Christmas Letter 2009

Merry Christmas (unfortunately it will not allow me to type the 8 different ways to say Merry Christmas from the 8 different countries I visited this year!
I had a busy year. It was been truly memorable. I did cover a lot of ground here in Greece too. Highlights were Monamvasia, Meteora, Delphi, Porto Heli, Nafplio.
For Easter I went to visit my friend Natasha (Price) Sewell in Germany. We met at St. Francis Episcopal Day School –my first job! Then I went over to Amsterdam – hit the Keuhenhof Gardens at peak time the thousands of tulips were gorgeous.
In June I went to Budapest, Hungary. I had a wonderful mud bath and thermal bath! At the end of June mom came over and we went to the island of Naxos.
Beginning of July, a friend from Costa Rica (Stefanie from OK) came over for a week and we saw Delphi and went to the island of Mykonos! Mid July my good high school friend Adele and her husband John and their 3 year old daughter came over for a week. We hit mainland places in Greece – on the Peloponnese.
August I went on my dream vacation of an African safari in Tanzania. I saw the Big Five animals (buffalo, rhino, elephant, lion and leopard) and tons more. What an experience this was – -truly unbelievable! I even went on a hot-air balloon ride – gliding over the Serengeti as the sun rises, is not too shabby!!!! Then I volunteered with the Maasai people – another fantastic experience.
I have had constant communication since I left Tanzania to help support the children attending these schools. My current students and the elementary school have raised enough money to sponsor 5 of the students. This money raised will pay for 5 girls’ room, board, supplies and education. I, myself, have also sponsored a girl.

End of August, my friend Suzanne (from Stone Ridge) came to visit for 2 weeks. The first week we went to the Miller’s place in Provence, France and then went to the Greek island Santorini.
At the end of September, I went to Munich, Germany to participate in the traditional Oktoberfest! That was a lot of beer!
For Thanksgiving, I went to Cairo, Egypt and saw the amazing Pyramids. Riding the camel was a definite highlight!
And now in 3 days I will be loading on another plane to head back to the United States! There was some doubt if I was going to make due to the threat of British Airways but hopefully now it will be smooth sailing. I am going to my parents’ house in SC. We will celebrate Christmas there but then head to Disney World where we will meet up with my sister and her family. I haven’t seen them since August 2008! I am sure I will be shocked on how much Austin and Heidi will have grown. We will do Disney for 5 days and go visit my grandmother. Unfortunately my grandfather passed away in October, so it will be a difficult time for Grandma. They were married for 63 years!
I can’t believe I am already in my second year in Greece. So the big question is what are am I going to do next year? I am attending a job fair in London at the end of January and I hope to find another job in Western Europe. I am not quite ready to move back to the states – so this may give some of you another opportunity for you to visit me! We will see what 2010 has in store for me!
I wish you all a happy holidays! I hope that 2010 brings you joy, laughter, adventure and wonderful memories.

Cairo Egypt - Thanksgiving09

What an amazing trip I had to Cairo over this Thanksgiving vacation. Although I couldn't find anyone to go with - I was hardly alone. The company TouchEgypt was very professional and competent. I learned a lot about Egyptian history and Muslim culture.

I stayed at the Sofitel - Pyramids Hotel in Giza. As I left my hotel and looked left I could plainly see the second largest pyramid.

I arrived Wednesday. Thursday, I was picked up by a van with driver and my guide Mohamed Yonis - since there are so many Mohameds he suggested I call him Yonis. (Eunice) We had a very busy day. We started at the city of Memphis which was the first city in lower Egypt.

He gave me a great history lesson about how the upper and lower Egypts were formed about the Dynasties. I really don't ever remember learning about Egyptian history.

We then continued to the first step pyramid This is where King Ramses (if recall correctly)was buried.

Then they took me to a carpet weaving school. Where, of course, I bought a weaved rug which I think I will hang. After that we went to rent a camel. Yonis wanted to know if he could just meet me afterwards and I said I wanted him to join me - give me more history lessons so he came but on horse. I truly enjoyed the camel ride. I rode for 2 hours with some getting on and off the camel -which the camel didn't really like! It was comfortable and I really height advantage!

It was the perfect time of year to be in Cairo - I can't image doing this in the heat of the summer. It was neat to see horses and camels running through the sand of the Sahara Desert. I didn't go into any of the pyramids but climbed a little onto the second largest one. Although this one does look taller because it is on higher ground.

After the camel ride, I was taken to a glass / essence place and then to a papyrus store and how it is made.

I continued my Thanksgiving day events by going to a friend's friend's house for dinner. She and her friends are working at the American Cairo School -so it was neat to be among fellow Americans for dinner.

Friday was a huge Muslim holiday - Eid - the feast day is celebrated with a slaying of a sheep. Those who can afford a sheep keep 1/4 of the sheep and then give the rest to the poor. So I had the day off from tours. However, in the evening I met up with an ACS family the Brownes and we went to the Sound and Light Show of the Pyramids together and then dinner. They also were using ToughEgypt.

On Saturday I had a tour of the city of Cairo - Yonis picked me up again and we headed to the Citadel. We had to take our shoes off and I put my scarf around my head to respect the Muslim the culture. I have only been in 2 mosques before and coincidently the same architect built each one - this one and the Blue Mosque in Istanbul! We then headed to the Khan Khalili Bazaar downtown - some stores were open but not many due to the holiday. Then we went to the Egyptian Museum - we saw part of the Rosetta Stone and the King Tut exhibit. Unfortunately no one could take pictures inside - in fact you had to leave your cameras in a room!

Cairo is a huge city - 22 million people. 55+% of the people are below poverty. Trash is everywhere. Traffic is insane - modes of transportation include cars, trucks, busses, mini busses, carts pulled by donkeys or horses, people riding bicycles, or donkeys or horses or camels. And there are hardly any traffic lights!

Wine Touring

Me beside many bottles at vineyard #3!Christy, Colin and Terese testing at vineyard #2.

Vinyard #1 taste testing.

Dwain organized this great day on Saturday. 17 of us (including Harper the baby) loaded up on the rented mini bus to drive to the northern part of the Peloponnese to visit 4 different wineries. It was a perfect fall day - sun shining (about 70 degrees). We were given good tours and explanations of how each of the 4 wineries processed their grapes. And more importantly were given great wine to sample.

Off the bus with all our wine!!!!

After the third winery we stopped for lunch and then headed to our last one. We all returned with at least 2 bottles of wine in hand - some many more.

Here's a video of the labels being put on the bottles. Cheers!

Athens Classic Marathon - 5 km

Despite the wet, wet weather - many people (supposedly 10,600 people registered) showed up for the 27th Athens Classic Marathon. We met at the Marble Stadium (Panathenaic Stadium) downtown in Athens. There were many ACS participants from friends, colleagues, parents and students. Our ACS team of about 120 were running for PNOE - an organization in which my friend Dave supports and he was the leader of our ACS team. PNOE supports families with children who are being treated in the Intesive Care unit. The true marathoners began at Marathon Tomb (42, 195 km from the Marble Stadium).

The rain didn't really let up until the end (my end). Even before we began, our group got split up - so luckily my good friend Kate and I travelled together! We were definitely at the end of the pack at the starting line, however, passed many walkers and finished our 5 km - quite wet in 47 mins 27 secs.

We definitely ran our last bout as you end running into the Marble Stadium with people cheering you on - that was quite an incredible feeling. Everyone gets medal at the end too!

We stuck around to see the first few marathon runners cross the finish line in about 2 hours and 15 mins! Then we went and ate at the Hard Rock Cafe. On my bus ride home I saw many marathoners still running the race - they had about 8 km to go from my neighborhood. I saw many Canadians running - it was neat to cheer them on in English and they all sort of did a double take yet appreciated the cheering. One guy stopped to take a photo of the church in my square and I asked him where in Canada is he from and he responded Thunder Bay - ever heard of it? Of course I told him my good friends went to Lakehead and I had climbed the mountain - Sleeping Giant!
It was a great day of achievements. It was pretty cool to participate in a marathon (although only 5 km of it) in Athens, Greece.

Halloween

If I don't say so myself, I threw a great Halloween party this year!
I had received Halloween decorations which helped (since they don't celebrate Halloween here).
I made the food into a Halloween theme - I served Mold Dip (blue cheese dip), Mold and Mildew Dip (Spinach and Artichoke Dip), Cockroach Dip (bread, walnuts, garlic dip), Vomit (pumpkin dip), Bat Turds (butter tart squares) and finger cookies!!! Everyone came in costume and it was fun night.

Life After Death

As most of you know, I am not one to write my political or religious views on my blog but I need to do this one. I really don't believe in life after death, however, I am questioning my beliefs. I may be just overanalyzing this incident but I am going to share.

Unfortunately, my Grandpa passed away Friday (I heard on Saturday). He had many health problems and he died peacefully at home with my uncle and my grandmother. It is definitely difficult to lose someone and especially being so far away. I was so looking forward in seeing him in 2 months when I return home for Christmas.

It has been raining here in Greece for about 5 days straight. This past weekend was a washout, so it was a good weekend to curl up, stay in the pajamas, read and relax. And reflect. On Sunday, I was basically here on the couch in my livingroom for the entire day. Looking through the sliding glass doors and watching the rain come down. Mid morning a pigeon flew on to my balcony and starting pecking at some crumbs and plant bits. This pigeon continued to walk around the balcony. It tried numerous times to go through the glass of the sliding glass doors and almost came into my bedroom as that door was open (we don't have screens here). This pigeon then just hung out on my balcony for a good six hours. It slept by the door for a long time too. The same pigeon.

And so in my thoughts, I was kind of thinking that this pigeon may have been Grandpa coming to spend some time with me before he flew up to heaven. Over six hours..... and so I was happy to have the pigeon keeping me company on Sunday. And I will never know but maybe there is life after death.

a few observations about ME

a few observations I know about myself but have really surfaced in the past couple of weeks:

I cannot hammer a nail into the wall straight.

I love the tool the leveler!

I love toast (just picked up my friend's toaster).

I really think I have ADD - I go get smething for the task I am doing and 30 minutes later I wonder why did I come in here - oh ya to do that other task. Therefore I begin many tasks and never seem to finish one of them!

If I buy produce, I really need to use it/eat it within a few days because then I cannot recognize what I bought a week later and I have wasted money.

I love the iPod shuffle option - it always plays songs relating your mood.

Although my mother tried so hard to make me plan ahead and finish projects ahead of time, it didn't seem to stick with me - I am an eleventh hour person!

I just learned from a friend that my messy desk (and other messy things I leave messy) is due to time management problems.

It takes no time for my place to get messy but takes a hell of a long time to clean it up!

All for now - Halloween party this Saturday so definitely a new posting soon!!!!!

Majestic Meteora

Due to the Greek political elections, all schools were closed on Friday and Monday. I can honestly tell you I have no idea what the views of the men running but they keep mandating these elections which is fine with me because it means no school and an opportunity to travel somewhere! So this weekend, my friends and I went on a 5 hour road trip up north to Meteora. Although historians do not know the exact date when the monastaries were built, they believe the monastic life began in the Byzantine period. Meteora means 'in the air' as these monastaries seem to suspend atop of the rocks between earth and heaven. At the peak of this area, there were 24 monastaries - now there are 6 (4 for monks and 2 for nuns). The rock formations are incredible themselves but add the monastaries and it is sheer beauty. The buildings seem to have grown out of the rocks. There is a lot of greenery around which blends the natural beauty of this area. I went to St. Stephen's and Roussanou (nunneries) and the Holy Trinity monastary. We drove to the Metamorphossis monastary - the largest, but only saw the outside because it was closing.

My quiet time and the monks' quiet time -

his looks more peaceful and natural than mine!

Oktoberfest 2009

Within 44 hours, my friends and I flew to and from Munich, Germany and experienced the festivities of Oktoberfest!!!!
We were a little worried that we would not get into the beer tents as most people make their reservations 11 months ahead of time. However, we learned that if you are willing and able to drink at 10 am - you are all good!

Saturday morning drank at Paulaner Tent, then took a nap and went out in downtown Munich for dinner. Sunday morning drank at Hofbrau Tent until around 2pm.

Oktoberfest is much more than 15 beer tents which can hold about 6, 000 people - imagine 6,000 people all drinking 1 litre steins of beer, eating chicken, ribs, bratwursts, singing and smoking - kind of like a fraternity party!!!! And outside the tents, it's a huge fair with rides, food, games, souvenir stands, etc. And for the most part everyone is wearing the traditional German clothes!
What an experience! Ein prosit, Ein prosit.....

Thanksgiving Trip Booked

Okay I have booked my Thanksgiving vacation - I am going to Egypt! I am so close - only a 1.5 hour flight. I will be flying into Cairo.

Does anyone have any suggestions of must-do there? I have found a great company which I make an itinerary. Besides the Pyramids and doing a camal ride - does anyone else have suggestions? I will be there for 4 nights and 4 days.

The website I am looking at is www.touchegypt.com - it was recommend to me by other ACS families.

Let me know!

Can't Sit Still- Next Trip Booked

As my friend Lara so clearly declared - "You can't sit still!" I can't!
My friends Dwain, Kate, Lindsey and I are going to Munich to attend Oktoberfest next weekend. I am so excited! Our plane tickets are booked, our hotel room is booked and now we need to work on getting reservations for the beer tents!!!! We leave at the crack to dawn Saturday morning and get back late on Sunday evening.

Jill's Rejuvenated Weekend

I had a "Jill" weekend and I LOVED it! A "Jill" weekend is time for "me, myself and I." The rest of my friends went to an island for the weekend. Saturday, I did errands around Agia Paraskevi. I, finally, finished unpacking my suitcase from Santorini. I did laundry, purged some clothes and purses, had photos developed, cleaned, sorted through papers, etc.
Sunday I didn't leave my pajamas until 8pm. I spent the day on the computer - organizing photos, surfing the web, Skyping, writing (responding) to emails. At 8 pm, got dressed and walked down the hill to watch the new Harry Potter movie at the open theater - of course, it rained! Fortunately, I came prepared, found coverage and put on my raincoat! I was kind of disappointed with the movie. Not much action or climax. But then again always good to see a movie in English.
Today, I skyped with a friend in Hawaii (it was Sunday there and it was Monday morning here - weird, eh?) then went to the post office, bank, pilates place, light place, grocery store. This afternoon was the best part of "Jill Weekend" - I used part of my gift certificate to the Grande Bretagne Spa. I got an hour long hot stone full body massage. It was heavenly and now I feel quite relaxed!
Everyone should take time for themselves. I know it is easier for me but I highly recommend it! "Jill's Weekend" was needed and was a success!
Now back to work tomorrow - probably more students, chaos and stress but that's tomorrow and today is today!

First Day of School in year 2

Today was the first day of school. Last week I had popped into school to show Suzanne around and picked up my class list (as far). 14 children - 7 boys and 7 girls! I thought great this is what I need from last year's 25 kids. Today was the first day of school - I have 21 students - 12 boys and 9 girls. There are almost 200 new students in the entire school.



Most of the newly added students are Greek children whose English language is very minimal. It really makes me upset and frustrated for the school to accept children with little to no proficiency in English - the native 100% Greek children have schools to go to. What about the foreign children or the Greek/another nationality students? They have limited schools to choose from. It isn't fair to the other students to keep packing in these children - it's not fair to us teachers. We have limited spaces, we don't have enough desks - to provide a good education (which parents are paying for) and to really help the students and provide more one-on-one help is very difficult to do with so many students. I feel badly for the non-native Greek families and children.

But as my friend says - nothing I can do about so just smile and teach!

Make-A-Wish Visitor

Today I met SuAnne and her husband John whom I met through Make-A-Wish in Maryland. They were in Athens for 2 nights before they began their island hopping vacation. I was quite impressed to learn they only brought carry-on luggage with them for 3 weeks - impressive!

We walked around Syntagma and Monastraki and then went to one of my favorite tavernas in the plaka. I don't know the name - I just call it the blue chair restaurant.

It was a nice visit. A photo will be posted here later when they send me it. I, surprisingly, forgot my camera!

Photos from France