It didn't bite my hand off, or else I wouldn't be typing this

I had a spectacular day.  My cold is gone (I guess it was a 24 hour thing) and I got up around 9 this morning.  I rolled out of bed, ate some cinnamon toast crunch, read some of my book, and my mom gave me some folders, tabbed dividers, some markers, and a binder.  I organized my binder for "Tapestry of Grace," which is sort of like a Bible, History, and Literature curriculum rolled up into one.  It's real purty.

After that, I ate lunch and my mom and I figured out when my online classes start and I looked around on the website to see who is going to be in my classes.  I think it'll be so much fun!  I'm actually excited.

Now ask me how excited I am in, eh, four months.

Or don't.

Moving on... Dad got home from his first day of school around 12:45-ish, and we went on a journey! We took the bus to the train station, hopped a metro, and went to 'Circo Massimo' or "Circus Maximus," but there wasn't a lot to see.  Except, and we saw this over seven times today I'm sure, it's not a stereotype when people say Italians are very into PDA.  It's... gross. Especially when the couple is directly in front of some lovely bit of ancient history that you're trying to look at.  Or right in front of you on the bus. Or right in front of you in line for something. Or... you get the picture.  They're everywhere.

You know, we've actually found that none of the stereotypes of Italians are unfounded.  And I kind of love it! I mean, I don't love the pda, but I love the passionate flailing of arms while speaking, the upturned noses of the Italian women, the fact that "Mamas" are the most important person in the family and are looked up to supremely, the love for real living, the love for really good food, etc.  It's charming... for the most part!

After Circo Massimo, we walked to the Tiber river, and on the way, we stumbled upon the MOUTH OF TRUTH!  Yes, for you fellow Audrey Hepburn fans, this is the exact place where the darling girl almost put her hand in the movie 'Roman Holiday.'  I was so excited!  But strangely, there was no line to go up to it in the movie.

Hmm.

We then walked along the Tiber.  It was actually really beautiful!  Some parts where gross, but most of it was pretty, and it amazes me that the Italians think absolutely NOTHING of it.  It's really unfortunate.  After that, we walked along a really quaint, charming, adorable, and somewhat Bohemian area.  We all decided we want to live there. ;)  It all led up to the Piazza Santa Maria, where we got refreshments.  We walked for a while and got some gelato in front of the Colosseum.

It was such a pleasant trip, and the weather was actually cool!  I think my complaining actually worked!

Well probably not.

But I'd like to think it was me. :)

My Sunday has been positively RIVETING

Yesterday was fantastic!  I slept in, ate some eggs and bacon prepared by Chef Padre, did some tidying of yon bedchamber, and then proceeded to fret over my clothing.  I'm so tired of summer clothes... I really just want to wear boots and jeans and sweaters and UGH I AM SO TIRED OF SHORTS AND TANK TOPS BUT IT IS SO SO HOT.

*ahem*

After I threw on a skirt and a tee, RF and her parents picked me up and we made the two-hour trip to Napoli in their fabulous silver Prius.  It's groovy, baby.  We listened to her iPod, I made fun of her adoration for the band "My Chemical Romance" and she made fun of the fact that I think Justin Bieber is adorable.  Luckily the teasing stopped when I found one of his songs on her iPod.  

Apparently it was "free" and that's the "only" reason she "grudgingly" owns it.

Ha.

We got a snack when we got to Naples, and then walked around the Exchange and looked at clothes and shoes and school supplies.  I wanted one of the Jansport backpacks; this season they have really cute patterns on their bags.  

On to Eat Pray Love.  Blah.

Blah!

It was so... slow.  I liked the part in Italy because most of the time RF and I could point out places we've been.  (OOH! OOH! I'VE TOUCHED THAT!! I'VE SEEEEN THATTTT!!!  OH MY GOSH WE'RE IN NAPLES RIGHT NOW!!!  JUST LIKE JULIA ROBERTS!!)  But the rest of the movie was... not very exciting.  I don't know.  I'd give it a... 1 1/2 out of 10.  I so wanted to like it.

This morning, Sunday, I woke up at 8 and got a bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch.  I realized something was the matter when I didn't really feel like finishing it, my head was pounding, and I couldn't really breathe or swallow because of the soreness of my throat.

Hmm.

Methinks I have a cold.

My mom had a sore throat too, so we stayed in today.  My dad and I are watching tv, and my mom is napping.  And that's about it for today, I'm not up for a Roman adventure, though I think it may be a tad bit cooler out, based on the thermometer on my computer.  Not that I've actually been outside.  

Ciao!

Love, Love, Love

I'm feeling a bit homesick at the moment.

It comes in waves; I never know when it'll pop up.  But I was reading some posts on the blogs of some friends of mine, and looking at pictures of my beloved little island and my beloved little friends, and this flood of sadness washed over my heart.  I'm thrilled to be in Rome, and I love it so much, but it's a hard sell to replace Hawaii in my heart. I miss the sweet faces of my old friends, I miss the laughter that was ever-present among these friends, I miss the bonds that had built up over the time I spent in Hawaii.  Most of all, I miss my church, Trinity.  It was my real home, no matter what my house was.  A constant in my life, my church I knew like the back of my hand: the people, the building, the grounds, and the love.  Everyone loved each other.  I'm not saying we were perfect, and I'm not saying everyone always got along perfectly, because we are still, in fact, humans.  But, I recall the first day I ever went there.  I was a little nervous, being a seven year old girl in a new, really new, place, and I was being a little shy.  But at the end of the service, everyone got up and started introducing themselves to us.  Within minutes, a sweet family invited us to their house for lunch, and ever since I have never been the same.

In that church, I grew up.  Not just physically, but it is where I really grew up.  I had always been a Christian, in my own childish way, because I grew up in a Christian home.  Trinity was where I began really understanding the concepts of God's love and promises, it was where I professed my faith, it was where I had my first communion, and it was where I got my first "grown-up" bible, with my name on the cover in gold-lettering.  I was never without a friend, and I was never without someone to help me with something.  Trinity is where I really began to sing and find my voice, and Trinity was where I discovered my love for acting, thanks to Vacation Bible School skits. :)  The people at Trinity love you, and they will do anything to help you grow.  Everyone helps everyone, and no one is left in the dust.  I've had a countless number of wonderful teachers and friends, and I am so grateful for the impact this church had, and still has, on my life.

Trinity was my home in so many ways, and I think in my heart, it always will hold a very, very special place.  To me, it wasn't just four walls and some chairs to visit every Sunday and hear some words.  It was a tangible, loving, beautiful, magnificent home. 

And it just doesn't get any better than that.

Colossians 3:14-16   14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

How you feeling? Hot! Hot! Hot!

Today was.... Scalding.

The sun really beats down in dear ol' Roma.  If you can find some shade, you're ok, but wowza, it's HOT.  

We got up and left the apartment around 8:30, and then we headed by metro with some of my dad's fellow students at NATO to the Embassy.  We did some walking around there (I felt wonderfully official)  and then we walked a bit with RF and her family and went to eat at Hard Rock Cafe.  Had a "Legendary Burger."  It pretty much lived up to it's name, but I'm not a huge fan of cheddar cheese on my burger and I forgot to ask for no cheese.  Nothing compares to the Yardhouse.  (Google it, find one near you, and then eat there.  This minute.  I'll wait.)

But, through all this, I was a melty mess.  I mean it was so ridiculously hot, I'm surprised I didn't die of heat stroke.  And I was wearing white jeans and heels.  It wasn't so terribly bad (luckily my shoes were comfy and there's lots of shade near the embassy) but it was still enough to make me literally start praying for some cool weather.  I can't wait to break out the boots and the trench coats!  I haven't done that in... over eight years.  I'm pretty much over the moon about having actual seasons.

After lunch, we took the train to a place that supposedly had a bus to take us home, found out that was not in fact the place, walked a bit (a lot), found a place with a bus that would take us to the mall.  Mom and I went in the mall, Dad walked home from the mall in the heat (he's a sweet, sweet Dad)  to pick up the car at our house, and then drove back to the mall to pick us up.  We came home, I put on my pajamas (at 3 pm, no less) and chilled out.  Because I am exhausted. 

Checked my email, had a request for a last-minute babysitting job, accepted, and am about to leave the apartment.  Hence the quick, choppy sentences.

Buona sera, mi amici.

Two for Two

Hmm.

I'm thinking projects aren't for me.  First I was going to do Friday memes, which flopped.  Then I was going to do a photo project.  That flopped.

Granted, the second one was purely accidental in it's flop-age.  I swear, I meant to.  But I still haven't found that silly camera cord....

See that poll on the right?  Two people think I should stick to plain ol' posts.  And seeing as that's probably about 50% of my viewer-ship, I tend to agree.  So posting it is!

Where to begin?  My mom's home!  We're very happy to have her back.  But I really, really miss my brother Will.  (In my heart, he shall always be Willie.)  I wish he was here with us, but I know he's having a great experience in college, and he'll be just fine.  My brother is an adult, you guys!

It boggles the mind.

Yesterday, my new friend came over to sleepover!  It was so, so much fun.  Because I haven't yet asked her if I can use her real name on my blog, I'll just give her a nickname... RF (Roman Friend.  Even though she's from Colorado.)

So, RF and I had a blast.  A blast.  We first hung out and walked around my neighborhood, and then we came home.  She can make birdcalls super well, so we sat on my balcony and whenever anyone would walk by below us, she would make an owl sound.  Some didn't notice, and some looked really confused.  It was pure gold.

We woke up at 10:30 (I know!) and had a slow start.  This week, it's about eleventy-four degrees.  Not ideal.  So we walked for a bit, got tired, and my dad was very sweet and drove us to the mall.  It was delightful; she got a cute new pair of shoes.  RF and I are going to see each other tomorrow when we go to the Embassy with our families, and on Friday we are going to Naples to see 'Eat, Pray, Love.'  I'm excited!  4 days of RF and Caroline.  Rome will never be the same.

Buona Sera!

Day 3? - Photo Project: In which I lose the means by which to take actual photos

It's very hard to do a photo project when one has misplaced his/her camera cord.

I promise I'm not ignoring you!  I just have been doing a lot of laundry while my mother's away, I went to the gym, I've been doing summer reading assignments, and the like.  So I apologize.

I'm going to do something wild and crazy and skip day 2 of the photo project since I can't find my cord, though I do have a picture. (I didn't like that assignment anyway) So we're on to day 3!

What did I do today?





Cleaned!  My room is actually tidy and my bathroom is spotless.  I'm still working on laundry.  And guess what? It's only 10 am,  all thanks to me getting up early to go somewhere and finding out in the middle of putting on my makeup that the trip was cancelled. And no one had told us. Naturally, I started cleaning.

Mom, when you finally come home this evening, your house will be nice and prim for ya.  :)

Um, and may I just mention, my brother is in COLLEGE now?  This is weird.  I don't even... I can't... I mean... weren't we just in elementary school?

Oh childhood, where hast thou gone?  You have been borne away on the wings of responsibility!  Nary a day goes by when I do not wonder how you steal so silently away leaving us to ponder when and how you left! Thou shall ne'er be forgotten!

Not to be dramatic or anything.

I'm sorry if there are typos. I can't see the screen through my tears of joy.

I am.  Very much.

I started our little photo project yesterday... and totally missed day two.

Woops.  But, I have an excuse! Kind of. I got up at 7 (Oh, my plight) and went to babysit from morning till evening.  So I have a reason for not posting a picture of myself in what I'm wearing today because, well frankly, you wouldn't want to see it.  And I'm about to get in my jammies anyway.  So it's a no go.  But tomorrow, I promise to assault your eyes with my fabulous ensemble. Hardy. Har. Har.

So yes, I babysat for quite some time today, and that's why this post is short.  3 kids equals? A lot of "Look Miss Caroline, look!  Play Miss Caroline, play!  Why are you in fetal position, Miss Caroline, why?"

Oh I kid. They're cute. :)  And they have dimples.  So it's ok with me.

I'm watching Discovery Channel (Man vs. Wild, please!) with my father and tomorrow I get to sleep in.

I think I just shed a tear.

30 Day Photo Project- Day 1

I have decided to start a 30 day photo project.  It's a sort of meme.  I just thought I should try something structured that requires me to take pictures!  I found this on a blog I read, and I thought it might be fun.   I'll go ahead and start  with Day 01.


Day 01 - A picture of what made you smile today
Day 02 - A picture of what you wore today
Day 03 - A picture of what you did today
Day 04 - A picture of where you went today
Day 05 - A picture of your morning
Day 06 - A picture that makes you laugh
Day 07 - A picture that makes you cry
Day 08 - A picture of your favorite beverage
Day 09 - A picture of what you had for lunch
Day 10 - A picture of what you like to do
Day 11 - A picture of your favorite cheese
Day 12 - A picture of your favorite food
Day 13 - A picture of your friends
Day 14 - A picture of your favorite teacher(s)
Day 15 - A picture of yourself
Day 16 - A picture of your dream cell phone
Day 17 - A picture of your mp3 player
Day 18 - A picture of your room
Day 19 - A picture of your favorite musical instrument(s)
Day 20 - A picture of where you want to honeymoon
Day 21 - A picture that makes you think of a loved one
Day 22 - A picture of your favorite shoes
Day 23 - A picture that describes your personality
Day 24 - A picture of what you did today
Day 25 - A picture that you edited 
Day 26 - A picture that makes you angry
Day 27 - A picture of you more than 10 years ago
Day 28 - A picture of what you wore today
Day 29 - A picture of something you need with you to be able to sleep
Day 30 - A picture of you and your best friend


Here's today's picture!  (What made me smile today)





Breakfast at Tiffany's = Fantastic.


Buona Sera!

Everyone knows Italy is famous for its gyoza

I think I'm having quite the streak of lovely days, for this was one as well as yesterday.  I woke ate 7, yet again, and had a delicious bowl of cinnamon toast crunch. Next, we took my dear mother to the airport.  She's heading to help my brother get settled at college, you see.  She should be somewhere up in the sky right about now!

Dad and I drove from the airport to the mall, Euroma Due, and just killed some time there for a while.  We got espresso at a cafe, and then walked around.  I was very upset when I saw the perfect shoe that I've been looking for for several months (a skin-colored high heel) on the clearance rack at one of the stores.  I hyperventilated and rushed over to the shoe.  I haven't quite figured out Italian sizing yet, so I tried it on... and I couldn't even get my heel in.

Dashed hopes.  My dreams are dead.  Every one of them.

Then I went over to babysit the cutie-pies on our block for an hour while their parents ran an errand, and then I came home and read the afternoon away.  Around 7 pm (now, I like 7 pm!) we left the house to go to dinner.  We went to a little Chinese/Japanese restaurant (none of the restaurants here are just Japanese or just Chinese, always both) , and it was pretty good.  I had been craving some sushi and some sticky rice, and thank goodness, I got some!  I also got some yummy gyoza.

Now, Dad and I are watching Breakfast at Tiffany's.  It's his first time seeing it, and my 4500th.  This is what my dad and I do on daddy-daughter dates, we eat Chinese or sushi and then watch something.  Sometimes it's Audrey, sometimes it's a play, sometimes we go see a movie.  It's just always turned out that way, and it's so fun.

By the way, let the record show that I have a very cool dad.  He walks around the mall with me (going into the stores and not complaining once) and doesn't mind watching Audrey Hepburn movies.  He just likes to hang out with me! How great is that?

100 cool points, y'all.

Have a lovely evening/morning/afternoon!!

Ciao!

In which the inmate runs the asylum's dinner proceedings

Today was a lovely day!  I woke up at 7 (the only un-lovely part of my day), and got ready to go babysit three cute kids who live on our block.

Before I continue, I have to say something.  I detest 7 o'clock.  Don't ask me why.  I can handle (we're using a loose definition of "handle" here) getting up at 6:30, 7:30, 6:00, or even, at times, earlier than 5:00.  But for some reason, whenever I must wake at 7, I am way less than thrilled.

I'm pretty sure I just heard a lot of people click the "you have issues" button below the post.

Why yes, yes I do!

Moving on... After babysitting, I came home and took a nap.  I had gotten up at 7, remember?  Also, I didn't sleep last night because I had a terrible nightmare, and I never can sleep after those dastardly night-terrors.  Night intensifies fright, as I always say.  Actually, that's the first time I have ever said that.  But you get my point.

After a delightful nap, I read my book for a couple of hours. (Is not summer vacation the stuff of miracles?)  I then skipped and frolicked over to the market to get a couple of groceries, and then I pranced and flitted back to our apartment.  I read my book some more, and then I made a caprese salad appetizer for mi famiglia.  Y'all.  Buffalo Mozzarella cheese?  Yes.

I then proceeded to make supper.  I then proceeded to not take any pictures because I'm a dork.  But, I can tell you it was a Pioneer Woman recipe (Grilled Chicken with Lemon Basil Pasta) that was yummy.  I would actually say that I wouldn't use so much lemon next time, but other than that, it was really tasty.  I think the reason it was too lemony (lemonie? lemonee?  lemonicious?) is because the lemons here are really, really juicy and I used the same amount (4 lemons) she used in the recipe.  Perhaps Oklahoma lemons and Italy lemons are a wee different.

Oh, and everyone, you are welcome to come visit because we have TONS of leftovers. We are drowning in pasta-y goodness.  SOS. Save Our Stomachs. From getting really, really fat.

Please.

Now that I've managed to make you question my sanity and now that I've turned two foods into adjectives, I think I should shut down the laptop and go sleep in my little bed and have nightmares about 7.

Ciao

An interview with my brother, WMP

My brother and I hopped on the video chat and I gave an impromptu interview.

Hi! What’s your name and what is your profession?

Will Malone Photography.

Are you sure your name is Will Malone Photography? I can't believe you got your first question wrong.

No, don’t type that! That's not what I meant.

*Hums innocently*

STOP TYPING THAT

How old are you?

45

Oh really?

No, 18. hey wait, am I on the record here?

Yes. Did you know that Brazil was named after the nut, and not the other way around?

Yes!

I need more than one word answers.

Ok.

No seriously. 

(At this point our conversation is interrupted by an internet connection problem)

What do you do?

(All I can hear is fuzz)

What??

(FUZZZ)

WHAT DO YOU DO??

I TAKE PICTURES!

Oh.  How do you take pictures?

With my camera. What a silly question.

Use your words, Willie.  How much do you make a year?

0 dollars.  Actually, I’m not at liberty to say

Why?

I’m not at liberty to say.

What is your favorite camera brand?

Nikon. Period.

Why do you use so many punctuations in your everyday speech?

I like perfect grammar. I talk like I’m one of my essays, everyday. Period.

Are you saying that most ofyour language consists of run-on sentences?

Because of my poor ability to write you may notice many run on sentences that is because I am a bad writer and I don’t write deep blogs like yours but I take pictures and I actually don’t write too good.

Oh hush.  Self-respect, brother. What kind of gear do you use out in the field?

Let me run through my supplies. Nikon D3000 camera body, an 18-55 mm. wide angle lense, switch it up to a 55-200 mm. zoom lense.  I have a Vivitar series one auto focus flash, oh and also, Bill goes with me on the field.  And my iphone. And my macbook. I love apple.

What does all that mean?  But I love apples too! What’s your favorite kind!

The corporation kind!

Oh, you mean non-organic ones!

Let’s get on with the interview please. Time is money.

But I thought you said you make 0 dollars a year!

Nevermind.

Would you rather take pictures of food for the rest of your life or take pictures of Bill for the rest of your life?

Um, I would have to say Bill the duck. I could put him any location, any scene.  Bill the duck is my mascot. Food is… Food, you know?

Yes, I know.  Speaking of food, what’s your favorite type of photography?

Don’t have a favorite. I like to be artistic.

Where are you going to school?

School of hard rock, baby.

No way? me too!

I am actually attending Covenant College for my freshman year in college and I hope to go for the next four years.

You hope??

Yeah, I hope it works out.

You better not let mom see this interview.

Don’t post this.

Ok, I promise.  Who’s your favorite photographer?

It's a match up between Peter Lik or Scott Kelby.

How do you spell that?

K-E-L-B-Y.

Thanks.

And Lik has no c.

Yeah, I know, I’ve been in his store too!

It’s a gallery!

Yeah, I know, I’ve been in his gallery too!

You should interview more people. You need practice.

Ok.  Like who?

Editor-in-chief of palmtreepundit. Or Ree Drummond, editor-in-chief of The Pioneer Woman.com.

OHMYGOSH REE DRUMMOND!! I’M GONNA EMAIL HER!!! I LOVE HER HAIR!!!

Um ok.  Ask what my favorite blogs are.

HEY. Who’s the interviewer here.  What are your favorite blogs?

Pastawaffles is pretty good--

Hold up! It’s pasta AND waffles.

Scott kelby is pretty good, Pioneer Woman photo, palmtreepundit, yaknow.

K, this interview’s over.

What? Why?

I know you love me to PIECES, but it’s just gonna be too long. 

Ok, fine.  Love you bye. 

She's BAAA-aaack

So I feel kind of terrible.  Please forgive me!  I haven't blogged in a week.  But after having been told to pick it back up by several folks, I shall.  You see, we've been busy, and then whenever we get home from whatever we've been up to, I honestly just want to read my book.  It's a great book, y'all.  I pick it up when I hop out of bed and read while I eat my cereal, brush my teeth, do my hair, and whenever I get the chance throughout the day. (The Inkheart series.  Read it. Or do as I do, and devour it.)

But enough with my excuses!  I have been unfaithful to you, oh my dear readers, and for that I am so ashamed! I do hope you shall extend the hand of mercy to me, for that which I have done, and do not lose hope, for I shall not leave you again!

Unless I find a new book when this one is through.  EVER TRUE, EVER FAITHFUL!

Ahem.

I'm afraid that tonight I will be posting no pictures, for I lack the energy to dig for my camera cord!  But perhaps tomorrow I'll put up a few.  Wouldn't that be lovely?

Yes, I am sure you are all on the very edges of your seats.

What I have I been up to?  Well, we went into the Colosseum!  It was actually all very overwhelming, and to think of how many people came there to sit and be entertained by gore under the sweltering, Roman summer sun is mind boggling.  Seeing the box where the emperors once sat, and the stone "bleachers" where the poorest of poor strained their eyes to see the fleshly violence on the hot sand... it's unbelievable, humbling, and the walls are positively dripping with history and beauty, life and death.

We also took a look around Palatine hill!  We went into little museums with statues, most missing limbs, heads, and some even missing their noses!  Mom, Dad, and I were all blown away by how the artists used to sculpt marble to look like fabric, fabric that looks soft to the touch.  Each statue is intricate, and the entire trip was surreal.  There are buildings all around, and these are buildings where Cicero, Augustus Caesar, and more lived.  Nothing about the "eternal city" of Rome is ho-hum, that's for sure.

Let's see... we went to Naples again on Saturday, and stocked up on some more essentials.  Get this: I DIDN'T SLEEP. The whole way there!!  I'm very proud... ;)  It's a straight road, almost, to Naples, so I can read in the car without getting carsick.  And so I did (told you I love these books) and Mama quizzed Dad and me on some conversational Italian.  (Mi chiamo Carolina! Sono sedici anni!  Mi piace gelato!)

Oh, and on Friday, I went to our amazing mall, Euroma 2 (2 being "due"), with three new friends!  I'm so happy to have made friends here; honestly I was terribly worried I wouldn't be able to make any.  We had such a great time, and the cherry on top was when I ordered two extra spoons, since we were all sharing two frozen-espresso things, and the cashier understood me!  (Due cucchiai piu, per favore?)  (Does anyone know how to post accents above letters on blogger?  Piu should have an accent over the u.  Thanks in advance!)

Saturday night, Daddy and I made a yummy dinner of chicken scallopine, which turned out fantastically.  Thank you, Pioneer Woman.

Today, Sunday (Domenica), we went to our new church for the first time!  It's Scottish Presbyterian, and the people there were very kind, and the hymns were all beautiful "oldies."  The church had an ornate ceiling, and a gorgeous view from the rooftop terrace where we had refreshments after the service.  All in all, it was very nice, but I honestly miss my dear Trinity church more than I had anticipated.  I guess when you attend such a phenomenal church from the age of 7, you get a little attached.  :)

Well, it's getting late and I've got to be up rather early in the morning, but I will get back to you soon.

Ciao!

In which I dye

Yesterday, we went to Naples!  Naples is where the military base is, and the groceries and such are at least 50% cheaper than groceries off base, so we went there to buy bulk items that we need.  It's a long drive.  two hours there, two hours back.  I hear the scenery is beautiful!

But wait, you ask, did you not go too?  Wouldn't you have seen the scenery for yourself?

Ha. Y'all must be joking.  Remember how I said in the last meme that I sleep in the car?  On the way there, I fell asleep before we even got out of our town, and on the way back, I tried SO hard to stay awake... but couldn't.  I slept the whole way, both ways.

But anyway, we went into the exchange first which has clothes and house items and electronics and so on.  We picked up things we needed, including a TomTom gps system, and then put it all in the car.  We then walked over to the commissary and bought all our bulk groceries and some coolers in which to put the cold/frozen things.

Interesting fact:  In one of the aisles in the commissary, there's glass flooring.  Under this flooring you can see ancient ruins.  It was so cool!  I tried to get a picture but they didn't turn out because of the lighting reflecting off the glass.

We then returned home and ate dinner, and then we called Will to chat for a while.  After that..... I highlighted my hair.  At home.

I've been wanting highlights for FOREVER.  My mom and dad just won parents of the year award for letting me! :)  I got something called "Frost and Glow" in "Chestnut."

Yes, like the ones you roast over an open fire.  With Jack Frost nipping at your nose.

It took a while to get my hair pulled through this weird cap-thingamadoojie, and then I "painted" the mix on my hair.  I sat down with my ipod and chilled out for 20 minutes while it sat.  When my timer went off, I hopped up and looked in the mirror... and almost fainted.

My hair. was. WHITE.

So, per the instructions, I LEAPED into the shower and used the toner shampoo and conditioner and then came out, feeling like I had just lost a limb.  I looked in the mirror...

And it wasn't white anymore! Praise!!!

I blow-dried it and it had perfect (subtle) reddish-brown highlight.  I was (and still am) thrilled.  But, that whole little side-story was probably really boring...

Moving on.

Today I must clean my room, for we have finally bought hangers and I can now officially put the suitcases away.  We'll probably go on a walk around my neighborhood a bit later.

Ciao for now!

Choosy teenagers choose Jif

This quite a busy morning!  I had to wake up at the unearthly hour of 7:00 am.  It was... traumatic.

Oh, I'm kidding.  Kind of.

I woke up, ate my cinnamon toast crunch, got ready, and then got all of my suitcases prepared to go.  We then packed up all of our luggage and food and headed out the door!  Now, we're packed into our apartment (for the most part), and I'm happy to remove all my clothes out of my suitcases.

Tomorrow we are heading to Naples because there's a military base there.  On the base, there is a commissary that sells American products and basic necessities.  We'll load up on bulk items like frozen meat and cereal, and house items like clothes hangers, drinking glasses, cleaning products and so on.

Ever since we got here, I've been craving peanut butter.  It's not something you find in Italian grocery stores!  They prefer Nutella, which I like, but it's just so unhealthy!

So, imagine my pleasure as we were digging through some leftover canned items from the people who lived here before us (They just moved out on Thursday, I think) and my mom pulled out two little containers of PEANUT BUTTER.

Squealing ensued.

An Ode... to Peanut Butter


Peanut Butter
Oh, Peanut Butter
How I've loved you for so long.
Peanut Butter
Oh, Peanut Butter
Life without you is so wrong.
I thought our friendship had come to a stop
For nary a shelf, a counter, a shop
Held your sweet yummy goodness,
This dilemma caused much stress,
Which only you could solve, peanut butter.
And then across a crowded kitchen
I re-fell in love, I was re-smitten,
And I ran to you, my heart aflutter
Oh my dear, my sweet peanut butter.


Ciao!

I Dream of Memes #1: My Answers

Well, I honestly thought I'd wait a day or two before writing down my meme answers, but unfortunately, I got sick and am now laid up on the sofa... with nothing to do.  (Even t.v. is a no go.  The only channels in English are BBC and CNN.)  So here I go.

Goodness, who get's sick on their first week in ROME?

Oh yeah.  I do.

1.  What did you want to be when you grew up? (You can name up to 3 occupations.)


I wanted to be several things, and it changed based on the day.  But I think my main dreams were chef, ranch-owner, and actress.  Two of those are still dreams of mine...


I'll let you guess on that one. 

2.  Name one (or two, I'm not gonna fight ya) traditions that your family always (and maybe still does) uphold.


Let's see... I suppose one tradition that my family upholds is the way we celebrate Christmas.  It's practically the same every year.  I love it! :)
3.  What was one thing you had to have to be able to sleep as a small child? (examples: blankies, night-light, glass of warm milk, etc.)


Ever since I can remember, I'm quite the little sleeper, and I don't need anything to sleep.  The second my bottom hits the seat when we get in the car, I'm asleep.  The second my head hits the pillow, I'm out.  If I sit down and don't do anything, I'm instantly in dreamland.


Suffice it to say, I've never once counted sheep!
4.  What pet did you have when you were little?

My family has never been a pet family... We've never had a large pet like a cat or a dog.  BUT, we've had fish.  LOTS of fish.  And one frog who died an entirely tragic death.  R.I.P, Kermit.  


I won't go into that one.

5.  Were you the kid who was inside reading during recess, or the one out playing with the other kids?  (Homeschoolers:  you can just tell us what you do for a break during the school day.)  


I did actually go to a private school in 3rd and 4th grade, and I was the inside kid.  I mean, I went outside a lot, but I always had a book.  I didn't play softball or basketball, and NEVER did I play dodgeball.


I have a fear of flying objects.
6.  What was your favorite dish that your mama cooked?

I think my favorite was chicken and rice.  It wasn't the chicken and rice you're thinking, with cheese and the works, it was just simple brown rice with pieces of chicken cooked in it.  And it is the BEST TASTING MEAL on the planet.  MY mama always makes the chicken really tender and the rice has a nice flavor.  Yum.

7.  Name a favorite memory or two from as early as you can remember.


Well, I remember this really bright light....


Just kidding.


No, an early memory (I guess I was three or four) is of my brother and I on our enclosed porch when we lived in Florida, and he shot one of his Hot Wheels off the track (Or was it a lego..?  It's a fuzzy memory) and broke the light in the ceiling.  I like that memory because it was a HUGE deal to us then, because we were so little, and now I just think about it and giggle.


8.  What was one thing you really wanted for a birthday or Christmas and never got?


I really wanted a pony.


I guess you can imagine how that panned out.
9.  What did you do for fun when you had nothing else to do?   


I read a lot, and I would climb the plumeria tree in our backyard on the base in Hawaii with my brother.  Sometimes I rode my scooter or my bike.  I was a lot more adventurous then!

10.  In what ways has your personality changed since you were little?


As I said, I am less adventurous now.  But I think I'd also say I'm a little bit less shy.  I still don't like going into a room of people I don't know, but I love meeting new people as long as I'm in a situation that I'm familiar with, like my house or my church.  So, I love meeting new people but I don't like being the new person, if that makes sense.  


I also actually brush my hair now! ;)


That's all, folks!  Please leave your responses to these questions in the original meme post.

I Dream of Memes #1

So, it's Friday! (At least here in Italy, I don't know about y'all.)

I have decided to create a weekly (specifically for Fridays) meme.

Meme:
(/meem/)  A game or list that one fills out on a "blog" or other "internet""website."

And if it looks like I made that definition up, I did.

But seriously, that's what it is.

So from now on, every single Friday, without any exceptions, there will be a meme.


Or whenever I remember.

Each will have a theme.  This week's theme?  Childhood.  (Granted, in a lot of respects I'm still a child but I mean young childhood.  Not teen childhood, necessarily.)

Questions to answer are after the directions.

How to play:


1.  Answer all questions.  No skipping.
2.  Post your answers in the comments, or post it on your blog and put the link in the comments. But make sure it's in the comments so I can read it!
3.  Lastly, please, please, please play.  I want to learn about y'all!  Later on, in a separate post, I will put up my answers.

GO!


1.  What did you want to be when you grew up? (You can name up to 3 occupations.)


2.  Name one (or two, I'm not gonna fight ya) traditions that your family always (and maybe still does) uphold.


3.  What was one thing you had to have to be able to sleep as a small child? (examples: blankies, night-light, glass of warm milk, etc.)


4.  What pet did you have when you were little?


5.  Were you the kid who was inside reading during recess, or the one out playing with the other kids?  (Homeschoolers:  you can just tell us what you do for a break during the school day.)  


6.  What was your favorite dish that your mama cooked?


7.  Name a favorite memory or two from as early as you can remember.


8.  What was one thing you really wanted for a birthday or Christmas and never got?


9.  What did you do for fun when you had nothing else to do?   

10.  In what ways has your personality changed since you were little?


Thanks for playing!

When the moon hits your eye...

Tonight.  Oh, tonight!  Tonight was bliss.

My family and I made a late afternoon/evening trip to the city, and oh how pleasant it was!  The weather was cool and breezy, which is unusual during a Roman summer.

First stop: The Colosseum!

We hopped on the metro and it took us straight there.  As soon as you step out of the subway building, you practically run into this:

I was just so stricken by this place.  Just imagining how old it is and how many people have been here... it blows me away.  All the Christian martyrs who died here... and we are now standing on their shoulders.  It was nothing short of amazing.

Right next to the Colosseum is the Arch of Constantine.  It's not incredibly huge, but it's just so intricate and beautiful!

Now, on the right side of the arch is the Forum! ;)

The Forum

After walking around for a while, we hopped on another train to a stop near the Trevi Fountain.  We walked a good distance to the American Embassy, so we would know how to get to it again, and then walked up and down a bunch of gorgeous streets.  And let me tell you, it's just like the movies! I only snapped a couple good pictures, but these two are my favorite.  

I love these little triangle buildings!

This was the most precious bridal shop I've ever seen in my life.  

     After walking quite a way, we found ourselves at the top of the Spanish steps.  There's a beautiful church up there, and the view was lovely because the sun was a'settin.  :)

The church on top of the Spanish Steps.

This isn't a great picture (and it was only cloudy for about two minutes) but it was getting dark and the view was truly lovely.

We then found a cute restaurant to eat supper.  I had spaghetti noodles with clams (it was good except most of the clams were closed), Mama had some good-lookin ravioli, and Dad had lamb ragu.  The best part of the meal was the music! The restaurant right next door was playing all the stereotypical Italian songs (That's Amore.... Funiculi, Funicula...) and it was so pleasant.  But I have to tell you, I miss my brother so much!  Having an empty seat at a table for four is so sad.  I love you, Willie!  

By this time, it was dark.  We took a stroll through the lit up streets to the Trevi Fountain.  It was gorgeous, all lit up!  But, it was crowded.  CROWDED.  For some reason, practically all the German teenagers on the planet were in Rome today, and they felt it necessary to sing their songs... loudly.  (They were even on our crowded metro home.  Singing. Loudly.)  At first it was ok; they were just having fun.  But sooner or later it became me wanting to run far away to find some sanctuary.  They were everywhere and that's not an exaggeration.  After getting some gelato (I got ciocolatto e caffe)  we went and stood a ways away and just watched.  I did manage a video close up of the fountain though...

 

At the end of our trip... can you tell I was having fun?  (Yes, that is a partially licked gelato.  I always shape it into a neat little sphere before I really dig in, or else it'll drip everywhere.)

So, that was my evening.  It is now midnight, and I'm still not tired.  Well, scratch that.  My MIND isn't tired, but my feet and various leg muscles would beg to differ.  These little piggies were happy to come home.  :)

Buona sera!

A bee is never as busy as it seems, it's just that it can't buzz any slower- Kin Hubbard

Just two pictures to show you how busy our little town is in the afternoon.  It's 2:30 pm, and the town is positively exploding with life.  I don't know if you can tell by the pictures, but there are a gazillion vespas, cars, people, and buses.

I took these pictures from our balcony at our hotel.

Also, I noticed that from far away, almost everyone looks like a celebrity.  So far I've seen Katie Holmes, Joe Jonas, and Javier Bardem, among others.  ;)

La mia cena...

Tonight, I made supper for mi famiglia.  It was a fun little time in the kitchen, albeit hot and cramped.

I made farfalle pasta with pesto, tomatoes, pancetta (basically Italian bacon), and a couple anchovies for my parents.  I dislike anchovies.  A lot.

I also made a little Caprese salad, minus basil (*WAIL* *GNASH TEETH*) because Tuodi, our little market, didn't have any.  I brought out a little bread and a plate of olive oil and balsamic for dipping.

I'm stupid.  Why?  Because I was too hungry forgot to take pictures of the pretty meal.  But, alas, I did take pictures after the fact.  So, here you go!

My little dessert of milk and strawberries.  It makes me so very happy!

Bread and dip.  (Yummy bread)

Dismembered Caprese Salad

The market where we get our food.

The last of the yummy pesto farfalle.

(Sorry if the spacing on the pictures is weird; I'm a novice.)