Semel in anno…Happy Halloween I-House!

Semel in anno licet insanire, said the ancient Romans. Once in a year you can turn crazy.

Hopefully we all have fun more than once per year, but Halloween in the US is certainly a great occasion to practice our imagination and get out of the comfort zone dressing up in crazy ways.

I-House Front Desk this year is more festive than ever, decorated with spiderwebs and mini vampires (BOO!).  There are lots of activities planned and not only the students but even I-House staff is ready to go crazy for our monthly coffee hour that has been turned into a Halloweeny staff gathering with spooky music, decorations and even prizes for the best costumes.

Annual Fund Coordinator Laura Berman “attacked” by a spooky hand

There is no Halloween in Italy but I embraced this spooky celebration from the very first year I came to the US. It’s just too fun. Initially I could not believe people would come to work in costumes or scary makeup, but it actually happens every year. The post office, banks, childcare, grocery shops, just name a place. Where you don’t expect it, you’ll see an employee dressed as a vampire, a witch, a clown, a skeleton. Last week someone from campus came to I-House to train the staff in a new system we’ll be using from November 1st. Well, he was dressed as Count Dracula, I could not believe my eyes:))

It may be unheard in Italy, where I used to live, but if you think about it, the ability to make fun of ourselves sometimes defines us as better people and can create a lighter and more festive working environment.

Front Desk manager Liliana Cardile “ambushed” at the FD by RA Greg Moore

So in true American spirit (and in the cosmopolitan atmosphere of I-House) let’s see what we can do. From my privileged observatory on your daily lives, dearest residents, I can’t wait to see what you can come up with.

Happy Halloween everyone and…take lots of pictures!

ATTENTION RESIDENTS: The I-House staff will be hosting a Resident Trick-Or-Treat Friday afternoon from 1:30-3pm.  Residents in costume can stop by the following offices for a special Halloween treat:  The Front Desk, Admissions, Center for Intercultural Leadership, Events, Catering & Dining Services and the Executive Office.  All participating offices will be marked with a special orange I-HOUSE TRICK-OR-TREAT flyer.  If you need directions to any of these offices, please check at the Front Desk.  Happy Halloween!

And if you want to know more about trick-or-treating tradition:  http://www.history.com/topics/halloween/history-of-trick-or-treating