I have this theory if you've had a bad memory about a date, time, place, event, etc you should go back and remake a new memory on it. It's probably not my theory. It sounds like something I read when googling "PTSD." Either way, it's helped to overcome some difficult memories.
On the 14th I turned 31 and although I am not keen on celebrating my birthday with gifts or a party. I do however enjoy celebrating having made it another year still in tact (kinda) and because last years birthday which was supposed to be a big deal since it was the big 3-0. I spent most of it at the hospital with my mom. So on my birthday this year the only thing I wanted was to make up for that bad memory with a good one.
I woke up, meditated, got dressed and went to have a cappuccino at a local bar. I sat and let the moment sink in. I'm in Rome, in a cute cafe, and I can feel the warmth of the sun on my face.
My friend Gamze met me there and we walked over to one of our favorite neighborhoods. We walked along the river and the day was... BEAUTIFUL. We kept walking until it was time for lunch and stopped at a local pizzeria where I ordered a sausage and bell pepper pizza. We talked about the struggles we both faced this past year, the love we both have for Rome, and we agreed we both live sometimes dramatic but very sweet lives.
Gamze is from Turkey. I met her three years ago while she was studying in Rome. She's always here during the summer to visit her boyfriend and to continue her studies. I'm always here during the summer for weddings. This year she's working on her thesis for her PHD. She get's into this very intense mode about her studies, relationships, and feminism. She's also a total goofball with this infectious smile.
Gamze... my turkish, roman, friend. Who speaks a mixture of english and italian whenever we're together.
"gina, oggi (today) is your birthday, si? "
"yes."
"how many years you have?"
"31."
"Anchio!! (me too!!) What is your favorite dessert?"
"tiramisu."
She quickly called for the check. We paid, grabbed our stuff, and spent the next few hours searching for Tiramisu. We were both exhausted but our Tiramisu scavenger hunt was bigger than us.
"sai perche (do you know) they call her Tiramisu?"
"no, why?"
"perche (because) Tira Mi Su!! " (pick me up!)
and then she jumped ... " she has espresso inside!"
"oooooh, yeah!!"
We finally found a bar that claimed to have Tiramisu. We highfived like geeks and sat down. We both were salivating at the mouth and giving each other the, "we walked very far for this so the calories don't count" talk and when the waiter came with our order... we looked at each other and burst into laughter.
"va be, (oh well) We'll find Tiramisu one day and she'll be happy to know us. Vero? (right?) We should look for her again, tomorrow! che dici? (what'd ya say?)
"Tira Mi Su, Gamze!! "
