Coffee...part DUE

So here you have it. A (rather very delayed) part 2 of my post on coffee. Do have a look HERE if you haven't yet read part 1! It's 'stimulating' stuff...! (rolls eyes at self)

So what kind of coffees do people go for here? Well, of course, there's the caffe or espresso. A strong shot of coffee which will definitely wake you up.

If this is a bit to strong for you (believe me, it's pretty strong) then you can add a dash of foam to make a macchiato. Or, a tad more milk and you've got yourself an espressino- my personal favourite. Sometimes they ask you if you want a dash of cocoa on top. I always say yes.

If even this is a bit too strong, or not 'long' enough, you can ask for a Latte con caffe. Don't just ask for a latte, or all you'll get is milk!

Then there's the cappuccino. Perfect with breakfast in the morning. I've heard a lot of people going on about how you 'can't possibly drink it after midday, it's just not Italian!'. Well, I say if you want one, have one. When you drink your cappuccino won't give away that you aren't Italian- I'm sure the locals will know that even before you've opened your mouth to order!

Then, when it gets all hot and sweaty in the summer months, you can go for a colder option- the crema di caffe or slightly more elaborate espressino freddo. Both are like a thick, creamy, coffee ice cream/milkshake type thing. In other words: awesome.

Down here in the south, you'll get some water with your coffee. This is gratis and often sparkling, so if you want naturale, make sure you ask for it. Whether you should drink it before or after your coffee I'm not really sure, but I do know that it's nice and refreshing after a strong espresso!

So how many coffees a day do people drink here? Well, quite a lot. Several of my students have told me that they drink 5 or 6 a day. Good grief! I can manage a maximum of 3, and even then I feel a bit queasy (although right before the queasiness comes 'animated, excitable and twitchy Amy'). My boyfriend isn't awake without a coffee in the morning, and my colleague can't open a textbook without having knocked one back. And she's not even Italian!!

Whatever type of coffee you want, it can be made for you. And it doesn't cost that much, especially round here. No more than €1 for a caffe. Drink it in the morning, before and after lunch, after your afternoon nap (yes, really) or before you head off on a night out. But don't expect a nice big cup full of it. It's short, sharp, tasty and oh-so-effective. None of those bucket-fulls that you get at Costa (sorry Costa....)

Thick skin required!

I've often talked about cultural differences between Italy and the UK. Many of which are pleasant differences. Some of which are not. Yesterday, I had the misfortune of discovering another negative. Upon meeting a member of my boyfriend's family whilst out and about, the conversation we had went something like this:

Member of Family (Mof): Ciao Amy!! Wecome back!
Me: Ciao! Thanks! How's it going?
Mof: Well, thanks. Ahh, you've put on weight! (BAM!)
Me: Errm...no I don't think... (cue defensiveness: The mediterranean diet actually suits me very well. And I didn't eat that many of mum's puddings while at home.)
Mof: Yes, yes you've put on weight! (DOUBLE BAM!)
Me: Oh well, maybe...I don't know...
Mof: Oh don't worry, I have too. So, when did you arrive back in Italy?
Me: Sorry? (loud, live music in background)
Mof: Have you forgotten all of your Italian while you've been away?! (and finally, TRIPLE BAM!)

After discussing this conversation at length with my boyfriend (which was mainly made up of him telling me that I look no different/slim/lovely), it turns out that mentioning one's weight, in both a positive and negative way is actually, well, OK here. It can also be positive to say that you've put on weight, because it means you look 'healthy'. Hmm, not too sure about that. As I'm sure many other women agree, mentioning weight, especially added weight, is just a big, fat (!) no no.Just don't do it. Ever. Luckily, claiming that someone has put on weight (to their face) in the UK is a pretty big faux pas. And of course, rather rude.

So, whether she is right or not (not...) it seems that one must put on their thick skin when it comes to body comments. Because they may come your way. With a great big BAM. 

Now, what's for lunch? ;)

sunshine and tomatoes vs...Poirot and cookies?

I woke up this morning wondering about the weather. Would it be:

a) chucking it down with rain
b) drizzling
c) yucky and cloudy

Well, the answer was actually d) none of the above. Why? Because I'm now back in Italy. And in fact, I woke up to glorious sunshine. And soon I will go for a tasty coffee. And then I might make (or nicely ask the boyfriend to make) a lovely Italian lunch.

But before I get carried away and you start thinking I'm a UK hater, I'm not. Do I love living in Italy? Yes. Do I thoroughly dislike UK weather? Oh, yes. But there's much more to the UK than some grey clouds and a little-known sporting event that just took place in our capital. I have decided to create a list of all the things that I love (and already miss) about the UK. So here it is.

1. My family, of course. They are there and I am here. This does not please me greatly. If only I could have my nan out here making endless cups of tea. 

2. Marks and Spencers. Love the food. Anything made by M&S will taste good. Fact. I managed to bring back a few packs of M&S cookies in my suitcase. They may now be crumbs. But they will still taste good. 

via

 3. Pub food/Thai food/Cheese and pickle sandwiches. There is a distinct absence of foreign cuisine in these parts, and my word do I miss it sometimes, particularly Thai food. Oh, and pub food is just good. Good, hearty stodge. See picture below for the appeal of cheese and pickle. 

4. Eavesdropping. In Italy, I don't do it. (Mainly because a lot of the time I don't understand and it's too much effort...ahem). In the UK I find myself doing it twice as much. Maybe to make up for it. Or maybe I'm just nosey. I actually heard a elderly couple discussing the use of the 'n' word in M&S. Well.

5.Poirot. And other amazing drama series that we have on telly. Have a look here for more of my favourites....

6. High street shops. Primark, you make me oh-so-happy. Especially when I got to the counter and found out that a cute little purse that cost practically nothing in the first place was now half price. Ahhh. Other high street faves of mine include Card Factory (10 cards for a pound?!How insanely useful is that!), Superdrug and ASDA. I'm aware I may sound like I have a painkiller addiction when I say this but... 25p for paracetamol?! It almost makes me wish I had a headache. Almost.

7. Banter with shop assistants. To the guy in Oxford's EAT: Your crisp-related banter and cheery attitude thoroughly amused me. 

8. Politeness. Not that Italians are rude but....well, sometimes they can seem that way. Nice British gents holding the door open for you? Casual chit chat as you wait to go through airport security? Waitresses in cafes and restaurants actually smiling at you? Lovely. 

But now, as to stop myself from getting somewhat homesick and craving a day of Poirot watching, tea drinking and M&S biscuit scoffing with my mum, here are a few things that I'm glad to once again be able to enjoy:

The sunshine
Coffee
Eating my crushed M&S biscuits while sitting in said sunshine and drinking said coffee. 

What are the things that you love most about going home?

Packed and ready! Well, almost...

So, my time in the UK has almost come to an end. But there's one more thing that needs to be done before I go.

No, not another episode of Poirot....

I must, of course, pack my bag. 20kg of hold baggage and 10kg of cabin baggage, all meticulously (hah!) arranged into my big and little cases respectively, and then carefully weighed (to see how much more I can stuff in...)

Well...I may have accidentally purchased some second hand books from some wonderful second hand bookshops in Tewkesbury. 

5 too many. Woops. This will not help my packing situation. But I can't resist cheap, second hand paperbacks when I see them. I will find a way.

P.S I also came across a little shop called Kalliste on the High Street. You can find lots of fantastic jewellery, clothing and other lovely bits and bobs. (Check them out on Facebook here.) I couldn't resist this gorgeous bracelet. And only £1?! Good grief!

VOGUE! strike a pose...

Well, I am definitely on a high.

No, I haven't been taking illegal substances.

I have, however, been doing lots and lots of posing. And my word was it fun!!!

Myself and my *gorgeous* best friend met up in Bristol for a photo shoot (I love how I'm just dropping that in like I do it all the time. I don't.) at Clifton Photographic in Bristol. We got made over, drank lots of bucks fizz (possibly too much, sorry CP..!) and got to vogue it up with a wonderful, professional photographer. We then squealed (yes, literally) and clapped as we saw the finished result.

We can't buy them, we shouldn't buy them, we said to each other as more bucks was poured. 

Well, we bought them.

We will soon be the owners of a whole set of gorgeous photos. I intend to print them on t-shirts, mugs, keyrings...OK maybe that's an exaggeration. I do hope to put some lovely big prints up on the wall in my flat in Italy. Just to remind me of how fabulous we are. (And ever so slightly narcissistic....)

getting some waves

bucks

more bucks

posing practice

smiles (and more bucks...ahem)

make up

bezzies

Isn't it nice to really spoil yourself once in a while? And even better if you get to do it with your best friend!

A sense of achievement...

I have achieved something great. It has taken me a while and I have thought about giving up. There have been times of happiness, and there have been times when I have been really rather confused.

Yes dear readers, I have finished a book. A book, in Italian. Here it is:

You may recognise this from my previous ramblings. Read a synopsis (in Italian!) here.

Any of you who have managed to finish a book in a foreign language may also understand my elation at doing so. Watching as the pages go by (LOOK! I said to my boyfriend, LOOK how much I've read! As I shoved the book in his face, showing him the *great* amount of pages), the words actually sink in, and you really start to get into the story, you have this wonderful sense of achievement. My Italian learning process has been slow yet steady, so, after just over18 months of living and working in Italy, I have done it. I've officially read a proper book in Italian. From start to finish. 

I didn't understand every single word. And sometimes there would be parts of the text that I'd have to re-read several times. And If I wasn't fully concentrating, I might as well have been reading Japanese. Focus was necessary. It also took me a good while to get through the 350 or so pages. But I persevered. And luckily, it was a good story (Sophie Kinsella's words never fail to amuse me), so that made things much easier! 

So let this be an encouragement to any of you who are in possession of a book in Italian, German, Chinese, or any other language for that matter, and are dubious about starting it. It may be there on your bookshelf, tempting you, challenging you. But instead of shoving it out of sight,  just read it, because it feels oh so good when you've finished! Then, as well as be able to boast to all your friends (I haven't done that, honestly...), you will feel much better about reading more in the future.

Happy reading all you fellow bookworms!

What to watch?!

I'd like to say that, while in Italy, every evening I am out and about, drinking tasty Italian wine, meeting friends, sitting on a gorgeous beach watching the sun set. Don't be fooled into thinking that I am always doing this. Often? Possibly. But always? Definitely not.

Especially when I'm feeling lazy/it's raining/it's cold (yes, it DOES get chilly in the winter!) I don't particularly want to leave the comfort of my flat. So I cook up a storm (ahem..or get the boyfriend to..) and settle down to watch some ITALIAN TV. 

I was determined to use my TV as a learning aid. And my word did it work. After the first few weeks of confusion, I was starting to understand more and more. If you want to get some amazing listening practice, just turn on the TV. In the process, I grew very fond of a few shows. Here are my recommendations (you may notice a slight Italia 1 trend..):

via

Le Iene (Italia 1)

Current affairs, interesting reports, jokes, mixed in with the odd bit of dancing...don't miss this one on. Even just to see the Ilary's ridiculously high heels. 

more info here!

via

Wild (Italia 1)

Watch a very pretty, mildly annoying but ever so enthusiastic woman present a show that includes all sorts of wild, nature-y things. It also includes Bear Grylls. You can't go wrong. 

more info here!

via

Almost Anything on Real Time 

I love this channel. It's a massive guilty pleasure. As well as original Italian shows (Clio Make Up, Ma Come Ti Vesti?!) they also have many Italian dubbed UK/US shows like Abito Da Sposa Cercasi and Cucine a Incubo (yep, you can watch Gordon Ramsey cursing in Italian...sort of)

more info here!

via

Mistero (Italia 1)

In case you hadn't guessed by the title, this is a show which tries to explain a whole load of mysteries. Often interesting, sometimes silly, occasionally rather spooky. 

more info here!

But, as much as I am becoming a fan of Italian TV, I still love watching loads of English TV when I'm at home. I definitely need to get a big fix before I'm once again catapulted back into the Italian language. Are you a fan of any of these?!

via
Taggart (there's been a murrrdeeerrrr...ahem)

via
Midsomer Murders

via
My absolute favourite...a certain Belgian detective that you may have heard of... David Suchet rules. Fact.

You may see that I'm a fan of murder mysteries. Well, I am, especially the very well made British ones. Although I also have a soft spot for this legal drama:

via
Silk

And this (now ended) American plastic surgery drama. Which they are still showing in Italy...result!

via
Love the drama...but love the doctors more (swoon)

Happy viewing!

Home is..?

I just thought I'd share this with you:

I nabbed it from ForExpatsByExpats on facebook. It's just so true isn't it? It doesn't matter where you end  up, where you choose to settle... if you feel happy there, it's your home.

I think I'm definitely well on the way to having two homes :)

Hope you're having a great Sunday! 

Fashion Friday!

Today, instead of a food Friday, I'm going to give you a fashion Friday.

One of the things I absolutely love doing when I'm back at home in the UK, is of course, shopping. There are so many more 'high street' shops here compared to where I live in Italy, so I love taking advantage of the choice and of course, the lower prices (yes, I most definitely DID go to Primark!)

Behold, my lovely fashion finds:

I spotted this lovely scarf in Primark and just had to have it! How cute are the owls? It has come in very useful  here due to the wind and rain we've been having!

I wasn't too sure about this dress from Apricot at first. But the colours actually work really well together and it's nice and floaty. 

Slightly bad photography on my part, but you can see how cute this flowery blouse  from New Look is. And it looks great with...

...these! Do excuse the creases- I've already been wearing them loads! £11 from Primark- what a bargain! I picked up another pair in grey too. 

How gorgeous is this owl necklace?! There's a definite owl theme going on here.

As well as the necklace, I picked up this pretty bracelet, both were from Claire's Accessories, so weren't expensive at all!

So, even if the English weather is bad, you can always cheer yourself up by indulging in a spot of retail therapy. And if like me, you've been out of the UK for a while, go and hit Primark hard!!

Home sweet home...

My friends and family weren't lying when they said the weather was pretty bad in the UK. I have been wearing layers. Sometimes several. And a jacket. I even put a scarf on the other day.

But I mustn't complain. Because I'm back in the green (extremely green, due to all the rain!) and pleasant land, and having a lovely time. 

The highlight so far has been a trip down to Exmouth. I took the Italian man with me for his first experience of the English Riviera and of course, we also went to my friend Rachel's wedding. We had a really enjoyable day, seeing the lovely couple and some friends from uni and of course, dancing, drinking and eating. 

We then spent another couple of days getting rained on, eating gorgeous English pub food and playing crazy golf (I won. Just had to slip that in there.)

A rare moment of gorgeous sunshine. Pity it didn't last!

Steak and Ale pie. They don't do that in Italy!

Our lovely little b&b in Exmouth.

Having just waved goodbye to the boyfriend, I now have 11 days of glorious Englishness to look forward to.  Regardless of what I do though, I must remember to take my umbrella...