va bene... for days.

Piazza del Camp: Siena's Town Square

[Photo: Eliesa M.]

I've been in Siena for a week, yet it feels like 6 months.

GQ in the Colosseum

[Photo: Eliesa M]

The day we left Rome [last Saturday] I was quite nervous.

The trepidation had set in of living w/ a family who doesn't speak Inglese!

On the way to Siena, we stopped right inside Tuscany at Sar Teano to see early Etruscan catacombs.

Teaching James about Life! (haha) in Sar Teano

[Photo: Eliesa M]

Then we made it to the Siena bus stop. Standing around like Little Oprhan Annie's

waiting to be "picked out" by our 'parents'

..at this point, I could have thrown up.

Alas, all is “buono.” Marco, our Dad, picked us up.

We live in a separate apartment type setting from our family.

Mi famiglia is Marco, Titziana, and Niccolo [19], and their other son Matteo [27], who lives in Milan.

This last week in Siena we’ve had school: Italian everyday, Humanities/English every afternoon and a culinary class. We sit in the campo for what feels like in eternity because Siena is a freaking castle town, yet very beautiful and scenic. It’s a good walk into town from our house, but w/ the perfect playlist for the day, I’m solid.

Dinners have been an adventure in and of themselves. With no Italian under my belt, only Spanish, I try to speak in Spanish but it doesn’t work. Half the words I would think are the same in both languages, aren’t the same. So I sit, smile and say “mi piace” or “I like it” Several thumbs up are exchanged, and I like to say CHI-nay-say when they say Sienese (the Chinese and Siense confusion couldn’t be more opposite!)

Ridiculous.

[Photo: Eliesa M]

The very first day/dinner we had, I was pretty much a mime. No words, just hand gestures, My roommate on the other hand, who speaks some Italian [he already took Italian 101] said “va benne”(it’s good or very good) after EVERYTHING that Marco said, and w/ Asian bow at the same time…uhhh don’t mix'n'match your cultures! This isn’t a trail mix pack! Needless to say, “va benne” spins in my head on repeat.

They also make fun of me because one night Titziana was calling for Marco and it sounded just like you would say it if playing a rousing game of “Marco Polo” in the pool. So I just sat there repeating “Maaaaaarco, Maaaaarco” then walked down the hall to get something from the laundry room and passed Niccolo, naturally, “Niiiiiicolo” came out of my mouth.

Ever since, Titziana and Niccolo think I’m some sort of bird that repeats things and they laugh….at my expense. But, it’s all ‘buono

Surverying Tuscany.

{Great Job Eliesa![

A domani!

ciao, bella

It's been two days and it still hasn't sunk in that I'm in Rome.

Saturday/Sunday felt like decades, and the days are still long.

I had the pleasure of watching Just Wright TWICE on the plane.

Queen Latifah in her finest, pretty much was non existent on the flight.

Once we landed, we waited in the airport for about 2 hours,

then made our way to the hotel, with great views of Vatican City.

***I can't figure out a card reader, so the photos are from my friend,

which is a bust b/c I want to blog photos I took!****

That night we went to the Trevi fountain, Pantheon, and Piazza di Spagna.

Monday went back to the Pantheon to tour inside, where a tour group began chanting.

Kinda neat.

-Had lunch on the balcony overlooking St. Peter's.

Bread, cheese, grapes & coke light.

Carbs for dayyyyys. (I refuse to get a chunk-a-lunk, yeah, I'm a girl)

After lunch we went to the Vatican, went to the top of the dome which was gnnanrce.

After got enough steps to last the week, we hung out up there for a while enjoying the scenes.

Went inside the church, and had mass haha.

I felt a bit sac-relig kneeling and chanting, but it was legit.

The amount of work, craftsmanship and beauty in there is phenomenal.

Today we had school in the forum, sitting on the ruins walking the steps of the Roman emperors.

Cruised all around the Palontine hill, saw the vestal virgin house (where I had an accidental bum graze)

Then rounded the day in the Colosseum...and gelato at the Piazza del Poppolo.

It's hard to believe I'm here, and Saturday we're cruising up to Siena.

I'm a bit nervous to live w/ my Italian speaking family, where I speak ZERO.

Dinner will be loads of half-fake smiles and thumbs up.

And thanks to my buddy Jason--body language to convey what I want,

Some things I like:

The servers at dinner who sometimes just say Prego to me.

The legit window covers that are opened every morning.

Laundry hanging across streets.

The beautifully scenic alleys.

FOOD. (my best friend & worst enemy)

A little on the no bueno side:

No being able to speak to my servers

The bathroom that has a weird over head tank that shoots water at me every time I flush.

Knowing some people have already read the books, while mine are waiting in Siena.

Slipping in the bathroom.

Bed Bugs.

More to come soon...

(and hopefully photos from my camera)

xx

dream of californi(va)cation.

Post New York, it was time for some R&R.

As tradition, I spent 2 sunshine-filled weeks in Newport w/ family.

Nothing but sun, sand, waves....and cheez-its!

 I'm the favorite uncle.

 Good times w/ the Pops.

After this moment, a man cast his reel, nailing my aunt in the neck and cousin 

w/ his heavy weight. That -ish was gnnnnnarce!!! 

Screaming, hysterics, and pain ensued.

Fortunately, it wasn't a hook, and everyone was all right. 

Until next summer...

..enjoy Katy Perry's gritty, sexy 'Teenage Dream' video to round out the summer nights.

See you in Italy!

hot in the city.

Summer is almost over, and my stint in the city is over.

As I finished up, it was bittersweet finishing up at Jive,

and even leaving the city I called home for the summer, New York.

The last few weeks of the summer have been a whirlwind.

It felt like company was in town every weekend, making the summer fly by.

With that, I'm about to take you on a magic carpet ride of the last month.

4th of July I flew home to Dallas for a break from the city.

Spent 5 days at the Lake House, gourged on cheez-its and Diet Coke

and enjoyed the silence (cue the Depeche Mode).

*****

My cousin Brad and crew came in for a quick visit.

Opting for plays, kayaks, and bikes.

I worked a little.

*****

My boss had a retreat, and ended it with a BBQ at his beach house:

on the Jersey Shore.

I was snookin' for Snookie (seriously, I tweeted her to come over!)

we had delicious food catered by Ariane Duarte, from Top Chef.

The french fries- the next best thing to being non-virginal (or what I would assume)

And enjoyed the company of Joshua Radin,

who was enjoying the sun, sangria, and sweltering heat.

Before he left the party, he strummed a few songs a la backyard jam session.

Overall, had an excellent time with all of the Jive Promo Dept.

Great trek out and back to Manhattan w/ Randy aka "DJ Raize"

(who got mugged the night before. gnarce)

*****

That week my friend Ashley came for a visit.

Cruised around Central Park, she paroozed every museum possible,

and I joined for the Frick Collection which was beautiful...

Then, I completed my internship, with a sushi infused lunch meeting w. the bossman.

I learned loads from everybody over the summer.

And was truly enlightened during the meeting on:

-the whereabouts the industry is heading

-where I can be looking for future careers

-In depth knowledge on the make-up of a label as a whole

-how much say an artist truly has

-and how great of an intern I was!

...I'm pretty sure I made that one up, but I think I was exemplary...

*****

I moved for a third time in three months.

But lived with some of the best people.

...celebrated my birthday, a Robyn concert (that I'm still on a high from), and Court's bday.

laughed way too much & stayed up entirely too late.

and soaked up as much of New York City before I said goodbye...

what, it was hot! sometimes you get a bit delirious!

....I'll come back to you, don't you worry.

Somebody alert the authorities, I got Criminal Intent

… Conspiracies to engage in lewd and indencent acts and events. Imma wind it grind it, imma have to say it again.

This week marked my last one in New York (post to come)

A while back, I saw Robyn was bringing her All Hearts tour to the city.

I bought my ticket, and was going by myself until I found out Jessie and VJ were going.

The tour consisted of Robyn co-headlining with Kelis

ft. opening acts Far East Movement and Dan Black.

I have to say, and I've seen many a shows, but Robyn KILLED it.

The energy in the room was so off the wall, you were dancing without even knowing.

Jessie and I grabbed a quick bite pre-show and missed Far East movement

(the concert began at 6)

But walked in right before Dan Black's set.

He had an odd stage presence, or rather one I wasn't expecting.

It was funky/fun/eclectic.

He tended to do a lot of hip thrusting too, which was unnecessary.

After Dan finished his set, it was time for Kelis to take the stage.

The venue went dark and some house music came on.

Bright lights flashed and out came Kelis in a silver James Brown looking wig,

and a Rainbow Brite looking spandex suit.

Despite the festival of colors, she began with a bang!

As soon as the first heavy bass of "Emancipate" hit-the crowded was bouncing up and down.

Kelis Performs At Webster Hall In NYC! from the.LIFE Files on Vimeo.

Haflway through her set, she announced how her 1-year old had a cold

and gave it to her. With that she said her hair was killing her....

So she took it off...and danced on!

As her set came to an end, it began sounding like one repetitive song,

all I wanted was for Robyn to take the stage.

After some time, and an untimely soundcheck for Robyn,

the lights dimmed and the wild romp began!!!

The crowd went into fandemonium when the pixie sized-Swede came to the stage.

She opened with Fembots, and played smash after smash

in order:

Cry When You Get Older

Cobrastyle

Dancing on My Own

Who's that Girl

as well as others,

and ending w/

Show Me Love &

With Every Heart Beat

(Dancing on My Own)

(Robyn Montage)

The energy was raw, the set was flawless, and Robyn was unstoppable.

From start to finish was on fire, dancing and appeasing the crowd

The entire Webster Hall was ablaze during her set.

Needless to say, when she tours again in support of Body Talk pt. 2...

I will be in attendance, pt. 2 is out Sept 7th, and is already burning up my playlist.

Robyn - Hang With Me official video from Robyn on Vimeo.

Ragggggeeee on Robyn.

PRETTY.

Because we all have the Sleepytime Shams...

Here are two videos that Court, Alex, and I have watched on repeat,

thanks @vincentjmerlot.

Aye Captain.

What's better than music, free shows, friends, and an abandonded island?

Nothing!

The Morning Benders, Freelance Whales & Wild Nothing

put on a free show on Governor's Island.

Courtney, Alex, Kellee, Kylie and myself all spent the day on the island.

We walked around the abandoned place where loads of colonial looking buildings stood.

On the ferry to the island! Still waiting to ride the Staten Island ferry for fun, again.

An old school which is now a private montessori.

First day jitters!

Raising Ky: S2Ep5: Haunt of the Island- The Point of no Return

Kellee & Kylie's newest Drunk BFFAE- Jumped in to play hand clap games.

(And ask Courtney for a piece of Gum)

Wild Nothing setting up.

CHEEES'n

Sunset on the "Beach"

(rather a square of sand)

Kellee and Kylie are still lost on the island, but I'll no doubt go back and save them!

It was an excellent afterrnon, and evening well spent and afterward I annihilated pizza

due to the lack of snackies on the island!

Gone to the Beach....soon enough.