My New Blog!

So, after almost a month of being in Milan, I have finally decided to start a blog! I just feel like it's a good way to remember all the funny things that happen that I'd otherwise forget.

Lets see if I can do a bit of a recap so far...I'l go by weeks maybe...

Week 1:
Rach and I left for London on Saturday! We said goodbye to mom and dad, and each other actually since we never saw each other on the flight, ha. I had one night in London with the Curries. It was so nice to see Becks and everyone...but I ended up completely passing out very early in the evening.

I got into Milan on Monday and met Julia on the plane! So that was nice, we at least had each other to wander about with!

Then we were off to orientation for a few days where I met Maureen, Katie, and Rachel who were my roommates with Marcela and Julia. I also ended up meeting Alexis and Alison! and lots of other new people.

After Orientation we got back to Milan on Wednesday and were dropped off at our housing assignments. I'm in the Collegio di Milano. Its off the Famagosta stop of the Green line...its pretty far really. Honestly, at first I did not like it very much and wanted to move...but now i really like it! I love having the privacy of my own room and bathroom and it's nice not to have to spend so much money on food!

So then it was boom-boom-boom with things to do! I met up with Antonio on Wednesday night with some girls and that was fun! Thursday, we had a tour of the Duomo area, did some shopping and then another tour of the Cattolica in the afternoon. Then, a collegio meeting and Apertivo with IES!! Which is awesome...apertivo is where you pay 7euro for one drink and then get free food! Its the best way to eat dinner I'm convinced...I beleive it was this evening I decided to go home early and almost got myself stranded at the Centrale station...hmmm not the best idea ha. Friday night Alison and I went to Marcela's appt and Rachel cooked a yummy pasta dinner! Then we all went to Garibaldi (Corso Como) to go out! We went to a bar (with awesome 90s american music) and then club Luminare.

That weekend we took a tour of the Navigli canals (hmm "tour" = boat ride) and Alsion and I checked out the Duomo and gelato Saturday night. Sunday we did a little shopping and went back to the girls big appartment and Katie made a really good dinner! So all in all a good first week! I don't think I unpacked until the end of the weekend haha...

Week 2:
We started our intensive Italian language classes. I also had my first encounter with J (I am going to abbreviate her name so this wont get traced to her haha)...This week was definately a bit hectic and stressful...it took me a long time to figure out my permit to stay business (as in 2 trips to the post office and 4 trips to the commune) all to discover I didn't need ANYTHING. oh well! Additionally, I got my Visa card number stolen and had no money! And I'd just started my new hectic job and still wasn't really settled in...busy week.

I starting getting coffee before class with Marcela most days and we go to the same Bar across the street from IES everyday...He's really cheap and loves giving us free pastrys!

Work started off a bit stressful...its very "The Devil Wears Prada"-esque...She's a lot to handle but hopefully it will all be worth it. I will go into detail about that later...

Had dinner at the girls apt (Caizzo...where Rachel, Jocelyn, Katie, Marcela, and Maureen live) and opted out of the club scene that night to go to bed!

Friday we had some drinks and pizza at Alison's and played Terrets!

Then...Saturday was MONZA!! Aka the most fun I've ever had in my life! haha...I ended up going bymyself but had the most amazing time... I went Saturday and Sunday and it was very rainy but I had awesome seats and had just so much fun. (I am going to write a seperate post after this one with more details)

Sidenote: Saturday night we tried to find "The Red Door" Bar...it doesnt exist...IES needs to update their student guide ASAP.

Also, on Tuesday of this week we discovered Lotus. This awesome bar/club that serves free dinner and $6 drinks from 8 to 10pm and then turns into a club. Its for international students and I love it. It is now my Tuesday night dinner staple.

Week 3:
I worked three days this week and Alison and I went to Lotus again (with Katherine) on Tuesday which was really fun! We met some really nice Spanish girls and found out about what sounds like an amazing ski trip in December

Wednesday night we finally went to Old Fashioned which is so fun! Lots of creepy guys though honestly...then I found $20euro on the bathroom floor! So, obviously I bought more drinks. I ended up not doing to bad. Total damage $45american for 3 drinks, food and a taxi.

Friday night we found a Mexican restaurant! Yum....only for 6 people, $100euro later...crazy expensive...but we don't want to talk about it. Then we walked around the Duomo area and got some Gelato and went to bed!

This weekend was pretty low key for me. I wandered around Milano on Saturday and met up with Natalia (form work) and went shopping. Then, I met up with Katie that evening to go to an art gallery opening party which was great! Everyone who was there was super trendy and artsy and I met some new Italian people which was fun. I slept over at Katies and as soon as my head hit that pillow I was sound asleep...(the other girls were in Venice for the day/night and got back in the morning after a train mishap!)

Then Sunday, I finally did my laundry...and hw...and just lounged.

Week 4:
Milan Fashion Week!! So...not as exciting as I thought it would be. Actually, not exciting at all. Except there were tons of tall skinny models wandering around. I went into work one day and wasn't even supposed to be there! There was a misunderstanding with the schedule which was frustrating...I also cleared my weekend because I'd been told I'd be working...but I'm not. So now I am here while my friends are on the IES Alps trip and in Rome! But, thats just the way it goes sometimes. Besides, now I'm going to go shopping ha! And, there is a Collegio party tonight which should be interesting....I think I am also going to get drinks with Alexis and Ashley from work hopefully!

So this week was a pretty good week! I wasn't working very much at all so I had a lot of time to do some things I wanted to do. I even went to the Gym, twice!

Last night we went to the Brera district (Lanza stop on the green metro) and got Apertivo and walked around. We tried to find "Soul 2 Soul" turns out thats closed too...as in since May...IES really needs to update their student guide. So, we found another bar and unfortunately some very drunk and cheap Welsh rugby players found us...but we eventually escaped and headed back home. Ha, all in all a pretty fun night.

I also bought a beautiful coat yesterday for only $45euro! I'm impressed

Anyway, so thats a very rough summary of what I've been upto. Im going to add two more posts for Formula One details and work...ha that deserves its own post. But, at this this little recap can put things into perspective a little bit.

Anyway, so...so far so good! It took me a little while to get settled but now I'm feeling quite at home here. I'm here on my own-ish this weekend so I think I am going to go explore the city some more, go shopping, and read my book. Im feeling quite accomplished after typing all that up, haha.

Just a couple more things
1. I keep falling. Yes, tripping. Its bizarre..I think im slowly losing all sense of balance
2. Nutella is dangerously delicious...and has now become a significant part of my diet

I think thats all for now. Its coffee time :)

Some more pictures: