Another Step Closer to Move In Day, Another Day Closer to Eviction from TLA

Sometimes I let Fridays pass with very low expectations. Friday after all marks the end of my work week. It means that there are 2 days free of work to pass by watching cheesy movies, sleeping in, or even escaping from town and return at the last minute possible to still be at my desk come Monday morning.

Well, not this Friday. This Friday had huge expectations on account that it was house was inspection day.

First things first- it passed! But this is Italy so things are never that easy. I’ve been thinking lately about how I need to create an Italy factor when trying to get anything done around here. Let’s take a look at the latest example why:

I called the housing office yesterday afternoon to ask if they had a better idea than "Friday" for the inspection time. I was told to expect a call between 0800-0900 in the morning. I politely reminded her to call my office number, repeating that my cell phone would not be with me so I could not answer.  Well, I got a call this morning. A call on my work line at 0930 saying my appointment was at 1000 and that they'd been trying to get a hold of me via cell phone. Ugh. At any rate, here's your geography lesson of the area for the day. Study it because a quiz is up next...

 

Could someone please tell me how long it would take me to drive mid morning from work (located in Naples) to MdP? Assume that I am going the speed limits since I’m still super paranoid that one day I’m going to get a stack of tickets in my mail. Also keep in mind 90% of Italians are at the beaches this time of year and I have to drive through at least one beach town.

Map from coworker.

Yeah, it was a quick sprint out of my office after having all my coworkers ask with great concern if I’ve ever driven there on my own before. Legit concern since I never had from this route. With a quick map in hand and rough idea I was moving as fast as my feet could go while in wedges across cobble stone.

It ended up taking me about 50 minutes (once getting to my car and out the gate)- partially due to traffic, partially due to having to wait for busses and large vehicles to cross the road the base shares with the airport, partially due to the fact that once getting there I had a horrible time finding somewhere to park. I then realized that I could just park in the spot that will belong to me.

Ravi received his first scar from Italy…I still need to assess so don’t ask anymore questions
but I figure it was bound to happen (and most likely will again) so we’re going to move
on. (Seriously though, I didn’t see anything but I sure heard something...so I'm sure something is there.)

While walking up the stairs to the front door I got really nervous- what happens if I hate this place?

I’m already committed!

Although I didn’t see what I was expecting to see the view was fabulous. In the past two weeks they’ve been hard at work- updating the alarm system, re-doing 2 bathrooms, fixing a squeaky step, painting and the place looks great. Granted the down stairs portion was still covered in tarps with home repair supplies all over and 3 guys working diligently- but I loved the house even more today. It still seems way to big for just me so please start making your plans to come visit- I need to be able to justify this 3 bedroom, 3.5bath, place.

I think I’m even changing my opinion on some of the furniture that comes with the house- I’m going to need it since going from a 2 bedroom shared place to a 3 bedroom place by my self requires more stuff. Granted, one room is going to be the Italian Kitty’s room so that will all need to be furnished but I think this other stuff is going to work out just fine (at least in the beginning).

Here’s my soon to be home photo mash. Granted it still looks more like a construction site or the set of a HGTV show, but I assure you it’s only going to look better when I’m done with it. And seriously, one of the highlights is the view and you can now see where I get to spend my evenings on the rooftop patio surrounded by my cilantro garden with a glass of wine (or cup of coffee) in hand and a kitty telling me all about all the napping in sunshine s/he did that day.

Top Left- Bottom Right: Kitchen, sun room, downstairs 1/2 bath, office/guest room, viewx2, storage, kitchen, living room, upstairs bathroom w/laundry, amazing view.

One question still remains and that is “when do I get the keys?” The contract signing appointment has not yet been made on account that they won’t let us until all the painting is completed. I’ve been told the workers will be there on Tuesday (and Wednesday if need be) so I plan on checking in on Tuesday to see if the appointment has been made before Enzo goes on holiday in Spain. I’m hoping that we can still snag one of the appointments on either the 25th or 26th and I can move in the same day. Utilities are already turned on so that helps, but there will still be some time to figure out switch over and also get some of the appliances swapped out.

Then I get to figure out when my stuff shoes show up. Ha. I love how my brain automatically thought “shoes” when talking about my shipment of stuff so that’s what was typed. Seriously though, those black flats of mine need to be trashed and I would apart from the fact that means I’ll be in heels all the time for work now. I’m not sure if I’m ready to tower over everyone here at this new job…plus that means walking in with flip flops which make just as much noise as heels half the time. See what type of important decisions I have to make when getting ready in the mornings? Some days I’d love to throw on a uniform and call it a day.

So yay for Friday! And yes, this was only the first shift… Tonight was the big night for VBS and CSO was there in addition to a few other folks I work with who have kids enrolled in the program. You’ll just have to stay tuned to hear how the week turned out on that one because it's late, I'm exhausted, and I have more fun things planned for tomorrow.