The Highlights of March
New side hustles, entering my zero f**ks era, and how April is shaping up
Ciao! Welcome to my little corner of the interwebs. If you’ve just arrived, Benvenuto! If you’ve been here before, glad to have ya back!
February’s highlight post got skipped because I was doing too many things.
I literally had to keep telling myself to slow down by the end of February. So here we are!
What are the too many things? I’m a COO and part-time pastry chef helping my husband run his home restaurant and catering company. 2 other fabulous women of color and I co-founded a company where we will host retreats in Puglia, Italy, called The Italian Reset. We’ve been in the building phase since last year, and we’re finally launching in April. I’m so beyond excited! You know, when you just meet those like-minded souls that share the exact same passion, drive, and purpose? Well, that’s Karla and Nadia! I absolutely adore the ladies has been such a godsend to work on this project.
Hubby and I celebrated our 16th Wedding Anniversary. We had a civil ceremony at the courthouse years ago in NYC. Three years later, we had an Italian wedding in the Veneto countryside. We decided to go to Venice for a day stroll and lunch. The weather was gorgeous, and I always love visiting Venice!
Teaching Side Hustle
While I’ve been in the building phase with The Italian Reset, I haven’t taken on a 9-to-5 position. So I decided to take up extra work to supplement my income. Gotta keep the coins flowing. I used to teach for Rosetta Stone as an English tutor, and taught ESL as well. So that’s my new side gig, teaching English, because A) it works around my schedule, B) it’s always in demand, and C) I do love helping people!
I also randomly thought about being a Zumba instructor.
Dancing has always been my thing. And I’ll do two-step, running man, or pirouette any chance that gives me the opportunity. Plus, the dance classes I’ve seen in my teeny town are, shall I say, lackluster. Low energy, mundane moves, drab vibes. Folks just look like they’re enjoying themselves. They need the New York energy! I have decided if I’m going to pursue it, but it’s not put on the shelf yet!
My Zero F**ks Given Era
I’m of a certain age now, where I can’t tolerate the bullshit. With all the atrocities, death, suffering, hate, and total despair happening in this world, I’m calling out the injustices. I’m supporting the true causes and fighting for a place at the table. Not only for me, but for my tribe and my children. Also, I’m throwing the nice card out the window. I read a poignant article in The Guardian by Simone Ledward Boseman, the wife of Chadwick Boseman. She related two important lessons she learned. “You can always be respectful, but you can’t always be nice. And “no” is a full sentence.” I thought, ” Wow, this is how I’m moving through the world. And I’m not looking back. Niceness got me to a certain point, but I have also been taken advantage of for that trait.
April Happenings
It’s Aries season, and there’s a lot of birthdays to celebrate this month! Plus, Easter is coming up this weekend, and I’m ready to be outside. Treviso has been getting a lot of sunny weather, and I’m here for it. Also, allergy season is here too, which unfortunately I suffer from, but I ain’t gonna let it stop me.
I’m ready for more exploration, nature walks, cave visits, and karaoke.
Yep, my goal this month is to bring back my international karaoke nights. I started them in 2024, mainly because I missed going to karaoke bars in NYC. Aaaaanddd because who doesn’t love karaoke! Here in Treviso, there is karaoke, but mainly for an Italian audience who sing songs in Italian. While I can try, there’s nothing like belting out some Aretha Franklin or Whitney in English.
I’m also working on my YouTube channel, which has been on hiatus for the past couple of years. It’s impossible to be a one-woman show, and if I want to grow, I need some help!
I’d love to know! How’d March go for you, and what are you looking forward to in April?
Have a lovely Easter weekend!
