Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Anno Nuovo, Nuovi Sogni.

                                           Yes, that is right. New Year, New Dreams.

 It's hard to believe that I am more than half-way done with my Master's. I remember when I started and took the optional year off to make the process longer - I just forgot that time really does fly by. Now, all I have left to do is pass 2 classes and write a research paper. (Any ideas on what I should write it on? I have no clue!)

Either way, I am ready for what's next. I always say this, but the truth is that I am terrified. I just say this to make myself feel better and much more confident. I am at the point again where I need to start thinking about what I need/have to do next.  I need to work on my CV/Resume, look for jobs, decided where I would like to live, decide whether I want to go back to Riverside/move to another city/move out of state, etc. It feels like I need to prepare myself for the ultimate test - and picking more than one answer is not an option.

I'm also a little sad to say that my routine of going somewhere every 10/11 months has come to an end. But, I am grateful for the opportunities I have had - and for the fact that I can say that I have 4 “homes” - Siena, Florence, Bordeaux, and Lyon. I might not know all the street names or the shortcuts, but I know how to get around these cities, know what places to eat at, what areas to avoid, and where to go whenever I need to get away. Finding a job in any of these cities would be a dream come true!

Anyways, one semester down and just one more to go. I’m looking forward to what these last few months have in store. As far as new goals, I think I’m just going to go with whatever happens. If I remember correctly, one of my goals from my first post was to keep this blog updated....oh, well.

As far as improving my procrastinating - I can say it’s gotten better, but I did pull 2 all nighters for class. But, I guess I can thank my roommate, Valeria for the training - I’ve stayed up several nights partying with her. Great times...and maybe some great memories? (Don’t remember a lot from several nights.)

My Italian??? Well, I feel much more comfortable speaking it, but I am at the point that now I tend to overanalyze what I want to say and make dumb mistakes. Compared to when I first got here, my Italian is about 100 times better. Thanks, Scuola Italiana.

As for my “nuovi sogni” - I just want to have an easy transition from school life to “real”life and be ready for whatever 2012 will bring into my life.

I wish you all the best in 2012. 
Here are some pics from December and my trip to Paris and Lyon during Christmas break. 

My classmates at the Italian School

Dana and I in Paris!

Les Monts du Lyonnais - the countryside close to Lyon.