03/30/2021
La finestrella, a window into this enchanted city’s hidden canals. Bologna, a window into my cuore.
A year full of surprises—of linguistic challenges and triumphs, of choral singing in glorious cathedrals, of breathtaking nature, of grandi mercati, of life-changing sunsets from the buildings to the sky, of poetic immersion with Dante Alighieri, of psicologia at Unibo, of English teaching in schools, of adventures with my bici blu, of cooking with my italian roommates, of gelato and vino and pasta pasta pasta, of fate disguised as chance encounters, of deep friendships and adopted famiglia, of le due torri, of beautiful romance, of Melissa (my Italian self), and of travel adventures that always led me back with a smile. The lessons were boundless, but the greatest one of all was that I discovered a new place to call home.
I am eternally grateful for that year. Not only did it provide me with lifelong memories and friendships, but I also have had the ongoing joy of teaching this beautiful language for five years since—a gift that keeps on giving. 🙏👌 Grazie mille, Bologna! Sei una meraviglia 😍
