The University Daily Kansan Valentine's Day Edition
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2000
For Valentine's Day gift ideas check out this site:
www.holidays.lovingyou.com/valentine/
WWW.KANSAN.COM
Student finds love in Spain
By Robyn Brooks Special to the Kansan
Elyse Neitzel returned home from a semester studying in Spain last year with more than just the usual souvenirs.
She came back with a new romantic relationship.
Elyse, Dallas senior, walked into a neighborhood wine bar in the late afternoon last spring with a friend from the study abroad program.
Patrons filled the bar stools as usual. But there was something different — one was taken by a younger man.
The two women, both 21, had gone there often since their arrival in Granada the previous month, but they never had seen anyone else their age there.
Elyse, who thought he was cute, nudged her friend and nodded toward him.
He thought the same about her.
"Dad, look at the blonde," Alfonso Luna said to the man sitting next to him. "Do you think she is from the neighborhood?"
Their view of each other was blocked by a column, so Alfonso walked outside to get a better look at Elyse. Then, Elyse did the same thing.
"She just did the same thing." he said to his dad. "I have to go meet her."
Alfonso began to walk out to the door again when Elyse yelled, "Are you American?"
"What?" Alfonso said in Spanish.
At that moment, Elyse knew he did not speak English.
He approached the women and asked in Spanish if he could sit down. Neitzel tried to say yes, but found herself just nodding her head.
Elyse knew little Spanish but was willing to make the effort to talk to Alfonso. After all, she was in Spain to learn and practice the language.
It was Alfonso's and his father's first night in Granada. They were staying in the hotel above the bar for five weeks while they painted houses. Alisono, 25, was from Malaga, Spain, an hour away from Granada.
After their initial meeting, they began seeing each other. He would surprise her at the house where she was stying, go 30 minutes out of his way to walk her to class, write her poems and meet her at parks.
at park "Our life together was without problems," Elyse said. "Whenever we saw each other, it was beautiful."
See LANGUAGE on page 3B
Dining out on Cupid's Day
Restaurant-goers will not escape waiting in line
By Sindy Greenfield
By Sindy Greenfield Kansan correspondent
While some people dread Valentine's Day, others dream of it. But regardless, it is still one of the busiest nights for restaurants. It is part of our culture to celebrate with a good meal. However, some people want to avoid the chaos and the crowds.
Sarah Brown, Overland Park senior, contemplated how she and her boyfriend would celebrate the day dedicated to devotion and love.
"We were thinking of going to the Macaroni Grill, but there will be a long wait," Brown said.
Although Brown only knew this in theory, she was right.
Romano's Macaroni Grill located at 9292 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, said that Valentine's Day is the busiest day of the year besides Mother's Day. Keon is expecting Valentine's Day to live up to its reputation even though it falls on a Monday.
Robert Keon, one of five managers at
Keon estimated that, on the average weekend, 2,500 people are served at Macaroni Grill. Valentine's Day weekend he is expecting about 3,500 people.
Even though an abundant amount of people are expected, no reservations will be accepted, but he will follow the normal policy of call-ahead seating. People are allowed to call in a month in advance. However, the only advantage to calling in early is being seated before walk-ins.
Along with no changes in policy, there won't be any changes in the menu, except maybe for dessert, depending on the available produce, Keon said. That makes it difficult for him to put an elegant and unique touch on a couple's Valentine's Day celebration.
"This usually cuts the party's wait in half." Keon said.
in. In the past, they usually place a variety of berries in a tall glass with layers of whipped cream. Keon is expecting something close to that variety this year.
While Sarah Brown doesn't have to journey to Overland Park to celebrate with her boyfriend, staying in Lawrence is not going to save her from the crowds.
Liz Dessert, manager of Paisano's, 2112 W. 25th St., is expecting about 800 people. Last year, the restaurant served 838 on Valentine's Day and 612 the evening before. Paisano's normally serves 200 to 500 people during weekends. And as far as reservations go, Dessert said they couldn't handle that type of volume, but a party may call a half-hour in advance.
"Last year there was no special because the restaurant was undergoing some management changes," Dessert said. "But this year, we want to try it because our staff is more secure in the business and we can handle more."
unlike last year, Dessert is debating whether Paisano's will have specials specifically for Valentine's Day.
$10 — Under the stars
Dinner at McDonald's, $8
$35 — On the big screen
Moonlight drive on the Scenic River Road, Free
Movie Down To You with Freddie Prince Jr., $10
$75 — natural high
Dinner at Paisano's, $45
Drinks at the Jazzhaus
S75 — Italian night
$150 — Out on the Town
Edible hearts student favorites
Dinner at Mad Greek, $25
Ice cream from Sylas & Maddies, $7
King-size suite at the Eldridge, $100
Broadway at Paradise Café, $15
Breakfast at Paradise Cafe, $15
— Prices are estimates for two people without tax or tip.
By Kate Nelson
Kansan correspondent
Having trouble saying 'I love you?'
No matter what the phrase, with a selection of more than 100 tiny expressions to choose from, NECCO, the company
that produces
Sweethearts brand
conversation hearts
probably has the
answer.
freshman. "I have given them to a lot of women."
According to the company's Web site, the conversa tion hearts are the most popular Valentine's Day candy in
His ideal conversation heart situation has yet to happen, however.
"I would feed them to a girl one by one and say each of the phrases to her," he said. "Then I would tell her she looks good
enough to eat.'
Some students consider them holiday essentials and use them as conversation pieces.
the United States
"They are cheap and cute," said Chance Smart, Wichita
and have been produced since 1902. Nearly 250 billion pieces of candy have been sold since; enough to reach around the world if placed back-to-back 40 times.
Mchnes, Overland Park junior, agreed that the hearts were a good choice for
Valentine's
day candy, but he said they should be adjusted to have Beatles lyrics on them instead of the traditional slogans.
"I want to hold your hand' would be a good one, or how about 'all you need is love'," he said.
No matter what the phrases, McInnes likes to eat the chalky candy.
"They are so good," he said. "I eat them by the box. They make me feel loved."
Conversation hearts come in six flavors: orange, peppermint, lemon, cherry, banana and grape.
"My favorite are the white ones," said Danielle Clock, Chicago freshmen. The peppermint-flavored candies are the only hearts she eats.
Others completely dislike the candy all together.
"Everyone gives them out,
but I hate the way they taste."
Jeremy Bennett, Kansas City,
Kan., senior, said. "It's just one of those things you can't ever get rid of."
NECCO introduced a new line of chocolate-flavored hearts with a millennium theme.
"I think chocolate is a bad idea, especially if they taste like chocolate and aren't really chocolate," McInnes said.
Childhood memories are part of the draw for some students.
school memories are a part
the draw for some students.
"I remember when I was in
elementary school and we
used to put them in or glue
them on envelopes of the little
Valentine's we exchanged
with other students," Caitlyn
Shirk, Olathe sophomore,
said. "You would get them in
your Valentine's box."
putting their hearts in it
Melissa Studley, Maria Kepka, Maren Bradley, and Christina Poell decorate sacks for Valentines. The tenth floor of Ellsworth worked together to create their own sacks for friends to put valentines in. Photo by Melissa Thornton/KANSAN
Flower shop employees brace themselves for the traditional holiday rush.
See page 7B
Roses are red
Whetting your appetite
According to folklore,some foods may heighten sexual awareness.
See page 3B
Valentine's Menu
1) Organic spring greens with dressing of choice
2) Linguine with Spicy Thai Sauce
3) Orange You Gonna Kiss Me Martini
3) Chocolate covered strawberries
Jason Williams/KANSAN
Cashing in
Many students choose traditional gifts of chocolate and hearts.
See page 4B
A couple's day
Married students change their celebrations to fit the needs of their growing families.
See page 6B
∨