LEOPOLD AND HIS FICTION

  

Men are lucky.

They can grow mustaches. I think that's amazing because its like having a little pet for your face.

I honestly don't care who you are or what your opinion on facial hair is. Everybody knows a great mustache when they see one. it's undeniable.

Don't fight it. It's natural.
When facial hair is worn correctly... it is a great thing. For everybody. It's just all around awesome when a person can truly pull off their facial hair.

As with any trend or style, many different types of people attempt to test the trend out. Facial hair is one of the few styles that has no grey area.

Either you pull it off and look amazing... or you look like some freak trying to seduce girls via webchat.

There is a very fine line.

This past week my parents attended a concert in Lincoln. Yes, without me. The only thing keeping me from this specific adventure was an age limit that is nonexistent in Sicily. (I'm just saying...) 

One of the bands at this concert is called 'Leopold and His Fiction'. The following picture is the lead singer of this band Daniel James.

Perfection, right?
This is the prime example of facial hair.

I am fairly certain that Daniel and I have to chill together.
It's a friendship that needs to happen eventually.

Preferably sooner rather than later.

 Perhaps that will be a later adventure for you to read about at a later time. Yes, that "perhaps" is a hopeful one.


His ability to grow hair on his upper lip isn't his only talent either! This guy can sing. I highly recommend that you, your brother, and your insane great-aunt check these guys out. I'll just say you're welcome now, because you will thank me later. No biggie.

YOU. ARE. WELCOME. 






















...Scroll back up and look at the 'stache again.

There was absolutely nothing that could have prepared me for the drive to the airport. 

As we drove through the town that I had come to know and love, a lump grew in my throat. My eyes watered. I began to shake. My heart ached. This drive didn't hurt me so much because of the destination at the end, I was actually very excited to come home to see my family and friends. What hurt was seeing the town that was no longer mine. Driving past all of my favorite places. Passing every hangout and meeting spot I've come to know so well this summer. But something was different now. These places were dead. There were no crowds, cars, lights, noises. Everything was asleep. 

This was definitely one of the most difficult things that I have had to do in my life. Perhaps what made it so difficult was that it wasn't happening by choice. It was inevitable and I couldn't do anything about it.

Ultimately this was one of the most confusing feelings that I have ever felt in my life.  

Well... My adventure is coming to a close very quickly. I will be back in Nebraska the day after tomorrow. Back home where I will live my life, go to dance, start work again, do school, go to homecoming, just be home. It makes me feel so small. Knowing that there is so much more of the world, and knowing that I have barely even seen a percentage of that world. It's brilliant. 

I knew before I left that this experience  would change my life. I couldn't have ever fathomed how extreme it would have been though. It's simply unexplainable, but I can tell you that it is magnificent. 

I know that I should be happy to return home, and I am happy. I can't wait to see my family and my friends! I can't wait to tell my stories and answer questions! But I believe that a part of me will always stay here, in Catania. It will stay with the places I visited, with the people that I met, with the friends that I made. I don't think it will be easy to leave a part of myself, but I have grown in ways that are unimaginable. 

No matter where I am... I will always have two homes. I love them both so much. 

This experience has been the best in my life. It has only fed my desire for knowledge and travel. If you ever get the chance to travel... Take it. Stop worrying and take the chance. Because not everybody gets the opportunity to travel. Don't take it for granted. Enjoy you life, because it is short. 

Six weeks goes by faster than you would think. 

High fives all around!!

I have to tell you, I went an entire month without eating a burger while here.

I know, right?

But one faithful night, I came across a restaurant that everybody said had "the best" American burger in Sicily. 

I had to try it out. 

The staff knew as soon as I walked in the door that I was American. 

I guess it's obvious. 

The burger I had was seriously amazing.

I was so impressed. 

Or at least I was really hungry. 

I was either really craving a burger... Or it was really just that good. 

High fives for the staff of 'Fud'. 

Good job. 

Stranger selfie Saturday!!

Tonight we went for a walk in a town called Taurmina. It was a gorgeous town, but there were a lot of other people around. I took advantage of this and stated what I am now calling "Stranger Selfie Saturday". It's where you pretty much just take a 'selfie' ( photo of yourself, taken by yourself ) with a complete stranger, and then walk away. Here were some of the best of the night...

This very confused man. 

This woman that was laughing really hard at something. It wasn't me... I promise. 

This old man. 

This very happy bride. (Yes, that just happened.)

This store clerk that was standing outside. He was staring at me anyway. 

That photographer and couple getting they're wedding photos taken. 

This really classy looking guy. 

And lastly... This man with a cowboy hat. 

What a country guy!!

The things I've learned...

These are the things I've learned since I have left... 

If you don't know where you want to go... Put the map down and wander. 

Never say "I wish." Always say "I will." 

It's okay to be the person people stare at. 

Ask your questions.

There is always a story behind something. 

Be the person who always has a camera. 

Take your risks. 

Try something new everyday.

Have fun. 

Be the person who isn't afraid to go first. 

Smile at strangers. 

It's okay to do something crazy. 

Write everything down. You will forget details eventually. 

Be comfortable with yourself.

Goodbye doesn't always mean for forever.

If somebody asks you to dance, always say yes. 

Don't stay with just one friend the entire time. 

Go out. You won't always have the option. 

Don't eat the same flavor twice until you've tried all of them. 

Tell stories. 

Other people are curious too. 

Don't worry about what people think. 

You will change. A little more each day. Make sure it's for the better. 

Open your eyes. 

Embrace the differences. 

If you have fun wasting time... It wasn't time wasted. 

Talk to people. No matter how large the language barrier is. 

Just live your life. 

The things I've learned...

These are the things I've learned since I have left... 

If you don't know where you want to go... Put the map down and wander. 

Never say "I wish." Always say "I will." 

It's okay to be the person people stare at. 

Ask your questions.

There is always a story behind something. 

Be the person who always has a camera. 

Take your risks. 

Try something new everyday.

Have fun. 

Be the person who isn't afraid to go first. 

Smile at strangers. 

It's okay to do something crazy. 

Write everything down. You will forget details eventually. 

Be comfortable with yourself.

Goodbye doesn't always mean for forever.

If somebody asks you to dance, always say yes. 

Don't stay with just one friend the entire time. 

Go out. You won't always have the option. 

Don't eat the same flavor twice until you've tried all of them. 

Tell stories. 

Other people are curious too. 

Don't worry about what people think. 

You will change. A little more each day. Make sure it's for the better. 

Open your eyes. 

Embrace the differences. 

If you have fun wasting time... It wasn't time wasted. 

Talk to people. No matter how large the language barrier is. 

Just live your life.