Monterosso

Monterosso, one of the five villages that span across the "Cinque Terre".

We decided to take a quick train ride from Genova to Monterosso, and as soon as I stepped off the platform, i was in heaven. Sandy beaches, beautiful cliffs with lush green trees and the vast baby blue salt water. We did not explore any further then Monterosso considering we only had the day. So we rented ourselves some beach chairs and an umbrella, sat under the sun and took frequent dips in the cool, yet inviting blue water. For lunch, we sat on the deck of this amazing italian deli/restaurant. Here is where we had the best pesto and foccacia bread! It was amazing.

In life, we have moments, tearful moments, beautiful moments but not often have I felt like my life was a movie. In that moment, sitting on the deck, eating such great food and looking over at Ben, with the ocean and blue, sunny skies as a back drop. It really was magical.

Pisa

Oh, Enchanting Pisa! 

The people, the aroma and just simply, the essence of it! It may be shorter then you think in person, but the views of that piazza was amazing! Such beautiful, ancient, white marble that make up not only the tower but the cathedral as well. We only spent two nights in this city, at an amazing hostel, clearly family owned named A Casa Doina Tower, only a five minute walk from the piazza! And, get this… from the common balcony you had a clear top half view of the tower! There it was in all its glory! It's bright white marble only magnified by the clear blue skies that day. So grateful I got to see it in my life time! 

The Piazza del Duomo is amazing! Once Ben & I were done marvelling at the tower from the ground we ventured forth to see the Cathedral, Baptistry and Campo Santo - a grave site if you will. So much history that enriches Pisa. It was really cool to learn about the Campo Santo, truly one of the most beautiful grave sites I've ever seen. 

My goodness, the food was amazing. We had this delicious sharing plate of cold cuts for lunch on our last afternoon there. It was amazing. Two types of salami, two types of proscuitto, cheese, capicola, fresh baked bread, and a fresh fruit bowl to share. I'm salivating just thinking of it… 

Rome, Italy

What a magnificent city! The cobblestone streets lined with gelateria's, pizzaria's, souvenir shops and leather clothing stores! There is so much to see and do in this city, so when you visit prepare yourself for a lot of walking, and a lot of photographs! Ben and I had so much fun! We truly felt like historians; learning so much from the architecture to the vast, glorious history that haunts Rome to this day.

I took one step into the Colosseo and thought to myself, "Wow! …Gladiator didn't do this any justice!" SO BIG! The Trevi Fountain was astonishing! Truly amazing piece of work. We loved it so much, that  we saw it on more then one occaision. Sitting back admiring the view in daylight and moonlight! We watched various families and couples struggling to take a picture of themselves, when it hit me! I gladly volunteer'd to help! Here is where I ignited my passion for photography. =) We walked so much that we learned quickly, if you want gelato walk as far away as possible from any historical, touristy site and save yourself some money! Not only that, but the quality of gelato is way higher! 

Growing up italian and being able to come to this city, really was amazing for me! So rich in culture, history and scenic views! We toured the Vatican, climbed the Spanish Steps, saw the Pantheon and so much more! The gelato was unlike anything I have ever had the pleasure of tasting. I would simply say, if you visit Italy, Rome should be on your itinerary! 

Naples, Italy

We arrived in Naples August 3 to the open arms of my amazing aunt piña and her son Davide!! I was ecstatic to see them, and the rest of my family! With the anticipation of landing in Italy, I was filled with pure joy. It has been fifteen years since I was here in Naples , which is my dads home city. 

The weather and the beaches is what Ben and I were most excited for, and we were not disappointed !! The weather was nothing short of 35 degrees, 52degrees with humidity on the hottest day we were there. 

We tried every cappuccino we could get our hands on, and devoured a copious amount if gelato! Naples is a city that is full of people, and a slim amount of tourists except at the ports. Not a lot of people speak English, only my aunt. This however tested me in many ways. I studied Italian for many years, but never spoke it fluently. The challenge was tough at first, but I learned quite quickly. Love the language, it is absolutely beautiful. 

The first beach we went to is called Formia. Just thirty minutes from the town Terracina - which is my moms home town. The sand was scalding hot from the sun, the water a darker green than blue, and soooo salty! Needless to say we finally got our tan on we're extremely excited to fulfil our passion of being "beach bums". You can say we are conoseurs of sorts. 

We also got the opportunity to drive along the Amalfi coast, hit a rocky beach with beautiful blue water and many waves! I fell INLOVE with this coast. In the same day, we hit a beach in Positano which Is a smaller town on the Amalfi coast. This too was beautiful, a bit lighter sand color than in Formia and still blue water. A port filled with boats, and more tourists, but so worth the drive/ bus ride. You must try limoncello here! An italian lemon liquor. Amalfi is famous for its limoncello. 

We also visited the island of Ischia. Bigger in size than Capri, more European tourists on this island, this is probably because Capri is more known to non European travellers, therefore more of a touristy attraction. In Ischia we didn't tour the island, instead we headed straight for the beach! A bit rockier than the last couple of places we hit, but probably the most beautiful coast line we got to see this far!! We found a beach titled, "inglese", not sure why Haha, but it was amazing! Small! No more than 75 people where we were. We purchased some beach chairs and umbrellas on the private beach side with my relatives, and enjoyed a full day in the sun! :) Ben and I rented a paddle boat so we could go out as far as was allowed to take in the hillside. No words can put in to description how serene it was. 

Pompeii is a must see!! 

From Miss to Mrs.

June 15, 2013.

The best, most heart warming , amazing day I have experienced thus far in my life!
I cannot describe in words how I was really truly feeling but I will try for writings sake.
Waking up alone in the morning in my bed before my girls woke up, I stared at the ceiling for what felt like hours, reflecting back on everything that has happened in my life that has led to this moment. Understanding what it means to be in life with someone. I cannot imagine a life without Benjamin. From the moment I met him I knew that.

 I have never felt more consumed with appreciation and love then I did the day I got married and was introduced as Mr and Mrs. Benjamin and Christina Freudenthaler . It is such a blur of faces, smiles, tears and food! You never know where the next genuine smile, dream or thought will come from.  There was so much love poured into our special day. I have reflected so much on that day lately, from getting ready with my beautiful bridesmaids, having a traditional Italian get together with my immediate family before the ceremony, riding with my dad to the Ceremony, hiding anxiously in the bathroom so Benjamin couldn't see me, ... And when those doors opened to the Church, all I could see was him. All those people vanished and all I saw was him.

This, this moment is what I've been waiting for . This was the moment I dreamed about since I was 5.  I cannot put into words exactly the feeling. It was indescribable. Benjamin has been my everything since the moment I met him, it truly was love at first sight, and that itself is so rare, but to get engaged after five months and married nine months later, especially in this day in age is rare too.
What I've come to learn about this whole experience is that it doesn't matter whose watching. If you trust your heart, you will recieve everything you ever wished for and more.

I am The Queen of Cheddar Town ..

Here it is... Another-more public-proclamation of my love for him. This is the outlet I choose, so I will let it out!  

I've been typing and erasing and typing and erasing scrambling, trying to string the words together to describe this feeling in my heart right now. I could simply say, "I miss you like crazy!" But for some reason that just doesn't seem to do it justice. I have never felt so far, yet so close to someone like this. To feel as though my heart is with you right now. I can't sleep, can't eat, can't focus. It is so consuming. The emotions involved in missing someone so much. Laying in bed doesn't seem right without your arms around me, learning something new is not as much fun when I don't have you to share it with.. It is so astonishing to me that I have been blessed, so young to have felt something this beautiful. To fall in love with your integrity, and kindness. To witness your altruistic hands, move and sway so wonderfully towards everyone you meet. That feeling everyone gets when YOU walk into a room because you put everyone at ease. To watch how magnificent you are in times of hardship, because your nobility and compassion is what gets me through. Every. Single. Time. What I've come to learn after all this reflection is that..

This is only the beginning of the rest of Our life together.

and that is a blessing all on its own.

Always & Forever

So we planned it all out for the middle of June, 

From the wedding cake to the Honeymoon.

57 days!

I cannot wait for June 15, 2013.

Sometimes, Life just happens.

RIGHT ON.

First blog in what feels like so long.
For the first time in my life, I had writers block. Writers block, really? - You might ask. Well, yes.

My last post, all that was typed was Passion. That is exactly what I have been trying to search for, and develop. Growing up. My goodness, it NEVER STOPS. You are learning everyday, and every single moment if you really listen.  >>>>>>>

Benjamin and I have finally moved into our new place! Seeing his face when he was handed those keys… such a blessing to witness. 

So full of life, is he my love. 

___

Feed the soul

In My 20's Project

baybee

There are so many babies / pregnant woman that I know of right now! It is so exciting to see all of these new mom's and their cute little babies!

It is my cousin's bday today (HBD Ni!) . She's with child and looks fabulous! I cannot believe how close your due date is already!
My other cousin is with child as well and I have the special honour / privilege to be in the room with her.
This as you know pertains to one of my bucketlist items : Witness a Birth.

I am excited for you ladies and the new adventures you are about to embark upon! Love you both SO much.

Change is consistent.

For last year's words belong to last year's language and next year's words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning.

T. S. Eliot 

In My 20s

So here is the day I actually put my "In My 20s" project into motion!!
I will be documenting everything I do over the next decade. It is a project dedicated to everything I want to accomplish, experience, see, taste, and feel throughout my 20s! I have a bucket-list that I have talked frequently about so I will be posting very soon! I have a hard copy of this project that I am working on as well! This is something I am really excited and passionate about! I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I will enjoy posting in it! (Keep in mind my posts won't be as frequent as Growing UP. You can find it, and follow me here!