SophiaOfTheWorld

Hello World! This week the homesickness finally hit me! The town I live in is very small and everybody knows each other so as I can't speak to anyone it can get a bit boring and lonely sometimes. Was talking to the mum about it and the next day she took me to get my hair and nails done and she bought me a necklace and bracelet to wear to the dad's birthday party, it was very sweet. Yesterday night we had a massive surprise party for the dad's birthday with about 100 people! Was very strange as everybody knew who I was, but I had no idea who they were so everywhere I went they were calling out "Sophie, Sophie..." Found a few more people who can speak English though, so that was good. Next ... read more

Hello again! This weekend was my first proper one in Italy and I was very busy. On Saturday after I finished work at 1.30pm, Ashley and I went to see a classic car show that was happening near where I lived. It was very humid so after we thought we would treat ourselves to a gelato as we had cycled there! Nom nom nom! Today we went to Turin which has a lot of random things to do and see (including the 'Museum of Fruit'?!). It was cold, grey, windy and wet, so we hid in the museum of cinema which was quite interesting. It shows how films, the way we know and love them today, have come to be from the very first moving picture. Inside the museum there is also a scary lift which ... read more

Hello World! I can't believe that I have been in Italy for a week already, it has gone so fast and I feel like I have always lived here. Yesterday I had to get my fiscal code in order to set up an Italian bank account. I can't believe how painless it was, I had it in my hand within 5 minutes, had that been London, I would have had to wait 3-6 months! Then I set up my bank account which was also nice and easy, I should hopefully have my bank card next week! Been cycling a lot as well as there are only 2 buses every half an hour, so it is the quickest way to get to school. The first time I cycled I kind of hit an old lady a little ... read more

Hello again, As I mentioned yesterday, today the girls and I took place in a 5km 'race' around Ivrea town centre. Thankful the weather held out and it was actually quite sunny. We started off running but I walked for most of it, as I didn't realise just how beautiful it was here so spent most of the time taking photos (as you can see here). Completed the whole course in 45mins, which isn't bad considering I walked 2 thirds of the way round! Also noticed today that Italian men like to run in really, really tight cycling shorts which means you get a preview before the main attraction. Saw a couple of potential Mr Sophia's, so lets see.... Think I am going to get very fat living here, the meals are massive!! To start with ... read more

Hello well wishers, Well tomorrow I will be off to Italy, and it has come around so quickly. Next time I am in London I will be a tourist. Can't believe it is all actually happening now, I'm getting quite scared. Added to that is the fact that I can't shut my hand luggage bag which means having to leave one of my laptops behind, which means I will be without anything to watch on the plane tomorrow!! (Drama). Also just had a nasty little surprise from the wonderful people at 02, apparently they lied to me about the final payment for my phone bill and I just had to call them to settle the final £12 payment which was outstanding because apparently they have no ability to write the amount off. All I can say ... read more

Ciao!! Just wanted to say a big thank you to all those who came to say 'goodbye' to me yesterday! Especially those who travelled from Coventry, Leicester and Peterborough! And a special thanks to Nancy for letting me use the studio. Had a fantastic send-off surrounded by friends, family, colleagues and the biggest selection of cakes ever (well you can't have a party in a gym without a dose of diabetes!). Was so nice to see everyone one last time before I go, and it was a shame a few people couldn't make it. Not working this week, so enjoyed getting up at 11.30am this morning with Simba keeping me company. Ordered my euros today and got the last few bits I needed, so just waiting for Saturday now. Going to try out one of those ... read more

Hello all! Well this time next week all being well I shall be in Italia. I would be lying if I said I'm not absolutely terrified and starting to wonder if I'm doing the right thing. Oh well guess there's no going back now, but I am also super excited to see what's going to happen! Finished work at the gym yesterday and was really sad to say goodbye to everyone. Had an awesome send off though (including a stripper from Rome) and was a really good night (not including my journey home where our bus was terminated due to a crazy gunman running around Stamford Hill!). Looking forward to my party tomorrow, where I'll say goodbye to my friends and family again, although I've developed a little cold/cough, but not going to let it ruin ... read more

Well another week has passed and I'm starting to feel a bit more anxious now. Still waiting for 'the fear' to hit me though, the point when I'll have that 'what am I doing' moment. Only 3 shifts left at work now, and I've already said good bye to 2 of my clients, so it's starting to feel real now although I still don't believe this is actually happening! I have a feeling next week's going to be very emotional as with the end of work, come the end of work drinks. Plus I have my official leaving party next Sunday, so expecting there to be a lot of tears (will have the tissues at the ready)! Got to do my online check-in tomorrow and my case is 7kg over weight as I misread the booking ... read more

Ciao! Just under 3 weeks to go now and I can't wait! I had a skype interview this week for a job that starts in September, after this first one finishes, so fingers crossed! And my Thomas Cook card finally arrived!! Phoned the Inland Revenue and Student Loan Company this week, to let them know I'm moving abroad, and it turns out they don't write your student loan off if you live abroad for a certain amount of time. Instead I have to fill in loads of forms for both companies, so thinking it might be easier to fake my own death?! Only got 8 shifts left at work, so spending the next couple of weeks trying to see as many people as possible to say good bye. Anyway still got to learn as much Italian ... read more