Readjusting to Home Life

Paul left for home on Friday night. I've been pretty bummed out about our separation, but we're doing the best we can about this pesky ocean between us. I'm trying real hard to readjust to home life, but it's so weird. No work, no travel days, no maid service. To add to matters, I keep misplacing things and I have no idea where others have been filed away for safe-keeping.

On the bright side, I've got to spend some quality moments with my little nephew, Dominic. Friday night Auntie Amy gets him all to herself! Yay!

Home Again

I've been home now for almost two weeks. I came home on a Monday night, and Paul followed me home on that Friday. We've been trying to do the tourist thing, but Paul doesn't really seem into it. He did however enjoy the Hard Rock Cafe:

Hopefully now that I'm in sunny Florida, I can get a little sun on my face. Mom was right, I am looking a little pale.

My 2006 Wrap Up

In order to start 2007, I feel I must steal Sandy's idea and give a 2006 wrap up.

 

Countries visited:

~ Mexico

~ Japan

~ Taiwan

~ Thailand

~ Malaysia

~ China

~ Spain

~ Italy

Total: 8

 

Time spent at home:

Approximately 60 days.

 

Time spent in the USA:

Approximately 65 days.

 

I can say "Thank you" in Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, and Italian.

 

I have bought things in American Dollars, Pesos, Yen, New Taiwan Dollars, Baht, Ringgits, Yuan, and Euros.

 

I have eaten McDonald's in Mexico, Japan, Taiwan, Malaysia, China, and Spain.  And you know what? It tastes the same no matter where you are, they just have some different menu options.  Like McDonald's Taiwan has amazing fried chicken and in Spain they have really yummy potato wedges called Patas Fritas Deluxe.

 

I have mastered the Squatty Potty.

 

That's all that comes to me off the top of my head.  Not quite sure what 2007 holds for me, but I'm excited to find out!  Happy New Year everyone!!!

 

Happy Holidays!

While I was in Santiago de Compostela, I became smitten with a lovely Dutch gentleman named Paul. Paul works for the show, in the transport part. He works with the concessions people, making sure they get their stock to the show and from city to city.

This was my first Christmas away from home. I thought it would be awful and lonely, but Paul made it special for me. After work on Christmas Eve, he took me to Pizza Hut, then home to the hotel to watch a movie, then gave me a present. Almost like I would have done if I had been home with Mom and Dad. We also called my parents and Mom got choked up and cried.

On Christmas Day, we left Valladolid and drove two hours to Madrid. Instead of going on the bus with everyone else, I chose to ride in the truck with Paul.

There's Paul driving, and here's me reading Christmas cards:Okay, so I'm not reading Christmas cards at that exact moment, I'm being cute.

Those of us at the show played Secret Santa. Michelle and I got each other!

Michelle is rockin' the ugly Christmas sweater. Apparently in her family, it's their tradition!

The promoters treated us to dinner at a nice restaurant.

Here Paul and I am. Then there's me posing with my two favorite boys:Even though Paul is not looking at the camera. Then cutie Keiko is rockin' a very cute Santa hat:Later Akeile, jams to the band with empty water bottles:All in all, Christmas wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. It was actually rather nice. Next up is New Year's!

Internet in Europe Sucks!

Wow, just realized how long it's been since I've updated my blog. Internet in Europe is either hard to come by, or very expensive. My roomie, Tony, and I have been desperate to get some things done on the Internet this week, so we're forking out the Euros.

Rome was totally amazing. You simply cannot do the city in one week. I forced myself to do power-sightseeing as much as I possibly could. Here's a few major pictures:

Here I am sitting on the Spanish Steps. The Colosseum.Trevi Fountain.My totally illegal, could have been put in jail, Sistine Chapel picture. It looks so much better in person. Professional pictures and amature ones do not do it justice.

Also while I was in Santiago de Compostela, I met Paul.

After Rome, we returned to Spain. We went to a lovely, simply picture perfect town called Santiago de Compostela. The city contains the cathedral holding the tomb of Saint James.
There is the cathedral and Saint James' tomb. Although there is a lot of speculation about it, but that is not for me to decide. More updates soon!

Pompeii, Italy

As we all know from history class Pompeii is a ruined Roman city near Naples. It was destroyed during a eruption of the volcano Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. The volcano buried the city under many feet of ash and it was lost for 1,600 years before its accidental rediscovery. Since then, its excavation has provided an extraordinarily detailed insight into the life of a city at the height of the Roman Empire. On my day off this week in Naples or Napoli, as it's called here in Itay, I went to Pompeii to check it out.

This is Porta Marina which has the city walls.

Here I am standing under the Arch of Caligula.

Here's the Basilica. This is where court was held and commerical and financial transactions took place.
This is the Odeion or small theatre as you will. It's in the Greek style using the naturally sloping ground. With the stage below the audience, it makes every seat in the house a good one.

When the city was found, they were able to fill the empty spaces produced by organic decomposition of the bodies with plaster. These show people in their final moments:

Here's a smattering of some other pictures from Pompeii:

It's quite amazing how well preserved some of the things are like the frescos and the mosaic floors.

Well I'm off to another day of work here in Napoli. The building this week is quite difficult, but we'll get through it.

An American/Italian Thanksgiving

On Thanksgiving, we were lucky enough to find a resturant that would cater an "All American Thanksgiving Dinner" for us. It wasn't all exactly "all American" it did have some Italian flare to it, like the meat plate: It's an anti-pasta dish, an apetizer if you will. That really really red meat in the center is cured horse meat and it was YUMMY!!! Later they brought out the birds:

Our waitress brings our turkey to the table.

Mel tries to take a bite out of the turkey before it's carved.
Funny, I thought she was a vegetarian?"B" (as we call him) decides that he will do the carving honors.Tony goes straight for the leg.
Mitch (Mr. Bossman) takes over the carving.Joey dives in next.Sheelena and I practice a very American tradition, breaking the wishbone!We both get our wishes! Sheelena and I broke the wishbone evenly in half!

All in all, my first holiday away from home wasn't that bad. Sure, it wasn't subs on the beach with Mom and Dad. . . . but it'll do.

Milan, Itay

In Milan there is a beautiful church called The Duomo. I went to see it on my day off this week.

Here's a picture of me freezing my butt off in my silly hat in front of the Duomo.

My birthday is this Saturday, we had a great Thanksgiving dinner the other night. I hope to share pictures soon!

Oh Italy!

Oh Italy, how I like you so! It's very lovely here in Italy. Here are some pictures from walking around:
It's quite cold here in Torino, a special thanks to my Dad for the long-johns!

Oh Italy, how wonderful you are

Arrived in Torino, Italy on Monday.  You will be shocked to know, that Italy is just like it is in the movies.  We're at the base of the Alps, so it's pretty cold here.  Good thing I brought every long sleeve shirt I own with me.  I hope to post pictures soon.

Sick in Barcelona

Hey everyone, just a quick update to let you all know I´m in Barcelona now. Somehow, I´ve managed to come down with a cold. Internet access is really expensive here. . . so don´t expect anything fantastic anytime soon! Oh yeah, the fire at GatorLand made CNN World! Freaky!

Happy Halloween

My Halloween day in Sevilla, Spain, started by taking Pooh and Tigger to a local hospital to visit some children. Normally if I was to be with Pooh and Tigger on a special outing, I would take pictures. However, my heart was just broken to see these children with tubes coming out of them. When Pooh went to play with this one little boy, he kept shying away. The nurse told us that the little boy was ashamed of being sick. . . how heartbreaking!! Tigger made a special friend in the Cancer Ward, and I'll admit I got really choked up and began to cry. Words cannot explain how happy it makes me that my job allows me to bring happiness to children all over the world . . . . especially special ones like the ones we met Halloween morning.

After our hospital visit, Pooh and Tigger went back to the hotel and I went to work to make Pooh yet another sweater. (Sometimes, honey just doesn't come out.)

Charlie and I whipped Pooh up a sweater and went home early to prepare for our annual Halloween party. I went as Anna Nicole Smith. Obviously, fat Anna Nicole.

To add to the trashiness of Anna Nicole, I drank Sangria out of a box most of the night. It was pretty funny. We had a good time. Other costumes included Kevin as the Joker, Michelle was half devil, half angel, Keiko was full devil, Mike was a Priest, Izumi was vampire, Aikele was a cowboy, and Adrian went as Angel from Rent. Some other people dressed up as well, but those were the best.

Well, I'm off to the 100 Acre Woods again!

I'M AN AUNTIE!!!

My best friend Alie gave birth today to her first child, making me an Auntie!!!

Dominic John Pasqueralli was born today (October 25th) at 3:17 a.m.
He weighed in at 8lbs. 9oz. and measured in at 19.5 inches.

Ouch!

Today we had a good load in. We moved to our performance venue today. Charlie let me set up backstage by myself today. I was very excited. However, I ended up bopping myself in the mouth with a costume rack and busted my lip open. . . tried to take a picture to show everyone. . . but it's hard to take photos of your lips. Oh yeah, and if you haven't already seen. . . I've finally upgraded my glasses. I like to think of them as nerdy-sexy-cool. However, I am still a true contact wearer during the daytime.

Amy + Malaga, Spain =

TIRED.

 

My first week in Malaga, Spain has included an extensive work week on just working on costumes.  We're trying to make them in tip-top shape for this round of touring.

 

Nothing else to report. 

Returning to the 100 Acre Woods

Tomorrow I fly to Spain to return to the 100 Acre Woods. Had a good time in Wichita visiting friends, but now it's time for me to go back to work.

Going to Wichita RV Style

This past week I have been visiting my childhood homeland of Wichita, Kansas. Sandy and Nate picked me up in their RV at the crack of dawn on Monday morning and we drove all the way from Florida to Kansas. Here's some pictures:
Nate is far more talented at driving the RV than me, he can drive it with Nani on his lap.
There's Sandy and the dogs in Georgia, and Nate and Nani in Oklahoma. Sandy snagged this pic of me and the puppies napping:
This photos is totally unflattering for me, but Sandy loves it! Here's another fun shot to share:
Cesar plays navigator on the open road. Alright, my time is up! I've got a plane to catch.