Help Wanted

In a few weeks Sean and I are leaving for a 2 week trip and normally I just don't blog, but I really hate doing that and decided I'd look for a few guest bloggers to fill the empty space in those two weeks.

I need about 7 guest bloggers, I'm figuring on one blogger per two days, so if you're interested in blogging for me, contact me through e-mail or leave a comment with your contact info.

*Edited to add* I have seven bloggers lined up, but if there's anyone else out there that wants to guest blog, let me know. I don't mind adding a few more to the line-up.

Question of the Day

I haven't done a Question of the Day in forever, so I thought it was about time to bring it back.

What is your dream job? Tell me what you'd love to do if there were no obstacles in your way, no spouse or kids to get in the way of want you want to do.




If I had my way I'd be a photographer for a travel magazine.

(Can I just add that googling girl in office in order to find a picture for this blog, brought up some very scandalous stuff. WTH?!)

Movie Reviews

Sean and I have had some downtime lately (who am I kidding? I'm unemployed, I have a lot of downtime) and so we've been watching some movies. Some of them have been hits, others misses. Today I'm reviewing three recent flicks we've watched.

1. The American



Horrible movie. I seriously felt afterwards like I wasted 2 hours of my life on a less than stellar movie. Generally I really like movies George Clooney is in, I loathed this movie though. I felt like the movie didn't really go anywhere. The plot to me left a lot to be desired. I loved the fact it was set in Italy, but other than the cinematography, I wasn't impresssed. Generally I thought the movie consisted of a few basic scenes repeated over and over.
George walking around in his Italian town, George working on a gun, George frolicking with a "lady of the night", George thinking someone was after him, George calling someone from a pay phone. *YAWN*

2. Grown Ups



I thought this movie was more my style. I generally like Adam Sandler movies with a few recent exceptions. Although this movie was funny, it wasn't what I'd consider one of his best movies. It had a few laughs and I liked the cast. I think one of the main problems was the movie had nothing to actually do with the movie, but instead with our copy of the DVD. In the last 30 minutes it skipped so fequently that I couldn't only pick up bits and pieces of what was going on.

3. Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day



This was by far my favorite of the three movies. A really great feel-good, light hearted movie to watch, with a touch of realism portraying the beginning of WWII. I'm a big fan of Amy Adams and Frances McDormand, so naturally I loved the cast and the acting. If you're looking for a fun movie with great sets and costumes, then I recommend this movie!

Beginning of Year Three

Today marks the beginning of our third year of living in Italy.

To be honest I can't believe we've already lived here two years. It seems like only yesterday that I was living in Louisiana, looking forward to moving across the ocean and starting a new chapter in my life.

I'm not sure that I've mentioned this much on my blog, but the first month or so I was in Italy I was homesick beyond belief and I was in culture shock. The first night we were here was the worst. After flying for over 24 hours and then driving along the Autostrada at a ridiculous speed, looking at all these signs in a language that I didn't speak. I felt completely overwhelmed, almost to the point of a panic. I felt so bad that I felt that way because I had so looked forward to moving here and had prepared (somewhat) to be living in a foreign country. Gradually though I got my groove back and felt more comfortable in my new home.

If you asked me today, I'd tell you I love Italy. I love Europe and would probably make this my home if my friends and family weren't living back in the States. I miss them a ton and I hate missing out on things like seeing my best friends and watching their children grow up. I miss my family terribly. Christmas away from them was very hard and I hope not to repeat that again.

However, I've had so many good experiences living here. I've seen places I never though I'd see until much later in my life. I've been to 9 different countries since I've been here and I'd love to see 9 more before we leave. I feel like living in Europe has had an impact on me. I appreciate things in a different way than I did before. I've also grown to love wine and will miss the wonderful (and cheap) selection once we move from here.

I'm not sure how much more time we have here in Italy. If I had to guess I'd say we're here for one more year, but with Sean's upcoming surgery, I'm not sure how that will play out. We are thinking he'll switch over to the WTU unit here to heal after his surgery and I'm not sure how long that will take. We're also looking at a medical reclass sometime in the near future and so where our journey goes from here I have no idea.

My goal this year is to enjoy Italy and Europe to the fullest. I plan on going to festivals around here that I've yet to go to, build up my wine collection, eat food I've yet to sample and see sights that I've yet to see.

Here's to a great and (possibly last) year in Italy!

Can Anyone Tell Me Why?

It's no secret that military posts are a hotbed for interesting people watching. I've seen some doozies in my almost 4 years as a military spouse. However, there are some reoccurring sights that I always have to wonder about.

1. What is with people wearing sunglasses when it's dark, when it's raining/cloudy/storming? I saw a guy on the way out of the post office today who was wearing them while it was snowing. SNOWING! I wanted to ask if he was afraid of getting a snowflake in his eye.

2. A common sight at our gym is girls who I'm pretty sure are "dancers" at local clubs hanging out in stilettos, various midriff baring shirts and tight jeans in the gym by whatever piece of gym equipment their boyfriend happens to be on. Umm...I'm just going to say that you look silly standing there on your phone or staring at your boyfriend in the middle of the gym doing nothing. Perhaps you should take a seat? Or allow yourself enough alone time so that your guy can go workout by himself.

Answers

For all of you that asked about the link for the Digital Photography School, here it is. DPS. They also have great tutorials for beginners and those that are more advanced on a variety of subjects so I really recommend checking out that site.

A quick update on my new eating plan, I've done well so far with cravings, but I will admit today that I indulged in a Hershey's kiss. Just one, so in my mind not a huge deal. Not like I had a panful of brownies. I've also found out that if I can't have peanut butter, that almond butter is a pretty tasty alternative.

Since I don't have much else to say today, I'm going to post a picture from my Project 365. It's today's photo. I'm going with a girly theme this week.



Now to watch some Californication!

5 Things I Love

1. OPI nail polish in At First Sight. I've been obsessing over this nail polish since I saw it in a magazine. I've already put my best friend on a hunt for it.



2. Digital Photography Forums- A simply AMAZING website. Any photographers out there that don't already visit this website should.

3. New books from the library. I'm currently reading a book about a Hawaiian girl in the 1890's who has leprosy and a biography on Theodore Roosevelt. What can I say? I have eclectic taste.

4. When people buy my prints on Etsy. Think how much happier I would be if all my readers out there bought some prints. ;)

5.Philosphy Hot Dots Cinnamon Shower Gel- My best friend got this for me for Christmas and I LOVE it! So refreshing and such a yummy smell.