Summer is here.

Spent a lovely day by the sea with a friend and enjoyed a cold cappuccino freddo. I love the summer in Greece.

Aerosmith Rocks!!!!!

On June 20th I went to the Aerosmith concert at Karaiskaki Stadium in Athens. It was one of the best concerts I had ever been to. The crowd was full of energy and the group gave an amazing two-hour performance. Steve Tyler was jumping up and down,dancing around the stage while Joe Perry wowed us with his unbelievable guitar playing. I will forever remember this night and hope to see Aerosmith again.

Joaquin Cortes-The King of Flamenco

On September 14th a friend and I went o Kallimarmaro Stadium to watch the last performance of the ultimate king of Flamenco,Joaquin Cortes. To be honest, I wasn't so sure I'd appreciate Flamengo dancing but I was happily surprised.

The performance began at 9:45 due to late arrival of some ticket-holders as usual. In the beginning, he performed traditional flamenco dances accompanied by 16 musicians. His graceful movement, the expressiveness of his face and body mesmerised us. He also had 10 female dancers who performed with him. They seemed to flow across the stage beautifully.

Unfortunately, some people didn't appreciate the performance and began leaving the stadium but they missed out because he was amazing. We moved closer to the stage as he spoke to the crowd in his sexy Spanish accent,thanking us for coming to his farewell performance. All of a sudden he jumped off the stage and began running across the Stadium and up the stairs. The audience went wild, hugging and kissing him. Upon reaching the stage he began dancing with such vibrance and passion that all the women were screaming like groupies;-)(ME included)

The man looks amazing for a 40-year-old. I love the new look with the shorter hair and trimmed moustache. If this tour comes out on DVD I will defintely get it.

No need for words.

The power and beauty of nature- a Celestial butterfly.

I think I'm more of a spring person

According to a quizz:

You Are a Summer Person
You are energetic, outgoing, and active.You love to be out and about... hanging out with friends or getting things done.Summer is the perfect time for you to be as hyper as you want to be.In fact, during the rest of the year you feel half-asleep!

It is true that I feel half-asleep during the autumn and winter but I love the spring for some reason. I enjoy being able to enjoy a nice long walk in the sun without feeling hot. I love the smell of freshly cut grass and the blossoming of the trees even though I sneeze. I believe Nature is at her most vivid and vibrance at that time.The sky seems bluer, the foliage greener and the flowers brighter.

Florence-The flower of Italy

The second big stop in my journey was Florence. It is a breath-taking city surrounded by magnificent architecture and unbelievable masterpieces.I could have easily lived there for a year just taking in the sights and admiring the art. I was overwhelmed at the beauty of the paintings in the Uffizi gallery and wondered how these great painters managed to create something so divine. It was a very spiritual experience which I will forever cherish.

This is one of the paintings which I thought was amazing.It's from a postcard though since we were allowed to take photos in the gallery. Magnificent artists such as Botticelli, Lippi,Raphael to name but a few can be found in this gallery.
Florence is a must if you are planning a trip to Italy especially if you like art and architecture. Besides this, the city has a lot to offer. Lovely cafes and restaurants,nightlife, fantastic street performers from all over the world and very friendly people.Let's not forget it's also a great place to shop;-)

Roman Holiday

This summer, I decided to visit Italy for my summer holidays. I have always wanted to go as I have been intrigued by its vast history and culture. My first stop was Rome which was amazing. I fell in love with the historical centre and I could almost feel myself going back in time(if it weren't for all the tourists). I couldn't believe how well-maintained their historical sights were. Each piazza (square)had something new and amazing to see. No matter where you looked,you'd see sth of interest. I was mesperized by the beauty and craftmanship of their churches. Just sitting in them you feel a sense of serenity and peace.

The city at night was rich with a spicy aroma of savoury dishes. Unfortunately it was quite hot and sticky and we didn't have much of an appetite except for refreshing gelato;-) We walked along the Tiber river which runs in the middle of the city. During August small kiosks and bars are set up so that the Romans who are unable to leave the city and enjoy their evenings. It was a great opportunity to meet and get to see the Roman lifestyle.

The Trevi fountain was one of my favourite sights. It is said that if you throw a coin into a fountain and make a wish then it will come true and you will return to this place with the one you love. There were hundreds of people there and it was very difficult to take a good picture.

I can't say that I was all that enthusiastic about the cuisine though. We didn't really eat out that much as it was quite hot and we were never in the mood. We tried to find tradional restaurants to eat at but I have to say that my pizza is better;-)

On a whole,it was an amazing experience and I would like to go there again one day.

I recently got into watching the tv series called House M.D and I can't seem to stop. I have to say that it is fabulous. Fast-paced,compelling and thought-provoking. Definitely not for hypocondriacs that's for sure. The British actor Hugh Laurie is so believable as the sarcastic american medical genius who heads a team of diagnosticians at a teaching hospital. Each episode shows an even more bizarre case which has to be solved as well as showing us the personal lives of the characters and how they face situations. I can't wait to see seasons 3 and 4.

You have an a great life, and you consider yourself very lucky.Although you're thankful for what you have, you know you're also a bit of an underdog.You are modest, authentic, and sincere. You don't boast... if anything, you're self deprecating.You aren't formal, and people consider you to be very approachable. You remain relaxed and casual in any situation

Alphabet Quiz

A. Attached or single? Single
B. Best friend? I am blessed with great friends including my koumbara
C. Cake or pie? Definitely cake preferably chocolate
D. Day of choice? TGIF:Friday.
E. Essential item? My cell unfortunatley I am addicted
F. Favorite colour?Purple
G. Gummy bears or worms? Gummy bears, esp. Haribo ones :-)
H. Hometown? Athens,Greece
I. Favourite indulgence? A manicure,buying CDs. And ice-cream.
J. January or July? July because I love to sit on my ass;_0
K. Kids? Not yet.Have to find prince charming still
L. Life isn’t complete without? A good job, a good man and good friends. Have to agree with you on that one.
M. Marriage date? At some time during 2009 if you have anyone to recommend:-)
N. Number of brothers and sisters? Only child
O. Oranges or apples? Apples. Best thing about autumn
P. Phobias? Being burgled
Q. Quotes? C'est la vie
R. Reasons to smile? Listening to music while I am driving
S. Season of choice? Spring. I love it when everything blossoms and the sky seems a little bluer during that season.
T. Tag 5 people. I can only think of one person. You know who you are:-)
U. Unknown fact about me? I used to play the violin for 5 years when I was young
V. Vegetable? I love almost all of them. Yum.
W. Worst habit?Indecisiveness
X. X-ray or ultrasound? Ultrasound.
Y. Your favourite foods? Pizza, steak and all desserts especially ice-cream.
Z. Zodiac sign? Taurus through and through

High School reunion

On Saturday night I went to my High School reunion. It was held at an 80's club near Varkiza which was awesome. For weeks prior to this event, I changed my mind at least 20 times. Why you may ask? Well many things went through my head:Have I aged a lot? Will they think I'm successful enough?Will they judge me or feel sorry for me because I'm still single? I know you may think it's silly but these issues bothered me. I finally decided to go and I don't regret it. It was fantastic. I saw friends that I hadn't seen in a very long time, reconnected with people I had lost contact with and actually made friends with people with whom I never thought I'd have anything in common with. All in all, a very pleasant evening of catching up and dancing. Now I can't wait for our next one:-)

THe ultimate adventure film of the summer:WANTED

On Saturday night, some friends and I decided to go to a lovely outdoor cinema theatre and enjoy a film it the cool breeze. We went to AIGLI Tellas in Zappeio. This is a fantastic theatre surrounded by the National Gardens in downtown Athens. It's awesome because you have the opportunity to enjoy a film in a very greek way:Eating a souvlaki with a cold beer or glass of wine.
We decided to watch WANTED starring Angelina Jolie, James McAvory(cute)and the very talented Morgan Freeman. The film is about a young man named Wesley who feels like he hasn't accomplished anything in his life until he meets Fox and he is inducted into a fraternity of elite assassins of fate with superhuman abilities to kill . They can pull off Matrix-style stunts such as shoot their target as their car is flipping upside down and curve bullets so they can hit their targets with precision. The odd thing is that they get their orders from a loom. Yes you heard me correctly, Fate decides who has to die so as others can live.
This film is visually exciting and the actors are very persuasive in their roles but the plot was a bit confusing while some scenes where quite gruesome. If you are a fan of adventure and violence then you'll love it otherwise go watch Mama Mia:-)

The end of Summer

Every September is the same. It creeps up on you and you dread going back to the routine and pressure of work. That's how I feel this year. I can't believe the summer is over. I can't complain though as I had a full 6 weeks 0f holiday this year and 4 weeks of working part-time. Despite this I still avoid some of my students calls. I keep thinking to myself"Just a few days more and I'll be ready to face them again" :-) Don't get me wrong, I love my job but it can get too much at times.

Yesterday I went to a lovely cafe-bar near the seaside called Agnanti. It's absolutely lovely. There was a gorgeous breeze and I had one of those summer drinks.

It was marvellous. The one great thing about living in Greece is that you have the oppotunity to do this almost all year round.

So enjoy the last remnants of summer and recharge your batteries for a productive and satisfying winter. KALO XEIMONA everyone.

Yabanaki fun

Yabanaki is a private beach in Varkiza about 3o minutes from Dafni metro station to the south east of Athens. It is the perfect escape for people who don't have the ability to get away to an island during the summer and it is reasonably priced during the week. The entrance fee is 6 euro and the lounge chairs are free during the week but cost 9 euro durning the weekends. For those of you who don't have the chance to go to an island this year,it's perfect. You feel as if you are somewhere else. The sandy beaches and crystal clear waters(can't be sure it's clean though). Just sipping on a cold beverage like a freddo coffee while listening to music is a great way to relax after a hectic day in the office.
I really enjoy going there as I've made some friends whom I see almost daily, I get the chance to take a swim and read my book in peace. It usually gets rather crowded after 5pm but quite nice during the day especially at around 10-12. But don't forget your sunblock as the sun is usually very strong at that time and you can easily get sunburnt.
Have a great summer everyone!!!

A little personal quiz

How old are you?
Late 30's
How many musical instruments can you play?
I used to play the violin but haven't touched it in over 20 years.
How many countries have you lived in?
Just 2. Greece and Canada.
How many schools have you attended?
Seven - 2 primary, 3 secondary, 1 college & 1 university.
How many boyfriends/girlfriends have you had?
Three boyfriends and two who I would have kissed but where never my boyfriends.
How many years since you last played on a swing?
A very long time ago. I must have been 11 or 12.
How many bones have you broken?
I've broken my arm and fractured my ankle. I've had multiple cuts and bruises as well. A bit wild as a child.
How many siblings do you have?
None.
How many home's have you had?
Five.
How many people have you kisses?
At least five but I was a big kisser as a kid.
How many languages do you speak?
English,Greek some French but I can curse in Italian.
How many times have you been in love?
Twice but had my heart broken both times. Infatuation is another story. I've got a crush on two guys at the moment but neither is really interested:-(

Is Paros the new Mykonos?

One topic or conversation in Greece is:Where are you going this summer? What I fuond interesting is that most of my friends and acquiantances said Paros. I've been to this island three times and it is beautiful. Paros is situated in the Cyclades island. It is an island full of natural beauty,picturesque villages,hospitable people and fantastic nightlife. There many things to do on Paros apart from swimming. There are a few historical sites as well as a lovely Byzantine church which is built over the ruins of an ancient temple. The taverns are full of fresh and tasty food especially for those of you who enjoy fresh fish,you'll definitely love Paros. The island is full of lovely cafes and bars as well like the one below. Captain Iannis in Piso Livadi has a breath-taking view of the marina and is especially beautiful at sunset. The cafe/bar is lively and fun at night as well. The owner is a Greek-Canadian woman who is friendly and with a great sense of humour.Paros is the ideal island for those of you who want to party and for those of you who want to relax and enjoy the summer. All you have to do is find the right place for you. Hey, maybe I'll go for a weekend too.

The Greek Museum

Last week I met up with a freind visiting from Torontoand we went to the Archaeological Museum on Patision.I was happily surprised as many changes have occurred. There were new exhibits including one on Ancient Egypt. I really enjoyed it(more thatn my friend I think). I can't wait for the new Acropolis museum to open in September-October.

The artwork and artifacts from Santorini is exceptional. I'd love to visit the museum there as well to see what else they have found from the cities which had been buried in lava during the volcanic explosion.

It's a real shame that we don't promote our cultural heritage more. I mean I only found out about Delos island between Tino and Myconos a few years ago and was in awe at the magnificent artifacts taht can be seen there. It's an entire island full of artifacts from different eras and civilisations. It is definitely a "must see"for those of you who are interested in history.

Beautiful Edinburgh

The final leg of my journey was Edinburgh. It is such a magical city. If it weren't for all the tourist you'd feel as if you were in a city during the 18th century. The walk up the Royal Mile to the castle was fantastic. The streets were filled with street performers,tourist shops and men in kilts:-) From on top of the castle,you have a breath-taking view of the city. I only wish I had had more time to explore the closes while I was there. Maybe next time

The castle is amazing. You can see the dungeons were prisoners were held and the conditions in which they lived. You can see the Crowned Jewels which are exquisitely detailed. We were quite lucky because we were there to watch the firing of the canon.

We were lucky enough to meet William Wallace as well. For those of you who have seen Braveheart you'll know who I mean. This guy was very informative and sweet. He even showed us what a Scotsman has under his kilt. Oh you dirty little minds:-) Not that. He showed us his tattoo of the Scottish symbol.

Lovely London

The second leg of my trip was to London. I stayed with two of my dearest friends whom I thank very much for more than their hospitality.I had a wonderful time taking in all the sights and lifestyle of London.On the first day we went up on the London Eye which was a real treat as it was a beautiful,clear day.Plus we did a little shoppping on Oxford Street.(You've got to love the sales in London. I know all Greek people do)The next day I went to the British museum. I've been there before but it always blows my mind at what you can see there. Artifacts from all over the world under one roof. It is something that anyone living or visiting London should see. I could have spent hours walking through the exhibitions.

On the next say I went to Madame Tussaud's wax museum . I know it's a bit touristy and not authentic English but well worth it. It is amazing how lifelike some of the figures seem. I won't go it to detail what most people where doing but it wasn't very nice(Oh Brad where have you been all my life??:-)But the best experiences in London were afternoon tea and going to see Mama Mia. I just loved sitting in a posh hotel atrium sipping delicious tea and eating scumptious sandwiches and scones. Yummy.As for Mama Mia, it was amazing and unforgettable. You knows, maybe I'll get the chance to see it again soon:-)London is a wonderful city with so much to do,see,experience and taste. It is somewhere that everyone so visit at least once in their lives. Plus ther is so much renovating and construction going on for the 2012 Olympics that it will be a totally different city in a few years and worh re-vsiting.

The first leg of my trip this summer was Paris. I had always been a bir worried about visiting France as I had heard horror stories of the French being rude and obnoxious to people who didn't speak their language which was the furthest from the truth. I was happily surprised that the French are very nice and accomodating people. My French is abysmal but even a few words are appreciated. Everyone from the waiters to the shop assistants to simple people on the street were friendly and made an effort to help me out. As for the city?Well what can I say,I could easily live there for a year and not experience all that Paris has to offer. The sights were beautiful, the museums exceptional,the food delicious and the weather, as you can see, amazing. Two things I wasn't crazy about was the Metro as it was very confusing and dirty and the tiny hotel rooms.Even though everyone who has seem where we stayed has said that it was quite large for Paris standards.I will definitely be visiting Paris in the near future and hopefully other parts of France as well as I believe there is so much to experience and see as well as taste:-)