For months and months we talked about the upcoming year in Italy. We dreamed about the great food we’d eat, the amazing towns, festivals, and landscapes we’d see. But there were also the questions. Would we get our Visa, allowing us to actually go there for more than three months? Would we then get our Permesso di Soggiorno, the Italian version which technically would be the final document necessary allowing us to legally stay for a year? Where would we go? Where would we live? Would we like our new home? Would we adjust to life in Italy? What about schools for the kids? Would the language be easy? What would it be like not having a job?
The halfway point of our time abroad has already now passed, though, reminding us that we won’t be here forever, that eventually we’ll be boarding Swiss Air in Rome to head back to New Hampshire, and that the new set of related questions percolating up may deserve some attention. Maybe we’ve started thinking about our return also because it finally seems that we are all healthy and somewhat used to living in Lucca. Absent as much stress or as many health problems to deal with, maybe you are the type of person capable of just “going with the flow” or “enjoying the moment”. I commend you; it must be nice! We’re trying to do that, too, of course, but our propensity to plan ahead—now that immediate issues are currently less urgent—brings scenarios and questions of our return more often to our thoughts.
When will we return home? We need to change the return tickets and fix a date soon. What else do we really want to do here before we go home? Where would we like to visit? Will Lauren be able to find a job? Where will Nikolai go to kindergarten? How will we afford a car (we sold our family vehicle before we left) and should we start looking for one already? What work will need to be done on the house after a year’s use by another family? These are but a few of the current questions on our minds and, as you can see, thankfully none are life-threatening. It’s just us looking ahead.
So, let’s take stock here at just past mid-way point. Call it a January check-up.
Are we glad we came to Italy? Yes.
Is it much different than taking a week or two vacation here would be? Of course, and I expected that; I’ll let you ponder what exactly that means. But again, yes, we’re happy with our choice.
Is our Italian as good as we thought it might be at this point? No. Better than when we arrived? I hope so! Sometimes I wonder, though. Recently when I was getting my hair cut or, another time, talking with a waiter, I got a furrowed brow, a pause, and then “Ma non ho capito niente” (“I didn’t understand a thing you just said!”). The kids are faring better. Sometimes when Niko is playing alone at home I’ll find him chattering in Italian. Ingrid usually likes to use English with us but occasionally she’s in the mood for la bella lingua. Yesterday when I picked her up from school we spoke in Italian during our bike ride to the grocery store and while shopping (When the bike key lock broke as we went to head home and were stranded there with both bikes and her backpack locked together and a brother to pick up in a few minutes we did revert to English)! She’s also got a good Italian friend who speaks no English so along with a little sign language when they talk Italian is the only option.
Are Lauren and I having a weekly date-night while the kids run around the house practicing their Italian with a babysitter? Not yet, but the two times we went out together at night when family was here to baby-sit were a couple of our best evenings so far and much appreciated. Thank you family!
Do I have the power by my words to conjure up misfortune when I repeat that we’re ‘all finally healthy’? You may knock on that wood for me, thanks, but I’ve never quite caught on to the saying. Anyway, now that ‘that’ is true (saying it three times just may put me over the edge into a believer), hopefully we’ll: a) find a babysitter b) call her up and c) have some meals out in peace now and then.
Are we glad we are taking a sabbatical year together? YES! The change has been very challenging overall (I know this may seem crazy to you. Sabbatical? Challenging? Just trust me.). As a former amateur endurance athlete and current teacher, of course, I am a firm believer in challenges making us stronger and wiser. And it has been wonderful to be around Lauren, Niko, and Ingrid much more than usual. I am still so grateful for this opportunity.
And last, but not least, do we miss home? YES! What I’m most looking forward to is fresh air and the rural location. Friends, too, of course, colleagues and students, but we’ve got a ways to go yet. The earliest we’ll be back is mid-June, perhaps early July. Until then, we hope to take advantage of all of the time we have here and enjoy this special year together.
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