A Day in an Ice land

LESSON OF THE WEEK: You don't have to go to Alaska to do what I did. Utah Lake.

Mary, did you REALLY know?

Every kid wants to be something absolutely great when they grow up. For me, I had 2 things in mind since I was about 5 years of age. A) A school teacher. (Of course, that fell through once my imaginary students disobeyed me for the last time.) and B) An actress. I may or may not used to sing and "play house" alone, in my room- thinking I was going to be the next star on Disney!
Well, most of you know I had been visiting my parents this last year on their mission in Milan, Italy. My mom had told me that the church is making a new movie, about the New Testament, and they're holding auditions in MILAN while I'LL be there. She told me that I should audition, just for fun! Of course, being myself, I said NO- I've never really done anything like that, and I've never really planned on it. Well, the day came. the auditions were held. Believe it or not, I was the last one to audition that night. I read the part of Mary, the mother of Christ. I felt like I bombed it, I was so nervous. Well, they wanted me to come back and audition for the director, producer, casting director (who casted for Quantum of Solace, pretty cool) etc. I auditioned for them a week later, and surprisingly, they loved me! I mean, really, I didn't expect anything to happen beyond that point, but it truly was a fun, good experience out of my comfort zone.

A couple of weeks go by, and I get an email. It's from the director of the film, whom I auditioned for. He invited me to go to a "special week of auditions" for the movie, in Rome, Italy. ROME! How could I say no? So, I went- with 7 other candidates, and it was a very special week. I was WAY out of my comfort zone, however- I am so glad that I did it. I had my own cute little cottage I stayed in.


I can't believe I did it.

I feel very blessed that I was chosen to attend this audition. Out of thousands of girls who tried out, they wanted me to come back.


It was a busy week full of early mornings and late evenings, Lots of line memorization, practicing over and over again, trying to feel how Mary really felt, making new friends, and eating LOTS of CIOBAR. (Best hot chocolate ever.) It was so fun, and such a great experience on getting to know such different people. Such beautiful and amazing people.

There were times where I was struggling immensely with the scenes, specifically when angel Gabriel appears to Mary. That is one of the most special and sacred moments in the history of the world- and there I was, having to re-enact it. The first time I was doing the scene, I just wasn't getting it. I was getting really frustrated with myself, and almost wanting to give up. I sat there, in scene, and prayed my little heart out to truly feel what Mary felt when she was going through this, and to really lose myself into the character. As I started the scene over, kneeling on the floor looking up at Gabriel, I was completely overcome with the spirit, and started to cry a little bit. I was able to forget myself, and think about what Mary was going through during that special time.

It was such an amazing, spiritual experience- where I was completely out of my comfort zone.

The place we were, is about 2 hours from the city of Rome, called Santo Stefano. It is such a beautiful, secluded little city that was hit by the big earthquake a couple of years ago. It is very remote, with no more than 80 people that live there. It is right up in the mountains, and so very beautiful. I would definitely recommend it :) It truly looks like the Holy Land.

It was such an amazing experience, and truly- no matter what happens from here, I am definitely satisfied. The other girls who tried out for Mary's part as well as I did, were absolutely incredible. I will be so happy for whoever gets the part, truly. Plus- I got to fulfill my little girl dream.. even though it wasn't for the Disney Channel. :)

NOW- we wait. . wait to hear the results. After the First Presidency makes their decision of who they want to cast, we will find out.

I wonder what Mary's thinking right now, as I could possibly be the one that will play her role, the most precious, intense, sacred, special and beautiful role that I could imagine.

I will never forget that special week in Santo Stefano.

I am so blessed to have had this incredible opportunity- with that being said, La Vita E Bella.

Nobody knows fashion like MILANO

After living in Italy for 6 months, I can definitely say that the M I L A N is the fashion capital of the world. I have had such a fun time expanding my "fashion horizon" and seeing all of the incredible ways of fashion here. Everyone in Milan is always dressed to impress and looking top notch. You will see an old woman walking to the grocery store, in a beautiful dress, high heels and a fur coat.. sometimes even on her bike!

Milan is the headquarters for many brands such as Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Prada and many more.

Men are always dressed their best, whether it be rockin' the Armani suit, or the corduroy's with a cashmere sweater and penny loafers. I think that one of my favorite things has been walking through the center of Milano, through all of the really nice streets, with the designer brand stores. Why? Well, I may not be able to drop 1 grand on a purse- but I LOVE window shopping through those streets. They always have the most amazing, beautiful, creative window scenes! It's fun to see all of the people that are actually shopping in these stores, and seeing what they are wearing.






Nobody knows fashion like Milano. It is truly incredible.

Every single day here in Milan- rain or shine, La vita e bella.

a SLICE

of LIFE

in Italy
















a SLICE

of LIFE

in Italy

A Dream in Venice

This past weekend, I had an incredible dream that I was in Venice, my most favorite place on earth.. now that I come to think of it, it wasn't a dream! I was actually there, In December! It was amazing. One can only dream of such a weekend. I have been so blessed to be able to come out here in Italy, and experience the beauty, art, history and of course the food and shopping!

Those who have ever taken a train into Venice, know how priceless and intimate that experience is. The moment you walk out of the train station, it is magnificence to the left and beauty on the right. Literally! It takes your breath away.

Of course, as I am walking to the water taxi, I am so excited I'm hardly watching where I'm walking. Next thing I know- I'm down on one knee, due to soggy wet moss... cleats couldn't of kept me on two feet it was so slippery! I got up as fast as I could, as the taxi drivers giggled at what a "stupid" I looked like. It's all good, right- I'm in Venice!

Many people ask me why I choose Venice to be my favorite place on earth. Well, it has to be THEE most unique place on earth. I mean, it IS a city in the middle of the sea with NO cars, no streets, and no traffic lights. It is full of mystery, rarity, stillness, and tranquility. I have never felt the way I do in Venice, anywhere else. It gives me this peace, and lets me forget about the world.

I LOVE to take pictures- Venice has got to be the number one photogenic place on this earth. No matter how many times you visit, or how many pictures you take, there is always more opportunities for prize winner photographs. One day, I dream of having my own little shop full of art photography that I have done- with most of it based on Venice, Italy. I have gained most of my photography inspiration in this beautiful, magical, incomprehensible city. I could walk the little alley ways of Venice for hours, listening to the loud silence, and snapping pictures left and right.

We went and did a tour of the Doge's Palace right in the City next to St. Mark's square- It was quite exquisite, i might add. So the tour guide took us, about a group of 24, into the "secret passage's of the palace." Meaning, we went up many steep stairs into the attics of the place. Don't get me wrong, it was very interesting and intriguing. HOWEVER, it was early in the morning, and I was chewing a big piece of bubble gum on an empty stomach. Now, FYI- I have a terrible problem with swallowing my gum- don't ask. I had to get rid of this gum in my mouth, come on- you know how the yummy tasting bubble gum gets absolutely repulsive after 5 minutes tops! I kid you not, there was no garbage can to be found.. I mean we were in Casanova's prison cell! Well, OBVIOUSLY the only thing there was to do was to swallow it, right? So I did. I'll say about... 2 minutes after, I was starting to feel sick. The tour guide takes us even HIGHER up into this palace, with no exit in sight. I start feeling light headed, and feeling a bit queezy. I leaned over to my Dad and insisted that i ought to get out of there. Of course, "You're fine" he says. I knew that I was going to throw up, as my mom hands me her scarf to do it in- her scarf! ..really? So, without hesitation, I run down the only stairs I could find, as I hear the tour guide running after me yelling at me. Apparently she had to come with me? All I could say is Dove il bagno??? Lucky, I was able to make it in time. Moral of the story- don't take tours of any palace. HA- JOKING. DO NOT SWALLOW YOUR GUM, ESPECIALLY BUBBLE GUM. ESPECIALLY ON AN EMPTY TUMMY.

Despite the slipping on soggy moss, and running out of the palace like a crazy hooligan, Venice was incredible, and more than ever- life is beautiful, my friends.

In Loving Remembrance

This past Tuesday, my precious aunt Deanne passed away. For any of you that knew Deanne, know the amazing, gracious, loving, beautiful, Christ-like person that she was. I can honestly say that she was one of the most amazing people I have yet to know. She was such an amazing aunt to me. Something I remember about Deanne is that every time I would see her, she would always ask for a hug, and tell me she loves me. I remember growing always hoping "I'd be as beautiful as aunt Deanne."

8 years ago, we were all told that Deanne wasn't going to make it 6 more months- she sure proved the doctors wrong, didn't she? She not only lived 7 1/2 years longer than the doctors predicted, she lived to change the world. She and her family lived in Africa, and she did so much good there. She changed so many people's lives. Deanne has gone through so much in her life.. and I mean SO much- however, she was ALWAYS concerned for everybody else. She would always make sure that everyone around her was happy.. even though she was in so much pain and suffering- nobody would even have the slightest clue.

Deanne is my father's sister, coming from a family of 6. When Deanne and Mark (my uncle) and my dad were young, they lost their sister, Jana. Almost a year ago exactly from today, their father died. My boppa. He was so precious to all of us. I can't even begin to imagine the pain that my dad's family has gone though. It has been a blessing to me to see my father's strength through all of this. I know that it is very hard on him, and he is in pain- as well as his brother, Mark, and my Nana.

My biggest fear is losing somebody so very close to me.. and that family has gone through it too many times. It kills me to see it, but at the same time my testimony has grown so much to see the faith in my family's eyes. My nana, the strongest person I know- has been so amazing through all of this. Losing her 2 girls, and her husband, yet she is still the most faithful, loving, giving, precious person ever created.

It's been said that Heavenly Father will not give us trials that we are not able to make it through. As hard as times can be, in this corrupt, unknown, bizarre world- we have to keep believing that that's true, and that Heavenly Father is with us until the end..

Deanne will forever be in my heart, and remembered every day. She always made life so beautiful.. She is out of pain now, and in a better place. Because I have been so blessed to have known Deanne, I have to say that La vita e bella.