Winter to Spring, the Happiness You Bring

Have you ever felt a high? I mean of course a natural high on life I am referring to. I did again today. And of course some readers are thinking I might be high writing this but I can assure you I am not. Its one of the greatest feelings oneself can have but not many experience it. I was in a complete natural high on life today floating or perhaps wondering around a park in Roma, happy as can be. I was alone. My happiness had nothing to do with the money I have, my material things or my relationships but that I was happy with myself. Happy of the blessing I have been given by God. Happy of my life.

After couple of hours wondering around the park on my natural high, I laid down on the grass and finished a book I was reading. For the first time in a long time, I was reading something other than a law book and I couldn't put it down. I laid down, rolled my shirt up to get some rays on my back and finished my book. I viewed the world around me and thought that so many people will never get to experience living in a foreign country where they know no one or the language and make friends, learn to get by and experience just a simple day in the park. I was pleased with myself that fear has never stopped me from experiencing life. Its the fear that drives me to move out of state or voice my opinion against a boss or move around the ocean.

 I observed dogs chasing each other and children playing ball and adults drinking and chatting. No one had a care in the world and neither did I. Witnessing a grandmother helping children fly a kite, I began to reminisce the times I have flown a kite as a small child and thought how much fun I had flying that kite. Sometimes you forget the simple things in life and finding pleasure in the simplicity. I was having the time of my life with myself wondering the park, smiling at children and enjoying my own company alone with my thoughts.  Maybe its my dominant personality or liking it my way, but some of my best simple memories are when I was alone, traveling alone, spending an entire day alone in my house dancing with my dog and singing off tune to songs that once played too many times on the radio. Maybe because I found a way to just be happy with myself. I learned to be truly independent that my happiness has nothing to do with the man in my life or not in my life or my friends or family. I do forget this lesson I learned from time to time but when I am truly being one with myself and my natural high kicks in. I feel I can do anything in the world, change the world.   So I thank myself today for giving myself the opportunity to enjoy a simple day in a not so simple city Roma and thank God for the sun that has finally shown its face in Italy, the trees that sang a soft tune as the leaves moved and the free entertainment and italian lessons provided by the children of Roma. 

~ Visited Villa Doria Pamphili

Buona Pasqua with The Biggest Celebrity on Earth

Italy celebrates Easter in a big way. They spend 300 euros on a feast for Sunday lunch and take 2-3 days just to recoup from celebrating Jesus'  resurrection. Also, in Italy and many European countries, Easter Monday or Pasquetta is national holiday where most schools and shops are closed. Lucky for me my teachers really used this holiday, as most Italians do, and took the whole week off.

My sister came and visited me during the most important religious holiday Easter and I decided to get free tickets to the Easter mass with the new Pope Francis in St. Peter's square. I obtained my tickets through a Catholic College that has a satellite campus here in Italy. I am grateful for the young 'sister' who gave me the inside tip of what to expect on this day.

Tips for large mass held in the Square: First the joker looking costume guys Swiss guards hand out pamphlets for the Easter service. There are english translations inside and they have one reading in italian, one in spanish and one in english and throw in some german and french in there. There are four entrances to get inside. The two side entrances have metal detectors and x-ray scanner which make the lines go slower but they are closer to the front. The 2 entrances towards the center but in the back have no detectors or scanners but longer lines as most amateurs come through that entrance.  The best entrances is the left side entrance as most don't take the time to go to this entrance but it was well worth it. The lines are not organized, not controlled you are squeezed into from have a 10 person wide lane into one. Believe me be comfortable with the people around you.  Luckily we had a man nearby who wasn't afraid to tell people to get back in the line when they tried to skip, not even NUNS. Yup even made the nuns get back. No shame but hey we all waited in line since 7/7:30am. Yes to get to a 10:15 mass one must be in line at 7am to get a close view of the Pope.

As you enter St. Peter's, people sprint to the front. I mean people literally run to the front to hurry up and wait for 2 hours. Its an incredible scene to watch such faithful followers hall butt to get a glimpse of the Pope. So as I entered the Square I too ran threw the maze to get a good standing "seat" for mass.  Best "seats" aka standing room is by the railings, luckily my long legs landed me a great "seat" on the center railing towards the front.  So we wait, we packed sandwiches, ate, talked to fellow americans, germans and latinos until Mass started.  And, if you're along the railing you actually get to receive Holy Communion by the Priests, which we blessfully did. I have tried to live in Roma on a higher level of spirituality and hope in faith and attending the Mass here can help anymore in their doubts in Christ.

It was an unforgettable experience to celebrate Easter in the Catholic Center. If you don't know, the Pope is the biggest celebrity on the planet. I am convinced. From plus 50,000 people all to stand in the heat or rain or cold outside, some who cannot even enter the Square but crowd the streets just to get a glimpse of the Pope, to where millions go and see the Pope while he visits their country in their hometown, no celebrity is ever valued as much as the Pope. At the end of the mass, the Pope got into his "Popemobile" and drove around the crowds. Just writing that brings a smile to my face because I forever have the images in my head of the crowds cheering Papa, Papa, Papa!!! The Pope stopped and kissed a baby and at another point picked up a small child who was mentally handicapped, who had my sister and several other in tears.  Jesus has risen from the dead and a small part of my faith has grown a little stronger be a presence of something higher than I can imagine. Buona Pasqua.