Pumpkin Carving Party!!

Mitch and Eric have an annual pumpkin carving party and we were lucky enough to be invited. Mitch is an amazing cook. Yummy cupcakes! But the best part was we got to carve pumpkins! Although I gave up on pumpkin carving a few years ago, it came back to me easily... like riding a bike! And as I was doing it, I remember how much fun it was!
All of us getting down and dirty in the pumpkin guts.
The bunny and the hippie girl. (notice new hair color)
All of our pumpkins in display. I have been so obsessed with the tv series True Blood so I just had to carve my pumpkin in that theme. I think it turned it pretty well. It took two candles to light it up...I am so proud.
Carving away.

A few pics...

There are so many pictures!! But who is really interested in all the ones without people? I picked a few random ones just to share the good times.
My new friends enjoy a dessert shot in Rome.
Wine tasting at a winery in the middle of Italy.
The lucky pig in Florence.
Me & PW at the ruins in Rome.
Family photo at in Rome!
Coliseum in Rome.
Throwing a coin in the Trevi Fountain in Rome.
Steps of the Pantheon in Rome.

So many pictures! So many good memories. I am sure I will be blogging about it for the days to come. :)

Back to Reality...

Well I am officially back in the states, although not back to real life (work!) until Monday. Thank goodness for that because I am beat. It is such a weird feeling to be so tired but so still on such a high from all the things I saw and did.
Rome was intense. So busy because there was so much to see. The sistine chapel was overwhelming. So much better than the pictures. The ruins we great to see, but I think I loved hearing the history about what took place there more than anything. I downloaded a few podcasts before I left so I just walked through the ruins and listened to what happened at each point.
My favorite part of Rome was the Trevi Fountain. You walk around this corner and bam, you are there in front of this huge fountain. I really enjoyed sitting there listening to the water, and of course I threw in a coin for good luck.

All in all it was such an amazing trip. I am looking forward to more. I can't wait to share pictures and memories with all my friends and family... (just give me a few days to recover!).

Looking forward to my next trip in 2010. Still not ready to reveal my next destination...

Oh Florence...

Well Florence has been fun the past few days. But I still love Venice more.

I feel like I have seen every church and art work I could ever see. But it has all been so worth it. I can't remember what I last blogged... but in case I didn't say it... David was AWESOME. So beautiful. Gave me chills as I walked in and saw him.

Today we went to the Uffitzi and saw some great pieces. My favorite was the shield with Medusa on it. I could have stayed there all day gawking at each piece of art trying to figure out what each artist meant, but alas there was more to see.

The one thing I have to say are the guys are a lot more aggressive here. I have been stopped three times and told how beautiful I was and that I was sexy. It is almost akward how forward they are. My friend Marlow just laughs at me because I just smile and say thanks and keep on moving.

Tonight we are headed to another authentic Tuscan dinner. I really can't get sick of the dinners and wine here. The wine is so great. And the 2 hours lunches and 3 hours dinners is something I love.

Off to Rome tomorrow...

Hello Florence!

We arrived in Florence yesterday afternoon. What a difference from Venice. Florence is basically life San Francisco. The leather here is out of control. Today me and my new friends will all be going boot shopping. There are great prices here on leather boots so I just have to get a pair. lol.

Saw the statue of David yesterday. It almost brought tears to my eyes. It is such an amazing piece of art, the talent that went into making it is amazing. I wish I could take pictures, but they weren't allowed. So I had to settle for buying a post card.

Last night we went to a Tuscan dinner. If I ated Tuscan everyday I would be a happy camper. The gnochi alone was worth the trip over here. The wine keeps on flowing and keeps getting better. I swear there is no such thing as a bad bottle around here.

Overall still having fun...but missing Venice already.

Good-bye Venice...

Tonight is the last night in Venice then off to Florence. I can't tell you how much Venice has done for me. The things I have seen are amazing. We went to all the small islands around Venice today and went to the academia. Lots of art. I feel like I have been in Venice for weeks, but really it has only been 4 days. I have fallen in love with Venice and all it has to offer.

Venice has taught me that I can manage on my own with Spanish and a little Italian that I have picked up. It has taught me that I am actually and extrovert just claiming to be an introvert. And that being outgoing isn't all that bad. I have learned new things about people and made some friends which I am sure I will run into again in my lifetime (especially since they are from Bay Area). But most of all... Venice has taught me not to be in a rush. Stop and smell the cappuccino so to speak...

We are off to Florence tomorrow. Can't wait to see the statue of David. :)

Now we are off to drink wine (it is cheaper than water) and listen to music in the Plaza de San Marco. I have had wine for every lunch and dinner. It comes out of a tap here and it is SO GOOD!!!

Ciao!

Venice...

I LOVE VENICE!!! I am having so much fun! I can't believe how beautiful it is here. I can't believe how hot the guys are here! I met two girls that are from the Bay Area and that are my age on the tour. What are the chances of that? So us three girls have been attached at the hip visiting everything we can and drinking more wine than we can!
It is so beautiful here. I love riding all the boats everywhere and loving the fashion. If you live here you have to be beautiful!
I do miss home a little at night. Especially the kitties. But I wake up and remember where I am at then it is forgotten.
We are off to Florence on Thursday, which I am sure will bring more fun and better wine!

The wine is like 3 Euro for a kraft. Cheaper than water!!!

I can't wait to post pictures and show everyone the gondala ride with the opera singer and the museum where I saw works by Picasso and Pollock!!

Getting ready for Italy...

Packing two weeks into a backpack has proved more daunting than I anticipated. I am using the same back pack that I used the last time I went to Europe, but for some reason it seems to have shrank. I have been racking my brain all week trying to figure out the right clothing combination that will allow me the most amount. It's been fun!
Jun-Jub helping me pack!

Trying to fit all my liquids. Eeeek!
The famous backpack.
I think Maggie likes the backpack more than I do.
So now, as I sit here and stare at my hugely over packed backpack I realize, I am going to ITALY! I have been wanting to do this for such a long time I can't believe it is actually here. I am excited for a 2 week vacation! No cell phone and no work e-mail. Whatever am I going to do with myself? lol.
I think this will be good for me. This past year has been a great one for self-reflection and learning more about myself and who I am. This trip can only improve that and open eyes to more. The only question is... where will I go next year? :)

Fairy Time...

I am the godmother, aka Fairy, to one of the cutest kids! I was lucky enough to spend time with her on Monday. (I never have enough time with her or her mother!) We played and played and by the end I was exhausted, but happiest I have been in awhile. I am do lucky to have her and the K family in my life.

Warning: May be offensive to some...

This is my rant, yes I understand I might not make sense or you might think I don't have a valid argument but that's why they call it rant...

I try not to offend too many people. I know that everyone in this world and in my own personal world have their own beliefs. I respect each person's beliefs and tend not to debate very many issues. I know that everyone has grown up different and everyone's current environment differs. Never would I push my own beliefs on anyone else, and in most circumstances I keep my own thoughts on the matter to myself out of respect for everyone else.

My intention was never to make this blog about my own personal political beliefs, but I feel that I must at least say something so that it is clear where I stand because I am very, VERY, passionate about this.

That being said, I came across an article today on one of my favorite gossip websites. This is the link to the article. I am sad to read that other people (insert any religion, it just happened to be a religion that I am closely linked to) not even living in the state of California would get involved in something that doesn't even affect their state, so why push their moral beliefs on ours? People should educate themselves before just jumping on the voting wagon and blindly choosing a cause or a President for that matter.

I hope that every single person in the state of CALIFORNIA votes NO ON PROP 8. Who are we to judge anyone else? Every person should have the same marriage rights as the next. I am proud to say that when it comes to marriage I believe in equality for all.

Sometimes I act like I am 22 again...

Went out last week to support one of my friends and his music. Let me preface this by saying that this particular day was an awful day. But, I was trying to forget it and go out and have a good time. Little did I know what a good time we would have, lol. I danced into the night, apparently thinking I was 22 again. Oh the good old days. It took me all weekend to recover...but what a great night!

Mel & Epsom

Supporting Rubbaneck Cinema...
Goofing off.
Are we cute or what? I think this is on of my fave pics.