It’s been two-ish weeks since I last wrote. In the past few days, you’d have found me in my bed watching the entirety of the Twilight saga with shades drawn and candles lit. No, I’m not “going through it,” but I did return from Italy early to be met with the relentlessly wet Copenhagen winter. That’s right; my trip to Milan, Florence, and Rome was cut short by Coronavirus, forcing me to skip Rome altogether. As you might guess, I was pretty bummed, given that I’ve been waiting to see Italy for years now. I’m most upset about missing the Roman Forum, the Colusseum, and the Trevi Fountain. Still, even though I was only in ~Italia~ for three full days, it was worth it. I feel for those who’ve had to return home and had their programs canceled/suspended.
Here are some highs and lows of the past 14 days:
- High: Valentine’s dinner at Sticks N Sushi with my visiting host family. They took me to Tivoli afterward and bought me a season pass (rides included)!
- High: Meeting up with another (T)WAMP in Copenhagen! She’s doing research at the University.
- Low: Still being torn between a future in media/entertainment or psychology – damn you, adulthood! I hate making decisions.
- High: Going to the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art. My favorite exhibition was Hot Pink Turquoise.
- Low: Attending a mandatory housing meeting.
- High: Eating free pizza at said mandatory housing meeting.
- High: Seeing Blow Up (1966) at the Danish Film Institute, followed by a free cider (thanks, DIS) at a local bar.
- Low: Taking an hour and a half to figure out how the Milan tram system works.
- High: Experiencing Italian “aperitivo” – why don’t other countries do this?
- High: Spontaneously visiting Pisa!
- High: Enjoying warm weather and wearing a sundress for the first time since 2019.
- Low: Throwing out my Members Only leather jacket and having to buy a new, non-vintage one.
- Low: Having everyone freak out over the coronavirus. [in Chandler Bing’s voice] Could I be any more Type B?
- High: Having the apartment to myself for a few days.
- Low: Still having a scary-looking bruise on my thigh from running into a chair one week ago.
- High: Eating amazing pizza, pasta, sandwiches, and gelato!!!
- Low: Struggling with the resulting guilt that accompanies a not-so-great body image. Thanks, mass media!
- High: Watching Harry Potter. This is always a high.
- High: Discovering there’s a bubble tea place 10 minutes from where I live.
- High: Patting my pre-teen self on the back for not being part of the whole Twilight hysteria. (In case you’re wondering, I’m #teamEdward. Robert Pattinson further proves that British people can be hot!)
Margherita Pizza in Milan Chocolate and Creme Gelato in Pisa Spaghetti Dinner in Florence
That list pretty much sums up the last two weeks. As always, I try to keep it real. Studying abroad isn’t all highs – such is life! More than anything else right now, I’m thankful to be safe and healthy. Now, back to work!
(Originally posted on March 1, 2020.)