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FALL 2014 The American International Club of Rome www.aicrome.org [email protected] Tel. 06-45447625 Fax 06-97254122 AICR NEWS

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Page 1: Fall 2014 i

FALL 2014

The American International Club of Rome www.aicrome.org [email protected] Tel. 06-45447625 Fax 06-97254122

AICR News

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contents

3 Editor’s Letter

4 Upcoming Events

5 Club News

6 New Members

7 Member Profile: Amb. Stanley Kao

11 Faith Walks book review

16 Delizie Gastronomiche del Lazio

18 Proust Questionnaire: Margrit Mau

20 Short List: What’s hot now!

22 Discounts

23 AICR Business Members

Board of Directors 2014/2015

Honorary President

John R. PhillipsAmbassador of the United States to Italy

and to the Republic of San Marino

Honorary Vice President

David J. LaneAmbassador of the United States

to the UN Agencies in Rome

officers:President: Debra Biagini

Vice President: Franco SpicciarielloTreasurer: Carol Markino

Secretary: Alexia Maria di Fabio

Board MeMBers:Vlad Beffa

Loretta Dusini Marco Elser

Fabio FerrariScotti Rhodes

Martha ScherrAndrea Stoler

Conchita Vecchio

aicr news editor

Kathy Araco

cluB Manager and coMMunications

Nina Farrell

All articles are based on the information obtained at the time of their writing. Please contact us if you would like to add anything from your experience with AICR.

FALL 2014

The American International Club of Rome

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editor’s letter

Living in the eternal city – or in Italy for that matter – is not always easy, sometimes it can be quite over-whelming. However remember that “when the going gets tough, the tough get going” (quote by Joseph P. Kennedy), like both Ambassador Stanley Kao and Chris Curry remind us in their respective articles. By facing the difficulties on our path, who knows one day we may even become a role model and inspire others, just like Ambassador Stanley Kao, Represen-tative of the Taiwan Embassy. Read all about his in-teresting life and amazing calling in the Member’s Profile written by Helen Bannigan, who kindly ac-cepted to interview him for us.

Even animals can be a source of inspiration. Take Faith for instance, a brave little dog, who by overcoming her challenges, inspired and helped thousands of people along the way. Her story is told in the book Faith Walks by Jude Stringfellow, wonderfully reviewed by fellow member Chris Curry. Although Faith recently passed away on September 23rd, her memory will live on for-ever and be a constant reminder that “all we really need is faith”.

When Margrit Mau, a silver business member, moved to Rome back in 1969, she certainly took “a leap of faith”. It all worked out in the end, so be sure to read her Proust to know more about her.

What better way to start or end your day then with some delicious homemade pastries and breads? Danielle DeVine is back with a really “sweet” bakery review, I’m sure you’ll love.

In conclusion, be sure to check out my Short List to find out what’s hot now! I hope you’ll enjoy reading this issue and feel inspired and uplifted by it. In the meanwhile, I’d like to wish you all a wonderful fall season.

Kathy AracoAICR News Editor

P.S. Unfortunately Alessandro Carafa Jacobini has stepped down from the pro-duction of the AICR News & Magazine. I’d like to acknowledge the wonderful work he has done in all these years and thank him dearly for making all our past issues look so great.

3AICR news - Fall 2014

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upcoming events

4 The American International Club of Rome

First Friday Happy Hour Hotel Art, Via Marguta 56December 5th, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.8€ members with card, 10€ guests.

Holiday Party Friday, December 19th, 8 p.m.38€ members, 48€ guests.Advance purchase necessaryA festive holiday cocktail celebration, completewith drinks, dinner and dancing.

Community Service:Christmas Party at Associazione KimCasa di Kim, Via di Villa Troili, 46 December 20th, 2:30 p.m.

“Second” Friday Happy HourHotel Art, Via Marguta 56January 9th, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.8€ members with card, 10€ guests.

Black Tie Dinner Party January 2015Location: exclusive venue in RomeFurther details coming soon.

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club news

Thank you to the Elser Family AICR would like to thank the Elser Family for hosting the fall BBQ at their farm. It was a wonderful day! Check out the photos on our Facebook page and website

AICR Line Reminder To send an email to membership, send an email to “[email protected]” to share information, ask questions, etc. It will get sent to all members who have not opted out of this list. It must be sent from the one email account we have on file or it will not be accepted by the system. Mes-sages should be in English, reply only to the sender (not the entire list) and no advertising services, as only Business Members are permitted this option.

Members Only Section on AICR Website This section has been phased out due to the launch of the AICR Line. It is no longer possible to log in and membership information has been removed from this section.

Volunteer! We are always looking for volunteers to help us out in various sectors. Want to help with events, social media, the website, AICR News, of-fice mailings, community service initiatives, lead up a group within the Club, etc? Contact us for more information and to share your ideas.

AICR Community Service: Casa di Kim Christmas Party will be on Saturday, December 20th at 2:30 p.m. We urge you to make a donation towards the party. With your monetary donations, we’ll provide gifts for the children and their mothers, food, beverages, crafts, games and a festive at-mosphere for these ill children, their families and the staff that support them. Contact us to make a donation today.

AICR news - Fall 2014

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new members

Giovann Bonmartini-Fini President Barone Fini wines

Paul Curtis

Alessandro Antibowealth Manager sCM sIM

Araceli Cardenas-Bonexecutive Producer & HostRome Today TV

Agnese OjalaLuiss Business school student

Michael Watkins

Elisabeth Celi Psychologist Professional Consultant

Tom Di Capua

Emanuela Dossi

Emily Heinz

Lisa HowardBlacktower Financial Management Int Ltd

Paul HowardRegional Manager BlacktowerFinancial Management Int Ltd

Sean LogueeTC U.s. Navy

Melissa LogueU.s. Navy

Richard Moore Graduate student AUR

Renee Perillo

Arnaldo Trabucco Doctor Villa Benedetta

Alessio ValleCaptain Italian Air Force

Maria Michela Zaza

Please join us in welcoming the following new members:

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member profile

Ambassador stanley Kao, Representative Taipei Office in ItalyBy Helen Bannigan

Why did you become a member of the American International Club of Rome (AICR)?I’ve been in Rome for over a year and have been a member of the AICR for about the same length of time. Networking is always so crucial and helpful when you are new in town and the AICR community has been wonderful in this regard. My wife and I feel a strong connection with Americans, as we were posted in Washington D.C. twice and our only daughter, Scarlett, is currently a university student in Boston, Massachusetts.

How do you like living in Rome?My wife and I love Italy. Living in the Eternal City, there are always new things to marvel at or to think anew. Like all great metropoli-tan cities, it has its share of blemishes such as the high rate of petty crimes. Our office here in Rome has to regularly deal with our fellow Taiwanese tourists who had their passports, wallets and bags stolen. But if

you are careful and savvy enough, there’s nothing that can prevent you from enjoying all the wonders that Italy has to offer.

What are your hobbies?Having grown up in a rather athletic family (my father was a judo black belt and moth-er a Taipei City senior tennis champion), my wife and I are committed weekend ten-nis warriors. We play mediocre golf and also like to travel by car when possible. We are beginning to learn more about Ital-ian wine, both bianco and rosso, and are thoroughly enjoying the adventure of it all.

How would you describe yourself?My friends tend to describe me as an incur-able optimist both in my professional and personal life. In the meantime, I always be-lieve that “when the going gets tough, the tough get going”.

What background and historical context can you provide about Tai-wan to give the American commu-nity in Rome some greater insight?I am sixth generation Taiwanese, from a family who came over from mainland Chi-na in the mid-19th century. Being born in the 1950s and raised and educated through the 60s and 70s means that there was plenty of hardship, as my homeland island struggled to escape pov-erty and the continued military threat from a hostile giant neighbor in China. In 1949, Mao Zedong declared the People’s Repub-lic of China (PRC) on the mainland, forcing the previous Chinese government to locate in Taipei, Taiwan after losing the Chinese Civil War. Back in those days, survival was on everyone’s minds.

AICR news - Fall 2014

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member profile

With perseverance, persistence and de-fiance of external intimidation, Taiwan - constitutionally called the Republic of China (ROC) - pulled through and has been standing on its feet since the 1980’s. First, it was known as one of the “Four Lit-tle Dragons” (Taiwan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Singapore) representing, to-gether with Europe and Asia, one of the 3 great pillars of the modern industrial world order. Then it became a major global trad-ing partner in the 1990’s. To facilitate international trade and act as a bridge between East and West, Taiwan has en-couraged the learning of English in addi-tion to the local Taiwanese and Mandarin (the national language of both mainland PRC and the ROC). These days Taiwan is a key player in the global hi-tech and ICT supply chain. (Did you know your HTC cell phone was both designed and manufac-tured in Taiwan?!). As is said, the rest is history.

What led you to enterinto the Foreign Service?

On diplomatic front, Taiwan has been facing formidable setbacks and daunting challenges over the years. When I was a college freshman back in 1971, the country unceremoniously lost its United Nations membership, to the great anguish of our citizens. The international commu-nity chose this option to avoid having two “Chinas” as part of the U.N. As an international relations major, I felt compelled to enter a career to help Tai-wan remain visible and accountable in the international community. At the time, both China and Taiwan claimed that there was

only one China, but each side also claimed to be the legitimate government of China. I decided to join the Foreign Service as a junior diplomat in 1979 when the US cut off diplomatic ties with Taiwan in favor of recognizing the PRC as the sole legitimate China, inarguably the lowest point of my country’s foreign relations history. Current-ly Taiwan – or the Republic of China – is recognized by 21 United Nations member states as well as by the Holy See.Given the island state’s unique situation,

most Foreign Service officers of Taiwan do not enjoy any official status, diplomatic privilege or immunity in the host nations. We therefore have to double our efforts to get the job done and ensure Taiwan stays relevant and on the radar screen in the absence of diplomatic recognition. I am honored to have the privilege of serving in this role.

8 The American International Club of Rome

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member profile

How do you view your roleas representative of Taiwan?

My job as the face of Taiwan is primarily to tell the story of a young democracy and robust economy, while not perfect, still one that is alive and kicking, actively engaged in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, ready and available to give back to the international community -- a respon-sible stakeholder by all accounts!I am convinced that at the end of the day, Taiwan and its twenty three million men and women will be in good shape as long as it continues to stand by the universal val-ues of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law. The most gratifying part for any Taiwanese diplomat, after all, is contributing to these globally accepted elements of the Common Good.

AICR news - Fall 2014

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MARYMOUNTINTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ROME

Via di Villa Lauchli 180 00191 Rome (+39) 06 362 9101 marymountrome.org

epresenting more than60 nationalities, students atMarymount form a diverseschool community united by alove of learning. They pursueacademic excellence whilegaining a greater appreciationfor the world around them, allwithin a welcoming, spacious,and nurturing educationalenvironment.

Proud to be an IB World School since 1985.

To find out how your child could benefit from a Marymount education, please visit us.

R

United bya love oflearning

Founded in 1946,Marymount is a private,Catholic school offering anAmerican curriculum forstudents in Pre-K throughGrade 12.

Part Of e Global Network Of Marymount Schools

AICR News Fall 2014_AICR 2010 10/23/14 4:33 PM Page 1

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faith walks book review

11

Faith walksBy Chris Curry

“When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” This was the fa-mous quote by Joseph P. Kennedy, fa-ther of President John F. Kennedy, on the wall of my Texas high school foot-ball dressing room. I thought about this quote for the first time in decades as I read this inspiring book about love between a dog and her family, a love that was too great to remain in the confines of a normal household. If you love animals and like inspiring stories that teach us lessons in life, you have to read this book.

Our world is full of stories about po-litical and economic turmoil, war, hate, evil, suffering, and death. It’s refreshing to read a story about a little dog’s triumph over insurmount-able obstacles to overcome and suc-ceed, and become the “most famous dog in the world”. Faith Walks, by Jude Stringfellow, will make even the most hardened soul laugh, and hold back tears at the same time. It’s a true story of life, and as much a story of a family that learned to “walk on their own” (my quotes) as that of a little doggie who defied natural selection and survival of the fittest to become the first biped dog.It all began when author Jude String-fellow’s son Reuben (Reu) brought a little helpless bundle home in a blanket one cold day in Oklahoma in 2003. Against the advice of Jude, who had already taken risks by al-lowing foster dogs and a cat in rent houses where they lived, Reu and his two younger sisters convinced their mom to accept the tiny helpless dog. They would keep the little deformed creature and see if in the next days the little “Yellow Dog” would be able to make it.With the help of a good vet, a life-long friend of Jude, endless training and infinite patience, and a sincere faith in God, the impossible became possible.

AICR news - Fall 2014

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This book is much more than a story of how against all odds a little two-legged dog learned to walk and in-spire hundreds of thousands of peo-ple, if not millions, in doing so; it’s the story of a family in the throes of surviving—in every way—in difficult times, and how a little animal forged a bond among four ordinary-extraor-dinary people. Both the two young daughters Caity and Laura, and Rue, the man of the house, together with their mom Jude, contributed in their own ways to the “miracle” of Faith Walks.It seems impossible that a two-legged dog, who after working with a dedi-cated family, and learning to walk and stealing the show at thousands of public appearances, would spend “about 14-16 hours a day under the bed, and about 6 hours at night on top of it”, waiting for Jude to shout “Let’s go dog”, the signal that they were heading out for another ap-pearance. Faith loves to travel and meet people, and her ‘dogality’ is

outgoing and friendly with everyone she meets.You may have seen Faith “in person” at one of her many events—she’s made appearances in most states of the US at schools, hospitals, and con-ferences; has flown more than 200 times and met more than 600,000 people. In addition, she has been the “top dog” (my quotes) in numerous TV news stories, on shows such as ET, Montiel Williams, Inside Edition and Oprah (Faith was her favorite guest, of course!); and this famous doggie is in numerous news, video and pub-lication archives in North and South America, Europe, Australia, to name a few. Faith’s accolades include that of the honorary title of US Army Sergeant (E5), awarded to her for her many visits to wounded vets and others in military hospitals. When Faith and family visited the wounded veterans at Walter Reed Army Hospital, it was almost more than Jude could take because when

faith walks book review

The American International Club of Rome

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she came “face to face with brave sol-diers” who reminded her of Reu, who was then in the Army, Jude says, “To say that it was a life changing event would be to give less credence to the statement. I could not believe the car-nage I was seeing but I also could not comprehend the power or cour-age I saw in each of these soldiers; men who although they were terribly injured and disfigured for life.” Faith reminded many of these injured and maimed soldiers or of their dogs at home, and of the unconditional love of a dog for her human partner.The following account of one of these hospital visits will give you an idea of the power this little doggie has over everyone who comes in contact with her. Jude writes about a soldier:“Before his 19th birthday he was in country, in Iraq, and just a few short weeks later he was being returned to his homeland to rehabilitate after having both of his legs taken by one of the IEDs near his Forward Operat-ing Base. Still heavily sedated from the most recent surgery earlier in the day, Frankie was being wheeled from the recovery room to his bed at Walter Reed when Faith found him. Almost as if she had been with him from the beginning of his journey she began whining when she saw him, a sound she usually reserves for men or women she hasn’t seen in a while, but not this time. This time it was to say

“Stop what you’re doing Mom, I have to see this soldier. Don’t let him pass without holding me.” It could have been the smell of antiseptic medicine or the sight of his freshly bandaged lower limbs, but Faith had made up her mind that with or without legs to hold her weight this man was going to have her in his lap. A split second before knocking him over in his own wheelchair I managed to grasp her by her collar. Frankie’s face can only

truly be described as contorted the second he realized he was being ac-costed by an all too friendly therapy dog. “C’mere dog!” I heard him mumble through the anesthesia. “Get up here right now!” he continued to say to her. I wasn’t actually sure if he meant it or if he thought himself to be dreaming. Acting upon his command however, Faith decided to climb up the side of the wheelchair and onto his bandaged legs. Both of Frankie’s legs had been removed above the knee, there wasn’t much space left

faith walks book review

AICR news - Fall 2014

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faith walks book review

for her to climb into, but she did man-age to propel herself with a little help from me and Frankie’s older sister, to cuddle and curl right up against one of the world’s younger heroes. Frankie told Faith how much he loved her…she licked his face without ceas-ing and never actually stopped whin-ing the entire time they were togeth-er.” Faith has been saluted by Generals, and given several awards and me-dallions. Now, one company even produces a coin to honor Faith’s work. Jude says, “I’m reminded ev-ery time we visit a hospital or see a wounded warrior why it is that they always relate to Faith upon greeting

her. I don’t believe it is just because they have been unfortunate enough to have been in an accident where they have lost a limb or worse; it feels more like they see in her the spirit that lies inside of their own souls, waiting again to be reunited with their units, their families, their loved ones where they can begin the real process of getting on with their lives. Nothing seems to stop this little yellow dog from taking on what the world has dished out to her. They see this, and they embrace it. They want to be like Faith, and they’re very proud she is one of them too.” In summary, as Jude says, “Faith is good for the soul”. This book is an

3Expatriate American Tax

www.ExpatriateAmericanTax.com | [email protected] Leonina 41, Roma 00186 | US Tel. +1 212-777-0807 | US Fax +1 212-242-2820

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MARYMOUNTINTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ROME

Via di Villa Lauchli 180 00191 Rome (+39) 06 362 9101 marymountrome.org

epresenting more than60 nationalities, students atMarymount form a diverseschool community united by alove of learning. They pursueacademic excellence whilegaining a greater appreciationfor the world around them, allwithin a welcoming, spacious,and nurturing educationalenvironment.

Proud to be an IB World School since 1985.

To find out how your child could benefit from a Marymount education, please visit us.

R

United bya love oflearning

Founded in 1946,Marymount is a private,Catholic school offering anAmerican curriculum forstudents in Pre-K throughGrade 12.

Part Of e Global Network Of Marymount Schools

AICR News Fall 2014_AICR 2010 10/23/14 4:33 PM Page 1

honest look at life and the best that can be found in living it to the full-est with the resources you have been given. There are moments that are humorous too, such as the time when Faith and her family were asked to leave a White House tour because she started chasing a squirrel; Faith’s dive into the Reflecting Pool which lies between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C.; as well as the time when Faith took the cooked Thanks-

giving turkey off of the table and de-voured it with the other dogs in her family—under the bed, of course.Faith retired in 2012, at the age of 10, from her public appearances, with a ceremony planned at Fort Lew-is—McCord Joint AFB, on December 22, her birthday.

Faith Walks is a quick easy read, written in a style as though the author, a sought-after motivational speaker, is having a conversation with the reader in her living room. The book is a real page-turner for animal lov-ers and anyone who wants to read a success story inspired by the best qualities in humans and animals, as well as a lot of Faith.As I mentioned, when I think of the story of Faith and her family, I recall the words on my high school locker room wall; but after reading Faith Walks, I think that the quote would be better changed to, “When the going gets tough, pull together and have some ‘dogged determination’ and a lot of Faith!” ”Faith wouldn’t know how to be judg-mental; she knows nothing of one’s color, creed, religion, background or future. So pure is her living in the moment that it comes through clearly in the lives and hearts of those she visits. It may only last a very little while—but it is real, it did happen. There is always HOPE with Faith.” (Jude Stringfellow, Chapter 8)In the end, Jude says, “I would like to think of her as being simply the dog God made to make someone smile who really needed to smile.”

faith walks book review

Article first appeared on the website Band of Bloggers (July 25, 2012). All rights to “faiththedog.info”.

AICR news - Fall 2014

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Review of La Dolceroma BakeryBy Danielle DeVine

At the end of one of Rome’s most evoca-tive streets, mere steps away from ancient Roman ruins, lies one of Rome’s best and most unique bakeries. La Dolceroma is probably one of the only places you will be able to find a Dobos (the multi layered and caramelized Hungarian cake) that would satisfy even the most demanding of Hungarians right next to apple pie, cheesecake and brownies that would pass the standards of the most rigorous of American palates. Owner, founder and baker stefano Ceccarelli attributes this taste test success to the time he spent studying each of the respective cuisines; he learned the complex Austrian pastries from a master Austrian patisserie chef in Vienna, and the American specialities he picked up in 1994 in seattle from a former hippy. To this day, Ceccarelli pro-nounces American pastry names like a native; “cheesecake with raspberry fill-ing” trips off his tongue with ease, and his pronunciation is outpaced only by his ability to create the treats he names.

Ceccarelli, a handsome man with pleas-ant features and a slightly careworn air, looks back fondly on his time learning and honing his craft, and when asked which desserts are easier to make, re-plies without hesitation: “The Americans, they take what is complicated, and they make it easy. The Austrians, on the other hand, they take what is easy and make it complicated.” He chuckles and adds “I

once asked my pastry teacher in Vienna, why is it that these desserts are all so complex, and he said ‘Simple. The more complicated they are, the harder they are to imitate.’ “

The Dolceroma bakery was born in 1988 when Ceccarelli, who had previously worked at his family’s next door restau-rant Giggetti, decided to try to branch out on his own. At first, “I thought this place would simply exist to provide for Giggetti, but it quickly took on a life of its own.” On any given day at La Dolceroma, one can find American desserts ranging from pe-can pie to carrot cake to blueberry muf-fins. There is also a full range of Austrian desserts, from the classic sacher, to the Linzer, the Mozarttorte, Mozartkugeln, strudel, and even Viennese brioches.

For those who seek more health-con-scious fare, they need not worry as “Health, quality and tradition” are Cec-carelli’s three main concerns. Organic apples are used exclusively for the strudel and apple pie. There is also a delicious line of around eight different handmade artisan loaves, made with the finest in-

delizie gastronomiche del Lazio

The American International Club of Rome16

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delizie gastronomiche del Lazio

17

gredients, organic whenever possible. The Biblical bread is made according to methods described in the Bible, using barley, legumes, poppy seeds and hon-eyed yeast, and yields a light but satisfy-ing result. The Volkornbrot is the answer to expat cravings for chewy multigrain bread of the type and texture that is next to impossible to find in Rome. For those yearning for something more exotic than pane lariano and pizza bianca, you will be delighted to see the black bread (schwarzbrot), spelt (Dinkelbrot), and rye and cumin (Roggenbrot) alternatives. La Dolceroma is worth a trip to the former Jewish Ghetto and will reward you by more than living up to its name.

AICR news - Autumn 2014

Join the program now and send an email to [email protected] with your name and customer number and Avis will set up your AICR discount code (W465200) in your Avis preferred profi le.

* Terms and conditions apply

avisautonoleggio/aicrome

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proust questionnaire

The American International Club of Rome

German by birth, Margrit Ch. Mau has been living in Italy since 1969, when Alitalia hired her as flight attendant, and later appointed her instructor at their Training Center. she is a Reiki Master/Teacher of UsUI shiki Ryoho, Reiki-UsUI system of Natu-ral Healing, which is not only a “hands on” healing practice, but a spiritual path and way of living.Health & wellness have always been important to Margrit, so she currently works as an Independent Distributor for Forever Living Products, world leader in aloe vera, to help others build their business and reach their goals, while maintaining a healthy body.

AICR Proust Questionnaire with Margrit Ch. Mau

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

To have peace of mind, be loved and besurrounded by family.

What is your greatest fear?

To lose my freedom of speech and of choice and be physically and mentally impaired.

Which living person do you most admire?

Rex Maughan, because despite being a very successful charismatic businessman, he has remained a simple, genuine, humble, gen-erous and caring person.

Who are your favorite writers?

Many: Paulo Coelho, Bruce Lipton, Greg Braden, John Grisham, Thich Nhat Hanh, Louise Hay, Deepak Chopra, Johannes Ma-rio simmel, Dan Brown etc.

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proust questionnaire

19AICR news - Fall 2014

Which talent would you most like to have?

To sing.

What is your most treasured possession?

Reiki because it’s invaluable.

When and where were you happiest?

On December 25th 1986 when my daughter was born.

What is your most markedcharacteristic?

Loyalty and friendliness.

What do you consider yourgreatest achievement?

To still be living and to be in quite good shape both physically and mentally.

Who is your favorite hero of fiction?

superman, because he uses energy for the benefit of humanity and the environment.

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short list

Short List - What’s hot now!by Kathy Araco

Movie: The Theory of Everything. Can a disability shape someone’s destiny? Hard to believe, yet in Stephen Hawk-ing’s case this may be true. The movie, based on Jane Hawk-ing’s memoir, Travelling to Infinity: My Life With Stephen, tells the true story of one of the most famous physicist since Albert einstein. After receiving a standing ovation at the Toronto International Film Festival, the film has attained Oscar nods especially for the performance of its leading actors. starring Felicity Jones and Eddie Redmayne who play the couple’s role from when they first met at Cambridge University to Hawking’s original diagnosis of the disease –giving him only two years left to live– and how they overcame it together. The saying “love always finds a way” seems to come to mind. Director James Marsh confessed that his goal was to focus on

their unusual love story and how they “transcend all the complications and curveballs that life throws at them”. Definitely an inspiring story really worth seeing.

Album: The Endless River. This hot new (David Gilmour led) Pink Floyd album is the 20th anniversary celebration and the continuum of their previous The Division Bell (1994). It contains lots of unreleased material that David Gilmour, Nick Mason and keyboardist Richard wright wrote and pro-duced together back in 1993/1994, when Richard was still alive. So Pink Floyd fans will absolutely love it! Even Stephen Hawking (cited above) is back on track with Talkin’ Hawkin, after providing his vocals to Keep Talking in 1994. Available in standard edition, double vinyl (for the nostalgics) and a

special deluxe box set –which includes a 24-page photo booklet, extra audio-visual material and 6 video tracks– this album is an absolute must-have for all fans since Gilmour, in a recent interview, said it’s likely to be the band’s farewell album.

Website: www.any.do Need some (technological) help in managing your schedule? Their slogan is making it simple and fun to get things done. For iPhone, Android, Chrome or web you can download their app for free. It will help you manage your daily tasks, add reminders and

sync your to-do list with the browser extension. It’s been around since 2012…so what’s all the buzz about? Well, they’ve perked things up, released a Calendar app which works perfectly with any.do task list and in less than five months they’ve gained about 4 million new customers. still undecided? even Forbes contributor Melanie Haselmayr lauded its merits listing it among the best To-Do List Apps for 2014.

The American International Club of Rome

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short list

DVD: Citizenfour. Remember the name snowden? For sure, it was all over the news last year. He’s the NSA consultant and analyst who’s currently forced to seek asylum in Russia for having exposed their massive secret surveillance programs. For some he’s a he-roic whistleblower, for others a public enemy. In this documen-tary, viewers have a front-row seat to Edward Snowden’s revela-tions about the NsA as they unfolded day by day. According to The Guardian, the film is a gripping record of how our rulers are ad-dicted to gaining more and more power and control over us – if we let them. Hence Citizenfour is about an individual act of conscience and its costs. snowden is not interested in disclosing information,

only letting the public know the truth. Unfolding minute by minute before our very eyes, this real-life thriller directed by Laura Poitras, has received countless positive re-views and has even been nominated in the best documentary category of the Gotham Independent Film Awards 2014.

Book: The Real Food Revolution: Healthy Eating, Green Groceries, and the Return of the American Family Farm. Bringing consciousness to our eating habits is no easy task, nev-ertheless Congressman Tim Ryan is up for the challenge. In his latest book, he paints an accurate picture of the current Ameri-can food system limitations and how they’re deeply interconnect-ed with healthcare and education. Industrialized food is making us sick and obese, so eating healthy becomes a necessity. His solutions? Return to small farms, grow a garden, buy sustainably produced foods and take action by spreading awareness, espe-cially among children. Tim concludes his book with a new vision

for America: “Real food is not only about agriculture and nutrition. It’s about a way of life that connects us back to the earth, to each other, to our communities, and to what really matters.”

In memory of Dr. Masaru Emoto (Jul. 22 1943 – Oct. 17 2014). Head of the I.H.M. General Research Institute in Tokyo and Presi-dent emeritus of the International water for Life Foundation, Dr. Masaru emoto gained worldwide recognition for his groundbreak-ing research and discoveries on water and how it’s deeply con-nected to our individual and collective consciousness. Among the various books he wrote, The Hidden Messages of Water was a New York Times best seller. In 2005 he created the non-profit eMOTO PeACe PROJeCT (www.emoto-peace-project.com) with the aim of achieving world peace by raising awareness among people and mainly children. The Message from Water kids booklet, with his

discoveries and peace message, is still being distributed today worldwide for free to children. The intent is to reach every child on the planet, in the hope that our future generations, by means of this book, will play a leading role in creating peace on earth.

AICR news - Fall 2014

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The American International Club of Rome22

aicr silver business members & discounts

Ciao Italia, Italian language and cultural center. Discount on all courses of 10%. Intensive/Non intensive courses. Day/Evening. Small groups. CILS/CELI certification. Courses at home/office. Extensive courses (E2): Twice a week, 145 euro per month + registration feeTel. 064814084 Via Delle Frasche 5, (Via Nazionale) Metro B-Stop Cavour. www.ciao-italia.it [email protected]

Order personalized floral designs by DebraFlower for that special touch and have them delivered free (Rome and within 5 km. outside Raccordo). Weddings! Events! [email protected], www.debraflower.blogspot.comwww.debraflowerit.blogspot.com Via Castel di Leva, 262

10% off hair cut and color services from Noi Salon,Tel. 06 3600 6284; Piazza del Popolo 3, [email protected],www.noisalon.com

Margrit Ch. Mau, Independent Distributor Forever Living Products.15-48% discount on natural and certified products of FLP, Leader in growing, producing and distributing ALOE Vera – Products. Opportunity: 2° income with worldwide activity. www.idffy.it/mmau [email protected].: 06 5258280 Cell.: 347 3639178

Catering services: International cuisine – Italian, Thai, Indonesian, Indian, Moroccan, Middle Eastern, Mexican and European...Cooking classes for adults and children. Food tours.Contact Francesa Flore of La Luna nel PiattoTel.: 339 6230393 [email protected], www.lalunanelpiatto.com

Discounts and listings from our silver Business Members. Take advantage of important discounts at many local businesses,

thanks to your AICR Membership.

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aicr business membersAICR thanks our Business Members who provide benefits for

AICR members and support the Club.

Avis Autonoleggio - Rent a CarItalian Headquarters: Viale Carmelo Bene 70, 00139 Rome

[email protected] Reservations: www.avisautonoleggio.it/aicrome

Call Center: 199 100 133 (Outside Italy + 39 06 45 21 08 391)Quote Avis Worldwide - Discount (AWD) - number W465200

Rome International SchoolTel. 06 84482650/1 - Via Guglielmo Pecori Giraldi, 137 - 00135 - Rome, Italy

www.romeinternationalschool.it - [email protected]/romeinternationalschool

St. John’s UniversityVia Marcantonio Colonna, 21A - Rome Italy 00192 - Tel. 06-393842

or Toll Free Number in Italy: 800 971736 - Fax: +39 06 39384200

DIAMOND

Platinum

Marymount International SchoolTel. 06 36 29 101 Fax: 06 36 30 1738 - Via di Villa Lauchli 180 - 00191 Rome

[email protected] - www.marymountrome.org

Gold

Expatriate American Taxwww.ExpatriateAmericanTax.com - [email protected]

US Tel +1 212-777-0807 Italy: 347-328-4339 - US Fax +1 212-242-2820Via Leonina, 83 - 00184 - Rome, Italy

silver

See listings and discount information from our Silver Business members on page 22.

AICR news - Fall 2014

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AICR past events photos