Here in Milano

I've been delinquent in posts for a while. The last couple weeks have been whirlwind. The days passed too quickly, between getting my things in order both at home and at work, and trying to spend as much time as possible with my friends.

Saying my goodbyes was really really difficult. It's too easy to take things for granted, until you realize you won't be able to enjoy them as much any more.

It's been a week and a half since I got here. I didn't waste any time in getting back to work (the next day!). I think this helped me get over the jetlag very quickly. I only almost fell asleep into my dinner the evening I arrived. ;-)

That weekend, I stopped procrastinating and unpacked all my things. People are amazed when I tell them I moved all my life possessions over here in 4 large suitcases, 2 carry-ons - in 2 plane trips (more or less). As I was unpacking, I started questioning why I had so many 'things'. The last 6 months back in the Bay Area, I had pretty much lived out of 2 suitcases and I was perfectly content. And trust me, I had collected quite a large quantity of possessions over the last 10 years. Moving forces you to downsize and reevaluate: what do you really need?

The first couple days, I felt really homesick. This time was different from the others. This time was for real. It was no longer a trial. I was here to stay for an indefinite amount of time. I missed my friends, I missed the familiarity, the conveniences, the food and the weather that I had to leave behind.

But in a way, alot of things felt familiar here too. There were familiar faces at work. I knew the lunch + passegiata routine. We stopped by Ikea to pick up some essentials and that was familiar...

Well, as a friend described, it's a 'storm of feelings' that I've been experiencing.