Thursday, October 30, 2008

Easy Come not so Easy Go

I knew it had to come to an end at some point. Every semester I would try and decide if the time sucker of teaching a class was worth it. So far it has been. The students have been interesting and talented. Every semester, I wonder if they are going to ask me back. They did for 3 semesters, which I suspect is pretty good.

Today I was told in a very sweet and personal way that next semester someone else would be teaching MY class. While I am sad at the loss, I understand the need to have a full time staff member teach more than one class. I mean, I teach a class AND have a full time job. WTF! He will do a great job but it will be a different class with a different vibe.

I better get the credit card paid off again, take advantage of my faculty discount and remember what it is like to have some time to spend with my family.

It truly is a mixed blessing. They may ask me back someday and may not. At least I have it on my resume. I know I enjoy teaching. I may need to rethink where I am going in the future with my career, which may be nonexistent in the near future.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Motivational Issues

So I am having serious motivation problems. I was not even inspired to dress even semi professionally today. I did manage earings and a necklace but settled for a big oxford shirt over capris and flats. LOW EFFORT.

I have procrastinated on Facebook and now I am taking stock of what is on my desk.

!. cup that need washing
2. someone else's mug
3. about 25 coke caps saved to enter "My Coke Rewards"
4. box of paper clips
5. fluorescent post-its brought from home
6.2 generic benedryl
7. empty diet Coke bottle
8. 3 yellow highlighters (why I need 3? don't know)
9. old pink erasure (my pencils lose their erasures too fast.
10. a handful of pink M&M's (I eat the dark pink first)
11. legal pad
12. daily schedule for photo dept
13. budgets, scrap papers with numbers scribbled on them
14. one Mirado Black Warrior pencil w/out erasure and chewed up #2 yellow pencil (not mine)
15.hand lotion
16. empty flower vase
17. lite salt and red wine vinegar
18. car keys
19. ear phones
20 card reader
21. little Buddha statue

I am sure there is a person who make a living analyzing desk contents. I wonder what my desk says about me, other than the fact that I am a mess.

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Mandatory requirements

Things I think should be mandatory for everyone. These things should be given time for, subsidized by employers and made a regular part of daily life.

1. naps- good for the soul, creativity and sanity

2. massages - having people knead, stretch, and rub the stress out is good. Having someone touch you in a non sexual way, when you are not worried about having shaved your legs or not, or your figure flaws feels nice.

3. laughter - does not matter how it comes to you, just do it

4. music - helps any mood along, nice to have a soundtrack for your life.

5. exercise - I am giving a wide berth here but moving the body to produce sweat would be my requirement

oh and 8 hours of sleep in a cold room would be good too.

Monday, October 27, 2008

Nightly Ritual

It is a wonder that I get work done when husband is not around.

After work tonight, kiddo and I went to Target to get the finishing touches for his Halloween costume. Nothing exciting just Spidey shoes to go with his Spidey suit. We finished and were on our way by 7pm.

Got close to home when kiddo asked for a burger from Old McDonald's. Considering the options of Happy Meal vs. waiting 15 minutes while I tried to figure out what to feed him and another 15 minutes making it, I thought Old McDonald's was not a bad idea.

We got home by 7:35. The dogs, cooped up all day, shot out of out as if powered by rocket fuel. Kiddo ate and then watched one show while I fed horses and dogs. We went up to bathe at 8:30pm. He ran downstairs naked after the bath while I tried to get the crazed dogs in. Of course I was interrupting their conversations with the other neighborhood dogs.

Pajamas on, we went back up to bed. Brushed teeth, clipped nails and read a story. I tried to get him down for 25 minutes until finally giving in to lay on the floor and do some work on the computer, which is where I am at this moment. I am hoping he is asleep so I can go downstairs and finish grading. We need to be out the door early tomorrow so I can put in my 8 hours at work and then teach for two more.

Fact is, I really do not mind hanging out in his room or on his bed while he falls asleep. It is meditative. I try to wind down at this time. Sometimes I over achieve and need to hit the hay myself. Not tonight, too much to do.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Chilly

Chilly weather blew in to town. It also blew into our bedroom last night. We opened all the windows and the curtains were blowing with each wind gust. I think it was the first time that husband did not kick off the covers since last winter. With each gust, something new blew off the window sill, luckily the kitties were not one of those things. It was a three kitty bed night. Virgil by my head, Grace between me and husband and Smudgey on my feet.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Italy: the right way, part six


Our days on Capri were spent walking and eating with a bit of drinking thrown in. Shopping was not on my agenda because the Euro vs. Dollar is pitiful. I did enjoy looking though, beautiful clothes, jewelry, men...oops did I say that? Then were not so much beautiful as charming. Those Italian men have that down!

Friday we decided to visit Anacapri, the smaller town on the island. We got on the bus, did I mention that buses on Capri are like clown buses? People just pile on the bus until you wonder how they can make room for more. Our very full bus wound up the hills. The views were wonderful and I suspect scary if you are afraid of heights.

We decided to take the chair lift up Monte Solaro, the highest spot on Capri where you can see the mainland of Italy as well as the whole island of Capri. When I say chair lift, I mean a chair with arms hanging from a cable that one person hops into and then you swing a flimsy metal bar in front of you. You wonder if your flip flops will stay on, or what would happen if you dropped your purse on the way up. Worse still, what if you were to drop on the way up? The whole ride takes 12 minutes, if you chose to hike, it would take over an hour.

The summit is cold and windy as you would suspect the top of a mountain to be. There is a courtyard with a place to eat and drink coffee. Back in the 50's the complex was built with a pool, solarium, restaurant and American bar. I wondered why it was not operational anymore. We made our pictures, had something to drink and headed back down.

Down was much scarier that up. The steep hills were intimidating as our chairs floated over gardens and houses. After a bit of window shopping, it began to sprinkle. Rather than wait for the sardine bus, the six of us piled in a taxi into Capri. An interesting thing about Capri is the lack of personal cars. There are only a couple of roads to drive on anyway so there is no point. The smaller alleys are walking only with track pickup and deliveries being made by small gator type vehicles.

My brother and sister-in-law rented scooters to see the sights. The first scooter rental place refused to rent to them because the both wanted bikes. The owner wanted my sister-in-law to ride behind her husband. She know how to ride a motorcycle, so they found a different place at Marina Grande. After proving that they could manage the bikes well, they were off.

My only regret is that I did not make it up to Villa Jovis where the Roman emperors had their holidays. It is said that if they did not like someone, they were thrown over the cliff into the sea.

It all seems like a beautiful dream. I am happy to have the pictures for memories. The kiddo is already asking when he can go to Italy and ride on a boat. Someday my son, someday.

Monday, October 20, 2008

Italy: the right way, part five


Capri Part 1

We landed on Capri after a very quick hydrofoil trip across the Mediterranean. The harbor was small but accessible for the large yachts that brought in wealthy visitors. Our luggage was picked up by an employee of Scalinatella. We took the funicular up the hill to the town and then we walked through the village square, along the main street filled with high end shops. We made a left at the Grand Hotel Quisisana, where the movie stars stay, and continued down the narrow street until we got to our hotel, La Scalinatella. The hotel is lovely with a large courtyard divided for drinks or dining on one side, the entrance in the middle and a garden leading to the pool on the right. The staff was very nice and attentive. They made you feel like you were the most important guest they ever had stay there. Our room was large and we were delighted when we saw there were two bathrooms. Husband asked my preference.

"The one with the whirlpool tub and shower of course! silly question. Why would you need such a large mirror anyway." I answer smiling.

There was a sitting area as well as the bed. It was done all in white and blue, Very relaxing. The balcony had a view of at least a quarter of the island. Husband went to explore the gym right away to get a run in. I took his powerbook down the pool and surfed the web a bit before taking pictures of husband working out in the pretty gym. it was then when I saw the hotel manager escorting a handsome bond man to a very private room past the gym. I could SWEAR it was Jude Law. I waited around a bit to see if he came out again but he did not so I went upstairs to rest. Husband came up and I asked him if he saw the guy who walked by with the hotel manager.

"Sure," he said "He came to workout right after you left."
"Was it Jude Law?"
"I wouldn't know Jude Law if I fell on him"
"Well, did he have an English accent?"
"I didn't talk to him. I was working out!"

MEN!!

Advice I must give to any traveler going to Capri: always forget your camera (if you have it you will not see anyone famous) and wear comfortable shoes. There is tons of walking to very interesting places. I guess you could wear sexy shoes if you were not planning on going far. I did see women with sexy shoes when we went to "The Rocks" a restaurant on the rocks where folks can hang out and sunbathe.

One of my favorite stories came from that restaurant. The food was so good. I had a fettucine with lobster and my mother-in-law ordered this incredible "fish soup" as it was called on the menu. It was so much more than that. More like a platter of every kind of shellfish you could imagine. mmmmmm.
After we ate, the waiter took our picture. A man sitting nearby with his very young, bought-and-paid-for companion, said something in German. It sounded like the equivalent of our "say cheese!" My mother-in-law sweetly turned around and answered him in German, he blushed and went back to his meal.
Turns out, the man had said something like "say Hotshit!" and my mother-in-law said "I understand what you just said." Good for her!!!! Maybe that will teach Mr. I bought my boyfriend to keep his mouth shut.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Italy: the right way, part four



Our trusty driver Guitano picked us up at the San Pietro on the morning we left Positano.

The morning before, as we headed out for the day, a cruise ship made its way close to the hotel and blew the horn several times. The owners along with several members of the staff stood on the top terrace and waved scarves and umbrellas as the ship passed. The ship seemed too big for the Positano harbor took a left after it passed the hotel and headed out to sea. We later learned that a former staff member of the hotel was recently hired by the cruise line and was on that ship. What a sweet moment we witnessed!

On our agenda today was a quick stop in Pompeii. I have wanted to see the lost city since I was 10 years old. The images of bodies in agony as they lost the battle with the volcano fascinated me. I could not image a city so old having such a sophisticated lifestyle. I had to see it.

Guitano asked us if we wanted a tour guide, my in-laws wisely said yes. He quickly made a call and it was all set, a guide would meet us in Pompeii. Did I mention that Guitano knew everyone?

When we arrived, I was amazed at the amount of tourist junk that was there. I don't know why it surprised me but maybe I though it should be a respected monument. Luckily the tourist junk was on the outside of the city. We met Francesco, who got us tickets quickly and ushered us though the turnstiles and into the city.

Francesco was very knowledgeable about the city and his English was excellent. He had spent time all over the world before coming back to Italy. There were huge tour groups from cruise ships speaking German, Japanese, French and English. We had limited time and a small group so Francesco took us to the main attractions. I think we got so much more out of our visit than if we were on our own or with a huge tour group. Many of the building were closed for renovations but we did see so much. Again, I think I would have liked to have stayed longer to see more but we only had 2 hours.

In the middle of the public baths, my camera battery died. Luck was with me because my father-in-law had a camera with the same type of battery. He gave me his. I thought that was very nice and continued my mad pursuit of photos. I wonder if they ever let private tour explore the parts that are blocked off to the public. It would be worth it to volunteer at the dig just to get that opportunity.

As we left I thought about what I learned: didn't know the city was fortified by a huge wall and guard posts, the Italian archaeologist that first discovered the bodies saw they were really pockets in the hardened ash and poured plaster to make casts of the victims, lead pipes for plumbing who knew? (probably why they had a short life span, so many brothels (wonder what crime was like?). I hope to go back someday but at least I can say I saw it.

We found a small restaurant for lunch and had pizza and coke light. oh yes, Caprese salad of course! I thought everyone was going to sleep after lunch so I commandeered the front seat on our drive to Sorrento to catch the hydrofoil to Capri.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Italy: the right way, part three



Pasta, pasta, pasta. I was worried that that was all I was going to be eating. I had heard it was served with every meal. My reality was that I only had pasta few times, fluffy gnocchi in pesto, fettuccine with lobster and some unknown pasta with pumpkin and eggplant, which sounds questionable but was very tasty. How could I resist the Caprese salad? Each restaurant has a different take on it, mozzerella had different textures, big tomatoes or cherry tomatoes. I was surprised at the popularity of cherry tomatoes in all the seasonal dishes. I had always though of them as the poor relation to the roma tomato. Alas cherry tomato, you have earned my respect!

Seafood is fresh and abundant along the Amalfi coast. Since I do not eat it regularly in Texas, but do love it, I made it my mission to have seafood once a day. Squid, octopus, fresh grilled whole fish, clams, mussels, lobster...mmmmm. I adored their take on the seafood salad. Big, meaty no scrimping or KRAB instead of lobster or crab. My mother-in-law frequently ordered the "fish soup" which was not a soup at all but a delicious variety of shellfish, and fish.

One night, high above the town of Positano, we ate at a small family restaurant. A driver picked us up from the hotel and took us up the mountain. When we arrived and walked in the door Vinchenzo came and welcomed us to the restaurant. As far as I can grasp his mom and dad were the chefs. We sat down and all of a sudden plates of food started coming mozzerella, fried mozzerella, pasta with eggplant and pumpkin, eggplant, white beans and fish, garbanzo beans and something, thin slices of roasted pumpkin, caprese salad, salami, procuitto, spinach and so much more. It was wonderful not having to make a choice. We tried it all! Then papa came out and started grilling meat. just as we finished the first course, the meat was brought on a huge platter.

Breakfast was just as important as any other meal. I adore European muesli (granola to us). It is a snack in itself. We chose from fresh fruit, yogurt, breads, pastries and that did not even include the menu options. I ordered hot chocolate one chilly morning and was surprised to get a small pitcher with a very thick liquid. It was like drinking the chocolate from a chocolate fountain. I ended up dipping by strawberries and croissant in it. Husband used some for his coffee. I still did not finish this chocolatey sinful goodness.

We drank and drank. Our local red favorite was made with red Aglianico grapes. It was full and not fruity. It did not heat me up the way reds normally do. Prosecco was the ladies favorite in the group. Italian champagne. Some were sweet, some dry. My mother-in-law said she saw some thing suggesting putting lemoncello in the prosecco. It was very good. We drank that too much one night and had a nasty hangover. In Capri the desk manager asked what my sister-in-law and I were drinking because the prosecco looked cloudy. She proudly announced the creation. His look was priceless, it was if she said she was putting catsup on caviar. "Prosecco OR lemoncello," he said firmly, "Not both together!" I quietly hid my glass under the table and let her take the heat. She is a great sport and took it like a champ. We did try to blame it on mother-in-law but somehow it did not stick.

Monday, October 13, 2008

Italy: the right way, part two


Guitano wound up the narrow roads to Ravello. Occasionally we had to stop to let a tour bus navigate the narrow hairpin turns. I was lucky to be in the front seat where I could take pictures out the window. It amazed me how the land was terraced to accommodate grape vines, lemon trees and olive trees. We saw a number of hiking groups who were using the old peasant trails in the hills to go from town to town. We saw donkeys waiting to take loads up the hills where cars could not go.

Once we got to Ravello, Guitano let us off and we walked to the town square while he parked. He said he would meet us at the square later and take us to lunch and a small local restaurant. We explored the shops in the square trying to get in before they closed for lunch. The door was being shut to the cameo factory when I was about to go in. Lunch had arrived right before me. We went to lunch inviting Guitano to eat with us. He said he would eat in the back with the drivers. We suspected that the drivers eat free if they bring their clients to certain restaurants but they must eat in the back. We ate a simple lunch. Momma of the restuarant was taken with my brother-in-law. She pinched his cheek and made sure he had enough to eat. She then scampered off and returned with some faded looking grapes. "These are from my garden", she said proudly, " You eat." We laughed wondering if we should be honored or if it was an Italian joke to give Americans yucky grapes to see if they would eat them. We ate the good looking ones and paid our bill.

We then walked and walked and walked to Villa Cimbrone, noted for their beautiful gardens and incredible views. We were not disappointed. The tree lined path led to an outcropping with sculpture and a view of Amalfi. Off the beaten path there was a rose garden that had not had it's Fall bloom yet. I think I could have stayed another 2 hours there exploring and making pictures but I was in the minority. I know we missed so much more. It seemed like there was more to do in Ravello but we were on a schedule and needed to get back to Positano for dinner.

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Italy: the right way, part one


Ahhhh how the other half lives....We just returned from a wonderful vacation in Italy on the Amalfi coast with my in-laws. This included husband's brother and his wife. The trip was a gift from the in-laws to celebrate their 41 years of marriage. What a lovely , thoughtful gift.

We began the trip all flying into Naples, Italy. From what I saw on the drive out of the city, it looked like a rough place to live. Decrepit high rises with laundry drying in the smoggy air. Roads were rough and crowded. I was happy to be out of the city.

The roads soon turned narrow and winding as we wound our way through and around the mountains along the coast. It seems Italians speak to each other with their car horns. A warning Beep, beep when going around a tight bend, a cheery Beep! when passing a friend or tour bus and a long Beeeeep! when someone has done something dangerous. Our driver Guitano knew the roads well and had driven for my in-laws in the past. His Mercedes van navigated the tricky roads effortlessly and he was still able to hold a conversation in English.

We soon arrived in Positano where we would be staying for 4 days. As we drove through the town, Guitano told us that tourism was down this year but the street still seemed full of shoppers. Four hairpin turns out of town, we pulled into the San Pietro. It seemed small until we took the elevator down and discovered the hotel was built into the cliff and had beautiful views and luxurious spaces for guests to lounge. A guest could choose to take the 400 steps down to the beach or use the small elevator that opened up in a cave-like alcove to go to the beach restaurant, bar or lounge chairs. The boat dock was also down here so guests could catch a boat into Positano, to Capri or take the hotel boat on it's daily 2 hour tour.

We took the boat tour twice. You could view Positano from the sea, houses all stacked up into the hillside. You passes amazing rock formations and grottos. The boat anchored at a small island, with 2 houses on it. One of the houses belonged to Nureyev, the dancer. While guests jumped off the boat and swam in the sea, the captain to the boat put out olives, peanuts and sangria for refreshment. The day I swam, the water was cold and the swells were larger than I was comfortable with. I decided against swimming to the grotto and went back to the boat. Being slightly hung over from prosecco and lemoncello the night before, I felt this was a wise and safe decision.

Another day, Guitano took us on a driving tour of the Amalfi coast, where we saw Sofia Loren's home, huge yachts in the Amalfi harbor and the green grotto. The green grotto ended up being a tourist trap that made us laugh so hard it was worth the 5 euros. "Lookie, Lookie!" the boatman would say "it's magic! The rock looks like Ronald Reagan or Abraham Lincoln if you like." The grotto had a nativity seen under water that some fisherman put there in 1964. I am sure this was a feeble attempt to lure tourists to see the miracle of the grotto. The boatman sang, told stories and did everything he could to earn a tip. We gave him one, we knew the season had been slow.