Italy: one year after the first Western lockdown
The pandemic suddenly felt much closer to home when Italy was plunged into a national lockdown one year ago today. It feels like a changed place to my second home, the place I return to every year…
Living la vita Britaliana
“The Italian” is often what I’m referred to in the UK. “Sei così British! [You’re so British]” my colleagues here in Italy often say, rather bemused. Growing up in a European School I was raised to love…
New year, new me (ish?)
I would like to wish all my f(r)ans a very happy new year! (Is it too late to do that? It’s still January, so I’m thinking it’s fine.) Even though so far – just like last year…
Venice without tourists: ve-nice or ghostly?
Since moving to Padova I’ve been to Venice several times to see my family there. I was no stranger to the infamous pictures of the dolphins enjoying the newly-clear turquoise waters during Italy’s spring lockdown – however…
What’s new in Padova?
Our first month and a half has been quite hectic. I have now settled into a work pattern which gives me a sense of purpose and routine I desperately needed after lockdown and summer at home. We…
Moving to Italy
In my first post I said I was waiting the pandemic out before I made plans, but the longer it goes on the more I realise that was an unrealistic idea. So, I decided to be open…
‘Finding your other half’ – but I’m not a half…
The person you end up with is described in many ways: ‘soulmate’, ‘the one’, ‘other half’… I’m not sure whether I believe in soulmates or ‘the one’; but I do like to think there’s someone somewhere that’s…
5 things I learnt on my year abroad
It’s been just over one year since I moved back to the UK after spending almost a year living in France as part of my degree. Every now and then since my return I get forwarded an…
Finishing uni and starting graduate life in 2020
The new decade has started off in a way no one could have predicted. As I clinked glasses, embraced my friends and welcomed the new Roaring Twenties with open arms on New Year’s Day, I would have…
