Hi, xo.
It’s the perfect time for December, isn’t it?
In Portugal, it’s almost as cold and rainy as its going to get. I’m starting my day here in a colorful robe and fluffy socks, drinking lemon tea with fresh ginger pieces floating at the top, ticking through emails.
I’ve been spending a lot of time over the past few weeks finalizing the initial work around the sustainable guesthouse hotel brand that I’m building.
I’m so excited to show this to you, and bring it all to life.
I’m traveling to Switzerland next week to do a grand reveal with my EMBA professors and students in their final year at Les Roches, and have been meeting with industry leaders in hospitality, real estate, wellness, experiences, and food non-stop.
I absolutely love these people. They’re so curious, fun, fulfilled.
I’m in the final phases of socializing the initial concept and refining it before putting numbers against it, and then bringing a team together to make it happen. If you’re intrigued about this all, please reply — I’d love to show you how it’s shaping up.
And of course, I’ve been writing. I’m always writing. Words float around my house on scraps of paper and in hilariously cryptic phone notes that say things like “capture feeling of orange slices.”
Oh and for those of you who are in the postcards club, your postcard from San Diego is arriving at your mailbox any minute now. The next one will be on its way to you very soon too.
For January I’ve been lining up opportunities for Matecki Studios consulting, mentoring, and teaching. If you’d like to learn more – I'd love to work with you. Reply / text and say hi.
Let’s see, what else?
Outings with wonderful friends. Planning holiday trips with my guy. A “power yoga” class totally destroyed me the other day. Pombalino the kitten has taken to biting my toes if I’m not out of bed in time in the mornings. Long walks. I’ve discovered how amazing TikTok is (really). I’ve been planning a trip to Mexico next month for a dear friend’s wedding, and I absolutely *cannot wait* to be back after four long years away.
I’m ending 2023 with so much gratitude and am wishing you nothing but… the feeling of orange slices?
:)
To 2024 -
Love,
Jenna
A lovely dispatch from the middle of a life being beautifully lived. Wow! And you're the second of my respected Substackers who's extolled the virtues of TikTok this week...I never even considered it a serious option. Until now...