Ciao a tutti! Happy Labor Day to my friends in the US! Hope everyone has had a good summer.
A few people have asked me recently what happened to my blog. My answer? I got stuck in a bit of a mental sludge over the summer. I suppose it was inevitable that there would be some level of let down after the flurry of activity surrounding the move and getting life sorted here (which is still not 100%, but close). And I just didn't feel I was doing anything blog-worthy or meaningful. I have enjoyed immensely the luxury of spending time by the sea and drinking prosecco and eating good food, but pretty obnoxious and, quite frankly, boring to write about on a regular basis. (NB: I will clarify that one of the high points of my summer was a trip to Rome/Naples with my sister and our mission to rescue the adorable little Bacio, who is now the newest member of the Seibert family and living large in Pennsylvania. Pictured in photo above with his big brothers Charlie and Brody. Thank you Megan and Animals Without Limits!!!)
But I woke up this morning and realized that it's the six-month anniversary of our move. I've lived in Italy for six months! And I've survived! I'm going to allow myself a little celebration. Woo hoo!
This realization has given me a jolt of energy and a renewed desire to figure out what the next six months/years might look like. I have a bunch of ideas floating around my head. Just a matter of choosing a few and taking action. No time like the present.
So....here are a few things I am doing to set me on the right path:
1) I am beginning a series of private Italian language classes. The butchered, basic conversation I am able to have, coupled with smiling, nodding and wild hand gestures have served their purpose thus far in communicating with people who don't speak English. But I would dearly love to have an adult conservation in Italian.
2) I am actively seeking out causes behind which I can throw my energy. I have an idea for a fundraiser next summer to benefit animal welfare in Southern Italy. And I want to organize clean up day at Parco Dune Costiere with the help of our new friends at Albergabici.
3) I am going back to the gym. The intense summer heat and a not-very-well-ventilated building gave me a perfect excuse to bail on workouts. But the arrival of September has meant cooling temperatures. And no more excuses.
4) I am exploring with some new Swedish friends who run a real estate company here in Puglia the idea of taking on a new renovation project. Still in the very, very early stages, but I have my eye on a property.
I hope to have lots of news to share before too long.
Watch this space....
