The past two days have been calm & unhurried. I spent most of my time in Heidi & Mark's apartment reading, writing and listening to music. As you can see from the pictures of their interior & sunset view, it is a beautiful place to do those things.

I have been thinking about perception quite a bit since I have been in Europe. The other night when I was in Firenze, I was sitting on my bed journaling and I looked out onto the facade of the Baptistry. The entire building is shrouded in green, white and rose colored marble. It is a beautiful structure. But the walls are also stained with ugly, sooty streaks coursing from the arches and window frames.

What is it I see when I look at it?

Do I see an exquisite creation? or do I see a dirty, old facade?

How do I choose to see?