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...