Captured and made by Alex...who knew I was so expressive haha
Monday, August 29, 2011
Just for fun, my many expressions....love it
Captured and made by Alex...who knew I was so expressive haha
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Sardinia, more beaches and some birthday reflections
Ciao!
Just like the entire city of Rome, I decided to take August off (from writing my blog)--but now I am back! I had been warned since I arrived here that Rome in August is a virtual ghost town. It proved to be true, especially for my neighborhood where practically everything was closed--the pharmacy, dry cleaner, bakery...for most of August. Things are only now starting to open up again.
Italian vacation season was kicked off by the holiday Ferragosto- click the link if you are curious what it really is- but for me, it was a day off work! So we headed to Sardinia where we stayed at a beautiful bed and breakfast right across the street from...you guessed it...the beach! Sardinia was gorgeous. It was a perfect relaxing vacation--we laid on the beach, ate great food, listened to an Italian cover band playing 80s hits (awesome), rode bikes along the beach, and had some terrific sea food. My only complaint was that we weren't there for 3 weeks instead of 3 days. :-)
The rest of August has been filled with more beach days, which has become truly the only way to survive the heat and humidity here. It has been about 41 degrees--doing some quick math--equals about 106 degrees Fahrenheit wow. crazy.
This past weekend was my birthday, golden birthday to be exact (27 on the 27th!) and really, I could not have asked for more. At my birthday each year I spend some time thinking about what I have accomplished in my lifetime and in the year since my last birthday. This year I almost can't believe it. I feel so lucky to be here and to be working at a job that I love--it's the job that I never knew existed but always wished did. On top of that, I am living in Rome--which is one of the most amazing cities in THE most amazing country that I have ever been to.
8 months ago when my brother drove me to the airport in San Francisco with my 3 large suitcases packed up and ready to fly off to Rome, he looked at me who was ready burst into tears, terrified at heading off alone, and said "this will either be the best experience of your life or the worst, either way, it'll be good for you". Oh Ryan, so wise. But luckily, it has been an amazing experience so far--the people I have met, the places I have been...I can say with confidence that wherever I am in the world on my 28th birthday, I will look back on this year and just shake my head in amazement. Salute 27!
Just like the entire city of Rome, I decided to take August off (from writing my blog)--but now I am back! I had been warned since I arrived here that Rome in August is a virtual ghost town. It proved to be true, especially for my neighborhood where practically everything was closed--the pharmacy, dry cleaner, bakery...for most of August. Things are only now starting to open up again.
Italian vacation season was kicked off by the holiday Ferragosto- click the link if you are curious what it really is- but for me, it was a day off work! So we headed to Sardinia where we stayed at a beautiful bed and breakfast right across the street from...you guessed it...the beach! Sardinia was gorgeous. It was a perfect relaxing vacation--we laid on the beach, ate great food, listened to an Italian cover band playing 80s hits (awesome), rode bikes along the beach, and had some terrific sea food. My only complaint was that we weren't there for 3 weeks instead of 3 days. :-)
The rest of August has been filled with more beach days, which has become truly the only way to survive the heat and humidity here. It has been about 41 degrees--doing some quick math--equals about 106 degrees Fahrenheit wow. crazy.
This past weekend was my birthday, golden birthday to be exact (27 on the 27th!) and really, I could not have asked for more. At my birthday each year I spend some time thinking about what I have accomplished in my lifetime and in the year since my last birthday. This year I almost can't believe it. I feel so lucky to be here and to be working at a job that I love--it's the job that I never knew existed but always wished did. On top of that, I am living in Rome--which is one of the most amazing cities in THE most amazing country that I have ever been to.
8 months ago when my brother drove me to the airport in San Francisco with my 3 large suitcases packed up and ready to fly off to Rome, he looked at me who was ready burst into tears, terrified at heading off alone, and said "this will either be the best experience of your life or the worst, either way, it'll be good for you". Oh Ryan, so wise. But luckily, it has been an amazing experience so far--the people I have met, the places I have been...I can say with confidence that wherever I am in the world on my 28th birthday, I will look back on this year and just shake my head in amazement. Salute 27!
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| Our beach club in Sardinia |
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| Cagliari--it was a bit deserted, everyone was probably at the sea! |
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| You can buy everything on the beach--even socks--but today, I got a massage and a granita! Nice!!! |
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| We were loopy from the heat and waiting for the train, decided to drink cocktails on the platform... |
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| I had a helper at work on Friday, my colleague's adorable 4 year old daughter. We were "working" very hard :-) |
Monday, August 8, 2011
Prost to Amsterdam!
Goedenmorgen!
Yes, I have gone Dutch! This weekend Alex and I went to Amsterdam for his last weekend in Europe (for now) blow out! And what a way to go out! Amsterdam lived up to its reputation and more...unbeknownst to us when we booked this weekend, it was Gay Pride weekend--which meant that the entire city was out wearing hot pink (and/or gold thongs, depending on the statement trying to be made).
Alex and I started off Saturday with a canal cruise and were peacefully sailing along when a small boat packed with half naked people and bumping techno crusied by--the gay pride parade had begun! The city was basically one big rave from about 11am on Saturday and Sunday until who knows...I wasn't awake.
But besides the partying, Amsterdam was beautiful. We rented bikes and rode along the many bike paths, had some house made beer at a tiny bar in a windmill, chilled in the park, were shocked at the red light district (the prostitutes were banging on their windows trying to get Alex's attention--and so we ran), saw the Van Gogh museum, experienced Heineken, ate some frites (ok, lots) and had a great time!
It was a great way to end Alex's amazing Italian/European summer! Can't summer last forever?!!
Yes, I have gone Dutch! This weekend Alex and I went to Amsterdam for his last weekend in Europe (for now) blow out! And what a way to go out! Amsterdam lived up to its reputation and more...unbeknownst to us when we booked this weekend, it was Gay Pride weekend--which meant that the entire city was out wearing hot pink (and/or gold thongs, depending on the statement trying to be made).
Alex and I started off Saturday with a canal cruise and were peacefully sailing along when a small boat packed with half naked people and bumping techno crusied by--the gay pride parade had begun! The city was basically one big rave from about 11am on Saturday and Sunday until who knows...I wasn't awake.
But besides the partying, Amsterdam was beautiful. We rented bikes and rode along the many bike paths, had some house made beer at a tiny bar in a windmill, chilled in the park, were shocked at the red light district (the prostitutes were banging on their windows trying to get Alex's attention--and so we ran), saw the Van Gogh museum, experienced Heineken, ate some frites (ok, lots) and had a great time!
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| The leftovers from the parade... |
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| Tulips aren't in season, so wooden ones had to suffice :-) |
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