In the week after my sister left, I've been trying to get back into the swing of things. It's like those post-vacations feels without the travel. There's been lots of reading, blogging, and organizing things around the apartment since our houseguest's departure. And I would like to report that her return journey went without a hitch but actually, she was lucky enough to get an overbooked flight, delayed departure and missing bag all in one!

For listening and reading, productivity has been the repeated theme this week. Somehow I'm recommending habit building to everyone, especially my English students as they try to create better study habits. I've revisited my favorite book on the subject, Better than Before by Gretchen Rueben. If you've ever wondered why it's so hard to start doing something and actually keep it up, this book's for you. The author breaks people down into four different personality types, each with their own advantages and disadvantages to building habits and routines. I'm also really liking this podcast by Pat Flynn and his Smart Passive Income, which gives tips on how to maximize your working hours and work smarter, not harder. Coming from a guy who's an expert on generating passive income (aka income that you're not constantly working to generate) it's worth a listen-------to even though it's a 2010 throwback.

In Italy-related news, Caroline and I took the first trip of the season to the beach at Civitavecchia and laid on the beach for hours reading. I can't wait until the weather is warm enough to spend weekends and days out at all of the amazing beaches near Rome. Longer trips down to Gaeta and Sabaudia are also in the works.

That's it, guys. Enjoy my pictures of Caroline's week in Rome, full of food and tourist attractions ;)