December 2010

My Big Fat Italian Christmas

December 27, 2010

I have finally recovered from my first-ever holiday cultural immersion. This year was the first time I spent Christmas away from home and although I was sad to be away from my family, especially after our amazing holiday celebration last year, I was definitely looking forward to being welcomed with open arms into another family. [...]

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La Mia Famiglia Italiana

December 23, 2010

Last night I had the honor of attending the annual Christmas dinner for Lorenzo’s employer. The company owners (aka the ‘rents) treat their employees well, this being the fourth dinner I’ve had with them in the last year. The special thing about this one though is that it was the first time I met everyone [...]

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Snow Day!

December 18, 2010

Who remembers the glorious days when we were all kids and school was cancelled (YES!) sometimes for weeks on end thanks to the snow! I remember some particularly bad storms in my childhood when I was living in Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho which we celebrated by jumping off (parked) buses into the mountainous snow [...]

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Local Lowdown: Sei Divino

December 18, 2010

Before I say anything about my new pick for Local Lowdown I must say this; if you google Sei Divino in Florence, many website reviews like to mention that the place offers a theme aperitivo featuring a different international cuisine each night. This is not true. I dragged my friend Whitney here on a Monday night for some tasty [...]

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6 Months Blogiversary!

December 13, 2010

It’s true, and I really can’t believe it but today is the day! It’s my 6-month blogiversary! I realistically started blogging back in February 2009 when I landed in Sydney but I never count that because I was so caught up in my new world that I think I produced about three and a half [...]

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The Sound of Snow in Vienna

December 13, 2010

Growing up in Washington State and spending three of my four and a half University years in a sorority where people were given a lot of opportunities growing up, the romanticized ideas of top travel destinations were planted in my buried travel mind’s eye. I honestly cannot recall what it was that prompted me to [...]

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