Anastasia

On this gloomy and rainy winter day, I can hardly resist a glowing fire and a cup of hot chocolate

 

August is Special

Time for me has passed by in a flash since June 17 when school broke up for the summer. I had so many things to do in these last five weeks, like shop for the holidays, see good old friends I don't see very often when I work, go to the cinema, go to concerts, go to beach parties, read books, create a new blog, spend a long weekend  in Protaras and a week in Kos.

Photo Credit

When I had a quick look at August 2011 Calendar, I realised that I've only got 19 days left off work. I'm back to work on the 22nd to start preparing for the 15th school year at my language school. and the 4th online year at English Today. which is a free online course of English as a second language. But. right now, I'd rather feel the salt in my hair and my feet in the sand!. Alkis went back to work soon after we came back from Kos, but I hope that we'll have the chance to get away for a weekend before lessons start in September.

August in Cyprus is not only the hottest month of the year but also the month when everyone goes on holiday - both in public and private sectors. A few years ago, I used to enjoy spending time in my hometown Nicosia which is a ...ghost town in August since almost everyone is away.  Larnaca has nothing to envy, now. On the contrary, this small seaside town has a lot to offer such as great beaches, summer concerts, beach parties, the best greek tavernas and many cultural events.

August is a very special month for me because on 21 August 1976, Alkis asked me to be his girlfriend and I accepted. I could never imagine then that we'd spend a lifetime together filled with so much love and happiness.

 

The Moon

I sometimes wish I were a better photographer so that I could take a better picture of the moon as I saw it tonight from my flat. It was so bright and shiny against a black cloudless sky. The moon has always exerted a strong fascination on me, hence I love:

• its magic
• candlelit dinners under the stars and the full August moon
• a good reason to dream or daydream
• a good reason to feel romantic.

And whenever there is a new moon , I love to watch it or simply contemplate it. In what ways has the moon affected you, if it has at all?

Vitamine C, Rhinoxehal and Green Tea

I was in the middle of a lesson on Friday afternoon when I started to sneeze every two minutes. According to a Greek superstition, when somebody sneezes you should ask that person to name a number up to 24 - the number of letters in the Greek alphabet. The person or people you know whose name begins with the letter corresponding to the number are supposed to be thinking of you. So, my kids kept naming letters ...I think everyone I know was thinking of me on Friday!!! Alkis included!

Although I'm now used to his business trips abroad, I had missed him and was looking forward to a great weekend - just the two of us. He had flown back from London earlier on Friday afternoon but, unfortunately, when I finished work on Friday night, I greeted him with a slight headache and a runny nose that spoilt my make-up and lipstick. His words were music to my ears. He said I was just as beautiful! We had a light supper but I was unable to resist the vanilla fudge he brought from London and, of course, I was delighted to upload all the wonderful photos he had taken in London for My Photo Blog!

I spent most of the weekend talking with Alkis. I honestly didn't feel ill! It was just that runny nose and  no, it wasn't an allergy! Ok here are my symptoms: a terribly runny nose, a slight headache, sneezing - no sour sore throat, no cough, no fever. Alkis insisted on me seeing a doctor but I told him I'd see the free family online doctor first. Then he said: "Oh really? Now I know you are ok". On Saturday afternoon, I took the Quiz - Cold or Flu? The verdict   diagnosis was an allergy! I think the online family doctor was wrong. Because first thing on Monday, I visited my chemist and she gave me Vitamine C and a decongestant nasal spray called Rhinohexal (it contains xylometazoline! - whatever this is). I loved the Vitamine C - you dissolve the tablet in water and , believe me, it does taste like Fanta ! As for the nasal spray, it does wonders. My nose isn't as runny as on Friday. Together with Green Tea, this combination is probably the best to fight a cold.

 

 

Facebook Vs Twitter

When I first started an account on Facebook, it was mainly to find old classmates and some good, old online friends I had lost contact with. All I had to do was to either import contacts from an email account or just type their name! I was so excited when I finally managed to find so many great friends! Thanks to Facebook, we can keep in touch, write on each other's Wall, share photos, links, videos or personal updates. And this is why I find Facebook the best social network ever.

On the other hand, I do feel a bit of an "outsider" on Facebook. Most people play games. I like games as well but the ones on Facebook are promoted by apps which require access to your personal data - that's what I don't like! And besides, I like to write! Blogging  to me is the best social media ever! And, of course, I'm glad TypePad provides the one and only blogging interface on Facebook. My Facebook friends who really know me also know that I'm not there to play games. I'm there to keep in touch and let them know what I blog about, or post a personal update. But whenever I have some extra free time, I'm curious to see what my friends are posting.

A few months ago, I joined Twitter out of curiosity. All right, fair enough, it took me some time to figure out how this social network works. I understand that I can only use 140 characters or so to keep in touch with friends!  So, instead of concentrating on what I wanted to say, I caught myself being distracted by the character count!  My illustrious ancestors, the Spartans, said "To lakonizin esti filosofia" meaning that brevity is wise. But they meant words...not characters!

As William Henry Davies (a Welsh poet) once wrote, life is meaningless if we take no time to stand and stare. What would you choose? Facebook or Twitter ?

Superstitions

The most famous of all Greek superstitions with very old roots in Hellenic culture from the time of paganism is, by far, the evil eye.  Paintings of Greek triremes over two thousand years ago have an eye painted at the front of the trireme in an attempt to ward off the Evil Eye.  The Evil Eye is known widely throughout Greece and the  Greek Islands.  The Evil Eye is said to be able to strike anywhere without notice and no one can be the wiser. 

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Think back to a time when someone complemented you on how nice you looked only for you to have a painful headache immediately after. Happenings such as this are attributed to the Evil Eye. To ward off the Evil Eye several things can be done.  An eye is painted into the middle of a blue charm; this charm is then worn as a necklace or as a bracelet.  Blue beads can also be  worn instead of the eye charm in the form of a necklace or bracelet. The reason the color blue and the painted eye are used is that both are thought to ward off the evil of the eye.  Unfortunately people who have blue eyes are thought to be exceptional givers of it. Believers of the Evil Eye are weary of compliments received from a blue eyed person.

It is also said that a clove of garlic has the ability to ward of the evil eye.  Many people keep the clove of garlic in their clothes or in their pockets.It is customary for Greeks to use Garlic to ward off evil.  Garlic is believed to ward off demons and evil spirits in the same manner that incense does.  Demons and evil spirits are believed to fear it. If you find garlic hanging in Greek businesses or houses it is there for the purpose of warding off evil.

 

In Greek superstition, if you sneeze it is believed that somebody is talking about you.  Since you do not know who the person is you may try to figure out by saying out people's names.  If you say a name and you stop sneezing it is thought that that is the person who is talking about you. Another way to find out who is talking about you is asking someone for a three digit number.  You then add the three digits together and come out with another number.  Using the final number, you count down from the start of the alphabet.  The number you get must be less than or equal to the maximum characters in your alphabet, in the Greek Alphabet this is 24, in the English 26. If it is more you count the numbers together once again to find a smaller number.  The letter the number falls on is the first letter of the name of the person that is talking about you.You can then think of people you know whose name begins with that letter.

Photo Credit

Tuesday is considered the unluckiest day of the week for the Greek people.  It was on  Tuesday May 29th 1453 that the unimaginable happened and the city of Constantinople fell to the Osman Tribe, the "Ottoman Turks".It is often said that  businesses that open on this day have a black mark against them, and many Greeks who believe in this superstition will not venture into a new business on a Tuesday. The number 13 is considered lucky by Greeks in the setting when it stands alone. However, when Tuesday and 13 are placed together they are considered unlucky in the Greek culture. So Greeks  will watch out for Tuesday the 13th not Friday the 13th.  It is the combination of the date "Tuesday"  with the number "Thirteen" that is considered very unlucky to the Greek people. 

Photo Credit

Crows are seen as a bad omen, often foretelling death. Upon seeing crows cawing, it is believed that the crows are announcing the death of an individual.  Greeks believing in this superstition will often say to the birds, "Go on your way, and bring me good news."

Source - GreekSpider

As far as I am concerned, I am superstitious to some degree. For instance, I believe in the evil eye. I remember an occasion when I was complimented by a friend while shopping. Soon afterwards I fell down and sprained my ankle! Although I love animals, I'd never have a black cat with green eyes for a pet. And I'd never make important decisions on a Tuesday 13. However, I don't consider sneezing a superstition, yet it's fun to play the alphabet game.

What kind of superstions do you have in your culture? Do you believe in them? 

Thinking Positively

in Larnaca Sunset

Photo by @anastasia.marou

Positive thinking--being optimistic and hopeful--is a habit anyone can adopt with some practice. Why might you want to do so? A positive attitude and optimistic thinking are healthy. The power of positive thinking is that hopeful, optimistic people are healthier, live longer, and report greater satisfaction with life than those who might be labeled pessimistic.

Positive Thinking and Reality

Positive thinking is not ignoring reality. Bad things happen to positive and negative people alike (though Law of Attraction advocates may disagree). The difference is that positive thinkers tend to look for the best in a situation. That doesn't mean they ignore the negative event, just that they accept it and look for ways to make things more positive.

Positive thinkers believe that good things abound, that opportunities exist aplenty, and that the majority of people are positive and well-meaning.

via changing-personal-habits.suite101.com

Judging from my own experience, thinking positively has helped me a lot to  face rocky times or difficult situations effectively and seek solutions and eventually get rid of stresses and strains. I guess I tend to think like Scarlet O'Hara in Gone With The Wind: "Tomorrow is another day." And when something goes wrong in my life, I say to myself: "Chin up, girl! Tomorrow is a new day! And things will get better." Sometimes, they don't, but by expecting the worst, you deprive yourself of positive energy which can help you make things better. After all, we are the architects of our own future.And let us not forget that after every sunset, after the darkest of nights, there's always the promise of the dawn and the greeting of the rising sun. 

Cooling Down AND The World Cup Fever

Do I love football? No, I don't! In fact, I believe that only men are .... naive enough to run after a rubber ball! As I'm typing these lines, my husband with some friends are eating finger food and drinking beers while watching Greece playing Argentina.  Thank God, I'm quite safe in my study although I can hear their inarticulate screams! They sound scary! It's been a hard week with hubby glued to the TV and to all sorts of sports shows featuring the World Cup. I know he wants me to watch the World Cup with him but I really can't. All this football fever is giving me a headache! He was very understanding, though, when I lovingly told him yesterday that I'd rather watch Greek Idol  AND he is very happy now with the finger food I prepared for the Grand Match -  Most of you know that I think positive and even in rocky times I can see the silver lining in every cloud. I don't think Greece will be the winner,though. But please don't trust me. I'm a football dummie! Of course I won't tell Alkis. After all, hope dies last. And, although I am a football lamer, I truly hope the best for Greece. 

Time to cool down after an unbearably hot weekend. It was hard to resist the call of the sea - when it's only 4km away from home - and staying indoors glued to the computer was not what I really wanted to do. So, at last, I had my first dip in the sea while enjoying frappé on the rocks. Thank God, the next World Cup is in 4 years' time! What a relief! Cheers!

The Ideal Holiday

Summer is officially here as temperatures have been rising nicely in the Eastern Mediterranean for the last few days. I have a feeling that the heat wave in Greece will hit us very soon.Without rhyme or reason, more often than not, weather conditions in Greece move our way after a couple of days. I don't really mind hot weather - what is air-conditioning for, after all? We had 33*C (91*F) at midday today but we still enjoy cool evenings outside, in the garden or on the veranda. I know it won't be long till we get those humid nights during which straight hair goes curly and curly hair turns out lovely! I sometimes wish I had curly hair!  When I first came to live in Larnaca, back in the 80s, I used to really hate humid nights but now I love them, even when you feel you can eat the air with a spoon.

Kefalonia - Sunset

Summer to me rhymes with holidays. It's that time of year when you can dream of the ideal place to get away to and forget all about problems and chores and daily routine. My ideal summer holiday destination is Greece and the Greek Isles. Even on a popular, touristy island, you can always get away from the hustle and bustle. You can always explore places off the beaten track. What I love most in Greece is the hospitality of the people. There are only few exceptions. The Greeks are by nature friendly and hospitable and they'd really go out of their way to be helpful. 

The Island of Symi

 

The Island of Skiathos

I hate holidays in the mountain. The weather is quite unpredictable and there's hardly anything you can do in the summer other than hiking. I also hate to swim in rivers and lakes and I usually avoid swimming pools. I need to feel the salty water and play with the waves! I'm not adventurous, so far-away exotic places are really not for me! I honestly can't understand why so many Greek Cypriots travel to Maldives, Bali or Phuket when the beauties of Greece are only a breath away.  I also hate holiday packages. Both Alkis and I prefer to explore a place on our own rather than depend on someone else's plans.

Exploring the River Evros - Alexandroupolis

Concerning accommodation, I'd never go camping. I like 5-star hotels if and when I can afford them because, after all the long hours at work during the school year, I need to be spoilt  while on holiday. I'd never book a hotel which hasn't got (a) a gourmet restaurant and (b) a ...health club!!!   Food is more important than the health club, though. But I do like to work out for 20-30 minutes while on holiday. Agrotourism is something I'd like to try one day but surely not in the summer.

All photos by @anastasia.marou

Cactus Flower

“Who wants to become a writer? And why? Because it's the answer to everything. To ''Why am I here?'' To uselessness. It's the streaming reason for living. To note, to pin down, to build up, to create, to be astonished at nothing, to cherish the oddities, to let nothing go down the drain, to make something, to make a great flower out of life, even if it's a cactus.”

 Enid Bagnold quotes (English Writer, 1889-1981)

Cacti are symbols of patience, endurance, persistence and nostalgia for the days of yore. ~ Unknown Author

And so are mine. My cacti reflect a part of my personality - I'm a very patient person, otherwise I wouldn't be a teacher! My endurance is above average and I believe that persistence makes success and, yes, my cacti evoke some kind of nostalgia for the "days of yore".Naturally, I let nothing go down the drain - not even some olive oil from leftovers as I have been recently told by my plumber that letting any kind of oil go down the drain can cause severe damage and eventually block it!

A year ago, I hated my cacti as they never seemed to grow! I'm quite wreckless at types of plants and unable to remember their names. Cactus is a catchy plant name - one more reason why I love it!  Cacti are also known as low maintenance plants as they require little attention for their healthy growth. I was told that they need to be exposed to adequate sunshine, so I moved them from my study room to the terrace. The good thing is that we've got plenty of sunshine for about 9 months a year. They grow very slowly and need little watering and they do grow better in clay pots! 

I'm sorry you can't see clearly the gorgeous orange flower that suddenly grew on one of my cacti. I'm afraid the lenses of my camera betrayed me!  That little orange flower reminded me of one of the greatest films I've ever seen - "Cactus Flower" directed by Gene Saks and starring Ingrid Bergman and Walter Mattahau. That's one of the best movies Hollywood has ever produced. A dentist pretends to be married to avoid commitment, but when he falls for his girlfriend and proposes, he must recrute his nurse to pose as his wife. Ingrid Bergman plays the nurse who sees, at last a flower growing next to the cactus decorating her office.... Cacti might just as well be symbols of everlasting love.