13 Things to do While I'm in the US

13 Things to do While I'm in the US

I'm visiting the US for 10 weeks this summer, and I have a lot to do. As usual. If I want to relax, I can, but I have to get some other stuff done, as well. When I return home for any period of time, I usually have a program in mind.

And so, I present some of the things I must do while I'm in the US.



1) Visit family.

Of course, this is the highest priority on the list. I stay with my mom, visit my dad, and this year I hope to visit my grandmother and maybe even my sister, as well. Unfortunately, they're scattered all over the South, so it isn't easy to do. (Nothing ever is, I guess.)




2) Visit friends.

Fortunately, many of my best friends live "near" my mother, so I can manage this without too much trouble and a bit of planning.




3) Do some clothes shopping.

I have to buy clothes when I'm in the US, since Italian fashion doesn't exactly cater to Plus-size ladies (unless you're over 60, that is...). I go fairly nuts buying everything I need while I'm in the States, from essentials to things that "make me feel pretty". So to speak. These two stores are where I do the bulk of my shopping.




4) See some films.

I don't go to the movies in Italy (I hate dubbed movies!), so when I'm home, I try to see any films that might interest me, so I can be on the lookout when they reach Italian DVD shelves. My hubby shouldn't miss out on good flicks, should he?




5) Buy some books.

I would practically live at McKay's books inKnoxville, if it were just a bit closer to home... I hit the used book shops and just go nuts while I'm home. Can you blame me? Last time I was home, I bought $80.00 worth of books to bring back to Italy. Now I need more.




6) Eat some American junk food.

This covers everything from Doritos (Nacho Cheese and/or Ranch, please) to Blue Bunny's Peanut Butter Panic ice cream to Long John Silver's takeaway. Yes, I'm sick. I admit it. I indulge myself once a week on a given item and that's it. Otherwise, I'd do one of two things: Get utterly sick of it, or gain all the weight I lose while living in Italy. Neither one is an option I care for. Once that's out of the way, I'm good. Really.




7) Exercise.

As a result of the above, I'm obligated to maintain my exercise routine, which isn't easy. In the US I live in a rural area - no sidewalks - and the summers are miserably hot. Not exactly encouraging if I want to stay in shape but eat the above junk! However, my folks do own a treadmill and an exercise bike, which I can use each day. I try to do at least two miles a day, five days a week. Yay. I mean, um... Yay!

8) Eat better.

This might seem to contradict #6, but it's true. I drink less soda in the US than I do in Italy - which means I drink almost none, except for when I'm dining out. Hard to believe, but true. Plus, I cut down on my between meal snacks, etc., etc. Not always easy, but I make the effort.




9) Bug my kitty, Abel.

Okay, he's my mom's cat, but I spend a lot of time bugging him, and he does the same to me. I guess that makes him sound more like a brother than a pet, but it's true. He's always mad when I leave, too. My mom says that he sits by my bedroom door and meows for me, after I've gone. (Excuse me... I've got something in my eye...)



10) Sell stuff on eBay. I hate to do it in some cases, but in others, I've got no problem with it. I'm selling off jewelry, books and magazines about Pink Floyd and the Beatles, and some other stuff as well. (If you're interested in that sort of thing, let me know. Heh.)



11) Study Italian.

It'd be easy to backslide when I'm not actually in Italy, but to be honest, I spend more time studying the language when I'm not there.



12) Read. Yeah, I know, it's not like I don't spend time reading in Italy, too. But the simple truth is, as busy as work sometimes got, and the distractions I found online, I spent less time reading than I normally do. So, I have to dedicate some time to my favorite pastime, once again. After all, a great writer is a great reader... Which brings me to:



13) Write.

I absolutely must write when I can find the time. 'nuff said.



14) And as an extra special bonus task I must also prep my Absentee Ballot for this year's elections. No, you don't need to know who I'm voting for. (You can't guess?)



Whew! What a busy Summer I'm gonna have!











I'm really gonna need a break or two, ya know?













And then, I'm gonna have to savor the sweet tastes of the season, from time to time...


















You know...















Like this:

Frederic Cermeno - Rugby Player


Ciao for now, y'all!