I’m thrilled to share that I am now officially TEFL-certified to teach English as a foreign language! After completing the course in Greece, I have both my certificate and a letter of recommendation. It feels great to accomplish this, although I’m unsure if I’ll pursue teaching English. Nevertheless, the certification is lifelong, so it’s reassuring to have it as a future option. (narrator: she never pursued teaching English).

So, what’s next for me?

Currently, I’m in Italy, staying with my dear friend Rossella, her husband Matteo, and their adorable two-year-old son Joshua. They live in San Felice, a picturesque agricultural area near Modena and Bologna in northern Italy. Italy’s beauty and charm completely enchant me.

Rossella and I met back in 2001 while I was working at Merrill Lynch in Berkeley, where she joined us as a summer intern. We’ve maintained our friendship over the years, including visits to NYC and attending her wedding in London. It’s wonderful to be visiting her now in Italy.

Next week, we’re planning a tour of northern Italy, driving down towards Rome. I’ll meet up with my sisters there and spend a few days exploring the city with them. Following that, we plan to fly to Venice for a few days before I return by train to San Felice to spend more time with Rossella and her family.

I’m truly smitten with Italy—the air is fresh, the water tastes sweet, and the landscapes are breathtaking. I’m even tempted to learn Italian. Who knows? I might just extend my stay here longer than initially planned. Stay tuned!