September List

Summer Retreat: a visual farewell to summer.

Pandora: A brilliant concept. We had some initial issues trying to access the site after our move overseas but recently discovered a way to make it work. Love this.

Recycled Houses: Inspiring, creative, resourceful, and reminds me of my parents' home. Such a contrast to all of the suburban cookie cutter boxes.

Telling Tails: Tim O'Brien's essay about fatherhood, childhood, telling stories, and making them work.

Lucky Girl: I was immediatedly drawn to this book because of its connection to Taiwanese adoption, but I quickly realized it was more than just an adoption memoir. This is a story of cultures, coming age, family, identity, and trying to make sense of it all. Captivating, honest, and makes me wish I could have dinner with her. I especially enjoyed the circular nature of her story as she ends with her own early steps into motherhood and moving to South America where she is faced with the challenge of parenting in a third culture. And some additional food for thought in this recent Boston Globe article.

Bang! Bang! You're Dead: A very interesting read.

Rome with Kids: Getting ready for our first visit to Rome. Any favorite spots? Recommendations?

Market Report

Fresh from today's visit to the market: Peaches, Nectarines, Pachino Cherry Tomatoes,Cucumber, Borlotti Beans, Garlic,Green Onions, Olives, Bread,and Parmesan Cheese.
We used just about everything for dinner tonight. All so fresh and so delicious. Camille shelled all of the beans by herself. I boiled them and then sauteed them with olive oil, green onions, garlic, and a few pieces of carrots (he gave me the recipe when I was buying them). So much more enjoyable to cook when using such beautiful and fresh produce and when I have such a great little helper. I love being able to eat locally and seasonally like this.

School Report

Lots of acclimating going on this week. We are each experiencing some culture shock via schools this week. Noah is gradually adjusting to the sensory overload of being in a large elementary school (on-base, American school). He was scared during his first recess experience: "all of a sudden there was a whistle blowing, kids started screaming and running and I didn't know what to do". He gets to ride a bus to school every day. Not your typical American yellow school. It's a large Italian tour bus. He is working on making friends, figuring out the hot lunch system, and coming home each day pretty wiped out. It's a very big change from his small and wonderful Jewish kindergarten/preschool experience, but he is adjusting.

Camille and I have been visiting Italian preschools this week in search of a good place for her. But it has proved to be a very different experience than I dreamed up in my head. Since Italy is the birthplace of the Montessori and the Reggio Emilia schools, I had imagined finding a peaceful, creative, nurturing oasis where Camille would be surrounded by Italian teachers and friends. I haven't been able to find that yet. We have pretty limited options in this rural/small town setting. The schools that I have visited so far felt chaotic, noisy, and crowded (1 teacher for 20 three/four year olds). One thing that is very appealing are the lunches...the schools go to the markets each morning to get fresh produce and serve the children a multi-course lunch. Grappling with re-adjusting my expectations and trying to understand cultural differences while also finding a good fit for Camille. We will continue to explore a couple of other options but perhaps will end up doing our own thing at home.