Orvieto

Girasoli's blogging about her upcoming trip to Italy and her itinerary choices, which include Orvieto, reminded me of my travels there in 2006. Two of my friends and I separated for part of our time in that lovely medieval city. One sat across from the cathedral with her husband and enjoyed a bottle of vino, one circumnavigated the city with her sister and I was treated to a private tour with a newly made friend from Italy. Upon our return home and sharing photos, we each had taken a photo of this woman in the market. And, she has appeared, I am told, on Samantha Brown's show and other travel shows. So, you may meet her if you travel to Orvieto on market day. She's quite a quiet superstar! Andiamo!

Hawaii (or any place warm) Dreamin'

Guess I'm just eager to have Spring (a/k/a warm weather) arrive on the East Coast, but the reality is a snow storm is predicted once again. Girasoli, keep those warm, wonderful palm silhouettes and sunrise photos coming!

However, it's coming - spring, warmer weather and the Red Sox!

I'm posting a photo of Boston College's (where I work) baseball team. It's an annual event to kick-off their respective seasons for the Red Sox and BC to play a game in Florida. It's a treat for the players altho BC generally loses - and loses big time. No mercy by the Red Sox players.
(Photo courtesy of Boston Globe)

Letter Meme = Taking the plunge

To participate, all you have to do is ask for your letter, and voila...you will have an instant topic to post about.

Girasoli (http://www.slowtrav.com/blog/girasoli/) gave me letter ‘p’. Here’s my 10 items.

1. Pizza – I’m Italian – how could I not love pizza? Although ‘pasta’ generally wins over pizza.

2. Photography – one of my many hobbies. Helps keep the creative light within.

3. Psychology – A college major. Also enjoy reading books dealing with this topic.

4. Parochial School – elementary and high school

5. Palmer method – see #4.

6. Poi – a staple of Hawaiian people – something my fiancé misses most about his homeland. I can’t bring myself to eat the purplish starchy acrid paste – sorry.

7. Patriots – I’m from Boston – how could I NOT say this one. Also brings to mind ‘Paul Revere’.

8. Peanut Butter – slowly becoming my favorite snack – good for protein, fiber – a metabolism boost when exercising.

9. Pam – my sister’s name.

10. Pikake - favorite scent of the Hawaiian Islands - that and 'plumeria' - always reminds me of stepping foot on Oahu for the first time.

How Well Travelled Are You?

Girasoli's blog (http://www.slowtrav.com/blog/girasoli/) made me do it ---

How Well Traveled Are You?

Your Travel Profile:
You Are Extremely Well Traveled in the Northeastern United States (100%)
You Are Very Well Traveled in the Western United States (68%)
You Are Well Traveled in Canada (60%)
You Are Well Traveled in Southern Europe (60%)
You Are Somewhat Well Traveled in the Southern United States (38%)
You Are Mostly Untraveled in Western Europe (14%)
You Are Mostly Untraveled in Latin America (7%)
You Are Untraveled in Africa (0%)
You Are Untraveled in Asia (0%)
You Are Untraveled in Australia (0%)
You Are Untraveled in Eastern Europe (0%)
You Are Untraveled in New Zealand (0%)
You Are Untraveled in Scandinavia (0%)
You Are Untraveled in the Middle East (0%)
You Are Untraveled in the Midwestern United States (0%)
You Are Untraveled in the United Kingdom (0%)

OK-The Northeast is no surprise; Asia has been on my list except for the many current health precautions. So, maybe Africa - no, there is too much civil unrest; Ditto for Middle East; Australia - now there's one I could do BUT I would have to leave from Hawaii otherwise it would be too long a flight; Ditto New Zealand; UK and Eastern Europe - not so much, until the euro declines. OHIO here I come!

Five Things Meme

I copied this meme from Girasoli (See http://www.slowtrav.com/blog/girasoli/). Strangely, her 5 things to do if a millionaire are very similar:-) Ty and I were just talking about this last night because it was his birthday and he played the MA lottery, which is up to $11 million. It was fun to dream ~

Here goes...

1. What are 5 things you were doing ten years ago?

*Taking my son on his first trip to Italy
*Starting a new job
*Planning a family trip to Hawaii
*Sitting at a way-too-many high school softball and baseball games
*Taking weekend trips with three best friends

2. What are 5 things on your to do list for today?

*Post office to mail my sister's present
*Pick up Ty at train station
*Go to CVS to buy L'Oreal products - on sale: buy one, get one free
(can't pass up a sale)
*Go to Pilates

3. What are your 5 favorite snacks?

*Red Licorice
*Dark Chocolate
*MacIntosh Apples
*Peanut Butter (not chunky)
*Almonds

4. What would you do if you were a millionaire?

*Quit my job.
*Travel a lot.
*Buy season tickets to the Red Sox.
*Give money to family members and charities.
*Buy a nice place on Lanai

5. Where are 5 places you have lived?

*Massachusetts – Boston - where I currently reside
*Massachusetts - Norfolk, Needham - when I was married
*Massachusetts - Newton, Cambridge, Arlington - when I was wild and single
*Hawaii - Kaneohe and Kailua - when I was wild and single

Unfortunately, it's back to work for me - but it was fun dreaming here...

Miscellany

Can you tell one of my New Year resolutions is to blog more? Not really. I don't make New Year's Resolutions; I don't keep most of them anyway. I mean, I have stopped smoking - 4 years now. And lost weight, gained some, and lost some and so it goes. But I have not done it as a result of the New Year. Too much going on anyway. It's the birthday month for me, my fiance, my daughter - all within 6 days!

I even opened an account on Facebook. I always thought it was for the young'uns - my kids have profiles. Guess my generation is using it as well - as a social, business, and entrepreneurship.

I came across a profile entitled, You Know you are From Boston. People have contributed all the truism and anecdotes of Bostonians. Girasoli's article on her blog, see here (http://www.slowtrav.com/blog/girasoli/) about grocery store traffic and hoarding for a snowstorm with a reference in the noted article of 'the running of the brides at Filene's'reminded me once again about the nuances of Beantown. Priceless.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=837235640&ref=name#/group.php?gid=2204567195