Olio di Oliva e Sogni di Vino: Days before my 30th

Olio di Oliva e Sogni di Vino

Passion for Italy, Language and Wine

Days before my 30th

I am sitting in my new apartment (still be organized after a few weeks) and I'm almost 30 living in the city I fell in love with now 10 years ago. I have been reminiscing this past week on all that I've accomplished since I set forth on the opposite path of the rat race. I'm in a place where I know what I have to be grateful and what I have to look forward to. This life has given me such amazing gifts so far. In forms of meaningful relationships, loves found and lost, unforgettable people from all walks of life, new language skills, challenging jobs, challenging living situations, life lessons learned. And you know what? I've done it all on my own. I've always been given the unconditional support of family and friends back home and most importantly my family here in Florence.

I ran into a great friend on the street the other day. I was showing her my carta d'identita`and she looked at it and said being funny, 'This must be fake, it can't be true.' I've obtained residency here in my home away from home, by the clear perseverance that drives me each and every day. I ride by bike to work in Campo di Marte, from Telecom to Poggio Imperiale to many other excursions that allow me to meet amazing people in Florence. I have fun with each of my students and what I love is that I'm always moving. Even when I work way too much, I still wouldn't want it any other way. I work hard for how much I get each month. I save my pennies so I can enjoy a panino made by Luca and Leo at Vinaino Parte di Guelfa, where I have learned more of my florentine dialect from. A place that is like a team of players in a theater house, in which I am always watching to see who will walk in the door next. What will they teach me? What will they say? Is there yet another piece of florentine slang I haven't heard of yet? I'm sure there is.

I was out with some friends the other night and someone commented how I don't sound American when I speak in Italian. I took that as a huge compliment. Not that I have been trying to sound Italian, I have succumbed to the Italian that has been swirling around my head for the past year and a half.

Over these past 30 years of my still young life, as most of my younger friends call it, I can summarize the life lessons I've learned for myself in order to have arrived where I am today.

You only live once, so taste it all. I think this phrase summarizes how I live my life. Why ask questions when you only have this one body and one soul to experience all the joys of life?

Love: when you feel it, love hard. I have been in love just once and I can honestly say after it ended I learned more on what I want from the person I will spend the rest of my life with. As it ended badly, I still am grateful for all the lessons I learned since being in love. From the other suitors I was able to enjoy and then kindly and securely let them go from my life. I learned not to hold anything back, when I felt it, I said it.

Be persistent in what you want and need. Living in a country where they don't believe in waiting their turn, you have to learn to be persistent. Know what you want and say it loudly and proudly. 'Vorrei un bicchiere di vino, per favore.' (I would like a glass of wine, please.) Don't forget your manners.

Greeting is important, always say hi. Here, when you don't greet someone it is taken as an insult. And when you leave you must greet all who are present. I'm still working on this one.

When you smile, people will smile back. These past few months, I walk into Vinaino on a Friday and say 'E` Venerdi!' (It's Friday!). I get strange looks from other people in the shop like they are thinking 'what are you so happy about?', but I know it always puts Luca and Leo in a good mood. Now I don't even have to say it, I walk in and they say 'Ciao Katie, E` VENERDI!'

I love making people smile, even when they don't particular want to smile, it's been a rough day, or they just can't stand English. Laughter for sure is the best medicine.

Always appreciate the view. On my way to my class across the river, I try to stop for a few minutes to appreciate the view of the Florence from the bridge. The afternoon sun highlights the palazzi(building) and ponti(bridges) so charming like. I get a little tingle in my belly and become present in the moment.

Avoid the negativity, in fact get rid of the negative people all together. I have had the unfortunate pleasure of being surrounded with negativity. If not just my own, others joined in as if they were invited to a party I didn't necessarily want them to attend. I've as easily as erasing a whiteboard, cancelled these people out of my life. Never wanting them to return. As new negative people try to walk into my life, I give them a detour to steer clear from my happiness and my general willingness of wanting to find the positivity out of each and every situation.

I can't believe I will be 30 years old at the end of the week. Time flies when you are following your heart.

Ain't that the truth!