This morning, during a 'coffee run' with Pasquale, Barbara and Mariangela ('coffee run' meaning, you stroll to the closest coffee shop, drink in .003 of a second your itty bitty espresso and then you stroll back to work or wherever you are going)...Pasquale said to me "Kate, tell me the truth, what is it that makes you happy like this all the time".

I replied, "Do you want the PG answer or the Rated 'R' answer?"

Rated 'R' it is....

1. Minimum of 6 hours of sleep
2. Coffee (even though I am not a heavy coffee drinker...so, you can substitute coffee for your favourite food. In my case, chocolate. Is chocolate a food? oh well.)
3. Take the approach "Don't worry, be happy"...whenever I start to worry too much about anything, eventually my brain kicks into RED ALERT, CALM DOWN mode and I remember no amount of stress is worth feeling physically or mentally ill.

Pasquale then asked, "What part of that is 'R' rated?". I respond "I'm not done yet...a fourth element can certainly aid 1 through 3..."

4. Three letter word...starts with s and ends with x.
(I added this fourth element for humour, but that doesn't make it any less valid)

The very last thing I had to add to this conversation was that I am probably just chemically imbalanced and therefore appear happy all the time.

Apart from this....I'd like to add that:

I'm pretty much convinced these days that there is some universal decree that if I feel sad...something will happen to brighten me up....and with good timing also (this is evidence that I am either ridiculously optimistic or chemically imbalanced).

Lately it has been food. I feel down and then I get a call. It's Enrico's Mum. Coincidentally, she's made my new favourite pasta and says, "...don't cook, come here and eat". Amazing, like I'm going to say no to that offer!!!
It is capable of changing my entire mood. I know, you're thinking I'm crazy, right? wait...

A couple of days ago a package arrived...for me. It was a book that Enrico got me as a present. As he unwrapped and revealed the book, I actually started crying. Joy, I finally have it...'eat, pray, love'.
The arrival of that book had the best timing...ever, of anything.
That day, I thought I was going to self destruct and one little book filled me with so much joy.

Speaking of which, on a completely unrelated note (more signs that I am C.I.), I wanted to note the things that I have yet to blog about...:

1. THE VESPA GETAWAY FROM VICIOUS RABIES DOG.
2. ROAMING, best hobby ever. I win first place at roaming.


NOTE FOR MY MUM: I missed you a lot on your birthday. In fact, I was downright sad and missing you. How is it that you are so amazing? LIKE, REALLY...why is it that Mum's are always right about everything, or almost, and they like touch something and make it perfect. I bake a cookie and it is like eating a rock and my Mum can whip up perfection from nothing (in case you are wondering, I will continue to rant, randomly, on this subject).