Italy 2013

To say that my recent trip over to Italy was uneventful would be an understatement. It was very life shaking to me. Lots of beautiful churches, wonderful food, spending it with wonderful students and friends, amazing sites, and to be able to experience the grandeur of this amazing country was a moving trip.
Over the next few weeks, I will be sharing my experiences here along with photos of this life-changing trip.

FYI: Jet lag sucks!!! Took me quite awhile to get myself back on track.

All in the name of fashion???????

 

OK SERIOUSLY?????

Yes, folks you heard it here. This is not a joke. This coat is made out of male CHEST HAIR!! I just saw it on the TODAY show and just the thought of it made me want to HURL!!!!

 

A company in Great Britain created this insanity as a statement against "man-scaping" your torso. "Go Natural" as they say... They are protesting the "manning down" of British men, by emasculating them with clean shaven chests. WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYY????

 

It is worth 2499 euros, contains over one millions strands of male chest hair, and took a team of fashion designers over 200 hours to create.

 

BLUCK!!!



The passing of an icon...

I am saddened by hearing of the passing of James Gandolfini. Being 51 years old and leaving this earth does not seem right. Too soon. Too soon.

My thoughts go back to fall of 2001 and beginning school at The Actor's Studio of Drama in NYC. I had the amazing opportunity to work with an amazing teacher and person, Susan Aston. She had this hard edge to her, a strong wit, and was someone I had grown to trust immensely. This was at the height of the success of The Sopranos and Susan was very good friends with James. She was his acting coach and did all of his background research into the role and would go to wherever he was located to give him the information he needed about the next episode. She had so many wonderful stories of many stars but it was the stories of Gandolfini that intrigued us so, being Sopranos was so popular at the time.

That truly was one of the most exciting things about living in "the city that never sleeps". You just did not know who you were going to meet walking down the street. I passed Donald Trump on 5th Avenue, saw Diane Keaton from across a busy street, saw John Leguizamo as well out and about with his family.

So it is a Monday night. Myself and a few girls from my cohort are walking back after a taping of "Inside the Actor's Studio". We are heading to our subway. We walk passed this man who looked familiar to us. We completely walked by him and one of the girls says, "Guys, I think that was James Gandolfini!!! We should go back and ask him for an autograph!" For some reason I was against the idea. Things are hazy as to whether or not the girls went back to talk to him. I want to say that I would remember if they did. I think that we did not but kept walking...

What I DO remember is the hilarious exchange the next Susan Aston acting class we had. We relayed the wonderful story of passing James Gandolfini on the street and whether or not we should have gone to speak with him. What was so funny was watching Susan listen so intently to our story and then saying, "Oh my God, he even walks the streets??"

I laughed out loud!!!! SO FUNNY!!!!

Mr. Gandolfini will be missed! His amazing talent and presence is one that cannot be matched. It was this presence that demanded respect and professionalism.

My heart goes out to his entire family and to Susan for this horrible loss. I am sending prayers and positive thoughts to them during this difficult time.

CANNOT WAIT!!!!

This summer is all about the ROAD TRIPS!!!!

First up is a trip to the North to visit family and friends with a stop at the Mall of America for a stop at The Peeps store to see what goodies they may have for purchase!! I am so excited to see this thing in person...Tom Bernard...JEALOUS??? ;)

 

4th of July weekend, Justin and I will be traveling to Omaha to see friends and to go to the wedding of a dear friend who will get married that weekend!! We are so excited to be able to head to Omaha and get out of town.

 

The a fellow teacher and I will be taking a group to Italy the 8th thorugh the 16th of July. Heading to Rome, Venice, and Florence. To say that I am excited is beyond. There will definitely be many adventures to share and more stories and photos to share on here.

 

Then it is to Florida for the last week of July for a much needed beach vacation with my love. He has worked so har dand requested that we just take a vacation where we do NOTHING but lie on a beach and relax...I love this...we are also going to try and head over to see Harry Potter at Universal for a day...gotta check that out while we are down there...

 

2 more weeks of school, one week and Professional development and then hitting the road...

PEACE OUT!

Imagine a world...

I love love love what this video says...

I beleive in this...

And yet what would our world have been like if hate had not taken these amazing lights from our world so soon???

Happy Birthday, EMMY!!!

 

Happy Birthday, to the sweetest girl in the world!!

Your cuddles are the best!!!

Your breath is sometimes the stinkiest!!!

But your kisses are the sweetest!!

 

 

 

It was one year ago today that you were born our breeeder told us!!!

It would be eight weeks later that we would meet you and take your first car ride home with us.

 

It is amazing how one little being with so much energy can change the tone of a household. You have been such a blessing to our lives and we are so lucky to have found you!!

 

Yes I did buy a peanut butter baked birthday cake for the girl...There are some things I know she would enjoy!!!! But to all of those taunters out there who consistently taunt me about doggie clothing...this is a still NO GIVE IN!!

 

In the words of the immortal Dionne Warwick, "That's what fur is for!!"

Regret.

So I am wide awake this morning too early...

I am watching Sunday morning on CBS.

There is a interesting piece on what would happen if you had one more chance to say the things that you never said. Those moments when you can get things out on paper, or in words, to relieve the emotion of regret off of your chest and heart. So powerful

Those missed opportunities when you could have said something or done something tend to leave innumerable tears at your heart and always lurk in the back of your mind. It is retained there so much longer than those fleeting moments.

Always remember that final conversation with people. Make sure that you are able to say the words that you need to to complete that final moment with each other. Say "I love you" before you leave each morning. Offer help to those who clearly need it. Whether it is telling them you love them or saying or doing something more .

The events of this passed week have left and will leave an unmeasurable tear and stain in American history. Boston and the marathon will always be on our minds and hearts. West, Texas is emblazoned on our brains and all that those who work to keep us safe endure. Its hose moments when you hear that volunteer firemen head down to the site, sometimes never to be seen again. Those are the chances one takes in the line of work they feel passionate to pursue.

But great regret follows if you never get the chance to say those words...

I know that I will live with regret of never reaching out to Michael Nahas. He seemed like a tender soul, a new face on our campus and a teacher of Art and Science. Our paths never crossed as we were in very different parts of the building. The only time we ever saw each other was in the parking lot on some chilly mornings. He always had a smile on his face and seemed like a soft, gentle being and someone I had hoped to be able to get to know as the years rolled on. It was only after he took his own life on Pinnacle Mountain that you realize those that you follow in your every day life may be struggling with darkness, may struggle to put on their mask for the day and make everyone seem like they are okay. He left behind a wife, a 13 year old son, and many many students who absolutely adored him. It is truly sad.

What I struggle with is "what ifs". What if we had all seen the warning signs. What if we had reached out in those initial faculty meetings and just said hi. Gotten passed the awkwardness of not knowing new faces. Reaching out and getting to know folks...never knowing what they might be going through. Maybe things would be different.

You just don't know...

So take the time. Make sure you leave as many conversations as you can with exactly how you feel...be honest. Be forthright. Be truthful. Be sure you do not live your life with these regrets and make each moment count.