I am making no New Years Resolutions this year (I never do) so I have no fun post to do...
and today was my first day back at school so my brain is fried!
yeah, I know that I go to school online, I am atrophy wife stay at home wife,
I can still sleeptill 11 o'clock later than most people,
and my life basically rotates around my own schedule...
but today was an unusually hectic day and my workload this week is HUGE
so... instead of a post about resolutions or something that I put a ton of thought into,
I'm stealing this questionnaire from Holly (thanks Holly!) to review 2011
and really settle into 2012...
Sounds good, eh?
I thought so.
and today was my first day back at school so my brain is fried!
yeah, I know that I go to school online, I am a
I can still sleep
and my life basically rotates around my own schedule...
but today was an unusually hectic day and my workload this week is HUGE
so... instead of a post about resolutions or something that I put a ton of thought into,
I'm stealing this questionnaire from Holly (thanks Holly!) to review 2011
and really settle into 2012...
Sounds good, eh?
I thought so.
1. What did you do in 2011 that you'd never done before?
Tons... I flew overseas ALONE, got engaged, planned my wedding, married my bestfriend/better half/love of my life!, moved to a foreign county... I celebrated the holidays away from my family (as a married woman and in Sicily!), I traveled the world... just to name a few ;)
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I've never made resolutions... they don't make sense to me! You can change your life any day.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yep! My niece, Madi, was born last January.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
My Papa Charles passed away in September.
He was my hero, my rock, my mentor... and so much more.
He was my hero, my rock, my mentor... and so much more.
5. Did you visit anywhere exciting?
SO many places!
We visited Barcelona, Venice, Paris, Brugges, Rome, various places in Sicily... am I forgetting anywhere? And we're currently planning our next trip... to London & Dublin!
We visited Barcelona, Venice, Paris, Brugges, Rome, various places in Sicily... am I forgetting anywhere? And we're currently planning our next trip... to London & Dublin!
6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
A fuller closet.... bahaha!
If you've been following me for very long, you've read more than one post about me having a minor (or not-so-minor) melt-down over my lack of clothing due to the move to Sicily with only 2 suitcases of clothes/shoes! hehe :)
If you've been following me for very long, you've read more than one post about me having a minor (or not-so-minor) melt-down over my lack of clothing due to the move to Sicily with only 2 suitcases of clothes/shoes! hehe :)
7. What date from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
August 6, 2011 and August 13, 2011
8/6 I married Aaron
8/13 I followed him 4,000 miles away from home... to our home... Sicily! to start our new adventure in a foreign land as husband and wife :)
8/6 I married Aaron
8/13 I followed him 4,000 miles away from home... to our home... Sicily! to start our new adventure in a foreign land as husband and wife :)
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Being the best wife I could possibly be to Aaron.
Starting back to school when I could easily lay on the couch all day :)
(hehe... I kid...kindof)
Starting back to school when I could easily lay on the couch all day :)
(hehe... I kid...
9. What was your biggest mistake?
Not spending more time with Papa Charles when I had the chance...
I did have the time. I just chose to stay home or with friends or working for extra cash...
What I would give for one more day.
It honestly breaks my heart.
I did have the time. I just chose to stay home or with friends or working for extra cash...
What I would give for one more day.
It honestly breaks my heart.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
um... nothing serious...
maybe a cold or something minor?
maybe a cold or something minor?
11. What was the best thing you bought?
My wedding portraits!
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My MIL and MaidofHonor/BFF...
My wedding seriously would have never happened without them!
My MIL made it happen... END OF STORY.
And my MOH/BFF listened to all of my drama/meltdowns and helped me plan and craft every single step of the way! She really pulled it all together... and she stood by my side on the day of the wedding to hand me Aaron's ring, fix my dress, hold my flowers, and cry tears of joy as I said "I do"... my mom told me later that she even looked out to her during the ceremony and nodded "in encouragement and support" at her as well... (they now have a really strong bond since I'm so far away and my mom goes to her for haircuts) I couldn't have asked for a better supporter/encourager than that!
My wedding seriously would have never happened without them!
My MIL made it happen... END OF STORY.
And my MOH/BFF listened to all of my drama/meltdowns and helped me plan and craft every single step of the way! She really pulled it all together... and she stood by my side on the day of the wedding to hand me Aaron's ring, fix my dress, hold my flowers, and cry tears of joy as I said "I do"... my mom told me later that she even looked out to her during the ceremony and nodded "in encouragement and support" at her as well... (they now have a really strong bond since I'm so far away and my mom goes to her for haircuts) I couldn't have asked for a better supporter/encourager than that!
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Honestly... my own mom...
She wasn't exactly "on board" for the engagement at first...
actually she made me keep it a secret during my brother's graduation weekend (it was right after my return home from visiting Aaron in Sicily/our Engagement... I should really write a post about that... hmm...)
And then she continued to be upset and questioned my relationship for the entire duration of my engagement... she said I was "rushing things"... everyone supported my decision except her.
It wasn't until pretty much the DAY OF my wedding that she began to support me and show me the love that I needed... :\
Her behavior still bothers me though... constantly making me feel guilty for leaving home and moving so far away. Even on my trip home in October we got in a fight over it. She got very jealous and caused an argument just because I said I missed Aaron and "our home"... that made her mad because I called Sicily home. :(
I digress.
Maybe I'll post on all that another day....
She wasn't exactly "on board" for the engagement at first...
actually she made me keep it a secret during my brother's graduation weekend (it was right after my return home from visiting Aaron in Sicily/our Engagement... I should really write a post about that... hmm...)
And then she continued to be upset and questioned my relationship for the entire duration of my engagement... she said I was "rushing things"... everyone supported my decision except her.
It wasn't until pretty much the DAY OF my wedding that she began to support me and show me the love that I needed... :\
Her behavior still bothers me though... constantly making me feel guilty for leaving home and moving so far away. Even on my trip home in October we got in a fight over it. She got very jealous and caused an argument just because I said I missed Aaron and "our home"... that made her mad because I called Sicily home. :(
I digress.
Maybe I'll post on all that another day....
14. Where did most of your money go in 2011?
MY money?
What money?
I'm atrophy stay at home wifey!
hahaha but before I married my lovely husband who so generously lets me sleep until I choose to wake up and do nothing but online classes and housework.... I did have a job! (gasp!!!) and I worked like 30-40 hours a week on top of being a full-time student at UGA (woot-woot! #1 Party School in the US baybay! hahaha) But surrriously... all my moneys went to school (paid my own way... no help from the parentals!), my apartment (I lived ALONE!), food, my pup (she's SPOILED!!!), and a carpayment ($319.35 every month for a VW New Beatle! Sheeesh!)
Oh and I just so happened to have flown to Sicily in May... Aaron paid $1,000... I paid the rest + souvenirs & shopping. HA! That may or may not have been pretty expensive... :)
What money?
I'm a
hahaha but before I married my lovely husband who so generously lets me sleep until I choose to wake up and do nothing but online classes and housework.... I did have a job! (gasp!!!) and I worked like 30-40 hours a week on top of being a full-time student at UGA (woot-woot! #1 Party School in the US baybay! hahaha) But surrriously... all my moneys went to school (paid my own way... no help from the parentals!), my apartment (I lived ALONE!), food, my pup (she's SPOILED!!!), and a carpayment ($319.35 every month for a VW New Beatle! Sheeesh!)
Oh and I just so happened to have flown to Sicily in May... Aaron paid $1,000... I paid the rest + souvenirs & shopping. HA! That may or may not have been pretty expensive... :)
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
1) Aaron asking me to MARRY HIM!
oh and did I mention that my hunny bun asked me on one of the TOP TEN BEACHES IN EUROPE?! yeah... so sweet and so amazing!!!
2) Our amazing WEDDING!
Honestly, the wedding of my dreams! I couldn't have asked for more!
3) Moving to Sicily and exploring Europe with my love!
oh and did I mention that my hunny bun asked me on one of the TOP TEN BEACHES IN EUROPE?! yeah... so sweet and so amazing!!!
2) Our amazing WEDDING!
Honestly, the wedding of my dreams! I couldn't have asked for more!
3) Moving to Sicily and exploring Europe with my love!
16. What song will always remind you of 2011?
"Marry Me" by Train
Our Wedding Song! I just LOVE it!!!!
You can listen to it here... along with our WEDDING PICS/VIDEO (thanks Aunt Nancy!)
Our Wedding Song! I just LOVE it!!!!
You can listen to it here... along with our WEDDING PICS/VIDEO (thanks Aunt Nancy!)
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
A) happier or sadder? HAPPIER! Way way way happier!
B) thinner or fatter? Slightly thinner... but about the same.
C) richer or poorer? Hahaha... this is funny... but DEFINITELY richer. I'm no longer a poor, single college student! Aaron makes money!! ha! I was strugglin'... not gonna lie. Livin' in a one bedroom apartment by myself (well.. my puppy Bella Mae was keeping me company!) on one income... making $9/hour and paying my own rent, utilities, car payment, and college... geeeeezus. I don't even like thinking back to those days! :(
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Girls Nights & Trips to the Mountains to see Papa Charles!
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Spent time on useless people and worrying over useless things.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
With the love of my life in our Sicilian Villa opening presents and enjoying our time together :) Loved every second of it!!!
21. Did you fall in love in 2011?
I sure did. I fell in love and married him.
Whirlwind romance 2011, fo'sho.
Whirlwind romance 2011, fo'sho.
22. What was your favorite TV program?
Before I moved it was Pretty Little Liars and Secret Life...
After I moved (no more ABC Fam) it was Teen Mom2 and The New Girl... lols
After I moved (no more ABC Fam) it was Teen Mom2 and The New Girl... lols
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Nope
24. What was the best book you read?
The Help... honesly, I wish I had done more reading!!
25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
NONE. No good music overseas... italian music is BAD. They actually listen to a lot of old U.S. music... weird.
26. What did you want and get?
The wedding of my dreams & the husband of my dreams!
An amazing life with the man of my dreams :)
An amazing life with the man of my dreams :)
27. What did you want and not get?
Ugg Boots!
(well, I got Ugg boots, just not the right style! Don't fret though... we're tradin' those suckers in!)
Yes, I realize that just made me seem suuuuper rude/materialistic/snobby...
I'm sorry... I'm not! I just want my boots. hehe
(well, I got Ugg boots, just not the right style! Don't fret though... we're tradin' those suckers in!)
Yes, I realize that just made me seem suuuuper rude/materialistic/snobby...
I'm sorry... I'm not! I just want my boots. hehe
28. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 21!
Sounds super fantastical/partylicious/amaztastic, huh?
Well... it was actually low-key and no party... ha!
Because in Italy... you can drink in the club at 18.
So I'd already been drinkin' ;)
Sounds super fantastical/partylicious/amaztastic, huh?
Well... it was actually low-key and no party... ha!
Because in Italy... you can drink in the club at 18.
So I'd already been drinkin' ;)
Whoops!
So instead of all thatnonsense fun stuff, Aaron gave me all my super cool gifts (I got Ray-bans, wii games, etc!!), bought me some AMAZING Italiano treats from a super chic cafe, and took me out to eat at an amazingggggg restaurant on the water in Capomulini!
So instead of all that
29. What's one thing that would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
NOTHING! I have everything I could ever need!
30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
Comfy and cute...
except for heels... those things are not comfy but I love them! haha
except for heels... those things are not comfy but I love them! haha
31. What kept you sane?
COFFEE.
32. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Meh... I don't really "fancy" anyone but the hubs.
Seriously.
Seriously.
33. What political issue stirred you the most?
Stirred me? eh... I'm really big into the Iowa caucuses right now.
I don't know why... I'm just really interested in who will be running for Pres. this year.
I mean, obvi it's a big deal. Our country needs a bit of help right now :\
I don't know why... I'm just really interested in who will be running for Pres. this year.
I mean, obvi it's a big deal. Our country needs a bit of help right now :\
34. Who do you miss the most?
I miss a lot of people right now.
This is a biggie for me what with being so far from home and Papa Charles being gone.... I don't know that there is a "most"... I miss my parents. I miss my grandparents. I really just can't seem to deal with the whole Papa Charles being gone thing... I miss my oldest niece Kami, and my nieces and nephews Kip, Dawson, Madi, and Hayvo... I miss my cousins that are more like sibs. And I reeeeally miss my brother. I miss my bff. I miss my friends... I miss my aunts and uncles. Being gone is tough.
This is a biggie for me what with being so far from home and Papa Charles being gone.... I don't know that there is a "most"... I miss my parents. I miss my grandparents. I really just can't seem to deal with the whole Papa Charles being gone thing... I miss my oldest niece Kami, and my nieces and nephews Kip, Dawson, Madi, and Hayvo... I miss my cousins that are more like sibs. And I reeeeally miss my brother. I miss my bff. I miss my friends... I miss my aunts and uncles. Being gone is tough.
35. Who was the best new person you met?
Probably Jess! She's a dear friend here.
her and Nick have made great friends to Aaron and I.
her and Nick have made great friends to Aaron and I.
36. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011?
Cherish the time you have with loved ones because time spent apart is hard...
and it's even harder when they're taken from you!
and it's even harder when they're taken from you!
37. What are your new years resolutions for 2012?
None! I don't do this crazy trend ;)
But kudos to those of you that do...I just can't stick to them...
haha!
But kudos to those of you that do...
haha!
Ciao Bellas!
Benvenuto 2012
Benvenuto 2012
xoxo
aww I wondered where you were {may or may not have worried!} Beautiful song/pics. LOVE the blue shoes!! It's gonna be hard for you to top 2011 but I'm sure you will with your optimistic outlook! Good luck on the school work etc.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with the resolutions thing--I NEVER make them! ha ha.
ReplyDeleteI loved reading that questionnaire! Way too many things for me to even begin to comment on. Just know that I'm jealous of your 2011, I mean life. ha ha
Whatever, online or not school is tough! And, I totally cheated with my "resolutions" they are all things I do anyways. haha Oh well. Your video from your wedding is adorable! And, new Ugg boots were (secretly) on my list as well. I couldn't bring myself to publicly ask for them when I live in Hawaii. But, I wouldn't have been sad if someone had read my mind. I would have worn those suckers regardless of the temp. haha
ReplyDeleteI love your wedding video!! Your wedding was gorgeous! I love the outdoor location and your dress.
ReplyDeleteAww I'm sorry your mom acted like that throughout your engagement. It sucks not having the full support of your family, but it's good that YOU are happy and that's all that matters!! I'd love to read more posts about that, it's good to get your thoughts out :)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you did the survey, I think it's a lot of fun :) Here's to an even better 2012!!
Omg Italy?! My hubby and I put this on our list of places wed like to be stationed at out of country. You are so lucky! So happy you are a new follower, Im a new follower of yours as well :)
ReplyDeletebahahaha.
ReplyDeleteI am a "stay at home wife" (read: trophy wife) too.
It's all good.
I know how busy our days can be. ;)
Also- I sometimes feel SOOO bad when hubby has to get up at 4 am, and I sleep until noon, but then I feel like it evens itself out by all the things I do around here... (kinda. haha)
love your blog. for reals.
lovelovelove,
moo.
I LOVED this blog post. I stumbled upon your blog from the Nail Files link-up and just feel like we have so much in common. Well not the fact that you are married and living in Sicily!
ReplyDeleteI just stumbled across your blog and I love it already! I'm a Navy fiance, will be a Navy wife in April. We're currently living in Saratoga Springs, NY- not as exciting as Italy! I love your story of how you and your hubby met and fell in love. I am a hopeless romantic so I find it sweet that you got married so quickly and jumped right into a new life! I'm looking forward to reading more!
ReplyDeleteBrigid
www.overthethresholdblog.com