Some people have asked what a typical day is like for me. I guess today was a typical day...but really there is no such thing. Partly because of my scheduele (I work Monday days, Thursday nights, every sixth Friday, every third weekend)...but here are some regular things I do:
-Classes started this week! I love school (even though after graduating I was sick of it)! Im taking Greek and Art Appreciation...and am excited for both. In Greek we are learning the alphabet (alpha, beta, gamma, delta!) and while the lessons are super easy they are supplemented by the fact that everything around me is Greek, and I would really love to know whats going on all the time. And I 've never taken any art history or appreciation before, so im excited for that too. Especially since I think people spend too much money on shitty art when there are real social problems (hunger, disease) in the world...
-I go to yoga classes on tuesday morning and friday. They are in English and i really enjoy them. There are some native Americans (haha not like Indians but people from the US) in the class. One is named Melissa, shes from Texas (my parents age) and she gave me the email address of some interns from Dartmouth who we are meeting up with this friday. Im not going to lie-Im kinda desperate for friends right now. I hope they are cool!
-I walk lots of places in the city. Today on my way to swimming I saw two chicken legs (literally the nails, feet and upper part) in the street. What a weird place. I also get stared at constantly. Reasons why: I dont wear make up, I sometimes where tshirts, I don't blow dry my hair after swim practice...today it was raining, and I was so excited to wear my rain boots (they are SO cute- orange with red apples). It became extremely obvious as soon as I walked outside that no one here wears rain boots. I guess they like wet feet. I think Im just going to deal with being a social outcast...I dont have enough patience to become fashionable.
Sidenote: Greeks are so...open? (not sure if thats the right word). Besides the blatant stares, people just come up and talk to me. I am often embarrassed that I have no idea what theyre saying. And today when I was sitting and waiting for the bus i absent minded-ly left my orange peel there. When the bus came this lady started pointing and yelling about how i needed to throw it away...I almost missed the bus. But then of course there are strangers who will give you free rides back from the beach and by you expensive dinners (see earlier post)...
-Most importantly, I'm practicing to relax and be organized in a totally disorganized society. After a quarter life crisis I asked my parents for advice and they helped me to realize how to live without the constant need to be doing homework or busy (thanks again dad). So Im practicing how to read for pleasure, not worry about time, and organize my life in a non compulsive way!
All for now. It's raining out and I love listening to the rain on my balcony while I type!
love
allie
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Dear Zeus
Dear Zeus,
If I were you, I would not pick Mt. Olympus as my home. I know clouds are nice, but how can you see the world you rule through all those thick clouds?
love,
Allie
Thats what I would write to Zeus. Calvin and I chaperoned the senior high school's annual trip to Mt. Olympus. Even though two weeks earlier we were sweating on the beach, this weekend was extremely cold! We left campus Saturday, and hiked up about 2-3 hours to the refuge. It was raining as soon as we got off the bus, and that rain turned to snow by the time we reached the refuge. The clouds were so thick we couldn't see beyond the mountain we were climbing, but it was still SO beautiful! There were pines and other trees and the smell of fresh air and the sound of rain or snow falling. The refuge was incredible small, two dining hall rooms and then rooms with beds. It was super awkward hanging out in the dining hall, no one really spoke to us...but at least calvin and i both brought books! The next day we hiked to the top of the 2nd highest peak (I guess the highest is only 6 m higher but is more dangerous...there are parts where there is nothing on either side of you!). Right near the top the wind picked up and it was SUPER cold. Oh and climbing up there were parts that were nearly vertical (and I was in tennis shoes...forgot my climbing boots at home (i dont have any climbing boots!)). Sunday was fun, I bonded with Calvin and Phil (the English director who is a Grinnell alum). Apparently if you climb to the top the school gives you a medal...I wonder if I get one!? Oh, and at the refuge there was a dog..I have no idea how he got there...I think it was Zeus in animal form! Anyways, the dog hiked with us to the top of the peak...he was my new best friend!
Even though the climb was easy, my legs are terrible soar. Monday and yesterday when i got up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night i could barely stand. and i wince everytime i go down stairs!
~allie
If I were you, I would not pick Mt. Olympus as my home. I know clouds are nice, but how can you see the world you rule through all those thick clouds?
love,
Allie
Thats what I would write to Zeus. Calvin and I chaperoned the senior high school's annual trip to Mt. Olympus. Even though two weeks earlier we were sweating on the beach, this weekend was extremely cold! We left campus Saturday, and hiked up about 2-3 hours to the refuge. It was raining as soon as we got off the bus, and that rain turned to snow by the time we reached the refuge. The clouds were so thick we couldn't see beyond the mountain we were climbing, but it was still SO beautiful! There were pines and other trees and the smell of fresh air and the sound of rain or snow falling. The refuge was incredible small, two dining hall rooms and then rooms with beds. It was super awkward hanging out in the dining hall, no one really spoke to us...but at least calvin and i both brought books! The next day we hiked to the top of the 2nd highest peak (I guess the highest is only 6 m higher but is more dangerous...there are parts where there is nothing on either side of you!). Right near the top the wind picked up and it was SUPER cold. Oh and climbing up there were parts that were nearly vertical (and I was in tennis shoes...forgot my climbing boots at home (i dont have any climbing boots!)). Sunday was fun, I bonded with Calvin and Phil (the English director who is a Grinnell alum). Apparently if you climb to the top the school gives you a medal...I wonder if I get one!? Oh, and at the refuge there was a dog..I have no idea how he got there...I think it was Zeus in animal form! Anyways, the dog hiked with us to the top of the peak...he was my new best friend!
Even though the climb was easy, my legs are terrible soar. Monday and yesterday when i got up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night i could barely stand. and i wince everytime i go down stairs!
~allie
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
food and chaos!
Im (trying) to accept two things: Greek food is fabulous, Greek life is chaotic.
The first one is so easy! So i know its only been a week, but i LOVE the dining hall food. They have fresh fruits and veggies everyday, and it isn't only fresh but perfectly ripe. I cant believe its september and im eating peaches, nectarines, cucumbers, tomatoes, kiwi! I usually just have bread and cheese with the produce, but the stuff they cook isnt that bad. AND they cook all the hot meals in Olive Oil (not vegtable oil!).
Eating out is even better (although not free by any means!). Ive had some meet, but i LOVE cooked eggpant. AND desserts are AMAZING (Thessaloniki is known for its desserts!). There are special dessert shops all over, and as you pass by little gold and silver wrappers smile up at you. I hadn't tried these chocolates until one of the office ladies gave me one, but theyre RICH and delicious! There are also Turkish desserts with pastry flakes, but soaked in honey (REAL honey!). And I have a piece of cake waiting upstairs for me right now.
Luckily, portion sizes here are much smaller!
Onto the more difficult part of Greek life: CHAOS!
Im not going to lie, but today i was SUPER frustrated trying to get to yoga and back. It took an HOUR each way. I'm sure living in Kansas and Iowa doesn't help my frustration, but today I walked the bus route and it was faster than the bus. But then on my way back from swimming there were two 58 buses in a row. AND when you get to a bus stop, you never know when a bus is coming...its about 15 minutes..usually. But they are totally irregular. And while Im on the traffic soap box people here park wherever they want (double parking, on the sidewalk). Sometimes its hard to cross the street because cars are parked too close next to each other.
Swim practice is sorta like the traffic. I was moved to the 6-8 group (instead of 4-6) which has some older kids that arent as fast as the first group, then some younger kids. The older kids end up swimming around the younger ones...and it is total mayhem. Add in the weather today. I was doing backstroke and saw a bolt of lightening above me...but no one else seemed to notice. And to the left of the pool it was sunny and beautiful, to the right there was a huge storm! There was also the most beautiful rainbow... I could see almost the whole arch everytime I breathed.
Oh and the church's bells started ringing but it wasn't the top of the hour...what is that!?
The choas is a perfectionist's nightmare. But I guess its fun to fall in love with, too!
Kali Mera (good morning) (Im working on my greek)
Allie
The first one is so easy! So i know its only been a week, but i LOVE the dining hall food. They have fresh fruits and veggies everyday, and it isn't only fresh but perfectly ripe. I cant believe its september and im eating peaches, nectarines, cucumbers, tomatoes, kiwi! I usually just have bread and cheese with the produce, but the stuff they cook isnt that bad. AND they cook all the hot meals in Olive Oil (not vegtable oil!).
Eating out is even better (although not free by any means!). Ive had some meet, but i LOVE cooked eggpant. AND desserts are AMAZING (Thessaloniki is known for its desserts!). There are special dessert shops all over, and as you pass by little gold and silver wrappers smile up at you. I hadn't tried these chocolates until one of the office ladies gave me one, but theyre RICH and delicious! There are also Turkish desserts with pastry flakes, but soaked in honey (REAL honey!). And I have a piece of cake waiting upstairs for me right now.
Luckily, portion sizes here are much smaller!
Onto the more difficult part of Greek life: CHAOS!
Im not going to lie, but today i was SUPER frustrated trying to get to yoga and back. It took an HOUR each way. I'm sure living in Kansas and Iowa doesn't help my frustration, but today I walked the bus route and it was faster than the bus. But then on my way back from swimming there were two 58 buses in a row. AND when you get to a bus stop, you never know when a bus is coming...its about 15 minutes..usually. But they are totally irregular. And while Im on the traffic soap box people here park wherever they want (double parking, on the sidewalk). Sometimes its hard to cross the street because cars are parked too close next to each other.
Swim practice is sorta like the traffic. I was moved to the 6-8 group (instead of 4-6) which has some older kids that arent as fast as the first group, then some younger kids. The older kids end up swimming around the younger ones...and it is total mayhem. Add in the weather today. I was doing backstroke and saw a bolt of lightening above me...but no one else seemed to notice. And to the left of the pool it was sunny and beautiful, to the right there was a huge storm! There was also the most beautiful rainbow... I could see almost the whole arch everytime I breathed.
Oh and the church's bells started ringing but it wasn't the top of the hour...what is that!?
The choas is a perfectionist's nightmare. But I guess its fun to fall in love with, too!
Kali Mera (good morning) (Im working on my greek)
Allie
Monday, September 15, 2008
The weekend (mis)adventures of Alexandra!
My name Alexandra is Greek, and I thought it meant "protector of mankind." However someone the other day told me that Alexander actually means defending mankind, which in his time meant pushing away or rejecting outside men. As such, Alexandra can also mean "man rejector..." hmmm....
My weekend events:
-I decided not to travel this weekend and just stay put, continue to acculturate and get to know my home!
-Friday night and Sat I went out for a bit with my new friend Ioanna. She's really nice and Im glad Im making new friends, but she also talks about herself constantly (in fluent English)...I wonder if its normal to be that egocentric or its just her...
-I babysat for a three year old Mary this weekend...shes adorable. We played with bubbles and swung...she's fluent in English and has a British accent! I love it!
-On Sunday I went to Saloniki's International Trade Fair- it was really fun seeing things from all over the world...I got a harry potter watch for 5 euros...and I got a free chair massage!
-It has been SO HOT here! Part of acculturating is getting used to NO air conditioning (some places have small ACs but there is no internal system). Yesterday after the fair the entire back of my shirt was soaked in sweat... Anyways, yesterday, for the first time since I got here, it was cloudy and even cool. THANK GOD!
-I ate a date and a pomegranate I picked from the trees on campus! YUM!
-On Friday I found an English taught Yoga class...its kinda pricey but its really good yoga...I think Ill use my babysitting money to pay for it!
This morning I woke kids up at 7 to make sure they were awake and getting ready for school! I enjoyed it...kinda like being mother hen!
All for now! And thanks to everyone Ive been talking/writing to so I dont get homesick!
Allie
My weekend events:
-I decided not to travel this weekend and just stay put, continue to acculturate and get to know my home!
-Friday night and Sat I went out for a bit with my new friend Ioanna. She's really nice and Im glad Im making new friends, but she also talks about herself constantly (in fluent English)...I wonder if its normal to be that egocentric or its just her...
-I babysat for a three year old Mary this weekend...shes adorable. We played with bubbles and swung...she's fluent in English and has a British accent! I love it!
-On Sunday I went to Saloniki's International Trade Fair- it was really fun seeing things from all over the world...I got a harry potter watch for 5 euros...and I got a free chair massage!
-It has been SO HOT here! Part of acculturating is getting used to NO air conditioning (some places have small ACs but there is no internal system). Yesterday after the fair the entire back of my shirt was soaked in sweat... Anyways, yesterday, for the first time since I got here, it was cloudy and even cool. THANK GOD!
-I ate a date and a pomegranate I picked from the trees on campus! YUM!
-On Friday I found an English taught Yoga class...its kinda pricey but its really good yoga...I think Ill use my babysitting money to pay for it!
This morning I woke kids up at 7 to make sure they were awake and getting ready for school! I enjoyed it...kinda like being mother hen!
All for now! And thanks to everyone Ive been talking/writing to so I dont get homesick!
Allie
Friday, September 12, 2008
quick story....
I have a fear of setting off alarms, ever since I set off the fire alarm freshman year during finals week trying to make popcorn. I just rolled in at 1 am, ready to do battle with the alarm. I know the code, I have my loop of 50+ keys. But it doesnt matter, I set it off anyways (i swear its broken, its not me). An earth shattering sound prevails. After typing in the code yet again, it stops, and I go in to call another councilor. Little did I know that while I was using the phone he was reactivating the alarm. So when I went back out I set it off again.
Two blood curdling alarms. One night. I set them both off.
Man its off to a good year!
ps- everything else today was great....yoga (in English), swimming, reading, going out...
I have a fear of setting off alarms, ever since I set off the fire alarm freshman year during finals week trying to make popcorn. I just rolled in at 1 am, ready to do battle with the alarm. I know the code, I have my loop of 50+ keys. But it doesnt matter, I set it off anyways (i swear its broken, its not me). An earth shattering sound prevails. After typing in the code yet again, it stops, and I go in to call another councilor. Little did I know that while I was using the phone he was reactivating the alarm. So when I went back out I set it off again.
Two blood curdling alarms. One night. I set them both off.
Man its off to a good year!
ps- everything else today was great....yoga (in English), swimming, reading, going out...
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
A Random Update!
So still settling in here....I think there are moments when I absolutely LOVE being here, and moments when I feel like this is the wrong decision (mostly when Im overwhelmed!). Random stories:
-This past weekend Calvin and I went to the peninsulas right outside Thessaloníki and camped on the beach. It was really hot and I can't imagine what it would be like in the real summer. Anyways, it was relaxing and fun to climb rocks and swim and such. AND we got a ride back to the city with a new friend we made. We even stopped on the way back in and he bought us dinner (it was $45 worth of food!). Greeks are super generous like that!
-A couple of days ago I heard some screaming outside (it kinda freaked me out!). I learned that there is a mentally disabled center right above us on the hill, so sometimes people there are just extra noisy...
-I tried to go to a meditation and yoga class last night. Looking back it was kinda funny....they were both entirely in Greek. I felt the opposite of relaxed...I felt like an outsider! Plus the yoga club had a dress code of all white, and I was definitely wearing colors. And it wasn't yoga as much as dancy/pretend yoga....so in conclusion, I found a studio that teaches Yoga in English and am hoping to go there soon.
-Finally! Work...I found out my schedule: I work Mondays (waking kids up, helping with lunch, and from 3-11pm), Thursday evenings, every 6th Friday, every 3rd weekend. This work includes helping kids with homework, playing, making sure their rooms are clean and that they go to sleep and wake up...Then Im also helping with SAT stuff for an hour a week, clubs an hour a week and maybe some additional English lessons. So in conclusion, I have LOTS of down time, and am excited to fill it, but nervous that I will be bored! Im going to take Greek classes and perhaps art classes, swim, do yoga, and travel!
Well all for now....Im going to go read the rules and regulations of the boarding school!
Allie
-This past weekend Calvin and I went to the peninsulas right outside Thessaloníki and camped on the beach. It was really hot and I can't imagine what it would be like in the real summer. Anyways, it was relaxing and fun to climb rocks and swim and such. AND we got a ride back to the city with a new friend we made. We even stopped on the way back in and he bought us dinner (it was $45 worth of food!). Greeks are super generous like that!
-A couple of days ago I heard some screaming outside (it kinda freaked me out!). I learned that there is a mentally disabled center right above us on the hill, so sometimes people there are just extra noisy...
-I tried to go to a meditation and yoga class last night. Looking back it was kinda funny....they were both entirely in Greek. I felt the opposite of relaxed...I felt like an outsider! Plus the yoga club had a dress code of all white, and I was definitely wearing colors. And it wasn't yoga as much as dancy/pretend yoga....so in conclusion, I found a studio that teaches Yoga in English and am hoping to go there soon.
-Finally! Work...I found out my schedule: I work Mondays (waking kids up, helping with lunch, and from 3-11pm), Thursday evenings, every 6th Friday, every 3rd weekend. This work includes helping kids with homework, playing, making sure their rooms are clean and that they go to sleep and wake up...Then Im also helping with SAT stuff for an hour a week, clubs an hour a week and maybe some additional English lessons. So in conclusion, I have LOTS of down time, and am excited to fill it, but nervous that I will be bored! Im going to take Greek classes and perhaps art classes, swim, do yoga, and travel!
Well all for now....Im going to go read the rules and regulations of the boarding school!
Allie
Friday, September 5, 2008
ranting and loving
I CANNOT believe the misfortunes Ive had with shoes....or in understanding shoes (and dress) in Greece. First, let me tragically say that my flip flop broke the second day here!!! And it has been mayhem and pain ever since. I didn't bring a second pair of flip flops, and the cute dress shoes are cutting up my heals like crazy. So Im left to wear my rain boots or my sneakers. Mind you, wearing sneakers makes me a social outcast. Women here, no matter what there size, always look amazing. They are always dressed up, and look like theyre going somewhere important. Its fun to try to pretend like I fit, but we all know I can't wait to go home and throw on an ol' tshirt and shorts. What I don't understand is how people look comfortable in jeans and a black shirt on a HOT day like today. I was literally sweating buckets...
Anyways, back to the shoes. You would think that buying flip flops would be easy seeing how there are shoe stores and athletic stores everywhere downtown. FALSE. I must have gone to a thousand stores without finding a single flip flop. Well, actually the few flip flops I found were 50 EUROS (75 DOLLARS). And even worse, every other shoe I saw was painfully made out of wood, a high heel, or hurt the already numb and peeling part of my ankle. Apparently eurpean women not only always look cute, but they do so walking in the most unbearable shoes. Or maybe they just don't walk at all...they don't seem to eat either (maybe they just smoke and drink coffee) So what did I do? I found some shoes in a PHARMACY that are pretend cute but actually feel somewhat comfortable. somewhat.
Anyways, Im done ranting. Heres what I DO LOVE about my new life:
-Watching the sunset over the Sea
-Swim practice with Greeks
-The olive, fig, and almond trees on campus
-My balcony
-Walking around downtown, feeling overwhelmed at it all, then hiding back in my room in the city
-Open air markets
Tonight Calvin and I went out for dinner (we had gyros)! We both dressed up, so an American might think we were on a date. But we were in fact just trying to both assimilate, order some good food off Greek menus, and enjoy the fact that we are two Grinnellians who never hung out together at school and now are each other's closet connection to home. For the weekend, we are traveling to Halkididah.....
Love,
allie
Anyways, back to the shoes. You would think that buying flip flops would be easy seeing how there are shoe stores and athletic stores everywhere downtown. FALSE. I must have gone to a thousand stores without finding a single flip flop. Well, actually the few flip flops I found were 50 EUROS (75 DOLLARS). And even worse, every other shoe I saw was painfully made out of wood, a high heel, or hurt the already numb and peeling part of my ankle. Apparently eurpean women not only always look cute, but they do so walking in the most unbearable shoes. Or maybe they just don't walk at all...they don't seem to eat either (maybe they just smoke and drink coffee) So what did I do? I found some shoes in a PHARMACY that are pretend cute but actually feel somewhat comfortable. somewhat.
Anyways, Im done ranting. Heres what I DO LOVE about my new life:
-Watching the sunset over the Sea
-Swim practice with Greeks
-The olive, fig, and almond trees on campus
-My balcony
-Walking around downtown, feeling overwhelmed at it all, then hiding back in my room in the city
-Open air markets
Tonight Calvin and I went out for dinner (we had gyros)! We both dressed up, so an American might think we were on a date. But we were in fact just trying to both assimilate, order some good food off Greek menus, and enjoy the fact that we are two Grinnellians who never hung out together at school and now are each other's closet connection to home. For the weekend, we are traveling to Halkididah.....
Love,
allie
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
still acculturizing...
This is what Ive summoned from the last couple of days: to get anything done you have to have social connections. You want to join a swim team? You ask around until people make phone calls for you, hopefully gets a hold of someone, and then you're in. If no one picks up the call is made, then whoever is helping you tells me to comeback tommorrow. In this way, its impossible to really get anything done and you spend time doing the same thing everyday without actually getting anything done. It sounds kinda funny on email, and im sure it will be once i could figure out a swim team and pool, or if I have my internet...
anyways, other than that complaint, everyone is really nice...I think everyone has the intentions of helping out, and I do love exploring the city. I think tomorrow Im going to do a walking tour that was in my guide book, and I might make kate (one of the past interns) travel with me this weekend (becuase I have no responsibilities...)
Also, I think it's important to remember that the kids havent even come yet, and im guessing that will be my favorite part of the job! Anyways, there is nothing I can do right now except relax and not worry about it. But Im kinda (really) an uptight American.
Oh and I keep seeing lots of cats and want to pet them, but i will try not to get fleas Amanda
love
allie
anyways, other than that complaint, everyone is really nice...I think everyone has the intentions of helping out, and I do love exploring the city. I think tomorrow Im going to do a walking tour that was in my guide book, and I might make kate (one of the past interns) travel with me this weekend (becuase I have no responsibilities...)
Also, I think it's important to remember that the kids havent even come yet, and im guessing that will be my favorite part of the job! Anyways, there is nothing I can do right now except relax and not worry about it. But Im kinda (really) an uptight American.
Oh and I keep seeing lots of cats and want to pet them, but i will try not to get fleas Amanda
love
allie
Monday, September 1, 2008
I love the feeling of getting to a new place/country. EVERYTHING, I mean every interaction is in some way amusing...
-Most conversations I just sit and smile and nod. Then I start translating things into Spanish. Then I remember that that won't help, so I sit and smile some more!
-I passed by THREE bike shops today...except they were all mo-ped shops...everyone seems to have a bike, but I have no idea where they got them
-There are lots of stray cats, some stray dogs...I think I'll make some friends...apparently neutering and spaying animals doesn't exist in this country
Oh and today's "failures":
-I walked around town trying to find the synagogue on the map, I thought it would be cool to see. I went to the exact spot on the map, but definitely couldn't find it...hmm...doesn't matter though, I loved just walking around the city
-I found a restaurant that had English on the menu and offered vegetarian gyros...I thought that would be a sure way to not eat meat...WRONG! The ladies serving me spoke no English, an no matter how many times I tried to say no meat, there was definitely a huge pile of meat when I got my plate. I decided that it would be more inhumane to let the meat go to waste, so I ate some...it was disgusting, greasy, fatty, and even a little delicious. I think I'll stick to cheese and hummus though.
So I got here yesterday morning, managed to stay up till 6 pm, before crashing for 13 hours. When I woke up this morning I went for a jog and did some yoga, walked around school meeting people and learning about Anatolia, went grocery shopping with Dr. Holland, the school's director and Grinnell tie, then explored. This week is pretty chill- the kids don't come until the ninth. Oh, and my dorm room is small but beautiful. It's on the third floor and I can see the sea from my balcony! And if none of the kids move in next door, then I will have my own yoga/guest room (the director, Teresa, might make this possible!)
Anyways, Im getting ready for bed, even though its only 3 Kansas/Grinnell time (8 hour difference!)
adio,
Alexandra Stephanie Kossoy (did you know Alexandra and Stephanie are both Greek!)
-Most conversations I just sit and smile and nod. Then I start translating things into Spanish. Then I remember that that won't help, so I sit and smile some more!
-I passed by THREE bike shops today...except they were all mo-ped shops...everyone seems to have a bike, but I have no idea where they got them
-There are lots of stray cats, some stray dogs...I think I'll make some friends...apparently neutering and spaying animals doesn't exist in this country
Oh and today's "failures":
-I walked around town trying to find the synagogue on the map, I thought it would be cool to see. I went to the exact spot on the map, but definitely couldn't find it...hmm...doesn't matter though, I loved just walking around the city
-I found a restaurant that had English on the menu and offered vegetarian gyros...I thought that would be a sure way to not eat meat...WRONG! The ladies serving me spoke no English, an no matter how many times I tried to say no meat, there was definitely a huge pile of meat when I got my plate. I decided that it would be more inhumane to let the meat go to waste, so I ate some...it was disgusting, greasy, fatty, and even a little delicious. I think I'll stick to cheese and hummus though.
So I got here yesterday morning, managed to stay up till 6 pm, before crashing for 13 hours. When I woke up this morning I went for a jog and did some yoga, walked around school meeting people and learning about Anatolia, went grocery shopping with Dr. Holland, the school's director and Grinnell tie, then explored. This week is pretty chill- the kids don't come until the ninth. Oh, and my dorm room is small but beautiful. It's on the third floor and I can see the sea from my balcony! And if none of the kids move in next door, then I will have my own yoga/guest room (the director, Teresa, might make this possible!)
Anyways, Im getting ready for bed, even though its only 3 Kansas/Grinnell time (8 hour difference!)
adio,
Alexandra Stephanie Kossoy (did you know Alexandra and Stephanie are both Greek!)
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