On Saturday I had the chance to go see rehearsals of Piccolo Coro MDG (http://www.piccolocoromdg.it/), a choir of about 50 kids under the age of 11, which I used to be part of, and which gave me some of my most treasured childhood memories. As if watching them sing cheerfully and beautifully wasn't enough, I got to meet Sabrina Simoni, the conductor of the Piccolo Coro d'Antoniano, a similar chorus except much more famous due to the annual TV show Zecchino D'oro - the kids' San Remo I suppose :) Check out this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flNeiFN7IDY&feature=fvw) lovely song.
Soooo that was nice. If anyone out there knows of any young Australian singers, she did ask me if I knew any to go on the show...!
Also on Saturday my cousin Tommaso had his Confirmation. Very happy I was able to make it and "represent" our side of the family! It was truly a lovely evening with four hours of dinner, which was something like 3 antipasti, 2 first courses, 2 big second courses, sides, dessert, coffee and digestives. So, mildly satisfying shall we say ;)
Now I've settled in permanently in Milan, and GOD KNOWS HOW, I had to fill another whole suitcase with stuff to bring over from Conegliano. Plus a big backpack. Hence, I have come to terms with the fact that I'm NOT ready to be an essentialist in Milan. Shoot me.
That being said, I promise to try to "need" less, as well as work on filtering some of what I say - being bilingual has often allowed me to say things I wouldn't say if people could understand me... so, two things to work on!
Moving on, I did my first big shopping at the double storey supermarket down the road, and the first meal included smoked salmon. Baby, I missed you :)
On Tuesday I went to the university for a welcome day... got to know about three (nb: not one, but THREE) student/youth organisations which put on events for international students in Milan. Their free membership cards offer us organised parties and cheap deals a bit everywhere, there is just too much choice!
I spent the day with a few students from France, Russia, Argentina, Mexico etc... it was just a pleasure to be surrounded by the language mix, and I managed to find a girl with whom I feel comfortable speaking French. Also beat a couple of Italian guys insome games of table soccer ;)
In the evening we went to Eleven, a ridiculously nice cocktail bar which normally charges E20 for entrance, E10 just to hold your coat for the night, and E15+ for drinks. Since it was our welcome night, we pretty much had free everything, including an aboundant buffet.
This was followed by a visit to Milan's most famous night club - Hollywood - known for hosting fashion events and attracting numerous VIPs. Honestly I didn't see what the fuss was about... Apart from meeting a fashion photographer, the night was characterised by the usual music and dancing, just near white couches and well dressed people.
As for tonight, we're invited to a Spanish-style aperitivo/night.
Did you actually write all this at 7:27am? :p
ReplyDeleteI love reading you - it transports me there too :)
Well done for the tablesoccer and French!
Have fun tonight, Spanish aperitivo sounds good!
xx
"...being bilingual has often allowed me to say things I wouldn't say if people could understand me"
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you mean, but it's a little harder to do that here. We speak Downunderian (really fast English with a thick Aussie accent) to overcome it.
ahah Alizee it tells me you posted a comment at 2:37 AM so I'm guessing that times are a bit mixed up ;)
ReplyDeleteand Lloyd, it's so full of Americans here that you don't risk anyone understanding you when speaking normally... to communicate with them one MUST put on an American accent. so I choose not to ;)