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Paolo M. Mottola Jr.

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

Dear Matteo, 79 Months Old

February 03, 2024

After the long wait and watching Eliza accumulate cash from her tooth fairy, you’re finally losing some teeth.

You’ve had a few bottom teeth come in behind your baby teeth, creating shark-like rows, but the first tooth finally came out with little drama. Unlike your sister, you’re willing to work your loose teeth back and forth and have no hesitation to give them a solid yank.

Eliza established that every child has their own unique tooth fairy, resulting in a large fairy universe. You excitedly placed your first lost tooth under your pillow and wrote a note:

“Hi Tooth Fairy. Can I have a rainbow and gold Pokemon card?”

The tooth fairy didn’t have Pokemon cards, but delivered some cash. I remained shocked that the going rate for a tooth in 2024 is $5. Talk about inflation.

Your tooth fairy also left a note and identified himself as Trent. Eliza was right about the personal tooth fairy assignments.

Aside from this exciting development, you’ve been having a great winter. We’ve got you playing basketball, and you’re scoring 4-6 points per game. You prefer to dribble left-handed for some reason, and we won’t stop you until you realize you’re right-handed yourself.

I’m glad we’ve got basketball going because the ski season has been dreadful. Too warm, too dry. We’ve pushed to get up the mountain anyway to make the most of our season’s passes. You’re progressing technique, skiing your first black diamonds on an icy West Face (Uncle Scott calls it “Colface") and Middle Ferks (also called “Iceberg.”). You’re linking parallel turns incredibly well and sporting a great attitude. You seem to ski better on the harder, steeper runs. On that West Face run, you took a spill and Uncle Scott caught you from sliding 50-60 yards. You got right back up and finished the run without worry. Other kids would have froze in fear or initimidation, but that’s not you. Instead, you complained that we didn’t ski it again. Ha!

Don’t worry you’ve got many more black diamonds to ski and teeth to lose, hopefully never at the same time.

Love, Dad

← Dear Eliza, 100 Months OldDear Eliza, 99 Months Old →
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