​Weathering the Storm with the WP#196

I know that last week I wrote about our Thanksgiving experience which was very nice and now that the desk from momma arrived, I have an office area of my own, so able to get more done than a kitchen table. It is a beautiful desk and will be very useful moving forward as the business has picked up substantially for 2025, which is nice, and having space to work is very important. I also got back into the routine of teaching as there had been a two-week hiatus, some of my own making and some of the student and school. Again, this is fine as the business, which was slow for a while, is now picking up, so it was nice to have that time to catch up on some of the mundane things like invoicing, which, is the least enjoyable part of what I do, but a necessary function, except for paying taxes, but I do what I must do. ​

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​As you know, I have been here since July, so now into my 5th month here and seeing the change of seasons, being here most of the summer, now through the fall and coming up on my first winter here in Italy. I am not saying it takes some getting used to, but it does. I think that the hardest part was when the time changed here, which I noted in a previous posting some weeks ago, is a week’s difference and actually before the time change in the U.S. I have always noticed the difference as it got dark so much earlier, but here, because of Rome positioning, it seems extreme. I also know that personally, even though this is the supposed to be the best time of year with the holidays, I have never really been a holiday gathering person. I know this is contrary to having the family over for Thanksgiving. For me, that was different, but the holidays, while important, have never been a strong pull for me. 

I know there is a condition called Seasonal affective disorder, and while I am not one who believes in all this stuff, I believe this is real as I do feel a change in who I am. I am definitely much happier when it is light out and at night, when I am working, even with the light on, I see the darkness, or coming home from teaching or errands at 4:00 pm and it is already getting dark, so there must be something to it. My sleep is also impacted and so is my mood, for sure. I don’t know how many people deal with this, but I believe Rosa also is impacted, but she is also much more of a night person than I am. For me, keeping busy, is my therapy. As long as I have projects to work on, be it for the school or for my clients, I feel good. If there is a lull, or as I mentioned, a hiatus, if it is not filled with something else, then I do feel a void. Fortunately, I am fully busy on all sorts of different levels and feel good about the new year to come. ​

I also was told a last week that the school has a Christmas party at a restaurant somewhere in Rome. I have to remember where, but then, just the other day, I think Monday, someone said they were doing a Secret Santa for about 5 euros a person. I am not a scrooge, and it is not the money, for sure, mind you, but I feel very uncomfortable with this. Finding something last minute in general is not easy for me, but a feeling of obligation to participate in this activity is not something I truly want to do, and to find something generic for either gender. Someone said it could be a coffee mug, or socks, really. It is not like you can go and get a gift card, as you can in the states for a store. Any ideas? Rosa thinks it is a great idea, but then, I also found out that this party is for employees of the school and not for spouses. I do find it a little wrong to not be able to invite spouses, but then I was told that they have summer parties where spouses are invited. If this is the best time of year, and the holidays, or here in Rome, being a Catholic country, Christmas, it should be for everyone, but not my decision, just my opinion and it is a company party.

I think this post really is showing the Seasonal affective disorder given the negative vibe. I want it to be another awesome chapter, but, for me, it is hard, and I know it shows right now. If anyone has any thoughts on this, let me know and solutions, natural please to help me along for the next month or two. At least there is not 3 feet (1 meter) of snow on the ground, but it rains almost every day, so what leaves are still on the trees continue to fall to the ground and winter is officially here in less than 2 weeks. The good news in all this is that last Friday, the 6th, we went to the same office we had been to 2 times before without success and this time around, armed with all sorts of documents to get my permanent residency here, they accepted all the paperwork, including pictures and my fingerprints were taken multiple times, so I know I am in the system, the bad news, I won’t be able to pick up my permanent residency card until the middle of March. ​

This means that I will probably have to cancel out my attendance at more conferences that are in countries in the Schengen. Why it should take 3 more months, simply to process the paperwork and issue a card I must come and pick up, is beyond me, but this is Italy and slow is the fastest speed they know. I know I am here for the long haul, and I must be patient with the system, including the install of the additional cabinets in the kitchen we ordered and, in the bathroom, which now, won’t happen until January. I knew this down deep, even though my hope is it would be done in December. We only ordered the new items, in October, so what is another month. I know I am being sarcastic, but this is better than yelling my frustration. I understand that my shipment from America is to leave on the 27th of December and arrive in Italy by the 3rd week of January, and who knows what bureaucratic fun that will entail beyond what I have read and heard all along. In this case, hope for the best and expect the worst. 
I know this blogpost has been one of personal frustrations right now, and some successes, of course, all of which I can’t control, and I have worked really hard to keep those frustrations in check, but sometimes they have to be aired and I am glad that I have this forum to express how I feel. I have learned to deal, most of the time, with them, and having my outlets to keep my sanity is wonderful and wonderful to have my lovely bride, who, also feels them. A few steps forward and many backwards. I learn something new every day and sometimes this is good and sometimes it is bad. I love the teaching and the travel planning and of course, I love Rosa, most importantly. It must be, for me a balance, and this time of year, that balance gets out of whack, but this has always been the case for me, so I do struggle with it and maybe others as well, so if this helps you, I am glad. Yet, I want to maintain my health and happiness, so, of course, I do things additionally that make me happy, like cook, but healthy, go to the local mercato for my fresh fruits, veggies, and nuts, and eat as healthy as possible. 
Thank you as always for your support of our crazy little world and if you have any suggestions on how to deal with seasonal affective disorder, please chime in. Your input is always appreciated and each week, especially this time of year, is a challenge, but I know things will get better. I am a realist, having been here now 5 months and seeing the sloth – like process, but it can only get better moving forward, so modestly optimistic. As, the conferences I was to attend, or will attend in the future will be afforded again in the future, I will start with a clean slate for 2025, but more later in future posts. Right now, I have to stay a homebody and next year, this puffin will be able to spread his wings again here and there, and balance that with the home life and country of which I will become a permanent resident. It is worth it, and I will continue pushing forward.