Getting Comfortable

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I have finally grown accustomed to living here. I realize this because when I sit down to write a blog, there is nothing strange or different I have observed that I can talk about. I know there are things I could talk about that are far different from everything in Mendocino, but I don't notice them anymore because now it all just seems normal, somehow right. I don't notice the strange light-switches every time I turn on a light, I don't stand up when the bell rings as I used to out of habit, It doesn't even seem strange the way everyone rushes to their seats when the teacher comes in. In some ways, it's a very cool feeling, It seems like I have finally reached the point where I'm actually living. Yet, in other ways it's a little sad, I miss the incredulity that filled my day, the disbelief at the things that now seem so obvious. It's fanscinating really, how the human mind manages changes, how adaptable our brains are in some ways, while so utterly stuborn in others.
Anyways, realizing my new lack of random observances, I have dug through my brain trying to remember recent moments of shock and have remembered somethings I cannot believe I forgot! First, they don't have pie (at least not in the American sense of the word), brownies or chocolate chip cookies, or any cookie of that same general texture and so on.... NO PIE. Now, I realize the reason I forgot this is that they do more than enough to make up for it, but I am a little amazed I forgot this next one.........they don't have.........drum roll please...........
PEANUT BUTTER! Most people have never even heard of it, and when I explain a PB&J sandwich the reaction is generally "EWWW!!". I can't say that I am not momentarily offended when they react this way, but I quickly recover by thinking, "Well, they have never tried it, they wouldn't know." This is why I am a little proud ofmy reputation amoung my host families as a girl who has to try everything, and likes almost everything. Yet, I find it hard to immagine anyone not doing the same in my position. After one experience of eating something that looks disgusting, but turns out to be amazing, how could you not at least try everything? The fact that I am in Italy probably triples the effect, but I have a feeling this attitude tworads food will stick with me wherever I go, I just hope my enjoyment of exercise comes too!
On anoher topic, I just cam back from helping unpack groceries and as I set down the large yellow plastic-like tote bags, I realized that while many people in Mendo do this, everyone I have met here either reuse and reuse shopping bags, or they have special bags for that purpose. This realization led me to remember something I noticed when I first came to Italy, and that is how politically aware everyone is. I remember everyone telling me about how much they liked Obama and wondering how many people in the united stated know who is head of the government in Italy, let alone have an opinion about him. It isn't only that, with a healthy dose of shame I realized that I have kept up with and been more connected with the policies of the United Sates since I have been here than I was when I lived there. After such strong flush of personal humility, I have vowed to never again be so uninformed. It is peculiar to vow such a thing when not long ago, I thought of myself as very informed, which just makes me question, in what else am I so gravely mistaken about myself?
Lastly, a very simple recipe for a favorite dessert of my host sister. All it really is is a very sweet cream, so maybe you can think of something to put it on or in, but here it is eaten in a cup with a spoon.
Ingredients: FRESH eggs and sugar
Instructions: You take the eggs, one egg per person, and separate the yolk from the white. Next add one really big spoon-full of sugar to the yolks and mix well. Beat it with chilled metal beaters until it is pale yellow. At this point it is a matter of personal preference, my host dad likes it just like that, whereas my host sister likes to then beat the whites until you can make little peaks with you finger that stand on their own, and then add them together, and then eat it. I personally like it both ways, hope you enjoy!.

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Comments

[David Geist]

Raw Eggs
You be careful of raw eggs. I always wash the whole shell with soap and water before breaking them to make mayonnaise or Caesar dressing. Feliz Año Nuevo

[oleg Harencar]

gogel-mogel
Remind me what is that egg thing called in Italy? Incredibly, they do the same thing in Russia, and it has an improbable name of : gogel-mogel. At least that is what my Russian grandmother called it. World is weird.

[JuliaItaly]

gogel-mogel.....
Zabaione!!! that is funny! sooo good though right??