TOTALLY NEW EXPERIENCE.

You will never appreciate going to the store and buying face cleanser until you have to do it in another country. What product is this? How does it work? Will it really get rid of pimples? Sorry, gross, but it is REAL LIFE and you cannot appreciate it until you have to do it somewhere other than you are used to being. No big deal. Well, not REALly. Just one of those things I am getting used to. I absolutely love it here, though. Vicenza has become my new (third) favorite place in Italy. Rome is cool, but it is not on that list anymore. Used to be my third favorite.
Julie, Lindsay, YES I am eating gelato for you. Rachel, YES, I am drinking cappucinos for you. Need to not gain that weight back, people, but eating this is a sacrifice I am willing to make. Still totally exercising. The DVD player in my room is pitiful. (No, I am not complainig about free, just stating a fact.) It is pitiful! that being said, when I use it to listen to work-out music, the music cuts out after 5 songs. At that point, I jog in place and wait *patiently* until it comes back. If I were in America, I would jog around outside, maybe, but Italians don't really do that. They don't have to exercise to be thin. So unfair!
I am having the BEST time here. I went to church last night with all the Ghana members, and I didn't understand a thing, except for when the Ghanese man next to me interpreted for me. Most of them speak Italian really well.
How am I coming on my Italian? Well, I've made it through half the "Italian for Dummies" book, and, well, they speak WAY TOO FAST. This American is having a bit of a hard time figuring out what people are saying, but luckily for me, they are patient. The ones that aren't just smile, stop talking, and walk away. Oh, well, I will be here for 3 months. There is TIME. ^_^
Okay, ciao mi amici e famiglia.

So happy to be HERE!!!!!! I love it in Vicenza. Now, I know you are wondering whatàs happened so far, but i will have an update later. I already typed it out but didnàt have internet access until now. In case youàre wondering about the "typoàs" itàs b-c the keyboard is a little different here. Oh, well. Anyway, things are good. The people at the church are fantastico!!! Iàm so glad that Iàm here. I studied more Italian today. Less people speak English than I thought, but itàs okay, weàre working on it. It will take time, but itàs all good. God is good and will help with the language barrier. These people are amazing!!!! At first, I was sad that I could not stay with Bryan, but I think God placed me here for a reason. There were several barriers on the road to this whole experience, so there must be a reason for me to be here!!!! In the meantime, Bryan and I really love it. He leaves for Piovene Rocchete tomorrow, (pout) but thatàs the reason weàre here.
Okay, more later. Love to all!!!!!

So happy to be HERE!!!!!! I love it in Vicenza. Now, I know youàre wondering whatàs happened so far, but Okay, more later. Love to all!!!!!

Hey everybody!!!!!!

So happy to be HERE!!!!!! I love it in Vicenza. Now, I know youàre wondering whatàs happened so far, but Okay, more later. Love to all!!!!!

Part 2 of previous blog

 
 
 
  

New friends and old

One of my favorite quotes is "What is a friend? A single soul dwelling in two bodies..." Aristotle

I dedicate this blog to all my friends. For those of which I don't have pictures, SEND ME ONE!
Love you ALL ^_^

 
 
 
  

I'm the WORST picture developer!

I always take forever to develop them. Here they are, though, some pics of me in my dress, me and Mamaw, and members of my lovely family. Love to all!
Kristi ^_^

PS--WE LEAVE TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have to learn how to say "whee-hoo" in Italian...

I do know how to say, "I'd love it!" It's "Magari!" Italians love to say things concisely and to the point. all in one word, si possibile. Whee-hoo! I did learn a really fun way to say "Good luck." "In bocca al lupo" means literally "a wolf in mouth", but people say it to wish good luck. In response, people say "Crepi il lupo", which means "Hopefully the wolf will die!" Funny, huh? You know, just when I get more into studying and--now that I'm not working--have time to study, I leave my "Italian for Dummies" book in my car. Oh, well.
Anyway, the people are looking forward to seeing me in Vicenza, according to Francesco Fergnani, the preacher. I look forward to meeting him! It'll be FUN. Divertiro!!!! Okay, I know, ENOUGH ITALIAN. sorry, I'm just glad I know a few key phrases.
Nother subject. have not been as dedicated to exercise lately. Have not gained it back but have hit a slump. need to get OUT. huh, fun to type the first letter in the sentence in a lower case letter. driving you crazy Holly? ^_^ anyway, that's beside the point. so, I still have 7 more to drop before I enter the land of total health. I hope I haven't been too personal with this whole weight loss thing. I've been really excited, and who better to share excitement with than family and friends, right?
Stryker, i think suspects that Bryan and I will be leaving him soon. He can tell, and is more needy lately. wants our attention an 'at. 'sall good. We'll be back before he knows it. Honestly, it's a little strange to think about how long we'll be in Italy is as long as we've been in PA. It feels like another lifetime! God's funny. He puts you places you don't think you'll be until you get there, and then He makes you realize that He's been right all along. Why do we continually put up fights with him?
tomorrow's Sloppy Joe Singing, meaning we have church, and then we make sloppy Joe's for lunch. After that, we're going to learn some devotional songs to sing at church. It'll be great fun! I love to sing the newer songs. I do cherish the older ones, yes, but I look forward to sharing these with the church tomorrow. These people are amazing. I never thought I'd enjoy a smaller church as much as I do. Again, ALL GOD.
Okay, this was a long post. Love to all!!!!


Kim, just think about it--this could be Bison or Belle!
also, something messed up--the picture doesn't show on its own, so click on the brown box and it'll show up ^_^

Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip

Boy did I pick a terrible time to get hooked on a TV show. I don't know if this show will even be on in Italy, and much less, if I will have a TV. One thing I can count on, as far as TV is concerned, is that I will have my pick of Italian soap operas. They're a trip.
Anyway, I've become hooked on Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. Jonathan, I hope my blog does the show justice.
The writing is FANTASTIC. They are surpassing new levels of emotion--especially for Matthew Perry. I loved him on Friends. He had the best one-liners on primetime TV and still does. I've personally never been a fan of Bradley Whitford, who's the other star of the show. He's always played squirrelly, snivelly characters in movies, and I am glad to see him excel in other roles. Together with Matthew Perry, they make one fantastic duo.
I think this show will make people escape enough to enjoy the show, in that most people watching the show do not write for their own network. Jonathan is the closest of any of us to TV, as he may make it there someday, although my friend Lindsay works for a network as well. Good for those who dream big and fulfill their dreams.
Okay, to those who haven't watched the show yet, let's see if I put enough of an interest in the show into people who read my blog. ^_^

WE GOT THE TICKETS!!!!!

Whee-hoo!!! I'm so excited!!!! Bryan and I bought the tickets to Italy this morning! Thank goodness we're in the offseason, as far as travel goes. Tickets are usually a bit cheaper in the offseason, I think. Anyway, we're going to fly to Philadelphia on Wednesday, November 22nd. We'll be there that night and then most of Thanksgiving, and our flight leaves at 6PM the next day! I'm excited--I've never been to Philadelphia. Bryan and I'll check out the Liberty Bell an 'at. Whee-hoo! You may be thinking, hmmm, is she more excited about Philadelphia or Italy? HA!
Okay, here's the story on Italy. The apartment is ready for me. I'll stay there, while Bryan is in the cabin in the woods(hmm, sound like a song?) he told me he'd visit the apartment as much as possible, but he actually will be closer to the restaurant in the mountains by being in the cabin. I know, I'll miss him TERRIBLY, but we'll see each other as much as we can.
I get to work with the teens and young adults in the church. Most of them understand English, but I've been working on my Italian more lately. Learning more fun words, having a blast. We're going to study today, now that we have the tickets bought!! Studiamo oggi! (We study today.)
I'll also be keeping in touch with the soldiers at the base in Vicenza. Francesco Fergnani, the preacher over there, told me that with the language barrier, it's difficult sometimes to keep contact with them, but I'll be able to keep up with them!!! He said it will be one of my duties!!! I'm typing so quickly b/c I'm so excited. My hands are practically shaking!!!! Whee-hoo!!!!
Anyway, so I hope everyone will keep Bryan and me in prayers. With prayer and petition, this will be a mission with which God will be happy. Whee-hoo!!!!! (Does God say Whee-hoo? I think He does with some things, especially a lost soul who turns over his life to God.)
Okay, gotta go--so many things to do!!!!!!
^_^

To blog or not to blog--that is the question...

Hello. Kinda been in hiatus as far as the blog-world is concerned. Have visited other blogs, but just have not had much to say. Lately, my life is filled with Bryan, working, a combination of the two, and studying Italian with him. I'm getting better. Ricordo poco l'italiano.--I remember a little Italian--(the language, not an Italian person...)
it's fun. One of the things we're using to study is a CD of italian words that we listen to on the way to work. The woman that speaks Italian has a weird way of emphasizing her words. Bryan and I spend half the time learning, and half the time making fun of her. ^_^
Stryker's all well and good. Healthy as a horse and getting big as one.
Got my hi-notes done today. They're so much fun, and people like them. I hoped they would, but they like them more than I expected. Yeah. ^_^
I'm saving my money for the trip to Italy, so my membership to my gym has expired, and I do not plan on renewing until I get back in March. Kinda sad b/c I love the classes, but it has sparked my creativity as well. I make up my own exercise routines at home, and I try to remember the ones I did in class. Thanks again to Mom for buying me weights so I can try to keep a muscle. ^_^
Okay, that's all. Love to all!!!!

I usually don't do this...

Just wanted to make sure that people didn't miss my Oct. 12th blog. I had so much fun writing it, but then I added the dress picture, and I was afraid no one would go back to read it! Anyway, I hope you enjoy my blog with the fat people cartoon on it. I had fun with it. Thanks for indulging me! ^_^

Here's Julie's bridesmaids!!!!

The best husband ever!!!!!

Okay, so I missed my husband. I was gone from him for EIGHT WHOLE DAYS. The longest stretch EVER. Before, it was for the same reason--I was in a wedding--and I was gone 4 days. Eight was barely manageable. I love him so much!!! Okay, before you gag too much, I have a crazy story to tell you about the flight home.
My first flight was delayed. No big deal. I looked at my flight time and thought, with an hour flight, I'll still have an hour and a half layover. I was in the C boarding group, and for you non-flyers, that meant that I was the last to board. no big deal. I then was a little worried I might be stuck with one of those big-armed, hog the arm rest, fat men. or worse, I'd be stuck BETWEEN THEM.

wouldn't you love to sit between these two?

Anyway, I saw a spot between two thin 40's-ish men, and I figured this was going to be the best spot available, so when I asked if I could sit there, they said, "That depends, are you a Cardinals fan?" Then I said, "I was in Pennsylvania watching the Cardinals play the Pirates, and I cheered for the Cardinals!" They let me sit down.
The gentleman to my left and I talked the whole time. It's nice to not be the one boring somebody. We just kept talking! I think he'd be perfect for my mom. Too bad he lives in Kansas City. ^_^
Anyway, the plane landed in St. Louis, and then the flight was continuing on to Chicago. by the time we got to Chicago, there were FIVE MINUTES until the last call to board my connecting flight to Pennsylvania!!!! Freaked out, thinking about the fact that I could potentially miss my plane and have to spend the night in Chicago, I took off my HIGH-HEELED SHOES and BOOKED IT. I'm sure I looked hilarious, barefoot and sprinting while wearing a huge backpack, but I was a wreck! Plus, I heard a thud! behind me and then "Ma'am, MA'AM!" It was simply people telling me that I had dropped a book out of my backpack, so I grabbed my book and took off again.
I looked at my watch, which said NINE, and my plane was supposed to take off at 8:55. I got to B10 and said, "Is...the plane...still there...?" (all the while gasping for breath.) The guy said, "Don't worry, it's still here--oh, they probably didn't tell you that they would hold the plane, did they?" to which I replied, "nooooooooo!!!!!!!" Behind me was an equally out of breath and quite relieved girl that was on the same flight I was.
Anyway, I made it home safely. Bryan picked me up. BIG hugs, fun kisses.
So glad to be back. Had a wonderful vacation--thanx Mom for making everything so homey! I had fun in Texas playing with Kim's beautiful kids. Johnathan loved the puzzle I got him, so that was fun putting it together. Also, we watched my new edition of "The Little Mermaid." I loved seeing the way his face lit up!!!
Love to all!!!!!! ^_^

Hello all!

Life is good. today is probably one of my favorite days in a long time. Last night, Julie's lingerie shower went very well. We had a fun, most girly time. ^_^ Today was cool b/c we had the bridesmaid's luncheon, and after that I went to campus and hung out with people I haven't seen in forever. It's amazing how much Harding's changed--again!! Seriously--every time you turn around, there's a NEW BUILDING. Good for Harding. It looks nice!
Man, these kids are getting older and older. Kids that were in my baby brother's class are now SOPHOMORES AT HARDING. I'm not getting old, though. I refuse to get old. Older, yes, but NOT OLD. I don't get old. I just become better with age. Can I get an amen?
Looking forward to the wedding tomorrow. Julie will be absolutely gorgeous. We bridesmaids are wearing strapless apple red dresses. Whee-hoo! They're pretty. ^_^
Okay, well, hope we all enjoyed my blog. Love to all!!!!
K ^_^

Arkansas, here I come!!!

I'm so excited. I didn't think I would miss Arkansas as much as I do. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE Pittsburgh. I miss where I used to live!!!!! I have a lot of things to do when I'm there. It'll be fun. I also can't wait to meet Kalleigh, my favorite niece.
Good day so far, just kinda chilling around the house before I go to work. Bryan and I have the same schedule today, which is nice. Gives me a bit more time with him during the day. He's the best husband I could ever imagine! Know how sometimes you imagine what something will be like and then you get it, and it's a million trillion times better than you thought it would be? That's always nice. Better than the alternative.
Short blog, just felt like posting something.
Oh, October 3rd, my favorite Disney movie in the world comes out on DVD.
THE LITTLE MERMAID!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Silver Day!!!!

Okay, so it's not an actual holiday, but I feel like it should be as far as I'm concerned. Today is the day of the 25th pound GONE!!!!! Whee-hoo!!! What's sweeter about it is that I allowed myself 2 cookies yesterday--not on treat day *gasp! I was sure I'd gone up, not down.
In the process of re-studying my italian. Ha studiato ieri--I studied yesterday. I got the book "Italian for Dummies". ^_^ Dummies got me through the GRE, too. I figure Dummies will train me well enough to bargain with the market vendors for the perfect leather jacket. It'll be cold up there and I'll need to be warm in style. Well, whatever. ^_^
The dogs are play fighting. It used to scare me, but they are really the best of friends. That's a good thing since Bryan and I won't be here for 3 months to help take care of them. Bryan's mom is very kind to let us leave Stryker here. I wonder how Stryker would do in Italy, trying his best to get out so he can run through the Alps. He's so ambitious he would try it. I suppose it's best to keep him here, but Bryan and I will miss our Boxer baby. :(
Okay, that's all. Have a good day, everybody!!!

More zoo pics--meant to include these in the last blog ^_^

 
 
  

Day at the Zoo!!!

 
 
 
 

We had the best time!!! I love the zoo. We hadn't been in a while. Bryan's sister, Maria, went with us. She loves animals almost as much as Bryan does. It was great fun. Short blog. have a good day!!! ^_^ 

Bryan's happy about his day off, too...^_^