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!