12/15

As the days are dwindling down, my excitement to go home is at an all time high.  I'm finishing my classes and packing my bags and my emotions are in every direction.  I can't wait to see my friends and my family but I know that life will never really be THIS good again.  The last four months have been a absolute fairytale and it's not one i'm ready to wake up from.

"A portrait of me, once a week, every week in Europe" 

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is by far the most beautiful place I have been too. The buildings are spectacular, the canals are magical, and the people are the nicest and most welcoming people you will ever meet.

M.

10&11/15

I know I say it nearly every other post, but I really am the happiest I have been in a very long time. I've learned so much about myself and about the world in such a short amount of time. A world that is bigger and more beautiful than I had ever imagined. 

M.

italio/american thanksgiving

This is a few days late but I had to share.  This was my first time in my entire life spending my Thanksgiving day away from my crazy cooky family. At first I was quite sad about being in Italy on thanksgiving, considering it is a holiday that is not celebrated here.

Thankfully enough we have great friends that we met from Kenyon College who were nice enough to host an Italio/American thanksgiving.  First course included traditional Italian pasta, second course was a taste of home with turkey, gravy, sweet potatoes, and stuffing.  We finished the meal with mini deserts and lemoncello (which is an extremely strong Italian liqueur). 

It was such a lovely evening and I am so thankful to have been able to share my Thanksgiving dinner with my very own "Italian family."  It seems crazy that in exactly 14 days we will be leaving each other to return to our lives back home so spending a night of quality holiday time together was special. 

and of course it wouldn't be a proper Thanksgiving post if I didn't say what I am thankful for. 

1. My family

2. This experience

3. Change

M.

p.s. yes we all clapped and cheered when they came out with a cooked turkey, they thought we were bonkers i'm sure of it.

Winter

Since it's officially December 1st, and officially two weeks until I come home, here are a few beautiful winter things I can not wait for...chunky sweaters//nature//snow//christmas trees//hot chocolate and peppermint.

M.

Istanbul

A little video of our weekend in Istanbul, Turkey.  This may be one of my favorite places i've seen its absolutely stunning.  I can tell why my aunty Joanne would call it her home for so many years.

M.

Tunesday

A little something for your day!

M.

9/15

I can't even explain, its impossible not to smile these days.

"A portrait of me, once a week, every week in Europe" 

1 month

Yesterday marked the day of having exactly one month left in Europe.  I'm not sure I'll ever really be ready to leave it all behind. I mean come on this view from my bedroom balcony just can't be beat.  I've made myself a home here in Rome. 

Although a month seems like such a short period of time, there is so much left to see and do. Next up on my list of travels...

1. Istanbul, Turkey - I'm so excited to go to Turkey and see where my great aunt Joanne called home for a large part of her life. I think she'd be proud.

2. Amsterdam, Netherlands - Lets be honest, I couldn't pass this up in my 20's

3. Prague, Czech Republic - It's the Kvasnicka in me.  Getting in touch with my Czechoslovakian roots.

M.

Tunesday

It's getting me through this rainy day and fall flu. Enjoy. 

M.

8/15

The past week has been a roller coaster of emotions.  Missing halloween, the first snow and soon to be thanksgiving in Minnesota are not easy things.  However I am realizing how lucky I am to have such important people to miss back at home.

On the other hand of this missing home business, I am completely panicked that I am officially in my last month being in Europe.  The past few months have felt as though i'm living a dream, a dream I don't ever want to wake up from.

I'm going to take this last month and really dive in head first, take every chance I get and live happily in this spectacular moment.

"A portrait of me, once a week, every week in Europe"

Umbria

This past Friday we took a day trip to the region of Umbria.  We visited an olive oil press where we picked olives off the trees, ate lunch and drank a little too much wine.  The day was finished with a lovely little tour of the town Spello.  

Spello was quiet and full of beauty.  It was great to have a little escape from the hustle and bustle of Rome. I forgot how much I love being able to hear myself think.

M.

Thankful Thursday

Tonight we walked around Rome providing food to the homeless and less fortunate.  People who were too scared to come get the food at the handout for fear of losing their sleeping spot, people who had nothing but the clothes on their backs but were still smiling. Tonight was humbling and a much needed reminder of how great it is to give back.

Before bed tonight i'm just a little extra thankful for...

1. My tight knit family

2. Blooming Prairie, MN

3. Education

4. Friends - Old & New

5. Our home

6. Being healthy

7. Tanner

8. My studying abroad experience

9. Rachel Lynn Klemmensen

10. My reconnection with my faith

M.

Today's Tune.

"you might think i'm crazy, that i'm lost and foolish leaving you behind. maybe you're right."

can't stop listening. singing in the shower. she says it all. 

M.

Sundays

I know i've said it a hundred times, but i'll say it a hundred more, I miss these four so much.

 I miss Sundays at home waking up to the smell of coffee and my dads breakfast.  I miss my moms hugs in the morning and sitting around the kitchen table talking about life.  I miss sitting in the living room together watching sunday football with a fire blazing and tanner laying in front of it.  

Oh it's the little things in life...

M.

7/15

Fall calls for Cinnamon facial masks.

"A portrait of me, once a week, every week in Europe"

M.

November 1st

It's November 1st, the beginning of a new month and also a reminder that I only have one full month left here in Europe. Where has the time gone? There are still so many places I want to go and things I need to see.  I'm not ready to go back to the U.S. and start living an average life again, i'm not sure I ever will be.

November 1st however is a day to turn over a new leaf, my day to make a little change.

Today I start...

1. Exercising everyday again.

2. Giving my education more attention.

3. Eating healthy.

4. Exploring this city more in depth.

5. Smiling more.

M.

Behind the Scenes

inside vatican city of course.

apologies for the overload of photos, this was honestly just the most amazing thing.

Did you know the vatican is its very own monarchical state? Did you know their are only about 50 people total that live there, two in which are pope francis and previous pope benedict? 

tuesday morning was not a normal tuesday morning. this particular tuesday morning I walked past the swiss guards into the vatican city state (with my amazing professor Seán who is an official knight of the vatican), i touched the popes clothing and I walked through the VIP doors of St. Peters basilica (the same doors Obama was brought through on his tour).  Tuesdays behind the scenes tour of the vatican city state was something I will never forget thanks in large part to my professor.

1. The back of St. Peters. A few most people will never see, because they can't.

2. Communications Professor, Knight and head of Vatican Radio my friends.

3. Vatican Gardens

4. The Popes Bösendorfer Piano

5. Pope Francis's apartment building..Room #201

6. The VIP Entrance and most chilling piece of artwork I have ever seen.

7. Pope Benedict's thinking bench, find him here at 4 pm daily.

8. He played Red Hot Chili Peppers.... On the Popes piano.

9. Fountains

10. Inside Vatican City State

M

TBT

In honor of today, I had to look through my old halloween photos. Oh how I miss my girls and  celebrating halloween in the states.

M.