Progress of Learning Italian

Ello.
Just checking in to say I've been having a busy time of it with school... everything's hard but good.
And I've been having a lovely time learning Italian!
The composition I sent in to my teacher just a few minutes ago went exactly like this:

         Buon giorno! Mi chiama Mary Tombelli. Ho diciasei anni. Io sono nata il ventuno Ottobre. Sono di Okemos, Michigan, ma mia parenta loro sono di Firenze, Italia. Io sono intelligente, creativa, romantico, e sensible. Io sono Italiano, e io sono studentessa di Italiano. Io ho uno gatto.

Very basic, but we weren't allowed to use outside resources (I have a learning English as a native Italian book from my Nonna that was originally my Nonno's when he came to the US in 1954. :) I've been dyyyyinnnnggg to use it. Oh well...).
Anyway.
I keep seeing that I'm getting pageviews. AND IT MAKES ME HAPPY, even though IDK why anyone checks out this blog. Do I say that every time I blog? I think so. Oh well...
More later,
Ciao,
~Chica-Bonita-Marita

Driver's Ed! *mwahahah*

GUYS! I GOT TO DRIVE A CAR YESTERDAY FOR THE FIRST TIME!!!
After my volleyball practice my daddio let me circle our Toyota minivan (aw yeah! super American here... LOL) all around the big, open parking lot of the Gym. It was really fun, although it was a little nerve-racking since it was my absolute first time. I had always imagined it took a lot of energy and effort to drive, but really you touch the accelerator only very lightly-- the same is true with the brakes. :D We were in park for a little while before I started going anywhere so Dad could point out the parts of the car, etc., and then he said, "Okay, give it a little gas." (We were definitely still in park.) And I gave it a little more than a little, and I actually really revved it up... it was rather amusing. :D And I was in flip flops and my awesome volleyball socks so my feet were a little slippery.
But all in all, folks, I had a good time. We're going to drive around again tonight!! Yay!!!

TTYL!
~The Chica
~Marita
~FO SHO

Shh don't say the S-word!

The S-word is 'school,' which started yesterday for me. :/ While I am excited for the new people I'll get to know in all 6 of my online classes, I am, as a homeschooler who has MANY hobbies she'd rather be doing, SAD.
So.
Currently I'm on an online orientation class for Ancient (Greek et Roman) History, with the foundress of our school, Mother of Divine Grace, or MODG. I should probably be paying attention... but that doesn't really happen with online classes. :D

So. One thing I'd like to know is Who. Is. Even. Coming. On. This. Blog.
Because I log on and it has page views in the 3s and 4s and I'm confused. Because this is where I spill my brain and I don't really give the link out much... so if you're reading this please comment!!! :)

I'll definitely be on again this week because I like typing things and I have a lot on my mind.

~Marito

GUYS!

I HAVE A FUNNY STORY ABOUT GROCERY SHOPPING AND ANOTHER ONE THAT I CAN'T REMEMBER!!! So I'll be back on tomorrow to post. :)
-Mary

BOYS.

So are you ever frustrated by boys to the point of almost vowing to yourself that you won't ever say another word to a guy?
Yeah.
Especially when you're too young to actually be dating anyone. Suuuppper frustrating.

Ah, that's life, eh?

Hahaha. That last sentence was stupid.

Bye.

~Marita-lita-Chiquita-Bonita 

All Give Some, Some Gave All.

I think the rain on this Memorial Day (at least here around Lansing, Michigan) can be considered a sign. Because it's not just the day we cook some BBQ 'cause we've got a day off. It's not just the day we have a party for friends and family or go shopping at Macy's to get the best "Memorial Day sales."
Today is the day we celebrate the sacrifice--the greatest form of love--by our Military men and women. Yes, there's the American Dream--actually being able to live our life, to honor what is honorable, and do what's right for you and your family etc. But without the American Sacrifice, the American Dream is absolutely impossible!
"All give some, Some gave all." All give/gave some. That includes us, here in the safety--won by our military--of our homes, at our sometimes boring, meaningless jobs. "Some gave all." ALL. We especially commemorate those who have given all. Those who have laid down their lives for others; the greatest and bravest of them all. The BRAVE.
God bless the land of the free, who are so ONLY because of the Brave.

Happy Memorial Day!

Your Proud American-Italian Chick,
Mary Elizabeth Gianna Tombelli

Poor, poor garbage man.

Today I was studying near our glass front door, which I had securely locked so I could see and be seen but no one could come in. :D lol
So. Anyway (I almost keep typing 'anyways,' which isn't a word. ANYWAY). There I was, doing my maths like a good child, when SUDDENLY a wild garbage man appears! (Sorry. Meme reference.) And he had the driver dude in front slow down a bit so he could 'swoop' (seriously best word for it) down and quickly grab the single trash bag my neighbor had put out. Well, after he'd grabbed the bag and was about to toss it into his huge garbage truck end thingy we locked eyes for a second (totally unintentional on my part...it's just that those guys are so awesome to me. :D) and he lost his grip on the bag for a second. This resulted in a single beer bottle falling out of the top of the bag, which hit the ground and shattered. After this the garbage dude had to stop the truck, get out his little broom and dust pan (not even joking! and this is a lot of parentheses today) and sweep up the lil shattered mess. :D I felt kind of bad.
So yeah.
Maybe that cheered you up. Maybe you're the dude I saw today and you'll hate me and black mail me (somehow) and I shall die a bitter death knowing I publicly, willingly exposed this to the WORLD, but I have to go write my story now so bye.
-Mary

A bunch of questions

So I kind of like to answer a whole bunch of these at once, so here's 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13. :D
(Also, you should check out Celtic Thunder: http://youtu.be/y5gydvllKdM You're so welcome. Seriously, you'll love them.)

9. Describe your most embarrassing moment.
Wow. I have a lot of embarrassing moments, I guess. Maybe I'll answer this later when I think of the best one. :D

 10. Describe 10 pet peeves you have.
Oh gosh.
1) People talking to me while eating. I can't even describe how annoy... ASDFGHJK
2) People cracking their knuckles or making other small repetitive noises.
3) Rap music. In general. Just. In general. Always.
4) Snotty people. In general. The annoying girls who insist upon looking at you funny and "askance."
5) My parents - I mean, um, people in authority - repeating a gazillion times instructions or a reprimand. VERY ANNOYING. Reiteration is definitely very cruel. Anywho.
6) Another family one... little siblings. In general sometimes. Especially a certain little twelve year old sister who (if any Tombelli is reading this... well. Sorry. It's true.) is a little brat occasionally.
7) People who read out loud what they're typing in an email or letter. YEP. "Dear... Emily....Would...you...please...send...me...a...copy...of...the...newsletter..."
8)People who drink directly out of the milk/orange juice containter. Especially a certain 14 year old BROTHER. (Paul, if you're reading this, you're welcome for the eternal embarrassment!)
9) When people don't want you to listen to the kind of music you like, just because it's annoying. 
10) People who don't like LOTR. And I'm not even joking.    

11. Describe a typical day in your current life.
Well. Between 7:30, 8 o'clock I'm up. (I'm a homeschooler so it's a bit chill.) Then I have breakfast, get dressed etc. I usually finish my school work up by 3 or 4 ish. Then I go outside and bike or do something dramatic like walking in the rain with my shawl draped over my shoulder. :D If I have more free time I READ. A lot of reading. I might chill on la laptop, go on Pinterest, Facebook, or on this blog, etc. :D I go to sleep around 11ish usually.

12.  Describe five weaknesses you have.
1) Internet
2) Internet
3) Internet
4) Internet
5) Did I mention internet?
Okay for real, pretty much Internets in general and books. If I have a good book I will disregard most other things for a long time. Even food. :D I like gum, so yeah.

13. Describe five strengths you have.
Well.
1) Reading
2) Being optimistic
3) Um. Joking around to dispel tense situations. :D
And I don't really know. I feel like I'm bragging!!!
4) Cooking/baking
5) Wasting time. Actually.

Well good bye ya'll! Have fun in the rain. :D
~Mary Tombelli

Blogger problem #1

So. Today instead of the questions I just felt like writing something else.

When I go on other blogs I find that there are some annoying things bloggers do, and I'm making a big note to myself not to do the same thing, hence the reason for this post.

Firstly, bloggers tend to feel a sense of guilt if they don't blog when they say they will, or don't "get on often enough." Now I write on this blog just for myself, and it's basically just a place where I can write random shiz, a lot more permanently than in one of my countless journals, and no one will care. I just like typing better than writing with a pen/pencil sometimes, so yeah. Rule Numero Uno: Don't apologize to the website if you haven't been on in a while. Seriously. People don't hang on your every word.

Secondly. Actually, I don't really have a second thing yet. Maybe I should check out some more blogs... the above stated problem was really the only thing that came to mind. lol Back to answering the questions. :D

-Mary

8th quesh tee oh nay

So. Here's a bit of a longer answer, hope you enjoy. :)
8. List 10 people who have influenced you and describe how.
1. My Nonno.
My Nonno (equivalent to Grandpa in Italian) was an amazing man. He was a faithful Catholic, Math WHIZ, and so gentle and loving to my also-amazing Nonna and to all of us. He never lost his patience when he was teaching me math, and he taught me so much about how to be honorable and kind to all you know. He truly was a great man, and I really miss him! †Please pray for me, Nonno.†
2. My Nonna.
My Nonna (as you may have guessed, equivalent to grandma in Italian) inspires me every single time I see her. She is a pure and humble and AMAZING Catholic, a fantabulous cook, and she teaches me so much about how to be a great house-wife, and to keep her cool and be gentle even when she has every right to be upset.
3. (Hey big-combo here! I know it's not one person... it's more like a unit of people. LOL) My dad and mom, and all the rest of my family, really.
My family is quite diverse -- my dad is 100% Italian, my mom is Lebanese and Irish and we have a great big happy family rather like the family in "My Big, Fat Greek Wedding." We're all good Catholics who strive to follow Christ in what He taught us in the Scripture, and yes, we're loud and emotional, but so, SO loving. My dad and mom have a lot of experience -- my dad at one point owned his own company, and my mom was a reporter who woke up at 3 am every morning to be on the air, but felt a change of heart after she had two kids, and has been home-schooling us for the past 18 + years. They both know so much, and help me in my faith-life, physically and emotionally. They're seriously the best parents a girl could have! :) I really appreciate the lessons my 22 y.o. big bro Alex, my 19 y.o. big sis Annalisa, and my lil siblings Paul, 14, Sarah, 12, and Catherine, 8. My older siblings have taught me a lot about college-age type problems, like relationship tips and how to be a chaste and yet really loving person, and tips for papers and other work/school related ethics. My little siblings have taught me how important it is to be a little silly and just have fun. We have done, still are doing, and definitely will never stop doing crazy and fun stuff, and life is *never* boring with them. :D
4. Saint Gianna.
Gianna is the name I took for my confirmation name one year ago. St. Gianna has inspired me by her quietly and gently heroic story to be a great, extremely Pro-Life and Catholic mother, while she still had a career and was raising three kids -- a lot of the time on her own, since her husband had to travel a lot. I've read some of the letters she wrote her husband and the letters she wrote to members of her Christian girls group, and they really show what an amazing, down-to-earth kind of person she was. She's pretty much a more Catholic and less pioneering Laura Ingalls-Wilder to me. :D Thank you Jesus for sending us St. Gianna!
5. The Inklings. (yep, another groupie.)
The Inklings group was comprised of J. R. R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis and G.K. Chesterton. What do I even have to say? These men were soooo gifted. Tolkien wrote a wonderful fantasy series that was so beautifully real, and has inspired me to write my own stories like no other book has; Clive Staples m'boy wrote such a wonderful allegorical series that helped me to realize in a simple, and yet fantastical way how sweet and gentle Jesus is, and how each of us are affected by His love and the saving power He has given us by His Great Sacrificial Offering. G.K. Chesterton...well I've read some of the Father Brown books he wrote, and they were really quite funny and interesting. I think the books Chesterton wrote were kind of more insightful as to the human character, and I really look forward to reading more of his works. (Any of you have suggestions for the next book of his I should read?)
6. General Robert E. Lee. (Yep, you knew one of these had to be something historical. lol)
So. I just wrote a paper on Lee, and looked into his life a lot more deeply than I thought I would have. He was a really complex man, and one who has inspired a lot of people through his very dutiful mind-set. While he was w. the Union he fought brilliantly and bravely, and the same when he was with the Confederacy, even if I believe he was on the wrong side with the Rebels. :D (Hey, I'm from Michigan! I'm going to be biased...anywho this is my blog.) He was a Christian man who apparently didn't really like slavery, and yet fought for the Rebs. He thought secession was wrong, and yet fought for the Rebs. Mostly I admire his belief in personal and state rights, and the fact that he wouldn't accept what *he* perceived to be a bit of a tyrannical government. (Disclaimer ya'lls: Obviously I would never agree with slavery or secession, but I am a proud gun-totin', Bible-thumpin' citizen, and will fight tooth, nail and Remington 870 12 gauge against a tyrannical government, which is pretty much what our government is at the moment.) SO. Although he was on the wrong side, Lee is pretty inspiring.
7. Well. Here's a list of all the fictional characters that have influenced me and why. It's kind of long. :
1.  From Hobbit/LOTR: Faramir -- he was down-to-earth and really strong, able to recover from the effects of having a creeeeepy dad and taking part in a cray-cray awesome war, while still getting a hot and sweet chick. Aragorn -- he was a king, yet he didn't put on any airs. He just bided his lil ol time and helped save the world. Nothing big. :) He really inspires me to be awesome. Samwise Gamgee -- Ah, faithful lil Sammy boy. I love Sam the bestest. He was always faithful, always helpful, even if he didn't quite know the whole story all the time. And of course, if he hadn't been there Frodo never would have made it. *SRSLY* Gandalf -- because he's awesome and has awesome powers and saved the world. Frodo -- because he kept going even if he slightly despaired at times, and he was, most of the time, ready to give his life for his Quest to save Middle Earth. Merry & Pippin -- because they were funny and light-hearted, yet still had a part in helping save Middle Earth through their individual adventures with the Rohirrim and in Gondor, respectively. And everyone else, pretty much, for a bunch of different reasons, but likely this is already getting boring to you. So I'll just try to be quick here with the fictional dudes. Sherlock Holmes -- because he was a great mastermind and yet tried to be a loyal friend always. :D John Watson -- because he was always a loyal friend who never doubted Sherlock, even when it was hard to trust him, and because I want to marry him (his wife's nae was Mary, so it isn't too hard to imagine). Peeps from Harry Potter include Harry Potter, Hermione, Ron, Sirius and oh my word so many other people. You know what, I'm going to have to do another post on fictional people. SO YEAH.


And I think I might come back later and do the last three people/groups of people. So tune in later, maybe this weekend? when I'll write some more, even if no one's listening, this is a great place for my thoughts. :D

~The American-Italian Chick~
~Maria Elizabetta Gianna Tombelli~

Okay back now. :D

Hello readers!
Happy Easter!!! I haven't been on cause of a super busy Easter break week. :) So here's Questions 3, 4, 5, 6 AND 7.

3. Describe your relationship with your parents. - Mt relationship with my parents is absolutely wonderful. While we sometimes get in arguments and misunderstand one another, we always make up. :) There's seriously a lot of grace God gives this family...I'm so priveleged to realize how uniquely beautiful each member of my family is, and I'm so happy that we always love each other no matter what.

4. What are five things that make you most happy right now?

Oh goodness. Firstly, going to Mass, Stations of the Cross, Vespers, etc. :)

Secondly, a day when no one interrupts me when I'm trying to read or write. 

Thirdly, getting to spend several hours in a book store un-interrupted with a gift card. lol

Fourthly, a good hair day and/or a day when my make-up/ outfit actually look decent.

And lastly... I guess a good night's sleep for once with my kitten Frodo curled up at my feet. :D

5. What is the hardest thing you ever experienced?

Well, I guess I'd have to say when my grandfather died, it was really hard for me. My grandpa on my mom's side died way before I was born, and I was only 7 when my maternal grandma died, so my Nonno's death was really close to the heart, kind of for the first time. His death was kind of sudden, too, since he was doing really great, not sick or anything except for his legs being kind of weak, which hadn't been too much of a problem. He just lost his balance and hit his head on the fireplace. In spite of internal bleeding in his brain, he was conscious of all of us for several days, and most of the immediate family got to say good-bye while physically at the hospital. Praise be to Jesus, he died pretty peacefully and the nurses say he wouldn't have been in pain. My Nonno was just so intelligent,

6. What is your dream job, and why?

Oh gracious. This isn't even a job, but I'd love to spend my days in a well-stocked-with-classics library, with HUGE ceilings and staircases and super comfortable chair and little-big nooks (think Belle's library from Beauty and the Beast), and romantic little spaces tucked away where I could kiss my dream man. So I guess my dream job is to sit in this library all day, doing whatever the heck I want. If you don't know this already, I *love* books, so yeah. SINCE I FREAKING LOVE BOOKS I WANT TO DO THIS JOB. lol

Realistically, I'd like to be a teacher of little kids. :D Then, I'd like to be a great wife and mother (if God so wills). :) And that's basically because I love the idea of having a husband and kids of my own and I REALLY REALLY REALLY love kids. :D Also, mia madre is a beautiful, wonderfully Christian woman who has set an amazing example for me as a home-schooling mom and wife for 23 years, and she *really* inspires me. :D

7. What are 5 passions you have?

Let's see.

1. Reading.

2. See # 1.

3. See # 2. 

4. See # 3.

And 5. See # 4.

Okay, okay, for realz now. 1. Reading; 2. Having fun with friends, family and the internet; 3. History; 4. Crafts; 5. Guns.

And that's all folks. Tune in sometime soon (I won't promise tomorrow :~)) for the rest of these fun lil questions and answers. :D I'll be posting some pics of random things soon!! They'll be a surprise. lol

The American-Italian Chick

~Mary Tombelli~

*sneezes*

Question Numero Duo

Hello to any readers who happen to stumble along this blog,
Today I'll be answering "Describe three legitimate fears you have and explain how they became fears."

Well.
1. I'm afraid that when I get into a car some extremely creepy person will be in the back seat and things...won't go well. This fear came from a dream I had, where I had a situation exactly like this, but the someone was my brother, so even worse.

2. Um. I 'm afraid that my siblings will get hurt while walking on their way home from a trip to the library a block away, or that my two siblings at college will never make it home on the flight. I think this fear is just basic sisterly concern for my sibs, and I'm just worrying too much, since in the first sitch, we live in a very safe neighborhood, and in the second situation, most plane flights are relatively safe and I would benefit my siblings better by praying instead of worrying. :D

3. Weeelll. Let's see. I guess another fear I have is that I'll put myself in a compromising situation with a guy I love and then I'll have my heart broken. (This isn't about a specific boy...just in general.) And I'm not so sure why I have this fear... just read a lot of books, I guess.

Well that's all for me, folks! Tune in tomorrow for answers to question number 3. :D
God bless,
Mary Tombelli
~The American-Italian Chica

1. List 52 random facts about yourself.

So I decided to start today with my 30 things. Numero Uno is " List 52 random facts about yourself."
Here goes:
1. I don't like the color yellow.
2. I like tiny things - tiny containers, clothes, dolls, random objects, mini plastic animals - you name it. =)
3. I don't like heavy or big tattos, but I am tempted to get a small, meaningful one on my wrist or ankle.
4. I love to read books, although I hate the smell of most books.
5. I don't like wearing socks, and go barefoot as much as possible, but if I must I will wear only crazy-colored, mismatched socks.
6. I love wearing bright red lipstick, although I don't wear heavy makeup. Natural beauty is definitely best. ;)
7. I love telling my little sisters very imaginative stories that most often don't have much of a point or are just plain old wacky.
8. I like to wear lots of bracelets.
9. I love writing on my hands. =)
10. I hate most fan-fiction.
11. I wish I could fly.
12. I love (Root) Beer. :D
13. One of my favorite board games is Clue; I don't enjoy most board games.
14. Sometimes I'm really shy.
15. I like making friendship bracelets.
16. I hate the smell of most soaps, perfumes, deoderants, and dishsoaps, etc., although I like a lot of men's colognes.
17. I like to dance...just crazy dance, though, not specifically ballet or jazz or hip-hop or anything. I like swing dancing and English country dancing, though. :D
18. I love wearing earrings, and I am getting a second piercing as soon as I am 16, or possibly over the Summer, when my sister returns from University. :D
19. I can't wait until I learn to drive! =)
20. I don't like hearing people swear heavily. Sometimes I think swearing isn't so bad when it's kind of proving a point. Like, "And I'm not letting the damn government take away my rights!"
21. I love painting my nails.
22. I like listening to Christian, Country and pop music, among other genres. Never rap. =)
23. My favorite color is grey.
24. I'm a total night owl, but I like getting up early sometimes.
25. I dream a lot. Not just during the night, though. :D
26. I like candy, in general. ;)
27. I like gold better than silver, but anything grey above all.
28. I love watching Disney movies, such sweet fairytales. :D
29. I love going to the theatre/cinema to see movies, but tickets can be so expensive.
30.  I am in love with more fictional men than real men.
31. I wish that what I read in books could be *real.*
32. I would love to own a hedgehog.
33. I like to make origami stuffs.
34. I asked my sister to describe me, and she said "determined, focused, disciplined." Also I apparently have a "huge and dry sense of humour."
35. Sometimes I love wearing heavy make-up, however contradictory that is to #6.
36. I *hate* spicy food, usually.
37. I like dragons, owls, snakes, frogs and hummingbirds.
38. I love cornbread when it's made right...not too sweet and not too dry.
39. I swear in my head a lot.
40. I don't like the color purple.
41. I love turtles, and *really* want to own one.
42. Feminists and Liberals annoy me.
43. I hate bulky clothes, like heavy winter coats or clonky boots.
44. I desperately want to be kissed sometimes.
45. I hate braces, so it's a great thing I don't need them. Oh, and I couldn't stand them on myself...I don't even notice them on other people.
46. I have a "lively, playful disposition, [and I delight] in anything ridiculous." (Name that book!) =)
47. I love locket pendants.
48. I prefer being too cold than too hot.
49. I like pens better than pencils most of the time, and I hate mechanical pencils.
50. I enjoy astronomy.
51. I don't like thin sheets on beds, or limp pillows.
52. But I hate too-fluffy pillows.


So there's my list, folks. =)
~The Italian- American Chica

30 Things

Hello to any of my readers, though I know you are *seriously* few. (Okay, just came back and did a members check... there are actually NO members besides myself. Soo... I wrote this pretty much to myself. *sigh* *FOREVER ALONE* lol JK. :D) (P.s. Freaking wow, it's been a long time. I haven't been on here sin 2011.)
I've decided to liven up my blog a bit by doing something I've heard a lot about... every day (or as often as I can come on), I'll be posting a few random things about myself, following the outline of the list, below. Tune in every day to learn a little more about me. :D

THE LIST:

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1. List 52 random facts about yourself.

2. Describe three legitimate fears you have and explain how they became fears.

3. Describe your relationship with your parents.

4. What are five things that make you most happy right now?

5. What is the hardest thing you ever experienced?

6. What is your dream job, and why?

7. What are 5 passions you have?

8. List 10 people who have influenced you and describe how.

9. Describe your most embarrassing moment.

10. Describe 10 pet peeves you have.

11. Describe a typical day in your current life.

12.  Describe five weaknesses you have.

13. Describe five strengths you have.

14. If you were an animal what would you be and why?

15. What are your five greatest accomplishments?

16. What is the thing you most wish you were great at?

17. What has been the most difficult thing you have had to forgive?

18. If you could live anywhere where would it be and why?

19. Describe three significant memories from your childhood.

20. If you could have one superpower what would it be and what would you do with it first?

21. Where do you see yourself in five years? 10 years? 15 years?

22. List your top five hobbies and why you love them.

23. Describe your family dynamic of your childhood versus your family dynamic now.

24. If you could have dinner with anyone in history who would it be and what would you eat?

25. What popular notion do you think the world has most wrong?

26. What is your favorite part of your body and why?

27. What is your love language?

28. What do you think people misunderstand most about you?

29. List 10 things you would hope to be remembered for?

30. Random fact about yourself!