From 2014 me to 2015 me

To Cyn,

Remember, you cannot control what others think.
Just be yourself.
Do your own things, while in consideration for others.
Better yourself.
Be the best you can be.
Do not compare.
This will lead to a much less stressful life.
You will thank me for it in December 2015.

From Cyn

2014

End of 2014 is fast approaching and nothing beats an end-of-year-reflection.

Recently, specifically after moving back from Rome, I have been feeling down and this could be due to the fact that I was no longer employed by one of the biggest fashion house in the world, I am now back on the unemployed/freelance market, the weather is a little colder here than in Rome, and my future looks quite bleak. So I have been hiding away, I have not been running as much, and generally felt a little fed up with everything, while watching those around me continue to thrive and succeed in what they emerge themselves in.

However, reading this post from Bang's blog, and speaking to Miss Waite, I have decided I needed a little cheer me up and look back on what I DID manage to accomplish this year. I do feel sometimes I overlook many things, especially because they happened to me, so I don't feel it is that big of a deal… But may be they are. So here goes.

First of all, I would love to say a massive congratulation to my friends, Jen and Jen over at Stitch & Story for having an amazing year, and continue to grow. It was such a pleasure to be able to witness their determination and to be part of this. I am so honoured. Let's hope for an even better knitting year in 2015!

Then there was the Hong Kong Standard Chartered Marathon. I didn't do the marathon, but I did do the half. And to be able to finally be part of the Bridge the Gap movement in Asia was amazing, and surprisingly intimate. It was an impromptu visit home and I am sure my parents were quite happy to see me even though it was just 6 days and I was ill for 4 of them.

This race meant a lot to me (as I have previously written in an older blog post) because this is the race my dad has participated in for a long time. Unfortunately he is a little older, so he no longer competes (well that, and he could not be bothered to spend an hour refreshing a crashed website to register due to high volume of applicants in Hong Kong, because everyone is quite famously known for blindly following whatever the trend is, true story)

Anyway, to be able to run in that race, although did not achieve a time I really wanted, was still a part of a dream come true.

And the big part of 2014 was my move to Rome, Italy. To me this felt very normal and natural, as I have been away from home since I was 10 and was always moving around (between dorm rooms, from Bristol to Hong Kong, from Bristol to London and around houses in London) so it didn't feel big. It only really hit home when I was at Gatwick Airport about to board the plane and realise I didn't know how long I would be out of the UK for and then the tears started streaming down (ok, the boyfriend being there at the airport made it worse for me too).

Luckily, the move went smoothly and pretty much everything went the way I had hoped for. I found a great flat in a great location with great people shortly. Had no problem with my phone, registering for my Codice Fiscale (kind of a national insurance number thing?) and even had the best bank manager anyone could have hoped for. Whenever I thought about Alessandro, I still thought how was that possible. (Ginny would agree with me on that).

However, the main problem I had was the language barrier, oh and I had to come back after 6 months. But let's not dwell too deep into that so I could keep this post as positive as possible.

I met some great people in Rome whom I am sure will remain my friends for a very long time. Friend I made (mind you, pretty much everyone I became friends with were all from running, funny that) were compassionate, patient, encouraging and so welcoming. Never once did I feel left out and I am so grateful for that. I knew that if I had not met them as soon as I did (landed on Sunday, met them on Monday), I would have felt a lot more lonely and wanted to come back to London more.

And how could I forget my wonderful flatmate of 3 months, Sonja! She showed me how to watch a world cup match properly with all the german etiquettes (which unfortunately I have forgotten already).

My job in Rome was amazing. It taught me so much in regards to how a fashion house operates. 

Yes, the language was a problem but because I was pretty much thrown into the deep end I had to really try to stay afloat and I think that would have been the time my brain worked its hardest in 2014. Not to brag, but I was able to pick up most things at a meeting with all other design teams and the creative directors by the time I was in the company for 3 weeks. I wanted to sleep immediately after that because I was so drained, but it was fun and challenging and stimulating. Definitely a skill I do not want to lose now that I have moved back to an english speaking country.

Then there was #ChaseSummer, which, was fun and still a bit annoyed we didn't win anything, but we were the only crew in Italy that made it into the top 5 in both Running and NTC categories. That was quite a very challenging month. Running the most I have in a very long time, and proving to myself that I do have enough motivation to do a 2 hours or 3 hours NTC workout by myself! Insane, I know.

Oh, my wisdom teeth removal! Yes, normally this is classed as a negative thing, but for me it was quite a positive experience! I have been one of those lucky souls who since I was young, even if I missed a few nights of teeth brushing I never really had any problems and never had any work done inside my mouth. But this hole on the side of my wisdom tooth was really bugging me, as I often strain my tongue trying to twist it and see if I have any food debris left inside the hole. Slowly, becoming paranoid it's going to eat away my tooth, I had to go to a dentist to get it removed. Turns out, that hole was there before my tooth was fully grown anyway and it was a dead tooth, apparently. So have to get that remove. And because my bottom one has stopped growing and was covered by gum (Have I mentioned this section will be TMI?) might as well get that out too.

So, first time getting local anaesthetic, and I couldn't help but laugh once I stopped feeling my lips. It was a weird feeling and I just cannot stop laughing. My mum heard me from the waiting room. At least it wasn't screaming. Then there was the slow 90 minutes of drilling and wriggling and pulling of the teeth. Turns out, my bones are really strong (due to the amount of sports I do) and therefore making it really difficult to get the teeth out of their socket. And because the bottom roots were really close to my nerve endings, he couldn't use too much anaesthetic. So there would be moments where I was dozing off (Yes, somehow the position I was in and with the drill in my mouth I managed to doze off) and saying 'oowwwh, that kind of hurts a little.' All in all, it was good. And the dentist said it was the longest ever for him to remove the two teeth and joked by saying 'Thank god I didn't go to the gym yesterday'. He was sweating by the end. Glad I was able to be part of his daily work out.

Now the last month in Rome was quite hard. I was still working, trying to work as hard as I could for a company that I didn't know how I felt towards. Part grateful and part annoyed? But I kept working hard right until the last day and felt this was the right and the only thing I should have done.

I ran more, by myself, seeing more of Rome, and with friends, cramming in as much time spent with them as possible. Then there was the food. Trying to eat as much as possible, mainly gelato (still need to try more in London but am quite happy with the ones I have found). Then there is the headache with finding a removal company and asking for compensation from my work without overstepping my boundaries.

Alas, everything went smoothly and I am back in London. Slightly deflated but am happy to have my boyfriend and all my friends here to pick me up. And all the virtue love I receive from my family and my aunts. I am so eternally grateful for everyone that helped me.

One last thing that I would love to share is some running related facts. I finished 2013 with a great PB of 44.18 which I thought was enough for my ability. But this year, despite the lack of racing and the constant moving and stressfulness, so happy I received a new PB of 43.15. This makes me feel like I can actually may be achieve that sub 43 and get into the 42minutes zone. I am going to work hard and see where my legs take me in 2015. I do love a 10k race.

Now, onto the brighter and bigger 2015. I have set myself some goals, including running a marathon, finding a job or ways to maintain a stable incomes. Lots of projects and design ideas in my mind that I would love to be realised towards the beginning of 2015. Friends that I have made towards the end of this year that I am so grateful to have met. Friends that I have since the beginning of time and have always been there to support me whenever I felt down. Friends that I have drifted apart with but managed to grow even closer together now. Family that I have not spoken to a long time but are now speaking more than ever. And all the opportunities and chances that came along the way, because people believed in me, or felt I was capable of doing and completing.

What a long post and thanks for reading, for those that did. Have a virtually knitted scarf on me and have a happy holiday and a great new year!

C

x

Mo Madness

What a weekend it has been. Having been away in Rome where the procedure in order to obtain a place in a race is so hideous (something to do with having to join a qualified run club who will provide all the needed medical certifications) that I stayed away from entering, thus I had 6 very non-competitive months of running.

Having been back in London for close to 3 months now, this was one of the big events I was really looking forward to. To be able to race, in a run where a huge amount of crew love will be present just proved how much I have missed this city and how I would not call anywhere else home.

A little about the run itself. It is THAT crazy race in November that takes place in Greenwich Park, where we are required to run two laps of this really horrible course, where only masochistic runners will put themselves through. But aside from that, it's all fun and games.

Lots of moustaches, real or fake (note that I had a knitted one which I think might be a fashion trend that really should catch on, people, make your orders here!). Lots of testosterone, macho-macho-ness. And laughters.

The day of the race was perfect. We could not have asked for a better day. The weather was great, breezy but not choppy, fresh but not sub zero, sunny but not boiling. Thanks to the incredible organisation skills of Glenn, he has managed to entered a whooping 167 Run Dem Crew runners into the race. It was a truly RDC takeover moment. We all met up at the tent, encouraging words were exchanged and good luck pats given. Of course, numerous amounts of photos were taken and smiles exchanged.

As the race started, I was kind of stuck in the middle of the racing lines, between a guy racing in ladies bikini, and too many curious under-the-breathe mumbling, 'who are these rdc guys? What is this crew love hashtag printed on the back of tshirts?' And I thought, just you wait and see, then all your questions in life will be answered.

It took me a good kilometre and a half (in my beard, might I add) to finally break through from walls of people lining before me in the race. I must have sworn, tutted and pushed during that frustrated distance. But when I broke free, with Mark, who was the most amazing pacer, it was amazing. We were running down the hill, I saw all the other rdc shirt clad people before me. If I was overtaking any of them, I would give them a light pat, 'you good?' Or just a thumbs up and a manly all-knowing nod. Then there were those so fast who were already climbing back up the hill.

I would be lying if I say my palm was completely fine after race day and it didn't hurt from all those high fives. It really hurts.

Now, the juicy part of the race. Those hills. Oh haha, those hills. There is one around 3k mark, which is a tiny one so that doesn't really count I guess. To be honest, the whole park was very up and down, so there really wasn't a long stretch of the course where it was truly flat. But that second hill, the glorious hill where you can fly down at about sub 6min mile and feel really amazing and accomplished with yourself. Then you realise you have to run back up the exact same hill. Yea.

It took a lot out of me, these hills. Mostly because the rest of the course was not exactly flat. So I could feel my thighs and calves working and by the time I was ready to attack this monster I was quite drained already.

But the cheer crew really did make a difference. For people who are lone wolves and run by themselves all the time, they might not appreciate it and might have thought, what a nuisance, move along. But we weren't there to annoy anyone, everyone cheering are runners. They know what pain everyone is going through. So hearing their cheering was one of the most encouraging sound you could hear.
But their placement was a slight problem. They were located at a point where the following thoughts would be going through my head, and I think my facial expressions would betray me too:

- Oh downhill, yay. Oh wait, have to come back up. Sh*t.
- Just one more kilometre to go, I am dying.
- I really want to stop. That hill killed me. Oh crap, there are people at the top.
- I am so tired. I can't feel my thighs. Crap, there are people.
- I really want to stop. Oh there is Ash, I need to look good for photos.

Those are the general lines of thoughts I had. I really do feel that without the crew there, I would have stopped. I didn't think I was really able to kept attacking the course with that hill placed at 4k and at 9k. But the crew love got me through it. And also Mark's very encouraging words. He really knows how to get a very competitive person all riled up.

After the race, and I feel the need to point out the lacking of those amazing bacon sandwiches that I went there for, I joined the cheer crew and met with all those that ran, that won, that owned and that attacked the course. What a truly magical moment, and how glad I was to be part of this all accepting crew.

It wasn't the biggest improvement on my PB on my 10k course, but an improvement is an improvement. I managed to come home with 44:13, 7th lady home. Quite happy with that, but next time I will aim higher, and stick to it and not give up.

A such a huge thank you to Mark. All those moments that I was struggling, and was ready to let you go on ahead, 'go, I am dragging you back.' 'Just leave me, you can run so much faster than this.' Thank you for not leaving and believing and kept pushing me.

On and up to the next challenge.

All photos on this post are taken by Ash Narod, at Ash Narod Photography

RDC West - Track Mafia

When I was in Rome, I was very involved with activities held by Nike. Almost every Monday you will find me at NTC, and every thursday, hitting that pavements hard with the Tiber Runners. I would also head to Stadio die Marmi myself or with some friends, to crash it out there on the track, ranging from speed work (20x200m+200m) or endurance (8-12x800m), then on the weekend I will most likely be taking in scenic views along the Tiber river, or through the many parks in Rome. Not to mention all the times I would have the company of Luna the Maltese at home while listening to Leah Kim or Joselynne Boschen on NTC, telling me to keep breathing while sweating through the summer heat.

I was exercising at least an hour 6 days a week, if not more. I think the Chase Summer challenge also made me push myself a little harder too, going back out to work on my fitness a day after the extraction of two wisdom teeth.

However, now back in London, in a more dull, grey, cold, wet setting, I have found myself losing motivation ever so slightly. It might be a combination of having to look for work, and flat that is making me feel very defeated.

I am also extremely competitive with myself, as well as with others (many have had to dealt with it multiple of times) so when I see some truly amazing feat the women in my running community have achieved, I feel very empowered, yet at the same time I will a little bit useless.

I have set goals for myself, but I am always comparing, so whenever I have set any goals, I see what other people are doing and then feel a little worthless with my goals as they seem just that little more insignificant.

Some of my friends are progressing and increasing their abilities at such a fast pace, that sometimes, I can't help but feel left behind. But I only have myself to blame. I probably didn't put that hard work in, and this exact thought really beats me down, and I lose just that little bit more motivation.

To try and shake that feeling, I try to do as much exercise in a group setting as possible, submerge myself into the group encouraging, and crew love setting. And I have to admit, I do feel better. I just need to be able to feel like this at times even without those cheering on. Of course, by no means am I resentful or anything to other people's success, in fact I am so happy for all those achieving what they set out to do and becoming successful and happy. I just have yet to shake away that part of my personality, where I am constantly comparing myself with other people, and judging myself according to what other people have done.

Luckily, one of my favourite work out of the week is always in a group setting, and it is always with a bunch of, suicidal, insane people who do nothing, but their best, while encouraging everyone else alongside them. Even if I have not ran for a whole week, even if I have not exercise for a whole week, I don't think I would miss a session of Track Mafia at RDC West, unless I am not in London.

(Photo Credit: Ash Narod Photography)

Yes, the work outs are hard, but there is always the sense of security that, if you push really hard, the worst that can happen is you fall, your legs go jelly and you had to crawl to the start line, which, can only really be 200m away at the furthest. I can really challenge myself and others in this environment and that is what I love the most about it. There is also a great structure, so we stick to a work out for several weeks, so I can hopefully see an improvement in my performance throughout before moving onto the next challenge.

(Photo Credit: Ash Narod Photography)

I have been feeling blue the whole of last week, but track session had really pumped me up good and I have just done 30 minutes of weight and 30 minutes of core at home. I hope I am getting my motivation back. And I have all my friends on track to thank, as well as Coach Cory.

(Photo Credit: Ash Narod Photography)

Crafting project #1

One of the earlier posts I had on this blog, I mentioned how I would worry about my time in London, once I moved back and have yet to start a job (GIMME A JOB!)
Thought it's probably about time for a blog that is meant to be about knitting and running, to finally have a bit of knitting/crafting/sewing in it, and not just me rambling on about random things that, really, don't interest people. I hope the little projects I am about to post would be more interesting!

When I was still working at Valentino, they would always receive amazing samples and fabric and yarn options and colour cards from factories and manufacturers. Every season they would receive new ones, and so normally after each season they would throw out those that were not used, and won't be useful for the future.

I wouldn't call myself a hoarder, but when I see scraps of fabric, especially beautiful coloured, amazing material fabric my heart jumps a little and I get butterflies in my stomach. There I was, ready to leave work one evening, and I was confronted by about 5 boxes full of these materials and colour cards.

I didn't know what I was going to do with these extra material, but I just know that I couldn't let them be thrown out just like that! It was such a waste! So I carefully selected all the ones that I wanted, which is the majority, took them off their paper to reduce space needed to transport them, and carefully folding each pieces and brought them home with me.

I couldn't contain my excitement, all my friends in Rome, in London, my family all heard about how I am so excited with all these materials. Then I was asked 'What are you going to do with them?'

That's true. I haven't thought about it, and if I was completely honest, I had no idea. But I needed to make sure I had a clear goal, because if I didn't, one thing I was sure is when I return and within a few months I didn't what I would do with them, I probably would have thrown them out (or give them to Brandy!). So I started researching.

I have always been amazed with all these knitting and quilting projects I see on the internet, certain blogs I just love (I will probably upload with a list of them in another post). The beautiful colours, pattern combination and all the possibilities made it seemed natural I would make my first quilt with all these fabric scraps. Another reason was that these scraps weren't really big enough to do anything, but be decoration, what better way to utilise them than to create an even bigger piece of fabric?

So I set myself a few projects, the first one would be to make a nice small quilted cover to serve as a practice, then I would move on to bigger and better pieces once I am more settled in London and the rest of my luggages is moved in with me.

I would also make small patterned quilted hangings for my mum and friends. I was particularly drawn to religious medals when I was in Rome, so I went a bit crazy purchasing all the different kinds, and looked forward to sewing them onto the fabric as ornaments. 

Embroidery was another thing that I was very drawn to while researching all these ideas and possible projects, in particular paper embroidery. There are some beautiful wall hangings and large scale work with intricate embroidery detailing which I would love to explore also. But first I wanted to try it out again, so I was quite set on the idea of just the usual fabric embroidery as well as photo embroidery. The latter also gave me a sense of what to expect if I was to go on and doing some paper embroidering. 

These are all very amateurish, but I was quite happy with the outcome and definitely keen to start on some new paper work soon. But this is not to forget I still want to work on work for friends. I am not going to say who this is for, but if this specific friend of mine is reading this, she can probably guess it's for her because I think what I have embroidered is one of her favourite things. She will get this present soon enough.

I shall leave my blog post here, hopefully will post more in the future after more crafting projects. If anyone is interested, very keen to teach and spread the skill and joy, I accept payment in hugs and coffee and company :)

Gelato #2

Since the last post, I have had some serious craving and resorted to looking for a good pizzeria in London, and it wasn't bad. I would even give it an 8 out of 10, only if the price was lower. But they did have gelato. Even though I had to pay £3.50 for basically a piccolo they did have a very nocciola (hazelnut), but I am not too sure about the pistacchio.

Anyway, back on the topic of Gelato, to continue on from my last post, I thought I would write a more detailed description and my not-so-professional reviews for each and every one of the gelateria I listed.

1. COME IL LATTE - score: 9.5/10

I think all my friends who have been to this place, would agree, this place is friggin' amazing. Tucked away on a side street in a not so touristy area, this place is a gem. Probably one of the most elaborate gelato there are in Rome, you start off with choosing chocolate on the tap to go into the cone, then there are around 15-20 gusto (flavours) available. Trust me, you want to try them all, and you should definitely take your time to decide on flavours you want before asking for assistance, because it will take such a long time to decide the cone they are holding in the hand would probably have crumbled before you make the decision. Also, it has amazing flavours. Highly recommend the Caramelle di sale (Salted Caramel), any flavours with Fichi (Fig). There are also 5 flavours for panna (cream) which just makes your decision making that much harder. The best? Its portion is big, and amazing. I don't think I can say 'amazing' enough for this gelateria.

2. NEVE DI LATTE - score: 9/10

I have Ginny to thank for this place. She introduced this gelateria to me one day during a hot weekend in June and I have made regular trip ever since (given that it is only a 5 minutes tram ride away). They have simple flavours, lots of choices, but the always-great-staple flavours. And their panna is probably the best. This place is far away enough to not have too many tourists, but close enough to have plenty of transportation methods to get there.

3. GELATERIA DEI GRACCHI - score: 9/10

I guess this is the original Gracchi gelateria as it is located on Via die Gracchi, and their pistachio is the best I have had in Rome. It is in Prati so a great spot to chill out after some shopping on Via Cola di Rienzo, or a spot for dessert after dinner in this area (which, by the way, is filled with too-good-to-be-true trattorias).

4. I CARUSO - score: 8.5/10

There are 4 vending points (is that a direction translation from italian? Or this word doesn't actually exist in english?) and the one on Via Collina is amazing. What is also fantastic about this place is that they have flavours of the month. Excuse to go back at least once a month throughout the year.

5. FRIGIDARIUM - score: 8.5/10

Located on a street filled with cool bars and vintage shops, perfect hang out on a hot, sunny afternoon. The flavours are the usual, but the magic lies when they ask you panna o cioccolato? Which you reply saying 'Cioccolato' because the entered gelato is then dipped into this tub of chocolate, which upon touching the freezing cold gelato forms a coat. Fantastic addition to the already fantastic dessert.

6. GELATERIA DEL TEATRO - score: 7-7.5/10

Tucked away on a side street next to the Tevere, this little gem has some amazing gelato to offer. When I went, I opt for the melone and it was out of this world. From taste buds memory it is places quite highly, but I have to be honest, I don't remember this place THAT well, apart from it was good.

7. FATAMORGANA - score: 7/10

I went to the one in Prati but there is also a selling point in Monti. They have some pretty amazing combo flavours, and I especially like the fruity ones. Some have alcohol in them, and some is just amazing combination, which if you can't decide which three single flavours to go for, just go for three 'four-flavours' flavours.

8. GELATERIA LA ROMANA - score: 7/10

This place is super popular. And really good. If there wasn't the constant queuing from the two shops they have (whichever day and whatever time I am there) it would probably be placed higher on this little table. There are good flavours, and good portions. And multiple flavours for panna also, but the queue. When I want gelato, I don't want to have to wait for 20-30minutes before I get it. I know I am spoilt.

9. GELATERIA OLD BRIDGE - score: 7/10

Right next to Risorgimento which is just outside the Vatican, great little gelateria that you would almost missed, if it wasn't for the line of people you see. I like this place and would recommend anyone who is around that area to visit, is because how generous their portions are. Don't bother with a medio, go for a piccolo because it is THAT big. A piccolo is probably a grande in other gelateria's standard. Not a lot of choices for flavours, but great portions.

10. CIAMPINI - score: 6.5/10

Simple, easy, good for money. I went here on a day where I was set out to have multiple gelato (after a long run, so I deserved it) and this was a good place to start. Refreshing fruit flavours. I probably would not go out of my way to visit again, but if I go past it, definitely worth trying out.

11. GELATERIA DEI GRACCHI - score: 6/10

This is not to be mixed up with the one on Via die Gracchi. On Via di Ripetta, this is the third shop they have opened (I think? Based on the order on their business card) and it is simple and good. However, their pistachio somehow just doesn't seem to match the quality of that in their main shop.

12. VENCHI - score: 6/10

A chocolate shop on Via della Croce, they also have a gelato section and they have some great flavour choices, namely their nougat and special chocolate ones. However, I did not appreciate the fact that you had to pay extra for panna.

13. GIOLITTI - score: 5/10

The famous Giolitti which is filled with tourists, it's a good spot to visit one time, during your stay in Rome. It is good to take in the everything that is all happening at once inside Giolitti, and be in awe with the huge counter, full of different gelato choices. But like I said, it is very much aimed at tourists.

14. SAN CRISPINO - score: 5/10

I went to a franchise branch so may be the quality is not as good. Melone is still amazing (Jazz got me hooked on that flavour) But apart from that, I don't have much else to say about it.

15. GROM - score: 4/10

Similar to San Crispino, I went to a franchise branch and again, the flavours were ok. But having tasted what pistacchio and nocciola should be like, this gelateria doesn't help my craving much. Also there was no panna option.

16. FASSI - score: 3/10

In the 'chinatown' area of Rome, it is HUGE. And very cheap. But it was ok. Flavour wise, there were lots of choices. Portions were ok. But over not very impressive, and I wouldn't say it's somewhere you HAVE to visit.

My not so professional reviews, hope you enjoyed. If anyone would ever visit Rome for a food tour, remember to tell me as most likely I will tag along. :)

Gelato #1

Having returned for just over a week, I can safely say that my body and mind are slowly settling back and getting used to the weather, climate, and lifestyle in London. However, my taste buds haven't completely settled and sometimes, there are moments when I really crave those amazing mozzarella pizza from a forno legno, suppli or arancine al ragu.

And GELATO.

Now I am no connoisseur of this heavenly creamy dessert, but I was in Rome from April to October, during its hottest month, so it is safe to say that I probably visited a gelateria once a week. At the height of my craze for gelato, I probably ate at least 2/3 a week.

To feed this monstrous craving, I researched plenty, during hours which I should be working, running and other things but eating gelato. So I thought I would compile a list of gelateria, may be in order of an overall score (?!?) just so that in the future if any of my dear friends would visit Rome, there is at least some sort of a list to work from, instead of falling in those artificial-coloured and puffy touristy traps (despite the long queues forming outside it).

1. COME IL LATTE - Via Silvio Spaventa 24/26

2. NEVE DI LATTE - Via Luigi Poletti

3. GELATERIA DEI GRACCHI - Via dei Gracchi, 272

4. I CARUSO - Via Collina 13/15

5. FRIGIDARIUM - Via del Governo Vecchio 112

6. GELATERIA DEL TEATRO - Via di San Simone 70

7. FATAMORGANA - Via Giovanni Bettolo, 7

8. GELATERIA LA ROMANA - Via XX Settembre, 60

9. GELATERIA OLD BRIDGE - Viale Bastioni di Michelangelo, 5

10. CIAMPINI - Piazza San Lorenzo in Lucinda, 29

11. GELATERIA DEI GRACCHI - Via di Ripetta, 261

12. VENCHI - Via della Croce, 25/26

13. GIOLITTI - Via degli Uffici del Vicario, 40

14. SAN CRISPINO - Via della Panetteria

15. GROM - Via Agonale, 3

16. FASSI - Via Principe Eugenio, 63/67

Some other gelateria that are good to try if you are around the area:

ANTICO CAFFE DELL'ISOLA - Isola Tiberina

IL GELATO DI CLAUDIO TROCE - Viale Aventino, 59 - Circo Massimo

GELATERIA - Via M. Colonna

Price guide:

Piccolo (Small) - normally around €2-2.50, 2 gusti

Medio (Medium) - around €3, 3 gusto

Grande (Large) - €3.50-4, 4 gusti

Panna is free, and I recommend that if there is an option for panna, go for it, unless it is your third gelato of the day.

Normally, Cono (cone) feels larger portion than if you go for Coppetta (cup).

Often the fruit flavours are senza crema/latte (without cream, milk) so if you are a vegan those are great options.

A great phrase to learn is 'Potrei assaggiare (flavour) per favore?' meaning, could I try this (flavour). Thanks Ginny. Though don't push it and go and try 10 flavours and only get a piccolo.

I will come up with a carefully written review for all the above gelateria soon, please bare with me, while I cry in front of my laptop thinking about how I won't be able to just jump onto a tram and get a cono piccolo with nocciola and pistacchio with panna.

Prayers for Hong Kong

These last weeks have been incredibly emotional for me. Not only am I leaving Rome, a beautiful city that gave me a great career opportunity, new experience and new friends for life, I was able to do nothing while I watch my home city being destroyed (figuratively speaking).

After work has finished, I spent a good few days being a tourist around Rome, and this means visiting as many sights (mostly churches) around the city. The few that I went to on Thursday and Friday were:

Santa Maria in Vittoria

Santa Maria Maggiore

Santa Prassede

Santa Croce in Gerusalemme

San Giovanni in Laterno

San Clemente

San Pietro in Vincoli

Santa Maria in Cosmedin

Chiesa dei Cappuccini

San Carlino alle Quattro Fontane

Basilica di San Marco

Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri

I am not Catholic, though my mother is, but when I visited the Sistine Chapel in Vatican I felt extremely emotional. I have never read the Bible extensively though I do believe there is a greater force. This might have been the reason as to why when I was present in the magnificent room, hearing a prayer spoken by a priest I teared up. There was a strong feeling, an unexplainable overwhelming sense of being. My heart fluttered, and emotions took over. I looked around and there were others who seemed to have similar experience.

So I prayed. I prayed for my family and friends. There was presence of serenity, and calmness and I really appreciated it, before ushered out and back onto the busy, tourists-filled streets of Rome. 

Since that day, I have taken up more interests of the religion and its teaching. I want to understand more. So I made it my goal to read the Bible once I am back in London with one. My parents have always told me, 'Believing in a greater force other than yourself is a great way to build your personality' and I think I am finally ready to understand that.

Then the problems in Hong Kong happened a month later.

I feel so helpless, being thousands of miles away from Hong Kong, not able to do a thing. Only to receive informations from media outlets and from friends, experiencing the chaos from these points of views. So it was only fitting that when I visited the churches, I prayed again. This time, I prayed for Hong Kong.

As I said, I am no Catholic and therefore I don't know what the whole proper procedure for praying should be, I might have looked like a fool, kneeling, hands together, eyes closed and muttering words. But these actions once again brought tears to my eyes.

I asked for guidance for those in Hong Kong. I asked for light. I asked for wisdom and I asked for the conflict to stop, for anger to disappear and problems to be resolved. And every single time I went to a church, 10 times in total, and said the exact same prayer, I get choked up. My emotions took over my mind. 

It is such a difficult emotion to explain. Although I cried, but I feel lighter. Everyday as I read more about what is happening in Hong Kong, I feel heavier, worse and more lost about the future for my home city. I guess I didn't know what else to do, apart from pray and hopefully my prayer is heard.

Sorry about such a heavy post, there has been so much emotion and weight lately that writing it out helps soothe this unsettling feeling.

Rant #2

Disagreement is normal. That is what allow a conversation to progress, for change to happen and for improvement to take place.

However, at such a fragile and critical moment, I do feel that, there is no need to openly and publicly voice your opinion only because you have a multimedia platform ie social network. Reading different pages and seeing comments from people, those from oversea who have never really lived in Hong Kong, have not experienced what Hong Kong had been through in the past 17 years, sorry to say but you don't need to voice your opinion.

Yes, there is freedom of speech and it is even easier now, with the existance of world wide web, you can anonymously speak your mind freely but how many people have really thought about the repercussions? How many people can really take full responsibility for what they said just because at the moment they feel like saying something?

I have never voiced my opinion regarding many other political issues around the world because, even though I am interested and I like to research about it and sure I will have a stance, I am not in that situation. It would affect me but not directly. I have not lived in those countries for years, to give me the right to say what I think. I am pretty sure every words I would write for other international political issues would have went through different people's mind at time. So why would I need to express to the world what I think? I don't think my opinion matter that much, so instead of making my own assumption, or my own conclusion, I only want to continuously follow the updates, research further, really understand as much background information as possible. That is not to say I won't discuss with my friends, but what need to I have to speak so openly about these subjects say on facebook, when I live thousans of miles away?

I appreciate all the international press we have been receiving about the situation in Hong Kong, and I love reading all the different views from Hong Kong. There could be disagreement, but these would be discussed in private. After all, we want to fight for democracy so to completely shut down the opposition opinion is exactly what we are fighting against. There will always be multiple angles to an event and which angle people choose to view from is their choice. To be able to voice our opinion openly is great, and we would never want to become China, where the smallest political outbreak happens and censorship is already in place (think about instagram, the downplay of the event in HK, the lie a tv news channel put out claiming we are celebrating the national day, the censorship of hashtags invented to promote the current movement in Hong Kong)

This is where I will get subjective and voice my opinion.

For my friends who are all saying, be grateful for what we have already, we need to appreciate it, what people are doing right now is disturbing the peace and harmony of Hong Kong. 

Here are some questions to you, just so I can understand your perspective. (To be honest, these are rhetorical questions.) Why is it that when you or friends go to China you tell them to be careful, careful of what? They have law in China no, surely that can protect you? Or the people? Why? Would you like to live in a country where press is limited and controlled and skewed? A country where the rich has all the power in the world and the poor don't? Where a country, the law protects the rich and political figures and completely ignores the benefit for its everyday citizens? A country, where, if you voice a different opinion, the next day you would disappear and your family will also face the same some other time and never be found? A country where, if someone doesn't like the look or action you did, they have the potential to invent some sort of reason to condemn and arrest you? A country where they think money is everything even those they are called a communist? A country where, even its citizens don't trust any of its produce, people or law because nothing is ever real and set and stone? A country where you fear the law enforcement because they are not out there protecting you, they are out there only for the government's interest?

Well if you answer yes to all those, then ok, continue to condemn what the Hong Kong people are doing right now. Just don't complain in the future.

People often say democracy and rights are earned and not given on a silver plate. And the new political reform, and the promise of a 'universal suffrage' is a step forward already.

Oh I am sorry, I thought it was basic human rights that we have democracy and rights, and that these are only not present in a world of dictatorship? Yes, there will be misuse of these powers but that doesn't mean we don't deserve them.

From the Universal Declaration of Human Rights:

Article 19: Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.

Article 21: 3) The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.

Why is it wrong for the Hong Kong citizens, mostly students and elderly to fight for a right that we should have, especially given the treaty that England and China signed?

'Chief executive will be appointed by the Central People’s Government on the basis of the results of elections or consultations to be held locally, and he will nominate the principal officials.' Since when have we had an election or consultations held locally? 

Hong Kong was to remain the same as before the handover for 50 years, until 2047, however, before we knew it, China has already changed our system. For those who are still only so short sighted, and only blaming people creating troubles and nuisance, well, sorry for fighting for something that was promised to us and was never given.

Sorry that we can't appreciate what china has so generouslly given us already. (What, I have no idea.)

One more thing, I am sorry, that cling film and umbrella are such dangerous weapon. May be the police should re think about their uniform, if umbrella pose such a danger, so much so that they needed to fire 87 rounds of tear gas at 9 different locations. In one night. Really now?

Lastly, what I really want to say is, why is the government so afraid of addressing its citizens? We make the city, if we are facing problems, we should be able to trust the government to listen and provide a solution. Building a fence around your administrative building when it used to be a public open area is nothing but action of a coward. And now? People really should not be pointing fingers at the protestors or the police, we should all be pointing fingers at the government. What government in the world, in a supposedly developed country, is happy to see its citizens turning against each other, and still not able to stand up and face the very apparent problems, only to keep pushing it further and further away. How many times have we requested mutual conversations and meetings? This protest would have never taken place if the chief executive or the political reform group really listened to what we wanted.

I cried for Hong Kong today.

Today, I cried for Hong Kong.

Watching live footage from different media outlets, seeing friends' updates, reading about it on the internet. What has Hong Kong become? More importantly, what has Hong Kong Government become?

The boycott held by university students and high school students ended on a momentum so powerful that Occupy Central took place 3 days earlier than planned.

I am generally not a very political person, but watching this, throughout its course really made me upset. In particular, how can the government completely ignore its citizens, and their demands? We have the right to practise freedom of speech and as a government, you need to listen to us, because you should be fearful of its citizens. We are the components for the society. In a normal society (mostly associated with a developed country) there will be a voting system in place where its citizens can chose the rightful leader, based on the kind of promises they can make, the regulations they can provide and the results they achieve. However, not with China, and has not been for Hong Kong for a very long time.

When China published the white paper in June, the way they 'expanded' on articles in the basic law, the way they claimed in 2017 they are giving us universal suffrage was the catalyst for this outrage. How dare they insult our intellectual level, by claiming this is a true democracy? And how dare they constantly push it down our throat. The worst? When we oppose against it, they come up with their own allies, saying the opposition are harming the peace for the city.

So we are not allowed to oppose to anything you say, because whatever we say, you will always have a come back, no matter how illogical it is.

This angers me. But what upsets me, is the way the students have been behaving. Peacefully, at times demanding, and yes, I agree, sometimes also without thinking of the consequences (regarding to forcing entry to the government building).

But we have to think about this, there did not used to be barriers around the building, it was public space, people could demonstrate there. It was open space for people to voice their opinion. Does this mean the government is now scared of us? They do not want to hear use anymore, they are blocking the voices of the society out.

Next, what the students are fighting for, is for true democracy. Having a committee, all members nominated by chinese government, pick a few candidates for Hong Kong citizens to choose from is not is referendum. This is like saying, a restaurants have ran out of all dishes but two, you must pick the two and you can't choose to go to somewhere else. Or, you parents let you be in a relationship, but they already have two people for you to choose from and you can only choose these two.

Then the audacity for the Hong Kong Government to create PSAs, telling to 'take it for now' and 'Universal suffrage, you really don't want your vote'. They must think we are really stupid.

And these past few days, watching the peaceful demonstration escalating into a protests, has truly been stressful. The students are unarmed, all protestors are unarmed. They only have umbrella and goggles to protect themselves against pepper spray (which in my opinion, Hong Kong Police have not had very good feedback with the way they use this method in different situations at all). And when I watch the riot police walking up and pressing hard against the protestors, violently ripping away their umbrellas and their purposefully pepper spraying them right in front of their face? And this is after a boycotting week, which means there are participants who have been out and protesting since Monday. These are the future for our city, who have exhausted themselves for our future, and they are met with such level of violence? And don't get me start with tear gas. 

They weren't only aimed at protestors, there were journalists who were attacked also. Police shouting at them saying 'Nothing to film here, put your cameras away' before pepper spraying them.

How often do you see a protest with around 50,000 participants, and not one single police vehicle is destroyed, not one bin or public property set on fire and not one shop damaged? This is how peaceful the protest has been. Yes there might have been charging towards the police. But they were unarmed, there was nothing they could have done to the police who had shields and gas masks and batons. Yet they felt that this was the level of violence that had to be met with tear gas bombs?

I believe police are only receiving and obeying orders from above, so they are also in a difficult situation. It has been nice seeing some updates here and there about police resigning on the spots and joining the protests. But there are also others, whom I feel uses excess forces, almost to an inhumane level. To those I would like to ask why wouldn't you just go a little softer on these weak citizens, who do not pose as a threat?

When it comes down to it, a lot has to lie with the current state of the government. A chief executive who refuses to meet with his citizens, or even fail to address them, is no leader. Only a coward, hiding being a facade of power. And this power, because it was not earned, will never be met with respect. Only with fear. And despair.