Quality Time Over

In the past two weeks, I've snapped a ton of pictures, traveled hundreds of miles, slept too few hours, consumed way too many calories, drank way too many little cups of coffee, and had some of the most fun I've had in a long, long, long time.

Stories will be forthcoming over the next week or so, well those that are internet approved, and my visitors should also be working on some of their highlights.  They are currently landing in Madrid for one last night on the same continent as me before they head back to the land of sunshine, flip-flops, and Mexican food.

For now, it's time for me to regain the affection of Signore Neeks and then figure out just how I can not only get plenty of needed rest this weekend but also get my house back in order.

Madrid: Tease

Fej & Nini  are still in Madrid, but I made it back this morning, and with only mild delays, and an older lady passing out on the flight back.

Our pictures haven't been uploaded. (Shoot, the camera is still in Madrid.) They haven't started their guest posts. Some issues occurred BUT...

we're talking about the kids that entertained ourselves with Fanta bottles in Mexico, built forts in ivy, and made up songs about forgotten suitcase. Although lost luggage wasn't part of the plan, shopping in Europe became part of the cultural experience.

Bottom line is we've  always founds ways to keep ourselves entertained no matter what the issues are and this adventure is no exception! Here are a few highlights from the weekend, and yes, expect more explination in the days to come:

* SANGRIA * hostel * Lost Luggage * walking * 

QUALITY-TIME * Aguascalientes * MUSEUMS * Map Issues * Creepy Taxidermy * Cervezas * jamón *

Madrid Day 1

Lookie Who I Found!

Okay, well I guess if we plan to meet in Madrid I was expecting to find them but you know, it's always a great thing to walk into a hostel and be greeted by your rather sleepy sister who just happened to wake up wondering why you hadn't yet arrived.

Yeah, that's right. We stayed in a hostel and once it was located, was a great location in Puerta del Sol and I wanted to explore! Once they woke up from their groggy travel state we got ready to head out. It didn't take that much time since their luggage was misplaced somwhere between San Francisco and Madrid. As I heard about their tight connection in New York, I was happy to hear that their luggage only missed the flight and not them.

We took out towards Plaza Mayor, the main plaza in Madrid. As it was a beautiful summer evening, the plaza was filled with people. The resteraunt tables set out were filling up with the help of employees attracting tourists in various languages. We didn't need that much encouraging; we saw sangria and were on a tapas mission. It was at this first location that I realized my sister's Spanish skills are nothing short of amazing. (Yes, Nina they are!) Granted, I'm the one who took 4 years in high school and still struggle through the El Torito menu, however on this trip to Spain I atleast remembered gracias rather than grazie when stepping off the plane.

After a people watching adventure in the plaza complete with jamon e melon and sangria we headed out for a little exploring and picking up toothbrushes. Wandering the streets with a map but never quite figuring out where we were, I couldn't help but wonder if being directionally challenged is genetic. We found a few churches and made a major loop down by the Palacio Reale and Cathedral. On our way back towards our hostel we stopped for late night gelato. I was exhausted at this point, but my CA time zoned siblings were gearing up again so we got back in time for them to crash. I think my last words to them were "3am is brutal- just you wait." And you know what? Big sis was right!

Castellabate: Beach Day & 10K

It's funny to me that I'll set a goal, achieve set goal, and then make a new goal. Well, Rome was the goal, so no more running after that- right? Well, but then there was the Naples 1/2 a few weeks (okay, 4) later. Yep, that's the one that I did zero training for and wanted to die around the half way mark. Needless to say, with that less than pleasant experience still fresh in my mind and the daily visual reminder of multiple toe nails ready to fall off...the plan was to not run any events until September when they switch to the evening start times to avoid the hot heat. Any running that would occur would either be in the AC gym or at a crazy hour in the morning, just like I did last summer.

But then my plan changed when I saw a day trip with LPN at the beach with a 10K in the evening. Sounded great so Lori and I signed up. Well, more like I told her we were participating but "please double check your calendar so you don't miss anything while spending the day with LPN."

And that's how our Saturday morning landed us on a bus headed to a town we couldn't remember the name of to spend some time on the beach, eat Italian food, and then run a 10K before the trek back to Naples. Rough life- right? Sometimes it's not half bad living out this way.

We arrived in Castellabate late morning and after some wandering through the streets, found the right section of beach to set up our umbrella and lounge chair city. With the sand burning our bare feet there was a lot of inspiration to move quickly when making the dash to the water. The initial shock of mild temp water wore off pretty fast, but the fact you could walk out for yards without the water passing your knees still amazes me. I guess this really is a sea and not ocean like I keep being corrected on! No matter what type of body of salt water I was splashing around it, it felt fabulous and was entertaining. Why? One of the other club members convinced his daughter that there were no sharks because all the jellyfish scare them away. When she got over both sharks and jellies...he started mentioning other predators. To the point that she thought a piece of trash (one of few we saw) was something other than just a piece of paper floating in the water.

After a good soak in the sea we warmed up under the sun and threw clothes back on to walk down the beach and head up to the place we were eating lunch. Although we're one big "LPN family" there are some family members I get along with really well- like my running partner and a family where he's the one that runs, but I work with her. So we plopped down together at the end of the large table around a backpack we didn't know. Turns out the owner of the backpack AKA "new guy" fit it right away with my little segment of family and we spent more time laughing and talking than eating. Yeah, nothing like a multiple course meal before running a 10K- right?

Post meal soak, water hydration, and sun then it was time to get ready for our race. We had already been warned by Uncle Gianni (club leader) that if anyone bailed due to sun burn we'd be killed. You better believe that was extra inspiration to keep the SFP50 going on my body. Getting ready for the race consisted of shower poolside then deck changing. Yep. Another one of those useful skills I learned in high school! Of course it was more like when we'd have pool practice then have "dry land" and not of our clothes quite wanted to get on our still damp bodies...but we managed.

The 10K race lead us around town and then back on some country roads right around sunset. Absolutely beautiful along the water front (think Pismo Beach, CA), and then in the back roads even the bugs were pushed to the back of the brain as the sky turned its night time pinks, oranges, and purples. Um yeah. The sun had already set by the time that I finished the event. Still have no idea what time I did it in either...note to self- charge your watch. I wasn't among the last group to cross the finish line, but I wasn't too far ahead of them. All I know is, even if it took me 2 hours to finish this race I wasn't going to give the satisfaction to the ambulance driver (bringing up the end of the race) trying to tell me it was time to quit. And no, it really wasn't. By my calculations if there is a 2 hours time limit and you're 1/2 way by 35 minutes...I'm pretty sure I'm going to finish under the time line.

Yes. He made me that mad. Almost to the point when we stopped by the last time I told him I was finishing it no matter what and nearly offered him my race #. From that point on it was my goal to start picking off the runners I saw in the not so far distance just so I didn't have to talk to him again. Well, that and avoiding bugs in the eyes. Managed to pass a runners and it felt great. Until a massive hill, but like in every other race I've done some fabulous Italian comes up from behind and slows pace to encourage me with a forte or piano piano as we both make it up the hill. The race trail finally lead us back into the middle of town where 95% of LPN was waiting for me to cross the line, which always makes it a fabulous adrenaline rush. Best part though? My goodie bag had a bottle of wine. And yes, (mom I'm ashamed to type this but) as soon as the award presentations started the bottle was opened and I was sharing it. (And we wonder why Americans often get a bad name...)

Tired from the sun, miles, and wine we loaded up the bus and started the trek back to Naples. Something like 2 am was when I finally walked through the door. Why? Well, it's horrible traffic super late at night time of year again. Oh well, nothing like a "come back run" with your running family soaking in all the beautiful things Southern Italy has to offer.

Don't Question Your Math Skills...

...this is a real time posting and yes, it's 3am. Funny thing is we've been up since 130. And when I say we, I really mean Nico woke me up and now he is the one back in bed sleeping while I'm bloggin'.

At any rate, since my brain is on overload I figured that it's time to brew a pot of coffee and give one of my rambling updates. Keeping up shouldn't be that tough of a challenge, although trying to translate what sleepy Katie is typing may be...

With the change of the weather I'm finding myself needing little sleep. Not sure if that's due to the temp change (I hate sleeping with the AC on), longer days, or just the urgency to get things taken care of before house guests invade. You'd think that with my challenging days at the office followed by the gym and errand running I'd be exhausted by the end of the day...but no. Chalk one up to Italian coffee I guess?

Luckily the 2012 Coach Pitch Baseball season has ended so that's one less thing on my plate.  Although I was never able to convince the kids that I really was the head coach (which I was) we had a great season. The only loss we had was the win I wanted the most on my birthday, but what can you do in a league that score isn't actually kept? Actually, near the end of the season I started counting the outs made by each side rather than runs scored to see how they were doing. The kids did an amazing job in improving (and in most cases acquiring) their skill set. Now will I be coaching again? As I told the organizers when collecting the awards for the kids, um ask me in a few months. Told the parents the same thing when they asked if I'll be on the soccer field again this fall.

Things on the work front have been okay. My coworker returned from her 3 month training not too long ago and heads back to the states tomorrow for another week or so. This is the last time she will be gone for a while which is good because I think I'll go crazy if I have to continue this job solo.

And why we're chatting about my job, I need to vent a little frustration. We've been going through a review all this week so I've been sitting in on our interviews about procedures (think MIC you NPS folks), but let me tell you...if I get the Katie is new and has only been here 1 year story one more time I may scream. Yes, it's true I've only been here a year. Yes, it's true that I still don't have a grasp on command history and organization (ha- neither do they at this point of the re-organization).  And yes, even some of my day to day stuff still remains a mystery since adequate training has been a challenge with the coworker's TDY schedule in combination with the urgent stuff we deal with.

But c'on.

ONE THIRD of my rotation is completed. Stop making excuses for me because really, I don't think it's justifying things so much as making me look like I can't handle the job.

One last thing on the work front and then I'll change topics- PROMISE!

The Navy did their PRT (Physical Readiness Test) a few weeks back and after a few days of hearing about people's scores or you know, failures as in the case of one horrible shinsplints fiasco, my coworker and I decided to look up what our requirements would be if we were in the Navy. Putting our white board to use we listed the requirements. I don't know all my numbers right now, but I need to do 13 real pushups to even pass. 13. 1-3. As in way more than I can do right now. To get a score of excellent I think I need 37. Ha. Decided I'd rather work on my 1.5 mile time to get it around 11ish minutes to have that bring up my overall score. At any rate, by the end of the day we had everyone in our office goals on the board and even a few others. Test date is at the end of August and as the youngin' of the group (as in there is an age group between me and the next person) I feel I have to learn how to do some serious push ups. Any one have any ideas on how to do this? (I mean, step 1 would be to start working on them.) Oh and yes, for the first time I wished I was 30 so I could get kicked up to the next group, meaning slightly more achievable goals.

Basta con lavoro. 

The funny thing is though, I can't think of anything else to write about now. 

Oh! There is the ever growing excitement of meeting my siblings in Madrid in just about a week before they head back to Italy with me. Bonus? A few of my NPS professors will also be here that first week! It's so great to see familiar faces from time to time. The activities I have planned are already out numbering the days they will be here so it's time to head to the chopping block and just deal with the fact that I'll need to have other guests head out for some of these other adventures, or just stop being so lazy on the weekends and go out myself.

Alright, one last thing because my alarm is about to go off telling me it's time to wake up to get some ab work in...

PUPPIES. If you're in Italy and want a puppy, let me know. A friend has 7 and is looking to find homes for each of them. I've posted pics on Facebook and even picked out the one I want...if I had a yard. I'd be handing them out left and right if I could but something tells me I shouldn't be giving a puppy to a 9 year old for his birthday...especially when I work with his dad. But believe me, I've tried. I'm using it as a threat now..."Loser of the PRT gets a puppy." "Submit your travel claim tomorrow or you get a puppy." Then again, I'm also using it as encouragement: "I know this job sucks from time to time, but wouldn't a puppy make it better?" To which one coworker responded, "I have a 1 and 3 year old- do you want to trade them for a puppy?" Everyone is a hard sale, but I'm working on my marketing skills.

And that folks is the conclusion of this rambling by Katie. I promise to go do some fun stuff this weekend- wine tasting, beach, and a 10K run with LPN. And yes, the kitties will be back at the end of next week. Yay!

Faccio Un Pensiero

Oggi, quando sono andata a lezione, la mia insegnante non c'era. Suo padre era lì. Abbiamo parlato in italiano e inglese perché ha detto che avevo bisogno di praticare. Dopo la semplice conversazione, mi ha insegnato la frase: faccio un pensiero.

How did this come up? He suggested that I switch to the University of Maryland Italian course because he teaches the entry level and also includes Italian culture. He knew that his field trip around Naples last December was a hit with me, especially when I had asked him when we were going this term. So then I had to ask what level he think I should be in. Keep in mind that although I'm in level 4 of this current class I still rely majorly on Google Translate when writing things like above...for word order, spelling, and the occasional verb tense reminder. 

"The first one" was his answer,  to which he quickly justified because it's the one that he teaches. When I laughed he said that I'd be fine in Italian II because I know some already. He continued to encourage me to just try to communicate in Italian because it was all too evident to him that I was too busy trying to make the English to Italian translation in my head perfect and losing my tongue in the process. Of course there is still a little Spanish being thrown in there when that word is more readily available in my "foreign language" brain file...

So he then told me to fai un pensiero (you think it over/make a thought). After about bringing it up 10 more times, I think the phrase has stuck and the next time store keeper is pressuring me into a sale, I'll respond with faccio un pensiero because apparently that's the "cute way" to respond.  

Over all the unofficial Italian class was a blast...especially considering that I really didn't want to go. It was nice to have a different Italian speaker to listen to and get a few basic word uses in. Of course, like his daughter has already told me many a times...the best way for me to learn Italian is to date an Italian. At least he's the first one to qualify that I should actually like the guy or else it just won't work out.

Mamma mia! Is it really that impossible for them to grasp a single girl moving over her for work? And if it is...don't you think they'd be lining up guys that speak decent English as my crash course into Italian? 

Non mi piacciono i gattini...

...e ancora per qualche motivo ce ne sono due in casa mia!

My mom thinks this is her kingdom, but I'm really in charge. I mean, I'm the one who is here every day making sure our kingdom is safe against geckos, flies, and other bugs while she's off slaving away in some distant land. So what was she thinking bringing 2 fluffy things that somewhat resemble Mr. Rat? 

I didn't like them at all and I had no problem telling everyone within earshot with my growls, hisses, and yells. Luckily we had a spare room that they could disappear into so I didn't have to share my bed with them. Or my food bowls. Or my litter box. Or any of my toys...although I saw mom sneak a few of my old ones into their room but I did a rescue mission when they were all up stairs. 

Mom was pretty good about "separate but equal" spaces and time...but then Aunt Jess showed up. Apparently these are my kitty cousins? No lo so and no one asked me if I wanted my cousins to visit! Once she arrived the kittens had free reign of the house, but mom sided with me a lot more. Luckily by this point the gattini had their collars on so I could hear them coming and even stalk them. 

By the end of day 3 with them here I stopped hissing because I found that it was more fun to let them get close enough to bop them on the head and chase them. Of course I picked on Stripey because she's cute and a lot smaller than Blackie. But even by dinner time all 3 of us were running around the roof and it was exhausting! 
They all left this morning and I hope I don't see them for a while. Unfortunately I think I heard my mom talking with Aunt Jess and it sounds like they will be back for a lot longer during the summer.