Journey

This semester has been one of the most difficult ones I have ever endured. There is so much to say but instead of doing that I had decided to travel somewhere important to me. I decided to go to Worcester, MA. Okay, its a known fact that Worcester sucks. Really badly. There is nothing beautiful to see and a majority of it run down. My father is from Worcester, born and raised and he definitely acts like it too. Recently, my cousin passed away. He died of a rare cancer of the blood plasma. I did not even know that was possible. My cousin opened his business Light Lab and never wanted to leave Worcester. He found so much potential in a place like this. I always avoided being there at all costs. I have discovered lately that I wish I could approach life in the way that Joey did, very optimistic.  I went to this restaurant called Dino's. My family has been eating there for years and when I sat in the booth it felt right. Like coming home after a long trip away. I ordered Joey's favorite meal, eggplant parmesan. I felt so comforted from knowing I could in a way, be with him. As I was driving through the streets of Worcester, I started realizing that the place that my father had tried to run away from for so long, was a part of me. I grew up here.

When Italy Meets Lebanon

So for this blog, I have decided to discuss the meeting of cultures between my boyfriend and I. Before I jump into this, I want to provide some background about myself. I am 100% full-blooded Italian. My parents call 400 times a day, and my house constantly smells like homemade sauce and basil. My family talks entirely too loud in social settings and when we all get together... we need two houses to fit everyone. Oh, and my second cousins removed know everything about your life and yes, there are a ton of Vinny's, Anthony's and Emilios. Phew okay. I hate to say it but yes, my family has rubbed off on my entirely too much, and when I was bringing my boyfriend Alex home to meet them for the first time, intimidation would be an understatement. Alex is Lebanese, very Lebanese to be exact, he speaks it to his family all the time. When my family meet him for the first time, there was about 30 of us at my grandmother's house and everyone pulled him in for a hug and kiss like they knew him for 10 years. His face of happiness and confusion was priceless. He knew he was in it for the long haul. It finally came time for me to meet his family. Deep breath. Okay, don't let your loud mouth freak them out. Of course, my mom send me over with a box of canoles, God we're such a stereotype. The moment I walked in I felt like I was transported to another country. EVERYONE was speaking Arabic. They greeted me much like my family, would just less intense. Everyone smoked cigarettes and looked like they just jumped off the runway. Their clothes were amazing! How do people dress like this all the time?? We sat down to eat and the food was amazing, grape leaves ,taboule. They ate deer which freaked me out a bit but hey, I knew something would. But I realized one thing, I loved it. There was nothing to be afraid of, I was totally fine.