reason #357 why i wish i was italian:

no it's not because of their freak metabolisms that let them eat pounds of pasta and still remain a size 2 (that's reason #24).  and it's not because God decided to make them prettier than most other people on the planet.  

reason #357 i wish i were italian is - they are badass grandmas (and grandpas for those masculine out there).  listen.  i figure you reach eighty-something years old and your done.  you glue yourself to a recliner pass out watching jeopardy.  it's cool.  i had come to terms with that.  but these italians...i dunno, maybe it's the wine, maybe it's the pizza, but they keep rollin..  

i'm on the bus.  who are the other 10 people on the bus?  anziani (old people).  i started paying attention after awhile - about 80% of the people on the bus are elderly.  and they STAND.  i offer my seat (yes.  i sit.  if there's a seat, i sit).  they decline.  now i look lazy.  great.  remember the post office?  they were all standing.  

stairs.  if you have ever been to rome, you would know that most of the buildings are hella old and don't have elevators.  you get used to it after awhile.  the four flights up to the school where i teach still sucks though.  anyway,  who lives in these old buildings?  old people.  climbing stairs.  

i swear if i mentioned "retirement home" or some other similar facility - italians wouldn't know what i'm talking about....because they rock out until they die.  hence, why i wish i were italian.  the end.