since you asked...

Here's my hair (since Andrew cut it). And a funny face. :)
(This means we got our engagement photos back! I'll post our favorites soon.)

February reading

Today, on March 26, I finished my book for February. Woohoo! Only 26 days late. I am considering revising my goal to one "need to read" book every two months, rather than one. I believe in setting myself up for success. ;)

"Sex Trafficking: Inside the Business of Modern Day Slavery" by Siddharth Kara is what I just finished. It's been a long time since I have learned new information about human trafficking - being in my circles and having articles, etc. sent to me all the time there is never really any new information. So I appreciated this book and would actually really recommend it. It did cover the business side, focusing on the product (victims), wholesalers (slave traders/traffickers), retailers (slave/brothel owners), and consumers and his recommendations for decreasing the high numbers of sex trafficking that is taking place across the globe. But the author also took several extensive research trips and examined trafficking trends and patterns in many regions of the world. I gleaned a few pieces of information from some of his research.

Anyway, if you want to read more about trafficking and learn about what it looks like around the world, I'd recommend this one. Some parts are understandably difficult to read, and he shares his own personal reactions, feelings, and reflections throughout. But as we know it's a very important humanitarian and justice issue, and this book will give lots of good info.

I guess if I am revising my goal I have until the end of April to finish the next one...I wonder what it shall be??

waiting and celebrating

I was in Sydney for a week for meetings and planning. I caught up with a new friend who is going to Europe for several months - and letting Andrew and I house sit for June and July when we get to Sydney. A tiny studio apartment, but free rent in a great neighborhood and a soft landing as we arrive in our new city after the wedding!

Still waiting for that dang work visa to come through so I can plunge in and get to work. The fun and flexibility of working from home in Adelaide is losing its novelty - I need to get out! :)

That said, I am quite happy to still be able to be here, since Andrew is here. We had a fun week this past week here - engagement photos, engagement party - but I have no photos to share with you yet. This fabulous girl did our photos, and we had a rockin' party last night at this cool pub! A friend took photos for us at the party, so I can't wait to get both sets soon. What an odd but warm feeling to have a party in a new country and have over 100 people show up to celebrate us - all new friends to me but so many who love Andrew dearly and are so excited for him (us!).

Heading to Sydney again on Monday for more work, meetings, and a conference... I'll probably be absent here for a little while again. :)

mad blogger

Everything you ever wanted to know about hair loss and hair replacement... Check out Andrew's blog, where he is posting like a fiend!

(They say the more external links to a website, the higher it ranks on Google. Just doing my part.) :) x

Today I met Betty, the volunteer director of Lavender Lads & Ladies at the Adelaide Royal Hospital in the Oncology ward. The LLL help patients who lack family assistance and support throughout the hospital. In Oncology, they operate a wig borrowing and renting service. They subsist on wig donations to help those who have lost their hair due to chemotherapy. I went to see her to see how we might be able to help their clients with wigs and hair consultations. (And by "we" I mean Transitions.) :) I am learning all I never knew existed about hair loss and restoration. :)

Thanks, Google maps

For some odd reason, this map from Google was of NO help whatsoever to me this morning.... !?!?

Athens

It's hard to describe how I feel for Athens these days. I miss my friends and bits and pieces of life there, for sure. I miss our group of girls and coffee dates and meeting up on a whim in the evenings for a walk or a glass of wine. I miss our chats and the depth of relationship I was able to create with several people in a short time. There's something about sharing common circumstances in life (being a foreigner, single girl, in Greece, etc.) that forges bonds quickly.

Occasionally when I see friends' photos or hear stories from there, I feel this pang of familiarity and loss. It's strange; I can't say I miss the city, to be honest. I do miss the lifestyle, the feeling of being somewhat familiar with and being "at home" in another culture, and aspects of what life was there for me. But I don't miss the city, the dirtiness, the drug addicts, the brothels, the hardness and apathy and rebellion, feeling of always being a foreigner, the struggle with language. I don't really miss Athens at all.

The funny thing is, I hold so many fond memories and feelings for my time in Greece, but I know that if I went back it wouldn't be the same. A different blend of people, the absence of my fun apartment in my cool neighborhood, different work and social circumstances, and even more unrest and disruption. It will never be the same as it was while I was there. So I guess what I think fondly of is the time, the memories, and the friends and circumstances that came together to make my time there what it was. I'm glad I was there when I was. I like to think I made my little mark and others made theirs on me. :)

Wow, how life changes in a hurry. Life now looks nothing like it did even four months ago. Adjusting to a third culture (where I am SO SO SO thankful they speak English), new people, new job, and soon to be new marriage. It's exciting and feels like a grand adventure is just beginning. So Athens has become another place that I think of when I think of "home" and my friends there are others that I count as close and significant when I think of my important people.

I saw this video on a friend's facebook page a couple months ago. It brings feelings of familiarity and loss, but also of distance. Memories of what was, but knowledge that that isn't my life anymore. And ultimately - fortunately! - contentment and excitement about where I am now. :)

Athens...the Little Great City (I know it's big, sorry)