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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
20200802-IMG_7482.CR2.jpg

Dear Matteo, 37 Months Old

August 03, 2020

We’re local tourists this summer. Take that, COVID-19. You can take away our big international trips but you can’t keep us home.

Our summer getaway strategy has been housesitting while other people are doing their own travel. We’ve rotated between your Uncle Jeff’s parent’s house, Jim and Cassandra’s beach house, the Broili house and Aunt Nina and Uncle Jeff’s house this past month. That has put us in La Conner, Key Center, (deeper) North Tacoma and Bellingham. It’s been awesome to base out of these different places for local adventures.

The major through line at all of these places has been water. You’ve gotten a ton of swim time at lakes, in the Puget Sound and of course in our oversized patio pool on the weekdays in between. It’s important to get comfortable in water and eventually without a life jacket. There are a lot of water activities to enjoy, but you can’t sink.

All of this water time has really inspired your Mom and I to look at more lake access places and even the idea of owning our own lake house one day. Fresh water is hard to come by in this region of the country, but it’s possible. We’re not opposed to being on the Sound as an alternative. You, reading this in the future, can tell me if we had any success. Mark this letter as the moment we got somewhat serious about trying.

Your Mom and I have made ourselves famous among our friends and family for always teasing a real estate idea but of course never really acting on it. Our version of crying wolf is crying Redfin. The real challenge we have is focus on what we want. Being opportunistic is great and all, but focus is what drives decisions. I think you’ll find that to be true in most aspects of life: education, career, love, real estate. You keeping swimming, we’ll keep house hunting and let’s see where we all get.

Love, Dad

← Dear Eliza, 58 Months OldDear Eliza, 57 Months Old →
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