Europe and The Little Einsteins

It was always a dream of mine to visit Europe.  When I was in graduate school, my grandfather died, and left me some money.  I was going to grad school for free (my dad was a college professor).  I was working part time to pay for living expenses and books.  I could have been responsible, and put the inheritance in the bank to save for the future.  But, a little voice inside my head said, "GO!  NOW IS THE TIME!"  And,  that little voice was pretty loud and insistent.

I was driving home one night and heard an ad on the radio that a certain airline was offering tickets to Europe at a great price.  The little voice screamed, "HELLO?!", and when I got back to the apartment I was sharing with two girls, my friend H was there.  That part was pretty amazing in itself, because she was almost never there - she was usually at her boyfriend's place.  When I first told her, "I think we should go to Europe next month", she laughed in my face.  But, shortly after that, we were heading to the liquor store to buy some wine. (We decided you need to be drinking wine when you plan an impromptu trip to Europe).

A month later, we were dragging our tiny rolling suitcases down cobblestone streets.  I was trying to find something.  Beauty and adventure, mostly.  I wanted to see something that took my breath away.  I wanted to feel... more alive.  I wanted a break from the norm.  And, once I got there, I realized that I wanted to eat every flavor of gelato I could get my hands on.  I somehow restrained myself from eating gelato for breakfast. (If you don't know, gelato is Italian ice cream - or as we called it "Italian Orgasm").

My little boy, Dylan, is already a seeker of adventure.  If he hears we are going somewhere new, it doesn't really matter where, he is ready and excited.  He already has a Bucket List, and he's already crossed something off of it.

His newest obsession lately... well... I'll let you figure it out from these pictures...

If you aren't familiar with The Little Einsteins, it is a great show for kids!  Basically, the four kids travel to different places in the world each time, looking for something.  There is a different piece of classical music featured in each show, and different famous works of art.  In one, they traveled to Venice.  I shouted, "I WAS THERE!" several times, and Dylan looked at me.  "Really?", he asked.  Once I assured him that it was true, he said, "I want to go there, too!"

Dylan, I really, really hope you DO get to go there someday.  I hope you get to go many different places in this world and see many amazing things.  Things that take your breath away, and make you feel more alive.  And Dylan, I want you to have as many flavors of gelato as you can.  As a matter of fact, kid, go ahead and have some for breakfast.