"A moment, a love, a dream, aloud.
A kiss, a cry, our rights, our wrongs.
A moment, a love, a dream, aloud.
A moment, a love, a dream, aloud."
1) There are 72 Starbucks located in Greece, one of those (in Athens) being three-stories.
2) You must NEVER ask for butter with your toast.
3) I'll be studying there in less than a year.
Greece. Greece. Greece.
Some people have asked me, why not England? You've been dreaming about living in a little cottage in Surrey for years now! Then my college says, "We have a great program in Australia!"
Yes, I am aware of these things, and these are two countries I'd love to visit some day. But if I'm spending a summer in a different country, I want a culture shock. I want to be forced to look outside of what I have come to accept as the 'norm' in society. Not that another English speaking country wouldn't do this, but I feel England and Australia would become too comfortable, too quickly.
Even though I was set on Greece in my mind, I did have several apprehensions about spending a semester there, having practically no prior knowledge about the culture before I set up a meeting with a study abroad advisor. However, last night I ran into a friend I haven't seen in a while on campus. She mentioned that she went to Greece on spring break just a few days ago. She was still elated, and when I told her I was looking at studying in Greece, she couldn't recommend it enough. She said nearly everyone knows at least some English (SO relieving). She said everyone dresses so well and formally. This is both exciting and intimidating. I know I shouldn't be worrying about wardrobe, but come on. Of course fashion is a large part of my excitement whenever I visit a new place, I'm not going to lie. Greece is in the EU, though, so she said things are quite expensive. I guess I won't be stocking up on $.80 DVD's. ;]
Anyway, after my conversation with her, I was pretty much just stoked.
I had my meeting today, and did lots of research on my own. I found the perfect program in Athens. I can take classes that go towards both my majors. Also, it's through a state school, so I won't have to pay private school prices. Three months. Perfect amount of time. GREECE!
Is it bad that I've already looked up coffee shops in Athens? I mean, can you even imagine sitting at a cafe in Athens doing Literature homework while listening to the sea waves crash along the coast? The weirdest thing about that sentence, is that it's not even me being hopelessly idealistic.
I Google mapped Florence, Italy (where my good friend will be next spring) to Athens, Greece. Not as close as they look, guys. Don't let the grand scheme of the globe trick you. I mean, it LOOKS close! Anyway, Google mapping Italy to Greece is something I can say I have never done before. Tehe.
In other news, SKA is coming to MSU. Big Reel Fish is coming to campus, and it's free to all students. YES. This is SUCH an improvement from Mike Jones, whom you also have coming in a few weeks. Mikes Jones, seriously? I thought he moved on things he might actually be good at in life, seeing as no ones heard anything about him in the past five years. Anyway, I've never been to a ska concert. Needless to say, I am quite excited.
... now only if it was Streetlight Manifesto. This is quality ska.
Today was one of the best days this year. It was just so fantastic. Every little thing was just generating even more excitement in me. I even accidentally started skipping once across campus, and I was alone. Greece, nice weather, short sleeves, Tevas, friends, choir, Harry Potter, St. Patrick's Day, Alyson's happiness... all great.
Rad: LIFE, gosh danggit!
Unrad: -----
Greek Episode: Season 3 Episode 2
Ps: Happy Birthday, Krista. :] Oh, and did you know? Walt Whitman was gay. Just a heads up, on that one.
xx
!!!!! I'm so excited to have an excuse to go to Greece, and to have you come to Rome (not Florence...unless you meant someone else)
ReplyDeleteWhen is Real Big Fish coming to your campus? I wanna Come!
Andrew said Florence! Oh LIES, Andrew, LIES!
ReplyDeleteReel Big Fish is coming Thursday April 22. COME!
Are non-students allowed to come to see Reel Big Fish?
ReplyDeleteAnd ska purists would have you believe that Reel Big Fish is significantly better than Streetlight Manifesto. Actually, calling Streetlight "ska" would even be a little bit questionable. It's more like punk with brass. the reggae influence is all but gone. But they are definitely fun to listen to.
Tyler, for non-students they're $10 tickets. I think you have to buy them ahead of time. Let me know if you want one, or two.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I probably have little to no place pretending I know good ska. I just like Streetlight, that's all. :]
Thanks for the birthday wishes, dear!
ReplyDeleteI feel as though we haven't talked in a year or some other huge expanse of time...
I miss you.
I am so envious of your going to Greece! You're going to have a wonderful time and so much experience!
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping that I get to study abroad at least one summer and one semester ... but we'll see how it goes. I do not think that it is a bad thing that you've already looked up coffee shops. It just means that you're on top of things!
Thank you for all the comments on my blog, you are incredibly insightful and kind!
Greece must be big in the educational world right now because I'm going to be in Greece in 33 days in 2 weeks! I'm like you, I'm incredibly pumped about it because I've always wanted to go, but never had the chance.
ReplyDeleteNow I do!!!