Tu vuò fà l'americano?

If you asked me that question a few months ago I would have said No!!!!

Why?

Because instead of being American I wanted to be Italian.

The Italian take on food, love, and life in gerneral just had my name written all over it.

Whether it was my trip to Italy in the summer of '08, my "cugini distanti" (distant cousins) contacting me on Facebook, or taking Italian as my foreign language here at St. Joe's I do not know.

I just know that for the longest time I tricked myself into one, thinking that I was more Italian than I am (I am only a quarter Italian) and two, thinking that as soon as college ends that I would run away to Italy, marry a charming Casanova of sorts, open a flower shop, and grow old eating pizza and nutella for the rest of my life.

Now I have a different outlook. I wanna stay local....

Yeah, I love traveling and I plan on doing a lot of that in my life but I think I want to become rooted here in America and accept who I am.

I recently admitted to myself that I want a job in either T.V. or Films. America is the epicenter of entertainment so it would probably be smart to stick around here.

My last Italian exam, probably, ever is tomorrow at 2pm and while I doubt it will be my last run in with the language I know this is probably the end of my love affair with the idea of leaving my American life behind.

Arrivederci Italiano Erica and Hello American Erica!!!

How to own dinner... in college.

Last night was magnifico! (That's “magnificent” in Italian)
Why so wonderful, you ask? BECAUSE, I hosted a dinner party… yes… a dinner party. I know what you are thinking. How did you host a dinner party? Aren’t you just a college student? Why, yes, yes I am but that didn’t stop me from transforming my humble apartment into Rome for the night.

Sometimes it pays to be creative. Sure Kraft Macaroni and Cheese is a college staple but there are times when you need a little pick me up perhaps a dinner that reminds you of home.

Curious?

Watch and learn as Tapanga Malanga presents, How To Own Dinner…. In College. 

Step One: Pick a theme.

( I chose, An Evening in Roma, mostly because we had A LOT of pasta, sauce, etc.)

To add to the atmosphere you should play fitting music. My playlist consisted of: Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, and the FABULOUS Louis Prima.

Step Two: Get "fancy".

(Not really fancy.. more like mock fancy. Set the table with glass plates instead of the normal plastic.)

Don't forget place cards... nothing makes a dinner fancier than place cards!

You can make them using tape and construction paper (very simple).

To really own, give people names that go with the theme. (I traded in Tapanga for Noemi.)

Step Three: Pick a menu that compliments your theme.

(I served spaghetti with caesar salad and garlic bread. Mmmm!)

I even served pizza shaped brownies!!

Step Four: Think outside of the box!

(My roomates and I only have 4 of each of our plates so when we were faced with setting the table for 5 we had to get creative. Our theme was An Evening in Roma but we came across some stars and stripes themed bowls and plates in our cabinets... so we decided that one of our guests would be the resident American.)

Step Five: Invite proprer company.

(Good Friends + Good Food = Good Fun... wait.. strike that... it equals an owned dinner.)

Hope these tips come in handy!

And remeber, keep owning my friends!