They Weren't Lying - It really is eternal

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

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