It's all official - I got my visa today... 2 months to go!

I didn't want to post here until I had everything officially in place.  And that all happened all at once.  I handed in my visa papers on Thursday afternoon late.  This weekend past, I got my beautiful Welcome Pack from Bill and Kristi from Adventures in Italy.  And first thing this morning, I got a message that my visa was ready!  WHAT!!!! That was record time!!!  But now I can relax into the next two months of waiting... all I have left to do is get my travel card, art supplies, luggage and packing!  Eeeck!

But I am happy to say all the major things are done!  All the big things that make this trip possible or not.

I'm celebrating tonight!!!! 

3 months to go...

Omygoodness - today is 3 months to go, to the day!  We all arrive in Orvieto together.

It's getting so real and it feels like it's coming so fast and I still have so much to do.  I booked my flights yesterday and it was a bit more than I was expecting.  But I'll be okay!  I will be arriving in Venice a day earlier than expected but basically just to sleep.  It's the best I could do with my fights and arrivals.  The door to door travel time is so long.... but I know it's so worth it.

We got our first group correspondence yesterday... getting so excited!

100 days to go...

The days are moving so swiftly and I've been delaying booking my ticket for various reasons.  Last time I went - I did some extra touring... I spent a few days in Roma with Jenny and stayed on a bit in Orvieto so that I could make the most of being in Europe.  It's such a luxury to be there and it's so far, I have to make the most of it.  Who knows when I will be lucky enough to do this again.  I was having fears that I would be just heading straight in and straight out of Orvieto this year.

But in the last week or two there have been some changes, my sweet roomy, Betty decided to withdraw from Italy, mainly for her Momsie and being away from her at this time, just isn't viable.  And my sweet friend Renee was coming after all.  And to cut a long story short and in a quick space of time - Renee and I spoke a lot in the past few days and we decided to try match our flight arrivals so we can travel into Orvieto together.  After much too-ing and fro-ing - we booked quickly (thanks to Renee's quickness), we are going to Venice for two days and Florence for a day or two before Orvieto!  In hide-sight, I'm so pleased I delayed on booking my ticket because now I know exactly how to book, when and where and my return too.

I'm still heart sore about my Betty Roomy not coming and my Jenny travel buddy from last time and sweet Sharon, who stayed on with me in 2012.  We are also waiting to hear if beautiful Lorraine will be well enough to travel too... we are trusting for so much on this trip...  but I know too that everything happens how it's meant to be.  Trusting for some miracles.

Bucket List - a gondala ride in Venice... 

Reminiscing...

Sitting outside the BlueBar... being quiet!

#Heavenly

Dreaming...

I originally finished this piece when I got back from Italy in 2012 and I named it "Dreaming of Oriveto..." Then I was already dreaming about getting back in 2014.

Well... she got a make over this week and again, to me, it's a map of my growth from where I first started to where I am now, and I guess where I'm heading... well I will continue to live in hope!  Never to stagnate or get stuck and to keep pushing myself a little further, to dig a little deeper, in the hope that I will always improve.

I never want to stop doing that but most of all, I never want to stop dreaming!

When I first started entertaining the idea of Italy in 2012 it felt so out of reach and ridiculous and now again for 2014 - that too.  But I'm discovering that dreams do come true, more than once... we just have to remind ourselves to put the guilt aside, the silence the critics and keep pursuing them at all costs!!!

September promises...

This week I finished two my icon painting homework assignments - it felt so personal because it felt like a kind of promise!!  Of what we have install for us in September!  Misty's theme in Italy this year is going going to be Icon Paintings - I couldn't be more blown away by this...and how perfect for Italy! I felt like I already learnt so much in this week's assignments.   This one really touched me deeply and I can't wait to learn more!  This piece kind of reminds me of a piece I saw in Orvieto in 2012 in the Duome and in my Orvieto book - I've decided to go back and find her and compare notes... this might be a start of a beautiful journey!

About two weeks ago we got our first letter from the Steiner's about September.  About our Italy packs and about our class - eeeeckkk too many things to look forward to!

Daily thoughts of Italy...

It's just there... constantly lingering in my mind.

My thoughts about going back...  I feel a little obsessed!  That's okay, isn't it?

So the saving continues and the mini steps have started... I feel like I'm almost there.

In my mind the countdown begins... again!

I believe the class is already full and has been for sometime... I thought I knew everyone that was going but I am not sure I do anymore.  I received a note from an online buddy the other day saying there was a cancellation and that she got a placement - I'm blown away for her and how wonderful it's going to be to meet her in real life!  Like last year, I would like to share about all the wonderful talented people who will be taking this trip together.  I'm really starting to get excited.

Image from "I love Italy" Goggle+