​Weathering the Storm with the WP#74

It has been quite the week, from finalizing documents for clients, packing up the recent homestead, depositing my vehicle at a co-worker’s house for the summer and getting the airport to start what I believe will be the most amazing adventure of my life. Of course, the travel day, this past Thursday was not without its issues as many of you have seen in my post about crossing the pond, but it is nice, and you are saying, what, nice, to experience a delay that caused me to miss my connection in Amsterdam to arriving after midnight in Rome and finally reaching my new homestead for the summer. Yes, it was nice, as I realized, one there was nothing I could do and two, others have experienced it, so I am not the only one. I knew I would arrive, and I knew at the end of this crazy situation, I would be where I wanted to be and that is with Rosa. I had empathy before and sympathy now and a very good understanding that there will be growing pains as the world starts up again and will get things sorted, like the Brits like to say.

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Yes, she was there, apparently waiting since midnight at her car, outside the apartment and it was a change from the surreal to the real and we would be living together for the summer. Of course, I hope more in the future. I know it will take some time and I know it will take some time getting used to being here, but knowing that Rosa is here, is all that matters to me. I can take care of business from here and I hope to be able to tutor English and receive my official certification. At this point in my life, I simply said, want to be happy and I truly do feel happy. The apartment we will share is very nice and, all important, for this American, is that it has air conditioning although with temperatures hovering in the 90’s and yes, possibly cracking 100 and it is in on the 8th floor, not sure how good it will be, but I will adapt and I will move forward, so no worries here. I have what I need and if I don’t have it, I don’t need it. That is something I have realized as I have tried to simply my life over the past 9 months or so.

As I write this post, it is Sunday afternoon here in Rome and the long holiday weekend back in America and the Independence Day celebration when this will post on the 246th birthday of the United States of America, so Happy Birthday and everyone stay safe and healthy enjoying the picnics, beaches, parades, fireworks and all the music and celebrations to this birthday of this nation, which is definitely not without its faults and issues and hopefully, we will get back to a point of compromise of which America was founded, not like it is now. I wonder sometimes what the founding fathers and mothers would think of what we are now, and I am not sure they would be pleased, but as a living, breathing entity, change can happen and it can happen for the better, not the worse, like it seems now. Opportunity to succeed still exists if you are willing to work for it, but I feel that is not the case. I have worked my whole working life, except for maybe 2 months during the year of Covid and it certainly was not by choice and even had my own small businesses as a teenager, even before I could “legally” work, so it is still possible to succeed.
When I re-explored parts of America, when Rosa came across the pond in February, I gained a different insight as it was from her eyes and places, I saw in my younger years, and now with a totally different perspective. Some things better and some things not so good. I am proud to be an American, and yet ashamed of the chaos that is happening now, and frankly, getting away from the insanity that is going on, even for a few months, will do me some good. I remain positive and optimistic that things will get better but being here in Italy for the summer will certainly give me new perspective as I will be living it. Is it a holiday or a vacation? Yes and no, as I will be working from here as well and in this case, technology is wonderful and allows me to do this and be here with Rosa and our relationship grow. We enjoyed our first gelato together this past weekend at Fassi which has been around 120 years or so and it is authentico, not the colors of gelato that scream out at you in the tourist areas. These were locals enjoying it on a hot summer’s eve. We also walking at least 10 km yesterday and this morning took a nice 5 km walk around the neighborhood and the park.
So, I wish everyone well, for a safe holiday from the home of Amerigo Vespucci, whose name was given to the continent upon which the country from which I hail, Buon Compleanno America!!!
As always, I am interested in your thoughts, comments, questions and adding to the discourse is always appreciated be in on the site itself or on Facebook, Twitter or wherever you read this. Thank you for your support of this small business and it is truly appreciated!!!