Olio di Oliva e Sogni di Vino 2009-01-06T10:56:34Z http://blog.katerinafiore.com/atom.aspx Quick Blogcast Goals cont... tag:blog.katerinafiore.com,2008-12-30:0ce78346-f030-4226-94ba-b8deed4b8d1b katerinafiore 2008-12-31T01:59:09Z 2008-12-30T09:26:00Z Write for 5 new publications with compensation of money, I am going to expand my writing battleground: Goal 4.  As much as I love to write about travel, I would like to dabble in other genres.  I have already written a love story of my tesoro and I.  It is about how we met.  A piece I hold dear to my heart. 

One other goal that has sprung upon me Goal 5: Stop worrying about money.  My mind is on overdrive these days, it being the end of another year.  Things should be going my way, right?  I know what I need to do, Pay off bills, I know why, because I want to move to Italy yesterday, I know when....well that is the thing that bothers me.  Even though I have been searching on the internet everyday in order to find a better paying job and/or a button that says "click here for your $10,000 bonus for being the best damn fighter you can be".   How fantastic would I feel???  I would be already packing for my 7th and final trip over to Florence with an intent of being a resident, working, living, where my heart now resides.  I imagine it sitting in Piazza della Signoria, having a cafe, then climbing up to my strong tree, Palozzo Vecchio to watch as the Universe does it's magic.  I can see it walking around in a daze just SOOO happy to be where it belongs, even if my body is somewhat behind.  I see it hanging out with my friends, at the pubs, in the streets having a chit chat with Pasquale.  Everything has ALWAYS led me to Florence, Italy.  Today at my temp job, the girl I am reporting to just starting talking about her Italian vacation to Cosenza next summer.  I NEVER MENTIONED ITALY ONCE TO HER.  (a little sidenote there) Now, Cosenza is the province my tesoro is from.  Ok Universe I get it, now where is that money I have in abundance hiding? 

All I wish is the worrying to stop, the loneliness to go away and my life to start back where it left off in Florence. 

I will get back to you on my next goals.  I am a bit emotional tonight. 


a presto amici



]]> What I want to accomplish in 2009 tag:blog.katerinafiore.com,2008-12-28:d1972877-7fd2-44e8-b6f2-cf22a2b1d586 katerinafiore 2008-12-28T15:58:34Z 2008-12-28T15:12:00Z failures in my mind.  Being that every time I say to myself, I need to go to Firenze NOW,  I end up jumping off the edge of financial security and prosperous living.  As much as I don't regret the 6 times, I ventured to my love, Firenze, knowing full well I need to make something out of myself this time.  Thus this year I have decided is my year to do what has been haunting my mind(in a good way) since 2002.  

I have decided I am going to split my 2009 into 3 parts.  Winter/Spring months, Summer months, and Fall/Winter months.

Starting with the Winter/Spring months(Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May)

Nothing has ever stopped me before in achieving my dreams in life.  Let it be, becoming a travel writer, photographer, Italian speaker, starting a business(Florence by Katerina), living in Italy(4 separate times for a grand total of a 1 year and half, I have been living in Florence) all these things are well and good.  However, my life is lacking in Prosperity, the ability to stay where I want, live where I want, and work where I want has stopped my dream of being a reality.  Thus is the first and foremost goal I have: Pay off my credit cards!

There are 2.  One is close to being gone forever, the other is in need of some assistance from my freelance writing.  I am always looking for some work.  Please contact me. 

The other goal I have that was mentioned above, living in the place I love, Florence, Italy.  Enough of my short trips of 1, 3, 4, 9 month trips, I want to LIVE there.  Goal 2: Obtain British Citizenship so I can work in Italy a bit easier than being an just American.  The reason I have the opportunity to apply, is that my mother was born in London.  Much easier than obtaining my Italian citizenship thru my Grandmother, less paperwork, that is.  The British are generally more friendly as well.  Looking forward to that as well, getting a straight answer about the duration of the application process.  As it states, it should only take 2 to 3 months ot obtain it.  Which makes me want to get up and do a little dance.  Will upload that dance when I have the passport saying 'part of the European Union' in my hands. 

Goal 3 is one that I have been working on since I attended Amanda Castleman's Travel Writing Class in Rome this past April 2008.  She was insanely helpful in assisting in my perfecting my favorite craft, Travel Writing.  Since then I have been trying desparately to improve my writing, guest posting on other's blogs, writing spontanous love stories, and from that I met my love.  (Two separate posts there)  My writing declined after leaving Florence at the end of September 2008, all I could think of was him.  I would like my love for him assist my love of writing.  I am determined and am confident this is my year to make some more connections in the Freelance Writing world.  In order to make myself prosperous living in Florence, Goal 3: Write for 5 new publications with compensation of money.

I am going to leave you today with these 3 goals to start off.  They are my 3 BIG Goals of 2009.  I will be getting back to you with the rest as I conquer these and press on to conquer a few more.  One step at a time....towards manifesting the life you always wanted.  I am on my way.


photo from flickr by D L Ennis

a presto amici



]]> Happy Christmas e Buon Natale! tag:blog.katerinafiore.com,2008-12-25:7f46e173-c2e7-4531-bcd1-d67da8013bcf katerinafiore 2008-12-25T13:45:22Z 2008-12-25T13:25:00Z Pisces: Thursday, Dec 25th, 2008 -- Although it may feel as if you are holding on to the last vestiges of reality, your dreams are growing in strength and could temporarily overwhelm you. Being caught up in a beautiful fantasy -- romantic or spiritual -- can be an ecstatic experience, one that should be thoroughly enjoyed. But you'll need to find a way to overcome your fear of temporarily letting go. Don't worry; even if you float away, you'll land safely back on shore soon enough.


Nothing beats a horoscope that tells me exactly what I need to hear...
Zia e Addy! 

I hope everyone's Christmas is as memorable, meaningful, and fulfilling as mine always are. 

Here are me and my siblings arranged by size.  Second shortest!  YESSSS!!

a presto amici!!



]]> Revamping of websites tag:blog.katerinafiore.com,2008-12-22:61a23d0c-7106-41c8-ada1-936fd757c3c5 katerinafiore 2008-12-22T20:01:29Z 2008-12-22T19:51:00Z Spring Christmas cleaning.   Let me know what you think. 

Florence by Katerina

Katerinafiore

I want honest, helpful, advice for improving my sites on the internet.  And if I misspelled something, should add something, or ANYTHING, please be great blogging friends you all are and give me some feedback. 

I am also interested in gathering sponsors for creating more revenue on my sites. 

Thanks friends! 

Promise I will be more frequent in my writing as soon as I can. 

a presto amici!



]]> Mending Heart and Mind tag:blog.katerinafiore.com,2008-12-11:6b420798-097b-44f2-88b1-5e427f976433 katerinafiore 2008-12-11T18:08:12Z 2008-12-11T17:54:00Z INCREDIBILY, MOVING, EYE-OPENING Article from the inspirational website Zen Habits.

How to Make your Heart and Mind Work Together

Nothing is impossible when you listen to your Heart.  I find my Heart is ALWAYS right!  

Firenze here I come for the 7th time!  Let's make it permanent Universe! 


photo by violaceousdaisy from Flickr



a presto amici!!

]]> Love Thursday: Feels like home to me, Tesoro tag:blog.katerinafiore.com,2008-12-10:f94c6b0f-6361-43c3-9606-6bef59fe1ee8 katerinafiore 2008-12-11T00:17:28Z 2008-12-10T23:44:00Z

Sono inammorata con te.  Non posso fermare l'amore.
Nessuno come te, Ti voglio bene per sempre!!! 

Feels like Home
by: Chantel Kreviazuk
Something in your eyes
Makes me want to lose myself
Makes me want to lose myself
In your arms
There's something in your voice
Makes my heart beat fast
Hope this feeling lasts
The rest of my life
If you knew how lonely my life has been
And how long I've felt so low
If you knew how I wanted someone to come along
And change my life the way you've done

Chorus: Feels like home to me
Feels like home to me
Feels like I'm all the way back where
I come from
Feels like home to me
Feels like home to me
Feels like I'm all the way back where I belong

A window breaks down a long dark street
And a siren wails in the night
But I'm alright 'cause I have you here with me
And I can almost see through the dark there's light

If you knew how much this moment means to me
And how long I've waited for your touch
If you knew how happy you are making me
I've never thought I'd love anyone so much

Chorus

Feels like I'm all the way back where I belong
]]> Delaying the Real World: Pillar 1 tag:blog.katerinafiore.com,2008-12-05:8b349076-3d7d-44ab-aa36-113f49a22b09 katerinafiore 2008-12-05T21:51:18Z 2008-12-05T19:46:00Z Delaying the Real World: A Twentysomething's Guide to Seeking Adventure is a book about opening the eyes of young people who want to experience something else than a 8-5 job right after college.  This book is a gem and I have never even read it.  The premise of the book speaks exactly to what I did right after college. 

I am going to feature the 10 Pillars spoken by other adventurers that have pursued a dream of living a unique life.  I will write about what each Pillar means to me.  Starting with the first pillar...

Thou Shall Not Rush in Vain

I think as a whole, us passionate souls, would like our dreams to happen asap.  I know I am one of them.  Having goals is one thing but why do we want to rush the dream-catcher part?  As the saying goes 'It's not about the destination, it's about the journey'.  I've looked back at all my goals conquered and the journeys are sometimes even better than the goal itself.  I believe that when we sit and say to ourselves, 'I wish my dream would manifest so I can be happy.'  I know I have either said this or thought it at one point throughout all my dream-catching.   Rushing into something seems so selfish to me.  What about all the other life lessons, dreams, ideas that can manifest from that one dream you are rushing to accomplish.  Take a breath.  Live each moment.  Find as you head towards your goal/goals,  there are always things that happen for a reason.  Take each lesson with you. 



photo by shioshvili from Flickr

a presto amici!



]]> My horoscope speaks big today... tag:blog.katerinafiore.com,2008-11-30:d425f5fb-59ef-4461-bcbc-b830e88e9d64 katerinafiore 2008-11-30T18:33:24Z 2008-11-30T18:21:00Z You may wish that you weren't so practical today, for even your most far-out fantasies need to make sense now or you'll drop them like a hot potato. Instead of allowing your mind to meander anywhere, pick a destination -- preferably one in the distant future -- and focus your dreams on it. You should be able to come up with some very useful ideas from your reverie, but don't be too quick to return to reality until you are ready.


I am ready to be in Italy.  I am ready to find my writing voice.  I am ready to be with the one I love.  I am ready to live fully each day with no regrets.  I am ready to be self-sufficient.  I am ready to have my passions exude from my limbs.  I am ready to sing again.  I am ready to teach.  I am ready to show people my Florence.  I am ready to speak Italian.  I am ready for prosperity to melt over me.  I am ready to be a successful writer.  I am ready to be an original teacher.  I am ready to collaborate.  I am ready to meet more people and fuse our passions together.  I am always ready to meet for new friends, followers of my blog.   In a nutshell Universe, I am ready for all things. 

Hope to hear from more of my blog followers, I enjoy it so much!! 


                                      photo from flickr by michaelrae

a presto amici!!!

]]> A New Article posted on a New Site tag:blog.katerinafiore.com,2008-11-29:2973c89b-a0f1-4b22-b2f5-bfe995b3cbe5 katerinafiore 2008-11-29T23:28:09Z 2008-11-29T22:45:00Z Things You Should Do.  Head over to the site and check it out my article on my favorite ristorante in Florence.  
Ristorante Pizzeria i'Lorenzaccio










]]> Happy Thanksgiving tag:blog.katerinafiore.com,2008-11-27:2aa9a2e8-d64f-4c36-bd3f-00ba31841a53 katerinafiore 2008-11-27T10:21:22Z 2008-11-27T10:13:00Z
THANK YOU EVERYONE WHO HAS ALWAYS BEEN THERE FOR ME!!!!



a presto amici!!  See ya next week!


]]> Flashin' back tag:blog.katerinafiore.com,2008-11-24:0f1cefc1-2348-464e-9b80-14bd5b7b62f9 katerinafiore 2008-11-24T19:12:55Z 2008-11-24T18:59:00Z
My Favorite Billy Joel Song


For some reason I get the video to appear in this post.  So check out that link!

a presto amici
]]> Weekend at my Alma Mater, Saint Mary's University tag:blog.katerinafiore.com,2008-11-23:0fbfb9f4-ab28-45cb-bac2-5986003df2be katerinafiore 2008-11-23T23:27:59Z 2008-11-23T22:58:00Z   I figured because I was an Alum, I was able to walk anywhere and open any door I wanted to.  So I did.   

There were new and improved floors in Old Mary's Hall however the smell of olden times were still in the air.  I found all my professors(from all four years) offices, and went to the computer labs which were all locked, where we all did most of our socializing while pretending to write papers or print out research material.  I was in awe of the fact that wireless is EVERYWHERE on my old campus.  Only 6 years ago I was walking these halls and only checking email in computer labs and my room.  I  asked the guy at the bookstore where he lives and if he had wireless out there too.

"I live in the Old(Village). I don't even think there are even plugs for Ethernet in our place anymore, because we are wireless everywhere."

WOW!  Funny how impressed I am with my school.  I have had wireless since leaving the bluffs of Saint Marys, but for some reason it seemed wrong and completely unlike my school to change. 

On Saturday morning, I met with my most favorite professor, Dr. John Poling for a long overdue breakfast.  You might notice a quote I have in my sidebar, which he wrote me when I was in Italy in 2005.  He and I have kept in touch over the years I've been away and it is like we pick up right where we left off.  We had a great visit and he informed me of something of the Italian kind.  (Which he always makes sure he discusses with me.)   

Saint Mary's Art Director is manning a 3 week adventure to Italy. Florence, Rome, Venice, and a couple other places.  John encouraged me to email this person to see if I can add something to the trip, my expertise of Florence, language skills, ANYTHING.  I have always wanted to get into a Study Abroad program like the one I partook in.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE talking about Italy and telling stories. (as most of you already know).  So I am hoping to hear back from the Study Abroad office of my Alma Mater with good positive feedback. 

All in all it was a sucessful weekend with my Dad and I.  Thanks to my Dad for the company and conversation.  Love you very much! 

Here are a few pictures of my gorgeous campus! 




Sign reads: Players Only Beyond This Point.  Well that is me!! 


a presto amici



]]> Ok NOW I lost. tag:blog.katerinafiore.com,2008-11-17:0c79e006-6dca-42d3-8572-bb72501382bb katerinafiore 2008-11-17T22:19:15Z 2008-11-17T22:06:00Z
Me: Mi fai sorriso! (You make me smile!)

G: Tu devi sorridere, sei molto bella quando sorridi. (You must smile, you are so beautiful when you smile.)

I feel love in the air or are we getting close to Love Thursday??? 

I have been working on my travel consulting website, Florence by Katerina,  a bit more.  I haven't done anything drastic yet.  But I am sure I will.  I am really trying to move traffic to my site.  Aside from the economic crisis, I have found, through some research, people are still wanting to travel abroad.  Let's hope some of you chose my service. 

Look forward to getting some more feedback from my friends.  Also anyone interested in collaborating, I would be interested.

I hope to write more soon! 

a presto amici
]]> Still down... tag:blog.katerinafiore.com,2008-11-14:4d38a442-06f4-46ea-87d9-b035486aadf3 katerinafiore 2008-11-14T21:19:07Z 2008-11-14T21:14:00Z

This Man has been able to change my attitude every time he sings.  His story makes me realize that all my dreams CAN and WILL come true just like all my other dreams.   This is one of my favorite songs by Dave and love the way he looks when he sings this lovely song. 

Let's hope my Yoga class will bring me to my center so I can relax even further. 

Thanks to all of my friends and family that are listening to me in this down period.  I will be up again soon.

a presto amici



]]> Another Childhood Memory.. tag:blog.katerinafiore.com,2008-11-13:912c1c91-441e-4108-b105-9bcac82fadec katerinafiore 2008-11-13T19:06:40Z 2008-11-13T18:45:00Z

                                           

Silly ole bear....


a presto amici


]]> I missed one day...so sue me :) tag:blog.katerinafiore.com,2008-11-13:6625198b-d6d4-4338-baa6-a3d4796343b1 katerinafiore 2008-11-13T15:26:39Z 2008-11-13T15:23:00Z


                                        


This song I heard a million times babysitting adorable Carolina e Maria in Florence.  Now I make Addy watch it.  She laughs too.  So can you.  Let's all SMILE BIG today. 

I will posting again tonight.  I PROMISE! 

a presto
]]> Morning view tag:blog.katerinafiore.com,2008-11-11:a862e409-2c1c-4147-a19b-a7dcc8d94eae katerinafiore 2008-11-11T22:31:43Z 2008-11-11T22:28:00Z

What I woke up to this morning.  Wish my day was as beautiful as this sunrise. 

Hope tomorrow brings more sunrises full of happiness not negativity.

a presto amici
]]> Ryanair coming to the States?? tag:blog.katerinafiore.com,2008-11-10:987193b1-189b-4fa3-9c60-ddff761a0f25 katerinafiore 2008-12-22T20:34:14Z 2008-11-10T19:38:00Z
The flights will connect through Stanstead Airport and Dublin Airport leaving from American cities such as, NYC, Boston, Orlando, San Francisco, and L.A.

This would be great, but from what I heard Ryanair airplanes are pretty small and cramped.  I have never flown but have always wanted to fly for only a 1 penny to London.  

Here is the article from Budget Travel

What do you all think about Ryanair coming to America??  Would you fly over an ocean on one of their planes???




a presto amici

]]> Nov 8th is Officially Obama Day! tag:blog.katerinafiore.com,2008-11-09:62d9df5b-c105-47e7-9f09-6fe97cbfa78b katerinafiore 2008-11-10T20:36:58Z 2008-11-09T14:03:00Z

Me,Mary(Joan's sis), Nanc


The table and streamers with more BLUE than red.  OBAMA!!


The T-shirt I almost won if only I was related to the Williamsons'.

Susan, Mike(Joan's Bro), Nanc. Mary, and Steve squatting in the center. 


Jazz hands for OBAMA!!  Joan a bit sleepy in the background.

Happy Obama Day!!


a presto amici



]]> What a Beautiful Day! tag:blog.katerinafiore.com,2008-11-08:5f488a7e-de0e-4f49-8fab-34f00f68b889 katerinafiore 2008-11-08T12:24:13Z 2008-11-08T11:33:00Z   My parents and my younger sister have flown to Florida.  This is my mom's 3rd trip to Florida.  And by joe, she deserves it!  Bodyflow is my focus today.  I taught a GREAT class this morning.  Bodyflow really makes me happy.   I start my classes with a bit of Laura Pausini playing in the background as I greet my participants.  I have my own way of welcoming people.  I like to be me and only me.  As my class begins to start, I notice more and more people walking in trying to find a spot in Studio 1.  My heart smiles bigger!    I have proof that being positive, happy, and smiling A LOT, really draws people into a place that is warm and fuzzy. 

The head count for my first Saturday Bodyflow class was 32 people and 3 men!!!!

My second set of news is (well for me is GREAT news) that my tesoro has purchased a phone card and now is able to call me when he wants instead of waiting for me to call him.(saves me some denaro)  I am so happy!!!!! I am so in love with him.  How funny is that when my tesoro buys a phone card I seriously jumped up and down!?!?    What will happen when he actually makes a trip over to Chicago to meet the rest of my family???? 

I love that happiness is flowing all over me.  Isn't it better to be happy than to focus on the negative??  Smiling helps A LOT! 

OH PS, it is even snowing here in suburban Chi-town, Yes I am still smiling even though you all know I hate the cold. 


photo by FlickrGrl42 from flickr 

KEEP SMILING!!!! 
How many smiley faces do I have in this post???
Do they make you smile??

GOOD!

a presto amici!!!! 

]]>