a whole new meaning

last night as i was laying in my bed trying to go to sleep, I looked up at the light and saw....

i guess tampons can also be used to collect dust from lamps. who knew.

grosseto

today i traveled to grosseto to hike throught a regional park. the park overlooked the adriatic sea. it was beautiful. the weather wasn't that great, but it was perfect for hiking because it wasn't too hot.

la tavola

i tried to get a few shots of some of the dishes i cooked today, but usually forgot to snap a shot.

-la tavola, meal included fried zucchini flowers (delicious), a shrimp gumbo, tomatoes and potatoes with roasted fish, and for dessert a version of creme brulee-

- smoke salmon with a herbed lemon butter, along with smoked salmon crostini on a bed of greens with balsamic vinegarette -

james bond

it just so happens that most of the next james bond movie titled "Quantum of Solace" is filmed in italy. while passing through piazza del campo today, i saw the camera crew getting ready to shoot a scene. supposedly, in the next film there is a shot of the palio di siena, the famous horse race that takes place twice a year. according to the crew, they couldn't wait until july to film the scene, so they are recreating the entire race now. yes, recreating the ENTIRE race. that means laying a thick foundation of dirt all around the entire piazza which is pretty big, and staging the whole horse event.

the medieval costumes for each contrada

these people are supposed to be shouting and rooting for their favorite team or contrada. some of the people are wearing scarves like the man in the yellow.

last week i tragically missed james bond jumping off the bell tower in the piazza. what a shame. i have yet to see daniel craig.

i captured a video of the film crew, but its taking more than an hour to upload. stupid italian computers. i don't think they understand what it means to have high speed internet.

the night shift

the night shift was so much better. i can't even begin to tell you how much better it was. i got to translate for 15 wonderful people who came from all over the US. i felt like i was on a live cooking show because the chef didn't speak a lick of english and i had to explain what and why the chef was doing certain things to the dishes. i guess all those hours of watching the food network sure paid off. i made sure that these tourists had an informative and fun time in the kitchen last night.

after the tourists had eaten everything they could from dinner and dessert, one man came up to me and handed me money saying, "now i want you to know that i don't do this to everyone. i only do this to the people who are courteous, polite, and such a pleasure to be around. you, my dear, did a spectacular job and i wish you all the best in the future". that was the nicest thing i had hear all day long. not to mention how many times i was told, "bless your heart, just bless you". i felt on top of the world while i was walking home down the cobblestone streets in the dark of night.

first day of work

where do i start. lets see, probably at 9:30 when I arrived and then 2:00 once i finished cleaning everything up. oh, not to mention that i am going BACK to work at 6 PM to work until 10 PM. one of the longest days of my life. i need to post some pictures of the kitchen and some of the dishes. the food actually turned out good and it was delicious too. the chef even gave me some to take home for tomorrows lunch.

it definitly wasn't as bad as i was expecting. i thought it was going to be a lot worse. at least i didn't have to do the dishes like this poor asian guy did. i don't even think he knew what he was doing. the chef would tell him something unrelated and he would just bow his head and with a smile say, yes.

dessert was interesting. some of you will think i am self righteous. oh well. we had tiramisu after lunch. the tiramisu we made contained coffee and brandy and quite a bit i might add. let me remid you that before i had started this internship, the director told me that if there is something that i cannot eat, do not be shy, do not get embarrassed, just bluntly tell the chef no. okay, not to bad. WRONG. the chef started to serve me tiramisu and i kindly and politely refused. she just about flipped a brick. i honestly thought she was going to stab me with the 12 inch long knife she was holding. she yelled something in italian, i didn't really pay attention because i was looking for the nearest exit. it sounded something like how dare you decline my food, etc. whatever lady. deal with it. i ate all the rest of your food.

that was day one. actually, im not even finished with day one. i still have to go back. let's hope it gets better. the good things about today: had delicious food, met some very nice people from the US and didn't get to wash dishes.

will post pictures later.

oh hey primary

i love going to church in siena. the 8 people in the branch are so great. also, the missionaries are really funny because most of them just left the mtc so they know very little italian. everything was going well until i was asked to teach primary next sunday. PRIMARY? yes, primary in another language i might add. i just about cried. how on earth am i going to teach children (granted there are only 5), who don't speak english , about things that i never learned? mamma mia. i looked in the manual and barely understood one word. i think im off to a great start. i don't know if i agree with this picture. this situation reminds me a little of my best friend. yes, i am thinking of a time in relief society...

caffe fiorella

love the name. love the hot chocolate. love everything about it.

via di città, 13

fonte delle monache

along the city walls, offers a splendid view of the surrounding countryside. . .

i traveled to the fonte delle monache which means 'nuns fountain'. this was an isolated spot so that the cloistered nuns could wash their clothes without being seen. without a map, i definitely wouldn't have been able to find this hidden treasure.

this is where they would wash their clothes. im pretty sure no one ever saw them.

Im thinking that i should send this to americas next top model, you know...gym clothes and all

wandering le strade

i decided to get up early saturday morning and head to the city just to get lost down the streets. i had my morning cup of joe (hot chocolate) and brioche, and wandered around. the italians who own this small caffe know exactly what i order. scary. sweet people though. defintely patient with me and trying to use my italian skills.

i stumbled upon these cool, peaceful streets...

this pretty much solely pertains to my fajah....

allora, i happened to stumble upon this street towards the back of siena. im sure your thinking the same thing that i was thinking. it's just a standard door of pretty much nothing. oh, you're wrong. as i looked closer, i saw this...

what? a gold's gym in siena? the hours are 11AM -11PM. i was literally scared to go inside because it looked so run down on the outside. the door was locked so i couldnt get a good picture of the equiptment or anything, but im sure its not like what we are used to.

frutte

the streets of siena are lined with these delicious fruit vendors. it makes me want to become a fruitarian.

hello culinary school

i am so much more relieved that i have everything figured out regarding my internship. i had a meeting with the director of the school and he informed me of what was going to be happening.

1) i am going to be working with professional chefs from around the world that specialize in italian cuisine. these chefs will be teaching me all the tricks of the trade.

2) i am also going to be teaching classes with the chefs to other culinary students.

3) once i feel ready and confident with my culinary skills, i can become a chef in a popular restaurant in the heart of siena.

i dont think things can get any better. as far as transportation issues, the director calmly assured me that someone from the school will be bringing me home everyday. that solves that problem. he also told me that i the dishes that i prepare, well....i can eat them. he gave me the recipes for the dishes that i am going to be learning and teaching on monday for lunch and they include:

-crostone al funghi (bruschetta with mushrooms)
-tagliolini al limone (pasta dish)
-panna cotta con fragole
-risotto al carciofi (risotto with artichokes)

oh, and dinner just gets even better. i had a personal tour of the kitchen and it is amazing. too be continued....

oh the italians...

sometimes i just dont get the italians. i start my internship next week in a restaurant inside the very popular siena town. i found out that i will be working monday through friday at 930 in the morning to set up and prepare for pranzo (lunch) and then come back at 6 until 10 for dinner. here's the issue. i live 25 minutes away from the city by bus, and the last bus leaves siena to take me home at 830. i asked the segretaria what i should do and she replied with a smile on her face, "take a tassi". haha. who does she think i am? take a taxi everyday for the next 3 months? i dont think so sweetie. i have to figure out what the heck i am going to before friday because we all know that the italians love their weekends.

its raining, again

its cold and rainy when just yesterday it was hot and beautiful. there was not a cloud in the sky. yesterday of course was sunday and so we looked for the local church building. it was a very small building located on the outskirts of siena, and took forever to find. the branch consisted of 8 women and 1 man. yeah, thats what i said. the elders basically controlled the branch. everyone was so kind there and really were welcoming. right after church was over they ran over to me and already put me to work on geneology. sounds like fun. they were so excited to hear that i would be staying with them for 3 months. sounds like bad news bears.

-cioccolata calda (literally a thick, melted chocolate bar in a cup) -

-just saw someone drinking this standing at the bar. nothing looks more warming on a cold, dreary day-

gelato

i have an obsession. it has got to stop. the good thing is that i dont feel myself getting fat and i think thats because i walk everywhere literally. just had this after a pleasant lunch.

palazzo...

yesterday we climbed quite a few steps to get to the top of a bell tower that overlooked the city. amazing.

firenze

i wanted to head to pisa for a day this weekend, but forgot that i had to change trains in order to do that. so, because im retarded, i went to firenze instead and saw the duomo, ponte vecchio, palazzo vecchio, and had the best gelato i have ever eaten. literally. it was a fun day in a busy city. i wanted to go to see davide, but the line was absurd. i have to make reservations next time.

-ponte vecchio-

monteriggioni, toscana

this is a town about 15 minutes from siena, about 5 miles. i wish i took good pictures of the castle because it was beautiful, but these are some pictures that i took on our long walk. we walked the entire thing. it was really difficult because we were almost killed, hmm, about 10 times. amazing walk though.

-looovveee this villa-

-this is a cathedral in siena-

questa settimana

sorry for the lack of posts. the internet here is horrible. i have to spend my precious time acting like a tourist in an internet cafe.

-la mia camera, not the most comfortable bed in the world, but the most amazing view-

-oh hey tuscan countryside, this is what i look at while im walking home from school-

-this is the backyard, yeah i know-

piove

these past few days have been beautiful. today, it's raining and freezing. to top it off, i have school today from 8 am - 16:30 (4:30) . it's been a long, tiresome day and i pretty much can't concentrate anymore. this thursday is labor day for the italians so there is no school. us girls (about 5 of us) are going to go to a small town near siena. good news for the day: i got my luggage. halleleujah. i thought it would never come. i feel like a new woman with clean clothes. also, just had the best gelato ever! panna cotta with straciatella.

siena

i finally arrived saturday night with no luggage. yes, good ol' alitalia lost both of my bags so i have been wearing the same clothes since i arrived saturday and its now monday. sick. it wasn't that difficult to adjust to the 9 hour time change, but who knows....it might catch up soon. siena is amazingly gorgeous. i am going to post pictures soon. im at the internet cafe right now. signora lusini is sooo sweet. she wants us to call her aunt. the language surprisingly hasn't been difficult. i pretty much understand everything and can get around. it feels awesome to be able to communicate. to be continued....

toscana

i'm coming tomorrow.

banana pancakes

the southcoast winery near my house is known to have the best banana pancakes. the practically sinful dessert is a buttermilk pancake loaded with banana’s and smothered with warm homemade vanilla bean sauce. you wish you now lived in t-mec.

b.r.

this screams whitney {banana republic}

wanna get away?

oh the joys of flying southwest airlines. the cheap flights, crammed airplane, stuffy cabin, rude stewardesses, etc.

nothing topped this flight off better than finding out you're sitting next to a convicted felon. that's right folks. the tatted covered man i sat next to has been in jail since he was 18. oh, and he's 48. what did he do you might ask? well, i don't know if this is more comforting, but he did some hard core drugs. it felt like he was the drug lord. ooo,scary. meanwhile, i proceed to ask him about the story of his tattoos. he responds with something like "oh these are a bunch of women, this is a prison tower..." well, let me remind you that my ears were still plugged because of the pressure, so i responded with, "a prison towel?" VERY loud i might add. after i said this he told me to be quiet because he didn't want others to get scared. great, i thought, now he's gonna kill me. f-words were flying out of his mouth left and right. probably, one of the worst flights ever which leads me to answering the airline's clever question...yes please and make it quick.

teatro del silenzio

it just so happens that andrea bocelli will be performing while i am in italy. you better believe i am going to be there. here is a sneak peak of what i will be experiencing. this is the exact location of where i will be. gorgeous, right?! just watching the video gave me chills. i cannot wait to hear him live.

love this

{italian jacquard fiona jacket from jcrew}

&

{swiss-dot fontana dress in sour lemon}

meet signora lusini

just got an email regarding my host in italy. looks like i am going to have some great stories when i come back.

"Mrs. Lusini is a very nice retired lady. Her hobbies are sewing and beekeeping. She lives in a very beautiful large house with garden and terrace in the countryside. She is always very nice and helpful. She provides breakfast - dinner - clean bed sheets every two weeks.If you want you can also use a bicycle that Rita can lend you. When you go out in the evening you can ask to Mrs. Lusini to pick you up. She is always very nice and helpful with the students. She has a cat, that stays in the garden.Distance from the centre of Siena: about 20 minutes by bus or 10-15 by car."

i'm not gonna lie. i am a little worried about the beekeeping part.

inspiring

"primetime" did a special on this man. of course oprah had to do the same thing. video is about 10 minutes, but it is well worth it.

also read this story on cnn this past week. what an honor it would have been to have served with this man.

m & a reception

friday night was the reception for mary and andrew, my favorite couple ever. the reception was at the golf club in thanksgiving point.

{pre-reception picture from left to right: shannon, my bff whitney, me, and celisa}

the bride look absolutely stunning in an ivory, longsleeved dress. the groom looked so handsome also. it was so fun to talk to old friends and meet new people. such a fun night.

{my neighbors chris and john}

rehearsal dinner

thursday night was the rehearsal dinner at andrew's cabin up in heber. the cabin was literally ginormous and was decorate to the T. right when whitney and i pulled up to the cabin, we were greeted by the valet boys that took care of the car.

heading into the cabin, we were greeted by the wonderful hosts who asked that we check our coats and bags. waiters and waitresses paced the floor and served h'orderves such as coconut shrimp, shrimp cocktails, etc. and strawberry, raspberry, orange flavored water, all while a pianist was playing smooth jazz in the background to set the mood. after we mingled, said hello to the bride and groom to be, we got to listen to josh groban's clone singing "the prayer". definitely not as good as my dad, but he did a fine job.

my favorite part of the night. the dinner. we were asked to pick up our seating cards near the door and proceeded to head downstairs where we would enjoy a fabulous meal. the tables were exquisite. i can't even begin to tell you everything i saw. right when i sat down i had to remember, "okay, start from the end and work your way in" when it came to the silverware. this dinner was catered by a fabulous company.

beverage: cucumber water (very refreshing)

first course: spring mix salad, figs, blue cheese, carrots, pine nuts, sun dried tomatoes, and an herbed short bread all dressed in a sweet vinaigrette. the bread was a sun dried tomato roll

main course: filet mignon cooked medium rare, sauteed asparagus, curly mushrooms, all on mashed potatoes with au jeux

dessert: chocolate torte with raspberries, mini bread pudding with vanilla bean ice cream presented with a sugared design, mini apple tortes with caramel sauce, mini "chocolate tuxedo" cheesecake squares, large chocolate dipped strawberries, zabaglione, italian custard { these desserts were served by waiters as we mingled: mini cinnamon sugar donuts, mini hot chocolates with a large marshmallow}

*pear cider was served - delicious and classier than standard apple cider*

while we were enjoying our desserts, we were crooned by josh groban's sound alike. we heard many toasts from family and friends, and ended the night. it was a snowy and cold evening, but just so much fun. definitely my kind of party.

un matrimonio

last night i went to the best rehearsal dinner party i have EVER been to. can't wait to explain the details in full. m & a reception tonight. what a party that will be.

mamma mia

it's that time again. i never thought i would watch another episode of this reality show, but it has got me hooked. then again, how could you not watch this show with a british bachelor who is smokin' hot?
he's adorable, and just gets more adorable as the show goes on. some of the girls are hilariously ridiculous. you have got to have a watch.

pinkberry

this is all i want right now. nothing sounds better than plain yogurt with raspberries. sadly, utah doesn't have a pinkberry store, but thank heaven 'red mango' a.k.a pinkberry is coming to town soon.

your song

where do i start. vegas was pretty much a dream. i laid out at the pool thursday through saturday and got some color, both brown and red (thanks to falling asleep for awhile), sipped a pina collada, and enjoyed the 80* las vegas weather.

friday night was probably my favorite part of my vacation. me and whitney met up with her aunt and uncle to go see elton john's new show in vegas called "elton john and the red piano". he was absolutely amazing. we had orchestra seats in caesar's beautiful coliseum. the red piano was gorgeous and sounded awesome. i was rockin' out to all of his best hits, with one of my favorites being "your song" to end the VERY flamboyant night.

after the show, we walked down to go see the always amazing bellagio water show and listened to "your song" again, had some bananas foster gelato which was as expensive as gold, and walked around the strip till we got tired.

thank you, thank you to the Dantonio's who gave us the orchestra seats to the concert and made our stay in vegas so fun. you guys are amazing!