Bella Roma Day 3

Day 3 was Thursday. We got up and out about 9AM and walked over to the Vatican Museum to see the Sistine Chapel. This was the only BIG thing we didn't get to on our first trip so it was the most important thing on our list this time. The line was pretty short and we were inside with tickets within about 5 minute of arriving. We shamelessly walked through the museum quickly to make it to the Sistine Chapel because we saw hordes of people arriving as we got in the door. We figured if we lingered to long it would be unpleasant inside. Which it was kinda anyway, but oh well. I had always read that getting to the Sistine Chapel took a long time because it was a far walk, and it was...but we did see some beautiful things on the way and did stop walking from time to time when something caught our eye.

We finally made it to the chapel and I was immediately surprised by how tall it was. The room itself is pretty small, but the work in the chapel is amazing. We stayed a bit staring up at the ceiling and left, and left the museum as well.

Bad Picture of the Sistine Chapel

We also wanted to revisit the inside of St. Peters Cathedral so that was next on our list. It was still as gorgeous, huge and as ornate as I remember it. My absolute favorite sculpture I have ever laid eyes on has a home inside the Cathedral. It is Michaelangelo's "Pieta" which is Jesus laying in Mary's lap after the Crucifixion. I couldn't begin to explain how incredible the inside of this cathedral is. There are so many little interesting things here that are so easy to miss.

The Pieta

St. Peters Cathedral

The story goes, that if you rub St. Peters foot you are absolved of all your sins.
So, now, I'm sin free! ;)

We weren't really sure where we wanted to go next, so we choose Piazza del Popolo. This was another spot we actually tried to see on our last visit but took a wrong turn and ended up way far so scratched it. When we got there, it was so much bigger then I imagined, we sat and rested our legs for a bit before heading back to Myra's to get ready for the party she was throwing.

Piazza del Popolo

Michael Reading the Map

Myra had invited a lot of her colluges over along with two of her friends visiting Rome from Greece. She works with a lot of really nice people that were an array of characters that were interesting to chat with. There was lots of yummy food and prosecco . After all of her colluges and friends from Greece left, the only people still here were the three of us, 4 interns and 1 friend that was visiting one of the interns. We all sat around and talked, drank and ate and had a great time. They didn't leave till about midnight! We had a blast. It was a good thing our train to Florence didn't leave the next morning until 12:30!

Myra being a great host.

Myra dancing with Sergio

This guy, was hilarious. He was the happiest and most smiley person I've ever met.
Sergio

The four interns who were so incredibly nice.
Roberto, Sergio, Myra, Dominica (who is from NYC) and Alessandro

The "M's" Michael, Myra and Michael

Updates and Video

Here's something crazy. It was 5 years ago yesterday (June 4th) that Michael and I stepped foot in Denmark for the very first time. I would never have guess what an important part of our lives this little country tucked up in Scandinavia would become. That also means that today is the 5 year anniversary of my dads death. It is kinda bitter sweet that those two things will always be looked at together.

We have been great. We had the Tech students here for a couple nights and they are now in their own place. It was fun to show them around and be able to help them out their first days here. Someone did it for us and we were grateful. I hope they will look back and feel the same way about us. Saturday we went out to Jen's farm for a little bbq and to watch the Denmark-Sweden Soccer Game. It was, interesting to say the least. It was a great and exciting game until it got canceled in the last minutes of the game because an angry fan stormed the field and tried to attack one of the refs. Game was halted and then called off. We were in the midsts of some very confused and not so happy Danes. None the less, we had a fun time.

Today is Constitution Day in Denmark and tonight we went over to one of Michaels co-workers and his wifes house with Klaus for a bbq. It was a beautiful day and we sat outside and ate and had a nice time.

So, thats what we have been up to.

Now, Video Number 4!!
If you didn't see the first 3 videos, refer to the previous 3 posts to find out what these are all about and to watch the others, before you watch today's video. :)

"The Partney's in Denmark: Day 4 - Bakken and Dyrehaven"

Our Danish Weekend

What a FUN FUN FUN weekend we had!!
Saturday we went to Sarah's house to have dinner with her and Jens. She lives in the Nørroboro area of Copenhagen. We had FANTASTIC food and really had a great time just sitting around talking with them. After dinner we watched the Denmark - Spain Soccer game on TV. It was surprisingly not as boring to watch as we had always thought it might be. Actually it was really interesting to watch. We have always wanted to see a live match and now after seeing that game on TV, I think we are even more excited to see one in person.

Sunday we helped Klaus move into his new home. Actually Michael helped move him. I sat around and hung out with his sister and mom. It was great to see his mom and dad again since we hadn't seen them since Christmas. His mom is really good at speaking Danish to us even though we don't know a ton of it. She speaks English, but not as much as many other Danes so I think its easier for her to speak Danish to us more because its just easier. It was nice to see that we actually understood a lot more of what she was saying this time. She made dinner for us as well which was also very tastey. All the Danes just seem to know how to make and cook wonderful food.

Spring is finally starting to show up here. We finally got past the 50 degree mark and we have been having days in the lower 50s and it feels soooo wonderful. We have been sitting in the sun room and on the balcony. We can finally go outside without a heavy jacket from time to time and after we leave the gym since we are usually really hot after that, we don't even need a jacket on at all. Its great. We had Daylight savings time and we were thrilled to see how long the sun was up yesterday. Longer and warmer days make us happy!!!

Friday Night Fun

Last night was our get together with The Møltoft family. To refresh your memories they Jørgen and his wife Agnus use to call themselves our surrogate grandparents our last time we lived here. We would never have survived a few things here without their help. Anyways, we got to know their kids and grandkid first time we were here and so the whole family got together last night with us. When we walked in the door they even had a brand new 4 month old grand baby. She was adorable. We had a really great time. Drank wine, drank beer ate good food and had a lot of fun. We have always said that Agnus is the best cook in the world. We use to get so excited when they would cook for us because she cooks these meals that are just AMAZING, and last night was no different. Started off with some appetizer that I can't really explain, then we had pork, duck and potato's (VERY typical danish food) and for dessert we had fruit and homemade ice cream and coffee. YUM! I had never eaten duck before we went on our cruise back in August, but we have both quickly come to love it!

We don't have much planned for the weekend. It is nice not have to run around trying to find things we need for our place. We will go to the gym in a few minutes, come home, shower, change, eat lunch, then maybe just go out for a cup of coffee.

The 24 Hour Vegetable

See anything funny about this picture?
Lets have a closer look shall we???












Oh, there it is!!!

I bought these tomato's on Friday, this is what this one looked like on Saturday!! When we left Denmark and moved back to the states the first time, I couldn't stand that everything had preservatives in them. All of a sudden, I appreciate preservatives (though I know when we move back one day, I won't be able to stand them anymore again) Its been 2 months since we got here, and it is still not super easy to try to remember not to buy a ton of fruit and vegetables in the store because I sometimes forget that they will go bad by the time I use it! I am still so use to buying a weeks worth of produce. At least we go through milk really fast, because I know that goes bad quickly as well.

Our little get together on Friday was a lot of fun! Everyone showed up and we chatted for a while, ate, and sat around and had a really nice time. It was kinda cool to see all the guys that have been through the program (minus 3) all together. For us it was especially nice because when Michael did the program he was the first one through and at the beginning everyone was unsure if the program would last, or even work for that matter. Seeing that it has lasted 4 years and 8 students later was quite wonderful.

Roland (current student that just arrived about 2 weeks ago), Klaus (everyone should know who he is) Michael, (Everyone better know who he is), Austin (current student that arrived in June) and Jens (Danish student that just finished in the states in December)

5 Orders of Buisiness

Danish Classes
- Umm they are.. Oooookaaaay... besides being inconvenient they kinda seem like a waste of time right now. I think it's a little difficult because we seem to know a bit more Danish then everyone else in the class so it seems to be moving really slow. We have gotten some clarification on some pronunciation and thats good, but still makes it boring. and did I mention inconvenient? ;) I actually found a couple places that offer basically one on one classes or one on two in our case. Michael was going to contact them and see if perhaps we could get private lessons if you will. TI provided us with 10,000 US dollars a person for language training for 1 year.. THATS 20,000 BUCKS!! WOAH! so, we could afford them since TI would be paying for them. Hopefully that will be good, because I can't see us keeping up this schedule every week for the next 2 years. *sigh*

Michael Sick - Michael was a bit under the weather this week, but seems to be better today. Nothing serious, just a yucky cold type thing. Cross your fingers I don't get it. I have a habit of when I catch something he has had, I get it 10 fold.

Laundry Machine - Remember when it was broken? Ya is broken again. This time it is spewing water out onto the floor when we turn it on.. thats always fun. Hopefully our landlord will send someone soon. Our pile of clothes is just about to start growing big time :(

Party - Tonight we are having a little get together at our place with the past and present students from the Texas Tech/Denmark Technical University exchange program. Besides Micheal and Klaus, there will be one other Dane named Jens(and his girlfriend Sarah) and two Americans here currently studying named Austin and Roland. We just thought it would be nice to have everyone get together. There will only be 3 people missing. 2 other Americans who are both in Dallas right now and one Dane whom I believe is also in Dallas right now.

Mom/Sharon Blog - I've been meaning to mention this, my mom and her best friend stated up their own little blog and today mentioned some of my loyal blog commenter's! So look, you guys are famous! ;)

http://mrspeepsandnursiepooh.blogspot.com/index.html

While I'm at it, either though I know only about... oooo 5% of the people that read this actually post comments but I wanted to thank all my loyal readers for letting me know that you read this. I always get a feeling of satisfaction when I hear you tell me you have read it, or tell me via email or even via myspace!! It lets me know this isn't a waste of time! ;)