sorority halloween.

Looking at Halloween through the eyes of an adult is an interesting experience.  One of my favorite things to refer to when I think about this strange shift in... let's just say STYLE, is "Mean Girls."

1: she missed it

2: she gets it

Basically, if you haven't seen it... "YOU CAN'T SIT WITH US!"

But if you truly have no idea what I am talking about I will break it down for you... Picture number 1, with the lovely Cady Heron, dressed as an "ex-wife," is representing our childhood.  We aim to be scary, or cute or actually something other than a scandalous bunny. We aim to be masked & show off our hiding skills that we had been practicing all year during hide-and-go-seek.  We aim for candy & lots of it.

Picture number 2 is the epitome of a high school or college student.  We basically follow the (usually innocent) dogma, "less is more!"  & in the words of Cady Heron, "In the regular world, Halloween is when children dress up in costumes and beg for candy. In Girl World, Halloween is the one night a year when a girl can dress like a total slut and no other girls can say anything about it."

But is it really one day a year that we can dress a little scandalous?

Not in Sorority World! In this world it is acceptable every time we hear the word... SOCIAL.  It is always "social"ly acceptable to be scandalous & looking good.  In a way, every night is Halloween if you want it to be & if you don't move the bookmark on your agenda.

So you're gunna ask... does that make Halloween less fun every year if you dress up on the other 364 days of the year?

& the answer is... no, because it's just one more night that dressing up is 100% acceptable, & this night is even better because there is no theme & you can be as creative as you want! No restrictions & the sky is the limit! Express yourself in any dandy or scandy way you feel!

Personally, I'm still in it for the candy... I mean who doesn't love a good Twix Bar or Reese's Cup after a long night?  If only it were still socially acceptable to knock on strangers' doors wearing a costume & get candy as a 21-year-old... can I be 5 again??? I just want to wear my fairy wings & pink sneakers & count the "good candy" & trade off the "bad candy" in peace.  Ya dig?

Disclaimer: this is the only picture of me

Morals of this blog post...

1. Halloween is really really soon, so pick a costume... probably something scandalous (i.e. the classic "Risky Business" attire or the "I'm a mouse... duh" of the genius, Karen Smith)

2. Go to a college social & wear... probably something scandalous (i.e. "trash bash" or "Predator vs. Prey")

3. When you see it every day it becomes the norm... probably something scandalous (i.e. skinny mini high-waisted jorts & a bandeau)

4. Go watch "Mean Girls.." probably something scandalous (i.e. holes in your shirt with a purple bra & army pants & flip flops)

Anyway... HAPPY HALLOWEEN from a kid stuck in a 21-year-old's body!

~ciao~

senioritis.

I thought high school "senioritis" was bad, but let me tell you straight... college senioritis is 3735735 times worse.  & it's not that I am anti-work, rather I am itching to get out & take what I've learned & turn it into something real.  It's a scary thought though... this REAL WORLD enigma.  Most would probably describe it as a love/hate relationship.  You see... we don't want to go, but we don't want to leave.  We are in a state of limbo, caught between the comfort we feel in our (most-likely) paid-for apartments, with our close-by friends, our Nike shorts & big t-shirt combo, our "free" guidance counselors, the proximity we have to "pizza by the slice" & Chipotle, our weekly allowances, our flexibility to do as we please & 24/5 libraries with a Starbucks!

But the real world isn't this comfortable.  There are bills, there are the numbers 9 & 5 that become awfully repetitive, there are real consequences, there are scary (Sigourney Weaver-esque from "Working Girl") bosses, there are new people... & lots of them, there's actual commitment & there's real rejection.

For me, I am in denial.  I am denying the fact that in a few short months I will be turning (or feeling *Shout out to T-Swift) 22, that I will be signing up for my final semester of college, that I will be graduating from the University of Florida with a real college degree, that I will (hopefully) be leaving Florida & starting a career.

Although I am ready & I have stretched my wings in preparation for my flight out of "The Swamp..." I am scared.  Everything I know is here.  It's so scary stepping out of my comfort zone.  I know I'm not the only one who feels that way, but sometimes it just feels like a #personalproblem.  (Yes... I did just hashtag on my blog. "NO RAGRETS").

Anyway... there are a couple things that I feel lucky enough to have as I reach my final months of childhood (& I say child because... let's be honest) & they are:
1. My Mom
2. My Dad

The parents... aka, the rocks.  I know no matter where I go & what I do my parents have my back & will be there for me.  I am so lucky to have them in my life, especially now as I take the biggest leap of all... REALITY.   

Thank you so much for being more than just motivators & figures of respect, but also my friend.  I love you both so much!

Now I just need to get past the "slowness, the procrastination, the... blah blah blah... too lazy to write it all... blah blah blah... apathy" symptoms of sEnIoRiTiS!

~ciao~

13.1.

What a whirlwind! 10 months ago I signed up for a half marathon... but not just any half marathon, the Disney Princess Half Marathon!  At the time, just the act of signing up for it gave me the butterflies.

Let's start from the beginning: before October 2013, I could not even run more than 3 miles without giving up.  Not only did I not like running, but this Florida heat is just rough... I have always been pretty active though, through soccer, lacrosse, snowboarding, & hiking, but there is something different about running.  There is no ball you are chasing after, there are no lifts to carry you up the steep parts, and there is no team to help you in a bind.  It's just you, your sneakers, & a straight shot.

I used to hate running.  Ask any of my high school teammates or my coach... I literally complained every time the word "conditioning" or the dreaded, "everybody to the end line" came up during practice.  How could I run (or sprint really) for an entire 90 minute soccer game, but start panicking at the idea of a full-field suicide?

The answer isn't really clear, but once I started college & I didn't have soccer in my life 24/7, I resorted to my worst enemy.  What is that saying again?  Oh yeah... "keep your enemies closer."  Well my enemy became a companion freshman year to keep away the true threat, public enemy #1, the horrid "Freshman 15, or really 25."

I reluctantly ran to make sure I didn't pack on quite that many pounds & started enjoying it a bit more.  The key for me is that I need a friend to keep me going.  When it's just me, no one is there to make sure I keep moving.  & I may have mentioned before... my self control isn't all that strong when it comes to chocolate & running.  But over the course of my 3 years in Gainesville, I wouldn't say I became an avid runner, but a few times a week I ran a couple of miles & thought that I was a ninja.  I wasn't.    

Anyway, just about a year ago when all my friends trekked to Orlando for the Disney Princess Half-Marathon, I sat back in the comfort of my own apartment thinking, there is NO, I repeat NO way I could ever run that much... those people are nuts.  But I still stared as their pictures popped up on facebook with some sort of uncontrollable jealousy.  & pretty much the next day a half marathon appeared on my ever-increasing bucket list.

So now we are back to October 2013: I can't run more than 3 miles, the weather is still blazing, I am already scared about the half, & I need new sneakers, but I know since I have never truly run before that it is time to start training.  8 am wake ups was rough... sometimes I would even hope it was pouring when I woke up so I would have an excuse, but I had to get my body in motion.   

I would like to send a shoutout to my 3 running buddies that I acquired over the 6 months of training: Bizzy LaRue, Lauren Maginness, & Courtney Hughes.  I literally could not have woken up early 3+ times a week to run in the cold or have moved across the start line without you all.  You guys are thebomb.com!  Also, a thank you to my parents for coming up to Orlando to support me & hug me even when I am sweaty & disgusting!

So the race... it was AMAZING!  Although I didn't stop to appreciate all the princesses, villains, princes, & mouses along the way, I got to dance to "Frozen," give some Mickey Mouse high fives, run through the Magic Kingdom Castle, take a jumping picture coming out of the castle, eat some Gu, stare at some weird costumes, find my parents cheering me on in the dark, run 13.1 miles without stopping, wake up at 3 am, & cross the Disney Princess Half Marathon finish line all for the first time!  Everything was 100% worth it!    
       

It was probably one of the greatest experiences I have had & although I am still sore & my body is asking why... I am happy I did it!  What's amazing about the human body is that no matter how often you say "I can't," you can.  As I mentioned before, 6 months ago, 3 miles was a huge feat, but with just a little dedication & some practice, the body can change!  It is all mental.  Get that "I can't" garbage outta your head & replace it with some "I can" because I know you can!
   

So to sum it all up...  get out there & try something you never thought you could.  Thinking is a whole lot different that performing & I think your body will surprise you!

-Ciao

ftk.

As a Gator, there is one thing you know for sure about the Spring in the Swamp: DANCE MARATHON.  It may happen in the spring, but it is introduced in early fall & then practically force fed to you throughout the course of the school year.  As a freshman you're overwhelmed by whatever Dance Marathon (DM) is, but by the time April rolls around, you are practically singing FTK & breathing generosity.  At least that's what seemed to happen to me...

You kinda just get wrapped up in all the happiness that surrounds the event.  All the tabling, flyering, fundraising, time, & energy that is soaked up into this marathon weekend.  Individuals raise hundreds to thousands of dollars for his or her chance to stand for 26.2 hours for those who can't & to be a part of a life changing experience for children who visit Shands right here in Gainesville.

I mustache you to Dance!

Last year I decided that I wanted to dance for the opportunity... but I didn't just leave with the memories of another college notch on my belt, I left knowing I actually made a difference for kids.  Standing for 26.2 hours ain't easy by the way... it might have actually been one of the hardest experiences of my life.  I haven't run a marathon before, but 26.2 hours of no sleep, caffeine, or sitting may just be a fair challenge.  But it was worth it.   

Anyway, let me tell you a little bit about what Dance Marathon really is.  It is a 26.2 hour philanthropy that supports the the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals (CMN) nationally.  Shands Children's Hospital has been a part of CMN for almost 20 years & is the most successful student-run philanthropy in the Southeastern United States.  CMN helps kids all over the country have the life they deserve.  During DM, the "miracle children" tell their stories about how Shands Hospital & CMN saved their lives, giving them opportunities they never thought they would have.  UF students bend over backwards to make the "miracle children" feel loved & right at home in our Gator Nation all year long.  The families leave with both a healthier child & a larger, more extended family as well.  It is a truly eye-opening experience.  You just can't believe how strong people are when they seem so vulnerable & fragile.  It puts things into perspective.

Oh! & you might be asking what FTK means... FOR THE KIDS baby!
   


So... here's my proposal:  I will make you a Dance Marathon shirt for $8 if you provide me with the blank slate (aka the shirt... preferably in a light color so the design will show up).  Or if you live further away (i.e. it needs mailing/the purchase of a shirt by me) the price is $18 per shirt! You pick the design, I make you a shirt. Badda Bing Badda Boom.  Everyone is happy... especially the KIDS!

If you are interested in a shirt or just want to donate, you can follow this link to my personal donation page: http://floridadm.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1074420&supid=344031142 Being a part of DM, no matter how big or small, makes a huge difference for a small child! BE THAT DIFFERENCE!  Thank you!

Below I have a few examples of some of the shirts I've made if you are interested.  If you are... you know what to do!  (Walmart sells very cheap plain t-shirts if you were curious!)    

If you wanna talk business with me, feel free to get in contact

A big shout out to my models, Kerry Leonard, Katie Moore & Rebecca Coombs!

& on a cheesy note, I have awkwardly created a song for your singing pleasure.  I would have included an audio portion too, but I didn't think my beyond sub-par singing voice would be positive PR for my rad shirts! (*insert laugh here) 

[sing to the "Brady Bunch" theme song... or else]

Here's a story of a great fundraiser,

That's bringing in some very lovely funds.

All of them come from your heart, and your love.

Any amount saves tons. 

Here's a story of the very beginning,

When Dance Marathon was just a baby trend.

It was born to, help the kids get better.

But now it will never end.

Till one day when the C.M.N. met Shands

And they knew that it was much more than a chance,

That these two could somehow form a marathon.

That's the way we all made the Stance to Dance,

The Stance to Dance,

The Stance to Dance.

That's the way we all made the Stance to Dance.

Last year's DM total! First time breaking A MILLION at UF!

I hope you enjoyed this post & it put some thoughts of "giving" into your hearts! FTK!

& if you need a way to contact me, you can comment on this blog post & I will respond ASAP or send me a message via facebook!

If you like what you see here, please share this post with your friends :) 

http://floridadm.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1074420&supid=344031142

Ciao-

21 resolutions.

21st birthday dinner at Rocco's Tacos!

In the words of Ferris Bueller, "life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."  I'd say Ferris was pretty right... per usual.  Because just yesterday, I turned 21 after only a few blinks of the eyes.

All around the house I see pictures covering the walls of us 3 kids in the days I don't remember: pictures of me running around in a diaper & a little blue hat, days when dressing up in a hula skirt with a coconut bra was completely acceptable, the pictures of vacations that are somewhere in my heart, the day Daniel held me wearing his "I'm the big brother" shirt & Scott next to him in the "I'm the middle child" shirt when I first came home from the hospital, pictures of me torturing our cat in a stroller (if you catch my drift), ones of the 3 of us cheesing for a photographer, & countless other forgotten, but not lost memories of my wonderful childhood.

I must say it was a pretty great childhood.  I was pretty lucky to end up where I did; in a loving home with 2 great parents & 2 older brothers, who sort of liked having me around... I guess.  I was the baby... clearly most loved, most adorable, & definitely most favorite &, the truth is, it is still true today!  2013 was pretty great for me, but I am willing to accept this 2014 business...

So, as I sit on the cusp of 2014, with an astounding amount of new-found wisdom with another, more mature year on my belt, I think it is only appropriate to make 21 resolutions in honor of my short 21 years.

2014 RESOLUTIONS:
1. Run a half marathon.
2. Learn to make a new favorite meal.
3. Make straight A's!
4. Figure out my life? (possible?!?)
5. Volunteer more around Gainesville.
6. Become the first female president. (casual)
7. Get out & meet new people!
8. Speak Italian for an entire day.
9. Run at least 3 times a week        
10. Lose 8 pounds.
11. Successfully control my portion sizes at meal times.
12. Find the cure for cancer. (winner)
13. Talk to my relatives more often.
14. Clean out my closet. (I am a hoarder... the truth comes out & the first step is admitting to my problem.  I am Rachele & I am obsessed with clothes)
15. Learn to like tomatoes. (Why must they be in everything?!?)
16. Plan a spring break adventure with friends.
17. Make my bed every day. (EVERY day)
18. Read at least 10 books for pleasure.
19. Continue writing in my blog.
20. Embrace the future.
21. LIVE IN THE MOMENT!

Ciao & have a safe & fun night!
HAPPY NEW YEAR! Welcome 2014!

thanksgivukkah.

Happy Thanksgiving Break everyone!  But more importantly, Happy Thanksgivukkah!

Thanksgiving formally began(ish) way back when the Puritans were running the New World & when the most important part of the year was the harvest.  In honor of the goods of the year, the Pilgrims prepared a feast.

This is real.

Now, as an elementary schooler you probably remember that you would always have a Thanksgiving pageant, where you would get assigned a part in a play as a pilgrim or a Indian... you know, wearing that traditional bonnet & long skirt garb.  You probably also had to sing a few songs & finish off the event with a giant feast with an awesome, inedible turkey at the center.  & of course, it wouldn't be the Thanksgiving Day play without the beautiful friendship that was formed between the Indians and the Pilgrims & saying all you are thankful for.
  

But did that actually happen?  Did the Indians & the Pilgrims actually sit down to a civilized meal in Plymouth in about 1621 because of the awesome harvest?  Were the Indians really happy that their land was being invaded & that they were catching diseases from Europe?

I mean... I guess they still had that RIDICULOUSLY GREAT harvest to be thankful for, so it was worth it, & honestly... I am just glad we do celebrate it because I have a lot to be thankful for & it is nice to dedicate a day for how lucky we all truly are.

1.  I am thankful for my brothers, who are always there for me.  We may have had our disagreements growing up, but as kids go, we were pretty awesome.  I loved growing up with you guys even though I don't remember it all since my memory is a failure, but I know there were some amazing times in there.  Like the time we built the fort in Daniel's room, while Jerry was painting the walls to look like blue jeans, or all the times we played "monster under the blanket," or the times I volunteered to be Scott's personal slave so he would like me.  I mean... life would have been pretty boring without you 2 around.  Thank you for being my siblings & loving me as your "baby blister."  (Yes... I did say blister.  Don't ask... but if you want to ask, ask Daniel).


2. I am thankful for my mom, who is MY BEST FRIEND & the greatest mom that has ever existed.  She always goes above & beyond in all circumstances to make me & the rest of my family happy.  She is the role model that I strive to emulate & she is the goofiest in the most perfect of ways.  I love you & am truly thankful for you every day because you treat me like royalty even when I don't deserve it or for no reason at all.  The truth is, you are the queen & we should be treating you like royalty.  <3

3. I am thankful for my DAD, who is probably one of the most selfless humans I have ever met.  All he cares about is the happiness of his family.  Growing up my dad would bring me a glass of water EVERY night before I went to bed (the truth is... he still does it when I am home from school) & when I was younger, he would read me a bedtime story... usually "Bread & Jam for Francis" or "Where's Mickey's Red Ball."  My dad was the "monster under the blanket" as well as the "monster in the water," but he is no monster at all.  Thank you for your wonderful spirit & dedication to us.  I always say... if you had asked my dad as a child, "what do you want to be when you grow up" he would have responded with: "a father."  You are probably the best father out there. 

& 4. I am thankful for the role models I have in my mom & her 2 sisters.  They may fight & get in arguments over stupid things.  They may cry. They may get defensive & stressed out, but I know they are always there for one another.  These 3 women have some of the best memories together: the trips from Hong Kong to the states during the hot, Florida summers, the vacations in Chicago, AFRICA, watching the nieces & nephews grow up, throwing parties on the forbidden white carpet (even though Phyllis caught you), crying out for your younger sister in the night because the darkness is scary, sharing clothes (unwillingly), taking Phyllis to the Academy Awards & us watching it (& you) on TV, going to each others' weddings, the Goldsmith on a Quiet Street that NEVER existed, Tybee Island, laughing at each other, taking silly pictures, being confidants, being role models, learning stuff from one another, being "so glad we married Fred," flying from California all the time, & just being the perfect set of 3 Musketeers.  You always hear about how sisters lose touch as adults & rarely see one another, but not these sisters.  Almost without fail these 3 talk at least once a week & share a special bond.  I know this may sound cheesy, but it's the truth.  Life is hard & sadly, people tend to respect their family & close friends less than strangers.  You just get comfortable & forget to take a second to show how important they are to you.  I am so proud to have these 3 in my life because I hope to be half as amazing at keeping in touch with my brothers as they are with one another.  They are 3 incredible, independent women, who have all taught me amazing things.  I wouldn't be who I am today without the "fun Aunt," who called my "Butterfly Princess Heart Flower" until I was 3636454, the "silly Aunt," who always has something comical to say & the "perfect Mom," who taught me the importance of sibling bonding.  I may be partial to the latter, but without the other 2, you just don't have the Goldsmiths.  The LOVE is there... just don't forget.  & especially don't forget to "live in the moment" because you only get 1 family.

Maybe we can all learn a little something from the Puritans & the Indians circa 1621... even if that friendship wasn't real.
  

Ciao & Happy Holidays!

dexter era.

So as you've probably heard, this past Sunday marked the end of an era... well at least for me it did.  The DEXTER era.  Anybody who knows me can attest to my strong obsession with the Showtime favorite, Dexter.  Although season 8 was not my favorite & the plot seemed to be heading nowhere, the previous 7 seasons were so amazing that the show has not been tainted.  There is not a show out there that was more intense, more entertaining, more thrilling & suspenseful, or funnier.  (I may or may not have cried at the end......)  Season 1 was a little close to home for Dexter (if you catch my drift), Season 2 was crazy, Season 3 left you wanting more, Season 4 was the biggest SURPRISE of all time, Season 5 was realization & closure, Season 6 was a twist, Season 7 was the road to his downfall, & Season 8 was the end.  But in all honesty, there is no real end to Dexter.

Although I was not ready for Dexter to come to a close, apparently being a serial killer took quite the toll on Michael C. Hall.  I mean that's quite a day job, right?  All that heavy lifting & clean-up.  It's a hard lifestyle to live.

The poster that hangs on my door! He is watching over me!

But anyway, I watched a interview segment Hall had where he was asked how people respond to him in public.  He said most act normal, but many beg for action shots of Dexter doing his thing.  (He probably has a series of very strange pictures floating around on the internet somewhere...).  They would also ask him to autograph the usual: shirts, mugs, butcher knives, cards, animal tranquilizers, posters & other appropriate Dexter paraphernalia.  All the norm.  But he did mention some perks to being a serial killer... he said people often let him cut lines.  Weird huh?  They would see him coming, double take, & let him pass ahead.  I guess that didn't want him watching their backs.  They wanted to watch his.

That's what I love about Dexter!  You don't have to watch your back because he's got it covered!  What's not to like about a vigilante?  A person who watches over the good & removes the bad.  I know... "removes" is a slight euphemism in this case, but it doesn't matter!  Just because Dexter has his habits doesn't make him a bad guy.

I mean we all have our vices, right?  Deb couldn't get through a sentence without a curse word, LaGuerta couldn't stay out of it, Harry wouldn't disappear, Professor Gellar was like a "ghost," Quinn couldn't commit, Dr. Vogel loved her family, Trinity couldn't forget the past, Brian Moser (Rudy) remembered too much, Hannah got tired of her husbands, Rita forgot vital things, Lumen didn't truly have a "dark passenger," Doakes wouldn't quit or put his lips away (pun intended), Miguel Prado got too involved, & Masuka couldn't get his mind out of the gutter.  After looking at all these faults, Dexter's doesn't seem all that bad, huh?

The funniest part is actually before Michael C. Hall was Dexter, he was David Fisher, a mortician, in the series "Six Feet Under."  He just can't seem to escape the dead...  Typecasting?  Does he scream, "I like dead people?"

Anyway, if this post seems confusing to you & you are missing the memo or you just haven't gotten the chance to watch this fantastic show... than you need to get on that!  You won't regret it!  I have proudly passed on the obsession to others & they don't regret it either!  Just because the show is over doesn't mean Dexter is.  "He's your friendly, neighborhood serial killer!"  

john mayer.

Well, in 2 words I can pretty much describe my weekend... JOHN MAYER!

Considering it was practically my first real concert, besides seeing Britney Spears in the 4th grade... "Oops I did it again" style, it was a pretty great concert to start off my music run on.  He was perfect.  Although rumor has it he has had difficulty with his throat & singing, he reached those high notes & sang almost all the class favorites in that sultry John Mayer way.  You know how he stares at you with that little quirky smile... his style is intoxicating. 

Anyway, it was very cool to see him in action after listening to his music for years now.  Growing up it was one of the few CDs in circulation that my mom actually liked.  You know... the old school "Room for Squares" album that had some of the best songs (Your Body is a Wonderland, 83, My Stupid Mouth...).  I grew up with John Mayer getting stuck in my head, seeing him rise to fame, watching my parents go to his concert (jealous of course because I didn't even get an invite... hint hint).  But I have gotten over my raging jealousy because... (drum roll please) I finally got my turn!

It was definitely worth the wait, but I was still hoping he'd sing some more of his oldies but definitely goodies.  Believe me... I was more than happy just to be there, watching him jam.  I never understood how talented he actually was at the guitar.  You know the songs & you hear the instrumental parts, but I never sat back & thought about his playing.  He was GREAT--playing behind the back, playing like we were listening to the song in fast forward, & playing long rhythmic solos.   (The way the camera zoomed in on his hands was like watching the "Titanic" all over again... if you've seen it, you'll understand).

I never understood why miss Chloe Briscoe was always so OBSESSED with John Mayer, but now I get it all.  It's all in the music & it's even better live.

Besides him playing my personal favorite, Your Body is a Wonderland (which he sang looking directly at me, of course!!), he did a few covers; including another one of my faves, Don't Stop Believing!  I didn't know how much I would like his concert at first since I wasn't super caught up with his newest album, but it was fantastic... even the new stuff.  I just kind of jammed & swayed along (pretending to know the words) with the music.  I didn't want it to end. 

Met some lovely EPhi Kappas :)

You can tell John ( I can call him that... right?  I think we have that kind of relationship) is a smart guy with those deep, beautiful lyrics, & he had a few wise things to say that reminded me of my blog: he spoke about how when he was younger he always thought about the future, how old he was & constant everyday worries, but now he just thinks about how it is great just being alive & awesome.  It sounds familiar, right?  Sounds a whole lot like "living in the moment..." huh?  I knew John would quote me one day... just didn't realize it would happen so soon!

Anyway... the weekend was in a nutshell, PERFECT! Besides the Gators losing, which we WILL NOT discuss.  

And a big shout out to Chloe Scott & family & friends for providing me with food & shelter during the weekend!! Thank you so much, it was great!

Ciao-Ciao.

just call me carrie.

Blogging has kinda become my obsession...

Sometimes when I write my blog posts I feel like Carrie Bradshaw (minus the glamor, cigarette, skimpy lingerie, risque topic, & high class followers, but plus the tutu!!!) & I just feel like this is were I belong... behind a computer screen with a story on my mind.

"Just call me Carrie"

Every episode of "Sex & the City" is centered around a theme that Carrie is usually researching & writing about.  She gathers with her 3 loyal friends & gossip about their lives (don't you wish you had the time & money these women all seem to have?).  Anyway, sometimes I center my life around what my blog post will say & I formulate ideas in my mind about how to organize those days into a single post.  My days eventually trickle down into a short "column," if you will, of words in my daily(ish) blog.  Isn't that what Carrie does?  I mean in reality she is writing about her friends crazy & outlandish experiences of their daily lives... just like me, right?

I know what your thinking... yeah.  My life isn't quite like Carrie's.  But I still catch myself looking through her eyes as I wonder, WWCD?  (What would Carrie do?)

Obviously this is kind of a joke, but in a way it is true because I do feel inspired to write while watching Carrie do her thing.  Carrie's just got a knack for turning moments into words... a knack I would love to have.  Although, my topic might be a little different...

I think we resemble one another, though... don't you?

"Rachele Harvey knows good moments."

make a wish.

GIORNO VENTISETTE
Today we woke up way more refreshed than yesterday.  We decided not to follow the group tour because they were going to places you can get into for free: the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, the Spanish Steps, and Piazza Navona.

Make a wish

After breakfast, Danielle, Christina, and I went out to explore Roma on our own!  We first walked past the Trevi Fountain and did the classic "I am making a wish" picture.  Mine hasn't come true yet... still waiting.  Don't even ask... I won't tell what I wished for or YOU KNOW it won't come true!!  After are drive by Trevi Fountain moment, we continued on to the Pantheon.  Sunday mass was going on so we couldn't go in, but we could see the open roof from right outside the door.  It was a small church, but with a good amount of character.  I wish we could have gone in, but I could see how cool it would be if it were raining down through the open hole in the ceiling.  We continued on our walk through the city, arriving at Piazza Navona.  There was a great cathedral and a few fountains in the middle with an art festival going on.  We sat and people watched for a while on the fountain until we forced out feet up and out of the Piazza and across the bridge.  We decided to walk along the river to the next bridge to the Castel Sant'Angelo.

While walking near the river I saw something that reminded me of a childhood picture I took.  Now I don't remember if it was in France or Italy, but I know I was hanging from these loops by a river, upside down, and I was most definitely wearing a choker.  Why were chokers a thing?   

I am a natural

Twins?

Christina really liked this museum because she remembered the scenes in it from "Angels and Demons."  We walked up to the ticket booth expecting the man to say we had to spend eleven euro for a ticket, which wouldn't fly, but when we showed him our most perfect, beloved, amazing FUA IDs, we got in for FREE!  Nothing is better than free. NOTHING!  We walked all around the Castel for a while, which was originally built as a mausoleum, but later used as a fortress and a castle, prison, and a secret walkway from it to St. Peter's Basilica.  It was a spiral building that had several floors and a great terrace on the top where we could see the Vatican and all ten million people out in the courtyard for Sunday mass with Pope Francesco.  There was a painting in one of the rooms that was just recently found behind another painting.  It was badly damaged, but they restored it and it now resides in the Castel.  It depicted the Archangel and the devil in combat, of course the Archangel was winning... I wish I could remember the name of the painting, but it was neat to read the symbolism behind it.  Such as how the two figures were not touching at all and the meaning behind their gazes.  It was all very interesting.  On the way out, we passed this sculpture... I am not going to lie, I took a double take at it because it looked exactly like a mix between Rick Scott and Voldemort.  No lie.  I was a little concerned that "he who must not be named" had taken form in this statue and was planning to attack Harry from Italy or that Rick just wanted to transfer his political tactics abroad. Sketch.

Anyway, we walked over the bridge and again, saw these beggars who had this cool contraption... we figured out how they did it.  They can't fool us!  But it is pretty awesome, let's be real.  There was also all these love locks on the bridge as well that looked really cool.  All these couples really must trust each other because if one couple breaks up, they all might break up too since they are attached...

Anyway, we went on a direct path to the Spanish Steps for our last main attraction of the day.  We walked for a while until you just couldn't help but run into this massive wall of steps.  We weren't exactly sure what one does at the Spanish Steps... I mean they were steps, but we followed the crowd and sat on them, and sat... and well, they turned out to be a great resting spot; therefore, I really liked the Steps!  
     
At this point we still had about two hours left until we had to meet at the hotel to get back to Firenze.  We felt like we had done Roma at this point... and as fun as it was for the last few days, I was so excited to return "home."  It feels great to think of Firenze in that way, but that is seriously what it feels like.  Roma was the city you visit for a few days, but it is not the place you want to return to at the end of the day.  It is no Firenze.  We were ready!  We decided to kill some time at this little hole-in-the-wall pizzeria called Est, Est, Est! The pizza was actually pretty good, but Christina and I decided only to eat half to save the other half for dinner on the bus.

Still trying to waste time, we walked around Roma near our hotel.  We walked along Cavour Street and through Piazzas with beautiful churches and stuff.  It is just so cool to be walking around and run into all of this beautiful architecture and history.  It is unreal and I like it.  It finally got close to four, so we returned to the hotel and relaxed until the buses arrived.  The drive home went by so fast and I had to write THREE WHOLE BLOG POSTS!! Rough, but worth it!

Hope all is well with everyone.  I really appreciate everyone taking the time to read my posts... it means a lot to me knowing I am not traveling alone!  Hope you are feeling a little taste of Italy here with me!

Ciao-Ciao!