Come Si Dice “Silver Linings”?

In an attempt to be more jolly this holiday season, here are the silver linings to my recent grievances.

The Girl Who Got Her Italian Residence Permit (For Real This Time)

Hand stamps a piece of paper with wooden stamp

Too legit to quit, ragazzi.

The One Where I Get Stranded and Swindled in a Milan Suburb

“I don’t think I have the right ticket…” I text Alberto from a bus -- a bus that I’m riding illegally without any valid documents aside from an old Iowa driver’s license.

The Strangers I Meet or Ignore on the Milan Subway

Riding the Milan subway makes me feel like a globetrotter who’s got places to go and people to see (I don’t, usually).

How to Almost Get Your Italian Residency Permit

Old iron gate with spikes partially lowered over stone arch

Italy is a gorgeous country with delectable food and fascinating history, but (1) You already know that. (2) It’s more fun to write about dumpster fires. So, here’s another one of my infernos.

Pain in the Neck or Cultural Whiplash? How to Get X-Rays in Italy

Fake skeleton looks at x-ray against window

“Niente di grave,” the doctor begins, pausing to look at me intently. Nothing serious. He either senses my anxiety or he doesn’t trust my language skills. Probably both.

What to Do in Stockholm, Sweden (According to an Italian, U.S. American, Dane and Some Swedes)

Buildings in Gamla Stan in Stockholm, Sweden

Most Italians head to the stunning seaside for their summer vacations, but we were looking to add not shed layers, so we headed north to the land of cinnamon buns and paternity leave.