One Week to Go!

At about this time (3:30pm) in exactly one week (Oct 30th), Geoffrey will be taking me to the airport. Can you say excited!!

Tania and I had a lovely brunch this morning, and I'm procrastinating things by going to the ROM with Lorenzo to see a David Hockney exhibit of his new iPad artwork. Sigh. Too much to do and too little time.

Welcoming Aiden into the World

Aiden & Ashley

Ashley & De Juan have been living in my apartment for the past several months, and sheepishly announced after the first month or so that Ash was pregnant.  We've all embraced Ash's baby bump, watched her with her pregnant lady glow, and wondered aloud if the new kid was going to be as cute as the Dad.

Well, as you can see, Aiden Jian Le Ng came into the world on Friday Oct 21 at 12:49pm.  He's as cute as his Dad, will probably be as tall, and Ash is obviously happy to have BUB out.


De Juan and Aiden

Congrats Ash & De Juan, and welcome Aiden!

Happiness all around!

The Long Farewell

Tomasso & Deanna, at Paese

It started before Thanksgiving with a lovely dinner with friends Tom & Deanna and has continued unabated since - saying arrivederci, ciao, so long, and farewell to friends and family, but never goodbye.  Goodbye is too permanent and sounds too final.  Farewell is the better word.

Marie R & Lucy C, in Mary's backyard



Mary H, in her backyard

Ana, Lucy & Marie, and Mary said farewell over Thanksgiving in Ottawa with a wonderful dinner in Mary’s newish home.  We all marvelled at Lucy’s proficiency with the electric carver, but then again, she is handy with power tools. 

The Chunkley's, at home

My mother and sister Mary said farewell at the curbside of the Ottawa train station. I was on the curb and they were in the car still dressed in their housecoats. Seems if it’s the morning and you’re 92 (my mother) or retired (my sister) clothing is optional.  I am still smiling.

Debbie O, at Canteen

 More dinners and coffee dates have followed and lots of wine has been consumed along the way.  It has been great to see old friends like Paula in Ottawa – a re-connection after 10 years, and Debbie who brings new meaning to the words family responsibility.

Jean C & John F, at John's Italian Cafe

Edward, and Lawrence, were unable to attend the going-away party, so we broke bread instead – excellent food and stimulating conversation – just what I cherish from a friend.

Lorenzo, at Mideastro

Zak & Lorenzo, at Mideastro

 These farewells have been special because my friends are very special people. I’m about to physically leave their lives for a time.  I suspect it’s as hard for them as it is for me.  Yet saying farewell is part of the process of leave-taking and I honour it for what it allows – the chance to affirm a relationship, say I love you, and depart happy in the knowledge that a new hello is in the future.

Leah P, at Timothy's

My Boyfriend!

That got your attention.
Especially since you know I don't actually have a boyfriend.
But I kinda do.

David K is one of the sweetest, most generous men I know. He came to the party after playing road hockey all day (and I mean, ALL DAY) in a fundraiser for The Princess Margaret Hospital. He was probably sore and tired, and wanted nothing more than to sit in a hot bath and have a nice massage from partner Tania. But he showed up and was effervescent as always and I admire his stamina and value his friendship.

Somehow, I missed posting this great picture of him with all the other party pictures, for which I apologize.

איך בין נעבעכדיק  Boyfriend.

Being Italian - The Party Pictures!

(If the pictures look weird - just click on them)

A couple of weekends ago, my dear friends Barb, Tania, David & Geoffrey, hosted a party in my honour.  It was my going away fete and the theme was Being Italian.  From the musical “Nine” Be Italian is a siren’s call to a young Guido Contini to live and love like the Italian he is – because “it is in your blood.” I’m not sure being Italian is necessarily in my blood, but it’s pretty darn close. Click on the video link - it's fun to watch!

My friends all pitched in and bought me a fancy new camera for the trip.  I’ve been playing with it and I’m very happy to be taking it with me to Firenze.  As you can see below, David took some great pictures at the party.  Much yummy food was made and eaten; bottles of booze were consumed, and everyone seemed to have had a good time which makes me very pleased.

Thanks to my generous hosts for a great party.  Thanks to my friends for the camera, for being the wonderful people you are, and for wishing me buon viaggio in great style! It was all much appreciated.

David D - host



Geoffrey C & Barb T - hosts #2 & #3



Zak & Jean C

Mark CE, Zak, & Joseph CE

Stephanie J & Terry S

The Food!

Jean, Tania/Tatiana/Tova - Host #4 with David K and Olyvia L

Zak & Mini

Michael M and Zak

The Whole Crew (almost) with Tom G holding court

Cecil Y, John W, and Zak

Robert W

My lovely friends from Melbourne AU, Ashleigh & De Juan

Ash, Tom, & Barb

Mariko Y-C (my work wife) & Cecil

Mark H, Stephanie, Margaret D, David, Sally C, & Deanna G

Terry and David B

My brother John

Deanna, Margaret & Sally

Thanks again to one and all for a great party.

Benvenuto!



Zak in Italy (Roma) 2008

Welcome to Zak in Italy!

This blog chronicles my adventure in Italy - a well-deserved year-long sabbatical from work which starts in exactly 29 days. For those temporally challenged - that's Oct 30, 2011.

And if the name didn't give it away, my destination is Italy, specifically Florence (Firenze) for 9 months. I don't have a clue what the final 3 months will look like.

I've chosen to "blog" because I didn't want to be on Facebook and deal with all the stuff that being on a highly interactive social media site entails. I've chosen to make the direction of the blog's communication fairly one way - from me to you. You can always email me, but among the people who'll be reading this, it's likely they won't care what you have to say about a post, so don't expect to see a "Comment" box anytime soon.

I don't know where this blog will go, or how I'll use it to communicate with you, but like the sabbatical itself, it's set up now, and it will unfold the way it's supposed to.

So, thanks for visiting Zak in Italy and for following my little adventure.  It's going to be fun!