My maternal DNA comes from a little town off the northern coast of Sicily called Gioiosa Marea. It's a beautiful little resort town with great food and a fantastic view of the mediterranean ocean.

I've known that my father's side of the family has been in the US for quite some time. Last November I found out a bit more in detail, thanks to this wonderful website about the Toppers in America. I was both surprised and proud to learn that my great, great, great, great, great grandfather, Andrew Topper, was a captain in the Revolutionary War.

I've taken up a few side projects lately. One of them seems to be taking off well, literally. I've started flight lessons at the Charlottesville Flight Center. If you're really curious, you can read more about my experience and things related here on my first public blog: Given To Fly.