THE RIGHT TRANSLATION
Era inutile sperare che Dan fosse capace di mantenere il segreto, così, prima che lo facesse lui, rivelai io la notizia: sarei partita per l’Australia fra tre settimane!
= It was useless/FUTILE thinking TO THINK that Dan was able to keep the secret, AND so before he did it COULD SPREAD THE NEWS I DID SO MY SELF I revealed the news: I would leave for WAS GOING TO Australia in three weeks!
Durante tutto l’anno ero rimasta in contatto con i miei cugini di Brisbane, i quali mi avevano più volte invitata a passare qualche mese presso di loro.
= Throughout the/FOR THE ENTIRE year I kept in contact STAYED IN TOUCH with my cousins in Brisbane, WHO HAD INVITED ME SEVERAL TIMES TO SPEND A COUPLE OF MONTHS WITH THEM.
Nonostante avessi discusso con mia sorella gli inevitabili svantaggi di una mia assenza prolungata, essa mi aveva incoraggiata ad approfittare di questa opportunità.
= Although/Even though I had discussed with my sister all inevitable disadvantages of my ANY prolonged absence OF MINE, she had encouraged me to take advantage of this opportunity.
Vivevo sola con lei e Dan, suo marito, da quando ero rimasta vedova. Il mio lavoro di impiegata mi consentiva di essere indipendente, ma certo non era una vita allegra!
= I lived HAD BEEN LIVING with her and her husband Dan, since I BECOMING A WIDOW was widowed. (My job allowed me to be independent but, it wasn’t certainly a happy life!) THOUGH MY OFFICE JOB MADE ME FINANCIALLY INDEPENDENT, MY LIFE CERTAINLY WASN’T A HAPPY ONE!
Riunii parenti ed amici per una festicciola d’addio, cosa che fu molto apprezzata da tutti. Mi resi subito conto che erano felici di questa mia decisione ed, in cuor mio, speravo proprio che l’Australia mi riservasse più di una sorpresa…
= I met CALLED TOGETHER/INVITED all my relatives and friends for a goodbye BON-VOYAGE party, which everybody appreciated a lot WAS ENJOYED BY ALL. I soon realized IMMEDIATELY SAW that everybody was THEY WERE happy for ABOUT my decision and, in my heart OF HEARTS, I really hopeD that Australia reserved WOULD HOLD IN STORE more than one surprise…