Back to Reality... briefly.

Last week I went on holiday, to the glamorous destination of Home. It was a really lovely trip, however brief. This was a whirlwind tour, calling in three counties in just six days. It was a wonderful though, due to both the pleasure of spending time with my family and friends; and the peace of mind I got from sorting out some administration and logistical elements regarding my upcoming return to reality.

The act of going home is simple as are the feelings are warmth and ease that it gives. It’s an age old and pure idea which is rooted in the very centre of who we all are. We can always take a step back, return to the place we started from and the people who love and know us best and figure out how best to move forward. The moving forward part is the challenge and even though I wasn’t at home in Essex for most of my trip I was so grateful to my patient and loving parents for putting up with my incessant phonecalls about housing and module selections. Mostly that just told me that I was making sense and making good choices, but sometimes all you need is someone who knows you well to say ‘yes, that sounds good. It’s a good choice for you’.

As a side note, other amazing things about home which brought a smile to my face with their sheer simplicity included getting off the plane to non-humid, crisp, albeit a bit chilly air (it’s different in other places!); rain that just drizzles nicely rather than simulating monsoon season; red meat in crazy served with any kind of potato; using my iPhone and having a very hectic ‘recent’ list; and Cadbury’s chocolate.

I began my mini-tour of the UK with a much needed trip to Warwick Uni, to see so many of the beautiful people I’ve been missing, meet the new RAG exec (which I am so proud to be a member of), hand in some boring paperworky things and check out and sign  for my house for next year. Busy, busy, busy!

I stayed with my friend Charlie, who is currently a very busy bee with all things Physics related and more, and so I think/hope he didn’t think me horribly rude for being here, there and everywhere whilst abusing his hospitality. Here’s what I managed to squash into my 3 and half uni days, he’ll probably be interested to know where I kept disappearing to, in fact...

Monday was an early start and the train to Leamington Spa, where the lovely Tara (as mentioned here and here) met me, having jumped on a train from Birmingham.  We had a pub lunch and did some shopping, kitting me out with a new bikini for what I hope will be a very sunny summer. I then went onto campus to meet up with Charlie for some ‘yay, one exam down’ drinks... which of course resulted in a plan to go out. Notorious Mondays are always a laugh and I had a brilliant time, both catching up with some of my friends at re-drinks and bumping into so many mates at the club. I did enjoy every double take, dropped jaw and ‘You’re back?!’, always followed by a big hug.

Despite all this nocturnal fun, Tuesday was another early start and a very productive day! I began with addressing my housing situation for next year, which has been a many month long saga- things are harder when your not in the country! I'm really excited about the group I'm living with though and our awesome location. Having finally viewed the flat I signed the contracts, only 6 weeks later than the rest of the gang and then headed off for a catch up with my friend, Lucy. This was a great catch up and I got to grill her on some second year modules, which she's been taking this year in order to get her and investigate some module based rumours that I'd been hearing. More about that later.

Tuesday evening began with a RAG meeting. I was so chuffed when I was voted RAG week co-ordinator for next academic year, and have been feeling guilty about my absence and consequent lack of involvement since being elected, and so this was a brilliant opportunity to get to know the new exec and talk about what's going on and to share what Beavis, the President, and I had been brainstorming about RAG Week! I'm really excited to get back to these lovely people and do some good work in the autumn. Will also be digging into organisation very soon.

Unlike here in Italy, back home we have to apply and request modules nice and early and so these decisions have been on my mind for weeks now. You may remember how the Venice visit of March served as an information point about modules offered by the Italian department and so I sorted out three out of four modules for next year then and there. However, my English option has given me much food for thought over the past few weeks and whilst having a fairly good idea of what I wanted to do this uni visit was the perfect opportunity to both catch up and grill some of my fellow English Lit students. Between that resolve, those chats and the aforementioned 'I think I'm doing the right thing Mum? Dad? Yes?' phonecalls I fnalised my decision and submitted my form (early, I may add). Sorry David, Lucy, Ella and Sam! And a huge Thank You for all of your insights! I felt both relieved and pleased to have the decision made and out of my hands. First choice: 'The English Nineteenth Century Novel', with 'Literature of the Second World War' and 'Victorian and Romantic Poetry' as back ups. I think I'll be happy with whichever I get, and there's always final year if I find myself longing to do one of the others.

With the lovely Will You remember him from here

Wednesday was another mad day with key features including seeing Sarah, my friend and future housemate, to catch up and discuss the house a little bit. A tiny bit, in fact. Other things seemed so much more important at the time. During this epic teatime I got a text from Charlie and duly agreed to a night out at the SU (Student Union). This was a very easy concession to make as Wednesday in sports' night, the Union is packed and the music is old, cheesy and very easy to have a silly dance and sing-a-long to. So much fun!

Thursday morning called for the much anticipated coffee date with the wonderful Mr Sam Clarke, who I was very disappointed to miss out on seeing over Christmas We didn't have much time as he was between a lecture and seminar but we caught up nicely on what we'd both been doing, followed up with questions about letters and we've started plotting some fun for when I'm back in the UK 'for real'. After this and another impromptu coffee with my friend, Felicity, I headed off to Banbury to see Fiona. You may remember her from my birthday.

With my Bestie

Fiona is one of my very best friends and one of our greatest grievances is that it's this year, this year in which I am in Rome that she is on a work placement in Banbury, only twenty minutes away from my university. Shocking! However, I was very pleased to get to visit her, meet her colleagues and friends and go for steak, because that is what she and I like to do. We then went out for a big night and we had a lot of fun in various establishments with some cheeky offers and cracking tunes- yes, she has made me a fan of Call Me Maybe- but we ended up leaving earlyish as we had so much more to catch up on and so little time together!

Friday was back home to Essex and dinner with my family. I was so sorry to end up having so little time truly at home but we went for a cracking dinner and in true family fashion there was no one single of conversation, but always at least three different ones running simultaneously- which is impressive for a table of five. Later, two of my best friends from school came to join us as well as some of my brother's mates and all told it was a good night.

Unfortunately, Saturday brought a fairly early flight back to Rome and I was greeted by a warm sunshine. You know that excellent moment when you're going on holiday and you get off the lane to find the air so warm and dry that you know you're abroad? It was that! That summer feeling. I was glad to be back, as I'm keenly aware that my time here is running out. I really want to make the most of all the time I have left, but... I'll tell you a secret, after such a short trip home I've been a tad homesick since I got back. I didn't really get enough time with anyone and can't wait to be reunited with them all soon.

But for now, Rome, sun and fun! After all, it won't be long until I'm truly Romesick!

Without moving anything but your heart.

"To send a letter is a good way to go somewhere without moving anything but your heart"
-Phyllis Theroux

 There is no greater pleasure, in my humble opinion, than coming home to find a letter waiting for you on the mat; addressed by hand, in the familiar script of a friend. This is proof that whilst you may be divided by geography, you’re remembered and cherished.

Adorable postcard from Tara!

Those of you that know me well will be well aware that I’ve been a huge advocate of snail mail for a very long time and know few joys greater than the postman’s fruitful call. Having grown up n a large Irish family my cousins are spread al over the world; Ireland, America and even Australia, yet these boundaries never keep our family behind with the news. I mention this because one of my closest and longest friendships in that which a share with my cousin, Laura, who I’ve only ever seen in the flesh about four times, and yet by our letters we’re truly as close as any cousins could be. Having become pen pals aged about ten and eleven respectively we’ve shared, advised and supported each other through school, girl wars, boy drama and more.

Another of Tara's offerings.

If anything my generation has been completely spoilt, we live in a world where even if you move to opposite ends of the country for university you can still, if you choose to,you can still chat to your best friends for hours every day, or get their advice on outfits, be it a shopping or night out wardrobe decision. But is that what really counts? When you really think about it, it's still virgin territory. Pick up a novel and you're reminded that even as recently as sixty years ago postal correspondence was the predominant, if not the only, means of communication. Yes, it's not as convenient. Yes, it takes longer. But it's also more thoughtful, shows someone's taken the time to put pen to paper and even gone out to buy a stamp. It shows that whatever they've written, even if it's silly or 'just because', it was worth waiting for. Furthermore, it's tangible proof that someone's thinking of you, missing you and wanting to talk to you.

"Sir, more than kisses, letters mingle souls; for, thus absent friends speak."
-John Donne

Mumma wishng me luck in
my new home.

As I mentioned above, I've been enamoured with the concept of snail mail and letter writing since I was quite little. So what a treat it as to find new fans of the letter as I moved away to university last year. Living in halls, we all loved finding a little coloured envelope in the box and even wrote to each other a bit over the holidays! Who were these pretty envelopes coming from? Well, besides from thoughtful mothers with a touch of empty nest syndrome, lots of school chums discovered the magic of mail and started recording the full versions of their university tales in letters, and sending occasional bursts of loveliness in the form of postcards, such as some of the ones pictured here, courtesy of my friend Tara (as mentioned here).

Cadbury Treats for Christmas.

Colourful Easter wishes

Since moving to Rome in September my postal appreciation has expanded to an even greater enormity than  could have ever imagined. To tell the truth, I'm like a little kid on Christmas morning with every arrival. From my mum's sporadic offerings of support and love (pictured) and the simple joy of my birthday cards finding me here. Being away over holiday periods obviously was hard at times. I was so happy to go home for Christmas, but I found the build up difficult as (a) it wasn't cold enough, (b) there weren't enough festive lights and (c) I didn't have my advent calendar. It meant so much to me to receive a long letter from my best friend, Fiona, in the first week of December, Cadbury's chocolate calendar included. As I've mentioned before I didn't go home for Easter, but was saddened by missng my family revelries. It therefore meant a lot when my parents sent me a card full of  Easter wishes signed 'All Love' hoping I'd 'do whatever the Romans do (WITHIN REASON)'. Sending a card is such a simple  thing, but it always means so much. With a positive correlation between meaning and distance travelled.

"Many people walk in and out of your life
but only true friends
leave footprints on your heart."

 Naturally, I've been thrilled to receive letters from new correspondents, and wonderful friends. Sam Clarke, fantastic fellow Warwick student, has had me in stitches with his commentary on my existence and Tara has kept the adorable postcards (no idea where she finds them!) coming, enclosed in letters. Fiona and Laura are as loyal as ever and I know I can always rely on word from them. Letters to Laura are like my diary, accept my diary writes back, gives me advice and even tells me when I'm being an idiot. She also praises me when I've shown maturity, self-restraint or compassion.

Speaking of postcards, shortly after moving overseas I found out about an excellent scheme: Student to Student. This is the perfect solution for student snail mail. It's free, so why not try it out?! Grab a postcard, scribble some love out for your fellow student of a friend and just put STS where the stamp would go. I've been doing this all year to let people back home know that I miss them. Give it a go, you've nothing to lose!

Dad's offerings from Vienna. 

"What a wonderful thing is the mail, capable of conveying across continents a warm human hand clasp"

-Author Unknown

Well, I could go on for hours but I'm sure you're all bored by now. If you've ever done a Year Abroad or lived overseas comment your opinions on the power of post! Either way, never underestimate the power of post.

Collection of letters since moving to Rome!

The family we choose for ourselves

This weekend we celebrated Easter. The most important holiday in the Christian calendar. For me, as with all holidays, Easter means family. The whole family together. Yet I chose to stay here in Rome. To most people this would seem fitting simply for the religious significance. It makes perfect sense for a Catholic to spend Easter in the heart of the Roman Catholic world. This was not my logic. When I decided to stay here, I confess, I was thinking solely of the weather, how much fun I'm having and that I'm not due many more trips before going home for good. So I opted for Easter in Rome and visiting uni at the end of April instead. However, despite my fiscal logic and clear thinking about the big picture I'd be a massive liar if I said I wasn't homesick during Holy Week, at the thought of the upcoming family gathering (food, drink and general loving merriment)  which I was to miss out on.

All that being said I had a lovely weekend. With most people having succumbed to the call home for the holiday my flatmate, Rosa, and I were left to fend for ourselves and it just so happens that we had ourselves a lovely little weekend. Lucky for us that we were left with good friends and a positive attitude! We began with good intentions and bold resolutions. The two of us struck a bargain to sort the house out, she taking on the kitchen whilst I tackled the bathrooms (I admit, she had the harder job) as well as both of us doing huge amounts of laundry. What wonderful housewives we'll make one day!

Rosa vs. the Kitchen.

Next up was our long talked of trip to IKEA (here pronounced ee-kay-ah). I cannot begin to explain or justify why this was so exciting, but we were buzzing. We had McDonalds (where Rosa was suitably impressed by my ordering skills. They're the same words, but with whole new identities), tried out all the houses in the showroom, I finally got a new bedside lamp (having pulled the old one from its perch whilst sleeping... just before Christmas) and Rosa got a cuddly Broccoli, her new fidanzato, Brian Broccoli.

Easter itself included mass at my parish church here followed by breakfast. Coffee and Creme Eggs. An Easter classic. The moment of the day, however, was before breakfast when, upon opening the door on my return home from church, I got a whiff of the lamb already roasting for lunch. Lush!

A hearty Paschal breakfast.

We continued by watching numerous episode of 'Ally McBeal', officially re-named 'Single Female Lawyer' in our flat and then, finally tucking into our delicious lamb. It was a cracking feast, finished off perfectly (in my opinion) by drinkng wine out of actual wine glasses. Thank you IKEA! I then got a call on skype from my Dad... so I spoke to everyone! My nan, my aunts, my uncles, some of my cousins, the mother, the brother girlfriend. Gosh, it did remind me of how much I wanted to be there. Especially when I saw my cousin's little girl standing up all by herself. I didn't approve any mile stones occuring without me! It was lovely to talk to everyone though, and to know they haven't forgotten me and miss me too!

The feast.

That evening I was expecting the (very late) arrival of Will, my wonderful friend from uni, and so we happily relocated to The Yellow, a hostel near Termini (with a very good bar) to pass the time with ever more wine. When he finally got from the airport to the station we had an epic emotional reunion on the platform and a banterous evening at home.

Empty metro station... sit on the escalator- who's there to judge!?!

Easter Monday (Pasquetta) was my typical day of hosting, roaming Rome aimlessly, enjoying the sunshine and pointing out what things are. We had lots of fun. Being a uni friendship there was obviously wine with lunch, dinner then followed by a hilarious big night out. Being with Will did, in fact, give it an edge of the English night life and has got me rather excited for my trip to uni at the end of the month.

Will by the Colosseum

Me in the sunshine.

All in all, Easter was a fantastc weekend, even though it wasn't typical. I was glad to have such good friends with me to prove the saying 'Friends are the family we choose for ourselves'. I wasn't with my family, but I was at home and with people I love and at the end of the day, when all said and done, that's all you really need. So I'm a very lucky girl.

Hope you all had a happy Easter too!

p.s. Just to get the soundtrack of the long weekend- gosh, we now love Ally McBeal!

Double the Fun

Whoever said 'two's company but three's a crowd' has obviously never spent a weekend with my wonderful friends. I've just had a visit from two of my school friends, Tara and Joanne, and regardless of what that idiot may have thought it was truly a case of Double the Fun and non-stop laughter. One of the little things that made this weekend stand out from all the others visits I've had was the girls' attitude. They came with next to no idea about what the wanted to do in the touristy sense and very little intention of letting primp time and hangovers detract from our fun. With no pre-conceived notion about how the weekend should unfold we were completely free to just go with it... and get camera crazy.

The girls were very lucky to come when the sun was shining and so I opted to say 'sti cazzi' to roman convention and join them wearing shorts, highlighting the fact that we were tourists. We spent the day just wandering around and naturally stumbling upon sights such as the Imperial Forum, the Vittoriano, the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps and happily just found a sunny spot by each, where we could natter away and enjoy the sunshine.

The next day we decided to persevere with our 'the best plan is to never have a plan' plan and proceeded to stumble upon the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, the Colosseum and more. We had lunch in Campo dei Fiori and dinner in Trastevere, which was so cheap but unbelievably delicious and devised one liners that kept us giggling like school girls right up until bedtime.

Monday, their last day here (weep!) was the only day we had any sort of mission in mind, the Vatican Museums. But as we've already established plans ruin all good things and as soon as we saw the sheer volume of tourists gathering and heard that there was over an hour's wait we said 'stuff it' as they were happy with having already seen some of the Vatican. Instead we spent the morning hanging out in the garden of Castello d Sant'Angelo before going wandering again. We got of slice of pizza for lunch, which we enjoyed in Piazza del Popolo before we finally had to come back to the flat so that Tara and Joanne could pick up their stuff and get to the airport on time.

What was amazing about this weekend was that although we saw lots, we didn't actually really do anything. It was so much fun! There's a lot to be said for the company of old friends. Those that know where your coming from and are always there to help you think up what to do next. I haven't laughed so much in ages, even the slightest knowing look would set me off. These girls know too much! I almost hadn't realised how much I missed them! And I can't wait to get them back n my daily life either.