1. Thank you so much for your kind words about our engagement! Your love and support mean so much to me, and us. We have been riding on the engagement high all week…and dipping our toe into wedding planning. I have so many thoughts around this–do I even want a wedding? Should we just go somewhere cool and elope? If we do that, should we invite our families? Then, it’s a “destination wedding,” right? Can any members of our family actually afford to join us? If they could, would they? If not destination, where? You get the picture…we have no clue. So I’m pretending that we don’t have to make big decisions like that, and that I just get to do fun things like play with flowers and make up sample invitations online and look up too-expensive venues in places like Bali.
2. Even though most of Europe doesn’t have Daylight Saving Time until the end of March, this week still felt like I lost an hour of sleep since it was fresh off our spring break. It was just a long one. The kids seemed even crazier than before break, and since there is some problem with moisture at my school, all of the classrooms need to stay really warm to dry it out (or something, I’m not entirely clear on the why). Therefore, the rooms are boiling, so I think the kids get tired and even less motivated than usual. I felt extra tired as well, partially because I also haven’t been sleeping well. As with most events in my life, especially good ones like our engagement, I alternate between extreme excitement and near-debilitating anxiety. These mood swings are not conducive to sleep!
3. I fell hard for Venice, and Italy in general. Venice itself is a true gem. I’ve heard mixed reviews about it, but I adored it. I can see why it might get unbearable in the summer with the crowds and the heat, but it was so easy to get off the tourist track and find the magic of Venice. Even after about 9PM, it seemed deserted but still so magical! And…the food. I can name one meal that I didn’t love–and even that was acceptable–and everything else was incredible. We were eating on the cheap most of the time because Italy is expensive, yo, and still we only had deliciousness. We could not stop raving about our continental breakfast that had giant silver pots of coffee and hot milk, at least twenty different kinds of pastries, eggs, meat, toast, a yogurt machine…the best hotel breakfast ever. Even though I’ve now only been to Milan and Venice, I feel there is something special about Italy. You can feel passion in everything–the words, the movements of the people, the architecture, the food, the design of the city. The Italians do not seem quiet to me–although hardly anyone does, compared to the reserved Czechs–and I loved that exuberance in the air.
4. Our original plans for the upcoming Easter break (!!) were Amsterdam and the tulips. This is still officially the plan but I just fell in love with Italy so much I am dying to go back. Still, I think my cousin is studying in Florence for a few weeks this summer, so hopefully I will at least get one long weekend in Italy in the near future.
5. I think I am just riding on wave of happiness this week, but I really am reminding myself to enjoy Prague lately. Part of it is that we have several confirmed visitors coming in May, June and July, so I’m trying to picture it through their eyes. I keep remembering our first few weeks here, where we were just awestruck by everything. In the day-to-day, it’s easy to forget where we live. Every time I take a moment, I have to pinch myself and say “You live in Europe!” because this is such a dream of mine and I’m living it.
6. I know I only said five but…is this the most cheerful post I’ve ever written, or what?!
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Have you planned a wedding? If not, what do you think about destination weddings?
So many things to be cheerful about! Congrats and man, am I loving all your pictures from Venice!
Thanks so much! And aren’t the pictures amazing? I could not stop in Venice! It’s almost too pretty to be real!
I am all about a destination wedding! And if you head to Amsterdam for Easter you will have to let me know:)
Yes I am all about a destination wedding too–but I’m not sure I can leave that much of my family out of it! We’re still deciding obviously haha 🙂 we decided to do Amsterdam later in April because we waited too long (typical) and the city is practically sold out! But I can’t wait to hear what you think of it. And…what’s this I hear about you visiting Prague??!!? 🙂
Yes! I am so excited to visit Prague, we will be there in September so if you are still there we will have to meet up!
Ah congrats! Escape with an awesome elopement – that’s what I would do 🙂
That’s what we are considering but it isn’t getting much support from our families so…we shall see! Weddings, man! Who knew! 🙂
Ugh, I’ve been trying to plan mine. . .since we’re back home, we can’t avoid inviting some family. If I were in your shoes, I’d totally elope. And then, if you have to, have a bit of a family party whenever you’re in the US.
Haha I feel your “ugh” keenly! There is so much drama whatever destination we casually mention. Eric’s parents have a farm and that seems nice, but now his sister is angry because that’s her dream…it’s just one thing after another!! This drama makes me REALLY want to just elope.
Haha, it’s so funny when people get territorial about wedding ideas when they’re not actively planning (so I surmise). They’re the same about future baby names. Go ahead and elope! You have the destination part already covered 🙂
We are seriously considering it! Although apparently it’s a huge pain in the ass to get married in Europe when you aren’t a citizen of the EU…boo! How is planning going for you??
Oh, I hadn’t even thought of that! That sucks. My mom is having the absolute time of her life planning 🙂 We finally set a date for Aug 29 and I grudgingly listen to her tell me all the plans.
Very cheerful indeed! We do the same… I’m always like “HEY ALEX, guess what. We live in Europe!” Sometimes life seems just normal but sometimes you get this unexpected overwhelming happy living abroad feeling. I love those times. I wish more of those times to you this spring 🙂
Thanks so much! I’m glad you can relate, and even after a few years you still feel that way :). Just yesterday we walked to the river and I was like, “oh yeah! we live HERE!” and it’s so awesome! I hope you’ve been feeling that way lately, too–it’s hard not to as the weather slowly warms up!!
Wow, how amazing is that first wedding picture 🙂 I totally know what you mean about forgetting where you live. Some days in Chile I used to have to remind myself as it’s so easy to get stuck into the work routine. I’m half having a ‘destination’ wedding as we are getting married in Chile, but as my partner is Chilean I’m not sure if it’s 100% called a destination wedding 😉 Plus we’ll be living there by then. I have had to accept that not many people from the UK can come to the wedding as it’s sooooo far and sooooo expensive, but I’m ok with that as we are having a very low key day. Looking forward to hearing about what you choose!
Right? I so want to get married there haha! It sounds like you two are going to have a great day. I am all about the low-key thing! Too much work otherwise 🙂 I think we are stuck on the idea of doing it abroad and then making it impossible or difficult for a lot of people to come, or doing it at home where everyone can come–but that option means we are ALREADY getting a million opinions! People are so weird about weddings! I can’t wait to hear all about your wedding and your move to Chile. 🙂
Yay! So glad you guys had such an amazing time in Venice, and that it helped to make your engagement even more special. Now you see how Italy seduced me. 🙂 You’ll have to make your way further south, it’s definitely different from Venice. And Italians quiet?? … NEVER!! Hahaha! Enjoy Prague. I’m missing it a little. Miss you guys too!
Yes we just LOVED Italy! And Venice was a great spot to get engaged :). We keep hoping to come to Rome but our finances are a little rough right now. Maybe for a long weekend in May? I’ll definitely keep you posted, and hopefully we’ll be able to see you! We miss meeting you around Prague. Hugs to Dolce! 🙂
Yay!! A destination wedding is always a fun idea, I don’t know anyone who has regretted it! Either way I don’t think one way is easier than the other! Just do what makes you happy! It’s your wedding!
Ha thanks for the advice! 🙂 People keep saying that haha…I really need to listen but I’m so bad about being a people pleaser! I mean, E’s grandma cried when we even mentioned we might do it in the States because she never thought she’d be able to come, sigh.
Yayyy so much cheer in this post! Congratulations on your engagement! Venice looks amazing. I’ll be heading there next month so if you have any (cheap) recommendations that’d be awesome.
Hiii! Oh awesome, you will love Venice! And yes most everything we do is cheap, too 😉 You should definitely go to Antico Forno for AMAZING pizza. It’s just a take away place and I think for two slices of thick pizza (which is the best) it’s about 8euros. Also, to go to the top of St. Mark’s Campinale it’s about 8e each, but such amazing views! We also went cruising around the canals on the water buses and out to some islands which wasn’t too expensive. Most everything is kind of expensive unfortunately! Da Mamo is also good for lunch and dinner, not too expensive and so delicious–get there right at opening time to beat the crowds! 🙂 We got a pretty good deal at a hotel nearby that had such a great breakfast and that saved us a ton of money on food. You’ll love it so much, despite the prices!
Destination weddings are amazing, however, you really have to take in account your friends! When I first started working at Guess?, my then fiance was best friends with a head designer who made plenty and wanted his wedding in Italy. I remember thinking HOW am I going to take a week off work, pay for all of this etc. But, on the other hands, destination weddings keep it small and intimate!
Yes I think that’s our main conundrum–people wouldn’t be able to come or it would be harder for them to come! But it seems like someone has a problem wherever we have discussed–be it abroad, in my hometown, or in his hometown.
Sounds like you’re having a lovely time! It’s great to ride the high of life 🙂
If you loved Venice, I think you will love Florence, I would definitely make a point to go there, it was one of my favourite places to visit when the bf and I went interrailing. It’s probably number one on my, go back to list as well! Italy really is an amazing place.
Thanks so much for the tip! I really am dying to go to Florence, it looks amazing. I need to experience more of Italy in general, I think! My cousin will be studying there this summer so hopefully I will get a chance to visit her 🙂
Oooh yes to a destination wedding I think!! I love having visitors come to stay here, it definitely refreshes the way that I see my new home!
It’s such a wonderful benefit of visitors, that I kind of forgot about :). They see your city through their eyes and it’s like “oh, yeah, this place is pretty cool!”
I felt the same in Venice – all of the food was delish!
Yes! I couldn’t get enough 😉