MALTA- week two

Monday

Up at 8am this morning we rushed down to the sea (feel like we will never use this pool), it was less hot today and the clouds covered the sun so we were the only ones there. It was nice to have the quiet but we understood why no one else was there. The water was colder and the rocks were slippier. I have become very clumsy over here. After the laziest swim so far we heard back to the house to her ready for the day. I learnt this morning the importance of breakfast as before I was so sluggish a walk was horrible. We set off the quick way to the University to print off Lees. CVS and time my journey in the morning. The library was really quiet. Weird to say I know but everywhere was silent study without a group room. I will definitely by studying at home as too much silence freaks me out.

Next aim- find the arts building. A longer walk than needed we re found the building that was next to us. Second stress shock of Malta is finding out the studio is not on campus but in San Gwann. Once searching the web I found it’s location and its the same amount of time on public transport as a walk to campus. At some point this week I want to head out there to know where I am going.

Tuesday

Trying to set up a bank account is like 50 questions. We got given a long list of documents we would need and asked if we were working as we need “money from the government” meaning as a student without an income from the UK or Malta (Barring student finance) I cannot have an account. I am lucky that a Spanish colleague I met over summer has connections in Malta and can recommend me. Within the next two months I will probably start looking for weekend work, dependent on my work load, to add to my list of skills.

Lee has been offered a job! That didn’t take long. I need to remember as much as things seem to not go the way I wish life always works itself out and brings something else to become better.

We spent the day walking the strip, after heading over to Manouel Island. From google maps it looked like a separate island to explore but it appears to be a place to fix up boats. It is nicer to see this as a different space as it is keeping the main island beautiful. A little gem we stumbled upon before getting the boats was a duck house. Here the look after wild ducks and have built a mini town of houses for them to seek shelter and get food. It is all supported by donations. To see pictures of the cutest mini duck village check out my Instagram tammienawathe and follow the #tammiedance.

On the strip we stopped for a few drinks and a pizza at tre angeli restaurant which was beautiful. I had to be sneaky today and find some bits and bobs (card, balloon and fancy hat) for lees birthday tomorrow without him seeing. I think I confused him enough and have convinced him that I have nothing planned.

The night was ended with going up to the roof where I practiced pointe for the first time in about 2 weeks whilst Lee rehearsed his set list on guitar. It was something out of a movie and what topped it off was seeing both Sliema and Valletta from the rooftop space. Once I’ve invested in some form of matting I will defiantly be choreographing and filming out there.

Wednesday- HAPPY 26th BIRTHDAY LEE

We woke up with my attempt at filling the room with balloons (I brought water balloons that did not blow up). Heading out into the world, we started with breakfast looking at to Valletta over the sea and then took a taxify (their uber) to Valletta. The beauty of Malta is every building, more or less, is built with the rock from the island meaning buildings and land flow seamlessly into one creating an architectural genius. We stumbled upon a traditional whisky bar which was underneath the pavement level. From here we ventured around again and came to then city edge where it is laced with rock pools, lighthouses and bridges. Several flights of stairs carved out of rock later we were by the sea watching the waves crash on the side and flow into a eel and crab whirlpool. Further around the coast we found salt pools being created and stages of crystallization along the bed, and then a man made pool with a small gap in the wall to allow the sew to flow in and out creating waves. We never brought swimwear so left it for this visit but know its only ever a €10 drive away by cab.

As Brits we needed a pub and came across one effectively named “the pub”. A few rounds later and we are heading back to Ta'xbiex to make our reservation at TeX Mex. As a veggie I can say this meat heavy menu gave such good portion sized half the animals would never been eaten fully. I had a meat Mac and cheese (without meat) which was beautiful and filling. The best thing about out strip is almost every restaurant boasts views of the sea and outside dining. Another night out means is time NO HEELS.

Thursday- its a bank holiday

2 naps in and its 2pm, and each time I have woken up to new treats for the day. Breakfast in bed, chocolate, hot chocolate and ice lollies.

Today is a day of getting ready for my orientation day tomorrow.

Friday- ORIENTATION DAY

Today was my first contact day at uni. I left the house at 8 and after a slow stroll with an ice lolly was at the meeting point at 8:30. I realised then this was my time to redo the first year of uni. I would learn from my mistakes in first year and improve myself and my social skills (I’m always dead nervous first meeting strangers). There were so many people stood outside this gate, and I sat trying to work out their nationality, subject, anything really. Here was not a situation I could talk to people ye, even though there were individuals conversing in their mutual language. Never have I wanted to be fluent in another language so much. We got issued into different halls depending in our ERASMUS officer. Sat in hall A I realised non of the subjects were similar to mine so after others called out where they were I called out “dance” to which I was hall E. Leaving the hall, three people I hadn’t omen to next to me (spoke in French) turned and asked if I danced professionally. They were so impressed and complimentary which was so bizarre as my experience is people refer to it as a less academic useless subject. Moving to room E I got chatting to a Czech boy, Tomas, who was studying geography. He became my seat buddy for the 4 hour lecture on rules, paperwork and the island. I was very fortunate that three girls sat in front of me had heard I was doing dance and turned around to speak, being on the same course but a year below. Adele, Jade and Tilly were all from the UK to and found on amongst them and me we had a mutual friend, and knowledge of Edge Hill University. It didn’t seem that anyone was put in groups with those on their course, which I thought would help bring international students together, but it was lovely to get talking to those on other subjects. Having these three dancers was now mode of a security of familiar faces and understanding on how

to get to the dance studies in San Gwann (not shown or mentioned on the tour). We have kept in contact and hopefully I will share a class with them. After the lecture we got shown around the university buildings then offered a native snack which was a combination of pastry and peas and I LOVED IT. I actually enjoyed peas!!! I was home by 3pm and spent the remainder of t.he day walking around in the sunshine (something I couldn’t do at home) which felt like being at university was ages ago.

Time to build my timetable- I am so excited that technique is 3 hours every morning. The early start with location will take some getting used to yet I can sense (wish) I will quickly improve with the amount of ballet offered. The thought is a little scary being less balletically trained than others but I am so excited for ballet classes again. I am also opting to do my first aid course as part of degree plus. Degree plus is in addition to your degree but gives you credits and helps you become more rounded after university, and is only a €15 supplement for these skills. As well as first aid I will be taking part in Italian elementary level. This was a harder choice to make as my Italian is improving qui k as may be higher than this level but I get to practice speaking to a native speaker and come out with a certificate of competency, so again I’m overjoyed to participate.

Saturday

Today’s plan is to find the dance studios, a nice stroll later we were in an industrial park in San Gwann trying to find my building. The studios are over a large home store, with a glass door opening to the area. From the outside I could see a communal area with sofas and vending machines for break times between class and from my knowledge I know 3 dance studios were at this level. I feel better knowing the easy walking route and seeing busses pull up right outside. Walking back we detoured and found the “central academy of ballet” which offers a range of other styles meaning I have more classes at my disposal within a 10 min walk from the studios.

And what is a Saturday night without a drink, as a flat we headed down to a local pub\bar that hosts open mic nights and singing gigs that Lee was interested in. Casey’s is a quaint bar with lots of character where Lee will play on Tuesday.

Sunday

Thinking about starting uni tomorrow brings a range of feelings; excitement for new starts and learning, worry hoping I will enjoy it and see improvements and then a calm sense of relaxation thinking nothing that bad can happen.

Today is a day to mentally prepare for what awaits me, something I do for auditions and anything else deemed important in my career. It is essential to flush out any negativity that can affect performance and confidence. If I go in with the idea of doing my best and (as mentioned in a previous blog- what to do when you’re of tired in class) focus on one aspect to improve on. This will better your chance on improvement without impeeding your concentration by having too many things to focus on. It has been shown that the more feedback a dancer gets and try to apply at one moment the worse their dancing gets in sed class yet with practice on this criticism dancing then improves.

Today I shall be getting back into an academic mindset, looking over previous notes from classes and ensure everything is packed and prepared for tomorrow.

Note to self: MAKE SURE YOU HAVE MEMORY ON YOUR PHONE BEFOFE CLASS TO RECORD EXCECISES YOU HAVE LEARNT