Well, lets just say that life has been interesting the last few weeks.
A little history for those who don't know....
For the past 9 years or so I've been living with chronic pain. Now before you go feeling sorry for me, don't. There are soooo many other people that have it much worse than I. Besides, I have a great family who supports me and loves me enormously!
Recently, my shortness of breath and chest pain hit me pretty good. I could only speak a few words before needing to take a break and catch my breath, eating was difficult as I had to take a break and rest after chewing a bite of food and became very short of breath just walking short distances. Pretty fun. As I usually do, I went to the clinic. I was seen quite quickly and the practitioner told me to get to the E.R. where my doctor practices (which is about a 20 minute drive).So, off we go! Dan, with Sonja and Max in the car seats and me in the passenger seat. We get to the E.R. and they hustle me into a room and hook me up to the monitor, draw blood, get an EKG and give me a shot of Toradol (as I can't tolerate Morphine makes me very sick). Later they come with the wheelchair and roll me down to get a chest x ray. I was a little worried before I got there as I'm a nurse, and know all of the conditions related to chest pain and shortness of breath. I also try to keep a cool head as I have been through this a few times before and have been dealing with a degree of this SOB and CP for some time now.
After all the hub bub, they give me the diagnosis I've had many times, costochondritis or Tietze_Syndrome and give me a script for Naproxen.
What is Costochondritis?
It's the inflammation of the cartilage that connects the bones to your ribs and sternum. The cartilage inflammation causes it to separate from the bone. It's VERY painful. Many people who have had it think they are having a heart attack! They really don't know what causes it but some believe it may be related to being exposed to a virus, auto-immune related, collagen disorder, or due to an injury. Most people who get costochondritis get it only once, while others, for some reason, have it multiple times. The healing time varies. For some, the recovery is several weeks, for others it is 6 months or longer per bout. NASIDs are the drug of choice for treatment but when a patient has it on more of a chronic basis, exploration of other causes is necessary, and treatment options may differ.
Well, after they give me my discharge instructions and patient information packet, I'm on my way!
The hospital staff was excellent and even though I was in there a while, I was seen quickly, and the staff was efficient, professional, friendly and knowledgeable. They really put me at ease.
I go out to find the truck and right there is Dan and the kids in the truck. I get into the truck and Dan tells me of all the "goings on" during my 3 hour E.R. visit.
Apparently, Sonja stated she had to use the potty, Max was sleeping and Dan didn't want to disturb him. Dan had an old paper McDonald's coffee cup and tried to get Sonja to pee in it (Oh brother)while in the truck! He said that while Sonja was trying, people were coming out and getting into their cars, etc, etc and he was just slightly embarrassed ;-)
After a little while, Max woke up and had the big "No.2" and because we left the house in a rush, we forgot the diaper bag! Well, Dan tried to call his friend Jim, who owns a business close by, to see if he could help Dan out and get a few diapers. Needless to say, Jim wasn't there. I thought I could smell a little something but thought maybe a "toot" was to blame.... not this time.
It was an interesting (and smelly) drive.
I was instructed to see my doctor in two days. I'm one of those nurses who makes a terrible patient. I finally got going and made an appointment with my doc.
I went to see my doctor on Monday and he has set me up with a pulmonary specialist and a cardiologist. He's ordered a cardiac stress test with echo because of my history and my family history. My Dad had his first heart attack at around the age of 35 and I've had weird EKG's since my early thirties. The cardio doc will order any other test if needed. I've had that test before (stress test with echo) and it's really no big deal. Normally, you run on a treadmill while hooked up to an EKG and echo cardiogram. Due to my limited mobility mine is done by injecting a medication that makes your heart accelerate as if running on a treadmill.
I'm scheduled to see my pain specialist the first week of next month. She wanted to send me to a rheumotologist on my last visit but I refused. After a while, you get sick of going to see doctors, going here, going there. I think I'll take her up on that now though. She ordered blood work to see if they can rule out Rheumatoid arthritis and Lupus and although some of the testing has come back negative, other indicators were positive. The biggies that were negative were the specific tests for RA and SLE, which I thought was great, but she soon informed me that that doesn't me I don't have the disorders, as I have many of the physical indicators of both and other positive findings. The PS said the rheumotologist can do other testing that can uncover what's going on. Sometimes you just have to wait it out and see what happens next. If you get worked up about everything you hear, or what people say, it makes you crazy! It's always a good thing to take it one day at a time. I never could do that before, but now, that's the way I see it.
At times I have flares that are really a bummer. Thank God I have the kids! They make life worth living and really make bad days good. Sonja is sooo sweet , kind and an excellent helper. Max is the happiest little guy and his antics are hysterical! And Dan.... What would I do without him! He's the BEST father and husband. He's my rock and like he said "Together we can get through it" With him and our little peanuts, we can get through ANYTHING!!!! :-)
I know there may be people who stumble upon this blog that may be dealing with chronic pain or knows someone who does. If that person is you, please visit http://www.butyoudontlooksick.com/navigation/BYDLS-TheSpoonTheory.pdf
I think it says it all!
Also "HAPPY HOMECOMING TRU!!!!" Watch this boy! He's going to move the world I just know it!!!!! Check the Herpin family link listed. GO TRU GO !!
Friday, February 29, 2008
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Happy Valentine's Day (and other expressions of the heart!), and our Roman Holiday
Well, HAPPY VALENTINE"S DAY!!!!
Ahhhhh..... Valentine's day. I look back, to a mere 16 years ago today, with memories of Dan and the start of our life together.
It was 16 years ago today, that Dan (being the romantic that he is at times) proposed to me.
We were both adult college students. I ,studying to be an R.N., and Dan an Engineer. We had seen each other that morning as we went our separate ways for classes, knowing we would see each other at the end of the day.
In the afternoon, I was waiting outside my Human development class with my friends, talking shop.
Just before class was to begin, I saw Dan walking towards me with a very big smile! I was surprized and happy to see him as it always lightened the day. He said he wanted to talk to me so I left the group and we walked a few feet away.
He said "Happy valentine's day" and handed me a folded piece of paper. As I opened it, I noticed it was a hand written poem (I know.....Aweeeee).
I began to read it and it was about that little mischevious cupid and his love of the sport of love! At the end of the poem it stated "With this heart that represents mine (he gave me a heart shaped diamond), I give to you my love for all of time. On this day and for the rest of my life, would you honor me and become my wife?" He then gave me a little box that contained "his heart" for me!
It's the most beautiful poem I've ever read and my hope is, it will be a poem our children, and children's children, will cherish, and possibly share with their life partners.
In 2005, a few short months before Sonja came into our lives, we went on a second honeymoon, so to speak for Valentine's day. I had always wanted to go to Rome, Italy, as I love art and architecture, and what better place than Rome! Also, being the "Eternal City", what better place to be celebrating Valentine's Day and commemorate our very special day.
We left on February 11th on a flight to Rome and came home on the 19th. It was a momentous journey and saw many beautiful and historical landmarks.
Our hotel "The Exedra". This building, along with it's sister building next door, was part of the ancient Baths of Diocletian. This was the largest Bath and could house 3000 bathers at once! It covered over 10 acres of land and had a swimming pool 32,000 square feet (can you imagine the chlorine you'd have to use, not to mention how many bathers secretly peed in there...Eeww!)! More about the baths below.
I was picture happy! The hallway, minibar and closet is just fasinating isn't it?
Looking from the hallway into our room. The huge :-) T.V. (which by the way, most hotels don't have them at all, can you believe that!) and antique (or at least that's what they said,* wink, wink*) writing desk. Come on.... I know you're fasinated.
From the window of our hotel room, you can see the Fontana della Naiadi, which caused quite the stir back in 1901 when it was unveiled (due to the nude water nymphs that grace it). On the right side is the Santa Maria Degli Angeli, now a church but once the main hall of the baths. The way you see it here, is much like it was back in 300 AD. It contained a frigidarium, pool, steam bath and coffee shop..... well.. maybe not a coffee shop but you get the point.
Street scene and picture of the back side of Santa Maria Maggiore basilica. Rome is FULL of basilica's, most of which are not just beautiful but historically significant.
On the left, you can see the sister building of our hotel.
Our hotel room was as big as many in the U.S., which most hotels rooms in Europe are very small.
Awesome linen on the bed. I wanted to take them home with us but it would have been kind of obvious to the screeners at the airport.
Frescoes from Livia's place, National Museum of Rome.
Lil' ol' me at the bottom of the "Spanish Steps". The fountain seen behind me was made by Bernini or his father. All of the fountains are fed by the aquaducts. This fountain doesn't have the flow of water that the Trevi fountain has, as you will see.
The gothic gold gilded mosaics on the ceiling in the Santa Maria Maggiore are from the 5th century, and are it's most famous feature. The picture below it looks like Caravaggio, but I'm not sure exactly. I posted this because I think it's just a nice picture. It is also said that a portion of Jesus manger is buried below the baldacchino and altar of this church. The church is also dated back to around 450 AD!
Pretty creepy. Here lies Pope Sixtus V, with a golden death mask. If you click on it, you can see just how creepy it is.
Crypts of popes, as seen high above on the wall of the Santa Maria Maggiore basilica.
Mosaics seem to be one of the main attractions of the National Museum of Rome. The one you see above is made from lapis lazuli, carnelian, red jasper, tourqouise, adventurine and jade to name a few.
The center portrait portion of this mosaic was exquisite. The pieces were maybe as big as a centimeter or two.
Tile mosaics of such great detail. Pieces smaller than a match head were used to make this. Look closely at the shading of the wave ribbon. See how it gradually fades from one color to the next, seamlessly.
A fine example of tile mosaic art. The pieces used to make te middle section where you see the human figures, were slightly larger than a match head. If you look closely, you can see that seashells were also used as ornamental trimwork.
The Piazza della Repubblica, or also called "The Exedra" ,meaning semicircular, Is what is seen in the background. The left side of it is our hotel The Exedra.
This is the Goddess Minerva, who was the head honcho of a pagan cult. This huge statue is the first thing you see when entering from the ticket booth. She's got some pretty creepy eyes doesn't she?
Statue of Octavian, better known as Augustus Caesar, famous for killing Brutus and eliminating Cleopatra and Mark Antony.
Cool cityscape picture.
The Discus thrower, National Museum of Rome
The Victor Emmanuel Monument, otherwise known as "The Wedding Cake" by many a Roman. I can see why they call it that. This monument is one of the largest buildings in Rome and portions of it can be seen from almost everywhere in Rome.
One of the 2 large fountains that flanks the bottom of the Victor Emmanuel Monument. Dan kindly posing in front (no, he's not injured just holding my cane!).
Hey Dan!!! Is that you up there? Oh yah....it is you!
Looking down from near the top of the "Spanish Steps". I'm one of the little specks on the left hand side at te bottom of the steps. The pink building on the left was where the poet John Keats died. Lord Byron lived right across the street.
The Colosseum
Trevi Fountain at night. Roman's (and most of Europe), eat their supper meal around 8 o'clock at night. After they eat, they walk around the city socializing, people watching and window shopping. You've got to be careful though because the pickpockets are all over the touristy areas, as well as the "flower sellers" that first give them to unsuspecting people then charge them up the ying yang for them!
This is La Meridiana or the meridian. It can be found in the church of Santa Maria Degli Angeli, which like i said before, is part of the Baths of Diocletian (remember... the one across the street from our hotel). If you look close, you can see a tiny hole in the brass looking ornamentation. That was the official timekeeper of Rome until 1846 when it was replaced by the cannon that still goes off everyday at noon.
The brass rod and circular markings on the floor was the other part of the Meridian that told the time, month and also for charting the movement of the stars.
Picture taken from the Victor Emmanuel Monument of Trajan's Market. Once a one stop shop for fruits, veggies and a bureaucrat or two.
Temple of Romulus
Temple of Vesta, 4th century AD, where many Romans came to worship. The flames were tended by priestesses, also known as the Vestal Virgins. In the background was the house of the famed Vestal virgins. Each virgin was chosen at the ripe old age of 6-10 years and served a 30 year term. If they remained celebate, the were given a large dowry, their very own statue, and allowed to marry. If she was found to... well..... be deflowered.... she was buried ALIVE!! Quite the deterent.
The three columns are part of the Temple of Castor and Pollux, the mythical twins and patrons of horsemanship.
Julius Caesar was burned on this spot. I was amazed to see flowers left here still today.
The Colosseum and Dan
Stairway leading down below the ground level of Colosseum. Maybe this is where the animals came up from?
You can see the underground pathways of the Colosseum where the animals roamed.
Trevi fountain. So beautiful and romantic at night. The water at this fountain gushes as opposed to the fountain at the Spanish Steps. The fountains at the Victor Emmanuel Monument also gushes forth with water. All of the water in the fountains of Rome is potable.
Dan sitting on ancient stone pillars at The Forum
Cool picture of the Temple of Saturn.
Me in front of a large marble Senate marker.
Hall of Busts, Vatican Museum
Death crypt of woman that has the name "Cleopatra". I wonder if it is THE Cleopatra?
Michelangelo's "Belvedere Torso", a statue of Hercules. Nice abs!
Swiss Guard, always on duty, .... and colorful too! These guys are bad a__s, but man.... it's hard to take someone seriously with those funky tights on!
Statue of Saint Peter (with kissable toe!) So many people have come here and kissed his toe, it's worn right down!
The "Holy Door" that opens only during holy years. On Christmas eve, every 25 years, the Pope knocks three times with a silver hammer, and the door opens. It is then bricked up a year later, to be opened again in 24 years.
Dan standing in St. Peter's Square with St. Peter's Basilica in the background.
Inside St Peter's Basilica. It's so massive you feel as if your an ant. The shear beauty of it made me speechless and Dan too.
Bernini's Baroque style stained glass dove window, surrounded by winged babies and angels. The Dove is symbolic of the "Holy Spirit"
I thought this was a good picture to show you just how massive these statues are.
Bernini's stained glass with "The Throne of St. Peter" which is oak encased in Bronze by Bernini. Extremely ornate, definately Baroque styling
Swiss Guard having somewhat of a casual meeting.
Michelangelo's Pieta, which he completed when he was just 24 years old! The expression on Mary's face is so lifelike. You can feel the grief of the mother's loss of her son.
Bernini's last work, the "Monument to Pope Alexander VII. It depicts the figures of Truth, Justice, Charity and Prudence.
The well of the Confessio, The crypt where the body of St Peter is said to be buried.
Hall of Maps, Vatican Museum
Raphael's tomb, the Pantheon
Looking upwards inside the Pantheon
Tomb of one of the famed Roman families.
The beheading.
Gilded coffered ceilings, Vatican
Ornately carved shutter inside the Vatican
The "Disputa" Raphael room, Vatican Museum.
" The Fire of in the Borga" room, another of Raphael's paintings, shows the Roman hero Aeneas carrying his father on his back.
Michelangleo's famed Sistine Chapel's "The Last Judgement" An interesting note... Michelangelo painted himself onto the skin held by the figure of Saint Bartholomew. Click to see the detail.
Looking upwards at the ceiling, Sistine Chapel
The Creation of Adam.
The "Tempation of Adam and Eve by the serpant" and the "Expulsion of Adam and Eve from The "Garden of Eden".
The Grand spiral staircase, the Vatican Museum.
The grounds outside of the Vatican, looking out the window. So strange coming from the extremely cold and snowy New York ,to the lush greenery of Rome, Italy
The Famous "Laocoon" pronounced lay-AWK-oh-wahn, the high priest of Troy, who warned the trojan's to Beware of the greeks bearing gifts. This sculpture is considered "superior to all other sculptures and paintings". It's made from four blocks of marble that are seamlessly pieced together.
I just thought this was a beautiful piece of stained glass, which is actually a free standing piece.
Ahhhhh..... Valentine's day. I look back, to a mere 16 years ago today, with memories of Dan and the start of our life together.
It was 16 years ago today, that Dan (being the romantic that he is at times) proposed to me.
We were both adult college students. I ,studying to be an R.N., and Dan an Engineer. We had seen each other that morning as we went our separate ways for classes, knowing we would see each other at the end of the day.
In the afternoon, I was waiting outside my Human development class with my friends, talking shop.
Just before class was to begin, I saw Dan walking towards me with a very big smile! I was surprized and happy to see him as it always lightened the day. He said he wanted to talk to me so I left the group and we walked a few feet away.
He said "Happy valentine's day" and handed me a folded piece of paper. As I opened it, I noticed it was a hand written poem (I know.....Aweeeee).
I began to read it and it was about that little mischevious cupid and his love of the sport of love! At the end of the poem it stated "With this heart that represents mine (he gave me a heart shaped diamond), I give to you my love for all of time. On this day and for the rest of my life, would you honor me and become my wife?" He then gave me a little box that contained "his heart" for me!
It's the most beautiful poem I've ever read and my hope is, it will be a poem our children, and children's children, will cherish, and possibly share with their life partners.
In 2005, a few short months before Sonja came into our lives, we went on a second honeymoon, so to speak for Valentine's day. I had always wanted to go to Rome, Italy, as I love art and architecture, and what better place than Rome! Also, being the "Eternal City", what better place to be celebrating Valentine's Day and commemorate our very special day.
We left on February 11th on a flight to Rome and came home on the 19th. It was a momentous journey and saw many beautiful and historical landmarks.
Our hotel "The Exedra". This building, along with it's sister building next door, was part of the ancient Baths of Diocletian. This was the largest Bath and could house 3000 bathers at once! It covered over 10 acres of land and had a swimming pool 32,000 square feet (can you imagine the chlorine you'd have to use, not to mention how many bathers secretly peed in there...Eeww!)! More about the baths below.
I was picture happy! The hallway, minibar and closet is just fasinating isn't it?
Looking from the hallway into our room. The huge :-) T.V. (which by the way, most hotels don't have them at all, can you believe that!) and antique (or at least that's what they said,* wink, wink*) writing desk. Come on.... I know you're fasinated.
From the window of our hotel room, you can see the Fontana della Naiadi, which caused quite the stir back in 1901 when it was unveiled (due to the nude water nymphs that grace it). On the right side is the Santa Maria Degli Angeli, now a church but once the main hall of the baths. The way you see it here, is much like it was back in 300 AD. It contained a frigidarium, pool, steam bath and coffee shop..... well.. maybe not a coffee shop but you get the point.
Street scene and picture of the back side of Santa Maria Maggiore basilica. Rome is FULL of basilica's, most of which are not just beautiful but historically significant.
On the left, you can see the sister building of our hotel.
Our hotel room was as big as many in the U.S., which most hotels rooms in Europe are very small.
Awesome linen on the bed. I wanted to take them home with us but it would have been kind of obvious to the screeners at the airport.
Frescoes from Livia's place, National Museum of Rome.
Lil' ol' me at the bottom of the "Spanish Steps". The fountain seen behind me was made by Bernini or his father. All of the fountains are fed by the aquaducts. This fountain doesn't have the flow of water that the Trevi fountain has, as you will see.
The gothic gold gilded mosaics on the ceiling in the Santa Maria Maggiore are from the 5th century, and are it's most famous feature. The picture below it looks like Caravaggio, but I'm not sure exactly. I posted this because I think it's just a nice picture. It is also said that a portion of Jesus manger is buried below the baldacchino and altar of this church. The church is also dated back to around 450 AD!
Pretty creepy. Here lies Pope Sixtus V, with a golden death mask. If you click on it, you can see just how creepy it is.
Crypts of popes, as seen high above on the wall of the Santa Maria Maggiore basilica.
Mosaics seem to be one of the main attractions of the National Museum of Rome. The one you see above is made from lapis lazuli, carnelian, red jasper, tourqouise, adventurine and jade to name a few.
The center portrait portion of this mosaic was exquisite. The pieces were maybe as big as a centimeter or two.
Tile mosaics of such great detail. Pieces smaller than a match head were used to make this. Look closely at the shading of the wave ribbon. See how it gradually fades from one color to the next, seamlessly.
A fine example of tile mosaic art. The pieces used to make te middle section where you see the human figures, were slightly larger than a match head. If you look closely, you can see that seashells were also used as ornamental trimwork.
The Piazza della Repubblica, or also called "The Exedra" ,meaning semicircular, Is what is seen in the background. The left side of it is our hotel The Exedra.
This is the Goddess Minerva, who was the head honcho of a pagan cult. This huge statue is the first thing you see when entering from the ticket booth. She's got some pretty creepy eyes doesn't she?
Statue of Octavian, better known as Augustus Caesar, famous for killing Brutus and eliminating Cleopatra and Mark Antony.
Cool cityscape picture.
The Discus thrower, National Museum of Rome
The Victor Emmanuel Monument, otherwise known as "The Wedding Cake" by many a Roman. I can see why they call it that. This monument is one of the largest buildings in Rome and portions of it can be seen from almost everywhere in Rome.
One of the 2 large fountains that flanks the bottom of the Victor Emmanuel Monument. Dan kindly posing in front (no, he's not injured just holding my cane!).
Hey Dan!!! Is that you up there? Oh yah....it is you!
Looking down from near the top of the "Spanish Steps". I'm one of the little specks on the left hand side at te bottom of the steps. The pink building on the left was where the poet John Keats died. Lord Byron lived right across the street.
The Colosseum
Trevi Fountain at night. Roman's (and most of Europe), eat their supper meal around 8 o'clock at night. After they eat, they walk around the city socializing, people watching and window shopping. You've got to be careful though because the pickpockets are all over the touristy areas, as well as the "flower sellers" that first give them to unsuspecting people then charge them up the ying yang for them!
This is La Meridiana or the meridian. It can be found in the church of Santa Maria Degli Angeli, which like i said before, is part of the Baths of Diocletian (remember... the one across the street from our hotel). If you look close, you can see a tiny hole in the brass looking ornamentation. That was the official timekeeper of Rome until 1846 when it was replaced by the cannon that still goes off everyday at noon.
The brass rod and circular markings on the floor was the other part of the Meridian that told the time, month and also for charting the movement of the stars.
Picture taken from the Victor Emmanuel Monument of Trajan's Market. Once a one stop shop for fruits, veggies and a bureaucrat or two.
Temple of Romulus
Temple of Vesta, 4th century AD, where many Romans came to worship. The flames were tended by priestesses, also known as the Vestal Virgins. In the background was the house of the famed Vestal virgins. Each virgin was chosen at the ripe old age of 6-10 years and served a 30 year term. If they remained celebate, the were given a large dowry, their very own statue, and allowed to marry. If she was found to... well..... be deflowered.... she was buried ALIVE!! Quite the deterent.
The three columns are part of the Temple of Castor and Pollux, the mythical twins and patrons of horsemanship.
Julius Caesar was burned on this spot. I was amazed to see flowers left here still today.
The Colosseum and Dan
Stairway leading down below the ground level of Colosseum. Maybe this is where the animals came up from?
You can see the underground pathways of the Colosseum where the animals roamed.
Trevi fountain. So beautiful and romantic at night. The water at this fountain gushes as opposed to the fountain at the Spanish Steps. The fountains at the Victor Emmanuel Monument also gushes forth with water. All of the water in the fountains of Rome is potable.
Dan sitting on ancient stone pillars at The Forum
Cool picture of the Temple of Saturn.
Me in front of a large marble Senate marker.
Hall of Busts, Vatican Museum
Death crypt of woman that has the name "Cleopatra". I wonder if it is THE Cleopatra?
Michelangelo's "Belvedere Torso", a statue of Hercules. Nice abs!
Swiss Guard, always on duty, .... and colorful too! These guys are bad a__s, but man.... it's hard to take someone seriously with those funky tights on!
Statue of Saint Peter (with kissable toe!) So many people have come here and kissed his toe, it's worn right down!
The "Holy Door" that opens only during holy years. On Christmas eve, every 25 years, the Pope knocks three times with a silver hammer, and the door opens. It is then bricked up a year later, to be opened again in 24 years.
Dan standing in St. Peter's Square with St. Peter's Basilica in the background.
Inside St Peter's Basilica. It's so massive you feel as if your an ant. The shear beauty of it made me speechless and Dan too.
Bernini's Baroque style stained glass dove window, surrounded by winged babies and angels. The Dove is symbolic of the "Holy Spirit"
I thought this was a good picture to show you just how massive these statues are.
Bernini's stained glass with "The Throne of St. Peter" which is oak encased in Bronze by Bernini. Extremely ornate, definately Baroque styling
Swiss Guard having somewhat of a casual meeting.
Michelangelo's Pieta, which he completed when he was just 24 years old! The expression on Mary's face is so lifelike. You can feel the grief of the mother's loss of her son.
Bernini's last work, the "Monument to Pope Alexander VII. It depicts the figures of Truth, Justice, Charity and Prudence.
The well of the Confessio, The crypt where the body of St Peter is said to be buried.
Hall of Maps, Vatican Museum
Raphael's tomb, the Pantheon
Looking upwards inside the Pantheon
Tomb of one of the famed Roman families.
The beheading.
Gilded coffered ceilings, Vatican
Ornately carved shutter inside the Vatican
The "Disputa" Raphael room, Vatican Museum.
" The Fire of in the Borga" room, another of Raphael's paintings, shows the Roman hero Aeneas carrying his father on his back.
Michelangleo's famed Sistine Chapel's "The Last Judgement" An interesting note... Michelangelo painted himself onto the skin held by the figure of Saint Bartholomew. Click to see the detail.
Looking upwards at the ceiling, Sistine Chapel
The Creation of Adam.
The "Tempation of Adam and Eve by the serpant" and the "Expulsion of Adam and Eve from The "Garden of Eden".
The Grand spiral staircase, the Vatican Museum.
The grounds outside of the Vatican, looking out the window. So strange coming from the extremely cold and snowy New York ,to the lush greenery of Rome, Italy
The Famous "Laocoon" pronounced lay-AWK-oh-wahn, the high priest of Troy, who warned the trojan's to Beware of the greeks bearing gifts. This sculpture is considered "superior to all other sculptures and paintings". It's made from four blocks of marble that are seamlessly pieced together.
I just thought this was a beautiful piece of stained glass, which is actually a free standing piece.Hope you enjoyed the pics! If you ever get the chance to go to Rome....GO!
One day, I hope to take the kids and see them experience it.
Well, until next time......
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