american boy.

If there was one thing London did in the two very short days I was there, 

it captivated me.

I'm not sure if it was the holiday season, the city dressed up in lights and Christmas decor, or the charm

but I want to move there for a temporary time, I'm honestly thinking Grad School,

or quite possibly music work.

We left Rome early and landed in London town, taking the tube the long, 1hr trip to Leicester Sq.

We met Jenna, who was a great tour guide.

It was my first time to the UK so we quickly saw the hi-lites, 

as well, it was frigid that day.

We walked to Trafalgar Sq, down to the well photographed spot of Big Ben w the Red Phone Booth.

At lunch at the ever glamourous Pizza Hut,

Saw the Eye.

Went to Hard Rock for dinner & saw Jersey Boys.

It was quite comical to hear the difference in the one I saw in Dallas v. London,

The hybrid Jersey/English accent was a bit funny.

The next day, we met Jenna in Notting Hill, 

ate Lunch at Nandos, great ambience and food.

Then made our way to Oxford St.

Crowded beyond belief, but got the essentials in.

Boots from All Saints and a few other things,

That night Buckingham Palace & Wicked, for my first time.

Our trip quickly came to an end, but left me thirsting for more.

The UK has definitely not seen the last of me.

cheers.

x

t.

 Traded In My Cigarettes by thoyt16 

ridin' solo.

Not like Jason DeRulo...

...But today, I was solo, here:

I was without a car, thus without a life.

Thankfully we live in Town Square so I'm walking distance to loads of things.

My solo movie going virginity was taken.

I saw this:

..sans Italian subtitles.

And as if me going to the movies alone wasn't already bleak, I was literally the only one in the theater.

I told Courtney, that I'm glad no kids showed up,

then I would have been the creeper/Pee-Wee Herman man at the movies.

At some points, I was legitimatley scared as my eyes played tricks on me.

I went to the bathroom and came back thinking someone snuck in, ready to scare me.

Speakers began to move in my peripherals,

and at some point someone came in the theater,

showing only their head, then stood in the entrance for a while

[because I didn't hear the door open again]

The bass at some parts even shook my pants! Literally, the air got me britches shakin'.

Thankfully me and my wizarding friends made it out alive....except for my BFF here,

Until the next solo movie....

{which will be Wednesday!}

x

Funeral Singers by thoyt16

mine this christmas.

Merry Christmas.

From OUR family [Mariah and Me] to Yours!!



Graz”EE” ain’t no Yahtz”EE”

After the program, I was fortunate enough to have my mom and aunt come out and visit for a week, and it’s been a MisAdventure, to say the least. We began our trip back in Rome, where I was. It was there where my career as a tour guide began. Saturday night we went to the Spanish Steps Via del Corso, Piazza del Poppolo and dined al-fresco right next to the Piazza.

Sunday we went all around Rome. I took them to the Vatican, St. Peters, Pantheon, Wedding Cake, Colosseum, Via del Corso, Palotine Hill. I opted to not hold my umbrella up for the crowd, and ear pieces weren’t required on my tour. I’m rather quick and efficient. Saw all that was necessary and barely missed the Pope because we went inside St. Peters instead of waiting outside.

The real fun began Monday, when we rented our car to do Tour di Toscana. The cab took us too the sticks where the car rental was, and we loaded our “big” car with all our luggage. Packed and ready, headed north toward Siena. We smoothly made our way to the right freeway and as we were nearing the area where we needed to exit for Siena, we were looking for signs. At one point my mom said “40” and for some reason my aunt thought that was code for Siena, so she Nascar-ed her way off the freeway! 40 was merely the speed limit, but thankfully it was the correct way to Siena.

Visited w the Zampis, where I played interpreter for an hour. It was nice to see my family away from family again, and they were happy to see me too! We walked around Siena, ate a late lunch and went up to Florence in the dark. Another Nascar maneuver by my aunt was when we missed an exit for our hotel, and she thought it brilliant to flip a U on the highway at the toll....where sirens began to sounds and we thought we were BUSTED! Luckily not.

We got a little lost, called the hotel numerous times, and then discovered we were staying where the hills have eyes. Next to the river where there seemed to be no guests in the hotel, and the service wore butler suits, a bit eerie.

Our bellboy was very prompt, and was also our waiter waiting at the top of the stairs saying [insert Chinese-Italian accent here], “ Hi, I am ready.” Tuesday explored Florence, Wednesday drove to Bologna where it was frigid, yet quaint. Continued my search for leather boots, no luck.

Today, we left Firenze, and went to Lucca, a charming little town surrounded by a big wall.

Got some great finds....no boots. Although I found 2 pair that would be killer, but since I'm a relative of BigFoot, I wasn't able to get them.

Then we began our trek to Rome. 4 hours later, and through the pouring rain, we made it to Rome.

Took our car to the airport and had a cab take us to dinner....unfortunately, it was a business deal for him since he took us to a friends restaurant that was only fish!

Now those who know my mom and aunt, their palates are only satisfied by the most plain tasting foods, and they steer clear from fish!

My last meal was gnocchi w/ mussels, I can't get over their little black feet that look like eyes.

To top it off, the cab driver wrote his call back number on a bill for "Chick Chick Boom: Lounge Show and Lap Dances," and picked us up in his personal vehicle--red flag numero 1, and took us to what looked like a place to take advantage of us, but he brought us home safely. and Now I'm about to fall asleep in a hotel where I can hear the man next door snoring up a storm.

Luxuries of Traveling!

Tomorrow: London...more [mis]Adventures soon!

x

t.

...and: "if you really want more...scream it out louder:

Usher - More (RedOne Jimmy Joker Remix) by djraize