Buongiorno!

I haven't written anything in a very long time, so I'll beg your pardon up front if I'm a little messy and a little rusty. Before I get too far along in this post, I wanted to share with the group-I went back and read my old posts and decided to remove quite a few of them. While some of the posts were pretty silly, I realized that many of them were irrelevant or just plain ridiculous-sometimes you just have to let certain things go. At any rate, I came back to my blog because I have a feeling that in the coming days, months, and years, I will have plenty to share with everyone!

As you may have noticed by the title, I am studying Italiano. Why? Because we have moved to Italy! I feel like I won the jackpot in a "live anywhere in the world" sweepstakes right now. Yes, I'm surrounded by moving boxes that keep me in a nearly constant state of sadness, exhaustion, and confusion, but the underlying "pinch me because I'm still so excited to be here" remains ever-present (even if momentarily ignored because I can't find my favorite blouse, my good knives, or because I have just given myself yet another vicious cardboard cut).

We have been in country for one week. Jet lag didn't hit me too horribly bad as far as sleeping goes, but it definitely altered my mood (not in a good way) and caused me to spout things off from time to time that were nonsensical and perhaps a bit insane. In a nutshell, I have been struggling to 'human'. On a good note, my general mood is improving and it would appear that the grey matter is finally clearing. So far, my bonus daughter and I have managed to stay pretty busy with classes, orientations, meetings, unpacking, etc. I guess I should mention that she just graduated from high school (so proud) and has decided to live with us here in Italy for a while. I am very excited to have someone to explore and learn with since her dad stays pretty busy with work.

Let me just say, the Italian life is fantasticò! The people, the land, the little house we call home, the food, the coffee, the church bells... I could wax poetic about all of the things I've experienced in my short time here for days and days, but I must remind myself this is a blog, not a novel. Contrary to some of the reports I had prior to coming to live here, the Italian people thus far have been charming, helpful, and oh so kind! The food has been sheer magic for a self-proclaimed foodie like myself. I cannot even begin to describe how a they make a simple plate of pasta so bellissimo or a small cup of gelato taste so molto bene that it is the stuff of dreams.

When I was here back in March searching for a house, I was able to explore and experience quite a bit. I felt so at home in a strange country, in a place I couldn't speak the language, that I was pretty sure it must have been an anomaly or my imagination. Coming back here a week ago to finally stay and live, though, felt like coming home...

I cannot wait to share all of our adventures in the coming years with you! Ciao, ciao, ciao....