Continuing with our numbers......
2 - ways we had a delicious Italian lunch drink. The first was in Trieste, Italy and it is supposedly the original: Spritz Bianca. Procesco + sparkling water + lemon wedge = PERFECT drink for lunch!!! The second in Venice....which had its own little twist on the recipe.
Numero Uno - because this was the best gelato I've ever had!!!!!!!!! Thank you Trieste!
1 - unplanned and on our own pilgrimage to Padova (Padua). We had the better part of a day as free time while we were in Vicenza. Dave's baptismal saint is St. Anthony of Padua. We pray to St. Anthony in our litany of family saints every night. And Padova was 30km away from Vicenza. Well...when you're that close to your baptismal Saint....you move heaven and earth to make a pilgrimage. We hopped on a regional bus which got us to Padua and then walked 20 minutes to the Basilica where he is buried. It was simply breathtaking. We saw his incorrupt tongue, his jaw bone and gums, AND Dave got to pray at his tomb. It was an amazing day.
140 - the miles per hour our bullet train went as we sped back from Padova (Padua) to Vicenza. Bullet trains are a beautiful thing!!!! The 30 minute bus trip became a 15 minute train ride. :)
5 - concerts we performed on our trip....and all in absolutely amazingly beautiful Catholic churches. 2 in Slovenia, 1 in Pula, 1 in Vicenza, and the final one was a Mass participation at....wait for it....St. Mark's Basilica in Venice, Italy!!!!!! The first concert in Slovenia we combined with a madrigal choir local to Ljubljana and then enjoyed an after-concert reception with them. They were amazing! The second concert was in a small town 20 minutes from Bled. It was FREEZING and the women were allowed to wear our coats over our dresses (thank you, Dr. Riehl). The third concert, in Pula, we combined with a local children's choir and sang in a Franciscan church that St. Anthony of Padua reputedly helped build! (That was the only night on the whole trip where it poured rain.) The fourth concert was in a beautiful church in Vicenza where the Priest Emeritus was 95 years old and had seen the church destroyed by Allied bombings (way to go, Allies) and was instrumental in it being rebuilt. The actual pastor was a 35 year old man from Texas and Dave had a wonderful time talking to him. Each concert had its glorious moments but my favorite was and always will be the Durufle "Ubi Caritas" that we got to sing each time.....including at St. Mark's.
Dozens - of memories made in a VERY short time in Venice. Oh, Venice....you completely stole my heart. We only had one day in Venice but we made the most of it.
Millions - of dreams came true. My mom, when she found out we were going to Venice, said that if we did nothing else, we had to fork over the money and go on a Gondola ride. Having been there a couple times with my dad, she even told us exactly where to go to get the gondola (they're all over the place). So....we did. It lasted 30 minutes and it was one of the most magical things EVER!!!!! (And no, they don't sing.) I couldn't stop smiling when we were done.
2 - Saints we saw on the trip. The first was St. Anthony of Padua (above). The second was St. Mark, the Evangelist --- as in the Gospel writer. That St. Mark! !!!!!!!!!
Zillions - the number of mosaic tiles that cover St. Mark's. And the tiles that are gold and on the outside, when the sun hits them, they become ablaze with color! It is breathtaking to behold as the sun sets on Venice.
3 - new passport stamps!!! Slovenia, Croatia, and Italy!!!
2 - AMAZING Oma and Papa who took care of our boys, and our home while we were gone
4 - people in the Pedersen household who were felled by a plague as Dave and I were coming home. Everyone got sick...except my dad. My dad ran defense the whole weekend. He stripped beds, switched out buckets, made sure everyone was hydrated, did laundry.....the whole 9 yards.
2+2 = miserable - upon our arrival home, my parents almost immediately left for AZ, resulting in a quick return to reality. And then...we got the plague. So both of us were severely jet-lagged + terribly sick = absolutely miserable!!!!
3 - nattily dressed boys for Easter
25 - the number of years since the Sonoran Desert Chorale was founded by my dad and my mom....and several others.
Thousands - of people who have been touched and inspired by the choir
100+ - people who have sung in the choir over its 25 year span
24 - years my mom served as Treasurer for the group
2,500 - miles I traveled last weekend to see my dad and mom's final concerts with the Sonoran Desert Chorale. My dad has officially retired.....from all of his jobs in music. And my mom has decided to not continue singing with the group. The choir has selected a new director and will hopefully continue to thrive and grow under his new leadership. But my dad has stepped down from the helm...and I'm still not quite sure how I feel about this.
0 - boys who came with me. I went by myself, leaving Dave to deal with the boys and all of their complicated logistics for soccer this past weekend (well.....I dealt with them from across the continent but still....)
Countless - tears were shed by me (I know, I'm silly) at both concerts as I watched my dad and mom doing what they're passionate about....and having it be the last time for both of them.
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| I love this picture! The expression on my dad's face....and my mom singing. |
2 - I got to see my niece and nephew (my sister and brother-in-law's children) on this trip. I hadn't met my nephew yet -- he's only 6 months old -- so that was wonderful!!!! They are adorable kids and it was so fun to see their little personalities, to see my nephew just beam at me, and to twirl with my niece to make her laugh.
6 - the number of friends I got to see and catch up with on a weekend that was pretty packed with activities. I was floored by how many friends I got to spend time with as I've been there for 9 days before and have seen not even half that many. It was wonderful!!
1 - email that was truly serendipitous!!!! Our best friends, the Winfields (Jason was our best man, we were in their wedding, and they are Jeffery's godparents) sent me an email the morning of my last day in AZ. They live about 3 hours away from my parents but the email said that they were enjoying breakfast at my favorite breakfast place about 20 minutes from my parents. They had NO idea I was in town. They are two of the friends I was able to catch up with and it was simply wonderful!!!!
Those are the numbers for now. It has been an eventful 9 months....as one might expect with 3 children and international trips. :) And summer is shaping up to be just as busy and eventful. I don't know when I'll post again but I hope you enjoyed catching up with us! :)
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