{ bella italia }

As my time in London wrapped up, I thought it would be a great idea for Mother Darling to trek across the Atlantic and visit in London. She had never been to Europe, and it was the perfect excuse to visit Italy. It was, after all, her dream. And mine (since Italy had been bumped up to #1 on my Top 10 Places to Travel list).

I spent some time researching and came up with a crazy itinerary which allowed us to see 5 cities in just  7 days:

Pisa

Florence

Bologna

Venice

Rome

Here are just a few of my favorite shots from that trip

I have no idea what this building is, but it is gorgeous. This was on a side street off Piazza della Signora in Florence.

I loved this little alley, also a side street off Piazza della Signora

Rach hates this. I don't get why. This is Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence

Sneaky shot of Michaelangelo's David at the Galleria dell'Accademia. It was bizarre standing outside for an hour just to go in. In was in this very plain building. I guess I just expected one of the most iconic art pieces in history to be housed in a building of grander scale. It was beautiful though, and definitely worth the wait.

We spent an afternoon in Pisa. That was really all we needed. We didn't climb the tower, but enjoyed walking around the piazza.

A more comprehensive view of Piazza del Doumo

View from the Ponte Vecchio in Florence

All mom wanted for her birthday was to visit a vineyard. It was an interesting day. We didn't book a tour, and all vineyards were closed by the time we made it to Tuscany... so we snuck into one. 

We do what we want.

This is UNREAL. I love Tuscany!

Then mom and I made our way to Bologna. I had just read John Grisham's The Broker, and most of the story takes place there. Don't judge me. In the book, he talks about this portico that is built from the center of Bologna and leads to a cathedral up a mountain. You can walk all 666 arches, or you can take a bus. Well, I HAD to see it, and to Bologna we went. This red baby Fiat was at the Bologna station. 

We made our way along Via della Indipendenza and got to this cathedral right before we hit Piazza del Nettuno

Grishman also spent a considerable amount of the story talking about this fountain. I don't understand his fascination with it, really. It's terrifying.

Mom and I found a bus that took us to the Sanctuary of the Madonna in San Luca. We did not hike up the portico, but we were tight on time. The trip was worth it though. The exterior of the cathedral is not at all representative of the interior. It also provided gorgeous views of the surrounding hills and fields.

After Bologna, we made our way to Venice. It was super rainy, and hard to get around because of the rain, but I LOVED IT. I can't wait to go back.

Mama on Ponte di Rialto in Venice.

We got caught in a monsoon and waited inside the Basilica (of San Marco). I loved how different the architecture was from every other church we saw on that trip... or possibly ever. I've never seen much Byzantine architecture and I loved it. 

On our way out, I realize I had ZERO photos of me in Venice... 

so here is a picture of me on the Grand Canal.

And one of mama at some place in Venice that I can't recall the name of

That night, we arrived in Rome. Time was tight so we headed right for Fontanna di Trevi

and the Spanish steps

The next day we visited Vatican City. I loved visiting the Basilica and loved how no one was telling us that we couldn't take pictures inside. Still, it felt a little weird, so I don't have many from the interior.

It was a gorgeous day in Rome... but seriously like 90+ degrees. 

We breezed through the Vatican Museums as we had a flight to catch, but at last... I got to see Sistine Chapel. It was not at all what I expected, and it was so crowded that I truly didn't get to enjoy it as I had hoped. The fact that so many people were there sort of made it lose its "aura" if you will. I'm still so so grateful that I got to see it. 

This should give you a sense of how crowded it was.

We took a taxi to the Colosseum and didn't feel like waiting in line. We walked around it and enjoyed some gelato before heading to the airport for our flight.

{ Paralympic Opening Ceremonies }

I've been quite behind on blogging but I have great excuses for that. Starting with... The Paralympic Opening Ceremonies.

Back in February, I auditioned for a chance to be part of the cast for the Paralympic Games ceremonies. I didn't really hear anything for a long time so I just sort of forgot about it, but in April, I got a cast offer to be in the Paralympic Opening Ceremony.

We rehearsed a lot, and it turned out to be a really fun experience. Our cast was in the section called Empowerment which was the grand finale of the ceremony. It was a beautiful feeling to dance along a cast of 200+ volunteers to celebrate the fantastic athletes who were a part of the Paralympic Games.

The rehearsal process lasted about 3 months and I got to  know my little group quite well. I will miss the experience, but it was a really great time, and it was special to be a part of something so important in British history.

we received tickets to the dress rehearsal of the Olympic Opening ceremony. 

such a thrill!

the ceremony did some crazy things, but this part was my favorite! it was meant to represent the industrialisation period of Great Britain. it was quite hard to hear it on TV, but there were thousands of drummers coming downs the aisles. it was deafening. 

Sneaky photo during our first day rehearsing at the Olympic Stadium.

And me! it was so amazing to see them working to put together that massive show.

me and my pod. we had to run with these hoisted over our heads, which was interesting considering it was really windy in London most of August.

Kanako!

practicing the parade of athletes. we sat in the royalty box for this!

i found the Costa Rica ambassador! all the countries were led on to the field of play by an ambassador wearing these dresses... they looked like garbage bags, but looked cool on the screens.

our group getting ready to perform! Tony, me, Aasha and Kanako. 

Our outfits had the Declaration of Human Rights printed on them.

Kanako and I during the finale! 

A summary of the night!

the finale! the statue is of alison lapper. this was the coolest part of all. at the end, we all put our fist up to the air as if to say "more power to you" and held it there for a long, long time. 

sir Ian McKellen performed with us! He gave a speech and then joined our group... he was on the stage holding one of the letters that spelled out the word "rights"

Stephen Hawkins joined our performance as well! what an honor. SERIOUSLY. 

i was floored when i saw the performance photos the next day and realised he was on stage with us.

The entire performance... my section begins at 3:24:36 until about 3:31:00. You can't see me at all, but this was my group. 

it was such an amazing experience. i can't believe i was so lucky to be a part of something so large, empowering, and significant. i loved every second of it and i will always cherish my time as a performer at the  2012 Paralympic Games.

{ back in the (other) city i love }

i am back in new york, and things are slowly returning back to normal. 

i am back at 200 west... it feels fantastic to be back in my apartment, and to have my roommates back.

 it also feels pretty fantastic to live in a place that doesn't function as a hotel. 

i spent some time in florida with my family, and enjoyed doing nothing for a few days, then i came back to the city and landed a job within a week. 

things are returning to their normal pace... and life is good.

i'll slowly, but surely start to blog about some of my last european adventures in the weeks to come. if anything, writing will serve as a lovely reminder of a fabulous year.

HUMANS!

Friends, family and other fellow humans.

My return to the USA is closer than you might think.

But first, mom and I are running away to Italy. 

Stay tuned...

Phelps and Lochte

I haven't blogged forever, but I have been quite busy. I've had lots going on, which I'll post about soon. I am meant to be writing my dissertation, but instead, I'm watching the Olympics like it's my job... more specifically, I am watching swimming like it's my job... and looking up these two:

I like to believe they're the best of friends.

Clearly.

Record breaker! Try as I might, I couldn't find any pictures where he doesn't look super goofy, 

but I think that makes him more likeable. Sweet little M.

I want to dislike him for his 'ultimate bro status,' but I can't... 

Plus... he went to UF which I simply  do not support.

But he's truly a freaking amazing swimmer.

This grill situation, however, I do not support. Why, Ryan? WHY?

I support this wholeheartedly. 

As well as this... He may be a 'bro,' but he's an extremely attractive bro.