Ciao, Italia

It's been fun :)

I'll see you soon.

Mooooove Over, Fillet Mignon

After exploring Bergamo with my friend/tour guide yesterday, we ended our adventure at Damimmo in Citta' Alta. This is one of the top restaurants there (reservations were made 2 weeks in advance) and I have to admit, the food was over-the-top excellent.

We started off with a traditional polenta and salami dish. The polenta, which they're crazy about up there, was completely unseasoned and had a rich and raw taste to it. It went perfectly well with the salami, which was buttery and flavorful. A perfect pair. 

Next came the - gasp - steamed cow cheek. I pointed it out on the menu jokingly once I saw it and was given a deliciously descriptive lecture on the virtues of this dish. 

Well, he was right. Now that I've had it I can never go back. It was that smooth, melt-in-your-mouth kind of tender that you can't get anywhere else. Absolutely outstanding and further strengthened my resolve to keep trying things that creep me out. 

Chow, 

Monica

Beautiful Bergamo

Yesterday Edoardo, my lovely guide (and former graduate student applicant), took the day off to show me his hometown of Bergamo, Italy.

About an hour away from Milan is this beautiful province buzzing with life. Bergamo is unique in that there are two parts - Citta Bassa (the low or "base" city) and Citta Alta (High City). From Citta Alta, you can see the entire region of Lombardy plus the mountains of Switzerland. 

Once protected by high walls which are still there today, Citta Alta was the pride of the region and represented by a lion for its strength and wealth. Today it's a less popular tourist attraction, which makes it all the more attractive to me. 

Citta' Alta, Bergamo, Italia

The walls that surrounded the city only had three doors, which closed each night at exactly 10:00pm. The bell tower would ring to let people know that the time was approaching, and on the 100th chime the doors would close. The tower still works today and brings you back a few hundred years when you hear it. 

The view at night is entirely enchanting.

Ciao,
Monica

Imagine Dragons

I don't normally buy music albums, just because I'm not that crazy about music in general. (in fact, my last iTunes album purchase was for Taylor Swift - Red.) 

But I recently found Imagine Dragons, and I'm crazy about them. I even bought the entire album. They have a great range and variety of genres which is one of their most unique aspects. Check 'em out. 

Little Life Philosophies

As a follow-up to my previous post, here are some simple words of wisdom that sum up the way I live:

• Let the little things thrill you. 
• Overuse "I love you."
• Work hard for your dreams and don't live in your regrets.
• Never love anyone who treats you like you're ordinary, and never loose anyone who makes you feel extraordinary.
• Promote the people and things you love.
• Be so good they can't ignore you.
• Don't feel stupid if you don't like what everyone pretends to love.
• Transformation begins now.
• It's not how others look at you, it's how you look at yourself at the end of the day.
• Always keep perspective, and never let things you want make you forget things you already have.
• Life is not something you can take for granted. 

and my number one guideline: 

Who is Monica?

How do you sum up an entire human being? Do you categorize them by the things they do, label based on the things they love, or judge the type of person they are? 

I think it's a combination of all these things. In fact, I'll try giving you the clearest and most honest picture of who I am based on everything I just mentioned. So, who is Monica? 

As of today, I am:
a big sister to a stunning 16-year-old 
a girlfriend of 2.5 years to a boy in Chicago (who sees me only a few months out of the year - kudos to him)
a complete introvert that's adapted to a more social life (but still can't be in large crowds for more than a few hours) 
a previously shy, nervous, scaredy cat that taught herself courage in the face of the unknown 
almost always happy. Because it's a choice, and why would anyone choose to be unhappy?
a traveler (nearly 20 countries and counting, with the goal of seeing all 7 world wonders) 
a year-long study abroad student (Milan, Italy & Buenos Aires, Argentina)
a native Chicagoan with fifty percent pure-bred Polish heritage 
a recreational rock climber 
a bookworm
a perfectionist 
a ballroom dancer (who has difficulty being a follow but loves it anyway)
a (previous) cheerleader who hates football 
obsessed with cowgirl boots. I somehow restrain myself since it seems not everyone else shares my passion. 
crazy about elephants, which are the animal I respect the most. 
a longtime Taylor Swift fan. I was crushed that she came to Claremont while I was abroad, but excited to see her concert in August :D

This blog is a way for me to keep track of how I develop through all the incredible memories I'll be collecting as my life hits hyperspeed during my last year and a half of college. Some of you will use this to find out how I’m doing, where I am in the world, or possibly live vicariously through me (I’m looking at you, Pre-Med Boyfriend). I’ll keep it sweet and simple as much as possible – I’ve tried blogging before, and it’s usually failed simply because of lack of time to write. But I’m trying to limit myself to a few lines a day, and hopefully a shorter time commitment will make it more successful.  

I've also pre-written a few posts to use during weeks when I have a lot on my plate. This time I really want to make it work, even if no one reads this except me when I'm older. 

Let's hope for the best! 

Ciao, 
Monica

World Chow

I also love to eat, and this will be part food blog. 

Chow - get it?

Hehe.

 

Market at St. Ambrosio - Milan, Italy

Display outside restaurant - Venice, Italy

Chow, everyone!

Monica

Ciao, World!

Claremont, California 

I love the word “ciao” for encompassing the motions of travel. In both Italian and a few other languages, you can use it as a greeting - but also as a way of saying goodbye.  Since I feel like I’m doing both whenever I travel or take an important step forward in my life, this seemed like the most appropriate way to introduce my life & travel blog.

I hope you enjoy!

Ciao for now,

Monica