"Yay! Christmas!"... Wait.. what?!
OH! but my brain is messed up! I have yet to, publicly, congratulate my brother Theo and my sister-in-law Lee-Ann (who probably has the longest hyphenated name ever! Lee-Ann Briere-Gourasas .. yes they actually misspelled our last name hahahahahahaha.)... anyways back to congratulating them for making me an uncle for the second time! Theo and Lee you guys made Christmas and New Years actually enjoyable for me! Also congrats for finding a way to drag me back to Canada ;) I knew you guys missed me but srsly... Oh... wait... you mean the world does NOT revolve around me? LIES! HI LITTLE NIECE/NEPHEW... EMBRYO!
On with the update :D
10/12/2009
Five days have passed since my last update... looking back it wasn't really much for me to report :). Guard duties keep coming and going, so that leaves very little time to actually think. The moment that do exist though, are quite uhmm... reflective i would say. I have found myself planning for my world trip more and more often. On my way to Thessaloniki the other day, i met a couple of canadians, from Guelph! Small world eh? So, this couple has been traveling the world and they just so happened to be passing through Greece at that point. It was just the kick in the butt i needed to start doing some planning. I am pretty psyched :D
Today, being the tenth, marks a very special day for two reasons, which just so happens they occurred on the same time.
To begin with, it marks the end of a rough period for me. How come this ends right on the year mark? Well to be honest it didn't really happen by accident. Simply put, a year ago, today, i gave myself a deadline to pull myself together, and adjust to a new way of life.
Adapting has been rough indeed, and the ride often resembled a roller coaster. I'd like to take the opportunity to thank all my friends in Canada, who i consider my brothers and sisters, after sharing this experience with me. On with the analogy though ;)... Just like a roller coaster when you are about to board, you become scared/nervous/anxious, and come off it, after the ride is over, with a sense of conquering and a certain feeling of satisfaction, after having faced all that came your way. This might occur as odd to those who don't know the origin of these troubles, but believe you me, it is anything but random..
Bottom line is, that I stuck to it, and for that i have retained my dignity, and have learned a great deal, about being true to yourself, and your principles, and how the decisions you make do not just affect your course in life, but also others.
Secondly, today, marks my first month as an army man! Coincidentally, today, we are getting transferred to different locations, in Greece. Some are leaving to places they are likely never to visit or never thought of visiting in the past. I am talking about places that border Turkey etc.
As fate would have it, that is not really the case for me... I am actually being transferred to my home town! About 20km away... I really don't know what to think of it... Part of me is all like (add valley girl accent) "YAY" because that means being closer to my friends, and others i have come to known over the past few months. In addition, i am being given the opportunity to get to know a few people a bit better ;)
Furthermore i have also received a military specialization. I am actually a topographer hahahahahahaha... (sorry Rachel, i know you hate these kinds of definitions :P) Now, apparently i am going to be trained, and i can use this in my CV, outside the military! Mary... add it to my qualifications :D
When the time comes for me to leave the military i will undoubtedly have to chose a location to settle down. That is one of the reasons for the world trip i am preparing. As it pans out, opportunities for me, in Greece, are really not that great. So i figure any place in the world would do it as long as i like it :D
Hmm.. i am sporting a new haircut! I just so happened to buzz it :D I got lots of compliments on it, and have no one else to thank but Zoe, who actually persuaded me to go through with it... She did an awesome job! The intricate designs she made on the side drew considerable attention, and although not really military issue i kinda enjoyed the experience.
25/12/2009
Fifteen days and counting since my last write down... yeah i am actually writing this down on paper and then transferring it on the computer. Christmas day finds me, at camp, patrolling from 3 to 6 am. It is an odd sensation being isolated in the wee hours of the morning and just being distant from everything... It's not that there is sadness that the holidays are at hand and i am away from my family. Guess i got used to it over the years, being away in Canada.
Daybreak! The weather is unusually warm for the season... about 15C and quite wet. Its been raining since 4 am. Our day is starting with the usual chores of cleaning up... The added pressure is that we have the base commander visiting for a mini-celebration. Before that, we have the officer in charge showing up... this guy is a beast... and a half. He would easily occupy the upper deck of a double decker bus. He starts barking out commands, "Clean here... Dust there... Line up everything!"
For some reason, everytime i see him, i burst out laughing... not so much because, of the amount of blubber he is carrying around, but because he uses some of the most bitter, and funny lines.... EVER! Great example.... he used the following to show that some people started being really comfortable, to a point that it does not become military conduct... "Sailors, ported and started fucking, and they became captains".. hahahaha
After all of the cleaning was done, sometimes twice and thrice over because we had time to do it, (with the fat guy there is no such thing as time to spare), we had a very short rest period. Given the fact that i laugh just by looking at the guy (i think he realized it), i was in for a treat... he made me stand guard at the front door of the hall where the reception was going to be held.... with a mop, and exclusive orders to clean after each foot print.... YAY! FUN!..
The celebration started at 11 am. We broke our fast with Metaxa, and traditional sweets... seen here and here. Wishes were exchanged, and the commander gave us a symbolic gift... a piece of clothing (choosing between a scarf, gloves, or tuques all within military regulations of course!)... did i mention that in this years troops green and camo is really popular? In addition we got some disposable razors, and a shaving foam! YAY FOR PREZZIES!
The celebrations were concluded, and once more, the fat guy who obviously is germophobic, and quite crazy, made us cleat the entire base... again! Oh! did i mention that the base is covered in dirt, and therefore mud? Yeah... merry Christmas indeed.
With this and that, it was time for our afternoon nap, or siesta if you will. No rest for the wicked, as i had personnel guard duty... Coming out from a patrol at 6 am, and after walking for three hours, i am quite dazed and confused at this point... I felt the temperature drop a few degrees, and that could only mean that the fat one was closing in. I was reading my book, while on duty, (something pretty standard) and he decides to fa(c)t check me on how many guns we have available... I grudgingly tell him, just to receive the followup question of ... "what are the serial numbers and who do they belong to?" Needless to say i was stunned.... (quoting from this...) So i went on to look for the names and codes of each of the available guns. I swear i would punch him in the face if i were not afraid of the bounce it would create. His attitude "i do things because i am the boss" reminded a time not long ago in Canada :P
YAY for Christmas! (Mark, i still owe you a rant on Christmas... i have written it but time does not allow for actually putting it through.)
The previous days i was really well off though... I got to get out and hang out with with friends. My best friend got back from Germany, and although i won't be able to see him as much i was hoping, it has been really fun pounding back few brews and chatting about his experiences.
So far that sums everything... Cleaning, guarding, sleeping and eating when at camp... and eating, sleeping and going out when at home... You know... the simple life :)
Still waiting on those two pictures, i promised you guys. During the last week, and this might come as a shock to EVERYONE, i have gained some weight. I got chubby cheeks... Maybe that is the defining factor to the loss of my jolliness. Contrary to popular belief, the fatter you become, the less jolly you are. Just ask the fat guy :)
And with this i am off, to prepare for my 4-6 am gate guarding duty...
Happy New Years to all and people... please... "be-have"
Cheers
Petros
P.S. excuse the lack of flow or otherwise through the post. i have been copying this from random jots of a piece of paper, with little time to edit :)
P.S.2 Yes... suidakra is actually enjoyable for greek folks!!! (Black Rose Immorrrrrrrrrrrrrtal) as is this. Zoran/Piotrek i know you guys can't enjoy it ... as will pretty much everyone else... but i do owe it to myself to link it :D
On with the update :D
10/12/2009
Five days have passed since my last update... looking back it wasn't really much for me to report :). Guard duties keep coming and going, so that leaves very little time to actually think. The moment that do exist though, are quite uhmm... reflective i would say. I have found myself planning for my world trip more and more often. On my way to Thessaloniki the other day, i met a couple of canadians, from Guelph! Small world eh? So, this couple has been traveling the world and they just so happened to be passing through Greece at that point. It was just the kick in the butt i needed to start doing some planning. I am pretty psyched :D
Today, being the tenth, marks a very special day for two reasons, which just so happens they occurred on the same time.
To begin with, it marks the end of a rough period for me. How come this ends right on the year mark? Well to be honest it didn't really happen by accident. Simply put, a year ago, today, i gave myself a deadline to pull myself together, and adjust to a new way of life.
Adapting has been rough indeed, and the ride often resembled a roller coaster. I'd like to take the opportunity to thank all my friends in Canada, who i consider my brothers and sisters, after sharing this experience with me. On with the analogy though ;)... Just like a roller coaster when you are about to board, you become scared/nervous/anxious, and come off it, after the ride is over, with a sense of conquering and a certain feeling of satisfaction, after having faced all that came your way. This might occur as odd to those who don't know the origin of these troubles, but believe you me, it is anything but random..
Bottom line is, that I stuck to it, and for that i have retained my dignity, and have learned a great deal, about being true to yourself, and your principles, and how the decisions you make do not just affect your course in life, but also others.
Secondly, today, marks my first month as an army man! Coincidentally, today, we are getting transferred to different locations, in Greece. Some are leaving to places they are likely never to visit or never thought of visiting in the past. I am talking about places that border Turkey etc.
As fate would have it, that is not really the case for me... I am actually being transferred to my home town! About 20km away... I really don't know what to think of it... Part of me is all like (add valley girl accent) "YAY" because that means being closer to my friends, and others i have come to known over the past few months. In addition, i am being given the opportunity to get to know a few people a bit better ;)
Furthermore i have also received a military specialization. I am actually a topographer hahahahahahaha... (sorry Rachel, i know you hate these kinds of definitions :P) Now, apparently i am going to be trained, and i can use this in my CV, outside the military! Mary... add it to my qualifications :D
When the time comes for me to leave the military i will undoubtedly have to chose a location to settle down. That is one of the reasons for the world trip i am preparing. As it pans out, opportunities for me, in Greece, are really not that great. So i figure any place in the world would do it as long as i like it :D
Hmm.. i am sporting a new haircut! I just so happened to buzz it :D I got lots of compliments on it, and have no one else to thank but Zoe, who actually persuaded me to go through with it... She did an awesome job! The intricate designs she made on the side drew considerable attention, and although not really military issue i kinda enjoyed the experience.
25/12/2009
Fifteen days and counting since my last write down... yeah i am actually writing this down on paper and then transferring it on the computer. Christmas day finds me, at camp, patrolling from 3 to 6 am. It is an odd sensation being isolated in the wee hours of the morning and just being distant from everything... It's not that there is sadness that the holidays are at hand and i am away from my family. Guess i got used to it over the years, being away in Canada.
Daybreak! The weather is unusually warm for the season... about 15C and quite wet. Its been raining since 4 am. Our day is starting with the usual chores of cleaning up... The added pressure is that we have the base commander visiting for a mini-celebration. Before that, we have the officer in charge showing up... this guy is a beast... and a half. He would easily occupy the upper deck of a double decker bus. He starts barking out commands, "Clean here... Dust there... Line up everything!"
For some reason, everytime i see him, i burst out laughing... not so much because, of the amount of blubber he is carrying around, but because he uses some of the most bitter, and funny lines.... EVER! Great example.... he used the following to show that some people started being really comfortable, to a point that it does not become military conduct... "Sailors, ported and started fucking, and they became captains".. hahahaha
After all of the cleaning was done, sometimes twice and thrice over because we had time to do it, (with the fat guy there is no such thing as time to spare), we had a very short rest period. Given the fact that i laugh just by looking at the guy (i think he realized it), i was in for a treat... he made me stand guard at the front door of the hall where the reception was going to be held.... with a mop, and exclusive orders to clean after each foot print.... YAY! FUN!..
The celebration started at 11 am. We broke our fast with Metaxa, and traditional sweets... seen here and here. Wishes were exchanged, and the commander gave us a symbolic gift... a piece of clothing (choosing between a scarf, gloves, or tuques all within military regulations of course!)... did i mention that in this years troops green and camo is really popular? In addition we got some disposable razors, and a shaving foam! YAY FOR PREZZIES!
The celebrations were concluded, and once more, the fat guy who obviously is germophobic, and quite crazy, made us cleat the entire base... again! Oh! did i mention that the base is covered in dirt, and therefore mud? Yeah... merry Christmas indeed.
With this and that, it was time for our afternoon nap, or siesta if you will. No rest for the wicked, as i had personnel guard duty... Coming out from a patrol at 6 am, and after walking for three hours, i am quite dazed and confused at this point... I felt the temperature drop a few degrees, and that could only mean that the fat one was closing in. I was reading my book, while on duty, (something pretty standard) and he decides to fa(c)t check me on how many guns we have available... I grudgingly tell him, just to receive the followup question of ... "what are the serial numbers and who do they belong to?" Needless to say i was stunned.... (quoting from this...) So i went on to look for the names and codes of each of the available guns. I swear i would punch him in the face if i were not afraid of the bounce it would create. His attitude "i do things because i am the boss" reminded a time not long ago in Canada :P
YAY for Christmas! (Mark, i still owe you a rant on Christmas... i have written it but time does not allow for actually putting it through.)
The previous days i was really well off though... I got to get out and hang out with with friends. My best friend got back from Germany, and although i won't be able to see him as much i was hoping, it has been really fun pounding back few brews and chatting about his experiences.
So far that sums everything... Cleaning, guarding, sleeping and eating when at camp... and eating, sleeping and going out when at home... You know... the simple life :)
Still waiting on those two pictures, i promised you guys. During the last week, and this might come as a shock to EVERYONE, i have gained some weight. I got chubby cheeks... Maybe that is the defining factor to the loss of my jolliness. Contrary to popular belief, the fatter you become, the less jolly you are. Just ask the fat guy :)
And with this i am off, to prepare for my 4-6 am gate guarding duty...
Happy New Years to all and people... please... "be-have"
Cheers
Petros
P.S. excuse the lack of flow or otherwise through the post. i have been copying this from random jots of a piece of paper, with little time to edit :)
P.S.2 Yes... suidakra is actually enjoyable for greek folks!!! (Black Rose Immorrrrrrrrrrrrrtal) as is this. Zoran/Piotrek i know you guys can't enjoy it ... as will pretty much everyone else... but i do owe it to myself to link it :D
Thanks for the update, Petros! And hey-- the Ministry of Transportation has now corrected my misspelled name, free of charge no less! Woohoo! I am officially Lee-Ann Briere-Gkourasas, back in the world of two hyphens and my new silent K, as it should be.
ReplyDeleteAnd not that all your friends reading this blog are interested in this piece of news, but over the last two days (ahh, Boxing Day sales!) I've bought a bunch of area rugs and fun stuff for fixing up our unfinished basement, and it looks as though when you come visit next summer or whenever, you will have your run of the entire lower level indeed. It will be all warm and cozy for you! Ahem-cough, not that you are welcome here or anything(you know I hate to encourage you moving in with us), but just in case I wake up one day and find you here with a bunch of suitcases. Ha! Love you, Petros!
xoxoxoxox
love me and Unborn Baby Gkourasas:)
.,.