Wish I was there?

I'm almost terrified at the thought that it's only 3 weeks tomorrow until I leave the UK and start the drive to my new life in Rome. 

When I started this venture, I expected a lot more 'what the f&*k am I doing?' moments than I have had so far, but I have noticed a few mini versions of those moments creeping in over the last week or so and even one moment where I seemed to regret ALL the decisions I had made in the last few months and wanted to scrap the whole idea all together. I expected this, so I dealt with it as I had expected to...(added wine!)

I'm sure that anyone who has been three weeks away from leaving their home country to set up a new life elsewhere has been through the same moments I have, and will, over the coming weeks. But its strange the things I will miss about being here. Like the fact MY house key will no longer be on my keyring. If I come back to the UK for visits, that is what it will be for, just a visit, not to come home. In a funny way, I'll miss the weather. Yesterday, my cousin's wedding took place in the snow, in March...a WEEK away from the start of British Summertime....that's not normal, but, I'm English; if I'm at a wedding and not discussing the weather, something is wrong!

Next week I finish work after 5 years at my company and 8 years of full-time working since leaving University. I have two weeks to pack up my life, and prepare to say goodbye. I'm anticipating emotional moments; there will be tears and moments when I just need a hug on the sofa. It's very easy for people to sit and think that my life will now be all vino, pasta and sunshine, but the reality of it is somewhere different - yes, I don't doubt that my quality of life will improve tenfold, but I am also giving up every familiarity, routine and comfort I have been used to for the last 29 years. That is going to be rough on anyone! 

Luckily, I have a phenomenal support network. Here in the UK I have a great family who will support me through the rough moments and some great friends I can turn to when I need a little light relief! In Rome, I have great friends who will no doubt make me feel so welcome and a wonderful boyfriend, who's actually helping me make the move from the UK to Rome. 

I expect the next few weeks to bring a whole pick'n'mix of emotions...but it's certainly going to be interesting! 

Talkin’ Italian

I HATED learning French at school. Maybe a combination of being a teenager and having bad teachers and disruptive classes, it was never my favourite subject. But from a young age I wanted to be bi-lingual. I saw it as a valuable skill and something that would make me feel…more accomplished as a woman. (I blame years of reading Jane Austen novels for this desire to be an ‘accomplished woman’!)

It was my first trip to Italy in 2005 that ignited my passion for the Italian language – from the minute I landed at Pisa I fell in love with it! Such a passionate and beautiful language! On my return from Tuscany I bought my first English – Italian dictionary and learnt some basic! Bene! 

I went back to Italy 3 further time before my trip to Rome (which changed EVERYTHING!) and tried my best to speak as much Italian as I could! It was when I made the decision to move to Italy that I became serious about Italiano. 

Learning a new language it was I imagine recovering from amnesia must be like – you go back to the very basics of your educational life. Last night, I learnt a new alphabet! And it has only 21 letters; not the 26 I have been used to for the last 29 years! And numbers too – I’m counting in a whole other language in my head when I am counting things out at work and at home…I have been reciting my telefonino number in my head, in Italian all morning! 

One thing I love about this language is its drama – it’s a delight to speak and I am loving every single lesson I am having. I go to bed afterwards with phrases in my head and it’s so rewarding to feel like I am getting there – even my teacher has told me that my pronunciation is the best she’s heard…I “sound Italian!”

I have 5 more lessons before I go to nail some of the basics to help me get by, but it’s when I am there and living the language that I will really learn it! And then have to factor in Roman dialect! Another language consideration! Daje! (which up until this point is the only Roman word I successful know and understand!)

My goal is to be fluent, and I mean COMPLETELY fluent in a year. I have read it takes 2 years but that’s too long. 

So, ciao per ora!

Nina x

Life in numbers...on the countdown to Rome!

Life is all about numbers, and often, numbers with little positive outcome - like my current Monday to Friday alarm clock, set at 6.30am!

The plans to relocate to Rome are really coming along nicely. The house is under offer and I have handed in my notice at work! SCARY! But I am really excited now, and looking at what the next 8 or so weeks have in store for me...

46 days until I get in the car and drive to Rome
26 days left in the office (not including weekends!)
6 weeks, roughly the length of time taken to get the paperwork done on the house
17 hours in total to drive from my house to my apartment in Rome
2 cats will be in the car with us
1, 182 miles covered
4 countries driven through
1 English girl and 1 Italian guy in 1 Mini Cooper

So excited about this and I can't wait!

Ciao for now,

Nina x