May 29, 2008

Hello Friends,

I don't have any pictures to post today. I was too busy working on some last minute details. I had to meet with the hotel manager and the kitchen manager. Some more handouts needed to be made. I met with the head translator (Br. Michael French) to get a final rate for translation services. While that doesn't seem like much, it pretty much kept me busy all day.

I'm grateful that Joan Landeros has arrived. She and I went out for a beer late this afternoon to compare notes. Even though she had very bad jet lag and kept randomly sliping back and forth between English and Spanish, it was fun to hang out for a bit at the little bar down the street.

Two more people arrived today. One from Manhattan College and one from the College of SantaFe. Tomorrow we should have about 10 more arrive. So I will be busy playing hostess.

After dinner Joan, John and I took them out for gelato. I had chocolate/orange and lavendar. That's a good combination for those of you who are planning your next gelato experience. Tomorrow I'm going to try the ginger/cinnamon. That sounds wonderful.

Although the program doesn't officially start until Sunday, it now feels like we're getting in to it. The best part is the interesting people who will be here. On the roster we have 3 from Palestine, 3 from the Phillipines, 1 from France, 3 from Spain, 1 from Haiti, 9 from Mexico, 1 from Brazil, 1 from Kenya and 19 from the US. I'm really looking forward to getting to know everyone. It should be a fun two weeks.

I promise I will take some photos tomorrow. Now it is time for this pilgrim to go to bed.

May 29th...again.

Hello all!

I see I mis-dated yesterday's post. Can I still blame it on jet lag?

Today was a fairly quiet day. Suzanne became ill and spent most of the day resting. John took her to the doctor this afternoon. It rained most of the day, so I spent most of my time reading. Late this afternoon when the rain had stopped I ventured out to take some photos.


This is a picture of the basement. This is were the magic happens. The book store is here as well as some other somewhat unknown but very important spots.

Like the speak easies! Each language group has their own little speak easy in the basement. This is the one for the English speakers.
This is the one for the French speakers. Notice that fire extinguisher. Apparently things get pretty hot in this little watering hole.


This is the magnolia. If you recall, a couple of days ago I put a photo of its bud in the blog. These flowers are incredibly beautiful!

This is the hall that my room is in. I'm staying in the "religous house" as the hotel folks call it. It's actually the Generalate guest rooms.

This is the front gate of the Generalate. Notice the two gate houses on either side.

The father and son grounds keepers live in the gate houses. The son has raised an entire family in this gate house. I'm pretty sure this house is smaller than my office.

Tonight's video will not be posted. In the middle of making it a large tree branch fell and almost hit me. In reviewing the video, it became apparent that I said a word that is not family friendly. So I've decided to not put the video here. However, if you want to see my brush with death and my response there will be a viewing at a later date.

Tomorrow will be a busy day. It's our last day before large groups of participants begin to arrive. The program doesn't officially start until Sunday, but a number of people come in the day before. That means tomorrow is our last day to do any prep work.

I do intend to get out tomorrow for a gelato. Seriously. I've only had one since I've been here!

Till Tomorrow...

May 29,2008

Happy Wednesday!

I think we're on the verge of having the major tasks accomplished. Of course I think that every day. This is a picture of where I spend my days. John and Suzanne Wilcox are on the left. I sit on the right. We spend most of our days emailing documents back and forth.




This is a picture of my Roma cat. She is so sweet. She usually finds me when I'm outside and lays beside me or at my feet. If I thought I'd spend a few weeks without cat hair on my clothes, I was wrong. I think she needs a name, but I can't come up with anything original. If you can think of something please add it in the comment section. All ideas are welcome.
This is my evening video. Please forgive the quality. It was about 9:00 p.m. and the sun had set. However, I have a minor obsession with posting videos to this blog. I promise that tomorrow's video will be shot in day light.

Please add a comment if you are following the blog. I'd love to hear from you.

May 27, 2008

Another crazy busy day preparing for the program. However, I did get for a little bit this afternoon to take some photos.


I really want one of these! I think it's electric. It's the perfect truck for a Menards and compost run.

Birds of Paradise are in full bloom in front of the Generalte.

The magnolias are in full bloom. I took this picture of my fist next to a bud to give you an idea of the size. If it opens tomorrow, I'll take a picture so you can see how beautiful and big it is. Unfortunately I can't provide e-smell. The aroma in the evenings and mornings in amazing!

I have no idea what this is. But, it is really pretty and smells wonderful!

I am hoping to make it off the property tomorrow. So far, I haven't had the time. I'm missing the gelato!!!!

Tonight my Rome cat found me. I was sitting on one of the back picnic tables and all of a sudden she jumped in my lap. I don't know if she remembers me, or if she is this friendly with everyone. In any case it made my evening.

I went to the basement today to see Abrahamo. It is always wonderful to see him. If any of you think of something you need from the bookstore, let me know. I'll have plenty of time in the next two weeks to drop by and pick it up for you.

I had dinner tonight with Br. John Cantwell from Australia. We had a great time. the members of the UMFC will remember how entertaining he is.

For your viewing pleasure a tour of my room. No, I didn't clean for the video as you will soon see.

Until tomorrow.....

May 26, 2008

The past two days have been really busy. There are many loose ends to tie up and a few projects to complete. However, it feels like we turned a corner today.

My lovely little room now looks like a laundry house with undies hung all over drying. Experience tells me it takes two days for clothes to dry, so I'm getting a jump on it. I've got my laundry rotation figured out. I know everyone is relieved to hear that!!!

I've bumped into Tom Johnson, Michael French, John Cantwell and Claude Rheinhardt in the past couple of days. All names that will be familiar to my UCFM colleagues. The General Council comes to Roma next week, so things are a buzz here to get ready.

My big project today was creating a spread sheet for expenses that includes a conversion of USD to Euros and Euros to USD. Since the exchange rate changes daily, it is a bit of a challenge to figure out how to track expenses given that expenses were budgeted in both currencies but all based on a USD dollar amount.

Here are some pictures you might enjoy.

Hummingbird vine growing on the chapel.

I believe this is jasmine growing on the wall around the Generalate. It smells heavenly!



Wild geranums going wild:

This is me at my most jet lagged on Saturday.

Yes. I said Casha. Like I said. I was very, very jet lagged.

Till next time...

And Away We Go!!!

As I'm packing for my third trip to Rome in the past year, I'm wondering why it is that I still can't figure out what to take. You'd think I'd know after my two previous trips. Rain jacket? Sandals? Scarves?

Eh, it is what it is.