Five Good Things #3
And a bonus!
As I sit down to pen what was supposed to be a weekly column but has since evolved into a sporadic "post-when-I-reach-five" affair, I can't help but chuckle at the twist my expectations have taken. It seems my life is less a riveting narrative and more a series of mundane occurrences strung together.
I can sense your incredulity from here: "Surely you must have had at least ten or twenty moments of joy in the past TWO MONTHS AND A HALF?" Well, truth be told, I can only muster up at least six. My days are consumed by the demands of my job, leaving me with precious little time for leisure. As for my evenings, I'm hardly what one would call a nocturnal creature; I’m usually in bed by 9:00 pm. In the last month and a half especially, I’ve somehow come down with the longest cold imaginable. Apparently, calling it “Long Cold” isn’t casual at all.
So, after what felt like an eternity, here it is Five Things #3 + a bonus. Enjoy.
1. EXPLORING THE HISTORIC BEAUTY: A JOURNEY TO THE CASTLE IN ISOLA DEL LIRI
In late March, I took a trip out of town with my friend Simona. We had booked a visit to the castle in Isola Liri, and when we showed up, it was truly a dream. We booked the visit on the Experienze.it website, but instead of the Candle Castle experience, we chose a normal tour of the castle simply because the other event (with a concert) would have ended too late, and Isola del Liri is not exactly next to where we live.
The castle Boncopagni-Viscogliosi is in the heart of the Province of Frosinone, in Isola del Liri. It is a silent sentinel amidst the gentle embrace of the Liri River. Its ancient stones, weathered by time's relentless passage, whisper tales of endurance and resilience.
Once a sanctuary for monks seeking solace amid the chaos of medieval life, the castle's transformation into a bastion of strength mirrors the ebb and flow of history itself. The castle's narrative took a dramatic turn in the fifteenth century, entwining itself with the illustrious Della Rovere dynasty. Leonardo Della Rovere, kin to the formidable Pope Sixtus IV, brought his family's prestige and a storm of political intrigue that echoed within the castle's walls. I mean, a Della Rovere not wreaking havoc? That would have been a first!
As generations passed and power shifted, the castle became a canvas upon which the dramas of noble families unfolded. From the Boncompagni's grandeur to the Ludovisi's opulence, each chapter of its history was inscribed in stone, a testament to the ceaseless dance of lineage and legacy.
As the visit wound down, I felt this itch to learn more about these lands' medieval history. I mean, I was shocked by how much I didn't know! It was embarrassing, honestly. But hey, better late than never, right?
2. WALL PILATES AND DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS FOR WELLNESS HAVE TRULY REVOLUTIONIZED MY LIFE.
Eating well and avoiding junk food doesn't always lead to weight loss, and that's just the truth. I come from an Italian background, so the Mediterranean diet has been ingrained in me for as long as I can remember. It's not even a conscious effort for me—it's just how I've always eaten. Sure, I indulge in junk food occasionally, maybe twice a year, and pizza every other week. Still, most of my diet consists of legumes, fiber-rich foods, spinach, salad, pasta a couple of times a week, and chicken. Despite all this, I found myself steadily gaining weight, almost as if I was putting on pounds just by breathing.
Discussing this with my doctor led to a theory I hadn't considered before: the prolonged stress and tension following my mother's death had thrown my cortisol levels out of whack, contributing to my weight gain despite my healthy eating habits and daily 10,000 steps. It was unsettling—I'd always been slim, weighing around 45/50 kilograms (99/110 pounds), but suddenly, I was consistently gaining weight; I gained 20 pounds in less than two months with no end in sight. I was genuinely worried I might be ill. I hadn't realized that stress could profoundly impact weight, even when paired with a healthy diet.
Now, I'm not suggesting that everyone will experience the same thing, but this was my reality. Following my doctor's advice, I incorporated recommended dietary supplements, along with a few additional ones, stuck to my daily 10,000 steps, and added some wall pilates sessions every other day. The results are remarkable—I stopped gaining weight, and I lost four pounds in just a week. It feels like magic.
3. VISITING THE COSTIERA AMALFITANA
I was so excited about getting away for the weekend; you have no idea. My cousin Serena suggested a trip to Amalfi and Positano, where neither had been before. So, we took my car and found ourselves navigating the really narrow streets of the Costiera. It's gorgeous, stunning even. We also visited Minori and agreed it was a fantastic place to lay low and do nothing all day. But honestly, the entire Costiera is very touristy. And sometimes it felt like a bit of a tour de force—too many people, no parking, and finding somewhere to eat real Italian food instead of tourist traps was a real challenge.
Also, you know I'm a history nerd. It really surprised me that Amalfi, being one of the four great Maritime republics, doesn't have a major museum dedicated to its history. The few small museums they do have are nearly empty. Honestly, I was expecting to find so many more documents and artifacts. So yeah, that was disappointing.
Don't get me wrong; everything else here is almost too beautiful, as if it's been curated by someone who's only ever seen Italy through an influencer's lens. As an Italian, the lack of authenticity stings the most. It's like I'm missing something real and genuine in all this polished perfection.
Still, I got to spend time with a cousin I rarely see, found some good food after searching for it A LOT, and discovered some great ceramics. So, overall, I'd give the third weekend of May a solid 8+.
P.S. Please, for the love of God, remember to leave a tip when you dine at a restaurant. These workers rely on the income they make during the Spring-Summer seasons and often face months of unemployment afterward.
4. SKY KINGS: THE EPIC SAGA OF THE MASTERS OF THE AIR
Ah, Hollywood, the master of crafting the perfect American propaganda! They've reeled me in like a fish on a line with those WWII war movies and TV miniseries they've been churning out for the past few decades. And if there's one duo that consistently hits the bullseye, it's Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks. HBO took a swing with 'Generation Kill,' but let's be real, it's like trying to compete with the kitchen masters while armed with a spatula. And this is coming from someone who loved it; I even got the DVDs! But 'Band of Brothers' and 'The Pacific'? Those are in a league of their own. Spielberg and Hanks are like the wizards of wartime drama, sprinkling their executive producer magic to make their projects shine brighter than a supernova.
Now, let's talk about the long-awaited grand finale (or is it?) of this epic trilogy: "Masters of the Air." I've been on the edge of my seat for years, folks! I almost lost faith when I heard it was landing on Apple instead of HBO. But lo and behold, it finally graced our screens. Did I dive into it headfirst? Nah, I know myself too well—I had to stockpile at least two episodes for a proper binge session.
And boy, was I hungry for some top-notch aerial action ever since "Top Gun: Mavericks" took flight!
The intro credits haven't quite hit their stride visually. They're growing on me, but I was hoping for something more epic with the grandiosity of "The Pacific" intro. Not everyone can be Hans Zimmer, I suppose. Still, I'm holding out for a real gem in this series. I've probably played "Honor" five hundred times—talk about obsession.
The first two episodes introduced the characters, their backgrounds, and some of their failed missions. I wasn't particularly surprised. I remember feeling the same way about 'Band of Brothers' and 'The Pacific'—the first episodes often felt like fillers. The same issue persists in this miniseries: you can't get close enough to the characters, as if they aren't properly fleshed out by the end of the second episode. Yet, I'm still eager to delve deeper into their stories. I suspect it will be a massacre, but I need to know how it ends because I didn't read the book.
5. THE MUSIC OF HANS ZIMMER & OTHERS – A CELEBRATION OF FILM MUSIC
A few months ago, a friend asked if I wanted to join her for a concert in Rome the last weekend of May. It was basically a cover band gig, but with an orchestra playing Hans Zimmer and some other famous composers. Of course, I said yes—I adore Hans Zimmer and couldn't pass up the chance to hear his music live.
Honestly, I wasn't expecting anything too fancy. But the Auditorium Conciliazione set the stage for an incredible performance. Everyone was spot on, no mistakes, just pure talent. And to top it off, I got to hear some Ennio Morricone, too, which was a nice surprise. I've always regretted not seeing him live, but this made up for it a bit.
It turned out to be a fantastic event! They're returning to Rome at Parco della Musica in August, so grab your tickets. You won't regret it!
6. NBA IS NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART
Being an NBA fan lately has been like crashing the best party ever and discovering it's in your honor. What a great season!! And with the Celtics and the Mavericks both in the Finals, it's basically heaven on earth for me. Back in February, my friend and I were playing our usual game of "Who's Making the Finals?" (Spoiler: It's more fun than Monopoly but only slightly less contentious).
The NFL season left me profoundly disappointed, and the Super Bowl was so dull that I watched it out of sheer inertia. I desperately needed something to care about in the realm of American sports, especially since baseball season was just about to yawn and stretch awake.
When I told my friend I thought the Lakers wouldn't make the finals, he looked at me like I'd sprouted three heads. And when I said I was rooting for either Boston or Dallas to make it, he gave me the kind of look usually reserved for people who've lost their minds. "Are we even watching the same games?" he asked, incredulous.
Apparently not, because guess who was wrong? Him. And guess who was right? Yours truly!
Now, the only bad news is that I adore both teams and I also have this uncanny knack for always rooting for the little guy as if I'm the unofficial president of the Underdog Fan Club. My inner compass points directly to the corner of the room where the odds are stacked highest against someone. And we all know who the underdog is this year.
Nonetheless, I feel stuck in a ridiculous love triangle and don't know who to cheer for without feeling like a two-timing sports fan. Betrayal has never felt so confusing.
Thank you for reading!
And as always, remember to be kind to one another.
Love, Rina