My Imaginary World

This is a picture I took a few days ago of my backyard. When I was little, during the summer I would sit under our grape vines, which you can see hanging in this picture, and I would stare at our neighbor's ivy covered shed. 

I always thought the shed looked out of place so. It had this mysterious quality to it that always left me in awe. The shed was like my wardrobe for the kids in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. 

Anyhow, I would sit in the backyard on nice, warm summer days and let my imagination run wild. I made up this on going story that this shed was actually somewhere near the Mediterranean and it belonged to a family of farmers. Eventually I created characters, but I never gave them names for some reason. I guess my 8 year-old self couldn't handle making up names? 

I always used to write stories when I was little but when I got to high school I stopped. Like I mentioned before, I took this picture a few days ago. I found myself once again transfixed on the shed and then nostalgia washed over me. I suddenly missed making up those stories. When I was younger my imagination was always working over time. I had such a sense a sense of wonder and I'm afraid cynicism has be slowly taking over.

I admire creative people like Steven Spielberg, Tim Burton,J.K. Rowling etc... who have been able to create their own worlds and stories and share them with everyone else. I find that to be a beautiful gift to have.

Maybe I should start writing stories again. I'm don't think I'll be sharing them with anyone anytime soon, but, maybe it'll help melt the cynicism away. I need a different perspective of the world I live in and maybe I can get a visit from my 8 year-old self to help me with that. 

Well kids, I hope you've been having good summers so far. Hope to be talking to you soon. Until then I'll leave you with this:

"The key to life is imagination. If you don't have that, no mater what you have, it's meaningless. If you do have imagination...you can make a feast of straw."- Jane Stanton Hitchcock

-Catherine 

Diary of an Unemployed College Student

It seems to be a trend with me to start off every entry with an apology for my laziness. I realized that my last entry was in March and I have failed to keep my promise mentioned at the beginning of the year. So once again, I'm sorry for being neglectful. Now I shall begin:

I finished my sophomore year of college on May 13th and went back home that afternoon to start my summer break. Unfortunately, no one wanted to hire me for only three months. I even tried volunteering but I struck out there too, apparently free labor has its limits?  So now I sit here unemployed for yet again another summer.

Out of boredom I cleaned my room obsessively, I think it's the cleanest it's ever been. I even started cleaning my grandparents house (for those of you who don't know my maternal grandparents live in the lower half of the two family house my parents and I live in) just to pass the time.

I feed my cat, (yes, I have a cat, that likes to stalk me and bite my ankles for no apparent reason. To this date I am the only person he does this to) I read books, (read One Day by David Nicholls and now attempting Anna Karenina) and I catch up on TV shows and movies that I missed out on during the school year.

Some of you may think I have it made. You are all sorely mistaken. There are really no words to properly describe how boredom has taken over my life.

Because I'm usually alone with my thoughts (it's one thing that is good and bad about being an only child) I often think about traveling. I've only been out of the country once and that was the summer before I started senior year of high school. I had the opportunity to got to Austria for a month as part of a study abroad program with my school. It was the happiest, most exciting month of my life that gave me a taste of all that there is to see and experience.

I have ambitions of traveling through all of Europe- something I've been dreaming of for quite some time. Eventually, of course, I want to visit countries in all of the other continents as well. First place of business would be Italy- for those of you who don't know my mom was born in Italy and my paternal grandfather's family were from Italy, and, I believe most of his siblings were born there as well. I've always had a desire to own my very own villa in the Tuscan countryside where I can spend holidays and summers. And after that, I have no set agenda on what country to see next.

I think there is something so extraordinary about experiencing different cultures. The languages, the cuisine, the history, the architecture, the lifestyles- they all vary from country to country, region to region. Who wouldn't want to explore the world knowing all of this is out there?

I may sound like I'm searching for escapism. I don't see that as true. I'm not trying to run away from my problems or anything angst ridden like that. I am well aware that your problems will always follow you unless you face them head on. I simply want to learn about the world in a hand's on way. Whether it's realistic or not is a different story. Regardless, I will do my best to achieve my goal to see the world.

For now, however, I still remain a 19 year-old (almost 20) unemployed college student who is stuck with her thoughts and The Real Housewives of New Jersey. So now everyone, well, the kind people that read this, knows my not so secret desire/passion for traveling.

If I don't become the first person to die of boredom, I shall write soon. Until then kids, be safe and enjoy everything that comes your way.

-Catherine

Roots Run Deep

I am an only child which means I have a relatively small family. Growing up without any siblings has made obsessed with knowing everything about my family tree. I've done the ancestry.com thing, even looked up those family tree investigators to see if they can track down my roots.

Most of my roots are in Italy. My mom was born there and came to the States when she was eight. My paternal grandfather's family came here in the early '30s from Italy as well.

As I got older, I became more curious about my roots. I found out that my paternal great-grandfather had a brother who moved to Brazil and apparently there's a bunch of Menta's in Argentina and Brazil. Can you believe that, Menta's in South America?!

My mom has tons of cousins back in Italy whom I've never met and yearn so much to. My paternal grandmother's even has family that goes back to England, France, Ireland, and Scotland.

I've always wondered what all of these people are like and if there will be a day I will meet them. I think it's insane to know that there are people walking around related to me and I have no idea who they are, where they're from or what they do.

It may not be possible to meet all these people but I like to think that they're curious about me too and are searching for me. Wishful thinking, I know. A girl can dream.

Personally, I think it's important to know where a person's roots lie. Knowing where you're from makes up part of your identity. I know this point can be easily argued, but, there is truth to it.

I've said it several times before and I'll say it again. Family is important. Knowing that my family is possibly bigger than what I know it to be makes me even more determined to find these people.

Maybe the grace of Facebook, Twitter, or even this blog will bring me in contact with some of them. It already has in some cases actually, but it's still not enough.

So, if you are a Menta, DiVerita, Gianatiempo, Robinson, or Hayes, let me know! Let's find out if we're family.

If you kids are curious about your family roots I suggest checking out Ellis Island's website to check records first. Then, if you'd like, you can go to ancestry.com and create a family tree and search records which can be extremely helpful.

I know this post isn't that empowering but maybe it will ignite a spark in someone to start their own search. It's a fascinating journey that can really inspire you. So I hope someone finds this of use.

Good luck on your hunts! Hopefully I'll be writing soon.

Be good kids,

Catherine

Don't let the Media get You Down

I know I'm already tired of hearing about it but last night was the Superbowl. Christina Aguilera forgot the lyrics to the National Anthem (well done), half time show is up for debate, Packers won, Lombardi trophy back yadda yadda yadda.

Don't get me wrong it was a pretty good game, I watched it, but, it's over. Let's move on, there are other things we should be concerned with.

I was perusing through CNN's website last night. One of the headlines was what was on the menu for President Obama's Superbowl party. Really? Is it that important? Meanwhile Cambodia and Thailand are basically at war, the South of Sudan is seceding , Egypt is a mess, Tunisia and Yemen are not far behind...we got problems here people!

The media really confuses me sometimes and yet I want to be a journalist. I know, it doesn't make sense.

I think that people should be more active in their knowledge of the news and what is going on in the world. It's very important because everything that does happen eventually affects everyone. It's good to be up to date on pop culture as well because it is entertaining but it really should rule our lives.

I know I'm not one to talk. I constantly check every blog/rag mag/ fashion magazine there is and I become so obsessed with celebrities and designers and who's doing who, what, where, when, and why. I really think they need rehab for this kind of thing.

Since starting my journalism class this semester, I've been forced to read the New York Times and watch and listen to various news sources. Since this consumes most of my free time, I have been checking Perez as much or buying as many magazines. It feels good too.

I feel like I'm actually aware of what's going on, it's quite nice. I can now have adult conversations about current events, when the time comes. Maybe I'm growing up? Nah.

Look, I'll always have a weakness for that gossip but hopefully in the future it won't be as excessive as it is now.

If any of you who read this blog and are like me, I suggest reading a paper online, listen to the news on the radio, or watch your local news. Any bit will get your foot in the door and then maybe you'll want to know more about what is important.

So let me get this out of the way: Victoria Beckham is having a girl (yay!!), NYC fashion week starts on Thursday, Adrien Brody had the best Superbowl commercial (check it out here), and Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez were photographed holding hands (kinda of weird to look at). Ok, it's out of the system now.

Well kids, I hope you all start becoming more conscience of what's going on around you. It's some pretty interesting stuff. Thanks for reading and bearing with my rants and raves.

Have a good one,

-Catherine

My First Midlife Crisis

I've been doing a horrible job in trying to keep this thing updated. I deeply and truly apologize.

The first month of 2011 has been extremely long and I would love for it to be over. I've been sick for the most of it. Then I started school. Everything has been quite the whirlwind.

In the past month I've been looking for jobs and internships that I can apply to for this upcoming summer. By preparing a resume and a cover letter and scouring the internet for available positions, everything has seemed to hit me all at once and it's kinda scary.

I'm getting old. I have to be a real adult soon. Two more years I'm out of my cushy college and on the streets. I have no idea what I'm doing. I have anxieties of starting a career, living on my own, being successful, finding Mr. Right, marriage, kids, philanthropy. Holy crap, I'm getting an anxiety attack just typing this.

I have always had my life planned out. I know exactly what I want and how I want my life to be. They all seem for the most part practical but then again nothing in my life never seems to go as planned. The fact that I can't ensure that my hopes will come true is not sitting well with me.

I am an extremely impatient person. Because I have no way of telling what will be of my future kills me. It drives me insane. I think about it constantly. When I pray at night I plead God to just give me a glimpse of the future. I just want to know everything will be fine. I hope I attain the things I yearn for. But I have no idea if that will happen.

Thinking about growing up is strange. When I was little I couldn't even imagine going to college. Now I'm halfway done and I can't even imagine being in the workforce. But it will eventually happen. Right? God I hope. Now it's thinking about "where will I see myself in 5 years." Just thinking about tomorrow gives me headache. How am I supposed to know where exactly I should be and what I should be doing in 5 years?

I would like to be in the journalism field, writing for a magazine perhaps. I would like to have have a nice house, husband, kids, dogs, the whole package. But I am not putting any timetable on those things. Whenever they come along I'll be extremely grateful, I'm just going to take it how it comes. All I want to know if everything's going to be all right. Fair enough I think.

If everything does fail, I do have a back up plan: move to Italy, become and English teacher in Tuscany and start a family there. Not too bad, right? We can have a villa with olive trees, a vineyard, some orchards. We can make wine, olive oil. It sounds so romantic.

Not knowing is the worst. But I guess I just have to wait it out. I'll work on the patience, maybe that will ease my pain.

I hope everyone else had a less stressful first month of the year. Thank you to all who spend the time to read this stuff. I appreciate it greatly, I just don't know how you put up with me.

Be good kids. I should be checking in soon.

-Catherine

2011 Wishes

Dear 2011,

First off, let me just say I welcome you with open arms. I'm extremely happy to be ending the extremely long and emotional roller-coaster of a year that was 2010 and I'm ready to start anew.

I've decided to present to you, 2011, my hopes and dreams for these next 12 months.

I'd really appreciate if you don't put me through half the stress you did last year. You twisted the knife in those last few months- not cute.

Please, for the love of God, I cannot stand being unemployed another day. Give me something to work with!

I hope you make me a more patient and calmer person. God knows that I could use a little more patience. So does my family. And friends. And everyone in a 10 foot radius of me.

I'd like to meet more inspiring, fascinating people. I could use some sage advice.

I hope to do something for myself. Possibly pick up French or maybe resume piano lessons?

Please, 2011, let me pass philosophical ethics.

Also, don't let me screw up the photography thing. I want to be good at something I enjoy doing.

Fewer tears would be nice. I was looking in the mirror and I see worry lines forming. This is not a good sign for a 19-year old.

My final thoughts to you, 2011, is to let me continue to grow and love. I have hope for a lot of both. I know everything won't always be perfect but let's try for a more positive year. Please continue to give me little blessings that make me smile throughout my days- those are always pleasant surprises to crappy days.

Finally, dear 2011, I am fully prepared to take you down if you get in my way. Don't mess with a girl with an agenda. But I'll be nice about it, I promise. I am and always will be a pacifist.

Love Always,

Catherine

P.S. You better treat my lovely readers with the utmost love and respect during these next 12 months as well. Please.