Days 2,3,4 & 5: Work Week Review

Helloooooo world.  Interning... it's going good! The past week,  I have been completing most of the same tasks and learning some new ones (steaming, running to get pick-ups..).  They aren't lying when they say that your job is your life because I've been working everyday from 8:45 am-7:45 pm. 11 hours.  In a building with no windows (I didn't even know it down-poured on Friday because we ordered lunch in).  But I love what I am doing and it is really exciting to see the editors work on their up-coming issue's stories, so maybe I'll recognize some of the outfits when the magazine comes out.  And with returning, it is cool to go through the June issue of the magazine and see clothes and be like "I returned that!".  So it makes me feel like I'm actually helping the magazine by doing something, and not just an intern running and getting coffee for someone! Here are some highlights from my past week:

• Seeing Anna Wintour in the lobby of the Conde Nast building!! (If you don't know, she is like the biggest celebrity of the fashion publication world--she's the long-time Editor-in-Cheif for Vogue.  Meryl Streep's character in "The Devil Wear's Prada" was portrayed after her.  It was basically amazing just seeing here standing there typing on her BlackBerry)

• Steaming the Editor-in-Cheif's blouse for her shoot! Pretty intimidating task for a first-time steamer, but it went fairly smoothly and I'm convinced I must have a steamer at my house when I get settled living in one city

• Meeting a friend for a calorie-fest at the Shake Shack after a long work-day on Tuesday

• Celebrating Friday with Emily by exploring the Gramercy district (we ate at this mexican placed Rodeo Grill and then we stumbled in places called "Plug Uglies" and "The Hairy Monk".... I have nothing to say about this except that it was definitely an interesting experience!)

I haven't mentioned this yet, but there are other interns! Its not just me, so it's nice to have some other girls to talk to while we're working away on the return rack. Most of them are from New Jersey and just take the train into work (I didn't know New Jersey was so close! Geography was never my strongest subject).  It varies day-to-day what interns are working, but on Friday everyone works.  This Friday we all worked really hard and we're out of the building by 7:30.  And after my first long week, I had all this pent-up socialization that I needed to get out because I hadn't seen anyone except on that Tuesday night. So Emily I met up at this place a girl at work suggested, and went from there! See highlight bullet four. 

Needless to say, the weekend takes on a whole new meaning when you work, so I'm very thrilled to have these next two days to do whatever my little heart desires!

Here are the only pictures I took from the week, sorry, I will do better this week about getting people in pictures!

After leaving work at 8:30, this is where I head... 

Emily and I enjoying Happy Hour at this cool bar in the Gramercy District 

Do you think we liked it? Hellooo Weekend! 

Day 1: Intro Into Interning

If this post doesn't make sense it is because I'm in a state of delirium from the 11 hour work day I tackled my first day on the job, so my apologies! 

Yes, so I'll start there.  Today was the first day of my internship, and I woke up with mixed emotions... nervous, excited, confused, underprepared... just a basket-case of feelings.  The night before, I programmed my Mr. Coffee maker (which I am holding as contraband in my room because I don't think we're supposed to have them) to start brewing at 6:05 a.m., so I felt a bit like a Folgers commercial waking up to the sound of my coffee perculating, but it was heaven.  So I got up, showered, made my coffee, turned on my Chris Tomlin Pandora station and got ready for my first day on the job.  I made it in perfect time to be out the door at 8:30 (I start at 9:00). 

New York ordered up some pretty weather for my first morning walk to work -- it was a combination of overcast, gloomy, misty and windy. Don't be too jealous! Luckily I was prepared and wore my rain coat and popped open my umbrella (if you think the streets of New York's Times Square is crowded, try adding umbrellas to the picture!).  My walk took me about 15 minutes, and I got into the lobby, changed my shoes (I went with my killer wedges--trying to win that first impression) and checked in with security.  They sent me up my floor and my supervisor was there at the door waiting on me promptly at 9:00! Another intern was starting today as well, which is good since misery loves company and I wasn't going to be the only new person on the job today. So our lady showed us around the office and the basic tasks that were going to be asked of us and we pretty much just started! I hadn't been in the office 15 minutes and I was already helping a veteran intern (she'd been there 2 months) roll racks out into the hall way! Throughout the day, we would be shown how to do certain tasks (like returning clothes to designers or PR companies), and then we would do them. On our own.  On the first day.  I couldn't believe the amount of responsibility they entrusted us with--but I loved it!  I loved feeling like I was already helping the magazine and helping out my supervisor.  The since of accomplishment I felt after I'd packaged up a bag, labeled it, taken a picture of the clothes and sent it to be delivered was great.  

2:00 rolled around and we were given a lunch break, so I took 30 minutes and went to this salad place on times square to eat a quick bite.  I'm usually so intimidated to eat by myself, but today was different. It was like it was ok because I was on my lunch break--I had never had that feeling before. So I enjoyed that time outside of the office (although it was still misting and I was still getting poked by umbrellas), but when I got back it was right back to work!  I spent the rest of the afternoon completing the same tasks, and other ones (like searching for missing items), and then ended the day by lugging all the racks back into the conference room to be locked up for the evening.  The day (or night) was over at 7:30, and I hit 7th Avenue headed straight for my apartment! My feet couldn't get me there fast enough.  But, of course, before I could get back I had to stop for dinner.  It had been such a long, exhausting day that I couldn't dream of eating anything healthy.  No, I headed straight for S'Barro--and boy did S'Barro come through in the clutch.  Here is a picture of how I ended my day (I'd say its a good note): 

Large Diet Coke is not pictured, but I got that also. I'm not ashamed. 

So after day one I came straight back to my room with my to-go dinner, changed into the biggest, comfiest t-shirt I could find and enjoyed my pizza and libations :) It may be a lot of work, but I can tell it is going to be worth it and I am going to like it.  Now if I can just decide on the perfect shoe to wear to work..... 

New Summer... New Blog.... New York!

WARNING: This post is long. You may want to grab a cold beverage and a snack for ultimate enjoyment. Other posts won't be this long, I just feel like I need to fill you in on the past semester of events that's led me to this first posting.


365 days ago my summer journey in Italy was just beginning. Today is very reminiscent of that incredible experience, only I didn't head for the International Terminal at Atlanta Hartsfield Airport... I headed straight for Gate A19, destined for New York City!

Yes, somehow, through the combination of hard-work and luck, I was fortunate enough to score an incredible Fashion Assistant Internship with Condé Nast's _____ * Magazine. These next 10 weeks will be the culmination of my hard work earning an Apparel Merchandising degree at Auburn University. It's time to put all that tuition money to use!

Not to focus on my summer in Italy too much (this is a "New Summer, New Blog" after all...), but I do feel the need to share something with those of you who were kind enough to read my rambling blog posts everyday last year.... The blog I kept in Italy is what lead me to New York right now.

My room has always been the prime candidate for an episode of Hoarders with the stacks of magazines I refuse to throw away (I promise I'll need to reference them one day...). So my love for fashion publications goes way back. When I made the blind leap-of-faith and chose Apparel Merchandising as my major 4 years ago, it didn't occur to me that a career in magazines would be an option in this field of study. It wasn't until my return from Italy (and writing blog posts every day for 12 weeks), that it hit me like a lead balloon: fashion magazines! That's my dream. That's what I want to do.

I remember that "a-ha" day like it was yesterday... It was a Thursday this past September and I had an unusual amount of stuff to do, with my day focusing on my evening plans: our big Psychedelic Social (my favorite social event of the semester). So you can imagine the stress (and, I'll admit, unenthusiasm) I'm feeling when my dad reminds me at 4:30 that our Pastor from my church in Huntsville will be in Auburn for a "Meet & Greet" with the students of his congregation at 5:00. Yes. But our Pastor is new and he went out of his way to come down here, so I forge onward and go to visit with him. Little did I know, but he was the first person I was truly able to give an honest answer for when asked "So what do you want to do with your major?" Being able to tell him "Fashion publications", and meaning it with my whole heart, was like revealing this huge secret I've kept from the world for 22 years. So needless to say, that conversation sticks out in my mind as the day when I put all the pieces of the puzzle together.

Getting back to the present, I'll give you a Spark Note's version of how I am currently on this Boeing 757 heading to LaGuardia (y'all know I'm not very good at Spark Notes. See: story above).

My degree at Auburn requires it's students to do a 10-week internship in order to graduate. I thought I was being so smart and started looking (and applying) to places in January... Well that got discouraging real quick because I was sending my résumé to anyone and everyone and getting absolutely no responses. Then, one day in my Advanced Buying course, we had a speaker come talk to us about "Branding Ourselves". She showed us some impressive sets of coordinating business cards, résumés and cover letters--they put my Word Document, 12 pt Times New Roman résumé to shame! No wonder I wasn't getting any responses! So I got my talented roommate to paint a cute, fashion sketch, transferred my text into Photoshop and slapped that cute painting in the corner. Voila! Professional resume (or at least more so...).
Next I know it is March, Spring Break rolls around and mom and I are maxing and relaxing at Orange Beach. There's a website that posts only magazine internship openings and I check it religiously. Well, on a glorious March day, the listing for a _____ * Magazine Fashion Assistant Internship came up and I sprinted from the pool to the condo to apply to it asap. A week later, and after I'd applied to 20 other places, an email with a Condé Nast adress popped up in my inbox. Holy cow! I flipped--ask my roommate. I threw my phone (it had an OtterBox...) across the room and my roommate had to read the email. "We would love to schedule an interview with you..." (freak out again). I promptly reply and, after many emails, a phone interview is scheduled for the next Monday. Over the week I prepare for any question you could dream of being asked in an interview (strengths, weaknesses, favorite color..). So come Monday at 2 pm, I was ready. I dial the 212-area code number and speak with the _____ * Fashion Assistant. The interview takes a total of 12 minutes and it ends with me thinking: I've hit the motherload. This is it. I don't want to do anything else. I nearly start crying tears of joy during the interview when the lady gives me the job description! She gives me the "Well we've got a lot of applicants and will let you know by the end of the week." ...Not a very confident conversation capper. So the following week is spent with my stomach literally in knots. By Friday, I've come to terms with the fact that I didn't get it and spend the whole weekend applying to other places. On Monday, I'm at dinner with Jesslynn. My friends know not to ask me if I've heard anything because that's just s gateway for a sob fest, but she does. I reluctantly say "no", but decide to check my emails on my phone anyways, out of habit. That's the moment the clouds part and the angels come down. I have an email. Again, I give my phone to Jesslynn cause I can't read it and she narrates it for me: "Dear Sara, I enjoyed speaking with you... yada, yada yada... We'd love to offer you the internship!" WHAT?! I literally start crying in the middle of dinner at Niffer's. All this hard-work, patience and perseverance has paid off! That is what has led me to waking up at 4 am today and heading to New York City with my dad.

*I am not sure if I can put what magazine I am working for, so check back in later posts to see! 
**********

I hope that long-winded story was worth your time reading.  If not, I apologize! But I am going to do my best this summer to share my experiences in the city with y'all.  I will post more pictures tomorrow evening if I can -- here are a few from this past weekend:

Nothing says you are "In Flight" like mini pretzels and a Diet Coke!

Checking into my 2x2 apartment.... wish me luck.

The view outside of my apartment building.... Hello Empire State Building! 

Enjoying a Brooklyn Summer Ale at Pastis in the MeatPacking District! 

Outside the Conde Nast Building... Its HUGE!

Yet another photo-op outside the building

Day 81: Top 5's for the Summer!

I promised it-- my top 5's for the summer!

Someone once asked me if I was the type of person who let life happen to me or if I was the type of person who made life happen.  Twelve weeks ago I may not have had a definite answer to this question.  Yes, I have passions.  Yes, I love adventure.  Yes, I have a zest for life.  But did I make life happen?  All I know is that I did this summer, and I couldn't be more please with this decision!

So after all the ups and downs, the plane rides and the train rides, the shopping and the touring... here we have it -- the top things from my summer abroad in Italy!  Enjoy :)

5 Favorite Field Trips

1. Ninfa Gardens and Organic Winery


2. Tuscany Week Visits (especially the first winery we visited)


3. Verona -- Juliet's Wall in particular


4. Maison Moschino and 10 Corso Como with Valentina in Milan


5. Terelli Costume Warehouse

5 Favorite Moments From The Summer

1. The Cab Ride to Patti's


2. The Temple Bar in Dublin (Cider + Son of a Preacher Man Karaoke + World Cup Game...)


3. Making it to and from London on our own


4. All of our Bachelorette showings/gatherings


5. Watching Italy's World Cup Game at our Italian friend's apartment

5 Things That I Learned

1. How to properly taste a wine


2. Ryan Air never leaves on time


3. Nothing really is Something (thank you Philosophy class with Rosella...)


4. Converting Czechs to USD is practically impossible


5. I really enjoy writing

5 Favorite Italian Cities

1. Positano/Capri


2. Florence


3. Siena


4. Verona


5. Ariccia/Nemi/Frescati

5 Favorite European Cities

1. London


2. Barcelona and Amsterdam are tied for 2nd


3. Dublin


4. Prague

5 Favorite Tourist Sites

1. Anne Frank House in Amsterdam


2. Big Ben in London


3. Sagrada Familia (and everything Gaudi) in Barcelona


4. Notting Hill in London


5. Everything in Rome

5 Regrets

1. Not going to the John Lennon Graffiti Wall in Prague


2. Not going to the IAmsterdam sign in Amsterdam


3. Not buying more at Florence's markets


4. Not going to the Leaning Tower of Pisa during our 5 hour layover in Pisa before London


5. Not checking two huge suitcases

5 Favorite Italian Meals

1. Tortellini with Leeks and Bacon in Siena


2. Butter and Sage Ravioli in Nemi


3. Everything at Old Bear


4. Pumpkin Ravioli in Milan


5. Calzone at Gaudi's Pizzeria in Rome

5 Favorite Non-Italian Meals

1. Every meal at Patti's! (B&B in Ireland)


2. Falafel in Barcelona


3. Pub in Prague (lentil soup, salad and Irish Coffee)


4. Belgian Waffle in Brussles


5. Prince Albert's in London

5 Favorite Gelatos

1. Lemon Cream in Positano (so good we got it twice in one day)


2. Peach and Honey by the Trevi Fountain in Rome


3. Oreo from Bambi's Gelateria in Ariccia


4. Any Caffe gelato! (preferably with white chocolate)


5. Limon and Frutta de Basco (fruits of the forest) at Lake Albano

5 Favorite Purchases

1. All my paintings from various places this summer


2. Leather Jacket from Florence


3. FEED Bag from World Food Program


4. Duty Free Longchamps


5. Converse Slims

I am sad to say this will be my last post from Italy... It has been quite the journey! 82 days... I didn't know if I would make it -- but I did :) and I love every single minute of it.  It has been one of the most exciting, most challenging and most rewarding experiences of my 21 years.  I have learned so much about myself, and about life in general.  Thank you for letting me share my experience with you, it has been one of my favorite things this summer (see "5 Things I Learned" list...)!

Ciao for the last time from Ariccia, Italy :)

Day 80: Party at the Chigi

Ohhhh today! Today was a lot more fun than the "dull-do-nothing" day I had anticipated. Another time for the victory of "low expectations and being pleasantly surprised".  Well, we woke up and rent running to Genzano -- I thought my legs were going to fall off and Emily was going to have to call me a cab back to the Chigi. It was difficult. But I powered through. So, once I dragged myself home from the run, we hung around the Palace trying to regain our strength (or maybe that was just me).  I mustarded up the endurance to walk to Albano (another 2+ mile journey...) with Meg and Kasi because I was deadset on getting this particular Italian coffee maker. After a lot searching and almost giving up, we found the store!  I got my coffee maker (yayy!) and Meg and Kasi scored some gifts for home as well. I picked up a sandwich from the Porchetta stand on the way back "home" and ate it while watching one of my all-time favorite childhood movies... It Takes Two! Yes, I walked in to the Palace to find Katelyn and Stacy watching this Olsen Twin's classic -- I was in heaven. We reminsced on those elementary school years and watched Kirstie Ally find that "can't eat, can't sleep, reach for the stars over the fence, world series kind of love".

The credits started rolling and I took that as my que... To start being productive. Dang. So I walked to my room, assessed the packaging situation and just dove right into it. Wow. That's all I have to say. Wow. I have got my work cut out for me with this packing deal. Halfway through I realized, "I don't think I can fit it all..." and so I had to start weeding out between the necessities and unnecessities. That helped a little... But I was still struggling for space. And I was so embarassed because I thought I had gotten so good at packing this summer -- what happened?!

After I worked up a sweat trying to zip my luggage I decided I deserved some rest, so I watched some Friends and then took a nap. I couldn't believe the time when I woke up (5:30), so I ran and jumped in the shower because we had our video presentations at 6:30 and our guests for our party were expected to arrive at 7'ish. Eek!

Yes, our guests for our Southern Hometown Meal Party were supposed to be arriving around 7'ish.  For those of you who can't read my mind and don't know what this party is... every semesters the students make Southern food dishes and have a kind of "appertivo-type" party for all of the Italians we've worked with over the summer!  The Italians were in for a treat with this group because (not to toot our own horn or anything) we are really good cooks!  Yes, we had everything from chicken salad sandwiches, fried chicken nuggets, baked beans, deviled eggs, mashed potatoes, corn casserole, cornbread muffins, guacamole, margaritas, banana pudding, red velvet cake balls, puppy chow mix... we had quite the spread! And it was all delicious!

[caption id="attachment_1841" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Caitlyn cooking her delicious fried chicken nuggets -- Now that's Southern! "][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1842" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Someone made PB&J's"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1843" align="aligncenter" width="270" caption="A little of the spread we had set out... "][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1844" align="aligncenter" width="270" caption="A specialty drink we created in Barcelona... Loco Sangria de Cava! Made by placing Haribo Peach Gummies in the bottom of a wine carafe and filling it with champagne... delicioso!"][/caption]

Knowing the Italians, they didn't start arriving until about 8:00.  But once one came, they all started showing up!  Everyone from our teachers, to our cab drivers to our bus driver to our community friends... everyone was here.  It was so much fun -- we all had a blast (and I think they really liked the food too!). The best part of the night was when Renaldo, the sweet man from our wine tasting in Ariccia last week, showed up with this GIGANTIC STUFFED EAGLE!  Holy cow -- we were dddyyyiinnggg!! I guess he got word that Auburn's mascot is an eagle and he felt the need to bring this enormous mounted eagle to our party for the night -- who knows?!  But it was absolutely hysterical and we loved it!  And we love Renaldo too -- he was taking pictures of us left and right, and the best part was he could not speak a lick of English.  I wanted to talk to him so badly and I just could not think of any phrases to save my life... so I just smiled and nodded my head!

[caption id="attachment_1846" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Renaldo with his HUGE eagle! Look at the surprise on Peek"][/caption]

Everyone pose with the Eagle!

[caption id="attachment_1848" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Anddd everyone else jump in the picture! "][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1849" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Caitlyn, Anna Curl, Meg and myself with our precious taxi driver this summer -- Patrizia!! She literally saved us from public transportation so many times. She always picked us up from the airport or wherever we were stranded at. We couldn't be more thankful for this woman. "][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1850" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Anna Curl taking one for the team in this picture :) "][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1851" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Becca, Katherine and I with the Eagle in the background"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1852" align="aligncenter" width="270" caption="Italian's feel the need to be gracious to their hosts and bring a gift upon their arrival to a party... but unlike Americans, they bring a CASE of wine -- not just one bottle! AND of white AND red wine -- what?!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1853" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Cinzia trying to decide what she's going to do with all of this wine... "][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1854" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Curl, me and Kat with our Loco Sangria de Cavaaaa :) "][/caption]



[caption id="attachment_1857" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Caitlyn, Emily and Peek with some of the Italian's that were sweet to us this summer -- Francesco, Bruno and Bruno's wife"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1858" align="aligncenter" width="270" caption="Mary Lou was so nice -- she brought us little gifts to remember Italy by, they are key chains with two red horns on it. They are supposed to bring you good luck and protect you from evil :) "][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1859" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Everyone getting their keychain "][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1860" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Show what you got!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1862" align="aligncenter" width="270" caption="Kasi and me "][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1863" align="aligncenter" width="270" caption="Mary Lou and me :) "][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1864" align="aligncenter" width="270" caption="Cinzia making fun of how short we are... "][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1865" align="aligncenter" width="270" caption="A real picture with Cinzia! "][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1866" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Chigi Love!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1867" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Noelle and I with Bruno and Renaldo "][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1868" align="aligncenter" width="270" caption="The Eagle... it will go down in history for the Chigi Palace"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1869" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Me, Curl and Kasi with Susanna"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1870" align="aligncenter" width="270" caption="The man LOVED the Eagle"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1871" align="aligncenter" width="270" caption="We made Francesco a sword and he was obsessed "][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1872" align="aligncenter" width="270" caption="And Cinzia got a ceramic tiger for her new apartment -- a little something to remember us by! "][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1874" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="And then we took it another step -- we dressed the Eagle in Auburn gear. Doesn't it look just like Nova (the Eagle that flies in Jordan Hare)? "][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1876" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Renaldo loved it "][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1877" align="aligncenter" width="270" caption="If this doesn't scream "War Eagle" I don't know what does! "][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1878" align="aligncenter" width="270" caption="Eagle Lovin'"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1879" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Proud students! "][/caption]

We talked and laughed and ate for a long while, and then it was time for the gift giving.  On our packing list before we came was a gift from home, and these were to be given to our guests tonight.  I brought a Huntsville Heritage Cookbook (forgot that it was in English...) and I ended up giving it to Peek because everyone else had already received a present (and she could read it the best...).   When the time came to say goodbye, that's when it hit me -- we're really leaving.  And we may never see these people ever again... it was so sad!  It just baffles me how some people can walk in and out of your life.  Like Mary Lou, for example.  I love this woman and I have learned so much from her this summer, and  I may never see her again -- she was wishing us good luck with our lives!  Seriously depressing.  And Francesco... the nicest man to have graced this Earth.. and he loves us! It kills me to think I'll never see him again.  Then there's Cinzia... she was our leader for 81 days, there for us throughout every part this summer... and this is goodbye!  I can't talk about it anymore, it's draining me emotionally.

[caption id="attachment_1880" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="The view from our kitchen window -- I'm going to miss Ariccia "][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1881" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Look at the friends we've made over the summer!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1882" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Patrizia, don't leave!! "][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1883" align="aligncenter" width="270" caption="We love all of our teachers"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1884" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Look at all the wine we had left over! What are we going to do with just one night left in the Palace? "][/caption]

Our guests slowly started leaving and we thought the party was over.... until Francesco broke out his guitar and started playing for us!  We all gathered in the common room and listened to him play (we may or may not have broke out in some karaoke as well...)

[caption id="attachment_1885" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Everyone gathering in the common room"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1886" align="aligncenter" width="270" caption="Francesco entertaining us :) "][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1887" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Kat, Curl and Kasi piling on top of the bean bags"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1888" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Candid shot -- sorry guys for the unexpected picture"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1890" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Yes, we did You Tube "Sweet Home Alabama" so Francesco could hear it and attempt to play it on the guitar... "][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1891" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="This is my little nest area on Thursday night... still some ways to go before our flight Saturday"][/caption]

Our night in Chigi was so much fun and the party went swimmingly!  We ended the night around 1:30 and hit the sheets immediately.  Tomorrow is our last day... hard to  believe it's finally here.  Summer don't end, please. Ok?  OK!