Bittersweet

June 16, 2024

It’s been a bittersweet week. It was full of new beginnings and hard goodbyes, of learning and of teaching, of laughter and tears. I am finally feeling like a local here… or at least, I feel as much like a local as I can without speaking the language. I love my routine of getting up and having a slow morning at home. I love riding my bike here and there, despite the fear I have of being hit by a crazy Italian driver or of riding over an out of place cobblestone and toppling over (also my worry was confirmed this week: I bought a stolen bike. Someone took it from a Milan bike rental company). I love living in such a slow-paced-neighborhood-like way, where friends can come over to shower when their hot water stops working, or where we can run into each other out in town and spend the rest of the day together spontaneously. It’s crazy how changing everything and moving across the world makes life a lot simpler.

I feel like a lot has happened this week, so I’ll split it up into sections rather than trying to make one cohesive post:

Living like a Princess

I’ve now lived in Italy longer than I lived in Bend, Oregon, which is wild. Actually, in two months, I’ll have lived in this apartment longer than I’ve lived in any single home for the past seven years. That is, if my apartment doesn’t fall apart first. This building might be older than America. We had some thunderstorms earlier this week and one night I woke up to water dripping onto my pillow from a leaky roof. Also, I have two new roommates: a mouse, who I haven’t seen but I’ve found its poop on my floor (I named him Gus Gus), and a lizard who hides in my ceiling beams (I named him Pascal). I’m trying not to be too freaked out by my new companions—this is how all the Disney princesses live after all.

Teaching

This week I started a new job as an English teacher. So far, I love it. I teach different classes every day, from preschool boys to middle aged workers to retired folks. I didn’t expect to like it as much as I do, but it’s given me a better glimpse into Italian life, which is just fun. All my coworkers are from the UK, so I feel like I’m relearning English a bit too. I have to say “lift” rather than “elevator”, “tomahto” instead of “tomato”, and “biscuit” instead of “cookie”. They’re crazy.

Haircut

I got my first European haircut on Tuesday, and it took just over two hours. A little different than the thirty minute trims I’m used to. I couldn’t even be annoyed though because I found the whole experience highly entertaining. So many coffee/phone call/cigarette breaks, the women all gossiping with each other, the slow pace in which they worked… it all cracked me up.

Studying

I’ve spent a good portion of the week studying at one of the cafés I frequent. I have a theology exam and a Disease and Pest Management exam this week. It’s been really hard to motivate myself to focus while studying, but I keep reminding myself that I love what I’m learning, even if Integrated Pest Management isn’t my favorite topic.

Goodbyes

Many of my classmates were part of a one-year specialization program rather than the two-year master’s program, so they are all finished up with school and heading off. Every night this week was occupied with soaking up every last moment together. We had a few nights in, watching movies or making dinner together, and a few nights out at a few different wine bars. I feel like we were menaces to society between midnight bike rides and 2am walks singing ABBA’s greatest hits, but we had the best time. I’m so sad to see my friends begin to leave, but how can I not be excited for them!? Getting to go home and be with their families, getting to start internships in Chianti and Burgundy... all good things. And now I have plenty of people in plenty of countries to visit! (Score!)

I’m so thankful for this year and for the friendships my classmates and I have developed in the past year, and I am excited for the year to come.

Self-Date

Tonight I took myself out for a glass of wine and an aperitivo. I feel like I’ve spent all my alone time this week being productive or being lazy, but I just wanted some time to myself to rest and reflect. It was really nice just spending some quality time outside with myself and my kindle. I highly recommend taking yourself on a date!! That’s your homework for this week ;)

Cheers!!