tuscany tour

April 7-11

Whirlwind of a trip through the Tuscan countryside

Went to Florence, Pienza, Orvieto, San Gimignano, and Siena. 

It was amazingly beautiful. If you think that the Tuscan countryside couldn't possibly be as beautiful as it looks in the movies, prepare to be disappointed. You just can't even imagine how breathtaking it is! The rolling landscape and small villas and olive farms/vineyards make it a beautiful sight to see! 

I'm worn out, lots of traveling - bus rides, public transit, etc. But it was so worth it. The Medieval architecture is so fascinating! I recommend Tuscany tours to anyone that likes quaint, manageable-sized towns. The cathedrals are so beautiful! I had HOMEMADE pasta al tartufo (pasta with truffle sauce). Talk about incredible. I tried the world champion winners of gelato! I also saw Robert Downey Jr. in Florence, which probably made my trip! I bought some beautiful wine colored leather gloves in Florence as well. 

My favorite town was San Gimignano (the pasta and gelato were from there!) I saw so many beautiful crafts everywhere - leather goods, ceramic, olive wood carpentry, vino, olive oil, to name a few. We also went to a wine tasting which was really really neat. I wanted to order wine for mom and dad but it was tooo expensive! I had sage rubbed, bacon wrapped pork in Orvieto - best pork I've had in my life! I also had some incredible pork in Florence that came with "barbeque sauce" - but it was actually really good. Had a nice, smoky flavor. My fave dessert I've had yet was chocolate soufflé at the same place.

All in all it was an amazing trip and SO worth the $$. We were set up in pretty nice hotels and only had to share a room with one person (michelle was a great roomie!) They paid our access to all the sites we visited as well.

I will be posting pics on Facebook really soon!

Maddie

More about Rome

Today, we visited some sites that our projects are located. After we got done with class and visiting the sites, we trekked across Rome to see Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps, both of which were beautiful.

I loved the fountain but it was so so crowded. We all tossed in coins and made wishes and took cheesy pics :)

We then went to the Spanish Steps and went inside the Trinita dei Monti, where we had the rare opportunity to witness the members of the church (not sure the correct terminology - but the nuns and monks) participating in mass. They sang at 6 pm and it was absolutely beautiful. One of those moments where you truly feel closer to God. I was quite moved by the event and even got some film footage!

We then proceeded down the steps and to my pleasure and surprise we found about every designer you could ever dream of within a few blocks. To name a few - MaxMara, Bulgari, Cartier, Gucci, Prada, Armani, Missoni, Jimmy Choo, Hermes, Ferragamo, Louis Vuitton, Dior, La Perla, Furla, etc etc etc. It was heaven. Absolutely, unaffordable heaven.

We headed back up the steps (which was a very panting trip) and went to hard rock cafe - only to find out it was closed for a private party. Back up plan? Burger King. Can't go wrong! It's amazing how much I miss and want American food since it seems so hard to come by.

Last night we went to an irish pub to celebrate st. patty's day and actually met an irish man! It was cool, but a beer was 5 euro, when at the supermercato (supermarket) around the corner it was 1.20 euro. So we left at 9 and turned in early.

I'm in Rome, I wanna post blogs, and I have no internet :(

This place is crazy. Total 100% culture shock. My first blog is going to be a list of everything here that is different:
1. The gelato is so so so much better than ice cream in the states
2. The cappuccino is also way way better, and way way cheaper
3. Every single restaurant has the same basic menu , but they still have ethnic food places too, like chinese, thai, sushi, american (mcdonalds, burger king!), turkish, etc.
4. The grocery stores charge for bags!
5. Scooters and tiny tiny cars are the primary source of transporation. If the scooter/bike fits, it goes. Even if it's not a road.
6. People park absolutely anywhere and everywhere. There's no "parking lots/spots"
7. There are millions and millions of gypsies selling everything from roses, to keychains, to camera tripods, to umbrellas. The umbrella gypsies appear from nowhere whenever it starts to rain. It's creepy.
8. Trash is taken out and set on the streets, not in cans, just sitting there, but it's law to recycle, so it's way more sustainable.
9. Cars drive likes bats outta hell and they honk at everything. They will HIT you if you are in the way.
10. They also don't think of cars as valuable possessions to upkeep, so they are all covered in scratches and dings and missing mirrors and whatnot. It's kinda nice cuz they're aren't "souped up" gas guzzlers everywhere
11. The old people are tiny, like little bitty midgets.
12. Italian men are NOT sexy and have greasy hair quite often. Despite popular belief, they have absolutely no interest in american women. At least not in me.
13. There are no open container laws and people gather in piazzas and drink and socialize. It is a lot of fun.
14. I feel safer here than anywhere I've ever been in my life.
15. It's neat walking around and getting lost because we have discovered so many cool stores and markets and churches.
16. EVERY SINGLE church, and trust me, there's lots, is absolutely beautiful. I envy the people that get to worship there on a weekly basis.
17. People stare. They know I'm American because of my blonde-ness. Most places, they immediately address me in English, whether or not I've asked if they speak English.
18. Everyone wears purple, tons and tons of it. TONS. I saw a woman today dressed in a million shades of purple from head to toe. The day before I saw a woman with purple frame glasses with purple lenses!
19. Wine is so so so much cheaper. I've found wine that is 1 EURO and 20 cents. Amazing.
20. The salami rocks my world.
21. I love the colors of the city. There's so many different colored buildings. It's so neat.
22. People eat so much food here! But I have seen very very very few overweight people. It must be from all the walking.
23. Apartments don't have dryers or dishwashers typically. Very very very annoying.
24. Streets are the width of our sidewalks, basically
25. Personal space goes from 6' to 2'. I mean, the buses are so crowded that you are in someone's stinky armpit all the time. And they are stinky stinky.

I'll talk more later. I'm shleeeepy.

lani is in labor! (see baby belly 2 posts down)

I was always wondering when the first kid would come around for the 4 granddaughters on my mom's side. Lani is in labor, RIGHT NOW. It's funny because I am so so so excited. I don't even get to see them much but since she's been pregnant I have talked to her more than I probably had for the last 5 years. I know it's cheesy, but babies bring families so much closer. I just randomly burst into happy tears when I think of "Baby Mill" - the first boy since my grandmother's brother! I am so happy for Lani and Clay and I'm so glad they're going to have a little family of their own. I know how important this is to Clay since both of his parents are deceased. God answered prayers bringing this child into their life. 


When we found out Lani was pregnant, it was not but a couple days after we lost our beloved dog Buddy. We were all so devastated, but the news of her pregnancy shone a little light into our lives. I remember when I hung out with Lani some this summer and we went to see the Proposal and she brought like 4 different snacks with her. It was so funny. She pulled out chips, then something else, then even something else! I just laughed and laughed. At Thanksgiving all the nieces/aunts were sitting on this one chair surrounding Lani and I felt the baby move and it just thrilled me! Another cry moment. 


But anyway, I'm so excited and happy for them and I wish the best for Davis Clayton Miller. Please watch the youtube link I posted. It is my aunt and uncle reacting to the news that Lani is pregnant. Sweetest, cutest thing ever. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4hU-KAiTDM

roger ebert - cancer warrior

http://www.esquire.com/features/roger-ebert-0310?click=pp



Roger Ebert and his story are truly inspiring. His face is chilling to look at, but yet so emotionally stirring. I have been reading his movie reviews for years and had NO idea that he's been battling cancer and is unable to speak. Read the post card at the bottom. How optimistic!


It really puts life in perspective when you start thinking of what other people go through and battle in life. I am so lucky to be in good health and have a great family and friends. God is Good!! 

lani's beautiful baby belly

what a beautiful thing! this is my cousin lani miller's belly (future baby boy) with her husband clay. i love this photo. it elates me!

i just thought i'd share some wedding excitement with yall!

his is my dress... except in a sky bluer blue



these are my shoes, except mine are silver 



this is similar to my headband, but with a thicker band in the blue that matches my dress.





i'm also getting a kissing ball with hydrangeas, green i believe.



cute, right?