roman autumn

we had a nice time on halloween. we went to a hawaiian themed party at giovanni's sponsored by our friend daniella. it was a good time, luca looked cute, although we couldn't find a hawaii outfit for him and had to settle for regular old halloween one...

the work has definitely settled down a bit, i'm still keeping busy, but at least i get to see my family more often these days. now the focus has turned to returning to the states in december. it seems to have come out of nowhere... all of a sudden we find ourselves with less than 3 weeks until we return, about a month until we're married (!) and get to see everyone, and everyone can see luca finally. looking back thinking it's almost 11 months since i've been in the states, and now it's coming ever so quickly, i'm really getting excited. we're getting our fill of good italian food, pasta, pizza, suppli, straccetti, the whole nine, this way we can get our fill of hamburgers and steaks and fries and diner food that we've been missing. not too much, mind you, but enough for a few cravings...

with these thoughts that it's been so long in italy, also got me thinking about HOW much we've done here in rome in our time. there's been a ton of life happening and tons of things we've experienced. we've met so many people that have been wonderful, and i really feel it's like we've been here forever. rome is a big city, but the little neighborhoods turn it into a small town with closeness and friendships. from the little mom 'n pop shop where we buy hardware, to the vegetable stand, to the alimentari where we get most of our food... everyone asks about luca, our friends that they met when they came to visit, and it makes living here that much more feeling like home. we've really become part of the community, both the roman community and the ex-pat community. it's a nice balance. the things that have happened in the past year and a half here have opened my eyes to a whole new way of thinking, a new outlook on the world and on life, and on family and being human. i can say that i am really happy these days. and forever changed, in one of the best ways possible. and i keep thinking about luca. if we can make it happen here for him to experience life in rome growing up, but still with an american background, traveling to the states once or twice a year and all around europe for vacations... what a great life that kid will have! he'll have the world at his fingertips, and if we're here long enough he'll even be bi-lingual. i couldn't have asked for it to work out better.

but i'm still looking forward to seeing everyone in the states for a little while. and letting luca experience our other home on the other side of the river, and meeting his real aunts and uncles and the american family and friends. it will certainly be a great experience for him. the first international trip, and his first flight. i feel bad for the other passengers however...