth. Next time...to hell with those sticks I'm using my fingers! Mara gave me the ok for next time. But will there be a next time??? hmmmmm. Um, maybe if someone else invites me and wants to pick up the bill. Damn, that stuff is expensive!


I just thank Paolo for the suggestion of a gelato after dinner. I normally get the small, but that night is was medium baby! Oh yeah, I went all out...got panna too! Just needed to make sure the burps wouldn't taste like fish! God I love menta, straciatella e ciccolato! Heavenly!

But in all honesty, do you know what picture flashed in my mind when the waiter placed this huge boat on the table.......

You know which one I'm talking about.......

Let me give you a hint...Mr. Shota Fujiwara....

With the headache....

the man LOVED sushi....

and wanted it as 'alive and raw as possible'....

YEAH You guessed it!!!!!!






HAHAHAHA!!! GROSS!!!!

Saddest news

To all my family and friends,

A member of the Marmande-Burgard family has passed on to furry heaven.

Tiger "Tiggy" Burgard passed away Sunday, November 5th, 2006 a couple months shy of her 15th human age birthday.

Tiggy woke Mom up Sunday morning to let her know that something was wrong. When Mom took her to the emerengy animal hospital, it was discovered that Tiggy had gone into multi-organ failure due to diabetic shock. She was given that blessed 'no pain, go to sleep" injection and passed in my mom's arms (the best place in the world).
She will be greatly missed and eternally loved!

For those in the Houston Katy area, if you can give Mom a call or stop by the house, please do. I may have lost my sweet furry baby, but Mom lost her long time companion. We received Tiggy from our vet, Dr Pat 14 years ago. I left Tiggy to watch over Mom when I went away to college, the first time. So for the past 9 years, she and Mom became the best of friends.

Mom and I spoke for several hours Monday of our fondest and not so fondest memories of Tigg. Like how she slept right near or behind Mom with a watchful eye when Mom had her stroke and how no matter how long I was away from her, Tigg always acted a paticular way with me and would ditch Mom while I was in town. This past September when I was home for a month, Tigg and I had a lot of special moments as I let her sleep ON the bed and me as well as LAY ON the leather couch!

Tiggy, I hope you are having fun on your playhouse and playing, chasing or being chased by our sweet friends, Bingo, Bubba, Daisy, Joe, Figgero, Maggie, Hershey, Chelsy, Cowboy, Suzette, and Fluffy. We miss you more than words can say!

LOVE YOUR FAMILY

These are my grandparents Papa Dan and Mic. They're cute aren't they. I just wanted to send this little message to all my friends and family to say 'Love your family, no matter how crazy they are!' Cuz you never know how long you'll get to have em. I've been blessed with these 2 absolutley lovely and goofy grandparents.

So stop reading this and go call your family! Tell em that you love em!

Love you Mic & Papa Dan...see you in december

I Spy Stock Photo Of Me

Vance did good. As some of you may know, Vance is a photographer and has taken a few pics of me. (I wonder why? I must be hot!) Anyway, he submits pics to stock photography where they can be bought and used for things such as advertisements. Fortunately, the ad discovered was not for some crazy porn site! Thanks Mama Rose for spotting this pic in the Living magazine, Fresco/Plano edition Set 2006.

Year After Katrina

Surprisingly lots has been done after Hurricane Katrina. Many streets are clean of the mountains of trash and thrown out furiture but arenow full of FEMA trailers. We drove by my grandma's house...a sad moment. Most areas were Mom's "stompin' grounds" (this is to be expected after 40+years there) and brought her lots of memories. We went to Lakeview and were devastated by the damaged lakefront homes. A few spots were inhabited again but most were empty. One homeowner showed his sense of humor among the devastation. Typical N'awlins! Then we drove around University City, MY old stomping grounds! FEMA trailers everywhere. There really wasn't a house without one out front. And in New Orleans, down St Charles Ave and around City Park...my oh my. So many deserted houses where the water marks are clearly visible. Don't get me wrong though, many New Orleans folk are back. It'll be many years before NO gets back to a semi norm. Many families that were relocated don't have the finances nor the energy to go back. Only time will tell what's in store for good ole N'awlins.

N'awlins

Mom and I were also able to visit some friends and family during our trip to New Orleans. We stayed at Aunt Jackie & Monroe's place which has been completely redone after Hurricane Katrina and I mean COMPLETELY redone. Jackie showed us pics of the house totally gutted. It's amazing what a year, sweat and tears can do for you...oh yeah and lots of money (insurance or otherwise)! We were able to visit my Grandma Jo who is adjusting 'alright' to her new home in an assisted living home. Her house was ruined and lost in the storm. Then we visited my sweet Mama Coroy and Judy who were able to share hugs, kisses and stories. And then we saw my godparents Bubby & Suzy who always give the best hugs. Enjoy the pics!

Brad and Brandy sitting in a tree...K-I-S-S-I-N-G

Here are some pics of my trip to New Orleans. My best friend Brandy got married to a very nice Brad Lemoine. She looked absolutely beautiful. And her children, Kayla and Brad Jr, are adorable. I was able to see some old friends at the wedding. After 15 years my sweet friend Jaime were able to pick right up with each other and I met her husband Michael. I had a great time!

Cuccioli

My sweet Sicilian puppies....well not mine, but Enrico's and Valeria's

Baci dal cucciolo

Bianca

Awww. He likes me!

Amore dei fratelli

SICILY PICS

Il mio vacanza piccola in Sicilia a Isola delle Femmine. Grazie Enri per l'invito e la tua ospitalita'!

Isola delle Femmine

Pedalo

Piedi nella sabbia siciliana

Tragetto a Calabria da Sicilia

Torta siciliana..mmmm

SiCiLiA

Palermo here I come..well actually Isola delle Femine! I'm going to go visit my friend Enrico in Sicily. Beach, sun, fun, sicilians, and piccante!!! Can't wait to post pictures when I come back!

The summer is wrapping up quickly it seems. So many things coming up. Vance's birthday is next Monday..turning 31. My last day at working at the university is the 31st of August. Vance is travelling to Egypt, Libya, and Romania in the near future and I'm heading to the US for a month.

Buon Ferr'Agosto!!! A dopo. Ci sentiamo quando ritorno da sicilia!

Ferragosto

This weekend started the official vacation time for many Italians. Ferragosto! I've pretty much been on vacation all summer, besides the 20 hours a week that I work. I spend the rest of my days volunteering at the beach...or going to the beach...or talking about going to the beach. HAHAHA! I haven't brought my camera with me too oftern, but here are some pics that I like of my friends and I.

Vance has been working his ass off since he has to travel a bit this month for work and deadlines are approaching for him so unfortunately for him, he can't enjoy the summer sun. We try to go on the weekends. The rain has been cooling us off a bit, so we have to work around that.

My flight is booked to go to the US. I'm driving from Houston to New Orleans for a wedding and a quick family visit. I'm very interested in seeing it post Katrina. One of my best friends Brandy, whom I've known since third grade, is getting married. I'll see a bunch of childhood friends...very excited about that. Of course a visit to see Grandma Burgard, my dad, godparents and aunts/uncles is priority!

I'm hoping to spend a few days in Dallas to see some friends. And then the rest of the month will be spent working and spending time with my family and friends. I'll probably need another vacation when I get back home to Rome.

I hope everyone has a great weekend.


Violeta and I in Fregene

Audra and my shared birthday party at Hard Rock Rome

Linda and I at Fontanone Roma with our choir group, The Amazing Grace Gospel Choir

Yawa, Greg and I before choir practice

Happy August!!!

Wow! So many things, not too much...such is life. Rome is hot! Yeah, yeah, heat wave in the US. Try it without air conditioning! Holy Shit! I'm sitting on the divano, attempting to type, but I feel like all hydration is being sucked out of me. Fun times, let me tell you.

After all the excitement of the World Cup, I got to celebrate my birthday a couple of times thanks to Yawa and Audra. Another year. What a great year though. Rome has been good to me. I started part-time work at the university for summer only. They kick me to the curb September 1. Can't complain, I'm ready for bigger and better things. I've also started volunteering at the beach. I'm the first aid chic! Tons of fun. I love old people! So there goes my week now. I may not make the big bucks, but I feel that I am serving a purpose and helping people. That's what matters!

Friends. July has been a month of friendship. Many of my friends have settled back in the US. One in particular has gone to Ghana. Yawa, I miss you girl. Yawa is an amazing lady. She just radiates positive energy. I think we have taught each other many things. She's given me such love and also new friendships that I plan to cherish forever. I'll miss singing with her. Of course now we are planning how to either get her back in Rome or us to Ghana..for a visit. Vediamo.

I'll be taking a little vacation mid month as most Italians do. This time I am going to Calabria. Fun fun in the sun. Like I need more sun damage. But I love being tan. Being tan puts you on the next level of hotness. And I'm damn hot! Pics to come! I'm needing more time with photoshop! Haha just kidding. We have 3 computers at home and I can't remember where I put all my pics. Later guys.

So have a great first of August. Lots of love!

Campioni del Mondo 2006

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!!!!! FORZA ITALIA!!!

Fratelli Italia! Amazing! Incredible!

Great game for Italy as they defeated France in the penalty showdown yesterday! It was a tense and nailbiting game up until the end. Materazzi, Cannavaro, Buffon, Piro and many others did a spectacular job.

The streets were wild and crazy as Romans and Italians and everyone else celebrated their team's victory! I joined many in the prancing, jumping and singing in the fountain alongside Piazza Venezia's monument Victorio Emanuele. Only this night were the celebrations allowed to go wild and free as the police were just onlookers. Any other day, one would be arrested! Even a lonely bus was overtaken and climbed upon! Statues donned Italian flags, walls were randomly painted with "Campioni del Mondo", signs and flags waving in the air and fireworks were shot off. The national anthem being sung by patriotic voices! Other than the occasional song calling the French bastards and one of their mama's is a putana, the celebration was all in good fun!

An amazing night after an amazing game. I am very honored to have been apart of this special night for Italy. Grazie Italia!!! FORZA ITALIA!!!!!! SIIIIIIII!!!!!

GGGGOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLLL!!!

ITALIA vs GERMANIA! 2-0

WE KICKED THEIR ASSES!!!! Everyone from the Black Eyed Peas to the World Wildlife Fund were calling on Italy to beat Germany.

Vance, Stu, Marcy, Yawa and myself went to the Abbey Theater to watch the game. Only in the touristy area of Rome can you find a pub that has more english speaking waiters that don't speak italian! Ha! Too funny!

Our sweet Italians played wonderfully! Only in overtime did they show Germany who's boss, dominating the field and securing the win with 2 goals.

The roman streets were full of routy shouts and song! Flags hung out of most car windows and held by motorcycle passengers. It was an original site. Piazza del Popolo was filled with a swarm of people. I look forward to watching the final game on the 9th! It'll be a gong show! I'm so glad that I am in Rome to experience it all!

Thanks Reuters for the pics.

GOAL!!!!

ITALY vs AUSTRALIA... ITALY HA VINTO!!!!!

What a kick ass game that was! Did ya see it? Probably not, huh! Totti, the Rome Captain, got the winning goal with a penalty kick in the last minute of the overtime! Holy Shit! Vance, Marcy, Stu, Chris and I met up with Allessandro at a pub full of Italian fans! So much enthusiam and spirit! So of course we won! The pub is also a lucky one according for Alessandro! Rome was a very patriotic place after the game! Our whole neighborhood is covered with italian flags. Here's a few pics of all the fun (Thanks AP).

Tanto Tempo Libero

What to do with all the free time! Have a slumber party and movie spree!

'Thank you' to my sweet girls Yawa & Britni for helping me finish up the spicy corn and shrimp boil! Next time I will stock up on more gelato or you can bring your own! You guys have the craving just as bad as my mom did when she was here...Holy!!!! Thanks also to Paul Walker and Colin Farell who kept our eyes peeled until the wee hours of the morning! There is nothing like hot abs, 'davids' and those eyes!!! Of course all this silliness is possible because Vance is out of town! Vance, do know that you are missed! The house is so quiet in so many ways!

So there are books to read, beaches to visit when the cool front passes, movies to watch, aperitivi to have and friends to visit. Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Arrivederci Mama!!!

2 weeks have flow by! Mom flew back to Houston on Thursday past. She and I had a blast. There is something about having your mama near you! We had loads of fun. I loved/hated seeing her go! You know how that is! We wrapped up her visit with a night at the opera, A Turk In Italy. Although she fell asleep in the second act, I can't blame her too much as it was almost midnight! She was wide awake as we scrambled to catch buses home in the rain!

Although she has gone, I have so much of her love and leftovers! Maybe she thinks I can't cook! I had to invite my friends ove rto finish up the shrimp boil that she prepared. Thanks Mica and Mom for all the Zataran and Tony's spices!

Everyone loved Mama Shay! Tim, the director of my choir, says that she has such an aura around her! Rome will miss her! It's always nice to have a opportunity to show her off! I'm so proud of her! Look at her! She's a hottie!!!

Anyone have any uncles, male friends of family, age 45-60, in the Houston area that would be interested in taking her out on the town, please let me know! I'm just trying to help a mama out!

Arrivederci Mom! Hopefully Vance and I can get you back here again! Love ya!

La Primavera Romana Della Signora Stone

Have you ever read/seen "The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone"? It is a Tennessee Williams novel turned film...Vivian Leigh and Warren Beatty did one version of the film. Anyway! Mom and I went to a Roman ballet interpretation of this novel. Interesting. The story itself is risque! Widower searches for companionship...male escort...falls for him but he really wants her money but he also cares for her! Crazy! Mom loved it! Very modern! Costumes were 50s style and a few scenes the dancers only wore teddies or tighty whities! All the old broads in the theatre were getting a show for sure! Hell, even the prima ballerina has to be in her late 50s. And the male lead was rubbing all up on her.
Overall I liked it! If you are in Italy/Rome and it's in production...go see something different! Have a great day!

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL

Mom and I had a great time at Cirque Du Soleil's performance of Allegria. The bendy girls were the best of all. But the bodies were so nice to look at...of course I'm talking about the guys!!! The music was excellent too. All live! The clowns were cute and entertaining. We've never seen these guys live before, so it was quite the treat for us. Almost like being a little kid again! If there is a Cirque Du Soleil show near you...go see it! Google em'!!!

SCHOOL'S OUT!!!!!

Farewell Reception at Castel Sant'Angelo

Exam week is over. Busy week! Well Auguri to me! I am completely done with university and will obtain my degree in Italian Studies May 26th. No overwhelming feelings as of yet, but I am sure it'll hit me later. To end the semester just right, AUR held a farewell event at Castel Sant'Angelo in the Vatican. This is the fortress, for those who have been to Rome or read Angels and Demon, where the pope would go to escape and hide using the secret passageway. In A & D , I think, this is where the brotherhood's main place was. It's been a while since I read it! So Vance and I went and I said my 'goodbyes' to many friends and a few 'see you arounds'. It's a great group of people. I think the waiters serving the prosecco and wine were in disagreement though. There was quite the crowd hoarding the table for alcohol! Crazy kids!

So now I am trying to figure out what to do with all my free time! I am still in the gospel choir and will continue that! I have a few volunteer activities lined up and will start that after all the guests visit. Mom is due to arrive next week and we will cover some ground. I'm run/walking the Race for the Cure in honor of my aunt Debbie who is fighting her current battle with cancer. Then there is a trip to Paris and a Cirque Du Soleil show to see. Tons of fun in a short time. I hope the weather participates.

I'm excited to see my friend from high school Lacey who is coming to Rome with her husband. and then Marcy, Stu, and Chris are coming to visit too. My Shock Trauma ladies, Deb & Angela are also bringing their spouses to Rome and doing a bit of touring. So exciting times ahead!

Happy Belated Birthday to my nephew Corey and Brenda, Kristy's mom. TANTI AUGURI A VOI!!!! Happy Anniversary Craig & Brenda!!!

I hope you have a great weekend! Bacione!!

Relax...It's Labor Day

Doesn't this kitty just give you a warm cuddly feeling!!! (Grazie Dani!!!)

If you are sitting at home and not doing anything...get off your ass and go outside! Take a walk!! Most of you probably have the day off!! So go enjoy the fresh air!

My Labor day is almost over. I started the day with a test of my patience, but when does public transportation ever run on time (specialmente a Roma)!!! I enjoyed a lovely choir practice this morning too. Then a few of us took a walk in the amazing park of Villa Doria Pamphili. It's so amazing how big that park is! It goes on and on. I'll have to bring my camera next time...but of course the picture wouldn't do it justice. After a couple of hours of walking, we stopped for an aperitivo and enjoyed the afternoon. It is such a beautiful day in Rome today! Then I had to walk to the train station as the buses had ceased to run after noon! I'm glad I live near a train station!!!

I hope that you all have a sort of similar positive experience with your day off. Enjoy it! Most of us have become too overstressed in our daily lives and don't take the time to just enjoy being in nature or with friends/family taking it easy! So take a deep breath of fresh air and enjoy the day!

Russia!

Moscow & St Petersberg there I went!!!

Cherisse on top of St Petersberg Catherdal

Cherisse & Pasquale

Cherisse in Red Square, Moscow

We had a fabulous time in St Peteresberg and Russia. I went with a group of 23 students from The American University of Rome. We had a kick ass time! We saw so much in only 5 days. The trip started off a little shady when we discovered the travel agency messed up my ticket and I couldn't fly to Milan with the group. Plan B was taken... I flew to another airport in Milan then took an expensive damn taxi to the correct Milan airport to catch my flight with the group to St Petersberg! I made it! The rest of the trip ws a breeze.

The churches were beatuiful and the architecture was jaw dropping at times. All the gold! Many places we went to prohibited camera so we got pretty repetitious in the Red Square Moscow and down main street in St. P. The women were gorgeous and tall! I fit right in!! Haha. It was an amazing experience with a great group of people. It was very interesting to see the Bear and the monkeys in the Square. People do the craziest things for money! Seeing Lenin's body in the Masoleum was a site, but it wasn't like I've never seen a dead body before..hazards of the 'real' job! The Church of the Sacred Blood was amazing with its mosaic walls. Brillant! Overall the cities were gorgeous and clean! Put Roman walls to shame! Moscow kept reminding my of Candyland! I loved it! Maybe Russian will be the next language to learn...or maybe I should just focus on Italian!

Big thanks to Stefano who organized it all! Grazie mille Stefano. Sei meriviglioso. La prossima volta in Sri Lanka, ci saro'.