CCC: 300 Days of Giosy

Happy 300th! I never thought I'd be celebrating such an advanced age. 100 seems like yesterday and I hope my wrinkles aren't starting to show.

People to thank: you (that goes without saying), Chloe, and my body for not shutting down from all the sleep deprivation. Or rather, for shutting down to let me get some sleep every night, no matter how much or little it was.

First things first. I have a big announcement that could have waited until my 333rd, but when I tell you to have low expectations I expect to blow you out of the water, so here goes. I will be departing for Florence (Firenze), Italy less than three months from today. February 7th to be exact. This comes after a couple years of saving up for a dream that lay dormant in me during my childhood, only to be awoken with vigour a bit over two years ago. In fact, the full realization came on a perfect day in Salò (near Lago di Garda) with my friends Nicky and Numz two summers ago. But responsibilities, growing up, and stability got in the way--as they should have--and now the temporary migration will be all the sweeter having strived for it on my own. At times this distant dream was like a beacon in a dull period of uncertainty or a glimpse of land amidst a tumultuous storm at sea. And, more recently, as this oasis has come closer to view, it has itself bred doubts into my mind--is the land inhabited, will there be quicksand, are there any predators?--all figuratively speaking of course, but the anticipation both blinds and excites me the same.

There are three (how fitting!) aims to this self-imposed displacement:

1. To become fluent in Italian, or at least almost. To be able to easily hold conversations in Italian, and, if possible, to sound sexy while doing so (at least to the non-Italian speaker). Sexy and confident are interchangeable adjectives in this scenario.
2. To break out of my shell, both internally and externally. To be pushed outside of my comfort level in such a way that it forces me to become more extroverted to strangers and thus more easily able to make friends. The hope is that smalltalk will no longer instil the paranoia of the appearance of social awkwardness. The hope is also that I will overcome my mild(?) androphobia.
3. To find myself. And by this I mean to grow closer to my full potential, whether this means connecting with relatives, discovering my passion(s), nurturing current aspirations, or some other as-yet-unidentified mark.

It's a tall order but I'm ready, armed with a sword of high expectations (I'd be kidding if I said they were low...maybe I shouldn't have sharpened it so much) and a shield of determination. I'll let Pleuve design my armour but I must tell you that it is nowhere near impenetrable, and if anything, I will be much more exposed to harm there than I would be in the comfort and safety of home, family, and friends. I'm hoping the risk pays off.

PS. Perhaps you noticed Florence's backdrop prominently featured in the header? Now you know why.