Top Hits - What did I do in 2012 if not keep up this blog?
I guess now that I'm still here one year later, I can't keep up with the fairy tale theme for the year in review, especially since 2012 has shown me that in more ways than I could imagine, how to return to 'real life'. Here's a bit of a year in review of what I've been up to, top hits, and ideas for what's next in the eternal city........
 |
After starting 2012 off with a bang.... |
 |
and a lot of laughs...I returned to life in Rome and in 2012 I.... |
1. Solved World Hunger
 |
Pujehun, Sierra Leone |
 |
Ok far from it, but at least I got initiated to Africa with the scars to prove it.... |
 |
Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania |
 |
Learned my worth in cattle while trying goat for the first time
|
2. Circled the Globe
 |
Thanks to these two for giving me the best reason to do so and return to the land of superlatives |
 |
And yep, it was still true one year after leaving, and still true today. Even after 'circling the globe' and seeing a plethora of places, there really is no place like NZed
|
3. Climbed some Mountains
 |
Freezing even with bubbling lava at the top of Mt Etna, Sicily |
 |
Hiking Mom style in Ravello, Italy |
 |
Conquering Italy's finest peaks with Banana Trekking in Abruzzo, Italy |
4. Traversed America
 |
Since I did circle the globe and all, I figured I owed it to America to at least circle it as well, including a few places I'd never been like dinosaur country, Utah |
 |
I had to check out the karaoke in Big Sur, California |
 |
and check out the pioneer towns of Oklahoma City, |
 |
and visit all of my siblings in their hometowns including the president's tour of the fraternity house in Davis, California
5. Became a PortuGAL |
 |
With some of my very favorite gals |
 |
While learning to appreciate the wonders of port, whether in a kayak, on a bike, or in a robe |
6. Introduced Momo Beall to Europe
 |
While honing my bike-riding skills in Amsterdam and |
 |
And my gelato eating skills in Positano |
7. Oh I moved a few times
 |
And got better acquainted with my stuff and the many neighborhoods of Rome
|
8. Became more Italian
 |
Whether it can be attributed to relaxing on wagons in Matera or |
 |
Frolicking (yes I know it looks like mooning) in Agrigento or |
 |
All that research I did or.. |
 |
Sipping wine on the streets of Rome or |
 |
agreeing to Follow the Mad with this guy. |
 |
People said in order to really learn Italian I had to get an Italian boyfriend, well fine.More to come on all I've learned for agreeing to that request
9. I rode a Segway |
 |
Enough said
10. And somehow after/through all that there was still quality Beall and buds time (apologies that I can't fit all of it here)
|
 |
Beachtime bonding, only to be topped by winetime bonding, for which this Beall is an expert and a generous host
|
 |
First mate and the skipper in Berkeley, CA |
.JPG) |
Beall spawn unite in San Diego - when did I become the shortest?? |
 |
Sea frolicking while receiving fatherly wisdom |
 |
Do not, and I repeat DO NOT get in the way of this lady and Lincoln |
 |
Family wardrobe gimmicks |
 |
From NYC nights..... |
 |
To DC reunions... |
 |
To hometown brew tours.... |
2012 stats
- 12 countries visited (some repeats, don't get too excited)
-Of 365 days, I was in Italy 195 days, so it's not actually fair to say I've lived here 2 years
- 5 contracts with FAO
- 4 apartments in 4 neighborhoods
- 8 Italian mountains hiked
- 16 jobs applied for, 10 interviews, 0 'real' job offers (something is wrong with me, all comments are very welcome)
-5 times I was told I spoke English well
2013 - What's in Store?
-at least 3 more countries already on the books
-skiing in the Dolomites and Abruzzo
-going to the beach in Puglia
-running a marathon
-getting a new job
-at least monthly blogging - I promise