an 'urgh' week..

I keep picturing that chart from the Erasmus information lectures, the highs followed by the huge dip, illustrated in line graph form. I'm not in the 'big dip', apparently we have that to look forwards to in March, but it definitely is a roller-coaster. 
This week has been a bit 'blahhhhh' that's the only way I can describe it. I had the stress relating to my presentation at the beginning of the week, which thankfully went relatively well, less people were in the class than usual which relieved the nerves slightly.

Secondly, and I won't go into detail incase said person doesn't want the world to know, but let's say, within our group from Leicester in Bologna, there is now a 50% crime rate. 3 out of 6 of us have been the victims of theft. I am well aware Italy is dangerous and perhaps well known for this, but we are sensible people, and not one of the crimes have been as a result of our carelessness, I guess it is just bad luck but it's not a great feeling when you can't feel safe in your 'home' for the year. 

Maybe I'm feeling like this because I am sick of the food situation here. I love the restaurants and eating authentic Italian food, but on an Erasmus budget that is just not possible all year round. Anyway, I hate bringing negativity into the world and sounding like a moaner but imagine, for an entire year, your biggest supermarket being the size of a co-op in England. Imagine it doesn't really sell meat, unless it is extremely overpriced compared to England. They have half a co-op sized aisle for frozen foods and unless it's tuna, pretty much no tinned food.

I have basically eaten pasta, pizza or potatoes every day since being here and whilst when I first arrived, this was one of the things I was most looking forward to, it is now the bane of my life. I dread meal times and people who know me, know that I need to have a happy belly to be a happy person haha (and on this diet, that belly is growing..fast).

I already know you're all thinking 'stop moaning! You're in Italy' but after a while I guess when the novelty wares off, it's still a place to live and these little (im)practicalities can be of great annoyance.

I would hate to leave this weeks' post on a negative note and I promise it's not all bad, so I want to leave you with some things I am happy about and thankful for (in honour of it having been Thanksgiving this week).

1) Getting to know my American housemates better. Most of you know, I am obsessed with America, I love the accents, the food, the culture, everything - and visiting New York is at the top of my 'Bucket List' so getting to hear and learn somethings about America has been really interesting to me (especially sitting in the kitchen until 3am trying to do accents haha)

2) My Leicester friends here in Bologna, I always say this but I really wouldn't be able to enjoy this experience half as much without them. It feels like I've known them forever and they really do feel like family now. (I know more about SOME of them than any one else I know..wink wink).

3) I am thankful for One Direction, and their new album - haha. It really does make me happy.

4) This video...was just on my facebook timeline because a friend liked it, it was uploaded by someone I don't actually know but watching this has made me SO happy, and therefore I think this video is the best place to leave it this week. 

Ciao. 

Procrastination

I'm doubting my choice of using the 'procrastination' title so early on as I know there are going to be so many more posts soon where that is the sole reason for them. But yes, I am procrastinating and I need a break from the slow death that is producing a presentation and essay on Mrs. Dalloway.

As always, this week has flown. But I do have some updates (Hoorahh!)

This week, I went on an ESN (Erasmus Student Network) trip and climbed one of the towers in Bologna, whilst it was potentially one of the scariest experiences ever due to the hundreds of crooked narrow wooden steps we had to climb, the view at the top was completely worth it. Unfortunately the light was rapidly decreasing as we got up there so the pictures aren't amazing quality but trust me, the views were breathtaking and it's one of those moments where you think 'Shit, I'm actually here'. The fact that we were greeted on the way down by traditional thick Italian hot chocolate and a chocolate buffet made the backwards climb down 280 steps even more worth it!

You will observe I have talked a lot about chocolate in that last sentence. This is because this week in Bologna has been the infamous 'Chocolate Festival'. Perhaps one of the most incredible things I have ever seen, tent after tent of chocolate, liquid, solid, white, milk, dark, with nuts, fruit, shaped like shoes, tools, on top of strawberries...just chocolate in any way you can imagine. It's free to walk around and considering the quality, it's pretty reasonably priced. I won't even indulge you with how much I have eaten but I'll insert some pictures here so you can see the magical-ness of it (and yes, EVERYTHING is edible chocolate!)

Also this week I have some more exciting news. I have booked flights in December to take a trip to Amsterdam! As some of you know, I have some very special friends (Alex and Sophie) on a year abroad there at the moment and knowing that another one of my wonderful friends (Emma) was visiting them, how could I pass up the opportunity to join! I am beyond excited about this trip for many reasons, for one, I haven't seen all 3 of them for months and miss them LOTS, secondly I love Amsterdam. I have been once before and fell in love with everything there. Thirdly, it will almost be Christmas. This means it will be decorated with sparkling decorations and have that cosy festive feel that I adore so much. 

(Picture, of course stolen from Google Images)

Whilst I'm loving Italy of course, at the moment, I'm wishing I was home a little, my next trip away isn't until 13th December so I have a month with not a lot happening. I'm sick of not having proper meals, I'm missing English food SO much, my friends, boyfriend and niece especially (yeah okay Mum, I guess you too haha - I know you're reading!) I miss all my nail polish, make-up, beauty products and other clothes I have left at home and just that feeling you can't get anywhere else. 

The fact that the work is piling up here, and I have a big, looming presentation around the corner makes me want to run away from it. But I can't run away forever and I guess I have to face it head on and before I know it I will be at home wishing I was back. 

Ciao. 

Romeo, Romeo...

Another delayed blog post...I have finally come to the conclusion that one a week just is not possible. 

I'm a year older since my last blog post and apparently a year wiser but I haven't noticed any changes just quite yet. Now the grand age of 22 'Ventidue'. 

I've been thinking about life and all that big scary stuff that comes with those musings. Yes, I am well aware I am being melodramatic and 22 is not old, yet I feel like only yesterday I was turning 18, or 16 even. I remember thinking, when I was that age, about being 22, specifically because I thought that would be a good age to have children 'Not too old and not too young' I thought. Oh how wrong I was. 

Besides from all of that, I had a rather enjoyable Birthday, it was made special by so many people, my friends in Bologna and unexpectedly my friends, family and boyfriend back home. Because of surprise cancellations of a few lectures, I only decided about a week before that I was going to fly home for one week. It meant that I got to spend the actual day of my Birthday at home and I had such a wonderful time shopping in the Trafford Centre, eating my beloved Nando's and getting to see my gorgeous niece again, who gave me the best reception I could ever have wished for. Just general happy times.

Free Lemoncello and tirimisu :D

being embarrassed in Frankie and Bennies!!

Once my Birthday celebrations were over and I returned to Bologna, I was hit with a brick wall of University work. It's so incredibly difficult to get into the mindset of doing academic work when you feel as if you're on a constant holiday. As someone who has always lacked motivation when it comes to deadlines and reading, this does not bode well for my personality type. I still am yet to climb this wall and get to the other side but it's progressing slowly. 

The other exciting thing which has happened since the last blog post was my trip to Verona. As cliché as it may be, Romeo and Juliet is my all time favourite Shakespeare play (and trust me, I've read/spark-noted, a lot) so being able to visit the 'Casa di Giulette' was a little dream of mine come true. Verona itself is quite small, but very beautiful, we went on a perfect autumnal day, we got to see the classic arena, browse the small streets, cross the breathtaking river and of course, stand on the balcony that inspired the 'Romeo, Romeo' scene. 

I got to do the cheesy padlock and other touristy things..we also ate at this restaurant with the biggest menu's I've ever seen, it was american food too, which was such a nice change from pizza and pasta. 

Anyhow, there really is nothing else to update on, last night our friendship group here in Bologna got together for an indoor picnic and a board game..'Risk'. Tej and I made a great team and I think everyone enjoyed themselves (despite some people taking it too far, Chris I'm looking at you!) 

I have roast potatoes cooking because I literally have nothing else and can't face another day of pasta and ketchup. Must take them out the oven before my pan with plastic handles melts :)

Ciao