• Contact
  • Family Letters
    • Summary and Campaigns
    • Feature Films
    • Short Films
    • Editorial
    • Podcasts
Menu

Paolo M. Mottola Jr.

  • Contact
  • Family Letters
  • Day Job
    • Summary and Campaigns
    • Feature Films
    • Short Films
    • Editorial
    • Podcasts

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
PXL_20210816_230425202.jpg

Dear Matteo, 50 Months Old

September 03, 2021

You’re finding your voice and style of command and recently testing a lot of multisyllabic words. You like to lead your conversations with “remember” and “actually.”

”Dad, remember, you have to read me a Star Wars book so I can sleep.”

“Remember Dad, you have to get me some water to drink now.”

“Actually I was thinking we should play monster tag.”

“Actually I’m feeling sort of tired.”

Upon seeing anything impressive you comment, “That’s incredible!”

I’m having fun listening to your language development and witnessing your fearlessness to blurt out new big word combinations. I occasionally try to insert some novice Italian when we talk, and you’ll give me a “si” or “grazie.” I’ll call that a win.

I have my fingers crossed one of my children has a grasp for a second language and can break my inability to speak close to intermediate Italian after so many starts and stops. To that point, I just searched online to learn that the Italian verb “to remember” is ricordare. Of course, you have to conjugate that. “Actually” in Italian is veramente. Let’s try using those too.

You’ll learn more than just language this year as you start pre-kindergaren next week at Curious by Nature, where Eliza attended. You get to enjoy all the fun and mud of a year-round outdoor school. You can always use fresh air and plenty of space to run, so you’ll get that three days a week at this new school. I can tell you’re ready to make new friends and push a little more into writing, counting and other developmental activities that you’re willing to try as often as you see Eliza do them. That’s the joy of being the younger sibling: always someone to look up to and chase.

Actually, we’re the ones chasing you most of the time. Remember?

Love, Dad

← Dear Eliza, 71 Months OldDear Eliza, 70 Months Old →
Back to Top

Copyright 2024.