The Sixth of October Two Thousand and Fourteen.

Today, otherwise known as my birthday started at 12.00am this morning when I was still lying in bed trying to sleep, turned over to look at the clock saw it was nearly midnight and so decided to see the sixth of October in.

After doing it I decided I really ought to get some sleep as I had a lecture at 9am that morning. I managed to grab some sleep but of course woke up excited at 7am. Made myself sort of presentable then google hangouted my family to open the presents and cards (normally we do it all together at home) which was fun. William wanted the balloon and got upset when he realised it was impossible to have as it was with me in  Leicester and he was in Wakefield. I got some lovely cards from friends and family and gifts too it made a lovely birthday morning.

Even google said happy birthday to me!

Had to get ready sharpish after that to catch the bus to university. It started raining surprise surprise thank goodness I had bought an umbrella the other day. Incidentally when I bought the umbrella the guy from the shop said I sounded like I wasn't from around here and when I said Yorkshire he said oh yes I can tell, but when I'm in yorkshire people say the opposite they say I don't sound northern. Strange.

Not having any practical shoes for the rain I had to go out in canvas pumps - bad decision my feet were freezing - I think I shall be investing in some kind of boot. Arrived to university in one piece though wet and cold.

Lecture was really interesting it was the Introduction to World Archaeology BC and we looked at the palaeolithic age - interestingly palaeo means old and lithic means stone. We did a bit on when did we become human? But instead of spouting the "we evolved from monkeys" they took the "we had a common ancestor long ago" which I find more believable but still weird. But thinking about if we all come from the same maker (God) then of course there will be similarities in every species. Anyway that was a side topic, what we actually looked at was stone tools and when they started to be first used. And whether use and creation of these tools began to show the Hominins (humany creatures but not human) were becoming human.

After that I had a nice break until 4pm where I had a study skills lecture until 6pm. It was on things like how to get the most out of lectures, how to manage time efficiently and stuff like that. We have it for the whole of this semester I'm not sure about next. It was okay but so annoying to have such a big gap between 9-10am and then nothing until 4pm. Still it's all useful and it was a good presentation.

But until 4pm I went home and watched The Proposal. I had intended to stop watching dvds so I could study but I thought as it was my birthday I would extend it until today. It was a lovely movie to watch again and I had a nice laugh at it!

After study skills a call from Grandma B and then a bus home and then ordered dominos in for tea. As it was my birthday for a treat and I had so many vouchers from freshers to use up! I was going to give one set to my family when I went up but on the terms and conditions it says valid in Leicester stores only which is  shame. The offer was buy one get one free but you had yo do it on medium or large so I got two medium knowing I would not be able to eat it all. The remains are in the fridge for me to take to uni tomorrow for lunch!

Then I had my birthday cake! Although I bought a battenberg my mum sent me a me to you one in the post with some other goodies which was lovely and some candles so I used that! And did it over google hangouts so they could see it and sing to me.

All in all it was a fairly good day. Uncle Simon and cousin Zak came round and surprised me this evening with a gift and card and Zak told me about his day at nursery! Despite being away from home for my birthday it was still pleasant and I rang my family enough to make up for not being there.

Absolutely shattered, and tomorrow is a busy day two lectures, a film and a tutorial but I'll be done 3pm. I like these shorted days college was such a drag. It makes me feel much more inclined to study when I get back when it is still light and warm(ish).

Every year people ask me "how does it feel to be 19?" or whatever age I am. I don't feel any different to last year. But it's weird to know I'm getting older and I feel like this next part of life is going to go very fast.

The Weekend

So as I predicted I didn't do much. I feel like such a layabout but I did sleep in until noon. Oops that will probably never happened again although in my defence, it was a late night Friday and it was raining when I woke up so I think I was better of asleep anyway.

Stuck a load of washing on as after tidying my room I did discover I had enough to do one. Then hung it all up to dry on the airers in my room. Updated all my accounts and stuff, very important (but boring) I never ever want to go into my overdraft. Too risky and I am already piling up debt through going to uni I do not want to add anymore to it.

Rain sort of kept me indoors, although I had bought an umbrella the day before so technically I could have done. But, you know when you have the option to go out in the rain or stay inside dry...I stayed inside dry.

Brought my pillow and fleece downstairs with my laptop and dvd's and camped out on the sofa for the day. First watched The Tourist, I had seen it in Italy but in Italian so I thought I'd see the English version as it happens it made it a lot easier to follow the plot, understandably. I really like that movie, Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie make a good lead couple and the whole plot is entertaining. Only issue about twenty minutes before the end it started freaking out and not playing properly so I think I will take it back to the shop and get them to swap it for me! After that I watched Bridal Wars, again another entertaining one but not one I think I will watch again, it wasn't amazing.

I actually cannot remember what I did after that, I think sort out my washing and ironed it. Cooked some food, oh yeah I had the leftover pasta onion thing. I heated it up slowly so the onion had time to no longer be raw by the time I got round to eating it. Although saying that I think the pasta was thursday because yesterday I am positive I had tinned soup and bread. Foggy memory.

So for you guys reading this post that don't go to my church twice a year we get addressed by our world leaders in something called a conference. We get given talks on topics that have been highlighted as important for us to know more about or that should be re-emphasised. I love it because I always hear a message that's personal for me. Because it is broadcast from America we usually have to wait for the videos to be put online, but because I am now staying in a house with a television license it means I could watch it live. So 5-7pm saturday night I watched America's saturday morning session. It was really interesting and uplifting. One thing I thought was amazing was when the Prophet Thomas S Monson said there were more than 88,000 missionaries operating worldwide! It's such a huge number!

One talk I found particularly good was by Elder Lynn G Robbins, where he asked the question: Which way do we face? Do we represent God to the people, or do we represent the people to God? Are we willing to do what God wants us to do and stick to our standards even though the world doesn't like it or are we more scared and concerned about what our friends and associates will think of us to do the things we believe in and know to be true? Another good point was when Dieter F Utchdorf said that a trait of humanity is to assume we are right even when we are wrong. We have to recognise that we don't always act in an appropriate way and stop being stubborn.

So that was Saturday. Sunday I was invited to dinner at the family of my landlord's house which was lovely. They had a nice big cooked dinner with lamb and potatoes and vegetables with peach crumble for dessert it was great. Afterwards we watching another conference session the Saturday Afternoon Session. It was another good one. My favourite talk from it was by Elder Jörg Klebingat. He asked many poignant and thought provoking questions. Can we say in ourselves that God is happy with us? How would we feel if we had an interview with Jesus today? Happy or extremely nervous? He advised us not to let the adversary chip away at our souls and self confidence. And that the decision to change is ours alone. He then offered six ways that we can increase our self confidence to become better members of the church and better people. 1. Take responsibility for our own spiritual well-being, the Lord knows how hard we are or are not trying to become perfect and good people, we should try to be as good as we can within our own spheres of life. 2. Take responsibility for our own physical well-being, if we are not happy with ourselves we cannot be happy in ourselves. Body and soul are joined if we feel unhappy in one we can't be happy in the other. 3. Embrace voluntary whole hearted obedience, we cannot love God without loving his commandments. And casualness in spiritual matters will not bring us happiness. 4. Become good at repenting thoroughly and quickly. Embrace the atonement and apply it daily and establish ongoing happy repentance. 5. Become really good at forgiving others. As we make mistakes so will they and we cannot ask for forgiveness from God if we do not forgive those who ask for our forgiveness. Don't hold grudges against people or be easily offended but uplift others always. 6. Accept trials, setbacks and the surprises in our lives. We are all here to be tested, why should we not have trials if everyone else is? Some trials come through disobedience or negligence but they are not a punishment only a time to prove ourselves. They are there to make us stronger. We should acknowledge and face our weaknesses and try to repair them but not to become immobilised by them.  

I thought that was the best talk I'd heard all of conference and when it becomes available online I want to print it out and keep a copy because it will remind me of what I can do to dissipate the discouraging voices of the adversary and restore peaceful assurance and spiritual confidence. http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865612418/Elder-Jorg-Klebingat-Approaching-the-throne-of-God-with-confidence.html

After that I got dropped back home and I watched the Sunday Morning Session of Conference 5-7pm English time but America's morning. It was another good one. It talked about how we should build up our relationship with God so we can receive personal revelation. Also how we can be more active in sustaining our Prophet. The last talk of this session was by the Prophet. He did a wonderful talk "decisions determine destiny". Our purpose on earth was to have a body and be separated from our Heavenly parents so we can have the same experiences they had and learn to choose well. Our decisions don't just determine where we will go on earth but for eternity. We are given the tools we need to get back. We have to walk as Jesus walked. Emulate Him. He is the light to guide us home. By following Him we can gain eternal life but we have to work. Only He can lead us safely home.

The last session Sunday Afternoon is showing 9-11pm but as I have a lecture at 9am tomorrow morning I think I will have to catch it later in the week when they put it on the website. https://www.lds.org/general-conference/sessions/2014/10?lang=eng

All in all it was a very uplifting day, which is what I needed after freaking out on the telephone this morning to my mum. Panicking over whether university is the right decision...again. New stuff is hard, but it's something I can work through.

Week 6: Countryside

Tuesday:

Spent the morning playing with Fede and reading in English. Then for lunch came Alessadra's friend and her two daughters Laura and Carola. Carola had private English lessons and can speak it perfectly but was shy and didn't really talk to me which was a shame. It was a nice day though although too windy to make use of the pool. Later on it started raining too. 

Wednesday: 

We made out to Broni the village past Stradella to go to the market. Unfortunately we found out when we got there that the market was on Friday not Wednesday. We went to McDonald's and set up the wifi to the laptop and phones so hopefully I can use it to google hangout my family when we are near one again. The weather was very windy again so no pool, we played ludo and badminton and read. In the afternoon two girls children of a neighbour came by to play. Bea had an argument about whether she knows more English than I Italian or not. Alessadra thinks I know more Italian. And still she refuses to learn. Me and Alessandra made a cheesecake this afternoon it was very nice with honey in the cheese bit to sweeten it with less sugar and stewed blended plums as a top juicy section. Did some drawing with Fede. My picture:

I thought it came out quite well! 

Thursday:

I slept in, oops but luckily so did everyone else I think the cold weather made us all stick to our beds a little longer. In the morning Bea went horseriding I skipped it this week and stayed back with Fede. More drawing and English and Ludo. 

The work. Pretty pleased apart from the face, hate drawing faces. 

In the afternoon I went biking with Fede and then after taking a nap all of us went on a walk to the centre of Rovescala with the two girls Alice (Ah-lee-chay) and Sofia. Then homemade pizza for tea.  

Friday:

Packing day for Tuscany. Spent the morning playing and doing English and then in the afternoon we packed for Tuscany. It started raining again. There seems to be a pattern, sunny mornings and rainy afternoons. I just hope the weather is better in Tuscany than here otherwise we won't be able to go on the beach!

Saturday:

Up early to finish packing and then on the way to our Tuscan destination. Stopping at Pisa along the way! 

After Pisa we carried on to Marina Castagneto where we are staying in a holiday village. The sea is beautiful. Had tea at a pizzeria I had cipolla e salsiccia (onion and sausage) it was great. 

Day 29: Summer weather

After a nice cool morning this afternoon was almost unbearably hot.

I spent the morning with Fede. We did homework, then English on duolingo, read an English book, guitar practice and then chilled out watching television. 

After lunch I google hangouted my family and then Bea was good shopping with her friend Bianca so I went with. 

It was so hot and I mistakenly wore jeans so it was even worse. I came back so tired and hot. 

We ate dinner outside and during it the sky decided to chuck it down with rain and thunder rather loudly again. 

The stripes are the rain

For the first time in four weeks it was cold enough to make a hot chocolate. Nesquik style. 

Day 20: Shutters

It rained heavily the end of yesterday so by the time we reached the hills it was quite cold which meant extra blanket for the night! I got a really soft squishy quilt so warm last night was the best nights sleep in ages.

This morning was a bit of a slow go. I did some English with Fede and we leant some more parts of the body in English - today was: eat, nose, chin, neck and arm. 

I picked some yellow plums from one of their many trees and filled up the plastic bowl for lunch. In the garden they have a fig tree, a yellow plum tree and magnolia and fir among others. Outside lining the wall they have lots of purple miniature plum trees we pick fruit from those too. 

Myself and Fede went on a bike ride, we got to the top of the first hill and then my pedal fell off whilst I was riding so we had to turn around and go back. The thread had gone on the inside so I couldn't screw it in by hand. When we got back Stefano used a spanner and fixed it! So me and Fede set out again. The weather was so hot it was awful riding up the hills. But we made it all the way round. 

For lunch we had mini pizza calzone things and friend mozzarella balls which tasted divine! And home grown salad. 

After lunch I taught Bea and Fede a song on the piano. Did some English with Fede and Bea and read my book a little more. 

Stefano got called to be a lawyer for someone caught last night who needed a representative so he had to ride out to Milan. While he was out the builder Elton was painting the shutters at the front of the house. Not the wooden ones, but behind those are some iron ones that their parents installed to prevent more burgularies (previously they had been robbed twice) the white paint was peeling so the were getting them redone. 

The shutters for the balcolny in my room had been taken off whilst the tiles were getting redone. The new ones aren't down yet, but the cement things has dried so they got hung back up today. A large spider the kind with the tiny body and long legs in which the front legs are longer than the back had made a home above the balcolny door but Alessandra disposed of it with the vacuum cleaner. Phew! There are too many bugs to catch with glasses so in the interest of time mr vacuum hoover is the answer. 

We went to Voghera today which is maybe a 20 minute drive away. They have a small shopping centre thing there like a small junction 32 (Yorkshire) with small fashion shops and a ginormous supermarket. The supermarket was huge and sold everything it was a mix between a cheap and rubbish quality ikea, homebase, Costco and Buyright. You could easily get lost in it. And buy everything you would want but never need. 

They had a few fashiony shops most notably H&M and Pull and Bear. They were so busy though and sales aren't what they used to be the sales were so small and like 10% off. Still it was nice to see in some Italian stores. Next week me and Bea are going to go shopping in the big centre in Milan, I am looking forward to seeing Abercrombie and Fitch. Though apparently they don't have sales which sucks as a sale would bring it down to normal price! Apparently in A&F you can get your picture taken with the models Bea has a snap of her and a model on her wall. Interesting idea but not my thing. Apparently they also stand outside to welcome you in...in English...in Italy. 

For tea we picked up pizza again I ordered the Americano which is basically Margherita with sausage and chips but they forgot the chips! Better luck next time. 

After tea me Bea and Fede hung out practising English and Italian. They kept laughing at me so much bad pronunciation is so not helpful when words spelt similarly but spelt differently mean completely different things. Still it was fun! 

Then Stefano and Fede got ready for a motorcross training event which was why they were going to Piacenza tomorrow. 

Packing everything into the pickup truck. 

Buonanotte.