I Had A Dream

The cold harsh waves overwhelm as you are swept below. Sucked into the undertow fighting like hell to make it out. Tossed around like a rag doll with seeming no end in sight. No last breath that you strive to find. Clawing at the endless water as though you stand a chance. Only to realize, you don’t even know which way is up anymore.

Then as suddenly as it started, it stops. An eerie warmness overtakes as you realize the calmness that surrounds. Floating. Life passes before you as though it continues on with no regard. Peaceful. For a fleeting moment, nothing matters. Not even you matter.

What seems like decades are only a matter of milliseconds. You choose. I chose. You wake up to find even unconscious decisions matter. Realizing that sometimes the other choice would have been easier.

Ah, Firenze

Sam is still working at Toskana. Hungover as usual, he was Mr. Chatty. It was good to see him. Funny to watch him hit on the old women as they come into the store just to sell a handbag. It makes me laugh every time. I used to spend my work breaks watching this occurrence every day. He’s really perfected it. Marriage next year for him… so I guess some things do change.

I wandered to Ponte Vecchio hoping to find Gabriella. I went in every gold store till success at last. She was shocked for sure. Standing in the middle of the street, we played catch up on what seemed like forever. We went and found Iryna too. It was amazing how easy finding my friends was turning out to be. I forgot how small Florence was and how all the locals know one another. That was turning out to be extremely helpful for me. They told me to head to Louis Spangnoli across from Fendi to find Alaine (my best girl friend in Florence). Funny how quickly I remember my way around.

I stepped inside the store only to be greeted with a shriek of excitement. I’d been spotted by Alaine who came running at me 100% shocked that I was literally standing there in person. I found her! I didn’t think it was possible to show up unexpected and find my friends but it was. I was so happy!! “We are going out tonight.” She tells me. Of course I agree, Moyo Bar at 8:30pm…. Game on.

With time to explore a little, I stopped by the Duomo, Piazza Republica, and of course my favorite Gelato place. Gelateria de’ Neri has the best gelato. Made fresh every day with so many flavors to choose from. Not a tourist trap, it is the true Italian good stuff. One cone to go please. Yum!

Lean with it - Pisa

So many steps. The steps were slanted from wear over time which proved difficult seeing as I was in flip flops. I actually fell on my way down, somehow I managed to stay on my feet but it was a close one. I suspected I would’ve caused a big problem considering if I fell down I would’ve inevitably pushed the lady in front of me down which would’ve caused a massive domino effect. I would’ve laughed but potentially gotten kicked out of the country for causing such a riot.

It was definitely time to head back to the hostel. I enjoyed apperitivo at the hostel bar where the bar tender proceeded to prove that he knew more about San Diego, California than I do. It is good to be back in Italy. I really missed it.

Strike = strike out

So I’m sure you’re asking yourself “Kristin, you are traveling around Italy why are you wasting your time blogging when you could be drinking a café latte in a piazza somewhere?” It is a valid point except I’m stuck in Florence. Yes, that’s right the entire purpose of me vacationing early before work was to go to Cinque Terre. After flying into Pisa and making a quick pit stop in Florence to meet up with some old friends, today was the day I finally headed to Cinque Terre. So excited.

I strolled in at 5:30am after a typical night on the town (don’t worry I’ll blog about this later). In an effort not to be a complete ass and wake up the other 3 people in my dorm at the hostel (yes, I’m classy) I decided to just sleep in my dress instead of rummaging through my suitcase (yes, the classiness continues). At 9am I was stunned awake by my blaring alarm clock reminiscent of a fire drill because checkout was at 10am. Looking quite chic in my dress I met my bunkmates – awesome. Quick shower (ok maybe now the classiness begins) and quick pack and I was out the door to catch my train. Of course I made a little detour for my Italian café latte fix. After a random marching band paraded by (that is pretty typical for random Italy), I drug my large and now heavy (due to some shopping) suitcase to the taxi stand. After watching the morons of the world try to navigate the train ticket machine – mind you it is in whatever language you choose so I have free reign to call these people morons because that is clearly evident – I finally got my ticket to Corniglia (Cinque Terre). On my way!

Reading the departure board I see 11:28 train – good because it was 11:23 – to Cinque Terre – great – platform: CANCELLATO – wait what??!! Cancelled? I mean I know I don’t speak Italian but that says cancelled. Ok, not so great. Next train: 12:53. Alright time to blog, I can deal with that. Fast forward an hour and the departures board reads: 12:53 – check, Cinque Terre – check, Cancellato – huh? Guess who’s not making it to Cinque Terre…. This girl. Of course there is a train strike today. Why not?! Note to self, check for potential train strikes when booking European travel. Train strike = strike out for Kristin.

I could just stay in Florence as it would appear that I was stuck. But, that is just not fun. Next adventure? Well, with no access to the internet I had no idea where to go. So, I headed to the bus station and asked for the next bus to wherever they could take me. Siena wins! While waiting for the bus, I had some extra time to start blogging hence all the blogs to come your way.

I will take time to go back and account for my life and travels over the past few days but rest assured when I get back to this bus situation, it will be worth the wait. This is going to be one wild and oh so random trip.

Something about it seems like home…

Today I’m headed back to Italy. So excited! Just thinking about going makes me happy. Something about Italy just changes things. Changes your perspective on life, on happiness. For me it is a place where I can check all of life’s garbage at the airport. I can leave it behind and be carefree. I can do what I want. I can take time out to smell the roses, or coffee I guess in this case. The people are happy. I am happy. I cant’ get there soon enough.

So, let this adventure begin. In true Kristin fashion, I started this journey on only an hour sleep because I waited till the night before this adventure to begin to pack. One day I will learn but I’m pretty sure it isn’t any time soon. Exhausted, I had to walk 2 blocks to catch my cab because he couldn’t read the numbers on the building. Perfect when running late to the airport. Up next, security: Detained for 20 minutes because of the handy new flashlight I’m carrying for work. Sweet. Who knew the ability to shine light on someone could be considered a threat to society?!

1 chick flick courtesy of American Airlines and what some may consider sleep, I made it to Pisa. Time to go explore. More importantly, time to find a coffee shop

Holy guacamole it’s already September!

Time to play catch up. It is funny to stop and think about how fast time goes by. How in a blink of an eye, this year is almost over. Where did it go and what the heck have I been doing? So much for being good about blogging this year. Its never too late to start I guess.

It has been a crazy year. I’ve seen 3 friends get married. 1 baby to spoil so far and others on the way.

Made new friends in SD while others are leaving. Had so many fun visitors too! 2011 has been anything but boring.

In December, I made a promise to myself that I would do 1 international trip each year. Well, this year I’ve managed to exceed that for sure: Australia, Fiji (twice), and next up is Italy. Check, check, and check…. Sydney was a whirlwind: Opera house, new Irish friends, and Koala bears. Fiji was a whole new world. Helicopter rides, waterfalls, ocean view massages, and colorful landscapes.

In the day to day, it is easy to get caught up in it all, not realizing how truly lucky I really am. It has been a whirlwind in deed but a wonderful one.

Vote for Slim Paley!!

Calling all friends!!! So I have a favor to ask of you. My friend writes a blog: http://slimpaley.com/
She works so hard at it and really deserves some recognition. Well, now is her chance. She has been nominated for a "Homie Award" (think Golden Globes for Design blogs).

There are two stages of the contest: 1. The first week in which people send in nominations, she finished in 1st place out of 257 blogs nominated!

Now, step 2: the contest is down to the Final Top 9 blogs and her's is in second place! She is so close to first place!!

SO- here's the favor: Can you please take just a couple of minutes to log in votes for me! They allow only one vote per email address. You just have to go to this link:

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/the-homies-best-home-design-blog-of-2011-submit-your-nominations-137078

You need to register with Apartment Therapy first, but it really takes 1 minute - you create a password so that it can ensure you are not a spammer to protect their site. They will send you a confirmation email back and then you can place your vote. Don't worry about any spam or unwanted emails- Apartment Therapy is a SPAM FREE blog. I did it and haven't gotten anything from them at all.

If we can get her to #1 that would be FANTASTIC! It would be so good for her blog and she really deserves it for all of her hard work. THANKS EVERYONE!!!