Election 2012

I don't know about you, but I am sick and tired of hearing about the election.  I'm over it and I cannot wait until I get back over to Italy so I don't have to hear about it anymore.  I don't care who said what or who did what.  And I'm beyond tired of all the ads on television.  I hate to break it to the candidates, but all the money you are putting into making and airing the ads is not going to change anyone's minds. 

In 2008, Kevin and I were also overseas for the election.  I liked being out of the loop and I enjoyed flipping through the channels without seeing one of the candidates' faces.  Now don't get me wrong, I stayed up all night watching the election coverage to find out who our next President of the United States was going to be, but I only need one night...not 12 whole months of crap. 

I've gone back and forth all summer about whether or not to vote and I've come to the ultimate decision that I WILL be voting absentee.  But it should be known that the ads, newspaper articles, speeches, and conventions (one so far) have not played a role in my decision. 

And since I already know who I'm voting for, I'm going to steer clear of reading or watching anything else that has to do with the election.  I'm over it!

Summer's End

Every year I'm shocked at how quickly the summer flies by.  It feels like just last week, Kevin and I were packing up everything in Italy to come home and now it's time to head back already.  Hell, Kevin has already been working for 2 weeks. 

I finished up my last day of nannying last Friday since the kids started school on Monday.  Just like two summers ago, I had a great time working with the kids.  They are hilarious and constantly keep me entertained.  I don't know how I ever got so lucky to meet the wonderful family I worked for, but I am so thankful.  Even though I think this was probably my last summer working for them, I know that we'll remain in touch and I look forward to watching them grow up.

For the time being, I'm still babysitting a few times a week for another family.  I'm also finishing up my summer visits.  This weekend, I'm heading up to Chicago to visit the college girls and in a few weeks I'm heading down to St. Louis to see my cousin Steph's new house.  I've been picking up things here and there to take over and I'm sure in a few weeks, I'll be starting to pack up my life.  The way things are looking, I'm probably be heading over in early October so I still have about 5-6 weeks in the States.  

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I'm excited for the upcoming season and look forward to what most likely will be our last year overseas.  I can't wait to discover new places, meet new people, and hopefully pick up a little more German.  And most of all, I look forward to sharing my adventures with you!

Ciao America!

I guess it's time to formally announce that it's back to Italy for Kevin and me this season.  The decision was made way back in May, but we kept our options open all summer just in case something else (and better) came up.  There were a few bites out there and Kevin did some interviewing, but after it was all said and done, we decided to go back to Vipiteno for one more year.  We are thrilled to be going back since we love the town and all the people there.  And the thought of being somewhere two years in a row is exciting...it's a first for us. 

Kevin actually left on Saturday and is settling in.  Our landlords had an amazing care package full of meats, cheeses, breads, pastries, and wine for him when he arrived.  They also jazzed up our apartment with some new curtains, rugs, bedding, and furniture.  Kevin's back to work already and besides the language barrier he says things are great. 

I'm staying back in Springfield to finish up work and will probably be heading over in late September, early October, at the latest.  Of course, I still don't have a visa, but they are working on it...so they say.  But I'm betting I'll be illegal again this year.