tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42343680567970807222024-03-13T08:12:15.516-04:00repositioning imaginationabby ytzenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09638680489940092125noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4234368056797080722.post-57178478965564721372010-01-11T00:36:00.002-05:002010-01-11T00:36:08.755-05:00new sitesenior thesis.<br />
<br />
http://aytzen.wordpress.com/abby ytzenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09638680489940092125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4234368056797080722.post-67089126769727248952009-11-21T11:32:00.001-05:002009-11-21T11:32:40.521-05:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">“People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone."<br />
Audrey Hepburn</span>abby ytzenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09638680489940092125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4234368056797080722.post-11598836340153319172009-08-09T13:32:00.020-04:002009-08-09T20:51:57.614-04:00two presidentials downsaturday, august eighth, 2009<br /><br />the beauty of the mountains, a symbol of integrity, of unyielding strength<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sn8NJ2nW3rI/AAAAAAAAAV8/3CW5HizbiIA/s1600-h/DPP_0001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sn8NJ2nW3rI/AAAAAAAAAV8/3CW5HizbiIA/s200/DPP_0001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368023743779495602" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sn8RMxvL27I/AAAAAAAAAWE/5fgRdI7Pry0/s1600-h/DPP_0012.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sn8RMxvL27I/AAAAAAAAAWE/5fgRdI7Pry0/s200/DPP_0012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368028192056269746" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sn8ScBbHd4I/AAAAAAAAAWM/5fRhNhrcJwk/s1600-h/DPP_0026.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sn8ScBbHd4I/AAAAAAAAAWM/5fRhNhrcJwk/s200/DPP_0026.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368029553476728706" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sn8X0OgEsPI/AAAAAAAAAWU/W_Koe8cfUKk/s1600-h/DPP_0035.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sn8X0OgEsPI/AAAAAAAAAWU/W_Koe8cfUKk/s200/DPP_0035.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368035466862178546" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sn8Zndp9UHI/AAAAAAAAAWc/8n7xxbUys6Y/s1600-h/DPP_0037.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sn8Zndp9UHI/AAAAAAAAAWc/8n7xxbUys6Y/s200/DPP_0037.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368037446615126130" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sn8aEurMM5I/AAAAAAAAAWk/-rOGvYF0jqw/s1600-h/DPP_0043.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sn8aEurMM5I/AAAAAAAAAWk/-rOGvYF0jqw/s200/DPP_0043.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368037949399905170" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sn8c9AU5YcI/AAAAAAAAAWs/cqvlM-oj3q4/s1600-h/DPP_0046.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sn8c9AU5YcI/AAAAAAAAAWs/cqvlM-oj3q4/s200/DPP_0046.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368041115234165186" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sn8c9ZVuPRI/AAAAAAAAAW0/62ssYUssqeg/s1600-h/DPP_0050.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sn8c9ZVuPRI/AAAAAAAAAW0/62ssYUssqeg/s200/DPP_0050.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368041121948515602" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sn8c9z-oHVI/AAAAAAAAAW8/eeYhWR0JVAU/s1600-h/DPP_0053.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sn8c9z-oHVI/AAAAAAAAAW8/eeYhWR0JVAU/s200/DPP_0053.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368041129099402578" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sn8fOQn3KVI/AAAAAAAAAXE/Vj5lLVm10pc/s1600-h/DPP_0062.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sn8fOQn3KVI/AAAAAAAAAXE/Vj5lLVm10pc/s200/DPP_0062.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368043610689710418" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sn8fom18vSI/AAAAAAAAAXM/am3U3qNle4g/s1600-h/DPP_0068.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sn8fom18vSI/AAAAAAAAAXM/am3U3qNle4g/s200/DPP_0068.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368044063330975010" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sn8gTy1RVeI/AAAAAAAAAXc/XK5Y9g5lwcI/s1600-h/DPP_0074.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sn8gTy1RVeI/AAAAAAAAAXc/XK5Y9g5lwcI/s200/DPP_0074.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368044805283730914" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sn8g89gC3ZI/AAAAAAAAAXk/ZvVUCS3RnhY/s1600-h/DPP_0083.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sn8g89gC3ZI/AAAAAAAAAXk/ZvVUCS3RnhY/s200/DPP_0083.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368045512522128786" border="0" /></a>eight miles in aweabby ytzenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09638680489940092125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4234368056797080722.post-63368668847763968092009-07-31T19:46:00.011-04:002009-08-02T21:47:33.661-04:00there and back again<div><br />Some of you know that I am recently back from Orvieto, Italy, where i lived and studied art for a little over four months. There are many stories, laughs and pictures, Italy is a place of immense beauty, but being there also made me realize just how beautiful and special home is. Italy's food, incredible, the people, friendly, the simple life style of a small town in Umbria, refreshing.<br />Orvieto is a medieval town surrounded by a stone wall and gate, situated on a cliff in the center of a valley, part of its wall is craved upon the "tuffa" it sits on.<br /><br />It is impossible to sum up that experience and what it meant to me in an email, let alone a long conversation, and but i can say without hesitation that it was one of the best experience of my life.<br /><br />Orvieto challenged my expectations, challenge my presuppositions of what art is, why i make art, it changed the way i see the world around, it changed me.<br />Even as I try to type a millions things rush to mind that I should tell you, but i barley know where to start.<br /><br />Orvieto became a place that redefine me, a place where I wrestled with myself, with my spirit through the making of art, a place of intimate community yet a place of beautiful solitude. As i sat in the streets, covered in charcoal from head to toe, working on large drawings, or when i ran among the olive groves on twisting paths, when i stared intently at my model, observing the different colors in their faces, as i sat on the edge of the cliff looking out unto a beautiful countryside, i found an incredible peace there.<br /><br />It was a place of intense community, yet intense solitude, it was experiencing the great importance of being, and not just doing. The professors/Matt and Sharona and their family, and my peers helped define this experience in many ways. Yet my trip was also greatly defined by the time I took to myself, the times i was in the studio, walking or running, the times i looked at art, the times i observed the world i lived in. Community and Solitude define the experience.<br /><br />Art defined my experience, both the making and looking at, through art i wrestled with myself, the making of art transcended the literal making, it was a dialogue, with myself, with my God, with the past, with the material....<br />It was a process of opening my eyes, wider and wider, about learning to do more than look and listen, but a new way of seeing, slowing down, connecting and engaging with, seeing it how it is, not what i project on it. getting to know it, seeing in such a way that you discover something of yourself by observing<br />Art became a way to discover...i am still wrapping my head around it all that words fail... in Orvieto I found again the need to make art, and its importance to my purpose,<br />I struggle with finding my voice, regaining lost confidence, of continuing the discovery of who I am-with a sense of self<br />the word of my trip, "chiaroscuro". light and dark. Orvieto was both times of revelation and joy, but was also time of hurt, doubt, and brokenness.<br /><br />There was a lot I took with me in my heart to Italy, brokenness. I thought I would go there and I would find answers to questions, lay certain things to rest, but questions were not so much as answered as explored. I realized that no place or people could "fix me", in fact there is nothing to fix, past struggles and hurts can not, nor should not be erased, but is an important part of who I am.<br /><br />i love Orvieto, my heart is with the place and the people I left.<br />our director Matt said to take at one thing back with us, fearlessness.<br /><br />much more could, should, and hopefully will be added.<br /><br />i have never felt freer than i do now, i feel like the world is in front of me, i can go anywhere, do anything, i can be myself, and freely follow my passions. i have no strings attached to my limbs, dictating where i should go, or whom i should be. i don't have a plan, in fact i have never disliked plans as much as i do now....i have to continue to trust and love.<br /><br /></div>abby ytzenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09638680489940092125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4234368056797080722.post-61201447709726448942009-06-24T22:22:00.004-04:002009-06-24T22:29:34.440-04:00i miss it<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SkLgArzmWSI/AAAAAAAAAU0/qQJoACfiUcY/s1600-h/AbbsinOrvieto.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 56px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SkLgArzmWSI/AAAAAAAAAU0/qQJoACfiUcY/s200/AbbsinOrvieto.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351085609633339682" border="0" /></a>abby ytzenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09638680489940092125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4234368056797080722.post-91804786998255133622009-06-24T00:14:00.020-04:002009-06-24T10:15:07.570-04:00crescendo the the last measureso much happened in the last few weeks...it all seems a blur now...<br />there were so many moments, times of discovery, as my last two weeks came to a close I started to make closer with my home.<br /><br />I was in the creative writing class, and by this point we were mostly working on our longer piece--others pieces were funny, and well written....i reworked mine, scrapped it started over, reworked and started over several times before I came across the how it should be structured and what I wanted to saw with it.... but that piece severed as a way to find closer, as a way to focus my last two weeks.<br /><br /><br />i am at home...sad and wondering what could ever be said, what picture posted to ever really truly give a view of what this time meant to me...<br /><br />well I guess I will leave that for later, and try to share on a more positive note the last two weeks in Italy.<br /><br />I will miss this next step...the step were you are exiting the monastery and a ste out onto this street without looking can lead to toes run over or worst...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SkGpQj3sGzI/AAAAAAAAATM/wXxStKP8lbY/s1600-h/IMG_1557.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SkGpQj3sGzI/AAAAAAAAATM/wXxStKP8lbY/s200/IMG_1557.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350743934264679218" border="0" /></a>my roommate kat...she is a beautiful girl! I will miss her, our talks and her laugh!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SkGpuHqn60I/AAAAAAAAATU/MdOBNWAYvuY/s1600-h/IMG_1585.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SkGpuHqn60I/AAAAAAAAATU/MdOBNWAYvuY/s200/IMG_1585.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350744442089761602" border="0" /></a>the last week was a blur....filled with events concerning corpus cristi<br />it was an exciting time to be in Orvieto, but I was having a hard time being excited for all the events...thinking to much of the things i may never again do, or the people I may never again see...<br /><br />the sunday ushering in the last week was the Monastery San Paolo Talent show, followed by dinner and sharonna cake then a poetry reading to kick off the week of events, followed by a wine reception.<br /><br />but earlier that day a few of us enjoyed taking Matt's kids to get gelato...for me it would be my las gelato in italy...sort of sad.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SkIwXkh8TbI/AAAAAAAAATk/xgaevHca1ek/s1600-h/IMG_2412.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SkIwXkh8TbI/AAAAAAAAATk/xgaevHca1ek/s200/IMG_2412.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350892488770735538" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SkIxPms0pHI/AAAAAAAAAT0/oUgWD5o62CA/s1600-h/4967_523612844185_68400415_31201578_1120340_n.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SkIxPms0pHI/AAAAAAAAAT0/oUgWD5o62CA/s200/4967_523612844185_68400415_31201578_1120340_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350893451425916018" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SkIxEzI3JkI/AAAAAAAAATs/Jzw1OsZUsW8/s1600-h/IMG_2420.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SkIxEzI3JkI/AAAAAAAAATs/Jzw1OsZUsW8/s200/IMG_2420.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350893265786185282" border="0" /></a>one of the events on thursday of the last week was the sculpture class ceremony and the travel writing class readings. For travel writing we all wrote personal piece built on these sketches we did of local as well as contribute to the class roasted guided to orvieto... the writing class was amazing! It reminded me how much I love english and writing...you know creative writing was one of the majors I was considering when I first came to Gordon...i am a little out of doing real writing, and while I know my piece would be considered the best, I am proud with what I acheived in that class. It really gave access to a new creative outlet...it allowed me to continue the looking I had started in drawing and in painting...but this was a different kind of looking, of seeing, it seemed a perfect continuation of the work that I began in Orvieto.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SkGrPNxFSYI/AAAAAAAAATc/kvuUAeZcNVk/s1600-h/IMG_1621.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SkGrPNxFSYI/AAAAAAAAATc/kvuUAeZcNVk/s200/IMG_1621.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350746110174775682" border="0" /></a>my class and professor at the reading... this class was really a great class! thank you scott carins!<br />a quick note on scott (and our profs in general), he is a grad professor at missouri, and he is an amazing teacher...he is really chill, and sort of does his own thing, but he really cares deeply for his students, I did a lot of revised of my piece with him...it could not have gotten there without his guidance. he was always sharing food, drinks and words of wisdom with us. like every professor that came through the program...for a month you intatimately knew them...and then they left...it is beautiful that you could know your professor like that, that they become mentors, and friends, that life stories are shared, drinks, laughs and cries, your work is shared with them, but so is theirs with you....and even though it is sad there is a beauty in the goodbye too, it teaches to not hold back from people even though you know they will leave soon, but to continually make yourself vulnerable. with every hello there is a goodbye, and that at times may be sad, but the process is beautiful.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SkI0r9Y2xiI/AAAAAAAAAUs/lQj3A0e-318/s1600-h/IMG_1631.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SkI0r9Y2xiI/AAAAAAAAAUs/lQj3A0e-318/s200/IMG_1631.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350897237087405602" border="0" /></a>i must saw that i will miss these two gurls.... haha! the jane austin movies, the gummies, the cooking, the crepes, the laughs, the times spent laying in bed, bones... the list goes on...and it goes deep beyond the surface of things...<br /><br />i will pause the stories to say I know I am giving snap shots...believe...ask me about anything from my experience and i will talk your ears off, but there is so much to tell...and so manythings that have happened since that I want to tell....i have so many post I want to write.... haha! oh well....<br /><br />anywho.....<br /><br />after this get together...we all went up to the Doll's appartment for a final Doll open house (my professor/program onsite director and his wife, sharonna, and there three children, silas, ronan, ciara)<br />matt is an amazing cook! he is always making delicious food, and sharonna is always coming up with the most delicious cakes...and i will through out there that I don't like cake that much, so for me to keep coming back for more most mean it is pretty amazing! haha<br /><br />a few of us went early to help prepare food and more drifted in to play with the kids.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SkIxUtJBZgI/AAAAAAAAAT8/HUyEnl_bWKw/s1600-h/4683_533321808674_201304101_31878950_7952551_n.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SkIxUtJBZgI/AAAAAAAAAT8/HUyEnl_bWKw/s200/4683_533321808674_201304101_31878950_7952551_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350893539054151170" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SkIxo5rOu9I/AAAAAAAAAUM/YVog5HQeRKY/s1600-h/n68400415_31201772_5259725.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SkIxo5rOu9I/AAAAAAAAAUM/YVog5HQeRKY/s200/n68400415_31201772_5259725.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350893886016240594" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SkIxgxNMZ4I/AAAAAAAAAUE/2PCbju0G8pY/s1600-h/4683_533321828634_201304101_31878954_1808757_n.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SkIxgxNMZ4I/AAAAAAAAAUE/2PCbju0G8pY/s200/4683_533321828634_201304101_31878954_1808757_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350893746303821698" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SkIyM0WNysI/AAAAAAAAAUU/yhvMPat2zGY/s1600-h/n68400415_31201770_239938.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SkIyM0WNysI/AAAAAAAAAUU/yhvMPat2zGY/s200/n68400415_31201770_239938.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350894503061211842" border="0" /></a>matt made his yummy tomato salad... and his chili, but for us vegitarians he made a roast vegitable soup that was so delicious! i ate quite a bit of soup those next few days... haha.<br />but after food and drink was shared we all gathered to watch a video erin and riel made of the trip, it was really great that they took the initiative to do that, i really appreciated it!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SkIzD2q_H1I/AAAAAAAAAUc/aThh18OLlxQ/s1600-h/4683_533321858574_201304101_31878960_8316257_n.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SkIzD2q_H1I/AAAAAAAAAUc/aThh18OLlxQ/s200/4683_533321858574_201304101_31878960_8316257_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350895448578006866" border="0" /></a>at the end of the night...brown bear says it best...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SkIzudCgsfI/AAAAAAAAAUk/jOFuq0F0n1Y/s1600-h/5048_533894790414_201304101_31895193_1345823_n.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SkIzudCgsfI/AAAAAAAAAUk/jOFuq0F0n1Y/s200/5048_533894790414_201304101_31895193_1345823_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350896180431729138" border="0" /></a>abby ytzenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09638680489940092125noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4234368056797080722.post-72109004070908041982009-05-31T11:29:00.001-04:002009-06-04T11:40:52.130-04:00the last weekend in may: perfectly lazyle weekend:<br /><br />this weekend i enjoyed the first watermelon of the summer, a four of watermelon for four euros... worth it!<br /><br />I spent most of friday reading, it was lovely, and I almost finished an amazing book that everyone should read. it a story of one man making a difference in the world, Greg Mortenson's transformation from mountain climber to humanitarian-- building school for girls in remote villages in Pakistan, it is about how he became beloved by these people, became one of them, about the roles he also played back home as husband and father, and raising support for the organization.<br />anywho.....i rattle endless how his story has inspired me and strengthened in me a heart of the middle east, an interest in their culture and the religious sects that separate them.<br /><br />all in all..... read it.<br /><br />I went to lake bolsena saturday...it was a lot of fun, not a big sandy beach, actually a small rocky one, but we still had a lot of fun playing frisbee, kicking a ball around/ volley back and forth. a lot of time spent laying around, had a picnic lunch, walked to get some ice cream and cokes, read a bit, mostly just talked, swam to a ridiculously far away buoy...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SiaUVvSU7YI/AAAAAAAAAS0/uF0-95c2TiY/s1600-h/IMG_1533.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SiaUVvSU7YI/AAAAAAAAAS0/uF0-95c2TiY/s200/IMG_1533.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343121109113171330" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SiaVIUFF3rI/AAAAAAAAAS8/5AjTEiW2VE4/s1600-h/IMG_1535.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SiaVIUFF3rI/AAAAAAAAAS8/5AjTEiW2VE4/s200/IMG_1535.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343121977983229618" border="0" /></a><br />headed back to the monastery, on the way we stopped at this little rest area that had an amazing view of orvieto, so of course we stopped to pose and photography and just soak it all in<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SiaWD4rJLOI/AAAAAAAAATE/2ENZZj5rrpQ/s1600-h/IMG_1546.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SiaWD4rJLOI/AAAAAAAAATE/2ENZZj5rrpQ/s200/IMG_1546.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343123001418788066" border="0" /></a><br />that night i made crepes again....they are one of my new favorite food groups! i am so glad to be going to Paris and eat the original crepes!!!<br /><br />then there was an sort of weird medieval horse racing games involving reaching up grabbing flags and throwing them into buckets in piazza del popolo, it was pretty amazing, everything was open, vendor dressed in period costume and it seemed the whole town showed up for it.<br /><br />after a while i wandered by myself taking some night shots using film.<br /><br />Today has been the perfect lazy rainy sunday one could ever ask for! the morning spent partly chatting in the kitchen over delicious biscotti cookies and reading and writing before the Pentecost activates...<br />involving sending a dove in tube flying along a cable from a tower to the duomo, it was a very big ordeal and involved elaborate costumes. then back to the monastery with take out from Charlie’s--pear and gorgonzola pizza!<br /><br />back to norah jones and my travel wiring piece...<br /><br />sooooo there was weekend. i rather liked it<br /><br />ciao<br /><br />oh and again…pictures to come…abby ytzenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09638680489940092125noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4234368056797080722.post-15656667358871844352009-05-31T11:28:00.005-04:002009-06-01T12:17:34.067-04:00civitawelcome to civita!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SiKscWvo2sI/AAAAAAAAARk/8asefO-Vc38/s1600-h/IMG_2302.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SiKscWvo2sI/AAAAAAAAARk/8asefO-Vc38/s200/IMG_2302.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342021711156533954" border="0" /></a><br /><br />“wow, I think I have seen it all, how long has it been, thirty minutes, what do you want to do for the next few hours…” emily said something to this affect when we realized how tiny it was….haha! but it was beautiful welcom to civita!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SiKtpScWKnI/AAAAAAAAARs/jCx6KFx1tXo/s1600-h/IMG_2306.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SiKtpScWKnI/AAAAAAAAARs/jCx6KFx1tXo/s200/IMG_2306.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342023032851802738" border="0" /></a>the walk up the bridge into civita<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SiP7qlC9X7I/AAAAAAAAASc/Dg1bZwQRdMo/s1600-h/IMG_2310.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SiP7qlC9X7I/AAAAAAAAASc/Dg1bZwQRdMo/s200/IMG_2310.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342390291909140402" border="0" /></a>emily...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SiP89KkUxOI/AAAAAAAAASk/kR10xJ9w2CY/s1600-h/IMG_2344.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SiP89KkUxOI/AAAAAAAAASk/kR10xJ9w2CY/s200/IMG_2344.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342391710730470626" border="0" /></a>view from a rock<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SiP--Tn5hdI/AAAAAAAAASs/_oahMWdGuoQ/s1600-h/IMG_2357.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SiP--Tn5hdI/AAAAAAAAASs/_oahMWdGuoQ/s200/IMG_2357.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342393929364506066" border="0" /></a>lauren, it was sort of windy, haha!<br /><br />more pictures and captions to come...abby ytzenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09638680489940092125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4234368056797080722.post-59079134601561004612009-05-31T11:25:00.002-04:002009-05-31T12:06:38.998-04:00first two weeks of travel writingi know i haven't blogged since this last class started...<br />but i love it, i am just writing sketches about orvieto, places people.<br />i think it is the best closure for my time here. which doesn't seem real that i only have two short weeks left in orvieto.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SiKlukthkeI/AAAAAAAAARE/-mPhyZ8vtHU/s1600-h/IMG_1524.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SiKlukthkeI/AAAAAAAAARE/-mPhyZ8vtHU/s200/IMG_1524.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342014327562015202" border="0" /></a>I went out for jakes and laurens birthday and that was a lot of fun, we got gelato after and I had peasca (peach) and yogurt and it was delicious! We just layed on the steps of the duomo and talk and ate for a long time, laying looking up at its massiveness<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SiKnMVUXQPI/AAAAAAAAARM/kUQp5OAvCOg/s1600-h/IMG_1505.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SiKnMVUXQPI/AAAAAAAAARM/kUQp5OAvCOg/s200/IMG_1505.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342015938337652978" border="0" /></a>Made crepes for the first time with lauren…we might of had six each...I love crepe!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SiKoTy0MB4I/AAAAAAAAARU/wryOmuLRdAo/s1600-h/IMG_1520.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SiKoTy0MB4I/AAAAAAAAARU/wryOmuLRdAo/s200/IMG_1520.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342017166026475394" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SiKqW4oHkeI/AAAAAAAAARc/9tnp21_YZj0/s1600-h/IMG_1523.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SiKqW4oHkeI/AAAAAAAAARc/9tnp21_YZj0/s200/IMG_1523.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342019418149327330" border="0" /></a><br />Kiwi gelato is pretty amazing…<br /><br />I suppose that is all for now… i will try to write a little more detailed later...abby ytzenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09638680489940092125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4234368056797080722.post-19420611171496526812009-05-19T11:45:00.003-04:002009-05-19T11:56:11.804-04:00slow down baby you're moving too fastpainting has concluded. and i have started travel writing has begun<br />i feel like i am easing into a very reflective, contemplative state. i don't feel the desire for grand adventures, i feel in need of rest, in need of solitude.<br /><br />i feel myself slip into a new pace. i hope this last month proves to be slower, that writing allows me a new way to sit and reflect and to discover how i fit into this place. I am ready to slow down...<br /><br />I am ready to be, not do. if that makes sense....anywho......<br /><br />i will post pictures from some place in rome soon...ish....abby ytzenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09638680489940092125noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4234368056797080722.post-11869948437366453952009-05-08T12:15:00.012-04:002009-05-15T12:40:21.925-04:00roma zoo!!!!amazing trip!<br />started by me of course almost missing it by being woken up five minutes before we were leaving on the 6:50am train...<br /><br />we left early so we could go to Caravaggio's matt cycle which we missed the first time because of restorations....<br /><br />but first stop was at matt's favorite/the best coffee and croissant (and one of the least expensive) in rome! cafe farnese<br /><br />then to campeo di fiore--my favorite saturday morning market! let me just saw the red pears there are amazing!<br />to the best bakery! such amazing bread and pizza! i love it! i can't remember the name...i will look it up later...<br /><br />then the stop at the black hole to the programs finances....the art store....Ditta G. Poggi<br />which, and art store is truly one of the most dangerous stores to go into...i had to exercise extreme restraint! but i can't wait to stop back in!<br /><br />sorry....i realize there are no pictures...i am going back to these place...so i will post pictures of them later<br /><br />then to the paintings we left at that early hour for--the St. Matthew Cycles!<br /><br />i used to not think i was a croissant person....but my mind is changed! haha!<br />and since starting portraitpaint, i feel like, just as i did in drawing, a heighten ability to see...an expanded vocabulary in which to both create and look at art--the use of color--the choices our eyes make, the building up of an image--sculpting it in a way, the proportions and the choices in distortion, the light and color of the skin in context with what is around it.... the choice of the artist, what that says about them, about the subject...<br />i am enjoying looking at art more and more as i learn more about creating it!<br /><br />both painting and drawing are teach me what it is to really see and observe...to sit with something and begin to understand both it and something about yourself in the process...teaching me to look deeper than a snapshot... it amazing to start looking around with a heightened sense! i am beginning to see all sorts of things i never saw before!<br /><br />"the calling of st. matthew" is one of my favorites of caravaggio! i remember studying it in art history, memorizing that flash card! haha!<br /><br /><br />ok...so that was the morning......here is the afternoon....<br /><br />from there a long and lovely walk to the Borghsee (sorry i know that is spelled wrong) Gardens which are right next to the zoo to hang out and have a picnic before the zoo...<br /><br />roanin eating pringles....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sg2EVm8o6pI/AAAAAAAAAPc/QORlPq4aTQk/s1600-h/IMG_6437.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sg2EVm8o6pI/AAAAAAAAAPc/QORlPq4aTQk/s200/IMG_6437.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336066640270912146" border="0" /></a><br />the yummy bread (white pizza--bread with oil, salt, and pepper yum!) from the bakery<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sg2FV17Rd4I/AAAAAAAAAPs/2k4BRC_dLOU/s1600-h/IMG_6451.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sg2FV17Rd4I/AAAAAAAAAPs/2k4BRC_dLOU/s200/IMG_6451.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336067743803340674" border="0" /></a>matt cutting up the tomatoes...i am techincally just out of this picture slicing the cheese to go with the tomatoes and bread<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sg2GMMhFwHI/AAAAAAAAAP0/tMofi4HrUbw/s1600-h/IMG_6467.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sg2GMMhFwHI/AAAAAAAAAP0/tMofi4HrUbw/s200/IMG_6467.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336068677580472434" border="0" /></a>us after the eating, hanging out<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sg2E7rmrgJI/AAAAAAAAAPk/h4uZCFXk2HM/s1600-h/IMG_6488.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sg2E7rmrgJI/AAAAAAAAAPk/h4uZCFXk2HM/s200/IMG_6488.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336067294356013202" border="0" /></a>playing airplane with roanin :)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sg2asIil6ZI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/6fwaPE8zSW8/s1600-h/IMG_6492_2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sg2asIil6ZI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/6fwaPE8zSW8/s200/IMG_6492_2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336091216501402002" border="0" /></a><br />after clean up and getting yelled at for picnicing in the "dog area" of the park byan angrey italian woman we head back up to the path and to the zoo!<br /><br />ok so, the zoo....i love zoos! but, in all honestly the roma zoo was a little disappointing...the zoo was nice, nice cafe, nice walking paths, but not nice was the variety/selection of animals and more so the animal habitats :(<br /><br />but it was still fun, and they had giraffe's :)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sg2Har5WZVI/AAAAAAAAAP8/RQO-33b_VJs/s1600-h/IMG_1451.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sg2Har5WZVI/AAAAAAAAAP8/RQO-33b_VJs/s200/IMG_1451.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336070026033522002" border="0" /></a>really cute monkey<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sg2H-lyDFKI/AAAAAAAAAQE/DEQIiDbY8eE/s1600-h/IMG_1474.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sg2H-lyDFKI/AAAAAAAAAQE/DEQIiDbY8eE/s200/IMG_1474.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336070642867573922" border="0" /></a>elephants...my second favorite animal<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sg2JIfM8vhI/AAAAAAAAAQM/vcEDdXAGA2w/s1600-h/IMG_1503_2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sg2JIfM8vhI/AAAAAAAAAQM/vcEDdXAGA2w/s200/IMG_1503_2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336071912411676178" border="0" /></a>it was a great day... lots of walking, gorgeous weather.....well except for the twenty minutes it downpoured while we were in the zoo! haha! but we were close to an arch, so we didn't get too wetabby ytzenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09638680489940092125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4234368056797080722.post-29910819049322994162009-05-08T12:10:00.008-04:002009-05-15T11:56:43.303-04:00random scenes concerning random thingsroma overnight:<br />me sitting drawing....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sg2OqKdoFxI/AAAAAAAAAQU/8B7uWA1JJE4/s1600-h/IMG_1335.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sg2OqKdoFxI/AAAAAAAAAQU/8B7uWA1JJE4/s200/IMG_1335.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336077988518172434" border="0" /></a>insearch of a spot:<br />lauren's sexy legs while i was contemplating a spot to draw<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sg2PBjCOtlI/AAAAAAAAAQc/rllOoqp9P5I/s1600-h/IMG_1383.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sg2PBjCOtlI/AAAAAAAAAQc/rllOoqp9P5I/s200/IMG_1383.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336078390251140690" border="0" /></a><br />searching for a spot, and it was found at last....the spot i would spend my life drawing...well at least the last week of drawing last month.....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sg2PaJAxQtI/AAAAAAAAAQk/7h-aNYPaWxY/s1600-h/IMG_1400.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sg2PaJAxQtI/AAAAAAAAAQk/7h-aNYPaWxY/s200/IMG_1400.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336078812762424018" border="0" /></a><br />florence freebee:<br />shadow games<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sg2QF1-C15I/AAAAAAAAAQs/s2Xf9Myb3r4/s1600-h/IMG_1419.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sg2QF1-C15I/AAAAAAAAAQs/s2Xf9Myb3r4/s200/IMG_1419.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336079563564963730" border="0" /></a>roma zoo:<br />feet....i don't like feet, but i love feet pictures....strange<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sg2QlQIdC2I/AAAAAAAAAQ0/-eEfQI6ANFQ/s1600-h/IMG_1456.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sg2QlQIdC2I/AAAAAAAAAQ0/-eEfQI6ANFQ/s200/IMG_1456.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336080103163890530" border="0" /></a>abby ytzenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09638680489940092125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4234368056797080722.post-19239338073372265612009-04-26T12:42:00.007-04:002009-04-28T11:48:14.640-04:00florence for culture weekso jake, josh x2, erin and i went to florence on friday (april 24th) to see everything we missed the first time... ambitious!<br /><br />and everything was free! i love culture week!<br /><br />so we got there...grabbed a coffee...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SfSPS-0gqXI/AAAAAAAAAOM/xWz8L0hKK3E/s1600-h/IMG_1401.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SfSPS-0gqXI/AAAAAAAAAOM/xWz8L0hKK3E/s200/IMG_1401.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329041815349799282" border="0" /></a><br />and went to our first stop, Palazzo Pitti<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SfclHyDrL8I/AAAAAAAAAPU/qxcTr26kR04/s1600-h/IMG_1405.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SfclHyDrL8I/AAAAAAAAAPU/qxcTr26kR04/s200/IMG_1405.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329769499642769346" border="0" /></a>the only modern piece we ended up seeing....but it is awesome!<br /><br />we went there on a whim because josh had a friend that recommended it.<br />so we went for the modern art...which was not modern art....so a huge disappointment...then we stumbled into the museums HUGE gardens!<br />we were there an hour and saw maybe a third of it! i can't wait to go back and have a picnic, play soccer and frisbee.... i can't wait :)<br />and go biking....because we ran out of time to do that.... stink<br /><br />so here are some pictures from the garden....because it was amazing!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SfSQl1Vu6dI/AAAAAAAAAOc/o0In9XJ65EA/s1600-h/IMG_1407.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SfSQl1Vu6dI/AAAAAAAAAOc/o0In9XJ65EA/s200/IMG_1407.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329043238733933010" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SfciHArSY9I/AAAAAAAAAOk/ypmT7GIFiTk/s1600-h/IMG_1418.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SfciHArSY9I/AAAAAAAAAOk/ypmT7GIFiTk/s200/IMG_1418.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329766187852260306" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SfcildlPB2I/AAAAAAAAAOs/IOMKhjFJR70/s1600-h/IMG_1419.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SfcildlPB2I/AAAAAAAAAOs/IOMKhjFJR70/s200/IMG_1419.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329766711007577954" border="0" /></a>i like shadows.....and feet pictures.... :)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SfcjCNqrSqI/AAAAAAAAAO0/AIPEGXqZYaw/s1600-h/IMG_1420.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SfcjCNqrSqI/AAAAAAAAAO0/AIPEGXqZYaw/s200/IMG_1420.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329767204951640738" border="0" /></a>erin and me :)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sfcjh4-KVDI/AAAAAAAAAO8/SkdvbNYAbt0/s1600-h/IMG_1424_2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sfcjh4-KVDI/AAAAAAAAAO8/SkdvbNYAbt0/s200/IMG_1424_2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329767749152035890" border="0" /></a>the trees here were gorgeous!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SfckC5fS3DI/AAAAAAAAAPE/4hVwtqHwPNw/s1600-h/IMG_1425.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SfckC5fS3DI/AAAAAAAAAPE/4hVwtqHwPNw/s200/IMG_1425.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329768316226690098" border="0" /></a>how sweet is the slant of the steps!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SfcklY-dBFI/AAAAAAAAAPM/im65HAWzPdI/s1600-h/IMG_1430.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SfcklY-dBFI/AAAAAAAAAPM/im65HAWzPdI/s200/IMG_1430.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329768908794430546" border="0" /></a>jake hates this picture....so i thought i should put it up....<br /><br />so then we went borgello to see donatello's david<br />and we were all artsy and stood around discussing the statues and the piece submitted for the competition for the gates of paradise on the bapistry<br /><br />then the academia to see mich's david and unfinished slave statues<br />the unfinished statues were amazing, it was really as if these figures were breaking free from the rock that encased them<br /><br />then we ate and ran....<br /><br />then waited two hours talking to a lovely older couple from canada...then the Uffizi...which was cool to see some of the pieces, but really as a whole was not impressed with the uffizi's treatment of work, the lighting and encasing of the images made them hard to see....<br /><br />but then we headed back to orvieto..... to see charlie :) my favorite pizza man!<br /><br />goodnight spoon!abby ytzenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09638680489940092125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4234368056797080722.post-70334218570214266662009-04-23T11:16:00.004-04:002009-08-02T21:10:04.131-04:00cinque terresome rain at first .... a little colder than expected... specially at the campsite at night..... haha!<br /><br />but all in all, cinque terre is beautiful!<br /><br />so this fogging rain was saturday morning.... this is the town monterossa<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SfSEfIUfhkI/AAAAAAAAANU/LqnIUF9bwMs/s1600-h/monterosso_01.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SfSEfIUfhkI/AAAAAAAAANU/LqnIUF9bwMs/s200/monterosso_01.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329029929430386242" border="0" /></a>hiked two hours from monterossa to vernazza<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SfSIIFiBRxI/AAAAAAAAANc/9u8dT-twAJQ/s1600-h/vernazza.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SfSIIFiBRxI/AAAAAAAAANc/9u8dT-twAJQ/s200/vernazza.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329033931591337746" border="0" /></a>took the train to the riggamorre so jess could see the first two since they were close together before she left<br />some graffiti<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SfSJMhQXFxI/AAAAAAAAANk/Psl1ihwq22w/s1600-h/graffiti.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SfSJMhQXFxI/AAAAAAAAANk/Psl1ihwq22w/s200/graffiti.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329035107264567058" border="0" /></a>a sweet view looking toward the monterola<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SfSLg82v7HI/AAAAAAAAAN0/6e8lTc_A1AE/s1600-h/cliff_02.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SfSLg82v7HI/AAAAAAAAAN0/6e8lTc_A1AE/s200/cliff_02.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329037657293974642" border="0" /></a>monterola was gorgeous, the sun came out and we had a picnic lunch by the water, then walked up a path and found a bunch of cute old ladies doing watercolors! it made me miss water color so much! i can't wait to find some time to get back into it :)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SfSKb8C1gaI/AAAAAAAAANs/5pL-OYHoGws/s1600-h/watercolor.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SfSKb8C1gaI/AAAAAAAAANs/5pL-OYHoGws/s200/watercolor.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329036471665263010" border="0" /></a><br />jess and me :)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SnY4x_pWZWI/AAAAAAAAAVM/Px05xTerXtc/s1600-h/IMG_2090.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SnY4x_pWZWI/AAAAAAAAAVM/Px05xTerXtc/s200/IMG_2090.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365538437608138082" border="0" /></a><br />back to some solitary hiking and some great views!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SfSMxCjYAjI/AAAAAAAAAN8/aVs-r5ykRwA/s1600-h/view+from+a+peak.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SfSMxCjYAjI/AAAAAAAAAN8/aVs-r5ykRwA/s200/view+from+a+peak.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329039033212863026" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SfSNgODEgJI/AAAAAAAAAOE/T5waUygc_gM/s1600-h/wildflower_02.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SfSNgODEgJI/AAAAAAAAAOE/T5waUygc_gM/s200/wildflower_02.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329039843752444050" border="0" /></a>abby ytzenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09638680489940092125noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4234368056797080722.post-76913615370268584222009-04-16T12:11:00.002-04:002009-04-16T12:21:00.005-04:00day afterso it is the morning after.... no sleep.... but finished drawing in two days..... two straight days of drawing.<br /><br />we did large drawings on cite in orvieto... i really loved my spot! i felt i really connected with the location and the people who stopped by all the time to look and offer me things! haha!<br /><br />i can't wait to put up pictures of the work thus far! i will try to get to that soon.<br /><br />ciaoabby ytzenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09638680489940092125noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4234368056797080722.post-62024436703132298502009-04-12T11:36:00.009-04:002009-08-02T21:12:09.105-04:00buona pasqua!pancake breakfast, church, lunch, and the fun/wine!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SetARkVhx6I/AAAAAAAAAMU/052CFAwd2R8/s1600-h/2817_529698739334_201304101_31760189_3819327_n.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SetARkVhx6I/AAAAAAAAAMU/052CFAwd2R8/s200/2817_529698739334_201304101_31760189_3819327_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326421654851667874" border="0" /></a>deciding how to interact with our ceramic friends<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SnY5WB8gbWI/AAAAAAAAAVU/L7YxTncHTYw/s1600-h/IMG_5398.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SnY5WB8gbWI/AAAAAAAAAVU/L7YxTncHTYw/s200/IMG_5398.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365539056700648802" border="0" /></a>playing with the ceramic fishes<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SetHiBVkPWI/AAAAAAAAAMc/PCZ6BijACz8/s1600-h/IMG_5399.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SetHiBVkPWI/AAAAAAAAAMc/PCZ6BijACz8/s200/IMG_5399.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326429634095758690" border="0" /></a>and a group shot<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SeS4pEQiz4I/AAAAAAAAAMM/e0quirbMs4o/s1600-h/IMG_5406.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SeS4pEQiz4I/AAAAAAAAAMM/e0quirbMs4o/s200/IMG_5406.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324583675116048258" border="0" /></a>ps....we ate five giant chocolate easter eggs in like 6 hours or less....nice....abby ytzenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09638680489940092125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4234368056797080722.post-14169486452950110842009-04-12T11:27:00.003-04:002009-04-22T11:41:41.038-04:00a drawing room....So….i haven’t posted in sort of awhile, which I keep meaning too, but I have been so busy, enjoying italy, but mostly just drawing until I am covered head to toe in charcoal.<br /><br />But it is easter Sunday today, and I am feeling lazy, so no work for now, just writing, and trying to finish up the book I am reading, which is, Crow Lake by mary lawson, which is really good. i have about fifty pages left…<br /><br />On another random note, dried figs are amazing! I have become rather addicted…and in this last week, we have been working on two drawings, both dealing with intense light and shadow, and one of which is to be done at night, with an extreme light source and then we had to put ourself in it somehow…I did mine in our courtyard…every night this week, I bundled up, brought a cup of tea and drew for 2-3 hours…it was lovely! But afterwards whether is was midnight, or 2 am I had a little night cap…that is a bowl of cereal and dried fruit…<br /><br />Anywho…not that the above is in anyway vital information…<br /><br />Oh and Bible verse of this last month:<br />Ps. 112:4<br /> “even in darkness light dawns for the upright…”<br /><br />I realized I haved posted since I started drawing, which is really sad because this class has been amazing! I am learning so much about letting go in both my work and in life, it is funny, but my struggles at the easal tend to correlate with my life…<br /><br />Matt (or professor and director) has been great and really helped me start to break through in my work. Learning to let go…<br />he has inspired me in many ways, the way he and his family live…we have got to know him and his family pretty well and I love them!<br /><br />one of my favorite quotes he gave us came from:<br /> “Night Studio: A memoir of Philip Guston” by Musa Mayer (his daughter)<br />“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 you continue painting, they start to leaving, one by one, and you are left completely alone. Then if you are lucky, even you leave.”<br /><br />There is so much more to write about this class, I will do it more just later, I want to photography my work, so I will try and talk a little more about the journey then, but for now….abby ytzenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09638680489940092125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4234368056797080722.post-64805359158684391212009-03-30T12:12:00.009-04:002009-08-02T21:18:00.149-04:00a weekend in romaOur first weekend in drawing was spent in Rome! We stayed in a few apartments all fairly close to one another. From the window of my apartment you could see a little piazza that had a market every morning, fresh fruit!<br /><br />The weekend was one of seeing and drawing.<br /><br />some sweet graffiti<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SfSA6EoAYjI/AAAAAAAAAMk/lNUgokN699M/s1600-h/IMG_1283.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SfSA6EoAYjI/AAAAAAAAAMk/lNUgokN699M/s200/IMG_1283.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329025994248446514" border="0" /></a>we went to the vatican museum, a ton of churches and walked everywhere.<br /><br />i fell in love with piazza navona! and this trip really reminded me just how much i love rome! i loved getting to see it at night again too!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SfSDUu2gejI/AAAAAAAAANM/34TH_br0bW4/s1600-h/IMG_1309.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SfSDUu2gejI/AAAAAAAAANM/34TH_br0bW4/s200/IMG_1309.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329028651283413554" border="0" /></a>one of my favorite parts was the whole group sitting in a big circle in the middle of a piazza, all facing out and a 360 view! it was really fun and we got a lot of attention! haha!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SnY6NSgi5YI/AAAAAAAAAVk/feT8tK9jwrs/s1600-h/IMG_1328.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SnY6NSgi5YI/AAAAAAAAAVk/feT8tK9jwrs/s200/IMG_1328.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365540006039577986" border="0" /></a>the lovely jana papp<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SfSCNxzQH0I/AAAAAAAAAM8/Ccp0fJ0oafk/s1600-h/Roma4March+27,+20099.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SfSCNxzQH0I/AAAAAAAAAM8/Ccp0fJ0oafk/s200/Roma4March+27,+20099.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329027432304353090" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SnY6bl0793I/AAAAAAAAAVs/5u7E1pXPoyQ/s1600-h/Roma4March+27,+200910.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SnY6bl0793I/AAAAAAAAAVs/5u7E1pXPoyQ/s200/Roma4March+27,+200910.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365540251743549298" border="0" /></a>and here is my feet.....i love feet pictures.....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SfSB_y9mv5I/AAAAAAAAAM0/Ke9xtHokxXk/s1600-h/IMG_1335.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SfSB_y9mv5I/AAAAAAAAAM0/Ke9xtHokxXk/s200/IMG_1335.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329027192098045842" border="0" /></a>wicked cool bending tree<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SnY5-OSAppI/AAAAAAAAAVc/mQ_bL4OL1Nc/s1600-h/IMG_1301.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SnY5-OSAppI/AAAAAAAAAVc/mQ_bL4OL1Nc/s200/IMG_1301.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365539747206833810" border="0" /></a>the soccer store...the place to buy tickets... i will most assuredly will be going to a game!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SfSCtyaU9GI/AAAAAAAAANE/SJy3dqBhAR4/s1600-h/IMG_1350.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SfSCtyaU9GI/AAAAAAAAANE/SJy3dqBhAR4/s200/IMG_1350.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329027982224061538" border="0" /></a><br />the optical illusion<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SnY6lBQ0-XI/AAAAAAAAAV0/yB-LsZVrqqQ/s1600-h/Roma4March+28,+200914.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SnY6lBQ0-XI/AAAAAAAAAV0/yB-LsZVrqqQ/s200/Roma4March+28,+200914.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365540413727111538" border="0" /></a>abby ytzenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09638680489940092125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4234368056797080722.post-38719093652030971302009-03-23T13:52:00.017-04:002009-03-30T12:18:14.971-04:00venice and bologna....(3-20 thru 3-22)<br /><br />very early morning....and long train rides, picnic on the train...and some spillage in a bag, but we make it and step out of the station onto to the windy platform on the edge of the canal, sun beaming and sea in the air....<br /><br />a forty minute walk across town, good thing jake is extremely good at directions, we enter a little piazza and see our hotel....run into a snag with the rooms, thinking that we could just put all six of us into the triple we booked was a bad idea....but we dealt with it and spent two night in the top of a gorgeous hotel with a great view, the nicest bathroom i've seen thus far, and in the very heart of venice, right off the canal.<br /><br />we take some time to chill then set out at dusk to explore, we stumbled onto the piazza di san marco.....which is gorgeous!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/ScfOAEffuRI/AAAAAAAAAKk/MBOS5F2VHuE/s1600-h/the+whole+gang+in+venice.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/ScfOAEffuRI/AAAAAAAAAKk/MBOS5F2VHuE/s200/the+whole+gang+in+venice.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316444385735325970" border="0" /></a>we pretty much got roses forces apon us, and jake bought them....what a guy :)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/ScfUys9braI/AAAAAAAAAKs/4sStujwsEhs/s1600-h/first+night+with+roses.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/ScfUys9braI/AAAAAAAAAKs/4sStujwsEhs/s200/first+night+with+roses.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316451852661534114" border="0" /></a>then we wandered and found ourselves on the rivalto bridge, with a view over the canal all lit up at night!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/ScfYc5p5jII/AAAAAAAAAK0/mzqJKccIm44/s1600-h/lights+on+the+canal.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/ScfYc5p5jII/AAAAAAAAAK0/mzqJKccIm44/s200/lights+on+the+canal.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316455876158655618" border="0" /></a>from there we found a cheap pizza place were i got one of my new favorite kinds of pizza--a little crispy thin crust, sause, light cheese and zuccini and pepper that had been grilled in olive oil.<br /><br />back to the hotel for some drinks and a movie to relax and head to bed<br /><br />saturday:<br />woke up to the best breakfast i have ever had in a hotel! i ate so much food! yogurt, granola, fruit, pastries, nutella, sweet breads, eggs, teas, juice, cappuccino's with smily faces on them!<br />perfection!!!<br /><br />then we went back to san marco, went in for a bit, walked around the piazza, took some pictures, people watched, fed the pigeons.....off of jakes head....good times<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/ScfZylfo_3I/AAAAAAAAAK8/8ZInpIeA1lg/s1600-h/san+marco.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/ScfZylfo_3I/AAAAAAAAAK8/8ZInpIeA1lg/s200/san+marco.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316457348215668594" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SdDozR2PZQI/AAAAAAAAALM/re3cMV5ibaQ/s1600-h/godolas.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SdDozR2PZQI/AAAAAAAAALM/re3cMV5ibaQ/s200/godolas.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319007127586432258" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SdDqmIvLqcI/AAAAAAAAALc/dpXhPufOlAs/s1600-h/jake.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SdDqmIvLqcI/AAAAAAAAALc/dpXhPufOlAs/s200/jake.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319009100825864642" border="0" /></a>jumped on a gondola to cross the canal....a nice long walk found a place for a quick bite then into the guggenhiem!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SdDoz9FJ68I/AAAAAAAAALU/XUC0KZZqf3U/s1600-h/italian+cutie.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SdDoz9FJ68I/AAAAAAAAALU/XUC0KZZqf3U/s200/italian+cutie.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319007139191712706" border="0" /></a>what a cute italian gondola man! haha!<br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span>i loved the guggenhiem! favorite museum thus far!-it was a modern art collection, with gorgeous gardens--i don't have my notes with me so i will try to add some about it later...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SdDqmxzgp6I/AAAAAAAAALs/jojNutet_6Y/s1600-h/the+girls+on+the+canal.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SdDqmxzgp6I/AAAAAAAAALs/jojNutet_6Y/s200/the+girls+on+the+canal.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319009111849871266" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SdDqmmL_ZGI/AAAAAAAAALk/mFoCeqo-zbE/s1600-h/guggenhiem+garden.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SdDqmmL_ZGI/AAAAAAAAALk/mFoCeqo-zbE/s200/guggenhiem+garden.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319009108731323490" border="0" /></a>from there...walked for a bit, some napped, some journaled....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SdDnjdzrAnI/AAAAAAAAALE/SlFUQPc_AHU/s1600-h/close+up+gondola.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SdDnjdzrAnI/AAAAAAAAALE/SlFUQPc_AHU/s200/close+up+gondola.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319005756407349874" border="0" /></a>we adventured out again that evening...back to the rivalto market, got a gift for my sister.....and a yellow scarf for me.....had a little picnic with jess and heather---yum yum...a third of a block of mozzerella, some bread and a tomatoe, back to san marco piazza to meet up with the boys, then we went on a gondola ride!!!!<br /><br />back to the hotel to chill before an early morning forty minute walk to the station to bologna....(the time of that walk being 6:20 am)<br /><br />we got to bologna and walk up the street to a large piazza, went into a museum to see the morandi exhibit--one of matt's favorite artists--check him out.<br /><br />then we headed over to a nice restuarant for a long and relaxing meal....yum yum!<br /><br />after that we walked to the far end of town and found a gorgeous park to lay in, soak up some sun, take fun pictures and drink wine!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SdDtLZoX1gI/AAAAAAAAAL0/KKSLFLeE_9g/s1600-h/laughing1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SdDtLZoX1gI/AAAAAAAAAL0/KKSLFLeE_9g/s200/laughing1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319011940039120386" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SdDtL2sRg9I/AAAAAAAAAME/ERrCOLOGyjE/s1600-h/silliness.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SdDtL2sRg9I/AAAAAAAAAME/ERrCOLOGyjE/s200/silliness.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319011947840111570" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SdDtLnQlvbI/AAAAAAAAAL8/juIdb60KqfE/s1600-h/boys+in+bologna.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SdDtLnQlvbI/AAAAAAAAAL8/juIdb60KqfE/s200/boys+in+bologna.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319011943697464754" border="0" /></a><br />pizza waiting for us and goodnight!abby ytzenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09638680489940092125noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4234368056797080722.post-2921398430999493972009-03-23T12:21:00.006-04:002009-03-23T13:41:53.338-04:00florencei have to be honest....after an early morning....and getting over my sickness....i was not in the best of moods to listen to long winded talks on church art....<br /><br />soooo<br /><br />the morning was good....but i was ready for lunch at 1:45 when we were given 5 euro. i was on a little bit of visual overload.... so here is the morning...<br /><br />arrive<br />santa maria novella<br />question posed--how would i visually represent the church?<br /><br />then...museo di san marco (rebuilt by cossimo medici)<br />fra angelico paintings<br />monastic cells<br /><br />(one thing that was mentioned was that the best view of florences is from fiesole....so i need to find that on my next trip there)<br /><br />lunch.....wandering and then the best pick me up!--cappuccino with a chocolate heart on top :)<br /><br />after coffee i had a great afternoon seeing bits of florence<br />florence is a rennaissance city--the beginning of secular modernity<br /><br />we saw the Bapistry infront of the duomo<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sce-GcPKtuI/AAAAAAAAAKM/LZ38RlFHE1E/s1600-h/IMG_1806.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sce-GcPKtuI/AAAAAAAAAKM/LZ38RlFHE1E/s200/IMG_1806.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316426903002461922" border="0" /></a>and the gates of paradise! by Ghilberti<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/ScfIGKpgpLI/AAAAAAAAAKU/VNLlodZ3WZk/s1600-h/gates+of+paradise.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/ScfIGKpgpLI/AAAAAAAAAKU/VNLlodZ3WZk/s200/gates+of+paradise.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316437893397390514" border="0" /></a>the Duomo bell tower<br />depicting the seven sevens<br />all the important trades of the city on bottom row<br /><br />the orsonmichela "the garden of michael"<br />the guild's chapel--each guild ordered to commission a statue for their niche--florence liked to do things that drew everyone in together<br /><br />Piazza Dela Signoria--main piazza, contains town hall<br />the masculine statues and authority of government offer a contrast to the the duomo (the mother church and father government)<br />the town hall is were the famous "David" was supposed to stand--which we haven't got to see yet...<br />the loggi is an amplitheatre...previous of civil speaches, but not used for concerts<br /><br />we were sort of rushed through here, so not any good pictures....<br /><br />then an amazing view overlooking the river<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/ScfJC8shcaI/AAAAAAAAAKc/L56psEvuk2c/s1600-h/florence+river.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/ScfJC8shcaI/AAAAAAAAAKc/L56psEvuk2c/s200/florence+river.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316438937623949730" border="0" /></a>then we saw some art and back on the train....abby ytzenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09638680489940092125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4234368056797080722.post-27554046199082559532009-03-16T11:49:00.008-04:002009-03-19T13:00:25.221-04:00assisi8:30 bus ride toward the mountains, we speed along windy roads, passing beautiful mountains and lakes.<br /><br />upon arrival we walk up a path lined with olive groves toward San Damiano. it is located amidst and olive grove, and is just gorgeous!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sb6DQkAUt5I/AAAAAAAAAJ0/ScaqqJaep_M/s1600-h/francis+statue.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sb6DQkAUt5I/AAAAAAAAAJ0/ScaqqJaep_M/s200/francis+statue.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313828930909943698" border="0" /></a>after exploring the church we walked up to a hill, picking sage on the way<br />and sat in an olive grove and sang worship songs, the sun was shinning, it was a perfect day in umbria<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/ScJ25d_yOhI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/FspjGAoaCpA/s1600-h/path+to+olive+grove.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/ScJ25d_yOhI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/FspjGAoaCpA/s200/path+to+olive+grove.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314941239927388690" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/ScJ5_qBtisI/AAAAAAAAAKE/v004ibN-HSI/s1600-h/jana,+me,+jess.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/ScJ5_qBtisI/AAAAAAAAAKE/v004ibN-HSI/s200/jana,+me,+jess.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314944644770794178" border="0" /></a>then up the mountain farther to a hermitage,Eremo delle Carceri<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.sacred-destinations.com/italy/assisi-eremo-della-carceri.htm"><strong></strong></a>situated right on the side of the mountain.<br /><br />then the most delicious lunch ever! tomato salad, bread, cheese, olives, sausage, prosciutto, olive oil, blood oranges, and cake for desert! yum yum! i ate sooooooooo much! haha! if only we had some wine to go with!<br /><br />tomato salad recipe-- ps was made fresh by matt on the spot!<br />tomato<br />garlic<br />basil<br />little salt and pepper<br />olive oil<br /><br />then a bit of a break in the main square outside of the basilica di santa chiara for espresso/gelato<br /><a href="http://www.sacred-destinations.com/italy/assisi-basilica-santa-chiara.htm"><strong></strong></a><br />after gathering, we wander toward the Basilica di San Francesco--where the spectacula frescoes by Giotto are located<br /><br />these frescoes were just breath taking! it was my first encounter with this early of work were i really connected with it. even though the frescoes were faded, it was so bright in there, every part of the interior was in color--i wonder how it would have looked the day after he finished!<br /><br />and here is my ranting about Giotto:<br /><br />he just engages you, makes you think<br />his work almost seems modern--the illutrations, the coloring, the use of distorted perspective giving it a someone surreal feel. and the beautiful pattern work along the bottom and throughout all the frescoes!--they covered buildings, drapery, floors, everything...<br />there is just such a strong graphic element to his work, that as a designer i can't help but love!<br />i love how the frescoes are painted and balanced in three<br />the flase symetry<br />the triangular and linear elements Giotto uses<br />the framing and reframing<br />the layers and diagonals, and the multiple planes that it creates<br />and there is a fascinating tension between Giotto and St. Fransic--it is amazing how Giotto brings to Fransic to life in his work and capture the spirit of who he was<br />yet despite the subject matter, there is such a sense of playfulness, which as a designer i love, i love that the subject can be serious, yet show in a light way that still works and is still true to the subject, in fact it even better communicates the subject!<br /><br />giotto=designer's eye candy (in the words of matt--our director)<br /><br />ok that was long winded.<br />i will add pics later, i just wanted to get this up!<br /><br />ciaoabby ytzenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09638680489940092125noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4234368056797080722.post-31993069059959422782009-03-15T11:53:00.008-04:002009-03-16T11:48:21.194-04:00week three: a papal audiencewed of this last week we made another trip to rome......for a papal audience!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sb5w20Suo6I/AAAAAAAAAJk/tglBccE1xZw/s1600-h/peitre+square.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sb5w20Suo6I/AAAAAAAAAJk/tglBccE1xZw/s200/peitre+square.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313808697396208546" border="0" /></a>before the event....without espresso yet....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sb5vx-TM9zI/AAAAAAAAAJc/XQUPyGw_L5c/s1600-h/jess+and+i+at+vatican.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sb5vx-TM9zI/AAAAAAAAAJc/XQUPyGw_L5c/s200/jess+and+i+at+vatican.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313807514671576882" border="0" /></a><br />we were literally maybe 30 yards away, and he waved to us when they announced our group form gordon college!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sb5zgRmxixI/AAAAAAAAAJs/gYV_jXqeUgQ/s1600-h/pope.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sb5zgRmxixI/AAAAAAAAAJs/gYV_jXqeUgQ/s200/pope.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313811608662805266" border="0" /></a>abby ytzenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09638680489940092125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4234368056797080722.post-86995168775393162472009-03-09T16:23:00.018-04:002009-03-14T13:22:51.694-04:00settemana duejungle jam<br /><br />silas (matt, our director's son) celbrated his birthday a week ago, but they didn't tell him, so we just had his birthday....and it was a jungle party!<br /><br />we dressed up as various animals, and face painted and enjoy company and food :)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SbbRUYueYfI/AAAAAAAAAIE/FLPkmbcoeik/s1600-h/IMG_1250.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SbbRUYueYfI/AAAAAAAAAIE/FLPkmbcoeik/s200/IMG_1250.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311662958695047666" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SbbSZGrvU8I/AAAAAAAAAIM/631Lfc5Doac/s1600-h/IMG_1257.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SbbSZGrvU8I/AAAAAAAAAIM/631Lfc5Doac/s200/IMG_1257.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311664139262710722" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SbbTZCL1DZI/AAAAAAAAAIU/Tqj9PlRZJj4/s1600-h/IMG_1266.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SbbTZCL1DZI/AAAAAAAAAIU/Tqj9PlRZJj4/s200/IMG_1266.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311665237566754194" border="0" /></a>as well as a little music!-i got to play drums with alessandro-i miss drums so much! and i loved it!<br /><br />two trips worth noting: arezzo and roma<br /><br />saturday a small group took a day trip to arezzo, a town to the north, about half way to florence. it is home of the famous pierre della francesca "true cross" fresco cycle. the town is larger than orvieto, and not situated on a hill. lots of beautiful medieval architecture, a park with a gorgeous view, oh some great shopping!<br /><br />so here is the skinny:<br /><br />train departs at 8:15 ish.....<br /><br />first stop, an a little caffe for some capuccino and a second breakfast sandwich<br /><br />then the church with the frescos, no photos allowed.... and we made our way up to their duomo...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SbbP4VNznoI/AAAAAAAAAH8/Vi8hpPRzEA8/s1600-h/view+from+arezzo.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SbbP4VNznoI/AAAAAAAAAH8/Vi8hpPRzEA8/s200/view+from+arezzo.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311661377204756098" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SblO-VOvsBI/AAAAAAAAAIs/1AVd5c20dso/s1600-h/in+front+of+the+arezzo+duomo.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SblO-VOvsBI/AAAAAAAAAIs/1AVd5c20dso/s200/in+front+of+the+arezzo+duomo.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312364068218056722" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SblRKMcClCI/AAAAAAAAAI0/bpxj0QnM7uA/s1600-h/inside+duomo.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SblRKMcClCI/AAAAAAAAAI0/bpxj0QnM7uA/s200/inside+duomo.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312366471039587362" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SblNfnmR_yI/AAAAAAAAAIc/spxir3fr7tk/s1600-h/2652_513249502379_65801767_30885393_4813231_n.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SblNfnmR_yI/AAAAAAAAAIc/spxir3fr7tk/s200/2652_513249502379_65801767_30885393_4813231_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312362441061039906" border="0" /></a>while arezzo's duomo facade can not compare to orvieto, it was still beautiful with gorgeous stained glass and side chapel<br /><br />then wandering in the crowded streets for a bit, stopped in some stores, got provisions at a open market and back to the park for the most perfect picnic lunch! wine, bread, cheese, prosciutto, and tomatoes....my new favorite meal!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SblNrBnUg3I/AAAAAAAAAIk/KDCHOR06eEY/s1600-h/2652_513249582219_65801767_30885409_4574565_n.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SblNrBnUg3I/AAAAAAAAAIk/KDCHOR06eEY/s200/2652_513249582219_65801767_30885409_4574565_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312362637023282034" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SblTpKeYTjI/AAAAAAAAAI8/J-Be0hJ9GYI/s1600-h/back+of+arezzo+duomo.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SblTpKeYTjI/AAAAAAAAAI8/J-Be0hJ9GYI/s200/back+of+arezzo+duomo.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312369202111729202" border="0" /></a>after a very long and satisfying lunch, time for gelato! blood orange and vanilla! yum yum!<br />some shopping and back on the train to orvieto!<br /><br />roma trip due<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sbq5tIAd3JI/AAAAAAAAAJM/PkUkOW5NvW0/s1600-h/2636_525127649834_201304101_31694243_3597197_n.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Sbq5tIAd3JI/AAAAAAAAAJM/PkUkOW5NvW0/s200/2636_525127649834_201304101_31694243_3597197_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312762895331613842" border="0" /></a>some beautiful churches!<br /><br />and the trevi fountain for a moment<br /><br />and a walk back to the train at dusk<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SbvlxJBP0jI/AAAAAAAAAJU/aLH1z6Cb_9E/s1600-h/sunset.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SbvlxJBP0jI/AAAAAAAAAJU/aLH1z6Cb_9E/s200/sunset.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313092817811132978" border="0" /></a>abby ytzenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09638680489940092125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4234368056797080722.post-23752617482324814542009-03-02T11:57:00.016-05:002009-03-02T15:49:05.545-05:00romaso we went to rome and here is a little tour:<br /><br />first.... 5am get up....arrive at rome 20 til nine and snack (pineapple yogurt)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SaxFDdHTDWI/AAAAAAAAAHs/CaOj3b7fbyE/s1600-h/IMG_1231.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SaxFDdHTDWI/AAAAAAAAAHs/CaOj3b7fbyE/s200/IMG_1231.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308693986420133218" border="0" /></a><br />second.... nationale museum of roma<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SaxF9peirHI/AAAAAAAAAH0/QK7TNlUL7NY/s1600-h/IMG_1261.2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SaxF9peirHI/AAAAAAAAAH0/QK7TNlUL7NY/s200/IMG_1261.2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308694986171264114" border="0" /></a><br />third.....pantheon<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SaxDu5ISJ7I/AAAAAAAAAHk/7G5nSqYAQGA/s1600-h/IMG_1283.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SaxDu5ISJ7I/AAAAAAAAAHk/7G5nSqYAQGA/s200/IMG_1283.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308692533651580850" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SaxCz-w_qzI/AAAAAAAAAHc/ZcE73AF39Ng/s1600-h/IMG_1289.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SaxCz-w_qzI/AAAAAAAAAHc/ZcE73AF39Ng/s200/IMG_1289.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308691521552231218" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Saw79V1PMoI/AAAAAAAAAHU/xJ6K9vQfnbc/s1600-h/IMG_1295.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Saw79V1PMoI/AAAAAAAAAHU/xJ6K9vQfnbc/s200/IMG_1295.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308683985781469826" border="0" /></a><br />fourth....gelato, panini, open market tomatoes<br /><br />fifth....various cites<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Saw7P6Qy2kI/AAAAAAAAAHM/J4lMU1Gg1yA/s1600-h/IMG_1316.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Saw7P6Qy2kI/AAAAAAAAAHM/J4lMU1Gg1yA/s200/IMG_1316.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308683205286746690" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Saw6XVqNCYI/AAAAAAAAAHE/H7kSBKfdGdM/s1600-h/IMG_1303.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Saw6XVqNCYI/AAAAAAAAAHE/H7kSBKfdGdM/s200/IMG_1303.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308682233388534146" border="0" /></a><br />sixth....forum, colosseum, etc.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Saw4xSfOW_I/AAAAAAAAAG8/WsOtV_E-KZk/s1600-h/IMG_1339.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/Saw4xSfOW_I/AAAAAAAAAG8/WsOtV_E-KZk/s200/IMG_1339.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308680480190520306" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SawXLmubDcI/AAAAAAAAAG0/QkUs0AcXUMI/s1600-h/IMG_1355.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SawXLmubDcI/AAAAAAAAAG0/QkUs0AcXUMI/s200/IMG_1355.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308643548904230338" border="0" /></a><br />seventh....gorgeous overstated church....dead camera batteryabby ytzenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09638680489940092125noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4234368056797080722.post-57387903999542527372009-02-26T11:37:00.008-05:002009-02-26T12:09:45.759-05:00wine, ceramics, and the dumo<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SabMAX91pCI/AAAAAAAAAGs/Q2vIZfNPGqY/s1600-h/IMG_1133.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SabMAX91pCI/AAAAAAAAAGs/Q2vIZfNPGqY/s200/IMG_1133.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307153517708157986" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SabKMLqjgVI/AAAAAAAAAGk/ELJyqUK8JUY/s1600-h/IMG_1127.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4muqt3f4UI/SabKMLqjgVI/AAAAAAAAAGk/ELJyqUK8JUY/s200/IMG_1127.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307151521541226834" border="0" /></a><br />ciao!<br /><br />hey friends, so i love italy!<br />i had riostto for the first time, amazing! we all go to a restaurant for lunch and dinner and have huge family style meals, and we often find ourselves saying everyone is our favorite! haha!<br /><br />cappucino (milk and coffee) and a pastry is a daily staple to every good italian's (and currently mine as well) diet. gelato (which is supposedly better for you) is clearly divine.<br /><br />i went to a farmer market this morning! have gone out for wine and snack on a couple of occassions. watched some huge soccer matches. walked in the surrounding hills. ran in the rain (only run so far....might need to get on that sooner or later)<br /><br />the people here with me are great! every day something new is discovered. and everything is exciting.<br /><br />i feel so blessed to be here!<br /><br />i have been given an idea concerning photography.....i am going to become a minimalist. and instead of constantly shooting, shoot on specific occassions and not so much at first. when it comes to orvieto, i am going to be here awhile, so i am going to try and take in things, to get to know the place before i document it. so sorry for the lack of photos..... but hey, as the color come back in the land, orvieto will only become more and more beautiful.<br /><br />ciaoabby ytzenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09638680489940092125noreply@blogger.com0