New Beginnings

2012. Only two weeks into the New Year and I am feeling extremely anxious and excited for it's potential. The end of 2011 was a mixture of great times with family & friends on top of stress & feelings of living two different lives. The always-fabulous Johanna Armstrong made a trip across the pond and as always it was great to see her because her work and friendship is extremely inspiring. She is doing some great work so head to her portfolio link to check it out and also has one of my favorite tumblrs currently. I also rang in my 29th year (yikes) of existence surrounded by the most important people, family. I am so fortunate to have them. Birthmas celebrations, Grandma's manhattans, stuffed pork chops, new brother, VanMaurik's and friends. Pure Happiness.

I have a lot to accomplish and have tried to start this year as focused as possible. Architect'n, Teaching, Photographing and most importantly trying to graduate by May so that I can catch a one-way flight to Italy. It may have taken me ten years, but I feel like I am finally in the right place on the doorstep of a dream career. For now it is back to this thesis and the mountain of other projects that are sure to drive me crazy by the end of March. I will hopefully be updating more often with the photos I have currently been taking, the title link will take you to the shots around University Circle here in Clevelandtown that I took wasting some time before shooting an installation piece by a friend. Enjoy and cheers to the new year.

Between a Rock and a Really Cool Place

A great post by Pamela Simmons over at Durability + Design about John Carson's beautiful home in the Catskills. I was lucky enough to be invited last summer to check it out and I was able to get a few photos as well which Pam used in her article. Check it out, it's a great read about a true dream house that John and Sharon brought to life.

Clevelandtown

I recently moved in with a friend for the next few months while I work and finish up the Masters thesis at Kent State. I live only a mile from Lakewood park so I took advantage of a beautiful Monday and walked down to snap some photos. It's definitely sad to see the nice weather and sun beginning to run away, especially after the amazing summer I had, but I am ready to focus on writing and finishing school before heading back to Italy next summer to work!

Blog Slacking

I have so rudely forgotten to keep up with the blog posts so hopefully everyone has been keeping track via facebook or just bookmarking my picasa page. The last two weeks have been absolutely gorgeous....from Rome back to Florence to Venice back to Florence. Could not have asked for better weather right now. I also managed to stay away from a plague-like flu that took down half our group (including our professor) right before or during the Venice trip. Venice was absolutely amazing in so many different ways....check out the pictures. Got a bit homesick this week with some not so great news, but I miss you all who are close to me and can't wait to see your faces in a couple weeks in July. Ciao.

San Gimignano & Siena

Spent today traveling around the incredible sites of San Gimignano and Siena. I enjoyed San Gimignano more than I ever thought because it is breathtaking to walk around such a well preserved medieval Italian town. Siena was an overload of art and architecture and definitely was not there long enough to really appreciate it. I can not wait until we get to experience the Palio in a few weeks...

We have a day of rest before leaving early Monday morning for 3 days in Rome. Ciao.

Firenze | week 1

Finally back under the shadow of Brunelleschi's dome and it feels like I've never left. Heading to San Gimagno and Siena tomorrow morning for the first time so I am extremely excited. There is a lot of work to be done but there is no where else I'd rather find motivation than here in Tuscany...

Barcelona.

First two days in Barcelona. Gaudí.