Christmas 2009

Christmas Eve - Thursday, December 24th 2009

I had been looking forward to this first day of the Christmas break since early December which is invariably the busiest month of the first school term: piles of homework to mark, last tests of the term, prepare the Christmas activities and organise the Christmas party for the kids. Having finished all my Christmas shopping since Sunday, I got up later than usual and enjoyed a festive breakfast  - hot croissants, eggs and bacon, cereals with fruit and yoghurt and freshly ground coffee. I didn't do much the rest of the day other than email or call friends and family to wish them a happy Christmas.

Alkis came back from work around 6:00pm, had a short rest and then we got ready for the Christmas Eve Gala Dinner at the hotel where we celebrated with some good friends. Everything was absolutely perfect: the elegant decorations, the candles on the tables, the food, the music and above all great company.

Christmas Day - Friday, December 25th 2009

After almost three weeks of stormy weather, low temperatures and heavy rain, we woke to a bright and sunny Christmas with the temperature rising to 23*C. We had spent the night at the hotel, so in the morning I enjoyed my breakfast in the sun gazing at an incredibly calm sea and reading Laurie Lee's Cider with Rosie. Some people were jogging on the beach in their swimming costumes while some children were playing happily on the lawn. Alkis had already gone to work since early in the morning and despite the late night we had had. I sometimes admire his energy and his stamina. In his shoes, I'd be dead!

A couple of hours later, I joined him at the lobby for a pre-lunch champagne cocktail party. During the sumptuous Christmas lunch at the Yacht Restaurant, Santa came to visit with lots of presents for everyone. The children, of course, joyfully ran to welcome him. On a sunny Christmas like this one, all he wanted was a glass of cold beer! Late in the afternoon, we went back home and opened up our presents. Santa was really extra good with me this Christmas!

Here are some photos of yet another memorable Christmas. 

Christmas 2009

Comments

[Laura]

You look lovely in that beautiful white dress, Anastasia. Sounds like you had a wonderful Christmas. Thank you for sharing the photos. Today is boxing day and, yes, I have already baked my Christmas pudding for...next Christmas! I guess I am very traditional deep in my heart!

[Mira]

Merry Christmass dear Anastasia!!!!

wish you lots of happiness, days filled with joy and smiles, be blessed always!

Loved your photos, thanks for sharing your celebrating with us.

with love & deep friendship,
Mira

P.S.
you look adorable in trousers!
great style:)

[Karolina]

Xronia Polla Anastasia mou. I can relate to the fact that Alkis has to work at Christmas but I also know from my own experience how rewarding this can be. The hotel where I work is closed untill April so here I am back home after a very long time. Alkis is very lucky to have a very understanding wife like you with a positive thinking. Judging from the great photos and your description your Christmas must have been magical. We had a very merry and noisy Christmas back home with all the family gathered together.

[Andreas]

Xronia polla glyko paidi. You look great in white! Like Alkis I was also working over Christmas but we had a small party at the clinic. Loved your photos!!!

[Faith Barndt]

What a wonderful Christmas and you look beautiful, as always.

I spent Christmas Eve going to church and then to a dinner with friends from work and church. It was wonderful seeing friends I never get a chance to talk to and laugh with because we are always so frazzled at school.

That night after we left the party, my roommate, Barbara and I exchanged our gifts. The next morning she went to her family's house for breakfast and Christmas gifts and I went to my brother's home for brunch, which changed to dinner (which really was sandwiches and then gifts.) My 3 greats (niece and 2 nephews under the age of 7) were all there enjoying all their treasures. Around 4, I packed my dad into my car and went home and fixed a ham dinner for him, Barbara and me and all of us exchanged gifts.

It was a wonderful day but I was missing Mesut terribly. I am trusting God to bring us together online again (since he does not have a phone or internet right now) and that we will be able to really be together soon.

God will prevail!!! God bless you my dear friend. Enjoy the rest of the break. We go back to work Jan 4th (bah humbug).

[Phivos]

Merry Christmas sweet girl. All the very best to you and your family.

[Christina]

Merry Christmas and happy New year to all. Fabulous photos! I also like your very trendy trousers suit and all that food! I could have two desserts!!! I followed your advice and had a very merry Christmas too. On Christmas eve I went out with friends and came back home at 6:30 am!! But I got up just in time for my mother's traditional family reunion at Christmas. She had called me three times to make sure I would be there!

[Anastasia]

I love Christmas pudding and I always buy one from Marks & Spencer's. All you have to do is boil it for an hour and flame it before serving. Naturally it does not equal the real English homemade pudding. I am very traditional myself, Laura, and I think it's nice to preserve tradition and pass it on to the younger generation.

[Anastasia]

Merry Christmas, Mira, and thanks for stopping by. I don't often wear trousers when I go out preferring skirts and dresses but this is my favourite trousers suit and I thought it'd be nice for a change. Best wishes to you and your family.

[Anastasia]

I used to hate the fact that Alkis had to work throughout Christmas and New Year. But I soon realised what you say: it is so very rewarding. We usually invite friends and really have a nice time together. But I do envy your merry and noisy family!

[Anastasia]

I sometimes miss spending Christmas with the family but I don't have the heart to leave Alkis knowing that he has to work. I know it's not like Christmas at home but we make the most of it and have a good time. I'm praying for you and Mesut all the time and I hope that you will soon be together again. May the New Year bring you and Mesut together. "If you believe in something very much, it will happen" That's what my father always told me.

[Anastasia]

Thank you very much for your wishes, dear Phivos. Warmest wishes to you and yours for the New Year.

[Anastasia]

Mothers! Aren't they all the same at heart? Glad you had fun, Christina. Believe me it's not worth crying over the spilt milk. Xronia Polla kai Kali Xronia!

[Anastasia]

When I was a little girl, I was always sad on Christmas eve because dad wasn't with us. My mum told me that I should be proud of him because his job was to save human lives and had to be at the clinic. Unfortunately, nowadays, hardly any private doctors are on duty at Christmas. I bet you enjoyed the little party at the clinic. My love to Taylor.

[Constantinos]

Sounds like your Christmas was wonderful. You really look great in white! I love your dress and the fur coat. Very smart and discretely elegant. The red accessories are the perfect match for an all-white outfit. Happy New Year!

[Alexia M]

Many times I had to work on Christmas and the New Year. And many times I was so tired that I went to bed at 10 pm on New Year's Eve. For the last 2 years, I prefer to work in the summer and take Christmas and New Year off, although this is not always possible. But I miss friends and family in those days. Thanks for posting the photos. They are super!

[Anastasia]

Thank you for your expert opinion. Although I'm very interested in fashion, I refuse to be a fashion victim and I'd rather mix and match following my own style and preferences. Happy New Year!

[Anastasia]

A wise option, Alexia, although I can't imagine myself working in the summer! But it's always nice to spend time with the family at Christmas. Glad you liked the photos.