One year later....

Well I know it has been a long time since I have posted anything. Sorry about that. We had a busy summer and fall has turned out to be just as busy. David and I are both working a lot and I started Graduate School this fall. I am working on a Masters in International Relations from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio and am doing the entire thing online. It is quite a challenge but I am really enjoying it. It will take me two years so if everything goes as planned I will finish in August of 2010!

In November we are heading to Cairo, Egypt for a long weekend (check back for pictures) and then home for two weeks at Christmas to Indiana and Texas! We are looking forward to both especially coming home.

We have been in Greece one year now and it is hard to believe it. In some ways the time has just flown in other ways I feel like I have been here for years! We have learned a lot this past year and looking back now I am glad we have taken on this adventure.

Top Ten Things I Didn’t Know Before Moving to Greece

10. Greece is not part of Europe nor is it part of the developed world. Do not let their pretty and colorful currency fool you. Greece shares more with the Middle East and the 3rd world then it does with Europe.

9. Greeks don’t put their used TP in the toilet they throw it in the trash instead (this does not hold true at the American Embassy or at the Mark Household…we are Americans Damnit)

8. Applebees and TJI Fridays can be craved and are considered a treat (hey it is the closest thing we have to American food not cooked in the Mark kitchen)!

7. Everyone (outside of the US) follows American politics and the election and they will tell you who they want to vote for and who you should vote for (Thank God we don’t let them vote!).

6. Outside of the US, Eggs are not refrigerated at the grocery store and they come covered with poop and feathers! I have also found chicken legs at the store with the feathers still on them (so so gross).

5. Greece was most recently occupied by stray dogs and cats.

4. Americans are blamed for all of the world’s troubles. I have no idea who the world would protest and blame if we were not around.

3. Sidewalks are not made for walking they are made for planting trees and bushes. I have never seen so many unusable sidewalks in my life. In typical Greek fashion, instead of removing them they all walk in the street.

2. Soap, shampoo and deodorant are overlooked and underappreciated outside of the US.

1. The US is the greatest country in the world and we should all thank God that we were born Americans (OK I knew this one already but this last year as further cemented my belief)!