Two Week Backpacking Italy Itinerary

©Leslie Guzman
Taking a selfie with our backpacks in Venezia

A year ago today Hubby and I were arriving back to Houston after a long sleepless flight from Italy. It was sad to say goodbye to Europe but I was more than ready to see my little munchkin, Mochito. I missed my comfy bed, my makeup and straigtner. I know it sounds vain but when you backpack for vacation you give up a few little things. 

Birthday Week: Travel & Reflexion

I feel that birthdays are like Valentine's day, people give you gifts, chocolates, stuffed animals etc.. I rather get that attention, a gift for no reason, a call on any given day than only on my birthday. I got so many texts this birthday, some from people I hardly talk to. It was weird texting back to thank them because we never talk. I almost said that in my text. But I'm trying to be a nicer person. Same thing with social media, of course Facebook reminds all your "friends" that its your birthday. What if Facebook took away that feature? hmmm...

I'm seriously fine with not really celebrating my birthday but I do get excited about birthday gifts from those who love me and aim to surprise me. I guess when I say celebration, I mean a party or a big gathering. I'm a person who doesn't care to be around tons of people especially if I'm not close to them.

New Orleans Mini Vacation with Friends, Food & Fun

We haven't gotten away since February's Valentine quick vacation. A lot has happened that we needed to recharge. Our best friends haven't seen much of us and what better way to spend time with them, than New Orleans! Who doesn't love NOLA? Exactly! Beautiful architecture, amazing restaurants, fun night life and great outlet shopping...

Texas Valentine's Day Romantic Getaway at Canyon of the Eagles

©Leslie Guzmán 
Drive to Canyon of The Eagles Resort, I love winding roads.

We have had such a hectic life since this year started. Then wonderful Hubby surprised me with a Valentines day Weekend getaway I almost left without packing a bag! I know I'm a tiny bit late to write about it, (3 months) but when I say hectic I mean crazy HECTIC.

We left early Friday morning, my gorgeous Betsy Johnson over night bag nice and full, it was a joke about not packing, of course I did pack. With our overly excited Mochito in hand because the place welcomes the pooches. We are travel addicts, any kind of traveling is OK by the Andersons. Hubby knew that I needed to get more inspiration for artwork, so he picked a gorgeous place that I could both relax and snap pictures at.

Labor Day Lonestar Texas Roadtrip

Beautiful Texas country side

A three day weekend put to good use...

When we were spending our second honeymoon in gorgeous Italy we realized that we were being so adventurous seeing so much of this amazing country. Yet we did not take that much time to see our own backyard, Texas. 

Sure we have done the few cross country road trips like to the Grand Canyon and back in 4 days, I know crazy. To New York to visit family and not wanting to leave our precious Mochito (our maltipoo) with other people. I have driven to California 2 times with my sister. To Kansas Missouri to pick up our 2.5 pound little bundle of joy Mochito. As you can see nothing there is in Texas only driving by to leave the state.

Back from Italy, Home Sweet Home

©L. Guzmán
View of Duomo from the Bell Tower
 Florence, Italy

BUONGIORNO everyone!

Finally I am back in my home, in my comfortable plushy bed and with my Mochito. Sure it is was a few days ago but I was suffering from a bit of jet lag. My study abroad trip to Italy was amazing and life changing yet, I missed home so much. No  matter how beautiful and exotic the country you are visiting is, home is home.

Almost time for the ARTIS Italy Trip

Image Credit

I know it has been a long time since I have jotted down my thoughts. I have a really good excuse. Life in our household has been utterly crazy. Trying to get our house ready to sell (many small home repairs), school and philanthropy sorority life it is all chaos. There seems to be time for nothing.

Adventure to Santo Domingo, DR

Spring semester let out and we took off on our honeymoon to Punta Cana, in the Dominican Republic. It was two long months after our beautiful wedding. It was hard to wait, but I had to finish my semester, plus I found us a better deal that way.

A Punta Cana Honeymoon



Love on the Beach

We had our beautiful wedding in March and due to different spring breaks all around (we didn't want to have our honeymoon with a bunch of children around) then also my own school schedule, so we decided to post pone our honeymoon until May. It was a short wait that felt eternal. I now understand why couples go on their honeymoons right away! After all the pressures of the engagement period, the wedding planning and then the wedding itself, all you want to do is go far away with your spouse.