PROFESSION: Was working as a license manager for the Turin Winter Olympics (now between jobs)
AGE: 36
HOMETOWN: Chicago suburbs
NEW HOME: Near Turin, with her husband, Flavio, an investment banker
HOW DO YOU PRONOUNCE YOUR NAME?
It's ay- MAY. The Italians pronounce it phonetically—eye-may—which in Italian means an exasperated "Oh my!" I politely correct them and explain that in French, my name means "beloved."
HOW DID YOU MEET YOUR HUSBAND?
By pure chance, while vacationing in Morocco. We met at a resort and hit it off.
IS FLAVIO THE REASON YOU MOVED TO ITALY?
No, I had been living in Florence since 1992. I needed six more credit hours for my degree from the University of Kansas. The credits could come from any school, so I took summer classes in Florence and never left. In 2002, I met Flavio, who is from Turin, so I moved there.
WHAT HAD YOU BEEN DOING IN FLORENCE?
First I worked at a street stall selling statues of David made of marble dust. Then I worked as a chef at a villa in Chianti, where I got all my meat from butcher Dario Cecchini, the local legend. Next I was the sous-chef at Baldovino in Florence. But the culinary profession was overwhelming.
WHAT DID YOU DO FOR THE TURIN OLYMPICS?
I was a licensing manager. I found companies that wanted to make Olympics stuffed animals or put the Olympic logo on wines, toys or outdoor gear.
HOW COULD YOU WORK LEGALLY IN ITALY?
As a foreigner, you have to prove that you have sufficient financial resources and that you're necessary—or that you won't be depriving a European national of the job you want. I pitched myself as a translator. Luckily, I got a visa; I know many people who were turned down.
NOW THAT YOU'VE BEEN LIVING IN ITALY FOR FIFTEEN YEARS, DO YOU FEEL LIKE A NATIVE?
Funnily enough, I became Italian this summer! We came home one night, and I said, "I just want a big bowl of spaghetti." Not ribs or comfort food. Then it hit me: That's it, I'm Italian! But when I use the phrase "back home," and my husband says, "Oh, you mean Turin?"—I always mean Chicago.
WILL YOU EVER FEEL COMPLETELY AT HOME IN ITALY?
All expats feel an unspoken challenge to "make it" here—to make daily life feel normal. For example, I speak fluent Italian, but I'm still missing lots of words. I'll go shopping for a fabric in taupe, but I don't know the right word. I try "talpa," but that means a rodent! It's the little things that make me feel foreign and keep me in limbo between home and Italy. But what keeps us all here is that attraction to Italy and all things Italian.
HOW OFTEN DO YOU GO BACK TO THE UNITED STATES?
At least once a year. I'd be happier with three trips. All expats look for the dream job that lets you live half the year in Italy and half the year in the States!
