In everything give thanks...

Source: cheepideas.com via Sue on Pinterest

With Thanksgiving right around the corner in the U.S., it has been the topic on my mind the last few days. While I'll be making my way through Ireland this year for the Holiday...friends and family back home will be gathering to celebrate (&indulge) together...I'm a little jealous of this, it will be the first time I am away for this holiday..but that brings me around to my point. Isn't amazing how ungrateful we (myself & people in general) can be despite all of the amazing things we have in our life!? I can't get over how much complaining I have heard from girls on this trip & yes I have participated in it at times but I am constantly stopping myself to put things into perspective. Where we are right now and what we are doing is all on purpose and we should embrace it and be thankful.

I have never been more thankful in my life then while I have been in Italy...I find myself thanking God on a daily basis for things that back in the U.S. I wouldn't think twice about. This holiday I do love but also kind of hate at the same time because it seems like this is the one day that most people stop and decide it is time to be thankful. I have found that when I am in a bad mood, or frustrated...I have to take a second to calm down (go for a walk/run, take a deep breathe etc..) and I instantly make myself think of three things I am thankful for right then and there. Doing this instantly changes my state of mind and I can see a bigger picture instead of focusing on the minor details I am frustrated with. As a result I am a much happier person in general and a way more pleasant person to be around...no one wants to be surrounded by people who complain all the time.

I am thankful for many things & there is not enough time or room to begin to fit it all on this page but from now on in every post until I get back to the U.S. I will include something I am thankful for, here is today's...

I'm off to Ireland tomorrow !!!

Going to tour Dublin, see the P.S. I Love You bridge, visit Doolin, then Cork to see the cliffs, and end back in Dublin. I'm sure there will be many pub visits and amazing scenery...and maybe a future hubbs!? haha kidding-kind of.

Have a safe and happy holiday...

Happy Thanksgiving =]

Ciao Ciao Ciao

Ciao!

So as you can see I have changed my blog up a little.....

My original motive for creating a blog was to have a single source that friends and family could go to to get a quick update on my life oversees rather then trying to keep up with constant communication back & forth..because we know how difficult that can be. So far it has worked out great and i'm happy I finally made a blog. Now that the end of this trip is approaching (only 27days left ahh) and my blog creeping & inspiration has gotten to an all time high...as a result I'm in the process of changing the format and intentions of this blog, and at a very slow pace. 

Bare with me, leave me comments, and officially become a follower to my blog is all I ask =] 

Meanwhile...staying true to my original motives I will give a quick update...

Aunt Vanessa visited me last week, we explored Rome and Florence and it was so nice having someone here..especially with Thanksgiving coming up and homesickness settling in. 

We both loved Rome & I loved showing her around my home here in Florence. We also got to go on a tour through what is called the Vasari Corridor located above the famous Ponte Vecchio bridge. It was so cool and since I  have always loved secret passageways etc.. even though it's not exactly 'secret' it was still exciting to do something that very little people get to do. Vanessa and I also went shopping at the San Lorenzo markets which is always entertaining and she got some great gifts to bring home.

Vanessa left early morning on Wednesday and reality settled back in...since then I have been working on the many school assignments and soaking up as much of Florence as possible. This weekend is officially my last full weekend in Florence due to traveling elsewhere the last 3 weeks I'm here. =/

However, tomorrow night I am attending my first football (soccer) game here in Italy!! It is going to be a huge game as it should be with Florence vs. Milan =] I'm very excited...I love soccer (not to mention soccer players...just saying =p) & what better place to see a game!? So excited!

It is crunch time for school work as well as exploring Florence...in the mean time I will most likely be experimenting with this blog =]

Thank you for all of your support and love, your emails and letters have been so encouraging and I can't wait to see you all again very very soon! 

Home. Ponte Vecchio. Vasari Corridor. Piazza Michelangelo.

Psalm 139 & 143

When in London...

...look at the ground 1st then look left & right before crossing the road...explore all of Harrods...take pictures of the London bridge from every angle (I have no clue why I took so many)...speak with a British accent as much as possible...shop vintage...see all of the sites...talk to the locals...see a show...and most importantly, Mind the gap!

Somehow I managed to delete all of the other photos I posted on here =[ this will have to do for now

I loved London, I was instantly comfortable in the city, it was hard flying back to Florence but i'm settled back in here and busy with school and planning my Itinerary for when my Aunt Vanessa visits in just 2 days! 

It is crazy that I have less then 40 days left here, time is flying by. I will probably have shorter posts from now on due to the lack of time, school projects, and the amount of traveling I have planned for this last month but I am doing my best to keep up with it as much as possible. Thank you all for your letters and love from back in the good ol U.S.A...I'm off to Rome this weekend then backpacking Ireland for Thanksgiving!
Ciao-Ciao

Philippians 4:6-7

buon compleanno....

Happy Birthday to my little sissy Miranda!

Miss you and love you so much....I hear it is a beautiful day in Ohio which is perfecto for your Birthday sissy, wish I was there to celebrate....xoxo

Miss your nose kisses

and your hilarious faces and voices

Miss you my little rubberducky

Miss your hugs sooooo much

I can't believe how much you have grown =[ You are so special and unique, so proud of you. Can't wait to be reunited in 40days!

J 29:11