Romeo, Romeo, where art thou Rome?

SO Verona is a great city! We had a blast!! There were so many funny stories that happened though... first we got confused about our hotel and had the cab take us to the wrong hotel! Then the receptionist at the wrong place LAUGHED when we told her where we were actually staying. We should have known then... OK so we finally got to our right locale, then the lady practically yells at us and tells us we're wrong because there is no way we could have booked a single room for two people. SO we had to pay extra... joy. I will say the hotel did a great job with the pictures on their website because it looked nothing like that when we got there! Sure it had all the parts of the pictures but when it all came together has a whole it was completely tacky.

Of course the problems were not just skin deep - they had booked the indoor pool (one of the only reasons we booked the place) for little kid swimming lessons. The stories go on and on, but we had a good laugh about everything.

On the second day while we were in the grand arena we ran into another girl from CIMBA, Kristy! We met up with her after we did our Juliet touristy thing. She met us at the Christmas markets.... which were amazing!!! SO many beautiful little trinkets! Of course its a tourist trap, but I didn't care - I was in love! I love Christmas so much!!

Oh and FYI the food in Verona was awesome. It cost a pretty penny, but it was totally worth it. There was still so much there that I didn't get to do. I will go back!

On the way home we decided not to rush back and stopped in Vicenza and had some tea. We looked around at their shopping. Its pretty close so we decided to plan another trip there as well. Then we stopped in Castelfranco for dinner - first meal of the trip that wasn't amazing. BU|T when we made it back to Asolo some of the people had bought chicken and were BBQing! I was pumped and definately had some of that. Salads and working out for me for the next little bit!

Anyway, off to study for our Managerial Accounting test! Love you guys!!

Thanksgiving

Hey all! I miss home today. Its Thanksgiving and my Dad's birthday. I feel like I'm missing out on so much. I just keep reminding myself of what I'm gaining. Please be thinking of my family as they try to celebrate this holiday season while continuing to deal with family loss.

We are having a "formal dinner" tonight and I hear its like a traditional Thanksgiving. Although, nobody does the holidays like my family. There will be no Bloody Mary's and none of Memmie's mac and cheese. I am crossing my fingers and praying that there are mashed potatoes - even though I'm sure they'll be instant. :( BUT another girl from Alabama and I have decided to do a big southern meal one night... that includes frying something and potatoes and mac and cheese! I'm super pumped about it! We're going to show CIMBA why Oklahoma and Alabama are two of the fattest states in the US. haha!

OH and we get three days off for Thanksgiving break so I'm going to see Verona! Its where Juliet lived! Mrs. Tyree would be so proud. lol.

Also, took my Stat II test last night... approx. 43 pages... Yikes. Think I did pretty well though. We'll see!

Love you guys!! Keep the comments coming and please email me about your lives. I like to keep two way relationships! :)

"Home"

As many of you know, I returned to the states recently for family issues. It was so good to go back and be there with everyone. I got to see family, eat delicious food, hang out with friends, and just be there. I did struggle everyday I was there but it SO worth it. I would not have missed one second, and I only wish I could have stayed longer. I won't bore you with the sadness of why I was there - I just wanted to express my appreciation for everything that makes up my hole in the wall heaven: Holdenville, America.

I feel closer to my family and friends back in good old Oklahoma than I ever have. I love the fact that I will always be comfortable staring at a pasture with a beer in my hand...well also with Momma's good food in my belly. :)

However, I did have to come back to Italy. This is my "home" for quite a few more months. When I returned, I discovered everyone hiding in my room with the lights out! They greeted me with a surprise welcome back get together!! They had printed all of these wonderful pictures and taped them up everywhere, they hung toilet paper streamer from my ceiling, and had even cleaned my room! As I was traveling back to Italy I was so sad to leave my home and return to this "home" but I'm glad I did.

I started something here, and as much as I might not appreciate it sometimes I am truly blessed. These people took me under their wings and went above and beyond for me in my time of need. It was the best surprise ever.

PS, I forgot to write about the snow! A few days before I left for the states we all woke up and looked outside. It had snowed in the mountains over night - they had white caps!! The clouds were low (below the snow line) and almost transparent. It was the most beautiful scene. I didn't take a pic, but I will ask around to see if anyone else did.

Vaca is over... THANKFULLY

Hey guys!! So I'm back from Spain and I must say one of the highlights was coming "home"...... I really missed my little closet I live in. lol. For future reference I would say 6 days in one city as a visitor is too long. Anyway!! SO when I got back I had to start working on evefrything that is due.... a huge group project (ours turned out really good, I'm thinking its becuase we have an auditor from Price Waterhouse Cooper's on our team) a final and then this long HW assignment. Thankfully I am all done with everything but the test, say a prayer and keep your fingers crossed for me!! If you know me at all, you know how much I loathe accounting.

This has been a difficult week. I don't think I have been more homesick. You can imagine my joy when I got back from vaca with all the wonderful things waiting for me.... a package and letters from my grandmas and a card with pics from my sister! AND I'm still waiting on a gift from one of my best friend's LaChelle. There could not have been a better time to be reminded how much I'm lived and supported through this whole process. Thank you guys SO much!! As the holidays approach its only going to get more difficult so please keep up with the thoughtfulness. You'll never know how much it truly means!

Oh, and I guess I can start counting down the days til my DADDY gets here!! I am so pumped to see some fam. We're going to do so much, I know he will have a blast. I'll be saving up til he gets here. My cousin Toby might even come before then - she is going to Ireland at the end of this month and is looking into flights into Italy... WOOT! AND my mom is planning on coming in April with one of her besties. I'll be busy bee entertaining, but I'll be happy the entire time about it!

I love you all and miss everyone and everything SO much! Now back to studying for my final! Ugh.