PICTURES!!!

Okay, I decided that not only should you be entertained by my journal account of the trip, but you should be privy to the pictures too! And let me tell you, scanning all 186 of them was a trip in itself!

Times certainly have changed with the advent of the digital age. My trip to Europe in 2002 used 8 rolls of film and yielded 186 pics (actually the negatives show a few are missing!). My trip to India in 2009? About 979 photos. Approximately.

Here's what I found from going through these pictures tonight (I think it took 4 hours...I watched "The Proposal" and "Goonies" in Spanish  while I scanned. They are completely different movies in Spanish, believe you me!) Eight percent of my pictures taken in Europe were merely to take pictures of cute boys.  Yes, my 17 year old-self wanted to capture the truly important things on my trip. And my 25 year old self will share a few pics that corresponded to last entry. Recap of last entry: Hot German flight attendants (male), the Colosseum and the Forum.

Oh, look. Didn't even make it out of Chicago before I started man-hunting. [rolls eyes]

Okay, he's a little boy-faced, but still.

I don't care who you are. He's hot. I wonder where he is now! ;)

View from the room of me, Citizen B and Fabio ;)

Ze Colosseum! Albert, our awesome tour guide, is the dude w/ sunglasses. He spoke like 5 or 6 languages!

Hey, look. More boys! I really wanted an example of European tight pants ;) Rawr!

The Colosseum needed some support. Proof that I've always been goofy. (And plan to always be, thank you very much!)

Inside the Colosseum

Natural Spring near the Forum, you know, where Caesar was backstabbed. I'm pretty sure the blood is no longer in the water ;) I mean, uh, poor Caesar. Et tu, Brute? Jerk.

I think these are the steps on which Caesar was murdered. Citizen B can confirm or deny this.

A view of the area. Bet it looked pretty awesome back in the day :) All them Roman dudes in togas and stuff. Yeah.

I believe this was the Forum where all the important Senate-like meetings were held. Citizen B, fact check?

The wolf that suckled Romulus and Remus. Remus was killed by Romulus (good ol' sibling rivalry) and Rome was named after Romulus. Hmmm, my siblings better watch out! ;) Just keeeedding!

Wedding Cake/City Hall, right, B?

There I am at the window to our bachelorette pad, probably wondering how long before a cute Carabinieri comes to arrest me! ;)

So, what do you guys think so far? Remember the next entry will detail my first kiss stolen from me by Tom Cruise... Stay tuned! Peace!

Memories from Europe in 2002!

Forget my musings on my future.... let's look at my past! I have a very special treat for you readers (all two of you? Come on kids! Comment! Let me know you're there!!)

My task for the last month or so has been to transcribe my journals. Juicy stuff to be sure. I currently have arrived to a section written in 2002 which details my FIRST expatriot adventure! In 2002, I took a trip to Europe (Italy and France) with some people from my high school and took my journal with me. I have only transcribed a few days into the trip, and I'm willing to share it on the interwebs.

Prepare yourselves! So begin the musings of a 17 year old female wanderlust!:

Thur. June 6, 2002

3:52 p.m. approx

I thought I'd write before we change time zones. Chicago was aight.

Right now, we're on a huge German plane and I'm listening to a hot German guy sing. Before it was No Doubt w/ Hey Baby. I was rockin' out. Now it's No Angels. There are some super HOT German fight attendents on this plane. Now there is a dude speaking German on the plane intercom. I can't understand a word.

Okay now he's in English. This plane is freakin' huge. It's like the ones on T.V. and in the movies. 4 in the middle 3 on each side. The radio stations are rockin.

Peace out for now.



Fri June 7, 2002

12:57 a.m. Germantime.

Aif Saldin is a German singer dude to check out.

Dinner is soon. The music has started repeating. See you later, I guess

8:53 a.m.

I'm in a whole 'nother country. It's freakin' weird. Germany's airport is so different from Chicago. For one, they only have coffee, little sandwiches + chocolate. Not like in America where you turn around and see twenty thousand MickeyD's.

Also, it's quiet and doesn't have sales tax.

I took pics of the hot flight attendents. My favorite part of the ride was the music you can plug into.

Anyway, I'm gonna get back to educating myself by reading the papers I've picked up.

-D

12:58 a.m.

I've come to the conclusion that Italy is beautiful and so are her men!!!

André busdriver Aledrexia - some lady, Albert - tour guide. All A's.

I nodded on and off on the plane from Frankfurt to here. Looking out the plane was breathtaking. Everything is so old and grand. I love the red shingled rooves. The fields are so quaint. The hills are so weird. I like this place a lot. We're heading to the hotel now, which will be nice.

Knowing Spanish helps with Italian. The buildings and architecture are freakishly cool.

Rome is the eternal city.

4 Levels. 1) Antique - Forum - Col

2) Constantine leaves -> Medeival Rome 1000 yrs.

3) Pope Baroque - Basilica -> St. Petersburg

4) Mussolini

There's a horse in someone's yard. I've seen a dance club, a ferris wheel, a hot guy on a motorcycle. Girls in flowing skirts, parasol pine trees, tiny cars.

It blows my mind to be in a whole other country. I wanna move here.

A wall by Marcus Aurelius - 25 miles longs.

There's so much to see + do.

The Roman bathhouses.

For traffic, it seems, anything goes.

St. John the latterine.

The Pope is in this town.

graffiti problem.

It's kinda wet: ppl w/ umbrellas.

gotta go w/ suitcases.

9:24 p.m.

Well, today has been a very interesting day. We saw the Colleseum, the Forum and ate @ La Mimosa.

It's really weird to think that I was within feet of where Caesar as killed! We crossed the street and didn't die.

The Italians must have a death wish judging from how they drive! I would hate to take driver's Ed. here, although I guess it prepares you for anything. Their motto is 'No Fear,' cuz they really aren't afraid!

It's really weird to be in a different country. We're so used to people bowing down to Americans. Yet, here they are, with their Italian flags flying high, not bending to the Americans, as well they shouldn't.

But it would be nice if we could get off our high horses and see our neighbors in the world.

I want to fit in here, and not look like an American, but it's hard when you're with a tour group. Oh well.

I better get to bed. Had a big Italian-style dinner and need some Z's!

-D

Well, kids, I hope you enjoyed that look into my journal from 8 years ago! Ha cha cha! Leave me a comment on the blog and let me know what you thought. Next entry details MY FIRST KISS! Bow chicka wow wow! Oh man, I'm not sure I should be posting this. Oh, well! Gotta keep my readers entertained, right?! ;) Peace out!

leaning towards an answer

I'm not certain, but getting a MFA in Creative Writing seems like something I might need to do. My parents suggested that I determine what my career goals are and how a Masters would assist me in obtaining these goals. Well, my goal of getting paid to travel and be creative? A little vague, yes. But I can't help but believe that this extra certificate/education/time to write would give me more credibility in the writing field. Duh?

Besides natural talent/writing abilities, as it stands now, I am unqualified to write for large magazines that would put up my expenses for travel. Why? I'm not actively writing and have no portfolio (well not much of one). Even if I begin to write, to whom will I turn to get criticism? Family members don't count and I'm only available to attend a writing group but twice a month. Sure, I could TRY to be self-taught, but I'm not THAT egotistical. As my life currently is, I rarely have my evenings in solitude anymore. Sure, I get free time in swells and it could change, and Yes, my life will be crazy if I have to work to pay my way through grad school, meaning that this "free time" I speak of is nothing more than a figurative unicorn.

What would I get if I was accepted into the Masters program? A lot of time reading and writing. A lot of much-needed criticism on my writing. Contacts with very well-educated and well-connected people. Support for my sometimes underestimated and under-used intelligence. A timeline. Getting back into the groove of being an intelligent woman. And I can't help but daydream about my possible adventures with friends that might possibly be in L-town. (I've all but ruled out the Uni in my town b/c the website is terribly unprofessional-looking and not detailed enough for the investment I might be making).

What if I don't even try? Well, considering the application isn't due until January and the classes wouldn't start for more than a year from now.... I still have time to change my mind a few times. And truly, I can be 40 and decide to get my Masters. It's never too late.

I'm trying not to put any undo pressure on myself, but having an idea of my destination helps to know how I'll get there. If I were to somehow be free of rent payments for the next year, I could pay for a good chunk of the schooling myself (maybe half?). But then, that begs the question, where would I live? I have a few places in mind. None gives me the happiness and solitude that living on my own does, that's for darn sure. But we all need to sacrifice no?

I'm going to hold off on making decisions of course. Because sometimes the Universe has it's own way of working things out better than our measly selves can plan. So I'll continue to be creative and try to use my time to the best of my abilities.

And so it begins...

I hope you aren't scared off right away by my corny blog name. Tell me you get it. Pack and Write. Black and White. A world colored in .... okay, now you are groaning. But if you already know me, you're familiar with this type of humor. If you don't know me, well buckle up.

Things you need to know:

• I'm a sassy female. Mid 20's. Midwest.
• I've been to 5 countries outside of the U.S. and one of those was a Spanish speaking country in which I lived/studied/traveled for 5 months.
• I graduated with a BA in Film Studies and a minor in Spanish in 2007.
• I've spent the past three years doing regular jobs when I wasn't on film sets. Yes, I'm fancy pants. ;)
• I'm looking to get paid to travel and be creative.

If you can help with the last one, please, wait no more. Send me a line. But if it's about needing a benefactor to a huge amount of money in Such and Such foreign country.... uh, contact my secretary. ;)

I have reached that point now where I am beginning to think my talents are being squandered. And it makes me look to that little piece of pie in sky that I said I'd never in a million years touch: Grad School. Oh. Boy.

Here's the thing. School was fun while it lasted but I was sooooo happy to be out. Three years later, I've had some really cool experiences: working on big-name movies, small movies, dancing for an Indian wedding in New Delhi, working on my scriptwriting, hanging out with well-known people etc. etc. I'm sure there are other cool things I can't remember, not due to any substances, but due to my own poor memory. Hence, being a writer.... If I write it down, it will jog my memory later.

So I am now looking at Grad School as a possible avenue. I won't say I've exhausted every other option and I won't say I have the money for school. But I will say I have the desire to write and be critiqued so that I can get much better.

I look back on my 60 page Honors Undergrad Thesis and think, "Man, I was smart!" I want to be able to say, "Man, I AM smart!" I want to be able to feel as if I am using my brain muscles and that I will allow myself more opportunities by jumping into the pool of school.

But there is a lot to consider. Cue another bullet list:

• What is my career goal?
• How will getting a MFA in English (Creative Writing?) help me?
• Where will I get the money for this?
• Will I use the program at the Uni in town or at my Undergrad?
• How will I make money? (How many hours can I work while I take classes?)
• Where will I live?
• Am I really ready to commit 2 (3?) years to a Masters? (I would honestly love to have a PhD if only to be a "Doctor" ;) But was advised by a friend currenly on that track, PhD is more for people who want to teach... I don't think that's where my passion lies.)
• More questions that make my head explode.

It's not an easy decision but at least I have until January to make my application for the Fall 2011 semester. It is and isn't a lot of time. Maybe I should take up playing the lottery again so that the decision can be made for me. Win lottery=Grad school paid.

Oh, I'll accept donations too ;)

There you have it. An incredibly talented (and humble) gal with an incredibly difficult decision ahead of her. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. And who knows where the winds of chance and time will take me? Waiting for the next (all expenses paid) adventure!

Peace!
-D