Step One and a Half.

So I started a ‘Step One.’ post a while ago when I was just thinking about this.  It never made it more than 15 words.  I do promise to try harder, but I will not promise it won’t be my last half post…  Anyway, here’s my news…

I’m moving to Italy.

Yes, really and officially.   :]  I will now make a sincere effort to answer all of your probable questions:

1) Why??

I have an incredible opportunity in front of me and I simply have to take it.  Rest assured, it will be temporary move, as I can’t think of a better city to settle down in.  For now though, I am afflicted with what I like to call “restless feet” which lends me towards the opposite of ”settled down”.

2) Then for how long??

That depends on the Italian government.  How long they’ll let me stay, if I can find a job, and all of those minor details.  At this point the only guarantee is that I’ll be there for June and July.  You  may see my smiling (and hopefully tan) face in just a few months.  If I come knocking on your door, I’m only looking for your couch.  Thank you in advance.   Outside of that and pending everything goes according to whatever plan I’m pretending to have, probably a year or year and a half.

3) Wait, June??  When do you leave?

June 8th.   I want to get settled before World Cup starts.  [yes, I did that on purpose...]

4) So where will you be?

A town called Alghero, on an island called Sardinia.  That’s north of the boot for those unfamiliar.  So yes, I’ll be spending my summer on an island in the Mediterranean, in a place that brags of having 300 days of sun a year.  [Sorry, I did that on purpose too...]

4) What are you going to be doing?

After much research and deliberation I’ve settled on an intended stint teaching English to locals.  So the first four weeks that I’m there I’ll be getting certified to teach English as a foreign language and learning how to teach.  After that, your guess is as good as mine at this point.  [This is the part where you chime in with contacts you have in Italy who might know somebody who might know somebody who could help me find a teaching job.  Or just serve to be a friendly accent in a far away place.]

5) So who’s going with you?

Well, no one.  And you, via the internet, if you’d like…hence the new blog. 

6) Wait…Does Ann-Cabell know??

Yes, and she [as well as the rest of the office and those that share our space] has been incredibly supportive of this little adventure of mine.  And for that I am incredibly grateful.

7) So what about ‘Raleigh, Over-Easy’?

That remains to be seen.  Although it has become my great joy and pleasure to send out to all of you everyday, I think it would be simply too much for me to do from abroad.  That being said, I’d hate to leave you all hanging, so I’m working actively to rope the wonderful and amazing Tim Lehan into the job.

8) No, I really needed a place to live.  What do I do now?

The Glenwood Agency isn’t going anywhere.  And I promise, Ann-Cabell, Lisa, and Tim will take better care of you than I probably ever could of.  I mean it.  They’re really smart.  Need something outside our usual world?  Shoot me an email and I’ll be delighted to refer you to somebody awesome.

9) How can I stay in touch?

Well I’m going to make a genuine effort to keep an updated blog running of my daily activities and musings.  Otherwise feel free to follow me on twitter, facebook, or shoot me an email.

I must also seize this public forum (and having your attention already) to give a very loud thank you to my family and friends for being so supportive of me and doing everything you all have to help me make this pipe dream a reality.  Thank you.

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