Friendly Return

November kicked off on a high note literally, my friend from Sweden flew back, but this time she stayed for two days instead of a few rushed hours. We went full on Milanese mode: pizza that she said I ruined Swedish pizza forever, Navigli nightlife and of course, catching up on everything from travel plans to why life feels like a Netflix drama sometimes. She’s my ultimate travel and party buddy, so it was bittersweet to have her leave again. Also, I officially hit peak homesick mode realizing how much I miss my friends.

A Santa Surprise

After she left, I decided to walk around Milan because, you know, distraction is the best medicine. And that’s when the Christmas spirit slapped me in the face. Walking out of Garibaldi station, I heard Spanish Christmas music coming from underground and thought, “Okay, festive vibes.” But then I surfaced to find Santa himself handing out candy…and dancing. I don’t know if it’s a Milano thing or if I’m just lucky, but hey, that totally did my day.

Father-Daughter Adventures

The cold officially hit, but I had something to look forward to my dad visiting! It’s been a tough year for him, I hadn’t seen him since May, so seeing him again felt extra special. He arrived, with the luggage full of Swedish chocolate (he knows me too well). We explored Garibaldi, and lucky for us, there was a Christmas market. My dad was impressed, and honestly, so was I.

We had Spanish food, this time tapas with my cousins and the ham was heavenly. Later, my dad wanted a nightlife experience (yes, he’s a party man for sure!), so we ended up in Navigli at a bar with a DJ. We stayed until 3 AM, and when we left, he still had energy to keep going. Me? I was ready to crawl into bed! Role reversal.

Plans to visit Lake Como got iced out literally, too cold but we made the best of it with hot chocolate, chill pasta dinners, and plenty of laughs. Seeing him happy reminded me why these moments are so important, even if they’re short. As the weekend wrapped up, I was already planning my next trip home in my head.

The Unexpected Storm

And then, bam, the storm hit—figuratively and physically.

Right after he left, I got sick like, zombie-sick. My body shut down, my brain went offline, and I felt like I was in a fever-dream. I barely had the energy to feed myself. But when I realized I couldn’t stand without feeling like I’d faint, I caved and got myself to the ER (with some much-needed help, bless my angel for accompanying me). I even got breakfast delivered, so I’m not complaining.

This was my third ER trip since moving abroad. The universe might be subtly suggesting I pack my bags and head back to Sweden, where I spent nine whole years antibiotic-free. Coincidence? I think not.

A Blossoming Tradition? 

After three days of meds and marathon sleeping sessions, I recovered victorious. And to celebrate, I started a new tradition: post-ER flowers. This time, I picked orange and yellow blooms to match my “I survived November” energy. Honestly, it’s a tradition I highly recommend. 

Once my strength returned, I eased back into social life. I helped out with a big AVIS event, the Cristina Rossi Seminario at the Shoah Memorial do Milan. It was a meaningful experience, and the free lunch didn’t hurt either!

Countdown to Christmas 

The month wrapped up with me diving into Christmas shopping (and maybe a little shopping for myself because self-care, right?). I also got some great news: I’ll be spending Christmas back home in Sweden! Cue the countdown to family, friends, and mom’s hot soup. But as excited as I am to go back, it’s bittersweet. I realized there are only two months left in this project, and I already feel the tug of missing the people I’ve met here. Leaving feels like closing a chapter, I don’t want to end just yet. 

Wrapping up November thoughts 

Still, November taught me a lot. From epic nights out with my dad to fighting off a fever solo, I’ve realized how much I can handle and how much I value the people around me. And hey, if I can survive November’s storm, December better bring nothing but festive vibes and smooth sailing.