​Weathering the Storm with the WP#182

Progress is an interesting word. It means that things have moved forward and while this is true, on the condo, on the paperwork, on the delivery of items for the condo etc., it is sometimes like watching grass grow and as they a watched pot, never boils. I only went upstairs a couple of times this week and yes, the tiles are down on the floor in the kitchen and on the walls there. They are down in part the bathroom floor, covered by paper to protect them, and the walls are being prepared for painting, I think, but I see no paint in sight. Yes, some of the walls are patched and ready to be painted, but as I will share a few pictures of the progress, it matches the pace of this country, slow. ​

We had also ordered a washer – dryer combination at the end of July, and because of the fact that our bathroom is small and this would be the only place to put it, we need it delivered and placed before the other fixtures can be attached to assure there is enough room between the shower, still be completed and the sink, and as it is the largest item to be put there, its placement is paramount and everything around it done afterwards. So, I mention this as we bought it on the 31st of July and Rosa found out that it was only two days ago, that the order was placed, or perhaps sometime soon, we will get confirmation that it will be delivered, but someone must be here, and that someone is me. Fortunately, I have no scheduled meetings or conferences until the last week of September, so I wait and watch the grass grow outside. The excitement yesterday was another storm that came through, but in the end, the week was somewhat the same as last week. ​

I did have my second interview for a teaching English job on Monday and it went well. It turns out that the lady who interviewed me is from Canada, and we had not just the usual suspect questions, but it was mostly a conversation. I was also asked to prepare a lesson plan that was conversation oriented and one where it was a subject that, if one had a group of students, there would be some common ground. There was vocabulary and some writing, but the focus of this school is on conversation and not dwelling on grammar, as most of the students are at a B1 or B2 level and so they are able to engage in a real conversation, with some potential errors, but also able to truly understand the concept. I wrapped my lesson around travel planning and itineraries, what a shock, huh!!! In the end, she has been here in Italy for 15 years and the conversation, as the one I had with the American, here 25 years from New York at the hostel, was essentially the same. ​

The bureaucracy here is beyond slow. The lady mentioned that even though her kids were born here in Italy, they still question, or can’t find documents, and I should remain confident of getting my residency in the next few months. She told me everything was paper and not on the computer. I think the most interesting part of the interview was when she explained the process as I had asked about training in preparation for the job, and she said they do not use that word anymore. Apparently, they call in onboarding, training is a word that is politically incorrect. You are not supposed to train people. Why not? I guess it has been ancient history since I had done an interview, which is true, not counting my “interview” at the Christmas Tree Shoppes several Novembers ago. Remember the Christmas Tree Shoppes. They don’t exist anymore. In any case, that was not an interview, as I had essentially said at that time, you are looking for a warm body over the holidays and it is seasonal. You know what happened. I was hired and stayed on for over 2 years, full time before I parted ways. ​

As far as this interview was concerned at Wall Street English having not done an interview since I started at Adventures plus nearly 20 years ago, I think I did well. We were two adults discussing experiences and the experience of life in Italy. She shared the methodology of the school, asked what questions I had, reviewed what the lady the other day had discussed, and this lasted about an hour, give, or take. I like their system and would be happy to work there part time, 15 to 20 hours, if hired, and it would a nice balance, as they are very flexible and even cover a lot during what is my slow season here, so we will see and if I am hired, wonderful, I will share next week, if not, I will share next week. The pay is reasonable and would be a nice addition, but then the Italian government would get their cut, and then I would be fully integrated into the system, but I am getting ahead of myself when all is said and done. It was a good experience, and it did get me out of the house and out of my routine. I even grabbed a good porchetta sandwich afterwards, very tasty, but very fattening and a stop at bookstore near Repubblica before heading home. Sometimes you just have to go for it. ​

As this month progresses, I am also very excited to be welcoming clients here to Rome. More chance to get out of the house, and not just do paperwork or e-paperwork as it were. Yes, I know I need to make time to get out, but sometimes I just get bogged down and as the bulk of my clients for this year are traveling in September and October, I need to make sure they are taken care of. Just yesterday, I sent out two sets of e-documents full of wonderful ideas and of course, the necessary vouchers, all electronic, and the day before another set of e-documents, complete with important and exciting information. Gone are the days when I sent out my beautiful portfolio folder with a pile of papers. Besides, imagine how costly it would be to send paper portfolios to my clients across America from Italy. I am trying to do my part for the earth and my bottom line. My clients, overall, love the e-portfolio and as I think of new things to enhance it, I can add those elements very easily. In the end, the craziness will shift from being a captive audience for the workers, and the delivery people to meeting and greeting as many of my clients here in the Eternal City as possible as I too, will take to the road around this country starting at the end of September and into October. So, has there been progress, well yes, there has been, but it does not go in leaps and bounds, but in dribs and drabs. ​

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I hope you have enjoyed my offerings each week and appreciate that you have read my blog posts and look forward to continuing with sharing. As always, thank you so much for your support of Rosa’s and my crazy little world here in Rome now that they have been merged into one. We truly appreciate your support. And, speaking of support of our crazy little world, check out the WP bling you can order on my website with Queensboro. They do a wonderful job and I do not make a dime on this. They even have the Rosa di Roma logo, if you prefer to order a knit hat for the wintertime and for those travelers with younger ones and deciding on what to do in terms of bringing all the seats and fold up cribs etc., don’t. Check out Baby Quip on my service page of the website. I now have an affiliation with them, and you can trust and order items for your next trip domestically or internationally via the Baby Quip link on my website, so you have less to carry enroute to your next amazing destination. Stay safe, healthy, and most importantly happy, and as always, your shared comments and thoughts are most welcome!!!