I haven’t been paying much attention to this blog lately, have I! It’s because I’m getting ready to leave for Buenos Aires! Hooray! I can’t wait.
This year has started out in a very relaxing way, especially due to the fact that all of my clients in Italy were on vacation for the first week of January. Which gave me some much needed rest.
I spent last week doing a steady string of translation work that was just the right pace – I could have taken on more intense work, but I had a bad cold, and this was just perfect. This week is a little slower, because I had to miss out on a few jobs Monday and Tuesday, due to being up in Vancouver to help with a Tango class, and not having much internet access. But I was doing something I love, which is what matters. All the same, I am grateful for the non-stressful start to the year.
I showed my apartment last night to a potential subletter who, as it turns out, just moved here from Milan, where she lived for 14 months! I hope she takes it. I told her if she did, I’d leave my Italian books out so she could read them and practice.
I love my schedule. It’s a little irregular because it’s freelance, so sometimes I have to power my way through a few days and nights, and other times I can sleep at night and work on it during the day. It just depends. But having the freedom to have this be my only job is really great. I have time for other things, like Tango. I’m performing tonight actually, and it will be fun. 
So that’s what’s going on in my life right now, as you can see I have a lot to be grateful for. I’m sure I’ll be inspired soon to write something else. For now I’m going to focus on packing up things in my room to store in our handy storage space in my apartment building, and on packing for Argentina. I’m going to focus on being excited. And yes, I will blog from there. I always find Italian references down there so you know you’ll hear from me.
January 16th, 2008
It must be Meme day. Jeni has tagged me for a Meme called “By the Book”. To be honest, I’m not much of a book reader, but I’m going to go on with this Meme, and see what I come up with.Â
“By the Book”
1. Total number of books owned: I got rid of most of my belongings, including books, before moving to Italy, so I’ll skip this questions because I’m embarrassed at how few I own. (Can you tell this is an insecure spot for me?)
2. Last book bought: Buenos Aires (Lonely Planet)
3. Last book read: I tried reading a book written in Lunfardo recently, called Los Siete Locos – I’m not giving up, I just have to get back up to Vancouver and borrow it again… Before that, I read The Alchemist. And I’m currently reading a personal anthology by Jorge Luis Borges that I received for Christmas – poems and short stories are a way to keep me involved in a book, so this is perfect. And I really like this one.
4. Five books that mean a lot to me:
Eat, Pray, Love,by Elizabeth Gilbert
Write It Down, Make It Happen, by Henriette Anne Klauser
Living, Studying and Working in Italy, by Travis Neighbor Ward and Monica Larner Owl
Conversazioni in Sicilia by Elio Vittorini, because it was my first Italian book – I know, heavy stuff. But I did it!
I don’t have a fifth, I don’t think…
I’m not going to tag anyone, because I’m a stubborn rebel. Ha!Â
Thanks, Jeni, for thinking of me!
January 9th, 2008
I’m there. I’m finally at the point where I can stop my internal whining.
I’ve been gently suffering inside, lamenting on the fact that I moved all the way to Italy, only to switch gears and head to Argentina and then Seattle, for a love that didn’t work out. I’ve been whining that he ruined it and that I could be living in Italy right now if It weren’t for…
Basta! Enough!
It just dawned on me that my life ROCKS! I am working from HOME! I dance TANGO! I am about to go to BUENOS AIRES! I am about to then spend a month or so in ITALY, and at that point my future is WIDE OPEN and I can do WHATEVER I WANT WITH IT!! So what’s to complain about? Nothing!
Life is good. I have the world at my fingertips. And for that I am thankful.
This picture was taken in San Francisco, which has to be my favorite city in the U.S., hands down. I would love to live there some day.
January 4th, 2008
Your main assignment in 2008 is to become highly skilled at feeling good. Does that sound like something you might want to do? If so, here’s the beginning of a regimen you could follow: (1) Be constantly taking notes about what experiences give you delight and what situations make you feel at home in the world. (2) Always be scheming to provide yourself with those experiences and situations. (3) Take a vow that nothing will obstruct you from seeking out and creating pleasure, peace, love, wonder, and an intimate connection with life.
(Rob Brezny, Free Will Astrology)
January 3rd, 2008
This past year I have…
- more or less inhabited three different countries (imagine that!)
- traveled across the world for love
- learned a third language (still learning)
- had my heart broken
- danced quite a lot of tango (what’s new)
- started a new career
- felt like I’ve been plucked from where I belong (Italy) and placed right back where I don’t (Seattle).
I’ve had a lot to think about. I’m working on feeling grateful for all of this. It’s been a learning experience.
Next year I will have a lot to do!  I have plans to go to Buenos Aires for the month of February. Then it’s March/April in Italy. I’m very seriously thinking about when the best time will be to move back. We’ll see. I will work hard this coming year to keep the translation business going, meaning that these trips won’t be vacation. These trips will be Tina, living and working as a translator, in the places she loves. How about that.
Have a wonderful New Year everybody!
December 28th, 2007
I just noticed this video that someone put on youtube, and I feel more confident than ever about moving forward.
The artist behind the song in the video, by the way, is Vinicio Caposella, who I love love love, thanks to my friend Simone. This particular song is perfect for a Tango lover like myself. You’ll understand why if you listen to the whole song.
Enjoy!
December 27th, 2007
I felt like looking at my former blog layout for a while, and so have switched. I think I missed looking at the Arno. Isn’t it lovely? I’m trying to decide what I might do next. Stay tuned…
December 26th, 2007
I’ve been a bit of a humbug this December. Not that I haven’t been happy, and it doesn’t have much to do with the Christmas Blues that I was going through. It’s just that I don’t feel the need to focus all of my energy on Christmas when it’s not even Christmas yet. As far as I’m concerned Christmas is officially beginning now and will go on for another 12 days, so with that in mind, I finally put some lights on my tree, which is very little, and I’m baking cookies. I went out and bought a panettone to bring to the home of some Argentine friends that are having me and a few others over tonight.
When I left the house today I felt nostalgic for Lucca and my cousins there. I thought about how nice it was on this day to go with Stefano to the special pasta shop to pick out the tortellini for our dinner. How nice it was to walk through that beautiful town, smelling winter in the air, marveling at how much sun there was, stopping to say hello to friends. Christmas in Italy is like nothing else. I enjoy the simplicity (compared to the States) and the focus on the food – winter’s bounty. I think I will spend Christmas in Italy next year, and perhaps every year for the rest of my life. I love it that much. I’ll have to chat with the family here and see if we can’t get a villa or apartment one Christmas and celebrate all together in Tuscany. Wouldn’t that be fun? I would love it.
I cheerfully walked down Broadway, thankful that it’s sunny, and stopped into the smoke shop to buy a friend some elegant cigarettes as part of her Christmas gift. Went into my favorite new shop, Harem, where I found a beautiful scarf and talked for a while with the beautiful, exotic owner, who gave me a candle. Got home and now I’m streaming Christmas music, ready to begin the holiday. Tomorrow I’ll be at my aunt’s house, hugging people I haven’t seen in ages. It’s a good day coming up.
And it’s been a good year. Full of both ups and downs, but certainly full. And full is good. I didn’t get bored.
How perfect that Nat King Cole is singing “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire” (click here to listen) on the radio now. It’s like having my grandpa poke his head in to include himself in my little Christmas Eve. Why does Nat King Cole make me think of him?
Merry Christmas (and/or any other holiday you like) to ALL of you, and I’ll be posting before the New Year so I’ll save those wishes for later. In the meantime, keep warm (or cool if you’re in the southern hemisphere), and raise a glass for me.
December 24th, 2007
I’ve been tagged for a Meme. It hasn’t happened in a long time. I wasn’t going to participate right away because I get the Christmas blues (I really am happy, but Christmas bums me out). It’s not the same since my father died a few years ago, so I don’t really care for Christmas anymore. I also get depressed with how irreverently people treat it. They get obsessed with shopping and buying presents, and while I LOVE presents (who doesn’t?), it gets a little overwhelming to have all this pressure around you. Not to mention my calendar fills up quite a bit during this time of year, and I hate making plans too far in advance so this just wipes me out.
My friend Katie is the one who tagged me, and the theme is your 12 favorite things about Christmas. I’m not sure I can get to 12, but I’ll try. Bear with me.
1. Nonna’s butter cookies.
2. The smell of pine when I walk into a place where there is a Christmas tree.
3. The way the air in Perugia smells like olives and burning wood in the winter.
4. When I was a kid, my dad took me on the morning of Christmas Eve (or was it Christmas Day?) to the zoo and I got to help feed the bears. It was snowing. I thought they were cute.
5. Last year I spent Christmas in Italy and I loved how all the streets were lit up, AND there was hardly any consumerism compared to in the United States. It was a relatively calm Christmas.
6. This year, because I’m working at home now and because I’ve just been in my own little world, I have not had to deal with Christmas consumerism being shoved down my throat (I love to consume, but I hate the pressure of Christmas shopping).
7. Eggnog
8. Those peppermint brownie things at Starbucks (yes, I said Starbucks – hey I’m in Seattle, so it’s okay).
9. People are really nice in the days leading up to Christmas – they seem to go out of their way to wish you a good day. It’s nice.
10. There are some great theatre shows that go on around Christmas. I used to be obsessed with the Pacific Northwest Ballet’s rendition of the Nutcracker. Tonight instead I am going to see the Burlesque Nutcracker. Really, I am!
11. I like Christmas songs. They do something for me on the inside. They are extra loving.
12. Choirs.
Hey I made it to 12! Merry Christmas!
December 18th, 2007
When I’m feeling overwhelmed by the work I have to do (13,500 words, aaaah!) and it all just seems like it will never end, I light a candle, take a breath, look inside, and realize with a smile and a tear that this is all part of the plan to create the life I want for myself. This is getting me back to Italy, where I belong.
I imagine the scene in Under the Tuscan Sun (don’t make fun of me!), at the end where the random faucet in the wall, that has been dry since the beginning, save the occasional drip, is finally open and the water is pouring, gushing out, bathing the floor in clear water, while Frances (Diane Lane) stands there, smiling in amazement, marveling at this miracle. It is a symbol of her personal growth throughout the film.
I feel like that is me. I found the faucet and have been turning the handle the past few years, getting a few drops here and there when I’m on the right track, but this time, I think I’ve done it. I’ve opened the faucet. It’s flowing. I think it will continue to flow.
That’s what this is all about. I’m almost there. Maybe by springtime the faucet will be gushing generously.
December 16th, 2007
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