Italy 2011: Planning and Travel Days

No story is complete without the background information (or the Exposition, as we English nerds have named it). So, the story of our Italy trip began five years ago, with our honeymoon. Our plan was to go to the Riviera Maya and stay at this super cute hut-like resort on the Caribbean. Then, Hurricane Somebody changed our plans. The resort was basically leveled, just before we were going to book our honeymoon. So, we got a little 'international shy' and decided to stay on US soil...New York City and Washington DC became our honeymoon. We also decided to start saving up for our 5-year anniversary and take a trip overseas.

Our Italy trip began as a trip with 12 high school kids and another teacher chapperone through Passports travel. We would have started in Rome and ended in London on a 15-day trip, with a strict agenda and lots of responsibility. When that group didn't have enough signed up for 3 adults to go, we decided to go anyway...by ourselves, without much of an agenda...and it was amazing!

I love to plan things, but I was a little nervous about planning a trip to a foreign country, especially when neither of us even had a Passport when this trip started to take life. So, once our Passport applications were off, we began planning our trip. And...Rick Steve's is our hero! If you've never traveled using Rick Steve's as a guide...do it...do it now! He has videos, books, and even audio tours that can save you TONS of money and are a perfect mix of touristy things and life in the city. So, we bought Rick Steve's Italy, borrowed several other RS books from a teacher-friend and started to plan. Before we stepped foot on the plane, we had plane tickets, a super cute B&B reserved, train tickets to three cities, and a very rough idea of what we wanted to see. We didn't plan things to the minute, we barely planned things for the day, and what we had planned we threw out as soon as we hit Italian soil. And I loved it! Shocking, I know, the planner of the year goes to a foreign country with half a plan!

So, here is the story of our not-so-planned-but-oh-so-amazing Italian vacation...

ITALY2011

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Our flight left St. Louis at 5:30 pm on Monday, June 6th, so we arrived early, boarding passes in hand. We got through security quickly (even though neither of us had remembered to sign our Passports...oops!) and found a good spot to sit and wait. And while we waited we heard...."Shoe Shine, Get Your Shoe Shine"...over and over again by this very funny shoe shine man.



So, we hopped on the plane, found room for our carryon bag (barely) and, with a stop in Memphis, were off to Amsterdam. At the exact same time, our friends Kyle and Kristen were on a plane headed for Europe, so we sent pictures back and forth of our adventures. Ours accidently turned out upside down, and we thought that was hilarious...so we sent it as it was!

On the long flight to Amsterdam we watched Just Go With It (pretty good) and peeked over the seat as the man in front of us dominated Angry Birds...and commented in Dutch!

Finally, after a quick layover in Amsterdam (no we didn't buy any wooden shoes, but we thought about it!), we saw the Italian shoreline.



When we landed in Rome's Fiumiciono Airport, it was Tuesday at 3:30. So we had been traveling for what felt like 24 hours, though with the time changes it wasn't, and we were tired! So, we grabbed our bags from the baggage claim and attempted to call our B&B to make sure they were ready for us. With some help from the airline help desk, we finally got in contact with Mary (our wonderful B&B lady and new Italian friend) and started the walk to the train station.

We stopped at the automated ticket booth and (again with help from an Italian) bought two tickets on the really convenient Leonardo Express train to Termini Station. We boarded with our luggage and arrived at the Train Station. We quickly learned that "Uscita" means Exit and we went out of the train station in search of Via Cavour, the major street that our hotel was on. Unfortunately, we wandered a bit trying to get our bearings, but eventually found Via Cavour 101 and our B&B- Gulliver's Lodge.

We pressed the buzzer and opened the door to hear, "You made it!" from Mary, the owner of the B&B and our favorite Italian! She brought us in and we sat and talked for a while about our travels and what we wanted to do while in Rome. She gave us great tips and recommendations and marked a map that led us through the city for days. At the time, all I could think about was getting the keys to our room and laying down, but we quickly learned that the Italians aren't all about getting business done. They are more concerned with the experience of people than a transaction, which I didn't understand at the time, but grew to love as the trip went on.



Mark was excited that we got to stay in the "Yellow Room" (one of the four rooms at Gulliver's Lodge), at least for a couple nights until we had to move to the "Green Room".

After we got settled in our room a little and took a quick nap, we went out in search of pizza. Unfortunately, one of the pizza places Rick Steve's recommended wasn't open then, so we found the closest place that would make us a Margherita pizza (sauce, basil, and mozzarella) "to take". We ate our pizza in our room (since Rick Steve's had said it's cheaper not to eat sitting at the restaurant- which is true).

Once we devoured our pizza, we decided to walk down to the Colosseum, since it was just a short walk from our hotel. It was beautiful at night, with lights and special effects on the buildings around it.

  What a great introduction to what we would see in the days to come!

More to come...

It is the day before we move and I have a short break to check my favorite blogs before a weekend of craziness! I can't wait to post about our trip to Italy, but for now these pictures will have to do...until we get internet hooked up so I don't have to type this on my phone any longer!

Holy Mustard Batman!

I have never once purchased mustard from the store. Never. And yet, for the past five years, we haven't gone without mustard. We currently have SIX bottles of mustard in our fridge. Six. Yellow Mustard. Mild Yellow Mustard. Dijon Mustard. Two Spicy Brown Mustards. And now, Creole Mustard. 

In our house, an abundance of mustard signifies that friends have moved away. When someone decides to start seminary, they are basically guaranteed to move four times. The first year they have to move to St. Louis. Then during the third year, the seminary places you elsewhere in the country for vicarage (two moves- there and back). Then after the fourth year, they move to their first Call. Four Moves.

Many times when we have friends that move out of St. Louis, one of their last stops is to our house to drop off any perishables (including their mustards) because we have been the constant couple who always stays in St. Louis. We moved here in July 2007 and haven't left since. 

Our first instance of Mustard-Gifting came in 2008 when our friends Jen & Eric moved to their first Call in Wisconsin. We got lots of good Trader Joe's condiments...and at least two mustards. Then, in 2009, we received a couple more mustards and frozen treats from our friends Nick and Kirby as they left for vicarage in North Carolina. 

And recently, Charlie's friend Jarvis moved to South Carolina. (Jarvis is really our friend, but our dog Charlie claimed him early on and they have been buds ever since.) So, the night before we moved, we had Jarvis over for dinner and he brought his perishable food...and the Creole Mustard.

So, now it's our turn to be the Mustard-Gifters. Casey & Kate and Debbie & Charlie- there is mustard in your future! We may have to spread the love a bit, since SIX mustard is probably gift-overload. But instead of being the ones left in St. Louis when everyone else is moving, we are packing everything (but our mustard) and moving too. 

Pardon Me, Would You Have Any Grey Poupon?

Roller Coaster

I haven't written in a while because the only thing I wanted to write about, I couldn't...but now I can! Welcome to the roller coaster that has been our lives for the last 5 months. 

I hate roller coasters. I hate standing in line for them. I hate getting strapped down into the chair of death, with your face smashed between the lap bar. I hate the sick feeling I have the entire ride. And I hate controlling my urge to jump out of my seat to run from the beast after it comes to a stop. This is the reason I have only dared to ride two roller coasters in my life. 

The first was on a youth trip to Worlds of Fun. I was probably in junior high and the thought of roller coasters freaked me out a bit, but I wanted to try it. And I loved it! I rode the Zambezi Zinger, which was probably classified as a kiddie ride it was so tame. No loops, no twists, just up down and around. I rode it 12 times!

Zambezi Zinger, Worlds of Fun

Then, many years later, not wanting to feel left out at another youth trip to Worlds of Fun, I agreed to try the Timberwolf. This is an all-wood roller coaster that should have never passed safety codes! I probably would have enjoyed it more had it not been the most bumpy and painful ride of my life. My fingers were clenched so tightly around the bar in front of me that I thought they might bleed. I have never been that pale white in my life! As the ride came to a stop I remember my utter relief as I jumped out of my seat. 

Timberwolf, Worlds of Fun

I feel like I've been on a roller coaster and I'm waiting to jump out and move on to the next thing. Mark has been at the seminary for four years and for that time we've been counting down to the mystical 'Call Day' we heard so much about from those who have gone before us. Call Day is when all of the pastor candidates get placed in a church. It's an exciting, yet anxiety-ridden service filled with music and preaching and then the candidates are announced. "Mark Anderson...Bethel Lutheran Church...Morton, Illinois."

Let me back up a bit. Two months ago we finished our last of six interviews with churches in St. Louis, Illinois, North Dakota, Michigan, and Maryland. We were told that St. Louis would probably be where we ended up. Then, one horrible night we were told the church had backed out of the Call Process for now. Our hopes for St. Louis were gone and my tears began. The very next morning, another St. Louis church joined the process and our rejoicing started. We were told for months that this was the church we'd be at, that I could continue teaching at Lutheran South and everything would work out well. Then came last Monday.

Monday afternoon Mark was called into the Placement office and was told that we weren't staying in St. Louis, and this time it was final. I felt like the villagers who were fooled by the boy who cried wolf. I was sad...very sad. I had flashes of having to tell my resource students, who I have been with for four years and see multiple times a day, that I was leaving. I was overwhelmed with sadness.And then, Mark told me where we would be. Morton, IL. I felt a spark of excitement. The church in Morton is doing amazing things in their community and is exactly the kind of church Mark and I had always envisioned we would serve in. It is perfect for us. God knew better than we did, as usual. So, now I'm in a strange place. I'm sad and yet overjoyed at the same time. The roller coaster is sliding to a stop, and I feel sadness for having to leave, but I am so ready to jump out of my seat and begin the next adventure!

Dear Diary,

March 14, 1994: Today I got my hair cut shoulder length. The barber was Jane, she was nice. Oh, I also got this diary today.

Yesterday while cleaning out the attic I found my very first diary. For the majority of the entries I was in the fifth grade at a brand new school and, including pre-school, it was the fifth school I attended. I guess you could technically say it's the sixth, but my mom's venture into homeschooling me the first half of second grade probably doesn't count. I was a bit, um, strong-willed and stubborn (shocking, I know). My poor mother!

As I held the small book with the padded cover, I felt just like I was 10 years old again. I pushed open the clasp and my initial thought was, "wow, I'm glad it's unlocked". It's funny that after so many years, a girl's first instinct is to have her diary under lock and key, and maybe even a mattress! My sister learned that the hard way.

May 24, 1997: I just read my sister's diary. It's stupid. There's nothing about guys in it. 

My favorite part of the diary was my entries about my first 'boyfriend', Josh.  We were in sixth grade. He 'asked me out' at a skating party and it lasted almost two months! What a relationship! I found out later that his mom was so upset he had a 'girlfriend' that she asked the school to ban couples skates at those skating parties, and they did. So I'd like to make a public apology to all the girls who came after me who just wanted to skate to one song holding hands with their crush! :)

October 24, 1996: We just had our skating party. Josh asked me out and my friend said, "Yes she will" because I couldn't talk. It was 7:40. Then we skated to "Place in this World" by Michael W. Smith. I wanted the night to last forever.

The details of our 'relationship' were fun to read, but the best part of my entire diary (looking back of course) was the break up!

December 2, 1996: Today was a bad day. Josh gave me a letter that said: 

To Kayla, Let's just be Friends Causes when we started going out we could never talk to each other. OK? In Christ, Josh

That was at 1:15. I felt better the rest of the day. I agree with the letter, but he put "causes" when it's supposed to be "cause".  

Even in my disappointment of being dumped, I was editing for grammar and spelling! I was obviously born to be an English teacher. Other aspects of who I am have also endured. As I was reading diary entries to Mark, he would say something like, "it sounds so much like you, you haven't changed a bit".

1. I was always a saver:

May 29, 1994: I need $100 for a bike. The bike I want is at Target. It's a 10-speed. I have $4.03 now and mom owes me $28. I'll tell you if I get it. 

July 17, 1994: I'm so close to $100. I have $71.90. I'll have it before school starts.

FYI: My dad told me I had to wait until I was 10 to buy a 10-speed, so I ended up getting one for my birthday and hid my money away.

2. My mom's work ethic was passed on to me- it's in my DNA.

December 1, 1996: I am still sick and this is the week of all the programs I have to sing in. I messed up BAD in practice today so I have to spend the rest of the night working on my song. I have to be ready. 

In case you're wondering: December 6, 1996: The Christmas Program was Awesome!

3. I always tried to put on a strong front even if I really felt otherwise:

August 15, 1995: Tomorrow I'm getting two cavities filled. I'm kinda scared. Shh...don't tell anyone.

4. I bleed Red...always have, always will:

November 16, 1996: Today I got new boots and red and white fingernail polish because today is the Huskers vs. Iowa State game!

November 29, 1996: Nebraska 17 to Colorado 12 

(This was obviously important enough to include in my diary! I actually still have the ticket stub from my favorite trip to Memorial Stadium- November 1, 1997- Nebraska vs. Oklahoma. Coach Tom Osborne's 250th win!)

My personality, work ethic, and favorite things are the same. Luckily, at least one thing has changed.

I've only included a small portion of the 'fun' parts of my diary. A girl has to keep some things to herself. But, as I've been processing all that I wrote, I see how small and simple the word love was to my fifth and sixth grade understanding. I used that word so many times in my diary, mostly for the superficial butterflies you get as a pre-teen girl with a crush. I see how shallow my understanding was and it makes me thankful for all that I know now.  Now I can say things like, I love my God...I love my husband...I love my family and friends...I love my students and the ministry I get to be part of... It's nice to be on the outside of adolescence looking back in again.

But love, I've come to understand, is more than three words mumbled before bedtime. Love is sustained by action, a pattern of devotion in the things we do for each other every day.
- Nicholas Sparks

Good night diary, 

Kayla

Adopted Grandparents

At about the same time everyday in our neighborhood, the dogs begin their chorus of barking, tails wagging, and mouths salivating because they've just heard the sound they live for. Smack! The sound of our neighbor's screen door closing. Our neighbor, Ed, is the all-around caretaker for every dog in the neighborhood (or at least in the 4 block radius where he walks everyday). He knows all their names, knows who likes to be scratched behind the ears, and has a pocket-full of treats on him at all times.


Our dog Charlie is convinced he's the favorite. And secretly he probably is, though Ed would never admit to playing favorites with 'his' dogs. Charlie gets the first treat on Ed's walk and then eagerly sits outside by the fence until Ed returns to give him another. When someone finds a dog that has escaped, we all call Ed to describe the dog and ask which house it belongs to. Ed knows everytime, of course and says, "Oh that's Molly, she lives at the second house from the corner, just say 'Molly, go home' and she'll go back on her own."


Not only is he a dog-whisperer, but he can fix and do about anything. He's the Ed of all trades! He has every tool we'd ever need and knows how to MacGyver any strange house project we ask about. He knows the history of every home on our block because he's lived in his house since the early 70's, when he retired. Every day in the summer, we meet by the fence and talk about the past. He was born in Boston and has the thick accent to prove it. We know he was once in the Navy because he has the worn tattoos on his arm. He drove a truck for many years, and retired to St. Louis because his daughter lives here. His wife, Jean, comes out to the fence too from time-to-time and visits with Charlie, but can't get around well due to her health.


They are the epitome of the cute old couple. Every Saturday night they do date night at Old Country Buffet. At about 4:30, he starts up the car, then goes inside and brings Jean out on his arm, helps her down the stairs and into the car. There is a lot we can learn from their marriage.


I love all of these things about Ed and Jean, but my favorite part of our friendship has to be the coupons. Shortly after we moved in three years ago, I mentioned in passing that I had used a coupon at a fast food restaurant for lunch. Well, since that day, Ed and Jean have been coupon hunters for us. Each week when the paper comes, they gather all of their restaurant coupons for places like Arby's, Steak and Shake, and KFC to give to us. They wrap them up in a grocery bag (in case it rains) and tie them to our fence for us to pick up when we get home. This has been a tradition for three years. Now, we've never had the heart to tell them that we could never use all those coupons, and we don't eat enough fast food to make it worth their while. So, whenever we see them, we thank them for the coupons and use them when we can and wait for the next batch on the fence.


Now, since Mark's graduation is looming and we're probably moving out of this house sometime this summer, it makes us sad to think about not living next to Ed and Jean. However, we know that our relationship won't end even if we move. We have become like family, just like the neighbors who lived here before us did. They talk at least once a month. I'm sure that will be the case with us as well. And of course we'll have to bring Charlie by since he will go through Ed withdrawals when we move. Come to think of it, we'll have to start buying Charlie treats for the first time in years.


I guess I wrote this post more to log some of our memories with Ed before we have to move, and I would love to add a picture, but I've realized that we've never taken a picture of Ed. So, that is now my goal, to get one before we go, maybe of Ed and Charlie. Only then will this blog post be complete.

My Homeless Friends

I have always had a homeless friend.

When I was in grade school a homeless man lived in the park across the street from the school who would often walk by at recess time. He would never say anything, but we'd see him hanging out just down the street, far enough away that our teachers wouldn't get nervous. One day, my friend and I smuggled some of our lunch out to recess and ran over to the corner of our concrete-and-weeds playground, and stuck the food treasures through the chain link fence. That is when God first opened my eyes to the homeless around me.

Then, as I got older, I got my first job at the Orange Julius in the Mall Food Court. I would drive through the same entrance to the Mall everyday and that is where God planted the next homeless man I would meet. His name was Homeless Joe and he was well-known in the Mall Employee community. Everyday he would stand on the same median with his 'Homeless and Hungry' sign. The first day I noticed him I kept driving. I had worked all day, it was a Saturday, and I was tired and I kept driving. Every block I drove I felt more and more strongly that I should give him something. So, after 6 blocks of wrestling with God, I u-turned back to the mall. I went right back to Orange Julius, got a chili cheese dog and a giant glass of water and went back to my car. I drove through the same drive, pulled in next to the median, and offered Homeless Joe a hot dog. You would've thought it was a gourmet meal (don't let their advertising fool you, OJ/Dairy Queen dogs are not gourmet!). With a smile on his face he said, "God bless you dear." This began my three year friendship with Homeless Joe based on a chili dog.

That brings me to my current homeless friend. He is always dressed in camouflage head to toe, with a rainbow scarf, a jester's hat, and a giant duffle bag. The first time I 'met' this man, I was in my car, radio up, windows down and I heard a whistle and jibberish being yelled in my direction. At first I thought he was being rude, but after several 'meetings' I realized he was being an entertainer. He was yelling fun jibberish for all to hear. I smiled, then laughed and kept driving.

Today, as I drove home from the school, I passed my homeless friend. He was playing a trombone...he may have made up a new key no one has heard before. It was bad, but when he stopped I saw the biggest smile spread across his face. His joy even in obviously difficult times is contagious. Again, I smiled, laughed, and kept driving. I've often thought I should offer him something, but he never asks for food or money. He holds no sign or can of coins. He seems to truly enjoy entertaining.

As part of my teaching ministry, I get to organize major servant event days for the whole school. This year I've chosen to focus on serving the poor. I pray that my students get to see the unique relationships and the joy in friendship that they will experience when helping those affected by homelessness. My homeless friends have been a part of my story, and God has used each of them to teach me something new.

I pray that God always gives me opportunities to befriend the homeless.