I have now moved to Rome until June 2009 with my boyfriend Michael Hartnett.

Michael was a member of the 2008 Australian Paralympic Basketball team - The Rollers and following the Games he received an offer to play for Elecom Roma in the Italian Wheelchair Basketball League. So now we're here in Italy where we have been provided with a one bedroom apartment, about 30mins outside of the centre of Rome. Most of the team speaks does not speak any English so it has been a great way to learn the language through them.

The lifestyle has been great so far, it's been a lot of fun and a challenge trying to learn a new language, I'm picking it up as I go! I haven't really seen any of the sites at all yet, currently we are still waiting on a car. Italians do take a fair while to get things done over here, it took five weeks before we had internet at home so I'm really not counting on having a car anytime soon. I am also not very keen on driving in Italy, they are wild drivers and I'm not to confident from what I have witnessed so far which is extremely frustrating! We always have to rely on people to get anywhere. Luckily we have many small markets and shops around us which is great.

There is a 25m pool down the road that I have been going to a few times a week, its really hot and its only four lanes so it's very tiny! I am enjoying having a break from training, but I am missing the team environment and my friends a lot. Currently I am trying to keep fit and work off all the great Italian food I've been eating.

This week I have actually joined a swimming club, the Santa Lucia Swimming Club, so I keep up some training.

During the Swimming season (January-May) we travel to competitions all around Italy, our first competition in January is in Milan. It is very team orientated over here and every meet is a big deal, we compete against other clubs for the title of National Club Champions. Santa Lucia has been National Champions for the past few years so I think I've chosen well!

Well until next time.. Arrivederci!