After Christmas the family from Quebec came. Luciene, Terese and Stephanie, Pierre and Rosalyn, Tristan and Annie, myself, Dad, Anto, Antonella, Sabrina, Christina and Michele, and Marilisa and Francesco. There were some very full dinner tables. It was such a great time with them and such a treat to spend time all together. I haven't seen most of them in many years and some not since I was 8 years old. The holidays here were very special for me.

Now it is back to work, searching for work, trying to find permits to work more...and so on. I have found another job recently at a language school here in Verona. They are very nice and seem to have a fair bit of work to pass my way. I will see how it goes.

In my search for a new work permit I have done a lot of thinking. Some of which has brought me to the conclusion that it is very different to live in a place than it is to visit a place. Now this seems like a somewhat mundane statement....kinda obvious right? The reason I say it is because of all the letters I get from and chats I have with friends and family, in which I hear over and over again how nice it must be to live in Italy. Now, don't get me wrong, I know a) that I am very lucky to be able to live where I choose and move around freely and b) that Italy is indeed a lovely place. In saying that, it is also incredibly true that the grass is ALWAYS greener on the other side. People here can't understand why I would want to live here versus Canada and people in Canada can't understand why I would want to come back. Italy, in all it's glory, has many many problems. Every country does, and it's a matter of finding a good fit (I think) rather than trying to live in a version of a place that only really exists in relatively short-term travel.

I am frustrated here, but I am still trying. I will try to be patient and see where it leads me. Patience has never been a great virtue of mine in cases such as these. In the meantime, I hope to produce more art.