Category Archives: family

I don’t know about you but I seem to get the most done around the house when I have to face actual WORK that I HAVE to do. Right now I’m avoiding filling out forms for school. I bet this is going to be a long post. Ha!

If you are new here, welcome. If you are a returning visitor, hello. Good to see you.

I live in a country that is completely disorganized in my opinion. When I was a kid my room was always a big mess. Nonetheless, I consider myself rather organized. If not, at least I have the will to be organized. Some of my good friends will say I am. Does that count?

For me it’s a non stop sorting first thing in the morning to go to bed process. Perhaps that is just life.

The challenge is trying to sift through the murk when I put myself into a culture that is so completely disorganized. At the same time, sometimes I’m awestruck at Italy’s ability to put out a dinner for 300 people without breaking a sweat.

I learned about the dinner thing while volunteering for community service. Not far from the town’s center, there’s a big tent like structure where the community organizes meals. One of the dinners I worked at was to promote sport.

We were talking about it during baseball practice. My arm shot straight up. Sign me up. Dinner in Italy? That’s a no brainer.

In the kitchen there were a lot of smiles, with jokes and laughter too. And sharing. Phenomenal fries. What I couldn’t get over was how relaxed everyone seemed. I had the impression it would be like Hell’s Kitchen, where it looks like the pans will literally catch on fire.

Here, there is one lady who has been working the bread baskets for many years. She’s really sweet too.

She had a firm grip, manicured nails and cuts straight down. I think each slice could have been measured with a tape measure, they were so perfect. She’d smile if she knew I wrote that. And then she’d humbly deny it.

Each person is assigned to a station. My two friends and I were assigned to Service. But that is the biggest over statement of the year. What we did was stand near of the bread lady, waiting for the gorgeous plates of abundance to be served. They’d say “Table 22.” That was it. The plates magically appeared in front of us and we casually strolled it out to the proprietor.

Never once did anyone ask for anything out of the ordinary. Everyone sat, ate, talked with their families and friends and enjoyed themselves.

There were no tips nor did anyone expect them. I don’t even know if there were taxes. I don’t know. I didn’t even look. I just told the this cook I’d like to try the Spaghetti Scoglie. It came with a smile and in abundance.

What is on my mind today is the juxtaposition of living in a truly disorganized place contrasted with a perfectly smooth dinner for 300.I say truly disorganized because generally speaking nothing ever seems to work, stores are often closed and ‘No’ seems to be the most frequent answer I get. I’ve gotten used to it.

I’ve said in the past that living in Italy has made me a better person. It is true. I have learned what it means to be part of a community where people include you and become part of your life and vice versa.

Now to face my work. I’m filling in forms for school. My kids have after school care so I can come late if I need to pick them up late. Hey, Service in Italy! Maybe I’m wrong. I have been wrong in the past.

Continuing to learn.

I’ve been given double forms for two kids so it’s eight pages of phone number to call in case of an emergency. I’ll figure it out. I’m cool like that.

Hope this post finds you happy, lovely, learning and in love. Find the good. Find the positive. Peace. Out.

Julie

How about you? Do you consider yourself an organized person? How are the services where you live? Have you ever walked into a coffee shop and seen people doing nothing? Does the kitchen where you go to eat seem relaxed or under pressure? Do you participate in community events? If so, which? What about sports? Are your kids involved in sports? Have you noticed a difference between kids who are involved in community activities compared to those who are less involved?

Thanks for your visit. Thanks for you thoughts.

Julie