The Italian Housewife 101

16th September, 1984

noreply@blogger.com (Valerie Chong) — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 10:15:00 +0000

/edit: It's arrived it's arrived! (and personalized) :)))

/source of picture: here

For your humility,
for your silence,
lameness,
sincerity,
passion,
patience,
humour,
memory,
music and compassion-
especially when you say you 'don't know what to say',
This is for you.

For our friendship.

Take a picture for me when you get it.

Infatuation

noreply@blogger.com (Valerie Chong) — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 09:59:00 +0000

You know that feeling of high-school rush you get when you can't stop thinking about a fleeting coincidence that develops into an imaginary infatuation in your own head the very next day?

I woke up today morning feeling giddy with butterflies- and regret.

**

We crossed sight when I was turning the corner to get to the tram stop. He was coming in from the right as I halted a few steps before the stop sign, him and his friend few steps after.

It was 6.30pm and I was waiting for number 2. There was a lot of fidgeting around- something girls just know from the corner of their eyes.

First bus came and gone- I was in a hurry, but it was 325 and I shouldn't take that. We continued waiting, suddenly from a distance I heard his friend ask, 'Ci vuoi provare?'- a shy yet encouraging push, thankfully not crude.

After some unanimous side glances and more fidgeting later, another 325 comes into sight. I looked at my watch undecidedly, semi calculating if I should take it because I'm in a hurry. My brow furrows and I caught him turning my way to see if I'm taking but I watch as the door closes, acknowledging that it's not the one they're waiting for either.

Just as fate would have it, the 3rd 325 comes rolling behind 10 seconds later and I panicked because it's almost 7 and number 2 doesn't seem to arrive. I snapped my fingers and decided to just hop on.

A small discussion ensued as I made my way towards the stopping bus, turns out that said guy and friend decided to oddly join the line as I was getting ready to board the steps- even if I should find it weird that he may/may not be following me but honestly, I found it to be a very sweet gesture if he really was.

:)))

Entire bus ride was pleasantly sweet in a funny way. I could feel that he was feeling awkward- he looked awkward; standing, side glancing, stumbling and toppling over when the bus sudden-stops and so forth. I had to look down his shoes to let out a little smile and thought the cartoon figure on his sneakers was rather cute. Weird, but still cute.

When he finally settled down to sit across his friend and in front of me, both grabbed a newsletter for distraction while I continued to shield behind my glasses. After more knowing/not so knowing subtle glances were exchanged, I caught him looking my way and finally braved myself to look straight into his eyes.

The world stopped and the most intense eye contact lasted for 5 seconds(I counted). Luckily(or not) I could see his eyes but he could not. And secretly, I fear eye contact with strangers I like because it gets my heart racing and blood pumping like no tomorrow.

That said, nothing happened as I broke off the gaze(5 seconds is pretty intense) but chances are, I probably wouldn't mind if somebody said something thereafter to get the ball rolling. (Afterall, it's not easy for a girl(or me) to look back and hold the gaze when you do)

Funny thing was, his friend cajoled him to stop at one point and suggested they get off at the next stop. Obviously embarrassed, he secretly glanced at my direction and mumbled softly to convince his friend in continuing riding for another few stops. That made my day because I have a huge soft spot for shy guys.

In the end, we sat all the way to the last stop, my heart still pumping when we descended from the fateful bus to our final destination.

We brushed past each other for one last time and shared a final glance with goodbye and longing heavy in my heart, locking that beautiful black framed eyes into my memory box as we part ways just as how we have arrived.

**

Dear Mr. Spectacles, if I ever see you again on the streets next time, Hi. Or Ciao.

Remember my face.

**Fiction/not.

New Words I Learnt Today

noreply@blogger.com (Valerie Chong) — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 18:04:00 +0000

1. sfocato = fuzzy(out of focus)

2. smagliature = stretch marks

3. coricarsi = to lay oneself down(sleep)

4. constante = consistent

5. inestetismo = blemish(flaw)

6. goiaba = guava

1 was expensive, 6 was sweet, 3 was hard, 5 was random, 2 was internet, 4 no problem.

Just another interesting Saturday.

Gold

noreply@blogger.com (Valerie Chong) — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 19:34:00 +0000

The Italians are a very passionate bunch. (I'm sure you all know that)

I don't watch a lot of TV(or football to be specific), but I need only listen to roars of enthusiastic fans from behind my terrace, to know that the Azzurri had triumphed when colourful flags go up the next day.

Not football, nor chocolate.

I'm missing the Olympics but having a balcony is the best way yet to be and stay informed over on this side of the world.

Congratulations Minguzzi!

Pregnant after sex blackmail

noreply@blogger.com (Valerie Chong) — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 14:38:00 +0000

Ling said she befriended the teenager when she received an SMS asking her to be his friend in early March.

Am I the only one who thinks that there is another hypothesis to this story?

Because how can having to have SEX with a blackmailer- when you're 14, be easier, than to actually expose a threat before/even WHEN you're being molested further?

I am so riled up right now.

About me

noreply@blogger.com (Valerie Chong) — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 15:41:00 +0000

1. I love green.

2. Have the memory of a goldfish.

3. OCPD.

4. NEED cleanliness, order, harmony & perfection.

5. Lick yogurt lids.

6. Very environmentalist.

7. Love dogs, fat cats and kids.

8. Buy things according to calorie count and fat percentage.

9. Don't like pink.

10. Anything else?

Mickey Mouse Meal

noreply@blogger.com (Valerie Chong) — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 19:53:00 +0000

Sometimes I wish there is someone else in my house here that I can cook for because I eat the laziest things when I'm alone at home.

Found this picture in one of my folders and even though they are what I would call the 2-minute effort dinner(cut tuna and blanch kale) they still look kinda fancy for something that I don't have to cook.(Sure I boiled the rice but who wants to be anal)

Since it's still summer now and hot, I don't even want to bother so I survive on instant soup/instant risotto/instant-whatever lunch routine instead and skip dinner by having yogurt and fruits so that I don't drop dead from the malnutrition.

But then again, who cooks real dinner for themselves every night regardless of whether it's summer or not?

Sometimes I also wish that there is someone else in my house here that will cook for me so that I don't have to eat the crappiest things when I don't want to.

-

I wonder why there isn't instant 'food-from-home'. :(

Missing mum.

Rape

noreply@blogger.com (Valerie Chong) — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 10:57:00 +0000

Jika makanan sudah dihidang, kalau saya tak makan, lalat akan turun. Biar saya yang makan.

What happens when stupid people are too dumb for education.

Hello!

noreply@blogger.com (Valerie Chong) — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 12:02:00 +0000

Good Morning :)

Have you had your breakfast yet?

Come, sit down, let me get you a power Italian breakfast to start off your lovely day,

With a cup of cappuccino and brioche. Filled with cream. And 568 calories to go with that.

Bruschetta

noreply@blogger.com (Valerie Chong) — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 05:02:00 +0000

pronounced: broo-SKEH-ta

Fresh tomatoes are abundant in Italy all year round but summer would be the best time to indulge as some of the sweetest and most beautiful cherry poppers available are in stagione or in season, so to speak.

Before coming to Italy, I never really liked eating raw tomatoes in Malaysia. I never thought I could like it either as the fruit was always too tart or too sour for my liking and some even powdery in consistence which was yuck.

It was back in July 2005 that changed my perspective. In fact, my whole life. I was staying with an Italian host family in Florence, couldn't express more words than a simple hi & bye but had the most amazing experience between those quiet but animated moments exchanged during dinners which was included in my half-board.

I had my first taste of the best bruschetta by memory in Luciana's house. I don't even remember what the first meal under her roof was anymore, but I remember the sensation. Everything was warm, new and terribly authentic that every simple home-cooked meal was an out of the world experience. It was also the first time I've ever had vino, antipasto, primo, secondo, contorno and dolce** all on the same night. For every night.
**wine, appetiser, first, main, sidedish and dessert.

It was not until very much later after that that I came across this dish again and finally learnt the proper way to make it as the 1st year was spent craving Chinese food for the longest time and surviving the coldest winter(!) by god-knows-why pizza and pastas... which was why I got fat Boooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!! But yes, back to the recipe- and no, you may not see my fat pictures. >:(

First, buy some fresh plum tomatoes from your local market(Roma usually but I used the cherry ones) and admire.Stick camera into paperbag and snap away.

2. Remove from bag, rinse tomatoes and remove stalks. (or in my case, you just roll them around and camwhore)

3. Half the tomatoes, deseed and dice finely.(I didn't because I don't mind them like that.) Put into bowl and season with a little salt&pepper&olive oil. Mix and put aside.

4. Buy a quarter/loaf of bread.(I used Altamura which is perfect) Hold it close to your nose and inhale. Ahhh...

5. Slice to desired thickness and broil both sides until slightly brown.(I did mine pale with a bite, just crunchy on the outside but not crispy all over)

6. Peel garlic and rinse basil. Pat dry. (Freshness is crucial! Substitute with dried oregano if not available)

7. Remove bread from broiler. Fork through garlic and rub all over toasted bread. Inhale again. Mmmm I love garlic.

8. Ladle tomatoes(refrain juices) onto bread(quickly) and top with hand-plucked shredded basil leaves. Sprinkle with sea salt.

9. Finally, drizzle around with an extra virgin olive oil and serve warm!

There... the classic of all classics. It really is as simple as this although there are alot of variations on the internet that are different I found. But I guess sometimes the simplest things can be the best so I take it that the Italians really do know best.(eating wise)

Buon appetito!

Dear Emirates,

noreply@blogger.com (Valerie Chong) — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 02:37:00 +0000

You can

KISS

MY
*SS

Why oh why oh why oh why?????????????????????

L'Isola Fiorita

noreply@blogger.com (Valerie Chong) — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 03:53:00 +0000

Or the "Bloomed Island".

Back when I was still staying at my 3^rd apartment near the school, my boyfriend used to drop by my house very often and we would sometimes walk across the park right behind the building to get to one of the canals where a lot of nice little bars/cafes and restaurants are splattered on each side of the street just for a late night stroll, or a small little gelato.

One fine day, I coaxed the bf for a walk to the canal since a Sunday antique market is held there once every last week of the month. Now, we have crossed that park many times during our night time strolls but daytime, hardly. In fact, that was prolly the first time or else we wouldn�??t have had properly noticed what would be our favourite restaurant after having pass it off as some fancy �??something�?? for the longest time whenever we tread down that small little junction.

Jack Sparrow's box of treasures- without treasures

I've always knew that to eat well and spend little at restaurants in Milan is something that does not happen very often, so when we found ourselves back at the restaurant the very next night, we knew that we found a gem the very moment we stepped into the main dining hall.

Stark fluorescent lights, oddly placed plants that looks out-of-place, illuminating blue lamps on the wall and ceiling roof, I almost felt like I stepped into a cross between being in a green house or an aquarium if not for the loud and chatty customers warming up to their dinners. It was all very raw, especially after watching the very loud cook-cum-waiter mob around sweaty with his greasy apron yelling, everything definitely differed from the image we had on the outside.

But he's a jolly good fellow..

A short browse through the menu�??s introduction put us in knowing nods. The atmosphere was planned, wanted and expected as they afterall pride themselves as an authentic �??trattoria�??, a traditional diner that is fast disappearing in this posh industrial city, if not mocked by imposing restaurants that name themselves �??Trattoria XYZ�?? and then charge you an arm and a leg, just for the namesake when they really is not.

A pen and a paper is provided for you to write down your own orders, and when we asked for another set of glass for our wine, the rowdy but cheeky cook-cum-waiter said to us, �??Finish your water, then drink your wine-lah!�?? -lah to emphasize his cheekiness, and no he seriously did not give us another set of glass.

This place is so full of character it even goes to state that if you don�??t like their intended humour and service(which is pretty much none) you are suggested to a list of other restaurants up to 500 meters away- �??because there is nothing beyond that!�?? says them.

The Aftermath

noreply@blogger.com (Valerie Chong) — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 10:08:00 +0000

Can somebody tell me how I function in this kind of situation?

In fact, I couldn�??t because it was TOO messy so I just sat at an angle, took pictures,

And stoned.

LOL.

Anybody want to help me pack??

Breakfast at 3 am.

noreply@blogger.com (Valerie Chong) — Sun, 24 Jun 2007 00:55:00 +0000

Have you ever had brioche with Nutella for breakfast at 3 in the morning before? I wish I could coincide with you, but I�??m officially a brioche-with-nutella-for-breakfast-at-3-in-the-morning virgin no more!

Culprits turned partners in crime - Elisa, Giorgia and Miki

After the party was over at Umberto�??s birthday, somebody suggested we go get some breakfast before everyone headed home. Miki led me skipping arm in arm, he seemed really enthusiastic as he swooned over how eating a brioche before going to sleep is like almost dying without any remorse. (??)

Now I have tried several types of midnight-breakfast here before (Italian hamburgers anyone?) but strangely enough, when I bluntly said-out loud to my friends that I�??ve never tried that one before, all I got was horrified faces staring back at me as if I offended the whole of Italian culture just because I have not heard about this another fascinating finding that is, until now.

So we all arrived at this small lonely shop at some back alley, nothing special, but probably one of the very few local�??s hidden midnight �??snack spot�?? that if you don�??t know the way, you'd probably miss it.(I think it�??s at Via Bettinetti/Fusetti)

Panzerotto, folded pizza dough filled with cheese+tomato sauce = 400kcals

Now Nutella is really big here in Italy, you can find it anywhere in gelatos, crepes, brioches, pastries and even cakes, but Nutella with brioche before going to sleep??? Do you know how many calories(of fat!) a tablespoon of that goodie has?? I am a fat-phobic if you don�??t know, but.. its calling was so �??strong�?? I succumbed to it straight away when I was holding that hot and tempting piece of heaven in my hand while my friend was paying.

Damage = 650kcal + 50g fat = 87213479#&!%@ hours of gym but oh so goooooood..

I know I know, it�??s really fattening and I�??m really fat-phobic(really!) but I do break my obsession sometimes and know how to indulge when times call for it (which happens really often *cough*) So I got myself the said guilty brioche, spread with loads and loads of Nutella heaven, and I have to tell you�?�the moment I bit into it, it was like*!^@!%#!#*@& I was sent into heaven even if I know it�??s all gonna go straight off to my hips, I just couldn�??t care less bcoz it was sooo good it makes you go MMMMMMmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...............................

Yes that�??s exactly how I felt.

fatfatfatfatfatfatfatfatfatfatfat yes, fat.....but Happy! *blek*

OMG it�??s soooooooooo good! No wonder I was surprised because I�??ve always just had �??cold�?? brioches in the bar and never felt how a brioche right out of an oven should taste like! Imagine the Nutella that has now melted with the heat dripping down your chin as you bite into the warm and crusty skin omg it�??s SO terribly good!! I�??d say it�??s pretty close to eating piping-hot crepes with Nutella and ice-cream, yes the latter more euphoric but none the less, both are to die for!! And without any remorse too! *proud*

Of course, the next day I was still alive, but remorse somehow showed up, in the form of my now not too happy bulging stomach. :( booooo�?�

P/s You can also have your brioche plain, with cream, with jam, or even ice-cream if it so takes your fancy. Just make sure it�??s right out of an oven and you�??re all set!

Why The Italian Housewife 101?

noreply@blogger.com (Valerie Chong) — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 13:58:00 +0000

Hi, and welcome to The Italian Housewife 101. In case you�??ve just chanced upon this blog by pure curiosity, good on you! Because hot naked Italian housewives posing with nothing but skimpy little aprons are exactly what you�??ll�?��?�NOT find here. :)

But wait, before some of you start throwing banana skin at me and question where�??s all the action, let me redeem myself by leaving you instead MY desirable image that will definitely bowl you over...

...

....

.....

�?�the toilet bowl I mean.

Glad you enjoyed that, now let me introduce myself to you. My name is Valerie and if you haven�??t already noticed, I�??m not actually an Italian and no I�??m not really a hot housewife either. (I know, I disappoint myself sometimes too�?�)

I come from a small little town called Seremban in Malaysia, and moved to Italy 2 years ago to continue my dreams as a fashion designer. I reside now in Milan, and if you like what you�??re reading or have any questions you want to ask or just want to say hi instead, drop me a message or email me at theitalianhousewife@gmail.com and I�??ll write back. :)

For now, enjoy reading and Buon Appetito!

P/s : The answer for my title is, because I want to be one.