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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
20210522-IMG_9504.CR2.jpg

Dear Matteo, 47 Months Old

June 03, 2021

You just got to meet your new cousin, sort of.

We spent the weekend in Bellingham to see your Aunt Nina in her final days of pregnancy with a big, round tummy. We hadn’t seen them for the past six months due to the pandemic, so we almost missed seeing Nina’s bump entirely. Will it be a boy or a girl? We’ll know by your next letter. The out-of-womb cousins all got along great. You and Harry roughhoused as expected, and we got to hear a lot more from a verbose young Elowen.

The weekend was a nice break from all of the moving in we’re doing. It was easy getting beds and dressers in place (because we hired movers to do that). Now we’re down to the small stuff — art boxes, framed pictures — as well as junk-drawer-worthy miscellaneous items.

You’ve wasted no time taking advantage of all of the extra space here. You built racecar tracks across our furniture-less family room, canvassed your bedroom floor with monster trucks and books, and climbed the highest point of the backyard playset. Mom bought you a Paw Patrol water gun with a backpack resevoir, which you’ve used to hose down the patio and the side of the house. All in all, you’re proving out why we wanted to get more space and more house.

You have been an awesome playmate around the house, too, constantly asking if I want to play with you or work on a project together. You helped me build some of our new outdoor furniture as well as a living room chair. Sometimes we get to play and sometimes I have to disappoint you when, say, your request is at 10 a.m. on a weekday. But oh the jealousy I have that every day of the week is a play day for you. It’s just turning to be summer now and we have a lot of outdoor playtime ahead!

Love, Dad

← Dear Eliza, 68 Months OldDear Eliza, 67 Months Old →
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