At last we have some belated Easter pictures to share! The lighting was really tricky for me (still have so much to learn when it comes to taking photos), so they didn't turn out as nicely as I would have liked, but I got some great expressions!
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Solo in Sorrento
This morning when Chris offered for me to go to Sorrento and take pictures while he stayed home with the children, I couldn't jump off the couch and get ready quick enough. The words "F-R-E-E-D-O-M" rang through my head.
This past week has been one of those weeks where I really wonder if I am cut out for my job. I love my children, I really do. They are nice kids, fairly clean and pretty cute (in my bias opinion). However, when you put an infant and a VERY two-year-old BOY together it can get a little tricky, to say the least. Chris had to work some long hours this past week, so it was just the three of us (HELP). Let's see....Oliver managed to get a hold of A & D ointment (a vaseline-like diaper rash ointment) and spread it all over his room - the walls, the bed, the changing table and the floor when I thought he was quietly sleeping. I suppressed all my frustration with him and let him help me clean it up. Then, the next day, he got a hold of a marker and drew on the crib, the white bedskirt and bumper. Again, while very frustrated, I managed to remain under control. After those two incidents and the normal wear and tear of children, I was ready for a little "vaca" from the family (really just the children). So, like I said, I couldn't accept Chris's offer quick enough.
Before leaving, I hurriedly put together a mix for the cd player with as many chick tunes as possible. As I pulled out of the driveway, I was almost giddy with excitement...I was off to Sorrento with my camera, a jacket, a fun cd and time. Down the mountain I drove, admittedly like a wild woman. I became a true Neapolitan, swerving in and out of traffic, screaming at drivers that cut me off - it was as though I was releasing all the frustration I had from the week and lovin' every minute of it. The music was blaring and I was jamming. Right when I hit the Amalfi Coast, in a mere one hour (barely enough time to get through the mix), the sunroof went open and the windows came down (albeit I had to crank the heater up and put on a jacket) to enjoy the full effect of driving on the coast. So now, my music was blarin', I was singing unabashedly, the shoulders were shakin', the hair was blowing in the wind, the metal was to the metal and the stress from this past week was literally falling by the wayside.
It was a pure delight to zip around Sorrento by myself. I stopped at almost every shoe store to check out the sales. In Italy, there are two big sales a year - January and July - and I have been biding my time for months for this moment when I could buy a pair of boots! Finally, I found -the most perfect and impractical boots ever for a stay-at-home-Mom, but remember at that moment I was footloose and fancy-free, practically was not on my radar - stiletto, tall, black boots. I even had the saleslady take a picture of me wearing them (kindly suggesting that she could get even a better picture than the first if she stepped back a little and went down on one knee).
I strolled through the shops on the cobblestone streets and even jogged down to the marina because I couldn't get there fast enough. Again, this was my trip and I could act as strange I liked. I took all kinds of pictures from every angle and soaked in the sun, Mt. Vesuvius, the boats and the sea. Around lunchtime, I picked up some fresh bread and a glass bottle of Coca Cola at the bakery - the coke couldn't have tasted better.
After lunch, it was about time to head on back home. I was ready to get back and see the children and mostly to see Christopher. As I drove home, listening to Miley Cyrus and Fergi, I felt rejuvenated and ready to face the world (I mean the children).
This past week has been one of those weeks where I really wonder if I am cut out for my job. I love my children, I really do. They are nice kids, fairly clean and pretty cute (in my bias opinion). However, when you put an infant and a VERY two-year-old BOY together it can get a little tricky, to say the least. Chris had to work some long hours this past week, so it was just the three of us (HELP). Let's see....Oliver managed to get a hold of A & D ointment (a vaseline-like diaper rash ointment) and spread it all over his room - the walls, the bed, the changing table and the floor when I thought he was quietly sleeping. I suppressed all my frustration with him and let him help me clean it up. Then, the next day, he got a hold of a marker and drew on the crib, the white bedskirt and bumper. Again, while very frustrated, I managed to remain under control. After those two incidents and the normal wear and tear of children, I was ready for a little "vaca" from the family (really just the children). So, like I said, I couldn't accept Chris's offer quick enough.
Before leaving, I hurriedly put together a mix for the cd player with as many chick tunes as possible. As I pulled out of the driveway, I was almost giddy with excitement...I was off to Sorrento with my camera, a jacket, a fun cd and time. Down the mountain I drove, admittedly like a wild woman. I became a true Neapolitan, swerving in and out of traffic, screaming at drivers that cut me off - it was as though I was releasing all the frustration I had from the week and lovin' every minute of it. The music was blaring and I was jamming. Right when I hit the Amalfi Coast, in a mere one hour (barely enough time to get through the mix), the sunroof went open and the windows came down (albeit I had to crank the heater up and put on a jacket) to enjoy the full effect of driving on the coast. So now, my music was blarin', I was singing unabashedly, the shoulders were shakin', the hair was blowing in the wind, the metal was to the metal and the stress from this past week was literally falling by the wayside.
It was a pure delight to zip around Sorrento by myself. I stopped at almost every shoe store to check out the sales. In Italy, there are two big sales a year - January and July - and I have been biding my time for months for this moment when I could buy a pair of boots! Finally, I found -the most perfect and impractical boots ever for a stay-at-home-Mom, but remember at that moment I was footloose and fancy-free, practically was not on my radar - stiletto, tall, black boots. I even had the saleslady take a picture of me wearing them (kindly suggesting that she could get even a better picture than the first if she stepped back a little and went down on one knee).
I strolled through the shops on the cobblestone streets and even jogged down to the marina because I couldn't get there fast enough. Again, this was my trip and I could act as strange I liked. I took all kinds of pictures from every angle and soaked in the sun, Mt. Vesuvius, the boats and the sea. Around lunchtime, I picked up some fresh bread and a glass bottle of Coca Cola at the bakery - the coke couldn't have tasted better.
After lunch, it was about time to head on back home. I was ready to get back and see the children and mostly to see Christopher. As I drove home, listening to Miley Cyrus and Fergi, I felt rejuvenated and ready to face the world (I mean the children).
Friday, November 23, 2007
Naples, what a city!
Naples, Italy is one of those places that you love and detest all at the same time. You love it because it is filled with all kinds of history, statues, art, shopping, leather, cafes and more. You detest it because the statues have graffiti on them, the pickpocketers are ever-present, the trash is prevalent, and the driving is like playing bumper cars.
Ultimately, it is filled with so much history and character. Yesterday, rather than watch football and eat turkey, we strolled around Naples and ate pasta - a true Italian-style Thanksgiving. We popped into a beautiful old chathedral called Gesu Nuovo and I just so-happened to know the 84-year-old priest giving the mass (he is our neighbor's spiritual guide and I met him in their kitchen a few weeks ago). So, Charlotte and I participated in the mass and during Communion, I slipped in a little "Bonjourno, Padre Francesco" and receiving the Eucharist. He didn't respond, but I think deep down he may have recognized me but wanted to remain professional (either that or he was thinking who is this nutty lady trying to chat with me during the Eucharist!).
We also saw one of the most beautiful sculptures I've ever seen. If you ever come to Naples, you MUST go see "The Veil of Christ" (Capella Sansevero by Antonio Corradini ). This is one of the most under-rated pieces of art I have ever seen. It resides in a small chapel on a hidden alley that you would NEVER stumble upon unless you were actively searching for it. In fact, we walked right past it, because there was only a small sign for it. As I did some research on this sculpture, I found that artists call it one of the "greatest pieces of artwork in the world" and that it was second only to Michaelangelo's Pieta in Rome. It is truly unbelievable and magnificent. Perhaps only a handful of times in your life, you find a piece of artwork that touches you in a spiritual, mental and actual physical manner. This is one of those pieces.
Ultimately, it is filled with so much history and character. Yesterday, rather than watch football and eat turkey, we strolled around Naples and ate pasta - a true Italian-style Thanksgiving. We popped into a beautiful old chathedral called Gesu Nuovo and I just so-happened to know the 84-year-old priest giving the mass (he is our neighbor's spiritual guide and I met him in their kitchen a few weeks ago). So, Charlotte and I participated in the mass and during Communion, I slipped in a little "Bonjourno, Padre Francesco" and receiving the Eucharist. He didn't respond, but I think deep down he may have recognized me but wanted to remain professional (either that or he was thinking who is this nutty lady trying to chat with me during the Eucharist!).
We also saw one of the most beautiful sculptures I've ever seen. If you ever come to Naples, you MUST go see "The Veil of Christ" (Capella Sansevero by Antonio Corradini ). This is one of the most under-rated pieces of art I have ever seen. It resides in a small chapel on a hidden alley that you would NEVER stumble upon unless you were actively searching for it. In fact, we walked right past it, because there was only a small sign for it. As I did some research on this sculpture, I found that artists call it one of the "greatest pieces of artwork in the world" and that it was second only to Michaelangelo's Pieta in Rome. It is truly unbelievable and magnificent. Perhaps only a handful of times in your life, you find a piece of artwork that touches you in a spiritual, mental and actual physical manner. This is one of those pieces.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
at home in our italian villa
ciao from our home in monte di procida, a small italian town along the coast of the tyrrhenian, sea. to make a long story short, christopher's job in the navy has brought us to the south of italy for two years. we decided to try to make the most of our experience, living out in town rather than living on the navy base. we took it one step further, by living 45 minutes away from the navy base in a beautiful little town where we live in a cozy two-bedroom apartment immersed in the italian culture.
we walk up four flights of stairs to arrive in a beautifully renovated apartment that overlooks the ocean and three islands (capri, ischia, and procida). we shop at the local fruit, meat, and cheese shops. i think the employees get a kick out of me hucking two small children and a notebook into each shop as i read to them in broken italian the products i need. speaking of (how quickly it all goes back to food) our italian neighbors love to cook and during the children's naptimes i go downstairs, watch them cook and take notes. i have already learned several dishes. i'll post my favorites in hopes that you can have a touch of the italian experience with us.
take a look at our views from our apartment and breathe in that fresh italian sea with us.
we walk up four flights of stairs to arrive in a beautifully renovated apartment that overlooks the ocean and three islands (capri, ischia, and procida). we shop at the local fruit, meat, and cheese shops. i think the employees get a kick out of me hucking two small children and a notebook into each shop as i read to them in broken italian the products i need. speaking of (how quickly it all goes back to food) our italian neighbors love to cook and during the children's naptimes i go downstairs, watch them cook and take notes. i have already learned several dishes. i'll post my favorites in hopes that you can have a touch of the italian experience with us.
take a look at our views from our apartment and breathe in that fresh italian sea with us.
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