With the Holy Spirit

Thursday, May 31, 2007

If there is one thing I learnt, It is to say 'scusi'(excuse me)', 'grazie'(thank you) and 'advanti' (ahead), 'servici' (loo),'sinistra'(left, or is it right?) , and 'ciao' (hi/bye) and 'si' (yes). In Italian. Haa. My French is horrendous. I can't understand the French cuz their accent is so thick!!!

And!! If there's one thing I learnt also, it is that it is frustrating to go around with my mum, not when all the time, she's always buying fruits and I'm carrying a 17kg backpack, plus a 3kg French books, guides and laptop. Man...I almost fainted carrying everything.

The first time I stepped foot in Rome, I had to carry everything. Earlier in London, my Uncle had a car, and I was spared from carrying stuffs. But in Rome, there was only my mum and me. Barely walking 10 steps ahead, I fell flat on my face with my bags and everything in the middle of Rome terminal station. Literally. Oh my gawd, that was the most embarrassing moment ever. I managed to get up though, and retained a bit of dignity.

And running for the train, from Florence to Bologna, I fell down the stairs, cuz I was carrying my mum's load of bags on top of mine. Thank God I didn't roll down the stairs and fall flat on some poor old man or lady. I'm never going to run after the train again. It's the last thing I ever want to do. I think I'm ready to join Amazing Race...I believe I can. Haha...

And! If there's one thing about my identity, it is that I am either Japanese or Indonesian. Never from China. I don't know why. My mum becomes my friend, cuz no Italian thinks that she's my mum. Lack of resemblance. And she is from China. Say I'm from Singapore and I get stares from everybody. And so I am Japanese or Indonesian cuz I look like either of them. Not funny leh...all the Italians keep saying 'konichiwa' to me...and the hotel manager just thought that I'm a Muslim until I showed him my Jesus on the the cross. RAA!!!!

Ohh..Bologna was just a shopping city. Venezia (Venice), was beautiful, and the night lights along the city by the rivers, is beautiful...but I still love Rome. My heart is there. Sigh... Milan here is dangerous. It's scary at night. And even now, as Im typing at the internet café beside the hotel, I'm scared cuz it is quite late and the criminals are out at large. Even the hotel staff was telling me that the Milanese police can't control the gangsters, Mafias. I'm comforted only by the silent company of a Japanese guy beside me, and this other person opposite me.

But the good side of it is that...wa...it is a shopping paradise here!!! The clothes are all so stylish just like the Paris high fashion. And in Italy, EVERYONE goes to Church in their best. Really their best. The guys all HAVE to wear suits or long sleeves and pants. And ladies, have to wear really decently and nicely too! And on campus, ALL the students have to wear formal. David likes it cuz he says it's style. But well, hmm...I don't really like the idea of wearing formal everyday. It's crazy!!!

Thank you Jia...I believe that yeah, there must be a reason for things to happen the way they do. I learnt one thing, never check my results when I'm on holiday. It spoils my mood, at least for a while. AND, I have faith. I believe that we will do better...with God's help. Cuz Papa will honour our efforts. Amen.

-Yours truly ;