Giving thanks

I am thankful

I am thankful that I have known love
To have loved and been loved
For my health, my strength and knowledge
For the happiness and joy that fills my heart
And also for the pain and suffering so that I may understand the pleasures of life
I am thankful for the opportunities and challenges that have come my way
I am thankful for my family and friends
For my colleagues, mentors, teachers, students, and peers
I am thankful for my cats, yes, my cats
I am thankful for my life and my spirituality
For the air I breathe and Earth that I live on.
Above all I thankful for and give thanks to my God, without Him I would not be

I am thankful.

Nijmegen Netherlands

I went to see my friend Charlotte near Amsterdam. We had a great time plying in the snow. The first evening we had dinner with the 'overburden', neighbors, and Charlotte and I made a rotisserie chicken the next evening. Snow fell on Sunday so we went crazy and played around. We even ambushed the neighbors and got them to come out and play with us. Fun times.

Low cost airlines...Ryanair

If you can travel low cost, it's worth it. I've got a funny little Italian?? thing to share with you. At least in Rome and with some airlines, passengers have to load onto a bus that will take them to the plane that is parked away from the terminal. Funny thing happened! I was flying to Eindhoven from Roma Ciampino. I could see a plane right outside the window and thought that most likely it was another flight. Cuz why would we get onto a bus when our was just a minute walk away??? Welcome to Rome Italy!!! We loaded on the bus, did a large circle around the plane and got off literally 10 meters from where we started. Really!!! Insane! Why waste the gas! Really! I mean yes, I only paid 30 euros for the flight, but come on! Lower the carbon footprint a bit more! Hahaha. Thought I'd share.

Need to edit some of my pics, but I will post a few of my trip to Nijmegen soon.

International Family!

Over the past week I have been running around getting the cats all set to travel. Vaccinations and microchips and now...passports! Our cats are European passport holders! Oh, if I could only be so lucky to have been born in Europe!

Anyway, just thought I'd share that! International traveling cats!

Hugh Jackman...*sigh*

My oh my! Grazie mille People Magazine. Finally, hunk Hugh made the 2008 Sexiest Man. Amen. He can act and DAMN he is fine. And did you know that he can sing and dance too?

Check this out




He is so yummy!

Chasteberry/Agnocasto

Many may know that I have found my miracle herb!

Chasteberry Herb

What it is:
Chasteberry is an herb that blooms and sheds at a particular time of year in the Mediterraean region. With it's fragrant flowers, lancelike leaves, and gray or purple berries that look like peppercorns, it has a long reputation for treating menstrual disorders.

Medicinal Properties:
The Chasteberry herb works primarily on the pituitary gland to balance and stabilize the hormonal fluctuations women experience every month with their menstrual cycle. Chasteberry increases the body's secretion of luteinizing hormone which helps to reduce prolactin and increase both progesterone and follicle-stimulating hormones. Higher levels of prolactin contribute to irregular or the absence of the menstruation cycle, thus, using chasteberry helps to normalize the menstrual cycle, including symptoms of PMS. Evidence suggests that the chasteberry flowers contain the plant world's equivalent of human testosterone, which would help to stimulate libido.

Therapeutic Uses:
The Chasteberry herb has been beneficial in the following uses:
Acne, breast milk deficiency, breast pain, menstrual irregularities, either the absence or excess of menstrual flow, due to its hormone stabilizing properties. Chasteberry helps with premenstrual tension as well due to its hormone balancing influence on the body resulting in less fluid retention, irritability, mood swings and headaches.

A reputable amount of studies have been performed testing the claims for using chasteberry. In a well-controlled study of 52 women with hyperprolactinemia (too much prolactin), taking 20 mg/day of chasteberry, for 3 months normalized most menstrual hormone levels. Furthermore, of these women studied, out of those who were experiencing PMS, chasteberry caused a significant reduction in symptoms.

In another well-controlled study to evaluate the effect of chasteberry on premenstrual tension syndrome (PMTS), 105 women were given either 4mg of chasteberry or 100mg of pyridoxine (Vitamin B-6). After 3 months of treatment, using a standard rating scale, chasteberry was considered to be 77.1% effective, while pyridoxine was considered to be 60.6% effective. Investigators that performed this study considered chasteberry to be twice as effective as pyridoxine and women in the study also rated chasteberry higher than pyridoxine in effectiveness at alleviating PMTS symptoms. In an open study (no controls), 18 infertile women with abnormal progesterone levels (a key menstrual hormone) were given (a chasteberry product) for 3 months. Progesterone levels were restored to normal in 7 women, and were more than 2 units above initial levels in 4 women. Moreover, 2 women became pregnant by the end of the study. Because of results like this, chasteberry is often used as an initial fertility treatment if other causes of sterility have been ruled out. Chasteberry has been used as an effective treatment for acne as well. Test subjects have been shown to heal quicker than conventional acne therapies.

Chasteberry helps alleviate cramps, depression, endometriosis, fibrocystic breast disease, headache, used in the treatment of herpes, infertility, menopause, mouth problems, neuroses, prostate enlargement(benign), stomach problems, uterine fibroids, yeast infections, and vaginal problems.

Precautions in using Chasteberry:
The majority of people will have no side effects from using chasteberry. Some people may notice a skin reaction or a little gastric upset. Because chasteberry influences the body's hormonal balance, it could interfere with sex-related medications, including oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy. If depression is a prominent part of your monthly premenstrual tension, chasteberry may need to be avoided, due to its increase in progesterone. Progesterone has been shown in studies to be a culprit in the mood dip during this time.

Read the Whole article for youself

Firenze

I just got back from visiting my sweet girl Lisa in Florence. It was a new look at the city a Lisa lives away from the center. We walked all over, including the 1hour 'passegiata' trip up the hill to Fiesole. It was so nice to hang out at her local spots and meet really interesting people. Firenze is very 'hippy' and definitely a student city. I loved spending time with my girl. It was hard leaving. Lisa is one of my best friends and we've been there for each other through the good and bad times. It's difficult to think that we wont be so geographically close anymore. At least I know that I have a home wherever she is! Big Kisses to you Lis!

Time Flys

It's amazing watching kids grow up. I'm excited to see my nieces and nephews when I get back to Houston in December. The last time I saw my younger brother's kids they were barely talking. Now you can't make them stop. Spiderman and princesses are all that matter.

I visited my friend Violetta the other day. Violetta was the first girl friend that I made in Italy. She doesn't speak English nor at the time did I speak Italian. I was armed with a dictionary and gestures and we made it happen. She's an amazing woman. After earning enough money, she was able to send for her son, who was with his grandparents in their home country of Romania, to Rome. He was a shy 9 year old. Now, he's 14 and his voice is changing!! At least I can still get hugs from him without him squirming off. I laughed when I saw his shirt, then Violetta hit me and told me to shoosh. Violetta knows what's going on. And kids think their parents don't get things...often they do. They'd just prefer that the kids dont know it. :)

In the wee hours....

I can't help myself. I'm chasing the cats around the apartment. Cicciona is playing with me and making me laugh. She does this crazy thing where she backs up sideways against something and arches her back. Then she falls over. I'm laughing so hard at her. She just did that on the chair and almost fell off when she dropped onto her back. Idra gets curious, comes up to me, sniffs my nose and then proceeds to bite it. I mean really bite it. She sometimes gets a good grip too. Afterward she hops up on the table, rubs against the edge of the chair, being all cute and stuff.

I attempted to capture on my camera... I have a habit of turning the camera so I apologize ahead of time that you have to tilt your head sideways to see the video.



Then I tackled them both and cut their nails! I've gotten 2 shirts with massive holes because Cicciona thinks it's fun to play with my hair! Gotta love kitties!
They get their microchip tomorrow!!!! Woohoo! They are really gonna hate me. Someones gotta be the bad guy. At least when Idra's mad, she just pees in the shower!

Rainy afternoon with the girls

My lil girl Cicciona likes to be stretched out. If she's not laid all out, she's standing on her back legs just checking things out. She's pretty humorous. And sometimes, if I'm blogging to much or spending too much time on facebook, Cicciona makes sure that my priorities are in check...by sitting on the keyboard and then eventually climbing onto my lap. Idra just wants to play. We had the laser light out last and the girls got a bunch of exercise! Here's a lil taste of a rainy afternoon at my place.

La Repubblica!

http://roma.repubblica.it/multimedia/home/3557346

http://roma.repubblica.it/multimedia/home/3561285

More of Tim and fellow Democratics in Rome at the Roadhouse Grill.

Some of my friends were at Termini Station to watch the elections on the night of the 4th. Agenziami.it was there to catch a bit of the action which included my choir director and dear friend Tim Martin. Helen, also from the choir, got a voice clip too!
To paraphrase Helen says that she voted for Obama for other reasons that he stands for and that the fact that Obama is a black man is only a small part of this election. Tim says that the world needs someone like Obama,and someone like him comes only once in a century.

Forza guys!!!

What a Day!!

A New Dawn
A New President
A New Year 2009
A New Life

Like the first steps on the moon, the day Kennedy was shot, the day Princess Diana died, and when the Twin Towers came down, we will remember this moment. Where were you when Barack Obama was elected President of the United States of America?

A new time for many. So much to think about and so much to celebrate and remember. I feel overwhelmed. It just amazes me.

Now we celebrate Obama! 'YES WE CAN!!' I keep repeating those words like a mantra. Our country has elected the first biracial president. If one thing can be said, he represents our time. After reading a friends blog, I feel all warm and fuzzy that her son can look at our new president and see someone that looks just like him be elected President of the US.

I was touched by both speeches from Obama and McCain. God knows we need a change and an opportunity for a better country. I really want this war to end. I hope for a true unification of the parties to get us out of this recession. I want to return to a better place.

I've really been impressed by the foreign opinion. Italians are very happy that Obama has been elected President. It's been a while since I've heard positive words regarding American politicians/politics. My friend Giuseppe stated that never would you see an Italian show so much "class" as McCain did during his concession speech. I'm proud to be an American! (It's been a while since I've felt that!)

So where was I?? I was staying with my dear friend Hanna's home in Morlupo along with her son Matteo and husband Edmundo. Matteo and I were playing with Legos when I took a moment to click on the tv and see the final results. I've been having a rough, emotional couple of days and seeing such a sweet angelic little face in front of me made me smile. Afterwards I went outside and took a few deep breaths and said a few prayers for me, Vance, my family and friends and my country.

A change IS gonna come. May God grant us the strength to get through it together.

Halloween Romano

Such fun out on the rainy streets of Rome. I met my girls Amy & Audra at Pepato's a quaint pub. Thanks to my girls I was able to complete my costume with a touch of RED! After a glass of wine, a couple Cubanos and a lil Sambuca, we took off to Gilda's for some dancing. Unfortunately, I only have pics of the start of the night.

Saying Arriverderci

I was just thinking about all the goodbyes/see you laters that I have to do and I instantly got the Boys2Men version of 'Yesterday' in my head.."It's so hard to say goodbye to yesterday"

I swear my life plays out in song. What would be my song this week? Um...I'll get back on that one.

So I just wanted to put a little note to let everyone know that I am doing ok. For those that don't know already, I'm moving back to Houston in December. It's time!

I've cherished and appreciated the past 5 years living in Rome. It's been amazing. Many friends that I have made here are lifelong. I've truly felt the love in the past week as many have been there supporting me in this transitional and emotional time. I thank you again guys! Grazie mille.

It's rainy in Rome right now and although the sky is grey and gloomy, I can't help myself and stare at everything. I'm gonna put together a slideshow of my favorite things in Rome. I'll try to get new pics also so that I can revisit those places. I'm thinking about taking a couple trips in the next few weeks. Thank goodness for cheap trains!!!

I'm so grateful to have had this time and experience. I lived La Bella Vita for a short while.

Now I think about my return to Houston and the work that I also get to jump back into. Am I a dork? I'm dreaming about work. I'm excited! I love nursing and can't wait to get back into it again full time. I'm even thinking about travel nursing again. It's time. I first thought about it in nursing school. Then I thought of it as an escape and then it was an idea to share and offer opportunity for creative growth. Now it's all about me again. It's time to think of myself again. I'm worth it! The world is a big beautiful place. Europe has given me many blessings and it's time soon to see what the US holds for me.

Wish me luck!

In bocca al lupo! ....Crepi.

Unafraid

I am an open book. I've never shied away from life, feelings or love. I am proud to admit that I need people. I express myself openly! I am not afraid.

Life has thrown me a surprise and one that I must accept and continue on. My experiences, my knowledge & education, family and friends are my pathway. I live in the now and acknowledge the past for it is what makes us who we are.

Nothing is perfect. I know that I am a beautiful person inside and out, I am loved, blessed, intelligent, and kind. I am strong. I know that whatever comes my way that I can process it and proceed ahead. I have faith. I believe in a higher power.

I will get through this.

Vance will be back tomorrow!!!!

I've started to forget what he looks like! Too long! Libya and Houston. I know he's gonna end up leaving again for work next month but he hasn't verbalized that yet! I'm kinda psychic like that! Nah, not really, it makes logical sense thats all.

He's bringing lots of goodies back. Poor angel is being treated like a pack mule! And it's not all for me!!

I have a couple surprises waiting for him! Hehehehe!

***Miss you amore! Have a safe flight home!***

Found Magazine

While in Dublin, Amy and I were persuaded off the street into a church where a small group from Michigan where holding a literary reading! Sounds intriguing, right? You wouldn't believe that when we entered, a guy was swallowing swords! Then he did the same with a long screwdriver and a jagged medieval sword and finally he ATE a long balloon!!!! That'll be an interesting deposit in the morning!!! So anyway, back to the literary event. This guy Davy was reading from his magazine and recently published book of the same material. It is called Found. Basically for years this guy, friends and family and now strangers from all over are finding scraps of paper/pictures whatever and collecting them. Davy changes the names of some and then posts/publishes them. His talented (... & handsome) brother Peter even used these findings as inspiration for songs. So far "Bus or Beer" and "Booty dont stop" are my favorites.

I'm not sure that I agree with this concept 100%, but its very touching,humorous and sweet more often than not. I would think that some people recognize these misplaced/tossed aside/throw away items. Makes you think again what you put down on paper and throw away! you never know where it might end up!!!

We're on YouTube

We are the Amazing Grace Gospel Choir!

We performed Oct 5,6 & 10 at Santa Croce dellla Gerusalemme in Rome for the event of 'Bibbia Girno e Notte (Bible Day And Night).

Veronica is 23!!!

Veronica Batt, one of my dear friends in Rome had her birthday this past friday. I helped organize her evening which brought us from Gilda's club to the Spanish steps. It's so deserted at 430am!!! Best time! Thanks to William, Elise, Madeline and the sicilian ladies Geni & Giovanna for making the evening even better!



Happy Birthday V! I'm glad you had a great night and got your groove on!