Mardi Gras!!

Ah, I have such fond memories of Ash Wednesday at Christendom, where we would have The-Friend-With-the-Car at Wendy's at 11:55 PM to pick up the cheeseburgers, fries, and junk food we had been fantasizing about all day. Why is it that you never crave meat until you cannot have it? It's Ash Wednesday already here in Rome, and already I'm having anemic cravings.

But, thanks to my friends in the 'Nella, there was feastin' goin' on earlier today. Here's me doing Vannah White with my offering of Camembert Cheese (think Brie):



And me with our awesome host, who made real pancakes with maple syrup and whipped cream for us! Mmm-mmm good. It fell under the beloved category of ABP (Anything But Pasta), a rare food group in Italy.

Partay

A few of us from Santa Marinella went into Rome tonight to celebrate Katharina's 24th birthday at a new bar not too far from Piazza Navona. Woohoo, party time!!

The bar, Circus something or another, run by young Paco:



I am all about a place that has a bright decor, shiny fish on the wall and plays Depeche Mode and the Killers. Mmm-hmm. Italian bars, and especially Italian Happy Hours, are wonderful things. You buy a drink, they give you plates of free food to feast upon. Noodle salad, toast with chopped olive spread, it's all yumminess.

It's about time some faces made their appearance on this blog. Presenting birthday girl Katherina and my friend Alethea:



We did Junior Legion of Mary and Chior together. We sort of did college together. Now, we do Italian bars together. Now that's what I call a beautiful progression. My old friend Joseph.



My roommate Maria, Joseph, and my dear friend Bistra from Belarus.



How I felt when I came home and realized what time it was (but the rest of the crew is coming back on the 5 AM train, so I'm practically a grandma)



I'm taking a poll - tint my hair red or not?? Feedback please, folks!