New Years Resolutions
These are my resolutions… to live life to the fullest!
1. See Andrea Bocelli in concert…
You may ask yourself why I chose Andrea Bocelli and this particular song… in 2000 I was pregnant with our first baby…
One night I was flicking through the channels on TV and found a concert in Italy. Immediately I pressed record (we had video back then) so that Sam could watch it when he got home.
All through my pregnancy I had Andrea Bocelli blasting through our home in the hills near Melbourne. The baby would kick and move around to the music and I would sing to this song as I painted the nursery.
On Easter Sunday 2000 our baby decided to make an entrance, a beautiful 9lb baby boy we called Aaron Joseph. I remember Sam saying “You’re a Mummy” and how wonderful that felt.
Within the hour things changed, Aaron was desperately fighting for life and we waited to be transferred to the Royal Childrens Hospital where there was a chance of survival. He had swallowed Meconium and the staff were unable to suction it all from his tiny lungs.
The ambulance screamed down Lygon Street, Sam was in the back with Aaron and I was in the front praying and pleading and making promises to God that I would do anything just let him be okay.
He died in the Ambulance just before we got to the hospital.
Our Bright Star shining in heaven…
2. Speak Italian like a native
After fifteen years married to an Italian there is really no excuse for not learning Italian! So this is the year for me to learn and also for Carina and Luca to become fluent in both Mum and Dad’s language…
3. Ride a Vespa…
Not just to ride a Vespa, but to ride it with Style!
photo ~ Carla Coulson
4. Harvest the olives with Louie and his Family
I don’t remember how I found Louie Mele but I am so happy that I did! What I love about blogging and Facebook is that I now have friends all around the world.
Louie is one of those friends, and his open friendly manner had us just click. He and his wife Deborah own a rustic farmhouse in Umbria Il Casale di Mele Rosse and this year I plan to be there to help them harvest the olives.
Can’t Wait!
photo ~ Italian Food Forever
5. Swim in the Blue Grotto (Grotto Azzura)
photo ~ dottorpeni
6. See an Opera in the Arena, Verona
photo ~ arblaster and clarke
7. Meet Annie Hawes – author Extra Virgin
My friend Kate was the one who told me to read “Extra Virgin” and even then it wasn’t till we moved to Italy (and I was desperate for something in English to read) that I begged my Mum to send me a copy.
It turned up for our first Christmas and I loved it! We were snowed in and homesick and I this book got me through. Even Sam (who never reads novels) was hooked and we just cracked up reading bits to each other then saying “Yes that’s just what it’s like here”
I have lent it to most of my friends and it is the one book I chase when it doesn’t come back to me.
Now we are moving to Liguria I plan to visit Diano San Pietro and see if I can meet up with Annie Hawes.
8. Serve a feast like the one in “Under the Tuscan Sun”
Many of you will know of my adventures in the kitchen… I am married to an Italian and I don’t cook! Italy and food are so intertwined, this is what cooking is all about for me…pure passion!
9. Eat Piza in Naples
photo ~ Fordors
10. Celebrate New Years Eve in Australia
Photo ~ e-donegal
What are your New Years Resolutions?
So what are your New Years Resolutions ? Have you made them already? I would really love to hear about any stories you have of Resolutions made, kept or discarded…
Leave a comment and let’s get talking.
and the gang x
Hi lisa
I had gathered from your blog that you had lost a child and now I know how…l am so sorry…my son and his partner of 10yrs have lost a baby through an ectopic pregnany and they were devastated so I can only imagine your pain at the time. I am visiting them In the UK at the moment. God willing their little girl will be born in March in good health.
On a happy note…I was thrilled to see Andrea Bocelli in Milano in 2008 at a free concert in piazza del duomo…l hope it won’t be long before you get to see hom too.
I never make new years resolutions…but maybe I should start.
Your blog and FB updates do help me to see that dreams can be realised. Thank you…and I am sure some of your list above will happen in 2014…Happy New Year xx
Loved your post. Thank you for always sharing in your blog from your heart. I was so sorry to hear of your heart break. This is a great irreplaceable loss and I know that by sharing this with your readers you will go a long way to helping others who also have felt the pain of loss of a loved one. I wish for you a year filled with fulfilled resolutions and a dreaming spirit that continues to set more and more challenges for yourself in 2014
Sherelle thank you so much for your lovely thoughts. Aaron is always in my heart and thoughts each day. I see him in so many places and recently our little boy Luca started ‘talking’ to him out of the blue. I just listen gently to the conversations he has and it makes me smile. I promise to set challenges and dreams and seek to bring them to life. sending love and wishing you a wonderful 2014, it’s just around the corner now xxxx
HI Lisa, Oh I love your blog and all the things you wish to do this year.. I loved in Italy and was so sad to leave.. I am going to put some of those on my list.. thanks for the photo credit Carla x
Hi Carla,
Thanks so much for that, the blog is a real joy (learning a lot).
Which ones would you love to do?? Are there any that you have done?? Apologies for the photo it is from Notebook magazine (thus the fold) I just loved it so much for the sense of freedom and style. She just looks so happy, you really caught the moment!
ciao Lisa
Ciao Lisa, just found your site and am inspired by your new years resolutions. I always make mine but never document them….. even though they are usually achieved they are vague and more like dreams than reality! So my one new years resolutions is to make all the other new years resolutions that I have achieved, real by finally working on and setting up my websites so I can share what we, as a family have achieved over the past years.
Thanks for sharing your resolutions, plans, dreams and life with us on this great site.
See you in Italy soon!
Peta
Hi Peta,
Sounds like you and your family have already achieved so much! From your website I see how much you are taking on…WOW!
I have been working with Yaro Starak http://www.entrepreneurs-journey.com
for our site and also
Blog Tyrant and that community http://www.blogtyrant.com (great for feedback).
Think we are up for an exciting 2011, catch you in Italia
ciao Lisa
I had a huge lump in my throat reading this. I hope you get your wish to see Andrea sing.
Thanks Toni, I know you understand. With love to all those little bright stars. xxx