Still pregnant, guys. I am so over this already. At least Friday I finally have a doctor’s appointment. They don’t do the appointment every week thing here after 35 weeks, so I haven’t had one since then. Maybe they’ll have good news for me (at least some sign of progress would be nice). So there’s really not much going on these days. I don’t ever really feel like going out, especially by myself, so it’s almost the same as bed rest.. but you have to remember that it’s different here than the US. At home, to go to the store or whatnot, I can get in my car and just go. That’s not the case here. Just to go to class, I have to walk to the bus stop, wait for the bus, stand on the bus because of course no one gives a 9 months pregnant woman their seat, and then walk to class. Then sit in a wooden chair for 1 1/2 hours in a small, crowded room full of people who just don’t shower often enough. This is all well and good for a normal person, but at this point, I’m in a really “try-later” type of mood. My back is breaking, stomach stretched beyond imagination, and brain slowly shutting down; Italian class has been moved to the back burner. However, I did have a busy day yesterday that I’m suffering for today, so here’s a funny story to lighten the mood.
Next week (November 29) is Paolo’s birthday. I wanted to celebrate it in some way since most likely next week will be baby chaos (I hope at least), and I didn’t want his birthday to get lost in all the madness. So I collaborated with a couple of his friends, and we decided to have a nice dinner last night with some of our friends. Oh, and it was going to be a surprise, which is where the strategy had to come in. Yesterday was the perfect day since he was in Milan all day getting his American visa, and then had basketball practice at night. That way, I could prepare everything and clean without him being suspicious. Yes, he would be suspicious if I cleaned extra (no nesting here). So ANYWAYS. We had this grand plan, and I set about my day. I knew it would be stressful, because it was a lot to do in one day, especially in my present lazy state.
First of all, I must tell everyone that I am a horrible liar. I mean, I can’t keep a secret, so don’t even try. I crumble immediately under questioning. That being said, maybe a surprise party wasn’t the correct choice. But I tried, really. However... I went to the grocery store to get all the things I needed. Paolo has a car, but I can’t use it because I don’t have a license here, and also it’s a manual, which I tried once, and never again. So the bus was my only option. Once again, the bus is completely manageable up until about 37 weeks pregnant, when both your tolerance and energy take a nose dive. But I did it. It took me almost an hour and a half to get everything (because I’m moving like a snail), and then I left the store. This is where things went wrong. I usually go to a different bus stop, because the one closest to the grocery store is super crowded. But my bag was really heavy, so I opted for the close one. I called Paolo on my way there to see where he was. I expected him to be back in Pavia at his class by then, but he was still on the train back. I told him that I just finished my class and was heading home. He told me he was close, so I started to wonder if I should move, because my bus stop was by the train station, but thought, “nah, surely I wouldn’t run into him..”, because I NEVER HAVE. I got paranoid and started looking around at the entrance to the train station, and just as I turned back around, who should I make eye contact with? Of course, it was Paolo. He looked baffled, because I should’ve been on the other side of town, without grocery bags, etc. So I just stammered for a few minutes, then of course the whole story came out. Later, I realized I could’ve made something up and he would’ve believed me, but like I said, lying is not my strong point. So no surprise party. But we still had a lovely dinner with friends, so that was the important part. If you’re wondering our menu was:
1. Bruschetta
2. Pumpkin Risotto
3. Rosemary pork chops with green beans
4. Molten chocolate cake
And yes, it was all quite delicious, if I do say so myself. Today, I’m exhausted, however.
So the lesson learned is: Don’t count on me to plan a surprise party. A party, yes, there’s nothing I love more than organizing parties (and trips), but I can’t guarantee keeping a surprise.
Maybe next time I’ll have a baby? Not counting on it, at this point. But I do now have a ticket back to the US! yay!!
Ciao for now,
Kathleen
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