Il Nonno

Il nonno era un uomo meraviglioso, solare, bravo. Aveva lavoratao sin da piccolo e c'aveva dei valori puri di una volta. Capiva la necessita' di una famiglia unita e faceva del tutto per portare avanti la sua grande famiglia. Mi manchera' tanto anche se non l'ho detto a nessuno; solo a voi e solo in italiano perche' mi sembra questa la lingua giusta in cui parlare del mio caro nonno.

Stia in pace, nonno.

Sadness. . .

A very sad thing occurred today in my family's life. My grandfather, Sebastiano, aged 85 years, passed away after a short stay in the hospital. He had been unwell for about a year but managed to keep his spirits up. Unfortunately, his heart got the better of him. He lived in Ischia and as is the custom in Italy, will be buried tomorrow. My mother (his daughter), father, and brother all went to visit him a few weeks ago when things looked as though they were not getting any better and will be unable to travel to Italy at this time. I am unable to go as well and feel a little guilty and sad about being the only grandchild who did not get to see him before he passed. (I was in Ischia last year). I think, however, that I prefer to remember him in life.

Sebastiano is survived by his wife, 7 children, 17 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren. He lived a good life and was one of the kindest, saintliest men I know. At least I can say there truly is an angel lookingover us in heaven now.

Please say a prayer for us.

Writing Class

This morning I signed up for a writing class on ed2go. For those of you who have never heard of ed2go.com, it is worth checking out. One can sign up for all sorts of online classes taught by real instructors for $129.00. The courses typically last 8 weeks and run the gamut from personal enrichment to career advancement options. I have been toying with the idea of writing for alomost 14 years now. I took a creative writing class here and there and found that I had some talent for it. I'm not sure if I am better suited to nonfiction or fiction however, or whether I have the mettle for writing at all, but I need to settle this in myself or I will go on and on wondering. Wish me luck, will you?

My two week vacation is quickly coming to a close and tomorrow, I return to reality. Mind you, it is not a wonderful reality at all. Some of you reading this blog know what I have been doing careerwise the last 10 years and the new position I took last year and perhaps you sense my unhappiness. I want to move on but I don't know how or even what to pursue. It's terrible this feeling of being stuck, of having to settle for this because you need the money and the benefits (limited though both things may be, in my case) and quite contrary to my personal convictions. I was always the sort of person who said, "If you're not happy, move on." But, my life circumstances are different now and I am . . . . scared? Hesistant? Depresses? I don't know but I just HAVE to figure it out or I will go bonkers. Perhaps you will help me, too?

BTW If you are wondering about some of the images on this blog, they are all taken in Ischia, an island near Capri. My mother's family lives there and I have been a frequent visitor. It is one of the most lovely places on earth and I enjoy the island for many reaons. When I am not there, I feel that something in my life is missing. I hope you enjoy the pics and feel free to comment and ask questions.

Welcome!

This blog is a place where anyone and everyone can come to pick my brain and share in my thoughts. I have a lot of things to say and I hope this place is somewhere I will be able to freely speak and be heard. I know you and I are going to be fast friends!