DAY 1 (31/08)
It’s 8 p.m. and we have just arrived at our new house. I started travelling at 9.30 this morning, going from my little town to Venice Airport. Luckily, I didn’t have to stop at another airport to arrive in Dublin.
But I guess the real adventure started in Dublin when, after just 15 minutes of knowing face to face Aedín and Liam, I had to learn how to drive a car on the left side of the road. And I’m not talking about a 10 minutes trip from the airport to our new house, but 2 hours long drive to Drumshanbo, in Country Leitrim. But guess what: I had a lot of fun! Obviously, it was a little weird, but I love new challenges, and this was a real one.
So, as I was saying, we have just arrived, and Marine (my brand new flat-mate), is really tired (and I can totally understand her!), so she went straight to bed. I’m watching outside the window and I can’t help thinking that I can’t wait to live this new adventure…but the quarantine is going to feel really long!
DAY 2 (01/09)
Today I decided to take my time in bed a little bit, so I got up at 8 a.m., while I usually wake up at 7 a.m. …but it’s the very first day in a new Country and in a new house, so I didn’t want to hurry. I have already arranged my room, but it will take some time for it to feel like MY room.
Being in quarantine with a person you’ve never met it’s weird, but Marine and I are trying to make the best of it, playing card games and getting to know each other. I think the difficult part is to understand each other’s boundaries and spaces, but we’ll talk about those in these days.
It rained all day today and temperature is low: that’s weird for me because in Italy it’s still summer, people are still going to the beach and I would usually wear tank top and shorts. But I guess I’ll get used to it, even if it will take some time.
DAY 3 (02/09)
Today I woke up at 7:15 a.m. and it wasn’t raining that hard so I decided to change and to go outside (just in front of the door) to do some skipping and some other types of work out. It really helped me to feel “normal” and “accomplished”. I really can’t wait to be able to go out for a run! After 45minutes I took a hot shower and I could really feel an improvement in my mood…if I will be able to be consistent in doing some work out every day, I think that the quarantine will be easier.
Today we met Janice who called us on Whatsapp: I think that meeting each other online because of Covid-19 it’s weird for all of us and I already know that the day in which we will go to the office, I will be celebrating! Aedín called us too, to check on us and told us that we will participate in an event to take notes…this worries me a little bit because when I take notes while the speaker is talking in English, I write my notes half in English and half in Italian. I’ll laugh a lot that day!
DAY 4 (03/09)
Today I woke up as usual, at 7:15 a.m. and I went out to do some skipping. There was a little bit of sun, but it seems like it is a little shy and that’s a pity!
In the morning, Del showed up and he brought Alina with him. I have been in touch with her for several months now, so I was really happy to finally meet her! I can’t wait to get to know both of them better.
Then we had a couple of Zoom meetings with Aedín, who wanted to explain us some things about GEAI and the difficulties with Covid-19. This last thing is really frustrating me out: I hope to be able to live and experience ESC as normally as possible.
Today I finally decide to turn on the TV and more than anything, I was fascinated by the ads – they really feel different from the Italians ones.
DAY 5 (04/09)
Today the weather changed every 15 minutes or so, but Marine and I were lucky enough to catch a moment of sun, so we went out for a quick walk near the lake. Life here seems so calm and peaceful and the landscape is so wonderful! Back in Italy, I usually went out every day for a walk outside of the city and it was the best part of my day, so I can’t wait to explore this place.
DAY 6 (05/09)
Today I decided to sleep a little more and to not do any work out…after all it a Saturday! I found a jigsaw puzzle, so I started to build it. I used to do a lot of puzzles with my grandma: I find them quite relaxing and a nice way to spend the time. Also: it gives me a goal so I think it will be useful for me to not lose my mind.
Today Alina came by and she brought me to the outside of Ballinaglera Community Hall to throw out the garbage. Obviously, we went in two different cars to avoid being too close. I got the chance to drive again and it was really a nice way to “escape” just for a bit. I also got the chance to see a glimpse of Drumshanbo and I really can’t wait to walk through its streets!
DAY 7 (06/09)
We’re halfway through the quarantine! And yet, it seems like it will never end…but my hopes are up! Today I woke up with a lot of energies and I couldn’t wait to do some skipping. I’m not really a fan of it, but back in Italy, when we had to quarantine in March, it was a useful way to work out, so I knew I had to bring the rope with me in Ireland.
The puzzle is coming along nicely. I’m faster than what I had imagined: maybe I will have some time to start another one before the quarantine ends.
Today Marine and I watched Star Wars Episode I. Star Wars are Marine’s favourite movies, but I never watched them: she was so shocked about that, that she asked me to watch them with her and I couldn’t refuse. It was so long that I wanted to watch them, but I was always afraid to not like them. Guess what: I really liked the first one!
DAY 8 (07/09)
Today felt like a lazy day. I made a lot of calls to my family: first to my mother and my dad, then my aunt, then my grandma. Since I was a little girl I was always used to go away from home, even for long periods (like three weeks…for a little girl it is a lot), but I’ve never been gone for a year, so my family is quite apprehensive at the moment. But they also sustain me a lot and they are very excited for my adventure.
DAY 9 (08/09)
Today I took part to a Zoom call with Leslie and a couple of volunteers from EKOEnergy, a non-profit ecolabel. It was very interesting: Leslie had a lot of question and I was amazed by the amount of information that the two volunteers were able to give us. I hope, one day, to be as prepared as they are regarding what we are doing with GEAI.
DAY 10 (09/09)
Today I spent the day thinking what I would be doing in Italy right now…maybe enjoy the last days of summer at the beach? Or go hiking on the Alps? Or just hang out with my friends? I’ve always though how wonderful would it be to move abroad to study or to work but I had never thought about all the things that I would have missed!
This evening me and Marine watched the third episode od Star Wars and I must say that it is really getting to me.
DAY 11 (10/09)
Today they finally delivered our food! I was running out of everything and to see the fridge full again…well it was a real boost for my morale!
In the evening I called my friends in Italy and I showed them the house (which is pretty cool). They’re enthusiastic for me being here in Ireland, they know how much I wanted to live this experience, but they kept saying how much they miss me. I really hope that they will be able to come and see me in Drumshanbo, without having any problem because of Covid.
I started a new puzzle today, but I don’t think I will be able to finish it by Sunday: there are a lot of light blue pieces for the sky…and there is no cloud…
DAY 12 (11/09)
We’re almost there! We just have to endure this weekend and then we will be free! In the last days I had not a lot to do…today as well. In the evening, the sun came out and it was a true blessing. I hope there will be sunny days next week as well!
We finished Episode VIII of Star Wars…what a long journey! Tomorrow we will watch the first movie of the trilogy “Back to the Future” (those are my favourite movies).
DAY 13 (12/09)
Today felt like a sleepy day, but I didn’t want to just lay in my bed all day. So, I got up and cleaned the house: it’s like a fresh start for our rediscovered freedom. Back in Italy I would never do something like that, so my mom would be astonished to read that I actually enjoyed cleaning up the house.
My family today had a big dinner, and while they were eating, they called me all together. It was weird to see them on my phone, without being able to be with them. They keep saying that they want me to get back home for Christmas…but will Covid allow me to do that?
DAY 14 (13/09)
IT IS THE LAST DAY! Can’t wait to go to the office for the first time, tomorrow. Today passed really quickly, actually. The only thing that I did was wondering about this new adventure I’m starting. What will I work on? What experiences will I make?
Tomorrow I’ll start the day with a run (it has been so long since the last time I went for a run, that I’m worried I’ll give up after 2 minutes). Since I’ve never been truly outside, I hope I won’t get lost. And I hope that the sun will come out in the next few days so I can have the change to explore my surroundings.
Today is not only the last day of my quarantine: it has been 14 days since I left my home, my family and my friends. Even though I’m really excited, I also can’t wait to have the chance to go back to see them again.