according to anna

duck tape fixes anything

It has been one of those weeks. I seem to be learning a lot living out on my own. For example, the other day i bought a computer desk. I thought for sure that i could carry/drag it from my car into my apartment. I will never try to do that again without help. I looked so pathetic just getting it out of the trunk, that one of my neighbors must have felt sorry for me and offered to help. Even with his help, it was a big feat, and i have the bruises to show for it.

The desk however, does not compare to what happened on tuesday. I was half way to work when I had a blow-out. It gave me quite the scare. I pulled over right away, and was very confused as to what created so much damage. the left side of the bumper was torn away from the car, the paneling running under the drivers-side door was hanging off and blowing in the wind, there were dents to the body right after the tire (right before the drivers door), and wires that run over the tire were exposed and resting on the very sorry looking tire, that was now missing its treading. Thank god that i have AAA. While waiting for them to show up, a cop showed up and explained that when the tire blew, it created all the damages to the surrounding area. Anyway, got the tire replaced, but i am not sure about the damages. Currently, the panelling and the wires are duck-taped so they do not interfere with driving or cause any more problems. My car is becoming quite ghetto-fabulous!

In other news, I find myself becoming a shoe person. If you know me at all, you know that I have never really felt the need to own that many pairs of shoes. But as my rotation in the stores comes to an end, I see a trend developing. In three weeks of working in the stores, I bought 7 pairs of shoes. While I embrace the expansion of my foot-wardrobe, I worry about going a little overboard. I can also blame the recent need for more shoes on the number of spiders I have found in my apartment. The worst part is knowing that I have to kill them myself when nobody else is around. I hate that.

lions and tigers and alligators!

I just got back in town from South Carolina. For some training they sent us out to travel with a District Manager. We went around to some stores, listened in on the district meeting, and tried to get a feel for our consumers as well as the role of a district manager.

One day he drove us out to see the beach. It was beautiful. I can see now why everyone wants to visit Charleston. The old houses in the down town area were amazing.

But nothing was as exciting as when we saw a real-life alligator in the wild!! We were walking from our hotel to a restaraunt next door. There was a little pond with turtles and such, and and alligator! It was only like 6 feet from us. Its strange for them to just be wandering around.

This week I’ll be back in a store in this area. I’m planning to get my internet up and running though! and to finish unpacking!

Sicily Summary

Last week, I went with my family to spend 10 days in Sicily.

Wednesday:

• Flew to Chicago
• Got air sick on the plane…had to use one of those barf bags. First time I’ve ever gotten sick on a plane
• Met my brother Tony in Chicago
• Flew from Chicago to Brussels on an overnight flight

Thursday:

• walked around Brussels
• Flew to Rome
• Flew to Palermo, Sicily
• Spent night in Terresiny, a small town near the airport. The building was probably 200 years old and was very nice, but not very clean.

Friday:

• Toured Terresini
• It is a very cute old town, complete with little italian ladies peering out their front doors.
• The town was a little dirty though. We learned that Sicilians take great pride in keeping their houses clean, but don’t care so much about the rest of the island.

Saturday:

• Took train to Milazzo (where my great grandpa was from)
• Had a tour in Italian of an old castle. The tour guide didn’t speak much English, but he spoke slowly and it is amazing how much we actually understood. I am proud of us! The view from the top of the castle was incredible.
• Took Ferry to the island of Lipari
• spend night in Lipari

Sunday:

• Toured Lipari
• Went to the beach
• Shopped
• Saw a corpus christi parade, and if you would believe it, a Soccer Parade (celebrating the winning team at the end of the season)

Monday:

• Went back to Milazzo
• Toured greek theater in Taormina
• Stayed in Catania. it is a very big city and didn’t look very safe

Tuesday:

• Took train around Mt. Etna
• saw the middle of the island
• saw lots of lava fields

Wednesday:

• Took train to Chefalo
• Tried to talk to some locals on the train
• One local Italian guy tried to hard core hit on my sister, with questions like, “how old are you?” and “When are you going to get married?” It was kinda funny, and kinda nasty. He was like 40. He also insisted that we take a picture of him and Angela and then send it to him.
• Saw an old church in Chefalo
• Traveled back to Palermo and Terresini. Saw an open market ( like in Aladin) in Palermo
• spent night in Terresini

Thursday:

• Fly to Rome
• shop and eat ice cream
• Spend night in rome. We stayed in a Holiday Inn and it really hit the spot after those dirty hotel rooms

Friday:

• Fly to Zurich
• Fly to Chicago
• Fly Home

**I’ll add more details later. There are lots of things I’d like to type. some Sicily pics are here

I’ve been really busy lately. Started working this week. they have me working in several of the stores to get an understanding of the business.
Moved into my apartment, but not unpacked.
don’t have internet yet Because of that, i am behind on reading and sending email.
Still trying to learn the area. I am having to turn around a lot!
Still, so far so good.

Parla Inglese?

Things learned (or confirmed) while traveling through Sicily:

• No, that is not a urinal. That my friend is some kind of butt washer.
• A big city is a big city, no matter where it is.
• Knowing the local language is a plus, but not a must. None of us knew Italian, but we soon learned that Italian is very close to Spanish. First off, many Sicilians know english. If they don’t, try the italian that you do know. If that doesn’t work, try your spanish. If all else fails, don’t be afraid to try charades. “la stazione de choo choo?”