Bless me Fatha

Growing up in a 1st generation Italian family my Mom insisted that all her kids go to Catholic school.
I was the youngest of four with a huge age gap between me and one of my sisters.
They went to Our Lady of Fatima in Fort Lee, NJ. By the time I got there they changed the name to Madonna School – like a virgin.
I hated it!
I hated the uniforms, the masses but mostly I was afraid of the nuns until I was like in 5th grade. 5th grade was my transformation from being scared to being a rebel.
I hung out with the Brennen twins, two Irish girls in 7th grade. Apparently Maureen Brennen had these cherry bombs she got from her brother, we gathered at lunch to hatch da plan.
We all raised our hands at 2pm and asked to be excused to the lavatory. Once we were all there we took kotex (the ones that had dem long pieces of like gauze on them) we picked up the toilet seats and tucked the kotex around the seat so it was like a board over the hole then we placed the cherry bombs on them, lite them and ran like thieves.
We were back in the class before the explosion.
We all heard this huge BOOM.....
Then the loud speaker in the classroom starting its announcement. Sisters and teachers please file a single line and proceed outside. Also anyone that was absent from class send to the principals office.

Oh Boy – There were 5 boys and 3 girls in the office. Being it was the girls room the boys got interrogated and then dismissed. Upon our interrogation with Sister Peter Conesious – yes you read it right. Sister Peter what-eva determined it was us. She then called our Moms. We were suspended for a week and when we returned we had to clean the convent after school. My Mom was pissed! However she blamed da Irish kids for most of it.

In 6th grade I got Sister Mary Hue she was six feet tall and pissed all the time..
I had to brainy kids in my class and I will never forget their names: Renee Levisuer and Carolann Stalopie. Real Nun kissers!
Every Monday Carolann would collect milk money and mission money. Oh I wanted to smack her.
This one day were we working on math, fractions. I hated factions! I was so confused and kept telling the Sister that I did not understand it. So what does what does Sister 6 foot do – she calls me to the blackboard to solve the problem along with Renee and Carolann. The clacking of the chalk was maddening from them two.
All of a sudden they both put the chalk down at the same time and sat down.
There I was creating the formula for hydrogen! I had so many symbols and signs, I was sweating, my barrettes were sliding off my head.
All of a sudden I hear, “where were you when the Lord was giving out brains”!
I turn and say, “right behind you Sista!”
That was not good.... She walked up and started bangin my head in the board. I thought it was sweat but my barrette was stuck in my head and it was blood.! Yikes.
There I was back in da principal’s office!!
There was Mom at the door. Ma was pissed. She said regardless of what happens you are not to hit my child.
That day I was able to go home early. 

So here was the crown and glory that finally got me outta there.
Ever since the beating of the head, Sista was pissed at me. I was not allowed to play in any reindeer games.
It was Christmas time, we had a live tree in the class, it was all decorated and had candles, real ones on the tree.
She announced she wanted a class picture but I was not allowed to be in it rather I was gonna take the photo.
So she gave me this brownie camera, the kind you had to look down into.
She then lights the candles and places the kids on the floor and she next to the tree.
I kept walking back saying, back up more Sister, as she was HUGE- 6 feet- memba?
For a split second my eyes saw the candle and her veil. I was like – Nahhhhhh.
Then I said back a little more Sista and WHAM! Her veil went up like cotton candy!!
She ran out the door and dunked her head in the water fountain.

There I was waiting for da principal.
She came in and said- you are a descendant of Satan.
Yikes that was nasty!
Then Mom showed up, she was really pissed at me. So here was the sentence.
Mrs. Maisano we would prefer if you take your daughter to public school ASAP.

OMG – Yessssss- finally ~~~ finamente......

Three Penny Operaaaaaa

Has anyone been to the MET lately? If so than God Bless. Because if you have, you either have more money than Palachi – know a guy – found a guy – or took a distribution from your 401k!

I happen to be one of those very eclectic peeps. The music I listen to varies from- Rock – Blues- Jazz – and Tango!! OMG, I loves me some Tango music…  I love fine art, abstract and yet I can kick back with the best of the blue-collar anywho’s…now that’s a friggin ART!

I despise pretension!!! I mean lets get real Folk’s, unless you were born in the Vanderbilt mansion, knock it off!!! Even Anderson Cooper has a sense of humor ~ well sort of???

Once in a while you have to take the stick out of your coulo! You might even enjoy hangin whit the little folk. Because basically you are just a Lolly Pop kid looking for height.

The world is tough enough, No? --- We are all connected by 6 degree’s of separation. Bet cha pissed off now!!!

And since the recession or depression set in it has made it worse! For me though, traveling around this country of ours – I think it’s worse in NYC.

Think of when your 401k was whole! You would drive thru Chelsea and pass all those foo foo clubs with the velvet ropes and see all those foo foo gurls on line with their little black dresses and their Gucci bags waiting to get in….

Well, ya still seem em, but now they are online with their little dresses, with their cuma-se-chama hangin out, their knock off bag and a sign that says, “ I will date for food and the Philharmonic!

However choosing your friends is way different than being born into your family!!!!

Hey, you remember that show called the Locator? 

This guy gets letters from people looking for their family’s that gave them up for adoption or friends that have lost friends..

I’m not talking about the lost boyz, that’s a whole other story..

I can see it now. I contact the guy from the Locator. Hi Troy, my name is Maryann Smith. I was adopted when I was 8 years old. All I know from my adopted family is that, they gave me up after I set a Nun’s veil on fire? But I have this desire to connect.

So Troy goes on DA hunt.

He meets me at the Bada Bing Club and says, “I found your family”!

OMG!!!!!!

Yes and I have a video of one of their Christmas dinners.

He plays the video, there are 7 fishes, zepolies, nuts, pastry, and my FAMILY.. They were reenacting the 3 penny opera.. Now rememba – this is an opera "by and for beggars!

So there’s my Brother singing Mack da knife!!! Then my sister starts cuttin hair!!!!! And my other Sister is dressed like a hussy from Berlin????????

IT WAS AMAZINGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!

I looked at Troy and said – um – tell them you couldn’t find me!!!!!

But cha know what! Families are made up of the good, the bad and the ugly!  Whistle here!!!

My family has never seen an Opera, they don’t need to, they create their own drama. However, this does not make them bad people, or less than.

And those folks that feel that they would never want to mix with the likes of “those folks”! Most likely are covering up some type of dysfunction of their own, That’s why they hide in the orcastra pit!!

Look I have Champaign taste on a beggar’s budget! I loves me some Crème Brulee …However, I am proud to say that I still can crave a Devil Dog too~~~~

So here be da deal!!   Get off your high horse! ~  I always hated that statement!!! Lighten up !!!  See the good in people not what they are wearing. Love your neighbor – but don’t get caught!!!

And NEVER –EVER JUDGE ANY ONE.. ESPECIALY AN ITALIAN!!!

WE know all the judges any way~~~~~

UNKNOWN QUOTE

“We can never judge the lives of others, because each person knows only their own pain and renunciation. It's one thing to feel that you are on the right path, but it's another to think that yours is the only path.”

THE FAT LADY HAS SUNG!!!!!!

Find out your purpose

Let us take you on the most Amazing journey of your life ~~

It's Priceless Click

There is no place like home ! Italia

All I had was a bunch of old photos a last name and the name of a town in Italy where my Father was born.

When we would have family reunions all the cousins would tell stories about the farm in Tuscany. I was so entranced by the fascination of it all. My mind would take to fields of wild flowers, lemons growing on the trees and of course the farm animals.

All I ever wanted to do was go there and see it all.

So I wandered onto one of those find your ancestors sites and found very little information. I wanted to see the house my Father lived in and the farm he worked everyday.

So I went to www.agrifeudi.com. This company is located in Rome, Italy.

What they do is magnificent!

I gave them the information I had and then planned my trip.

When I arrived they had a driver waiting for me. As I approached the town I began to cry at the nostalgia of it all.

The Mayor of the town and the villagers all were there to greet me like I was some diplomat!

I was given flowers and welcomed as one of their own.

They took me to a beautiful village home. Then the show began.

Dinner was recreated by a team of people who were dressed in clothing from the time of the century I was researching.  Homemade pasta they way Nonna would have made it, fresh made cheese, eggs from the hen. Pastries made from scratch.

Then the dancing began. The people were dressed in traditional clothing, the music, and the smells; oh my God I was enchanted and immersed into this culture.

I saw the cemetery where Nonno and Nonna were buried.

I was provided with documents of marriage licenses and property deeds.

I even met some distant relatives.

This experience will live with me forever and I finally felt like I went home.

Don’t let your life pass you by contact www.agrifeudi.com and live your story.

A tree without roots is a tree without Life~

Do you have Italian roots?

Do you have Italian roots ?
How much do you know about your Italian heritage?
In which Italian town were your ancestors born?
These are typical questions for people beginning a genealogic research.
Getting to know yourself even more can be possible if you get to know your family also.
Your traits, personality and identity in general can be defined by tracing your family history.
You owe your life today to the events that occurred along your whole family line in the past: that’s why we need to keep the past connected to the here and now. A tree with out roots is a tree with out life~
You would want to know about your great grandfather, where he lived, how he lived and what he did when he was alive. Getting to know them even better boosts your sense of belonging ness in the family and also defines your very existence.
More and more people want to learn where they came from and who their ancestors are. It is important to find your place in history and discover the stories of those who lived before you.
In these times, many people are taking a greater interest in discovering their family history than ever before: the Internet is a powerful tool for family history research.
Where can you start your Italian adventure?
Contact http://www.agrifeudi.com or email us info@agrifeudi.it
We take you back to the 18th century. Provide you a driver that will take you to the town that your family came from. You live in a beautiful country home while the Mayor and the towns people create a feast to welcome you. You may even meet distant relatives! You will see documents, marriage licenses ,property and more.
And you will leave with not only this huge emotional connection but a unique token of your entire experience.
We are not like one of those "find your ancestor type sites" - we customize a unique personal rooting experience that will last you a lifetime..

There is more to Italy than just Rome! Find out ~ ~

Everyone loves Rome. The NY Times recently wrote this 36 hours itinerary and the timing couldn’t be better as people are looking to spring as the time to wander through Rome’s whimsical, windy and traipse romantic streets. What I love about it here, is that you can literally visit forty different times and get a completely different experience.

Everything has a story and you can see it sketched on famous monuments such as Trajan’s Column. We humans are masters at creating, but even better at destroying it, ‘La grande bellezza’ of human behavior perhaps.

Admittedly I myself went from ‘eh, Rome is ok but not really my thing’ to what I liken to being a ‘born again’ Rome lover ‘.  I’ve drunk the ‘juice’ and become more interested in a place I don’t get to visit enough though it is an easy one and a half hour train ride away.

The question is as always, how to tackle a city with a history dating back to 600-700 BC? Especially when you imagine it as the center of almost five hundred years as the world’s greatest superpower.

But there is more to Italy then just Rome especially if your family was born in Italy.

This is where a company called www.agrifeudi.com is not only changing lives but has created a new way to travel.

An actual testimonial:

I had a photo on my Nona's house in Naples with an address. We took a trip and walked the streets and low and behold we see the house. However it seemed to now be a business?

We talked to the owners and they would not let us go in nor really understood what we were trying to do.

That is when I contacted http://www.agrifeudi.com - https://www.facebook.com/rooting.agrifeudi.This company was amazing. The do not sell you a tour and you are not on a bus with 25 other people looking at beautiful surroundings but rather you provide them with the information you have and they do all the work for you.
They meet you and take you on the most amazing emotional and magical journey you will ever experience in your life.
I did get to see Nona's house and more. The deeds to land, the cemetery sites, the marriage licenses and more.
Oh what a journey. I even have relatives that I now keep in touch with
This trip not only connected me to my roots and past but also made me discover more of who I am and why.


Thank you..
Lynn Marrapodi 
NYC, NY

They take you as far back to the 18th century. Can you imagine walking through the town of your ancestors? What if you discovered that your Great, Great, Grandfather (Nonno) helped build the Trevi Fountain!

Then for a second you had that Ah-Ha moment.

When you were a child you were fascinated with bricks and rocks. Yet you never knew why you had this fascination.

Imagine not only seeing but touching documents and photos of ancestors that made you who you are today!

Some of us may have visited Italy and always end up in Rome  as I stated in the beginning of this blog,seeing the beautiful architecture, the Vatican and more.

I know you are thinking that you cannot afford to do this! However Agrifeudi is budget friendly and will custom tailor to suit your needs.

Agrifeudi does not sell tours but rather a unique emotional rooting experience that will help you discover more of who you are.

So contact them and start planning your journey.

Its called Personal rooting – as in a tree with out roots is a tree without life~

The Travel Rooting Philosophy

Agrifeudi introduces a completely new experiential travel experience: Travel Rooting...providing extraordinary and exclusive access to the best of Italy for the sophisticated traveler who appreciates true immer- sion into the heart and soul of the land and its people. No longer a tourist but a “Rootist”, gain entry to once-in-a-lifetime cultural, gourmet, traditional and folklore experiences. Private transfers, exclusive gourmet meals, elegant accommodations, customized “front row” exhibits, events & live entertainment.

Two Rooting Experiences to Choose From or Combine:

Some of the places you will visit...

The famous squares & monuments of Rome

The whimsical baroque elegance, feast of food, beauty of countryside, and wines of

Personal Rooting

For those of Italian ancestry

living abroad, Agrifeudi brings genealogical research to a

new level with its crown jewel offering...a completely customized exclusive journey to your personal family history.

Territory Rooting

For groups of 16-28 “rootists”, itineraries include key artistic

and cultural excursions, guided adventures, interactive cooking and artisan workshops, and active experiential participation in ethnic traditions.

- "TRACES" genealogical summary of one's family 10 generations back on the status of the family in history - "MEMORY ROOTING" group return travel for pople all coming from the same region and/or geographical area - "PERSONAL ROOTING" (minimum 2 people) family or private minigroup journey in the town of one's own ancestors (generally 3 nights/2 full days) with extensions to visit the area in the form of a genuine land performance (TERRITORY ROOTING) that can be on one or more themes.

Email them today

info@agrifeudi.it             info@agrifeudi.it

What is Personal Rooting? Italia. A tree with out roots is a Tree with out Life~

The Travel Rooting Philosophy
Agrifeudi introduces a completely new experiential travel experience: Travel Rooting...providing extraordinary and exclusive access to the best of Italy for the sophisticated traveler who appreciates true immer- sion into the heart and soul of the land and its people. No longer a tourist but a “Rootist”, gain entry to once-in-a-lifetime cultural, gourmet, traditional and folklore experiences. Private transfers, exclusive gourmet meals, elegant accommodations, customized “front row” exhibits, events & live entertainment.

Two Rooting Experiences to Choose From or Combine:
Some of the places you will visit...
The famous squares & monuments of Rome
The whimsical baroque elegance, feast of food, beauty of countryside, and wines of

Personal Rooting
For those of Italian ancestry
living abroad, Agrifeudi brings genealogical research to a
new level with its crown jewel offering...a completely customized exclusive journey to your personal family history.
Territory Rooting
For groups of 16-28 “rootists”, itineraries include key artistic
and cultural excursions, guided adventures, interactive cooking and artisan workshops, and active experiential participation in ethnic traditions.

- "TRACES" genealogical summary of one's family 10 generations back on the status of the family in history - "MEMORY ROOTING" group return travel for pople all coming from the same region and/or geographical area - "PERSONAL ROOTING" (minimum 2 people) family or private minigroup journey in the town of one's own ancestors (generally 3 nights/2 full days) with extensions to visit the area in the form of a genuine land performance (TERRITORY ROOTING) that can be on one or more themes.

Email us today at

info@agrifeudi.it

 

Let us take you home......

SIGNS YOU WERE RAISED BY AN ITALIAN MOTHER

·   

. Your mom chooses (in one way or another) your girlfriends.Italian mothers can become extremely jealous and possessive over their sons. After the first date, they’ll enquire into how good of a cook she was, how clean and tidy her house was, and if her clothes were nicely ironed. But never say that your new girlfriend’s pasta sauce is better than your mom’s or she’ll dislike her from the beginning.·   . You never stop suffering her public displays of affection.
It doesn’t matter if you are in your teens and hanging out with friends after school, or if you’re 40something and socializing with colleagues, your mum will always address you as Il mio bambino. She will hug and kiss you as if she hasn’t seen you in years, when in fact you just had lunch together.·   . You grew up eating the best food in town.
For an Italian mamma, food is more than just a basic human need; it’s religion, culture, identity and love. Every time you return home, the first thing she’ll ask you: “Have you eaten?” If your mamma offers to prepare you “a little something” to eat, you can be sure it is not a sandwich, but a freshly made seafood spaghetti, which is better than any other you can have in town.·   . You know how competitive Christmas can get.
Christmas is the most important celebration of the year for an Italian mother, and not only because of its religious values but as a culinary show-off opportunity among the various women in the family — grandmas, aunts, daughters in law. The competition is fierce, and you’ll have to prepare yourself physically and psychologically months in advance for the massive 30-course meal. They’ll start planning it in August.·   . You know the pressure never ends.
While a regular non-Italian mother will accept your decisions once you’ve become an adult, an Italian mother will make sure you are constantly under pressure about finding a good job, getting good marks at university. She’ll nag you constantly with questions like: “Have you done your homework?” (at age 21 at university) or “Why are you not at work?” (even if it’s your day off and you keep reminding her every single weekend). She cannot comprehend why you are not doing “something.” If you are relaxing one afternoon on the sofa, she’ll make sure to let you know how upset she is about seeing you idle.·   . She always takes your side…publicly anyway.
Your Italian mum may nag you, but she won’t expect you to be the best. She’ll compliment you and treat you like a hero only because you passed an exam, or because none of your marks are lower than the passing grade. In front of the other parents, she’ll publicly announce your ‘high grades’, even if it was only in Physical Education. At parent-teacher meetings, the teachers may tell your mom you don’t always finish your homework and she’ll complain that perhaps they are giving you too much homework. She’ll take your side, but once you’re home, she’ll keep nagging you about your homework.·   . Your fashion sense is taken as reflection on her failure / success as a mother.
Even if you wear mismatched colors or pants with square patterns and a shirt with stripes to go to the post office, she’ll rant for two hours about how you look like a hobo and how miserably she failed as a mother.·   . She is your constant clothing inspector.
You can try to move out and keep away from your mamma, but even if you go hundreds of miles away, she’ll always come to see you and, during each visit, she’ll wash and iron your clothes. Then she’ll complain about the way you folded your socks and boxers. Although some might find this a bit OCD, it’s not so bad, especially if you are a young, incompetent adult male.·   . You can only leave Italy to go to the beach.
The average Italian guy will make his mum worried every time he mentions his desire to visit a new foreign city or country, and she’ll try to discourage any trip abroad. Every single place is considered hostile or unworthy.•  Me: “Mum, my friends and I are planning to visit London next month.”
•  Mom: “Why, what’s there you cannot find in here? People get killed there; it’s too dangerous.”

This is the same attitude for pretty much any other destination outside Italy. However, if you mention a beach destination, preferably in Italy but not necessarily, then you are excused. If you are planning a trip to Sharm el-Sheikh, a popular beach destination in southern Egypt, she’ll approve and you’ll most likely have to take her along with your wife. That’s not necessarily a bad thing though — after sunbathing for 15 hours, she’ll massage your burnt lobster-colored skin with her trusted homemade fresh tomato sauce. La mamma always knows best