Ciao Italia

Jerrick and I had the absolute greatest trip to Italy! I spent awhile planning it and although there were a few hiccups along the way, I think we did pretty good for not even speaking Italian. Jerrick was such a great photographer/videographer on the trip so I had way too many pictures to choose from. Therefore, there are many pictures to see! We went to Rome first...

This is us at the Vatican outside St. Peter's Basilica. We went to the Vatican Museum on Day 1. It was amazing.

Above is a courtyard in the museum and below is another shot of St. Peter's Basilica.

Rome was amazing! We found so many unique buildings and pretty streets around the city. Below is the Castel San Angelo.

We loved spending time in Piazza Navona for the artists and awesome gelato! mmm we had gelato at least once every day!

On day 2 we went sight seeing to the ancient Roman ruins. Above, the forum blew our minds with the history that took place there! There were so many buildings used for many different things. It was the center of ancient Rome and a very important place in ancient times. Below, the Colloseum, does it really need an explanation for how amazing the architecture is? I still can't believe a 2000 year old structure is standing today.

So, the shots that follow are due to a CRAZY scooter ride I convinced Jerrick to take through Rome. Yeah, don't rent a scooter in Rome if you value your life. BIG mistake! I really wanted to see the ancient road with catacombs though and we had a good time getting a little outside of Rome for a bit.

I mean seriously, there is a castle in the middle of this hay field with like... goats...

We left Rome on day 4 for Tuscany. ahhh, it is just so beautiful. The views and countryside made me want to literally give up my life and move there to just sit and sip wine (well, :) sparkling grape juice?) without a care in the world. First, we visited Cortona. It was the only day it rained but I didn't care because it seemed to add to the quint character of the cute city.

The next day, we went to Sienna. It was a really fun city! Below is the main piazza in the background. They have horseraces here twice a year just in the piazza! Also, James Bond Quantum of Solace shows the races in the beginning of the movie.

Below is the ADORABLE little villa that we stayed in in Tuscany. I was referred by some coworkers and I'm so glad they shared the place with me! The owner was hilarious and so wonderful! He made us eggs and got us all situated in a cute little cottage. It is called Casale del Marchese and I would highly recommend it. I only wish we could have spent more time there!

Here we are at the top of Montepulciano. Another adorable city in Tuscany, not far from where we stayed. This was serious wine country. NO VINO? Yeah, we heard that phrase a lot at dinner!

Here's our tiny little rental car! We loved it!

Florence was so artsy and awesome! Their Duomo pretty much says it all...

Below is Ponte Veccio. This bridge is completely lined with Jewelry shops! It was crazy!

We finally made it to Venice on Day 7. We just loved this city and still don't exactly know how and why the city was started in water! It is so magical!

We went to a few Venetian islands. Below is Murano where they are famous for glass blowing. It was cool to see the factories and pick up some really awesome pendant lamps!

Then, we went to Burano. I will never forget the brightly painted houses that make this little island so dang cheerful! We loved Burano!

Ah, sadly we had to say Arrivederci a Italia and come home. We were actually relieved to be back in our comfort zone. It was so amazing though! I think I may have made a traveler out of Jerrick finally because I think he may have loved it as much as me :) Well, now it's back to the real world of moving and starting school! I'm so glad we were able to go on the trip while we still could!

Jerrick's Graduation!

I am so proud of my baby! He graduated with a B.S. in Exercise Physiology. Degree down, MCAT to go... I can only hope that after his test he will feel a burden lifted! The poor guy is always stressed out! Anyway, my parents flew up, and his parents drove up, so we had a pretty good roar from the crowd when they read his name to get his diploma :)

Jerrick and me

My grandparents, parents, sis, and bro in law

Jerrick and some of his wonderful siblings who came to support him! Afterward, we went to Buca di Beppo. What says celebration more than yummy food with awesome family?!

Oh, the excitement!

Okay, about a week ago, I was SUPER stressed/nervous about the big move coming up. HOWEVER, this past weekend, my mom went with me to Houston, and I signed a lease on an apartment, saw Baylor again, met with a current student, Amanda, to chat books/school stuff, and now I am SO PUMPED!

Okay, yeah, the apartment is still more that I would like to be paying, but let's be honest, it will probably be worth it to only have one car and be 1.2, yes, 1.2 miles from Baylor :) Oh, don't worry there is a beautiful park across the street and on the other side, the school. I am so excited for the walking/biking trails in the park and the zoo and museums. I really like the area we will be in. After seeing so many apartments in one day, they all looked the same: tiny. However, this loft is spacious and open, with tall ceilings so I don't think we will feel crammed like we do now. I can't wait to get in there and decorate. I for sure need my lovely interior designer's help. KF Designs help! It is seriously a loft though, cement floors and all. Poor Jerrick, just back home working/studying trusting me to find a place. "So, there's no carpet, like at all" "Um, no...... I will buy you a nice rug" :) So, yeah, I have to start looking for something soft, fluffy, and inexpensive!

Also, they have a pet deposit of $500, you get $250 back, so I said we will be having a dog. I AM SO EXCITED TO HAVE A DOG! They are just so sweet, come on, what kind of person isn't a dog person?? Jerrick really wants to take Sisco from his parents, his golden retriever he got when he was like 11 or something. I've done a lil research, and I've heard that even old dogs are okay with a move as long as they have some familiar things. Sisco loves Jerrick, and Jerrick says his parents don't really want her and couldn't remember the last time she went for a walk, so I think it will be good. The poor thing is just about on her last breath, but will be such a sweetie to always come home to! If anyone has advice about moving a large old dog... input would be gladly appreciated. :)

After talking to Amanda, I ordered all the books I needed! I will probably be delving into them a little early. Let's face it Mom, you were right, I'm a nerd! I also got a couple vaccines that Baylor requires that I was due for so, I'm pretty much ready to go!

But even BEFORE all of this excitement, we are going to Italy. I just decided, if we don't just do it, we never will, and I want to travel so many places! So, before school we have this amazing trip planned. I am so so so excited!

So, pretty much, this blog is me letting out my excitement a little. Because really, I have to remember that I still have to work and finish Microbiology. And me? That's nothing compared to what Jerrick is dealing with. So, for his sake, I will not show my excitement until his semester and MCAT stuff is over. Let me tell you, he and I both can not wait for that day! But right this second... YAY!

New York City!

WHOO HOO! My mom took her three daughters to NYC for her birthday. Hmm... like of like a birthday for all four of us right? We had so much fun! DISCLAIMER: Serious picture overload! I had so many to put up!

Our first night in the city: We ate dinner at an Italian restaurant where the staff was very much italian... which meant great food! Also, they looooved Katy, and she was hilariously turning down their flirting and offers for massages... After, we did some time walking around Time Square and experiencing the city!

Day Two: We got up and got tickets for WICKED! We were so pumped! We went down to Soho for some shopping before our matinee viewing. The show was seriously outstanding! Definitely my favorite part of the trip! Then, we went to Planet Hollywood for dinner. MMM, I loved me some Will Smith :) Then we went to the MET and saw some really cool history and art.

Day Three: Happy Valentine's Day! We got up early and went to the harbor for a cruise around the island and to see the statue. It was SO cold but cool to see so much of the island from a boat and go under the awesome bridges! Then, we went to China Town! They were kicking off their New Year's Celebration and we had an awesome time in their VERY festive streets. Afterward, we went to the MOMA. Once again we saw some awesome artwork and really cool architectural design that Kim especially loved. Then, we went to the Top of the "Rock" at Rockefeller Plaza. The View was AMAZING! We even saw the rink clear for a guy to propose to a gal in the middle of the ice! It was so cute :)

Day Four: We got up, and planned our last full day carefully! We went to the Museum of Natural History and saw the amazing dinos! We walked from there, through Central Park, to the Guggenheim. It was fun to take a few pics in the park. We also passed some artists with their work for sale. I got some really beautiful paintings from one guy. I love them! One is a black and white skyline of the city, and one is a beautiful view in Venice. After the Guggenheim, we went to eat lunch where Jaye works! She is one of my best friends from dance in Ohio! It was so good to see her and she hooked us up with crazy amounts of food and desserts. YUMM! Then, we went shopping on 5th ave. We got my mom's birthday present from Tiffany's via my Dad's orders. It is a beautiful set of keys. Later, we still weren't hungry after our huge lunch, so we had a dessert buffet at The View, a restaurant on top of the hotel that revolves! We saw some great views of the city and had some awesome treats!

Day Five: This was my mom's actual birthday! We got her some cupcakes that were sooo yummy! We were very sad to fly out that day, but we had an amazing trip. We made so many memories that will last for years! I can't thank my parents enough! I love that city!