Figure Skating Love: Nick Verreos Interview for ICEnetwork.com on "The Inside Edge With Sarah and Drew"

Talking Figure Skating...

Sitting Pretty: Nick Verreos and US Figure Skater Rachael Flatt

As many of you know by now, I have a personal love for Figure Skating which yes, was spurred on by my NIKOLAKI partner David Paul (who REALLY REALLY Loves Figure Skating). He and his "Skating Buddies" would watch the sport and I would just be the "Skating Wife" in the background. Well, of course, that all changed once I was on Season 2 Project Runway and I had to design a costume for Sasha Cohen. I was subsequently "infected" with the Figure Skating virus! Now, naturally I respect the athleticism and power of the sport but of course, I watch it for the COSTUMES!!!!

Drew Meekins with former pairs partner Jessica Rose Paetsch in 2008

Recently, I got a fun email from Writer/Illustrator and IceNetwork.com Contributor Sarah S. Brannen and American Pairs Figure Skater--and 2006 World Junior Champion-- Drew Meekins requesting an interview from me for "The Inside Edge with Sarah and Drew".

Besides being a great Children's Book Author and Illustrator, she is an avid fan of Figure Skating and has photographed the sport for years. Here are some samples of her work:

Johnny Weir at 2006 US Nationals

Sasha Cohen, 2006 Marshall's Challenge

Well, of course, I said YES YES and YES! I had a blast doing the interview and we talked about my love of Figure Skating, and my thoughts of various skater's costumes of course.
Click HERE to read the entire interview.

Rome~~ Part I!

Day 1 in Rome

(Arrived around 5:30 PM local time that we only do a nice dinner to call it a day!)

"PAPBACCUS" Restaurant
36, Via Tosecana (Very close to Westin Excelsior Hotel)

I never had such tasty Balsamic Vinegar which is so dense, tannic sweet, and full of aroma. Also, the black pepper is really "spicy" that DH and I never thought black pepper would be spicy AT ALL considering that both of us are such strong taste in chilly sauce.

The chef said that they bought that balsamic Vinegar at Tuscany which means I can't find it anywhere else here in Rome.... bummer~.....

Onion soup in Rome style w/ tomatoes!



I think this is some kind of couscous (yellow thing) w/ mashed olive, liver, pesto and some white raw fish fillet which is some kind of a fish like seabass (but it is not).



Creamy ice cream w/ wild strawberry..... so sweet and tiny of those wild strawberries. 


Guess we are too hungry when the main courses hit our table that we totally forgot to take pictures of them... :P 

First night dinner...excellent!!


Day 2 in Rome


Piazza di Spagna
Shopping spree for friends only
Colosseo
Piazza Venezia






I guess "SHORTS" looks extra attractive during this time of the year...that almost everyone is staring at ME/my legs. (Piazza di Spagna; La Fontana della Barcaccia)



Shopping and happy street (Via Condotti) ^^



No, I absolutely didn't buy anything for myself....all from my friends requests. 


We took Metro during peak hour (people get off from the work) and we have to squeeze ourselves IN it.

Girls, you own me BIG;..... I ended up buying a new suitcase!!
Look at my grungy face.... :P



( Colosseum = Colosseo)

We are very lucky that the rain in Rome is on and off quickly and sun normally peeks out right after. ^^



Piazza Venezia (Local Italian doesn't like this giant architecture at all!!!!)
However, the landscape in the back is much nicer which is more blended in.


Part II coming up~
See you later.
xoxo Rachel