Anastasia

Free Time is a Luxury These Days

Here I am relaxing at home after a hectic week at work. It's that time of year again when esl exams are round the corner in addition to preparing school exams and organising the new school-year 2012-2013. I was a bit under the weather today and please pray I don't get that nasty virus which has been around recently. The weather has been playing up again! We had some warm, sunny days end of April which gave way to a cloudy and rainy early May while today temps went up to 26C! Honestly, I don't know what to wear! See why I hate spring? Wearing jeans and T-shirts plus a jacket seems to be the best  option while looking forward to our long, hot summer. My summer break starts on June 23 - not that far - so I can dream of my summer holiday in July and plan it with Alkis. I dream of unspoilt beaches and lazy days in the sun, secluded coves and ....astakomakaronada  (lobster pasta) by the sea. But right now,  I'll love you and leave you and go back to marking my students' IGCSE Mock Examination.

 

Saturday Night Out at Ktima Georgiadi

Located on the old road Nicosia-Limassol, between Skarinou and Kofinou, at about 25 km from Larnaca, Ktima Georgiadi is probably one of the best options in Cyprus for a night out with good friends or family. The well-known Greek Cypriot singer Stella Georgiadi and her brother Pieris have made their father's dream come true: the return to innocence, the return to their roots, the return to tradition far away from the bright lights of the city. 

Ktima Georgiadi - my friend Andreas Morfitis on the dance floor.

Stella Georgiadi Live

My friend Andreas Morfitis who invited us to a great night out at Ktima Georgiadi.

My friends Stavros Rossos and Andreas Morfitis - alias "gerondas" - wise man.

Pieris and Stella have turned a traditional, old mansion into a Greek taverna  where you can let off steam, eat, drink, dance  and sing with Stella and her band.  In the summer, you can enjoy the show under the stars and the orange trees where Stella and her siblings played when they were kids.

Stella Georgiadi and her daughter Eleftheria who had her b-day yesterday. Her gorgeous mum sang Happy Birthaday to Eleftheria.

Stella Georgiadi who did not hesitate to give up on a bright career as a singer in Athens and return to her roots.

My husband Alkis

Last night, Alkis and I had a great time there with good friends. After a long week at work, it was THE perfect night out. Stella will welcome you to her mansion with an old Greek song which she sings amongst her guests without music or micro. A big hand follows and then the show begins with Stella and her band.  Prices are reasonable, yet the food needs to be improved. 

 

Photos and video by Anastasia Marou for Anastasia

 

Carnival Fun

The Limassol Carnival is one of the most important events in Cyprus, related to the Dionysian Festivals of the classical antiquity. It is a joyful and colorful event that attracts both young and old, locals and visitors, making Limassol the carnival center of Cyprus.

The festivities begin on Shrove Thursday (February 16th) with the entrance of King Carnival in town and  last for ten days. The Limassol Municipality organizes various events such as open-air parties, children’s parades and serenaders evenings.

Τhe Grand Carnival Parade on Sunday, February 26th, is the culmination of the carnival events. It will start at 13.30 from St. Nicholas roundabout and will proceed along Makarios III Avenue.

For the detailed programme click here

via www.cyprusevents.net

In Nicosia where I was born and reared, the Carnival was certainly not as popular as it has been for years in Limassol. As a child, I never used to dress up or go to fancy dress parties. Having been to the Carnival in Limassol about 10 years ago, I had so much fun that I decided to dress up for Carnival and go to fancy dress parties in Larnaca! Neredless to say I had a great time! But just like in hometown Nicosia, the carnival isn't very popular in Larnaca either, so I haven't been to a fancy dress party since 2008!

Funky Nurse in 2006

Crazy hippie in 2007

Brazilian Girl in 2008

Is Carnival popular in your area?

 

Love is .......

Alkis and I would usually spend Valentine's Day somewhere special. But this year we both had a long day at work, so we celebrated Saint Valentine's Day at home. After all, home is as special as any place can be.. It was 9:30 pm  when I got back home from work. Alkis said he was starving but , nevertheless, greeted me with a red rose and a glass of champagne....despite the football match on TV - APOEL-LYON.  As the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, I made my famous Beef Stroganof - Alkis's favourite dish! For starters, I made what I call "Love Nest" - a pastry pouch filled with French cheeses and smoked ham served with a great French red: Chateauneuf du Pape - Les Cadres. For dessert, we had some Valentine's Chocolate Heart bought at Zorbas Bakeries.  

Many people don't believe in Valentine's Day but we do. Alkis and I believe that Love should be celebrated on a special day while enjoyed throughout the year - just like we shouldn't thank our loved ones on Thanksgiving Day only  or thank God on Christmas Day only. Right? To me, love is turning an ordinary day into a party for two and celebrating it on a special day.

What is your definition of love?

An Eventful Week in January

Monday, January 23, 2012

I woke to the sound of roaring thunder and torrential rain and refused to get up at 7:00 am. My gym class was at 8:00 but I knew I'd miss it!  I didn't want to know what was happening outside and subsequently covered my head with the pillow...hoping that I could go back to sleep for yet another hour. So I did. Alkis had already gone to work when I finally got up at 9:30. It was still raining heavily. I got to work just in time for my first lesson at 11:00 am. 

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

I couldn't believe it was still raining today! On the plus side, we do need rain in Cyprus after such a long period of drought. Despite the weather, I was at work at 8:30 am  It was a long day which ended at 9:20 pm. The rain was going on and on when I got into the car at the end of day....but the car wouldn't start! I tried again and again....I toyed with the idea of calling Alkis , explain the problem and ask him to pick me up.... but I knew he'd laugh at me and say "You've choked the car...again!" I've only choked the car twice in 25 years - that was the second time.  I lit a cigarette and let the car cool down.... 9:35 pm - I gave it another try. Thank Goodness!  I managed to start the car and go back home.  I mentioned the problem to Alkis over dinner. "When was the last time you had it serviced?" he asked. Ohhh! I couldn't remember... ages ago? Before going to bed, I made a mental note to have the oil changed by the end of the week and schedule service some time in February. 

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

I got up this morning feeling terrible. I had fever (38.5), a splitting headache and a lousy tummy.  I made an effort to get up and go to work...yes, I am stubborn. On Wednesdays, I have my French lessons - three double periods. All of a sudden, I got dizzy and almost passed out. That's when I decided to cancel my lessons and visit the doctor.  Alkis had already flown to Zurich on a business trip so I spent the rest of the day in bed.  I did take my medication and I remember having eaten some chicken soup.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

I think the medication PLUS the chicken soup did wonders. I felt much better today albeit a bit under the weather...

Friday, January 27, 2012

I felt much better today and even  went to the hairdresser's. The work day went off nicely and my car did not act up again. I was back home  by 9:30 pm. But ... I couldn't find my keys! Where on earth were they?  Luckily, the main door of the building was open - I'd really hate to disturb my neighbours -  and then I tried hard to remember where I had hidden my second pair of keys! Meanwhile, Alkis called me from Zurich. I said I was ...just fine! It took me 21 minutes to remember where I had hidden my second pair of keys! When I stepped into my flat at  10:10 pm, I was exhausted and ...frozen!

Right now , I'm looking forward to a long, cosy weekend ahead. Monday is a school holiday.

Christmas 2011 at the Golden Bay Beach Hotel, Larnaca

Naturally, Santa was there too!

Christmas at the Golden Bay Beach Hotel has always been a unique experience but it seems to me that this Christmas it's been the best ever in more ways than one.  Everything was just perfect: the decor, the music, the joyful festive atmosphere and the food! My mother and I joined Alkis early in the afternoon on Christmas Eve, had a light snack and then went up to our rooms to take a nap and get ready for the Christmas Eve Gala Dinner while Alkis went back to work. After a hectic week at the school which ended merrily with the Christmas party on Friday afternoon,  it was the best way for me to start my Christmas break.

The Christmas Eve menu was an amazing, gastronomic experience as the Executive Chef went out of his way to create .... works of art. Here's what the 6-course festive menu consisted of:

Smoked salmon pancake roulade with prawns and caviar cream for starters.

Chicken Cream Soup with Almond Crumble

Duck Rillettes with Red Onions and Mandarin Refish followed by an Orange Sherbet with Cointreau to refresh the palate.

Roast Turkey Rolls with Liver and Pine Nuts Stuffing and Foie Gras Sauce married with Wild Pork Loin with Pheasant Cream Mousse , Vegetables and Potato Amanti.

Baked Cheese and Chestnut Tart Light Chocolate Parfait with Cinnamon Cream and Rasberry Coulis.

...followed by coffee and sweet bites

Apart from the food, I was particularly impressed by the Home Band who played Christmas melodies throughout this exquisite dinner and later  helped us....burn some of the calories on the dance floor! 

We even got Christmas weather and white Christmas for all those who celebrated high up in the mountains of Troodos. On Larnaca Bay, we got strong winds and  downpours on Christmas Eve, overcast skies and some sunny intervals on Christmas Day.

How was your Christmas? 

On Christmas Eve

Me and My Brother in 1962

Christmas Eve invariably brings back happy memories of my childhood and adolescence.  As a child, I remember Dad getting us a tall pine tree - there were hardly any artificial Christmas trees in those days - and all the family together would help to put it up and decorate it. In the evening, mum prepared a special dinner of various snacks which we all enjoyed by the fireplace while listening to Christmas carols, often singing along. At 10 o'clock, both my brother and I had to go to bed or else Santa wouldn't visit. Terrified at the thought, we both went to bed on time after making sure there was some milk and Mum's delicious Christmas cookies by the tree for Santa.  

Then one rainy Christmas Eve, my five-year-old brother had a great idea: " How about waiting for Santa to come? It's raining and he might get wet.  We can dry his boots and clothes by the ashes of the fireplace while he's enjoying the milk and cookies! " I was only eight  but still believed in Santa... yet I had my doubts. " What if Santa doesn't visit? Mum and Dad said he'd never visit if we are awake!"  "Yes, but Mum and Dad would be very proud of us when we explain that we just wanted Santa to leave us in dry clothes!" , my brother replied. That was the end of a dream. We hid behind the curtains only to find out that Santa was ...Mum and Dad! They didn't even drink the milk or eat the cookies!

As a teenager, I was weird! I sometimes loved Christmas and sometimes hated it! Yet on Christmas Eve, I'd always look forward to the pine tree, mum's cooking and the presents, of course. I was 14 years old when ....Santa brought me a typewriter!!! I used to type all my school work as well as my Diary entries.  A few months later, on my birthday, my parents offered me a typing course. I never missed a lesson! To this day, I can type my posts without looking at the keyboard.

My most embarrassing Christmas Eve was in 1981.  I was still a student in Geneva, Switzerland when I decided to invite a few friends over. I promised them all that I'd cook .... le canard  à l'orange  - a  traditional French dish in which the duck is roasted and served with an orange sauce as well as with glazed chestnuts . Needless to say, I had no idea how to cook this and there was no Internet at the time.  Alkis was just a student at the hotel school , then, but he saved my bacon ! He glazed the chestnuts and the carrots beautifully, roasted the duck in my mini oven stove and made me feel I was the queen of Swiss- French   gastronomy! He also MADE  a Christmas log for dessert! This  Holiday Season , Alkis works on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day but I'm glad to spend these days with him at the hotel . Soon after the Holiday Season, we are going away on a short Winter holiday.

 

Life Begins at Forty

I had a wonderfully carefree childhood and a relatively easy adolescence despite the fact that I experienced war at the age of sixteen. Thinking positive, this helped me to mature a lot. I was only 18 when I met Alkis in Switzerland. I was a cheerful, plump girl then but this did not prevent Alkis from giving up on his gorgeous Swiss girlfriend and ask me out. In my mid-twenties, I married  my Prince Charming. And I'm very glad to be with him now- almost 30 years later- despite some rocky times we've been through. 

In my mid thirties, I lost my mind! I started feeling insecure about me, about my body. As a result I became obsessed with working out. I'd never miss a gym class then - whether that was body pump, body attack (high impact aerobics) or combat. I only hated dancing such as latin dancing or jazz. It took me two years to realise how silly I was!

At forty, I realised my blessings: a husband who ...still loves me no matter how I look, my mum and my brother who are always there for me, and, most importantly, I did not feel insecure. I still go to gym classes and enjoy them when and if I can.  It's pretty much like blogging, you know. 

In 1932, the American psychologist Walter Pitkin published the self-help book Life Begins at Forty. Pitkin stated confidently:

Life begins at forty. This is the revolutionary outcome of our New Era. Today it is half a truth. Tomorrow it will be an axiom.

At fifty something, I can enjoy pancakes and ice cream with no guilty feelings. And I never skip lunch or dinner however big the pancakes are!

 

The Wrong Day

In Cyprus, we tend to celebrate name days more than birthdays.  According to the Greek Orthodox Church, a child should be named after a christian saint. Although in recent years, the Church no longer refuses to christen a child by the name the parents have chosen, most Greek Cypriots would name their children after a grandmother or a grandfather who's already got a christian orthodox name. Very often, not naming a child after a grandparent may lead to serious misunderstandings and arguments between parents and grandparents. As a result of this ritual, name days are very important here.

Yesterday was a terribly busy day at work for me, so I went to work much earlier than usual. It was 9:30 am when I suddenly remembered my mother's name day on the 25th. I had not even got a present for her! In a panic, I called Alkis and begged him to send some flowers to mum despite the fact that I knew he was jammed with work. He was preparing a meeting at that time, but he said he'd ask his secretary to arrange that. I emailed him the wishes for the greeting card and his secretary did not delay one minute to place the order.

Later in the morning, while I was planning lessons on Microsoft Outlook, I had a look at the date. It said: 25 October 2011. Oh no! My mother's name day is on 25 November! Saint Catherine's Day! No sooner had I realised that I sent mum flowers on the wrong day than I called Alkis back but ..he was at the meeting and his mobile phone was set to silent. I texted him hoping that he'd do something to stop the delivery of the flowers .

When he called me back, it was too late. The flowers had already been delivered. My mum called to thank me for the lovely surprise!  She thought the flowers were a birthday gift! When I told her that I had forgotten her birthday and that the flowers were meant for her name day, she laughed and said that  she loved both the ...surprise and the flowers!

The funny thing is that Alkis' secretary thought she'd call her cousin Catherine to wish her Happy Name Day. The cousin said: "Are you crazy, girl? My name day is in a month today!"

Have you ever done anything on the wrong day?

Our Wedding

Twenty-eight years have flown by since that sunny October Saturday when I  married my Prince Charming. We both lived and worked in Geneva, Switzerland then and most of our common friends lived  there as well. Most importantly, we had met and fallen in love in Switzerland.  So we decided to get married at the Orthodox Church of Chambesy in Geneva.  I also wanted to avoid the traditional Cyprus wedding where more than 2000 people are invited by the happy couple's parents! In Cyprus, after the church ceremony, a reception is usually held at a hotel during which the happy couple receives the wishes of hundreds and thousands of people - most of whom are complete strangers! But they're the parents' friends and relatives!!! After the hotel reception dinner is held  for close friends and family - usually about 300 people!

Most guests would give the happy couple an envelope containing money instead of a real present! Surely, by the end of the day all the wedding expenses have been paid off in addition to the fact that the happy couple can also purchase the house of their dreams. All this sounds like business to me and this is the only reason why I did not do my parents' favour and get married in Cyprus. In the end,  parents and close family accepted our decision and travelled to Switzerland for the wedding.

Our wedding reception was held at Le Parc des Eaux Vives  by lake Leman.  Alkis and I had a great time and so did our 73 guests.  A dinner was organised for our families and close friends but we did say that we wouldn't be there! We wanted to start our honeymoon and spend our first night as a married couple in the city where we first met - Fribourg. The following day, we set off to Falera - a small village in the Swiss Alps near Saint Moritz.

 

Twenty-eight years later, I feel blessed to have known so much happiness.  We had our ups and downs, bad and good moments but we've been through them together. This year, our wedding anniversary is on a Saturday and we are going to celebrate it just the two of us. Alkis said he'd surprise me!