This morning I woke up to a beautiful sunny sky with mild temperatures, around 12°C (53°F). The past few days it has been cloudy and grey, so when the sun was shining brightly, I felt happier and couldn't wait to go outside. I walked to the mercato (market), chatted with my friends who work there, and bought some fresh vegetables, fruits, bread, and meat.

Today is the Epifania (Epiphany) and is mostly a holiday celebrated for for children who usually dress up in costumes, throw confetti, and either receive candy or carbone (coal) depending on whether they have been good or bad. In my Italian family, there aren't any young children, but it was just a good excuse to have a wonderful lunch together.

I've had my cellphone with TIM (Telecom Italia) for over three years. Last year, Alessandro and I decided on changing companies and we were told that we could keep our old numbers and transfer them to our new phones. It sounded simple enough, so we filled out the moduli (forms) back in June and waited for our phone numbers to be transferred. Alessandro waited only a few weeks and I am still waiting.

Today I had my appointment with my new commercialista (public accountant). I was so impressed with her during our last meeting that I told her that I wanted to work with her and get my partita IVA (VAT account) right away at the beginning of the new year. The only catch is that I'm in limbo right now in Italy. My permesso di soggiorno (permit to stay) has expired and I'm waiting for my certificato di matrimonio (marriage certificate) to be translated and sent to the Comune (town hall). And, I filed for Italian citizenship through my nonni (grandparents) and I am waiting to hear back.

Yesterday, Alessandro and I planned on taking a day off and spending it together. At first we thought of going somewhere else in Tuscany, but then decided on touring Florence for the day. We made flexible plans for the day, but there were a few things I truly wanted to do that I had never done before in Florence. The weather was rather cooperative even though the temperatures hovered around 4°C (39°F) for most of the day.

This morning I woke up to Alessandro's mother cooking lunch in the kitchen. His father was already out on a bike ride and Alessandro was at work. I walked into the kitchen and sat down while his mother attended to me by making me a caffè latte even though I said I could do it myself. She wanted me to eat some panettone (sweet bread containing candied fruit and raisins) or open up the pandoro (sweet bread) for breakfast, but my stomach hadn't woken up yet. We talked about what we did after we left their house last night a little after midnight and I suddenly realized that I have a new family.

I was looking across the Arno today and noticing the many trees without leaves. I suddenly remembered how, when I moved into my apartment in August, the trees were covered with leaves. This year for me has been full of changes. I have had to let go of many dreams and hopes, which has in turn allowed me to embrace new dreams and hopes. Had I not been willing to let go of what I had, I wouldn't have what I am enjoying now in my life. And, I have learned once again that life is all about accepting its flow of what and who exits my life as well as what and who enters it.

"Due panini per uno (Two sandwiches for one)," Alessandro said to me today as I was walking toward the mercato (market). I asked him why he wanted a panino and he told me that we can go to the Cascine, a park on the other side of town, where we could have a picnic. And, because it was a nice day, it sounded like a great idea.

This morning we woke up to a peaceful city with the campane (bells) of a few churches nearby ringing. When I looked out the window, there were very few cars passing by. And, without buses running today, it seemed even quieter.

I have finally learned that when my friends say, "Ci si vede per farsi gli auguri. (Let's meet up to give each other our best wishes.)" I know that they mean that they have a pensierino (small gift) for me. In years past, I just thought we'd meet up, have a meal or a caffè, and that was it. It wasn't until I would see my friends carrying a gift that I realized what they really meant.

With Natale (Christmas) right around the corner, people are coming in centro (downtown) to shop. With different lights strung across the streets that illuminate the zone pedonali (pedestrian areas), Florence appears festive and cheery. Instead of shopping this evening with everyone else, Bari and I decided to walk around before the shops closed and take some pictures of our beautifully lit up city.

After my last appuntamento (appointment) with the other commercialista (public accountant) on Monday, I wasn't feeling very positive and ask around to find another one. I talked to three people and received three new referrals. I decided on one woman whom I talked to over the telephone on Wednesday and decided that I wanted to meet up with her right away. I accepted her first available appuntamento which was this morning.

I received a letter yesterday from the Ufficio della cittadinanza (citizenship office) at the questura (police station). I didn't file my pratica (file) at the questura, but rather at the prefettura (prefecture) so I was a bit perplexed by this letter. It stated that I needed to call them to make an appuntamento (appointment).

Every once in a while, I am truly taken aback by the beauty of my city. So much so that sometimes I want to pinch myself. This evening I walked through Piazza della Signoria as I have done many times before and was enchanted by the illuminated monuments. I know that normally they are not lit up like this, so I couldn't resist snapping a few pictures.

A few people have asked me recently, "Vai a casa per le feste? (Are you going home for the holidays?)" It's a logical question given that I'm American, but anyone who knows me well would know that I am already home in Florence. To one of my acquaintances, I responded, "Firenze è casa mia...è quindi sono a casa per le feste. (Florence is my home; therefore, I am home for the holidays." My acquaintance responded, "È bello sentirti dire che Firenze è casa tua. (It's nice to hear you say that Florence is your home.)"