hey...where ya been?

I haven't written in almost two years! How crazy is that! Many of my interests ebb and flow. I can finish a book in a day and immediately enter into a reading slump, where I can't get myself to finish one page. The same goes for my writing. Before I started this website, I typically only wrote when I was sad or working through something. Of course it's helpful, but also a disservice to never write when I'm happy. I've had an incredibly joyous two years since coming back from France. Maybe that's why I haven't written or maybe I didn't know where this website fit into my American life. Without the travels, what is the madi chronicles? Then I remembered that it can be anything I want it to be because surprise, I'm madi and these are my chronicles.

Anywho, I got back from France in August 2020 right into the thick of things. I immediately went into quarantine for 10 days, but not before enjoying an in n out burger alone in my car, with my family enjoying theirs in the car adjacent. My mom asked if I wanted to do a juice cleanse while in quarantine. It seemed like a good idea and a nice way to jumpstart losing the France 15 I had gained. I slowly realized this was her way of avoiding contact with me while I was in quarantine. Well played.

During that quarantine, I started to work as a Marketing Assistant for MDG Art Advisory. I've always loved art and spending a year in France, frequenting all the museums they have to offer, gave me a pretend art history degree in my mind. MDG Art Advisory is so special and impressive. The principal, Maria Di Grande, has worked on countless exciting projects ranging from client homes to public art projects to massive buildings in San Francisco. I've been blessed to work alongside her and learn from her expertise.

From there I began to work at Better Mortgage. This was my first corporate, "big girl" job. We all know how this story ends, so I won't get into it.

I spent time after France, while working at Better Mortgage living at home. It was wonderful spending time with family after being away for so long. I'm so incredibly glad that I lived in France, but it definitely showed me that I cannot be away from my loved ones for that long. I'm a family and friends girl at heart. My parents surprised me with a French bulldog - fitting. He makes being at home that much more lovely, but it was even harder to leave home once he was in the picture.

In March 2021, I left my parents house and my beloved dog in the east bay and fulfilled a lifelong dream of moving to San Francisco. I've been here for a year now and it's been the most incredible time of my life.

My year in France was transformative. I learned so much about myself. I learned how to be alone, I dug into my self-awareness and habits, I learned new techniques to calm my mind, and I really came into my own. I fully understood the beauty that was my mind in that year.

My year in San Francisco was different. I went into this new city life armed with all that I had learned in France. Without the awareness and self-love I had forged, the city would have presented me with a very different life. Instead, I went into this past year open, free, and welcoming. I've become an incredibly positive light to all those around me. I believe all this growth is the reason I was able to fall in love this past year. So for that and many other reasons, I am so grateful for all that my time in France taught me. Ciao for now...