Personal Aspirations, Daily Life, and Favorite Places
My Ideal Living Space in the Italian Countryside
Hi Ruth, how are you? I wanted to tell you about my ideal living space. If I could choose any location, I would like a very large house in the Italian countryside with a river nearby.
Home Features and Garden Design
The house would have a large entrance door and a bright living room with large windows. Key features include:
- A large garden full of flowers, specifically tulips and peonies.
- Fruit trees: apple, pear, and cherry.
- A small vegetable garden.
Indoors, I would love a fireplace, a very large and comfortable sofa, and wooden furniture. I would also like a balcony so I can have coffee there every morning and watch the sunrise.
Location and Lifestyle
As for the location, I want it to be in a town away from the big city but still conveniently close to essential amenities:
- A supermarket
- A clinic
- A nice cafe
I would like the streets to be made of cobblestone, reminiscent of the past. This place is perfect for my lifestyle because I love the peace and the sound of birds. Being there, I could get away from the stress of the city. Since I could work from home, I don’t think I need to live in a busy city. I’m sure I’d have a peaceful atmosphere and beautiful scenery.
The only downside is that it might be a bit isolated, and if there’s a storm, travel might be difficult. But honestly, I’d rather live there in the future than in my current reality.
Talk to you soon,
Domenica
My Favorite Dish: Creamy Chicken with Mushroom Sauce
This is a delicious and creamy dish made with chicken and mushrooms. It is served with white rice and a delicious salad. For me, it’s the best dish in the world because I love mushrooms.
Serving Suggestions and Sides
The dish is typically accompanied by:
- White rice.
- A salad containing corn, peas, carrots, and mayonnaise.
- Chili and some lettuce (optional additions).
My mom makes this dish for me on my birthday. My favorite drink to pair with it is lemonade mixed with Sprite. I would like to learn how to make this dish, especially the mushroom sauce, because even though I try, I still can’t seem to master it.
Email Application: Food Researcher Position
Dear Dr. Martinez,
I am writing to apply for the position of Food Researcher at your company. I am a Food Engineer with two master’s degrees and a doctorate, and I speak English, Italian, and Portuguese.
For the past five years, I have worked in the food industry at Nestlé and Starbucks. I have experience working in teams and solving problems. I am confident that my experience and skills will help the company grow and develop new food products.
Thank you for your consideration of my application. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
Doménica Machado.
A Personal History: Unexpected Public Speaking
Last month, I had an interesting experience. My mom was invited to a dinner to celebrate the launch of an agricultural product. My mom didn’t want to go alone, so she invited me, and we went together.
During dinner, some engineers started telling us about the new product and shared many interesting details. Suddenly, they asked a question to which I already knew the answer, so I decided to raise my hand and answer. My answer was correct, and I was invited to the front of the room to receive a surprise prize.
I was very nervous because there were so many people. I was very grateful, but also nervous because I don’t like public speaking. However, this experience helped me understand that I have to trust myself.
Dream Destination: Lake Como, Italy
A place I want to visit is Lake Como. For me, that place is very beautiful and magical. I love the landscape, the flowers, the architecture, and the lake itself.
I have seen many photos of Lake Como and I am excited to be able to go there one day. I first discovered this location when I saw the movie Star Wars. A beautiful landscape appeared in the film, and I immediately investigated, finding that the place was called Lake Como. That is why it is my favorite place.
In the future, I hope to learn to speak Italian so I can travel there and communicate better.
My Daily University Routine
In the morning, I get up very early at 5 a.m. My preparation routine is efficient because the night before, I plan what clothes I will wear the next day.
Morning Preparation (5:00 AM – 6:00 AM)
- Have breakfast.
- Brush my teeth and wash my face.
- Change clothes.
- Apply light makeup (lipstick and eyeliner) and style my hair (I prefer pigtails for comfort).
Commute and Classes
At 6:00 a.m., I leave my house for the bus station. The commute involves:
- 15 minutes walking to the first bus station.
- 20 minutes travel on the first bus.
- Changing buses, followed by another 15 minutes of travel.
When I arrive at the university, I walk 10 minutes to my faculty and start classes at 7:00 a.m. My class ends at 1:00 p.m., and I have lunch with my friends. I return to classes again at 2:00 p.m. My last class ends at 6:00 p.m., and that is when I return home.
Favorite Travel Spot: Lago Agrio, Sucumbíos
My favorite place I’ve traveled to is Lago Agrio in Sucumbíos, Ecuador. My aunt lives there and has a beautiful farm.
Farm Produce and Climate
The farm is abundant with various crops, including:
- Orange trees
- Palm trees (with many coconuts)
- Sugar cane
- Cacao trees
- Lemon trees
- Watermelons and soursop
Lago Agrio is very hot, which is a little uncomfortable for me because I live in the Ecuadorian mountains. However, when I travel there, I enjoy going out at night to walk while eating ice cream. I also like it when it rains because the rain is refreshing.
When I have to go back home, I often don’t want to leave because the place is so beautiful, and I would like to spend more time with my aunt.
Cherished Dreams: Football and Formula One
One of my biggest dreams is to one day be able to travel to Spain, especially to the city of Barcelona, to see a Barça match, which is my favorite soccer team.
Sports Travel Aspirations
My primary sports travel goals include:
- Seeing my favorite player, Pedri, play and score a goal for Barcelona.
- Attending a Formula One Grand Prix, specifically the races in Barcelona or Interlagos in Brazil.
I would love to see Lando Norris win a championship, as he is my favorite driver.