Takes Time

Everyone who knows me has realised that unless I'm working with critically ill patients or managing an emergency department, I don't have a very precise concept of time, but during recent months I've began to appreciate the value of time.

Last night I was awake until 3.30am with a severe migraine. My head was pounding so severely that the pain was unbearable. I haven't experienced a migraine like that since the first week I arrived in Italy, but given my decision yesterday it was to be expected. Anyway this morning I've awoken feeling bright and pain free, and whilst I've been sitting by the open window having breakfast and watching the day break I've been thinking about the value of time.

In the six months I was in Australia, I worked and saved madly in preparation for returning to Firenze because I was filled with certain hopes and dreams. However, shortly after settling in I began to realise that these goals were not going to come to fruition and this reality jolted my heart and courage.

Some time frames are more precise and this allow us to monitor our energies. We know that it takes 20 minutes for a souffle to rise and to cook a Florentine steak, and 6 weeks for a bone to heal but how long does it take for our hearts to mend? Over time I've began to realise that although we have our time frames and expectations, sometimes we have to surrender to another rhythm and that the art of living is in finding some sense of peace whilst we wait. To realise that these times of waiting and wanting are like bridges that link two mountains. The precarious fall will always be there, but there can also be sunshine, wind and another vista to appreciate, and if we take time to re establish a new perspective and rhythm within ourselves we will find the energy, courage and hope to 'get there' in the end.

It's 8am and as the clouds shift to reveal a blue sky and sunshine it's time for Valentino and I to go cycling through the Chanti - it may be our last long ride together for a while.

Partenza di Firenze

Just a quick note to let everyone know that I have confirmed my departure date from Firenze & my arrival date in Melbourne. I am leaving Italy from Firenze on Monday November 24th, 2008 and will be arriving in Melbourne, Australia on November 25th, 2008.

Naturally I am happy to be returning to Australia, but sad to leave Italy, because I have a close affinity with many people here and I am fond of the life I have began to form, my experiences and memories.

Actually I feel blessed that I feel so attached to two places, because both places make me happy in different ways and that is quite beautiful.

Indulging in the Arts

I have choosen Back to Life by Giovanni Allevi (2007) a talented young Italian artist I heard play live last year to accompany this entry. Please access this link before continuing to read the following entry. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gy8Iyd4xyQA

I've had a wonderful time in Fruili-Venezia Giulia and many artistic and lovely experiences have filled my soul.

At 6.30am Monday morning I arrived at the Firenze train station to find that there was a transport strike in Italy. As a result my departure from Firenze was delayed by 2hrs. However, when I eventually managed to board a train bound north it was only standing room only. At 1130am I arrived at Venezia Mestre and waited with all the other frustrated travelers at the train station until 1600pm. Then when I went to purchase my train ticket for Pordenone (Friuli) someone suggested I visit Venezia. With winter approaching dusk normally settles around 1630-1700pm, so I was somewhat reluctant to take on the spontaneous adventure, but I was also fatigued with sitting at the train station knitting, people watching and drinking lattes so within 10minutes I was on the last train to Venezia.

When I disembarked at Santa Lucia a handsome Italian man started an impromptu conversation with me and within minutes of the inital introduction he had designed three itineraries: "We could visit Galleria Grassi together; take a canal ride; or have an appertivo in a scenic location..?" he confidentally suggested. Given my tendency to miss trains and my prearranged rendez-vous for that evening, I decided on option number three - and suddenly the brief sojourn in Venezia became decisively more interesting.

Later that evening I traveled to Pordenone, to attend the Pascal Rioult Danza at Teatro Comunale Giuseppe Verdi - a contemporary dance company from New York that performed four visually beautiful and incredibly choreographed dance pieces (Home front, Wien, Prelude to night and Bolero) to the musical score of Ravel.

After an overnight stay in Pordenone on Tuesday morning I traveled by train to Codropio (Fruili) where my Dad's cousin Daniela met me with open arms and then briefly settled into my gorgeous bed and breakfast accommodation La Mulina beside Ledra brook in Sedegliano.

We then went to Udine for lunch, toured the town centre and walked to the castle on the top of the hill. Although the misty day overcast what would have been a spectacular vista over Udine, the walk helped us digest the indulgent lunch of polenta, saliscca cooked in white wine, and gnocchi with salmon. I couldn't help but think of my Dad.

In the evening Daniela & Angelino took me to dinner in the picturesque and affluent town, San Daniela. The evening was full of chatter, laughter, close examination of fabulous food and wine and a delightful apprecation of eye candy, thanks to the handsome northern Italians seated at the next table. Delightful!

On Wednesday morning I traveled to Udine to visit the Teatro Galleria d'Arte Moderna. The gallery has an impressive collection of 19th century paintings that were exhibited in the IV Biennale Internazionale d'Arte di Venezia in 1910. It was interesting to note the difference in the artworks from northern Italy (i.e. Veneto) as compared to central Italy (i.e. Lazio, Toscana) and southern Italy (i.e. Campania). Generally, I found that the artists from northern Italy used lighter (pastel-like) colours, that the works from central Italy were painted with an impasto style and more expressive in their brush strokes and that the artworks from southern italy were thematically more sober, painted in darker tones and with greater precision.

Northern Italian artists: (top) Crepuscolo by Vollet (1901); (middle) La Scaccia delle anitre by Tommasi (1896); (lower). Southern artists: Gli ultimi gironi di Domenica Morelli [detail] by Balestrieri (1904); (bottom) I due vecchi [detail] by Vasary (1901).

The following three paintings are from a modern artschool in Fruili and were most impressive. I particulary like the image of the provincial man drinking from a street tap by Pizzinato. Although the use of green, purple and blue is evident, it dosen't dominate the art work or detract from it's sensitive and sponateous depiction of ordinary life.

Spigolatrice by Anzii [Udine] (2000) (top); Ritratto di donna friulana by Giussi [Udine] (1955) (middle); Uomo che beve by Pizzinato (1958) (bottom).

The contemporary artworks were very interesting, hopefully these images illustrate the different genera and diversity of works.

Alluminio e quandri a collage by Aluiami [Udine] (1982) (top); Senzo titolo tecnica mista by Patrone (1985) (middle); Meridiano zero (acrilico e terre su tela) by Sedmach [Trieste] (1996) (bottom).

Wrapped woman by a Christo (1977) (above); litografia Nudio gigcente by Simon (1963) (below).

In the afternoon I went to Arta Terma (Fruili) near the Italian-Austrian border for a hot stone massage and thermal bath. This former Roman town was built close to hot sulphur springs that were used until the Middle Ages. It was divine. The treatment was professional, therapeutic and luxurious. As I lay in the bath, my thoughts drifted away. Outside it was raining and misty and I felt like I was in Dayelsford in Victoria.

In the evening I went to dinner with Graziella and Egilio. It was a lovely opportunity to be together. We talked about Sedegliano, what my dad was like as a young man and exchanged many stories. Another delightful evening.

On Thursday morning I awoke at 6am to listen to the capnelli of Sedegliano sound. Il mio Babo (Dad) always got breve (chills) when he heard the bells sound (to the tune of Ave Maria), so listening to them was a special and emotional experience.

After breakfast I curled up in bed reading and day dreaming. When I finally left my suite I walked around town, took some photographs, visited the Commune again to see about obtaining the documents I require for Italian citizenship and then had lunch with Zia and Renato.

Then in the early evening as it began to rain heavily, I departured to return to Firenze. With many lovely memories packed in my suitcase.

Visiting Family in Sedegliano

(From left to right) Zia, Renato, Egilio, Angolino, Renzo and Daniela.

Cara Zia, Daniela e Angeliono, Graziella e Egilio, Renato e Renzo,

Grazie a tutti per la vostra ospitalità. Siete tutto gentile, generoso e dolce. Come prima il mio tempo in Sedegliano e stata pieno di emozione e la felicità e sono contenta di avere la possibilita di creare un'altra generazione di belle memorie.

Abbraccio tutti voi.

Mandi Julie-Ann

Udine, Friuli-Venezia Giulia

It has been years since I have been to Udine, so I was pleased to have gone there today with Daniela (my Dad's cousin). I found the town to be elegant and subtly charming. The piazza's were dominated by limestone buildings, ornately decorated arches and classic sculptures; the churches had beautiful frescos and iconography; the people seemed sophisticated and were beautifully dressed; and an appreciation of the arts seemed to be a universal passion.

Friuli-Venezia Giulia

Traveling to Friuli-Venezia Giulia

Before reading the following entry, click the arrow below to initiate the video.

After packing my designer luggage with black ensembles, a pashmina wrap, fur trimmed coat, woolen crocheted stockings, leather knee high boots, leather gloves & my Canon I'm off to explore Friuli-Venezia Giulia in northeast Italy.

Friuli-Venezia Giulia borders the region of Veneto to the west, the republics of Austria and Slovenia to the north and east, and the Adriatic Sea to the south. Udine is the historical capital of Friuli.

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=friuli%20venzia%20giulia&sourceid=ie7&rls=com.microsoft:en-US&ie=UTF-8&oe=utf8&um=1&sa=N&tab=wl

In particular I'm looking forward to going to 'Sedegliano' (Friulian Sedean). A small town in the province of Udine where my Dad was born and where he lived until he immigrated to Australia in 1955.

Some of my Dad's relatives still live in Sedegliano and I hope to visit them whilst I'm there. I'm sure the experience will be beautiful, sentimental, and emotional.

I'll see you in a few days.

Love Jules

Love Letters

As the sun sets over the skyline of Florence, I arrive home in time to take a quick break before heading out again. The days blend into night, one event follows another, and the company of my friends makes these last weeks in Italy very precious.

After attending mass at Chiesa San Annunciata this morning, I went to Piazza Republica to have lunch and go shopping. As I walked down the main streets, dressed in a camel leather skirt, black cashmere top, an alpaca fur trimmed vest, black shawl, lace tights and boots, I felt like I was part of a movie.

The shops are full of beautiful winter clothes and accessories and a palette of vibrant colors; and the murmur of traffic, high pitched conversations and high heeled shoes on the cobblestones is like an orchestra tuning.

I love to immerse myself in the middle of it all and often I have the desire to close my eyes so that I can hold onto these moments.

Tonight we are going to Teatro Cestello in San Frediano, Firenze to see the production of "Love Letters" by A.R. Gurney.

I first saw the Pulitzer Prize winning play (drama) with Jamilla at the old Mietta's in Melbourne and last year saw it performed in Firenze with Marco. The script is wonderful and centers on just two characters; Melissa Gardner and Andrew Makepiece Ladd III. As the play develops so do their characters, as they sit side by side at tables on the stage reading the correspondence they exchange through their lives. Letters which convey their hopes and ambitions, dreams and disappointments, victories and defeats. Emotionally the letters unite them, but physically they remain separated for most of their relationship.

Ho voglio di te

Italian's know how to express themselves through language, film, food, art & music. Tiziano Ferro is a popular Italian artist and his song 'Ho voglio di te; Ti scatterò una foto' is quite beautiful. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=776rIpMQ6YI

Manuela

Manuela & Jules at the Brazilian night - wine, food, dancing and socialising..

Manuela lives in Sesto Florentine in Firenze and we met at the H&M's first selection day (she was the 'green ribbon girl' and I was the 'red ribbon girl' - but that's another story). Manuela's smile is radiant and she laughs with ease.

During the practical exercises our vibrant personalities, good communication/interpersonal skills, and leadership qualities were evident; and on a personal level our harmonious personalities were evident. By the time we had walked from Hotel Rivoli to Santa Maria Novelle train station (a 5 minute walk) we had already planned to travel together around Italy to attend H&M's training sessions. Naturally we were convinced we got the jobs!

Whilst I return to Australia and no longer intend to proceed with this international marketing company, Manuela is keen to work for H&M and to explore the many opportunities the company has the potential to provide. I wish her every success both in this quest and all her other ambitions.

Artichoke

I’ve awoken from a restful sleep with the sun streaming into my bedroom, the gentle rustle of the traffic and a light heart. A new day begins.

I’ve been lying in bed reading and thinking a little about the last four months and how much things have changed. How blessed I am to have had the time, space and solitude to think, feel and grow.

Artichoke

The nubbed leaves
Come way
In a tease of green, thinning
Down to the membrane:
The quick, purples,
Beginnings of the male.

Then the slow hairs of the heart:
The choke that guards its trophy,
It vegetable goblet.
The meat of it lies, displayed,
Up-ended, al dente,
The sub-root aching in its oil.

Robin Robertson
'Painted Field'

Having dreams

Another defining moment in global history was created today with the election of Barack Obama as the President of the USA.

When I awoke this morning and heard the announcement on the Italian radio station I almost cried.

Then I remembered Martin Luther's King's moving and inspiring speech on August 28, 1963, from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial (a defining moment of the American Civil Rights Movement).

To view the video below click on the arrow.

After spending weeks evaluating my options with logic, passion, long walks, bottomless coffees and crayola pencils, I've come to a decision... in two weeks I'm returning to Australia. Naturally leaving Italy is difficult, but the thought of returning home to see everyone and knowning that it's summer is exciting. And I'm looking forward to renting a place by the beach; cruising the Great Ocean Road in my little convertible with the top down, the music up & the Gucci's on, painting, cycling, kayaking, hiking & swimming; celebrating Christmas, New Year's Eve, Jessica's 40th; and enjoying the company of family & friends. Then within six months I hope to be back in Italy. My decision feels right & I'm smiling again.

Finally I have some linear path to follow and although it has been a long, exhausting and convoluted path to arrive at this embryonic stage; struggling through the maze and the myraid of experiences has made me more determined to live my life and my dreams. It has also made me realise that: in life we all make sacrifices for the things we want; if we do not pursue our dreams we create shadows of ourselves; sometimes to arrive at our destination we have to take five steps back or journey around the globe (several times!!); listen to the voice within and don't let anything or anyone extinguish the flame.

These decisions make my heart sing but if I met the man of my dreams tomorrow, I may give them all up and reshuffle my cards. Or perhaps I meet my soul mate and we can share these experiences together? Anyway in the meantime I might as well live my life to it's fullest capacity, enjoy the people in my life and immerse myself in all life's colors, sensations and challenges.

Via 27Aprile, Firenze

These are a few photos of my apartment in Firenze which I live in with Yadira & Carlotta. I have been quite blessed to live in such a gorgeous and large home in the centre of Firenze. The apartment consists of two levels and has a open plan living design. It is decorated with antiques, statues, framed paintings and books on artists, travel destinations, European poetry and interesting novels. I have a large bedroom with a view of Il Duomo, enough space for all my clothes and accessories, and a corner where I paint and day dream.

The link below allows you to see the actual street where I live. If you look closely you can see the cafe on the corner (where I go to regularly) and my bedroom window. http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=115833288355014160503.000459520aadd792fcc59&ll=43.781536,11.255686&spn=0.006925,0.019011&z=16