Today is my final day of work. I have been here for a year, worked in my field, and finished well. As a reward to myself today, I will have a nice lunch near the icon of Pisa, the first thing I thought about when moving here, the Leaning Tower. Go Me!
This week I have watched videos through my year, and I am shocked that I can still feel the same emotion I did the moments in time. My life has completely changed being here. The way I felt when I moved here, or last summer, or when my parents came is different than how I feel now. I haven't decided if it's better, and I don't know that it is important. It is just different.
Although it is the final day of my year contract, I may be back in the fall. The decision is still in the air, and is not only my decision. It also belongs to a very important person I have met on this journey. In fact, I have met quite a few very important people.
When you are far away from family, it becomes extremely important to have special people in your life. We call them friends, but really, we know they are our family. I have learned many things in this year like, portions of a romantic language (small portions,) recipes, history, differences, similarities, but most importantly, friendship.
Here are some of my favorite moments with some of my favorite people.
Several rules come with having an Italian wedding, I have discovered seven:
1. You must give a good sizable, rather expensive gift.
2. The wedding must be catholic.
3. Because the wedding is catholic, it must last 3 hours.
4. There will be a lot of food.
5. There will be a great amount of alcohol.
6. There will be no dancing.
7. And finally, you must smile, because really, you are just happy.
I had the great experience of seeing an Italian wedding. Hints for foreigners, not the same as in the movies. But still quite romantic. The reception has the couple making the first toast, and we followed them to different lawns, into different rooms, for different portions of the mail. You doesn't want candle light on a starry night to say the I do's. (Well, in Italy it's actually "si")
I just so happened to go to this wedding with my own romantic gentleman. The kind that offers you the chair when there is only one, and runs to tell the waiter you are vegan, and cannot eat this food. Yep, I got myself a good. A good one, I told I'd rather stick to the American tradition when it comes to weddings.
My friend Selene invited me and our friend Elenor for a weekend on her island. Elba. I quickly accepted being someone who loves a good trip, and a crystal sea. Glad I did.
The trip begin with us discussing what song would represent the trip. We road tripped it to the sound of many great hits, including some Michael Jackson, JLo, and a bit of Jason Mraz. We even created games for ourselves, go through a tunnel and when the music comes back on, try to sing the same words. Selene is the winner.
Road trip!
The views every place on the island was something to be in awe about. It is one of those places where if you go with the right people, you can feel such contentment, there is no need for anywhere else in the world. Especially when that place has an around the world market, and you go three times in two days. Thai food, German beer, Spanish sangria, Mexican food, French biscuts, Italian olives, Irish beer, Finnish sweaters, English scraves, Native American pan flute, Argentinean steak, and American donuts. We girls can do it right!
Trying on British hats at the market.
Beach shadows...the best views
Add to this island, a road that wraps all the way around, and a grandma's house with a sea view to die for. A place you want to wake up every morning for coffee, smell the thousands of roses, and watch sailboats sail by. Give the island their own sweet perfume. Throw in a Costa di Sole (Sun Coast.) You have yourself the best place in Italy.
Great Beach!
I love boats, and said this about 50times a day.
Gift to myself...island perfume
I just passed the one year anniversary of moving to Europe. It's hard to believe I have been living this dream for a year. Time flies. Next week, actually becomes the last week of my contract at the English school. WOW! So thankful I could be here, meet wonderful people, and see fantastic places.
Although the decision of whether to stay another year or return to America is still in the air, I must say, after a weekend of complete contentment, I know, no matter the decision, I will be ok. Don't Worry, Be Happy.
Past weekend I got to check some more things off my list. The Italian Riveria.
The Italian Riveria is for the ones with money. Think Portofino and you automatically think of millionaire supermodels. Think of the Yacht Club and you can think of no better place.
So my friend Elenor invited me to go with her to her future-in-laws' flat for the weekend. I said yes immediately and am glad I did. No only could I spend the entire weekend with one of my best friends, I could also pretend to live in style for two whole days.
When we arrived in Portofino we were takin back by the huge white yacht bigger than my house. My house if it were my dream mansion I mean. The name of the boat...ship was Leonardo III. We decided rather quickly it belonged to Leonardo Di Caprio and he would take us away by the end of the day. (Ehhh...didn't exactly happen that way.)
We travelled to about 5 other villages on the Riveria, and spent time exploring the AROUND THE WORLD market in Chiavari. Nice.
We also made our way to Genova, to check out the aquarium. Warning to travelers....not worth it.
My passion for teaching has never been more evident. I have a group of great students. About 450 of them actually. I have decided, when I do return to the US, to study a foreign language, in hopes to teach. Most likely Spanish, but possibly also Italian.
My students have become a big part of my life here. I am friends with some, fell in love with one, and enjoy the laughs I have at one of my favorite jobs. Intending to travel when moving to a foreign country has become my regular life, in which, I enjoy staying at home, or with my newly acquired Italian family. I like coming to work. I like the culture I have learned about, the recipes I have received, and always correcting chicken vs kitchen or cook vs...
I am entering the last month of my contract in Italy with plans to travel for the summer. Will I stay...? That question is not only one you are asking...me too.
Enjoy this of my students. Should I stay...should I return...?
