WORD IS BORN

I started this blog WAY back in 2007 as "Word Is Born." The spirit remains the same: my thoughts and photos, random as they are. Enjoy.

Latest Grams:

WE THREE ARE ITALIAN CITIZENS! 🇮🇹 🎉 (Note: Super weird to celebrate anything considering COVID-19 and Black injustice crises.) Twelve years ago -- way before I had kids, right before I met Amanda -- I started exploring dual citizenship. Perch&egra

WE THREE ARE ITALIAN CITIZENS! 🇮🇹 🎉 (Note: Super weird to celebrate anything considering COVID-19 and Black injustice crises.) Twelve years ago -- way before I had kids, right before I met Amanda -- I started exploring dual citizenship. Perchè no? I didn't know what the future would hold, but I knew opening more doors for education and work in my father's country and greater EU would be good for me and future generations. Oh, and the history, culture, landscapes, pride of lineage, etc. I wanted to power up from half Italian to full citizen. I set a first citizenship appointment in San Francisco in 2010, the same year Amanda and I married, but didn't get enough paperwork together time. I had some other stops and starts but thanks to some major legwork led by cousin @mikebaiocchi I finally set an appointment two years ago for a January 2020 appointment at the consulate in San Francisco. We made it a fun little family vacation. The appointment itself went well (after some fair shaming about my language progress). We came home and waited for confirmation but of course COVID-19 devastated Italy, and I didn't expect to hear anything soon. Well, the surprise came in the mail today 🙌🏻. Eliza and Matteo automatically gained citizenship. Amanda has a few more steps (notably a high level of language achievement) to gain citizenship through marriage, but I am super pumped to reach this longtime goal! Forza Italia! 🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹

Took the family for a (peaceful protest) walk around the neighborhood. 👊🏻👊🏽👊🏿

Took the family for a (peaceful protest) walk around the neighborhood. 👊🏻👊🏽👊🏿

Last day in Kent HQ (but not my last at REI!). I've spent some of my best years here in the Kent valley.

I remember after leaving Eddie Bauer, my next stop had to be REI. They had a co-op model, big stores, real community events! I knocked on t

Last day in Kent HQ (but not my last at REI!). I've spent some of my best years here in the Kent valley. I remember after leaving Eddie Bauer, my next stop had to be REI. They had a co-op model, big stores, real community events! I knocked on these doors and many kind people responded. @nattyluna and @jordowilliams kindly met me for informational interviews. @lux2, after intense interrogation, finally conceded and offered me a job on the social media team to join @kelly_ann_walsh. Shout out to some of my other bosses over the years: @rowleycraig, @sarahjeanneisme @mrajet and @ph9er. Too many colleagues and teammates over the years to tag but so appreciative of the shared time. The work we did in this place will define my career and the brand for years to come. OptOutside, Force of Nature, etc. I’ve been able to pay it forward and meet people for informational interviews and hire some of them myself. I’ve met a lot of great people and forged a kit of friendship with people who were also willing to come to Kent. Because the location doesn’t matter so much as the mission. Shout out to those who literally drove with me and endured the I-5 commute that future generations won't comprehend: @jruckle @angelafgow @halleyrebecca @shelb_hall. Next stop, REI Tacoma (work at home) and a smattering of new Bellevue HQ. Onward.

I published monthly letters for these Puget Sound saltwater 🐟. Link in profile. #deareliza #dearmatteo

March 18, 2008 in Uncategorized

Hi all,

Where did I leave off? Oh yes, so Wesley and I arrived into a sketchy part of Budapest after we were robbed, but landed at a very nice hostel on the other side of Pest (Budapest is actually two cities (Buda and Pest). We spent most of the morning exploring and the city grew on us. We were most impressed by the Parliament building, which is sort of like the White House there, and we caught part of Easter mass at the local main Christian church.

We left Budapest after a night for Vienna, which is a lovely city, too. It was a whirlwind though, because we had fewer than 24 hours there before catching the train to Salzburg. This pace is hectic but rewarding.

Salzburg reminds me a lot of Switzerland -- green and quaint. This is the birthplace of Mozart and where "The Sound of Music" was filmed. In fact, at our hostel, they play "The Sound of Music" once a day. We're taking a guided tour tomorrow during the day and will further explore the pubs and clubs tomorrow night before we catch a train to Munich.
___

We met a Russian man at the hostel in Vienna and got into a conversation with him about his global travels, which include most of Europe, Dubai, New Zealand and Australia. He said he knew we were Americans because we were so friendly and introduced ourselves. He said every American he has met from in his travels has been delightful and so on. This was a nice change because most of the people we've met (usually on by train or hostel) has asked:

Clinton or Obama?
(Regardless of answer to Number 1) Good. Anyone is better than Bush.

I hadn't realized that the world was so focused on the US elections, because frankly I don't know who the main political leader is in most major countries, but we've been told time and time again about how drastically US economy and policy affects European counterparts. Everyone here has their own strong opinions about Clinton, Obama and McCain.

A middle-aged German man: "Obama could be the next Kennedy."

A 20-something Irish girl: "I'm Clinton all the way. She's got the experience."

We've had some insightful, often intoxicated discussions on the matter.