Being Productive Rocks

Last night before coming home from work I was in one of those moods where I was dreading coming home and doing the piles of dishes, laundry, making dinner, and going to work out. I was tired and basically wanted to do.....well nothing. However, upon walking through the door I snapped into "Crazy Eryn Productive" mode and got it all done within a few hours.......and I even filed my taxes. Well actually, Alex filed my taxes and I watched and ran around and brought him the necessary paperwork needed. So horray :-)

And as for going to the gym, I just made myself...because at the end of the day, I don't think anyone has ever said, "Man, I wish I hadn't gone to the gym today!" It just makes you feel so much better....mentally and physically!

Today I think marked the day as almost a week without sunshine. Maybe I'm over exaggerating.......just a teensy bit. But it's been miserable outside.......disgusting is a better word. Rainy/drizzly and cold cold cold. I've spent probably no more than 1 hour total outside for the past five days.

Now to a more "sunny" topic. Alex and I are in the last phase of planning our trip to Italy for April and May. We're currently looking for living accommodations for when we're in Napoli for 2 1/2 days and Rome for 3 1/2 days. First we'll be in Naples from May 3rd-5th, Alex had the idea of checking where Samantha Brown recommended to stay (travel channel gal)....of course she recommended a more expensive hotel.....see here. But it is going to be our honeymoon and we do deserve to treat ourselves! I'm thinking we may go through with it and just say "yes" since Naples is such a chaotic city as it is and we'll just want to relax after pounding the pavement for two days.

And in Rome, my other half, helped me find this apartment. Very reasonably priced and right by or in (not sure) Campo dei Fiori.....meaning "field of flowers" in Italian. Supposedly we trekked past this lovely spot on our last art history trip to Rome but since we were in a mad dash to see every historical monument in three days I "somehow" missed it. One of the reasons why I'm looking forward to going to all of these places on our own accord and taking our time and seeing what we WANT to see.

When asked by Brian what I look forward to the most about being back in my "homeland" I said I simply just want to BE there. Allow the culture, smells, atmosphere, people, language just wrap itself around me for three weeks. Ever since leaving in December 04 I've done nothing but long to go back. Not a day passes that I don't wish I was there...and sadly am jealous when I hear of other people going and just wish it were me instead...I will soon VERY SOON have that chance!!!

Another thing I mentioned to Brian that I want to partake in is go into a family owned Trattoria, sit down, and tell the owner/chef to bring us whatever they recommend for all five courses. I never did this the last time.....even though I was there for so long. It never even occurred to me, I would simply open a menu and order an antipasto, primi, secondo, and dessert (a cue that I was probably going to establishments that were too touristy). I'm sure I'll do that a good amount of times when I go back this next time.....but I want that ONE experience that I can refer to in years to come about that cute little place tucked behind an alley where I fell in love with the sense of taste all over again and wondered why I didn't always treat my taste buds with such delight.

.....and I've gotten carried away talking about food, esp. considering that my stomach's been in a funk ever since consuming a plate of Lebonese food at lunch.

Once the booking for living accommodations in Italy is final I'll let you guys know what we decided on!