Pending....

I know that the time is passing...

And I should have blogged about my trip to 

ROMA

and....FIRENZE

And of course the country side of TUSCANY by now, but

 please hold your horses.....

while I diligently write about my incredible experience in Italia.  I want to capture what I did on my trip, why I was there...and the impression it left on me.  Each post takes a lot of concentration...

So in good time, the posts will be added.  Thank you for your patience and stay tuned!!

Katrina

Gone to Italy...

Because I will not have access to a computer until sometime next week I will leave you with this great quote that I found on a blog I'm following:


"Fear less, hope more;
Eat less, chew more;
Whine less, breathe more;
Talk less, Say more;
Love more,
      and all good things will be yours." - Unknown


I think it's beautiful and so true to life. 


I will be on a blogging hiatus until I am back in the States and ready to document the "essence of Italia!"

Arrivederci a tutti!

Ciao Bella!

In just a few weeks I will arrive in one of the most beautiful, romantic, elegant, soulful and charming countries...ITALIA!!!  The purpose of this trip is solely work related.  Guido, my boss at the travel agency (where we specialize in trips to Italy) believes that by showing me the ins and outs of Rome, Florence and Tuscany, I will have a much better understanding of each place and thus be better at my job!  Who could argue?  I don't necessarily have a title at the travel agency, but my position can best be described as travel assistant or itinerary writer/editor.  The bulk of my day is spent researching about the different cities and countries that our clients travel to,  and then produce very detailed itineraries for these said clients.  Needless to say,  because the basis of my job is to search the Internet and find details on spectacular places to visit,  I get very carried away in the photos,  descriptions of restaurants,  museums and everything else I find on the websites.  A "mental vacation" some would call it.  Although I do get my work done,  I am the first to say that I daydream on the daily and imagine myself living in the photos of say the.... Amalfi Coast!

Can you imagine a more enchanting place???

http://pinterest.com/pin/9384997/

When Guido offered to take me on a week long trip to Italy and hook me up with tours,  day trips and museum visits,  I signed up RIGHT away!  His plan is to give me first-hand knowledge of the tours, restaurants, hotels and museums we send our clients on.  Who could pass up a trip to Italy?  

Italy

Just writing or speaking the word itself is like hearing music,  or indulging in pistachio gelato.


Not only has Guido felt the need to show me his country in person, he has also decided that I need to learn the romantic language.  Being someone who is obsessed with culture, language and traveling, this was like winning the lottery for me!!!  I am only in week two of my Italian classes, but I think I will get the hang of it....if only I could get the "chi" and "ci" sound down...


I will be joined by a group of Archdiocese of Washington church people and a fellow coworker.  Our first stop will be Roma.  Although I have been to Italy before (Rome, Venice and Florence) it was back in college when I was a young buck and didn't care too much about going on guided tours, but was more concerned about clubbing and drinking lots of vino.  This second go around will be quite a different experience and I couldn't be more thrilled.

Let your imaginations take you on a "mental vacation" with the following pictures.....

Roma

http://pinterest.com/

I love the tiny street ways that take you to exiting plaza's and markets throughout Italia

http://pinterest.com/

Firenze of course...

http://pinterest.com/

You know what they say?  If you throw a penny in the Fontana di Trevi, you will return to the city of Roma.....(guess it's true in my case).

http://pinterest.com/

I plan on eating a lot of this...

http://pinterest.com/

THIS....

http://pinterest.com/

and of course......doing a LOT of this (especially while in Tuscany!)

I wish for you all to take a trip to Italy one day, if you have not already been.  And, if you have already been, I hope that you will go back and relive the romantic city, the shopping, the cafe's, the music, the food, wine and of course....the gelato!!!

Now, who is ready to book their trip?  Just visit our website and we will plan the whole thing for you.

www.bethesdatravel.com

I look forward to hearing from you!!

Never forget!

One day without shoes

You know the old saying "you mustn't judge someone until you have walked a mile in their shoes"?  Well, what if that person doesn't even own shoes? Millions of children all over the world, don't even own one pair of shoes and are prone to infections, disease and danger every day.  Some children have to walk miles and miles to school barefoot in all sorts of weather conditions.  What if you could do something to help prevent this on going tragedy?   

No shoes!

This is where TOMS shoes comes into play. Blake Mycoskie, the founder and starter of TOMS shoes, created an empire a few years ago with one idea. This brilliant idea came after spending time in Argentina and seeing tons of poor children walking around barefoot. Upon returning to the US, Blake did some research, some selling and some talking and after a few months of work he created his first shoes (inspired by alpargatas -a popular style shoe worn by many farmers in Argentina) and thus started his organization. The mission of this organization is that "for every pair of shoes sold, TOMS will give another pair to a child in need". The name TOMS stands for "a better TOMorrow". With an inspiration turned idea, turned empire (with the help of many), Blake has been extremely successful and has already made a change in the lives of many poor children, especially in South America.

Blake Mycosckie with kids

TOMS shoes

Please watch this incredible video (it is a little long I warn you) explaining the process of giving shoes to those in need.  It is a fascinating video that proves the motto "for every pair of shoes sold, TOMS will give a pair to a child in need".

http://www.hulu.com/watch/224163/for-tomorrow-the-toms-shoes-story

What is "One Day Without Shoes"?!

Well, according to Blake, the reason for this day is to remind ourselves of all that we have.  He states:

 "I think sometimes we forget what we have, and occasionally it's important to remind ourselves. Most people don't even realize how many children in developing countries grow up barefoot and all the risks, infections and diseases they endure. For most of us, modern shoes our so comfortable and accessible, wall but forget about our feet, but they are a source of constant focus for others. I wanted everyone to personally understand the impact of shoes, and the difference they can make, so we thought, "Why don't we get a taste of what these kids go through every day" (Blake Mycosckie).

I decided to participate in this incredible "one day without shoes" [don't judge my unpainted toes].  It is my hope to spread the awareness of TOMS and everything this organization is about.  I feel extremely passionate about this cause because I too was extremely affected by the poverty I saw and experienced while living in Argentina.  I have never seen so many homeless, shoeless and dirty children in my life.  I strongly believe that TOMS will continue to change the lives of many.  Every little bit helps, so if you are interested please go to http://www.toms.com/ and purchase a pair of the shoes and in doing so, help a child in need.  Read about the cause and browse the website, it is very informative.

By not wearing shoes for part of the day today, it has made me realize the every day things I take for granted. Today is supposed to be about "uncomfort".  Feeling, for a few minutes/an hour/the whole day, what it might be like to not own shoes.  Sure people will stare, ask questions and think it's odd,  but we are making a statement and getting a sense of what those children feel and experience every single day.

So make an effort and support this cause by going barefoot for part of your day or by purchasing a pair of TOMS. I am telling you, you will not regret it.  After you watch the first video I posted in this blog, my hope is that it will touch your heart like it did mine and you will also feel the need to support these children in any way possible.

What will you do without shoes today?!

Lazy beach days

This weekend was spent with my girlfriends at the beach.  It was a much needed vacation that rejuvenated and relaxed me.  It was necessary to have a change of scenery after being in DC for weeks on end doing the same old things, seeing the same people and visiting the same bars.  There is something so refreshing about the beach, even when it is a little chilly out.   

I always feel so free when I am there.  Maybe it's the slow life of the locals, the salt in the air, or the fresh breezes from the ocean that awaken me, but either way the beach always brings me back to life.  It doesn't hurt that I spent it with incredible friends either!!

We went down on Friday with the car packed with our bags, guitars and snacks and cruised with the windows down blasting country the whole ride! I love road trips.  There is something enticing about driving away from the familiar and into the unknown.  When we arrived we met up with some other friends and had a grand old time in Annie's big open house.  This weekend was the opening of a local bar in Dewey so we attended the "Starboard" event, partied, made new friends and caught up with old ones.  Although the weekend was a little more wild than we had anticipated, we still had some down time and were able to hang out on the beach.  The highlight of the weekend was running on the beach and playing kickball with Annie's 1 and 2 year old nieces, and her sisters dog, Cooper.  It was chilly and windy on Sunday, but sunny as well.  We bundled up in our spandex and hoodies and our hangovers were cured by the fresh air and salty breeze from the ocean! 

The weekend ended way too soon, and I left the beach sad, yet excited to go back when it is extra warm out.  Being in Dewey and Rehoboth brought back so many memories from summers spent partying, hanging out and outlet shopping from years past.  It was also a great weekend of friend bonding.  I  always learn so much about my friends when I "travel" with them.  I am so lucky for the friends I have and am so thankful to have spent such a fun weekend with them!

Can't wait for our next road trip and to be reunited with the glorious beach yet again!

Vienna waits for you...

VIENNA!

I grew up listening to oldies-those classics written by talented musicians such as Michael Jackson, Sir Elton John, Billy Joel, Elvis, Diana Ross, The Eagles and the list goes on...

Although there are many songs I relate to, one has always stood out to me over the years; "Vienna" by Billy Joel.

I read some articles about this song, and the message it sends to those who listen intently. It is clear that Billy was trying to remind people (especially the youthful folks) to calm down, remind themselves "only fools are satisfied" and that life shouldn't be rushed in trying to accomplish every single thing right now. I listen to this song often because the message speaks to me in volumes. I am one of those people who has their hands in a billion things, and wanting to be a genius at all of them...right now, without practice. I want to speak every language, see every country, have the greatest and highest paid job, be the best cook, be an incredible singer and guitarist, read every book and be the most famous psychiatrist etc etc. I get so anxious about accomplishing these things all at once and am ultimately let down because I end up not pursuing any of them (because I am too overwhelmed to start one). My close friends and family know this about me and are constantly reminding me to relax, "slow down" and pursue ONE thing at a time. I don't know if it is because I have bad A.D.D. or because I want everything right now and never seem to be satisfied, but it is something I am trying to work on and I think a lot of you readers can relate to this feeling.

We live in a world where everything is at our fingertips and we are constantly stimulated. It is incredibly difficult to go against the daily grind of society and relax, to not do anything, to stop comparing ourselves to others and remember we are just where we are supposed to be. We are faced with ENDLESS choices it confuses us. For these reasons many people feel lost and take too much time in in making simple decisions, like what to make for dinner, or what blackberry cover they should get. I repeat myself, it is so important to be reminded "You can't be everything you want to be before your time".

And here follows the incredible song by the one and only Billy Joel:

                      Billy Joel himself!!

"Vienna"

Slow down you crazy child

You're so ambitious for a juvenile

But then if you're so smart

Tell me why are you are still so afraid?



Where's the fire, what's the hurry about?

You better cool it off before you burn it out

You got so much to do

And only so many hours in a day



But you know that when the truth is told

That you can get what you want or you can just get old

You're gonna kick off

Before you even get halfway through

When will you realize

Vienna waits for you



Slow down you're doing fine

You can't be everything you want to be before your time

Although it's so romantic

On the borderline tonight



Too bad but it's the life you lead

You're so ahead of yourself that you forget what you need

Though you can see when you're wrong

You know you can't always see when you're right



You've got your passion, you've got your pride

But don't you know only fools are satisfied?

Dream on

But don't imagine they'll all come true

When will you realize

Vienna waits for you



Slow down you crazy child

Take the phone off the hook and disappear for a while

It's alright

You can afford to lose a day or two

When will you realize...

Vienna waits for you.