Baby it's Cold out there

The cold weather, like that which we experienced last week, does not have a dramatic effect on my day to day life, however it does influence some of my decisions. During the warm months, or even days like today, I really enjoy walking or biking where ever I need to go, whether it is home or work or over to The Hub for some coffee. But when the high is around -5 I find myself driving a lot more than usual. Also, when ever I am at my boyfriend's house or my parents house I will have them run out and start my car for me (during the winter I have a tendency to consider myself an Arizona native and I will whine and complain until someone starts the car for me, with the excuse that "I'm so not used to this freezing hellish weather", and who ever I am with eventually caves it) because I severely dislike driving in a sub-zero car and freezing my butt off. Also, the clothes that I wear for work are much warmer, no more cute skirts or short sleeves, only long warm pants with high-boots and long sleeve shirts. And the final way that the cold effects my life is during week ends, if I am invited to a party or over to a friends house I find myself being quite content with just staying home, cuddling up with a nice warm fuzzy blanket and sipping on hot co-co while watching epic movie after epic movie, enjoying a laid-back, relaxing weekend. The final reason makes me kind of like the cold weather.

Okay, I believe you, But my tommy gun don't

There are somethings that you can't completely understand and you don't really know how to explain, and that sums up my favorite song by Brand new, Okay, I believe you, but my tommy gun don't. Ever since I heard the melodic subtle opening line of "I am heaven sent, don't you dare forget" this song has struck a cord in my mind and stuck with me. A rageing 7 minute song that starts of slow and gentle but with a sense of some sort of a build up that wants to come out and show its head and then mid-song the beast is released. Although the rest of the song is not extremely loud, and doesn't feature rageing guitar cords like the normal music I listen to (typically I'm more of a hard rock metal person) it gives me a wonderful feeling inside. This is a rare song that I can listen to when I am feeling down that automatically picks me up and makes me feel renewed. A feeling that is unexplainable, yet refreshing

My favorite place

I have been many places during the 18 years I have spent alive, places ranging from China to England and Mexico to Brazil. But through the many opportunities I have received to travel the country and the globe my favorite place by far is Florence, Italy. I traveled to Italy last summer with my mom and grandma as a graduation present (by far the best present I could have ever received). Italy has intrigued me since I was in elementary school, probably thanks to my interest in ancient Roman myths and legends and also the Renaissance movement in the 16th century. So this trip was the trip of a life time for me. We planned to visit three of the major tourist hubs, Venice, Rome and Florence.

Our first stop was Rome, a huge city emerced in ancient history and thousands of tourists from all over Europe. A little bit too much to cram in to a day and a half with jet leg. After our short lived trip, we made the trek up to Venice. Venice made me bight my tongue about the amount of tourists in Rome. From the moment we stepped off of our train I felt claustrophobic from the amount of people that were trying to make there way through the small alleys and tight canals which held the city together, although I must say that the scenery was impeccable. So when we finally reached our third and final city of our week long adventure I was relieved to see that Florence looked exactly like I imagined it.

Located in the heart of Tuscany, the scenery alone took my breath away. And just the knowledge of the number of artists and intellectuals who have walked the streets and called the fabulous city their home moved me. From walking down Dante's ally (author of the Divine Comedy) to being able to look up at the mystic David the city stole my heart. The highlight of it all was being able to climb the 675 stairs to the top of the Florence Cathedral and Brunelleschi's dome and get the panoramic view of all of Florence and the surrounding Tuscan land. If I could have I would have wanted to stay up there for hours and bask in Florence's glory and mystique. I was so disappointed when it came time for us to walk to the train station from our hotel, knowing that trip was almost over. But the trip has inspired me to go back to Florence, not as a tourist but as a student to study for a year in the home of the Renaissance. I can not wait to go back to my favorite place, Florence.