Detouring the now in a childish attempt to find forever

I was incredibly good at filling you in on my every breath and toe tap while in Italia, but the moment I got home, I left this blog to get a thin line of dust on it from two weeks of no posting. To sum up the last two weeks, I have been overwhelmed with happiness of being home. Italy feels like it happened forever ago and was even possibly a dream. The day after I got home, I was surprised when all my friends slowly showed up to my doorstep because my sister had invited them to welcome me home. I couldn’t stop smiling and was overwhelmed with excitement that I got to see all the people I missed most. The holiday weekend came fast and I was spoiled to death with gifts, compliments, and welcome home hugs. And now it is time to bid farewell to 2011, a year of many firsts.

In 2011 I gained confidence, faced my fears, made big decisions, stepped on some large stones, and ate really good food.

·       My year started off with one of the biggest job positions I have ever acquired. I was the official photographer for the FIS Freestyle Skiing World Championships up at Deer Valley and Park City Mountain Resort.

·       I produced the 49^th year of East High School’s Take Five.

·       I turned eighteen.

·       Gabrielle and I saw Miniature Tigers and Desert Noises in concert. One of my favorite shows I have ever been to.

·       I graduated from high school.

·       I went to Europe for the first time with my family for three weeks.

·       I underwent my first surgery, which included going under amnesia, getting my first iv in, and my first urine test where they told me I wasn’t pregnant.

·       I traveled completely on my own to another country.

·       I survived my first semester of college.

·       I lived completely on my own.

It was a great year. Thank you 2011! Here is to 2012, may it be just as fabulous.

As a final note, audnotodd.blogspot.com will no longer be the url for this blog. Starting January 5^th, Verbaledudette will be at www.verbaledudette.blogspot.com. This change wont be for five days, but be prepared for the change. I do not want to loose anyone on to the way. : ) If you ever get confused, remember you can find Verbaledudette’s page on Facebook.

Happy New Year!

xoxo 

My first flight played Mariah Carrey's "All I Want For Christmas" and I knew this was going to be a good day

Is there an award for blogging in the most places? If so, I am winning because friends, this is being posted from Washington D.C. as I wait for my last flight towards Salt Lake City. I have been up since three a.m. Florence time. I do not know what that equates to for America, but it has been one hell of a day for me. All I have to say is that the first flight, the girl next to me snored and her head rocked back and forth, the second flight the guy fell asleep and put his hand on my knee. Do not worry, I through that thing off fast! He also would interrupt my movie to ask me questions like “do you believe in horoscopes?” I said “yeah sure” and of course that means he has to follow it up with “when did you start your studying of horoscopes?” I wanted to say “the moment they started getting emailed to me daily by Yahoo! Mail.” There are some weird people out there and I was stuck next to the Turkish one for nine hours.

Italy kind of feels like a dream. I do not want to compare it to a movie with oversized Smurfs, but I feel like an Avatar. Italy was a dream life and now I am coming out of it with vague memories. Those four months went by so fast. It is scary to be back, but I am so excited to see my family.

Today is the last day for Verbaledudette’s Gift Guide. I hope you have enjoyed it as much as I have. I really have loved seeing how expensive all these cool things are and dreaming that I lived in a world where I could pay thousands for an action figure set of the Beastie Boys. Final Gift is: The Beatles Magnetic Hair Game

I figured I should finish off with something silly and simple. I have no reasons why you should get this other than.. look at it.. it is the Beatles and you get to design their bowl cuts!

I really have to go! Almost flight time! See you soon Salt Lake City!

xoxo

all packed up.

I sit in my hotel room on the left side of the bed. It is quiet, except for the occasional Asian tourist laughing in the room next to mine. Against the wall are four bags (two checked, two carry on… I know you were worried Father) all packed and eagerly awaiting tomorrow for they get to get tossed around and lugged without love from airplane to airplane. My travel outfit is set out by the mirror. It includes a lot of black and two mismatching toe socks. My hair is braided tightly in a fishtail braid and my nails are painted with all that was left in the nail polish jars. I am ready to go home.

Italy has been an amazing experience and I know I have said this time and time again, but I am incredibly lucky to have been able to live in such an amazing city. I met amazing people, including my talented professors, sweet overflowing with creativity Melania, quirky yet smart Charles, and my dear roommates Joanna and Rachel. I have laughed hard, learned so much, traveled on my own, and gained confidence in myself.

You know how I love my lists, here are a few memories:

·      Charles picking me up at the airport with no enthusiasm and whispering in taxi

·      Linda talking about “muskles” and “cazzels”

·      Phase ten/Uno rounds for hours wherever Joanna and I could find a place to deal them out

·      Playing old maid with jumpy stoned guys on the steps of Santa Croce

·      Going to Castiglione del Lago on the wrong train

·      Joanna slithering off the chair to get me to take her shoes off

·      Colorado

·      Rachel’s computer and our confusion on why she could not type

·      The little party where boys and cigarettes just kept walking through the door

·      Long walks around the city at night

·      Pino’s Sandwiches

·      Rachel’s bed time stories

·      Kebabs

·      Felix and Isabella

·      The break dancers

·      Dance parties in the darkroom

·      So You Think You Can Dance

·      Eating too much pasta every time

·      Thanksgiving dinner on our own

·      Spending five hours developing pictures

·      Catch phrase

·      Vasari’s Birthday Party

·      Reading in the bath tub

·      The sexy lights

·      Movie parties

·      Trying to ride a one person bike with two

·      Nicola

·      Yogurt mixes for breakfast everyday

·      Smelling everything for the first time

·      Making deals in San Lorenzo’s market

·      Toes socks and dollar stores

·      Learning all about Gossip Girl from Charles

·      All these Italian stairs

·      Jarman movies

·      Café Mario secret meetings

·      Traveling to different cities by myself

·      Gelato

·      Carrot juice and how I always seemed to have it in my hands when the scariest part of the movie comes on

·      Being called homeless by the lady at the front desk who thinks that after I leave this hotel I am going to go live under the Ponte Vecchio

I could go on for hours but I think that is enough for now. All I am saying is I had an amazing time. : )

Tomorrow at 6:35 a.m. I will be on my way home. See you in twenty-three hours Salt Lake City.

Verbaledudette’s Gift Guide Number Nineteen: Palomar’s Crumpled City Maps

From someone who is terrible with direction, I think this is a fun way to hint to whomever you are giving this gift to are directionally challenged. This gift is creative, fun, unique, and can be used as a blanket if you get cold while you are lost.

Where to find this: http://www.palomarweb.com/web/prodotti/crumpled-city

Price: About $10.00

And if any of you do not know what to get me, here is a little last minute gift that will make me love you forever if you get it for me:

Goodnight Readers, Goodnight Italy.

xoxo

Ciao Bella, Ciao

I am exhausted despite sleeping in until eleven o clock this morning. I spent the entire day running around the city, just because I can. It was quite chilly today.  Although the sun was out, the clouds covered it’s heat. The wind blew any warmth that may have been there away, following the heavy flow of the Arno River. Thank goodness I had those cute mittens to keep my fingers from falling off like my nose nearly did.

Like promised I took a few photographs of the golfing off the bridge set up. They are not very good, but hey, it was hard to capture such an abstract sporting event.

I also stumbled upon some other interesting street artists.

Yes, this man is real. Yes, he is covered in paint and doesn’t move for thirty minutes. Yes, it is creepy. No, I did not push him over.

The silliest thing I saw today was this puppet show. It was these two men that looked like they loved life to much (not a bad thing) and were making everyone smile. (I uploaded the video on YouTube so I apologize to those who get this emailed to you, but you wont see it in your email. BUT please check it out. Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXITxmUyZpQ )

Tomorrow is my last day in Florence. What a journey this has been. I have no regrets and have enjoyed this experience more than anything. I am truly lucky and thankful to have this opportunity.

I am going to end with Verbaledudette’s Gift Guide Item Number Eighteen: Natwerks Mounting Sauces. (I think I may have called last nights number eighteen but that is a lie. See.. I check my numbers by looking at the date and when I wrote last nights, it was really this morning, so two posts both written on the 18^th. I know it is not important. I just needed to explain my faults.)

These are fun for the whole family. What more would Dad want than to put ketchup on his hamburger like a working tool from his tool box you got him last year? Also Ladies, you know how you want your man to fill in the cracks in the tiles in the shower, let him practice with this first! He will be pro when he finally picks up your hint that the shower needs finishing touches.

Where to find this: http://www.natwerk.nl/natwerk-specialties/montage-sauzen

Price: Hmmm… good question.

Have a goodnight Friends. : ) xoxo 

oh my life is a wonderful piece of art.

My Firenze journey has changed locations. Instead of writing this post from the comfort of a yellow kitchen under a window that looks upon eerie statues of children, I am sitting in the center of queen size bed looking out the window where the sun settled against the dirty red tiled roof and flowers.

Hotel Bretagna feels like the Hilton of Italy.  I checked in this morning and they already knew who I was and were waiting to help carry my bags to my room (where were they on the long treacherous walk to the hotel? Hee hee.) When I asked the lady at the front desk what the best way was to ensure that I had a taxi leaving the hotel at four a.m. on Tuesday morning she seemed very confused. I asked if I should do it the night before and have it reserved. She told me just to do it that morning. I looked at her with utter shock as my mouth uttered “You mean someone will be at the front desk that early?” She looked at me like I was speaking fluent German and said “of course, we are here twenty four seven.” I really wanted to reply with a “ well excuse my confusion but every other Italian hotel I have ever stayed in, the owner went to bed and doors were locked until seven.” But instead I smiled sweetly and said perfeto, like a true Italian, if I may add. 

(this is what I looked like when she told me that they are there all hours of night. the only difference was that I was by myself and I still had my shirt on)

My room is huge and welcoming. The bed sits in the frame of the window, to the left a large desk and dresser with a full size mirror. (The full sized mirror earns double points because every girl needs a full-length mirror in order to complete getting ready.)

The bathroom is beautiful. It has fully convinced me that when I have my own house I want a square sink. The shower looks like a space station and it was out of this world talking a shower in it. Let me tell you what it’s all about. It is a box. It has three showerheads. The first is your standard circle detachable showerhead coming from the left corner. On the ceiling there is a giant sunflower shaped showerhead. And then there is a bench, with three rows of ten misters. You can turn each on one individually. Oh also, did I mention that there is a special light that is dimmed and relaxing and it has an Italian radio station built in? Well it does. I could live in it. This shower was worth the entire trip over here. All I can say is thank goodness I do not have this at home or at the apartment I spent the last four months in, because our water bill would be on fire.

Now I know you are probably thinking “wow. This chick showed up to the hotel at ten in the morning and spent the entire day in the shower” but I am here to inform you that I did leave, not only the shower but also, the hotel. After wiping the sweat off my brow from that extra large work out to hike over the piazza’s to get to my hotel (but it was worth it,) I went out to explore the town. Now my hotel is only a block away from the Ponte Vecchio (aka the most amazing thing on earth,) so I did not have to walk far to find excitement. Now I have not photographic proof of this event because it was too crowded to even thinking of getting a shot of the action, but people were golfing off the bridge. It wasn’t just a few old Italian men who had a few too much to drink. No this was an actual planned, sponsored, announced, full on, golf tournament. They were positioned on a platform on the edge of the bridge. Then out on the river were large patches of floating grass boats with those little flags in the hole. (My aunt Michael just had a heart attack about how badly I am describing this golf set up. Please forgive me for butchering your sport Michael. I just do not know the terms and flags in the hole pretty much sum it up for me.) They would putt off of it and try to make it on these boats. It was the most interesting thing. Hopefully I can get in there and document it tomorrow.

Since this was such a big deal, the city was crowded and alive. The streets were busy with crazed Italian Christmas shoppers (much more elegant and intense than those we have in Uh-Merica.)  Piazza Rubbuplica had Volvo booths set up and giant television screens. There was even Santa. Oddly enough, no one wanted to sit on his lap and tell him what he or she wanted for Christmas.

I also stumbled upon this group of adorable, incredibly talented, elementary school children singing Christmas songs. It really put me into the Christmas spirit and I watched them for about an hour.

(Please note the video may not be done processing. I just uploaded my first Youtube video after three failed attempts to upload the video in different formats right to the blog.)

I was the only “tourist” who stayed and watched. I kept getting odd looks from the parents so I decided to adopt a kid and pretend she was my sister. I would smile and clap after the instructor said something that I did not understand. I think people started to believe it. The girl in the on the second row, four people in, is my adoptive singing sister for an hour. She is very animated and we look nothing a like. 

The one thing that annoyed me about this concert was the parents and their iPhones. Now I am one for the iPhone. I think they are great, classy, everyone should have one. BUT there were text message dings going left and right like they were trying to recreate the tune of jingle bells. These parents could not just sit there and watch their kids (like I was doing,) they had to play on their iPhones.

Speaking of iPhones, let’s talk about Verbaledudette’s Gift Guide Number Eighteen: The Dokkiri Hand Case

Do not even ask where I found this. BUT although it is creepy as hell, what a great gift. I just cannot express my feelings about holding hands with your iphone. It will really create a bond to your friend electronic.

Where to find: http://www.strapya-world.com/categories/6034_6035_6136.html

Price: I think $65.00’s

And then just for another phone excuse reasoning here is the: Native Union Pop Phone Handset:

Classic. Simple. Retro. This is for the people that you do not think will find the humor in the hand one. (If you are a buying a gift for me you should know that I am not one for the hand one and secondly I do not have an iPhone.)

Where to find this: http://www.nativeunion.com/us/popphone.html

Price: $29.90

Now back to my day.

The most exciting part of my day is when a fifty-euro bill literally blew in my direction. I stepped on this piece of paper at my feet and goodness gracious it was money. I was thrilled! How many times do you get to claim a random fifty-euro bill as yours!? Never. Never. Never. Except this once. I decided that with this little find I was going to treat myself to something really nice.

 I was walking through San Lorenzo and I saw it: the cutest leather messenger bag. I walked over to the woman, grey hair and a touch of crazy, and asked her how much it was. To my surprise her English was flawless as she spoke, like a waterfall mind you, that it was ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY EURO. I was crushed, but I knew I had to have it and I had to have it for fifty euro. I turned on my Concrete Rodeo Swag Skills (for you who do not know what this is, it is a little talent my father passed to me. I walk into a skate shop and walk out with more product than he would ever get. If I learned anything on the skate tour it is how to bargain (and how to dry out sweaty skater money and take showers with only twenty five cents and three minutes.) I talked to her about the quality of the bag, she told me how it was made and showed me pictures of the artist’s wife. I told her my story. I am student who is studying art for the past four months and was recently kicked out of my apartment because the term end and now is spending the last three days in a hotel alone because my best friend had flight complications. The last part really got to her. She even called over her little assistant guy and told him and he said “give her a discount mama, she is a pretty girl.” I wanted to hug this boy. To bad he was way old and too short for me because after that line and what it got me, we could have gotten married. She dropped the price to fifty euro. In conclusion I got two hugs from people I had just met wishing me happy holidays and a real, paten leather, sexy, red, hipster, Italian, messenger bag, that some poor soul with a hole in his wallet bought for me.

Oh my life is a wonderful piece of art.

(Yes. I did just tie my life in to art in a cheesy line so i could show you this photograph i took of a spray can street artist that I found today. Worth all that extra cheese, eh?) 

Now I am sitting in bed (like I mentioned earlier) and Italia’s version of VH1, DeeJay, is having karaoke night on the television. They are playing loads of random songs (ABBA to The Backstreet Boys, Amy Winehouse to The Killers, Cold Play to songs from Grease the Musical) music videos, but with the lyrics on the bottom of the screen. When the artist sings the lyrics, the words change to orange. It is actually really great because the lyrics will come up and I will have one of those “oh so that is what they actually say there... hmm... that is much different than what I was saying” moments.

So I am sitting in a comfortable bed, in a beautiful city, at one o clock on a Sunday morning singing to myself while writing this letter to you. You should feel special for that.

Good morning to Europe, Good evening to my fans back home. :)

(Spell check just corrected my smiley face for me. I originally had this : ) but then they told me this :) was grammatically correct.)

xoxo

Good times Mr. Apartment.

Welll well well, what a day this one has turned out to be. First off I had my cinema final this morning. That went well, aced it with a smile. I had to say goodbye to my parents of four months, Charles and Melania. Then I had to say goodbye to Joanna, who I am going to miss dreadfully. Finally, when I thought all was good, I got an email saying there was a mix up in my best friend’s flight so she will not be able to come and spend my last few days here in Florence.

Oh goodness.

Well, there are worst things in life. I did scope out my hotel for the next few days and good gracious my Father scored the best one. It is over looking the Arno and is a block away from the Ponte Vecchio. It honestly could not get any better than that.

Tonight is my last night in the apartment. It is empty and lost that home feeling. This makes it easier to move on I guess. Good times Mr. Apartment. Good times.

Verbaledudette’s Gift of the Day: LeRoy Jenkin X Quintin’s Hats:

I do not need to describe why these balla’ caps are the bee’s knees. Look at that old fashioned “grandma’s curtains” fabric aligned on a classic trucker hat. Beautiful and one of a kind.

Where to find: http://ljallday.bigcartel.com/

Price: $45.00

I am kind of depressed tonight. That’s why the post is a bit on the lacking side.

Cheers to weekend and my final days in Florence.

xoxo

we are enjoying our last days

The apartment has been officially packed up in suitcases. I finished mine this afternoon. Two bags stuffed with dirty socks and memories. I cleaned the kitchen today, meaning this post is being written with sunglasses on because the room is sparkly and spit spot. My room is put back to how it used to be set up and it is quite odd. I think this little change in beds is making it easier to leave, because it does not feel like “my room” anymore.

Tomorrow is the last day of school. I have my cinema final and then I am finished. We are going to have a roommate lunch, Charles is going to come check the apartment, and then we are enjoying our last day. For me, I am lucky, because my best friend Becca is coming and I get a few extra days to enjoy this fabulous city.

Now, I have devastating news. The Verbaledudette Gift I was going to show you are currently back ordered until after Christmas. BUT you can always give the person a gift certificate that says it is coming in the mail for New Years. Introducing: Brooklyn Brewery’s Beer Soap:

This is for every man you have ever met. What kind of guy doesn’t want to lather up in his favorite after work beverage? And ladies, we all know those boys are afraid of the soap, trick him into thinking that it is cool to use soap in the shower because it is actually beer! It is a win win gift if you ask me. You can even choose the flavors because it is made using a different Brooklyn Brewery style: Lager, Brown Ale, and Black Chocolate Stout style beers.


Where to find this: http://store.brooklynbrewery.com/beer-soap
Price: $10.00 

Have a wonderful Thursday my friends. Five days left.

Xoxo 

It is wallpaper for the creative and the A.D.D.

Slowly the apartment is packing itself into little bags and suitcases. Books have been removed from our shelves and the refrigerator has an empty glow. A sense of sadness, but excitement lingers in the air. We are ready to go home, but now we question where home really is.  I want to see my family more than anything. I want to live in my house. But why is it so hard to leave paradise? I have to stop thinking about it, because I know, one day, I will be back. It is a promise I am making to myself right now. You are the first to witness it.

It rained today. I know talking about the weather is something I cannot seem to let go, but really. It rained hard today. The last week has been one day of rain, one day of pure sun, and so on. It is the perfect balance.

I had my Italian Language Final today and I am expressing good vibes on that one. It was so much easier than the test at midterm. Maybe I actually learned some Italian. Fancy that.

Tomorrow is packing day. It is also clean the apartment so it looks like how we first got it day. Both should not be too difficult. Just a little depressing, you know?

Verbaledudette’s Gift Guide Item Number 14 is: Blik Wall Decals

Now I never had these (don’t worry mom, my life is not ruined because of this) but my sister did. She had fairies or flowers or something.  But I think these are a fun idea for any age, any room. This site has so many to choose from. Giant stickers that go on your wall and peel off cleanly when you outgrow that design, how cool this that? It is wallpaper for the creative and the A.D.D.

Where to find this: http://www.whatisblik.com/shop/explore

Price: Ranges based on detail and size of chosen design

Have a great night. : ) xoxo 

And while we are on the topic of mustaches…

Oh what Tuesday this one has turned out to be. First of let me tell you that my hair looked fabulous today. At least I thought so. Last night, I slept with my hair in a fishbone braid. When I took it out twelve hours later I had the sexy beach hair every ocean lover wants. What a great day to start my morning. The second eventful thing, after eating my yogurt, was taking my Italian Art History Final. Five different print outs of pieces of art were placed before me. For each one I had to identify and explain the piece, and then there was a second question that had to do with the detail of either the artist or the style of the piece.  I feel like I did all right, but it was the best I could do, so I am satisfied. (I also had my Photography Final Critique.. but that was a joke. Everyone loved my work. Actually everyone loved everyone's work. Charles just talked mostly. He does that often.) 

Today in the streets of Firenze there were wild protests. I do not know what these men were fighting about, but the city is on edge. There were helicopters flying around (this is really rare) and I was surrounded by men in uniform with bats, and helmets with face masks running to “designated protest areas.” It was exciting. If I get any news on what exactly was going down, I will inform you. Currently the rumor is something with a neighboring African country…. But that has not be confirmed. Don’t worry mom, I am safe and sound.

Isabella and Felix came over for dinner tonight. For those of you who do not remember, they are my two friends from the break dancing group. We had a delicious pasta dinner (surprised?) and then played a few rounds of the card game Spoons and finished with a great game of Bullshit. There were lots of laughs. I am going to miss those two.

We finished the night (when I say we, I mean Joanna and Rachel and I) by watching the film The Truman Show. It is hard to explain. I suggest you look it up. Watch it. Then watch it again. It was a mind blower.

Verbaledudette’s Gift Guide Item Number thirteen is: Something that is off the market: The Parmesan Cheese Pencil Sharpener.

(Just so you know, before this I wanted to put a copy of FUKT magazine on, but I could not find if you could purchase it! Is it an online only thing? This gift thing is a disappointment. Look at this link http://www.fukt.de/ and tell me if you can find a price. Who knew trying to play Santa’s helper could be so darn frustrating.) I give up. Listen folks, I have been collecting cool things for the passed two months and the last few nights I have become heart broken when the truth about these objects come out. I was thrilled to find this product. A pencil that shaves off cheese is genius! I was excited to show you this wonderful device. It’s unique, it’s classy, it’s fun, it’s artsy, it sold out completely after the first two weeks of sale time and the Germans are not making any more. What kind of world do we live in!?

Where to find it online so you can at least look at it: http://jazarah.net/meet-the-parmesan-cheese-pencils/

Price: Haha. Funny.

Let’s try this again. Today’s gift item from your favorite blogger is: TOO EXPENSIVE FOR YOU but I have to show it to you anyway. It is the Rocking Italian Scooter Deluxe.

I stumbled on this beauty a month ago and it was not until tonight that I noticed, not only that it was a lot of moolah, but also it is hand made from a guy that lives in Turin, Italia. How perfect is that? In his little “about this” section, he claims that the one you receive may be a little different because he makes the special for order. He may charge the big bucks, but considering what the process must be, I would buy this. I would buy this, but then not let my children get near it.

Where to find it: http://www.etsy.com/listing/41381029/rocking-italian-scooter-deluxe

Price: $2,300.00

Okay, here is a gift closer to your price range. (I am guessing Bill Gates and other million dollar owners are not interested in my ramble. I am guessing my audience is more normal.) Introducing the: ‘Stache Labbit Plush

Do not ask me what  a labbit is, but isn’t this the cutest hipster stuffed animal you have ever laid eyes on? Your kids would love to find this in their stockings! Even your boyfriend/girlfiend would love to get this while out on a romantic date that you will do before anyone else cause your cool and that is the hipster way to do things. Embrace the ‘stache my ‘sters.

Where to find this: http://www.kidrobot.com/Toys/PlushToys/stacheLabbitPlush7Inch.html

Price: $15.95

And while we are on the topic of mustaches… you might as well consider getting these bad boys too. Perfect for those men, and women, in your life who can’t grow fuzz beneath their nostrils. TA DA:  The Sunstache

Again, I do not know why they call it that. But you cannot resist these fabulous pair of shades. Get one for the whole family! Hey, even old Grandpa Joe would like to grow a bushy mustache once again! It’s a hell of a lot better than those ones with the fake nose because you do not have to breathe in plastic and you look natural. . . ish.

Where to find: http://us.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?itemdescription=true&itemCount=80&startValue=1&selectedProductColor=&sortby=&id=23510506&parentid=SHOP_STOCKINGSTUFFERS&sortProperties=+subCategoryPosition,&navCount=0&navAction=jump&color=&pushId=SHOP_STOCKINGSTUFFERS&popId=GENERAL_CATEGORY&prepushId=&selectedProductSize=&cm_mmc=Social-_-FB-_-20111202-_-sunstache

Price: $8.00

And here is a crazy picture of me because I felt like there wasn't enough random on this post. 

Tomorrow I have my Italian final. Wish me luck! Have a good night my friends. Stay classy.

P.S. Did you noticed I did not talk about the weather? You should be proud. 

P.P.S. The weather was bright and sunny all day. 

P.P.S.S. I just could not help it. 

I truly do love the rain.

It rained hard all day today. The sky was dark and thick drops poured down heavily. It was magical. I woke up to the sweet sound of the water’s ping against the windowpanes. (Okay, I lied, I woke up to my neighbor beating her children, but then I fell asleep and re-awoke to the surprising sound of my alarm clock, then I hear the rain.) It was beautiful.

I truly do love the rain.

I have not felt good all day. I feel run down, my stomach hurts, and I have a chill. Maybe I am unconsciously stressing myself out about going home. I hope I feel better tomorrow.

Verbaleudette’s Gift Guide Item #12: The Under full Tablecloth

I am an artist. I like to create designs and images out of the things you least expect. This is why this tablecloth is so perfect. When you spill ANYTHING on it, a pattern appears beneath. No need to cry over spilled milk when butterflies appear under the stain! “The table cloth that turns spilling into poetry.”

Where to find this: http://kristinebjaadal.wordpress.com/duk/

Price: YOU CANNOT BUY IT YET

So in he midst of writing this, I just discovered that those wonderful tablecloths are not for sale. That is right, they are still in production mode and cannot be purchased. What a joke!? I guess that means I owe you another one. Hmm.. Let me see what I have in my Santa gift sack.

Introducing Verbaledudette’s Gift Guide THE REAL item #12: We Are Handsome Swimsuits

Okay, so I know it is not swimsuit season, but you can always plan ahead. Maybe fellas, you buy your gal a nice trip to some paradise beach and get her this as a way to “break the news.” All I am saying is that these suits are unique and to die for. Whoever you give this too, will be the wildest thing on the sandy shores.

Where to find this: http://wearehandsome.com/

Price: I do not know, they are too classy to put prices

Hopefully that one is buyable. : ) Have a wonderful night.

xoxo

9 days left and christmas cheer

This post had the potential to be a good post, but then Word decided to take extra long on loading, a minute to be precise, so now I cannot say that I started writing at exactly 11:11. Even though I am not starting at 11:13, I will try and redeem some points with what I am about to show and tell.

As you may, or may not, know, this is my final full week in Firenze, Italia. Bittersweet feelings have begun to wound up inside me. I am desperately excited to be home with my ever so sweet family, but I do not want to leave all this magic behind. The rest of my stay is pretty much already planned out. Here is my schedule:

Monday (tomorrow): In the morning, I need to skip my little buns over to the photograph printing palace to get my final prints printed. (I dare you to say that ten times fast.) I went on Friday, but for some reason my thumb drive would not work in their system, so I am going back for round two. After that, I have Italian Language class.

Tuesday: Bright and early at ten o clock I have my final Italian Art History class. This is where I will take the final exam (wish me luck) and say goodbye to the sweetest little teacher ever: Linda. I will miss her dearly. Then, I have my photography final critique, which is a piece of cake. Later that night, Felix and Isabella are coming over for dinner. It is so hard to say goodbye!

Wednesday: I will take my final for Italian Language. I am pretty sure it is going to be a hard one, but I will go in there and do my best. One thing I am positive about is that I will NOT miss Nicola’s teaching, but I will miss his character. What a funny man.

Thursday: If all goes to plan, I will not have a photography class today. It is the pack and clean the apartment day! Woot! I feel like it is going to be emotional. The three of us (Joanna, Rachel, and I) are going to go out to dinner for a little “last supper” kind of thing. It is weird to think I will never see these girls again.

Friday: I have my Cinema final, which should be easy peasy lemon squeezey. (KNOCK ON WOOD.) And then it’s the finishing touches before departure.

Saturday: Everyone leaves. I have to leave the apartment before 12:00 where I will then proceed slowly to my hotel across the river. Becca flies in later that night!!

Sunday: Show Becca my city.

Monday: Show Becca my city and get to bed early.

Tuesday: COME HOME!

What a week to come! Strap on your seatbelts folks. It is going to be a rollercoaster!

Now lets talk about Verbaledudette’s Gift Guide item number eleven: Candiware

This gift is for all the ladies who love food. I do not know about your friends/girlfriends, but if they are anything like me, they love a food experience. And why not celebrate this love of food by wearing it as a beautiful accessory! Did I mention they are scented!?

Where to find this: http://www.etsy.com/shop/CandiWareJewelry

Price: $12.00 and up

Speaking of Christmas! I took a little walk through the city tonight. Every street is lined with lights and decorations, take a look:

The city is breathtaking. It is like walking through a Disneyland Christmas! This has been a productive day for me and I am exhausted. So, now I bid you goodnight! Have a wonderful rest of your evening. I miss you and love you.

Xoxo