The hassle and slowness of the post office & the government + the annoying repetition of driver's ed = really borning day at a food service/safety management class. It was really painful, yet it didn't ruin the day somehow. It was over in Bear Creek past 290 and highway 6 (I only say that because I feel cool when I talk about the highways and streets near-ish and in downtown because it makes me feel like I really know where I'm going down there even though I don't.) I learned such important facts like what temp beef and pork should be cook till so that no one gets sick etc. plus a TON of common sense stuff like wash your hands and don't keep chemicals next to food. I had to take the class because I applied and got the job at Le Jardin which is a wedding reception place off of 1960. It's really pretty and I think I'm going to get paid 12 bucks (16 overtime) so that would be really awesome. I'm going in later this week to fill out an official application. Claire and most likely Zachary are going to wokr there, although they aren't 18 so they can't do as much stuff (sticks out tongue).

In other news, I went to Dairy Queen. Plus of the day.

And I found out that I got into the Augustine dorm at St Thomas which is really really awesome! It's the freshman apartment-style dorms that I really wanted to get into. I'll find out about a roomie in August. Too bad that's kind of late. Oh well, I'll have to deal.

Now I'm going to go see about maybe going to that new drive in movie theatre (they're playing Grease -- how fitting) with some people. Hope that's fun.

Happy birthday John Cusack.

I'm at home, by myself, and my jaw hurts so much it's not even funny. I've puffed up a bit, not much though. Claire's is supposed to visit me today along with Zach, but that's not till later. I can't eat, which is what I normally do when there's nothing else to do (heh - kidding, right?) and I'm about to start cleaning because I've become so desperate. I'll most likely resort back to movies like I've done for the past few days, but here's to something different. And I'll be able to post some pics from Italy and tell some about it.

Getting to Italy was quite a trip in itself -- we had 2 fight changes and layovers in Dallas (of all places), and London (which was my favorite layover because I really like London and they were playing High and Dry in the airport -- random, yes, and it made me happy). Then to Venice. It took us roughly 17 or so hours of travel and layovers, which just about killed all of us. The view the next morning from our hotel/apartment:

It was rather lovely. I woke up to bells ringing and birds singing (unfortunatly, it about about 8 in the morning so the experice wasn't as joyous as it could have been)

Venice was the most difficult to get around in because everything was by boat and the street names were at least 5 words in Italian and all the roads were dark, small alleyways. So that proved challenging. Focusing on the good, there were outdoor fruit markets that sold wonderful items such as strawberries and peaches, which I got some of and enjoyed then throughly. We went to a couple not so famous yet still beautiful churches and sites, ate delicious food (my favorite was this lasagna that had nutmeg or something in it - odd and yummy). Highlights:

One of my favorite and best pictures of the water itself

San Marcho's Square, which was gorgeous as well as stunning. It's also featured in several films I've watched since returning, such as The Italian Job and From Russia with Love.

A good group shot outside of one of the museums

The Doge's Palace, which housed lots of artwork including two gorgeous Bosch paintings that I didn't have enough time to look at, sadly. There was a lot of lovely artitecture too.

Florence was my favorite city. It wasn't too hard to get around, the streets were bigger so that was nice, and there were these amazing outdoor markets that went on for blocks. I got most of the things i brough back there. They had leather, paper, clothing, knockoffs, you name it. My favorite thing i got there was a wonderful red leather handmade Italian bag. I got it for 55 euros, which was a lot less than the price tag said. The museums were wonderful, we went to the Uffiz which housed the David (which, by the way, is like 15 feet tall). We took a day trip to Tuskany, which was fabulous.

That's not the real Daivd, it's a plaster in th Piazza della Signoria

This is a nice shot from Tuskany of the overlook of Florence

Possibly my favorite pic of all

A monestary on the top of the hill in Tuskany

On to Rome. We really only got to spend two days here, but we say the Vatican which i marveled at as well as many ancient places like the Coliseum and the Parthenon and the Forum. It was fun, but it was so big that it was hard to get anywhere. The drivers were insane, and we had the fortune to ride twice in a taxi, which i enjoyed more than I think i should have. Take roundabouts and crazy, hurried Italians and throw out all the rules of driving and there you go. We went to an opera here, and it was excellent (I liked it more than the one in Venice). St. Peter's was one of my favorites too, and same with the Sistine Chapel. They didn't let you take pictures there though, but they did in most places in the Vatican, oddly enough.

The Vatican and St Peter's

One of the breathtaking ceilings in the Vatican

Ok, xanga won't let me upload anymore pics, which is sad, but you get the idea. I took over 500 pics so it was difficult to get all my favorites. I don't think i'll post them anywhere cause i made an actual photo book. We'll see, maybe I'll get inspired.

Goodbye wisdom teeth. We knew each other so little.

I'll get some pics from Italy up here soon by the way, i'll just have to weed through the hundreds I took :)