Took this pic at Jerrod's first bday party and I love it. It's a great expression and shows just what a happy and smiley baby he is! Babies are on my mind so much lately, seemed like a good pic to add to this post!
We started trying for our first baby this past weekend! I know it will take months, but since my cycle is still staying regular (for the time being I'm sure), thought it was worth a shot. Why not? Ordered some books on PCOS so I can educate myself more, especially about foods I should steer away from. I eat pretty healthy and I don't seem to digest anything that could add to PCOS symptoms, so that's good! I'm trying to stay positive even though it's hard with all of these things stacked against me!
We painted the rest of the downstairs of our house over the weekend. Put a pale yellow in the guest bathroom to complete my "little French bathroom," caramel in the hallway/entryway and my pumpkin brown color in the library. This weekend someone is coming to paint our tall walls going up the stairs and also our upstairs hallway. It's going to look so pretty for our little family get together on Thanksgiving! Cross your fingers that the next project we paint is a baby's room!
Tiring week...between painting all weekend and feeling sore and tired from that and then having lots of upper management in town for training, I've been out to a couple of late night dinners, and I just feel exhausted! I could sleep at least another 2 hours from when my alarm goes off every morning!
Megan L's in China so work has been non-entertaining this week. Realignments. Headcount. Q1 2009. Budgets. Blah blah blah. At least my boss is letting me work from home on Monday so the painter can come finish everything. The only day I have to come to the office next week is Tuesday. Score!
Busy weekend although I never set out for it to be that way! We have bowling with a big group of friends tomorrow night at 7:30. Saturday the painter is there all day and I have to clean for Turkey day. Saturday night is another dinner with some friends. Sunday I have at least 6 places I need to go to and run errands. I have to finish shopping for my parent's Xmas gifts and then wrap them so I can give it to them when they come for Thanksgiving. Ahh!
Well, not much else to report here. Busy week, yet nothing interesting enough to post here!
Ciao!
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
PCOS
Had a doc appointment yesterday for a Pre-Conception exam and consultation. She gave us the okay to start trying except...she did a sonogram of my ovaries and little black spots showed up on them. She said it looks like PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome). Which would actually make a lot of sense given my mom's problems with "a male hormone" (as diagnosed in 1979) and given my irregular periods, acne, weight problems, and all sorts of other issues I've had since I was 15 years old. She said she can't be positive I have it yet, to give it two months and see if I get a period and if I don't then they'll run blood work to see what it is. From there if it's PCOS they would send me to a fertility specialist to be put on clomid or another one of those medicines that helps treat people with PCOS/Infertility. The good thing is that I've lost a good amount of weight and I eat healthier now, which are two things that can really effect PCOS. The "disease" can be reversible with a good weight, diet, and exercise. Here's more info on PCOS: http://www.babycenter.com/0_polycystic-ovarian-syndrome-pcos_7432.bc
The only thing about PCOS that is really scary is that 1 in 5 women with PCOS miscarry due to complications with PCOS. I've read about a lot of women on the message boards on babycenter.com who have had miscarriages with PCOS. It does seem like 1 in every 5 I read has that problem. That really scares me. It's like, if I wasn't already worried about that happening, now I'm really concerned because my chances are higher.
She also said there's a chance I could have no problems at all. But for some reason, given my history, I highly doubt that. I have a feeling if this is like everything else in my life, it's not going to be an easy road and it will be long, but we're ready to do it and work through it and we're going to stay positive.
Cheers,
M
The only thing about PCOS that is really scary is that 1 in 5 women with PCOS miscarry due to complications with PCOS. I've read about a lot of women on the message boards on babycenter.com who have had miscarriages with PCOS. It does seem like 1 in every 5 I read has that problem. That really scares me. It's like, if I wasn't already worried about that happening, now I'm really concerned because my chances are higher.
She also said there's a chance I could have no problems at all. But for some reason, given my history, I highly doubt that. I have a feeling if this is like everything else in my life, it's not going to be an easy road and it will be long, but we're ready to do it and work through it and we're going to stay positive.
Cheers,
M
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
It’s about Human & Civil Rights...
The passage below is quoted from Keith Olbermann about Prop 8. He said it better than I ever could...so I decided to post it on my myspace and facebook (linked to my blog):
Finally tonight as promised, a Special Comment on the passage, last week, of Proposition Eight in California, which rescinded the right of same-sex couples to marry, and tilted the balance on this issue, from coast to coast.
Some parameters, as preface. This isn't about yelling, and this isn't about politics, and this isn't really just about Prop-8. And I don't have a personal investment in this: I'm not gay, I had to strain to think of one member of even my very extended family who is, I have no personal stories of close friends or colleagues fighting the prejudice that still pervades their lives.
And yet to me this vote is horrible. Horrible. Because this isn't about yelling, and this isn't about politics...
This is about the... human heart, and if that sounds corny, so be it.
If you voted for this Proposition or support those who did or the sentiment they expressed, I have some questions, because, truly, I do not... understand. Why does this matter to you? What is it to you? In a time of impermanence and fly-by-night relationships, these people over here want the same chance at permanence and happiness that is your option. They don't want to deny you yours. They don't want to take anything away from you. They want what you want -- a chance to be a little less alone in the world.
Only now you are saying to them -- no. You can't have it on these terms. Maybe something similar. If they behave. If they don't cause too much trouble. You'll even give them all the same legal rights -- even as you're taking away the legal right, which they already had. A world around them, still anchored in love and marriage, and you are saying, no, you can't marry. What if somebody passed a law that said you couldn't marry?
I keep hearing this term "re-defining" marriage.
If this country hadn't re-defined marriage, black people still couldn't marry white people. Sixteen states had laws on the books which made that illegal... in 1967. 1967.
The parents of the President-Elect of the United States couldn't have married in nearly one third of the states of the country their son grew up to lead. But it's worse than that. If this country had not "re-defined" marriage, some black people still couldn't marry...black people. It is one of the most overlooked and cruelest parts of our sad story of slavery. Marriages were not legally recognized, if the people were slaves. Since slaves were property, they could not legally be husband and wife, or mother and child. Their marriage vows were different: not "Until Death, Do You Part," but "Until Death or Distance, Do You Part." Marriages among slaves were not legally recognized.
You know, just like marriages today in California are not legally recognized, if the people are... gay.
And uncountable in our history are the number of men and women, forced by society into marrying the opposite sex, in sham marriages, or marriages of convenience, or just marriages of not knowing -- centuries of men and women who have lived their lives in shame and unhappiness, and who have, through a lie to themselves or others, broken countless other lives, of spouses and children... All because we said a man couldn't marry another man, or a woman couldn't marry another woman. The sanctity of marriage. How many marriages like that have there been and how on earth do they increase the "sanctity" of marriage rather than render the term, meaningless?
What is this, to you? Nobody is asking you to embrace their expression of love. But don't you, as human beings, have to embrace... that love? The world is barren enough.
It is stacked against love, and against hope, and against those very few and precious emotions that enable us to go forward. Your marriage only stands a 50-50 chance of lasting, no matter how much you feel and how hard you work.
And here are people overjoyed at the prospect of just that chance, and that work, just for the hope of having that feeling. With so much hate in the world, with so much meaningless division, and people pitted against people for no good reason, this is what your religion tells you to do? With your experience of life and this world and all its sadnesses, this is what your conscience tells you to do?
With your knowledge that life, with endless vigor, seems to tilt the playing field on which we all live, in favor of unhappiness and hate... this is what your heart tells you to do? You want to sanctify marriage? You want to honor your God and the universal love you believe he represents? Then Spread happiness -- this tiny, symbolic, semantical grain of happiness -- share it with all those who seek it. Quote me anything from your religious leader or book of choice telling you to stand against this. And then tell me how you can believe both that statement and another statement, another one which reads only "do unto others as you would have them do unto you."
You are asked now, by your country, and perhaps by your creator, to stand on one side or another. You are asked now to stand, not on a question of politics, not on a question of religion, not on a question of gay or straight. You are asked now to stand, on a question of...love. All you need do is stand, and let the tiny ember of love meet its own fate. You don't have to help it, you don't have it applaud it, you don't have to fight for it. Just don't put it out. Just don't extinguish it. Because while it may at first look like that love is between two people you don't know and you don't understand and maybe you don't even want to know...It is, in fact, the ember of your love, for your fellow **person...
Just because this is the only world we have. And the other guy counts, too.
This is the second time in ten days I find myself concluding by turning to, of all things, the closing plea for mercy by Clarence Darrow in a murder trial.
But what he said, fits what is really at the heart of this:
"I was reading last night of the aspiration of the old Persian poet, Omar-Khayyam," he told the judge.
"It appealed to me as the highest that I can vision. I wish it was in my heart, and I wish it was in the hearts of all:
"So I be written in the Book of Love;
"I do not care about that Book above.
"Erase my name, or write it as you will,
"So I be written in the Book of Love."
Finally tonight as promised, a Special Comment on the passage, last week, of Proposition Eight in California, which rescinded the right of same-sex couples to marry, and tilted the balance on this issue, from coast to coast.
Some parameters, as preface. This isn't about yelling, and this isn't about politics, and this isn't really just about Prop-8. And I don't have a personal investment in this: I'm not gay, I had to strain to think of one member of even my very extended family who is, I have no personal stories of close friends or colleagues fighting the prejudice that still pervades their lives.
And yet to me this vote is horrible. Horrible. Because this isn't about yelling, and this isn't about politics...
This is about the... human heart, and if that sounds corny, so be it.
If you voted for this Proposition or support those who did or the sentiment they expressed, I have some questions, because, truly, I do not... understand. Why does this matter to you? What is it to you? In a time of impermanence and fly-by-night relationships, these people over here want the same chance at permanence and happiness that is your option. They don't want to deny you yours. They don't want to take anything away from you. They want what you want -- a chance to be a little less alone in the world.
Only now you are saying to them -- no. You can't have it on these terms. Maybe something similar. If they behave. If they don't cause too much trouble. You'll even give them all the same legal rights -- even as you're taking away the legal right, which they already had. A world around them, still anchored in love and marriage, and you are saying, no, you can't marry. What if somebody passed a law that said you couldn't marry?
I keep hearing this term "re-defining" marriage.
If this country hadn't re-defined marriage, black people still couldn't marry white people. Sixteen states had laws on the books which made that illegal... in 1967. 1967.
The parents of the President-Elect of the United States couldn't have married in nearly one third of the states of the country their son grew up to lead. But it's worse than that. If this country had not "re-defined" marriage, some black people still couldn't marry...black people. It is one of the most overlooked and cruelest parts of our sad story of slavery. Marriages were not legally recognized, if the people were slaves. Since slaves were property, they could not legally be husband and wife, or mother and child. Their marriage vows were different: not "Until Death, Do You Part," but "Until Death or Distance, Do You Part." Marriages among slaves were not legally recognized.
You know, just like marriages today in California are not legally recognized, if the people are... gay.
And uncountable in our history are the number of men and women, forced by society into marrying the opposite sex, in sham marriages, or marriages of convenience, or just marriages of not knowing -- centuries of men and women who have lived their lives in shame and unhappiness, and who have, through a lie to themselves or others, broken countless other lives, of spouses and children... All because we said a man couldn't marry another man, or a woman couldn't marry another woman. The sanctity of marriage. How many marriages like that have there been and how on earth do they increase the "sanctity" of marriage rather than render the term, meaningless?
What is this, to you? Nobody is asking you to embrace their expression of love. But don't you, as human beings, have to embrace... that love? The world is barren enough.
It is stacked against love, and against hope, and against those very few and precious emotions that enable us to go forward. Your marriage only stands a 50-50 chance of lasting, no matter how much you feel and how hard you work.
And here are people overjoyed at the prospect of just that chance, and that work, just for the hope of having that feeling. With so much hate in the world, with so much meaningless division, and people pitted against people for no good reason, this is what your religion tells you to do? With your experience of life and this world and all its sadnesses, this is what your conscience tells you to do?
With your knowledge that life, with endless vigor, seems to tilt the playing field on which we all live, in favor of unhappiness and hate... this is what your heart tells you to do? You want to sanctify marriage? You want to honor your God and the universal love you believe he represents? Then Spread happiness -- this tiny, symbolic, semantical grain of happiness -- share it with all those who seek it. Quote me anything from your religious leader or book of choice telling you to stand against this. And then tell me how you can believe both that statement and another statement, another one which reads only "do unto others as you would have them do unto you."
You are asked now, by your country, and perhaps by your creator, to stand on one side or another. You are asked now to stand, not on a question of politics, not on a question of religion, not on a question of gay or straight. You are asked now to stand, on a question of...love. All you need do is stand, and let the tiny ember of love meet its own fate. You don't have to help it, you don't have it applaud it, you don't have to fight for it. Just don't put it out. Just don't extinguish it. Because while it may at first look like that love is between two people you don't know and you don't understand and maybe you don't even want to know...It is, in fact, the ember of your love, for your fellow **person...
Just because this is the only world we have. And the other guy counts, too.
This is the second time in ten days I find myself concluding by turning to, of all things, the closing plea for mercy by Clarence Darrow in a murder trial.
But what he said, fits what is really at the heart of this:
"I was reading last night of the aspiration of the old Persian poet, Omar-Khayyam," he told the judge.
"It appealed to me as the highest that I can vision. I wish it was in my heart, and I wish it was in the hearts of all:
"So I be written in the Book of Love;
"I do not care about that Book above.
"Erase my name, or write it as you will,
"So I be written in the Book of Love."
Friday, November 7, 2008
Gone baby crazy...
The stork sure bit me bad! I've gone completely baby-mad! Which worries me. It worries me because it could take us 5 years to get pregnant and that will be really really frustrating. It's hard to not get your hopes up because you never know what's going to happen. It's kind of weird...to want something...and not just be able to go out and get it HAHA.
Anyways, I've been bored at work a few days a week, so that makes me read sites, look at nursery collections, track my ovulation calendar and play with the babynamegenie.com generator. I feel like such a geek...is this normal for being a woman? I've never done this stuff before and I don't know why I'm obsessing over it. Someone please tell me I'm friggin' normal...
So as it stands, our names are finalized:
Connor William Christian Happ
Olivia Jeanne Ryleigh Happ
William Christian for Jeff's great grandpa and also himself (Jeffrey William). Jeanne is from Norma Jean (my grandma) but spelled Jeanne because she went by that her entire life. Ryleigh is a combo of Ry(ia-obviously my maiden name) and Leigh for my mom's middle name. The two middle name tradition we're carrying on with Jeff's mom's side of the family.
For some reason unknown to me, if we have twins, then our second boy name choice is Aaden Cole and Emma Isabella or Sophia. I love Madelyn, but he doesn't, so we'll see.
Our decor will be either pink and brown or blue and brown depending on the sex of the baby obviously. And of course there will be some kind of Disney something-or-another somewhere. Probably Classic Pooh. Seems like I've always had these things figured out, even when I wasn't ready for baby-hood!
And if you didn't think I was crazy from all of the items above, look at this item I added to my wishlist: http://www.amazon.com/Kee-Ka-3-pc-Organic-Gift-Burpcloth/dp/B000XBA96Q/ref=wl_it_dp?ie=UTF8&coliid=I1QI8TL5XDFZCF&colid=1QSV1BO6IA53V
Yeah I've lost it...
Anywhoo, some new pics from Disneyland up on my flickr site. Have loads more to sift through at home. Will leave work early and try and work on that today and over the weekend.
Love,
M
Anyways, I've been bored at work a few days a week, so that makes me read sites, look at nursery collections, track my ovulation calendar and play with the babynamegenie.com generator. I feel like such a geek...is this normal for being a woman? I've never done this stuff before and I don't know why I'm obsessing over it. Someone please tell me I'm friggin' normal...
So as it stands, our names are finalized:
Connor William Christian Happ
Olivia Jeanne Ryleigh Happ
William Christian for Jeff's great grandpa and also himself (Jeffrey William). Jeanne is from Norma Jean (my grandma) but spelled Jeanne because she went by that her entire life. Ryleigh is a combo of Ry(ia-obviously my maiden name) and Leigh for my mom's middle name. The two middle name tradition we're carrying on with Jeff's mom's side of the family.
For some reason unknown to me, if we have twins, then our second boy name choice is Aaden Cole and Emma Isabella or Sophia. I love Madelyn, but he doesn't, so we'll see.
Our decor will be either pink and brown or blue and brown depending on the sex of the baby obviously. And of course there will be some kind of Disney something-or-another somewhere. Probably Classic Pooh. Seems like I've always had these things figured out, even when I wasn't ready for baby-hood!
And if you didn't think I was crazy from all of the items above, look at this item I added to my wishlist: http://www.amazon.com/Kee-Ka-3-pc-Organic-Gift-Burpcloth/dp/B000XBA96Q/ref=wl_it_dp?ie=UTF8&coliid=I1QI8TL5XDFZCF&colid=1QSV1BO6IA53V
Yeah I've lost it...
Anywhoo, some new pics from Disneyland up on my flickr site. Have loads more to sift through at home. Will leave work early and try and work on that today and over the weekend.
Love,
M
Monday, October 27, 2008
Things are looking up from my last entry...
Excuse the angry entry below...but it's hard to be told you can't have things...like a family. Seems like that's the right of any woman, whether it's having a kid or adopting a kid. If you want it and you can take care of and raise a child properly, you should be allowed to!
But anyways, I called my mom that night, half-heartedly expecting her to agree with my boss, but it was quite the opposite. She said to do what we feel is right and we'll figure it out. Whether my mom comes and stays with us while they try and sell their house, or my dad comes to help out, we'll figure it out. My mom said she'll be there every minute I need her and not to worry. That she's ready to quit working and be a grandma. We also have Jeff's mom, who's only an hour and a half away, and my adopted mom (our friend and realtor) who has very young grandkids herself and has a baby-proof house. So it's not as bad as we originally had thought and "no time is the right time" whether financially or whatever, but us, like everyone else, will figure it out.
So, we are really excited. I scheduled my doctor's appointment on November 11th for a consolation and for any exams and blood work I need done. We stocked up on the vitamins we'll need. What's funny is that I don't really have to change my diet any (except for wine and I'll have to cut back on sushi) because we already eat really healthy. We already eat whole grains, calcium rich products and veggies, and we're very good about not eating sugar. So at least it won't be a complete lifestyle change for me (being pregnant - I know it'll be a complete lifestyle change once it's born!). We're already putting things in motion to cut down on our spending and put more away. I'm upping my 401k to 3% beginning in January for our long-term savings plan. We already have all of the necessary medical care for pre-natal, delivery, and well-baby visits. Our cars are paid for and our only outstanding debt is our house and Jeff's student loan. We have a great buffer in our income to be able to afford a baby and still be able to put away money every month for emergencies and future travel. And we have great family and friends supporting us. So I feel really great about this, I'm so excited I can hardly stand it and I'm hoping that 2009 will be another amazing year for us.
Oh and the reason for the picture - not only do I like posting pictures with my entries - but I feel like a butterfly is a great symbol for my discussion in this post. :-D
But anyways, I called my mom that night, half-heartedly expecting her to agree with my boss, but it was quite the opposite. She said to do what we feel is right and we'll figure it out. Whether my mom comes and stays with us while they try and sell their house, or my dad comes to help out, we'll figure it out. My mom said she'll be there every minute I need her and not to worry. That she's ready to quit working and be a grandma. We also have Jeff's mom, who's only an hour and a half away, and my adopted mom (our friend and realtor) who has very young grandkids herself and has a baby-proof house. So it's not as bad as we originally had thought and "no time is the right time" whether financially or whatever, but us, like everyone else, will figure it out.
So, we are really excited. I scheduled my doctor's appointment on November 11th for a consolation and for any exams and blood work I need done. We stocked up on the vitamins we'll need. What's funny is that I don't really have to change my diet any (except for wine and I'll have to cut back on sushi) because we already eat really healthy. We already eat whole grains, calcium rich products and veggies, and we're very good about not eating sugar. So at least it won't be a complete lifestyle change for me (being pregnant - I know it'll be a complete lifestyle change once it's born!). We're already putting things in motion to cut down on our spending and put more away. I'm upping my 401k to 3% beginning in January for our long-term savings plan. We already have all of the necessary medical care for pre-natal, delivery, and well-baby visits. Our cars are paid for and our only outstanding debt is our house and Jeff's student loan. We have a great buffer in our income to be able to afford a baby and still be able to put away money every month for emergencies and future travel. And we have great family and friends supporting us. So I feel really great about this, I'm so excited I can hardly stand it and I'm hoping that 2009 will be another amazing year for us.
Oh and the reason for the picture - not only do I like posting pictures with my entries - but I feel like a butterfly is a great symbol for my discussion in this post. :-D
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Being a Woman sucks
Growing up I was focused on going to college, getting married, starting a family, all the while having a career. There was no question that I would be a working mom. As time has progressed and reality has set in, the idea I'd had about "taking a few years off and then going back to work" has become a fantasy. It's apparent that after 3.5 years at Jeff's job, he'll never make more than I made with my starting pay here (4 years ago), and I'll never make enough to supplement Jeff's income so that he could be a stay at home dad. The reality of it is, is that we both have to work and most likely it will always be that way.
With that reality in mind, we set out on planning and discussing on how to make kids work in the next year or two. It seemed like it would be doable until a reality check (again) came from my boss.
Jeff had talked to his boss and she agreed to (4) ten hour shifts so he could have every Friday off to take care of the baby. That would give us one day of child care. Then I was convinced my boss wouldn't have a problem with me working two days a week from home, as my job is very doable from home, so that would only leave us two days a week for child care. Two days a week is affordable (with several cut-backs) and we could still manage to make it without a whole load of worry about paying the bills. That was until I finally decided to discuss this with my boss...and was shot down. Working two days a week sets a precedent that "it's ok" for working mother's to work part time from home and that I'll never really get anywhere in the company by setting that precedent. The only option I would have (if HR would allow it) is to work full time from home at a lower title, but I would then sacrifice a career. Because once I took the "demotion" I could never build a career from that. Also that I can't have a significant raise unless I took a management or supervisor position, therefore taking an increase in work, therefore not being able to work from home and raise a child. So pretty much, on a platter I was given the choice of children or career. This loss of control over what I've aimed to do my entire life, makes me sad, it makes me angry, and it makes me feel discouraged.
Going into this conversation I thought I was making the best move. I'm still early on in my career, so I thought now was a good time to have kids because by the time their school age I would be able to grow more and move into a position that would be more responsibility. But apparently it's only one or the other.
No matter how many times I play the numbers over in my head, there's just no way we could make it with Jeff out of work. We'd literally have pennies left to our name, we wouldn't be able to save much at all, and would have nothing for emergencies. That's not the way I want to live.
But everyone keeps telling me that there's never a right time for kids and "things will work themselves out..." but I just don't see any other way around this. You can't magically make someone affordable come out of no where and be able to give you child care. And who wants to send a 3-month old baby to a child care facility 4 days a week anyways?
With that reality in mind, we set out on planning and discussing on how to make kids work in the next year or two. It seemed like it would be doable until a reality check (again) came from my boss.
Jeff had talked to his boss and she agreed to (4) ten hour shifts so he could have every Friday off to take care of the baby. That would give us one day of child care. Then I was convinced my boss wouldn't have a problem with me working two days a week from home, as my job is very doable from home, so that would only leave us two days a week for child care. Two days a week is affordable (with several cut-backs) and we could still manage to make it without a whole load of worry about paying the bills. That was until I finally decided to discuss this with my boss...and was shot down. Working two days a week sets a precedent that "it's ok" for working mother's to work part time from home and that I'll never really get anywhere in the company by setting that precedent. The only option I would have (if HR would allow it) is to work full time from home at a lower title, but I would then sacrifice a career. Because once I took the "demotion" I could never build a career from that. Also that I can't have a significant raise unless I took a management or supervisor position, therefore taking an increase in work, therefore not being able to work from home and raise a child. So pretty much, on a platter I was given the choice of children or career. This loss of control over what I've aimed to do my entire life, makes me sad, it makes me angry, and it makes me feel discouraged.
Going into this conversation I thought I was making the best move. I'm still early on in my career, so I thought now was a good time to have kids because by the time their school age I would be able to grow more and move into a position that would be more responsibility. But apparently it's only one or the other.
No matter how many times I play the numbers over in my head, there's just no way we could make it with Jeff out of work. We'd literally have pennies left to our name, we wouldn't be able to save much at all, and would have nothing for emergencies. That's not the way I want to live.
But everyone keeps telling me that there's never a right time for kids and "things will work themselves out..." but I just don't see any other way around this. You can't magically make someone affordable come out of no where and be able to give you child care. And who wants to send a 3-month old baby to a child care facility 4 days a week anyways?
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Pismo Beach
My birthday was great this year. I did work, but that's ok. After work, 7 of us met at Kabuki for sushi. I haven't eaten much in the past three weeks and I hadn't had a drink since Italy, so I was really excited to stuff my face with some yummy sushi and mojitos! They sang happy birthday to me in Japanese which was highly entertaining to Ale and Liz and pretty funny after two drinks!
The next afternoon Jeff and I drove up to Pismo Beach to meet my parents for the weekend. Had an AWESOME Italian meal at Giuseppe's in downtown Pismo. What a great place to have an Italian meal after coming back from Italy...it was very authentic and the best Italian meal I've ever had in America!
The next morning we went to see the Monarch Grove. The Monarch's are in Pismo from October/November - February. It's the biggest Monarch Grove in the state and it's absolutely beautiful! I've never seen so many butterflies in my life and they were amazing. What an experience - especially as a photographer!
Then we headed back downtown for a little shopping and eating before heading out to Paso Robles for some much needed wine tasting! Went to J Lohr, Tobin James, and EOS. All were fantastic and inherited 5 more bottles of wine from it!
Later we had dinner at F McLintock's - a huge steak place in Pismo. Fun experience and the food was good. They took my picture with my birthday cake and ice cream with a Polaroid, so I have it forever. :-)
We had a great weekend and enjoyed the sea air and views from our hotel. It's so beautiful up there and I definitely want to go back! Not only to see the butterflies, but to eat at Giuseppe's!
The next afternoon Jeff and I drove up to Pismo Beach to meet my parents for the weekend. Had an AWESOME Italian meal at Giuseppe's in downtown Pismo. What a great place to have an Italian meal after coming back from Italy...it was very authentic and the best Italian meal I've ever had in America!
The next morning we went to see the Monarch Grove. The Monarch's are in Pismo from October/November - February. It's the biggest Monarch Grove in the state and it's absolutely beautiful! I've never seen so many butterflies in my life and they were amazing. What an experience - especially as a photographer!
Then we headed back downtown for a little shopping and eating before heading out to Paso Robles for some much needed wine tasting! Went to J Lohr, Tobin James, and EOS. All were fantastic and inherited 5 more bottles of wine from it!
Later we had dinner at F McLintock's - a huge steak place in Pismo. Fun experience and the food was good. They took my picture with my birthday cake and ice cream with a Polaroid, so I have it forever. :-)
We had a great weekend and enjoyed the sea air and views from our hotel. It's so beautiful up there and I definitely want to go back! Not only to see the butterflies, but to eat at Giuseppe's!
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Italy - Closing Thoughts
I didn't know if I was going to enjoy being with a group of 27 people, but I did. Jeff really came out of his shell and people really enjoyed his company, which took some social pressure off of me. It was also stress free as the tour took the reins and led the way. I was able to relax and actually take the time to take it all in. And it also gave us friends for life.
Italy was beautiful - every city and every bus drive offered new sights, great memories, and new experiences.
I would return to the Almafi Coast, Florence and Venice again for sure. In the time being I will take my 12 days and 13 cities of memories and hold them close to my heart. This was the best journey of my lifetime.
Ciao Bella,
Meg <3
Italy was beautiful - every city and every bus drive offered new sights, great memories, and new experiences.
I would return to the Almafi Coast, Florence and Venice again for sure. In the time being I will take my 12 days and 13 cities of memories and hold them close to my heart. This was the best journey of my lifetime.
Ciao Bella,
Meg <3
Day Twelve - September 29, 2008 - Rome, Washington DC, Los Angeles
Six a.m. wakeup call this morning so we could catch the 6:45 shuttle into the airport with the rest of the North Americans.Quiet ride over - everyone dreading the long trip back to the states.
After some goodbyes, duty free olive oil shopping, snow globe and t-shirt purchases, we gave one last goodbye to Michelle, Hollie, and Amber and then boarded our flight.
Nine hours to DC and then five hours to L.A. from there.
So since I have a long journey ahead, I want to summarize my favorite things or experiences about each city.
Rome: I've wanted to go to Rome as long as I can remember. The sites and history didn't let me down amid the crazy traffic, rain, and insane roads. The colosseum was truly amazing and a sight everyone should see in their lifetime. Just pressing my hand against the ancient walls makes me feel in some small way that I am a part of that history.
Sorrento: Amazing. The coast line is like nothing I've ever seen in my life. It was almost too much for my eyes to take in; like my brain couldn't process the beauty. I'll always remember my first moment on the bus seeing Mt. Vesuvius for the first time. Despite its danger, it is truly the most beautiful mountain I've ever laid eyes on. The view from our hotel was so spectacular that I will never ever forget it. Oh and who could forget the 4-foot pizza at Pizza a Metro!
Positano: A surprise excursion that didn't let me down. The city is buried deep into a mountain at sea level and on the coast. Very hard to get to! We watched the sun set just behind the mountain over the ocean. The city itself was amazing with hilly streets lined with cute little shops and cafes. I loved it!
Capri: Touristy, but gorgeous. I'll always remember sitting on the water sipping wine with Jeff and Michelle and just enjoying the view.
Pompeii: I never thought I would make it to the city of Pompeii in my lifetime. I thought it would always be just a dream of mine. I've been fascinated with it for years and although I didn't get to see as much of it as I had hoped, I'm still extremely blessed that I got to set foot in a city that was so advanced and is nearly 2000 years old. It was an experience like no other and I will never forget it. In Pompeii I'll always remember the petrified boy frozen in time as he tried to shield himself from the poison in the air.
Florence: What a beautiful city! It's a "big city," yet still a pretty city. Not dirty or chaotic like Rome, with lots of beautiful tree-lined streets. The feel of the influence of art also gives this city a great vibe. I will never forget laying my eyes on the beautiful David or Michelangelo's unfinished works. Another highlight was seeing the mountains between Florence and Pisa where for centuries (even Michelangelo) marble has been carved out of the mountains. Amazing!
Pisa: This will be known as the quickest sightseeing trip in history! The tower was cool - smaller than I thought, but every year when I look at my little Pinocchio on the xmas tree, I will think of Tuscany and Pisa.
Portofino: A beautiful tiny town hidden on a island. It's a sleepy town and we enjoyed relaxing by the water. The green water was so clear I could watch the fishes swimming below me. All of the colored houses add so much charm to this coastal town, it's hard not to love it!
Milan: We were only here a little over 12 hours and I'll probably remember it most for the nice hotel room! But the minestrone soup was awesome.
Lake Garda: Another surprise trip that was enjoyable. I've always heard the Italian Lakes are amazing and Lake Garda (the largest of the 3) definitely was. I'll always remember the yummy strawberry gelato!
Verona: A complete surprise - a pleasant one - that this town, known for Juliet's balcony, was actually a very cute little town. The Arena is a smaller version of the Colosseum and built around the same time. It was beautiful. I'll never forget all of the "graffiti" on the Lover's Wall at Juliet's House.
Venice: Ahhh (sigh)...I absolutely adored Venice. My favorite moment (in Venice and the entire trip) was our evening drink in St. Mark's Square (me with my rose is in the picture on this post). Venice is crowded, but by far the most different place I've ever been to in my life. The architecture and green water just make it quite a sight to take in. I enjoyed wandering the back streets and also going up to the top of the bell tower and seeing out all over Venice. Amazing.
Burano: This excursion was worth every penny. Burano is a gem about 40 minutes from Venice. The brightly colored houses and shops were an amazing sight. And no crowds! Great photos and great cheesy/creamy lasagna too!
Assisi: The view of the Tuscan region from this city carved into a mountainside was priceless. Quite hilly, but a great stop!
Now for my favorites!! Oh course there's going to be some food in here...
My favorite...
Wine: The first night in Florence we had dinner at a pizza place. I ordered their Chianti and it was so amazing. The flavor was full and the aroma was sweet - it was awesome.
Dessert: Tiramisu the first night in Rome. It had a slight coffee flavor to it which I really enjoyed.
Coffee: Generally bad in Italy, but the quick Cappuccino at the stand-only bar in Venice was amazing. Runner up were the latte's outside the Pantheon in Rome.
Seafood: A tie between the seafood risotto in Positano and the creamy seafood lasagna in Burano.
Shopping: Florence! I bought a true Italian leather purse and some Chanel sunglasses, what else can I say?
Olive Oil: Best and most flavor was in Sorrento.
Meat: The gigantic Florentine steak in the Chianti Hills at our dinner excursion.
Best Optional Excursion: Burano and Positano. Both colorful cities on the water and gorgeous!
Best Hotel: Honestly, Milan was the most luxurious, but the last night in Rome at Hotel Pinewood had the best package. Best shower, best temperature control, and no mosquitoes (mossi's!).
Best moment: As mentioned before, St. Mark's Square at night, drinking with the band playing.
Best Pasta: The three small bites of creamy pasta at the Florence dinner. So cheesy! Runner up is the seafood lasagna and the first meal at the Campo de Fiori.
Time to settle in for a long flight...
Ciao Bella Italia!
~ M <3>
Day Eleven - September 28, 2008 - Assisi and Rome, Italy
Long drive today, but it wasn't too bad. We stopped after we came out of the Apennine Mountains and then again in Assisi.
Assisi is a beautiful little (and hilly) town perched on (and in) a mountain side. It's best known for Saint Frances of Assisi, who is kept in a crypt there. He was the saint of nature and also the patron saint of Italy.
The crowds there were unexpected (bus loads of nuns arriving when we left), but we were still able to visit the basilica and crypt before climbing uphill for views of the countryside. A great little place to stop before we did our final 2 hour drive into Rome.
Coming back to Rome was surreal because in so many ways it feels like we were just there and then it feels like we were gone for a month.
The hotel room was tons better than Venice and probably the second best (if not the best) the entire trip.
We quickly packed for our journey the following morning and then left to go into the heart of Rome for our farewell dinner.
Only about 14 of us went, but it was a good group and another large and fabulous dinner. First course was a plateful of anti-pasta and we sliced fresh pepperoni and salami at the table. Second course was ricotta stuffed ravioli and bowtie creamy pasta and a tomato pasta that looked like little shells. Next was a plate of meat including veal, chicken, pork and some potatoes and salad. Last was a slice of almond cake with a shot of limoncello and a cappuccino. I'm pretty tired of eating which is sad!
We then walked to the Spanish Steps and climbed to the top and looked out over Rome.
We only had a few goodbye's as everyone we spent most of our time with were going to be on our shuttle the next morning.
M
Assisi is a beautiful little (and hilly) town perched on (and in) a mountain side. It's best known for Saint Frances of Assisi, who is kept in a crypt there. He was the saint of nature and also the patron saint of Italy.
The crowds there were unexpected (bus loads of nuns arriving when we left), but we were still able to visit the basilica and crypt before climbing uphill for views of the countryside. A great little place to stop before we did our final 2 hour drive into Rome.
Coming back to Rome was surreal because in so many ways it feels like we were just there and then it feels like we were gone for a month.
The hotel room was tons better than Venice and probably the second best (if not the best) the entire trip.
We quickly packed for our journey the following morning and then left to go into the heart of Rome for our farewell dinner.
Only about 14 of us went, but it was a good group and another large and fabulous dinner. First course was a plateful of anti-pasta and we sliced fresh pepperoni and salami at the table. Second course was ricotta stuffed ravioli and bowtie creamy pasta and a tomato pasta that looked like little shells. Next was a plate of meat including veal, chicken, pork and some potatoes and salad. Last was a slice of almond cake with a shot of limoncello and a cappuccino. I'm pretty tired of eating which is sad!
We then walked to the Spanish Steps and climbed to the top and looked out over Rome.
We only had a few goodbye's as everyone we spent most of our time with were going to be on our shuttle the next morning.
M
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