finally here

Trials and Tribulations of Marriage

Just kidding, all illnesses aside, everthing has been great.  For those of you who don't know, Greg and I haven't exactly been 100% while in Europe, but I think Florence has warmed my heart enough so that I can finally kick this thing.  We have been uploading pictures for over an hour, it is 10:00 p.m. and we still have to pack, so I will give a short rundown of the goings on in Europe over the past two weeks. 

Finally Here (again)

Well, I have finally accepted that summer is over and this blog should be put to good use.  I know summer ended long ago, but I have been cherishing my memories of Italy dearly, not wanting to tarnish them with anything else.  But, life moves on and while the title for the blog (finally here) was originally intended to indicate that I was finally in Italy, I think it is equally applicable in  my life right now.  I am finally here.  Finally where I am meant to be.  Finally getting married.  Finally graduating college.  Finally going to graduate school.  Finally starting on a home of my own.  And the list goes on.  I hope you will check in on me every now and then to see what I am up to.  I will post wedding details as the date gets closer (March 24, 2007) for those of you who don't know.  I will also update you on school and Greg's job.  I won't promise to be consistent in posting, but I will try to stay on top of it.  Ciao for now, and looking forward to keeping in touch!

New Photos

Thought you might want to know that there are new pictures from the trip.  I have created two new photo albums: Meg in Italia and Germany and Austria.  I also updated Greg and Meg in Italia.   Let me know what you think!!

And we're back...

Just wanted to let everyone know we made it home safe and sound.  Pictures and stories to follow in the next few days.

The time has come...

That we must return home.  We thought we would let everyone know that we will be heading back to the States in about 12 hours. We have confirmed all of our flights and nothing has changed so we should be landing in Chicago at 3:30 and at XNA at 8:25.  There will be much sleeping when we return, but after we have recovered we will call/see you all, and of course post pictures and more details about our adventures.  Even though we miss you all, it is very hard for both of us to part with this wonderful country, at least we will always (God willing) have the memories.  Ciao from Italia one last time...

Meghan and Greg 

We're Still Alive...

I know it has been awhile since I posted so I wanted to let everyone know that we are still alive, we just haven't been near an internet connection for a while.  While I don't have time to give details (I will when I get back), I will give you a quick run down of the past few days.  Since we left Florence we have visited Germany, Austria, Venice, and southern Italy.  In Austria we visited a very moving concentration camp; In Germany we visited two of Mad King Ludwig's castles.  We also got lost in the German Alps while trying to find a lake.  In Munich we visited the science museum and the English Gardens.  In Venice we visited St. Mark's and took a ride in a gondola.  In southern Italy we visited the ruins of Pompeii, climbed Vesuvius and almost got stuck on Capri for the night.  Here are some pictures for you to enjoy-and don't worry when I get home I will post more details about everything we did along with tons of pictures. 

At the lake in Germany

At the Disney castle in Germany

Greg and the pigeons

and the ring at Mt. Vesuvius

Well thats all for now...

Four years and its finally official...

We're getting married!!!  Yesterday was our four year anniversary and we spent it at Cinque Terre.  At the end of the second trail Greg asked me to take his picture.  When I did this is what I saw....

Things I have done in the past week

There is so much to tell that I have decided to list everything.  Here goes:

1.  Get my hair cut, dyed, and highlighted.  Yes, in case you were wondering, it looks amazing.

2. Pick up my boyfriend at the airport and witness his double-take because he almost didn't recognize me.  Yes, I look that different, and no, not because of the hair.

3.  Drag Greg to Pisa on his first day in Europe.

4.  Make Greg stay up until 2:30 in the morning to help me pack.

5.  Search for Greg on the west side of Florence for two hours while he was searching for me on the east side of Florence (he was lost-not me).

Closing the door for the last time

I just officially moved out.  Everything is gone and my keys are there.  Walking down the stairs and out the door for the last time was harder than I had imagined it would be.  I never thought when I came here that I would be so sad to leave, I thought I would be beyond ready to leave.  I thought this month would feel like three months, when really it has felt like three days.  I have had a couple bad days and some rather irritating situations, but all of that fades away when I think of the hundreds of amazing memories I made while here.  I never imagined that I would make such a good friend in such a short time.  I feel like this was the best thing I have ever done in my life for myself.  Now I finally know who I am and I love who I am.  I could never ask for anything more.  Well those are my final thoughts of this city in my last moments of temporary citizenship.  I will always have a special place in my heart for all things Florentine and Tuscan. 

My Best Friend's Wedding

For those of you who don't know, today I am missing my best friend's wedding.  While I have been trying to keep the subject off my mind all I have thought about is her day.  Anyone who sees the newly minted Mrs. Ashley Earnhart tonight, please give her an extra big hug for me and lots of love.  I hope everything turns out exactly as you dreamed it would Ashley.  I am so sorry I can't be there with you.  I wish with all my heart that I was there.  Can't wait to see how married life treats you!  See you on the 6th.  Lots of love...

Meghan