Happy New Year Friends and Family!
Welcome to the Peppers’ 15th Annual Year-in-Review Photo Montage 2021 recap. Settle in and get snuggly for some action-packed entertainment. ?
It was sad to say addio to Italy. We miss our friends, the gorgeous coastline, the perfect weather, charming villages, and beautiful produce. I miss my bike path in a big way. Stella misses the boundless love and attention. I learned from my friend, Patrizia, that we are not to say “arrivederci” because that’s a final goodbye whereas “addio” is more of a so long, farewell kind of goodbye in hopes of returning one day.
It’s really good to be closer to our friends and family here in the US even if COVID is keeping us from seeing many of you in person. The highest highlight of our return was, after a year of zooming, meeting Jackson face-to-face for the first time. Joy! It took a millionth of a nanosecond to fall so hard in love with that little one. We’re temporarily settled in a rental as we search for a permanent home in the Northeast. I’ve been contracting with the same skincare product organization for 2+ years as a Learning and Outreach Program Manager. It’s a fun remote gig with a fantastic team, and I get to wear a lot of hats. The contract ends in April and I decided to explore permanent employment. I’m casually scoping out the scene with my search focused on remarkable organizations that do something good in the world and that have a model of corporate social responsibility. If you know of such a place that is looking for a Learning & Development leader, I’d be grateful if you gave me a shout.
This year’s word is CREATE.
It can be used in a way that works for you–creating something special/better/exceptional/extraordinary/different for yourself. ? Creating an employment situation that more closely aligns with your talents and dreams. ? Creating deeper love, happiness, hope, or kindness in your life. ? Recreating yourself as in new hobbies, habits, or attitudes. ? Creating healthier relationships or space away from unhealthy ones. ? Creating a stronger belief in your own ability to reach your goals. ?Creating something positive in your community and beyond. ? Tapping into your talents and engaging in creative activities. ? What will you create this year? Feel free to share in the comments!
My hope is that this year, 2022, you create what you most need or want for yourself and make it your best year yet.
Coming sooner than later!
Writing this blog has not been a high-priority activity for a while now. Life = busy. I’ve considered shutting it down altogether except that my Trimalleolar posts still get a lot of daily hits and the blog has allowed me to stay in touch with friends and family in different parts of the world for many years. There’s so much about Italy I haven’t shared. With a new GoPro in hand, I have a bunch of video footage of our Italian experience including my Ligurian Happy Place, the 48k bike ride from Ospedaletti to San Lorenzo al Mare (return trip), and also of our little town Ospedaletti. I’m committing to finishing it and sharing it with ya’ll. Stay tuned.
Video Music Credits
Non Piu Andrai by Ron Meixsell
Italian Afternoon by Twin Musicom
Sand Castles by The Green Orbs
Kenda! Hope this find you – and finds you well! My Kenda – ankle recovery savior! Miss you – Hey, not sure if you will get this – we are planning a trip to Italy with the kids in December since that is when they get off of their “jobs” now that they are all graduated! Could not help but think of you and your blogs – we have been peeking at them and reading trying to figure out where we should plan to go/book! We were thinking Rome, Florence and Amalfi coast for the kids??? and then Paul and I are thinking we will continue for a few more days – and go somewhere!?? But where? – was hoping your blog could help. We read about some beautiful areas and experiences – fun to read and inspiring! Did you spend time in Sicily? Wondering if we should do that or head to Spain or Portugal. Wondering if you have any thoughts. We would be there with the kids around Christmas time. Love to you and your loves, Jane Dev!
Jane! Ciao!
It’s so awesome to hear from you! I miss you, too! How favoloso that you’re planning a trip to bella Italia! Unfortunately, while we were living in Italy, I didn’t keep up with my blog posts. Most of my Italy posts are from a visit about 10 years ago. I need to update those posts and fix the broken images. Hopefully, they’re helping. Your plan for Rome, Florence, and the Amalfi coast sounds perfect. Not sure where you’ll be when the kids return home and you and Paul start your own journey. If in Florence, you could stay in Tuscany and explore some of the beautiful towns nearby like Montepulciano where you can get some of the most incredible wine.
Or you could go to Ligura (this is the region we were living in) and visit Cinque Terre. If you want to try out your ankle, there’s some beautiful hiking there and five incredibly stunning villages. Then there’s Venice…highly recommend it. You could take the train from Florence to Venice. Not sure if you’ll have a car, but I do recommend not driving to or around Florence. It’s much easier to go there by train and walk around. Driving is ridiculous.
If you prefer the city, spend extra days in Roma. I’d stay in the Trastevere neighborhood. It’s very walkable and you can take a bus or uber around the city. There was a super cool night/ghost walk we did in Roma. It’s a superb way of exploring parts of the city that you might not otherwise experience.
If you want to extend your time near the Amalfi Coast, you could go to Sorrento and Pamplona.
No matter what you do or where you go, there’s no way to go wrong in Italy. Every day will be memorable. The architecture, the culture, the people, it’s a win-win-win. If you wanted to explore beyond Italy, give yourselves some extra time. Spain and Portugal are also amazing! If you end up in Cinque Terre, Italy, you’re not too far from the French border. You could take a train along the Mediterranean through many beautiful towns and explore the Côte d’Azur (which is the coastline that goes from Liguria to Nice). It is magnifique!
I can’t wait to hear about your amazing upcoming trip! I’m so happy you’re taking this adventure!
Love back to you and your loves! ?
Kenda! It was so nice to see your year of images and experiences! Thank you for sharing. I’d love to know where you are these days and how you are doing. I hope all is well with your new adventures.
Grazie mille Wendy! I just sent you an email. ?
Kenda, your year in review set to music was divine! The pictures brought me to Italy all over again. It truly is a magical place! Please keep blogging and sharing your adventures.
Blue and white forever and here’s to a great 2022!
KK
My heart is so happy for you.
Today was dedicated to you as P and I visited the monarchs. It was wonderful to see how full the grove was.
You would have been in heaven seeing a cause you’ve dedicated time to, thriving. Love to you all, LL
?LL?
Your message makes my heart soar! Thank you!
I hope all is very well with you, my kind friend.
BIG love to you and yours.?
Kenda-
Welcome back to the United States!! Loved your 15th Year Annual Review!
I am one of your very grateful T-folks!! Wishing you and your beautiful family the very best in 2022!
Happy New Year Nancy! How’s Henry?
I thank you for your message and please know the gratitude is flowing from this end too. You, Jo and Jane (and a few others) have been vital and engaged members of the certified T-Team. I’ve appreciated your spirit and kindness these past few (five??) years.
Wishing you and your loved ones a most and healthy happy ’22.
Kenda,
Thank you for sharing another year. And welcome back to the United States. I look forward to receiving the annual email notification of your montage.
Please keep your blog active. Finding your trimalleolar page was a gift to me during a very difficult time. And because of that, I have enjoyed following your journeys. Best to you in 2022!
Happy New Year, Jo, and thank you for this message! Okay, I’ll keep the blog active. I’m grateful for your input and I appreciate all the T-folks who write in.
I wish YOU the very best of ’22! ?