Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Vacation anyone???

Looking outside, snow & ice covering all my plants and flowers....
and thinking
I rader be on vacation, with a lot of sun good food and a lot to see.
The first Country I think about is Italy (of course) and then Europe.
It is like going back in time, unplug myself from everything.
Enjoy an " aperitivo " and looking at the Colosseo or the sunset.
and after that decide were to go the next day.
My vacation plan are always with:
no schedule, I decide were to go as I please, usually I reach the first main big city and in this case can be Milan or Rome.
After living the airport I go straight to the train station and then the adventure start.
One time I took the local train from Rome to Termoli. Usually is a 3 hours ride, but that time it was 6 hours.
I was tired from the flight, but as soon I was on the local train I started to be like a kid in a candy store.
So many think to see and I always get a window seat.

this picture was taken from the train.

But if you are planning a vacation in Italy now or in the future you can always check the list:
SUGGESTED READING ON ITALY
VENICE:
A Thousand Days in Venice – Marlena de Blasi
A Venetian Affair - Andrea Di Robilant
In the Company of the Courtesan – Sarah Dunant
Venetian Stories – Jane Turner Rylands
The City of Falling Angels - John Berendt (non fiction)
The World of Venice – Jan Morris (non fiction)
MISC:
A Thread of Grace – Maria Russell (WWII Resistance)
A Bell for Adano – John Hersey (WWII Sicily)
The Agony & the Ecstasy – Irving Stone (Michelangelo & Sistine Chapel,
based on fact)
The Birth of Venus – Sarah Dunant
A Valley in Italy – Lisa St. Aubin de Teran - Tuscany
Italian Neighbors – Tim Parks (Northern Italy)
The Name of the Rose – Umberto Eco
A Farewell to Arms – Ernest Hemingway
NON FICTION:
Italy for Dummies – Bruce Murphy and Alessandra de Rosa
Italy, A Short History – Harry Hearder
Italian Days – Barbara Grizzuti Harrison
La Bella Figura – Beppe Severgnini
Culture Shock! Italy – Alessandro Falassi
That Fine Italian Hand – Paul Hoffman
Dances with Luigi - Paul Paolicelli (Southern Italy)
Under the Tuscan Sun – Frances Mayes
When in Rome – Robert Hutchinson
MOVIES:Summertime (Katherine Hepburn) – Venice
Life is Beautiful
Ciao Professore!
Enchanted April
Cinema Paradiso
Il Postino
Roman Holiday
A Farewell to Arms
Big Night (Italian Americans)
Night of the Falling Stars
The Agony & the Ecstacy
Dangerous Beauty (Venice)
Visions of Italy (PBS 2-disc)
- Arial photography, northern
& southern Italy & Sicily

Until then,
let me go, I have a movie to watch.
Under the Tuscan Sun always make me happy.

Ciao e arrivederci.

Tea

    
    

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Restaurant Review link

http://www.thepesca.com/2011/02/restaurant-reviews-in-east-village.html

Rabbits

Let's learn how to make origami rabbits.
For this rabbit, you are on your own.  Good luck!  Bring it to show us all for next time.
:))


Here's where to start making origami rabbits.  Practice for next time, OK?

Nemuko & Tea

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Origami

Isn't amazing what a little paper and fantasy can create??



If you are more interested in origami art we have the latest information from
Koneko san:
"I will exhibit my origami works at Bergen PAC this June. I am so excited and happy. Hope you will visit and see my works then."

IT WILL BE WONDERFUL TO SEE IT
Exhibit date will be post as soon we have the exact date.

Tea

Friday, February 18, 2011

Lunch & friendship

Hi girls,
have you ever tought about our lunches?????
Once a month we try to get together and have lunch, my main reason is to see all Nihongo Kai girls.
We exchange information on every subject.
Last idea was from one member"
Have a vacation together in Thailand......
Sometimes you cannot find the person to go somewhere and this group of friends can help.
I would like to have an Italian day tour, with foods, arts and a nice cappuccino.
Since to go in Italy in one day will be difficoult we can always try NY NY
this is the starting bridge.

Maybe I can find members who would like to join me.

Until then.... spring time is getting closer....

Tea


  

Thursday, February 17, 2011

from Nemuko san...

This is a nice information received from Nemuko san:
Here is an amazing bit of technology that you would never see in person, and you would NEVER be alone in the room. It is ALWAYS VERY CROWDED and of course you can't see Michelangelo's artwork close up as you can here. This is especially spectacular if you have a large high-definition screen!
The Sistine Chapel Virtually  VIEW EVERY PART OF THE MICHAEL ANGELO'S MASTERPIECE JUST CLICK AND DRAG YOUR ARROW IN THE DIRECTION YOU WISH TO SEE.
In the lower left, click on the plus (+) to move closer, on the minus (-) to move away. Choir is thrown in free.
AMAZING! MOVE THE ARROW AND YOU WILL SEE EVERY PART OF THE CHAPEL.
This virtual tour of the Sistine Chapel is incredible. Apparently done by Villanova at the request of the Vatican .
http://www.vatican.va/various/cappelle/sistina_vr/index.html

Hope you will enjoy as I did.
:))
Tea