The Year in Review

Tis the season to become all introspective and nostaligic, however, we can't seem to look anywhere but ahead. But, I'll try to look back at our previous year anyway. Basically, 2006 was split into two halves for us. The first half consisted of us stressing about making this huge move across the globe. Will we be able to save enough money? Are we insane? Will we be able to find jobs? Will we be able to learn the language? Will we be able to stand one another by ourselves in a foreign country of all places? Will we be able to survive without our families and friends? These, plus about a million more questions plagued us daily, whether out loud or in our heads. Well, we made some lifestyle changes (mostly buying cheaper wine!), saved what we thought was enough money and made it happen. The first six months of the year went by in a flash, I really can't remember much of it because practically every moment and thought was focused on what was looming in the distance. By July, we had most of these questions sorted out and we had some how saved enough money to survive a few months without jobs.

So July 15th, two brave or stupid (depending how you look at it) Americans landed in a country that we truly had no clue about. It was hardly love at first sight but it's been a blossoming love affair to say the least. We got ripped off on the second day we were in Rome and from that moment the "romance" of Italy faded away and gave way to the reality of any major city in the world...that is: someone is always trying to rip you off. With our newly jaded attitudes we've been able to navigate Roma with relative ease. Now we just get ripped off at gelato shops but in a legal way, designed for tourists!

We really hit the jackpot when we found (thanks Rebecca) our cottage, not only because it's a great space but because of our great landlords, Dante and Mariella. They've been so helpful in every aspect of our stay, Mariella has picked us up at the train station in the pouring rain (sparing us a 25 minute walk home) and Dante took us to the train station and picked us up as well after our trip to Bologna. Not to mention, they take us to the farmer's market every Saturday. Needless to say, they've made our last three months much easier.

As for the much stressed over job and work visa situation, well, that's all in the past. We somehow managed to land jobs that pay very well and keep us very busy. Our colleagues have been real cool and helpful as well, mostly because they've all gone through or are going through similiar situations. We are really looking forward to getting back to work after our 16 day break!

Of course, the language barrier is still the biggest problem in our lives at the moment. However, we've finally decided to take lessons beginning this month from the same school we teach for and from Mariella every Sunday. We've learned a ton of new vocabulary and some short phrases but we still really can't spit out a proper sentence so that will be our focus for the year.

So, what are our plans for '07? First, we must begin to get a proper grasp on the language, doing this will open up so many more things for us. Second, travel as much as our slim pockets can afford. Third, have some family and friends visit us! Fourth, decide on some career paths for when we come home in a few years (we are planning to, don't worry), so we can make lots of money. So we've eaten our lentil beans (eating lentils brings wealth for the new year) and now we just have to make everything else happen.