Penalita!...Ryan and Sarah take Italy.

Friday was a long day of work for Ryan and a long day of waiting for me. Our adventure finally got started Friday evening (a little later than we originally thought). We were very anxious to get on the train and hurry to Venice. After our train ticket was purchased we found a seat and relaxed for the first time of the day - thinking that we were all on track (no pun intended!). Well, one of the train conductor guys came around to check our ticket. In 'broken English' (really Italian), he informed us that we had forgotten to validate our ticket. Oops?! Ryan and I said sorry and thought we would just have to remember next time. Sounded fair, right? Nope!!! That man took his job very seriously. He pulled out a ticket pad and wrote us a ticket for 30 euro! Seriously....that happened. We were fined and paid the extra money. No mercy for the poor Americans! It was ridiculous. Luckily we laughed about our luck and moved on. Needless to say we did NOT forget to validate from then on. :)

Venice was GORGEOUS!!! Ryan and I loved walking around aimlessly and taking in all the views. We of course stayed in San Marco and ate at the Hard Rock Cafe. I got to see my gondolas!!!! :) The bridges were my favorite part - and all the canals and water. It amazed me how the city was built around the water. On the other side - I HATED the pidgeons! I can't stand birds! I swear these birds saw a red target over my head because they kept swooping down towards me. Ryan got a kick out of watching me duck and hide.

Our adventure was not over when we got back from Venice. We also had the ball that night! It was so fun to get all dressed up. Ryan looked so handsome and I felt like a princess! It was for sure a night to remember. The food was amazing and the company was even better. Spending the evening with all of those Able guys made me love them even more!

Today, Ryan and I took Q (Esquilin) to Verona. Personally, I was SO excited about this trip because we were going to see Juliet's house. Since I have taught Romeo and Juliet for the past 2 years, I was super excited about seeing this place. Walking into the tunnel with all the lovers writing was magical. You can honestly just feel the love! Ok, maybe not Ryan and Q.... BUT I was a giddy little girl! I made Ryan go up to the balcony with me and take in the moment. I think he was just happy to see me so happy. I mean, this was where Juliet was thought to have fallen in love with Romeo. So romantic! Hello?!?! We also rubbed Juliet's boob (the statue..duh). It is considered good luck - we aren't weird! :)

Overall, Italy is wonderful. It shows its age but also has an undescribable beauty about it. Love it! I am sad to say that my time here is almost up, but I have made memories that will last forever. This has been a once in a lifetime opportunity for Ryan and I!

Hello...Guten Tag...and Ciao!

Well, aside from all my disbelief and doubt, my dress and I made it to Italy!!! :) As promised, Ryan (and Lenny!) were at the aiport to pick me up at the scheduled time. I am not broke, I did not starve, and I was not kidnapped. Thank goodness!!!!

My flights were OK - the typical cramped space, slow moving people, and stress of travel times. However, no complaints here! I left on time, arrived on time, and even got a window seat for the long flight! My only regret is that I didn't stay awake for dinner on my international flight. Ryan said they usually serve pretty good food - plus, I woke up hungry. I guess sleep was just more important to me at the time.

In college I took German (for some unknown and still mysterious reason - guess I wanted to be different). Of course, I failed miserably and had to beg the professor to pass me even though I didn't know any of the language. Little did I ever think that would come back to haunt me. While rushing into the Frankfurt, Germany airport (trying to find my connecting gate) I quickly realized how helpful my college edu-ma-cation would have been. Although I knew a few words - for the most part I was just lost. Luckily I followed the crowd and found my way! Once in Italy, we came back to the base and got all signed in. Ryan showed me around a little and introduced me to all of the guys that I have gotten to know over the past almost year. Love them!

One of the favorite parts of my day occured while Ryan and I were walking across base. We were kind of stuck in our own little world, as usual, when all of a sudden we hear, "Sssaaarrrrraaaahhh!!!!" Yes, just like that! Ryan and I both instantly looked around thinking, "Who could possibly know me?!" To our surprise, Brittney was driving by and saw us! I was there for less than an hour and she found me! :) We even got to meet up and eat Taco Bell with our boys. I know, I know, my first meal in Italy was Taco Bell. Don't hate - the real Italian food will come soon...

Even though I have not had the time to travel Italy yet, I love it nevertheless. I love how I am here spending time with Ryan. I love that we get to travel a little as a couple. I love how I am in a foreign country, so far away from home, and yet I am surrounded by people that I love and who make me smile!
Tonight we are having dinner with our friends Casey and Dane (and Marissa!). Then tomorrow, after Ryan gets off work, he and I go to Venice!! <3>

Ps- 1) Warming towel rack in bathroom - I need one of those at my house! 2) I have an extra (funny looking) toilet in my bathroom - I need to figure out what in the heck that thing is/does!

Friends in Low Places

A lot of wonderul things have come from Ryan and I being together... more than I will ever be able to count. We have gained SO many additional friends and family while sharing our lives together. It has been my favorite thing to see these relationships unfold. Ryan has met my friends and family, and I have his.
As a result we have a HUGE support system and LOTS of love and happiness around us. With our wedding right around the corner, our friends and family have really joined together to make this a special time in our lives. Plans are being made, bridal showers are being scheduled, presents are being given, and congrats are all around.
I can honestly say that Ryan and I are astonished at how many people are showing kindness to us. We had no idea that so many people cared about us. I know that the next few months will be very busy ones for us, so I want to go ahead and say a big THANK YOU to all of our friends and family. We love you more than you know! We also look forward to those many friends that we will continue to make in the different places we will go in our future - and family, well we will always be family not matter what or where! :)

Hitting the Headlines

Ryan and I were in today's edition of The Wake Weekly! I know what you are thinking and no, we didn't get arrested and we were not creeping the classifieds. :) Instead, it was our engagement announcement!!! YAY!! I may have picked up 20 copies....that's not weird right?! Don't worry, they aren't all for me. Promise!

Since not all of our friends and family can see it (and the paper doesn't view online), I figured I would re-create it on here!

Bryant Wiggins of Rolesville and Greg and Beth Dixon of Wake

Forest are pleased to announce the engagement and forthcoming

marriage of their daughter, Sarah Elizabeth Wiggins of Wake Forest,

to Ryan Tad Larsen of Stansbury Park, Utah.

Sarah is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Billy Johnson of Pilot Mtn.

and Mrs. Bertie Wiggins of Rolesville. She is employed as

a teacher of the Wake County Public School System.

Ryan is the son of Tad and Kathy Larsen of Stansbury Park, Utah,

and the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Buddy Larsen of Salt Lake City,

Utah. He is employed in Airborne Infantry for the U.S. Army.

The couple is planning an April 16th, 2011 wedding at a

private venue in Rolesville.

Anxiously Awaiting

For those who know Ryan and I, it's no surprise that our relationship has been a large waiting game, for the most part. I have handled 3 months of waiting to meet him, 9 months of deployment, 2 months months until our Christmas together, and now 3 months until we get married. Out of all of those, the one that drives me crazy is the 1 week I have until leaving for Italy!

I am SO nervous about traveling to Italy. (I'm sure this past weekends flying flops has nothing to do with my nervousness!) For some reason I just have the fear that something/anything will go wrong - like me getting stuck in France without anyone who speaks English, with my credit cards not working, so I'm broke and starving, and then I get kidnapped or something ridiculous like that. LOL.

Ryan has reassured me that everything will be fine and he will be at the airport to greet me at my scheduled time of arrival. I am hoping and praying that is the case. For now, I am trying NOT to think about it and just worry about it when I am at the airport. In fact, I am not sure I have anymore nerves to worry about it even if I wanted to! :) Wish me luck as I make my first international trip. I can't wait for Ryan and I to spend a week together in Italy. We will have lots of blogs and pictures to share when I get back! :)

7 Flights and A Wedding

This weekend was rather busy for Ryan and I - OK, that's an understatement, it was insane! Ryan and I spent the last weekend of his leave in Utah for his brother's wedding. Ryan flew back to Utah last Wednesday and I flew out last Friday. We laughed about how much flying we have done over the past month. Just the two of us could keep the airlines in business! LOL.

With all of our flying, I must conclude that 1) I hate Delta and 2) I think I am cursed when it comes to flying. Over the past month Ryan and I have had the worst luck with airplane travel! Ryan almost didn't make it home for Christmas because France had a dusting of snow and cancelled all of their flights. Then he had to fly back and forth all over the US just to get to me. Yesterday he BARELY made his connecting flight back to Italy (and I mean they had to reopen the door for him). I say I'm cursed because every flight I try to make gets delayed. On Friday, my flight was delayed over an hour - making me late getting to Utah. Then, trying to get back home was the same way. My first flight was delayed, which then made me miss my connecting flight by 2 minutes!! I was totally the person running to the next gate as fast as I could - and of course it was in a whole different terminal. Thanks to that run, I officially know how out of shape I am in. You know those walking escalator things? Yeah, I was the person with my hands on my knees gasping for air when I got to one of those things. Then when it was up I would start running again. LOL. What a headache. I know that many of you know how I feel, because you too have had flight issues. All I can say is - it is what it is! I just hope that I can make it to Italy next week without any troubles!!!

Aside from all of the lovely flights this weekend (7 btw Ryan and I), we were able to attend the wonderful wedding of Kara and Jerad!!! It was at a BEAUTIFUL location in Utah called Heritage Gardens. My favorite part of their wedding is how their personalities came out in the ceremony and reception. They did not get caught up in all the formal traditions, instead Kara and Jerad were just themselves - and they were having a great time! It was so sweet to see how many people came to celebrate with them. Kara was glowing and Jerad just had a sense of pride about him. LOVED IT! Ryan was the best man - and was excited about it until he found out he had to do a toast! Even though he was a little nervous about it before, he pulled off the toast with grace and ease! He did a great job!!! We are so excited for Kara and Jerad and we know that they will have a wonderful life together!!!!

Rock You Like a Hurricane

Last night Ryan and I went to a Carolina Hurricane's hockey game, at the RBC Center in Raleigh, NC. We got the tickets as a Christmas present from my dad (thanks dad!!). Now, hockey isn't really a sport that Ryan or I follow very much - more of just a fun seasonal sporting event to attend. However, it was at this game that we discovered two common interests that we have!

1) Random dancing - During the halftimes and at various exciting moments during the game there would be music played to pump the crowd up. Well, Ryan and I had ourselves a good time looking like fools as we danced. I even think we created a couple of new dance moves (we will debut them at our wedding reception on request! haha). I have never laughed so hard. Some of our best moments together are when we just let go and act like no one else can see us. Love it!
2) Fighting - Although we were attentive to the game, we didn't do much yelling and screaming - UNLESS there was a fight. Then we would jump up and yell, "Hit him!!!" or "Take the gloves off!!!!" or "Punch him in the face!!!!" LOL! Hockey fights are the best! Luckily we got to see a few last night. I'm pretty sure Ryan would have been super disappointed if we didn't see a fight. :)

Overall the hockey game was a GREAT way to end Ryan's time in NC. We got home pretty late and with about 4 hours of sleep, I was up again taking Ryan to the airport. Today he flew back to Utah to help prepare for his brother's wedding (Jerad and Kara are getting married Saturday!!!). I will be flying to Utah Friday afternoon so that I can attend the wedding also - and be Ryan's hot date! :) We are so excited for Jerad and Kara and can't wait to celebrate with the family!