New day, new city.

Spent the morning in Venice. I freaking love that place. 

First major purchase...genuine italian leather bag. 

Check!

Side note: I hate euros. 

The exchange rate is a joke. 

Literally paid a service fee of 18 euros yesterday. 

That's over $20.00

Unreal!

But I had no monies to spend. 

So I had to do it. 

Then we said adios to pretty pretty Venice and made our way to Florence. 

Jenna didn't want to pay for a water bus to get to the train station, and of course she can't go alone! Duh. 

So I went with her. 

We lugged our luggage all over the city. 

We have a ton, a TON! of luggage. 

And there's like a TON of stairs.

 No bueno.

I took off my backpack when we got to the station and asked Julia if she could see my back sweat.

"Ya I can. 

And your shoulder sweat. 

And your armpit sweat."

Sweet. 

But we made it. 

And we're 7 euros richer than everyone else. 

Hot dang. 

Trains are awesome. 

Neck pillows are probably more awesome though.

Seriously. 

That thing has been a life savor the whole trip.

And hey...meet Amanda and Julia.

We tend to migrate to each other. Like allll the time. 

Anywho...we made it to Florence late last night. 

It's no Venice...but it's absolutely amazing! 

Check out the elevator to our hotel. 

It's sketchy. 

But sketchy is cool.

You're not adventurous if you're not doing sketchy stuff. 

Right Mom?!

Can't wait to show you pics from today.

Italy is like the coolest place you could ever be.

Ever. 

Lates America.

After some sad goodbyes.

3 layovers.

No sleep. 

and lots and lots of traveling.

I made it to Venice. 

This place is unreal. 

It still hasn't hit me yet that I'm across the world.

and eating gelato.

and riding in gondolas.

and using euros.

and taking pictures every 2 steps.

Is this real life?

I can't understand a dang thing.

And jet lag is killing me. Literally. Laying in bed right now like a dead person. 

But hey...this is cool stuff!

Si? Si. 

Hey B! Come to Italy so we can makeout on a bench in Venice. Please?!

My blogger is all in Italian. Help?

No makeup or hair doing. That's my plan.

My hotel is smaller than small. and hotter than hot.

I tried to break in my Toms today. They broke my feet instead. 

Seriously. Life is so great!

I think I'm in love with it. 

Hi Mom!

You're gonna make me lonesome when you go.

Hey. This is your boyfriend. Sorry to ruin your perfectly worded, super cute, creative blog. But whatever, just wanted you to know how much imma miss yo face when you get to the other side of the world, millions and millions of miles away..There's nothing better than being with your best friend Every. Single. Day. So when I say you're gonna make me lonesome when you go, I totally mean it. You're the most beautiful girl in the world and everybody reading this knows it. I am the happiest boy because I get to call you mine. Those little munchkins in Romania are so lucky to have someone like you to look after them. You are going to do amazing. I'm so proud of you. Lets be honest I'm going to be a lost little soul for a few months, but hey, I'll be waiting patiently... You're the best Rik! Go get em!

Romania Blog

Hey kids.

 If you want to follow my Romanian adventures (leaving in 2 weeks!), click on the "Romania" tab at the top of my page and go from there. 

Had to be set to 'private' for protection rights.

Sorry 'bout that. 

But hey...

Anything for the children. 

Am I right?

Right.

This little blog here probably won't get much attention in the next 3 months.
So just follow the Romania blog if you are a die-hard "On the reals" reader.
Are there any of those out there?
Anyone?
Mom?
Grannie?
Blake?....(you better read this...you're like in every post)

Anyways.
Whateves.
You get the point.
Follow if you want!
Your body, your choice.

A little bit of that lovey dovey stuff.

I move to Romania in 19 days.

Lots of peeps ask what's gonna happen with B and I.

Here's what's up.

He'll keep himself busy with school and work and lots of quality family time while avoiding all females, match.com, and my sexy roommate Taylor (who has a (not so) secret crush on him) at all costs, while wearing a t-shirt with a picture of his incredibly sexy girlfriend on it that says "my heart's in Romania" with the Romanian flag in the background with little red and pink hearts all over it, everyday.

And I'll try really hard not to fall in love and elope with a little 5-year-old orphan boy.

But pharrell.

When people ask me...I think I turn into a robot.

"It's gonna suck, but he's supportive because he knows how important it is to me"

"Distance makes the heart grow fonder"

"It'll either make or break the relationship"

and thee ever infamous,

"It's only 3 months..."

I say these things with a robot face, and a robot tone, with a robot brain, while doing the robot dance (ha ha. el oh el. jay kay. 'Bout the robot dance, that is).

Robot aka: nothing.

Just words, no substance.

While those things may all be very true,

the truth is...

It'll be real hard.

and I'm really going to miss him.

But look at that face...

How could you not be head-over-heels for that??

It's impossible not to be.

Thank the heavens for the once-a-week alloted time to contact home.

You best believe we be skype dating up the wah-zoo.

And I can't wait to be pen pals.

It all seems so romatic like.

Handwriting love notes across the ocean and all.

Baby's HERE!

This little nuggy made his way into the world a few (and then some) days late and 20 hours worth of labor later. 

Better late than never, eh?

He's the cutest little cutie I ever did see. 

"No name" Laws

August 13, 2012

7 lbs. 10 oz.