HAR HAR HAR

So you know how people in not-America buy shirts with American words on them? And they usually make no sense? Well today my Greek teacher was wearing this shirt. On it was a large star, formed of silver....things. I don't know. Within the star was the word "GAS" spelled with silver metal letters. I couldn't even believe it. Jason actually had the courage to say "What...does your shirt mean?" and she said "I don't know, what does it mean?" and he started saying "Well, gas is something that we all produce..." and I was getting really uncomfortable until she said "There used to be another letter at the end, but it fell off. It was a P. What does that mean?" So we explained to her what GASP meant, and I'm just so glad that a letter falling off didn't render the shirt un-wearable. Because now she's wearing a shirt that says GAS on it. Which is hilarious.

Thank You, Europe!

So the thing is, the stores here in Greece are fairly bursting with colors. Great great bright colors (yellow is so in). And despite that being all that is featured in stores right now, the Greeks continue to wear black. Black black black. So I've decided, rather than blend in with these Debbie Downers, I will take advantage of this veritable rainbow at my fingertips. And I did. Look what I bought!



I just can't resist a romper. Especially a denim one.


They're not really shiny, but they are GREAT safari shorts.


I love these so much. I need some black suspenders, please.

A Day at the Pictures

Today I was utterly delighted by the prospect of going to see Spiderman 3.


He was so pensive. What an emotional rollercoaster!

The thought of going to a movie theater, somewhere familiar, was very attractive. The theater did not dissapoint; it turns out that in Greece, while so many things are different, the tacky splendor of the American movie theater is embraced.

It was funny though to see the slight differences. My friend and I bought beers at the concession stand to drink, unimpeded by law, in the comfort of the theater. The seats were assigned!! And a large popcorn and a beer only cost 4 euro, instead of a whopping...like, 11 bucks in the US.

The biggest difference, though, was the movie theater etiquette. There was talking throughout the previews -- that's acceptable, of course. But instead of dying down as the movie started, it continued at equal, if not a louder, volume. It seems the Greeks like to keep a running commentary on the movie. Furthermore, not only did cell phones ring during the show, but they were answered and full conversations were held! There was no furtive whispering of "I'll call you later, I'm in a movie." It was very very strange.

None of this really bothered me. Probably for the most part because it was all in Greek, so I could tune it out easily to watch the movie. It was simply interesting to see this situation that I hadn't imagined could vary so much, and how different the social conventions were. Cell phone conversations! It would NOT fly in the US.

My popcorn did not have enough butter, either.

Simply Delightful

Today I discovered that Edmund was really onto something when he demanded Turkish delight from the White Witch. We went to Meteora, an area of cliffs jutting out of the middle of nowhere upon which are perched a number of monasteries. These were built as long ago as the 14th century...I think the monks just realized how awesome it would be to have their homes be like a mega-version of a tree house.

More importantly: for some reason the nuns tempted us with trays of Turkish delight at each monastery we visited. While we actually only visited two monasteries, I had upwards of 5 peices due to my mooching off of people who didn't really like it. In Greek it is called loukoumi (λουκούμι). Picasso enjoyed it very much.



It's so gooey and subtley flavored (of rosewater and lemon -- how delicate!) and I managed to utterly spoil my appetite for lunch (which I still managed to not only eat, but I smuggled pieces of bread away in my purse as well.) I'm determined to learn how to make this wonderful little dessert.



What a dream, right?

Whoa!

So, after that whole dip into the world of horoscopes, I've got a daily one coming to me via email. Here's the last line of today's:

"Acceptance is like music that can soothe the savage beast inside you."

I just....don't even know what to think!! Goodness.

I Ruin their Photos....

...because they like to smile so pretty.

Beloved Bullshit

Every few months or so, when I'm feeling particularly bored, I fall back on the tried and true pick me up of a horoscope update. This inevitably leads to my spending upwards of 2 hours looking at Chinese horoscopes, numerology charts, tarot readings,compatibility meters and general personality reports from various online sources. Every time they spew the same stuff, but it feeds one's narcissism so well....you're not obsessing over yourself...you're LEARNING. "Oh my goodness" I declare, "They're right! I DO observe the right side of peoples' faces when they're talking to determine their emotions, and I ALSO use my left ear when listening at doors! Man, how do they know this stuff?" I become overwhelmingly tempted to buy my 100 page personality report....I mean, 100 pages of this stuff! Only $39.95 for 100 pages bound book-style, mailed withing 2 weeks!

So, I'll leave you with this:
My strongest point: My curiosity about a variety of interests.
My weak point: Distracting myself from what is most important.

HOW DO THEY DO IT?!?