One day more!

Although the song from Les Mis is totally inappropriate to describe my elation I look to it anyway because the title is.  Today was hot! Hopefully the temp in Italia will be cooler.  Weather says it will be around 80 the whole week, but who can really trust the weatherman?  I got a whole lot of nothing done on my journal, I suppose it's for the best.  It was stressing me out so I'll just take it in stride and rely on what I already know.  Cleared camera memory card, packed film camera, and now I know why disposable razors are so cheap.....needless to say I am taking a good razor with me.  Gah I am trying to write but I am way to excited to even think in complete sentences!  My current challenge: beat jet lag and sleep on the plane.  I already have earplugs, and with an in-flight movie like Eat Pray Love I won't have to think twice about using them.  And that, my friends, is a hard fact.  Till tomorrow then. In Italy. -Z

Both tick and tock

If I had one word for my day today it would be brilliant.  Not only did I have the honor of speaking at the Memorial Day remembrance on the square, but I was treated like a big shot too.  Walked with the mayor and city council and trustees!  Only a few people recognized me though, but that's not a huge loss.  Played some tennis with the guys on a full stomach (steak for lunch) and got slightly sunburned.  I swear, I put sunscreen on.  I'll be fine.  Here's the more exciting part: Italy, here I come.  Suitcase is packed, well mostly packed.  It'll get there tomorrow.  Grand diary (my personal notes on the places I will be seeing) is not nearly close to being finished, but you win some, you lose some.  You can't do it all, at least I certainly can't.  I do try the best I can.  If the day had 30 hours it still probably wouldn't be enough for me as I need all the time I can get....I have a lot that I want to do! But the time is ticking down till I board my place in CLE and hopefully arrive safely and without delay in ADR.  And let's also hope I don't have to sit next to crying babies, sick people, weird people, or any other unfortunate kind of person on my trans-Atlantic flight!  But that is most certainly out of my control!  I'll leave you with this: "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do in Italy!"
Cheers, Zach

And the date draws near...

As Wednesday approaches I become more and more excited each day.  Italy is going to be more than spectacular.  Do I have high expectations?  Of course!  After studying Latin and Art History and some Roman Architecture, I am going to want to see everything and experience all that I can.  My only regret is not making time to learn the language, but hey, you can't do it all.  I will literally be on cloud nine when my flight takes of for the first leg of the journey to Italia! I still have to finish my travel journal (and it will get done, I promise you).  Bought sunscreen and travel essentials along with thrift-store clothing so if I lose anything I won't miss it too much.  This is looking to be the most eventful two weeks of my life thus far.  Apart from Italy, the VFW post in town has asked me to speak at tomorrow's Memorial Day parade and I intend to do the best job possible.  I only have a few edits on my speech left and then I will be content.  Right now I am off to grab a bite and play some tennis. Till tomorrow. -Z