So Emily's really awesome parents brought me a new toy

Emily's parents came to Naples, and since they are real amazing, they brought me my new camera. They're real awesome. Just like Emily (and now she's laughing cause I know she'll read this). It's a real fun camera too. I'm real happy. With the new camera, I got a new lens. It's real fun too. Dang, everything is just real fun isn't it?

Speaking of Emily, I'm reading a book of hers now...

this is also a demonstration of my new gear

I like this book better than the Twilight series. Plus it's better for me. haha

So basically, this post boils (bawls) down to Emily being awesome. And she comes from awesome parents.

:)

Email hackers are not very nice people

So,

someone in America has decided to become my hacker. This person has chosen me for some unknown reason, maybe because I'm just really cool (only because Kala says so), but I do not like this person. It has been a few months now that I have been fighting hacker person. I've done everything I can, but today I had to resort to my last option. I deleted my account. Sounds easy enough, except half of my work is done through email. So now I have a ton of things to do. I need a new email and then I have to set everything else straight, since no one knows the new email.

Dear Hacker,

Be nice. Don't hack people anymore. Because then they won't like you. You make life difficult.

Thanks

Is this a dream???

ok so let me start by saying I have other things to blog about, but my pictures won't transfer to my computer. Thus, I am backing up in the blog department. But, never fear, for I have a great blog for you...

Sunday I went to the church that is near my apartment. It is a traditional style church, as far as music goes. You know, those good 'ole backwoods SB churches. While I was there, a girl, Marta, told me to talk with her boyfriend because he was wanting to start a group, and she knew that I played guitar. So an email and phone call later, Kala, Ellie, and myself show up at church last night to see about this "gospel" group they are wanting to start. I guess there was about 12 people there last night to hear about this new idea. Well, not only did we talk about this idea, we decided to start right away. So hear stands 10 or so people who have never experienced gospel at it's truest. (I'm excluded from that because, well, we all know where I stand on that issue) We proceed to learn Israel Houghton's version of Trading My Sorrows. The rest is so blurry to me because I still can't believe it really happened. Gospel choir in Italy. Seriously?!?!?! I think I have found heaven here in Italy.

What would life be like without Peppe?

So, the other day I was headed over to Kala and Ellie's place so that we could do some reading. It seems that some of us girls have gotten taken in by the twilight books...but I will leave that for another post. Anyway, on my way into their place Peppe appears. So we stop to talk to him for a second and then he disappears to find a ladder. He gets the ladder and then climbs over the wall. I'll let the pictures tell the next part of the story......

looking...

got what he wants...

now for his return...

being ever so careful with the goods...

and what did he bring.....

EGGS! Ellie with the eggs that Peppe just stole.

Yes, I said stole.

The hen that the eggs were stolen from.

Now, maybe you are wondering why I said the "stolen" eggs. Yep, Peppe stole these eggs. He climbed into the neighbors yard and stole these eggs from the nest. Then after giving them to Kala and Ellie, he tells me that when the neighbor asks what happened to the eggs, he will tell them that the Americans stole them.

and thus, to answer the question, "what would life be like without Peppe?" ...

BORING. He makes life more enjoyable. Most days. :)

Easter in Naples

Easter is an important holiday in Italy. Much like Christmas, being that this is a Catholic country. Though it is more of an importance to follow traditions than it is to really be aware of why Easter is celebrated. "Pasqua" (the Italian word for Easter) has it's own traditional menu and activities, just like Christmas does. On Sunday everyone eats together with their families, and then on the Monday after, everyone goes on a little picnic together. So yes, the Monday after Easter is also a holiday here. There are traditional breads and pastries made for Easter, but I failed to take a picture of those. sorry. I did not fail in taking pictures of what we did for Easter though.

We did not celebrate like traditional American's do. In fact, I wore all black instead of a new colorful dress. Our team loaded up in the two vans and drove up into the mountains. We found a nice quiet spot where there was no one else, and we celebrated Easter together. We built a big fire, which I enjoyed playing with, and we cooked hamburgers and hotdogs. Not Italian in any way. Of course we had lots of sweets to eat and candy for the Easter egg hunt. It was also MacKenzie's birthday, so we had cake too. Kala and I even wrote a little birthday song for MacKenzie. We played with the kids, ran around, and had a time of worship. It was a great day. I'm sure you have noticed if you read my blog a lot that anytime we go somewhere with grass and open fields, I get real happy. So it was a real nice day! Now let's look at pictures...

Here is our little picnic area. I think Baby Lily really enjoyed laying in the sun. And I just realized that I always refer to her as Baby Lily. Oops

Bubba had fun just running around. He had lots of space to go wherever he wanted and even play with a ball.

As usual, Alessia kept us all entertained. I wonder how she manages to be so funny, all of the time. As you can see, she enjoyed the little bunny cookies Shannon and I made. Well ok, Shannon baked the cookies, and I just put the white icing on them.

What is Easter without an Easter egg hunt?? The girls sure liked it.

And don't forget...... Happy Birthday to the coolest lost watching mom we know! Isn't she cool looking?

And there you have it. Easter in Naples!