Update from around the world

I cannot believe it is already day 5 of our trip. We have been having a great time. Lots of walking and sightseeing, bus riding and subway trekking, so we are quite tired. We arrived in Rome today safely and are getting some much needed R&R! We got here around 5:00 p.m. and came straight to the apartment. We went to the grocery store down the street and made dinner at "home." I am probably going to do one load of laundry before bed and then, tomorrow...ROMA!

Our apartment has free WiFi, so I thought I would update my blog quickly. I have so many great stories and pictures to share with you all...hope all is well back in the USA! Ciao!

P.S. You probably noticed some random red words in my post above. Those are all places where I really wanted to use contractions that require apostrophes, but I did not. "Why?" you ask? That is because I cannot find the apostrophe key on this crazy European keyboard...lol. Who knew? Just thought I would share...Ciao!

5 days and counting

phew...I think I'm finally past the "nervous" stage and moving full-throtle into the TOTALLY EXCITED AND ECSTATIC phase of planning this trip.  I don't know why I was nervous there for a while because that's not really my nature.  I think it really was just falling into a grey space between "nothing else to plan" and "what's going to happen when we get there?"  But, I think I've learned to accept the fact that whatever happens from here on out is fate.  There's really not much more I can do to get ready (other than pack, which has already started).  Every night, I have been working on my Italian, so that is keeping my brain occupied.  I'm to the point where every day at work is DRAGGING on and all I can think about is getting on that plane on Sunday!!  I don't think this week could possibly go by fast enough!

ummm....well...I did lie about not being able to think about anything else.  I am also thinking a lot about March Madness, of course.  With family and work traditions, I am bombarded by brackets and need to get that finished!!!  GO Aggies!!!  And Blue Devils!!! 

I hope to get at least one more post here before we leave...but just in case that doesn't happen...ciao!  I promise lots of pictures and journal entries when we return.

Borghese Gallery

Little does Brett know...because he refers to me as his official "travel agent"...but tonight, I reserved a tour of the Borghese Gallery!  If I went and told him this right now, he wouldn't even know what I was talking bout.  But, you all know that I've been working very diligently on planning the trip and have read several times that if you want to visit the gallery, you must reserve a time in advance.  I chose our last full day in Rome for this.  I'm not sure if that was a good idea or a bad one, but it made sense to me.  And, since Brett has reserved the role of faithful follower, I didn't even ask him...lol.  I've heard that the Gallery has a lot of great sculptures and paitings and it is in the middle of a huge park - which is also a great place for a picnic...sounds very Roman.  Here are some of the things we will see at the Gallery:

Looks pretty cool to me...let's hope Brett agrees...I'll go tell him now!

Clothing

Well, I hit the JACKPOT at TJ Maxx in Amarillo this weekend! I found several shirts that I think will be perfect for our trip. I have been concentrating on getting my clothing organized and noticing that I'm lacking in practical clothing. So, I found some casual, yet cute, shirts this weekend that will be great. Some short sleeved and 3/4-length sleeves, so I will need 1 or 2 long-sleeved shirts as well.

That brings me to...the weather. I have been looking at the weather recently and in one word...RAIN. I'm hoping that Mother Nature will get it all out of her system and dry up for a few days. I'm guessing the temperature will be in tne 50s during the days, so I'll definitely need some long sleeves! I noticed on some online almanac that the temperature has NEVER been over 73-76 in these three cities in the month of March! So, I'll definitely skip out on any sleeveless shirts or shorts...it sounds like that would be a waste of precious luggage space.

We had a great weekend with family. It was nice to see everyone before our trip. I'm getting a little nervous - ONLY 3 WEEKS!!! Exciting!!!