Up date!

So I've been in Thessaloniki for about 4 months now, and I was having such a good time I neglected my blog. I'll start oFf with some highlights from the last few months:

1. I started and finished my first semester at ACT.
2. I've adapted to my environment
3. I haven't been to a beach yet :(
4. I experienced Oxi day.
5. Just celebrated Christmas and New Years, and now we are in a new decade!
6. I learn more about the place every day, and I appreciate it that much more.

Ok, So the school that I go to has a pretty diverse population considering its Greece. Greeks seem to be the smallest portion followed by various balkaners, and then the study abroad students (mainly American) make up the largest percentage (I'd say about half). The classes are limited in subject and even more limited based on who enrolls in them. For instance 2 of my classes were dropped because there weren't enough students in them. One was intermediate Greek, a huge disappoinment being that I wanted to continue learning the language while I am here, but even with out the class I've learned more Greek than I thought I could learn. It helps being around my Greek friends.

Thessaloniki is a big city, and very heavily populated. Where there are alot of people there are also a lot of cars. I come from a place that you don't really walk any where or take the bus, its been a bit of a challenge adjusting to crossing roads that stop signs are optional and redlights are still green 5 seconds after they turn red. Traffic is crazy in Thess, but perhaps that will change in upcoming years since there is a subway being constructed. Apart from adapting to the transportation, I've also become accostmed to the way grocery shopping is different here (you price your own fruit and veggies by weighing them yourself, and you bag your own groceries). I'm learning new words everyday, and I can communicate enough to get what I want.

to be continued..

I'm Here!

Loipon...eimai edw sthn Thessaloniki!. (So I'm here in Thessaloniki).
Its the most wonderful and exciting place I've had the pleasure of experiencing thus far. Its been 4 days since I've arrived, and I've been enjoying this place far too much to even sit down and write about it. But Now I will take the time to do so.
When I first saw this place from over head in the plane I was so taken with the landscape! The trees, the hills, and mountains. Its absolutely gorgeous. When I came to the center of the city, that sits right on the water I could only stare at the sight and take it in. Everywhere there are people walking, sitting and talking over coffee. The entire strip is lined with cafes.
The people here are incredibly friendly, and truly know how to enjoy life. As for the food, I think this place ought to be dubbed one of the culinary capitals of the world. From slouvaki, to sweets, and coffee beverages of all sorts, and of course the traditional greek cuisine, its all extremely delicious.
to be continued...

The day has finally come!

Its early morning August 31st, and I am SOOOOOOOOOOOO excited! I can't even sleep appearantly. My body needs time to wind down from the hectic day of getting things ready. Wow, I can't believe I'm flying to Greece today/tomorrow. Its gonna be a long ride, but I'm looking forward to every minute of it. I'm flying some 5,000 miles! Its finally here. Amazing. I feel ready for the most part. Just a few things left to do when I wake up...in about 4 hours!!! omg...I guess this will help with the sleeping on the big ride.
Cross my fingers everything goes well!!

So lets go there,
lets make our escape,
come on lets go there,
lets ask can we stay?

My Going Away Party Highlights, details and Pictures

On August 13th, 2009, My family got together to celebrate my leaving for almost a year to Greece. Since, I will not be here for any major family get togethers, I figured I'd have one last one for my personal memory. My best friends, close neighbors, and friends of my mother's from work were also there. It was a very special occasion for me and I'm happy every one enjoyed the Greek cuisine my sister and I prepared from scratch! Here are some pictures from that night.

3 days until take off!

Dear follower,

I have been extremely busy with packing and making sure I have everything in line, but so far so good. I made my last trip down to Tampa to see my Study Abroad advisor for our last departure meeting. It turns out that he will also be travelling to Greece for about two weeks. In the meeting we discussed safety, travelling guidelines, means of communication once in Greece, and many other important topics. I'm finishing up the last bit of my packing today then the only thing left to do is enjoy my last weekend at home. My aunt is making a surprise dinner for me tomorrow night, very much looking forward to it. On Sunday night, I will put all my luggage in the car so I won't have to bother with it Monday morning, and we can just hit the road at 8:30. In other news, I've cancelled all credit cards, and informed the bank that I would be out of the country, and where I'd be staying for the next 9 or so months. Also, there is a conversion rate for each transaction made on my check card, and a fee for each item on ATM, in other words only withdraw cash, nothing else like check balance. I've taken the liberty of transferring a fair amount of dollars into Euros. Now with that peace of mind..."I'm on my wayyyyy"!

(Top: 300 euros in small dinominations,

bottom, Greek flag).

"Destiney is no matter of chance. It is a matter of choice: It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved." ~ William Jennings Bryan.

For a little history on Greek currency check out :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_drachma

Miscellaneous

What an ordeal this is becoming! I just need to throw everything in and call it a day. Not gonna happen, I can't afford forgetting a single belonging. Its all near and dear to me. In other news, just eight days left! It seems too unreal. With each passing day, I'm thinking of things I'm gonna miss more and more. First and foremost my family. It will be the first time I'm away from home for any major holiday. Secondly, my friends. I wish I could take them all with me. But they too are carrying on about their own lives. Thirdly, certain foods that I know I will probably not be able to find in Greece. For instance, Oreos, I highly doubt they have them over there, and of course my mother's homemade cooking of all sorts. I don't think I'll have too much of a plight though with it since I've already grown quite fond of the Greek cuisine, spanakopita topping the list along side moussaka. I'm looking forward to my new mediterranean diet, and lifestyle. I'll be walking around alot more than I do now, taking buses, hailing cabs, perhaps a boat or two. It should be alot more economical as well. I'm intending on being the thrifty/ dirt poor college student while there, and what better way than to embrace the green scene too while I'm at it.
Not that I believe in global warming, its just harsh on the environment in general. I really ought to adjust my sleep cycle to cope with the seven hours (ahead) difference. I don't think I can bring myself to that though.
Talk about sleep makes me sleepy.
I don't think I'm going to have much of a problem adjusting afterall.

"Can you take me higher?"

Are you ready for what's to come?

Before:

:After

I have to ask my self "Am I fully prepared?" I think I will know the answer to that only when I step on the plane. There are merely 12 days left till take off and I still have to pack everything. I've invested in vaccuum sealed "space bags" and have done a practice run with the majority of my clothes. It seems that there will be just enough room for everything. Initially, I was planning on having each suitcase weight 45 lbs to be on the safe side (50 lbs max in US international flights, 2 suitcases), but I've discovered that once i'm in Greece it changes to 44 lbs max (20 kg). In order to play it safe i'm packing each suitcase to 42 lbs now. I don't want to incur any overweight fees. Personal note: Women's purses should not be considered "carry on" they are better yet an extention of one's own body, an extra appendage. We do carry the world in them afterall! I tried down sizing my clothes to only what I absolutely must take, but it still seems like an aweful lot. One has to take into consideration all four seasons I will be there for though. I'm not planning on doing much shopping while I'm there on the count of I will not have money to spend unfortunately. Student loans are another thing that I am considering now. Even though I've received two different scholarships, have bright futures and have financial aid, it still doesn't seem to be enough. I'm confused about which schools tuition I'm paying for (i.e my host school, or home school). Several questions are suddenly on my mind, and I need answers. Next week seems like a week of solving. I will spend this weekend packing. Today, I was in search of a novel to read during my journey. I spent a couple hours in the bookstore, and couldn't find a single thing about either Greece or studying abroad. I guess this means I should write a story on that. Also, I won't mention what happened exactly, but there were 2 close call situations today that would have left this trip for doom. Every day that comes closer the more axiety I have about it actually becoming a reality. You would think it'd be the opposite right?
Like I said, until I'm on the plane.

"I'm entitled to overcome"
~Creed