Friendship

AGRH 1 month exactly until Emma and I take to the skies on our Italian adventure. I had a lovely chat with her today and we spent a lot of the conversation flapping about everything. 

I'm sure it will all turn out okay, as we keep telling each other, people do this every year and manage. It is just rather scary considering the lack of organisation from either University (specifically the bloody Italian one).  

It is also sinking in that whilst several of my friends are doing ERASMUS and I will see them next year, I will be missing out on many friends' final year at Leicester. This saddens me greatly as I feel they are not only friends, but family and the rest of the post will be dedicated to friendship. 

I love my friends from home, they are just as special as friends from University as I have known them for many, many years. However it's a different kind of relationship with the ones at Uni.

We have shared so many special moments together, the first time we are out in the big wide world on our own and we are thrown together and told to be friends. I am extremely lucky in that my first set of housemates (Josie, Kat and Gopi) we're an absolute dream. I couldn't have wished for lovelier people. We got on from day 1, we didn't have a single argument, dragged each other home at 3am on several occasions, took pictures of each other when we fell asleep doing uni work in the kitchen at 1am and oh...all the many, many, many 'frapes'. None of these ladies are doing ERASMUS and I couldn't be more upset that I won't see them all graduate but I will always have a special place in my heart for them and I know we will be friends forever. Here's a little pic of one our first nights out together for my Birthday (I hope they don't mind :P) 

In the second year which I have just completed, I lived with Sarah, Lilian and Josie again, because I love her SOOOO much ;) Again, these are incredible friends and I love them with all my heart. I cherish the memories we have here, calling our friend Jack who lives down the road to rescue us from a spider at 11pm, being involved in a Jubilee street party, BBQ's, dealing with the *insert expletive* landlord, and the many, many house parties/pre-drinks we hosted (again, I hope they don't mind an inserted picture :P). 

So alongside the people I lived with, I have some absolutely out of this world friends from my course and ones I've met through other friends, too many to name here, and I'd be scared I'd leave somebody out but I'll leave you with a few group pictures. If any of you are reading this, I love you all. You have made my University experience everything, I could almost cry I have so many happy memories (if you put Wanderwall on, there's a chance I actually will.....ohh Red Leicester times). 

Anyway, this is just a little dedication to all of those who will graduate whilst I am away and also to those I will see on my return. I love you all more than I can write,  and I know we will be friends forever <3

Real

As I'm sure you will know if you know me personally or have read this blog previously but I am now home from a short break with my mum to Bologna. Being there in person has made things very real and whilst it's very exciting, it is also very scary! 

I'll highlight a few things from the trip :) 

Firstly, the weather. It was between 35 and 40 degrees every day and ALL day (37 degrees at 9pm), whilst this was lovely for 3 days, I sincerely hope it cools down by the time I arrive as my fragile pale skin and I may melt. 

Secondly, the food. I can definitely see myself getting used the Mediterranean Italian diet. Caprese salad's (see below), pizza and pasta are to die for, and even those are topped by Italian gelato. I am also now a convert to anything coated in extra virgin olive oil or balsamic vinegar. 

Thirdly, the architecture. Whilst studying History of Art for a year as a supplementary at University, I complained non-stop every time our lecturer would pull out a slide labelled 'Italian Architecture'. This is mainly because he was perhaps one of the most boring men I have ever met, it is also because as a technical subject, it's difficult. However visiting Italy for the first time I was utterly blown away by the beauty of the buildings.  The Piazza Maggiore which is the main square of Bologna is breathtaking and the city is filled with arcades to walk through all designed with beautiful arches. 

We attempted to find the university. We found the 'University District' but it was very quiet and very large and impossible to figure out our way around (as our map didn't cover this part of Bologna) but it did look very picturesque with the large floor to ceiling doors and more arcade walkways. I'm looking forward to deciphering my way around it with friends. 

Overall it was a great trip. But as the title of this post says, it has made things very real, we now fly out to Bologna in 5 weeks today! (Just worked that out on my calender and almost had heart failure)

Ciao 

xoxo

Time Flies...

I can not believe how time is flying! It is now August, which means I leave for my year abroad next month..AGRHH! 

Things are organised as far as they can be, we can't do anything about accommodation until we arrive. When I go to Bologna with my mum I will look at a hostel we have been recommended by a friend who is already out there. Flights and hotels here are booked. Although I have just received a new batch of paperwork from my University to try and battle and decipher my way through. 

Today I decided to brush up on my Italian but that isn't going well. Learning a new language is just so difficult! This isn't helped along by the fact that I have been struck down with illness AGAIN! I would have thought I'd had my fair share of illness this last month, but apparently not. It is mainly just a really bad cold with all the side effects but it doesn't help in getting anything done. 

I think I might link my blog on my Facebook now..so far it's been strictly Twitter only because I used to have an old blog that was linked to a rather embarrassing YouTube channel (which has now been deleted) but this is about my travel journey and I figured some of my close friends and family might be interested in keeping an eye on what I am up to.

So if you're reading this because of the link I posted on my Facebook then Hello :) Please scroll down and read from the first post so it all makes sense :) 

Ciao for now <3