I can’t believe the first four months of 2021 have already flown by. January dealt me some interesting cards. I finally got all my paperwork completed in order to confidently leave Italy knowing that I would be able to reenter, as long as I was fever-free and could pass a Covid test because even with residency, you must get a test within 3 days of boarding an international flight. After purchasing my ticket and packing up I got the news that my roommate back home, in Georgia, tested positive for Covid-19. With that in mind, I felt it was best to postpone my flight.
February started with a celebration of Scott’s 50th birthday. We tried to keep our stress level down and enjoy life in Vicenza, Italy as a married couple with grown children and a dog. I think we do a pretty good job of it. I also found out that I’m going to be a grandmother. That exciting news definitely confirmed that we would start wrapping up our time in Italy to move back to the states. In the middle of month, I got on a plane and headed to Atlanta.
March, oh March, it was my busiest month so far. I taught classes online in the mornings and enjoyed my workdays learning more about the life of a high school counselor.
Working with the fabulous staff made me feel more confident in my decision to apply for a full-time position. Interviewing for a job during a pandemic is so complex it probably deserves its own separate post but for now, I will briefly describe the experience…Because I completed my internship and was in a current supply position at the location, I can imagine that the stressors were less than that of someone who walked into the building for the first time but still, it was STRESSFUL! I knew that I have always used a smile to convey kindness and genuine care for others but I didn’t realize how handicapped I would feel during an interview with a mask on. It was interesting, to say the least, and I have sympathy for those who are facing that challenge.
I accepted the job as soon as they offered it to me because Scott and I were hoping and praying this would be part of God’s plan for me.
I wrapped up my time in the supply position in early April and headed to the beach. In addition to the awesomeness of spending 9 nights at the beach, I found out our first grandbaby will be a boy. Yay! (Do you see blue powder all over me in the picture?)
After celebrating my birthday with family I headed to the airport to reunite with my husband and pup in Italy. I have big plans to savor the 11 weeks before starting my new position as a high school counselor. Ciao for now!
-Julie