It seems that our non-greek-speakers visitors/friends are increasing, friends from France and the UK are watching the blog (welcome guys), so i decided to post mainly in English (and some times in French if i can handle). That’ll be also a good practice for me, considering the IELTS and GMAT exams are taking place in the next days. It will also give a boost in the website stats which are not so high lately due to the summer break. Some of the visitors told me that they used Google’s Translate to automatically translate the webpage to their native language, but it didn’t work THAT well. Maybe i’ll try to translate myself some of the older posts if i have time.
Back to Athens after a short traditional 15th August trip to the cottage (mid-August is a big holiday here in Greece, celebrating “Maria’s” and “Panos” and everyone is taking some days off work). We held the annual gathering for my mothers name day as Maria. You know, people for the “hood”, mom stuffing everyone with all kinds of sweets and food, etc. Even though i was away from Athens just for a few days, the coming back wasn’t that pleasant. Dirty, noisy, old Athens. And even though i have to deal every single day with the housekeeping crap, i think i got used to be home alone. Thank god the scenario of moving abroad gets closer and closer.
This year’s 15th was combined with the Lunar Eclipse and the Full moon, which was QUITE impressive, and romantic of course, for those of you who had the opportunity to enjoy it with your significant others. All the archeological monuments were open/free entrance even at night, and both locals and tourists, rushed in the Acropolis/Thiseion to sit back and enjoy the view. We watched the “show” from my cottage’s garden with the rest of the hood folks.
Except the Lunar Eclipse, the 5-day 15-august-break went quietly, some sunbathing and swimming, some super-hot-super-humid days and some -few- night-outs. Most members of the gang got bored a bit quickly due to several factors.. (some guys going to the army, some guys just out of the army with new career worries, everyone is getting older thus trying to cut down booze). Anyway, it feels really nice to see friends who you’ve known from like 5 years old again, even though we don’t meet much in the wintertime. It’s like visiting family. I also had the time to read the “Sex and the City” book. Within a day or two. Hm, easy-reading book. Not so impressed with the “message” though. Anyway, i had seen and liked the series of course, but I am a bit worried if THAT book has affected the lifestyle of women (and people in general). Not a book for romantics let me tell you.
It always feels nice to re-open your email inbox after some days of inactivity. You never know what will come up and i love surprises! The emails were: Notifications about new apartments/collocation ads in Aix En Provence (i dont know if sharing an apartment would be a good idea..but maybe i’ll have to if i don’t find something good on my own) , one more late Helsinki job offer agency feedback following that of Digital Chocolate and Icareus (seems these guys liked me afterall), a greek guy asking for a web designer, a spambot promising 5.000.000$ in cash (yes it’s true i’m posting this from Tahiti while sipping my Pina Colada!), so not QUITE the suprise i was hoping for! pf. Better Luck next time. My zodiac sign (Aries) prediction mentioned lots of activity on the professional sector and change of location and stuff. Let’s see. If it’s written on the stars…
The main focus as you’ll have already understood is the Master’s thing taking place in France, Aix En Provence. There has been lots of debate and gossip inside and outside the family and the hood for that. My efforts to keep it “secret” were not succesfull. As we all know, people always want to comment on the big news if they don’t have much to do on their spare time. (aka gossip – greek word “koutsompolio”). And you know what they say. Opinions are like assholes. Everyone has one. So many times i was forced to nod along with every goddamn stupid thing i heard, thinking “yea,yea,yea…whatever”. Well let me tell you, the only reason that would stop me from entering the airplane on September, if the degree stuff goes well, would be World War 3, and i doubt that will happen anytime soon. Fingers crossed.
Giota my former classmate who suggested the city/university/master to me has been a great deal of help, providing as much information as she could! She has some big news also: At her small visit to Athens last week with her boyfriend she told me they’re getting married next year!!! Wow! It’s the first close friend i know that’s getting married. I was so happy to hear the news. She has been living in France/Paris for some years now with a French man she met there, and it seems they are doing great. I just wanted to take this opportunity and wish both of them the best! Live happily!! And see you soon!;) A Bientot les amis!!
I’ll post back with information about the city/location in general, and about the university, but i’ll wait for that until some of the exams are finished successfully. (i’m a bit superstitious). There are things to do in order to be on the airplane in 12th/15th of September so until those are in place i’m going to keep it minimal.
Have to run, i should wash a freakiously big pile of dishes and some clothes, if i don’t want to eat food with plastic spoons straight from the casserole and go out on my tracksuit or pjs. Talk to you soon (why’s everyone so silent? comment on!)
