The Ways I've Changed

My goodness it feels like a long time since I last posted! Sorry for missing last week but I was away exploring my country of birth, England. Oh I am patriotic! While I was there I was asked if I considered myself a Kiwi or a Brit and… I couldn’t answer! So I have combined my nationalities and decided to call myself a Biwi (because Biwi sounds better that Krit!) Anyhow, this is not at all what I had in mind to write today but I just felt the need to share. Onwards with the original blog post plan we go!
 

I think it is fair to say that one the biggest reasons for students to take a gap year is to find themselves. Or at least this was a large factor in my decision. I expected that I would grow and change and I constantly had people telling me how much I would mature and that I would really learn who I really was. And it is definitely true. I have changed in a number of deep and personal ways. Which are exactly that. Personal. And reserved for my diary and Skype sessions with my family or best friend. But what I AM going to share with you all today is five ways I have changed that I did NOT expect!

No. 1 – Sneaning. Yes, I have previously discussed with in one of my earliest posts – here – but that fact that I did (and still do it!) is not a change I was expecting. At all. Whenever backpackers and tourists graced New Zealand’s shores with the jeans and sneakers I would always think how fashionably unacceptable that was and that I would NEVER commit such a fashion crime. But oh! Never say never. Not only do I now regularly snean due to its practicality and comfort, I actually have found myself looking at Nikes with the single thought of would-these-be-good-sneaning-sneakers? I have very little else to say on the matter other than that I have completely bowed to European sneaning-is-ok pressure and am not embarrassed to say so!

   

Now THESE would be nice sneaning sneakers!

No. 2 – While we are on the fashion topic I feel I must admit to something that I never in my wildest dreams imagined I would do. Yes. Even above and over sneaning. Double denim. I know I know! Until one month ago I was still appalled at the fact that double denim is an ok, acceptable and even fashionable thing here. But then I went to Amsterdam and found a beautiful light denim jacket at Mango for only 20€ and I could not resist. At first I only wore it over black leggings or occasionally a simple casual dress. But then one day when I already had my dark denim jeans on and I was starting to feel a little cold I did the unthinkable. I grabbed my denim jacket and put it on and after a quick (nervous) look in the mirror something deep in me changed and from that point I have been a double denim advocate!

 

I don't have a photo of me yet, but if Cameron Diaz does it, well need I say more?

No. 3 – Red wine. Now I had drunk red wine before living in Italy, but to be honest I never really liked it. I hated the way it hit your throat and messed with the taste of whatever food you were eating. I would take a white wine over a red any day. Basically I just liked white wines. The sweet, bubbly kind. That doesn’t actually taste like wine but more like the sparkling grape juice I always had at Christmas as a kid. But then Italy happened. At first I would accept out of politeness but now I will be the one offering! Everything I disliked about it I now love. The way it warms your throat and adds flavours to your every mouthful. In fact if I am to eat pasta with a rich tomato or meat sauce I simply feel like something is missing if it is not accompanied by a good, strong red wine. The earthier, the better!

 

Red wine -- I feel so cultured!

No. 4 – Spice. Another foodie change I did not see happening, least of all in Italy. In my food blog I mentioned our delicious homemade spicy oil that Massimo religiously drizzled over pasta and pizza and that I actively avoided despite his constant “Trust me. It’s very good!” And then I finally tried it. Now, like Massimo, I put it on almost everything and still can’t avoid his “I told you so” look every time I reach for it across the table.

 

mmmmm olio con peperoncino!

No. 5 – Seafood. Now I know this is another food one, but that’s what Italy does to you! I have really never been much of a seafood eater, in fact even eating fish was a push for me. Then, as fate would have it, I moved in with a family who own a frozen fish company. Being the good guest that I am and doing as mother dearest had taught me, I tried everything they places in front of me and as a result I have now tried (and enjoyed!) a large number of sea food including; cuttlefish, octopus, muscles, scallops, scampi, prawns and so many more!

A rather fine selection of seafood is I say so myself!

So there you have it, five of the unexpected and, while perhaps slightly superficial but nonetheless interesting, ways in which I have changed so far on this journey to discovering myself.