tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88650755728377396762024-03-13T14:26:00.774-07:00A Glimpse of ItalyDuring my semester abroad in Orvieto, Italy, I want friends and family to be able to see what I see and go where I go. I hope to post at least one photo every day, but my internet access may be limited. With the opportunities I have, I hope to give you a fair glimpse of this once-in-a-lifetime experience!Sarah Nennohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17542350684376495091noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8865075572837739676.post-36999409354738568902009-06-22T19:45:00.001-07:002009-06-22T20:09:15.548-07:00I thought I wouldn't be posting here anymore since I'm home, but I was reading "Streams in the Desert" today. My friend from the program recommended it to me, and I thought it would be a great help in processing my time away. There was a poem in today's devotional that hit home. I had to read it atleast twice. It more than fits why I decided to leave and how I healed in ways I had both hoped I would, and ways I was unaware of. Even when I've forgotten that my God is there, He is. Even when I've forgotten how His hand has been in my life, or forgotten that He is still at work, He is.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">There was a scar on yonder mountainside,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Gashed out where once the cruel storm had trod;</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">A barren, desolate chasm, reaching wide</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Across the soft green sod.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">But years crept by beneath the purple pines,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">And veiled the scar with grass and moss once more,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">And left it fairer now with flowers and vines</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Than it had been before.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">There was a wound once in a gentle heart,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">From which life's sweetness seemed to ebb and die;</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">And love's confiding changed to bitter smart,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">While slow, sad years went by.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Yet as they passed, unseen an angel stole</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">And laid a balm of healing on the pain,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Till love grew purer in the heart made whole,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">And peace came back again.</span>Sarah Nennohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17542350684376495091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8865075572837739676.post-66034334400966810212009-06-14T08:47:00.000-07:002009-06-14T08:53:45.263-07:00Four months have past, and I'm home now. I'll be making slideshows and videos all about this whole experience, and hoping to share them with anyone I can. If you don't see it through pictures and recordings, you'll see it through me. It has become a part of me. If you'll know who I am, you'll know how this has made it's way under my skin. For the better.Sarah Nennohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17542350684376495091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8865075572837739676.post-6273701608915649022009-06-07T07:22:00.000-07:002009-06-07T08:01:30.053-07:00Saying goodbye is never easy. It has been the best. There is a season for everything.<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1090796b.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 251px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1090796b.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />The courtyard.<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1090794.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 243px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1090794.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />The alley.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1090792b.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 243px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1090792b.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />The market.<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1090791b.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 243px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1090791b.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1090790b.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 242px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1090790b.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1090840.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 215px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1090840.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />The Cathedral at night.<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1090810b.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 205px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1090810b.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />On a walk.<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1090805b.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 205px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1090805b.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />One of my favorite views.<br /><br />It is time to close. But I'm called home, and I'm ready. Thank you for the prayers in every way. My grandfather is doing so much better... I don't doubt it's a miracle. All PRAISE to the ONE!Sarah Nennohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17542350684376495091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8865075572837739676.post-72849355585142046902009-06-01T08:08:00.001-07:002009-06-01T08:13:56.761-07:00My Grandfather's spirit is a thousand times stronger than his body. Please pray that he makes it through this, too.<div><br /></div><div>I'm in the last days of my stay in Italy. Just 11 days left. I can't believe it went so fast, and nothing can calculate how truly amazing this experience has been. At the two-month-mark, I felt an unfamiliar, unsettling dread that only two months remained, and that was quite the struggle. Now, I feel a healthy pull towards home. No, I don't want to leave. If I can, I'm coming back. But I can firmly say that on the day that I take my bags and get on that plane, it will have been the best it could have and should have been.</div><div><br /></div><div>All things outside of my control, I give to my Father. Uncertainty is faith. Not knowing, I will only trust.</div>Sarah Nennohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17542350684376495091noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8865075572837739676.post-26618176371518438332009-05-31T09:15:00.000-07:002009-05-31T09:16:55.455-07:00What's there left to do, but pray?<div><br /></div><div>When is there anything better to do, but pray?</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Two weeks. Just hold on for me, I'm coming home...</div>Sarah Nennohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17542350684376495091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8865075572837739676.post-72600010985065407092009-05-28T08:11:00.000-07:002009-05-28T09:19:30.662-07:00PICTURES. But, don't miss the previous post!<br /><br />Sicily<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1090546.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 264px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1090546.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />Cannoli, of course.<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1090534.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 242px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1090534.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />Some famous church in Palermo, Sicily. It's dark, I know.<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1090553b.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 204px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1090553b.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />The group that went!<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1090555.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 205px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1090555.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />Our hostile room.<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1090565.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 242px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1090565.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />Yup, the beach. Yup, we went swimming.<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1090567.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 243px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1090567.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />So blue! Look out the different hues as it goes deeper into the distance :).<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1090591.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 346px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1090591.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />My friend found her relatives in Piana Degli Albanesi, and came across a street with their last name. Apparently, her relative by the name of Cassara was a good cop, and was killed by the mafia. Cool, eh?<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1090588.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 242px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1090588.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />Piana Degli Albanesi. The typical cluster of houses among the hills and valleys. Never gets old.<br /><br /><br />Bristol and London, England<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1090657.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 242px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1090657.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />Cloud Farm in Exmoor, England :)<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1090647.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 242px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1090647.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />Horseback riding!!<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1090652.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 242px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1090652.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />Oh, hi Tess.<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1090666.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 243px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1090666.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />Lindsay Roper!!!!!!! We ate lunch together in a park in London!<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1090696.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 384px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1090696.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />Tate Modern<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1090708.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 296px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1090708.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />Outside the London Eye with soft-serve ice cream :).<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1090716b.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 243px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1090716b.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />Classic phonebooth photo?<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1090729.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 243px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1090729.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />Inside the London Eye.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1090733.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 242px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1090733.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />View from up above.<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1090727.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 242px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1090727.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />Outside the London Eye.<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1090740.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 242px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1090740.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />A pub at night!<br /><br /><br />A perfect weekend. As always, I have so many more photos than I can post. I'm glad to share what I can.<br /><br />It's time to wrap up Italy, but I know for sure it won't be that last time I'm in Europe. I can't even begin to say how great it's been.Sarah Nennohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17542350684376495091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8865075572837739676.post-63713458089831191512009-05-26T08:54:00.000-07:002009-05-26T09:22:58.652-07:00Apologies for the lack of posts. Internet time goes by fast. Maybe time just runs quicker here? Because I don't know how, but there are only two and a half weeks left. I'm ready to wake up any minute now and find that this was all a dream. I am living a dream.<br /><br />The weekend in London was amazing. Every minute of it was incredible... I don't think I ever went three days straight without a dull minute. We did so much! I met Joe's brother Dave and saw a lot of his artwork, including roughs for a new book he's illustrating for. That was awesome. I made some new friends and learned how to play Perudo. We went horseback riding through streams, hills, trees, and in the bright sun in Exmoor, England on Friday, and I went to Joe's Christian Union group, where I made more friends and watched a movie afterward with ice cream and Rosso wine. Saturday was a great day spent in London. From Buckingham palace, the Big Ben, Parliament, the Tate Modern museum, the Glode Theatre, the London Eye, and more, everything was perfect. It was so good to see old friends and make new ones. I loved meeting up with Lindsay Roper amongst all of it, too! We hung out in pubs, got to walk around a lot, talked, and we had a traditional Sunday roast after a service at a Hillsong Church. And on top of that, a whole other story developed when my flight back to Rome was late, causing me to miss my train to Orvieto. The next one was 6:00 AM, giving me 3 hours to get to my 9:00 AM class.<br /><br />When I could've chosen to freak out and hide away in the train station til morning, out of sight of strangers, mulling over the fact that I could be in my bed sleeping, I chose to keep on praying and keep my spirits up. Good choice. I saw a guy there that looked American and a little lost, so I knew I should talk to him. Turned out some Italians gave him the wrong train to Florence and he ended up in Rome, causing him to wait all night for a 6:30 AM train to Florence. We decided to stick together and talk. He said, "I hope I get to come back to Rome some time. I hear there are some pretty cool things to see." Then I said, "Let's go!"So, from 2:00 AM to 5:00 AM, I took him to the Pantheon, the Spanish Steps, past these monumental buildings all lit up and being circled by birds that gave the illusion of swirling stars, we stopped at a number of places overlooking the empty piazzas complete with sculptures and fountains, and had a pleasant stroll through the perfect weather and empty streets. He mentioned how glad he was to experience Rome for the first time like that. At 4:00 AM, we crossed a pastry shop that was just opening, and he bought me gelato. We made it back the the station in time for our trains, and what could've been a long and dreary night turned out to be such a great one. I'm glad I was able to share what I knew about Rome, and allow somebody else to experience it under such unpredictable circumstances! Thank the good Lord for it.<br /><br />More and more, I'm seeing how everything can be seen as an opportunity. An opportunity to step out of one's comfort zone, to dig deeper, to learn, and to try something new. I'd rather not be sitting still.<br /><br />I am starting to see little ways in which I've changed. From what I see, I like it. I can't imagine how it will all surface once I'm finally home.Sarah Nennohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17542350684376495091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8865075572837739676.post-15694307992088212252009-05-20T09:16:00.000-07:002009-05-20T09:18:16.380-07:00Pictures of Sicily coming soon...<br /><br />I'm flying out to Bristol England Thursday to visit Joe Bain and his family for the weekend, and meeting up with Lindsay Roper in London!!! I'll post when I get back!Sarah Nennohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17542350684376495091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8865075572837739676.post-41660086318868499472009-05-19T08:19:00.000-07:002009-05-19T09:20:25.962-07:00Cinque Terre and Pisa<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1090402.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 243px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1090402.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1090429.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 367px; height: 244px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1090429.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1090434b.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 243px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1090434b.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1090473.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 243px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1090473.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1090475.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 243px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1090475.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1090477.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 243px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1090477.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1090513.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 366px; height: 548px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1090513.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1090515.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 244px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1090515.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1090519b.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 545px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1090519b.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />I ended up going back to Pisa and getting that cheesey picture with the leaning tower.<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1090527b.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 243px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1090527b.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I want to post more photos, but as you know, my internet is limited and the connection is pretty bad. I will glady show you all the photos I have when I come home!Sarah Nennohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17542350684376495091noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8865075572837739676.post-21062550657654308462009-05-12T08:40:00.000-07:002009-05-12T09:09:56.389-07:00<a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1090279.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 205px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1090279.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />Civita<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1090316.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 648px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1090316.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />An alley in Civita<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1090351.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 243px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1090351.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />A nice, small group to travel.<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1090309.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 204px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1090309.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />At the edge of the cliff.<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1090313.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 205px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1090313.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />Italy hillside<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1090378.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 243px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1090378.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />This is for Laura. Four cats sat with us as we waited for the bus to go back to Orvieto.<br /><br />More photos to come. Cinque Terre was the most beautiful place I've ever seen, and I hope you'll be able to see by my photos. Sicily this weekend. Time is moving fast...Sarah Nennohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17542350684376495091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8865075572837739676.post-18835006791432936552009-05-11T09:07:00.000-07:002009-05-11T09:14:28.610-07:00So I fail at updating. If only you could see how many times I have attempted to in the past two weeks. I always feel like there is so much to say, and so many photos to go with it!<br /><br />Hopefully I'll update later on the following:<br /><br />My trip to Civita, "the Dying City" that is slowly corroding and won't allow cars on. It is truly beautiful.<br /><br />My trip to Cinque Terre, the 5 villages, the most beautiful place I've ever seen. Pictures soon...<br /><br />The train strike that left a group of us stranded in Pisa. Though we thought we'd spend one or more nights sleeping in train stations, God surprised us many times with so many crazy things.<br /><br />I hope that suffices as an update. I owe you anyway. I'll try to put up photos soon, along with more stories!Sarah Nennohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17542350684376495091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8865075572837739676.post-41242981475844022892009-04-29T08:09:00.000-07:002009-04-29T08:56:50.595-07:00I am among angels.<br /><br />Every word they say... how do they know it's exactly what I need to hear? What I didn't know I needed to hear?<br /><br />Out of nowhere, everything I wanted this trip to be to me just fell right in my lap. I feel swept into flight, spiritually and artistically.<br /><br />Today is a good day.<br /><br /><br />Oh, and Grace Decker, you rock! Thank you for the new letter, dandelion, and your awesomeness! It made my day twice as good. You will get another letter from me in return :).<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1090230.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 299px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1090230.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1090241.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 204px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1090241.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">The sky right before sunset yesterday.</span>Sarah Nennohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17542350684376495091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8865075572837739676.post-12112145180916485762009-04-27T08:10:00.001-07:002009-04-27T09:00:12.810-07:00<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" 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4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:1; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-format:other; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:0 0 0 0 0 0;} @font-face {font-family:Calibri; panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-1610611985 1073750139 0 0 159 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-size:12.0pt; mso-ansi-font-size:12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">“It is better to suffer than to except a gift from uncaring hands.” </span><span style=";font-size:100%;" > </span><span style=";font-size:100%;" > </span></p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p>- Henri Nouwen</span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">A group of us started up times of prayer three times throughout the day, for a time to know each other better, share, give up requests, and praise. Most of us have been struggling in different ways, so personally, it will be a huge help to me.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Today, I learned that I'm not just here to grow, heal, and learn. I'm here to contribute to others' growths, healing, and learning. It was sort of selfish of me to not realize that before. I guess I didn't see how I <span style="font-style: italic;">could </span>be of use in someone else's story, but this is one of the many things I am learning.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Our director read an excerpt from the book "Out of Solitude" for a brief devotional today (where the quote above came from). It was on the topic of caring, and not in any way less than the true meaning of the word. It was about sincere caring and how it is showed. Often times, when we see that someone is hurting, our tendency is to withdraw. Maybe we don't think we can really help, but that is not the mindset we should have. Everybody comes from different backgrounds and pasts, and we all have those certain people in our lives that are struggling with certain things. What <span style="font-style: italic;">should </span>we do when we know someone is hurting? What do we do when someone is going through something that we've never experienced and cannot relate? Is simply patting them on the back and hoping they feel better nearly enough? Maybe all that we need to do is be there. "I don't understand what you're going through, and I don't know what to say to help, but know that I am here with you."
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Maybe you've experienced a time when you sought help, and somebody offered a "cure" for the pain. Only, something was lacking. There are all these "cures" out there. "This is what you do when you're feeling this way" or "This is why this happened, so next time, do this." Whatever it is, there is something lacking. Care.We all need somebody, and someone that will stick around no matter what. We need someone who truly cares, and shows it. We need to be that someone for somebody else. I've fallen short in the past, and I'm learning from it. More and more I am understanding what true and sincere relationships are, and that makes me stronger as a person. And no matter where I am in life, if I'm a daughter, a sister, a niece, a granddaughter, a wife, a teacher, the president... no other title matters more than my title as a child of God. I found a cure for my greatest problem, and that makes life worth living.
<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" >"When we honestly ask ourselves which persons in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate now knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares." - Henri Nouwen</span>
<br /></div><p class="MsoNormal"></p>Sarah Nennohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17542350684376495091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8865075572837739676.post-28097714961002229362009-04-22T08:40:00.001-07:002009-04-22T09:26:43.558-07:00VeneziaThree days well-spent in beautiful Venice... just like they say it is.<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1090102.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 273px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1090102.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />This is the first thing I saw when I stepped out of the train station. The beautiful canal. I almost cried.<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1090107.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 273px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1090107.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />This is the view from the guesthouse where two of my friends and I stayed.<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1090122.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 486px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1090122.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />I have sooo many pictures of the canals and gondolas, and chose this one to stand in for all of them. Pretty much, instead of streets and cars, they had canals boats.<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1090138.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 486px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1090138.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />Okay, I added another canal photo.<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1090143.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 273px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1090143.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />Here is the view from the Rialto Bridge.<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1090184.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 648px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1090184.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />A gondola driver. Classic.<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1090202b.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 170px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1090202b.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />View from the Rialto Bridge at night.<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1090204.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 212px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1090204.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />And again.<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1090211.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 205px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1090211.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />I liked this photo that I took at a small piazza in Venice at night. There were so many tourists, and the city was constantly lively. We had perfect weather the whole weekend, and enjoyed every bit of it.<br /><br />I have to ask myself every day how I got here. Lately, I've been figuring out why I am. Through the past week, things that I thought long buried had resurfaced, and I've sought out certain people for guidance and comfort. I know why I'm here, and I feel like something is hatching. There's not much that I can publicize here, but something amazing is happening... as much as it hurts in the present. It all makes sense when I consider the words of my Father in 2 Corinthians 1: 3 - 5, and other verses. Not everything makes sense now, and some things never will. But I will be better. I'm going to come out of this whole.Sarah Nennohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17542350684376495091noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8865075572837739676.post-49193810327858578772009-04-11T09:08:00.000-07:002009-04-12T08:55:39.948-07:00Good Friday and Easter<a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1090041b.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 288px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1090041b.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1090049.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 548px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1090049.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><div>On Friday, I participated in Orvieto's Procession of the Stations of the Cross. We all held candles and followed the candlelit roads. There was a sea of people, and every now and then we stopped for a song. We followed a Priest, cardinals, and a cross that people held at the front of the procession. It was a really great experience, especially with other members of the program.</div><div><br /></div><div>So. An Easter in Italy. I never dreamt that it would happen to me.<br /><br />Well, "Buona Pasqua!" from the students...<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1090072.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 249px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1090072.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br />and from the program kids and friends... :)<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1090013b.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 225px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1090013b.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I hope to post more photos soon!<br /></div>Sarah Nennohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17542350684376495091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8865075572837739676.post-27996017987842846462009-04-09T08:18:00.000-07:002009-04-09T09:06:36.837-07:00<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; 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class="MsoNormal">“When you start working, everybody is in your studio—the past, your friends, enemies, the art world, and above all, your own ideas—all are there. But as soon as you continue painting, they start leaving, one by one, and you are left completely alone. Then, if you’re lucky, even you leave.”</p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal">- Philip Guston</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">I know I try not to have any expectations for anything for a number of reasons. One, it protects me from disappointment, and two, it makes for better surprises. However, I did hope for certain things to come out of this semester abroad. So far, it has exceeded my expectations, and is overflowing with more than I can hold... things that I need, and didn't even know I needed.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">My director, Matt Doll, plays a huge part in the artist's aspect of why I am here. For almost every single class, he has some passage from a book to share with us, something of his own experience, and encouragement that comes from a true passion for art and it's purpose for Christians. He has challenged me a lot already, and helped me see in ways I've never seen. I feed off of his drive for this, and I am overly satisfied with how much progress has been made in the three weeks of drawing class we've had. Next week is the last week, and I can't believe it. I don't feel overwhelmed in any way, but so excited about what I can do and what I thought I couldn't do. Right now, I feel like I can take on anything.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">When Matt read that quote above to the class today, I felt the floor drop. I don't think I could ever fully describe what it's like for me to be in front of a blank page. Sometimes it's unsettling. Sometimes it's beckoning to be filled. But as soon as I put a mark down, I enter into a new world. Everything is there, and it's up to me in that time to compartmentalize it all. Something is to be said about every stroke I make. The things that appear and disappear--even underly--play into what is created. How is it meeting my needs? How is it changing me? When everything else is gone, where does it put me?
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" >A huge part of why I chose to study abroad was to find out who I am. Yeah, I know... cliche. But I mean in it all seriousness. I need this getaway. I need healing. I've found that to be a recurring theme of the students here. My only prayer is that we all find it--abundantly.</span><p class="MsoNormal"></p>Sarah Nennohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17542350684376495091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8865075572837739676.post-86049330725126127642009-04-06T08:31:00.000-07:002009-04-06T09:26:05.610-07:00Very, very early this morning, I woke up feeling like my bed was teetering on top of a rock. It was sort of like the feeling of sleeping on a boat, only it wasn't as calming, and it made my vision skip a little. I was between asleep and awake, and I looked over to see if my roommate was reacting to anything strange, but she was still sound asleep. I convinced myself I was dreaming, so I rolled over and went back to sleep.<br /><br />When I woke up, I discovered that there had been an earthquake northeast of Rome that was 6.3 on the Richter scale and did some pretty bad damage in some places. I just heard that, as of now, 92 people were killed.<br /><br />I never experienced an earthquake in my life. It's not like a train riding by your house. It felt like the entire building was being lifted and shifted. My director was concerned about this convent, built in 1200, and said it wouldn't take much to disturb it. Some girls down the hall are convinced that a crack in their wall wasn't there last night. Who knows... thank God it wasn't worse.Sarah Nennohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17542350684376495091noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8865075572837739676.post-17816742517910277002009-04-05T08:30:00.000-07:002009-04-05T09:32:24.058-07:00WEEKEND IN ROME<br /><br />These are pictures from last weekend, a trip I went on with my drawing class for intense sightseeing, drawing, and observing what Rome, Italy had to offer us. We saw the Sistine Chapel, the School of Athens paintings by Raphael, lots of churches, the Moses sculpture, many amazing fountain sculptures, and tons more. The first day (Friday) was the busiest day. We walked an incredible amount and saw an overload of amazing things.<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1080843.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 243px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1080843.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />This is one of the apartments we stayed in, in the middle of Rome. We had two apartments for the girls, and one for the guys, and this is the guy's apartment where we all met up for dinner on Saturday night. This is just a glimpse, but this place was GORGEOUS and looked like it belonged to some wealthy family. Just down the street and around a corner or two stood the Pantheon, and the best gelateria around.<br /><br />On Saturday night, a group of us decided to walk to Pantheon after dinner and gelato. The Pantheon always amazes me, and was absolutely stunning at night in the soft spotlights. I sat at the fountain infront of it and let it carry me away. There were plenty of people out sitting at nearby outdoor restaurants, taking pictures, and enjoying the sight as well.<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1080835.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 249px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1080835.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />This is the group sitting in a piazza surrounded by 8 intersecting streets. We did a panorama drawing by standing in a circle facing each other, turning around, taking three steps, and sitting. We had to talk to the person next to us to see from what point we would start our own drawing and what point we would stop. It was sooo cool sitting there drawing as tourists walked by taking our pictures. I was feeding off of the energy of the students around to me to complete my drawing. Just knowing that I was contributing to something bigger made it so much better.<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1080817.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 288px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1080817.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />This is part of a sculpture we stopped at that was part of a fountain. I liked the irony.<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1080818.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 296px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1080818.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />This is our director Matt Doll. Here he is giving us some insight from his journal. He usually has some great things to challenge us with or encourage us with. He made the trip so much more sufficient with information and things we could apply to ourselves and our own work. He and his family are key to this program, and so great.<br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1080802.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 265px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1080802.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />Matt Doll took us to a great spot where we could overlook all of Rome. Here is a group of us while we relaxed and took a break from the intense traveling. I was going to say we were "giving our eyes a rest" but that is hardly the right phrase. In Rome, your eyes never get a rest! That is being said in the best way possible.<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1080764b.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 298px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1080764b.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />Here is a sculpture we walked by on the way to a sight that gave us the best view of St. Peters.<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1080786.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 244px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1080786.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />This is the stairwell on the way to the Sistine Chapel.<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1080769.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 252px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1080769.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />"When the water in Rome runs dry, Rome is dead." There are fountains everywhere, always flowing. These are a few of the students refreshing themselves with some water on our travels.<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1080767.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 242px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1080767.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />St. Peter's... none of these pictures really do any justice to what it all looks like.<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1080762.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 242px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1080762.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />I liked this little alley-way that was strung with ornaments. I have soo many other pictures, but sadly it takes forever to load them and forever to choose what few I should post.<br /><br />Since that trip, I've been TRYING to update this blog, trying to write back to emails, trying to do homework, and trying to squeeze in everything I need to do in the time I have. It's been great, don't get me wrong. The weather is getting warmer and Italy is getting even more beautiful. I find myself walking around in the mornings, occasionally speaking to the people of the community in Italian, and finding some nice place to sit in the grass under the sun and listen to music. I have been walking a lot, trying new flavors of gelato, getting closer to my friends here, and soaking up the experience. I try to write in my little journal at least once a day, and every day I have something else to say about how much I'm growing and learning. God is good.<br /><br />This morning, I sang in the Italian mass that I've been going to, and took part in their Palm Sunday traditions. We started outside with olive tree branches in the bright sun, with tons of people around. The priest said a few words, as well as other church members, and then we had a procession into the church singing a song. The church was decorated with these white flowers on tall, green, windy vines. It was beautiful. I couldn't stop smiling the entire time.<br /><br />Everything is beautiful.Sarah Nennohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17542350684376495091noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8865075572837739676.post-85421742790001833672009-03-30T12:15:00.001-07:002009-03-30T12:21:40.935-07:00Coming soon... a post on my art class trip - weekend stay in Rome. <div><br /></div><div>An apartment in the center of Rome. Sistine Chapel. Pantheon at night. The famous Moses sculpture. So many other sculptures. Non-stop walking through Rome. Non-stop amazement. Seriously, if you think you've found a spot in Rome with no sort of significance, you're not looking hard enough.</div><div><br /></div><div>I just want to let everyone from home know that we had daylight savings yesterday. Back to the 6-hour difference. I love Skype dates, I make them with my dad all the time. Please let me know if your available for a chat, and I will not forget!</div><div><br /></div><div>I don't have time for a sufficient update tonight, but I thought I'd let you know the latest, and what's coming. Later!</div><div><br /></div>Sarah Nennohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17542350684376495091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8865075572837739676.post-19211572559713687462009-03-24T14:01:00.000-07:002009-03-24T14:23:04.337-07:00As I was looking through my photos from my trip to Pisa this past weekend, I realized that I had accidentally deleted some of the photos. My pictures of me "holding up" the leaning tower are gone. I know I definitely lost some other pictures, and I don’t remember what exactly they were of, but finding out made me really bummed. Oh well. I’ll show you what I have, though I don’t think I can get another picture of the leaning tower of Pisa any time soon :\.<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1080670.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 242px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1080670.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Pisa Basilica</span><br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1080672.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 243px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1080672.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Lauren and myself</span><br /><br />The weekend was great. Six of us got on a train and headed to Florence, to pick up another train ride to Pisa. The hostile we stayed in was across the street from the train station, and just a 10 to 15 minute walk to the leaning tower, the basilica, and the baptistery. We got there noon Friday, had lunch at a really good kebab place, sat out in the grass by the leaning tower and the street markets, walked around town, and caught a train to the town of Livorno to watch the sun set over the harbor. BEAUTIFUL. As we were walking past the boats lined up along the coast, the wind made the masts play a song. It was one of those moments you know you can’t describe to anyone else if you tried.<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1080676.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 243px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1080676.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">The boats at Livorno</span><br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1080686.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 243px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1080686.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Streets at night in Livorno</span><br /><br />We had an amazing dinner at a seafood restaurant and caught a train back to our hostile. The next morning, we got to walk around Pisa more, and we took a train to Lucca. Lucca was absolutely beautiful. I loved it there. I could’ve stayed there forever. We had a great lunch in the park, walked around the town, went into stores, bought candy from the markets, and really enjoyed ourselves there. We took the train back to Pisa and spent the rest of the night walking through the streets experiencing the lively nightlife. The six of us got to have a good time and get to know each other a lot when we went back to the hostile and hang out.<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1080702.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 547px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1080702.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Candy stand in Lucca</span><br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1080714.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 243px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1080714.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Field of daisies, where we ate lunch in Lucca</span><br /><br />We had to check out by 10 AM Sunday morning, so we walked the streets of Pisa again, seeing what we hadn’t seen yet, and found a nice spot to sit outside under palm trees and eat lunch. We laid out under the sun and relaxed until we had to catch our train home.<br /><br />It was a really great weekend, and I’m totally looking forward to more like it. It was a great opportunity to get to know people better and take advantage of our freedom in Italy.<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1080734.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 266px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1080734.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Five girls shared a room with two twin beds and one queen. We cuddled a little on the queen :). I might've started it.</span><br /><br />I started my second month of classes yesterday. I am done with my first class, and on to drawing. I am unbelievably excited for this class, and I can’t wait to see what kind of things we’ll get into. This weekend will be spent in Rome, with opportunities to get out and draw. I couldn’t ask for anything more.Sarah Nennohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17542350684376495091noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8865075572837739676.post-24483497490085620002009-03-18T09:29:00.000-07:002009-03-18T10:10:34.001-07:00Since my last blog, I've been on a trip to Florence. I know it's a catastrophe to say that we didn't see David this trip, but I'm definitely going back to Florence when I can! I've seen a lot, learned a lot, and it was all around a great. I'm still amazed that I'm here, with so many opportunities to travel. On Sunday, a group of us volunteered after to mass to join the choir in preparation for their Easter service. I think it's going to be a really cool experience. It's a great opportunity to learn Italian through the songs and get to know more residents of Orvieto.<br /><br />We just ended a meeting with a man named Kieth Pecklers, an ecumenical author and speaker, that is also the spokesperson for ABC news' Vatican coverage. It was really cool to get to hear his views and pose some questions that he might be able to help us with.<br /><br />This is the last week of the first class of the program, and I have a presentation already out of the way. Tomorrow is the exam, and a paper is due Monday morning before the new class begins (DRAWING!!!). It's been a busy week, but it's still been great. If I ever get a little frustrated or stressed, I just remember... I'M IN ITALY!!!<br /><br />This weekend will be spent with a few other students in southern Tuscany, in Pisa, Lucca, and Livorno. I won't have any reading for homework to worry about. I'll just relax and enjoy the traveling.<br /><br />Now for some photos.<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1080583.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 243px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1080583.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />The group in Assisi.<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1080616b.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 243px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1080616b.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />A bird taking a bath in a garden in Florence.<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1080619b.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 259px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1080619b.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />The bird again.<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1080633.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 243px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1080633.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />River through Florence.<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1080624b.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 548px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1080624b.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />The Duomo and other buildings in Florence.<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1080627.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 243px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1080627.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />Duomo detail, just a fraction of the entire thing.Sarah Nennohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17542350684376495091noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8865075572837739676.post-62674400217948508732009-03-14T12:13:00.000-07:002009-03-14T13:49:17.681-07:00<a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1080473.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 243px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1080473.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />The Vatican City - St. Peter's<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1080487.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 367px; height: 244px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1080487.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />The crowd waiting to see the Pope.<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1080518b.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 367px; height: 281px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1080518b.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />The Pope, a Bishop, and his sketchy photographer. No, he's cool.<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1080515.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 243px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1080515.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />St. Peter's. Mmm.<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1080543.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 258px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1080543.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />La Pieta by Michelangelo. This has to be the most beautiful sculpture I've ever seen. I might've turned to jelly when I turned my head to the right and caught glimpse of it.<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1080582.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 242px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1080582.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />Assisi. Though this is just one photo that does not do justice to the whole of Assisi (on the trip we took on Friday), it is appropriate for displaying my favorite part of the trip. This is the olive grove where we took a break from walking. One of the leaders brought his guitar and we sang songs in Enlglish, Italian, and Spanish. The sun was shining, the weather was warm, the air was cool, the view of the hills, vineyards and towns was breathtaking, and when the music stopped, we heard different churches sounding their church bells in the distance, resounding from the hills. Though I had woken up feeling sick that morning and my muscles were screaming for rest, I don't think I ever felt more at rest and peace in that very moment.<br /><br />I truly feel I am cutting you all short, as I am not able to post as many photos as I'd like to. I wish I could show you everything and give you the full scoop. I guess you'll have to catch me online sometime or come find me when I come home... if I ever do come home :P. Oh, I love it here. This is amazing.Sarah Nennohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17542350684376495091noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8865075572837739676.post-53314607791112480502009-03-12T09:57:00.000-07:002009-03-12T10:28:13.764-07:00In the class that we're in right now, we've discussed a lot about ecumenism and the differences between Catholicism and Protestantism, and attempts to unite the two together as one Body. It has been a great class, with great discussions that have really challenged me to further explore these differences and work towards this unity.<br /><br />Yesterday, we took the train to Rome again and rode the bus right to the Vatican. Ahead of us, St. Peter's basilica stood almost like this old and powerful kingdom that I hardly felt worthy to approach. Yet, that's exactly where we were headed. Already, there were so many people crowded in this smallest country in the world, in St. Peter's square. Our group was hoping for at least some chairs to sit in while we waited for the Pope to come out. We then proceeded to follow our professor Skillen through security, grabbed a special red slip, and walked past the standing people, the chairs, and right up to the very stage where the Pope would be seated. Yup. We had the best seats among the thousands of people. When I realized we were walking up to the stage like we owned the place, I said out loud, "What makes us so special??" In other words, "What did I do to deserve this? How did I get here?? Thank You, Lord!!"Skillen is apparently tight with two of the guards, which earned us the privilege of sitting in the crowd beside the Pope's seat.<br /><br />The day was beautiful. The sun was bright and the sky was so blue. The bishops and the Pope greeted each and every group individually that was present. They spoke in Italian, English, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Russian, and more. Millions of people could only ever dream of being where we were sitting. It was amazing! I managed to get a decent photo of the Pope shaking the hand of one of he bishops. I'll try to post it soon.<br /><br />After that, we had the opportunity to sit through a conference with one of the official Catholic authorities. It was held in a building right down the street from the Vatican. Halfway through, it hit me just exactly where I was. I was in Rome, in a conference room with my group, discussing ecumenical issues and approaches to bringing peace between Catholics and Protestants, and part of what may be a drastic and wonderful change in Christianity, unity in Christ among all denominations. The Catholic official called us ambassadors. We were working toward good, and the coming together of the Body despite differences. I felt so incredibly honored.<br /><br />After the conference, we were given 5 euro each to get our own lunches wherever we wanted. I went with a few friends to a place that allowed us to get sandwiches/pizza and gelato for 5 euro. We ate it outside on a bench. In Rome. Just wanted to add that. Then we had a little under an hour to explore St. Peter's. I had no words. We've been in a dozen churches in Italy already, and I'd go as far to say that St. Peter's is the king of them. It was so big, covered in art, covered in gold, and filled with stone sculptures. It felt like royalty. I wanted to lay down on the ground and stare up, just soaking in everything I was seeing. What an atmosphere. What a feeling. What a life.<br /><br />Tomorrow, we're going to Assisi. Next week we're going to Florence. On the weekend, I'm hoping to hop ship with some friends and either go to Paris, or to Bologna and Venice. Quite honestly, I'll go anywhere. I want to see it all. What an opportunity. WHAT A GOD!!!!!Sarah Nennohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17542350684376495091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8865075572837739676.post-61180009249239803082009-03-10T09:54:00.000-07:002009-03-10T10:04:16.512-07:00I spent Saturday in a town called Arezzo, and I stupidly forgot to bring my camera! It was absolutely beautiful. This was a trip apart from the program, so it was just a group of friends that went. We took a train toward Florence, and stopped at Arezzo, where we had plenty of time to explore, walk the streets, see inside churches and buildings, shop, and have lunch out in the park with a view similar to one we get in Orvieto. It was such a beautiful day and a really great time.<br /><br />Sunday was spent in Rome again. That was another great trip. I'll tell ya, if you spend a day in Rome, you'll be exhausted by the end of the day no matter what. There's so much to see and so much to do. Rome is breathtaking. You could be walking down any old street, turn the corner, and BAM - there's a huge statue or building or monument that you'd seen in the history books and never could've imagined in person. We're going back tomorrow (Wednesday) to be present in the papal audience and see the Pope. Millions of people would die to have such an opportunity, and somehow the opportunity is given to me. I thank God every day for letting me spend this time in Italy!Sarah Nennohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17542350684376495091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8865075572837739676.post-89927850757116360792009-03-06T13:01:00.000-08:002009-03-06T13:29:52.189-08:00So, a great friend of mine, Laura, sorta said she wanted to see my face in some of these pictures. And though I think there's one on here so far with my face in this blog, I think it'd be a good idea to have SOME evidence that I'm actually present in Italy lol. So, uh, here you go!<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1080159.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 243px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1080159.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />Hannah (whom I call Giggles) and me (Big Bubble Giggles... she calls me that for some reason) outside of the Pantheon.<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1080195b.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 245px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1080195b.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />My friend Muriel (Riel) took this. This takes place right at the Roman Forum, which literally took my breath away.<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1080218.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 242px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1080218.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />My roomie Jess and me, resting on the grassy hill by the Colosseum. (I know, for all you know I could be making that up, but I'm not.)<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1080275.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 265px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1080275.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />Warriors.<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1080284.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 265px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1080284.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />Cornered.<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1080318.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 242px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1080318.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />Silas' 5th birthday party was today, and it was jungle themed. I'm aware that I make a dorky lion. But look at how great this is!<br /><br /><a href="http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/?action=view&current=P1080336.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 365px; height: 298px;" src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/sjn7_10/P1080336.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />And this is me as a baby. I wish. This baby was sooo cute, just chillin there. I tried to make him smile. I miss my nephew.<br /><br />In the future, I hope to have themed blogs of my friends here, the people of Orvieto, and other subjects. Keep checking back. Ciao!Sarah Nennohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17542350684376495091noreply@blogger.com0