Honestly the one thing I've missed about not having a job is the lack of work-related self-importance. I don't know what it is about saying, "Oh I'm so busy with work right now," that justifies sounding way busier than any other excuses for being busy, but it does. And I missed it. (Apparently saying "Oh I'm really busy catching up on The Newsroom and cooking dinner" doesn't solicit ANY feelings of sympathy. Trust me, I've tried.)
I know, no one feels the least bit sorry for me having been a totally unproductive member of society for these past few (six, if you're counting) months. Lord knows I don't feel sorry for myself, it has been awesome. Highlights have included: traveling with Spiros, living with Shawn, spending time with my parentals, and becoming a master friendship bracelet maker. But when it comes down to it, I feel guilty for having done nothing (of significant, viable) importance. And to be honest, The Newsroom is good, but it's not that great.
So when it became a possibility for me to do some freelance work for the woman I worked for last fall (the one who mentioned, "You should have given Spiros a chance" right before I left), I jumped at the chance. IF ONLY to be able to say I made an effort to do something worthwhile. A semblance of self-importance. (And you know, for the money slash experience.)
Unfortunately it has taken literally two months to sort out, but hooray, it finally worked. I signed a contract and everything.
Now I am officially self-important again. At least for the next four-to-six weeks. And that's all I need to be able to have a conversation with my currently-still-employed-82-year-old grandmother without feeling like the world's biggest asshole. It's something.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Monday, July 23, 2012
Girl Crush: Rashida Jones & The More You Know (About Prunes)
Kind of like my former feelings toward Kristen Bell, I'll admit I used to dislike Rashida Jones based solely on her Office character Karen. I mean, obviously, anyone coming between Pam and Jim was the devil no matter how funny she might have been.
But I've since moved on. Now she plays the "sweet, beautiful Ann Perkins" on Parks & Recreation - as Leslie Knope always refers to her - and she's great. Plus she's always popping up in hilarious movies (uh hello, I Love You Man).
Basically I think she's awesome.
And then I saw these tweets. Everything about them makes me laugh, especially: the fact she was concerned about the disappearance of prunes, the fact prunes have their own PR team, and the fact she and Aziz Ansari are BFFs.
Happy Monday.
But I've since moved on. Now she plays the "sweet, beautiful Ann Perkins" on Parks & Recreation - as Leslie Knope always refers to her - and she's great. Plus she's always popping up in hilarious movies (uh hello, I Love You Man).
Basically I think she's awesome.
And then I saw these tweets. Everything about them makes me laugh, especially: the fact she was concerned about the disappearance of prunes, the fact prunes have their own PR team, and the fact she and Aziz Ansari are BFFs.
Happy Monday.
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| Apparently 2Chainz is a rapper. Thanks, wikipedia. |
And now you all know what happened to prunes and why Rashida Jones is a special layday.
Friday, July 20, 2012
Some Thoughts On Living Together
I would be lying if I said it wasn't awesome.
I have never come close to living with a significant other, and part of me gets a little disappointed that Spiros has done this all before (technically twice, but who's counting?), but then I slap myself and think, "He came house trained!" He is a great roommate. He is considerate about living with a woman. He has nice stuff.
It all sort of hit me the other night when we were watching Downton Abbey before bed (I've gotten Spiros hooked! Can't wait for season 3!!) and I asked him what he was doing the next day. The way the question came out gave me the weirdest dating de ja vous, like "So, what are you up to this week? Want to hang out?"
And then it was like, "Oh right, duh, I will automatically see you tomorrow!" And it was the best feeling ever.
I have a lot of friends with very different perspectives on pre-maritial co-habitation. Many are probably wondering what in the world I'm thinking moving to LA with Spiros without a commitment. As my mom put it, "Normally I would want you to be at least engaged to a guy you're living with, but in this case I'm just happy you're taking the time to get to know him before rushing into anything."
Actually this topic was recently the source of our first real fight. Not that I want to get married (or even engaged) tomorrow, but I'm coming from the perspective of a Southern girl in her (almost) late-twenties with a diagnosed case of Baby Fever and a Facebook Newsfeed littered with nuptials of younger sorority sisters.
He, you see, comes from a much different viewpoint. As quickly as this relationship has moved, he's still a mid-thirties Peter Pan with a big fear of The M Word. He's seen plenty of marriages fail first hand, and now he's at the point when some of his wifed-up friends complain about "having problems."
I won't pretend I don't think about it, but as honest as I try to be with Spiros about what I'm feeling, after our "discussion in which we raised our voices and said some stuff we probably shouldn't have," I learned maybe I should keep thoughts on this topic to myself for the time being.
Putting (unintentional) pressure on him doesn't do anybody any good. Lord knows we have enough stuff on our plates to worry about right now (like, um, where our plates will be living in California). So we agreed to chill out (well, I agreed to chill out, he agreed to continue loving me even though I am certifiably crazy), and see how life goes in the Golden State before jumping into anything else.
Even though fighting sucks, it was something that needed to happen. Before that it had been all Pinterest recipes, fresh cut flowers, Saturday naps, and large-dog-breed Googling (the breed de jour is a Newfie!). We needed a little bubble-bursting, if you will.
And, you know what? I love him - and living with him - even more.
(Gah this blog has gotten grossly sappy as of late, huh?)
Here are a few pictures from "our home" (or more accurately, the things we've bought since I've been here):
I have never come close to living with a significant other, and part of me gets a little disappointed that Spiros has done this all before (technically twice, but who's counting?), but then I slap myself and think, "He came house trained!" He is a great roommate. He is considerate about living with a woman. He has nice stuff.
It all sort of hit me the other night when we were watching Downton Abbey before bed (I've gotten Spiros hooked! Can't wait for season 3!!) and I asked him what he was doing the next day. The way the question came out gave me the weirdest dating de ja vous, like "So, what are you up to this week? Want to hang out?"
And then it was like, "Oh right, duh, I will automatically see you tomorrow!" And it was the best feeling ever.
I have a lot of friends with very different perspectives on pre-maritial co-habitation. Many are probably wondering what in the world I'm thinking moving to LA with Spiros without a commitment. As my mom put it, "Normally I would want you to be at least engaged to a guy you're living with, but in this case I'm just happy you're taking the time to get to know him before rushing into anything."
Actually this topic was recently the source of our first real fight. Not that I want to get married (or even engaged) tomorrow, but I'm coming from the perspective of a Southern girl in her (almost) late-twenties with a diagnosed case of Baby Fever and a Facebook Newsfeed littered with nuptials of younger sorority sisters.
He, you see, comes from a much different viewpoint. As quickly as this relationship has moved, he's still a mid-thirties Peter Pan with a big fear of The M Word. He's seen plenty of marriages fail first hand, and now he's at the point when some of his wifed-up friends complain about "having problems."
I won't pretend I don't think about it, but as honest as I try to be with Spiros about what I'm feeling, after our "discussion in which we raised our voices and said some stuff we probably shouldn't have," I learned maybe I should keep thoughts on this topic to myself for the time being.
Putting (unintentional) pressure on him doesn't do anybody any good. Lord knows we have enough stuff on our plates to worry about right now (like, um, where our plates will be living in California). So we agreed to chill out (well, I agreed to chill out, he agreed to continue loving me even though I am certifiably crazy), and see how life goes in the Golden State before jumping into anything else.
Even though fighting sucks, it was something that needed to happen. Before that it had been all Pinterest recipes, fresh cut flowers, Saturday naps, and large-dog-breed Googling (the breed de jour is a Newfie!). We needed a little bubble-bursting, if you will.
And, you know what? I love him - and living with him - even more.
(Gah this blog has gotten grossly sappy as of late, huh?)
Here are a few pictures from "our home" (or more accurately, the things we've bought since I've been here):
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| Perfectly nautical mirror from the Greek island of Tinos. |
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| A Pinterest-inspired celebration the night he signed his offer letter. (Why yes, he does have red Smeg appliances. Too bad they can't come with us!) |
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| 1. Repurposed bottles since he has no vases. And little sailboats from a shop we stumbled past in Berlin. 2. Awesome wallpaper, huh? He has good taste. 3. A couch, that from the first time I came to his apartment in December, I creepily thought "I could totally have that in my house if this works out." |
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| These are the first flowers a guy has given to me since college! NYC guys, suck it. |
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| I insisted on buying a Greek flag for our California home, followed by insisting on hanging it up immediately. Hellas!! |
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| Our "sea treasures" from adventures thus far, stored in a beautiful olive wood bowl from Athens. |
Thursday, July 19, 2012
My Turn To Meet The Parents
I had heard a lot about Spiros' family before I met them. I knew from our first date that his mother had suffered an out-of-the-blue stroke when he was 12. As you can imagine, everything from not knowing if she would survive to her (lucky) recovery from brain surgery was incredibly difficult for his family. He gave me an idea of how it changed the dynamic, and to be honest, I was nervous to experience it all for myself.
A health crisis of that magnitude has lasting effects. It strained relationships, exposed deeper issues, and of course I'd be remiss if I left out the physical duress his sweet mother has suffered from every day since then. With a practically useless left hand and limited mobility with her left leg, she is an inspiration in all that she does. (Not to mention an excellent cook.)
From the first moment we met, we liked each other. She was so welcoming - especially to a girl who was stealing away her baby to a country around the world. After getting to know her more, I realized she was very funny. (Especially funny in a not-terribly-appropriate sort of way, which obviously I loved. And I learned some helpful new Greek vocabulary along the way. The highlight might have been when she tried to convey the word "balls" to me. Yes, those kind.)
After a couple of days in Athens, I got to meet Spiros' dad, who now lives full-time at their summer house about 45 minutes away. Again, from the first minute we met, I instantly felt welcome and at home. His dad showed me around the property, which includes a vegetable garden housing a million tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, and potatoes, fruit trees, and chickens (and a red-headed alarm clock). He quickly learned I have a real problem saying no to food and spent the remainder of our time together stuffing me with fresh, delicious cuisine.
By the end of the trip, I'd gained two kilos (five pounds) and their support for our relationship. His mom even confided in me that Spiros had suffered a sustaining melancholy since her illness and for the first time she saw him really happy in his life. I mean, the sweetest thing, right?
Among other people I met were his older brother, his (brother's) ex wife, their seven year old daughter (who was the one person who NEVER came around to me, I'll blame the language barrier), one cousin, two aunts, and his 100 year old yia yia (grandma). The best part was when he's grandma, who might ask the same question five times but still gets what's going on, asked Spiros when he and I were getting married. He responded "someday." She told him, "Someday is too vague, I want some dates." Hmm, a sassy, straight-forward grandma, who does that remind me of?
All in all it was a wonderful trip, and I really hope they come visit us in California.
Here are a few pictures:
A health crisis of that magnitude has lasting effects. It strained relationships, exposed deeper issues, and of course I'd be remiss if I left out the physical duress his sweet mother has suffered from every day since then. With a practically useless left hand and limited mobility with her left leg, she is an inspiration in all that she does. (Not to mention an excellent cook.)
From the first moment we met, we liked each other. She was so welcoming - especially to a girl who was stealing away her baby to a country around the world. After getting to know her more, I realized she was very funny. (Especially funny in a not-terribly-appropriate sort of way, which obviously I loved. And I learned some helpful new Greek vocabulary along the way. The highlight might have been when she tried to convey the word "balls" to me. Yes, those kind.)
After a couple of days in Athens, I got to meet Spiros' dad, who now lives full-time at their summer house about 45 minutes away. Again, from the first minute we met, I instantly felt welcome and at home. His dad showed me around the property, which includes a vegetable garden housing a million tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, and potatoes, fruit trees, and chickens (and a red-headed alarm clock). He quickly learned I have a real problem saying no to food and spent the remainder of our time together stuffing me with fresh, delicious cuisine.
By the end of the trip, I'd gained two kilos (five pounds) and their support for our relationship. His mom even confided in me that Spiros had suffered a sustaining melancholy since her illness and for the first time she saw him really happy in his life. I mean, the sweetest thing, right?
Among other people I met were his older brother, his (brother's) ex wife, their seven year old daughter (who was the one person who NEVER came around to me, I'll blame the language barrier), one cousin, two aunts, and his 100 year old yia yia (grandma). The best part was when he's grandma, who might ask the same question five times but still gets what's going on, asked Spiros when he and I were getting married. He responded "someday." She told him, "Someday is too vague, I want some dates." Hmm, a sassy, straight-forward grandma, who does that remind me of?
All in all it was a wonderful trip, and I really hope they come visit us in California.
Here are a few pictures:
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| Spiros' grandpa Spiros (who died before he was born) |
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
A Bit Of Athens
Much like leading me to believe that his parents spoke little-to-no English, Spiros forewarned me that Athens was "ugly." He described it as full of 1960's concrete buildings built on top of one another like a ghetto. A second world capital. A quasi-modern monstrosity destroying the beauty of the ancient ruins it surrounds. It didn't help that the book I was reading on the trip, Jeffrey Eugenides' The Marriage Plot, had one of the characters describe the view of Athens from the Acropolis as a "giant bathtub filled with dirty suds."
So naturally I found the city to be much better than expected. While it's no Paris - that's for sure - it does have some semblance of Barcelona (minus the beautiful Spanish architecture). Stately streets downtown, narrow neighborhood blocks on the outskirts. And a few palm trees thrown in for good measure.
The city itself is contained on a sliver of land sandwiched between the sea and the mountains. It is no surprise that Spiros fell in love with California when he realized he could have the same landscape there too.
Athens is a good place to spend a day or two soaking up the beauty of old stuff. (The subway is like a museum in itself due to the artifacts on display, which were discovered when it was built.) However, much like we did, I would recommend heading to the beach as soon as possible. Sweltering in a concrete jungle is no vacation as far as I'm concerned.
Here are a few pictures from the Acropolis and Lycabettus Hill.
So naturally I found the city to be much better than expected. While it's no Paris - that's for sure - it does have some semblance of Barcelona (minus the beautiful Spanish architecture). Stately streets downtown, narrow neighborhood blocks on the outskirts. And a few palm trees thrown in for good measure.
The city itself is contained on a sliver of land sandwiched between the sea and the mountains. It is no surprise that Spiros fell in love with California when he realized he could have the same landscape there too.
Athens is a good place to spend a day or two soaking up the beauty of old stuff. (The subway is like a museum in itself due to the artifacts on display, which were discovered when it was built.) However, much like we did, I would recommend heading to the beach as soon as possible. Sweltering in a concrete jungle is no vacation as far as I'm concerned.
Here are a few pictures from the Acropolis and Lycabettus Hill.
Monday, July 16, 2012
Greece In A Nutshell
We're back in Berlin after two more glorious weeks in Greece. As they say there, it was very "zesty." Along with that word, I learned quite a few others, including: little strawberry, seat belt, watermelon, butt, dog, girlfriend, fork, and tan (people even used it to describe me!!!).
It was beyond wonderful getting to meet and spend time with Spiros' family, see where he grew up in Athens, and explore two more islands. More on each adventure later, but for now, here is basically what Greece is like (when you take away all the beautiful beaches):
It was beyond wonderful getting to meet and spend time with Spiros' family, see where he grew up in Athens, and explore two more islands. More on each adventure later, but for now, here is basically what Greece is like (when you take away all the beautiful beaches):
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| Donkeys. |
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| Churches built on cliffs/islands/logistically-improbable locaions. |
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| Greek flags (which just happen to be my favorite color of blue) |
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| Traffic signs no one follows. (Contrary to what I thought, this does not mean "excitement up ahead!") |
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| Orange trees all over Athens. (The last of the crop.) |
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| More donkeys. |
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| Amazing food, and empty dishes of tzatziki. |
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| Even more cats than donkeys. |
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| Freddoespresso - the best cold coffee ever. |
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| My 35 year old child. |
Friday, July 6, 2012
Guys, They're Just Like Us
A fun memory from our last trip together:
Spiros: "Hey, where is my toiletries bag that I left in that other hotel room that the house keeper found?"
Me: "I put it in the top zipper."
Spiros: "It's not here!"
Me: "Well, that was like two days ago, so I assume you've used it between now and then."
Spiros: "But you said you checked the last hotel for anything we forgot! You didn't see it?!"
Me: "No, sorry. You are a big boy... I am not your mother..."
Spiros: <very dramatic> "There is almost 300 euros worth of stuff in there!!!!! [Deep sigh] Oh well. I guess it's just my DESTINY to lose it all..."
[Note: It isslightly pretty embarrassing how much more he spends on things like that than me. Cough cough Hermes body wash cough cough. He is "European." Except he actually is.]
Spiros: "Oh never mind. Here it is..."
Me: "OH MY GOD! YOU CHEATED YOUR DESTINY!!!!!!!!"
Apparently PMS is contagious...
Fingers crossed neither of us has a dramatic meltdown on this trip!
Spiros: "Hey, where is my toiletries bag that I left in that other hotel room that the house keeper found?"
Me: "I put it in the top zipper."
Spiros: "It's not here!"
Me: "Well, that was like two days ago, so I assume you've used it between now and then."
Spiros: "But you said you checked the last hotel for anything we forgot! You didn't see it?!"
Me: "No, sorry. You are a big boy... I am not your mother..."
Spiros: <very dramatic> "There is almost 300 euros worth of stuff in there!!!!! [Deep sigh] Oh well. I guess it's just my DESTINY to lose it all..."
[Note: It is
Spiros: "Oh never mind. Here it is..."
Me: "OH MY GOD! YOU CHEATED YOUR DESTINY!!!!!!!!"
Apparently PMS is contagious...
Fingers crossed neither of us has a dramatic meltdown on this trip!
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Happy Birfday, Amurica!
Dear Country of my Birth,
Happy b-day. Sorry I'm not there to celebrate in person. I'll totes by you a drink the next time I'm in town! Hope you have a great day anyway! No matter what anyone says, you look awesome for your age!
Love,
Rachel
PS here are some "fun" memories from the past few years! That one in the Hamptons, LOLZ...
Happy b-day. Sorry I'm not there to celebrate in person. I'll totes by you a drink the next time I'm in town! Hope you have a great day anyway! No matter what anyone says, you look awesome for your age!
Love,
Rachel
PS here are some "fun" memories from the past few years! That one in the Hamptons, LOLZ...
- Celebrating 4th of July in Atlantic City with Perez Hilton
- Good ol' fashioned FoJ with my family in Austin wherein I dressed as patriotic as possible
- A recap of the worst Fourth in the history of the world
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| In other news, I really want a basset hound to dress up in costumes. "So American" as my German friends would say. |
Monday, July 2, 2012
Two Hopeless Romantics Walk Into A Bar ...
12/28/11  | ||||
if I "officially" invite you to my beautiful country next summer, what would be your answer? you wont have to plan anything of course, but you will have to trust me :) I know it's too far away but I felt like asking you anyway:)
...As you can see, we are both totally insane. I can't believe it worked out. Headed to Athens to meet his family...eeeek!
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