Back to blogging

Okay, I'm back to blogging. I'm going to be spending 4 weeks in November in an apartment in Rome. After researching online and "seeing" many, many apartments, I've chosen a lovely place in the Trastevere section of Rome. It's near the Tiber river not far from the Vatican and St. Peter's Basilica. I've been corresponding with the owner and she seems to be very nice and is willing to arrange some times to meet her italian friends. Yes, I am taking italian language courses online via a site called, "Livemocha". It's a free, interactive site. I do the lessons and submit them to my new native italian "friends". They critique my work, correct my mistakes (by written and spoken word), and I learn. Actually, I hope I learn. It seems to be going well and I'm looking forward to practicing while in Rome. When I was in Italy last year, I found the language barrier to be more frustrating than I thought it would be. I hope to be able to comfortably carry on basic conversations by the time I arrive there. Here's hoping that four months is enough to get a running start at a new language.

I've gotten a Rick Steves' travel book for Rome and am reading up on history to be able to fully appreciate all that I will be surrounded by on a day to day basis. There is so much to see that I want to use my time there wisely. Last year, thanks to my brother Michael, I became quite comfortable using the bus system in the city and this year I hope to become just as comfortable using the train as well. For 30 euro (about $37) I can get a pass good for all public transportation in the city of Rome for the entire month of November. I will have the freedom to use the trains, trams, and busses as often as I want.

So, check in regularly to see how the preparations are coming along. I will check back here whenever I discover something interesting. I have already gotten the time off work, purchased my plane ticket and secured the apartment. While in Rome, I hope to blog a couple of times per week. The apartment I've chosen has a laptop computer there, so I won't have to lug mine on the plane. That's a big plus in my opinion. The next 4 months will be mostly learning italian and studying Roman history and art. Wish me fortuna! (good fortune)

Thoughts for a New Year

Not a very creative heading today, but I guess a new year causes many of us to ponder what we've accomplished, what we've lost, what we look forward to, etc. In what was an unusual decision for me, I actually made a couple of New Year's resolutions this year. I don't know if "resolutions" is the most accurate word, but I have purposed to choose to stop calling myself "stupid". I do that quite often - sometimes as a joke and sometimes in earnest. I wouldn't allow my children to call anyone that, so why do I accept it in myself? I also wouldn't call anyone that, but for some reason don't consider it wrong to do it to myself. I have a self-deprecating sense of humor, which I actually don't mind, but I do have to stop berating myself. Do you think there is a subtle difference between the two? I do -- at least I hope there is.

My most difficult plan this year is to say "yes" when people ask me to do something. That is oh, so difficult for me. I habitually just say "no" when people ask me to join them for dinner, or some type of an event. I spend time with 4 ladies at work and with my family. No one else. I have one long-time friend that I see occasionally - other than that, I mostly stay alone. I'm not sure when it happened, but I've become increasingly uncomfortable with people. It's never been my favorite thing, but I didn't used to work so diligently to evade people as I do now. So................ since I decided a couple of months ago to live boldly and with purpose, I must do it in public, not in the safety of my own private home. Ahhhh!!! I find that God has a sense of humor because, though it is only the second week in January, I have attended 2 events. TWO! One on Sunday (a graduation gathering for a friend's daughter) and on Monday I had dinner with a lady that I haven't spent time with in years. Funny that they both contacted me last week, just after my deciding to become "Yes, lady". I must say that I enjoyed both evenings. It wasn't at all painful -- well, maybe just a little, but not nearly as stressful as I had thought it might be. I am not expecting to spring forth with joy while singing into a new life full of people bustling around daily, but I hope to gradually become more comfortable and perhaps even look forward to being with others in a social situation. What do you think? Is it possible? I'll let you know.

Great Christmas

Well dear friends, I'm home once again. I had a marvelous time with my brothers in Sparta, North Carolina celebrating Christmas. My first white Christmas since early childhood, to the best of my memory ----- those of you that know me personally understand that just because I don't remember something, doesn't mean it hasn't happened! Sam and I arrived in the late afternoon on Wednesday after a pleasant 11 hour drive. We had expected there to be snow on the ground, but didn't expect there to still be 12-14" remaining after the previous weekend's flurries. Because the driveways were snowed in, we had the pleasure of lugging our belongings up the rather long drive to Mike's house. (Notice the word "up" -- why is it always up?) It was hilarious smashing into the snow almost up to my knees. After 2 trips, we were able to get the house heated and settle in. Mike arrived early the next morning and commented, "I saw your footprints in the snow, but what was the square imprint on each side every 10 or 15 feet?" We realized that it was where I had needed to set down my bags every so often to catch my breath. Too funny! Hey, I'm short, not young, and was carrying a heavy backpack, two grocery bags (reusable, of course), and my purse. At least I made it up there successfully. Early Thursday morning, Sam decided to clear the snow off of the porch. We couldn't find a show shovel, but this one did the job quite successfully.

The three siblings at Christmas Eve dinner. I would tell you what we ate, but I truly can't remember. Mike made salmon one meal, so we'll pretend it was that night. It was good, whichever night we ate it.

Mike's house is very nice and we were able to relax. It rained steadily all day on Christmas, but we took the chance when it was barely drizzling to drive the 1 mile or so to the Blue Ridge Parkway -- which was closed for the winter. We parked as close as we could get, hiked the remainder of the way and just walked along the snowy roadway enjoying the cold air and the views. We didn't really enjoy the light drizzle, but it didn't dampen our spirits. (Did you get the pun?)

I was very excited to give Michael his gift -- a bound photo book of our time together in Italy. He really liked it and we had a good time reliving our trip of 4 weeks ago and sharing the photos and stories with Sam. Gifts were thoughtful and appreciated by all. My Christmas was special this year, and I hope yours was, too.

Tomorrow my family will gather here to celebrate Christmas together. I expect the 5 children that live locally, my new daughter-in-love, and Ken to be here for dinner and sharing gifts. I have unknowingly foound a way to stretch Christmas out -- I'm more clever than even I realized. Another day to look forward to........ yea!!

Please take the time to cherish those you love. Life is about people, not things. It's about love, not acquisitions; about giving of your experiences, your time, your talents.......... your heart.

Ready to go

My brother Sam is picking me up early tomorrow morning to drive to Sparta, North Carolina for the Christmas holiday. They've gotten lots of snow this week, so we're hoping we can get into the driveway. Mike says it's possible that we'll have to park at the driveway entrance and walk up to the cabin. That's just fine with me.

I really don't know what to expect up there, but I plan on relaxing and spending time with my brothers.

A Wishing Day

I have declared today my day to wish. I wish I was a better mother. I wish I was able to convey to my children how much I love them and how special they are. I wish I could get through life without ever hurting those I love. I wish the past hurts would go away and I could build on today without the baggage of yesterday.

I once heard someone say that we fall in love and marry so we have someone to witness our lives. They said that having a witness somehow validates who we are.

Christmas Plans

It's back in the United States once again. I'm all settled back in to home and work. Though I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Italy, it's always good to get home.

I don't know why it surprised me, but I'm struggling with the upcoming holidays -- my first without my mother. I completed the vast majority of holiday shopping before leaving on vacation, so that's taken care of for the most part. Plans this season include my brother Sam and I driving to North Carolina to spend a few days with our brother Mike at the cabin he owns there. Mike lives in Miami but has owned this cabin for a few years and goes regularly to restore it and enjoy the quiet. My mother had been able to visit it a couple of times, but it will be my first time there. Mike took a quick trip up there last weekend to winterize the house and sent me a couple of pictures of the first snow. (That's what the photo up top is) It's comforting to have something different to look forward to. My children and I will probably postpone our Christmas until Sunday.

Italy Day 14 - Final Day

My final day here in Italy. I didn't stay at the apartment and chill because I realized that I "needed" to buy more gifts........... after all I had money left! So, I drove towards Rome and found this place with lots of shops. Of course, I got there around noonish and they soon closed for siesta, so I drove back to my old favorite parking spot near the Piazza Mancini, hopped a bus and rode into Rome once again.

Via Nazionale became my favorite place to shop for two reasons -- 1) it has lots of neat shops and 2) I know my way there and back with no problem. Both of those are important, don't you think? I hadn't planned on going into Rome so I didn't have my map with me and it's quite easy to get turned around there, so staying on known turf was important.

I'm back at the apartment and have almost finished packing.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my trip to Italy. It's not possible to choose a favorite part of the trip. Our dinner "crashing" in Cortona has to be right up there. Or the first time I stood in Rome where you can see both the Colesium and the Roman Forum at the same time. Or my first glimpse of Civita di Bagnoregio perched upon that cliff. Experiencing the ballet with a live orchestra in that beautiful hall was another great adventure. I also enjoyed sitting at the apartment each night and going through the pictures to update the blog. It's given me a fresh perspective each day.

I'm glad I decided to rent a car because it gave me the opportunithy to go places I would not have felt free to go otherwise. I'm thrilled that I "conquered" Rome and am comfortable driving there and walking through the city. Perhaps during my next trip I'll conquer the train system and head off to Florence or Venice or..........who knows.

There is much of Italy that I've not explored --- another time, another trip.