What about me?

A Babel of words is about the magic of words, the mystery of where they originate, the magic they make when they sing and the daily struggle to put them into a coherent order.

I’m always the one behind the camera. I’ve always struggled to be the focus of attention unless playing a part or performing, because that’s not real is it? It’s an act we are always playing.

I’m just a little bit too shy, never wanting to push myself forward, horrible at promoting myself. I prefer to get on with the work and let my words or creations speak for me.

So I’m forcing myself out of my comfort zone, away from hiding behind the words. To get out of my head even though it’s awkward.

I guessed when God handed out the ego I missed out on an extra serving of self-confidence; I didn’t get that much. Then life happens, and the journey has knocked me around a bit.

Yet I’m still here, looking for the beauty, discovering stories and sharing them.

 As Picasso once said: The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.

I create sometimes in drips and drabs and other times in large outpours. Either way, I’m still here, creating.

 So who am I?

I’m Rochelle Del Borrello an Italo Australian writer and blogger who has been living in Sicily, Italy since 2002. I love and curse my new home in the same breathe as it isn’t perfect, nowhere really is.

Photography is a passion, I always have a camera in my hand, whether it be a smartphone or point and shoot. I'm not into bulky, impressive cameras but I love how new technology allows you to capture images without attracting too much attention. I’m addicted to Instagram, and I regularly post stories about everyday life in Sicily.

I was lucky enough to get my Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Communications from Notre Dame Australia at a time when it didn’t cost too much and before all the cuts to Arts funding were put in place.

Thanks to a lucky fluke I was accepted into the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts where I studied journalism and broadcasting.

I’m working on my first book, a travel memoir Sicilian Descent which explores my journey as an ex-pat in Sicily and my family’s connection to this unique part of Italy.

My first love and most natural form of self-expression is poetry in which I explore the nature of language and memory.

I’m looking forward to publishing creative content on A Babel of Words while exploring my love of books, poetry and music.

 If I need to ever describe myself to someone who doesn’t know me, I’d confess to being a dreamer at heart, a poet and a pig-headed individualist.

Some of my day jobs include work as an ESL teacher, fixer, interpreter, mummy, travel guide writer and freelancer.

These days I’m mostly trying to survive a global pandemic, baking too much and wrestling with my pre-teen son desperately hoping he doesn't turn out to be a total dick.

My photography zine A Sicilian Mosaic and new Sicily inspired poetry zine Trinacria Poems are both currently available on Amazon.