Saturday, April 6, 2013
Great Memories Never Leave You
Buona sera,
I got back from being in Italy for November and December of 2012 on December 31st at 7:30pm. Just in time to celebrate New Year's with my family and a couple friends. If it had been up to me I would have stayed in Italy for New Year's Eve.
I arrived in Italy on November 1st. My Nonno (grandpa) and Zio Donato (uncle) came to get me from the airport. From that day forward I had the best trip I could ever ask for. To make a long story (2 months) short I will plainly list off the places I visited and the people I met.
I got to visit the cemetery with my Nonno to see his parents, the parents of my Nonna, and other relatives. It was a great experience to share with my grandfather... to hear him explain who they were and what they were like. I felt like I knew them for myself! It's safe to say that it was a spiritual experience for me.
I went to Acqui Terme with my grandparents. To see the boiling hot water (with the nasty rotten egg smell) and to visit some friends of theirs. It's great to see older people talk with their friends. They have this tenderness and sweetness in their faces and countenances. It's adorable :) We bought Buone e Brutte cookies. I can explain them in one word: YUMMY. But my Nonna would get mad at Nonno for eating them because he has diabetes. He would respond with "Noooo, I'm fine!!" Hahaha :)
It was great visiting Torino (Turin) with my grandparents. We went to the Mole Antonelliana, the National Automobile Museum, and to the opera "Carmen". Great stuff man! Great view of the whole city of Torino from the top of the Mole Antonelliana. You get to learn of the history of cars and see a whole bunch of them! Way, way cool. The opera was great! Man, the voices of some of those people. It's definitely a God given gift. Sadly, in the play there was a part that a man stripped totally naked. I was in shock and had to literally bite my tongue to not yell out "DUDE, put your clothes back on, you nasty!!!" :) My grandparents found my reaction hilarious.
I got to go to Verona with my Zia Rosita and Zio Massimo. That city is gorgeous! I went to see the Arena of Verona (similar to the coliseum in Rome), the balcony of Juliet, and the church of San Zen! Wow, Verona is OLD. It's so cool to go up the steps to the inside of the arena. It's breathtaking! My mouth dropped and I gasped. It was so exciting to see the balcony of Juliet. I watched the movie Letters to Juliet and so when I got to see it in person I was squealing! (^_^) The church of San Zen was SO COOL. It's huge. There was an actual baptismal font, that was odd! And there was even graffiti on the paintings inside! If I remember correctly... the earliest one was dated 1427ish. Dude!!! Sorry, I think that's way cool. :D We took a mini train around the city, it was so cute and a quick way to see the city. We went to a popular bridge (among the many) and took pictures. And we went inside a castle courtyard. We went on that bridge and Zio Massimo taught me how to read roman numerals. I was born IX-XVI-MCMXCIV (man that was hard...) :)
The Grotte di Toirano was interesting. I went with my friends Gabriel and Marc. Before entering the grotte we saw paintings of people on the side of the mountains across from us! I'd never seen anything like that before. That was way cool :D Inside the grotte we saw bear bones and historical footprints :O Afterwards we went to the sea. It was cold and I went into the water with my jeans (not the smartest idea) but it was worth it. It was really fun :)
The second time I went to the sea was after I went to the Aquarium with Gabriel! It was his birthday so we hung out. That was really funnnnnn. The dolphins were my favorite :D We got lucky to be on the second floor so we could see above the water of the dolphins and that is when the trainers came out to feed them and make them do tricks and flips! Way cool. The sea at night is even worse. It's kind of windy and it's a lot colder because there isn't heat from the sun! But it was still awesome. After the sea we went to a dinner with the GANS to eat all together and have cake :)
Some of my favorite moments was spending time with my friends and teaching with the missionaries. I got to spend a lot of my days of the week teaching with the elders and sometimes with Gabriel. I learned how to teach people who I didn't know something that is important to me. It was scary! But freaking Anziano Nelson kept asking me questions so I could in a way bear my testimony. I was so mad at him because I was scared to death but he kept asking me things like, "Nicole, how do you know that praying is important?" or "Nicole, how do you know when you feel the Spirit?" To me they are simple and obvious answers. But actually sharing why, to people you don't know, is a whole different story! I learned a LOT though and it helped that Gabriel told me he was proud of me. It boosted me up to keep teaching. (So...grazie Gabriel! Okay fine...and Anziano Nelson to get me practicing!)
The weekends I got to spend with the GANS was awesome, the institute classes, the English classes, the stake dance, and my favorite was the trip to the temple! Switzerland is SOOOO beautiful. I couldn't believe it. That was an experience I'll never forget. The temple is gorgeous with the trees and snow all around it.
I love my family in Italy. They taught me so much. They had so much patience with me. And I had so much fun with them. My cousins, Alice and Ivan, are some of the best and greatest kids I've ever known. They are both soooo super freaking smart and talented. They have great standards. I really admire and look up to them! I loved having Sunday lunch all together. It was one of my favorite parts of the week! I love that tradition and plan to keep it up with my future family. My aunts and uncles, grandparents, parents, siblings, and cousins are pretty much some of the coolest people I know.
To name a few people who made my trip the best were: My whole family ♥ , Giovanna (a dear friend who I met through the missionaries and Gabriel because they were teaching her. She is awesome and teaches me so much and she doesn't even know it.), Sofia (From what I know, she had a tough life and I am proud to watch her as she grows spiritually, I love her), Gabriel (my best friend who drove me around everywhere and always teased me and who was always patient with me), Giulia (the girl who was always a mystery to me ...I finally learned more about her! <3), Francesca (this crazy girl who I've basically grown up with, she speaks English perfectly and I'm so happy to say we got closer), Gaspar (who always told me "ma cosa guardi? girati!" and I will forever laugh at that!) Lorenza (this fantastic woman ... I look up to her so much, she has no idea. Words can't describe.), Daniel (Although all he did was torture me with American jokes, he has a great spirit and a good heart.. I can't deny it.. oh and we share birthdays), Carmen (Big Mama! My favorite cake maker. I love who she is, her talents, and everything about her. She is another woman I majorly look up to), gli Anziani Hatch, Nelson, e Love (they each taught me something different about missionary work that I will apply to my own mission.) , and the rest of the Giovani Adulti whom I didn't mention (who happily and graciously accepted me into their circle of friends and even participated at my goodbye party! Nephi made this awesome video :D Thanks Nephi!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AKPaewWl4s ). Thank you all for having taught me so much. I can say without a doubt that you left a mark on my heart and for that I can never thank you enough.
I'm so eternally grateful for the experience that I had, for the people I met, and the memories I will forever retain.
♥/Nicole
P.s. I will be back! I will never stop going. It's my home. ♥♥♥♥
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Heads up-Italy
I am having a blast.
Italy is wonderful and not just with the sights. My moms whole side of the family is here! To see my grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins is such a relief. They are so welcoming to their American family who they haven't seen in years.
When going to Italy make sure to fly to Milan because it is a lot calmer and cleaner than going to Rome. It is chaos in Rome, just a heads up. If you do end up going to Rome then make sure you have someone Italian with you or you will be lost and sorry. Now I am just talking about the airport and train station, I haven't seen the sights yet but I'll update on that part later.
When you greet people make sure to take their hand and shake it and then depending if you want to or not, to kiss them on both cheeks. If you have no idea who they are then don't just go up to them and kiss them....that's a little strange, but also that is common sense.
Girls, you will not be disappointed with the faces you see here. If you see an ugly face you have 2 hot faces to make up for it. :P No but seriously the people are beautiful in Italy, some are breathtaking and it is hard to imagine them being out in the open and like normal people. A couple of times I have had to force my mouth shut with my hand, no lie. Also most of the time it is difficult to break eye contact. (^_^)
The food is glorious in Italy. The bread, the pasta, the fruit, the sweets, the ice cream, the meat, the cheese, pretty much everything. The course goes like this: First plate- Usually a type of pasta. Second plate- ham, cheese, bread rolls, and then fruit. Afterward gelato. Meanwhile eating there is water and coke on the table. You feel like dying you are so full when you are done. But it is so worth it!! I recommend losing 10 pounds before going because you will gain it back and maybe a little bit more.
Well that is all for now, not a big post, just enough to give a vague idea about Italy. More is yet to come and in a lot more detail :)
<3 \ Nicole
Italy is wonderful and not just with the sights. My moms whole side of the family is here! To see my grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins is such a relief. They are so welcoming to their American family who they haven't seen in years.
When going to Italy make sure to fly to Milan because it is a lot calmer and cleaner than going to Rome. It is chaos in Rome, just a heads up. If you do end up going to Rome then make sure you have someone Italian with you or you will be lost and sorry. Now I am just talking about the airport and train station, I haven't seen the sights yet but I'll update on that part later.
When you greet people make sure to take their hand and shake it and then depending if you want to or not, to kiss them on both cheeks. If you have no idea who they are then don't just go up to them and kiss them....that's a little strange, but also that is common sense.
Girls, you will not be disappointed with the faces you see here. If you see an ugly face you have 2 hot faces to make up for it. :P No but seriously the people are beautiful in Italy, some are breathtaking and it is hard to imagine them being out in the open and like normal people. A couple of times I have had to force my mouth shut with my hand, no lie. Also most of the time it is difficult to break eye contact. (^_^)
The food is glorious in Italy. The bread, the pasta, the fruit, the sweets, the ice cream, the meat, the cheese, pretty much everything. The course goes like this: First plate- Usually a type of pasta. Second plate- ham, cheese, bread rolls, and then fruit. Afterward gelato. Meanwhile eating there is water and coke on the table. You feel like dying you are so full when you are done. But it is so worth it!! I recommend losing 10 pounds before going because you will gain it back and maybe a little bit more.
Well that is all for now, not a big post, just enough to give a vague idea about Italy. More is yet to come and in a lot more detail :)
<3 \ Nicole
Sunday, May 6, 2012
The Miracle of Music
Music
(for the links, just right click and click open in new tab or window, whichever you prefer)
Doctrine and Covenants 25:12 "For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads."
Music can be so emotional. I realize this most when I'm sad or there is a silly problem with a boy I like. (And I'm sure all of you can relate so stop judging ;))
You raise me up
Music can calm me down or enhance what I'm feeling. Usually the latter. When I get emotional, depending what time of the month it is, I will decide to put loud music so I can jump around and spin and dance around my kitchen while cleaning. Other days I will put music that brings back memories of my past so that I can just cry and get it over with. My favorite is when I sing songs that lift me up and make me happy.
A lot of music moves me and makes me emotional but in a great way. Like this video I saw on Youtube about this young man named Jonathan.
Charlotte and Jonathan
Music can be a great way to express yourself. A lot of people like to write their own music and show the talent that they have, like my younger brother, he plays saxophone and piano very well but decides to write music for piano. He is very talented and I love to hear him play when I'm just sitting on the computer writing a post for my blog. My littlest brother does covers for songs and he has a sweet voice to listen to.
Alex singing to Lazy Song
Music can be used to grieve for a loved one and to remember them. It is difficult to let go of feelings for someone especially when they've gone. It is very peaceful to find songs that can help remember them in the best way. My favorite song for this type of mood is a beautiful song by Josh Groban called To Where You Are.
To Where You Are- Josh Groban
My favorite use of music is to feel the Spirit. I cannot express how much I care about my Savior Jesus Christ and how grateful I am that I can feel the Holy Ghost in my life. My favorite music to listen to is by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, I get chills every time I hear them sing. A song that is dear to my heart is one that my mom would sing to me at night as a lullaby with different lyrics but nonetheless still beautiful. If you were to watch one of these videos I would like you to watch and hear this one called Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing.
My Lullaby- Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
May you keep music an important part in your life. It can be used for so much good to uplift others.
Don't let bad music enter your life, it's not worth the pain it can cause, it's not worth the bad thoughts it can bring. Keep amazing music in your life so that it can one day help you also. ☺
Hugs and Kisses from where I am to where you are,
♥/Nicole
Friday, December 30, 2011
True Friend / True Love
Man,
I'll give it to you plain and simple,Your true friend/ true love would give almost everything to make you happy (as long as it is appropriate of course- I'll get to that later), of course putting their own family first. They go out of their way to make sure that you are in a better mood than you were when you went to talk to them. They make sure that you understand how special and amazing you are but at the same time encouraging you to be better because they believe in you. They aren't afraid to tell you what you did wrong but say it with love. They love you for who you are but, like I said before, encourage you to be better.
A TF/TL would make sure to make you hate them before you did anything stupid that would really mess you up. They aren't afraid to argue with you because they know what is smart and right and what would keep you safe. If they give you advice, then LISTEN, don't just hear it, really honestly listen to what they are telling you, because it might be exactly what you need to hear. They should be able to know you just a little bit better than you know yourself, which I must admit gets really cool but really scary at the same time.
When you are with this person you feel comfortable, confident, happy, and most importantly, yourself. You feel like you don't have to worry because you are just talking to them, spending time with them, sharing something important with them, and they really care. You can trust this person more than any other friends you have. Of course you love your other friends, but this one is extra special =)
Most important of all, Your True Love (or whatever they are to you "bf/gf/spouse") SHOULD and BETTER BE your True Friend/Best Friend/"Partner in Crime". It doesn't necessarily go the other way around, but it can!
There is a huge difference between a good friend/great friend/amazing friend and a True Friend. They still til the end of your life...and then remain for forever =)
Happy New Year-May you find or make a True Friend and/or a True Love. ♥♥♥
I'll give it to you plain and simple,Your true friend/ true love would give almost everything to make you happy (as long as it is appropriate of course- I'll get to that later), of course putting their own family first. They go out of their way to make sure that you are in a better mood than you were when you went to talk to them. They make sure that you understand how special and amazing you are but at the same time encouraging you to be better because they believe in you. They aren't afraid to tell you what you did wrong but say it with love. They love you for who you are but, like I said before, encourage you to be better.
A TF/TL would make sure to make you hate them before you did anything stupid that would really mess you up. They aren't afraid to argue with you because they know what is smart and right and what would keep you safe. If they give you advice, then LISTEN, don't just hear it, really honestly listen to what they are telling you, because it might be exactly what you need to hear. They should be able to know you just a little bit better than you know yourself, which I must admit gets really cool but really scary at the same time.
When you are with this person you feel comfortable, confident, happy, and most importantly, yourself. You feel like you don't have to worry because you are just talking to them, spending time with them, sharing something important with them, and they really care. You can trust this person more than any other friends you have. Of course you love your other friends, but this one is extra special =)
Most important of all, Your True Love (or whatever they are to you "bf/gf/spouse") SHOULD and BETTER BE your True Friend/Best Friend/"Partner in Crime". It doesn't necessarily go the other way around, but it can!
There is a huge difference between a good friend/great friend/amazing friend and a True Friend. They still til the end of your life...and then remain for forever =)
Happy New Year-May you find or make a True Friend and/or a True Love. ♥♥♥
Thursday, December 1, 2011
It's just the beginning
Hey there to those of you who care enough to read this! ☺
"Foreign Master" is my title because my 12 year old brother gave me the idea. I thought it was creative and cute, so I used it. As much as I would love to be a Foreign Master, I hope with my posts and experiences, I can work towards that goal.
The main reason I started this blog was so that my "future self" can look back on it and use and appreciate whatever I have written. I do keep a personal handwritten journal but this blog will be my online one since I type so much faster than I write.
I'll introduce myself, My name is Nicole Gioia (you don't need to know my full name), currently I am 17 years old and have been for two and a half months. I have a big family, my parents, my step mom, 2 real brothers, 3 step siblings, a dog and a cat. My extended family goes all the way to New York on my dads side and Italy on my moms. I am proud to say that I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. This past Sunday I got my Young Womenhood Recognition medallion for finishing my Personal Progress! I am so happy that I got it and now I am working towards my Honor Bee.
This winter is going to be long for my brothers and I because the summer of 2012 we are going to Italy again. Our Grandpa promised us that we are going to go to Rome, we have never been there, so we are pretty thrilled. I do understand and speak Italian and Spanish. For some reason I mix the two when I speak either! I know that I make the mistake right when I do it, but it is difficult to not practice one as much as the other and not make mistakes.
I would like to put out there that since Thanksgiving Break just ended, I would like to write a couple things I am grateful for, aka a testimony.
I am grateful for having the loving parents that I have. They have experienced many trials that I do not know fully and really don't want to know them, and I have seen the effect it had on them, yet they persevered and stood strong and got past the trial. Through their example I have learned to act instead of react (of course I am only 17 and haven't mastered that but I'm working towards it). They raised me in the church and I have no way to thank them for that because there are no words to describe how much it means to me that they haven't fallen away. They have strong testimonies and make sure that mine stays strong as well. Grazie mamma e papa per essere....the best! :)
I am grateful for my teachers and leaders to educate me. They spend their time to prepare lessons, teach us, and grade, all so that we can grow up and have a better life. I have quickly come to realize that when people in class say "I hate this class", I feel a need to defend the teacher and am bit upset with the person. I appreciate the work and effort it takes a person to dedicate themselves to helping me have a better future. So thank you to those of you who have ever taught me anything, I remembered it and am glad that you taught it to me! (Except science....for some reason that material cannot stick in my brain...sorry hehe)
Lastly, I am grateful for my talents that I can share with others. My brothers have amazing music talents, thinking talents, and are humorous. I have compared myself with them countless times and always thought that I never had a talent because theirs were so obvious! Then I had to really dig to try to find mine (and others told me (; ) I am a good listener and give good advice, I am spiritual and share decent talks and testimonies, I'm a pretty good Latin dancer and others enjoy learning them from me, I am very open and make people feel welcome when they are shy, I make friends quickly, I speak 3 languages therefore I have a variety of friends since I can communicate with them. If I have others then I can't think of them right now! But I am grateful for these talents that Heavenly Father has given me, I wish to improve them and master them. Thank you Heavenly Father for having me be the person I am :)
SOoooo...There you have it. My first post on my first blog. I won't try to write too frequently because it would get boring, even for me to have to re-read!
Have a Good and Happy day! Remember to smile. Like the quote at my dentists office says,"If someone you just met remembers your outfit then you didn't smile enough!" (It goes something like that) Just smile mkay? ^_^
♥/ Nicole
"Foreign Master" is my title because my 12 year old brother gave me the idea. I thought it was creative and cute, so I used it. As much as I would love to be a Foreign Master, I hope with my posts and experiences, I can work towards that goal.
The main reason I started this blog was so that my "future self" can look back on it and use and appreciate whatever I have written. I do keep a personal handwritten journal but this blog will be my online one since I type so much faster than I write.
I'll introduce myself, My name is Nicole Gioia (you don't need to know my full name), currently I am 17 years old and have been for two and a half months. I have a big family, my parents, my step mom, 2 real brothers, 3 step siblings, a dog and a cat. My extended family goes all the way to New York on my dads side and Italy on my moms. I am proud to say that I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. This past Sunday I got my Young Womenhood Recognition medallion for finishing my Personal Progress! I am so happy that I got it and now I am working towards my Honor Bee.
This winter is going to be long for my brothers and I because the summer of 2012 we are going to Italy again. Our Grandpa promised us that we are going to go to Rome, we have never been there, so we are pretty thrilled. I do understand and speak Italian and Spanish. For some reason I mix the two when I speak either! I know that I make the mistake right when I do it, but it is difficult to not practice one as much as the other and not make mistakes.
I would like to put out there that since Thanksgiving Break just ended, I would like to write a couple things I am grateful for, aka a testimony.
I am grateful for having the loving parents that I have. They have experienced many trials that I do not know fully and really don't want to know them, and I have seen the effect it had on them, yet they persevered and stood strong and got past the trial. Through their example I have learned to act instead of react (of course I am only 17 and haven't mastered that but I'm working towards it). They raised me in the church and I have no way to thank them for that because there are no words to describe how much it means to me that they haven't fallen away. They have strong testimonies and make sure that mine stays strong as well. Grazie mamma e papa per essere....the best! :)
I am grateful for my teachers and leaders to educate me. They spend their time to prepare lessons, teach us, and grade, all so that we can grow up and have a better life. I have quickly come to realize that when people in class say "I hate this class", I feel a need to defend the teacher and am bit upset with the person. I appreciate the work and effort it takes a person to dedicate themselves to helping me have a better future. So thank you to those of you who have ever taught me anything, I remembered it and am glad that you taught it to me! (Except science....for some reason that material cannot stick in my brain...sorry hehe)
Lastly, I am grateful for my talents that I can share with others. My brothers have amazing music talents, thinking talents, and are humorous. I have compared myself with them countless times and always thought that I never had a talent because theirs were so obvious! Then I had to really dig to try to find mine (and others told me (; ) I am a good listener and give good advice, I am spiritual and share decent talks and testimonies, I'm a pretty good Latin dancer and others enjoy learning them from me, I am very open and make people feel welcome when they are shy, I make friends quickly, I speak 3 languages therefore I have a variety of friends since I can communicate with them. If I have others then I can't think of them right now! But I am grateful for these talents that Heavenly Father has given me, I wish to improve them and master them. Thank you Heavenly Father for having me be the person I am :)
SOoooo...There you have it. My first post on my first blog. I won't try to write too frequently because it would get boring, even for me to have to re-read!
Have a Good and Happy day! Remember to smile. Like the quote at my dentists office says,"If someone you just met remembers your outfit then you didn't smile enough!" (It goes something like that) Just smile mkay? ^_^
♥/ Nicole
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