high'lights' in london.

i'm clearly avoiding writing any post that has to do with our kenya trip. i have so many pictures that the idea of writing those posts is so overwhelming!

so, here's yet another post that's not on kenya!

in january, i headed to the job fair in london.

while there, i made sure to find the time to do some activities away from the fair.

#bestdecisionever

i found a light festival that was happening around the city and hoped to run into a few of the different installations- and i did!

here's some pics of what i saw!

my friend angela joined me in london for part of the weekend since we had scored hamilton tickets only a few weeks prior.

it. was. amazing.

four months later, i'm still listening to the soundtrack.

the london cast just took home a bunch of olivier awards and performed the opening number from the musical. check it out below! while i haven't seen the show in other cities, i still give two thumbs up to the london cast!

lastly, we checked out the balenciaga exhibition at the victoria & albert museum.

as noted on the museum's website,

"This exhibition examined the work and legacy of influential Spanish couturier Cristóbal Balenciaga, with over 100 pieces crafted by ‘the master’ of couture, his protégées and contemporary fashion designers working in the same innovative tradition."

i loved seeing the history behind some of the most famous balenciaga dresses and learning more about the prints, fabrics, and inspirations.

from 1960

you could see sketches, along with fabric swatches, and then the final dress.

and they also had x-rayed dresses to allow you to see the boning work done within a dress.

you could try an origami technique closely related to one of balenciaga's coats.

it was really a beautiful exhibition. i would tell you to go, but it ended in february.

i stayed here because it was near the job fair. pretty nice hotel at a fair price for london.

i've always enjoyed my time in london. it's such a great, vibrant city. there's so much to do, see and experience. what are your favorite things to do in london? please share!

meat on a stick.

so, it seems that since i'm wrapping up life in milan, i'm taking the opportunity to share some of my favorite haunts around the city.

this week i'd like to tell you about the "meat on a stick" place.

no, this is not the name of the restaurant.

but it is how we refer to it when making plans to go there.

because when you go, you must order the "meat on a stick."

this restaurant, located just south of the "ring" that surrounds milan, is abbruzzese in origin. meaning that the food and style is from the region of abruzzo, which is located centrally in italy on the eastern coast.

recently they also opened a smaller version of the restaurant, located in the heart of porta romana.

located across from the kk store on viale sabotino

the original location has a slightly larger menu than the new spot, but they both serve the ever popular "meat on a stick."

that 2nd item...that's what you want!

at the porta romana location, you get ten sticks of meat, which is lamb, and a piece of bruschetta. the same is true at the original, but you only get six sticks.

yummmmmmmmmm!

i've also had some of their pastas, which are all made in the restaurant.

mezzi paccheri con crema di zucca gialla e zafferano
'paccheri' pasta with yellow squash/pumpkin and saffron sauce

the desserts aren't bad either.

some version of a lava cake, which is delicious!

dessert trio

having eaten at both, we felt like the food at the bigger location was slightly better, but the smaller location is much more convenient!

either way, cheers to great food!

reservations recommended, especially on weekends or at the smaller restaurant.

the future.

if you follow me on other forms of social media, this will not be news to you.

but i've decided to leave italy at the end of this school year.

it's been an awesome seven years in milan, but i felt like it was time for a change.

despite the fact that i just earned the right to live in italy with permanent resident status.

nonetheless, i went job hunting this year, using mainly search associates, in hopes of returning to the classroom.

with that being said, i'm moving to dubai in august.

i've accepted a grade 4 teaching position at dubai american academy.

you can follow their social media accounts here and here to see more of the school.

i'm really excited for the cultural change and the lifestyle that working in the middle east will provide.

and i'm hoping for visitors!

something i'm sure my milan friends will take me up on!

however, i am a little afraid of the heat.

will i melt?

-----
to answer some of the questions i'm being asked...

no, women are not required to be fully covered in dubai. it's considered a fairly modern country in the middle east. some level of conservative clothes is required in certain places. read more here.

i have visited dubai. (read about that here.) i liked it. caitlin loved it. so it's funny that i'm the one moving there.

i do know someone working at this same school. and, oddly enough, someone else that works in milan will be teaching grade 4 with me in dubai next year. #smallworld

i don't know where i'll be living. the school chooses (and they pay) and i'm fine with that. it's almost certain to be larger than my european apartments, so... #win

i will still be visiting the states this summer! so come see me!

you should eat here.

a few weeks back i was treated to a chance to have lunch at one of my favorite restaurants.

i've mentioned this place before, but it's been awhile, so if you're ever anywhere near milan, and you have a car, you should make a trip out to le proposte.

about an hours drive from milan you can find some of the most fresh, local food in italy.

the food at le proposte is simple, but classic.

when you arrive, you're asked if you would like the antipasti.

the answer is yes.

always.

here's a sample of what we had on our last visit.

selection of salumi

beans with olive oil and herbs

crostini with parmesan cream and strawberry

fried veggies: green onions, zucchini flowers, cauliflower

roasted pumpkin with balsamic

we also ordered two primis (pasta course) to share.

there's no physical menu at the restaurant. they just rattle off what they have that day. you can check their website in advance for what appears to be a fairly accurate version of what we were offered that day. (the menu is likely to change seasonally.)

tortelli di zucca - pumpkin ravioli

tortelli di fonduta con tartufo nero - fonduta cheese ravioli with black truffle

this cheese is super melty! 

we usually skip the secondi (the meat course) and head straight to dessert.

tortino alle fragole - strawberry tart

mousse di cioccolato - chocolate mousse

i love this restaurant. so much.

better than all the food was the amazing company.

peggy just happened to be visiting milan now that she's retired and living in vermont.

so this was a nice opportunity for the four of us to catch up.

ann, angela and peggy

if you get the chance to go, take it!

do have a favorite restaurant in italy? please share it with me in the comments!