Had a FANTASTIC/AMAZING visit with my Dad and his friend Dale. They were here from April 12th-April 29th. Although things didn't go according to plan, thanks to the "Volcanic Ash Cloud", we did a little rearranging of our schedule and still got to see/do everything we wanted to. Like my Dad (or Dale) said, "Rome's been there for hundreds of years...it will still be there next week." So...that's what we did. Waited a week and then headed to Rome. It is an amazing city. You can have dinner in an old castle, store owners are third/fourth generation owners, people speak English (well...more than they do in Milan). Before heading to Rome, we took a short day trip to Vigevano and they ventured out on their own to Pisa. (I must say...I was pretty proud and impressed.) For two guys who don't speak Italian to get on a train and have to change trains in another city they did pretty damn good. Of course I asked (more like begged) them to take the "touristy" pictures of them holding up the tower...THEY DID! I can't wait to get copies of those. The consulate sponsors a wine tasting on a quarterly basis and luckily they were here for that. They were introduced to 13 wines from (I think) the southern part of Italy. I found my favorite...Nero d'Avola. It's a Sicilian red wine and can't wait to share it with some friends/family when we get back to the States. We visited the Duomo here in Milan and enjoyed sitting in the Piazza chatting, people watching and drinking a beer. It was quite surreal to have my Dad here in Italy. My Dad even got to see an American Football game here in Milan. The Milan Rhinos played and he enjoyed every second of it. Hopefully, we'll get them to visit at our next post...wherever that may be. They left April 29th...
On April 30th, Brian's Mom joined us for a visit. We were able to go to Stresa and Genova. The weather wasn't nearly as beautiful as it was when my Dad was here. In fact, it rained EVERY day. Although I thought the visit went well...there were other opinions about it.
Kyleigh had an exciting 5 day trip to Switzerland with her school. She went to Anzere, Switzerland and went on a 7 hour hike, went rock climbing, learned about waste (food, electricity, etc) Miss Julie, here teacher said they had a FABULOUS time. Of course, they had nice weather while the rest of us were stuck in Milan with nothing but rain...UGH!
I finished my classes for this semester!!! Even with all of the visitors, and playing tour guide/Mom/and working I was able to pull off two B's! I must say...I kinda can kick some butt. ;) Hoping to get into a Summer class and get an elective out of the way. I only have 2 more "core" classes and then 7 units of electives and I have my AA. Yep...I'm tooting my own horn. Granted, it's not my Bachelor's, but that will come in time.
Well...off to visit a sweet baby girl...
Ciao!
.JPG)
