Muenster (aka Susan)

Muenster is a cheese from the United States, not to be confused with the French variety, Munster.

"Soozie Boozie Bo Boozie, Banana Fanna Bo Moozie, Fee Fi Fo Foozie, Soozie"!  In all fairness to Susan, she did not get the cheese alias of her choice.  I forced her to use Muenster because whenever I eat Muenster cheese, I think of Susan.  The reason this is the case is that I had NEVER heard of Muenster cheese before meeting Susan.  She introduced me to it.  I love it and I always think of her when I enjoy it.  She had no choice in this matter.  Muenster cheese IS her cheese alias.  I don't think she was happy with it because as she put it, "it is not a very exciting cheese".   Still, I couldn't let her have any other cheese, because, well, I just couldn't.

How do I know Susan?  Susan was my roommate during my dietetic internship at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, TN. There were 16 interns in our class and we received a list before the internship started that included our names and where we were from.  I, being from California, thought I need to call someone from "over there" to see if they want to be roommates so they could look for a place before we had to move in.  So I went down the list and saw Susan was from Virginia Beach, VA.  That seemed close to Nashville so I called her.  I got her answering machine and left a message saying, "Hi, I am in your internship program.  I was wondering if you want to have a roommate from California?" (I guess I thought I was special for coming so far).

Later she told me she was a little wierded out, but when she called me back she said, sure lets be roommates.  She was a hard read and didn't sound that excited, but what could I say at that point?  I then asked if she could find us a place in Nashville since she lived so close and she laughed because she didn't think a two day drive was that close.  I think I ended up picking out our apartment, blindly from CA, but that is how our friendship started.

After chasing 3 mice out of our apartment during the first week we lived together, we officially bonded.

Since then we have traveled together, visited each other many times including being the Maid of Honor in each of our weddings and helping out after the births of our first children. We have maintained our "distance relationship" for over 16 years.  Susan stayed in Nashville for about 10 years after we finished our internship and has moved around the Southeast since then.  She hasn't made it to California yet, except to visit, but I am hopeful.

Soozie Boozie, I am so excited to see you again and so glad you are part of this event!  See you soon!

Gruyère (aka Eileen or "Sister")

Oh Sister!  

On the trip, you will hear me refer to "Sister" when taking about or to Eileen (Gruyère).  At some point when we were working together in 2000, we jokingly started calling each other "Sister" and it has stuck in a way that is very fun, but somewhat embarrassing when inadvertently used at inappropriate times!

My relationship with "Sister" started my junior year in college when both of us were knee deep into our nutrition major.  We were primarily classroom friends until we both participated in a 10-week nutrition research internship in New York City during the summer before we graduated.  It was that experience that started our long term friendship.  Since then our close proximity and same profession has allowed us to maintain a very close friendship.  Even our dietetic internships were close:  she was in New Orleans and I was in Nashville.  We took that opportunity to visit each other and have fun each other's cities.

Eileen is most likely the friendliest person I have ever met.  When I say that, I mean it literally as she has more friends than most people I know!  It is because she is so good at being a friend, one can't help but enjoying her company.  To my advantage, Eileen is also very generous when sharing her friends. I have met some FABULOUS people through Eileen, a few of whom have become such good friends to me that they are part of this trip (Brie, Laughing Cow and Nacho)!

Eileen, I want to thank you for sticking with me over the years and being my "Sister".  I have enjoyed going through every phase of my adult life with you and look forward to celebrating that in AZ!!!!

Parmigiano-Reggiano and Gorgonzola (aka Michele and Anna)

Michele (Parma-Reg) and Anna (Gorgonzola) came into my life during the same time period. We, along with Dana (Asiago) and Tracy (Havarti), are sorority sisters.

Anna and I pledged the sorority at the same time, were fast friends and ultimately became roommates for one year during college.  Anna was an Interior Design major and I remember being so "jealous" watching her do her homework.  While our other roommate, Tracy (Havarti), and I stayed up all night studying physiology, Anna was up all night building and decorating model homes out of foam board and felt material.  She moved to the Pacific Northwest after college and now works at an architectural firm there (please correct me if I am wrong, Anna!).  I don't think I have seen Anna since we graduated from college....I am SO excited you are on this trip and I CANNOT wait to catch up and hear about the last 17 YEARS!!!!

Michele was (I guess still could be considered) my sorority "Big Sister".  She did her job as "Big Sister" well, during our college days, by keeping me grounded.  She always lived (and probably still lives) her life very true to herself.  She didn't worry about the small stuff, and brought me perspective when I most needed it.  When things got tough, all I had to do was spend some time with Michele.  She wears her positive attitude on her sleeve and you can't help but absorb some of it when you are around her.  As with Anna, it has been way too long since I have spent time with Michele.  She and her husband Joe were at my wedding, and I don't know if I have seen her since....and that has been 13.5 years!  Parma-Reg, I can't wait to absorb some of your sunshine.  See you in AZ!

Havarti (aka Tracy)

"Havarti has a buttery aroma and can be somewhat sharp in the stronger varieties. The taste is buttery, and from somewhat sweet to very sweet, and it is slightly acidic. When left at room temperature the cheese tends to soften quickly."


Hmmm, when Tracy is left at room temperature she softens quickly too!


When my parents helped me move into the dorms as a freshman in college, my dad disappeared for a while.  Upon his return he told my mom and I that he ran into a high school classmate of his who was moving his daughter into another dormitory across the way.  I am sure he wanted me to connect with that person, but I was way to overwhelmed to make that happen.  Little did I know that a year later Tracy and I would be sorority sisters and eventually lifelong friends.


I remember the exact occasion when I first met Tracy.  I was a sophomore in college, had just pledged my sorority and was hanging out with Asiago (last post), who was the pledge coordinator.  We were working on a sorority related project and Tracy, who had already joined the sorority during the year prior, was working on the project as well.  We were sitting on the floor in Asiago's apartment and I asked Tracy where she was from.  She replied, "in a town northeast of Redding".  Having grown up in Redding, I asked her which town?  She assured me I hadn't heard of it, and I assured her I probably had.  The conversation ended with us figuring out that our dads were friends from high school and had known each other for over 20 years!


Now I can say that Tracy has been one of my closest friends for over 20 years.  We ended up as roommates in college, bridesmaids in each other's weddings, even worked together for a short time when she was finishing up her surgical residency.  Our kids are the same ages and on a recent trip to visit her our daughters had the BEST time together.  It was very fun to watch.  Five hours is just too far away.


I am so excited to get to spend some quality girl time with Tracy as we haven't done that in years.  Life has certainly put a hold on that until now!

Asiago (aka Dana)

"Asiago is an Italian cow's milk cheese that can assume different textures, according to its aging, from smooth for the fresh Asiago (Asiago Pressato) to a crumbly texture for the aged cheese (Asiago d'allevo) of which the flavour is reminiscent of Parmesan. The aged cheese is often grated in salads, soups, pastas, and sauces while the fresh Asiago is sliced to prepare panini or sandwiches; it can also be melted on a variety of dishes, including bagels. Sometimes Asiago is treated as interchangeable with the parmesan and romano cheeses in some cuisines."

I met Dana soon after I started dating her brother when I was a freshman in college.  Dana's brother is NOT Kenny, so obviously that relationship ended, but Dana and I became very close during the time I dated him.  Dana has a very strong Italian heritage, learned Italian in college and visits her cousins, who live in Italy, regularly (at least it seems like it to me).  As one can see, Asiago is a VERY appropriate cheese alias for her. When I go to Italy, I am going to plan it around one of Dana's trips, for sure!

It is because of Dana that I joined AOII at UC Davis and my most fun memories in the sorority all include her. I have never laughed so hard than when I was with Dana and we are guaranteed a good laugh as long as she is on our trip! Although years go by without our paths crossing, we can always pick up where we left off when we get together.  I am so excited you are going to be a part of this transition in my life!

Fontina (aka Bridgit, Birdy or Bird)

"The original Fontina cheese from Italy is fairly pungent and has quite an intense flavor, although cheeses labeled Fontina that are produced in other countries tend to be much milder. The Danish version is particularly common in US grocery stores, and can be distinguished from Italian Fontina by the red wax rind (Italian Fontina has a natural rind due to aging, which is usually tan to orange-brown); Danish Fontina is much less aged, and therefore semi-soft and much milder than its Italian counterpart".


Very interesting.....but what is the commonality between Birdy and Fontina, you ask?  Pungent?  Not how I would describe my sister-in-law on a normal day, or any day for that matter!  I would, however, describe her as having an intense flavor for unique style.  Since I have known her, Fontina pushes the outer limits when choosing clothing combinations, paint color, and decore...in a good way, of course.  She definitely has an eye for flair and can pick out the most unique items for her home.


Fontina is married to my brother Scott.  A few days ago they celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary but I have known her much longer than that. Scott and Bridgit's relationship started when they "went together" in 6th grade.  I don't remember how long that lasted, but I do remember a day, years later, when Scott and I were in high school.  I didn't realize at the time that Scott had kept in touch with her, but that day, Bridgit, with VERY TALL bangs, showed up at our door step.  She held a wrapped gift in her hand and asked me to give it to my brother.  I remember feeling a little territorial, and wondered who the heck this girl was, with such tall bangs, thinking she was important enough to give MY brother a gift!

Much to my chagrin, they ended up at the same college and started dating "again".  However, by the time they got married, I was very excited to gain her as a real-live, honest to goodness sister!


I have so enjoyed getting to know Bridgit over the last 15+ years and bonding at family functions.  A few years ago she coordinated a very fun girls trip to Las Vegas of which I was honored to be a part.  (I am pretty sure I mentioned this trip in Provolone's post).  She is creative, has great ideas and is helping me add  some flair to this trip as well.  Her calm demeanor is a necessity to stay married to my brother, however I appreciate it more than I will ever be able to express. Thank you, Fontina, for your never-ending support and all you do to help keep me sane and focused. This trip and my life would not be the same without you in it!
(P.S. I just had to post the bangs picture, I hope you forgive me!)

Feta (aka Sophia)

"Feta is an aged crumbly cheese, commonly produced in blocks, and has a slightly grainy texture. Only those cheeses produced in a traditional way in some areas of Greece and made from sheep milk, or from a mixture of sheep and goats’ milk (up to 30%) of the same area, may bear the name "feta"."

Crumbly? No. Grainy? I don't think so. Greek? No.  Hmmmmmm.....I love Sophia and I love Feta, but based on the cheese's description there are no other commonalities I can find between the two!  

I have known Sophia as long as I have known her sister Kristina (previous post).  Because Sophia is a few years younger than I, it wasn't until we worked together one summer, when we were both in high school, at my dad's Der Wienerschnitzel, when we really got to know each other and became close friends.  

College brought each of us to the Sacramento area, where, initially, we led pretty separate lives.  Over the last  15 or so years, since we started our careers, our lives have become densely interwoven into a web of mutual friends and experiences which have allowed our friendship to flourish.  Now we live walking distance from each other and I consider Sophia one of my closest confidants.

Due to the fact that there are so many, seemingly unrelated connections Sophia and I have, I am going to list them as there are truly too many to explain in detail:

1. Sophia and Kenny (my husband), having both graduated from Sac State around the same time, lived in the same dorm at the same time and have mutual friends in common.
2. One of Sophia's closest friends growing up (Bridgit, next post) married my brother Scott, and is now my sister-in-law.
3. Sophia's cousin and I went to UC Davis at the same time and now I am friends with her roommate!
4. This really counts as two:  I invited Sophia to sub for my bunco group a few years ago and it was hosted by one of the teachers she worked with at the time. AND Sophia is in a bunco group with a friend of mine's friend who I had always heard about, but only just met through Sophia.

I feel as if I could  add more, but I fear it could get a little boring, so I will stop.  I am sure we will think of more while we are in Scottsdale.

As I wrap up this post, I must thank Sophia for all of the support she has provided me over the years and especially since our kids were born.  Her son is 6 months older than Max and her daughter is a few months younger than MacKenzie.  Her physical help with the kids and emotional support for me has come at times when I have needed it the most.  Because we live close, see each other frequently and grew up together, Sophia is truly the closest thing I know to be a sister at this point in my life.  Thank you for taking part in this experience.