In about 30 hours, I will begin my descent into the mysterious skies, en route to Rome with a layover in Newark. This moment has been a long time in the making and it still isn't sinking in, as I sit here with stuff thrown everywhere but my suitcases. I'm not sure why it doesn't just pack itself.
As I sit in the President's Club at EWR, I think that is the moment when it will all become real. No, not even the first plane ride but the one over the Atlantic, when all you see out the window on an overnight flight is the darkness below. By the way, I will be wifi-ing it up from that airport for 8 hours so some of you better be online to keep me company LOL
In Italy I'll most likely use my computer in the morning or later at night (Rome time), since I work late afternoons/evenings over there. I will be teaching English to 3 boys, ages 10, 7 and 4. Hopefully, they'll help me with my Italian too! I am doing a homestay so I can fully immerse myself into the Italian culture. My family there eats organically and they also own a ristorante/pizzaria! I will be living near the Vatican, just across the highway from the Vatican gardens. There's so much to see in just that city alone that I know I won't cover it all.
Now, I had been planning this 3-month homestay with a possible Visa extension/residency if I really became attached. That's why I've called it a move. I wasn't sure if I was actually coming back for good or just long enough to tie loose ends, grab my cats (to bring over) and spend time with family and friends once again before going back. You can't really plan such things. Well you can but life always has a funny way of turning out.
I'm finally trying to take life one day at a time, instead of laying everything out and being disappointed if things changed. Tonight, while incredibly happy, I'm also extremely bummed. Life shouldn't be like that- always having to take the extremely best of the best with the worst. I'm not sure if anyone else has made that observation but I've known this for years. Things don't just get handed to you without a huge obstacle.
In the overall picture, the obstacle I encountered tonight is just a small part of what my life will be like for the next few months. We will cross the bridge of everything else when we get to it. This point in time is when I'm reorganizing my life so I'm not just living to live. I will do the things I say I want to do. I will go where I want to go. I'll take the good with the bad and eventually realize, it all turns out in the end.
Make it happen.
~S
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
dancing slowly in an empty room...
I gave notice today to my current nanny family about Italy.
Italy is just 22 days away now. !
Homework needs to be my priority, as Finals week just happens to coincide with flying-to-Rome week. Yes, I have a Linguistics Final the morning before I fly out. How awesome is that? I have a lot of homework to do still but the weekend is now calling for SNOW and cold temps. Hibernation, here I come.
I had planned to have a garage sale at my sister's on Saturday. Pretty sure no one will come in snow and 30-degree weather though, ahaha. Not like I'd want to sit out there myself. I have stuff I need to get rid of but don't have time to put it all on craigslist + most of it is clothes. I've donated so much of my stuff that I thought maybe I could use a little extra money from selling things. Looks like I'll have to list just a select few things on eBay. That's all I have time for.
Oh! I purchased my unlocked cell phone last night too. It's an LG Cookie and super cute. Even though I assume using the internet via phone would be super expensive with a prepaid sim card, I got a phone with internet anyway so I could still use it later if needed. My iPhone should be able to work like an iPod over there via wifi. At least, I'm really hoping it does.
Have to get up early tomorrow to bring my car to the dealership. They messed up my windshield wipers back in January and I've had to reschedule my return appointment at least 500 times since then because of weather. Of course, Mother Nature chose tomorrow to rain so I can't see (w/o the wipers, obvs). Sigh.
Italy is just 22 days away now. !
Homework needs to be my priority, as Finals week just happens to coincide with flying-to-Rome week. Yes, I have a Linguistics Final the morning before I fly out. How awesome is that? I have a lot of homework to do still but the weekend is now calling for SNOW and cold temps. Hibernation, here I come.
I had planned to have a garage sale at my sister's on Saturday. Pretty sure no one will come in snow and 30-degree weather though, ahaha. Not like I'd want to sit out there myself. I have stuff I need to get rid of but don't have time to put it all on craigslist + most of it is clothes. I've donated so much of my stuff that I thought maybe I could use a little extra money from selling things. Looks like I'll have to list just a select few things on eBay. That's all I have time for.
Oh! I purchased my unlocked cell phone last night too. It's an LG Cookie and super cute. Even though I assume using the internet via phone would be super expensive with a prepaid sim card, I got a phone with internet anyway so I could still use it later if needed. My iPhone should be able to work like an iPod over there via wifi. At least, I'm really hoping it does.
Have to get up early tomorrow to bring my car to the dealership. They messed up my windshield wipers back in January and I've had to reschedule my return appointment at least 500 times since then because of weather. Of course, Mother Nature chose tomorrow to rain so I can't see (w/o the wipers, obvs). Sigh.
Monday, April 4, 2011
everything in its right place
As everything comes down to the wire for my departure, I have been super busy! That's probably obvious (and an understatement) but here's a brief recap of Italy-related preparations since my last update.
My flight is booked! Just when I start to become anxious about something- and believe me when I say I am the most patient person I know- that's when it turns out alright. Of course. It is hard to understand the pace at which Italy does things, being at a distance for the moment. I am excited for the more relaxed nature of doing things, as opposed to the American "always in a hurry" mentality, though. My original flight preferences skyrocketed in price by the time I was able to book so I ended up with an 8-hour layover on the way THERE in luxurious Newark, NJ. LOL! I have no idea how I will spend 8 hours in an airport on US soil. Most likely, I'll be doing things online (and checking out Dunkin Donuts- they have one!). The flight is obviously an overnighter and I'll arrive in Rome at 7:45am local time. This will seem like over 24 hours to me, what-with departing here at 6:03am our time. I do realize there's a 7-hour time difference so mathematically, 24 hours is not correct but we are figuring in jetlag here.
The return flight is a bit more "exciting," if that's the correct word I'm searching for. I fly from Rome into Munich for a couple hours, then over to Chicago, my least favorite airport I've ever visited. O'Hare is huge and they always seem to organize flights so that you are running from one end of the airport to the the complete opposite side on minimal time. I missed my flight the last time I was there. I was booked with a 45 minute layover going from concourse B on the right end (if you consult a map) to concourse L on the left end- no kidding. I am relieved to see the international arrivals are all in one terminal and my layover is something like 2 hours. Then I fly back here from Chicago, which is just over an hour flight.
Other than arranging and booking my flight, I have also obtained my International Driver's Permit!! This was super exciting, as I've never had one before. The process is as simple as getting a passport-sized photo taken, showing your current/valid license, signing some dotted lines and paying $15. Our local AAA has a travel store with this service so I was able to pick up a few items for my trip while I was there too. The Permit is actually a little paper book, like a mock-passport. This was a bit disappointing. I think I imagined more of an ID card but then again, $15 isn't going to produce anything fancy. I also waited in the wrong area for my #605 to be called (they were on #40 when I got there...) and when I was finally called up, I was informed I only needed to go to the travel store, where I had started out browsing while waiting for my #. Ha!!
I have also purchased some Euros here to get me started. Now I'm wondering if it's better to wait and exchange at a local bank in Rome for more or to do another exchange here. I'm also getting a Visa Travel Money card from a bank with some money on that for a backup form of currency. Italy is heavily-Euro-centric though and "cash is king." If anyone has knowledge of the Rome bank vs local exchange of Euros idea, let me know. They used travelers' checks and Lira the last time I was in Italy so long ago.
4.5 weeks to go...!
My flight is booked! Just when I start to become anxious about something- and believe me when I say I am the most patient person I know- that's when it turns out alright. Of course. It is hard to understand the pace at which Italy does things, being at a distance for the moment. I am excited for the more relaxed nature of doing things, as opposed to the American "always in a hurry" mentality, though. My original flight preferences skyrocketed in price by the time I was able to book so I ended up with an 8-hour layover on the way THERE in luxurious Newark, NJ. LOL! I have no idea how I will spend 8 hours in an airport on US soil. Most likely, I'll be doing things online (and checking out Dunkin Donuts- they have one!). The flight is obviously an overnighter and I'll arrive in Rome at 7:45am local time. This will seem like over 24 hours to me, what-with departing here at 6:03am our time. I do realize there's a 7-hour time difference so mathematically, 24 hours is not correct but we are figuring in jetlag here.
The return flight is a bit more "exciting," if that's the correct word I'm searching for. I fly from Rome into Munich for a couple hours, then over to Chicago, my least favorite airport I've ever visited. O'Hare is huge and they always seem to organize flights so that you are running from one end of the airport to the the complete opposite side on minimal time. I missed my flight the last time I was there. I was booked with a 45 minute layover going from concourse B on the right end (if you consult a map) to concourse L on the left end- no kidding. I am relieved to see the international arrivals are all in one terminal and my layover is something like 2 hours. Then I fly back here from Chicago, which is just over an hour flight.
Other than arranging and booking my flight, I have also obtained my International Driver's Permit!! This was super exciting, as I've never had one before. The process is as simple as getting a passport-sized photo taken, showing your current/valid license, signing some dotted lines and paying $15. Our local AAA has a travel store with this service so I was able to pick up a few items for my trip while I was there too. The Permit is actually a little paper book, like a mock-passport. This was a bit disappointing. I think I imagined more of an ID card but then again, $15 isn't going to produce anything fancy. I also waited in the wrong area for my #605 to be called (they were on #40 when I got there...) and when I was finally called up, I was informed I only needed to go to the travel store, where I had started out browsing while waiting for my #. Ha!!
I have also purchased some Euros here to get me started. Now I'm wondering if it's better to wait and exchange at a local bank in Rome for more or to do another exchange here. I'm also getting a Visa Travel Money card from a bank with some money on that for a backup form of currency. Italy is heavily-Euro-centric though and "cash is king." If anyone has knowledge of the Rome bank vs local exchange of Euros idea, let me know. They used travelers' checks and Lira the last time I was in Italy so long ago.
4.5 weeks to go...!
Friday, March 18, 2011
don't need nothin' but a good time...
What a week. Daylight Savings time seemed to have gotten the best of everyone. We're all tired; our schedules are off and general weirdness has ensued.
I did hear back from my family in Italy again and they sent me pictures of themselves! That was the highlight of my week. They seem to really love outdoor activities, which will be perfect in summer in Rome. They are 15 minutes from the city's center and 20 minutes from the Mediterranean.
My flight is still not booked though. I don't have a departure date yet and it is causing me a lot of anxiety. Airfare is going up because of all the ordeals in the middle east and everything that has happened in Japan. I don't mean to sound selfish by mentioning that but prices had already gone up $500 since I first started searching 6 months ago so to have it go up another $200 in a day is huge. I won't be able to afford a flight if it stays that high.
I did hear back from my family in Italy again and they sent me pictures of themselves! That was the highlight of my week. They seem to really love outdoor activities, which will be perfect in summer in Rome. They are 15 minutes from the city's center and 20 minutes from the Mediterranean.
My flight is still not booked though. I don't have a departure date yet and it is causing me a lot of anxiety. Airfare is going up because of all the ordeals in the middle east and everything that has happened in Japan. I don't mean to sound selfish by mentioning that but prices had already gone up $500 since I first started searching 6 months ago so to have it go up another $200 in a day is huge. I won't be able to afford a flight if it stays that high.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
cutest blog in the land
This site specializes in reviews and giveaways... I also think the layout is ADORABLE
I entered to win a SodaStream;) I love those things. The family I nanny for in the US has one and the kids love using it for a special treat. The syrups do come in diet and low calorie versions so a typical drink can be 35 calories! I don't drink regular soda often at all so this invention is awesome. The giveaway includes not only a sample pack of these syrups but 3 full size bottles as well. LOVE.
Soda Stream.
I entered to win a SodaStream;) I love those things. The family I nanny for in the US has one and the kids love using it for a special treat. The syrups do come in diet and low calorie versions so a typical drink can be 35 calories! I don't drink regular soda often at all so this invention is awesome. The giveaway includes not only a sample pack of these syrups but 3 full size bottles as well. LOVE.
Soda Stream.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
i get by with a little help from my friends...
On Tuesday, I had a good feeling about something. I wasn't sure what but I knew the thought of a good Tuesday was rare. After I got ready for the day, I checked my email and low and behold, there was an email saying there might be a match for me with a host family in Rome! Now if you've been following what little I've posted of this upcoming journey so far, you might be thinking, "aren't you leaving REALLY soon?" The answer is: yes. 7 weeks from today, I believe. WHOA.
The timeline for finding a host family is actually on track. Those things do not happen several months in advance (plus wouldn't that leave a ton of room for either party to change their mind?). Approximately 8 weeks before departure is when I was told they started matching families. It makes sense to me but those around me seem to be panicking *for* me. LOL Since this is not a definite match yet and I have not directly spoken with this family, I don't want to lay out the details yet of what I know of them. I'll wait until all of that is concrete- whether it's with them or another family. Otherwise, we'll all be bombarded with details that may not even be needed.
I had Italian class on Monday night and realized how much I really enjoy going there. I'm not around a ton of people in my line of work (just kids) so it is nice to be around adults for 1.5 hours a week. Ha! I feel like I'm learning so much in there and am excited to learn more on my own but the truth is, my Italian is lacking. I am trying though and will continue to try in Italy. I just picked up 4 new audiobook sets from the library to add to my computer and iPod. My first priority is still finishing my schoolwork before I go, obviously. That I am not yet caught up in. Grad school is hard. I don't have actual deadlines but I'm not caught up as far as I feel I should be.
Enjoying my cup of lavender tea before bed. Yeah, it's not even 9:30pm and I'm dead-tired. That's how it is all winter. There's no sun so you feel like a sloth all day and can take a nap at any moment. Imagine that for 8 months of the year. I keep changing it but this year, it will be 8 months of pretty much winter. GROSS!
The Roman sun is calling my name.
The timeline for finding a host family is actually on track. Those things do not happen several months in advance (plus wouldn't that leave a ton of room for either party to change their mind?). Approximately 8 weeks before departure is when I was told they started matching families. It makes sense to me but those around me seem to be panicking *for* me. LOL Since this is not a definite match yet and I have not directly spoken with this family, I don't want to lay out the details yet of what I know of them. I'll wait until all of that is concrete- whether it's with them or another family. Otherwise, we'll all be bombarded with details that may not even be needed.
I had Italian class on Monday night and realized how much I really enjoy going there. I'm not around a ton of people in my line of work (just kids) so it is nice to be around adults for 1.5 hours a week. Ha! I feel like I'm learning so much in there and am excited to learn more on my own but the truth is, my Italian is lacking. I am trying though and will continue to try in Italy. I just picked up 4 new audiobook sets from the library to add to my computer and iPod. My first priority is still finishing my schoolwork before I go, obviously. That I am not yet caught up in. Grad school is hard. I don't have actual deadlines but I'm not caught up as far as I feel I should be.
Enjoying my cup of lavender tea before bed. Yeah, it's not even 9:30pm and I'm dead-tired. That's how it is all winter. There's no sun so you feel like a sloth all day and can take a nap at any moment. Imagine that for 8 months of the year. I keep changing it but this year, it will be 8 months of pretty much winter. GROSS!
The Roman sun is calling my name.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
there ain't no doubt I love this land...
Excuse the cheesy blog entry title but MY PASSPORT HAS ARRIVED!!! I received an email last Wednesday morning, saying it would be delivered the following Monday. Imagine my surprise when 2 hours later, the mail truck showed up in my driveway (never happens) and I watched the mail lady pull out a USPS flat rate envelope in slow motion... I knew it was my passport and super EARLY too! It only took about 2 weeks to renew it.
I was so happy, "Proud To Be An American" popped into my head when I opened it. ahaha I'm serious. I liked how the actual picture was attached to the old ones, instead of being scanned onto the new ones but the new passports are beautiful.
So now, I sit back for a bit and wait to hear about my new Italian family and which area of Rome I will be living in.
There are only 8 weeks left.
YIKES! While this is all so exciting and I can't wait, I still have a lot to do! Everything I own has to be donated, sold or boxed. Plus, I'm taking my Grad courses at the same time, so there are those.
Lets do this!
I was so happy, "Proud To Be An American" popped into my head when I opened it. ahaha I'm serious. I liked how the actual picture was attached to the old ones, instead of being scanned onto the new ones but the new passports are beautiful.
So now, I sit back for a bit and wait to hear about my new Italian family and which area of Rome I will be living in.
There are only 8 weeks left.
YIKES! While this is all so exciting and I can't wait, I still have a lot to do! Everything I own has to be donated, sold or boxed. Plus, I'm taking my Grad courses at the same time, so there are those.
Lets do this!
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