Normal life

It’s back to our old routine at Vicolo del Cedro 12 now that Liz and her friends have gone. Not that I am complaining. There’s nothing wrong with a routine that begins with fresh squeezed blood orange juice, a workout session with Aramis/Adonis, a delicious lunch of fresh buffalo mozzarella over arugula at home and then a leisurely walk along Rome’s cobblestone streets to a piazza where we have a prosecco and watch the world go about its business. And let’s not forget dinner and a bottle of wine.

My Italian lessons with Nicoletta have resumed. Yesterday she was a vision in turquoise including turquoise tinted leopard print shoes that that must be seen to be believed. They looked particularly killer worn with lacy black stockings. And of course the entire outfit was accessorized by turquoise colored costume jewelry—multiple rings and bracelets, earrings and even a matching watch—the full regalia. Nicoletta is truly the chatka queen of Roma. I am really looking forward to seeing her attire this afternoon. So far I have not seen the same outfit twice.

If only my Italian was as coordinated as Nicoletta's clothing. I still feel ridiculously incompetent as a student. The worst is when I say something in what I think is correct Italian and the person I am speaking to looks at me blankly. And the second worst thing is when they respond in a torrent of Italian words, very few of which I manage to comprehend, and I can only nod and say, "Si, si." At least I can make a reservation at a restaurant and successfully order food. For this, Steve considers me "fluent."