Friday, October 26, 2007

Thank goodness no one told me it couldn't be done...

This blog is the diary of my own stubborn independent path, an ex-pat in the making and future doctor if I have my way... but it's out there, open, and I hope that others can take something for themselves. Or else, what's the point?

Several people have recently told me that they themselves are beginning to receive translation projects, and that makes me happy. Yup.

I've learned a lesson, again.

My weakness is that when others tell me "no, that can't be done", I'm curious to know "really? why?" Bad. You know what? I've been so much better once I finally kicked out other people's voices from my head and went with my gut feeling and heart. Trust me.




I must admit that I have no one around me who speaks Italian or has lived in Italy. Big family, deep roots. You can probably say I'm on my own world, trying to find my own path. I had no choice but to look inside myself for answers that work for me.

When it comes to working for yourself as a translator, I'm happy no one told me it couldn't be done. No one to poison my mind.

I've been working for myself for almost a year now. It was born out of need, because I want to return to grad school, but I need to support myself in Italy, and I don't have the time for a traditional job. So, need brought me down this path and I'm glad!

Despite that, when I began to blog I received many private and public comments of "this can't be done, it's not easy, you're naive". Oh, yea? Well that's funny, because that's exactly what I'm doing NOW and it wasn't that hard to get! I was convinced I could do this, did some research, went for it, and simply did it!

Many people have told me endlessly how impossible it is to find work in Italy, you must have connections, the pay is bad, chaotic system, bla, bla... Gee, their strong conviction made me stop for a second and scratch my head. I'm sure they're right! I'm sure that's what they've seen first hand! The challenges are real.


Then I giggled and told my self, well, thank goodness no one told me this before! Thank goodness no one told me it couldn't be done....

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

Can't is so very over-rated, l much prefer can. The only thing between a person and possibility is a decision. Keep being you Roam-to-rome its working out great!

madelyn said...

I love your spirit - you remind me
of my son Noah - never say
"never" or "can't" or "no"
he is very good natured -
and then plots the way to turn
it into a yes - never argues

but you know you are in trouble
when he says

"well........what about...?"
or
"I think it WILL work - listen
to this!"

"Impossible is nothing."
(Yoda)

nyc/caribbean ragazza said...

well said!

Devil Mood said...

I love your attitude! You're truly inspiring and I'm so glad there were no dark voices that could ever poison you :)

Anonymous said...

Ciao Farfallina,
ecco il mio indirizzo di email
cdesimone1@hotmail.com

Ho scritto un messagio sul blog di Tina che anch'io sono interessata
in translation work.

Grazie in anticipio.

Gill said...

What a go getter you are. I like that.
The only thing to ever stop you is you. So it sounds like you CAN!!!
x

Gillian
Thanks for the visit!

Julia said...

I love this entry. Because it' so true. I work for myself and have done many jobs that people told me "You can't do that" or "WE just don't do that here." I don't ask, I just do, and it works out much better for everybody involved.

PS - If you can, read anything you can about the Law of Attraction, which talks exactly about what YOU do ...baci!
Julia

Karen Cole said...

How wonderful for you that you have found your path and you are DOING it ....with great gusto!!

I can't wait to see how this story continues.


Nice "refrig" by the way. I wouldn't DARE show mine....at least today, anyway.

La delirante said...

Wow! Great post! It really made me feel so positive in my approach of many things that I have been thinking about lately. I am working hard to put negative thoughts (and voices) out of my mind.

When you really want something and you are ready to go for it and to make sacrifices, the only way to achieve your goals is, I believe, to devote your energy and positive thoughts to achieve your goal.

I don't mean to be a negative voice myself but i also thought about this which I wanted to share, that somehow I think it is also important to being analytical and realistic so not to make hasty decisions in life which would bring negative consequences and therefore suffering. This I have learned the hard way :)

Thistlemoon said...

Good job! Great spirit and drive. Thinking positively DOES in fact work. If that was not true, I wouldn't be doing what I am doing today either! Keep up the good work!

Welcome to The Foodie Blogroll!

Anonymous said...

I just happened on your blog right now and am so inspired by this post. I recently moved to Norway from CA and have had such a hard time with people telling me why I am making such a bad decision. Thanks for the encouragement and I will be bookmarking and coming back to this site for sure! Thanks

Anonymous said...

It so totally CAN be done and you are living proof, sister!

:-)

What I really appreciate is that you've been gracious enough to share your knowledge with us.

Thank you!

Kathy said...

Somehow you always seem to know what words to say to touch my soul and inspire me. Thank you!

Roam2Rome said...

Ciao Cleopantha!
Will do! Good luck on your current project, I'm with you!

Hi Maddie!
I already like your son's mentality, it will benefit him as he becomes a young adult :) Mom's always know their sons so well! I can just picture how you react when he gives you those quotes, hehe...

Grazie NYC :)

Hi Devil Mood,
Thanks! and regarding your post today, I'd vote for "Honesty", too!

Ciao Carole!
Sent you an email this evening :)

Thanks Gillian!
...and see you in the Halloween Blog Ball!

Ciao Julia!
I've heard a lot about it. I haven't read it, but I've seen clips of the film :) Powerful stuff!

Roam2Rome said...

Ciao Jenndz!
Thanks! and yes! the great results that you have are proof, once again, that a positive mentality definitely works! Our point of view guides our actions, and opens doors in more ways than we can imagine :)

Hi Karen,
Well, I *tried* to show mine, but you saw how that went :) e grazie!

Hi Delirante,
...and oh plz! You always sound so happy to begin with! :)
But I definitely agree that being analytical and realistic is the foundation, optimism is the energy that drives us, and hard work and discipline is what actually gets us there :)

Ciao Bella Tina Tango!
Spero che tutto vada bene da te :)

Hi Kristine!
Welcome and thanks! Loved your blog and added a link to yours from mine :)

Ciao Kathy :)
Glad to hear about your Italian, and I hope you feel better by now :)

Leanne was in Italy now in Australia said...

I am glad you are so positive. There are so many negative people out there as you mentioned saying that this is hard, or impossible, or not worth it.

I believe that if you want something badly enough then you can have it. Nothing falls into your lap, you've got to work for it but if you want it, it's there to take.

Michelle | Bleeding Espresso said...

I *so* agree with you; isn't it fun to do the "impossible?"

paris parfait said...

You can do anything you like! Many, many things I accomplished were done in spite of the naysayers. Listen to your heart and don't worry about what anyone else says or does.

The Passionate Palate said...

Fantastic post...yes, we can do anything we put our mind to, we can dwell in possibilities, and it is encouraging to see living proof - YOU! Brava!