My blogging story

…… “We are all Greek,”  ……  Percy Shelly, poet

You can’t get more Greek than me! Born in Athens, I grew up in the north side of Chicago in the area we once called “Greek neighborhood”. Our house was located across the street from Saint Demetrious Greek Orthodox church, which made it the center of our life and community.

After grammar school we, (meaning myself and quite a few more children of Hellenic origin on the block) went to “Greek School” three times a week. Our attendance at Sunday school was a must for us, as well as all the religious events such as Christmas and Easter.

I remember many Sunday’s when bible class was over, there was usually a bake sale sponsored by the women’s Philoptohos Society, in which our moms were all members of.  I can still remember the sweetest smelling and best tasting Greek sweets ever!

As young Greek girls, my friends and I were members of the church choir for many years which we thought was pretty prestigious and cool at the time!

As we grew older, we became members of GOYA (Greek Orthodox Youth Association). Most of the friends I hung around with at the time were all Greek.

Every summer we would go to Greek summer camp somewhere in Indiana, where teens from all the Greek communities in the area would gather and have a great and “crazy religious” week. (if those two words can actually be used in the same sentence).

During our high school years, four of us decided to start a girls club. We named it “Delta Phis”,  from the Greek letters of the alphabet Δ.Φ. (as all sororities did at that time). We quickly recruited more girls and became 21 in total. We hosted dances, car washes and all sorts of community volunteer work such as singing at old peoples homes.  Our friendships lasted throughout all four years of high school and to this day we still get together on an almost monthly basis.  Delta Phis, if you are reading this… I love you all!

After graduating high-school my family decided to move back to the “old country”. This was truly a life changing experience.

I thought I spoke Greek well, but believe me when I got there I realized that my level of the language was very basic. A sort of “greeklish”.

I could barely understand or communicate with my first cousins. Of course, after 6 months that all changed and I became pretty fluent.

We lived in Athens and I attended the American University of Greece, Deree College.

The distances were so close and affordable that I was able to travel all over the country every summer and during the holidays. Island hopping was my favorite pastime. I have literally been to over 40 islands and destinations in Greece.

We returned back to the US in 2004. I currently live with my significant other in Lake Bluff since 2010, I thank him for his humor, encouragement, patience and support in this blog and my life in general. (little does he know that I’m going to put him to work on the technical part of this).

Mother to two beautiful Greek children who also happen to be my inspiration for this blog (yes …. I am trying to recruit them to make this … a family affair!).

My son is happily married, and has made me a proud grandmother to a delightful 2 year old boy and a beautiful baby girl. ( Update: In August of 2022 they have a second daughter, so now they are 3!)  They are already learning Greek by the way.

My daughter and her husband were newly married (at the time of first writing this article) and starting to plan a family. I am proud to announce that I am now a grandmother to a second wonderful grandson who was born in March.

My “blogging” history:

I have been writing and talking about Greece ever since I can remember. Whether back in the day when many people were not even aware about other countries or even outside their immediate state. Many would ask “Where is Greece?” (believe me this is true!)

In School; Explaining to my friends why I spoke a different language, why our Easter was on a different date and why we had to “fast” for many major holidays.

In France;  Working for the Consulate of Greece in Grenoble, I was the “Secretaire Generale”. We catered to all the Greek nationals residing in the entire Rhone-Alps area with their consular needs such as renewing their passports, translations, power of attorneys and other required government papers.

My responsibilities also included being the the editor in chief of the bi-monthly magazine “Echo de la Grece” for a few years. We also participated in various Greek events such as fairs, receptions and inaugurations.

At work; colleagues all have the same question’ : where is the best place to visit on my vacation to Greece?

Friends; I love sharing my Greek roots with them and catch myself many times mentioning “Greek phrases” or idioms, that pertain to our discussions. Sorry…. it’s the Hellene in me.

Given my heritage and experience, my sorority sisters and I often discussed planning a trip to Greece together. Finally, in 2016 we made it a reality and eight of us decided to go to Greece for two weeks in May.

Can you imagine eight 60 year old women in Greece for two weeks?

We visited Athens, Peloponnese, Crete, Mykonos and Santorini. I had so much fun planning and creating itineraries for each of our destinations.

And now the topping on the cake…. this blog… which is my personal culmination of all the above.

Enjoy!