Buon Carnevale!

I realize that Carnival (Mardi Gras) was yesterday, but I was so tired after work that I went home and passed out. I want to tell you about the amazing experience, generously provided by Naples Elementary School, I had yesterday. 

In Italia, Carnival (Carnevale-Italian spelling) is a huge event. Other student teachers, friends of mine, went to Venice this past weekend to celebrate. Their pictures and stories are amazing. Everyone dresses up in masks and parties in the streets. This tradition is nation-wide. 

The tradition even seeped into Naples Elementary School :o) I didn't want to put the pictures of the kids on the internet, but I have to say they are adorable. Everyone dresses up, and throws confetti around the school--even the administrators get into it! The Assistant Principal found it hilarious to dump a HUGE handful of confetti all over me--I was digging confetti out of my hair, my clothes and other more personal areas all evening.

My first experience of Italian tradition (although it was only at NES) was amazing! 

Europe

Well, I've arrived. I'm sitting in the Munich airport waiting for my connecting flight. I didn't realize exactly how lost I would feel. People keep looking at me funny. You know, that look that screams, "haha...goofy American!" Yes, I realize I look like a complete idiot right now...I've been awake for 24 hours, and am running very low on fuel, but that is no reason to judge ;o) 

But seriously, it's sort of fun. There's this cute older couple that has been with me since Chicago. They're sitting here at this bar next to me having a coffee. They're heading to Austria to visit family. Turns out they're from Wisconsin! 

I'm hungry. I think I'm going to break-out one of my PBJ sannies. 

Departure...

I'm sitting at my parent's place getting all packed-up and ready to go. I've gone through some major life-changes this last week with moving away from KC, my grandfather passing away, and now preparing for my trip to Naples. So many of these changes have been so sudden, though I've been mentally preparing for them for awhile, now. 

I decided, instead of accepting the rapid changes as just another page in my book of life, that I would now be the instigator of change...

Instigation number one...my hair :o)  I hope you all like it...

The Opposite Sex...

To some of you, what I'm about to say may be a bit of a shock, but here it goes:  I haven't been on a date in over two and a half years. Sad, I know. Ok, ok...it may not be much of a shock to anyone. I haven't taken a huge interest in the opposite sex since I started Grad-school almost two years ago. On the other hand, I'm a reasonably attractive woman who is somewhat intelligent, and enjoys many different activities. You'd think someone would ask me out. 

My close friends and relatives tell me that I probably scare guys away. What, with my beauty, and brains, and high-pitched squeal I call a laugh? Yeah right! Over the last few weeks I have begun analyzing the situation. Here's what I've come up with, so far:

1.)  I'm picky. So shoot me! I want a guy that has: a.) a job (or some means of income without part-taking in illegal activities), b.) a sense of humor that doesn't employ derogatory phrases , c.) a sense of self,  d.) a sense of the world they live in...I think that's basically it. Is that so bad?!

Just because I'm picky shouldn't be a reason guys don't ask me out, though. 

2.) I must send off a bad vibe. Guys, you know the vibe. It basically comes off as looking like she's taken, so she doesn't care either way. 

But I'm not! Laid-back, yes...impartial, no. So why the front? 

3.) No front. I'm shy. I can hear the jaws dropping on the key-boards now..."Maggie...SHY?!?!" I know it sounds crazy, but it's the honest-to-God truth. I am absolutely frightened of the man I described above. 

There it folks, my reasoning for not having a date in the last two and a half years. Sad, pathetic, and gut-wrenchingly honest. Be gentle...