Thankful

This year I have so much to be thankful for... well I do every year but this year has been one of many ups and downs, today of all days I am thankful for my ups. Even if they have been accompanied by some downs.

 

I am thankful my husband is home. He is not deployed like last year, he is not working, he is here and able to give me a kiss whenever I bug him for one. Which is often.

 

I am thankful for plentiful Dup Dup kisses too. I don't ask for those often but she gives them always. Especially if you don't want them really.

 

 

I am thankful for amazing friends. For friends who are truly there for me when I need them. Friends who watch football with you on your birthday even though they have no idea what is going on.

 

I am thankful for friends who live far away but are always there by phone call or text whenever you need them. And ones that give you excuses to buy pretty dresses so you can stand beside them on one the most important days of their lives, just like they did for you nearly five years ago.

I am thankful for my crazy, large, wonderful family. For my parents who support me in all that I do. My amazingly talented little brothers who I am convinced will change the world. My awesome inlaws who made me feel like my family doubled in size since before I was even officially married.

 

 

 

I am also thankful for adventures. Ones that happen here at home or around the world. This year there were many firsts. My husband's first trip outside the US that was not to a war zone. My first time on the continent of Africa... and on a camel. My first time stepping foot in some foreign countries like Spain and Monaco. Even little things, like having my first sweet potato in years a few weeks ago and realizing I do actually like them. Adventures.

 

 

Being thankful is something I try to be more than just on Thanksgiving. It is nice to have the reminder, but everyday I am thankful to open my eyes and see this amazing world we live in. I am thankful for my family, my friends, my faith, my home, my Dup Dup, and everything else that I can or cannot think of at this moment.

 

I hope you all have a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving, whether you are travelling or staying in or your family is near or far.... know I am thankful for all of you in blogland too.



 

 



Europe - Getting There and Pisa

Ok, things are finally starting to calm down, so it is time to write about our amazing trip! We had a wonderful time. It was quickly planned, as in booked on a Wednesday and leaving the following Friday quick! We went through ITT on base to book but we found the cruise ourselves thanks to Google. Going in the off season made it cheaper, except for last minute air fare to Rome, and it was a great way for us to see a lot of places on a budget.

We drove to Raleigh and met my Dad at the airport where he took the Dup from us to have my parents watch her while we were gone. We flew from Raleigh to Philadelphia (and had some cheesesteak!) then to Rome. We weren't seated together for any of our flights but at least for the long flights some very kind people switched with us! Ryan got some free drinks from the flight attendant when they realized he was military and I tried my best to nap. We finally landed in Rome and blearily tried to find our way to baggage claim and then to find the cruise consultant.

Aaaand many hours later!

Luckily we found the meeting place without much difficulty and dropped off our luggage to get taken to the ship. We had a little free time so we grabbed some drinks (Coca Cola Light for me and water for Ryan) and sat outside in the nice Rome air until we had to get on the bus. The bus ride was gorgeous, I kept just staring out the window at everything! It was wonderful. Ryan on the other hand promptly fell asleep. Party pooper.

He was passed out

Gorgeous!

Welcome to Civitavecchia

Enjoying our first sunset on the Jade

We made it to the ship, went through customs again, and then wandered the ship a bit. We stopped by the buffet before our lifeboat drill and then found our room. Our luggage made it in one piece so we promptly unpacked while watching Despicable Me 2. It was tempting to pass out but we forced ourselves to go to one of the free dining rooms, the Grand Pacific, for dinner. I had some gnocchi caprese that was AMAZING before we explored the ship more and passed out in a very comfy bed.

The next morning we docked in Livorno and had a scheduled shore excursion from the ship to go into Pisa and Florence. We had to be up and in the theatre by 8 so we quickly hit the buffet breakfast before joining the excursion. We got on a bus to Pisa, our first stop. I had been there years ago on a study abroad trip but I do love seeing the Leaning Tower!! Ryan and I loved walking around the buildings and ducking down some side streets before having to get back on the bus.

And of course we had to get the touristy picture.

And a normal one

And a few more of these!

One handed!!

Geeze does that tower lean!

Unfortunately we did not have the time to go up the tower since we were on a schedule but after hearing about the state of the stairs (and, you know, how many there are) I was ok with that!

Some back streets of Pisa. It was still pretty early so it was kind of empty.

 After wandering Pisa for awhile we got back on the bus to head to Florence. Italy had received a LOT of rain lately so some of the tiny roads we were meant to take were underwater. I was pretty impressed with our driver. I cannot be easy to turn a huge charter bus around on those tiny Tuscany streets. Luckily we had some helpful locals to get us turned around.

We were supposed to go that way...

The very full river.

The drive was a bit more than an hour and again I was staring out the window at everything. I am trying not to bombard you all with too many pictures but I will fail miserable. Can I live in Italy? Please? 

I will take that one! Trees and all.

Next stop: Florence!

You can follow along with all of the entries from our trip here!

Fill in the Blank Friday

I LOVE to travel, so when I saw this Fill in the Blank Friday, I honestly could not resist!


1. My favorite place I've ever travelled to is a toss up between Venice Italy and Stratford-Upon-Avon England.


Enjoying a Bellini... yum! And yes, I had my nose pierced all of college :P


With my friends studying abroad for Shakespeare in Performance

2. Ireland (not just Dublin), Poland, Africa, Chile, Costa Rica, Maldives, and New Zealand are places I would love to visit one day!

3. I pass the time on transportation usually reading a book or if it is too rough of a ride listening to music or talking to people.

4. My three must haves when I travel are most definitely my camera, chapstick, and a small notebook to write everything down I have seen or done. My Australia travel diary is pretty awesome!

5. My favorite travel companion is Ryan obviously, but we have yet to go out of the country together. Going out of the country the best was Sam when we went through Europe with our Girl Scout Troop!

6. The craziest thing that's ever happened to me whilst travelling is When I was studying art and history in the Mediterranean and we stopped at this rest stop in Greece. It was literally the only building in this valley in the middle of two mountains. A lot of people were 'bus sick' but I was ok. We had lunch and I ran to the rest room to come out and find my bus GONE. I was left behind! Another bus load of Brits were there and their bus driver contacted his company who contacted my bus driver's company who got my driver. They were back half an hour later luckily as my passport, luggage and everything except what was in my purse was on the bus! I told my professors "No more ouzzo at lunch" and was glad I did not get traded for a camel... the Brits were going to Turkey next and said I would earn at least that if I went along and got traded!


Crete <3

7. The most exotic food I've ever tried whilst travelling is crocodile chowder or Prairie oysters in Australia.


8. If I could live anywhere else, I would live in Italy. Hands down. Or Australia.

9. I have been to 18 states in the U.S. Plus one territory (St Croix). I need to get to the middle a bit still....




Check out the Places I want to go and the Places I have Been on Pintrest! I also may have a slight obsession with Tuscany.