Tuesday, July 26, 2011

just mister rogers

it just feels like a good thing to share:


"We all know how meticulously new parents look over their new baby to be sure there are no blemishes - no deviations from what they anticipated.  But no matter how beautiful the baby is, there are always deviations from what his or her parents anticipated.  The greater those deviations the more those parents need to have the opportunity to mourn - mourn the loss of the image of the perfect child they dreamed they would have.  They need to work through the sense of disappointment about things that the child is not.  They need to give up the image of having the perfect child before they can appreciate the child they really do have." (Many Ways to Say I Love You: Wisdom for Parents and Children from Mister Rogers)


Isn't this so bittersweetly true?  When I read this, I felt like crying and smiling at the same time.  So beautiful to me.






Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Friday, July 15, 2011

just 1+10=11

That's right, it's our anniversary plus the anniversary of our 10 year anniversary dream honeymoon trip.


We went to Burano, an island of Venice, 1 year ago today.  I wish we could have spent a lot more time there than we did.  It was an amazing little fishing village that is known for it's handmade lace.  


Burano, Italy, 7.15.10
We had bought very little and realized, "we are leaving tomorrow!"  So Burano was the lucky little village where we purchased gifts for Skye.   




The dress she's wearing we purchased from a shop in Burano.   The lady we bought it from was the very one who made the dress!  Amazing!  And then the little bag we couldn't resist, a little curly-red-haired girl with a kitty!  Too perfect for our kitty loving, curly-red-haired girl!  



It was an amazing day!
Burano, Italy
7.15.10


The other great news about today was that we got to see this gorgeous "lady":


Already she looks so much like her big sister.  I'm just "Amazed" how lucky I am!  An amazing husband, three amazing kids (with a new baby girl on the way), and amazing memories... 

Thursday, July 14, 2011

just my mama's name

A year ago tonight we were on a gondola ride in Venice.  Totally cliched, but it was AWESOME!



Venice is an amazing place.  It's only downfall (besides the obvious) is that the Venetians really are not very friendly.  Despite that we had an amazing day!

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

just florentine heaven

"Heaven
I'm in heaven 
And my heart beats
So that I can hardly speak"


This is how I felt at the Academy of Fine Arts in Firenze, Italia.  To be surrounded by Michelangelo's sculptures & what felt like his presence.  David is truly amazing.  I could have stayed there forever.


Firenze (a.k.a Florence) 7.13.10

We completed our goal of seeing the Four Ninja Turtles (by seeing a sculpture by Donatello).  At the Vatican the day before, we'd seen Raphael & Da Vinci.

Walked up Giotto's Bell Tower.  Aaron really isn't fond of heights.


On top Giotto's Bell Tower.  Gorgeous view of Florence.


We now know how grateful we are NOT to be a Cartusian Monk.


Tuesday, July 12, 2011

just san gimignano

7.12.10
The tuscan village, San Gimignano (gi-min-yano), is a magical place (or medieval dream) with A LOT of tourists!

7.12.10
These towers, streets, and buildings are more than 1000 years old (and still mostly intact), so you truly feel like you're in medieval Europe.  (If you want to walk these streets and climb these towers, play Assassin's Creed II.)  The other fantastic experience here (for Aaron only) was visiting the austere Death Penalty Museum and Torture Museum!  It added to the ancient authenticity of this town.  

Monday, July 11, 2011

just day three in rome

A year ago today, I had my second "WOW" of the trip. 


7.11.10
Two words: la pieta

We luckily had brought binoculars & were able to see Michelangelo's only signed sculpture.  But to see this with my own eyes was a memory I will treasure forever.

Aaron's "WOW! Can't believe I'm here" also happened a year ago today...

7.11.10

Upon exiting the tour bus, I (Aaron) walked as if in a dream-state.  I couldn't believe I was nearing the Roman Colosseum!  Once inside, we beheld the gargantuan and mesmerizing location of ancient violence.  Oh, to walk where gladiators walked!  (Truth be told, they don't let you down where the gladiators prepared and fought, so let me try this again.)  Oh, to at least walk where Roman citizens walked who actually saw gladiators fight (and walk) was a divine spectacle!  Did I also stand where Bruce Lee fought Chuck Norris in Return of the Dragon?!  There were too many glorious moments to contemplate during this sweltering day in Rome.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

just day two in rome

It takes a lot to truly make me say, "WOW......" 



The Pantheon is amazing. Words can't express just how amazing, you will just have to go see it for yourself! (I double-dog dare you!)

"As I was walking today, I tried to think of what it would have been like to be one of the earlier Romans here." (taken from my journal, 7.10.10)

We are not risk takers, so this was a big one for us:  We dared fill our water bottles from some of the 10,000 fresh water fountains that are in Rome (this was one of them).


  Talk about refreshing!  


Saturday, July 9, 2011

just day one in rome

July 9, 2010 ~ As we were walking through an alley on the way to the Trevi Fountain, I snapped this great photo of Aaron.  




Yes, the alleys of Rome are as amazing as you think they will be.


"We are now at the Trevi fountain! It's the first time of the trip I feel totally and completely happy! Not nervous, or insecure, or scared.  I feel happy!  It's so surreal to be here! Pinch me!" (from my journal)



Speaking of time, I am much wider in the stomach this July 9th than in this photo!

Friday, July 8, 2011

just an Anniversary of a Lifetime

A year ago today, we were on our first transatlantic flight!


If I could use a time machine, you'd see us 4 hours into the 14 & 1/2 hour flight.  We didn't arrive in Rome until July 9th (due to an 8 hour time difference).  Had we been in the States, it would have still been July 8th.


I've been thinking about this trip the last couple of days.  Rather in awe of the way time does seem to pass us all by, and doing my best to not lose sight of wonderful opportunities we've had in this thing called life. 



This is the first photo of our trip, taken in Las Vegas just before boarding the plane, 7.8.10.

Sunday, July 3, 2011

just "How Lucky I am!"

The blood, sweat, and worries all paid off for Aaron this past week.  The bureaucratic runaround that the school system puts their teachers through, has ended in our favor.  Despite getting fully qualified to teach at a Dual Immersion school three years ago, Aaron had to re-qualify this year, due to a changing of the guard.


The PRAXIS tests in English are often dreaded by teachers.  Add Spanish to the front of that word PRAXIS and it is dreaded even more.  Especially when a practice question is the following:


What is the name of Christina Aguilera's baby? (Translated to English from the Spanish form it was in originally.)


Not only does one not want to take this test, but they charge $150.  Hey! But you'll be reimbursed if you pass.  If not, insult to injury.


Last Tuesday morning, Aaron came in early that morning with the look of just having seen a ghost.  "The test results are posted."  He says.  But he hadn't looked yet.  With the click of a button, Aaron became even more shocked.  Honestly, I wasn't that surprised.  (I had watched him prep for this test.)  He passed! (Aaron would add, "Just barely.")  We are excited to say that we will be getting reimbursed and for now, he is again qualified to teach in Spanish.


Who knows what will happen in three years if a changing of the guard happens, again.  Somewhat disillusioned with the teaching system.  Especially with the announcement of next year's .015% pay increase.  Previously it was about .03%, but despite Aaron's outrage, at least he still has a job.  


He's just angry because he spent 2-3 weeks of his summer taking college classes so he could get a .06% raise next year (not to mention his 1 credit History Fair assignment that turned into over 40 hours of extra work on top of the new Treasures program and his first year teaching in Spanish)....and he just found out that it will be half of that.  At least it isn't .015% I tell him.  




Read this for the first time yesterday, it totally applies to our recent disappointment in the lack of pay and runaround teachers are put through.  Because at least we don't live "in that forest in France, where the average young person just hasn't a chance to escape from the perilous pants-eating-plants!"  My pants are safe!

Saturday, July 2, 2011

just missing art

Aaron & I were lucky enough to get a movie night this past week.  We went and saw the Woody Allen movie, "Midnight in Paris."  I really enjoyed the movie, but it has caused me to ache inside due to the lack of art in my present life.  


Miss studying the great artists of the past & present.  Miss the process of creating art.  Miss breathing in great art museums and working in groups with other artists.  


I've always questioned whether I ever would have made it in the art world, but despite my insecurities in this area, I still love it.  Luckily there are moments when I do get to exercise my creative juices, thank goodness for them!  




Thought I'd share one of my favorite paintings from 
one of my favorite artists.