I don't believe it.
A lot has changed since my first day in Rome.
My big goal for this year is to continue to improve my Italian. It's getting better. Being back in class and meeting a friend for language exchange has helped a great deal.
My other goal (and quite difficult) is to not stress out so much about my career.
I'm going through some crazy work stuff back in L.A. It's like nothing is going right. It's very frustrating.
So much is out of my control. Once I send my script off, that's it. I have to wait, wait and wait.
Hopefully, I will hear some good news from Hollywood during the next few months. I must think positive or else I wouldn't be able to get anything done.
These last two years have been amazing. I think about how I was when I first arrived. I was in quite a state.
I was bitter, burnt out, broke, single, pessimistic, tired, heavier and full of negativity.
I'm still single and broke but everything else has changed...drastically. I don't know what the hell happened to me those ten years in L.A. I lost my foundation somehow.
Since the move overseas, I've reconnected with the things that are most important to me.
Five years ago I came to Italy for the first time. I wasn't an Italophile. I wasn't going crazy over coming to Rome. I was just happy to take a little vacation during one of the most stressful moments of my life. The months prior to my trip had sent me into a pretty bad downward spiral. I wasn't sure if I would snap back.
I know it sounds very Eat, Pray, Love but that little trip saved me and completely changed my life.
Thursday, April 01, 2010
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20 comments:
I can't believe it's been 2 years!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Really. I'm so glad you made the move. Now we need to see each other again. Soon!
Congratulation on your two year mark. I am so happy that the move proved to be what you needed to see things in a better perspective. Isn't it funny how some things improve with a geographical change? These positive changes speak to your decision to move to Italy as being the right one. As for those things that are yet to be improved, well you know that they will with time. Rome wasn't built in a day after all :). Your courage is paying off so just stay positive and you will reap the rest of your pay days.
You are an inspiration to me.
Congrats on the your life change! Despite not truly knowing you I can not tel you how PROUD I am of you for having the COURAGE and STRENGTH to do it! Life is about movement and change, even at its most stable, keep going and keep sharing - you are an inspiration!
love hearing stories like this from women.
we definitely should have a gelato soon =)
after easter ?
ciao xx
Sometimes you really need a jolt to get you going in a different direction. I'm so glad you found Rome as your new home and hope that the fame and fortune follows.
Congratulations Arlene!! Can't believe that time has already flown by. You're an inspiration :)
Allora Happy Anniversary :) And Happy April fools :)
Congratulations on living your dream! LA (I was there for 6 miserable years) was one of the most soul-crushing places I've ever lived in. I still think about what I sacrificed to move there, and all the things that went wrong while I was there and I've learnt that sometimes the universe tries to gently guide you to change your life - I just wish I'd been paying attention at the time. I'm super-envious that you were able to figure out a way to become a EU resident...one of my best friends is moving to Barcelona next month to "start her life" and even though I have the inclination, I lack the resources to be able to chuck it all in and move to Europe. Kudos to you for sticking with it. And don't fret, love is on it's way...
Grazie mille tutti!!
It's a gorgeous day out and I just treated myself to a mani/pedi so I'm in a very good mood now despite the shenanigans in L.A.
Anon - I have a French passport because my parents are French and became naturalized American citizens. I'm glad they remembered to register our births with the French embassy when we were born. The French consulate in L.A. said it would have been difficult and a lot of red tape to get my citizenship as an adult.
Congrats on your two year anniversary! I just got a pedi yesterday...it's amazing how a thing like that can brighten your day.
I hope you know that you are an inspiration to me. It takes courage to move from NYC, a city you love, to LA to pursue your dream. And it takes even MORE courage to realize that wasn't working for you and take the ultimate leap.
I agree with the poster who said Rome wasn't built in a day. True dat. The pieces of the puzzle don't all fall into place at the same time or even at equal intervals, but i'm a firm believer that eventually, they will all fall into place.
That said, I frakkin miss you.
xoxo
your seeeeestor
Wow, 2 years! Congratulations!! :) I have to say that I can relate to what you are saying. Although my background is Italian and I have always deep down wanted to live there, it was my trip to Italy a couple years ago after my father my passed away that I think really saved me and opened my eyes to so much. I am looking forward to the possibilities that lie ahead for me in Italy and I am going to continue cheering you on with your journey! :) To many more happy, successful years in Italy!!!
Speaking of Eat, Pray and Love perhaps you should write down your memoirs into a story or screenplay. That would be a very interesting read/see.
Congratulations on your 2 years. It's not easy to move to a new country.
Yes it did. 2 years , wow! And see its all working out slowly but surely. This was a gift to be able to move.
Congratulations!
You know that I live in Asia and that Japan is just a hop, skip and a jump away but I tell you, I may venture to Italy again in early Summer. There's something that I can't shake about Italy. I think it's the light. Could I interview you for my blog? Dinner would be my treat!
Ciao!
congrats on two great years! i have been following your blog for some time now... i love reading about stories like yours! your entries are inspiring and i have forwarded links to your page to many of my friends that need a shot of bravery. thanks for sharing your life with us!
Way to go!
You've got a lotta of chutzpah to do what you've done.
I've enjoyed reading about your journey. You inspire me to do more, reach further, and stay positive no matter what obstacles stand in the way.
Ms. Violetta
I love, how you told a few days ago, about your family giving you money so you could take that trip at a time when you thought it was simply not feasible. And look at all you have gained. I admire your guts and positivity (not in a pollyanna-ish way, but the way you are able to appreciate the good things even if everything is not perfect). Your sister the Gibber says it best!
So happy you are flourishing and hope the Hollywood stuff will turn out well. Happy anniversary!
well, you are eating well and loving life-not sure about the praying but it doesn't really matter. What does matter is that life is good once again! Congrats!
Thanks for the well wishes everyone!!
J. Doe - I did write a book about Rome but it was fiction, before I moved to Italy. It's how I got my manager, film (mopic lit) agents liked it but every book agent turned it down. They said they could not sell it.
It was being submitted right around EAT, PRAY, LOVE was blowing up and publishers were drowning in submissions about American women who move/live abroad and reclaim their lives.
I don't regret writing the book as I proved to myself I could finish it while working full time.
yay arlene! you seemed so happy when we saw you :) you should be proud, you've gone through a lot to be able to be where you are. now go have that chocolate!
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