Friday, November 25, 2011

An Italian Thanksgiving


“We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.” 
~Thornton Wilder
I spent my first Thanksgiving away from my family yesterday. It was a strange sensation, not heading out with my friends on Thanksgiving Eve; not waking up to the smell of a roasting turkey; not watching the Macy’s Day Parade and, of course, missing out on my mom’s pumpkin bars. When you are so used to  traditions, I think it’s often hard to adjust. However, even though I was far away from home, I felt right at home as I spent my Thanksgiving with Bea’s family.
I did it all; roasted and stuffed a chicken (yes, a chicken, turkey is impossible to find), homemade stuffing and cranberry sauce, roasted potatoes, apple crisp - the works. All day, Bea and I cooked and prepared for her first Thanksgiving. And as the doorbell rang, my nerves went through the roof. I was happy to cook, and excited for everyone to indulge in an American tradition, but, cooking for authentic Italians - that’s another story! Not only was I cooking my first Thanksgiving, but I was cooking it for a culture famous for food and cooking. 
At the end of every Thanksgiving meal, the worst part is figuring out what to do with the leftovers, but as I looked around the table and saw the chicken had been demolished, the salad had finished, the apple crisp had disappeared and the cranberry sauce was no more, I realized my meal had been a success. 
So yes, I may have missed out spending my 23rd Thanksgiving at home, but I was able to introduce my new friends to a beautiful American tradition, and the best compliment I could get was watching the food disappear on their plates and their belts get a little tighter.  This was a blessing I will always be thankful for - a moment to treasure.






Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Mary Lou - Where Are You?

       As many of you know, I've grown up with the nickname "muffinmouse" or "muffin". Sometimes, my friends and family use it so often, I wonder if my real name has been forgotten. When I went to Penn State, I was lucky enough to leave the nicknames back in my home town - until my best friend moved to State College and revealed "muffin" to our fellow Nittany Lions. In Italy, it's been a completely different story - they call me Marissa, and this, is much appreciated.Now, after 7 months of "la bella vita", Bea has created a new nickname for me. She calls me “Mary Lou”. Normally, I wouldn’t be to happy with a new version to my name, but when I hear her little voice yell ‘Mary Lou, where are you?” I can’t help but smile!She got her inspiration from an Italian singer we saw in concert “Alessandro Mannarino”. Take a listen, even if you won’t understand, you’ll love the song!

Mary Lou, Mary Lou, tutti i marinai, gridano "I love you" :)

La Bella Vita

If I Can...So Can You


Friday, November 18, 2011

Such A Small World


"Friendship is the golden thread that ties the heart of all the world."
Sometimes we strive so hard to find happiness. We decide after we successfully accomplish something, we will be happy, or, we will have the right to be happy. Living in Italy has helped me realize to be truly happy, you can’t tie it to material objects or measures of success, you must tie it to your outlook on life; the people you surround yourself with, the joy you can allow yourself to feel when doing the most basic activities; talking a walk, singing in the rain with friends, sharing a glass of wine under the stars. 
The last two weekends I got to spend with my friend Andrea from Reggio Calabria. He was in Rome taking his GREs and IELTs (English tests). His plan is to go to Penn State to study next year! This amazes me, absolutely amazes me. The world is so small, I mean, after meeting just over a year ago from a crazy study abroad experience, I  have made one of the dearest friends in my life. Now, not only are we together in Italy, but we will be together in America. The memories we make will last a lifetime & I love knowing that not even that big pond can separate us. TVB <3


Friday, November 11, 2011

Scarred- But Strengthened


"Losing a game is heartbreaking. Losing your sense of excellence or worth is a tragedy."
Joe Paterno
I was 6 years old when I told my Dad I wanted to go to Penn State. Almost two decades ago I made a decision that many high school seniors can’t even make. I can remember that day so vividly; we were driving around in his black Buick heading to the University Creamery on a crisp Fall afternoon. 
I remember gazing at the campus out of the backseat window, to what, at the time, seemed so foreign to me - college life. The campus was unlike anything I have ever seen - it's beauty and peacefulness seemed to calm the most dangerous of storms.
My Dad seemed to regard my abrupt decision as the wandering thoughts of a child, but 13 years later, there we were again, packing my bags, buying my books and shipping me off to The Pennsylvania State University. 
The Pennsylvania State University.
The honor, the pride, the respect I felt being a part of this tradition, this brotherhood- this family. And now, every morning I wake up hoping it is all a dream; hoping the institution I put my trust in, my complete support in, is not actually facing what could go down in history as the worst  sex-scandal of all. Not even sex-scandal, it’s not like Spanier was sleeping with a student, or Joe Pa had a mistress. We are talking about the brutal acts by one sick individual towards innocent and impressionable children; towards our future. 
The actions of one man, the sick, twisted and revolting actions of Jerry Sandusky and the inaction by a few others has led to a damaged reputation of  a cherished and forever-loved university. Penn State is acknowledged as one of the best universities in the world; not just for sports, or for education, but for our research; our humanitarian work, our dedication to improving the world. 
My children, my children’s children will never know the Penn State I used to know - will never understand the Happy Valley I cherished; for its enchantment, its beauty - the complete happiness I felt in my heart as I walked around in my Penn State gear - proud to be a Nittany Lion
My heart still belongs to Penn State, I would never turn my back on the place that gave me so many things in life; an education, hope, strength.... 
But what hurts, and I mean I actually feel a stabbing sensation inside - is the betrayal. When I think that for over 13 years, Sandusky was able to abuse children, and no one had the balls to do something about it, not former-DA Ray Gricar, not Tim Curley, not Graham Spanier, not the janitor, Jim Calhoun, not the Centre County police - no one, I get angry, real angry. When I think then-graduate assistant Mike McQueary actually watched Sandusky physically sodomize a young child, and then waited 48 hours to even discuss it with someone, I get mad - I get so mad I want to punch a wall. I’m half the size of McQueary, and if had witnessed something like that, I would have killed the perpetraitor myself. 
These cowards, for whatever reason (and I can’t wait for learn the reasons behind their silence), did nothing to stand up to something so cruel, so in-humane - so completely and utterly wrong. Any human being with any decency would know what choice to make in this decision, the choice is obvious - and the men many of us trusted to protect us, serve our community, and help Penn State grow, didn’t make this obvious choice.
My heart breaks when I think of Joe Paterno. A man who spent his life dedicated to Penn State, not just for football, but for the bettering of our university - 
“Success with honor.”  
He was one man I thought would go down in the history books as a man of success without making the mistakes so many of the great hereos of our time make. 
A clean slate, with no black marks against him.
Yet again, I was fooled.
In my heart, I refuse to believe Paterno had any intention to harm; someone known for having such a good soul, such a good track record, such a love for the Penn State Community for over 50 years would never intentionally try to cover up for Sandusky; I believe he made a mistake, a human-error (yes, Paterno is human despite contrary belief), and this error has cost him more than we could have predicted.
I always wondered how Paterno would end his career. I imagined he would die on the field, right in Beaver Stadium. 
But instead, the tables of destiny have turned, and a hand-delivered note to his home ended in the firing of a living legend.
He admits he should have done more, and trust me when I say, every Penn State alum, fan and supporter wishes the same thing.
Today is 11/11/11...and as I reflect back on all the things I’m thankful for, Penn State comes to mind; I’m grateful for my education, for my experiences, for the opportunities PSU afforded me. I’m blessed. But today, I will not only reflect on my blessings, I will take a moment a reflect on the victims. The real issue to this story.
Penn State will revive itself; the actions of a few men will tarnish us, but not destroy. However, their actions have forever affected the lives of the victims. The young boys whose childhood was stolen from them, their innocence taken and replaced with Nike shoes and football tickets all to compensate for the horrendous actions of, not a man, but a predator. Jerry Sandusky. A sick man who preyed on children, who took advantage of Penn State and our communal love for family.
As time goes on, the wounds will heal.  They always do.  I pray they heal the fastest for those most affected by this tragedy.The pain we all feel for the victims, our school, our Alma Mater will subside in time and I believe the betrayal will vanish as we watch justice being served.  We will fight the war ahead and we will come out stronger, better.
No matter what, we will remained scarred - we will never forget November 7, 2011. But the scars will heal - Penn State University is not one man, it is 700,000 alumni and we will continue to adhere to the tradition we hold close to our hearts “success with honor” . No man, and no man’s actions can ever take that away from us.
Because We Are Penn State.

Monday, November 7, 2011

A Classical Sunday


“Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, 
wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, 
and charm and gaiety to life and to everything.” -Plato
As I entered il Parco Della Musica (The Music Park) in Rome last Sunday, I was taken-aback by the beauty of the auditorium, the architecture - the people in the crowd. As we sat there, anxiously awaiting a performanc of Bach’s Suite #4 by Italian musician Marco Brunello, I was reminded once again that Italians truly know how to live. 
It was a beautiful fall day, the sun was shining and the air felt crisp but warmed me as we strolled through the open markets and headed to the Auditorium. 
As I listened to Brunello play Bach’s Suite #4, I was in complete awe - one man was able to capture Bach’s essence; not an orchestra, or a group of musicians, one single man left the entire crowd speechless.
I love music, as many people do - but this classical ensemble made me develop a completely new appreciation for music; not just Top 40.
Listen to the suite and take a look at the pictures of Parco Della Musica and Marco Brunello below. It won’t do it justice, but it might give you some insight into how I felt listening to Brunello live. Bach was truly an incredible composer and musician and I was blessed to be able to experience such a remarkable display of talent.

Friday, November 4, 2011

You Make My Dreams Come True!

Shattered windows, screaming Italians, crying babies.
That’s the type of mayhem I caused in Rome last night as a 15-year-old dream of mine came true.
Howie D, of the Backstreet Boys, (BSB has been my absolute favorite music group for almost two decades), gave ME a live shout-out on the Morning Zoo in State College. Yesterday, my friends PJ and Kelly, and the rest of the Zoo Crew interviewed Howie, and to my complete and utter surprise, PJ told Howie who I was - and not only did he give me a shout out, but he spoke to me in ITALIAN.
Yes, this 23-year-old college grad had heart palpatations, red cheeks, and a giddy, uncontrollable laugh for an hour. Wait, who am I kidding - I’m still laughing uncontrollably!
While living in State College and attending Penn State, I had the opportunity to work and play at the number 1 radio station in Centre County: B94.5. At B94.5, we did it all: from our morning show, to internships, fundraisers, events - you name it, we were involved in it. One of the guilty pleasures of the job came in the wee-hours of the morning as we interviewed celebrities, athletes, and game-changers from all over the world; Hanson, Lauren Conrad, Russell Brand - the list goes on.
But one of the most beautiful things about the job was watching PJ and the rest of the crew help fulfill wishes, and dreams of the little kids and teens listening to our show. Whether it meant tickets to a concert, or a sporting event, or inviting them to come and be live on the air with us, PJ made it come true.
The look in these children’s faces said it all, and even though I’m no child, PJ definitely put one of those smile’s on my face!
I can die a happy girl - BSB knows my name! So thanks PJ and B94.5, you came through in the clutch, and made this little girl happy, even from 4500 miles away!
Check out the interview below (my part comes in around 5:00) and don’t forget to LIKE the Morning Zoo on Facebook!


La Bella Vita