Adjusting... like a back crack..
I am officially 8 sleeps into my stay in Italy. I know I have a lot of “firsts” to go, but I would say I covered some good ground this week. I’ve gotten a few first activities out of the way, I have accomplished a few things, and I have figured a few things out. Let’s go by category, shall we?
Apartment- General:
First time riding in the awesome old elevator in the building- Check
First time binge-watching American Netflix instead of being a social Milanite- Check
First time realizing that the cleaning service (because I AM technically staying in a hotel) comes EVERY WORK DAY… and touches my stuff….- Check
First time waking up in the middle of the night thinking someone was in the apartment but it turned out a neighbor above or next to me dropped something heavy (I think?)- Check
First time working out in the apartment- Check… granted I still was nervous about making too much noise for my downstairs neighbors so I didn’t exactly go all in on the cardio moves, and I don’t have access to weights here, so when I needed dumbbells I used a jar of olive oil….
Things still to figure out:
How to tell the hotel staff I don’t need them to come in every day… because really.. They touch my stuff…
Where IS the laundry room? My suitcases only held so much so I am about to need some clean clothes SOON. Don’t want to be that smelly American..
Apartment- Kitchen:
First time grocery shopping in Italy- Check
First time cooking dinner in Italy- Check
Almost going through an entire jar of nutella and entire block of parmesan cheese by myself- Check
Things still to figure out:
Why did the microwave overheat the first time I used it, halfway through reheating my chicken…
How to make coffee at home… because that’s a real problem.
Apartment- Bedroom:
First time putting my clothes away (mostly due to the above-mentioned stuff-touching)- Check.. though there are not enough hangers so half of my shirts are still just in a pile at the end of my bed.
First time actually sleeping well- Check. The pillows here are not great. They are fluffy and SO soft that as soon as you lay your head down the weight flattens it to approximately nothing. But I have a system, you see.. If you put two pillows in a triangle type shape on either side of you where the point is near your head and then place a third pillow across the point, not unlike the Alchemy symbol for air, then you not only get more support under your head, but it’s almost like you’re being cuddled on both sides. Which is nice.
Things still to figure out:
How to get used to the flashing, seizure-inducing, horror movie strobing that my lights do when I turn them on in there.
Where to get more hangers… Does Italy have Target? Kidding.
Work:
First time using my dongle thing to buy my own coffee- Check
First time having lunch with my new boss- Check
First task completed for my new boss- Check
First time having the train turnstile not work and mildly panicking but realizing that they just suck… for everyone...and tried about 4 times and got it to work- Check
First aperitivo (or happy hour) with work folks!- Check.. And it was a lot of fun. There was an American (me), an Italian, a German, 1 Irish woman, and 1 Irish man. What a multicultural conglomerate of engineers….
First clear day that allowed me to see the ALPS on my way to and while at the office (or at least I’m going to say it was the Alps.. I saw mountains in that general northern direction that may technically be part of another range but...rgardless they are still NEXT to or NEAR the Alps.. and that’s close enough for me)- Check
Things still to figure out and experience:
I will be getting my ACTUAL badge on Monday so I will get to sit at a real desk etc.
How to get through the morning without STARVING because Italians eat lunch SO late and it seems like no one eats at their desk, but taking a break for a snack in the break room may involve talking to people, and I’m not completely sure if it is acceptable culturally….
Actually working on a project here
Bringing my own lunch. I almost always brought my lunch to work when I was at home, but I do not yet have tupperware or the like here to physically allow myself to bring a lunch. Again, Target anyone?
Matt:
First time waking up at 5am so that we can chat before he went to bed- Check
First request for a package to be sent of things I forgot- Check
First time practically hyperventilating at the overwhelming feeling of missing him- Check
Things still to figure out:
How to avoid counting down the days until he visits so I don’t torture myself
Other Fun Facts about my first week:
I realized I only brought one adapter that can function for a three-pronged American plug… and it’s still janky.. So I have ordered a set of new ones to be delivered to my new place (Ha, Amazon is taking over the world). Let’s see if they actually get here!
I saw REAL Roman columns… seriously. Just standing on a street next to the trolley line and across from a pharmacy…
And of course when I sent this picture to Matt, he noticed the motorcycle first hahaha
I not only survived it, but I enjoyed it and I am interested and excited to see what is yet to come :-)
See you soon!