One more year....

July 1, 2011 marks two years that we've lived in Italy.

More importantly, the date signifies that we have only one more year before we leave Italy.

I bought myself a little something as a reward for surviving the second year here.  Last year, I celebrated enduring our first year with a vacation back to the States.  Not only would that be far too expensive to do again this year (and I did check), but there's the problem that if I set foot in the US, it would be way too hard to come back here again.  I hope that I only have to make one more transAtlantic flight in my life.

So I presented myself with this:

 

An iPad2.  I adore it for many reason, the Kindle app especially.  I do not know how anyone who enjoys reading can live overseas without a Kindle.  My regular Kindle was an older version that didn't work wirelessly outside of the US and I often read ended up reading books from the Kindle app on my iPhone.  But the iPad is all big and shiny and bright and so much better.  I also use it for news and magazine apps.  I feel so very out of touch living here and not having a newspaper or easy access to 24 hour TV news.  Being able to read news on the iPad is keeping me much better informed now.

I ordered it directly from Apple, even though they would not ship to an APO.  Why, Apple, why??  What's your problem?  The US mail not good enough?  I'd pay a little extra if that's what was needed, since I had to get this shipped to my dad and then he kindly sent it along to me.  Anyway, when ordering from Apple, you have the option to get free engraving on the back of the device.  I thought for a while and then couldn't resist:

 

If you can't see exactly what it says, just refer to the title of the post.

 

Comments

[Cheryl]

my goodness, I am so envious. Will be interested to know how you like it.

[hokgardner]

I think it's an excellent one-year-left gift.

[kristieinbc]

Congrats on both the one more year mark and your new iPad! I just got an iPad last month and am loving it. Have fun getting to know how your new toy works. Happy Fourth of July (even if you are in Italy!).

[krista]

a wonderful reward! I plan on buying one soon myself, so please give us a review when you get more familiarized. I just want to play Angry Birds on the "big screen"

Still envious that you live in Italy, my uncle was station in Brindizi (sp?) with the Air Force, and he LOVE it.

Keep up the good spirits!

[lydee]

like, like, like.

[Lee Bailleu]

I <3 my ipad 2! Mine was for my bday and your cousin had it engraved with "As you wish" Which is how he should live his life, but is actually from a fave movie.

[charlotte]

Yay for making it another year! I can totally sympathize with how hard it can be living overseas - it's def. not one long vacation. I remember literally wanting to fall on the ground and kiss pavement when I got back the US and I wasn't gone nearly as long as you. Enjoy your iPad!