Live in Italy, write about Italy, sit an Italian exam ...

Orgosolo - Sardegna

Live in Italy, write about Italy, sit an Italian exam ... yes, a bit one-tracked, I admit, but these were my goals for 2025 and as of a few days ago, the last of these was ticked off.

Honestly, I am now a bit lost.

For me, writing is all consuming. When I start a project I have to keep going until it is done. Fortunately, I have a husband who understands, stokes the fire, shops and cooks for those intense periods - and for that I am grateful.

Two books were not my intention when I began. But writing about Italy was. In fact, this story ... these books ... have been playing on my mind for more than ten years. And to complete a task, follow through on an idea or take actionable steps to fulfil a dream are what keeps me going. 

By October, I was ready to publish, but I waited until Nov 1. This date was important to me as it marked ten years exactly since the publication of my first memoir But you are in France, Madame. From accidental writing beginnings, never could I have imagined that ten years down the track I would be publishing my seventh book. It was a 'wow' moment for sure.

That done, my next date loomed. By December 4, I needed to be ready to sit an Italian language exam. Decades had passed since I last sat a formal exam and my nerves were in full derail mode. But, I walked out of the exam room, not only relieved and exhausted, but on an emotional, humanity-is-good high.

Let me tell you about it ...

The onslaught of Italian began with ringing the doorbell to the exam centre and my head, my mind, my body was not ready. But, I had four exam parts to complete: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.

"Terrorizzata" was how my examiner described me when we were chatting at the end. I didn't know the word. I certainly knew the feeling. In fact, the first play through of the Listening Test was a complete blur. The only thing going through my head was 'I should be listening, the exam is happening, I really should be listening...' 

Listening component done. Fingers crossed.

"Would you like some water?"

"Oh, it's OK. I have my water bottle, thank you."

A bottle of cold water was brought.

Onto the reading test.

I had calmed slightly.

"And now we have la pausa. Would you like some coffee?"

Wait, what? I've never been offered coffee mid-exam before. But this was Italy in the suburbs of Sydney - or at least Italians hell-bent on making sure that all candidates were greeted and treated like family.

With a little bit of chocolate ... 

I don't know if I have passed the exam as the papers need to be sent back to Siena and, true to the snail pace of Italian bureaucracy, I won't for months. But, it, the result, (almost) seems secondary. The examiners wanted us to pass. They were not there to judge, scrutinise and make us feel inept. They were there to encourage and support us.

What a revelation.

What a wonderful way to approach education.

With a copy of their newspaper and museum guide as parting gifts.

I can't say that I would rush to put myself under that sort of pressure again, but in amongst the current darkness of parts of the world, kind people exist. 

It was a good reminder.

If you have already added Book One, But you are in Italy, Signora: Prelude to an Italian Spring or Book Two, But you are in Italy, Signora: Diary of a Tuscan Beginner to your To Be Read list, that is wonderful news.

If you have read and enjoyed them, a review would be so helpful. They guide others to our story in a world that is both shying away from reading books and becoming increasingly reliant on the views of others to make decisions.

Here are the links to all my books:

French series Italian series

And, as always, you can find me on Instagram here.

Buon Natale, Joyeux Noël, Happy Festive Season and thank you for another year of support for my writing efforts.