Whoa, another year has passed and today I must say Happy Birthday/Buon Compleanno to myself!  It’s a bit odd to feel old and young at the same time.  I started feeling old because getting to a certain age, you start thinking about how much should have been accomplished by now, by this stage in life. Funny how easy it is to think of the things you haven’t done yet, versus everything you have!  I went on a major cleaning spree instead of napping after lunch, because it feels so good to clean everything and then take a hot shower.  Reminds me of Monica from Friends, although I’m not a neat freak really…I think…

Of course on the flip side, I know that I’m still young and have so much time ahead of me. Married life is still new and there’s so much to do and experience together. The sunny side of not having done something yet, is that you can go do it still!  Yup, I’m full of contradictions.  Old…young…bahh! Well, it’s just another day after all.  My hubby is taking me out tonight, so I’m sure we’ll have lots of fun and tomorrow will be another day.  For now I leave you with some old photos as I’m going through my digipics files and organizing.  Nostalgia! I should also warn you that it might be a bit of Linda overload, so many photos of me!

Various old photos of me...

Posted on September 17, 2009 at 5:19 pm | life thoughts | 4 comments

Even though we are all appreciating the cooler weather as Autumn approaches, I am feeling a bit nostalgic and missing our summer day trips already.  More photos on my Flickr photostream…

Posted on September 2, 2009 at 1:56 pm | italy | 1 comment

The other day my husband and I decided to go on a day trip to the little town of Collodi to visit the Parco Di Pinocchio and the neighboring gardens of Villa Garzoni.  We were inspired to visit after reading about the area in a travel magazine.

Pinocchio

Although it was burning hot, I had fun visiting the locations since I had never been there and everything was new.  I also learned that the real Pinocchio story is nothing like the Disney version I grew up with.  In fact, it seems to be much darker and scarier…so I decided to buy the original book – Italian version – to sharpen my language skills and learn the truth!  There’s something exciting about reading stories in their original language as well.  Pinocchio Park was a bit disappointing as a whole because it is meant for little kids.  My husband and I were the only people around without a kid!  Oops…tourist literature failed to mention these details.  Not to mention I felt it was a big rip off as activities within the park were at an additional cost to the entrance fee.  Hmm…for the state of the park and attractions I wouldn’t say it was the best deal!

This is me strangling the snake!

The Garzoni gardens that also included the Collodi Butterfly House was much more worth the entrance fee.  Wondrous gardens like you would imagine and it was pretty cool to see the butterflies up close and personal inside the house.  We hiked up to the very top fountain of the garden as well, not realizing high noon probably wasn’t the best time with this brutal weather.  Too bad there was no entry to the villa itself, only the garden.

Looking up the Garzoni garden...

Looking down after hiking to the very top!

Overall, it was still worth visiting one time.  I decided to search for more treasures in Tuscany because I’m sure there are fabulous places to visit that might not be so openly advertised.  I would love to visit places with history and culture that inspire me as well.  I just wish the level of conservation and maintenance was higher in Italy!  It’s so sad to see the beauty from the past just deteriorate…

Pretty things I saw...

Posted on August 27, 2009 at 7:19 pm | italy | 1 comment

I don’t know why it has taken me so long to layout a simple book of photos.  Although I realize wedding photos can take forever because photographers touch them up – I’ve been totally lazy and old school about it.  Just a bit of contrast or brightening in Photoshop since all my photos are an accumulation of family who graciously volunteered to be photographers.  Now that the August Italian vacation period is nearing its end, I was finally able to gather all the images together.  I think perhaps it took me a while also because I got sick of staring at photos of myself!  So weird.

I decided to try out Blurb.com to print a book of our photos instead of getting digital photos printed and putting it into an album.  I figure it’ll be a nice opportunity to try out the service, not to mention the imagewrap hardcover books look so damn snazzy!  I laid everything out using Blurb’s templates, pretty simply design and used the maximum of 160 pages since I want premium paper and hardcover.

I do hope it all comes out nicely.  I also sincerely hope I don’t run into lost mail issues, since I think Blurb has European locations.  I seem to be losing random pieces of mail every now and again, so annoying!

Now I’m onto the tedious task of getting all the book pages onto my Flickr for sharing, because I am so many months backlogged in photo sharing.  Although, I am starting to think I take way too many photos and wonder if people even have time to go through so many.  I also started wondering about security and if photos would be used for some advertisement, because a friend mentioned that the fine print can be tricky with a lot of photo sharing sites.  I figure Flickr should be safe given the use permissions, even though a google search brings up the photos and who’s to say someone wouldn’t just take the images?  Hmm…these days it’s so tricky when sharing things on the internet.  It’s been around, but at the same time still so new and undiscovered in certain facets…

Posted on August 22, 2009 at 6:36 pm | life thoughts, wedding | No comments

Even though I know it to be true – I still shock myself when counting the months that I have been living here in Italy.  The first six months after officially moving have nearly flown by, now just a memory for me.  Now it’s August, the mandatory month of vacation for my husband (and many others in certain industries).  Most everyone in Italy takes time off in mid-August to go on vacation.  I suppose it’s just too hot and humid to do anything else.

Lately I’ve been in a reflective mood and realized there are still so many things that I need to get used – or perhaps I will never get to that point?  Besides politics, corruption and injustices that I never can understand properly or accept…there are lots of little cultural things.  I’m starting to think I sound like a total dork, but one of those things are topless girls.  Seriously, I am so not used to see women topless.  Now, at the beach I suppose I’m getting used to it since I realize women just don’t want horrible tan lines.  However, in regular advertisements, TV shows and magazines…not the X-rated kinds, but normal ones…it’s totally okay for women to be topless and nearly all naked.

I have nothing against the female nude and must agree that the female body is just prettier to look at (sorry guys).  However, I still freeze a bit in terror when I come across said advertisements or magazine spreads.  It’s like, oops – oh wait – no, it’s just a regular magazine…hmm.  I just have to get used to the culture, right?

I’m not sure it’s something I will ever get used to.  Or the fact that many folks can look at these magazines with their parents and gossip about it.  Gosh, I must come from the most conservative family ever it seems!  What happened to the boundaries!?!?

Posted on August 13, 2009 at 11:40 pm | italy, life thoughts | 2 comments

I just saw this little animation short by artist Peter H. Reynolds and totally inspired to share it.  You should definitely watch this little video called He Was Me.  It’s very touching and made me stop and think how many people could really relate to the character.  I have to say that just some months ago I must have been a bit like him.  Stuck in a corporate job and living a sort of blah life, sometimes even toxic it seems from my perspective now.

No offense to all my friends and family who have great careers, moving up the ranks and being successful in their own way.  It’s just nice to know that the seemingly normal progression of life is not the only path available to you.  Growing up we seem to forget the limitless possibilities in this world.  All those dreams and joys that we might have taken for granted as children simply because it came so naturally.  There were no rules or boundaries to our imaginations.

Growing up and following the social norms of what you must do and accomplish to be considered successful seems to stifle  a lot of creativity and freedom in people.  It’s really that sense of freedom that comes from within, I don’t mean physical freedom necessarily. For myself, I became really obsessed with practicality and “doing the right thing” – making sure I impressed those around me and hoping for the love and recognition to validate it all.  Even when I was a kid I used to do things or NOT do things according to the opinions of others if it was right or wrong.  Would people approve and think it was the right thing to do?  I suppose it was mostly family, because I have 4 older brothers and 1 older sister who were great role models, but also seemingly scary elders who could really chew you out if you did something bad.

I suppose it sounds a bit grave, but a lot of times I found myself just going through the motions because it seemed like what I should be doing as defined by the rest of world.  No doubt I had support and love from my family for whatever I did – it’s just that parents who are really busy trying to support their family and care for their kids tend to raise children with that same worry and preoccupation with survival.  In my family it was always about making a proper living with a good job, so you could provide for your family.  Noble goals no doubt and probably very common, but it’s a bit too general and non-specific to enable you to really find your place in life.

A lot of life coaches and we even learn in project management that success must be defined before you can go ahead and try to make it happen.  What does success mean in life?  Well, you just have to picture yourself in the future and what the ideal would be…all the details down to the intimate feelings.  It’s going to be different for everyone…obviously making a living and sustaining is universal, but how exactly?  Someone who wants to live in the country with nature should have a different path of getting there than someone who wants to be a journalist, etc.  It doesn’t mean you have to recreate your ideal world to exactness, but it helps you to realize your real goal – then you can figure out how to get there.  Often we go the other way around, going with the normal flow of school, choosing a career and getting a job and then wondering, “Hey, am I happy?”  Your ideal situation is probably evolving all the time which is fine, but it’s just another way at “solving the problem” so to speak.

All this jabbering is just to say I really like the short animation and that you should check it out, because it spurred on a lot of interesting thoughts for me and I’m sure it will for you too.  I think it’s rather funny that I fluctuate from having very amorphous grand thoughts of dream situations and theories of life…that eventually lead back down to the details and uber practical nature of how you make it happen.  It’s like planning projects (hmm, now I’m getting nerdy…)  It’s all part of my personality and I am definitely still figuring things out.  I’m just very happy that I have the time to think about these things!

Well, some friends are visiting from Ohio for the next couple of weeks, so I’m super excited to be nostalgic, catch up on all the news as well as make plans for the future.  We have been talking about starting up some new creative projects, so I’m looking forward to our meetings.  Yay for excitement!

Posted on July 27, 2009 at 2:47 pm | life thoughts | 2 comments

A friend of mine used to say huzzah all the time, it’s so funny!  I am celebrating because I’ve finally got my new blog up to start documenting my little art biz journey.  Thanks to Marisa from Creative Thursday, all the little fishie friends in our goldfish community, art trader magazine and many other inspirations – it’s finally up!  Check out my new blog torta gialla!

I am starting small and simple, but have a lot of great ideas in mind.  It’s both exciting and scary!  I am sure it will be challenging updating my various different blogs for different purposes, but I hope torta gialla will be the most active with my artwork.  This blog will remain as my personal outlet of random thoughts.  Ciao!

Posted on July 20, 2009 at 6:17 pm | blogging | 2 comments

I suppose this has been mulling in my mind these past few weeks, but perhaps now it is clearer and seemingly so simple.  I’ve been taking some e-courses online to pump myself up for a new venture.  Everything from art, design to more general, almost motivational topics…and I must admit I was a bit skeptical at first.  I mean, how much can you learn from someone just through the computer screen?  I had always put the burden on myself to work really hard, put in so much effort that it is painful, in order to really achieve something.

Flower from the roadside...

I’ve always been the loner and “independent woman” as some like to say.  I suppose I could blame it on my upbringing or culture, but those are just excuses.  It is odd for me to realize now, how stubborn I must have been.  I always thought I could do it alone or didn’t need any help or guidance.  Or maybe it was the proud side of me that was taught to believe I could do anything if I just put all my effort into it.  I suppose that is still true – if you really want to learn something, you can do it!  However, in taking these courses and learning so much I’ve realized that it’s okay to get help.  It’s okay to ask others for assistance, for guidance…and going through these experiences with others is also really enjoyable.  I guess, it’s just a simple change in my frame of mind.  So simple, so wonderful and life changing to just think differently.

As opposed to tortured artist hashing things out in the studio, it’s perfectly fine to be a beginner with lots of questions.  Amazing.  I don’t know if it’s silly for me to realize this suddenly, because it so simple.  I mean, we all went to school, we all had teachers and were guided by everyone around us growing up.  We are who we are, shaped by all the experiences and people in our lives.  But when you realize all the support that exists around you and open yourself up, it’s so much nicer.  The world seems like a place full of possibilities, rather than some turbulent mess that you are trying to make your way through…

I don’t know if I even make much sense in writing this out, but inside I feel better and happier and definitely pumped…yay!

Posted on July 20, 2009 at 10:37 am | life thoughts | 1 comment

It has been very hot these days, with record highs throughout Italy.  Whew…being a Californian girl, hot summers are nothing new.  However, humidity and lots of sweating is something new indeed.  Dry hot versus wet hot – is one better than the other?  Amazingly, I still have dry skin even with all the humidity!

The heat is really making it difficult for me to do anything for long periods of time.  I stop to rehydrate, wipe off sweat, wash my face, stand by the fan and such distracting things.  So annoying!  I guess it’s a silly complaint…and if you haven’t realized already, we don’t have air conditioning here.  Back in California everyone had air conditioning or you could run to the mall or public places to cool down.  Here in Italy (perhaps because we are in a smaller town?) places don’t usually have air conditioning units installed or when they do it’s not set at full-blast where it feels freeeezing indoors and scalding hot when you step outside suddenly.

I suppose it’s a good thing to sweat a little sometimes and slow down your life.  However, it’s also a really good excuse for me to do nothing.  Giving into major laziness…so this is why there’s siesta and nap times, especially in the summer.

My sunflowers! - I miei girasoli!

The lovely thing about summer here in the Tuscan hills though, are the lovely views of sunflowers all over.  I can see fields and fields right from my bedroom terrace!  We also tried planting some and although they turned out a bit skimpy inside pots instead of in the real earth and soil, the first one flowered today!  A little one, but so cute and lovely to see the bright yellow.  Makes me smile…

Posted on July 17, 2009 at 4:01 pm | italy | 3 comments

…or perhaps I should say renewal, because that sounds more positive!  Years ago I blogged quite frequently and encouraged all my friends to start blogs as well.  Some years later I took my blog down and avoided the digital life and online stuff in general.  I didn’t really know what to write about after a while and sharing the mundane details of life seemed silly.

I always wanted to start up again because I realized that there is an audience that cares, all your friends and family and future digital friends, too!  However, I didn’t know where to begin really.  This post I actually started a while ago, but I tend to have a lot of drafts of things that I never fully complete.  I suppose I am the queen of “it’s not ready” and thereby never showing anything.  Or looking on the positive side, I’m very much an idea person…following through to completion takes so much more effort for me compared to starting on a great idea!  I like to say I have ADD, but those are just excuses as always.  I decided to make a change and “Just Do It!”

I was motivated enough to start up this blog when I had my major life change – moving to Italy and getting married!  It seemed like a good point to start blogging again, to share my journey and thoughts.  Specifically I will chronicle my thoughts about living in this foreign country and the oh so wonderful experiences of married life.  I suppose also it’s very therapeutic to be able to “talk” to friends in this way and in English!  I’ve learned a lot of Italian, but amongst a foreign culture  and a language that can go into dialects and variations, it’s still difficult for me to comprehend everything and especially to express exactly what I want to say.  Heck – it’s hard to express sometimes even in English!  This blog will serve as my little private outlet…perhaps one day I will be able to blog in Italian.

So lately I’ve been in a bit of a funk emotionally, trying to find my place with all the changes in life.  After quitting my PM job, I am still freelance designing for web and graphic projects here and there, but have been exploring a bit more regarding starting my own business.  Something with design, but more than anything – positive, happy, beautiful things and thoughts – that’s what I want.  There is so much negativity and grief in this world, I want to create the opposite and make the world a better place – as corny as that sounds.  I’ve been learning a bit about positive psychology and there is a bit about how stress is inevitable in life, but you have to “undo the negative” so to speak.  You have to balance it with positive things in your life, so that it doesn’t adversely affect your health and livelihood, which is why people need to blow off steam, go out and have fun and such.  I want to be a happiness engineer!  Did that just sound really nerdy corny?  Well, I had been in the mode of self-reflection and analysis…researching what I should do and taking e-courses to learn even more.  I think I will be ready very soon, it’s exciting and scary…

Now that I’ve blabbed on for a while, let me share some photography…things that inspire and make me happy.  Have a great day and I will update soon.  Thanks for listening.

Things that make me happy here in Italia!

Posted on July 10, 2009 at 11:18 am | blogging | 1 comment