Matta Year! A look back at 2015 & Sneak peek into the future!

2015! Caspita! Che anno meraviglioso!

2015! Wow! What a wonderful year!

Era pieno di divertimento,
amicizie e tanti viaggi in Italia.

It was full of fun, friendships and lots of travel in Italy.

All’inizio del mese di gennaio, mi piace pensare a tutto quello che ho fatto durante l’anno precedente per apprezzare tutto, e poi pensare ai progetti che ho in mente per nel futuro. Quindi, senza ulteriori indugi, ecco il mio anno in rassegna!

At the beginning of January, I like to take stock, think back about the year that has just been put to bed, and look forward to what lays in store in the upcoming year ahead.

So without further ado, here is my year in review!

Highlights of 2015

January – I had the extreme pleasure to host Marta Guerrieri in my home for two months. I met Marta during one of my Italian Language Programs in Lecce Puglia. We became great friends and I invited her to come to visit me and she did! We spoke lots of Italian together and I showed her all my favorite spots here in Northern California, as well as taking her to Disneyland. Can’t wait for her to return next year!

February – The Studentessa Matta Blog made Italy Magazine’s Top 10 Blogger List (for the previous year 2014) for Language and Culture

March – I expanded the Matta Homestay Language Vacations in Italy that are available on the website. Now you can find Home Stays in: Bergamo, Lake Como, Florence, Lago Maggiore, the Amalfi Coast, the Maremma, Arezzo, Todi/Umbria and Venice.

April – I was inspired to begin the Matta YouTube Channel. Through the creation of videos I’ve found a wonderful new way of expressing myself, as well as practicing the Italian language

May – The Italo-Americano On-line Newspaper invited me to be a collaborative columnist

June – The Matta Blog was a participant in Babla Language Blog Competition.  Nominated in three categories for Blog, Twitter Feed and Youtube Channel, it was selected as one of the top 25 Twitter Feed Channels

July – The Matta Trip to Rome – Language & Art Workshop with Kelly Medford & ScudIt happened this month! What a wonderful time we had in the Eternal City, learning Italian at Roberto Tartaglioni’s school and learning to sketch and paint with Kelly while living in the shadow of the colosseum.

August – I was thrilled that Lucrezia, of “Learn Italian with Lucrezia” came to stay with me for two weeks with her wonderful boyfriend Walter. We had a lovely time together and even made a video together!

In August I also organized and announced a new Matta Trip to Arezzo for 2016, collaborating with Paola Testi of Cultura Italiana! Join us! Still spots available.

September – The Matta Trip to Lucca – Language & Art Workshop with Lucca Italian School happened this month! I went back again for a second year to Lucca to co-lead a group of enthusiastic language learners! Such a lively and fun group! We biked the walls, drank wine, made pasta, and visited the Cinque Terre. Lucca continues to inspire and I will be returning again in 2016 in June, the 19 – 30. There are still spots left. Join us!

November – I had the supreme honor of meeting the director Matteo Bini, of the film “Io Arlecchino” here in San Francisco after a film screening of his movie. I listened to him talk and swooned when I got to shake his hand! Go see the movie! It is amazing!

December – I received news that the Matta Youtube Channel was included in the top 10 Channels for learning Italian by the website “Take Lessons“.

and now a peek into 2016…

I am looking forward to returning to Italy, to Lucca in June (19-30), and Arezzo in September (1-12) with my Italian language learning groups.

I am also putting the finishing touches to a project that is dear to my heart – a novel about Italy, which is being edited by Michelle Fabio which I hope to publish this coming year. Of course, it has to do with Italy, Florence, art and artists, AND my love for the language! Stay tuned…

I also look forward to staying in touch with all of my friends here on the blog. I hope we have a chance to meet this year in person! I will be continuing to write, post on the blog, make YouTube videos, Podcasts and be the cheerleader for the Italian language! 

Stay tuned, 2016 is
going to be a lovely year!