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Art of Loving Italy

Art of Loving Italy

Art & Beauty are all around us.

2016 really was a wonderful year!

December 29, 2016 by Melissa Muldoon Leave a Comment

Happy New Year! Buon anno!


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As 2016 draws to a close, I have been taking the time to reflect back upon the past year. It seems to me each year flashes by just a little more swiftly. I am often despondent during the lull following December 25th and January 1st. The rush of holiday parties is over and gifts lay scattered under the tree, amongst the remnants of wrapping paper and ribbons. I am held hostage in that space of wanting to hang on to the past and yet eager to move forward and embrace a new year and new possibilities. It makes me restless to think another year has passed. I am another year older, and yet, there are so many things still to do, places I want to travel to, and people I want to meet. It seems I didn’t get everything done on my lengthy wish list.

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But, then I pause and take a deep breath. I call to my dogs, and we head out for a walk to enjoy the golden glow of a late California winter afternoon. At the top of our hill, I stop. Despite the dogs tugging on their leashes, I turn around in a full circle. I observe the stuccoed houses, the hikers passing by me on their way to climb the peak. I look up at the Eucalyptus trees, their lofty branches create intricate patterns in the sky, and their multi-colored trunks make me think of abstract paintings. I drink everything in, the big and the small details. Then I return home. Seated at my computer I open up my photo file and begin flipping through all the images I’ve taken since last January 1st. And it hits me. What an incredible year it has been, filled with love and extraordinary accomplishments. 

But somehow in the flow of days, I had conveniently filed away in the back of my brain and almost forgotten special little moments — wine tasting with girlfriends, a picture my aspiring photographer son had taken, a surprise birthday party, and a wedding. The photos also make me recall the magical moments I spent in Italy this past year. Each image reveals smiling faces and reunions with friends, fantastic architecture, and breathtaking vistas. What a cathartic experience to sift through all the pictures of time spent split between California and Italy and view the year with new fresh eyes.

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Photo Credit: Studentessa Matta Immersion Programs

Many will say that 2016 was a terrible year. A dismal year. They can’t wait to put it behind them. But, I believe a year is what you make of it. How you handle disappointments, setbacks, and stressful situations are the tests of one’s character. I think that despite a few delusions if you look closely you will see a lot of good existed in 2016.

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Photo Credit: Melissa Muldoon

Looking back now, for me personally, 2016 held many high points. I have the perspective of a whole year to take another breath and realize that yes, 2016 was indeed an incredible year. I published a book! I met Sophia Loren in person! I kissed her on both of her cheeks and chatted with her in Italian. Not only that, but I have three bright young sons who are turning into successful adults. Okay, the path isn’t always easy with kids. As a parent, one always worries. And I have a husband, who after thirty-two years of marriage still puts up with my creative highs and lows and all my various moods and keeps coming back despite my daily admonitions: “don’t disturb me now…can’t you see I’m writing!”

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Photo Credit: Melissa Muldoon

So take a long look around you. Appreciate the many small miracles and moments of 2016. Appreciate the people who populate your world — real, imagined, and virtual! Then close your eyes and envision what you will do in 2017! Dream big everyone! We have only one life to live and like my Sophias (the real woman and the character I have created) my two “dreaming Sophias” make every moment count. When life knocks them down, they always find a way to get back up and make their dreams a reality! Be like Sophia!

Cin Cin!

Just one more thing…I just popped the cork on a lovely bottle of prosecco but before I take a sip, I want to thank those who have read Dreaming Sophia. I want you all to know that I very much appreciate the comments you have left on Amazon and Goodreads. They warm my heart. My fictional character Sophia is very dear to me. Her journey in many ways is a reflection of my own, so it pleases me that people are enjoying her story and the message of hope that things are possible if you “sognare ad occhi aperti” – dream with your eyes open.

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Click to find out more about
Melissa Muldoon the author of Dreaming Sophia

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Filed Under: Melissa Book News Tagged With: Dreaming Sophia, Happy New Year 2017, Melissa Muldoon, Sophia Loren

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Driving through the Maremma wending my way back to Driving through the Maremma wending my way back to Roma!
Grazie Antonio @notapioneer per una serata fantast Grazie Antonio @notapioneer per una serata fantastica a Vistamare ti auguro un futuro pieno della fortuna! 💙💛 #portasantospirito💙💛 lol ci sentiamo. Alla prossimo !
Love this place! Dinner with a spectacular view!!! Love this place! Dinner with a spectacular view!!! Vista Mare! Situazione attuale mi piace!!! 👍
Al ristorante VistaMare ! Che vista!!!! @vistamare Al ristorante VistaMare ! Che vista!!!! @vistamare
The Matta Book Club returns this fall with a new n The Matta Book Club returns this fall with a new novel!! 

More details and the big reveal of the title and the author and details how to sign up for the book club will come next week in a post on the StudentessaMatta.com website... so stay tuned. 

Currently, I'm still in Italy wrapping up a very successful language program in Arezzo! We had a wonderful time!

Now I'm at the beach and currently finishing up the next book club read! LOL

What I can tell you about the novel is that it is a contemporary adventure/murder mystery set in Italy, that takes you from Monte Carlo to London and to France where two thieves board the Orient Express to Venice as they track down Casanova's diary. 

Next week you will have the chance to sign up for group book club meetings of up to 3 or 4 readers, or individual sessions. The novel is available in print and audio and it is my recommendation, with plenty of lead time to read the novel during the summer months prior to the October start date, so that we can really dive into the story, and plot, and work on grammar and idioms.

Stay tuned! State sintonizzati! A presto!
This guy has all his ducks in a row! Al mare in Ca This guy has all his ducks in a row! Al mare in Castiglione della Pescaia
Buongiorno principessa! Siamo pronti per il mare! Buongiorno principessa! Siamo pronti per il mare! 😃

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