11/11/11

Today (11/11/11) at 11:11am in Germany, Fassenacht starts... the 5th season, Fasching, Karneval, or what we know as Mardi Gras. "What?!" you say? That's right. It officially begins today, and then lasts until Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent, but the big celebrations don't happen until the week prior to Lent. Mainz is one of the biggest Fassenacht celebrations in the country. Today friends and fellow Radolfzellers Mickey, Kate, and Shane are coming into town to help Ginny and me celebrate the beginning of a fun season. Can't wait!

More importantly, as I'm over here celebrating the start of chaos, I will not be forgetting that today is Veterans' Day in the US. We are a great nation. That is not to say that we are perfect or that we know it all or that some of our faults aren't glaring, but we are a nation of freedom, diversity, expansive beautiful lands, and Starbucks. I have really learned a lot more about how I feel about my home country by being a foreigner trying to make my way in Germany, and this Veterans' Day maybe more than any before, I realize what it is that our men and women in uniform stand up to protect. I admire their courage, and I'm thankful for their service. To all veterans and current members of the US Armed Forces - Happy Veterans' Day. <3