Here's a copy of the Christmas card (read email) I sent out this year, just in case yours didn't arrive in the post. Look at the blogs below for a wrap up of 2006. Promises to post some photos for Gi and I enjoying Xmas in Naples soon...
Here it is, your Christmas card from Jenny & Gigi.
It looks a little different…the regular folded cardboard format (you know, with Santa in board shorts on a surfboard or delivering gifts in the bush from the back of a ute, or a ‘never-to-be-experienced-in-Australia’ scene of snowy rooftops, carol singers wrapped in long coats and mittens and the glossy red sleigh pulled by twelve prancing reindeer) has been traded in for a Christmas email story.
“Why?” I hear you scream. “Where is my recyclable Christmas card?” Well, I’ve discovered that it is impossible to buy packs of Christmas cards in Naples. I can’t just wander into the supermarket, or newsagent or department store and pick up a pack of twenty cards for a reasonable sum. Oh no. The only Christmas cards I have come across are horrible musical ones that are tack, tack, tacky and cost about $2 (AUD) each. Now, we love you all, but when you add on $1.40 postage and the emotional hassle of dealing with the postal system, and multiply all of that by about 100 or so you can see why the Hotmail delivered Christmas card has become this year’s preference.
Rest assured though that it comes with all the usual sentiment, so let’s get that out of the way first:
Merry Christmas
Happy New Year
Season’s Greetings
Now, if you’ve been paying attention you will know that Gigi and I are now living in Italy. The question we are most asked, here in Naples is ‘Why? Why leave the paradise that is Australia?’ The answer: because we could, and because life in Naples is infinitely more challenging (read difficult) and it was time to shake things up.
We are both on a no-choice break as the inlingua language school where I teach and the two clinics Gi practices massage and Chinese health therapies from are all closing from Xmas until 8 January when Italy cracks up again. However, I am planning a bunch of day trips visiting museums, volcanoes, churches, and abstract places we’ve been talking about for months but never find time for. In addition to that we have to find a new place to live as we have to move out of our urban cave on 6 January. We are hoping to move into a bigger place and possibly share. But we would love to have guests in 2007 so come and visit. Suffice to say we have a busy couple of weeks ahead.
We are both enjoying work, although my writing has slipped a bit and I need to find some sort of routine to refocus my energies on getting something published. Of course Naples is a city where self employment is not an easy choice and there are times when we both have clients – patients and students – cancelling lessons, leaving the budget a little battered. But slowly, very slowly, it’s improving. I have a much greater appreciation for why so many people are out of work, and why so many people in their 30’s and 40’s still live with their parents...but I still struggle the idea.
So Xmas will probably be at Gi’s mother’s place, most of it happening on Xmas Eve in accordance with the local traditions. I will be trying to get to a phone and internet MSN messenger access Xmas Eve (Aust is ten hours ahead, so Xmas morning in Oz) and/or on Xmas day which would be Xmas night in Oz so look out for us on messenger for a chat. I can feel a bit of homesickness coming on already.
It’s been unseasonably warm here for weeks, but after dropping a teacher friend, Dana, at the airport on Wednesday the weather has turned cold, cold. First the rain came and now the wind has joined it. Gi has been out and bought a coat, scarf and hat so he’s set. I just need to find a hot water bottle.
We are both well. I will post a snapshot of 2006 on the blog for those that are interested. Go to www.jennygi.blogspot.com .
We miss our family and friends. There is no doubt that Australia is the best place to be, especially for Xmas, with the heat, seafood and the possibility of a swim.
Love and have a great Christmas to all
Jenny & Gi
It looks a little different…the regular folded cardboard format (you know, with Santa in board shorts on a surfboard or delivering gifts in the bush from the back of a ute, or a ‘never-to-be-experienced-in-Australia’ scene of snowy rooftops, carol singers wrapped in long coats and mittens and the glossy red sleigh pulled by twelve prancing reindeer) has been traded in for a Christmas email story.
“Why?” I hear you scream. “Where is my recyclable Christmas card?” Well, I’ve discovered that it is impossible to buy packs of Christmas cards in Naples. I can’t just wander into the supermarket, or newsagent or department store and pick up a pack of twenty cards for a reasonable sum. Oh no. The only Christmas cards I have come across are horrible musical ones that are tack, tack, tacky and cost about $2 (AUD) each. Now, we love you all, but when you add on $1.40 postage and the emotional hassle of dealing with the postal system, and multiply all of that by about 100 or so you can see why the Hotmail delivered Christmas card has become this year’s preference.
Rest assured though that it comes with all the usual sentiment, so let’s get that out of the way first:
Merry Christmas
Happy New Year
Season’s Greetings
Now, if you’ve been paying attention you will know that Gigi and I are now living in Italy. The question we are most asked, here in Naples is ‘Why? Why leave the paradise that is Australia?’ The answer: because we could, and because life in Naples is infinitely more challenging (read difficult) and it was time to shake things up.
We are both on a no-choice break as the inlingua language school where I teach and the two clinics Gi practices massage and Chinese health therapies from are all closing from Xmas until 8 January when Italy cracks up again. However, I am planning a bunch of day trips visiting museums, volcanoes, churches, and abstract places we’ve been talking about for months but never find time for. In addition to that we have to find a new place to live as we have to move out of our urban cave on 6 January. We are hoping to move into a bigger place and possibly share. But we would love to have guests in 2007 so come and visit. Suffice to say we have a busy couple of weeks ahead.
We are both enjoying work, although my writing has slipped a bit and I need to find some sort of routine to refocus my energies on getting something published. Of course Naples is a city where self employment is not an easy choice and there are times when we both have clients – patients and students – cancelling lessons, leaving the budget a little battered. But slowly, very slowly, it’s improving. I have a much greater appreciation for why so many people are out of work, and why so many people in their 30’s and 40’s still live with their parents...but I still struggle the idea.
So Xmas will probably be at Gi’s mother’s place, most of it happening on Xmas Eve in accordance with the local traditions. I will be trying to get to a phone and internet MSN messenger access Xmas Eve (Aust is ten hours ahead, so Xmas morning in Oz) and/or on Xmas day which would be Xmas night in Oz so look out for us on messenger for a chat. I can feel a bit of homesickness coming on already.
It’s been unseasonably warm here for weeks, but after dropping a teacher friend, Dana, at the airport on Wednesday the weather has turned cold, cold. First the rain came and now the wind has joined it. Gi has been out and bought a coat, scarf and hat so he’s set. I just need to find a hot water bottle.
We are both well. I will post a snapshot of 2006 on the blog for those that are interested. Go to www.jennygi.blogspot.com .
We miss our family and friends. There is no doubt that Australia is the best place to be, especially for Xmas, with the heat, seafood and the possibility of a swim.
Love and have a great Christmas to all
Jenny & Gi
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