Gym Benefits

I will always be the first one to admit the benefits of hitting the gym. It keeps you active, it keeps you healthy and, let's be honest, it keeps you out of trouble. But I'm here today to talk about the benefits of hitting the gym during your lunch hour and working out mid-day.

Mid-day workouts are the best. I can't tell you how much I crave going to the gym over the course of the day. Not only is going to the gym a good reason to get out of the office, but it is a GREAT way to relieve stress. Well, you know, not that I have any stresses to worry about (psh)...but if I did, the gym is the best place to go.

Working out during lunch is also a nice way to break up the day. I mean, you return to work feeling almost like it's brand new. Who can ask for anything better than that? Ha!

If you go to the gym mid-day, that means you are using up your lunch break...which means, you have to bring your lunch to work. Well, hey, in addition to hitting the gym, bringing lunch saves money and also keeps you healthy. Score bonus points for that one.

Gym during lunch...who's with me? Anyone? Anyone?

Captain America

Despite having to work an event, I had a pretty nice and relaxing weekend. I know I better enjoy it for as long as possible since I have to go back to work tomorrow...ugh.

I saw Captain America on Friday night. And I liked it well enough. Considering my faith in super hero movies has been a little shaky after the big let down known as Green Lantern...I was a littler nervous to see Captain America. I'm not a huge Chris Evans fan and I was skeptical about his ability to pull off Captain America. But I mean, how could anything be worse than Green Lantern? And luckily, it wasn't. Granted, there were still moments when I found myself rolling my eyes at some of the dialogue, but overall...it was ok. It wasn't better than X-Men: First Class...but it was ok.

More importantly, at the end of the movie, there was a preview of The Avengers, which is set to be released next summer. Iron Man, Thor, Captain America and company are set to all come together united against a common threat...to fight the foes no single superhero could withstand...on that day, The Avengers were born. And OMG...I hope it'll be good because I can't wait.

Italy Pictures

I'm back from Italy and have been scrambling to get my pictures organized, uploaded, captioned and ready for viewing. It took me a couple days...but I'm finally done. Check 'em out. I had such a great time exploring the sites and enjoying the food...and I think my pictures definitely reflect that. Hehe.

Milan - A beautiful small city.

Rome - Classic Italy.

Vatican City - The most beautiful church I've ever seen.

Pompeii - The oldest city I've ever visited.

Florence - Everything I thought Italy would be.

Pisa - A quaint small town.

Venice - Classic romantic Italy.

Murano - A small Venetian island known for glass blowing.

Verona - Home of Romeo and Juliet.

Day 14: Headed Home

Arrivederci from Italy...

Day 13: Milan

Cassata Siciliana (white chocolate and apricots) and Menta Cioccolato (mint chocolate chip).

Day 12: Verona

Crema di Giulietta (vanilla, chocolate chunks, hazelnuts) and Pompelmo Rosa (don't know but it's the nastiest flavor...by far).

Day 11: Venice/Murano

Panna Cotta and Tutto Bosco (raspberry).

Day 10: Venice

Crema Veneziana (vanilla, chocolate, apricot) and Anguria (watermelon).

Day 9: Venice

Nocciola (hazelnut) and Fragola (strawberry).

Day 8: Pisa

Peach and Passion Fruit.

Day 7: Florence

Mandorla (almond) and Zuppa Inglese (butterscotch).

Day 6: Florence

Torronita (vanilla, chocolate chips, hazelnut) and Tiramisu.

Day 5: Florence

Ferrero Rocher and Amarena Black Cherry.

Day 4: Naples/Pompeii

Fior di Latte (vanilla milk).

Day 3: Rome

Variegato Wafer.

Day 2: Rome

Pistachio.

Day 1: Milan/Rome

Dulce de Leche.

Day 0: Zurich

Swiss Chocolate.