QUINOA lovin

I picked up some quinoa at the grocery store the other day and am really happy with the recipe that I found online. This delicious and super healthy dish might just become a staple go-to of mine. My first time cooking quinoa -- success!

I mostly followed the recipe found here on skinnytaste.com but left out the red onion (simply because I didn't have one) and added in feta cheese. I love it!

When I have a small bowl of this, I cut up cucumber and avocado (like the recipe suggests) and also add more lime juice . Mmmmmhmmmmm.

aaaand BOOKED!

I've been back in Milan for less than 4 days... and I just booked my flights home for Christmas and New Year's! Whoohoo!

I had a price alert set through Kayak.com and the price is right today. It feels good to know that I'll spend about 2 weeks in Rochester, New York at my parents' house for the holidays.

Upcoming travels before then? -->

   - possibly Cork, Ireland with my parents for a weekend!

   - Brussels and Waterloo, Belgium for a conference

   - Berlin, Germany with 10th graders for Field Trip Week

   - aaaand... not quite sure where for Thanksgiving - but fun to think of all the possibilities!

Wowzers!!

Shown on Google Maps:

empty Milan...

I went into the city this afternoon and really enjoyed it! So many people get out of the city in August to enjoy time by the sea... and although it is hot and humid here right now, it's not unbearably so. I really enjoyed walking through the city when it was not so crowded AND the shops are all having sales! Twice a year... now and around Christmas/New Year's time... the shops have big sales. More than the shopping, however, I wanted to pick up a few bagels while in the city - I've got my priorities! Haha

One of my goals for this upcoming school year is to make more of an effort to get to know the city. It's easy to not know the city very well since I live in Opera - a commune of the city of Milan. So far... feeling good about being back!

Below are some pictures that I took today...

Tram lines at Sabatino and Ripamonte:

I ran into the upper school's counselor and her two little girls along this stretch today!

I will never tire of seeing Milan's duomo

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

Milano - I'm baaaack!

I arrived back to my apartment in Opera about 4.5 hours ago. Since then... I've done a good amount of unpacking, had a coffee while reading a book on the couch, rode my bike to buy fresh groceries, rode my bike to the park to get (free) frizzante water, and ran into a couple friends in town!

I read more than two novels during the traveling and, thankfully, had a free seat next to me on the long flight... so was able to catch some zzzz's.   : )

Turns out that a colleague's birthday is today and she's having a get-together this evening at her place, so hopefully I'll be awake enough to make it over there for a bit!

Milano -- I'm baaaack!

ciao-for-now Denver!

I begin heading back to Milan early tomorrow morning.

Living abroad has its gives and takes... and goodbyes are definitely a hard part. My last day at home in the States always feels extra emotional... and even scary. Part of beginning my adventure abroad when I moved to Vietnam three years ago was pushing past that fear though.

I'm not quite all packed yet. A few minutes ago I remembered some hanging clothes in the closet that I then attempted to shove into my carry-on suitcase, which is now sitting on top of the bed with the top of the suitcase sticking up diagonally because there's too much inside.

...Deciding to blog instead of dealing with that for the moment...

Arriving back in Milan, I will have the rest of the week ahead and then plan on traveling a bit with my friend Angela. I'm excited about that! I'm not excited to leave Denver... or to say goodbye to Koura-dog for another year. Give. And take.

Here's a photo from when my parents were in Denver for a few days and we all took an evening walk along the Cherry Creek Path... and then stopped by Sweet Action for ice cream!

And two nights ago Lenny and Lexey put together the 4th Annual Going Away Party for me at the house. It's always nice to have good company get together... and this year's was an ice cream cookie themed party! Niiiiiice cream  :P

Our cousin, Nick, is in town for work from Seattle so he was able to come too!

Varenna FAVORITES

Below are some of my favorite photos taken during our time in Varenna... up on Lake Como!

Lovely day on the lake!

Views of lovely Varenna, taken from the ferry...

A castle in the clouds...

An all-time favorite of mine... I love the colors in the reflection!

Oh, Lake Como - I'll be back!

Lake Como is just a 40-minute train trip from Milan! ...Although it (also) takes me about an hour to get to the Centrale train station from my apartment  :P  For less than 10 euro... this is the perfect little getaway. I'll be back soon Lake Como!

Some final photos from my time on the lake with Ms. Julie:

Julie, as cute as can be... awaiting the landlord of the apartment in Bellagio:

D'Oh!