A Sentimental Mood

Oh the holidays are now upon us. And as I sit working in my studio Coltrane is playing in the background. Serenading me and sending me soaring towards a Sentimental Mood. (Caveat: If you don't know this track, or worse don't know Coltrane, you need to get out more.)

I just finished preparing my photojournalism story! 10 captured images from the day AFTER the election, with mat, mounted on foam core. My presentation and critique are Tuesday and Thursday. I am very proud of them. It was great fun watching this whole process evolve from a brief conversation, to inspiration, some perspiration and then manifestation.(Sorry, I am having a Jesse Jackson moment; it's the Coltrane).

As for the week, the semester is coming to a close. I can't believe how fast the time has gone! I had a little Christmas party at the house on Friday. About 25 people from Italy, Japan, Canada and the States; of course we had Mexican! It was fun. On Saturday I move into the new place with Simona and Luciana. My friends Ricardo and Alessandro are helping. This is a blessing, because they have cars!!

I will be home (Milwaukee) for Christmas, just a week and then off to Paris. I can't wait to enjoy the top 10 below (Letterman style of course). Where are my ruby slippers? "There's no place like home!"

10. My family. I have to be sure and include them, no hurt feelings. And Turkey and Dressing, because spinach tortellini was cool for Thanksgiving, but THAT'S not Thanksgiving!
9. Desperate Housewives. I haven't seen one episode since being in Italy! They are a season behind, it is in Italian, and I can't watch it online. DANG FCC!
8. Chatting with friends from home (Nashville) at a reduced rate! Did I mention the last phone bill? And yes, I am still accepting contributions, especially if you are one of the people I called! (Am I bitter? No. Seriously, not at all...)
7. That Christmas feeling. Frantically running through the streets of Milwaukee trying to find matching_______ for ______ in the snow. Becoming impatient as ________ decides on ________ for _______. (I am thinking I will get over this pretty quickly.)
6. Snow! I haven't had a white Christmas in a few years. But I don't want so much snow to keep me from getting in or out of the O'Hare Airport.
5. Project Runway, America's Next Top Model, So You Think You Can Dance, well basically just about all of the reality TV shows. Yes, I admit, I am a reality TV junkie! But I am on the way to recovery, first step, done!
4. Diet Coke! In Italy, they have this, stuff, called Coca-Cola Lite. It is NOT Diet Coke friends. It doesn't have that burn, you know. I don't even waste my Euros on it. But I promise, there will be a 2 liter of Diet Coke, with lime in one hand and number 1 in the other. ( I promise to post a picture of that!)
3. Essence Marie Coppins. My sweet angel. Mom has been so good in keeping Essence and of course Essence hasn't always kept her end of the bargain. THANKS MOM!
2. Speaking of mom... her pecan pie for Christmas with chocolate chips! YUMMO and my grandmother's peach cobbler! OMG, my mouth is watering...
1. Whole Foods ALL NATURAL smooth Peanut Butter! You can NOT find Peanut Butter here and when you do it is almost $10!! I know several people who like Nutella, but again, I don't see what all the hype is about!

Yet again, I see a pattern. hummmm.... I think it's dinner time!

Ciao!