Ξύπνησα μέσα στη Δευτέρα από τον συγκάτοικό μου να ρωτάει αν θέλω πρωινό.
Περίμενε, ναι, θέλω, τι έγινε, ξύπνησα, όνειρο ήταν;
Σηκώνομαι και αποφασίζω πως ήταν όνειρο το Σαββατοκύριακο και ως όνειρο θα το αντιμετωπίσω.
Στο πρωινό μιλήσαμε για τους μουσουλμάνους και για το πόσο γρήγορα αναπαράγονται.
Συμφωνήσαμε ότι σε κάποια χρόνια θα αποτελούν την πλειονότητα.
Και μετά γενίκευσε ο συγκάτοικος σε κάτι ρατσιστικό και τον παρακάλεσα να μην γίνει ρατσιστής.
Συμφωνούμε στις παρατηρήσεις αλλά όχι στα συμπεράσματα.
I still believe in humans, του είπα.
Και συμπλήρωσα τραγουδιστά "No, they can't take that away from me".
Αφού έφυγε έμεινα μόνη με τα φαντάσματα του Σαββατοκύριακου συνειδητοποίησα ότι το Σαββατοκύριακο ως όνειρο δεν μπορεί να μου το πάρει κανείς. Δικό μου όνειρο και τέλειο.
Η Κυριακή ήταν μια υπέροχη μέρα, από τις πιο χαρούμενες της ζωής μου, να το σημειώσω, Κυριακή 25 Σεπτεμβρίου 2016. Και τρελή να με πουν σαν τις πρωταγωνίστριες της ταινίας La pazza gioia, το όνειρο δεν μπορούν να μου το πάρουν. Και ποιός ξέρει, μπορεί να το ξαναζήσω.
I haven't written in the blog in a while. The reason is the most exciting things that keep happening and me not having the time to reflect. But let's take things from where I left them.
In July I was "measuring like a daemon" as my boss said. I was kind of proud of this. But it also got me exhausted and hurt. I was stressing a lot and putting all this stress and effort on my poor knees when going to work in the morning. So I ended up hurting my knees quite a lot. I was too harsh on them. Ann told me to rest, take baths, leave the bike for the week before summer school. And as a good kid I listened to my teacher. Thanks to taking care of them, my knees went through the "White Colour" exam unharmed. And I managed to get "Highly Commended" grade, which I must say, I am quite proud of. :)
Then summer school came. So stressful. Training for basic teachers diploma. Anatomy in French and English mixed. "Le grand dorsal ouai ouai", I was sometimes too frustrated to ask for a translation. But then Amanda was rephrasing and wouldn't even realise how much that would help me. The last day, when she had almost given up mentally, I made up by asking and rephrasing in English. I am so happy that I met Amanda and that we took the teacher training course together. It would have been unbearable without her. All the rest of the training went well. Most importantly, I learned that when I am relaxed and believe in myself I can perform and create amazing things. I learned that in the assessment with Janet. I am grateful to all my teachers for their support and understanding. So when I start a class I will keep calm and strong and I am sure that many beautiful things will happen naturally.
I welcomed August in England but very soon flew over to Greece for the most efficient vacation ever. The percentage of spending time with family versus friends was ideal. I saw everybody who is important to me. I did MMM in the sunset on the beach, I greeted the sun in the morning and the stars in the night. I counted countless falling stars, but made no wishes. I have enjoyed the freedom of appreciating nature and not projecting myself to it. I bathed naked in the southern seas of Crete, played with the waves and laughed extensively. I even drunk salted water unwillingly, which I think it made me strong in the long term [tongue out smiley]. The evening cantata was a pure highlight, strolling down the beach singing an amazing variety of hits, from Cretan to Ionian and old Rembetiko songs and the sea tickling our feet.
My 30th birthday began on that beach, continued at home with my parents and a small heart-shaped chocolate cake. In the same evening, I went to my favourite bar in my home town, with two true friends, had my favourite cocktail. And then we ate at Goody's like 12-year-olds. Only special occasions deserve Goody's meals! Then in the weekend there was the big party with relatives, cousins and friends in my village. The food was so good and I had so much of it. I had fasolakia every day for the last 4 days on Crete. And I was never tired of them. I was tanking olive oil and taste of home to last for the whole winter in London.
Then as always I was deeply hurt to leave Crete but had a good feeling of going to Athens. I said what I wanted to say, did what I wanted to do. I am crystal clear to myself and satisfied with this. The ball is on the other side of the terrain. I was glad to see my "good news" friends along with Bill. The warm evening in Athens broke my heart, I couldn't help not dreaming of a life in Athens with further warm evenings and cool drinks. And air condition. And bedsheets. And love.
I left Athens sad but relieved and with a sense of duty for my work. The conference in London started the same day, but I was still struggling to return back to work mentally. And by the time the conference finished, work was already overwhelming. New ideas and a lot of encouragement form my boss. He is the best boss. Now we "just" need to get a new project funded so that I can realise my research ideas. And the research career will take off.
Alright, this update is a good enough approximation of how I felt about the most efficient vacation ever. It had everything I needed. And gave me strength and hope. All the very best.
(Later I found the song that summarises this summer's feeling in Elytis's poetry)
