Pics to Follow (A Lot)

We have 10 minutes at an internet cafe on the Island of Patmos. I just finished a 35 minute swim in the sea within site of the monastary where John wrote the Book of Revelations. Dad says he is destroying all my credit cards and will never allow me off the boat again. I went berserk. I figured I would never be in Turkey again.... so bought two rugs.... and more stuff. Went to Ancient Ephesus this morning and cannot say enough about it. Was better than any Greek site. We are eating our way to oblivion and having a great time. Save time next May to join me for the same cruise.

Tickets in Hand

We're leaving Friday morning for our three day Aegean Cruise. Should be interesting since I've always sworn I would never set foot on a cruise ship.

Click on These

Out on the Town

Some photos of the three of us before we left for the Gala Alumni Benefit at the Intercontinental Hotel in downtown Athens. It was quite an event. Dinner began to be served at 10:30 pm. Dessert was served at 11:45. We arrived home at 1:30 am. Debbie... I used the rest of your hairspray that you left here!!!

Fancy Dinner

Ted and I are attending a formal attire fund raising dinner for the college tonight. I actually have a simple black dress, a string of pearls and the sparkly light blue shawl that Teddie wore to a prom. Only thing that is not formal will be my sandals!! Dinner does not even begin till 9:30 pm downtown. Arthur is giving us a ride and we are sitting at his table. Gorgeous weather. Today I swam twice in one day. Big waterpolo tournament at the school this weekend. I am getting lazier and lazier with each passing day!! Loaded a book I hated on my kindle, The Reliable Wife. (Then, after reading 44 percent of it... I deleted it.) Read a really good book about domestic workers in the South in the 1960's. Help by Roberta Stockett.

Postponed

Our three day cruise thru the Aegean is postponed till the weekend of May 29. Ted has to work this Saturday. Islands we will be visiting are Mykonos, Patmos, Santorini, Crete, and the town of Ephesus in Turkey. (Ephesus is now called Kudasi). Spending my afternoons and evenings at poolside. Check out the comments on my previous blog. I was so surprised to see that Mr. Verghese wrote a comment.

Cutting for Stone

Just finished a book that I would highly recommend by Abraham Verghese, Cutting for Stone. I downloaded it on my kindle, only because it was highly recommended by other kindle users. Not only was it beautifully written, but the story was fast moving and based on facts. I learned a lot about Ethiopia, fistulas, liver transplants, and what it means to be a family. It was just published in 2009 and is not in paperback. It would especially be interesting to readers with a medical backround. What a shock it was to read on the last page that the author works at Stanford University Medical Center and resides in Palo Alto. He could very well be a neighbor to any one of my family members still living there.

Drawing

If I am too tired to walk, swim, lift weights, or read I sometimes draw. Ted made sure I had everything I needed to begin!!! I can't say they are anything stupendous ... but it is fun.

Mother's Day

Mother's Day was enjoyable. Ted and I caught the 407 to church and gave our talks at Sacrament Meeting. That went well and was not as nerve wracking as I expected. It is much easier to speak to a smaller group. Since it was the second Sunday of the month, our branch had its' regularly scheduled potluck after the three hour block. The food was delicious. The company is always good!! We then walked to the bus and went to the pool so Ted could check the chemistry and temperature, arriving home at 3:45. Rest time till 6:20, when we were out the door again to catch the 407 back to church for a one hour presentation by 20 missionaries. They did a great job. Hopefully Ted will post a video he took of them singing a hymn in Greek. By 8:10pm we were back on the bus, but stopped at the local square first. Mother's Day is a big holiday here and there were children doing Greek dances for hours at this square, in all kinds of traditional costumes. There were hundreds of spectators. What struck me was the continuity of tradition in this society. I'm sure many of the gray haired men & women who were watching the show danced the very same steps long ago. All the dances were line dances. Again I was struck by how united the whole picture was, arms linked, spectators clapping and singing. I could think of nothing to compare in the US that brought everyone together in the same way. Ted took videos of that, too, but we're not sure they worked. (It was dark and there were a lot of bright streetlights) We arrived home at 9:30.. A long, but pleasant day.

Mother's Day

Thank you to each of my three of my children for allowing me the privilege of assisting them in their earlier years. I never regretted not having a career (so to speak of) and consider my time with you as time well spent. Now you are all adults. I continue to marvel that you have all made good choices in your lives and that you know how to have fun, too. Although an ocean separates us, you are never far from my heart. (Special thanks to Dad too. Without him you guys wouldn't even be around!!!)

Guess Who

Guess who is speaking at church tomorrow?? Yes, both of us!!! Since everything will be translated into Greek... mine is very simple.

More Travel Plans

By Monday we will have decided if we are going on a 3 day cruise of some Greek Islands. It would leave Friday the 15th. from Pireus and return on Monday morning at 7 am. Ports of call include Mykonos, Patmos, Rhodes and a city in Turkey that I can't remember. I love sitting on the deck of a boat as it chugs along... and there is a pool on board... and we've never been on a cruise.... so why not???

Swim, Run, and Lift

Water at the pool was perfect today - 73. I suspect it will get to 80 and then I'll complain that it's too hot. After one week of no swimming I was frantic to jump in. Only a swimming freak would get so worked up about not being able to go swimming, I know. I swam 45 minutes. It was wonderful...

Last week I met with a 23 year old personal trainer (female) named Andromarki at the ACG gym. She sat down with me and worked out a fitness program for me on the weight machines and tread mill. Except for Wednesday, when we had thunder and rain all afternoon, I have gone to the gym every day. You'd think walking 15 - 20 miles a week would help me lose weight. No such luck. I keep hoping. Now that the pool is swimmable... I have no excuse.

Art Exhibit

The portrait that Jane found most interesting was rubbed out on a rusty sheet of steel.
The ACG has two art galleries. One is in the art building and is just one room. The other one is under the library and very nice. Jane and I visited the second one last week. The curator insisted on taking our photos with our favorite work of art. This was mine. It was drawn by a French woman in her seventies. The theme of the exhibit was "heads." (Obviously I forgot to use mousse that morning!)

Holiday

The ACG is closed today as it is May Day. I'm not sure what they're celebrating, but we were told not to go downtown as there will be a major demonstration. This is normal for a holiday. Pool water has been between 69 - 70 all week due to a broken pipe. Things move slowly here so who knows when it will finally get fixed. I tried swimming one day, but my ears hurt like crazy after only 15 minutes. Hopefully it will get fixed soon. I miss swimming. Lots of overcast days... very unusual for this time of year.