The Heart Won't Be Denied

Colin Devlin - The Heart Won't Be Denied Pin It

Rome: Churches

Here's what happens when you are still posting photos of a trip two months after you've returned home...you forget where the pictures are from. I know they came from my last couple of days in Rome, but at this point all the churches/cathedrals were running together in my mind.

I should probably stop and do a bit of google searching to figure out where they are from, but the truth is I took these photos because I was in love with light and the way it influenced the way I was seeing the church. It was dark inside, but brought out, so the stained glass windows were amazing.


I pinned something last week about learning to observe light - I'd link to it, but it didn't have a source attached to it, so I don't feel right sharing without giving credit. It basically talked about how learning to observe light not only makes us better photographers, but changes the way we view the world. I think that is true in the physical sense, but I also believe it is true in the emotional sense. If we focus on the light (happy) aspects of life I think it can improve our overall outlook, at least I know that is true for me.

This last iPhone photo, is another from a church I can't remember, but I remember pulling my camera out just to capture the light as it shone in through the windows. I'm hoping as I start this new adventure in Australia, I will remember to focus on the light (as I'm sure there will be a bit of dark, there always is with a move.) I hope that by focussing my attention that way I can enjoy the journey.

"We were born into a light.
For everyone alone, I wish you faith and hope
And all the strength to cope
To be your own best friend
Have confidence and keep the faith"
Ryan Adams - Born into the Light




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South Bound

I'm moving to Australia today. The Gold Coast, just south of Brisbane to be more precise.

I've know for nearly a year that the move was possible, agreed to it in January, and found out it was certain in March. And yet, even though my move date was pushed back from May 'til now, I find I'm still trying to wrap my mind around the change.

It feels more permanent than the other assignments I've had in the past 5 years - more of a real move than extended business trips. I'm struggling a bit with leaving my family for the 18 months I'll be there (minus a few trips home a year on holiday, it's not like I won't see them at all!)

At the same time, I'm looking forward to actually being in one place for 18 months, to have a somewhat "normal" schedule and life. The chance to sign up for a class here or there, get a gym membership, all the things I haven't done in the last few years.

I keep reminding myself, I'll be living near the beach, in a country and culture I admire, this isn't exactly a hardship posting (and since I've had those, I know the difference.) Still, for the first time in a while, I'm not going in as part of a team, but rather on my own. So more than ever, it is up to me to settle into a new place, make friends and adapt. I know I can do it - I've done it before - but it is never easy.

On a side note, this is my 800th blog post - it feels somewhat fitting that, on a blog I started to keep a record of my travels, I hit a milestone on the same day I make a big move.

So while I finish packing my bags - I'll ask. Any of you from Australia? Been there before? Have any advice to share? Things to add to my must see/do list? If so, please share, I know that if I go into this move with a list of exciting experiences to seek out the easier the adjustment will be.

"I'm going back down south now."
Kings of Leon - Back Down South Pin It

Silver Springs

Fleetwood Mac - Silver Springs Pin It

Rome: Palatine Hill

In between my stops at the Colosseum and the Forum, I explored Palatine Hill, and I fell a little bit in love - which means this post in going to be a photo dump. I simply couldn't stop snapping. At every turn there was something interesting and beautiful.

"In this crazy life, there's always a surprise waiting around the corner to greet you."

Leftover Cuties - Sometimes

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Rome: The Colosseum and the Forum

My very favorite day in Rome was the day I spent at the Colosseum and the Forum. I suspect it has something to do with the glorious weather in the early part of the day - after more than a week of freezing in Italy, things were finally a bit warmer. But it wasn't just the weather that had me in a great mood.

With every step I found myself in awe of the beauty of the ruins and with a desire to learn more about the history of these amazing places. I found myself wishing that I remembered more than watching game films in my world history class (the teacher was the football coach.....)

I explored the ruins on my own and didn't even really have a guidebook to help me out - which given how curious I was about the history, I regret a bit. Next time I go, I might consider buying the audio tour or taking a guide book just so I could satisfy my curiosity along the way.

If the good weather had held out, I likely would have spent several more hours here. But as you can see from the last couple of photos, the sky got dark and a very wet thunderstorm moved in, so I took cover in a nearby trattoria for an early dinner and a gelato, yum.

"Witness what I listen. There's a world here you're missing to behold."

The Milk Carton Kids - Undress the World

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Wait

Alexi Murdoch - Wait Pin It

Rome - The Pantheon and Piazza Navona

One of my best memories of Rome is of the Pantheon. I had decided to spend my first evening in the city at Piazza Navona, and stumbled across the Pantheon on my walk there. I was surprised because for some reason I thought it was closer to the Roman ruins.

I not only found it by accident, I entered in the middle of a concert of a children's choir from Bangladesh. There were singing Ave Maria when I walked in and I instantly had chills, it was incredibly powerful and it felt so right in this ancient building. The followed up with a gorgeous version of Amazing Grace.

A short time later, I was in the Piazza Navona and the children's group walked passed me - they were out of choir mode and into kid mode, helping them fit right into the crowd at the Piazza.

"Carry the promise of the old one."
The Lone Bellow - Teach Me to Know Pin It

Rome - Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps

What is a trip to Rome without a visit to the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps. Both were very near my flat, so I found myself walking past one or both each day. They were always crowded and full of life - it seems I'm not the only one who had them on their must see list.

Proof that the crowds were incredible - all these people taking in the fountain - and this was on a weekday. One advantage of being there on my own - it is easier for one person to push their way to the front of the crowd than it is for a group!

On my last day in Rome, I went back and threw some coins in - hoping a little magic will come my way.

The Spanish Steps were only marginally less crowded. I know it is primarily a tourist stop - but I could also see it becoming a great place for locals to meet up with friends before exploring the nearby shopping area. I can see why they had to ban sitting and eating on the steps - what a great place it would have been for a picnic lunch or an afternoon gelato break.

The view from the top of the steps was pretty amazing and kept drawing me back - if only to see who was hanging out there each day.

"The thought of my day to come was the last thing upon my mind."
Current Swell - Long Time Ago


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