Hey Trixi - sounds pretty good! Glad you have a potential client soon. I'm in the financial services industry so I feel your pain! Think between the two of us we're in the two hardest hit industries right now.

I forgot to mention, Italian sounds wonderful!! Did you know that meetup is international? I have a new-ish friend who took a trip - on her own!! - to France recently. Before leaving she joined some meetups, mostly focused on either Americans living in France or French people learning English. She got to know a number of people that way and they actually helped plan her trip, including sites to see, inexpensive but nice hostels to stay at, etc. By the time she got there she had several "online" friends she was excited to meet IRL, and had an incredible trip. Maybe, just maybe, you could start some very early planning for a trip to Italy? (I know, $$ permitting, that's why I said very early ;\) ).

Me 35, H 38; Together 13.5 yrs, M 7
Bomb 1 10/07/06
Sep'd 1/14/07 - 4/15
Piecing: 4/07 - 9/07
Bomb 3 10/11/07: Never loved you, let's separate
2/08 slowly improving
7/08 Piecing (7/25/08 rings back on!!)
Current thread