Theres a clown outside my office….

Ah, the joys of being in Greece. Like for example: waking up to find that your Sunday morning is over-run by millions of little 5 year olds excited about Christmas! This weekend Calvin and I on duty, and our director has a habit of not telling us when there are huge parties in the multi-purpose room in the dorm. Anyways as I gaze out of my office, I see two clowns (one with a polka-dotted hat), at least 30 small Christmas trees, and hear a dj blasting Christmas music.

Speaking of Christmas, I have never seen a town put up SO many Christmas decorations. Its like someone threw-up Christmas all over Thessaloniki. Practically EVERY store has Christmas decorations…to retaliate, I finally went to Kaballah Shabbat at temple (I’d been trying to go back since the first time but kept finding excuses not to go…). It was very lively, there were 50 American kids doing a “gap year” in between high school and college…they lived in Jerusalem, studying Torah and then visiting Jewish communities around the area. I thought that sounded pretty cool. I can’t imagine being 18 and living abroad for a year… I also talked with some members of the congregation, who are very nice, but I still feel a little…nervous around them. They keep asking me if I will be staying in Greece longer than a year…Im pretty sure they want to me stay here so I can have babies and make the Jewish community bigger (its shrinking). Its very interesting to think about a community surviving…I’ve never felt like part of my culture was going to die off…

And speaking of holidays, Thanksgiving here went well. I thought I might be homesick, but actually our Thanksgiving dinner was really fancy. Every year lots of faculty, alums and students come and we have a party. There was an art show and liquors and small truffles before dinner. It was a really fancy affair too…everyone had suits and ties and dressed on! Just think Turkey twice in one week (well one the country and one the food…)

So work this weekend has gone pretty well. I feel like I’ve finally relaxed into hanging out with the kids (I definitely felt timid at first). Last night we tried to play hide and go seek…it was me and two seventh graders. I kinda made two high schools play, and to retaliate they hid in a really good spot for an hour and I couldn’t find them…we had to stop playing because I couldn’t find them! I still have no idea where they were…

Well, back to working on my med school application in all this craziness….
~allie

Turkey!

I LOVE Turkey...but not the Thanksgiving one (although thats okay too!)

Last weekend I took a 4-day trip to Istanbul (Constantinople)! Below is an outline of what I did and my thoughts!

Ok so first, I took a bus there with study abroad kids from Anatolia's college campus (ACT)...we got there and
-took a walking tour, visiting the Blue Mosque, Aya Sofia, and underground cisterns. All were architectural marvels and totally amazing to see! In the mosques we had to wear scarfs over our heads and remove shoes...
-had lunch with a friend, on the third floor of a cafe, with a beautiful view of the Blue Mosque.
-went to a hotel and had a lesson on "how to buy and look for the right carpet" (and not a piece of crap!)
-went to a Turkish bath....which is wear you lie on these huge stones that are warm and sit in a steam room...then you can pay to have someone give you a massage/wash your body. In old times, people in Turkey didn't own baths, and they all bathed together in community places. It was fun, but also interesting. I got a massage/scrub...it was very different from an American massage, and im not so sure i like someone else washing my body, although the bubbles were nice....

Saturday:
-We went to Topkaki palace, which was a palace of the sultans and very beautiful!
-Spent the afternoon at The Grand Bazaar! (the worlds oldest bazaar!)...and I also went to the spice bazaar...great time to buy Christmas gifts.
-In the evening we went to a twirling dirvishes concert...which is a show where you watch monks (well Muslim monks...Im not sure if thats what you call them), spin around in circles to music. They believe that this motion brings them represents and brings them closer to God and to love....
-We went out as a group for dinner, and then went to a hookah bar (which was so chill and nice, we had peach hookah!)

Sunday:
The others left, and I traveled on my own for two days! This was my first time ever traveling by myself, so it was fun/I was a little nervous. I spent all day walking around visiting sights I hadn't seen yet...a famous square, ped walk, Galata tower, a synagogue (that was bombed in 2003). Then around 4, I met the couple I was couch surfing with. They both spoke English (although Ferhat less so than Ekin)...there house was a little out of the city center, but they picked me up, cooked me dinner, and i had my own room! They were really lovely people and I cant get over how kind they were! I also met another couch surfer who was staying there...his name was Allen from England who was on his way to Africa!

Monday:
I went to visit Prince's islands, islands off the coast of Istanbul...they don't have any cars! Anyways, there are 4 of them accessible by ferry...I was trying to go to the one Lonely Planet recommends, but got of at the wrong time...something I didnt realize until I was trying to get back to the mainland and couldn't figure out while the ferry was so late! Oh well, it was beautiful anyways. Then I met a couple at the train station who had come to Anatolia last month, and we had dinner in a restaurant of the old Orient Express, which was a beautiful room! After that, I boarded my train, which made me feel lots like Harry Potter! It was a long train ride (14 hours...it was suppose to be 12)...but I had my own sleeping berth and slept most of the way.

I also spent lots of time while there reading about the history of Turkey and Greece and Istanbul, and just exploring everyday life. Its hard to write about all the amazing things...but this trip just really made me love travel!

Now Im back here...it was kinda sad to come back, just because vacation was so great. But tomorrow is Thanksgiving and we're having a dinner, so I guess to Turkeys in one week isn't so bad!

missing everyone!
love
allie

meteora, swim alumni, and a life update!

I forgot I had a blog!!!

Life continues to be ever changing here. Two weekends ago I went to Meteora, which is an area with six monistaries on top of these huge cliffs...centuries ago monks were fleaing to live in caves in these rock formations when the Turks took over Greece and forced Islam as the major religion. Since then, the monks dragged rock to the top of these cliffs and formed beautiful churches....I can't explain how incredible they are (but I hope to attach pictures soon). If anyone comese to Greece, they should see Meteora...I think it should be one of the wonders of the world.

Last weekend was the Grinnell Swimming and Diving Alumni reunion. I was pretty bummed out that I was missing it...so at Calvin's idea we decided to recreate it....Greek style! We started by playing my old "conference mix" (complete with Brittany Spears, Avril Levine, and Spice Girls!), took pictures with my cap and goggles, and even went to the pool I swim at and took pictures there. Oh, and did I mention we drank a lot (in true swimmer haus style)...we ended up going to live music and staying out til 4 am...and Im still catching up on sleep as I worked the rest of the weekend.

In other news:
-I quit swimming with the swim team. They asked me to pay 43 Euro a month (which isn't all that bad) but I was only going twice a week and not really looking forward to it. I think I was swimming because it's what I've always done, and not because i was currently enjoying it. The practices were tedious and I didn't talk to a single person.... but they say when a door shuts a window opens... last night I went to wicked awesome power yoga class. and tonight i went to a gym nearby...i tried a dance class. which was funny because i can't really follow dance in English...and I looked like a FOOL trying to dance with Greek instructions. But maybe I could do a kick box class or something...Im not sure yet, I never thought of myself as one of those people who went to gym classes...I prefer pools and outdoor sports. I also might go to some waterpolo club practices....that would be cool.
-I FINALLY finished my residence permit and submitted it today. It was a bitch every bit of the way. I don't feel like explaining it but between going to the bank twice, the hospital three times, and all the other hoops i jumped through, im SO glad to have it done!
-Last night I went to my friend Amanda's house (she's an Intern at the American Farm School here) and we stayed up late and watched a chick flick. It was GREAT!
-And this has nothing to do with Greece but COURTNEY AND SEAN GOT ENGAGED!!! (my best friend from high school) I talked to them Sunday and Courtney asked me to be her maid of honor!!! im SO HONORED!!


All for now I think!
missing home but truely enjoying myself here,
Allie

Athens and Ohi Day

Happy Ohi Day!!!

Ohi (Greek for NO) Day is when Greeks celebrate saying no to Italians during WWII when the Italians tried to invade the country. Every year there is a big parade in Thessaloníki...which I went to today. It was very different from US parades...no floats! and no flying tweety birds!! There were lots of flags, and LOTS of military and armed forces in the parade. At the end helicopters and planes flew overhead. All the forces made me think about war and how sad it is (I watched too much World CNN this weekend), but I can see how supporting troops and having a military is something to be proud of...especially for Greece.

Anyways, more important to me than the parade was the fact that we got a four day weekend!!! Two of the girls from the American Farm School in Thessaloníki and I went to Athens for the weekend. It was AWESOME! My favorites sites were the Acropolis (or course!!), but also the Temple of Zeus (which has 15 columns 30 feet high still standing). We also went to other archaeological cites, through the markets, ate gryos and pastries, went to the port, went to museums... The weather was beautiful and I loved just staring up at the Parthenon from wherever I was in the city. We also got to stay at our own apartment that the farm school had, so we could relax in the evenings and watch TV. I really enjoyed Athens as a city, and also just having time away from life here. The company was great too, and Amanda and I got along really well.

So now Im back here! I had time to catch my breath, and examine my jobs situations. I talked with my director today about some of my frustrations, and he agreed that it would be better to not do so many things and say no to the "man eaters" at this school who ask you to work and work and work for them. I think learning to set boundaries is a really good skill that I need practice with....

all for now!
~allie

Happy Strike Day!!!

Today was National Strike Day...

basically everything shuts down. People have the option of striking....about 10-30% of the staff here didn't show to school, so kids were dismissed at noon. There were talks of public transit not working...I guess they decided to shut it down at 9 pm...I was so thankful because I got to go to swimming and yoga! As I was out in town the streets were oddly empty- this is the type of city I love. My favorite time to explore is Saturday morning, because you can actually see the road and sidewalks (there are fewer cars and people).

In other news, our director Teresa knows everything about everyone. I've been feeling kinda homesick for friends and family, and today during yoga I started to cry (it felt so good). When I got back to school I went to talk to Georgia, a Grinnell alum three years older than me, and felt a lot better. I didn't want to go talk to her because I figured then everyone would know how I was feeling. Sure enough the moment I walked in to Teresa's office, she gave me a hug and asked how i've been lately...that i seemed down. Did they really talk about me so soon? Or did Teresa know because I hugged the cleaning lady? News here travels so fast....its like being back in middle school....now i know why words like drama are Greek!

Oh, and did I mention that I was EATEN ALIVE! by kids substituting? It was last period on a Friday, and they were horrible. There was never a silent moment. There were airplanes, paper wads, and lots of "Miss can I go to the bathroom." Instead of getting upset, i decided to laugh... Im substituting again Thur and Fri...hopefully it will go better.

And it also occurred to me today I have a lot to look forward to:
-Im going to Athens with two friends this weekend (if we can still get tickets....ugh!)
-Tomorrow Im going to a ballet!
-We have a Halloween party next Friday with pumpkin and bobbing for apples!
-Next weekend Im going to Meteora...monasteries in Greece on top of huge, beautiful rock formations!

All for now I think,
lots of love,
allie

more specifics about my job!

Grandma and others have been asking more about my job, so I thought I would write and tell:

-My main job is working with the kids who live in the boarding department of Anatolia School. Most of them are here on scholarship and could not afford to be at this school if it wasn't for that scholarship. They work hard to keep up their grades, and study pretty hard! (Some of them panics lots about their grades too!). There are also other kids who go to Pinewood International School...most of them are from Bulgaria, Serbia and one from Germany. They, like me, don't know Greek and we communicate in English.

My job has its ups and downs. This weekend one of the girls (who is a black belt in karate) taught us a karate class...we giggled lots! I also taught a yoga class, and NINE! girls came. Sunday afternoon, I had a pen war (where each person holds a pen and tries to write on another) with a student...also very amusing. The hard part of the job is trying to be strict: kids here never go to bed on time, and last week one of the kids broke his door, and ten minutes later set off the fire alarm. Working with these students is teaching me not to be a perfectionist, and that you never know what will happen with children!

Other than my main duty I am: teaching an SAT class (I teach vocabulary and math), helping with a forensics club and pottery club, writing a grant for the President of the college, and substitute teaching (my first class in on Wednesday morning!)

Also, coming up I will be taking a weekend road trip with a bunch of Grinnell Alums (me Calvin, Kate Diedrick, Ionnis) and hopefully going to Turkey next weekend. I'm also looking forward to Halloween...we get to carve pumpkins!!

I know it living in Greece sounds exotic, but Im realizing that life is life wherever you live. People have the same challenges and same emotions! Im still trying to find myself, relax into disorder, and find a group of friends (my social network is...somewhat nonexistent!)

love
allie

a week full of stuff!!

So sorry to keep adoring blog readers waiting (just kidding!).

Im not sure why I havent updated my blog except that I've been either too busy, too homesick, or the Internet wasn't working!!!! The last two days we havent had Internet, and while it seems easy to just not worry about it, its really hard to try and keep in contact with people.

Anyways, things are ever so slowly picking up...some highlights from the last work week:
-Yesterday I played soccer for the FIRST TIME EVER! It was really fun, and I'm pretty sure all the young boys found it amusing whenever I ducked from the ball. And I scored a point (did I mention the goalie was lying down!)
-Calvin and I are in charge of multiply programs: from volunteers doing big brother/sister stuff to SAT prep. These are slowly taking off, and its weird to be "in charge."
-Last Thursday we had a dorm dance party. It was really weird and felt just like middle school (in fact some of the songs were the same...TITANIC!) The boys and girls formed there own circles, and I entertained them by crossing in between.
-I'm teaching two yoga classes a week to some of the dorm girls. Its going well, although they get tired easily. The biggest stressor is that Teresa (our adviser) never gives me the keys to the gym...I hate having to hunt her down!
-Last Friday Calvin and I went to see Filip's basketball game. We waited a good hour before seeing him go in for three minutes...man I dont know how mom and dad ever sat through all my games and swim meets! All the same, Filip was really glad we were there (I could tell by the huge grin on his face).

And in other news:
-I found the Jewish Synagogue! Its kinda hidden and they ID you at the door, but last Friday night I went to Kabalah Shabbat. I met lots of people but especially two couples (Shirley and Jacob, Miriam and Joseph). They assured me that if i needed ANYTHING I should call, and that even though its a big city in a new country, I now have friends in the Jewish community. Im so thankful to be a Jew! I think Ill go back next week.
- Starting to plan trips...I think Im going to go to Turkey in the end of October...then Athens and another weekend trip in November.
-Swimming is going much better...the kids are starting to talk to me, and Im more in shape which helps.
-Oh and on October 22 Im going the National Ballet!!!

all for now,
love
allie