With the Unification celebrations, I’ve been feeling a bit patriotic to my new country. I’ve been getting excited to see the exhibitions, attend the concerts and eat the food!  I think it’s also to show Valentina (through photos) what it means to be a part of such a great celebration.

Before we moved here to Torino, I had saw a video on YouTube. It was the introduction that NBC aired before the start of the 2006 Winter Olympic games.  I remember seeing it for the first time and thinking, “Wow… I’m going to live there. That’s my new home.”  I still get goosebumps every time I watch that video.  Now that I’ve been here for over 2 years, I’ve settled into my home, I have a part time job, I have friends, I gave birth to an Italian-Tex-Mex baby…. I have a life. I am grateful for this country that has adopted me and allowed me to build a new life here. I feel blessed to have my life change for the better. My life is very different than what it used to be and I love it.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m an American first and forever. However, the feelings that I have for Italy are now the same as they are for America. When I listen to our National Anthem, I always sing along and cry. I cry because I’m proud to be an American. I’m proud of our men and women who fight for our freedom.  That same emotion is now bleeding through to the Italian side of my life. Last night, Carlo and I were watching one of his political programs. At the beginning of the program, Jazz musician Paolo Fresu played one of the most beautiful renditions (in my opinion) of the Italian National Anthem. It gave me the chills and Valentina and I both clapped at the end.