Qui, là, e in ogni luogo...

Ciao tutti!

I'm warning you know, this is a "here, there, and everywhere" sort of post. I feel like I've been a little too quiet out here. Granted February was a rough month but with the sun shinning longer than the 8 hours I'm stuck underground, my body staying relatively germ free, and less time out there running (I <3 tappering)...there is just no reason to be so quiet.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
This week has been crazy as we move back into our (not so) "new and improved" office space. Somehow although I was on the list to move day 2, here we are coming up on day 4 and I just may finally make the cut. I'm in no hurry to move over there since who knows how long it will take to get my computer and phone up and running again, but by this afternoon I felt like I had almost been left behind. Then again that could be due to our shop of 6 was a mere 3 strong today so seeing another SSU member was pretty difficult to do. Then again, I think I got my miles in walking back and forth between my files and my computer or trying to track someone down. 

It's been fun though since everyone is in the same transition state (translation: not very productive as we move in and wait for IT) so I've been chatting with people I normally wouldn't have. Even though I heard the phrase "cruise director" said in my direction, I'd like to think that my interior decorating skills have helped ease the transition into an even smaller office space. Hey, if we're living in super close quarters we gotta stay on speaking terms.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The ridiculous rental car was returned today but Ravi is still at the shop. Apparently they had him in traction for 2 days to get the frame back to normal...so it's slowing the whole process down. It's not like they didn't know that damage was there as they were the ones who pointed it out to me!

It's a whole insurance mess with $ rates stateside versus me living in Italy. Luckily I have a coworker who doesn't live too far away that can drive me to work the next 2 days. I'm really hoping that Ravi gets returned on Friday afternoon or else it's going to be an interesting weekend.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Italian III is nearly over. In fact tomorrow we are going to be watching a movie. I have this feeling that I won't know much of what's going on if tonight at the pizzeria is any indication. I have moments where I feel like I can carry on a pretty decent conversation but then when I go try to practice in town I get overwhelmed and revert to gestures or my few key verbs. I know it's in there and I know it's all going to click one of these days. How? Well, I catch myself thinking in Italian. Well, I think it's Italian. I should start writing it down and seeing if it actually translates properly. Uffa! I actually have some homework assignments I need to get done.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
I decided to go for it- I will be coaching baseball. Right now I have a team of nine 8 year old boys and it's still coach pitch so it may somewhat resemble a ball game. My coworker will be co-coaching and we have a few of the same kids from soccer so it should be a fun time. Two of our other coworkers have also offered help running drills if we need it/if we go on travel so it's just going to be the SSU little league team! I figure if I survived coaching soccer, the game I knew nothing more than "no hands", I should be a pro this go around. Best part? The opening day is the weekend after the Rome Marathon, so it will be a perfect transition.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Yep. We're in a little over a week before the main event....the Rome Marathon. I've officially reached the "just get me to the starting line and look for me about 5 hours later crossing the finish" point. With an attitude like this it really shouldn't be a surprise that I haven't been too faithful the last week on my mid week running. I'll get there. I'm just trying to prevent major stress on my germ exposed body because I'd like to have my full SB strength come race day.

Seriously though, I think I'm more excited about heading up with my training partner and her husband to spend the time in Rome since I really haven't done much of that since arriving in Italy. No doubt about it, a fabulous time will be had and come Sunday afternoon we will have traveled 26.2 miles  a piedi. 
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ 
 
And finally, because you know it's not a true rambling session if he's not mentioned- Signore Nico. He still answers better to the crumpling of paper than to his name. He still gives me attitude when I walk through the door, even if it's clear he just woke up from a "nap." He still is obsessed with drowning his toys in water before running them to the couch to bury in the pillows. And his newest habit is to make sure I get up after the alarm goes off but rather than following, he curls up and goes back to sleep. And despite all his faults they are still out numbered by all the entertainment and joy he contributes to our household and I wouldn't trade him for anything.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
There you have it. Proofing it just now reminds me what happens when I do a continuous free write...sort of scary. My apologies for the run on sentences and all the other grammatical errors. (I left all my editors in Monterey!)