Tomorrow is the day! The last two months flew by, and Monday at 10:00AM I will arrive in Rome, Italy. My bag is mostly packed and hopefully I haven't forgotten anything. As light as I thought I packed, my bag is still very full. I had to leave out my fleece and my Italy guidebook. Tonight is laundry, dishes, yard watering, other loose ends and a little Fiddler on the Roof. I'm not sure I'm going to sleep tonight!
See you all in a couple of weeks - hopefully I will have some amazing pictures to post!
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Italia!
I'm going to Italy in just about 2 months! I know this because I bought non-refundable plane tickets, so I better go. :) Originally, I wanted to do one week in Ireland and one week in Italy to meet up with Katie and Sean, but Italy seems perhaps a little easier to get around by public transportation. Here is my semi-rough itinerary:
Day 1: Flying
Day 2: Arrive in Naples and travel to Sorrento
Day 3: Tour the Amalfi Coast (by bus - see Positano, Ravello)
Day 4: See Pompeii/Herculaneum & Naples (Archeological Museum and pizza!)
Day 5: Train to Rome, tour Colosseum, Pantheon & Roman Forum
Day 6: See St. Peter's Basilica & Vatican Museums, Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps
Day 7: Catacombs & Appian Way
Day 8: Travel from Rome to Cinque Terre
Day 9: Hike Cinque Terre
Day 10: Relax in Cinque Terre
Day 11: Travel to Florence and tour Chianti
Day 12: Florence tour, then travel to Venice
Day 13: Tour Venice
Day 14: Fly home
I'm hoping this isn't too ambitious of an itinerary. I added Venice on at the end because I feel like I just have to see it! I was going to stay on Capri one night before heading on to Rome, but decided maybe an extra day in Rome would be better. There is just so much to see, and I don't want to be rushing around the entire time.
It has been a good geography lesson and I know the trip will be an adventure! I have an "Italian for Dummies" book from the library, so I have been learning a little bit. I'm afraid that I will try to use Spanish words by accident, or maybe French since those are the languages I have studied, but hopefully I'll have enough learned to get by. I don't think there is any way I won't stand out as a tourist - not a chance I can pass for Italian.
From the research I have done, it sounds like the worst that will likely happen in Italy is getting pickpocketed. Apparently, it is not advisable to carry any sort of a purse or backpack in Naples, and maybe Rome as well. If I need to carry anything (i.e. water or jacket), carrying a plastic grocery bag sounds like the best bet so thieves can see that there is nothing valuable there. I don't know for sure what to do with my camera though - maybe keep it in a zipped pocket in my pants or shorts. I know that tons of pictures will be in order!
Two months!!
Day 1: Flying
Day 2: Arrive in Naples and travel to Sorrento
Day 3: Tour the Amalfi Coast (by bus - see Positano, Ravello)
Day 4: See Pompeii/Herculaneum & Naples (Archeological Museum and pizza!)
Day 5: Train to Rome, tour Colosseum, Pantheon & Roman Forum
Day 6: See St. Peter's Basilica & Vatican Museums, Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps
Day 7: Catacombs & Appian Way
Day 8: Travel from Rome to Cinque Terre
Day 9: Hike Cinque Terre
Day 10: Relax in Cinque Terre
Day 11: Travel to Florence and tour Chianti
Day 12: Florence tour, then travel to Venice
Day 13: Tour Venice
Day 14: Fly home
I'm hoping this isn't too ambitious of an itinerary. I added Venice on at the end because I feel like I just have to see it! I was going to stay on Capri one night before heading on to Rome, but decided maybe an extra day in Rome would be better. There is just so much to see, and I don't want to be rushing around the entire time.
It has been a good geography lesson and I know the trip will be an adventure! I have an "Italian for Dummies" book from the library, so I have been learning a little bit. I'm afraid that I will try to use Spanish words by accident, or maybe French since those are the languages I have studied, but hopefully I'll have enough learned to get by. I don't think there is any way I won't stand out as a tourist - not a chance I can pass for Italian.
From the research I have done, it sounds like the worst that will likely happen in Italy is getting pickpocketed. Apparently, it is not advisable to carry any sort of a purse or backpack in Naples, and maybe Rome as well. If I need to carry anything (i.e. water or jacket), carrying a plastic grocery bag sounds like the best bet so thieves can see that there is nothing valuable there. I don't know for sure what to do with my camera though - maybe keep it in a zipped pocket in my pants or shorts. I know that tons of pictures will be in order!
Two months!!
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Summery Saturday
It is BEAUTIFUL outside! I'm so happy that summer is finally here. :) I slept in until 7:30 this morning, then ate breakfast out on my deck. All the rain this morning has made the yard very happy - keep an eye out for a tour of my yard coming soon!
I really have no plans for this weekend (i.e. I don't have to be anywhere), but I already have a small itinerary for at least today:
- go for a run (it's going to be warm!)
- ride my bike to Sunflower to get groceries
- maybe stop at Starbucks for an iced coffee :)
- make curried pumpkin soup for lunch
- read a book
- make mint iced tea (to use the bushels of mint growing in my yard!)
- maybe make strawberry margarita popsicles?
- fire up the grill and make portobello mushroom burgers tonight
My goal is to try to not drive my car this weekend. Last weekend, I needed to run some errands down at Front Range Village, including checking out the library branch there, and decided to try it by bike. It was actually really fun! I notice a lot of different things on my bike and it was nice to just walk around between the different stores rather than parking several times. Because I tried to stop by an open house that wasn't open, I took a detour and my overall mileage was 9.3 miles. I ride slow, so my legs weren't sore the next day but my behind definitely was!
It's almost 10, so I should get running!
I really have no plans for this weekend (i.e. I don't have to be anywhere), but I already have a small itinerary for at least today:
- go for a run (it's going to be warm!)
- ride my bike to Sunflower to get groceries
- maybe stop at Starbucks for an iced coffee :)
- make curried pumpkin soup for lunch
- read a book
- make mint iced tea (to use the bushels of mint growing in my yard!)
- maybe make strawberry margarita popsicles?
- fire up the grill and make portobello mushroom burgers tonight
My goal is to try to not drive my car this weekend. Last weekend, I needed to run some errands down at Front Range Village, including checking out the library branch there, and decided to try it by bike. It was actually really fun! I notice a lot of different things on my bike and it was nice to just walk around between the different stores rather than parking several times. Because I tried to stop by an open house that wasn't open, I took a detour and my overall mileage was 9.3 miles. I ride slow, so my legs weren't sore the next day but my behind definitely was!
It's almost 10, so I should get running!
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Planning
The next three months are going to be busy and exciting. The first BIG change coming is my job - leaving my current firm and joining my dad's firm! There are so many things to get ready, from organizing my current cases to transition out of the firm and getting everything set for the new firm - office, advertising, logo, etc. On top of that, I have been thinking/planning to take a trip to Europe this fall somewhat for my 30th birthday. I've gone back and forth on whether and how to do it, especially with the timing of the new firm. As it turns out, Katie and Sean are planning an Iceland/Europe trip as well for their honeymoon and have graciously offered to let me meet up with them for part of the trip in Italy! So my hope is to spend some time in Ireland first on my own and then head on to Italy. I've ordered two travel books on the countries so I can read up on them over the summer! I also dug out my passport, which is expired, and plan to get my renewal application in the mail very soon.
It will be hard to decide what all to see - I want to enjoy the places I do get to see without rushing around. I can't wait to get my books!
I have mixed emotions about traveling alone - it seems scary, but since Ireland is an English-speaking country, that should help. I at least should be able to read signs and ask for directions. :) It will be an adventure and I think it will be a good experience for me.
Woo hoo!
It will be hard to decide what all to see - I want to enjoy the places I do get to see without rushing around. I can't wait to get my books!
I have mixed emotions about traveling alone - it seems scary, but since Ireland is an English-speaking country, that should help. I at least should be able to read signs and ask for directions. :) It will be an adventure and I think it will be a good experience for me.
Woo hoo!
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Recovery
Today was the first day I woke up with sinus pressure and/or headache for over a week, so I am feeling good! I had planned to do some yard stuff this weekend - buy some plants, work on the garden, etc. but it is much colder than I thought it was going to be with '40's, clouds and some rain. Yesterday, I had a slow morning, but went in to the office for a couple of hours and then braved the chilly weather to buy some plants at Walmart and Fort Collins Nursery. This morning, I finally felt good enough to run after my two-week hiatus. In the interests of time, I hit the treadmill with the goal to run for 30 minutes. It felt good! I have been wanting to run for more than a week, but have not had the energy.
Since the marathon is over, I want to set some new running goals to keep in shape:
1. Run a 5K with 9-minute miles this summer
2. Train to run a half in under 2:20:00
Basically, I would like to improve my speed this summer. I am thinking of joining a running club - I have been afraid to because I am generally slower than a lot of other runners. But I think it would help me improve my speed, and it should be a good way to meet new people as well.
Some races I am thinking of running:
- May 30: BolderBoulder (I think I'm signed up free through CBeyond)
- July 4: FireKracker 5K
- August 6: Human Race 10K
- September 18: Crossroads Half (last race before I turn 30)
- October 9: Denver Marathon/Half-Marathon ???
- November 24: Turkey Trot 4-mile
I think I would do another marathon, and maybe I would be ready in October to do another? Maybe . . .
Have a great Sunday!
Since the marathon is over, I want to set some new running goals to keep in shape:
1. Run a 5K with 9-minute miles this summer
2. Train to run a half in under 2:20:00
Basically, I would like to improve my speed this summer. I am thinking of joining a running club - I have been afraid to because I am generally slower than a lot of other runners. But I think it would help me improve my speed, and it should be a good way to meet new people as well.
Some races I am thinking of running:
- May 30: BolderBoulder (I think I'm signed up free through CBeyond)
- July 4: FireKracker 5K
- August 6: Human Race 10K
- September 18: Crossroads Half (last race before I turn 30)
- October 9: Denver Marathon/Half-Marathon ???
- November 24: Turkey Trot 4-mile
I think I would do another marathon, and maybe I would be ready in October to do another? Maybe . . .
Have a great Sunday!
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Couch Blogger
Sadly, it is a beautiful warm Saturday, and I am sitting on my couch with a head cold. How many weekends recently have I fought the wind and cold to run or do yard work outside? Alas. I haven't been sick in at least a year, so I shouldn't complain. I can also be thankful that my body held out through the marathon and a busy work week, and apparently waited until after to force a break. I do have to note that this cold has been different than any I can recall in that I don't have a headache. In fact, I haven't really had a headache in two months since I have been on this diet. Normally, when I get a cold, I get a headache of some sort. Maybe that's why I was in denial about this cold all week?
That brings me to my current topic of this crazy diet I've been on. In a lot of ways, I am excited about the fact that this diet (plus all of the supplements the doctor prescribed) has actually worked. No headaches? Clearer skin? Wow. I have had acne since I was probably 12, and regular headaches starting in high school. On the other hand, I am somewhat sad because this means I probably need to keep up with the diet as much as possible in the future. That's not a bad thing by any means, but it's not easy. When I think that I haven't had a brownie or cookie or cake (or margarita!) in two months, it's hard to believe. It has been hard a few times, especially when there was a delicious Whole Foods lemon cake at the office. Food in our culture is sooooo sweet - you don't realize it until you try to cut out sugars. It's in everything and everywhere! Popcorn has been my guilty pleasure of late, and I feel like I deserve a little butter and salt with all of the other cutbacks.
Laying on the couch is the perfect time for browsing grocery ads and planning my shopping/cooking for the week. I am planning on trying a wheat free pizza recipe this week, so we'll see how that goes. I'm also hoping to make homemade ketchup as well. I'm not a huge ketchup person, but it is very tasty with kale chips and regular ketchup has lots of sugar. Finally, I found a coconut curry lentil recipe that sounds delicious!
I think it's time for a nap and vitamin C . . .
That brings me to my current topic of this crazy diet I've been on. In a lot of ways, I am excited about the fact that this diet (plus all of the supplements the doctor prescribed) has actually worked. No headaches? Clearer skin? Wow. I have had acne since I was probably 12, and regular headaches starting in high school. On the other hand, I am somewhat sad because this means I probably need to keep up with the diet as much as possible in the future. That's not a bad thing by any means, but it's not easy. When I think that I haven't had a brownie or cookie or cake (or margarita!) in two months, it's hard to believe. It has been hard a few times, especially when there was a delicious Whole Foods lemon cake at the office. Food in our culture is sooooo sweet - you don't realize it until you try to cut out sugars. It's in everything and everywhere! Popcorn has been my guilty pleasure of late, and I feel like I deserve a little butter and salt with all of the other cutbacks.
Laying on the couch is the perfect time for browsing grocery ads and planning my shopping/cooking for the week. I am planning on trying a wheat free pizza recipe this week, so we'll see how that goes. I'm also hoping to make homemade ketchup as well. I'm not a huge ketchup person, but it is very tasty with kale chips and regular ketchup has lots of sugar. Finally, I found a coconut curry lentil recipe that sounds delicious!
I think it's time for a nap and vitamin C . . .
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Post-Marathon
It's over! I still can't believe I ran a marathon. It was hard, maybe harder than I thought. I woke up this morning at 3:00AM - three alarms plus a wake up call from Daddy. A shower, plus coffee and oatmeal, got me going. Penny was very confused by such an early morning.
Onto the bus around 4:30AM, and it was up the Poudre Canyon! I sat at the front, and didn't have any motion sickness - whew! It was a zoo up at the top. I stayed on the bus as long as I could, and then found a bathroom line. They were completely disorganized and winding around. Between that and getting my bag in the bus, I wasn't sure I was going to make it to the start on time! The weather was very decent for May 1 - chilly, but not too bad. Off we went! The 17 miles in the canyon were fabulous. I was running faster than I had planned, but felt really good. The downhill probably had something to do with it. :P Somewhere around mile 8 there was a car crashed on the side of the road and police doing roadsides on the driver - yikes!
My wall was hit around mile 19 - the course flattened out and my body suddenly wanted to slow down, a lot. My chest was tight and I had to will myself to breathe deeply to keep going. The last 8 miles were really really tough - lots of walking, and slow jogging. I expected my legs to be the issue later in the marathon, but it was actually the breathing that was my problem. I would have loved to sprint across the finish, but I was just happy to be running at all by that point! It was wonderful to have Mama and Daddy there cheering me on, plus a surprise visit from my friend/co-worker Lisa! I almost made my goal time of under 5 hours, finishing at 5:05:17.
Here are my mile paces - the "wall" is pretty obvious:
Mile 1 - 10:44
Mile 2 - 10:29
Mile 3 - 10:23
Mile 4 - 10:45
Mile 5 - 10:48
Mile 6 - 11:10
Mile 7 - 10:42
Mile 8 - 12:32
Mile 9 - 10:45
Mile 10 - 10:43
Mile 11 - 11:05
Mile 12 - 10:52
Mile 13 - 10:52
Mile 14 - 11:05
Mile 15 - 10:56
Mile 16 - 11:19
Mile 17 - 12:20
Mile 18 - 10:44
Mile 19 - 11:27
Mile 20 - 11:49
Mile 21 - 11:32
Mile 22 - 12:52
Mile 23 - 12:37
Mile 24 - 12:45
Mile 25 - 15:02
Mile 26 - 11:09
Whew! This afternoon I have recuperated with a hot bath, a nap, and lounging on the couch.
On another note, I have still been on my no sugar/no wheat/no milk diet. Necessity is the mother of invention, or in this case, investigation of new cooking options, so I have tried some new recipes. My favorites recently are coconut flour pancakes and buckwheat breakfast bakes - tomorrow I am going to try this one.
Out the door!
Onto the bus around 4:30AM, and it was up the Poudre Canyon! I sat at the front, and didn't have any motion sickness - whew! It was a zoo up at the top. I stayed on the bus as long as I could, and then found a bathroom line. They were completely disorganized and winding around. Between that and getting my bag in the bus, I wasn't sure I was going to make it to the start on time! The weather was very decent for May 1 - chilly, but not too bad. Off we went! The 17 miles in the canyon were fabulous. I was running faster than I had planned, but felt really good. The downhill probably had something to do with it. :P Somewhere around mile 8 there was a car crashed on the side of the road and police doing roadsides on the driver - yikes!
My wall was hit around mile 19 - the course flattened out and my body suddenly wanted to slow down, a lot. My chest was tight and I had to will myself to breathe deeply to keep going. The last 8 miles were really really tough - lots of walking, and slow jogging. I expected my legs to be the issue later in the marathon, but it was actually the breathing that was my problem. I would have loved to sprint across the finish, but I was just happy to be running at all by that point! It was wonderful to have Mama and Daddy there cheering me on, plus a surprise visit from my friend/co-worker Lisa! I almost made my goal time of under 5 hours, finishing at 5:05:17.
Here are my mile paces - the "wall" is pretty obvious:
Mile 1 - 10:44
Mile 2 - 10:29
Mile 3 - 10:23
Mile 4 - 10:45
Mile 5 - 10:48
Mile 6 - 11:10
Mile 7 - 10:42
Mile 8 - 12:32
Mile 9 - 10:45
Mile 10 - 10:43
Mile 11 - 11:05
Mile 12 - 10:52
Mile 13 - 10:52
Mile 14 - 11:05
Mile 15 - 10:56
Mile 16 - 11:19
Mile 17 - 12:20
Mile 18 - 10:44
Mile 19 - 11:27
Mile 20 - 11:49
Mile 21 - 11:32
Mile 22 - 12:52
Mile 23 - 12:37
Mile 24 - 12:45
Mile 25 - 15:02
Mile 26 - 11:09
Whew! This afternoon I have recuperated with a hot bath, a nap, and lounging on the couch.
On another note, I have still been on my no sugar/no wheat/no milk diet. Necessity is the mother of invention, or in this case, investigation of new cooking options, so I have tried some new recipes. My favorites recently are coconut flour pancakes and buckwheat breakfast bakes - tomorrow I am going to try this one.
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