It began with a lecture from an Italian-Canadian who formerly worked in the banking industry as a technology forecaster. He talked about technology parks, business strategy and the importance of matrices in analysis (I’m now convinced they are too). It was great to know that despite all the cynicism and doubts, I could still find some hope.
Friday evening I went to Caffe Carribe, danced, and learned my German friends would be leaving Milan that weekend. It was a bit of shock, because I thought they were staying here for a year as well. I walked home that night, and did a lot of thinking.
That weekend saw my Indonesian classmate leave the program in favour of an alternative program in the Netherlands. As I mentioned, a lot of us have been having doubts about the program, so this was not unexpected.
On the Sunday, I went to a salsa club in the south of Milan that I’d never been to before, for the goodbye party of my German friends. The experience reminded me a lot of my sudden departure from the salsa scene in Shanghai last year, and what my relationships there meant.
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December 17th, Monday morning, after a skype meeting, and arranging some initial tasks and timelines, I officially started the job I was offered in Shanghai. That day was also the first day that I officially entered into the globalized business world- working in Milan for a company in Shanghai.
In the evening, some classmates organized a Christmas party. Although I went, my mind was still at work. A lot that would need to be done before the new year.
I arrived home earlier than my roommates and went straight to work. We all slept very late that night, waking up the one Lativan roommates who hadn’t come to the party. As a consequence, the next day, the relationship between the Latvian and my Chilean roommate changed, probably for good. The Latvian resorted to securing his own things (including the speakers which we all had used), and buying more furniture for ‘his’ space. The Chilean decided that day that it was probably best that he leave in the new year. I think that was also the first day that I called him “the drama king”. Ah, the crazy life of student residencies.
Wednesday through Friday were school days filled with theories, matrices and decreasing student attendence. Call me one of the geeks in the class, but I found more reasons to attend and at least try to pay attention, no matter how easy it was to fall asleep.
Thursday evening some of us went for Aperitivo (free food in select restaurants, a tradition in Milan) to celebrate a classmate’s birthday. Friday evening I went for salsa one last time before Christmas. Two of my roommates joined, which really changed the mood for me, but it was nice to show them that side of my life.
Today I spent the day eating out and Chirstmas shopping with one of the secretaries from my department. A really talented Chinese girl, who has lived in Milan for 8 years, but doesn’t like Italy, and speaks 7 languages. Crazy! She won’t be back next semester, but I’m getting used to this.
Tomorrow, it’s off to Germany to celebrate Christmas with my godfather and his family. My first Christmas away from home…
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