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.