I'm back!

I'm finally back in Rome and settled in more or less. It was funny, walking back to the apartment after more than 24 hours of traveling, it felt like we had gone home for a weekend trip only hours away, not at all like we had spent months on the other side of the ocean. Rome is as beautiful as ever and especially when it's sunny it feels like what anyone in Michigan would call a spring day, although everyone is still wearing huge overcoats, boots, and hats. Michiganders would be out in shorts and sandals in this kind of weather. It makes me chuckle everyday.

Although I love being here and being abroad in general, I have to say that living here presents its own challenges. I was just reading an article on how social networks such as Facebook (and I imagine things like blogs) distort the perception we have of people's lives and create a sense of disillusionment. I was just talking about this very thing with friends and family when I was home because many people have this notion that since I am in Italy, my life over here is like a really long vacation. The reality is that the stresses of daily life catch up with you no matter where you are in the world and you have to with the same struggles even if the backdrop is different. You know, a "wherever you go, there you are" kind of thing. The truth is that when we look at someone's Facebook pictures or posts, we are looking into the very best of their lives. The happiest of times. People generally aren't going to show pictures of themselves hyperventilating in the bathroom at work, or writing posts about how hard it was to get out of bed this morning, because that isn't what it's for. It's like watching sound-less home movies from the 1950s or 1960s, everything seems so easy so much simpler but you don't realize that Uncle Joe is drunk again and complaining that the Beatles need to get a haircut and Aunt Mary's on her third pack of cigarettes and its only noon.

Don't get me wrong, when I first moved here I thought everyone was going to think I was crazy and instead I've received such an incredible amount of support from everyone and I can't even express how much I appreciate that people care what I'm doing here. I just mean to say that it's not always sunshine and roses. So, an update:

The good: I had such a wonderful time being home and being constantly around family and friends (and also my cat).  I didn't get pictures with everyone but I got to see my wonderful aunts and uncles and cousins from both sides of the family at anniversaries, housewarmings, and christmas functions. It was great to see those I'd gone so long without seeing. Also, one of the best things about coming back to Rome is that this time around is that I already have some good friends here. When I came last time, it was just me and Erich bumming around day after day. Another great thing as been that we got the same apartment back. These things have made life so much easier.

The fam at Mario's

The best of the best

Spittin' image

The bad: My job. I went into work just a few days after being back and although was told there would be ample work for me when I returned, this turned out not to be the case. So this hiccup has sent me into a tizzy for the past few weeks looking for other jobs and generally questioning all of my life decisions thus far. Now things have started to turn around and I am finding more teaching positions. But it is tough. I'm also still trying to get into one of the NGOs here so that I can use my degree, but I'm finding that to be the most difficult thing. Something else that is difficult is that I miss everyone so much more now that I've been home.

So, I've slowly just been trying to build things back up here. Meanwhile Erich, knowing that his work would be slow right now, has left to travel in Turkey. Originally he wanted to go to Egypt and Tunisia, but in lieu of recent events, that is no longer a feasible option. So, he'll be traveling for the next month or so, but I remain here in Rome enjoying a bit more independence and have the opportunity to do the things that Erich normally does, of which cooking is the first. I told him one of three things was going to happen while he was gone: 1.) I would become an amazing cook, 2.) I would lose 10 lbs., or 3.) I would go broke eating out all of the time. So far, I'm somewhere between numbers 2 and 3. Last night, for example, I had a bowl of yogurt and 4 pieces of brocolli for dinner. Yikes. Luckily, a good friend of mine has taken it upon herself to help me cook and to keep me fed. Coming up: stuffed peppers!

Tilly :)