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!

Chihuly at Denver Botanic Gardens - YEAH!

Denver Botanic Gardens currently has a hugely popular exhibit. Barb and I went earlier this week and it was a great way to spend the morning! I've never seen the gardens to crowded before... but we still enjoyed the visit and the space still felt quite peaceful within the city.

Dale Chihuly learned about blowing glass in Venice, Italy and now creates avant-garde pieces, which are simply pieces of art. Incredible pieces of art. This garden exhibit of his pieces has been traveling to various locations since 2001 and now the Chihuly exhibit is at the Denver Botanic Gardens until the end of November. ...It's most definitely worth the trip. (The exhibit is supposed to be awesome at night as well... all lit up!)

I enjoyed seeing how the placement of the different pieces were placed... often it seemed that the nearby flowers matched/complemented the glass blown pieces. Just beautiful.   : )  Below are some photos of just a bit of what we saw:

I can't get over how many pieces there are in this exhibit. It's incredible!

Reflected in the lily pond:

This one reminds of a Dr. Seuss tree! ...If we ever lived in a world with Dr. Seuss trees!

bike ride and Domo w/Mom in town!

Mom and Dad left Denver last weekend... but Lenny, Mom, and I enjoyed a nice bike ride the last day they were in town. We went through the city, to Confluence Park / REI, and then back along the Cherry Creek Path. (Dad was golfing!)

Photo break at Confluence Park:

Once we cooled down after the bike ride, Lenny, Lexey, Mom, and I went to Domo for a Japanese lunch. From the location and the outside of the building, I would never have guessed how lovely this place is!

Domo's garden area was really nice and has tables to sit and eat at as well...

...and a Buddha!