For a good cause

Next week is RAG Week here at the University of Warwick. As the RAG Week Co-ordinator, I'm currently something of a headcase. There are so many little things to think of and it's suddenly dawning on me that I'm probably not going to have any time for sleep all week and I'm worried about letting things slip through the cracks.

However, that's just me being silly, I'm sure. Planning has been going on for months and generally it's shaping up to be a cracking week. We're hoping to raise a lot of money, all of which is for Children in Need, a great cause helping children across the UK.

!!!WARWICK STUDENTS!!!

THIS BIT'S FOR YOU

Please support RAG Week, because:

(a) It's for an excellent cause.

(b) It's loads of fun!

You can send lovely things, or even better EMBARRASSING things to your friends. Have your flatmate GNOMED, just for banter's sake (you know... for the children) and come along to our events. They range in levels of craziness from a Pub Quiz on Tuesday to a huge Leamington Bar Crawl on Friday.

Right, I should get back on task now, but wish us luck, show your support and get involved! I'll be sure to let you know how much we raise!

A Juggling Act

Hello Readers,

Well, it's sad to say but the end has come to tales of life in Rome, gallivanting around Italy and the excitement of London 2012. I'm now back at university and frantically busy reacclimatising to uni life and balancing a full course load with all the extra curriculars and clubs that pad out this experience, I'm talking societies, clubs and of course, a social life. This year I'm working on the RAG exec to shape RAG Week into a time of intense charity mischief, preparing to the immense challenge of Mount Kilimanjaro in the summer and I've been getting active (and initiated) in Warwick's Netball Club.

Hitting the books again has actually turned out well. I'm glad to be back in the classroom with a quality exchange of ideas and the occasional heated debate. So far I've even managed to keep on top of all the reading, although knowing the ways of the world a little I can promise that things are only going to get tougher as the lists get longer and essays start to pile up. However, I have already faced the other dreaded 'E' this term. Yes, exams! During Freshers! Less that delightful for us returning from our years in Italy and yet I can't deny that it's best to start as you mean to go on, and it wasn't a total disaster. I've already got the results back, and they'll do. So far, so good.

RAG (Raising and Giving) is also keeping me super busy. If only I had envisioned the workload when I skyped my way onto the exec back in February! But a little charity love never did any har, and this year is already shaping up very nicely- keep your fingers crossed for RAG Week (my baby) to be a success, please! Not long to go now and so just lots of organisations and stress (for me) and hopefully lots of fun and full charity coffers for the rest of the student body.

**If you are a Warwick student reading this PLEASE show your support during Week 7= all proceeds will be going to Children in Need**

In other news, my RAG President has also managed to convince me to climb Mount Kilimanjaro this summer. Moreover, he's persuaded me to be an Adventure Leader, and therefore convince a sizeable team of student to follow me to Tanzania, and then up the tallest free standing mountain in the world. Poor chaps! I confess, I'm somewhat daunted by the feat I've undertaken, but I'm also very VERY excited. I actually considered it in my First Year, and totally chickened out. It feels good to know that I've grown some guts, but now comes the tough part: the end of recruitment, supporting my team and my own fundraising. Oh, and then of course there's the mountain itself. Bring it!

The good news is that I have started working on my fitness and team work. I've joined (and as of last night been initiated into) the Netball Club and have been having lots of fun both on the courts and the Student's Union with the girls. Despite the embarrassment of my Chicken themed initiation I'm feeling brilliant about this decision. I'm loving my new sporty side.

So there you have it, the basics of the start of the academic year. I'm looking forward to reporting what challenges and delights Third Year brings. It's a juggling act, but hopefully I manage to keep all the balls in the air.

Wish me luck... and watch this space!

The world on your doorstep

Welcome to the continued tales of my life, now returned to it's original location of London. Since we spoke last I've been an incredibly busy bee. Hosting can be a most time consuming affair though, and perhaps you've heard, London's been flooded this past month with a little shindig called the Olympic Games.

I don't remember exactly what I've told you before, but I'd always planned to spend the whole summer in Italy during my Year Abroad. I dreamed of three whole months in the sun... presumably with some sort of clearly defined plan. However, exceptional circumstances call for a little flexibility and openness to the remarkable opportunities which present themselves. I did my best, I changed my plans and I got a job with the catering on the Olympic Park. All signed up for 17 days of excited atmosphere, being part of history in the making and yes, apologising to the world for not being one of those excellent volunteers, but a mere  soulless wage-slave.

Let me start at the very beginning, because Julie Andrews once sang something about that being 'a very good place to start'. Please do not expect an over detailed account of the whole affair, because I will get bored at some point and just want to show you pictures, of which I have sadly few.

Right, I'm waffling. I'll head back to that beginning I mentioned a million years ago now.

I admit that I was deeply disheartened by the general lack of enthusiasm and faith in the Great British ability to host and perform. I'm so glad the cynics were silenced as Danny Boyle put on a spectacular show to stop the world in its tracks. I didn't mean to sit through the whole thing, as I had work in the morning, but before I knew it the athletes had been parading for an hour and forty-five minutes and I was still sat, mesmerised, side by side with one of oldest friends. Of course I watched the entire thing, loved every minute of it and went to bed all hyped up for the next couple of weeks.

Following the outstanding show that was our Opening Ceremony I was super excited to return to return to work the next morning and my mood was further lifted by the signs and the prospect of spectators starting to arrive to really get things swinging.

Work was great, not only because of where I was and what I was taking part in. I had missed working and really enjoyed my return to the real world. I had some really interesting and fun colleagues too. Here's a picture of some of them, conveniently located within Olympic rings... in case you wondered where we worked.

I spent most of the games in the Aquatics Centre. This was a very lucky placement for me, as the swimming is one of the few sports I've ever been able to pay attention to and get into during previous games. Excitement! Perfect placement, Sodexo. Job very well done.

The job was great, I spent the first week primarily in the Olympic Family Lounge, serving posh nosh to the likes of IOC members and foreign dignitaries. Exciting stuff! I then started supervising in various retail units, moving to basically wherever I was needed and that was fun too. I was actually amazed at how many people had travelled from all over the world to support the games, not to mention the home crowd all decked out in red, white and blue. I was so happy to see how pleased everyone looked with the welcome London was offering, even though we were obviously ripping them off. Stadium concessions are, of course, overpriced! Eventually I ended up running the mobile carts, you know Coca-Cola, Cadbury's treats, etc. Lots of running around helped keep you in the Olympic spirit. I got to hold an Olympic torch and the view from the west side showed off the park in all its glory.

I was absolutely knackered after seventeen straight days of work, but still running high on the Olympic buzz. On the last day the team even went down by the poolside. Check out Rachael and I on the swimmers' starting block... things.

I told you I would get less detailed and interesting as this post went along. At least you know I'm honest! It was a fantastic two weeks and even with the foot ache and wind ups (how else would a team get through the Olympics without being institutionalised?) and I'm really looking forward to getting back on site for the Paralympics. I love that people here are getting so excited for the Paralympics, celebrating their tickets and gearing up to welcome the world all over again.

Anyway, that'll do for now. Tales of adventures to come soon!

xxx

London Calling

Hello All!

I'm home. I have been for a while but summer has continued on a terrific track and I've hardly been near a computer, so... sorry!

I landed back in London at the end of June and my first few days back in Blightey did involve a bit of whinging. As I'm sure you're all aware, England is not renowned for its glorious summers and quite frankly I was cold. Probably more like 'a bit chilly', but I missed the sun- and everyone knew about it! Another reason to moan would be that spent those first few days delaying reunions with my friends and family in order to chain myself to a desk whilst attempting to write an essay, in Italian. The research process, however, was very interesting and I had hand-picked the topic myself in order to link the essay up nicely with the Cimitero Accatolico per gli stranieri and so to task wasn't an odious and gruelling as it could have been. However, having this job to do did force me to hit the ground running as soon as I got home and enjoy my homecoming enormously.

As soon as the assignment was complete and sent of for judgement and condemnation, the fun could begin. I've spent lots of time in the city centre, including trips one of my favourite restaurants in the world (a Pancake House called My Old Dutch) and a day trip to SeaLife, the London Aquarium. My friend Holly and I had so much fun. We were in there for approximately four hours starring at various fishes, quoting 'Finding Nemo' and stroking starfish. We especially liked the giant turtle and the penguins. After we had exhausted the Aquarium we strolled off down the Southbank, enjoyed the sunshine and took pictures with some street performers. We are southbank converts, we especially liked the old pianos and poetry!

So now I'm just on a wave of reunions and fun. I've also marked this new beginning with a little change- and a big trip to the barnet shop. I have gone blonde. I am a blonde. Suddenly films such as 'Legally Blonde' make so much more sense, being blonde is an empowering thing and as far as I can see they really do have more fun. So until the Olympics and my job start it's just more fun with friends, another round of cosmos, girls?

Those summer nights

Hello old friends,

Let me apologise, I've been absolutely rubbish this month. Especially considering that last month I was basically blog obsessed. I doubt anyway cares that much, but if by any chance I have left you high and dry, I am sorry.

June has brought some good things. The weather has shifted to a true Mediterranean climate. Very hot and sunny. I wake up every morning eager to get up, for the sole reason that my bed has been baking in the sunlight since sunrise. During the day, as keen for a tan as any Essex girl may be, I fear burning on my way to get a coffee. It is glorious!

A view from my spot on the sand.

One way we've been making the most of this beautiful sunshine is by making the occasional day trip to Castel Gandolfo. The nearest beach to Rome (Ostia) is famously ugly... or at least that's what the real Romans tell us. Although I suppose they've never been to Southend pier and are simply used to the beauty of the Amalfi coast. Either way, I plan to go there eventually, but the lake is about an hour's train ride away from the city and is beautiful. We went mid-week, before the school's finished and so only had to share the shore with about six other people. Perfection. Bliss. You take my point.

We loved our afternoon. We sat of the sand, read books and sporadically went to swim in that gorgeously blue water. We wandered away for coffees and ice creams and came home tired by the sun and our lazy day, during which I read at least half of ‘The Battersea Park Road toEnlightenment’.

It is said that in summertime the days grow longer and the nights shorter. However, this has not been my experience. As summer has begun the Italian population seems to have woken up from a semi-hibernation and is completely rejuvenated. For the past 3 weeks I haven't returned from a Saturday night out earlier than 5am. Gosh.

Furthermore, most of our favourite events have moved from little clubs into large open air spaces. Fun! Most of them also have booths selling very cheap wine. Double win!

Now I remember why I wanted to move to Italy. Sunshine and wine.

I would never claim to be a football fanatic. Mostly because at my first attempt my brother and all male friends would jump in with controversial comments about how I've never cared in the slightest. That may be true. I'm not overly bothered. However, this month we've all been getting very much involved with the Euros and... well, drunk beer. In the group stages we've been showing our support for both England and Italia, but if things go well over these two evenings we're going have to make a very tough decision Blood and patriotism vs. we're in Italy and would have to take some stick. Only time will tell...

Despite all this revelry in the sun this month has also had it's challenges. My next work deadline is approaching and, as you may remember from here, all the work I have to submit to Warwick this year must be written in Italian. I've now completed my second module report and am researching an planning my final extended essay. There had to be some price for this beautiful year abroad! However, despite the freedom of the essay I'm hating it, partly because it's hard to concentrate on anything in this heat. And the fact that I'd rather be outside playing!

Well, I'm now closing in on the end of my Italian adventure, but I'll be sure to keep you posted on the rest of my fun. Also rather excitingly, after four years of friendship my friend Jess and I now live in the same city- even if it is only for a few.

I have a match to pay better attention to now. This is why we don't usually watch them at home...

A sartorial injection.

A curious element of the Year Abroad is one's wardrobe. In some ways the whole experience is merely one long, extended holiday and therefore one's possessions are controlled by airline regulations. There's a limit on how much you can bring and, similarly, you must consider how you're to get everything back within your weight limit before you can go home. This factor is a serious dampener on a girl's desire to shop.

As I get nearer to my departure date I have started to think about luggage and what I may even have to leave behind. I even used my April trip home as an opportunity to return all my coats, jumpers and... less essential footwear to the UK. However, as a girl who likes her clothes I must confess now that I am itching for a trip round the shops. Even with what still looks like a fairly full wardrobe, I'm tired of all my clothes. I'm sure I've found all the possible combinations for this particular set and worn them out. What I'm basically saying is

I have nothing to wear!

However, all hope is not lost. The joy of living with three other girls is that we've developed the very unoriginal concept of the communal wardrobe What's mine is yours, and all that jazz.

What's this got to do with anything? Well, despite having been looking forward to Saturday night all week. Because, well you know, it's Saturday night. Despite having had an excellent day in Tivoli and being in good spirits for the evening. Last night, I genuinely considered passing on the festivities because... the shame, I didn't have anything to wear!

Another reason to love my flatmates. Anna committed herself to supporting me through my temporary insanity and getting me to a dancefloor. She listened to my craziness and then disappeared. returning five minutes later with to of her own dresses that I was yet to play dress up with. Needless to say, I eventually perked up, manned up and got dressed.

It's alarming how one new garment can transform, if not one's wardrobe, then at least one's own perception of it. Anna's dress was just the sartorial injection that my Roman armadio needed and I felt brilliant. Also, it was a dress that I probably would never even try on in a shop. I just wouldn't have supposed it to be very 'me'. I would be missing out.

I'm so glad Anna thought to share and committed to supporting me through my wardrobe/brain malfunctions as last night was so much fun! Even though we pre-partied the same as every other Saturday, and even ended up at our usual club it really was one of the best Saturday nights I've had in Rome. It was so good that when the club kicked out at half past four, we all decided to find another bar, rather than call it a night and go home!

I'm still aware of my baggage limits, but I think I'm going to go shopping this week. I think a couple of new Spring/Summer staples could perk me right up and see me through the rest of Erasmus with vain, fashion conscious peace of mind.

What do you think? Is this post just self-indulgent and materialistic, or do your clothes help you think positively too?

A Day Trip.

I have a tiny confession to make. Ever since I came back to Rome after my last trip home I've been somewhat less than enthusiastic about my life here. This has bothered me. Please, don't get me wrong- I love my life here and I'm in no hurry for my time to run out, but having had such a wonderful trip home part of me has been pining for that part of my life, leaving me somewhat disconnected from all things Roman.

Today, however, has given me a new wave of excitement about this place. I'm finally excited about all the things I still haven't done or seen here. Why? Well, we went on a little day trip today, and it was lots of fun!

The train coming into Tivoli.

This week I started to make a list of things I'd like to do before I run out of Roma time; you know... nearby places I'd like to visit; landmarks I haven't yet stumbled upon. That sort of thing. Well, this morning Anna and I both woke up feeling uncharacteristically energetic and enthusiastic and so we though 'No time like the present' and set about checking something off our wishlist.

By lunchtime we'd convinced Rosa to join us and were sitting on a train to the nearby town of Tivoli. About an hour's journey away and less than €5 for return train fare this was a lovely afternoon. We didn't know anything about Tivoli, but had heard that it was very pretty. Five minutes out of the station we came across Villa Gregoriana and ere not disappointed by the beauty of the place. We also had a really fun hike!

We spent the afternoon following various trails, gasping awestruck at the   waterfalls and magnificence of the valley we were in... and took lots of pictures. Not even rain could dampen our spirits and so we trekked on and made the most of our afternoon exploring caves and ancient temples, enjoying the exercise of our rambles and taking lots of photographs!

When Rosa tells you to get in a cave and look like an enthusiastic starfish... YOU DO IT.

More cave fun.

The three of us looking over the 'Valley of Hell', post rainfall.

Rosa and I in an empty water feature.

After a few hours of rambling and exploring we finally made it to the highlight of all tourist destinations and cultural institutions: the coffee shop. We were very lucky that it was just as we went in that the heavens really opened, and threatened to completely drench us,  that we stumbled upon this delight. We had a coffee, with free peanuts, crisps and biscuits... and then decided to stay and have a beer too, as the rain decided to get heavier just as we were thinking of heading back to the station. The people in the bar were lovely, and made sure we always had snacks. Warm snacks too.A wonderful afternoon. We also found out that there are two more villas in Tivoli, and so may go back again soon.

So after a day of fun, I'm once again very excited to be here in Italy. I've got lots more on my list, and so hopefully I'll be busy exploring (and blogging) over the next few weeks!

If you're ever in Rome and feel like getting out of the city for an afternoon- try out Tivoli. It's beautiful! And the whole day (Train, villa entrance and drinks) all cost us less than €15 each!

Easy Tiger

This week my Facebook and Twitter feeds have been overflowing with reports of how glorious the weather currently is in England; the land of cold and dreary. Only as far as weather goes, of course. I suppose that's me getting my just desserts. Having spent most of the last fortnight gloating about the beautiful weather in Rome, how I'm out gallivanting in shorts and vest tops and how nice it is to just sit in the sun with a gelato. Well, I suppose Rome still has that advantage. I love my country, but the English don't know anything about ice cream!

Moving swiftly on... on rather returning to my point. Over the last few days England has been sun bathing, barbecuing and boasting about it. I spent yesterday looking out at the rain and, although today was dry, I have been forced back into full length jeans and long sleeve t-shirts. This is not what I had in mind when I moved to a Mediterranean country, especially not in late May.

However, as a natural optimist I think it always better to focus on the positives. So having now had my mini moan about the past few days allow me to tell you about the weekend and the good things that came my way.

This weekend I went to Sicily for the Evento Nazionale. A weekend of fun, where Erasmus students studying all over Italy come together in one holiday resort to make mischief. Maybe I'll come back to the mischief in another post. For now, I'd like to simply take a moment to remember the warmth and the sun. I'd like to talk to you about tanning.

I'm basically from Essex. Give me this one break!

I'm not going to say to much about my time in Sicily as, I'm almost embarrassed to admit, I didn't really do anything there. I didn't see any sights or do anything remotely cultural. I spent the morning my the pool with my book and the afternoon dancing by the pool with my mates. Sorry. All this pool time did lead to some good results, mind you. The tan. I'm not completely bronzed- bitter disappointment, but there's still time- however, I have been reminded of the one great affliction of sunkissed skin. Tan lines.

Some of you may have been somewhat confused by the title of this post, but now here it is. Why is it that a bikini, a vest top, a pair of shorts, whatever you wear, will eventually leave you striped like a colour-confused tiger! *Grumble*

Oh well, I'm sure they'll fade/fill out. There's still time to work on my 'I live in Italy' tan!

That's all I have to say. It was a fun weekend, but as I told you, I didn't really do anything. Which was lush.

Party on Erasmus!

A place to rest.

Sitting in the parte antica, back in January.

Some of my friends- well all of them actually- were somewhat alarmed and confused when I told them that I've been volunteering at a cemetery. This post will attempt to convey the beauty of the cimitero accatolico per gli stranieri a Roma, to explain what I've been doing there and to remove any idea that this is a strangely morbid way to spend your days in the Eternal City.

Keats' grave.

I first came across the cemetery back in October, when my parents first came to visit. We were all enchanted by our find. As a Literature student it appealed to me as the final resting place of Romantic poets John Keats and Percy Bysshe Shelley. I then started thinking about the fact that it's a place for foreigners For those away from home. It's said that 'all roads lead to Rome', and I'm was curious about some of the paths and journeys that ended here.

I spotted a photo of a little boy's grave and was fortunate enough to meet the director of the cemetery and she was kind enough to show me where I'd find it. We got to talking and, long story short, I soon began volunteering in the Visitors' Centre.

Shelley's grave.

Yes. So for the record, I've been working in the Visitors' Centre. I haven't become a sexton and taken to digging graves, as many people have asked!

It's an interesting place and I've met all kinds of people. From the visitors themselves who come from all over the world. People looking for the graves of famous writers, artists and politicians. People looking for deceased friends and relatives. The volunteers themselves are quite fascinating. Most of us are foreigners here, having found their way to Rome from England, America, Australia, New Zealand, Greece, and so the list goes on. Many of them have lived all over the world, done something truly interesting and all of them our happy to share their experiences and the wisdom they've learnt.

One of the things I've been doing in the VC has been to help another volunteer with his labours to research and compile information about the lives of everyone buried in this unique place. Flipping through those folders I've been amazed at the adventurous lives so many of these people lived, saddened by some tragic circumstances and impressed by some of these peoples' accomplishments.

The Angel of Grief

The cemetery itself is beautiful and has such a perfect atmosphere of serenity.It's full of little paths, hidden gems- both in beautiful sculptures on graves and equally beautiful words- and also a great number of cats.

The Cats of Rome are famous and there's quite a big population living it large in the cemetery. In fact there's another group of volunteers working in the adjacent cattery. They feed and care for the dozens you see strolling around the grounds.

This is Theo.
 He mostly just sits here, in the window of the VC.

I'm realise I'm probably doing a rubbish job of explaining what a lovely place this is, but it really is beautiful. Now that the weather's nice, I often just stay and read on the grass. It's just... peaceful. And at the end of the day, that's what a cemetery should be. Not creepy, or dark, or eery. When we lost a loved one we say, 'may they rest in peace', and I think that here people really do. People from all over the world, of all creeds, lying side by side in peace. With nothing in common but where they came to rest.

Having just said all that about strangers, you also find friends.
John Keats & Joseph Severn's graves, side by side.

So yeah, it's a lovely place and if you're ever in Rome you should definitely check it out. I've brought several of my visitors here and they've all really liked it. 

My Aunty exploring.

                                     

Feel free to leave a comment and ask my anything if you still think I'm mad. I wouldn't be offended, or surprised. Promise.

Find out more here: http://www.protestantcemetery.it/

That's going to hurt in the morning.

The sun's reappearance in Italy has me totally energised and so this week I've been out of the house more or less all day, everyday. Somewhere between finding these new reserves of energy and finding all my shorts and sun dresses I somehow got the notion into my head that exercise would probably be a good thing to do.

I imagine it happened seconds after I realised that soon after shorts comes bikini.

In general I've enjoyed all this new activity. I've always been a fan of walking places, rather than waiting for buses. Playing games in the park is lots of fun. Busting out an exercise DVD with dancerise and toning work outs, felt good at the time, but has left me very achy.

I had this 'brilliant' idea on Friday. On Saturday my legs were to achy for me to even be bothered with getting 'all the way' to the park. The shame. I'd promised my flatmate I'd clean the bathroom yesterday, any kind of bending or crouching was uncomfortable and unpleasant, and as the rest of the day taught me it's also unavoidable. Did you have any idea how bending you actually do in a day? Moving from standing to sitting on chair? More exertion than relaxation- gah!

I blame the squats. And the crunches. Grumble, grumble...

Despite this moan, I'm hoping to be less achy tomorrow, and give it another go. It probably is still a good a good idea and, as my mother likes to remind me,

"No pain, no gain"

Sorry to moan, but at least I'm still somewhat motivated. I think I hae to be, because that bikini isn't going anywhere. In fact, it's coming out on Thursday.

Gosh.

The joy of doing nothing.

Over these past few days we'e been truly blessed. The weather has been fantastic. Spring is heating up, the sun is shining and I've been spending as much time out of doors as possible. Sun dresses and shorts have come out of the wardrobe. Plans for the beach are being made. Sun cream has been bought.

The weather has completely put an end to my homesickness and reminded me that I love living in Rome. It's helped by the fact that it's raining in England.

What I've loved about the past few days is that when the weather's fine I just can't bear to sit indoors and so I've been getting up earlier- woken by the heat of the sun on my window- and have just been doing something, or a lot of lovely nothing.

Villa Torlonia

"Don't underestimate the value of Doing Nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can't hear, and not bothering." 
-Winnie the Pooh 

While the sun and the heat are still novelties and completely delightful I'm really enjoying pointless walks, sitting for a minute as I go through the piazza and heading over the the park. The gelato tastes better and the Kindle is getting a lot of use. John Thornton and Margaret Hale will be out of my life in no time. Which is actually a shame, because I'm loving North and South.

It's alarming how much time I've actually whiled away in the sun over the past few days. Today, for example, I was somewhat surprised when I realised actually been at Villia Torlonia for three hours. Blanket out, Kindle out, zoning out. There's something so peaceful and calming about enjoying your surrounding entirely and letting yourself get lost. Yesterday I ended up having a cheeky nap when Anna and I were at the park and earlier I'd been devastated when I realised that it was time to get up and head over to uni, having been enjoying my time in the Parte Antica, after finishing work at the Cimitero Acattolico.

"You have to allow a certain amount of time in which you are doing nothing in order to have things occur to you, to let you mind think."
-Mortimer Adler

So far I'm having a great week. I've been busy, but I'm most busy doing nothing. It's lush!

p.s. New favourite song, as of today.

A real page turner.

When I was home my mum gave a book. A book she read over a year ago, but I've had to wait for, as naturally she leant it to all of her sisters and half of her one thousand friends before I got my hands on it. It was definitely worth the wait though and I gobbled the whole thing up in less than a week. God love transport for the time it gives to bookworms!

"Make it a rule never to give a child a book you would not read yourself."
-George Bernard Shaw

The book was Me and Mine, a portrait of an Irish family living in London. It was heart-warming, anecdotal and quite honestly it made me think so much of my own family. Not just because they were from Longford and reading the Longford Leader, which once reported my own parents marriage- completely inaccurately! This book is a real page turner and I quite literally couldn't bare to put it down. I'd thoroughly recommend it to anyone. It depicts family exactly as I think it should be, a hub of loving intrusion and jest, both in spite and because of each member's imperfections as well as their strengths. 

"The definition of a page-turner really aught to be that this page is so good, you can't bear to leave it behind, but then the next page is there and it might be just as amazing as this one."
-John Burnside

As you know, at Christmas I got a Kindle. This was a very practical decision, supported by two very simple reasons. 

1. Books are very expensive here, especially foreign ones.
2. I have my luggage allowance to think of, and lots of books would certainly weigh me down.

As much as I enjoy playing with my new toy and the delights of finding literary freebies, it was wonderful to have a real book in my hands again. A real page turner, complete with pages to turn!

Having devoured this treat so quickly I have now returned to my new found technological ways and you could say I'm even being conscientious by having started North and South, by Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell. This is one of the set texts for 'The English Nineteenth Century Novel', a module I hope to take next year at Warwick. I'm really enjoying it. I can't help but wonder if people really were as eloquent as characters in these old novels though. Margaret Hale, the protagonist, speaks so poetically as she describes her old rural home to her new friends in the North that I wonder have we forgotten the power of poetry, simply become too lazy to fully describe all that we perceive, or rather have become sadly unaware of the beauty and the music in the world around us? 

I'm just a quarter of the way through now- thank you Kindle and your handy little percentage bar- and am really enjoying this read. I hope the rest of the books on this reading list treat me as kindly.

Also, yes... I have seen a BBC adaptation of this tale. And no, it doesn't hurt to imagine the dashing Richard Armitage as the leading man, John Thornton. Do you judge me, fellow Literature students? 

I'm going to stop now as I have a book to be getting back to...

p.s. If you like the sound of either of these books, here are the links to them on the Waterstones website.

• Me and Mine, Anna May Mangan,  http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/products/anna+may+mangan/me+and+mine/7441649/
• North and South, Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell,  http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/products/elizabeth+cleghorn+gaskell/north+and+south/8585681/

Dancing in the street.

"Callin' out around the world, are you ready for a brand new beat?
Summer's here and the time is right for dancin' in the street."
-Martha & the Vandella's.


May Day. A cheeky bank holiday to celebrate in the spring time. We all know it's steeped in tradition; such as white dresses, dancing around a May pole, etc etc and yet all it really means to most Brits today is a long weekend and a week without that Monday feeling.


In Italy, Primo Maggio (1st May) is still a holiday -yay!- but apparently is a much bigger deal. Also known as Festa dei lavoratori (Workers' Day) it its actually celebrated on 1st May, and not the nearest Monday. This means that on Tuesday, next to nobody was at work and there was a great deal of fun to be had.


Here in Rome the occasion is marked by a huge concert in front of San Giovanni. It was so surreal to see a massive stage rigged in front of one of the city's most imposing basilicas. The streets were packed from early afternoon through to midnight and the atmosphere was really relaxed and lots of fun.

I spent the afternoon on the rooftop terrace of a friend, living very nearby, where we had a barbeque. After a showering of rain earlier in the day we feared this plan may yet go awry but in the end we were very fortunate and enjoyed a wonderful afternoon.

After watching the sun set, which was even more stunning with that view, we headed back down to the piazza to enjoy the concert and the atmosphere. Most memorable May Day by far. Grazie Roma!

That's all for now- so much shorter than my last post!

p.s. We dip-dyed Rosa's hair. We're proud of the results!
p.p.s. Anna has a really annoying habit of looking cool in photos!