Air Pot Heaven

If you are Asian then you know what an air pot is. We had two of them when I was a kid, one at my dad's office and one at home. It was essential that we always had hot water at the push of a button for hot tea, Cup-O-Noodle and other quick noodle/ramen type snacks but most importantly my dad loved instant coffee. In Italy I never saw them sold but last week when I went over to a girlfriends house and made Veronica's formula with hot water from her air pot, I knew I had to have one. Using it really brought back a lot of childhood memories.

I did my research (with the help of my sister) and I settled on the Zojirushi brand 2.2 liter air pot for $82.00 from Uwajimaya, a fantastic Asian market. (They even have a recipe page that is very authentic.) It is the perfect size for Veronica and I as Demetrio has never seen one and does not seem too impressed by it. We however LOVE it!


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The American Dream

I think every American strives to own their own home. I know that since I was a child, my family (my father in particular) worked his fingers to the bone in the hopes of one day owning his own home. We rented for years, we first arrived on Guam in 1975 until I was 16, in 1989 we lived in the apartment after apartment and finally in a house. It was a very small house three bedrooms and one bathroom. There were eight people living in tight quarters, my mother, my father, my grandmother and five of us children. We lived in that house for about 12 years before we could finally afford one of our own. Our new house had six bedrooms, a den, a kitchen, dining and living room and three bathrooms. It was definitely a step up. My father believed that with five growing young women under one roof, we should each have our own room and our own privacy.

A while back while we were still considering possibly moving to Rome, we did a little house hunting. The prices were staggering about $8,000 per square meter of house/apartment. We looked at several apartments; the prices really threw us for a loop. For example, an apartment in the same neighborhood as my mother-in-law was selling for €900,000, approximately $1.25 million; it was 120 m² or approximately 1200 ft.². An apartment was not a place that I wanted to raise my daughter. I’ve always love getting my hands dirty in a garden with a vegetable patch, a compost bin and a worm bin. (In Seattle, I had two rabbits and used their manure in my garden.) I’ve always wanted to have a small play structure for kids to climb on, maybe been a trampoline and a space for a tiny kiddy pool for hot summers.

Now that our time at our temporary apartment is almost up, we’ve been looking to sell our condo in Kirkland and possibly use the money towards buying a bigger house, one with enough room for family and extended guests. We would love to have a nice deck for barbecues in the summertime. I would love to have a manageable yard and space for a garden patch. I’m sure Veronica would love a yard to play around in, with soft grass to fall down on and roll around in. We’ve been looking online at real estate agencies. For our money, we can buy much more here than we ever could in Torino or in Rome. I’ve always thought that owning a house and the land it stood on would make me feel like a grounded person; as if I belonged exactly where I was supposed to be. I didn’t want to own an apartment in a high-rise whether It be in Chicago, New York Los Angeles or even downtown Seattle where my floor was my neighbors ceiling. In the upcoming months, we should have a place to call our own.

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Mixed Blessings

This past week has been a busy one and so I have not had much time to blog. In addition, I have been swept up by the events at Virginia Tech and find myself glued to the news almost every night. When people ask me how it feels to be back in the states, I tell them I am happy.

Just a few things I’ve taken note of this week alone:

1. I can go shopping on the Sunday, as most major stores are open. We usually like to go on at least one shopping trip together as a family on the weekends.

2. At the park, Veronica and I see scores and scores of different faces, Indian, South African, Caucasian, Filipino, African-American, Asian and many interracial children and couples.

3. Ethnic food is affordable.

4. My neighbors are not suspicious of me. Perfect case in point, I noticed a woman in my apartment complex living here also a temporary basis. Since I am from the area, (she is from Texas), I asked if she needed help finding a way around. She informed me she has three kids that were dying for McDonald’s, some library books and a place to play. I drew her a map of the closest grocery store, library and playground. I even accompanied her to Circuit City where she found a replacement for her GPS navigator. It felt good to offer help to a neighbor and even better, when she accepted it. Next week we plan on getting the kids together and heading to the Children’s Museum in Seattle.

5. Being close to my sister and some great friends enriches my life and Veronica’s life more than I can say.

Still after all these blessings, I still feel a bit of hesitance in saying that America is better than Italy. Part of me believes it yet part of me does not. The perfect case in point being all the violence that I’m seeing on the news every night. A friend of mine that lives in Umbria ( she used to live in Washington, DC) told me the biggest difference, or one of the biggest differences about her life in Italy is that it is much less violence all around her.

Let me be the first to say I have no idea, percentage wise, what the differences in violent crime are in America versus Italy. But off the top of my head I dare to say America‘s numbers are higher than Italy. In Italy, I was very careful to keep my pocketbook zipped away in my purse and to make sure my cell phone was not in plain view. Little petty crimes were a nuisance but never once did I feel that I was in danger of being bodily harmed. I have seen men jump out of cars at traffic lights in Rome and wave their fists at one another. I have seen at the post office when someone cuts in line. I have seen more than one person annoyed that someone has doubled parked behind them. I have never been afraid of someone pulling out a gun and firing it. (Even though the Italian police routinely carry machine guns, in front of synagogues and especially at the airport.)

When I watch MSNBC “To Catch a Thief”, “To Catch a Predator”, or “To Catch a Con Man” (undercover investigations involving identity theft, sexual predators and or scams) I wonder If these things go on in Italy. I am sure they do but they are just not publicized. If anybody has some real statistics please point me to them as I’m interested in knowing what the truth really is.

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Virginia Tech

Yesterday afternoon as I headed home with Veronica from an leisurely afternoon with my sister, I happen to tune into NPR and hear about the shootings at Virginia Tech. I just could not believe it. My whole being just shook with rage and sadness at the events that took place.

This morning I am watching news coverage of the event. It does not matter to me who the shooter was, what religious denomination he was from or even his motives, I just keep thinking about 32 lives cut short and many more changed forever.

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Show Me the Money!

It’s a lazy Sunday morning and I am watching the travel channel. They are featuring Bologna and my mouth is watering at the images of fresh mortadella, tortellini and all things Italian. Déjà vu really hit hard as images of Italy flashed before me. I still think Italy is a great travel destination, the food, the coffee, the sights are all amazing and I do miss many things Italian.

Now let’s fast forward to now: Yesterday we were at the park with Veronica when we spotted a cute little girl named Stella paying near the waters edge. I said to Veronica “Guarda, che un’altra bimba come te.” Stella’s mother came over to chat with me. She asked me if I was speaking Italian and when I said “yes” she told me Stella was Italian too. It turns out that her husband is from Verona and she is from Seattle. They are visiting for a week and head back tomorrow. We began talking about life in Italy vs. life in Seattle. There were many similarities in our experiences. She’s afraid to have another baby in Italy because she is worried about the being told she is can’t gain much weight. She is also a stay at home mom giving English lessons on the side but has no real job prospects. As we compared notes, I began to realize more and more how lucky I am to be back. She hopes her husband finds a job back in the states so they will not struggle economically. Surprisingly Demetrio was the first to sing praises about being back in the U.S. and how hard life was in Italy. The other man actually said to us, “I think you (Demetrio) are the only other person who speaks worse of Italy than I do.” My dear husband seems to talking the talk, but in no way walking the walk. He has to convince himself, not others.

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Our Air Shipment Arrives

As promised Microsoft in conjunction with Graeble international movers delivered our air shipment this morning at 10:15 a.m. (Within 2 weeks). I was dismayed to see that almost every box had been opened and inspected by US customs. Things were not put back properly but after a quick inspection, we discovered nothing had been damaged. We were especially worried about our stroller and our camera equipment. The camera cases that we used were very well cushioned and everything made it okay. Maybe US customs routinely inspect goods from Europe. Graeble told that they ripped through our container and a container that arrived from Turkey. (Good luck to them getting through our 300 boxes.)

I am glad to have our stroller. Our temporary apartment is close to the water and only about .5 miles from Marymoor Park. Veronica, Zavier and I will enjoy long walks to the park and back, all three of us love the sun and will definitely be out and about when the sun is out. Now that our household essentials have arrived, we can look forward to really settling in.


Luckily everything arrived in almost one piece.



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Identity Crisis

This week we took care of a lot of bureaucratic “stuff“. Demetrio set up our health insurance, his 401(k), life insurance, our gym memberships and a whole slew of other little annoyances. A marked difference from the way things work in Italy is this example. We ordered high-speed Internet connection and the next day the modem was hand delivered to our door. That evening Demetrio set it up and within minutes, we were good to go. Internet access is an essential part of Demetrio’s job until Microsoft does reimburse us for the cost. (MS Italy did not do this.)

Since moving back to Seattle, buying a Volvo station wagon and being a stay-at-home mom, I have been going through some sort of identity crisis. When I was living in Italy, I knew that I would not be working. I had no problem staying at home taking care of my husband and taking care of the household. Now that I am back in the United States, I have every opportunity to get a job I feel somewhat strange not having one. We are lucky enough that my husband is a great provider and I do not have to work. Staying home and raising Veronica is my new job. I’m happy with the opportunity to have her stay home with me instead of going to a day care but then why am I second-guessing myself?

I feel like a stereotype living here, the Microsoft wife with an infant and a lot of free time on her hands. I rented a garden plot and hope to work it and fill it with Italian vegetables. I want to work on joining a mommy and baby group so Veronica can socialize with babies her age. I want to spend more time with his sister another good friends. I want to volunteer my time to a good cause. (I used to do this a lot when I was in college.) With all my good intentions and plans to improve our quality of life I guess I don’t feel a big victory has been won because my husband seems disappointed and defeated about moving back to the states. Part of me just cannot enjoy all the things there are to do and see here while he remains somewhat sullen about the move.

When I am feeling down and unsure about what were actually doing back here I think about the most important person of all. I think about how this place will help grow into a freethinking, compassionate, intelligent, adventurous girl and young woman; someone who is full of ideas and will not be limited in any way when she wants to fulfill them. I think about America, I think about how our family came here with nothing but through hard work and opportunity, we have made wonderful lives for ourselves. This is what I want for her as well.

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Italian Grocery Shopping

Why am I bothering to look for Italian produce in Seattle? Having an Italian husband and wanting to provide some good home cooked meals are giant parts of it. He loves snacking on fresh fennel and would love to eat Italian everyday. I have a wide repertoire of pasta dishes memorized but not living in Italy makes it hard for my menu to try new dishes. I guess I better stay surfing the net. I want to surprise him with Italian dishes so he won't miss home as much.

I look far and wide for Italian ingredients. Porcini can be found here in the summer, I found Italian runner beans , fresh zucchini (and flowers) and many more fresh fruits and vegetables that I can use to make great dishes. I decided to rent a garden plot in order to grow as many types of Italian vegetables as possible. I've ordered black kale, wild lettuces, wild chicory, wild arugula and fennel. (I bought 6 heads of fennel the other day @ 2.99/lb and it cost me $11.00.) Yikes! That's 6 dollars a kilo. I can usually find it for them for about 1 Euro a kilo. There will be many things I miss about Italy (they happen to be mostly food items.) and there any many things I missed about the U.S. and am glad to have available to me again. (They also happen to be food items.)

From Italy I will miss: (These are both short lists. There are so many more.)

winter artichokes from Sardinia
cavolo nero
pencil thin asparagus
wild salad greens
puntarelle
wild chicory
abundant porcini (when in season)
cheap fennel
burrata
branzino
cicale
vongole veraci
the best pizza in the world
al dente pasta
testun al Barolo

From the U.S I am glad to have available again:

white corn
corn tortillas
chowders
BBQ
lobster
dungeness crabs
beets (not precooked)
canola oil
pomegranate juice
Rainer cherries
white peaches and nectarines
lobsters
limeade
burritos
Cantonese roast duck
dim sum
pho
BBQ roast pork
mochi


Being back in the States seems surreal right now. I have not fully adjusted yet and am not sure how long it will take for me it to really sink in.

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Star Sighting

I forgot to mention that on our flight from NY-JFK to Seattle I saw one of my favorite actors on the airplane. (My absolute favorite actor is Morgan Freeman.)
As I was busy lugging my carry-on bag on an overbooked flight, I walked to my seat and saw Danny Glover just sitting in his seat. I did a double take and then told him I am a big fan. No I did not ask for an autograph since he looked comfortable and relaxed. My sister is still kicking me for not asking.

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Observations Across the Pond 1

When I first moved to Italy, I must say the culture shock was quite overwhelming. I wrote a few posts called “Things I’ve Noticed about Italy/Torino” (see blog archives). I feel compelled to compose a similar post about my first impressions of the United States after being away for two years.

I don’t feel like a stranger here but I do feel strange being back here. I am glad for a few days of great weather as well as the chance to reconnect with old friends.

Things I noticed in Seattle (and its surrounding areas) Part 1:

1. I must say that during a four hour layover at the Philadelphia international Airport (my first stop in the U.S.), the first thing I noticed were to large percentage of overweight people there and in the greater Seattle area. This is funny since while my mom was in Venice with us in January, she kept commenting on how there were very few overweight people.

It's true that in Torino and Rome women are fashionable and usually well dressed. I have never seen any Italian walking around in a jogging suit or lounge wear out on the streets. No Birkenstock, no socks with sandals, no tennis shoes and no North face or Columbia gear. REI does not exist in Italy, Italian sportswear is fashionable.

2. One of the first things I did when I arrived in Seattle was to have a giant shrimp burrito, with all the fixings. I cannot believe it has been two years since I’ve had guacamole, green salsa and a corn tortilla. I really love the variety of ethnic foods I can get in Seattle. We went to dinner at a friend’s house one evening; she asked me if there was anything that I would like to eat in particular. I mentioned I hadn’t had any proper Indian food for two years. I was missing naan, samosas, mango chicken, chutney and perfumed basmati (with lemon and parsley).

Am I missing great Italian food? you bet! Fennel is 2.99/pound here from 99 cents a kilo in Torino. I bought some seeds online and hope to start a little garden patch of Italian vegetables.

3. The cars here are monstrously large. I have a station wagon that is the same size as our car in Torino. I did however see a few Smart cars here and there. They are as tiny as they were in Italy.

4. I had forgotten how large the food portions are here. We went to Dennys’ and Deme ordered the meat lovers breakfast (not a piece of fruit or veggie in sight) and even he could not finish it. Most Italians do not eat hot breakfasts but this was ridiculous. Eating less and leaving extra food on the plate is not something that comes natural to me. As a child I was told to eat everything on my plate. Since the portions are so large here, I am pushing my plate away from me when I am full. Worrying about wasting food is still a problem for me but I am working hard to overcome.

5. I love seeing all different kinds of faces in the city. There have been so many cute Asian mixed babies out there. I have met more than a few at the grocery store and at the park. I know that when Veronica grows up and we join a playgroup, she will not stick out like a sore thumb. I don't think I would be able to say the same thing if we stayed in Italy.

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New Blog Name

I hope you still keep me on your blog rolls but it maybe hard since I am no longer an expat living in Italy. I will continue to write about food in Seattle, via restaurants and my own kitchen. Life across the Atlantic pond is sure to be blog worthy.

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Back In Seattle

HELLO America!!! We made it back to Seattle and my mom left back home to Asia then Guam. Thank you for all your help mom and Kentra. I could not have relocated this smoothly without you.

I think the name of this blog has to change. I am no longer in Italy and almost everyone in Seattle calls me Gina not Gia. Gina=nickname Gia=official name on all documents.

It was a joy seeing Veronica again. She seemed excited to see us and happy to be in our arms again. I am keeping her in quarantine since she has a cold and I want to re-establish her sleep schedule so she is not cranky and irritable. The first order of the day was to get a new car (yes I feel like a soccer mom but the car is a nice one and we got a great MS discount) and the second thing we wanted to do was to get her a new bed and to get it set up pronto. Without my mom and Deme around, it is harder than I thought to get things done. Luckily here in the States I can have someone help me to my car with my groceries and to take the shopping cart back too.

The past two days have been overwhelming. Luckily, we have a temp. apartment with housekeeping, DSL Internet, cable, and all the comforts of home for the next two months. The grounds are nice and there is a tennis court and swimming pool. Zavier seems to appreciate the trail behind the complex. Now I am just trying to re-adjust to everything as quickly as possible.

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