Como se dice...

Here are some words that one wouldn't necessarily need to know in Italian...unless you are living here.

plunger = un sturalavandini

lotion = fluida corpo

clothes hanger = gruccia per vestiti

Exhaustion

I've been in Italy one week and I am EXHAUSTED. My head hurts, my body aches, and I feel like I could sleep forever.

I think it may have something to do with the fact that in the past 4 months I've graduated from college, planned a wedding, lost one of my closest friends, got married, moved overseas and started a high pressure job.

Exactly 7 days ago I was somewhere over the Atlantic drifting in and out of sleep, sitting next to a 14-month old semi-sleeping, semi-cranky baby. After a little over 9 hours the plane screeched to a halt at Fuimicino. I went though customs, collected all 150 lbs. of luggage, hailed a cab, and hauled my belongings to Angela's apartment. Then I ran to the store to get a few toiletries -- which I must say isn't an easy task. Como se dice 'lotion' en italiano? I tried to look for key words that I knew, but I never did find it and still don't have any. The sad thing is I just haven't had the mental energy after work to drag myself to a supermercado or farmacia to find some. Maybe this weekend.

I had Sunday to rest, which I am so thankful for. I slept until noon and only ventured out for some Chinese take-out. That one teeny, tiny day of nothing gave me just enough strength to make it through my first week of work.

Work is stressful, full of challenges, and is honestly quite intimidating. This is a real, grown-up job. I can't forget to set my alarm, I can't miss the train, I can't skip work because it is raining. This is not college and I am not an intern. I just keep reminding myself that this is exactly what I'm supposed to be doing and that I am fully capable of succeeding.

Monday evening I had an appointment with Joseph, the realtor, to see a little flat in Trastevere. I walked up to the door and before it even opened I was in love and I knew it had to be home. We are paying an obscene amount for rent, but it will be our oasis in the city. It will be our escape from all the stresses of living in a foreign country and it will be my refuge from a hard day at work. I'm moving in tomorrow and I am happy to have a few days to get it set up before Jim arrives.

I cannot wait for Jim to get here. I am so ready to finally be able to relax and enjoy married life. I'm excited to not be living out of boxes or suitcases and I'm ready to stay put for a while.