Week 1 - Adjustment

I've taken a while to make this post since it is hard to explain exactly what the adjustment process has been like here. I think the right word is challenging. Learning to work, live, and socialize in a second language is certainly not effortless, but is also is a welcome adventure that I am figuring out slowly but surely. The challenge has been mostly in the subtleties of communication--sarcastic jokes, turns of speech, and implied meaning.

On top of that, in Italy time is subjective, so meeting someone "tomorrow" just means "not today." Italians are also generally very physical, meaning acquaintances do not hesitate to place a hand on your shoulder or even give you a hug to say hello or thank you. Slowly, as I work with Italians more, I am getting more used to the slow lunch breaks, hands on shoulders, and waiting many "tomorrows" for any scheduled meeting. The adjustment has not been easy, but the challenge is forcing me to slow down, get comfortable being uncomfortable, and overall open up my mind.

I've also started darwing, painting, and taking pictures! I'll be adding them at the end of updates and in a separate gallery on this site!