Day 184: Ciccheti, Gondolas, and Acqua Alta

Best Moments
1. Morning walk with Elizabeta, our local guide
2. Going to a mask shop to see how the masks are made
3. Riding the Vaporetto out to the islands
4. Crossing the Bridge of Sighs
5. Visiting my old neighborhood and buying a poster (which I ended up losing)
6. Searching for ciccheti with Rick and Lynette 
7. Enjoying the process of ordering the ciccheti and finding new ways to fix common foods (green beans with tomato sauce)
8. Eating something I wouldn't normally go for (baccala)
9. Changing my mind to ride the gondola afterall because I wanted to be with the group
10. The moment on our gondola ride when all four of our boats came together on the grand canal under the moonlight with music filling the air
11. Returning to Max's during acqua alta
12. Drinking the best Bellini I've ever had (fresh peach juice)
13. Sipping on lemoncello while the water level rises
14. Making the most of a Venice night

Flickr Set of Images

Day 183: Unforgettable Venice

Best Moments
1. Pizza together in small Tirolean Village and only 1 Euro wine
2. Dinner together with unlimited wine and wonderful clam pasta
3. Italy vs. Spain game and watching the faces in the crowd
4. Drinking aperol and spritz
5. Jennifer taking us to the local hangout for guides in San Marco and meeting Max

Flickr Set of Images

Day 29: Perspective

I've always thought that perspective is an interesting concept.  There are so many ways to see the world and it would be sad to only view it from your own thought process.  


In my creative thought class our text instructed us to draw something upside down as an effort to observe more of what is being viewed.  I decided to take one of my favorite drawings and give it a try.  Testa di Giovinetta hung on my wall in Venice, so I decided to bring that element of the room home with me.  I thought she would be a perfect image to replicate.  The lesson taught me that I am no da Vinci.


My lady looks nothing like the original, but I have to admit I almost like her.  She looks very at peace.  Her lips are all kinds of wrong, but I think her hair and eyes are a bit telling.  One of my to-do list items this summer is to take an art class.  I am not planning on giving up any of my other interests, but just picking up another one.  I like to draw and would like to improve.  


I think I will probably be doing quite a bit of sewing this summer too.  Going to Provence will allow me to stock up on fabric for projects later on.  There are just so many enjoyable things to do out there, and I want to try them all.

Day 28: Enjoying the Unexpected

I woke up this morning and decided that I would take a drive up to Evanston.  I've been thinking that if I cannot get a job in Indy, then maybe I can try in Evanston.  There is so much to do in the area and it is beautiful up there.  As I almost reach my destination, I get a call.  One of my favorite people in the world is in the area: Aunt Linda!  She asked if I wanted to meet up, and of course the answer was yes.  
 
We met in Des Plaines and had lunch at this nice little Italian cafe.  We each ordered a glass of wine and talked while we enjoyed our meal.  I think she is my wine soul mate because she is one of the few people that enjoys wine at anytime.  I love talking to her because she sparks my interest in so many topics.  I think she really tries to experience life in many different facets.  For awhile I felt like I was on one of our fabulous trips.  It was a nice getaway.

After we had lunch I decided to return to my original mission and visit Evanston.  I drove to the arts center and thought it was beautiful.  The remaining pictures are from that area.  I kept thinking about what it would be like to be able to walk to the beach in the summer.  I have been talking lately about how I'd like to live by a beach someday.  Lake Michigan isn't exactly the same as what I intended, but it would be a start.  I hope to go back up to the area when I can dedicate a day to exploring.

Although Indy is my number one choice right now, I think I mostly just want a change, and one that impacts a few aspects of my life.  Most people don't like change very much, but I think the possibilities is what makes it so exciting.  It could end up being a disaster, but I have to try to find out.  Somehow I doubt a disaster will occur.

Day 13: The Human Influence

I kind of feel like I am cheating when I take a picture of someone else's artwork, but I suppose this is a blog about me which includes my interests. I picked up this print when I was in Venice at Peggy Guggenheim's Collection.  I was so excited to see that I could get it in print form.  It is called "Sea Dancer" by Severini.  It now rests framed next to my bed so that I can see it daily.  I saw this piece and fell in love with it.  I may be simple for thinking this, but the colors pulse positivity and the shapes elude to new visions. 

This was the first time I had heard of Severini, but have fallen in love with his work since then.  When I was in Paris this past summer we went to the Musee de L'Orangerie which features Monet's work.  After viewing the lilies, I was ecstatic to see that they had a special exhibition on Severini.  It is so interesting to see a collection of an artist's work because you can view their growth and a reflection of their lives.  Severini was strongly influenced by his peers.  If I remember right, he was strongly associating with one man, but then he passed, so he found himself in new company.  It was this new influence that developed his style that he is known for.


I think the people we surround ourselves with have such an influence on our lives.  I wonder how the people I have met and will meet will impact my life.  I hope that I have created a positive impact on others' lives.

Day 10: Eau de Lovely

Stargazer lilies are one of my favorite flowers.  The scent that permeates its habitat is pleasant for the sniffer.  I began buying these flowers after I returned from Venice.  I feel as though a lot of these pictures have had some connection to Venice, perhaps I should consider returning to the place that has left such an imprint on my everyday life.  


When we were in Venice, my aunt Linda and my adopted aunt Janey and I would go to a bar/restaurant just down from our apartment.  As we walked in to the bar, the scent of fresh tulips filled the air.  I  loved this bar for its atmosphere, proximity, and service.  I think I buy these flowers to trigger my sensory memory and try to go back for my Campari, Bellini, or Limoncello. 


Unfortunately my flowers are dying and only a couple blossoms remain.  I thought I'd capture the moment with another sense today, since I have yet to figure out how to attach a scent to my blog.  My advice is to stop by the florist area at your local grocery store for a whiff of my Venice.