Counting Down to the Initial Visit

Yesterday was another day I was reminded that half the things my mother told me growing up were true (the other half she completely made up but when you have a kid who won't stop asking questions I don't know what else you'd do). One of her favorite sayings to me was and probably still is "you would lose your head Tara Joy if it wasn't screwed on to your body". This was particularly applicable today when I left a check to be deposited in the ATM at the post office as I was waiting for a coworker to buy stamps. How this happened I still don't know. I signed the check at the counter and apparently forgot to pick it back up. Good thing it was still there after we had eaten lunch. I'm pretty sure my luck in these types of situations is about to run out!


I have come to realize that as much as I'd like to jump on the ADHD bandwagon there is no medical cause for my absentmindedness...I just can't seem to slow down. Now if this would be in some sort of productive sense I would have no problem with the constant questions my mind comes up with but instead it thinks about stupid things that have no consequence . In one of those rare moments where I think about actual important things I realized that in a week I will be packing (we all know I am not going to be packed and ready to go until Tuesday morning five minutes before I leave for the airport) and getting ready to leave for my visit to Italy. Just like everything else it seems the time has gone by so fast. It seems that just a few days ago this entire experience of working in Italy was just a suggestion to my boss. Now I'm getting ready to go to a country where I don't speak the language to find a place to live!

The crazy part is that I'm not worried about not knowing the language or not knowing a soul over there...my main concern is that I'm pretty sure I don't own any clothes that are Italy appropriate. As most of you know I have no fashion sense and could easily spend spend more money buying new running shoes or cleats then strappy sandles or leather boots. This is going to come as a shock to many but I'm actually worried about what I'm going to wear! NRM/Sara/Stacey you have finally accomplished your goal! Seriously though what do you pack to go to one of the most fashionable countries in Europe...I had a hard enough time packing for LA. Now I have to pack for the country that produced Armani, Fendi, Gucci, Prada, and Versace. This is like putting The Fridge at midfield for Brazil in the World Cup! I am completely out of my element. Suggestions would be much appreciated!

My secondary concern is what to do if and when I am asked to go for coffee (which I am afraid will happen almost daily). Doesn't seem like a big concern for most people but a Tara full of caffeine is like a normal person on speed. A quarter can of red bull once made me think my heart was physically going to thump right out of my chest. Don't get me wrong I'm all for hanging out at a cafe in the middle of the day but I'd prefer not to look like the stupid American who can't handle her coffee. I'd like to make it to my first night out drinking wine for that!

I realize that these concerns may seem silly and stupid in light of what many of your concerns are today but I hope this post has made you forget about those concerns and you are now mulling over how to help me figure out what to wear while politely not drinking coffee!

Initial Post

As most of you know I have been given the opportunity to work with my company's affiliate in Torino, Italia for six months next year. I have decided to start a blog to chronical my time there next year. And as all of you know I LOVE to tell stories...some of you may know them as "Tara Stories". These stories contain precise details such as dates, times, what people were wearing and the weather at the time of the story. Now these stories will be available for you to read at your leisure and you can skip parts that you don't want to hear which is not available on the live Tara Story version. I am sure many of you have a few questions/concerns about my trip such as: 1) Does she speak Italian? 2) What is she going to do when she locks herself out of her apartment? 3) Does she know anyone over in Italy? 4) What is she going to do without playing any sports for six months? 5) Is she finally going to pick up the game of soccer? Here are the answers: 1) Nope...using Rosetta Stone to learn the language. 2) Good question and one I can't answer until it happens (which we all know it will). 3) I am going over the first week in November for five days to meet people in our affiliate office but other than my future coworkers no. 4) I plan to fill up my time driking wine and skiing. 5) I think that I may have to! I welcome questions and comments about my journey and look forward to hearing from everyone!