Bellissimo

*Sigh*...I miss Italy. I really really do. Steve and I went to Rome for Valentine's Day and had such a good time. It really defined our relationship because we got to know each other on a whole new level, and that's when I knew I loved him. I also fell in love with the Trevi Fountain!

I say this because I just watched When In Rome. I recommend everyone watch it!! It showed the places we went in Rome and it just brought back some wonderful memories.

We also went to Venice, which is by far my favorite place in the world. I need to go back to experience it again!!!

When I go to these places, I feel like I'm where I belong. My mother is from Sicily, which I have yet to visit, and I feel like I have gone back to my roots. It's the craziest feeling, but I feel at home there, you know? It's a  good thing Steve loves Italy too!

I also just bought a cookbook called Skinny Italian by my favorite woman on The Real Housewives of New Jersey, Teresa Giudice. I'm from NJ, and I'm Italian, so I really love the show and I am loving this cookbook!!

In this cookbook, she shows you how to find the best olive oil, how to find/store/use different herbs, what kinds of pasta there are, and some deeeelish recipes!! Now, I just had to try a really simple one, even though all of them are simple! Can you believe that?! I just read through the recipes and was amazed at how easy peasy they are!!! Anyway, I made this pasta-and it was amazing. All it was, was linguine with a butter/olive oil/parsley/salt and pepper sauce. I added some cheese but it ended up clumping and it wasn't pretty. But the key ingredient? Pasta water! That's right! Save a little of the water from the pasta you were boiling, mix it with those other ingredients, and voila! You've made a natural sauce that is amazing!!

Don't be discouraged by the word "Skinny" on the book. At first I thought it was rude, but what she means is making Italian food healthy and less fattening. I never like when people think that skinny is everything and will make you beautiful. Lies, I tell you!! You as a person are beautiful, not the outside of you!! Your soul is beautiful, you know? 

So, I'm on an Italy kick as of late. I am dying to go back, and it's only been a year since I've been!

Now go try an amazing Italian dish!!

Okay, I just wanted to include one more picture. If you think Paris is romantic, try Venice. Paris wasn't romantic at all!! Venice is where it's at-just don't bring children, especially young ones, because there are bridges everywhere so strollers are hard to steer!

Arrivederci!

Getting Ready for the Next Chapter...

Soon I will be free!! Next week is my last week in the military, and I'm out the next Wednesday after that. Well, Tuesday at midnight!! I cannot believe it. I've sold nearly everything in my house. I can't believe this is actually happening!! I'm so ready for it. Last year I was not ready when I was supposed to get out, but I extended for a year and now I am fully ready to take this on!!!  I've done my 7 years and now it's time to move on.

I got to look at what classes I'll be taking in school and I cannot wait!! A couple of my electives will be Crime and Society, as well as Intro to Education Studies!!! I'm so so so excited to be a student again!!! My dad would give me crap about why I haven't gotten my Bachelor's or anything. I have my AA, but not the BA. The reason is that I don't like online classes-I don't learn anything from them. And let's face it, I was on shift work for the last 4 years. This is the first time I've really been on days besides when I went to DLI.

So I look forward to it!! It's going to be an exciting adventure!!

Wish me luck!! <3

Fabulous!!

Let me tell you how amazing Steven is. He knows that I've had a rough week, and he goes and sends me flowers to make me feel better. He is so perfect for me in every way. Look how he picked out all of my favorite flowers!!!

Love love LOVE him and the flowers!!!

Here are things I'd like to do before/after I get out of the military:

1. Cover up this ugly wing tattoo with beautiful lilies:

 2. Get a tragus and cartilage ear piercings!! I've always wanted the cartilage, even though my grandma told me that gypsies wear them and she'd never talk to me again if I got one, and the tragus is so pretty! Thanks, Arezou!

Well, that was about it actually, haha! As for the tattoo, it was a full-on mistake, but we all make those, right? Permanent or not! So! I didn't even think to cover it up until yesterday! I know it'll be expensive but it will make me so happy. Especially for my wedding day when that side of me is facing the crowd and camera!!

Only 23 more days left until I am out of the military, yay!! Then it's off to AZ, IL, and CA!!! Then a last flight to England!!!!

I hope all of you are having a great weekend!! xx

Needing to be left alone...

When I moved to England for 2 years, I was left alone by my family. I wasn't told to do this and that, no one was in my business, nothing.

I move back to the states, and WHOOSH! Everyone is in my dang business! Seriously, LEAVE ME ALONE! Do NOT get in my business. I cannot take it anymore! I cannot WAIT to leave this country so I don't have to deal with them anymore. Seriously, why do they think they can get in my business? They have no right at all because they haven't been in my business, so LEAVE ME ALONE, you know?

Ugh sorry, I'm just venting. This last week has been "be rude to Michelle" week. My dad won't freakin leave me alone. He tries to control me ALL TH E TIME! Once I leave, it's going to be small conversations on the phone, just a quick "how are you".

I am SO done with it here. Get me out of here! Just one more month...