The inconclusive conclusion

Weelll I thought about it you know. What my last post would be about, the piazzas, pizzas and people it would portray, what delights would be described and what lows listed. But life got in the way of creative writing and turned it into dull boring writing so I put it off indefinately. I thought I would write when I had something exciting to report but then again, I had to wait for something interesting to happen.

And then you know, I started to date the guitarist in the band(s), went to a lot of aperetivos and had drinks with all my lovely new-found friends, spent a couple of days networking at work, was under the impression that I was going to go to Sudan, had said field assignment cancelled, was recommended for a new job at Rome HQ, flew back to Sweden and had forty cups of excellent tea, met my darling friends, had a telephone interview and was informed that if everything goes according to plan I'll be back in Rome in a couple of weeks, this time with a job.

How's that for an interesting report?

So ragazzi, boys and girls, relatives and friends, it seems that this chapter on Rome is far from finished. The same can't be said for this blog though, and now it is time to say arrividerci. Thanks for listening!

All the best,
/D

It's like, really nice

Saturday was gorgeous and without a cloud in the sky. The sun was shining, birds yelling, children playing, old folks smiling and holding hands.. And I was severely hung over. I got up had a walk around Garbatella, squinting in the sunlight while talking about architecture on an empty stomach. Went home, fell asleep again, was rudely awakened by a phone call from my dear mother (I lied and said I was outside, sorry Mum!) and then threw my sorry self into the busy chaos that is Rome on a sunny Saturday.

In short I had a great weekend and I am STILL dog tired!

Friday night tired

Tired as a dag, dog tired. Really tired. And I haven't even left work yet. And now it's aperetivos and bars and beers and maybe dancing before home to my sweet bed.

I have one week left at work and people are starting to give me pitying glances because I'm leaving without any immediate prospects of an immediately promising career. I could do with sympathy yes but the pity I'd rather do without!

Oh well va bene.. I'm looking forward to sleeping late tomorrow. Ciao ragazzi!

The senses

In these overly cerebral intellectual times there is something to be said on focusing on the experiences relayed by the senses. What you can see, hear, smell, touch and taste can have a profound effect on your perception of the world, and can transform a despondent mood into a hopeful one.

What I’m looking forward to hear:
The Swedish language
My mother talking to me from another room
Seagulls in Gothenburg
My mobile phone beeping with text messages
The radio

What and who I’m looking forward to see:
Friends!
My mother
Swedish TV
Newspapers
Gothenburg
Clean streets
Frost
Cafés
My books
My CDs
My flat
My oven

… to taste:
Sweets
Bad coffee
Cinnamon rolls
Potatoes
Sushi
Indian food
Sandwiches
Good bread
Beer
Semlor

… to smell:
Clean air
Sea breeze
My mum’s cardamon cake, freshly made (hint hint)

… to touch:
My things
The hands of my friends

I was, after a random inquiry on my part today, informed that my unit here at work cannot offer me a consultancy at the end of my internship. So, unless something were to appear as if by magic, it seems that I'm going home in about two weeks. It's disheartening news, not because I don't want to go home, but because now I have to deal with a lot of immediate problems, mainly in the shape of bills. It would have been nice, no great, to have a job here at WFP. But we'll see.

Can't write more now, got to rehearse some songs for tonight's jamming session.
Ciao

Band camp

Practicing with my supervisor's band tonight. Practicing with the other, secret band on Wednesday. I love it - finally something creative and fun!

Last weekend was full of exercise and culture as I walked in Villa Borghese and down Via Appia Antica (the Regina Viarium if case you wonderered). Two days of blazing sunlight isn't to be poo poo'ed! The evening's I spent exhausted in front of Jane Austen's Persuasion, Emma, Mansfield Park, Northanger Abbey and the film Becoming Jane (about and not by Ms Austen). I know speak with a silly inflection and say things like "indeed Mr So and so..". All in all a terrific weekend.

Gotta go, ciao!

Boys boys boys

Email exchange between myself (i.e. D), S and M. Please note the fantastically sarcastic use of UN discourse and jargon in our emails!

D: [The lunch with G]... was a big massive bore. Talked about work. He got called away on business. Ended up hanging out with V - not really the reason I ironed my blouse this morning..

There you go - the extent of my romantic life
--
S: ...well, could also be that he is talking about work to impress you...he is quite successful within his domain you know...
--

D: Urgent reminder to Ms Joumal

-- -- - - - pls stop encouraging the kamikaze-like thoughts and romantic notions in Ms Bresky's head. G is either
a) gay
b) not interested
c) all of the above

and D needs to stop this wishful thinking and join an online dating agency or something like it.
--

S: Dear Ms Bresky, pls see further clarification below.

The purpose is not to encourage you to feel, do, or think anything...Guys are not always super confident, and as far as I know, he is quite shy. So, there could be alternative explanations to those on your list.

Nonetheless, no matter where he stands, join one of those sites...increase your pool of options!! :)

Ciao bella
--

D: Dear HQ reviewer Ms Joumal,

I thank you for your input. However, there are still matters of concern that require your immediate action.

i) Pls refrain from reminding me about guys in general.
ii) Pls recommend a dating site.
iii)Pls do not reflect upon the apparent lack of logic of (i) and (ii)
--

S: Dear D,

I am afraid I won't be able to provide input requested under ii) as you already know, the extent of MY romantic life is even more limited than yours...
--

D: so let's join a dating site AND a support group together ;)
--

M: Dear S and D,

Please excuse the absence from my email limiting my apparent concern for these matters.

Point 1: Wake up you two! Boys are silly, stupid, ill informed and blind. (in no order and not mutually excluding other adjectives)

i. So D - keep working it. G may/may not comprehend the good things coming his way... but either/or refer to point 1.
ii. D and S - you two do not need internet dating to spice things up... next weekend lets go find nice boys (or fun ones who do not work for the UN) but don't get all excited remember point 1.
iii. And if 'support group' is code for friends eating, drinking, dancing, hanging out, having fun and being there for each other... sign me up too.

love you lovely ladies..

Dear Auntie

Thank you for your concern! Yes I haven't written in a while and that's due to a toxic combination of increased workload, facebook, sunshine and a general lack of creativity. Last week at work was all about sappy Valentine's Day nonsense and last weekend I was stood up by a guy I kind of fancied so I wasn't in a jolly mood.

This day finds me grinning in front of my computer, thanks to silly Swedish songs on Youtube!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1wBddJgqKE&feature=related

Cheers