The End is Nigh...

Here I am...haven't written a blog post in almost a month and I am leaving Bologna for good in 5 sleeps :O 

There are legitimate reasons as to why I've been absent from the 'Bloggersphere', of course I specifically am referring to exams...BLURGHH. The dreaded time that arrives twice a year for us lucky students. 

Whilst most Erasmus students had the luxury of 'only needing a pass' on this year abroad, unfortunately my institution decided it would be a brilliant idea to make this year worth 30% of my degree, meaning I actually had to put some effort into writing essays and sitting exams. 

Two of my exams, which were based on essays I had written a couple of weeks earlier went pretty well, and I was very happy with the result. My final exam, which, to be realistic is the only one I have actually had to work hard for this year, was..catastrophic. I mean, I passed, god knows how, but it was one of the most humiliating moments of my 22 years thus far.

You see, this is the joy of oral exams (get your mind out of the gutter..I am of course referring to spoken rather than written examinations)...unlike in a written examination where you have time to think through your arguments, make them cohesive and 'blag' it a little, as we English students are all masters of...in an oral exam, you're there, the examiner is sat opposite and there is no time for 'blagging'. There is no time for 'ummmm' and 'arrrr'..and if you don't know..they can SEE the fear on your face. Without boring you with the details, that is what happened to me in my final exam..I completely fell apart BUT I passed, and that's all that matters..Whilst I never thought I'd say it, I'll definitely be glad to see the return of the English 3-hour written examination. 

Anyhow, now that exams are over, I have some time to finalise paperwork and most importantly have some fun! 

Here come the updates and pictures I know you're all here for...

On the 18th May, I took a whirlwind trip home to attend my Dad and Jackie's wedding...it was such a fun day, great to spend time with family I hadn't seen for years and meet new people..oh and not forgetting the obligatory eating and drinking ALL day. 

 The BEST cake EVER! 

 One of the only photo's you will ever see of my and my sister haha!

 This was just too cute!! My niece Hollie and Cousin Kyle <3

 Hollie and Taid (Welsh for Grandad :P)..a.k.a the Groom, My Dad. 

A Danish tradition to kiss on chairs when people tap their glasses :) 

So, what have I been up to since finishing exams on the 4th June (it's the 8th today)..and what will I be doing until I leave.

Well we went for a 'family' dinner last week as it was potentially the last time that all of us Leicester-Bologna friends would all be together in Italy..the food was DIVINE. 

This week we also celebrated Emma turning 21!! I don't have many pictures as I wasn't on camera duty that night but we did take her for a surprise breakfast at this rather fancy place in Bologna which was very luxurious indeed! The Plum cake (which does NOT taste like plums...no idea where the name comes from..) was ahhh-mazing!! We went out in the evening, first to 'Spaco-Napoli'..an AMAZING pizzeria and then on to 'Chalet' and it was actually an incredibly fun night, so nice to have a good time after the stress of exams! 

Whilst everyone is still finishing their exams, yesterday Emma and I went to Padova. We heard great things about it from friends and wanted to see just a little more of Italy before we left. The weather here currently is exactly the reason I came to Italy..28-31 degrees..this just added to the beauty of Padova! 

Unfortunately they are currently doing a lot of work on some of the main sights but they are still just as breathtaking. 

We got to sit in on our very first Catholic service in this church..even dabbled in a bit of Holy Water (surprisingly soft lol)..very 'culturing' experience :P (is that a word?!) 

 soo..THIS was the toilet in the restaurant we ate lunch at...I don't understand?! I have never seen on before and ended up stripping half naked in order to use it. Odd. 

And finally, up to date..today. We met the others for lunch..and in the afternoon took a trip up to the utterly incredible San Luca..you can google for information, as I'm sure I've stated before, this isn't a historical info/fact based blog...but if you're ever in Bologna it's a MUST, we even took a trip up on the 'San Luca Express'..a little wooden 'fun train'. (All the photo's were taken on my iPhone 4..pretty impressed with the quality :P) 

So..you still with me? Just to tell you what's to come...tomorrow we will hopefully, if the weather holds out, be heading to Rimini..a.k.a the nearest BEACH town..very exciting..Then on Monday we need to go and get some forms signed etc and have a relaxing day I think, hopefully go back one more time to one of my favourite restaurants here in Bologna, Il Rosso. Finally on Tuesday, we're VERY excited about going to the theme park, Mirabilandia :D

I leave on Thursday..which I cannot believe how quickly it has come around. But I'll write an entire blog post on that when I'm at back home and craving Italian sunshine.

Until next time...Ciao