The Gypsy's Guide

Help Reunite these People with their Vacation Photos

2013-05-15T23:45:00.001-07:00

A friend of a friend found a memory card today (May 14) at O'Hare. It contains over 800 photos of these people and appears to be from a trip to the South Pacific. Help reunite these people with their memories via social media!

How can you help?
If you know them, put us in contact!
If not, post this on Facebook or Twitter and help spread the word.

I know firsthand how horrible it is to lose photos from a trip. Hopefully we can reunite these people with theirs!

The Best Obituary I've Ever Read

2013-05-07T15:29:00.001-07:00

A few years ago I did a book signing at the Hancock County Library in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. I don't know if I met Ms. Larroux, who at one time sat on the board of their foundation, or any of her family, but her obituary takes me back to a lovely day spent in a charming town -- one clearly with some residents with a great sense of humor.

Blessings to the family and friends of Ms. Larroux!

Antonia Larroux Obituary: View Antonia Larroux's Obituary by New York Times:

'via Blog this'

Electing a Pope in the Sistine Chapel

2013-03-11T17:14:00.001-07:00

Curious about what will happen when the conclave begins tomorrow? It is a fascinating and secret process all carried out beneath Michelangelo's frescos in the Sistine Chapel. I thought this article in the New York Times summed it up well (and shame on the Cardinal who leaked his journals! But it makes for good reading...):

http://nyti.ms/14O9caq

Enjoy!

Playmobil Security Check Point

2013-01-17T06:00:00.000-08:00

OMG. Read the comments -- but not while sipping your morning coffee.
Amazon.com: Playmobil Security Check Point

A Note to My Readers

2012-12-02T15:29:00.001-08:00

Dear friends,
I just wanted to update you a bit. The last year and a half have been very busy in my home. I now have a very busy toddler who is simply energy embodied. My husband's job has changed significantly, and he is traveling every week now. And I still have a day job. All this leaves very little time for blogging. But I am still here. I often think, "I need to blog about this experience... or that experience..." and then my head hits the pillow, and I am unconscious. So know that I still have lots to say, and hopefully in 2013 I'll have a little more time to share it with you.

Happy Holidays to you all! And I hope you'll check out this year's Passports with Purpose fundraiser. We are raising $100,000 to build wells for clean water in Haiti. You can learn more here: Passports with Purpose.

Blessings!
Angela

Sunset over Rome from the roof of St. Peter's

2012-11-09T14:43:00.001-08:00

A Simba moment with Bambino

Tonight we watched the sunset over Rome from the roof of St. Peter's Basilica. Totally magical! Added bonus: lots of room for Bambino to run around! How do you get there? I'll fill you in later. For now just enjoy the view!

Michelangelo's dome over St. Peter's Basilica at sunset

As the lights warm up, they first glow green and then amber which is rather magical against the darkening sky.

I had never been inside the basilica at night before. It is beautiful!

The Best Lunch in Florence: La Mescita

2012-11-01T06:00:00.000-07:00

From the street it doesn't look like much, but if you get close enough the smell of rich sauces and savory meats will draw you in, and you won't be sorry. La Mescita is one of Florence's proverbial hidden gems -- a long-established eatery serving traditional Tuscan fare, hearty and seasonal. You won't find a menu in English or many tourists in the two dozen seats, but the staff is kind and helpful, the menu changes seasonally (as do the hours), and the food is delicious.

Yesterday I had a plate of homemade tortellini in a fresh meat sauce. The ingredients -- veal, cheese, mushrooms, tomatoes -- were simple and classic. And the pasta was perfect. We shared a plate of regional cheeses and meats (salami toscano, mortadella, pecorino romano, prosciutto crudo) served with crusty Tuscan-style bread. And, of course, we had a glass of the house wine, too. Everything was fresh. Everything was locally produced. And it all tasted fantastic.

If you aren't in the mood for a sit-down meal (or if the place is full, as is often the case), they also do freshly made take-away panini from the counter. Another delicious option.

Located around the corner from the Accademia -- and around another corner from Florence's Friendliest Apartments where I am staying again -- La Mescita makes a perfect lunch stop after a date with Michelangelo's David.

La Mescita
Via degli Alfani, 70
Florence, Italy

10 Tips for Traveling Internationally with a Toddler

2012-10-29T06:00:00.000-07:00

Bambino and I head off for our first international trip this week, and I asked for tips from moms and dads who have flown internationally before with their toddlers to weigh in on what works and what doesn't. I got tons of helpful tips! Thanks to all of you who responded. Here's a summary and a few thoughts from me...

1. Don't pack much stuff. This was a recurring theme from lots of parents out there. One parent noted that on her trip to Australia with her 18 month old she "brought way too much stuff for her entertainment - big waste. Travel is OVER (not under) stimulating."

Another mom suggested pipe cleaners as great entertainment. What a wonderful idea! They are light and easy to pack.

My response: I immediately pared down what I am bringing with me -- particularly the toys. I was already packing light, but reduced that by half again. I'll report back on how that goes! They are all stashed in the travel organizer I made, too. Check it out!

This is the travel organizer I made.

2. Bribe your fellow passengers. Another mom noted that on trips between the US and Europe, she "would bring a box of Godivas for the people sitting near us. Right before take off, I'd introduce myself and apologize in advance for any inconvenience caused by my baby. Helped tremendously!"

My response: while I wish that wasn't necessary, I know that there are lots of people who get uptight when they see a baby or a toddler sitting nearby. So, I'll be packing chocolates!

3. Nurse on take-off and landing. Bambino and I have flown about every eight weeks since he was born, so this is one we have down. He has been fussy sometimes waiting for it while we sit on the tarmac or taxi out, but nursing him as we take off has meant that his little ears don't hurt -- which, frankly, everyone on the plane appreciates.

Not nursing? A bottle works just as well and a pacifier will do in a pinch. It's the sucking action that makes the difference.

4. Find your inner peace. Not always easy, but as one of my dear friends wrote, "Your baby acts as an amplifier of your state of mind. Find your peace and trust you'll be up to any challenge the journey will bring. Take small setbacks in stride and find gladness of heart."

My response: I'm working on my deep breathing exercises.

5. Hydrate -- both of you! This is really important for all travelers, but it is easy to forget that toddlers need to drink more than usual in flight, too.

My response: I'm packing sippy cups for the plane -- one for milk and one for water. We'll keep him drinking as much as possible.

6. The iPhone is king. Several moms recommended charging up the iPhone and filling it with videos for the flight. One noted, too, that dimming the screen all the way down is better for your toddler's eyes and helps save battery time.

My response: Bambino particularly loves videos of babies, so I'm loading mine with home movies to watch. I'm not sure how he will do with the headphones, but I'll bet he loves them by the end of the flight.

7. Bring lots of hand wipes.

My response: you betcha!

8. Let other people interact with the toddler. Several moms and dads noted that toddlers are so interested in other people, so the other travelers will be ample entertainment for large chunks of the trip.

My response: There's a fine line between being entertainment and bothering other passengers, but we will happily walk that line. The chocolates (see #2) should help.

9. Remember: it will all end. Another mom wrote, "You and your baby will both have a phase or two of temporary unhappiness, discomfort and maybe even exhaustion. Emphasis on temporary. This, too, shall pass!"

My response: Eek. I am a traveler who hates the plane trip and always get to a point where I am cramped, crabby, and a little crazy. Remembering that it WILL end can be hard. I'm going to have to work even harder on this one!

10. Don't worry about the jet lag. Apply the same rules for the toddler that you do for yourself -- hydration, staying awake as much as possible, and walking -- will help make the switch faster and less painful.

My response: This is one of the things I have been worried about the most. I like my sleep, and Bambino does, too. Check out my tips for minimizing jet lag for adults. I'll be working on most of those principles with Bambino, too.

So, we are off soon! I'll let you know how things go once we are on the other side. Ciao!

Parmigiano-Reggiano Night in Italy

2012-10-28T09:16:00.001-07:00

Last night while I was soothing a jet-lagged toddler and searching for lost luggage, thousands of Italians were sitting down to eat one dish all across the country. It was a culinary act of solidarity in support of the cheese producers recently devastated by an earthquake in which they lost millions of dollars of aging cheese.

Read on and enjoy the recipe for what all of Italy was eating here:
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt2012/10/27/163700590/for-the-love-of-cheese-diners-unite-in-italy?sc=17&f=1001

Organizer and Play Center for the Airplane

2012-10-26T07:00:00.000-07:00

Bambino explores the Organizer and Play Center

As you know, Bambino and I are headed off for our first international trip, and in all the flying we have done -- about every other month since he was born -- I'd been thinking about making a travel organizer to keep the essentials at hand while on the plane. Well, before our last trip to Minnesota, I made one to try it out. It was a fantastic tool! I made a second one -- slightly improved -- for my niece who traveled to the UK and Ireland last month. My sister said she loved it, too. So, here are the instructions for you to make your own Organizer and Play Center for the Plane.

Materials:
a hanging toiletries organizer: I bought mine at Target and chose one with lots of pockets (partly to stash stuff in and partly for Bambino to play with)

Toiletries organizer as purchased

4 yards of grosgrain ribbon in various colors
2 yards of trims
1 package of 1" (or wider) elastic
1 package of Goody Ouchless Elastics
A sewing machine and thread or a glue gun

Time Required: one good nap (by the baby, not you, sadly)
This project took me about 90 minutes.

Cost: about $30

A Note:
Most of what I did, you could do with a glue gun. It wouldn't be as permanent, but it would work. So, those of you who don't sew, don't despair.

Zipper pulls replaced

1. Replace the zipper pulls. The pulls on the zippers were rather chintzy and probably a choking hazard, so I replaced them with ribbon which I sewed into a loop and then tied into a knot. They are now about the right size for little fingers to grab, and I'm not worried about him chewing on them at all.

2. Make 2 strips of ribbon with loops. Here's where you can use the Goody elastics, the trims, and some of that fun ribbon. The measurements will depend on the size of the organizer you use, and there are lots of different ways to make them. But those loops are great for hanging toys and other necessities from, and they are also just fun to play with for little hands. I made several versions of these strips...

Once made, I sewed these into the folds of the organizer.

One ribbon strip example: a piece of large rick-rack with loops of ribbon sewn to it. I just pinned it all together and then sewed straight down the rick-rack to hold it all together.

Another ribbon strip: this one had two ribbon loops -- each with one Goody hair band on it. For this one I sewed the loops of ribbon together first. Then I sewed them to the ribbon strip. And I added some ball fringe for fun...

Here it is from the front with the ball fringe.

Here's a ribbon strip in place. I made this one by folding a long piece of ribbon into waves and stitching at each fold to create a strip of loops. You see how toys and other items can hang easily from them.

I hemmed the ribbons and them sewed them to the top of the organizer.

3. Sew ribbons to the top for tying. So, here's how you hang the organizer when you are on the plane -- and they also tie it closed when it is packed up in the diaper bag.
Cut 2 pieces of ribbon -- 1 yard each in length.
Hem each end of the ribbon to prevent fraying.
Fold each ribbon in half.
Sew one to each of the top corners of the organizer.

When you are on the plane, tie these ribbons to the tray table in front of you or the child -- the organizer will hang easily and can't be pulled off or dropped.

Here it is held together by the elastic garter.

4. Make an elastic garter (optional). You can tie the organizer shut with the ribbons, but it also might be helpful to have an elastic belt to cinch it shut in a hurry. Additionally, you could hang the organizer from the elastic if your child is in a rear facing car seat on the plane.
Cut a 24" piece of elastic.
Sew the ends together.

5. Load it up! I filled mine with toys and books, snacks, diapers, hand sanitizer, pacifiers, and wipes -- everything that you may need to keep from having to dive back into the diaper bag over and over again.

Here it is ready to go!

A few notes:
I needed this to be a fast project, so I cut a few corners, but the end product didn't suffer. I chose one thread color -- in my case turquoise. When the thread was going to be obvious, I used the fancy stitches (that I never use!) on my machine. And the end result is pretty cute.

I hemmed the ribbon anywhere I could to keep it from fraying. That's one place where you could save some time. You could use an anti-fraying product, a glue gun, or even pinking shears instead.

Enjoy! And if you make one, I'd love to see a photo!

Seeking Tips for Traveling with a Toddler

2012-10-21T19:31:00.001-07:00

Bambino is already a well-traveled little guy, but later this week we head off on our first international trip -- to Italy!! All you moms and dads out there: give me your best travel tips for taking a toddler on an international trip. How do you manage the flight? What do you do about jet lag? If you have blogged about your experiences, give us the links, too!
Ciao!

Alton Brown on Flying, Airplane Food, and Why Frosting Is Definitely Not a Gel : Daily Traveler : Condé Nast Traveler

2012-07-16T14:04:00.001-07:00

I love Food Network's quirky Alton Brown. His smart and scientific approach to cooking won me over long ago. And now I read he is a pilot and has some decided thoughts on travel, too. I'm not sure my fellow passengers would appreciate it if I brought what he considers "good eats" as a snack on my next flight, though... Read on!

Alton Brown on Flying, Airplane Food, and Why Frosting Is Definitely Not a Gel : Daily Traveler : Condé Nast Traveler:

'via Blog this'

Florence's Friendliest Apartments

2011-08-01T22:17:00.000-07:00

The Duomo: Florence's friendliest apartments are close by

When I travel to Italy and am staying in one place for more than two nights, I prefer to rent an apartment. It is a great way to save money and to meet the locals. And honestly, you get more for your money when you rent an apartment.

But where do you find these fabulous apartments, you ask? Meet Magda and Massimo Carli, owners of some of Florence’s friendliest apartments -- and your new friends. Magda and Massimo are both architects, and their apartments in the heart of Florence showcase their love of art, architecture, and beautiful details. Thoughtfully appointed, their collection of properties are all well-located and have all the conveniences that travelers need.

I first encountered Magda and Massimo about five years ago when I rented one of their two bedroom apartments for a three-day stay. They stopped by to greet us while we were there, and we had a great chat. I recommended that apartment to several people over the years, and have kept up with Magda and Massimo over time. On another trip I rented their apartment in Venice and found it to be equally great, so when I was planning my trip to Italy this time, I knew it was time to check out all of their apartments.

Full disclosure: in order to best review their apartments, Magda and Massimo allowed me to stay at their properties. Check out my review policy.

Magda Apartment: one of the two bedrooms

My traveling companion and I stayed in the Magda apartment in Florence, and I spent a day checking out all of their other apartments in the city. Most of their properties in Florence are located on Via de Servi, a tiny cobbled street not far from the Duomo, a few blocks from the Academy, and within walking distance of all of Florence’s major destinations. This is an ideal location. There is a laundromat across the street from the apartment building and a great little cafe with fabulous coffee and pastries downstairs. The building is a mix of vacation rentals and local residents. It has an elevator, but you should only use the elevator for luggage as it is a bit touchy (yes, I got stuck in it and had to sheepishly call Massimo to help me out).

Magda Apartment: stenciled ceiling

Magda Apartment: kitchen

Magda Apartment: sleeping loft (sleeps 2)

Of all of their Florentine properties, I think the Via de Servi location is the best. Having said that, their Allegri apartment is also in a charming location though not quite so central for the first-time visitor. I have stayed in many apartments in Italy, and those owned by Magda and Massimo are among the nicest. The beds are comfortable. The apartments have all the necessities for a longer stay including furnished kitchens so you can prepare a simple meal, televisions and internet access, and collections of books. And they are attractive! It is a shame to spend time in a place so beautiful as Florence and to stay in an apartment that is not attractive -- and there are a few. In fact, in the Magda apartment, the two architects have cleverly created a “historic” fresco for effect as just one of the clever touches.

There was one negative to staying in the Magda apartment: some street noise. One of the two bedrooms looks out on a street, and several nights there was noise to contend with as I fell asleep. My companion had no such problems as the other bedroom is across the apartment and far from the street. It wasn't so bad that I couldn't sleep, but I would be remiss if I didn't mention it.

Perhaps the best part about renting from Magda and Massimo, however, is that they or their representative is available to you should something go wrong. One afternoon, for example, our apartment smelled slightly of gas. One phone call, and they were there to fix it -- or not as the smell was coming from construction on the street as it turned out. Their responsiveness is akin to that of a good hotel, but you have the relaxed atmosphere of an apartment instead. And an added bonus: Massimo leads architectural tours in Florence, too.

Magda Apartment: Living Room

Magda Apartment: Bathroom (one of the two)

My next trip to Italy will be a family reunion of sorts, and I am looking forward to staying on Via de Servi. After all with friends like Massimo and Magda in Florence, why would you look to stay anywhere else?

For more information on Madga and Massimo’s apartments, visit their website: www.incentro.it. And be sure to tell them that you heard about their apartments on The Gypsy’s Guide!

I'm on Maternity Leave!

2011-07-29T09:32:00.000-07:00

He has arrived, the Little Gypsy. He is perfect and sweet and lovely all in one, and we couldn't be happier. But he also has me up nights, and not with jet lag. So, I'm taking a hiatus from blogging while I get used to the whole motherhood thing. Oh, and I'm also doing a massive tech upgrade on this site, too. More on that birth later. In the meantime, here's a photo of Il Principe, my little prince...

We are working on that love of reading right from the start! Next up: teaching him how to properly pack a suitcase.

Travel with School Groups a la Dave Barry

2011-07-24T14:21:00.000-07:00

I'm on maternity leave for the summer, but I read this article and loved it! Having traveled with school groups for many years, so much of this rings true...

A Field Trip to Spain by Dave Barry
in the Miami Herald: July 10, 2011

Enjoy!

Pentecost at the Pantheon

2011-06-12T06:00:00.000-07:00

Today's post is from the archives... enjoy!

Today I am pleased to welcome Jessica Lawlor as a guest blogger. Jessica is a student at Temple University, and she is currently studying in Rome.

On Sunday, I took advantage of an amazing opportunity to attend a very special Pentecost mass at the Pantheon. “What’s so special about mass?” you might ask. This mass was different because at the very end, thousands of red rose petals were dropped from the oculus of the Pantheon’s dome. The roses symbolize the coming of the Holy Spirit and fiery tongues.

Growing up Catholic, I regularly attended mass, so naturally I was very excited to experience mass in a different language in a foreign country. I’ve taken Italian for two semesters now, so I have a bit of the language under my belt, but I’m eager to learn more. I felt that mass might be an interesting place to try out my language and listening skills, since I’m already familiar with what happens during mass.

We arrived at 10:10 a.m., but were able to stand in the front row of all the people standing. As we arrived, there were hundreds of tourists waiting outside the Pantheon and we were a bit nervous that we might not get in, but the security guards were letting mass attendees move right through the line. Standing inside the Pantheon about to attend mass was an absolutely surreal feeling.

The mass began and I was struck by how beautiful everything was: the location, the music, the prayers, and even the crowd. Mass went on as normal (although it was a bit more difficult to follow than I had anticipated!) and as soon as the last communion was given out, everyone’s heads immediately turned upwards toward the dome.

Slowly, hundreds of tiny rose petals fluttered down to the floor of the Pantheon. As the procession made their way out of the church, the center of the Pantheon was opened and the crowd filtered in. After the crowd filled the entire Pantheon, hundreds and hundreds of rose petals fell quite quickly raining on the entire crowd. I was in awe as I looked around me and saw everyone laughing and picking up rose petals. Many people were posing for photo opportunities and others were gathering rose petals to bring home with them. I made sure to grab a few myself to press in my Rome scrapbook.

The wonderful thing about this mass is that it’s not heavily advertised, so it’s not filled with tourists. The Pantheon wasn’t crowded or uncomfortable; it was absolutely beautiful. I’m so glad that I got to experience such a wonderful and special tradition during my six weeks in Rome.

Jessica, thank you so much! Please check out Jessica's home blog, From Philly to Roma, for more updates on her adventures as a student in the Eternal City, and you can follow her on Twitter, too: @jesslaw.

And for more fantastic photos of Pentecost at the Pantheon, check out EternallyCool.net. I think I spotted Jessica in one of Susan's photos. Clearly they need to meet!

Royal Wedding Wrap Up

2011-05-02T06:00:00.000-07:00

Oh, I love a good wedding! As a little girl I watched the weddings of Diana and Charles and Andrew and Fergie. But now as a married woman, watching the wedding uniting Prince William and HRH Catherine, I was particularly moved. What a way to begin a married life together -- under the gaze of billions of people and with all the pomp and circumstance that the British muster so well. Personally, I thought it was beautiful!

If I wasn't so pregnant, I would have gone to London just to be in the crowd and to enjoy the festivities of the day. My lucky cousin, Elizabeth, is there, and I'm anxious to hear how her experience has been! But with the miracle of modern technology -- and, thankfully, a DVR -- I watched the wedding and enjoyed every moment.

I have a special fondness for Westminster Abbey, and I'm not sure it has ever looked prettier. The trees -- English Field Maples -- running down the aisle were absolutely brilliant! And for those of you who have never been to Westminster Abbey, they give you a sense of scale. After all, the trees are 20 feet tall, and they don't even come close to touching the chandeliers in the Abbey.

Getty Images

I must say, I was a bit disappointed in the commentary on ABC. At several points Barbara Walters mentioned the wedding of Princess Diana and Prince Charles and gave the impression that their wedding also took place at Westminster Abbey. It did not. They were wedded at St. Paul's Cathedral across town.

Also disappointing was the fact that ABC did not bother to announce or caption the musical selections during the worship service. The music was particularly beautiful, too. After all, if you get a choir and an orchestra and several corps of trumpeters, your musical selections can be quite stellar! Plus, the music included two pieces commissioned particularly for the wedding: "This is the Day" by English composer, John Rutter, and "Ubi Caritas" by Paul Mealor, a Welsh composer.

You can download the official wedding programme or purchase the official recording, including all of the music, from iTunes.

For me, the greatest musical moment was HRH Catherine's entrance into the church -- Charles Parry's setting of Psalm 122, a piece I have loved for many years.

Oh, and I really love the song "Jerusalem"which you might recognize from the movie "Chariots of Fire" -- indeed, the movie gets its name from the song's line, "Bring me my chariot of fire!"

The words are taken from a poem written by William Blake and set to music in the early part of the 20th century by Sir Hubert Parry. Contrary to what the LA Times blogger, Marcia Adair, wrote this morning, it is not "most often sung at cricket matches." In England it is akin to "My Country 'Tis of Thee" or "God Bless America" -- a secondary national song (second only to "God Save the Queen"). It is sung in schools and churches across the country, especially on St. George's Day, the day celebrating the patron saint of England.

Catherine's dress was beautiful. The princes looked dashing. And thousands and thousands of words have been written (and even more blathered on TV) about the hats and the guests and the jewels and the tiara and the coaches and the cars... but I must say, in it all, this is my favorite moment of the entire wedding... and it took place long after the royals had all gone off to smooch at Buckingham Palace:

What joy!

Photo courtesy of Oprah.com

While we may not have been invited to the wedding or the parties afterward, there's nothing keeping you from having a bit of the groom's cake. Oprah has published the recipe -- evidently one of Prince William's favorites, according to his former chef, Darren McGrady.

Chocolate Biscuit Cake: Prince William's Grooms Cake

Save a piece for me!

Here's the entire wedding start to finish, just in case you didn't get to see it yourself!

SactoMoFo: Food Truck Madness in Sacramento this Weekend!

2011-04-29T06:00:00.000-07:00

Last summer I ate my way through the San Francisco Street Food Festival which was FABULOUS! Well, if you are in Sacramento this weekend, you have a chance to take part in the fun... just head over to Fremont Park on Saturday afternoon. SactoMoFo is taking over the park, and you'll have a chance to enjoy the best of Sacramento's food truck cuisine as well as some of San Francisco's best who are bringing their wares to the Delta.

Where: Fremont Park (16th and Q) in Sacramento
When: Saturday, April 30 (Noon - 6 pm)
Cost: Just pay for what you eat -- there's no admission charge.
Tip: Bring cash! Some food trucks take credit cards, but cash makes everything easier.

Who to look for?
There are many Sacramento-based food trucks headed to the festival including The Miniburger Truck and Drewski's Hot Rod. But also look out for some of SF's finest who will be driving up.
My faves?

Spencer-on-the-Go: this food truck is often parked on my block and serves French food including escargot and the most amazing truffle burger... OMG! And save room for the chocolate pudding -- a real, honest-to-God steamed pudding. Yum!
Chairman Bao: this truck also often sets up shop across from my apartment. If you like fabulous steamed buns filled with pork and other yummy goodness, you'll LOVE Chairman Bao. I love the pork buns, but I've never been disappointed by the Chairman.
Seoul on Wheels: Korean tacos. Eat them.

Make your way to the Central Valley this weekend to eat well!

Royal Wedding Dance

2011-04-18T06:00:00.000-07:00

I am still waiting for my invitation to the Royal Wedding. Surely, they haven't forgotten me, right?

Do you think they'll have this much fun in London when William and Kate marry next week?

I hope so! Anyone headed to London for the big day? Tell us about your plans!

Backpacks for Japan Update

2011-04-14T15:07:00.001-07:00

I have spent the afternoon sorting donations, and I am pleased to report that we will be sending at least 50 backpacks to Japan next week. Amazing!

Have you put together a backpack to send? There is still time!

Operation Backpacks for Japan

2011-04-06T06:00:00.000-07:00

I haven't written anything about Japan, a country where I have spent many happy weeks and where I have many friends. I've watched the news coverage of the disaster (is that word even big enough for what continues to happen?), and I remind myself of what Fred Rogers, Mr. Rogers to so many of us, once wrote:

When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping." To this day, especially in times of "disaster," I remember my mother's words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world.

But Japan is so far away. How can we be helpers? Here's how!

Operation Backpacks for Japan

The Girl Scouts at Camp Zama in Japan are collecting "comfort backpacks"to distribute to displaced children across the country, and YOU can help!

There are three ways to help:

Send a Backpack: buy a child's backpack. Fill it with a few goodies from the list below. Stick it in a box with a note of love and support (use simple English), and mail it to:

USA Girl Scouts - Zama

Att: April Snyder

GDS Box 62

APO AP 96337-9998

Donate Money: the church I attend is doing a giant shipment of backpacks in the next few weeks. If you would like to contribute money instead to help with the cost of materials or shipping, you can put a check in the mail to:

St. John's Lutheran Church | Att: Angela Nickerson | 1701 L Street | Sacramento, CA 95811

Write "Japan Backpacks" in the memo line. You can also contribute online -- just note that your funds are for "Japan Backpacks." We will be sure to send you a receipt, and 100% of your donation will go toward this project.

In the Sacramento area? You can drop off donations at the church, too. Check out the list below of suggested items to be included in the backpacks.

Start a Backpack Drive Yourself: the Girl Scouts at Camp Zama have all of the information you need on their website.

Get your kids involved! Get your office involved! And if you're getting involved, leave a comment below and let us know!

Here's the list of suggested items to include in the backpacks you send:

children’s backpacks
paper, pens, crayons
flashlights w/ batteries
small stuffed animals
playing cards
hats
small packs of tissue
non-perishable snacks
games, jump ropes
hats
small blankets
hairbrushes/ combs
toothpaste/ toothbrush
lotion
chapstick
sanitary items / toilet paper

Thanks for being a helper!

Becoming Nicodemus

2011-03-25T06:00:00.000-07:00

Today I am the guest blogger for my church's Lenten devotions. I thought I would share it with you as well as there's a little faith, a little travel, and a lot of Italy infused.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that everyone who believes in him may not perish by may have eternal life.” John 3:16

Behind the Duomo -- in the center of historic Florence, Italy -- sits a small museum. The sign over the door simply reads, “Museo” -- not particularly strong advertising which probably explains the lack of crowds in this museum. But the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo holds one of Michelangelo’s most personal and dramatic works of art: the Florentine Pieta.

When, at the age of 24, Michelangelo finished the better-known "Rome Pieta," he became an instant celebrity. But that stunning, polished work is the composition of a younger man... one who lost his own mother when he was six years old. "The Rome Pieta" is the work of a young man looking for financial security and trying to make a place for himself in Renaissance Italy. "The Florentine Pieta" is a work of another kind.

In 1574 Michelangelo’s best friend, Vittoria Colonna, died. Vittoria had been his deepest confidante. Every Sunday afternoon, they sat on a balcony at the convent where she lived in Rome. Together they discussed the deep theological questions of the day: What is the nature of grace? What is the nature of sin? Who has religious authority on Earth? They had watched the Reformation and the Counter-Reformation first-hand, and they were both keenly interested in theology. They wrote letters to each other and shared poems back and forth.

So, when Vittoria died, the seventy-two year-old Michelangelo was bereft. He turned to poetry, writing about her as a blessing in his own life:

But Heaven has taken away from me the splendor
Of the great fire that burned and nourished me;
I am left to be a coal, covered and burning,

And if Love will not offer me more timber
To raise a fire, in me there will not be
A single spark, all into ashes turning.

Michelangelo also turned to marble for solace. He began work on "the Florentine Pieta," a deeply personal piece which he intended to be his own gravestone. "The Florentine Pieta" depicts Nicodemus and two young woman supporting the body of Jesus as it is pulled down from the cross. Nicodemus’ face is a portrait of the artist himself.

So, why did Michelangelo choose to depict himself as Nicodemus? Because, like Nicodemus, he was filled with questions -- and yet, he simultaneously believed. In their dialogue, neither Vittoria Colonna nor Michelangelo feared asking hard questions. They both saw questioning as a deeper part of faith -- not a popular opinion in Rome during the Counter-Reformation. Indeed, much of their recorded dialogue sounds rather Lutheran in context and might have endangered Michelangelo’s career had it been made public. Thus Michelangelo was obsessive about burning his papers leaving relatively little behind after his death.

Reread that story of Jesus speaking to Nicodemus (John 3). Jesus doesn’t shame Nicodemus for asking him questions. He answers. And Nicodemus continues to ask him the hard questions. But when it comes time for the crucified Christ to be taken from the cross, it is Nicodemus who is there to do the hard work -- perhaps still asking those deep and important questions -- but believing all the same.

Michelangelo’s self-portrait, then, is one of both humility and faith. He, too, has questions, but there in stone he puts himself at the foot of the cross, believing all the same. After eight years of work on "The Florentine Pieta," Michelangelo abandoned the piece. But even unfinished, it is a work which speaks to the power of faith and the artist’s comfort with a questioning spirit. And perhaps as an unfinished work, it is even more powerful, for while we believe, like Nicodemus we also have questions... perhaps even to the very end.

The Aurora Borealis -- Amazing!

2011-03-24T06:00:00.000-07:00

Sometimes there are no words... and Norwegian photographer Terje Sorgjerd's images need few of introduction. After spending a week filming the Aurora Borealis in far northern Norway (check out the map below), this is what he captured...

The Aurora from Terje Sorgjerd on Vimeo.

Thanks to Mr. Schumann's Class!

2011-03-23T06:00:00.000-07:00

Last week I was a guest speaker for Mr. Schumann's 5th grade class, and it was a wonderful experience. The students asked fantastic questions and knew a lot about Italy, Michelangelo, and being a travel writer. It was very exciting! So, all you fabulous students in Mr. Schumann's class: thank you for inviting me!

Interested in having me come to speak to your class or group? Just let me know!

Photo Friday: 150 Years of Italian Unification

2011-03-18T06:00:00.000-07:00

March 17 marked a century and a half of unification for the country of Italy. Surprised? Indeed, Italy as we know it has only been a country for 150 years. Before that the peninsula was comprised of a group of city-states and principalities -- not even unified by a language. To Italians everywhere, I say, "Forza Italia!"

In celebration of Italy's anniversary, the city of Florence swathed the Ponte Vecchio in red, white, and green, and my friends, Massimo and Magda, were kind enough to send me a photo. Enjoy!