OK, so I'm back! I hope that you have missed me; maybe not.....
So it's been 7 weeks since I arrived, and in a strange way, it feels like I have been here a lot longer! Of course, when I say that I feel like I have been here at lot longer, I don't mean that my language skills have improved so much that I feel like a local; oh no. However, I've tried to put myself in situations where I can at least practice a little. Since my last update, I joined a 'conversation exchange' . I've met quite a few people this way, mostly from the south of Italy funnily enough. Of course, their English is always better that my Italian!
With regards to the earthquake yesterday, this following sentence is an insight into my slightly crazy mind. This was the first night that I had spent in the new flat, so when woken by your bed shaking erratically and the whole flat shuddering at 4am, a normal person living in Italy would surmise that it would most likely be the result of an earthquake. However, not sure if it is a combination of watching too many episodes of crime watch, or horror films as a child; but I awoke to the conclusion that either an intruder with a cheeky sense of humour had decided to break into my room and start shaking the bed, or the most likely event, would be that my room was haunted by poltergiest, and they were sending me a very firm warning that I was not welcome in the room. Tiredness can do strange things to the mind, well that is my excuse and I'm going to stick with it. As a precautionary measure, I may have to track down an old preist to perform an exorcism just in case. You can never be too careful...
For those that knew me back in London, you will be familiar with my constant Facebook updates regarding the metropolitan line, and I do look back with very unfond memories of my 1 hour and 45 minutes commute to Uxbridge (or Suxbridge as it is more fondly known). I'm sure that none of you miss those little rants that I used to have on a bi-weekly basis. However, now I really don't have anything to whinge about on my journey to school. Ok, there have been a few moments where I have nearly been 'mowed down' by a pensioner on a bike, or a small dog has tried to have a little chew at my ankles; but I can safely say that my commute is event free. However, I have realised that even though I have been here for 7 weeks, my walking pace is still that of a Londoner on speed compared to the rest of Bologna. To me, the walking pace is so slow, it is almost stationary, and if there are two or more people walking side by side; straddling the pavement; you have a challenge on your hands. There are skills to be had in navigating around other pedestrians here, without tripping over the ankle-biters on the leash, however I think I have finally perfected them. I'm not sure how transferable these skills are, maybe I should put these on my CV....
So, over the next few weeks I will be revising for this exam. Yes, I know I'm crazy, this exam was not compulsory, but the sado-masochist in me decided that I needed to add a bit of stress in my life now that me and the metropolitan life had parted company...
Anyway, enough from me for now!
xx
