Casa Fin Family Stories: Rita's Story - Rita Fin
 Growing up as the
eldest of eight kids taught me many skills, not least of which was how
to divide every piece of food (especially cakes and treats) into 8
exactly even portions! This is a feat my family and friends call upon
me to perform even today – no matter how many there are at the
restaurant table, I can make sure everybo dy gets their fair
share of
the nosh!There are of course many more important things that it taught me, but I’ll focus on just two for the purposes of this story – the first was from Dad. His mantra was “Take your responsibilities” (pronounced risponsabilities) and Mum’s was “Stop making a fuss and just get on with it”. All these years down the track, I reckon I am pretty spot on with having mastered both of these directives, so Mum and Dad, thanks for instilling these important lessons into us all! After school I studied at the Sydney Conservatorium and then went on to study Music overseas before returning to Australia to settle down and pursue my teaching career – I have been lucky enough to work in places where music is highly valued and it has been most rewarding. It was through music that I met my ever patient husband Tommie (world renowned Lutenist) and we now have two great kids, Oskar and Freja, They are both amazing and quirky in their own ways and have each brought much happiness into our lives. They also happen to be clever  enough to be totally
bilingual in English and Swedish. Both are
learning Italian at school and are fascinated with their multicultural
backgrounds and are keen to learn as much as they can about life in
Sweden and Italy, especially from their Farmor and Nonno …… And whether
reluctantly for them to admit it at times or not, the musical genes
have been passed down, with Oskar playing ‘cello and piano and Freja
playing viola, piano and flute.It’s hard to sum up your life’s story into just a few paragraphs, let alone reflect on the impact that your family has had and continues to have on your life, but I can’t finish without mentioning the influence of the Hudi Cup on the Fin family. The Hudi Cup - see link to http://www.ithf.info/stiga/ithf/ranking/serial.aspx?ID=500001 has been running since 1993. It’s the Australian version of the Swedish table ice hockey competition. Every year we get together for a round robin competition and lots of good food and wine, bringing together many members of the family and mutual friends, both old and young. There is even a traditional  presentation at the
end of the
competition where we all break in to lusty verses of our favourite song
about Dad’s best friend! Champions over the
years have included Tommie,
Chriiis, Sandro and Mario. Tommie tells me that I once came 3rd, but I
have only a dim recollection of this. Am usually too stressed in the
kitchen trying to get the food in order for the hoards.I don’t play cello as much as I ought to any more and now spend the time that I used to have for that practising with my own kids, helping them to make sure they are on the right track. It’s funny how the wheel turns…..it is now ME telling them to “take their responsibilities” and to “stop making a fuss and just get on with it”! This story is current @ 19th May 2010 – Dad’s 80th Birthday. Buon Compleanno Pappa, Suocero e Nonno- da Rita, Tommie, Oskar e Freja XXXX |