One year later and changes

This year has been an interesting one. Following last year's trip, an old client of mine from my music business days of writing jingles and ad campaigns contacted me, seeking re-licensing an old song. This brought about re-newed focus on my creative efforts outside my teaching role. After a year, I am only now getting back to sharing the wonderful trip we took to Sicily and Rome. For me, it was a return in one year, as I had previously made the trip with my sister(summer of 07). Last summer(08), my immediate family made the trip. We arrived on the 4th of July in Palermo. Earlier our 13 year old son inquiered if we were going to watch the 4th of July fireworks there? His sister was not amused. To sum up our Sicilian venture, all I can say is...wonderful cousins...beautiful sea...fantastic sites...multitude of cultures and experiences...no red lights...sand is not good for digital camera...food and service friendlier in Sicily...Rome wonderful...but not as special as driving through villages and smaller Sicilian cities(my wife wanted to go back to Sicily after 2 days in Rome.) And when ordering your meal from an Italian waiter who doesn't speak Inglese...don't smile and say.."Yeah, sure." Especially after he says..."speciale di casa." Other wise known as "the house special." Before I realized what my wife had unknowngly done, 6 waiters returned to our table with King Size appetizer platters enough to feed 20 people. Fortunately, my daughter and I managed to explain and apologize in our remedial Italian, to stop the culinery madness.

I will probably be posting pictures on this sight...and making this a blog for my students this year for sharing interests, ideas, and assignments.

Signing off as Mr. Occhipinti!