Rantings of a Traveling Woman

I always looked at the lifestyles of my elders and would be saddened as what I perceived as a loss of passion; the older you get the slower you move, the less one argues, the joints break down, the heart steadies to a trotting pace. It's common to misinterpret in one's younger years. I've not been exempt from this.

Turning 25 years old marked an important stage of my life; a "passage of rights" as some cultures refer to it. If I was an Indian boy, I would've been left in the woods to fend for myself. If I was a samurai boy in training, I would've been awarded with adult clothes, a change in hair, and a new name. MY passage of rights was leaving everything I loved, including what felt like was my whole heart, behind and set out to see the world. I wasn't sure what I expected to find or how I anticipated the world being. Moreso I just needed to leave. I felt myself changing and the world I was surrounded by remaining stagnant, and that's a pressurized place to be in.

But if I am indeed that Indian boy who's lost and fending for his life in the woods, I have much more to do before my passage is complete; until I feel a sense of peace and rest about my life and my dear heart's desires. Fortunately, what I have been granted in this month and a half, is clarity. I've discovered what it is I value. I've discovered what I'm willing to fight for in this short short life I have. I've discovered people are the same everywhere, places are just places, and the world is nothing without the people you love. I've also learned I am a bird who knows how to fly and I cannot cannot cannot be caged (being a live-in nanny is like reverting back to one's teenage years and guaranteed no one wants to be in that prison more than once per lifetime.)

So, much as the Indian in the woods, I blindly find my way. Step by step, tree by tree, star by star.

What is it I'm fighting for?

Freedom: the innate ability to always speak my mind when needed, always be honest, always take responsibility for my actions, and always find the humor in the worst of situations. I know this sounds easy, but these past years have been filled with extremely aggressive and oppressive people who seek to deny others these freedoms.

Family: Nothing in life is as wonderful as it is with those you love. Period.

Independence: I love to do things by myself. To take the world as it comes, spontaneously, and have the strength to take it on solo, and sometimes (a pleasant surprise) with someone else.

Autonomy: This requires consistently educating myself, continually re-evaluating what I'm passionate about, and finding the lucrativeness to make all my dreams possible.

So, now that I know what I'm looking for there is nothing to stop me from achieving it. I was born the month of the bull, and the year of the bull, and my horns have finally grown in.

I may be learning a lot, and nannying may not be the most fun nor the most appreciated job I've ever worked, but it's worth the experience. I went to Madrid, Spain and watched bull fighting (which I hated, but appreciated in that I could site with Ernest Hemmingway's "The Sun Also Rises") saw Flamenco dancing, found classical guitarists on every corner, and enjoyed museums and gardens of all types. I spent a week in Barcelona, Spain and swam in the Mediterranean Sea, made a feast with a bunch of new European friends, saw the amazing architecture of Gaudi, shopped at amazing markets of nothing but fresh produce, and laughed. a lot. Living in Lugano, Switzerland is quiet, clean and efficient. I'm learning an easier and fresher way of life here. And I leave in 5 days to spend a month on the beaches of Italy. All these things I will take with me. So really, thank goodness I'm doing this! But I'm ready to step closer and closer to my heart's desires.

I bid you "buona notte."

A Song for the Deaf

Say Hello to Amelia Bedelia

Amelia Bedelia is a bedtime story my mother used to read me when I was a child. Little did I realize that the book would have such influence of me; I have indeed become Amelia Bedelia. The nanny who when you told her to draw the curtains, she took out a pen and paper. Or when you told her to change the towels, she took sizzors to them and altered their form. Thus is my experience in Lugano, Switzerland as a nanny. Much like Midas' gold touch, I seem to break everything I encounter, touch, or am in the presence of.
Items broken in my month of being here:

-The espresso machine (had to purchase a new one)
-The iron (again, the family was forced to purchase a new item)
-The outlets (twice, once they just had to restart electricity, the second they had to replace the outlet)
-The garbage can groove
-One of the father's glasses
-and about 50% of the time when I am in the room something goes wrong whether it's the satellite TV not working or the electronic blinds not working, I seem to be doomed in this home.

Perhaps it's a sign from above I'm not destined to be a nanny, or perhaps it's a sign from below I suck at being an American in Europe. Or maybe it's a challenge to just persevere through. Nonetheless, it certainly isn't making my adjustment any easier.

But, beyond the Amelia Bedelia springing to life from inside of me, all is well. I, thus far in one month, have travelled to NYC, Madrid, Barcelona, Lugano and I leave in two weeks for Italy. I am extremely excited to spend a month on the beach with this family!

And c'est la vie, this job ends in August and I am already on the lookout for another opportunity in another exhilarating country. Stay posted for more adventures!

PS. I'll give a description of the places I've traveled in the next blog. Buon giorno!

NYC sweeps Lugano, Switzerland

Hello dearest friends and family. Sorry for the delay, but I am here in Switzerland, safe and sound, and having quite the adventure. As one can expect, an event is rarely what you truly anticipated, but that can both disappoint as well as wonderfully surprise you.

NYC was a blast. Our family friend Joshua treated me so well! Putting me up, touring me to broadway shows ("A Behanding in Spokane" written by Martin McDonough starring Christopher Walken and Sam Rockwell, "Passion Play" written by Sarah Ruhl, and the musical "Next to Normal") hiking me to parks around the city, and as always-to Musical Mondays at the gay bar Splash! I got to spend time with my long time best friend Marissa Miller who got me into a free surprise INCREDIBLE concert of The Black Keys. Overall, I had wonderful time and it was a glorious transition!

Classic Janessa moment: because i decided to bring my entire life with my to Switzerland I was lugging two 50lb. bags around NYC by myself, looking like a complete idiot. On my way to Hoboken to get Joshua i had to take an escalator with all my bags and an ukulele. Result: the bags fell on me, I fell down the escalator and the kind people of NY had to help me up. Not my best moment.

As for Lugano, it's more gorgeous than pictures can express. Greengreengreen rolling hills, a large shining lake, mountains in the backdrop, classic European alleyways and architecture, and vespas everywhere you turn. I feel so very fortunate to be living here and daily partaking in all of this town's wonderful pleasures.

The de Sanctis family of whom I am staying with are delightful. Their children are well mannered, very happy, extremely intelligent, and soooooo full of energy! (As children should be, right?) The parents are very down to earth and have been very helpful and understanding in this strange and new process. I am thankful to have a family I click with so well. They are honest, open, understanding, and adventuresome. All traits I work and hope to possess.

As with all transitions, there have been difficulties. One realizes what one has when it has been compromised, and my independence is something i miss. In many ways, I am like a new child. I do not know how to communicate with the locals, I cannot transport myself, as of recent I had no friends (I finally worked up the nerve and went to an American Bar solo and made friends with the bar owner and his crew. I will be spending much time with them, hopefully!!!) and I depend on the de Sanctis family for my food, my shelter, my words, my transport, my safety and security. I have digressed in terms of autonomy. But I consider it a trade: I get to be carted around Europe by a fantastic family in trade for a bit of my freedom. And it's not for forever, so "that'll do pig, that'll do."

Anyhow, I hope to stay in touch with all of you. I need pieces of home now more than ever! I think of you all often, in my prayers and my dreams, and I cannot wait to share more adventures with you.

Buona sera!

PS. I'm off to Paris solo next weekend for a bit of "me" time. Couldn't think of a better place to do it. Pictures to come! Au revoir!

For Ny photos please visit facebook photos!

You cook, they come; Part(y) II

Time is slim. Recipes are many. Hours and hours pass as the little one in a colorful apron perspires while cooking entree after entree. Eggplant Parmesan? Check. Lasagna? Check. Snapper a la Sicilian? Double check. Chicken cordon bleu? Oh yes...but wait, people are arriving at the door. The second batch of chicken isn't done. Will she have enough food? Will her toiling hours pay off meeting baked blood (not literally, the bloodsweattears of days of work in a kitchen) with thirsty mouths?
[why is this starting to sound more like a zombie movie than the preface to a party...?]

Result: Absolute success. Hungry mouths met happy food translating to satisfied bellies equaling superb conversation and vibrant guests. I had a show of about 40 friends, family, theater folk, Chandlers comrades and dog. No children, as anticipated but lots of booze as definitely anticipated. Toasts were made, shots were taken, numbers were swapped (oh yeah ;)).

Now, I know it may be hard for some of you to believe that I:
a. know 40 people
b. could convince 40 people to come to my birthday/on voyage party

And it's true, I can be a bit of an introvert (did I just say a bad word?) But if you don't believe me, see the pictures. And truth be told, I bribed them with food. I didn't actually tell anyone I'd even be at the party. I just listed the menu, and voila! Enjoy the photos. Please excuse the quality. They are 35mm scanned in; the old fashioned style, just like I like my taters.

P.S. I leave. The Country. In. 13. days. Ball is a-rollin', and so is my stomach. It's called cold feet, although it should be called "whatthehellamidoingamireadyforthiswhyamimovingwhycantijusttravelamonthatatimeliketherestofmyflightfenderedfriends?"
What? Scientific names are usually unusually long. I desist.

This one is titled "Jack's pocket o'beer"

J & G

Jack, why are you so tall?

Ladies and gentleman, the Miss Sally Tibbs

It wouldn't be a party if someone wasn't double fisting drinks.

Famillia.

The Three Must-Bring-Fierce

"Now this is love, dum, dum, dum, now this is the..."

Now this is one happy party attendee.

Congratulations to the finalists of the photo contest. You'll receive a copy of you, (in 35mm format). Love you all, and thank you again for a memory I will never let go of.

-J

My birthday/bon voyage party

My birthday is this upcoming Monday, April 26th and that day also marks the 20th day until departure so I decided to combine a birthday party with a departure party. And instead of having a restaurant hosted party, I've decided to give back and cook a feast for those who have provided much for me. The menu is as follows:

For appetizers we have the famous family recipe of spinach dip, cheese/bean dip, and other various starters.

For entree we have:
-Chicken Cordon Bleu
-Eggplant Parmesan (for those of you who are vegetarians)
-Swordfish a la Siciliana
-and other small dishes and surprises

I am hand making my own cake from scratch so it should be a delicious finale!



See you soon!

What I Love About Boise: Part I

This was my Bogus Basin Adventure; and folks, this was YESTERDAY!