So the journey begins...

Moving to Rome: t-19 days

Rome

Ok, we aren't Romans. Yet. But technically I'm not even a Mainer. See, in Maine there's a rule you must be born in the state to be called a Mainer. A very elite title indeed. (pompously raise nose into air as if detecting a slight scent of manure) I learned that very soon after arriving here in 2001. My husband was born and raised here and both of our little girls were born here. I call us Mainers. But I'm the impostor.  For those of you not living in Maine, you probably don't care and that's ok. I don't really either.

The important part of this is that our Maine grown family will be moving to Rome, Italy. I've never even been to Europe before. I don't speak Italian. In fact, I don't even like Italian food that much. Except gelato. I love gelato. Fortunately, I hear that Italians make the best Italian food. So hopefully I'm in for a treat. I'm not entirely sure what I'm going to do in a world without Target and Hannafords. (I knew I should have gone to the farmer's market around here!) There are so many unknowns. I have no idea what to expect. Except awesomeness. I'm pretty sure it's going to be awesome. I do worry that gypsies will steal my beautiful children. And all my money. And that if we have an accident, I'll say something to the Italian doctors that means "I need an amputation" instead of "I need a band-aid." Who knows? I might get lost and end up in a foreign country. But our new home is pretty foreign to me too so bring it on!

We'll be moving in 19 days on August 1st. That may not seem like a lot of time, but don't worry. We've been planning this for a very long time. At leeeeeeast (counting in head) the past 6 days. That's 25 days or 2 and half weeks for packing, visas, passports, plane tickets, goodbye parties, and re-planning every long term plan we thought we had. 

I admit, it hasn't been a long 6 days. It's kind of blur. A few days ago I tried learning some Italian. I think I can haggle with waiters now and count to one. I'm pretty sure I already forgot most other numbers, except 20 (Thank you Starbucks!). We've been packing like crazy. Most of the stuff of our house is packed in about 12 large plastic tubs. We've given so much to Goodwill, we'll be receiving an honorary award from them soon. Or a restraining order. Not sure which. We should have had a yard sale but that takes a effort and time, both things we are running out of. 

By the way, happy Moxie Days! We saw the parade of locals marching down Main St. this morning and I couldn't help but think that if the Roman locals wanted a parade, they'd probably need a really big street.    

Maine. Pretty similar, right?