tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33596676893186554812024-03-08T02:07:03.993-08:00In Italy 2012Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18191891508989893937noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3359667689318655481.post-48237977970550753002013-06-30T13:44:00.004-07:002013-06-30T13:44:53.679-07:00I'm going back....<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've started a new blog for my new journey back to Italy in 2014...</span></div>
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<a href="http://flowrsinitalytake2.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Flowrsinitalytake2</span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My first blogpost is up!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hugs!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18191891508989893937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3359667689318655481.post-24300112341658895592012-12-03T06:49:00.003-08:002012-12-30T08:56:12.514-08:00Dreaming of Orvieto 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BkquXOyRdBI/UMDzfeIVAAI/AAAAAAAACM0/SwQWtf9M4pI/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BkquXOyRdBI/UMDzfeIVAAI/AAAAAAAACM0/SwQWtf9M4pI/s640/013.JPG" width="478" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love this piece and I think it's one of my favourite pieces of this year. I love Orvieto in the background and with her eyes closed it looks like she's dreaming about that magical place... dreaming of going back there one day. Reminiscing about her incredible Journey there already...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bill and Kristi announced that Misty will be going back to teach in Orvieto in 2014. I went a few days after that announcement and opened up a Savings Account and called it "Italy". And I have started saving already. Do I dare to dream again to go back to this incredible place to paint with incredible people... I am encouraged by the people that came back for a second time this year.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am hoping to expand my dream this time to include my family. Courteney will be taking art to Grade 12 and in two years time she will be 16 so maybe this will be an incredible journey for her to do at this time. As for Kitty - she loves history and what a perfect place to discover and learn and fill her mind with incredible stories of years gone past...</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18191891508989893937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3359667689318655481.post-38648934156798495372012-11-29T09:26:00.004-08:002014-07-30T12:27:33.334-07:00SelfPortrait<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CEwLY7CHLqY/ULeZJ8DFlnI/AAAAAAAACFc/Waj6qEj0RC0/s1600/033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CEwLY7CHLqY/ULeZJ8DFlnI/AAAAAAAACFc/Waj6qEj0RC0/s400/033.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Happy Heart tonight!!!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18191891508989893937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3359667689318655481.post-54463342250461905632012-11-27T13:18:00.001-08:002012-11-29T09:11:34.452-08:00Homework...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9iutmN5IpdM/ULUtex8EZWI/AAAAAAAACBo/571jmN-mElE/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9iutmN5IpdM/ULUtex8EZWI/AAAAAAAACBo/571jmN-mElE/s400/016.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Facing my fears... working on some selfportrait pieces... our Italy homework from Misty before she left... I will keep you posted on my journey!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18191891508989893937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3359667689318655481.post-22682480765255760802012-11-26T04:16:00.001-08:002012-11-28T03:16:20.864-08:00Little reminders... <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gl9kGuNdMoU/ULNbxa0k9SI/AAAAAAAAB-Q/QXuO4b9M3FA/s1600/018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gl9kGuNdMoU/ULNbxa0k9SI/AAAAAAAAB-Q/QXuO4b9M3FA/s400/018.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">When I was in
Italy, Misty generously gave me two original pieces that were her demo's in the
classroom and she gave us all 2 postcards of her artwork in our packs. All of which are just so beautiful... and honestly a real treat for me. The chances of me ever being able to get an original of Misty's work - well who knows. I love the prints she gave us too. Sharon
also gave us all a postcard of one of her artworks. Renee gave us all a little art gift
in a little brown bag that had one of her pieces of art on it. I had ordered one
of Jenny's print before I headed to Italy and she brought me an extra print of her previous
work. Jenny also gave each of us a postcard size print of one of her paintings. Now I have a small Misty and Jenny Collection happening. All these lovely pieces together with 3 of my own original pieces were framed and ready to
go up this weekend, in my diningroom. This area is mainly blue and white so I had been collecting white frames. I had a general idea of what I wanted for this wall... It was lovely to see it coming together. <span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">I would still love to add John, Lorraine and Dot's artwork to this collection!</span> But for now I have little reminders of Italy and the beautiful people I met there... every day!</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U1qg7_pfMxE/ULNdCCLwhRI/AAAAAAAAB-Y/8Ebfqbfjorw/s1600/019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U1qg7_pfMxE/ULNdCCLwhRI/AAAAAAAAB-Y/8Ebfqbfjorw/s400/019.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">This picture doesn't completely do it justice but it's the best I could get. This wall has completely transformed my diningroom.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18191891508989893937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3359667689318655481.post-82441175134005260492012-10-10T16:30:00.000-07:002012-11-11T12:00:49.520-08:00Home Sweet Home...<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">38.5
hours after leaving the Monastery – I landed in Cape Town.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span> </div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Man, it had never felt so good to
get home and be welcomed back by my sweet little family, as it did on this day. I was shattered. It was the longest time
I had ever been away from them and it wasn't something I found easy to do. I will never forget their
kindness and grace in giving me this time and space to do this. In many ways, I
feel they were as brave as me to let me venture across the world to paint. I
think they journeyed every step and every moment with me through
Skype and Facetime, with my pictures and stories. This was huge for us as a family, I think it's one of the most
amazing and positive moments that have happened to us as a family in a long time.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Maybe
somewhere in us living life, surviving things {really difficult
things, at times} and moving swiftly through the child-raising years... we forgot to dream... Dream out loud, dream
impossible dreams. And sometimes, when we give ourselves permission to do this seemingly frivilous thing, just sometimes they come together and they become real gifts. Stolen moments in time. Precious and cherished memories.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">This trip meant so many things to me and I know I will spend months unwrapping this incredible gift that I received. But I love what it showed my girls about following their dreams and following the call on their lives. I love that it showed them, that sometimes I am more than just their mum and if nothing else, I know I have made them so proud of me!!</span>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18191891508989893937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3359667689318655481.post-39897601371978170252012-10-09T15:30:00.000-07:002012-11-11T12:08:43.221-08:00Last quiet moments in Orvieto...<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #741b47;">I was the last one to leave Orvieto so I got to see everyone leave...<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One by one everyone started leaving for their long journey’s home… Misty was the first to head out and left in the early hours of Saturday morning, then John by mid-morning and then Dot and Jenny headed off in the afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Saying goodbye to beautiful people is never easy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lorraine, Renee, Sharon and I spent most of Saturday in the studio, after a beautiful walk around the market and Orvieto. Again, we worked late into the night painting in the studio... I cherished these final moments together.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #741b47;">On Sunday, Sharon and I got to spend another full day together in the studio and it was lovely having quality time with her and sharing our life stories,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> p</span>racticing our new skills and learning new things from Sharon. She too, is a wonderful teacher in her own right. </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #741b47;">Again, Monday was full of goodbyes... I was a bit emotional about saying goodbye to my new friends but<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I spent my last full day in Orvieto painting quietly outside and I also spent final moments walking the cobbles, visiting churches and taking more beautiful pictures. </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><o:p>Knowing I was staying a bit longer than Bill and Kristi, made me so nervous because I knew if something went wrong, I had no "go to" plan. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>I had no one to phone in the case of emergency because everyone else would already be on their planes and I would be all alone in Italy. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>It made me feel rather vulnerable.</o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sT2w8qDz4hk/UJ_gzYXl7GI/AAAAAAAAB2Q/o_EhnYE7D_4/s1600/639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sT2w8qDz4hk/UJ_gzYXl7GI/AAAAAAAAB2Q/o_EhnYE7D_4/s640/639.JPG" width="476" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Coming down to the Refectory on this final morning, I knew I would be dining alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At first I was overwhelmed by the empty room and the silence. But after a while, the silence became beautiful to me and I so appreciated this quiet time. I was all packed and I was ready to face my extremely long<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>journey home. I knew I needed one more visit to the Blue Bar for my final cappuccino and a final Facetime chat with my hubby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also needed one more beautiful lingering walk around Orvieto before I headed out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I loved all the walking we did in Italy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I said my goodbyes to the locals who had become our friends for the week and got my bags and headed to catch my bus to the funicular… After each accomplished step in my journey home, I let my family and Jenny know where I was. This made me feel less alone and more connected.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18191891508989893937noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3359667689318655481.post-34845152829891314282012-10-05T17:30:00.000-07:002012-10-30T04:15:10.072-07:00Day 5 - Small tributes and a bit of show 'n tell...<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is something special that comes out of allowing oneself to be vulnerable by sharing with one another... Although we had painted together all week - putting ourselves out there on display was emotional and a little nerve wrecking. It was also in these moments that we knew and understood our time in the studio was now really over... and that wasn't easy for any of us.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have to say without a shadow of doubt - that every artist produced a piece of art that totally became one of my favorites during the week.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Beautiful people making beautiful art!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our studio time was officially over. Misty was leaving first thing in the morning and John was leaving mid-morning. Saying goodbye is never easy. What an incredible week with Misty... Generous with her knowledge and her skills. Generous with giving us things before she left... And so generous with her time. I was so blown away this week by everyone's generousity, with sharing skills and knowledge, art supplies and tools. Being part of this amazing group has touched something deep inside of me, something I wasn't expecting but something I will cherish forever.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana;">Meeting beautiful people in a beautiful place making and doing beautiful things is what makes beautiful memories.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18191891508989893937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3359667689318655481.post-21139223826755237472012-10-05T17:00:00.000-07:002012-10-23T10:02:56.024-07:00Day 5 - Beautiful final moments in the studio...<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We all hoped this moment would never come, we were warned it would come quickly and it did. It's so bitter sweet. It's been an incredible week of working so hard with full schedules and we all knew it must come to an end but yet our hearts just weren't ready.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KJJ_9Y-xzVc/UIbHQstcKYI/AAAAAAAABtg/LnA9jW84fkA/s1600/394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KJJ_9Y-xzVc/UIbHQstcKYI/AAAAAAAABtg/LnA9jW84fkA/s1600/394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KJJ_9Y-xzVc/UIbHQstcKYI/AAAAAAAABtg/LnA9jW84fkA/s320/394.JPG" width="239" /></a><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Misty started our time off, as usual with incredible tutuorials and as we all sat around her taking in everything we could from her, our incredible teacher - everyone was relaxed and laughing. There was something special in the class today... I couldn't put my finger on it but I think it was that we had bonded. In our short time, all coming from different parts of the US and me from a different part of the world - we all had one common thing running through us... that we were all artists and we all in fact, spoke the same language, the language of art. I wasn't prepared for how powerful that would be, to be around like-minded people in this specific environment for this specific time. It was truly an honor to be part of something this incredible and this life-changing.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">I love this pic - of Misty, John and Dot.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our classroom after a week of play... really lived in</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today was so exciting because after this tutorial - Misty showed us how to put together a collage. Another first for me - I have never done a collage before and I was completely overwhelmed. My fear was tangible for me to the point of nausa until I started and the more I worked through it - I just fell in love... I have since done 3 collages and they are just beautiful creative play. I still have a way to go in what I'm doing but I know I have started something that completely ministers to my artist child...</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first attempt... Still have some work to do but it's love for sure...</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18191891508989893937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3359667689318655481.post-71563613347775176792012-10-04T21:00:00.000-07:002012-10-23T09:59:48.510-07:00Day 4 - Morning Market, a beautiful Cemetery and an afternoon in the Vineyards...<div style="text-align: right;">
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After our regular coffee and breakfast in the Refectory we met in the courtyard and headed towards the Market, after our mandatory stopover at the Blue Cafe for our quick "wifie" fix, along the way. I loved the Market vibe. It was local, organic and smacked of Italian authenticity. We were all summoned to collect something for lunch... I collected Olives. Hmmm. Lunch was a great treat. I loved the cheese and meat stands most of all... I think most of us ladies went home with a new scarf.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The lovely Kristi and Bill having their daily Cappa at the market place</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Adorable Jenny and Dot choosing our cheese for lunch... what a selection.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After our fun moments at the market, we headed back to the Monastery where Bill and Kristy took us in to see the Monastery's Frescos that they have been restoring and a painting that was apparently painted by Michaelangelo before he moved onto the Sistine Chapel... his practice run. I found this so incredibly moving to the point of tears. Why I found it so emotional was because they plastered over the paintings at some point. At some point they found no value to it. It upset me so much but the best part is they discovered them and have been restoring them back to their almost original beauty....</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The Monestary's Frescos</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bill took some of us down to see the Monestary's Grotto's - 3 floors down. I found these rooms more moving than the grotto's at the museum perhaps because they felt so untouched and so authentic... very moving.</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After much pleading from us, Bill and Kristi took us down off the rock early to visit a Cemetery before we headed out to Giovanni Dubini's Vineyards. Only in Italy can the grave-yards be absolutely beautiful and artistic.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Making for beautiful photography</span>.</div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What was so wonderful about being at the Vineyard - was listening to Giovanni's lovely stories but also the incredible view of Orvieto, in all her glory on top of the Rock. It's incredible. In Cape Town we have equally beautiful vineyards and cellars but it was so lovely to be in Umbria, Italy on the borders of Tuscany to experience this.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An old barn original built by the Pope - now a fancy B & B<br />
Giovanni's father bought this property with cattle.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Empty bottles ready to be filled with Orvieto Classico</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Our wine tasting table and a look at all the barrels of wine in ancient cellars</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back at Orvieto in all her glory, in that gorgeous golden early evening light</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> This day was nothing short of beautiful. We got home exhausted and squeezed in a light dinner at the Wine Bar. After a quick nap I woke up around 10pm to head back into the studio to paint. I got down into the studio and just about everyone was there and there was a wonderful vibe. After a while just about everyone headed to bed and I got to spend the evening painting with Beautiful Lorraine until 2am. As you can tell I didn't waste too much time sleeping - I wanted to maximize my evenings in the studio.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18191891508989893937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3359667689318655481.post-3000230467138869272012-10-03T17:00:00.000-07:002012-10-23T06:08:59.925-07:00Day 3 - A day of many Firsts for me in the Studio...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-07szloIxfI4/UIaDBEPIrLI/AAAAAAAABlU/0R--PU_jgrM/s1600/278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-07szloIxfI4/UIaDBEPIrLI/AAAAAAAABlU/0R--PU_jgrM/s320/278.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-07szloIxfI4/UIaDBEPIrLI/AAAAAAAABlU/0R--PU_jgrM/s1600/278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-07szloIxfI4/UIaDBEPIrLI/AAAAAAAABlU/0R--PU_jgrM/s1600/278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Every morning I woke up at around 7am to bells ringing somewhere in the distance. I got out of bed and opened my shutters and this was my view. I repeated this everyday for 9 days and I took a picture everyday. I know it was the same picture everyday - but I just couldn't help it. It took my breath away every morning. I would then climb back into bed and Skype call Dig and the girls. There was no time difference for us so they were also in bed and we had a glorious little chat about what was happening in each of our days... I got the show them out my window every morning. I loved our morning chats and they got me through the day. I would then hop in the shower and get ready for the day. We would all meet in the Refectory for coffee, breakfast and chatting every morning for an hour. It was a sweet <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">time.</span></span></a></div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zdYB1UgGqug/UIaFcFAgrwI/AAAAAAAABlc/n-cdHVcoRk0/s1600/240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zdYB1UgGqug/UIaFcFAgrwI/AAAAAAAABlc/n-cdHVcoRk0/s1600/240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zdYB1UgGqug/UIaFcFAgrwI/AAAAAAAABlc/n-cdHVcoRk0/s200/240.JPG" width="149" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zdYB1UgGqug/UIaFcFAgrwI/AAAAAAAABlc/n-cdHVcoRk0/s1600/240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This morning we headed back down into the studio for a full day of lessons. I was looking forward to it... Misty gave us incredible tutorials on this day. It was one of my best days. She demonstrated how to paint a portrait without drawing up. Drawing up figures that tell a story and she showed us how to do backgrounds. This was just so exciting for me. This was ALL new ground for me... in so many ways. It would be the first time I would be using Acrylic paints and the figure work was new for me and the beautiful background work too. If I came to Italy just for today - it would have been so worth it for me. Having this input first hand was priceless...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">We had to start with just dark shadows and shapes and had to slowly build her in.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">As you can see my nose and mouth were too high and off...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Replacing the nose and mouth... and working on the headdress.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The headdress and earrings are my favorite part of this painting...<br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">It was tough going... I found using Acrylics difficult but the more I worked with it the more we started to understand each other. It's a road I will continue to walk down and try learn more. Besides the blending on the face - the rest of her was a delight to do in Acrylics. It was the first time I had ever used Acrylics and HotPress 100% Cotton WaterColor Paper.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R3Rfi92RCo8/UIaFtGzG_CI/AAAAAAAABl8/HKDmb7McNXw/s1600/248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R3Rfi92RCo8/UIaFtGzG_CI/AAAAAAAABl8/HKDmb7McNXw/s640/248.JPG" width="476" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first background... using Acrylics and Ephermia - I am in love with this process</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We spent the late afternoon out and had dinner together as a group. Jenny and I later returned to the studio to paint until 2am quietly chatting and listening to music while we painted.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was one of my favorite days and evenings by far... hmmm I know I am pretty much saying that about everyday... aren't I?</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18191891508989893937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3359667689318655481.post-53330372136547424052012-10-03T16:30:00.000-07:002012-10-23T06:06:52.656-07:00Day 3 - Discovering the City under the City...<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our afternoon outing was a guided tour exploring the Etruscan caves that lay beneath the city. It is the incredible story behind Orvieto... the City that sits over hundreds of caves that was built for food and water storage as well as making wine. It was also where they dug wells to the water table as there was no natural resources on the Rock of Orvieto... in other words, no rivers or dams. What blew my mind about this tour was realising the technology that they used to build cellars, wells and waste tunnels was rather advanced for this time, their building skills were nothing short of remarkable. The other thing that was rather interesting was that they are still discovering caves to this day. I find this truly remarkable... from jars and pottery and things they discovered in the waste tunnels... have told many stories and it is a fascinating story.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xy2Gq5ZGS58/UIaOJoyKODI/AAAAAAAABnY/GzNvyOQMyjg/s400/313+%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christina our "wealth of information" tour guide... it was an incredible history lesson</td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Yf8eTAn0dss/UIaN4aIVzRI/AAAAAAAABnQ/D7Y42QxRpuQ/s1600/258.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Yf8eTAn0dss/UIaN4aIVzRI/AAAAAAAABnQ/D7Y42QxRpuQ/s200/258.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EXEK6Phs9eA/UIaOja3TV1I/AAAAAAAABng/Cz76pNzkfhU/s1600/315+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EXEK6Phs9eA/UIaOja3TV1I/AAAAAAAABng/Cz76pNzkfhU/s200/315+%25282%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The thin tunnel down the side of the large well is actually the water well and it was dug by one man with a basket on his back... pretty fine craftsmanship if you ask me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Pottery jars - these were the main color paints they used in the Etruscan era</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PXx4cbMzvvU/UIaO1tolL2I/AAAAAAAABns/RKKRdiV2ZFE/s1600/318+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PXx4cbMzvvU/UIaO1tolL2I/AAAAAAAABns/RKKRdiV2ZFE/s640/318+%25282%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A beautiful wine cellar - I so wanted to go down there to explore</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ioZY1z9tam8/UIaPJHaSdTI/AAAAAAAABn0/tLj3Zq1C3Jw/s1600/319+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ioZY1z9tam8/UIaPJHaSdTI/AAAAAAAABn0/tLj3Zq1C3Jw/s320/319+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waste Tunnels - where lots of pottery and wealth of info found in these tunnels</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After our time together down in the grotto's it was so awesome to be walking the streets again at sunset on our way to dinner. I have so many highlights from my trip but the walking was definitely one of them - they completely energized me. I took so many pictures and I wish I could share them all. But here are some of my favourites.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-307zG89XXXA/UIaPulG-RmI/AAAAAAAABoI/TlbA8NYYDDI/s1600/308+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-307zG89XXXA/UIaPulG-RmI/AAAAAAAABoI/TlbA8NYYDDI/s320/308+%25282%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fASQGSk4flI/UIaP5yvjoJI/AAAAAAAABoQ/q1BNOv9ozwg/s1600/324+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fASQGSk4flI/UIaP5yvjoJI/AAAAAAAABoQ/q1BNOv9ozwg/s320/324+%25282%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vlgm0Ij7ULs/UIaPdtGFuOI/AAAAAAAABn8/2X0r9gDYoNI/s1600/306+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vlgm0Ij7ULs/UIaPdtGFuOI/AAAAAAAABn8/2X0r9gDYoNI/s400/306+%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love this shot... I love the nickers on the line... talk about airing your laundry for all to see!!!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2YzeYgYfDdk/UIaUMiVGE1I/AAAAAAAABo4/yj6pCW0Osv0/s1600/325+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2YzeYgYfDdk/UIaUMiVGE1I/AAAAAAAABo4/yj6pCW0Osv0/s320/325+(2).JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-js_x0IaCCpc/UIaUf_Ud2kI/AAAAAAAABpE/-A1ucBFj_vg/s1600/326+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-js_x0IaCCpc/UIaUf_Ud2kI/AAAAAAAABpE/-A1ucBFj_vg/s320/326+(2).JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">These two shots are two of my favorite photographs... I know it seems impossible to choose from over 1200 photos but I just love the positioning of them and the glow of the street lights at dusk and capturing the buildings... they are just so beautiful to me...</span> </div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am thinking about choosing a selection of my pics to make them into postcards.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18191891508989893937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3359667689318655481.post-4742042733178657142012-10-02T16:00:00.000-07:002012-10-22T13:59:14.280-07:00Day 2 - Finding inspiration in the classroom and kitchen...<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We wasted no time on this day - after coffee and breakfast in the Refectory, we headed straight down into our studio. We started off with a pencil still life drawing. I hadn't done a still life for many years... so it was a good exercise to get our eyes in. I love using pencil so I found this exercise theraptic and relaxing.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our next exercise was a portrait that we found in the magazine. Here is my process through it... I didn't finish her then - I finished her that evening in bed... yes, I didn't sleep much. We were moving quickly from one exercise to the next as we had so much to cover and I was determined to finish pieces that I started. This was one of my favorite exercises... partly because I love pencil drawings and love shading.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GVDLp6BDj9Y/UIWk7gNLDdI/AAAAAAAABgc/_eyJsJdtI00/s1600/206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GVDLp6BDj9Y/UIWk7gNLDdI/AAAAAAAABgc/_eyJsJdtI00/s320/206.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ASfBwCpc0zU/UIWlXOWaMiI/AAAAAAAABgs/SS32stV3g80/s1600/232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ASfBwCpc0zU/UIWlXOWaMiI/AAAAAAAABgs/SS32stV3g80/s640/232.JPG" width="467" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I absolutely love this piece.. I have called her Francesca</td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8in7u9bghZU/UIWmgPSf6oI/AAAAAAAABhw/eY4Ih3ls7qk/s1600/289+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8in7u9bghZU/UIWmgPSf6oI/AAAAAAAABhw/eY4Ih3ls7qk/s400/289+(2).JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This became a daily ritual.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bill and Kristi always chose the best lunches for us...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was a wonderful time of day. And to me some of my best meals were had here.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kZDJooD4fjc/UIWmPtyMTbI/AAAAAAAABho/qTtmreUZaDo/s1600/288+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kZDJooD4fjc/UIWmPtyMTbI/AAAAAAAABho/qTtmreUZaDo/s400/288+(2).JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After lunch, Misty teaching us first hand how to draw with charcoal... </span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She was just remarkable to watch in action.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P0ELTWi3SDo/UIWlf7mHe7I/AAAAAAAABg0/1NUigai-BAM/s1600/210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P0ELTWi3SDo/UIWlf7mHe7I/AAAAAAAABg0/1NUigai-BAM/s320/210.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EIcTy_Tty3c/UIWl2JAeOoI/AAAAAAAABhI/7o4mt712vVE/s1600/236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EIcTy_Tty3c/UIWl2JAeOoI/AAAAAAAABhI/7o4mt712vVE/s200/236.JPG" width="149" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S5QQrUDXczI/UIWl4BGhRAI/AAAAAAAABhQ/iS1aexMComg/s1600/239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S5QQrUDXczI/UIWl4BGhRAI/AAAAAAAABhQ/iS1aexMComg/s200/239.JPG" width="148" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Misty gave us each a mini book to fill with anything we liked from our trip.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I decided to fill mine with the Madonna - She totally captivated me and she was everywhere. I managed to do three during my travels but I plan to fill every page with a different one I saw around Orvieto and in the Monestary.</span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18191891508989893937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3359667689318655481.post-69884890921085022112012-10-02T13:57:00.000-07:002012-10-22T14:00:06.077-07:00<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><span style="color: #741b47;">After a
productive and rewarding day in the studio... we headed out to Zeppelin
Restaurant for a cooking class with Chef Lorenzo Pelligri who was just so energetic
and such a character in the kitchen. Famous word for the night... was
"Mama Mia". We had the best time making supper. We all had to make
something for dinner. I made a chicken dish, don't ask me what it was called
but it had olives in it and it was yum. We ate like royalty. The energy was
catchy and tangible. It was a brilliant evening and I do believe a highlight
for all of us. And the zuppa was out of this world. I could have easily stopped
after the Fungi Pizza bread, the Zucchini floral bread and zuppa. The rest I
couldn't really get down.</span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chef Lorenzo - giving us our instructions</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Misty and Renee making our pizza and breads</td></tr>
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Zucchini Bread and Fungi Pizza - the highlight of my evening</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_GTN-X1bBws/UIWwSvkgdoI/AAAAAAAABjE/L1KZHy0XzPg/s1600/216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_GTN-X1bBws/UIWwSvkgdoI/AAAAAAAABjE/L1KZHy0XzPg/s320/216.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ted and Lorraine - After 35 years of marriage making Trimisu was a breeze</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6JAYVoHrSqk/UIWxJAxx_HI/AAAAAAAABkw/tZXfEBoH8m8/s1600/229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6JAYVoHrSqk/UIWxJAxx_HI/AAAAAAAABkw/tZXfEBoH8m8/s320/229.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The proof was in the pudding...</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18191891508989893937noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3359667689318655481.post-12558532838021658562012-10-01T21:30:00.000-07:002012-10-22T12:51:51.904-07:00Day 1 - Orvieto from the Inside Out<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-conFI4qQ_p8/UIWfnbWLsOI/AAAAAAAABfw/RYWdGAHI6yg/s1600/651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-conFI4qQ_p8/UIWfnbWLsOI/AAAAAAAABfw/RYWdGAHI6yg/s200/651.JPG" width="148" /></a><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana;">We hit the cobblestones and headed straight for the BlueBar which became our "home away from home", our other "safe place". If we ordered our daily cuppacino here we could connect to their free "Wifie". Our connection to the outside world and our loved ones - which, I will have you know became our drug of choice for the next 9 days... hmmm Coffee and free Wiiiffiiii.</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7i21fciNWa4/UIWiNPZUViI/AAAAAAAABgI/sgqD7G-H7EU/s1600/144+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7i21fciNWa4/UIWiNPZUViI/AAAAAAAABgI/sgqD7G-H7EU/s320/144+(2).JPG" style="cursor: move;" unselectable="on" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We explored the town all morning and discovered Bill and Kristi's favorite shops and secret treasures... best leather place in town, a little art shop, paper and ink store etc. and of course there was the Duomo - Orvieto's cathedral which is Italy's best Gothic church. It's so big and I'm afraid my pictures don't do it justice at all. Apparently, it's where Michaelangelo stopped over to gain inspiration before his commission in the Sistine Chapel. Inside was all consuming. I could have spent hours there. The artwork - breath-taking and Kristi gave us the incredible history behind each painting. I was particularly moved by the Madonna inside the one small side chapel but we were unfortunately, not able to photograph it. It was an incredible way to spend the morning.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Duomo - need I say any more</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Clock Tower - I still wanted to climb it but I ran out of time</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We had some free time before we headed into the studio for our first lesson. I headed to the Blue Bar to try and connect with the family. I managed to have facetime with them in Rome but Kitty was too emotional to talk to me and wouldn't even look at the screen but that was 2 days ago and we were all feeling a little anxious. Kitty had felt terribly guilt and had spent these two days begging me to connect. When I called, Digz and Corks were home but Kitty was on a playdate. I was so emotional when I was talking to them. I kept drizzing. But I did manage to show Digz and Corks the cobble streets and little artisan shops... I wasn't sure when I was going to get a gap to speak to Kitty next</span>.</div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I came into the studio class feeling a tad overwhelmed. Overwhelmed with my abilities or perhaps lack thereof. Overwhelmed by the incredible artists I would be working with and completely overwhelmed to be taught by Misty in real life. I may never get an opportunity like this again. On each of our desks was a beautiful folder that Misty had put together for us. I was so blown away. There were a few postcards of her beautiful artwork but the file was filled with ephermia, references and a Moleskin mini diary to record and sketch our way through our trip in Orvieto. I was so moved and I looked up and saw that Jenny was too - she was in tears. Our first lesson was how to cut a rubber stamp... we all came in with some patterns and designs that we had collected in and around Orvieto that morning and we got stuck right in. We also did some very loose sketches with charcoal. It was a tough start. I wasn't particularly blown away with myself at this stage.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YkSIO8cyZJg/UIWBM5VYNhI/AAAAAAAABc4/zrMTNGgn2TI/s1600/238+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YkSIO8cyZJg/UIWBM5VYNhI/AAAAAAAABc4/zrMTNGgn2TI/s200/238+(2).JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zD0vh_Euofo/UIWA5gsBSvI/AAAAAAAABcs/pI-GRQramOw/s1600/239+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zD0vh_Euofo/UIWA5gsBSvI/AAAAAAAABcs/pI-GRQramOw/s200/239+(2).JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our next outing which was a trip to the Palazo del Gusto - to sample wine and olive oils which was set in their underground grotto's. It was wonderful. I learnt a lot about Olive Oil and wines. I am a huge lover of Olive Oil so this was awesome. This was followed by a beautiful afternoon walk through the golden glow of Orvieto as the sun was starting to go down. It was breathtaking... my pictures show it all... </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#wanderingwithpassion through the streets of Orvieto</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Gordon Davies Art School - I wish I could study art here...</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was a long day and I was exhausted and I still hadn't had a chat to Kitty. I was finding it hard to concerntrate at this stage because I knew she was feeling emotional about not speaking to me yet. I had started getting desperate messages and I was concerned that she felt punished by my silence. I managed to sneak in a very small Skype chat before dinner but we both had to hang in there until the morning for a decent chat. Dinner was great and I got to experience Italian Truffles - one of my best finds this trip!</span></div>
<img height="72" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7i21fciNWa4/UIWiNPZUViI/AAAAAAAABgI/sgqD7G-H7EU/s320/144+(2).JPG" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 517px; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 523px;" width="96" />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18191891508989893937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3359667689318655481.post-69279773482686724352012-09-30T18:00:00.000-07:002012-10-16T13:32:09.125-07:00A soft place to land and a room with a view...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kristi was right! Orvieto was a soft place to land.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I didn't realise the silent stress I was walking around with, that came with being in a big city and traveling. Coming to Orvieto was in many ways like coming home... It was contained. It was safe. It was gentle. And it was soooo exciting arriving. We were finally here... All our months of dreaming out loud. All our months of saving and planning... we were, at last, here!! I could hardly contain my excitement and as Jenny and I got closer to the Monastery, San Lodovico - it felt like we almost ran through the doors. We were welcomed by Bill who took us up to our rooms.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Omygoodness...My room with a view!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I got to wake up to this every morning for the next 9 days...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I even got my own bells... another treat I got to hear every morning and throughout the days.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After we unpacked and showered - we headed out to meet our hosts Bill and Kristi who gave us the procedure low-downs, our beautiful teacher Misty Mawn and our other incredibly gifted classmates and had dinner together. It was so good to be here... let the adventures begin.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18191891508989893937noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3359667689318655481.post-53866760927228517292012-09-30T12:30:00.000-07:002012-10-16T13:33:38.020-07:00Big Wishes... Cobble Streets... Ancient Ruins...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We started off our day early so we could hit the cobble streets without the overwhelming crowds... What a perfect place to start...</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47;">Making Beautiful Wishes!!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47;">Just like the picture books and movies...</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;">We arrived as the gates were opening and we got in on half price tickets... It was a real treat!!!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47;">Capturing Moments & Making Memories.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> <span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Beauty and art everywhere the eye sees... totally loving the Archways!</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47;">Ancient Ruins</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To me the best part about exploring Roma was just being able to roam the streets, no plans and no agenda's... Just exploring blindly and delightfully discovering. It was one of my best days in Italy! I loved taking pictures and finding little pieces of art all over the place.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Beautiful art everywhere you look... even around a simply lamp</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana;">We ended our time in Rome with a traditional Italian lunch - Pizza and a Latte.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am so grateful for our brief time in this incredible city... </span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I will never forget it's greatness and beauty!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana;">After which, it was time to head out to catch our train to Orvieto, in time for our</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana;">Introduction and Orientation evening... too excited for words.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18191891508989893937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3359667689318655481.post-3531141691191569132012-09-29T22:30:00.000-07:002012-10-16T11:27:30.635-07:00Eeeckkk... I am in Roma, Italy!<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I arrived in Italy after a brief stop-over in Paris, a tad exhausted but completely excited. I didn't sleep much on the flight but I can't believe it... I am here!!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I took a moment at the airport to collect myself and change my shoes and start reading my instructions of where to go next. A car to the Trevi Fountain was too expensive for me. So I found my way to catch the Leonardo Express train to take me to the centre of Rome (Termini) from there I had to take the tube to the Trevi... where I was to meet my online buddy <a href="http://jennyleewentworth.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">JennyLeeWenthworth</a> for the first time in real life.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While I was on the train platform, I met a girl from Brazil who was also heading to the Trevi and just like that I had a traveling buddy... which immediately took some of the "traveling in a foreign city alone" pressure off. It was hot and man I was struggling with my luggage, so the apartment couldn't come quick enough. </span><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The next moment we came face to face with this breathtaking incredible sight... I was shocked - In a good way!!! I didn't expect to find the Trevi right in the middle of the road just like this and it was just so incredible! It was so big!!! The swarm of people, overwhelming... but WOW!!!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I smsed Jenny and she came running down to meet me and I was so happy to see her and we hugged and it was just so comforting. She was so warm and so open and I knew we were going to be great traveling buddies. I quickly hopped into the shower and got cleaned up because we had booked tickets into the Vatican City and the Sistine Chapel.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47;">I took so many pictures but these were just a few of my favourites</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was so blown away by the pure magnitude of everything. I totally didn't expect to see the use of woman in most of the paintings and in the scultures. I found them so beautiful. I couldn't stop taking pictures of the art. The frescos were breathtaking and I was so amazed that every inch of wall and ceiling was covered in paintings... I loved it. Jenny and I spent most of the day chatting and getting to know each other. After spending some time just sitting in the beautiful Sistine Chapel learning about Michael Angelo, we grabbed a Gelato and headed back to the Trevi to meet up with Renee and Lorraine, our fellow classmates.</span> </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47;">I swear that was the biggest ice-cream I ever had</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47;">Jenny, Lorraine, Maddy and Renee</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;">Another Gelato run...</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I took this picture for Digby... I can't believe I saw a Ferrari in the streets of Italy.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">And I took this picture of this mini car for my girls... too sweet.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">After dinner with our new wonderful friends, Jenny and I just ambled through the streets of Roma and passed a rather packed Spanish Steps and found the Pantheon... the crowds were relentless!!!</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">It's true - "Rome is the City that never Sleeps".</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18191891508989893937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3359667689318655481.post-21825957210150158952012-09-28T18:00:00.000-07:002012-10-16T12:54:51.024-07:00Saying goodbye and lift off...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hPZjrn9PG0U/UH10MHV3dVI/AAAAAAAABSk/0b8XBZLVtwU/s1600/021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hPZjrn9PG0U/UH10MHV3dVI/AAAAAAAABSk/0b8XBZLVtwU/s320/021.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ahhh saying goodbye to my family was tough... Leaving my girls behind was my first obstacle. I knew it was going to be emotional because we always do everything together. The most I have ever been apart from them was 2 days. So being away from them for 12 days was a big step for all of us. I am so proud of the way they handled themself regarding me going... how brave they have been and how "for me" they have been. I know that me going has left an impression on their hearts, one they remember for a long time to come. Having my Hubby and girl's support - has been huge!</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xez_kBRjqIo/UH10QmELF8I/AAAAAAAABSs/OSyFAlQaoN4/s1600/024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xez_kBRjqIo/UH10QmELF8I/AAAAAAAABSs/OSyFAlQaoN4/s320/024.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I spent a glorious day in Jhb with two of my sweetest friends, Rene and Sonia @ Billi Bi's. Which was such an awesome way to start my travels. I was really nervous about my trip because I hadn't done an international trip for almost 20 years. I really didn't have a clue what I was doing... I was out of my comfort zones and I was rather sleep deprived. I had worked flat out right up until the hour I left. Isn't it always like that... I changed into comfie clothes at the airport before I checked my luggage when I found #loveletters from my girls in my bag... I just burst into tears!! I think the build up of emotions and months of planning... the day was finally here... the start of my #AdventuresinItaly.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18191891508989893937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3359667689318655481.post-14469792776477635702012-09-23T00:41:00.000-07:002012-10-16T13:33:58.808-07:00Packing...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OMqk9d--ylA/UF65L_gFREI/AAAAAAAABQ0/UrIli4q9qHo/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OMqk9d--ylA/UF65L_gFREI/AAAAAAAABQ0/UrIli4q9qHo/s400/007.JPG" width="298" /></a><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So I have packed. I did it early to see if my things would fit into the bag that I have set aside for the trip. So no nasty surprises. I feel relieved. So today I am doing last minute ironing and will probably repack it today still. I have also packed my art bag which is a small bag that I will take on-board with me. I still want to Ziploc all my paints, as suggested. I still have one or two little art supplies left to get, like my Hot Pressed Paper. And I also have to get my foreign exchange this week. I have worked out what I will need cash wise. So all in all - I think I am pretty much done and ready. I say that with much trepidation - because are we ever ready for something this big and exciting. But I guess I am ready as I will ever be or feel!!! 5 more sleeps before I head out!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18191891508989893937noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3359667689318655481.post-44730023123324047842012-09-16T13:55:00.000-07:002012-09-16T13:55:17.545-07:00Planning my route...<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman;">
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<span style="background: white; color: #741b47; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">I spent a few hours this afternoon, working
out my route and itinerary for Italy. I managed to figure out where I am
staying and how to get there from the airport and the costs involved. It's been
troubling me a little bit that it felt so open ended but I feel much better
now that I have a vague idea of where I am actually going. Rome is so big and there is so much to see, I dare say you could spend weeks there and still not see everything. I have had to narrow it down in terms of dreams being fulfilled {Vatican/Sistine Chapel} etc. I printed off all
my maps and worked out where everything is in vacinty of where we are staying and I also did some research of what things will be like at that
time of year etc. I learnt a lot today.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #741b47; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Next step... trial packing my bags...</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18191891508989893937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3359667689318655481.post-77599944027687396532012-09-13T03:56:00.002-07:002012-09-13T10:27:52.080-07:00Just saying...<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Omgoodness... tomorrow 2 weeks... I am hopping on an airplane and heading to
the City to catch my connecting flight to Italy!!!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have one full weekend left
with my hubby before I leave because next weekend he's in and out for a cycle
race he's doing. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In a nutshell, we have much to go through and finalize this weekend. I want
to finalize and lock down my itinerary as much as I can and have my route mapped out as much as I can. I probably won't stick
to it religiously but it will be good to have a vague plan.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">And as these things tend to have it... the two weeks leading up to leaving -
are nothing less than manic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With school activities in the evenings even
the evening before I leave, work commitments and life in general… you know, just
to make life interesting.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Needless to say I am getting beyond excited. Or is it nervous. Or maybe it’s
both.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All I know is that time is flying faster than I can keep up.... sometimes I find myself actually holding my breath!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18191891508989893937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3359667689318655481.post-25843173220078829352012-08-28T08:35:00.001-07:002012-08-28T08:47:14.498-07:00A delightful turn of events...<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While I was journaling this morning I got this very exciting message from JennyLee...</span></div>
<br />
<a aria-controls="u5bhvg_1" aria-haspopup="true" aria-hidden="true" aria-owns="u5bhvg_1" class="-cx-PRIVATE-uiImageBlockDeprecated__image -cx-PRIVATE-uiImageBlockDeprecated__smallImage" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/hovercard.php?id=535203845" href="http://www.facebook.com/jenny.wentworth.7" id="js_2" tabindex="0"><img alt="Jenny Wentworth" class="-cx-PRIVATE-uiSquareImage__root -cx-PRIVATE-uiSquareImage__large img" src="http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/372392_535203845_1660738402_q.jpg" /></a><br />
I found a place! I'm staying in an apartment that overlooks the Trevi Fountain. It was reasonably priced and looks comfortable. If you are you are interested you are more than welcome to stay with me. Here's a link to see the apartment: <a href="http://mobile.vrbo.com/239729#_propertyDetails_0" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">http://mobile.vrbo.com/239729#_propertyDetails_0</a><br />
<br />
I have so much to do to get ready but I'm so excited I'm having a hard time getting anything done. <br />
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Talk to you soon,<br />
Jenny<br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So after much corresponding today with the owner of the apartment and JennyLee - we are sharing a small apartment over looking the Trevi Fountain. I am rather excited about joining up with Jennylee which means we are 20 mins away from Renee and Lorraine and we can all meet up for supper on Saturday night and Jenny and I can get back safely. We have been warned against walking alone in the evenings. It also means we can all travel up to Orvieto together on the Sunday.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have been overwhelmed with excitement about our trip today. I think Jenny's excitement this morning was contagious. Too excited for words!!!</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NaHU895qw_w/UDznqQ18J1I/AAAAAAAAA3o/3QTxC_zC_hQ/s1600/Apartement1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NaHU895qw_w/UDznqQ18J1I/AAAAAAAAA3o/3QTxC_zC_hQ/s200/Apartement1.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nnr6RkIYRvo/UDznpP9s2-I/AAAAAAAAA3k/7RPkgHRwhgA/s1600/trevi-fountain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nnr6RkIYRvo/UDznpP9s2-I/AAAAAAAAA3k/7RPkgHRwhgA/s200/trevi-fountain.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Views from the Apartment</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18191891508989893937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3359667689318655481.post-51107507628248542472012-08-28T04:40:00.001-07:002012-08-28T04:40:20.716-07:00More steps...<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today I not only paid the balance of my course {yipppppeeeee} but I also booked my local flights to catch my connecting flights in Johannesburg. I don't have much left to do on my list. I need to do a packing run and I would also like to book my tourist tickets into the Vatican City and other popular sites. I am also starting to work through my expenses list - things I know I have to pay for before I get there. For example I know how much it costs to get from the Airport to Orvieto and back, how much my accommodation is going to cost etc. So that way I will have a better idea of how much Euro's I will need. Other than that, I think I am done with my "check list". I can't think of anything else to do. I just trust I have done everything that I need to but right now it feels right and good. Again - I seriously can't believe how incredibly wonderful everything has gone! I am totally overwhelmed by this goodness today!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18191891508989893937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3359667689318655481.post-85706889674797038092012-08-28T04:31:00.002-07:002012-08-28T04:33:51.956-07:00Beautiful delightful colors of love...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oejzE6PIeqA/UDypxe6Ct4I/AAAAAAAAA1A/x363Eghix84/s1600/030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oejzE6PIeqA/UDypxe6Ct4I/AAAAAAAAA1A/x363Eghix84/s320/030.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oejzE6PIeqA/UDypxe6Ct4I/AAAAAAAAA1A/x363Eghix84/s1600/030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I headed off to my local art shop today to collect my art supplies as per Misty's list. I would love to say I walked away with a warm and fuzzy feeling from buying such beautiful art supplies but it was rather expensive and I left the store feeling a little gutted than elated. I love buying beautiful supplies but buying imported goods always comes at a price for us. But that being said I am super excited I have just about everything I need. The only thing I didn't have much luck finding, was the paper I need but I will keep trying to find the right one. Now this is ready to be packed. Yippee! </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18191891508989893937noreply@blogger.com0