My First Onomastico!

So according to the incorrect spelling of my name (when will they understand it's K not C?), today is my onomastico! Of course I'm going to celebrate- I am in Italy!

Okay, I hear the wheels spinning in your heads- what is she talking about now?

Stop looking at each other while making "she's crazy looks" so I can fill you in. 
 
Onomastico (oh-no-mas-tico) is the day that you celebrate the saint's name day you are named after. This day is often celebrated in similar ways as a birthday but is often a bigger deal than birthdays. I mean, who really wants to celebrate getting a year older?

I first learned about this Italian tradition when touring Monte di Procida with Enzo. How? Well as we were driving around, he stopped to say hello to someone and we ended up giving the guy a ride a few blocks. In this short time, I learned that it was this guy's onomastico when Enzo was asking him about when drinks would be bought. Apparently it's tradition to go out and celebrate with your family and friends. Yeah, Italy is an incredibly social culture so the way this special day is celebrated really shouldn't be that big of surprise.

I used this link to track down my official day, since I was originally told it was 29 April and who wants to have it the day after her birthday? I mean, I already celebrate my birthday week! If you can't find your name, or variation, don't worry- 1 November is All Saint's Day so it's the catch all for those of you with a not so common name. (Hey Nina- you apparently live in the wrong country! Check out all those country listings over this way. Can you deal with Nino so I can celebrate you here in Italy?)

So although Italian birthdays may give way to Name Day, after much thought I'm not willing to give up my birthdays just yet. Although I thought I'd just stay 28 for a while, my 28th year has been whirlwind of excitement, adventure, change I think 29 is going to be just fine. This just may be a tradition I carry back to the states when those 30-something numbers keep increasing. Eh, I've got some time to ponder all of this, and right now I've got my onomastico to celebrate!