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Humble Abode

Start with an Apartment in Bozeman, Montana

Upon my graduation from college, I moved out to West to take a job teaching at a small private school. It was fun and frustrating by turns, as is the case with any new job. The best part was always the location - and, of course, my friends - Bozeman is pretty amazing.

Partway through my 4th year, I started getting "itchy feet" and knew that it was time to move on. I loved my comfortable place and my comfortable job, but was ready for another adventure. So, in January of 2009, I said a prayer and went to London for a job fair where I was offered a job teaching at a school in Italy. For the tale, which is neither wild nor sordid, click here.

I said yes.

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"A uHaul...for your shoes." June, 2009

Then, pack.

Jump to the summer of 2009. I sorted through my classroom, my apartment, my life. I donated and gave away everything I could. I sold my car. Amazingly, I once thought that I could fit what I was keeping into the bed of the pickup. Not true. I ended up renting the tiny uHaul trailer there...mostly for my shoes.

Well, that's what I said at least. In reality, English teachers tend to have a lot of books.

And shoes.

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Wisconsin, June 2009

Take a Road Trip

After too many goodbyes, we drove through the night to reach my extended family in Wisconsin. There, on the farm my aunt and uncle bought from my grandparents, we celebrated Grandpa's 85th birthday.

As is always the case with that group, we told and re-told family stories. But, made a few new ones as well. My dad and his siblings all grew up on this farm...and my brother and I spent a good portion of our childhoods there as well. Joel is in Alaska, but we called him and passed the phone around.

A few deep conversations and an intense game of Scrabble later, we were on the road again.

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Find a Stopping Place

Mine is Michigan and all the lakes and beaches I can take for the next two months. I have books to read in preparation for the year ahead and a few more trips to make before I take the biggest step...

I'm still in search of the perfect coffee shop where I can study Italian. I've tried a few places and haven't found the right one yet. I even tried the beach but got nothing done!

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Travel!

With a new home base, I've taken off for new adventures in the past few weeks. First was an unforgettable trip to NYC to bask in Italian music I never thought I'd get to hear live. Next, a wonderful weekend with a good friend in beautiful Kentucky. And, a small trip or two in Michigan will keep me busy as I shop for post-it notes and start to ship boxes abroad.

After two rather painful months of learning about the visa process ... I received mine in the mail! Hooray! It was only after the fact that I was told how difficult this visa is to get. Some of the stories I've heard make my two months seem like nothing...

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Fall in Love

Well, I'm here. And I'm absolutely enamoured with the city, my apartment and the people I've encountered. This is truly shaping up to be the adventure I'd hoped it would be!

I'd had a sneaking suspicion that Trieste would simply be a home base...a decent place to take off for more exciting, more interesting destinations. But, I was completely wrong. I've seen a small portion of this city and am already completely fascinated. I was ready for it to feel a little un-Italian, but I feel completely at home. I was ready for it to be noisy and crowded and hot, which it has been...but none of that really mattered.

Updated October 1, 2009

There's more to come! If you're really that interested, you can check out my blog.