A-llor-a!

My Carrot Souffles
Originally uploaded by catrberry

Italians have three phrases that they use constantly and as space-fillers wherever needed.
They are: "allora," "prego," e "va bene."
When you say "allora," you say it almost mid-sigh. "Ahhh-lllooorr-UH!" It means "therefore," "then," or "now," but everyone says it to mean "moving on" or like we say "I mean...". I love to hear this word used with a sharp emphasis on the last syllable.
The word "prego" means "you're welcome!" Or, it can mean "Go ahead" or "what would you like?" when ordering. Also, it can mean "after you" if you and another person are trying to get into an elevator. ANOTHER meaning is "I didn't hear/understand what you said, can you repeat that?" Just in case you wanted to know. It's my multipurpose word. When in doubt, say prego. You'll make SOME sort of sense.
"Va bene" literally means "It goes well," but Italians often say this repeatedly, even if only to themselves. It REALLY means "okay," but also if you're getting flustered trying to speak in Italian to the clerk at the Uffizi, it can also mean "you're okay," or "it's okay." This can also be applied when you screw up during cooking class and spill the cream.
I'm learning a bit of Italian! I can tell because when I listen in on people's conversations on the street, I can understand bits and pieces. For example, a distraught 20-something Italian woman was on her cellphone with (I'm assuming) her boyfriend. The one phrase she yelled over and over into her phone was "Tu vuoli questo! Tu vuoli questo!" Which means, "YOU want this, YOU want this!" I've made up a lot of different ideas of what her boyfriend could want but, sadly, I will probably never know. Guess I'll just have to frequent that street.
Other than that, today we had a fascinating History of the Italian Renaissance class AND a thrilling cooking class on CARROTS. I made a souffle, and the consistancy was "excellent!" It is apparently difficult to make, so Chef Cecilia was very proud of her care piccole. It was moist and delicious; savory with cheese. I'll post the recipe later.
I got to Skype the lovely Caroline Wicker tonight; lovely is the best way to describe this woman. It was her first skype. I am so honored. Always a delightful conversation and sweet taste of home. She drinks so deeply of the Lord's love that it spills out in every word. What an encouragement to talk to this friend!
Mama is being moved to Palliative Care soon. I'm preparing myself.
Tomorrow is the outdoor market with my Kentucky friends and then Italian class! Pumped.
I still have a good bit of reading to do for class on Wednesday, so I will sign off now to get to it. Prayers are needed: for my grandmother's healing and comfort, for my family as we care for her, and for my relationship with God/finding community here in Italy. Would you say a small prayer for me tonight?
Signing off. Ciao-ciao! (A new phrase I heard Chef Cecilia say today...I will now pick it up and use it as much as possible.)