Happy Holidays!

Happy Monday and Happy Holidays to everyone!

Enjoy this fun video that my mom showed me. And enjoy your week!

The behind the scenes video is pretty funny too.

Spread Some Cheer

I'm not going to lie to anyone: watching the news these days makes me sad. Every day a new horror fills my screen, either in Pakistan or Australia or even here at home. But, what the news stations don't tell you are the happy stories, the hopeful stories, the stories that warm your heart. In no way do I want to downplay the terrors that happen and my heart aches for everyone involved, but I want to flood my life with hope as well. So, below I've shared 10 things from around the web that always make me smile, and give me hope.

Student finds out about her future

#illridewithyou

These Cops

Soldiers coming home to families and pets (google it. there are a ton)

Best friends

Saving Wild Mustangs

This girl

Prank wars

She runs

And this one.


So, smile everyone. The world isn't so bad.

Books on Books on Books

I've been on a big reading kick lately. I think I've read at least 7 books in the last month- which is CRAZY. But, I figured I would share some of my favorites lately. And, if anyone has any suggestions, I'm always looking for a new one!

This is easily my favorite from this last month. The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown is the biography of the nine young men, and predominantly Joe Rantz, as they developed, competed, and eventually came to row in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. It's a gripping story, and I could not put it down!

Another biography, The Romanov Sisters is by Helen Rappaport, follows the story of the four daughters of the last Tsar of Russia from their beginnings to their untimely, brutal deaths at the hands of the Russian Revolutionaries. I've always had a fascination with the Romanov family and the downfall of their dynasty, so this was a very long, dry read that was worth it. 

I hadn't read Dan Brown's latest novel, Inferno, until dad and I went to Italy, which was great timing, since this novel takes place in both Florence AND Venice. What a coincidence! This novel follows Robert Langdon again in solving a nail-biting mystery in order to save the world. It follows the same style as DaVinci Code and Angels and Demons. 

I remember LOVING Julia Alvarez when I read her in high school, so when this book popped up in my "free books" on my iPad, I jumped.  How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents was a very easy read, but some of the underlying political, racial, and cultural insinuations were very on-point. It follows a family and their four girls as they move from the tumultuous Dominican Republic to New York City to escape the horrors that their home country was going through. It was poignant and told through a series of short stories of different perspective.

I read a few more, but these were my favorites. Anyone have any good suggestions for what to read next??

I'm Gonna Be A Runner, And Colorado Gives

Yep. You read that right. I've officially signed up for my first half marathon. It's going to be brutal. But I'm looking forward to the challenge.  Hold me accountable, people!

I'm running the Colorado Half Marathon on May 3, 2015. I appreciate words of encouragement, tips and suggestions, and just any comments you may have about running or training for 13.1 miles!


Also, today is Colorado Gives Day, a wonderful fundraising day for many many many non-profits around Colorado. Even though I do not have much to give, I will be giving today in order to make a difference.

I've listed below a few of the organizations participating in Colorado Gives Day that are near and dear to my heart. But to be honest, you don't have to be from Colorado to give, and you don't have to give to these organizations, but one of the thousands of organizations participating. Do your research, though, and make sure to choose donating to a cause that means something to you.

Geneva Glen Camp- The phenomenal summer camp where I worked for 2 summers while in college. GG is easily the most important non-profit on this list to me, because it showed me that it's ok to be goofy and silly but still learn and teach important morals and internal values such as poise and confidence. Even better is that Geneva Glen has a dollar-for-dollar match program for up to $40,000 in place for Colorado Gives Day. This money will give underprivileged children who cannot normally afford a two-week session at camp the opportunity to go FOR FREE. Give more kids the ability to experience the Magic of the Glen.

Denver Dumb Friends League- An animal rescue shelter, where we have adopted every single pet we have ever owned.

Colorado Therapeutic Riding Center- I have an internship here starting in January. It is the largest equine therapy center in Colorado and helps hundreds of people each year with varying disabilities.

Denver Kids- I worked with Denver Kids for a summer in 2012. Their goal is to cut the drop-out rate in the Denver Public School system.

I hope you will consider donating to something today. Every little bit helps.

EATaly- Part 2

This is my final post of our trip to Italy. Even though we took the trip a month ago, it's taken me a while to post all the pictures. Sorry!

And of course, an entire post dedicated to Gelato. Oh yum. Take me back.

Gelato.  Don't be fooled, in the 9 days we were in Italy, I had more gelato than posted, but then you'd be spending like a year and a half scrolling through the pictures. 

EATaly

Yep. All the food.

PIZZA

Spaghetti

My only vegetables in 10 days... oops.

Ravioli, green sauce, and provolone.

Olives? Yes please

Lemon Ravioli

Seafood Risotto

Bruschetta with gouda cheese and mushrooms.

The best pizza I had in Italy. I don't remember where the restaurant was though... somewhere in Venice.

Venice

More from Italy. We spent our last two days in Italy in Venice. It was considerably colder and more rainy this far north, but was still quite spectacular.

St. Mark's Square. The first day, there was a University graduation taking place in the square which was really neat to stumble upon. But, since we went during the high tide season, the square was flooded (12" the second day we went!) which was quite the experience.

People were selling these boots to avoid getting your shoes wet in the flood, but they look silly and were ridiculously expensive (20 euros for a newspaper bag to fit over my boots? No thanks.) 

Don't worry, though! I still have a few more episodes up my sleeve, mostly pertaining to FOOD IN ITALY. So good. 

Florence

As promised, here's more from our trip to Italy! After four nights in Rome, we took the train to Florence, which was by far my favorite city that we visited. The weather was a little rainy and cold compared to Rome, but it was ok! I still loved it.

We climbed to the top of the Cupola (the red dome) on our first night there- the views were spectacular, and we got there right before sunset which was cool!

Obviously we had to go see David.

Day trip to Pisa.

The Ponte Vecchio- great shopping!

Stay tuned for more!

Rome

Our first stop on our Italian journey was Rome. Despite overcoming jet lag, we made the most of our 4 days in Rome and saw a lot. Here are a few pictures- they in no way show you how awesome and incredible everything is, but you get the idea.

At the Colosseum. 

Roman Forum

Bronze statue of Marcus Aurelias. His foot is like 20" long, for reference.

Before going to the Sistine Chapel. I couldn't take a picture inside of the Chapel, but it was incredible! 

Swiss Guard. 

St. Peter's.

The Pantheon.

Spanish Steps.

This is the Trevi Fountain. It's being renovated, so this is the best picture I could get. I guess we will just have to go back once the renovation is complete!

Stay tuned for more Italy pictures!

Preface to Italy

So, Dad and I just spent 10 days in Italy- 4 nights in Rome, 3 in Florence, and 2 in Venice. I'm trying to sort through all of my pictures and figure out how to group them for more blog posts, but it might take some time. Bear with me!

But until then, here are a few previews!