I'm livin' the life.

Life here? Not too shabby.

I had set some goals of blogging more.. but it ah.. just didn't seem to happen!  But I am here now and ready to update you all on my life here in Athens.

Over the past week, a lot of really great and exciting experiences have occurred.  First of all, our group put on a Toga party!  My apartment actually hosted and it was a blast.  With the use of bed sheets, we were actually able to create pretty legit togas.  We ordered in 8 Domino's pizzas (really Greek, I know, but we did order Greek pizza!), danced a lot, and just had some really good conversation.  Our group as a whole works really well together and it's always awesome to get to know each person.  This night was one of those opportunities and it is such a blessing.

So legit, right?!

Our next night, we headed to a cooking class at Lemonde International that our director, Greg, planned for us.  This was pure awesomeness.  Again, our whole group went.  We were in a giant kitchen with about 3 chiefs.  It wasn't as hands on as we anticipated, but it was really great nonetheless.  Everyone got to go up and help at some point.  Naturally for me, I helped with the dessert.  =)  We made milk pies which were quiiiite delicious.  Among that, many other things were made.  Shrimp, lamb, potatoes, sea bass, and mini appetizers were a few.  I couldn't get myself to like the fish, but the rest was quite good.  Also they offered us some very good white wine.  All of us were given aprons to keep along with the recipes and a certificate of completion (Oh yea, we're legit).  It was an incredible experience and everyone really enjoyed it.  Shout to Greg for such an awesome idea! 

This chief? The bomb.

Milk pies!

Thursday.  4:30am, off to the bakery we go!  My roommates and I went to our local bakery that our school is associated with in order to learn and watch what actually goes on at a bakery before the customers arrive.  Although it was extremely early, I was so excited for this opportunity that the tiredness didn't even phase me.  Upon arriving, our friend Alex who is around our age showed us around the bakery.  Her dad is the baker and he is unable to speak English so she helped us and answered any questions we had.  We were able to watch him prepare the bread and all the other pastries.  It was so cool!  Although it is so routine for them, the process was completely fascinating for us.  Everything that came out of the oven, we were able to try. For free, might I add.  We tried mini-apple pies (NUM), cookies, bread, croissants, and pretty much anything else they threw our way.  Her dad, even though he couldn't speak English, is an exceptional man.  You can see a love for his family and customers in his eyes.  We felt so welcomed and blessed to be there.  They let us help set up the shop before it opened and I was so grateful just for that!  Getting to know Alex was also really cool.  Her life is so different than ours back home.  Currently, her university is on strike and she hasn't even gone back to college yet! If this continues on for a long time, she will have to stay in school for a semester longer.  This just astounds me.  She has been filling her days with two different jobs and being at the bakery that early consecutively has definitely taken a toll on her.  These are struggles they typically deal with, and the economical struggles have not been helping them either.  They've lost a good amount of customers and it is simply making everything harder for everyone.  The beautiful thing?  They are so positive regardless.  Struggles like this do not phase Greeks.  Look at it how you want, but I find it refreshing.  They do not allow themselves to get overwhelmed by the hard things.  There is way too much to be thankful for.  And quite frankly, life is too short.  

Num :)

Us with Alex!

I'll leave you with that for now.  These few experiences have definitely been highlights while here in Greece.  I really can't believe how blessed I am and this life here is just incredible.  Not only are all of these experiences great, but relationships are really beginning to develop as well.  There are so many great people here and there is nothing more rewarding than getting to know them and their walks of life. I am so blessed by God to be here on this crazy journey. 

Love to those at home.  Missing you all!