I’ve been in the shadows reading your posts through the feeds and missing all of you terribly. But Geez. For the love of blog. After all this time? Who would possibly remember me? Oh, that’s okay. Then, as I re-opened my blog to test the comment section’s code under different browsers, to my surprise, a large number of hits started immediately rolling in. Eeek! I’ve suddenly become a little shy. I’ll admit it.
Well, if “Code is Poetry” as Wordpress says, then I’m not a poet, so I must thank my gifted Dante, Tess from A Zestful Quest, for being kind enough to re-code my blog from scratch after I crashed it and going along with my every whim until I was jumping up and down, pointing at the screen shouting “Yes, that’s what I envisioned!”.
Must admit Tess was done with the code last month, but I insisted on designing the header you see above and installing the comment section, which, as usual, I’m still tweaking. Now I must re-upload post by post, picture by picture. *sigh*
Tess also freelances in order to enjoy an expat life in the capital city. Not Rome. London. Thanks Tess!
Shadows
Shadows are very symbolic for me, so my favorite part of this blog’s new design is that the images rise above their shadows, as oh boy I’d like to be able to do.
I’ll just briefly say that the past few months have been, ahm, a learning experience, which I can only compare to life in Plato’s Cave. Yes. Shadows. I’ll leave it at that. I planned to stay off-line for a couple more weeks, but there are so many special people in the blogosphere I have come to know, respect and whose blogs have been as inspirational as enjoyable, and it’s been a blessing to receive your emails today. Thank you!
Meanwhile, above are 4 guys also battling out their shadows a la Plato style, but sexier. Uf! Mamma mia! What is it about tough-looking guys with classical instruments? It’s like seeing a guy carry a baby. You might have seen them. They are the ones who play Metallica on Cello and they will give a concert in Italy this summer. The old mixed with the new. Like Rome. Love it.
We’ll I’ve been lurking around your site too wondering where you’ve been…and actually heard several other bloggers ask the same question! So, we’re looking forward to seeing you back as a “regular” again! Really like the new look
Ciao Erin!
Grazie bella… love your new haircut by the way
Honest to goodness, before I knew it, time flew…
Hey, you’re not moving back to the states any time soon, are you?
I was wondering what the heck happened to you. Aren’t you supposed to be in Rome now? Are you in Rome now? I know how building a blog can be, I am working on a new one myself since I will no longer be in Rome (don’t know if you have been reading my blog but I am moving to Verona) Nice to see you back!
Yes! I have been following your move ooout of Rome! Well, you sound pretty happy about it, and I’ve lived in the northern part of Italy and loved it. Things are very, very, very different over there.
Argh. When it comes to Rome, I really don’t know where to start. My beef is not with the Italian side at all, but with things on my American side which are driving me bonkers…
Well, my vote is that you keep the same domain because of all those links, but it sounds like you’re pretty much all set with the new domain, right?
Designing can be fun, but very time consuming and I sure don’t want to go through this again, so I hope I don’t move to another Italian city… looking forward to seeing your new blog
I’m so delighted you’re back.
I thought about e-mailing you several times but then thought you were probably very busy adjusting to life in Rome.
Ciao Devlish!
Thanks that’s sweet. Guilty.
I’m just starting to reply to my emails… 
It’s been a pleasure and I’m happy to see you’re back, up and running! I’m sorry to hear about the previous posts but I’m sure things will work out fine!
Thank you for the credits, I guess I’m the one being a tad shy now *hehe*
I’m happy for you!!!
Hi Tess!
Thanks so much for everything!
Oh, I’m not at all worried about my posts. You did warn me, and I should have listened. Well, I’ll have to think of a way to thank you :o)
I have been wondering and waiting for you! I am SO happy to see you are back.
I can’t wait to hear about your life and wha’ts going on.
Beth
Thanks Beth
I’m so happy you’re back, Martha! Please don’t go away again for so long, okay? :{
Ciao Mariana
I’ll be around
promise
Yay!
Your back l have been checking in to see if you have started posting again. You have definately been missed. I can’t wait to read about what’s been happening. Are you in Rome?
Your blog looks beautiful!
Ciao Cleo!
Ahem. Sweetie. I’ve been missing *your* posts, too!!!! Yup. I’ve noticed.
It’s good to see you Cleo :0)
Glad you are back!
Grazie!
I heard you made it to the bloggers reunion in Florence!
Good luck with your script outline
Looking very nice! I know what you mean about getting carried away with goodies but it’s fun!
Ciao Jackie…
You’re right. It *is* fun
Yeah, Finally we have you back!! I felt guilty with you working on my blog when yours wasn’t going. It looks great. Ciaoooooooo now we all can stop wondering what you are up to
Ciao Jeff!
Oh, plz!!!! I had a ton of fun.
By the way, when you were on vacation, I crashed your blog about a dozen times before I finally got the new look going. That was fun, too.
You didn’t know that, did you? Well, your patience with me amazes me.
Welcome back sister!
Ciao Bella!!!!!
You fly back home tomorrow, right?
Buon viaggio!
Ciao Astrid!!!!
Come va? Hope you received my email…
Ciao bella
Guess I’m not subscribed to your feed b/c I didn’t receive word you were back. Must fix that now
Buona domenica!
Ciao Sognatrice!!!
You know what happened? The maintenance mode blocks the rss feed and sends an *invalid feed* error message.
Oh, after 3 months of that… I’m surprised there are still feeds out there!
Good to see you
I missed you so much!
It’s good to see you back, sweety!
Ciao Maryann!
Come va?
…e grazie
Welcome back…. Although I respect your absence, as I know that creativity has its ebbs and flows.
I hope that all is well with you. Enjoy the moment.
Sincerely,
KENT
Ciao Kent!!!
Hey, I must admit I’ve been enjoying the whole Nello-Mara discussion over at Jeff’s. It’s hilarious!
Well, tell you what, get Jeff to send me over a picture of Nello and I’ll put it up…
The video reminds me in part of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra and in other part of Bond, a string quartet of beautiful women playing string instruments. What is it with hot women playing classical instruments?
Ciao Blackcrag!
Oooops
Am I supposed to answer that?
Aaaaaah, but I didn’t think about the male point of view when I asked a similar question, did I?
You’re too funny…
Yippee! Your back! I don’t know what you did to Jeff but he sure is looking a lot better these days, smug even. You’re looking pretty good too. What’s happening with the move? We are all waiting for you. Ciao for now.
Welcome back and looking forward to reading your Roman adventures!
What a beautiful blog. I am jealous!
Please check out my blog when you get a chance. I am your neighbor to the east here in Slovenia.
Hi! Welcome back to blogland! Thanks so much for adding my blog to your blogroll. It’s great to visit your blog and find other expats who are writing about their experiences. The expat experience is certainly full of its incredible moments (and difficult ones!), and it’s comforting to read about others who are having similar experiences and feelings. Have you officially made the move to Rome?
The new format is absolutely beautiful. I’m looking forward to hearing about your wonderful adventures. Take care!
Brooke
Wow! Tess is really a genious! and a very good person indeed
Your new website is beautiful!
Glad to see that you are back
come back! the website is looking great. shadows are good for a little while but then must give way to the light.
PS: I like the website; it’s quite feminine.
I’ve been thinking about a change as well…. bit scary thinking about it. The blog looks great!
Soooooo… are you actually in Rome yet?
So glad to see you back!
It sounds like you’ve been through quite a bit lately, but I’m sure we’ll all be checking back, so whenever you’re ready we’d love to hear how you’re doing.
Yay! Glad to see you back. Can’t wait to hear more about life in Rome…
She hasn’t even said if she’s in Rome yet though.