Thursday March 28

Well, yesterday I came back to the apartment and got down cooking  Polpettine (meat ball) turkey ground meat, seasoned, added bread crumble and a couple of eggs. I have been following my mother in law recipe. Her name is Anna and she is a really big help for our family. She is taking care of the whole house and of our kiddos, by following their homework activities. Anna is also a very good chef in the house, always full of good suggestions. I am very open to her inputs and tips.

I have been preparing a few, separated the one I am eating from the others.
I put in the freezer the ones I am not eating . Anna - my wonderful mother in law- mentioned they are really suited for freezing and reusing at a later time.

While I was cooking I have been writing to my family. My kids are  out of school and will have time to read all my letters.

I like writing to them, as always in English and block letters. It makes me feel connected to them and anyway these letters will remain to them when they will grow up.

Both Chicco and Lapo are going to start a new year by the mid of August, in about a month an a half.

Our eldest Chicco  will be going to V grade while our youngest Lapo will be starting I grade at La Canada Elementary school. This is a public school that regularly ranks high in the local  public schools district.

Yesterday in the afternoon I went to the gym.

Lapo our youngest one passed his belt test at Taekwondo. Congratulation Lapo.

Norberto the sup took me to the gym. 

As the floor was closed it game me the opportunity to work on my favorite machine.

I did 2 mile on the stepper at level 7

I worked on my abdominal 3 x 85lb

I did  leg extension 3x50lb

Finally stretching and it was time to leave the gym.

At 7pm Norberto came to pick me up.

Obviously at the gym they all know my program.

And they gladly are all kidding with me and making sure I am fine and dandy.

As always Charity was so courteous to snap a picture with me. She is the smiling lady at my right hand side.  

Finally I came back at the apartment, checked in and got a late snack.

A late Piadina with Simona's smile next to me is always a good Piadina.

She is such a wonderful person.

My brother Francesco called me the other day. He mentioned that with his wife Sara they are going for a weekend to Firenze. This is part of their wedding present. 

They were given tickets to enter the Uffizi.

It is a very good wedding present. 

It allows them to choose the time that best suits their life.

Today at the AAC I have brought back to Amanda a welcome note as yesterday she was sick. 

She is still working through her cough, but I am sure she is going to be fine by Monday.

Here is the riddle of the day.

Q: What goes around and around the wood but never goes into the wood?

A: The bark on a tree.. Cute!

My breakfast this morning has been very balanced: oatmeal, blueberry, milk, flakes, kefir 

Afterward I have cleaned everything by hand (save the water)

Got outside - doing my stair work- grabbing the newspaper in the kiosk the farthest away in the park.

Finally I snapped a bunny ear  picture for Lapo.

I called Simona my wife, left a good voice mail to her to mentioned I am well and well taken care of.

She is absolutely busy at Caltech University.

Her job is a very demanding one. Anna mentioned that she is sleeping very little as she has to work a lot -preparing her lectures, doing her research job- the family.

I have realized I lost the picture of the boys in my phone. 

So I have snapped a picture of the framed one I have at the apartment.

Our boys are very happy and so cute with their bow tie.

Enjoy the reading.

Tomorrow Simona comes to pick me up.

Sincerely

Giuseppe

Thursday March 28 post lunch

I had a good lunch outside under the patio.

There were two cats looking at me very interested. 

They were cute so I snapped the following picture.

My lunch: seasoned chicken things, a good healthy salad with avocado and spinach. 

A couple of tostatas byte.

I had my coffee and finally washed my mouth.

I like to have my lunch break by myself under the patio,

It is such a relaxing view of the world around us.

During lunch I called home and found Lapo eating at home with Anna-my wonderful mother in law,

She prepared for Lapo a vegetable soup.

She mentioned I can prepare one for me as well and then let it cool down and eat it warm.

While I was washing my teeth after a good seep of my coffee - my brother Francesco called me from Italy. He mentioned that together with his wife they are going to Firenze for the weekend. They got married some time ago and they had as present some vouchers to use for travelling within Italy.

They have decided to use it to spend a weekend in Firenze.

Francesco is planing to ride his BMW motorcycle over there. He mentioned that it is a far more practical means of transportation for the summer.

Simona is working hard she got my phone message that I left her during my lunch break. She is working hard. she had the time to send me some information I had requested her.

She is busy until 5:30pm. Simona works really hard. Anna told me that some time Simona wakes up at 5am to prepare her daily lecture at Caltech. Other days she works late into the night.

She is very busy keeping the whole family afloat.. she is giving her best shots in every situation.

Well mon amour.. stay well.

I am always thinking about you.

That is why you do not have to worry too much about me.

Today at the AAC I gave a piece of milk chocolate to Tami for her son Dominique.

I just asked her whether  this information is OK for her. She confirmed it she is fine.

Now some Luminosity.

Enjoy

Giuseppe

Thursday May 28 2015

Yesterday as usual I came back to the apartment and had  dinner.
A good spinach salad with avocado, and chicken thighs.

As usual I went to the gym.
As they are still working on the new floor -it has already been painted and coated.

This gives me the opportunity to work on the machines I like most:

I did 2miles of stepper level 7
Abdominal 3x 60lb
Leg extension 3x 50 lb

Finally it was time to come back as my coverage with Mark was done.


My weight yesterday was 190 lb.

Before leaving I snapped a picture of me with  Jarred at my right hand side.

Finally when I was done at 7pm it was time for me to go back.

Mark drove me back and forth. Thank you Mark and thank you God for allowing me to get better.

As usual after a soothing shower I had a good piadina, in front of Simona's picture.. as usual she is my loving wife and she is part of my life in every second of my day.

I went to bed, cleaned everything and slept very well. I like to leave the apartment in sparkling condition.

This morning I wake up at 6am as usual .. can't spend more time in bed.

This gives me the time to get a goof breakfast, by lessening to NPR radio.

It gives me time to wash my breakfast dish by hand ( save the water as we are in a 4th year drought)

I went to say Hi to Caesar and Jarron and to pretend to  play some golf early in the morning for fun..

It was then time for me to get my money management done at the reception, thank you CNS.

As usual I also got money for the newspaper.. as usual I am reading the newspaper at the clinic and reading all the interesting news of the world.

Early today I met also  Lorentz - King Lorentz the 3rd.  He allowed me to snap a picture with  a broom.

He mentioned that  with this picture " I am ready for take off ".

Simona and our kiddos are fine. 

They are almost done at school as tomorrow is their last day.

They are going to stay at home for 1 week and later they are going to attend  a summer camp.

Enjoy the reading.

Thank you Mon Amour.

Baci

With Grate Power Comes Grater Responsibility

I am fine

Mon amour I am fine and healthy.

Chicco went with the school with you at Union Station, where you mentioned I was there last year and had a bunch of Mexican food to eat.

Well Chicco is now enjoying his field trip.

Lapo is outside with Anna, I called home but could not find anybody.

Riddle for today:

Q: I you loose me others around you may loose me too. What am I?

A: Your Temper.

And now Yoga

Wednesday May 27

Yesterday evening I went to the gym.

I had a good dinner before going there as usual.
Here is my dinner.

The gym floor  is being improved, the  hardwood floor needs a good clean up.  For  the time being there are no classes. 

Nevertheless I like it this way as it gave me the opportunity to use my favorite machine.

Here is the program I have figured out gives me the best results. 


I did 2 miles with the stepper at level 7.

Abdominal 3x85 lb
Leg Extension 3x50lb

Then more leg- I did  leg curl.

It is important to have a strong core in order to keep your balance.

Before leaving I greeted everybody.

Kayla at my far left will be leaving to S.Diego on June 9th.
We are lucky the blonde girl is Kayla as well.

Kyle drove me back and forth. 
He left me at the gym and after an hour it came to pick me up. The agreement is not to leave the premises by myself. And I am always keeping my words.

Finally I came back home, got a nice shower and a good snack. Together with Simona's picture this is a  very good way to end my day.

I slept really well. This morning at 5am  I woke up as I had my blood drawn for my annual physical.

I had a good breakfast while I am lessening to NPR radio.

I met Lorentz downstairs and as usual I took the chance of kidding with him.

He gave me his wonderful tag with his name: it says King Lorentz.

He is a very good and amusing person. 

Today on the bus I saw Norma. She mentioned that she was on maternity leave. She had a baby boy. His name is Nathan.

As always before leaving I cleaned my dishes by hand, thrown the trash (thank you Pail), steps up and step down. Got the newspaper money and I had my money management done at the reception  as well(today is my receipt day).

Miss Mary checked my receipt: the outing money are right on spot, the grocery shopping money.. well it is always off as I am still having difficulties staying on budget for grocery.

Well.. whenever I need money I  have to fill a cash requisition so that Jesus A. is going to give me a cash advance.

Enjoy the reading.

I called Simona this morning but I could not find her available. I know our kiddos are in summer break 

It is OK, we are all cool.

Sincerely

Giuseppe

Luminosity May 26

Sincerely

Giuseppe

Tuesday May 26 2015

On Saturday it was a day of cleaning the whole apartment and to do Grocery shopping at Trader Joe's.

I spent $88.99, brought back the recyclable bags ( got a sticker for the raffle). I also got a bunch of Memorial day stickers that I have started distributing around.

In the evening I went to see a nice movie with George Cloney  "Tomorrow Land".

The movie theater used the Atmos surround system: it is a 3D system that allows you to hear the sound in three dimensions.

 It is a bit more expensive than the regular one. The ticket is $11 but in my opinion it is worth it.

On Sunday  I changed my flower's soil and planted new flower seeds.

As it is already May it is the perfect time to plant new flower.

At  2pm I  went to the gym with Violette ( On Sunday at 2pm it is part of my program)

I did two miles level 7 stepper in 30 minutes.

Then abdominal, leg extension and leg curl.

In the evening we went to church,  on perfect timing. in fact the way I like it 10 minutes ahead of time.

It was Pentecost ( 50 days from Easter Sunday).

On Sunday I also washed my shoes.. they are now like brand new.

On Monday it was Memorial Day and there was no clinic.

I had my family visiting me.

At the apartment Chicco was happy to receive a present that my family in Italy sent me.

It is a key chain for keeping the key... once he will be old enough to have keys by himself.

We went to the mall and the boys enjoyed their ride on the car.

As we were over there  Simona purchased me a brand new iPhone.

It is a present for my upcoming Birthday

We stop by to eat at California Pizza Kitchen.

I had a good halibut with some Quinoa salad.

We did as usual a tour to check the toys for Lapo .. Lapo knows very well that his wish list serves the scope of making sure he is doing all he is supposed to be doing.

Simona is a wonderful person full of attention and really being a great wife.

Anna came with us, Anna is Simona's mom and she is staying with us for the time being.

She is helping our family during this time.

She helps with the boys homework. In addition she is helping Simona with the house activities mostly by taking care of the food.

Simona brought me back from her recent trip to Washington a table clothes and a famous beans soup that is served at the Senate.

She mentioned   I can prepared it ahead of time and then serve it cold.

This morning I was kidding with Lorentz: he allowed to use his tag to snap this picture: the tag says Lorentz: the fantastic..

I like to kid with Lorentz, James, and Jerry and Caesar.

Simona, Anna and our kiddos are really wonderful.

We all got adjusted to the current on going situation.

Enjoy the reading

Lunch:

A great lunch under the patio:

Polpettine (thank you Anna, a left over of Zucchini rice, avocado and finally an apple.

A good balanced lunch.

Finally coffee and afterward I have brushed my teeth.

I helped Amanda by adding the riddle of the day:

Q: What happened to the plant in a math class

A: It grew square roots.

Over my lunch break I called home: Marina picked up. Marina is our trusted house helper, she is part of our family. Marina called then Lapo our youngest son (She called him Lapolino).

Lapo today was not in a mood to talk to me, he mentioned that he was working hard in helping Marina (this is not true..I believe that our kiddos are helping Marina in keeping their rooms in good order).

Normally the large part of the work in the house is done by Marina. Nevertheless our kiddos are politely asked to keep their own items in order.

Enjoy the reading.

Friday May 22 2015

It is finally raining here in Bakersfield!

A moist front has brought some rain during the last few days. According to the forecast in the newspaper it  is passing along and will be gone very quickly.

At least it has been raining a bit by bringing much needed moisture here in the valley.


Yesterday I brought back home two paper peppers  that Alexis has been creating at AAC.
They are for my boys.

After my therapy at AAC I came back at the apartment  I collected my biweekly money from CNS.

For dinner I had  a light and healthy dinner:

Burrata with Arugola, then rise with zucchini squash.

I cleaned everything by hand.

Both Chicco and Lapo were at home getting ready to go to Taekwondo.

I then went to the gym. 

I had U Jam with Naomi here at my left hand side.

After U Jam I had strength training with Lee Ann here picture at my right hand side.

She is very amused by me taking a picture of her before leaving.

Everybody is telling me I need to get a device for snapping Selphie as my arm is not long enough.

Alexander drove me to the gym and at 7pm came to pick me up.

Of course the agreement is that I am not allowed to leave the gym by myself. Everybody knows it at the gym and I am the first one to make sure this is correctly executed.

Once I am done with the classes I am staying over there to chat with the employees at the gym.

And of course I snapped a picture with Charity.. she mentioned that she will be gone for a couple of days. Today it is her birthday and she turns 30 years old. I wished her a Happy Birthday, she appreciated the thought.

At the gym I greeted Kassie and Christian two people at the reception at the gym

I then came back to the apartment and started my evening routine.

Shower, a light snack, making sure my wife Simona is in the picture of my snack.

Got my medication (Divalproex, Melatonine and Trazone) and went to bed.

I slept very well and I had a very refreshing night.

Jose - the night supervisor came in to check on me and was deeply asleep.I was sleeping with the door of my room wide open.

I woke up early as usual , got a healthy breakfast.

Went to get my daily picture by visiting  Jarron and Caesar. The hat belongs to James the Maintenance Supervisor. The small picture with the whole family is for Chicco's confirmation at S.Bede in La Canada. The boys were dressed sharply with their bow ties.

In today's newspaper I found a good quote:

Faber est quisque fortunae suae- You are the architect of your own destiny.

Enjoy the last sentence as it is a great one.

Sincerely

Giuseppe

Riddle of the day

Q: what is the easiest way to throw a ball and to have it stop and completely reverse direction?
A: toss it in the air

Luminosity May 21

Enjoy

Thursday May 21 post lunch

I had a good lunch under the porch outside. It is a gloomy day..despite the lack of sun, I enjoyed my immersion in the nature surrounding the AAC.

On the far end of the garden there are always a couple of cats sleeping or playing.

It is a very relaxing and peaceful view.

I had a good frittata with peas on it. Also tostadas and Tuscan Kale.

As always I called home. Lapo was eating a  Salmon panino. Salmon, cream cheese on bread.

Lapo sounded really good on the phone.. He mentioned that yesterday he went on a school trip.  Lapo went to visit  a strawberries field. Ad the end of the day he was given a basket full of strawberries and he  liked it very much.

this afternoon with his brother Chicco the boys are going to Taekwon do lesson.

While chatting with Anna and Lapo we talked about Simona my wife. Today she is very busy at Caltech with her workshops and her visitors keeping her day very hectic.

Well enjoy the reading..

Q: What happened to the plant after a math class?

A:It grew square roots.

And now some Luminosity.

Sincerely

Giuseppe

Thursday May 21 2015

This morning it is a cool day in Bakersfield, there are clouds and the sun is still covered in the sky.

It is all good.

Simona call me to tell me the boys are already at school and to let me know she is busy at Caltech with many visitors.
So I am set for the day and ready to go. I will be finding Lapo at home today after his field trip at a local farm where he picked some strawberries.


I had my money management done earlier  this morning.. thank you CNS.

At the AAC, I read the newspaper with the current event  and brought stickers for Mariola. Mariola is Jolanta's sister.
Jolanta is my Case Manager at AAC.

Mariola is doing better and better and I  believe she starts to remember my name.

Yesterday Iolanta - my Case Manager at AA- sent me the following words that I am copying over (I asked at AAC if it is OK to copy and paste)

Giuseppe, Thank you very much for your positive thoughts, they are very well appreciated. 
We are here for you and to support you. This is not an easy journey. We all need to look ahead and change things we can change and accept things we can not. Changes in life are not always easy but they happen and we can make them easier or harder depending on our outlook. Generally being positive, open for communication little flexible makes things easier. Being stubborn, rigid gets us nowhere. 
We all make choices for better or worst. 

Yesterday as usual after the therapy at CNS I went to the gym, it was Cycle with Angie. She is doing fine back on track after her recent car accident. She mentioned that she purchased a second hand sturdy car - a Nissan truck.
After the class we snapped a funny picture with bunny hears.

After cycle I had time to do body pump with Silvia, here at my left hand side.

I did use some good weight without charging my body too much. And in fact today I am fine.

Silvia is the lady at my left hand side. She was amused by me getting back to the gym to snap a picture of her.

Obviously before leaving the  gym I took a last picture  with Charity.

Kyle brought me to the gym dropped me off and came back to pick me up at 7pm.

it was time for me to go back to the apartment.

Get ready for my evening routine:

shower, a late snack a healthy piadina.

I had a good night of sleep and I woke up as usual at 6:30am..

When I woke up I did some Yoga work I learnt at CNS: massaging my fingers and my hands.

I stretched my legs and my back.

I had my good breakfast and did my morning routine, I am totally independent on this matter.

This is my very balanced morning breakfast: milk, protein, blueberry and kefir.

Afterward.  I cleaned everything by hand -save the water. Also  I did my money management at the office, got the newspaper money- I am reading the newspaper at AAC.

I  went to say hi to the Maintenance guys.. As I was there I snapped this great picture of me pretending to call Simona. 

In  fact after a few minutes later Simona called me to let me know our kiddos  were already at school.

She also mentioned that today she is going to be another very busy day for her.

She has many visitors at Caltech University. Simona has a very demanding job at Caltech and she is doing it at her very best.

Enjoy your reading.. it is time for lunch.

Sincerely

Giuseppe

Wednesday May 20 posting

Well this is a beautiful day in California, a bit brisk but the sun is going to warm it up.

Today Lapo our youngest son is going to go on a field trip with the school.
They are going to visit a strawberry farm.  I am sure he is going to have a fun day.

Lapo had to pack his lunch for the whole day.
I am sure he is going to have a fun  and constructive experience. My guess is that they will let him pick some strawberries to bring back home. This was my experience when we went to visit a local strawberries farm in Bakersfield.

Simona is still busy at Caltech with her workshop coming to an end. This morning she called me to let me know about her schedule and about Lapo's schedule for the whole day.



Going back to my activities of  yesterday , I came back  to the apartment and cooked  a wonderfully seasoned fillet Mignon, with a healthy spinach salad, carrot and parsley.

Tostadas from Simona, sparkling water with coffee on it.

\

I then cleaned my dishes, packed my lunch for today and  then went off to the gym. I  had body pump with Ellie and as usual I snapped a picture with her, she is the lady at my right hand side.

I did my exercise well, without charging my body  too much, focusing more on the repetition and on the movement. In fact today I am feeling perfectly well.

before leaving I also snapped a picture  with the whole crew over there. In the picture below we have  Jessica at my left hand side (blonde girl) . Keila is the lady with black hair at m left. The guy is Johnny another instructor.

Yvette took me to the gym and waited there until I was done, this is called coverage.

She asked me why I was taking so many pictures, and I explained her the reason.

At the gym I greeted Yolanda, Gloria two very gentle ladies that have been working out with me.

After the gym I had a wonderful Piadina (always eating ...:) and snapped this picture with Simona my wife, who is always in my heart.

Our kiddos had their Piano lesson yesterday. Lapo had his first practice together with Litz and Chicco went afterward. Chicco (9 years) is more independent that Lapo as he is 3 years older. 

I slept very well and wake up at 6 am as usual.

I  had a very healthy breakfast (milk, blueberry kefir, Oatmeal, cereal, blueberry) and of course coffee.  While lessening to NPR radio. Chewing slowly and keeping my level of alertness of my action at the maximum. 

I then went to grab the newspaper and to kid at the maintenance shop department.

Over there Jarron helped me out to take this picture of me cleaning the floor and making bunny hears!

He knows that I am  a  Paparazzi nature.

I finally went back, found the trash that Paul had left me to throw away (thank you Paul).. Stairs up and down with some weight is good for my legs in the morning.

As usual at the AAC clinic today I worked hard by reading the newspapers to the whole crew of people.

There is an interesting article about the Bees colonies that have been collapsing in California. As a result the people involved in the bee hives industries are concerned as different agencies are looking for the probable cause of this situation. 

Also climate changes is in the news, as the drought is clearly another important condition in California, as it affects the local farming production of food.

Water conservation is really important, Governor Brown is working hard in finding measures to conserve. Watering the grass is now restricted  to three days a week.

Enjoy the reading.

Sincerely

Giuseppe