Ιστορίες της μαμάς μου Vol. 1

•Ο προπάππους μου και η γυναίκα του που ζούσαν στο γύθειο είχαν ντυθεί εκείνος νταρντάνα κι εκείνη γιατρός σε κάποιες απόκριες και γύριζαν όλο το Γύθειο κάνοντας φάρσες στους συντοπίτες τους! Η μεταμφίεση της γυναίκας του προπάππου μου μάλιστα ήταν τόσο πετυχημένη που κανείς δεν κατάλαβε ότι ήταν γυναίκα!

•Η μητέρα μου πριν βγει στη σύνταξη ήταν αισθητικός και έκανε και μακιγιάζ. Κάθε απόκριες (δεκαετίες 70-80) είχε ουρές απέξω από το ινστιτούτο της από γκέι άνδρες που ήθελαν να τους βάψει Μαρινέλα και Βουγιουκλάκη! Έρχονταν ντυμένοι με τα κανονικά τους ρούχα και άλλαζαν στο ινστιτούτο της γιατί φοβόντουσαν να έρθουν ντυμένοι ως άνδρες με γυναικεία ρούχα. Αυτό είχε ως αποτέλεσμα να μπαίνουν στο κτίριο ως άνδρες και να βγαίνουν ως drag queens! Μάλιστα, όταν η μητέρα μου είχε να βάψει πάρα πολλούς ερχόταν και η γιαγιά μου (Φιλόλογος) και τη βοηθούσε!

•Ένας φίλος της μητέρας μου ήταν drag queen (ανεπίσημα) και η μητέρα μου τον έβαφε και τον έντυνε (με ζαρτιέρες κλπ) και έκανε show στο σαλόνι μας μπροστά στη γιαγιά μου και άλλες γειτόνισσες μεγάλης ηλικίας, οι οποίες τον λάτρευαν και διασκέδαζαν πολύ με το show!

•Η μητέρα μου ντυνόταν άντρας πολλές απόκριες. Μια φορά είχε ντυθεί γαμπρός και πήγε να πάρει από το σπίτι της με ταξί μια φίλη της αισθητικό που είχε ντυθεί νύφη. Τη ζήτησε και από τον πατέρα της ο οποίος έκλαιγε από τα γέλια. Ο ταξιτζής δε που την πήγε (και αρχικά δεν είχε καταλάβει ότι η μαμά μου είναι γυναίκα) έμεινε μαζί τους όλο το βράδυ και της πήγαινε από φιλικό σπίτι σε φιλικό σπίτι μιας και ήθελαν να κάνουν φάρσα σε όλους τους φίλους τους.

•Τότε που νομιμοποιήθηκαν οι πολιτικοί γάμοι, πολλ@ ιδιοκτήτ@ς μαγαζιών με είδη γάμου άρχισαν να πετάνε τα νυφικά που πωλούσαν καθότι πίστευαν ότι ήρθε το τέλος των επιχειρήσεών τους! Έτσι έκανε κι ένας κύριος στο Παγκράτι, και μία φίλη και γειτόνισσα της γιαγιάς μου πήγε και μάζεψε τα νυφικά, τα οποία και χάριζε μετά σε άντρες και γυναίκες για να ντυθούν νύφες τις απόκριες. Τέτοιο ήταν και το νυφικό που φόρεσε η φίλη της μαμάς μου στην παραπάνω ιστορία!

Random Thoughts LXIX

Is it weird that even though I'm Greek I feel extremely disconnected from Greek reality?I cannot relate to most Greek traditions, parts of Greek culture and Greek societal norms. Everytime I go back to Greece I feel like an alien.

Black Dahlia Tattoo in Athens

In 2013 I went to one of these 'Piercing Events' they had and I paid 20 euros for a microdermal.
Funnily enough, the piercer told me he didn't have the right size jewelry for my piercing, but what he had would do (other people heard him say it too).
The result was that due to the jewelry being too short the piercing was healing the wrong way. I actually had to pull it out by myself, as the piercer was not there any of the times I called to ask for help with that piercing.
4 years later, I still have the scar.
I've been pierced over 40+ times, had all sorts of piercings, so I know how to take care of my piercings. So I kindly ask you to refrain from blaming this on me.
I have friends who had piercings done there and never had an issue and love the place, but I also have friends whose experiences were negative.

I would personally never step my foot in there again, and if I ever saw that piercer I'd give him a piece of my mind.

Κουφοντίνας

Έχει γίνει του πορνό στο Twitter επειδή πήρε 2ήμερη άδεια ο Κουφοντίνας, επειδή ένας από αυτούς που τον υποδέχτηκαν έξω από τη φυλακή ήταν ο γιος του προέδρου της Βουλής, επειδή .... μπλα μπλα μπλα

Ναι, δολοφόνησε 11 ανθρώπους. Ναι, ήταν μέλος τρομοκρατικής οργάνωσης. Όχι, ο φόνος δεν πρέπει να επιβραβεύεται.

Αλλά, η 17 Νοέμβρη δε στοχοποιούσε αθώους πολίτες. Στοχοποιούσε διεφθαρμένους πολιτικούς και μαφιόζους. Πολλές φορές μια θετική αλλαγή είναι βουτηγμένη στο αίμα. Ειδικά εφόσον η δικαιοσύνη υποστήριζε το 'δίκιο' των λίγων, και όχι το δίκιο των πολιτών, ήταν αναμενόμενο ότι κάποιοι πολίτες θα επαναστατούσαν.
Καμία ειρηνική και αναίμακτη επανάσταση δεν είχε αποτελέσματα.

Προφανώς μαζί με τους ενόχους θα υπήρξαν παράπλευρες απώλειες.
Δεν επικροτώ τη δολοφονία ούτε την τρομοκρατία.

Αλλά αν η 17 Νοέμβρη είναι τρομοκρατική οργάνωση, κι όλοι αυτοί που τρώνε τόσα χρόνια τα λεφτά του Ελληνικού λαού, όλοι οι διεφθαρμένοι πολιτικοί, οι μαφιόζοι, οι εμπλεκόμενοι σε σκάνδαλα, όλοι αυτοί είναι επίσης τρομοκράτες.

Εγώ εύχομαι στον κύριο Κουφοντίνα να απολαύσει αυτές τις 2 μέρες άδειας που του δώθηκε, αλλά περισσότερο να απολαύσει ότι όλοι οι διεφθαρμένοι θα τρέμουν και θα τρώνε τα λύσσακά τους αυτές τις 2 μέρες. 

I know your true face

In the past few days I keep stumbling upon pictures and posts featuring a certain person from the Greek alternative/queer community.

That person -and certain people they associate with- hurt very good friends of mine, and have even tried to hurt me, too.
I don't want people like that in my life of course, hence why, I cut off all ties years ago.
That person and other people that person has relations with are extremely spiteful, petty and mean. Like the 'Mean Girls' -but the alternative/queer version of that.

People like that are one of the reasons why I'm discouraged from ever attempting to be part of the Greek queer community and I just stand beside it as an ally, always keeping some sort of distance.
Unfortunately, too many negative incidents with people who are 'popular' in those circles have taken place, to allow me to feel comfortable in them.

Anyhow, I'd urge all of you to stop being dazzled by others' appearance and style. Look into their souls. Listen to their words. Observe their actions.

If someone keeps trashtalking about others in front of you, they most likely trashtalk about you behind your back as well.
And when trashtalking often entails remarks on one's body, race, sexuality etc. it's discrimination.

The fact that one may be part of one marginalised social group, doesn't mean they can't be discriminatory towards other marginalised social groups.

Unfortunately, the old saying 'Don't do to others what you don't want to be done to you' doesn't really hold any meaning for many people.

2nd Athens Tattoo Expo Review

On Sunday the 8th I decided to visit the second Athens Tattoo Expo. I've been to the International Tattoo Convention before, so I had high expectations.

The event took place at the Music Conservatory of Athens, on the 7-8th of October, and it cost €10 to enter.


 The facebook page didn't have much information on the program, times etc.
You had to visit their official website to get a better grasp of what was going to take place during the Expo.

The price wasn't mentioned on the website until the week before the Expo would take place. Same goes for the program.

I didn't really pay attention to the website, and so I wasn't aware of the program and the times of the Expo.

 On Sunday, I decided I wanted to go, since Sunday was the 'Black and Grey' day.
I procrastinated all day, and around 7pm I thought I should get going.
I messaged the event to ask if it was worth it going this late, but I didn't receive a response.
I went anyway.

Upon entering I asked if I was too late, and the people at reception said I wasn't. They said I was just in time for the last 'Black and Grey' competition.
When I went downstairs they had already awarded the person who was on stage.
I decided to walk around and look at shop's portfolios.
I noticed a barber shop that offered free haircuts for men.
I also noticed a Vans room, where there was a movie on a big screen, presenting Vans creators and four shoes on display.
Outside the room was a huge Vans shoe you could draw on. There was barely any space on it, so I drew a little heart.

Inside the room I also noticed there was a laptop (unattended).
I was quite surprised anyone would leave such an expensive item unattended at an Expo.

I also noticed there was a 'Make a Wish' booth, where you could get a star tattoo for €20 which ςασ donated to the NGO. I passed the booth several times and I saw at least five people who had gotten star tattoos. Some looked better than others.
You had five or six designs to choose from.

Next to the booth were some shops booths like Monsterville, a sunglasses shop, a hat shop and a Monster (the energy drink) booth.


Overall, the space wasn't great. The tattoo shop booths were tiny, and I'm surprised people had enough space to tattoo. Also, the room where the Expo took place was underground, with no visible windows. And to get out you had to climb a lot of stairs.
I saw there was an option for wheelchair access, which is a first for Greece, and very positive.

I personally found a few tattoo shops that attracted my attention due to their portfolios. But due to the place being so crammed there was no space or time to make connections with any of them.

I definitely think that paying the full ticket, even though shops started closing within 30 minutes of my arrival was unfair. I would have rather receptionists told me the truth, that there was no point in me entering, rather than take my money and leave me with a sour taste in my mouth.
Another thing they could do would be to reduce the entrance fee towards the end.

I understand my opinion may be biased, as I didn't see any of the shows that took place, due to arriving late. However, had the Expo been more organised and published a flyer with the program of each day early on, things would be a lot different.

I personally don't think I'd pay to visit this Expo in the future, unless there's a lot of changes in the way they promote and manage it.

Where not to take your Apple products for repair in Athens

So, unfortunately I had some issues with my macbook.

As I am in Athens, Greece at the moment, I had to find an official Apple retailer, since there are no Apple Stores in Greece.

And so, after reading a couple of reviews, I chose Document.
As someone who has experienced the Apple Stores customer services several times, I cannot help but find Document's customer services bellow average.

Here's why:
-I was told the technician would call me prior to starting the repair, to ask if I was on board with the potential cost. He did not.
In fact, none of the times I was promised a call for an update did I receive one.
-They even changed my OS without asking me.
-I was told my product had more issues than those I was aware of, and again, repair plans were made without my knowledge.
-At first, I was told the repair would be finished within 3-4 days. Then 5-6 days. Then 7-8 days. Which is preposterous. I have never waited for over 2-3 hours for a repair at an Apple Store. I understand this is not an Apple Store, but still, such long time is unacceptable.

If you're on holidays in Greece or for a short period of time, there is absolutely no reason to trust Document with the repair of your Apple products. If on the other hand you're a permanent resident, and you have no other choice... Well, good luck.

Rude hairdresser at Greek salon

I've been wanting to get back to pink/blue and generally unusual hair lately.
However, I know my hair is healthy and want to keep it that way.

So, I've been calling hair salons in Athens to see if they offer what I'm asking for: Olaplex treatments, cruelty free hair dyes and colourful hairdos.

I had a horrific experience with one of them.

I called Salonnuts on a Friday. The guy who picked the phone told me they're too busy and to call on a Monday.
I called on a Monday and I tried to explain what I was looking for.

The guy who picked the phone was so rude to me that I was in shock.
He told me very abruptly he's "not doing colourful hair" and "that's very last year."
He said I should have asked him to do that in 2017 not nearly 2018 (!!!).
I explained I'm not doing it for fashion, but I've had colourful hair for 11 years now.
His rude attitude didn't stop there. He also told me he'd never have a client leave his establishment with colourful hair.
Funnily enough, if you check their Instagram, he has done colourful hair on customers before.
During the phone call he didn't even let me speak properly, he kept on interrupting me and he had a bad tone.

I'm extremely shaken by his behaviour and rudeness. I was sincerely considering going to his establishment to get my hair done, since I read so many positive reviews.

Now I know the reviews were most probably fake, left by friends and family.

Φεστιβάλ Υπερηφάνειας Αθήνα 2017

Θα ήθελα να κάνω κάποια σχόλια για αυτά που συνέβησαν στο Φεστιβάλ Υπερηφάνειας το Σάββατο.

Δεν ήμουν εκεί, οπότε η εικόνα που έχω είναι καθαρά βασισμένη σε όσα διάβασα στο διαδίκτυο και όσα μου είπαν οι γονείς μου ότι άκουσαν στο ραδιόφωνο.

Καταλαβαίνω ότι ειδικά για μεγαλύτερης ηλικίας ΛΟΑΤΚΙ+ το να δουν την αστυνομία να παρελαύνει είναι trigger. 
Κι αυτό γιατί πολλές φορές, όταν χρειάστηκαν τη βοήθεια της αστυνομίας, αυτή τ@ς χλεύασε, και πολλές φορές τ@ς κακοποίησε περαιτέρω, είτε λεκτικά, είτε και σωματικά.

Καταλαβαίνω ότι μία καταπιεσμένη κοινωνική ομάδα χρειάζεται χρόνο για να εμπιστευτεί και να δεχθεί μία ομάδα ανθρώπων που την έχει καταπιέσει, ή έχει συμβάλει στην καταπίεσή της. Ακόμη κι όταν η ομάδα ατόμων δεν αποτελείται από τα ίδια άτομα που μας έχουν καταπιέσει, και μόνο το τι συμβολίζει η ΕΛ.ΑΣ για τη ΛΟΑΤΚΙ+ κοινότητα δημιουργεί πολλά αρνητικά συναισθήματα.

Όλα αυτά είναι λογικά, και αναμενόμενα.

Όμως, σε μία χώρα τόσο συντηρητική και τόσο οπισθοδρομική γίνονται κάποια βήματα προς την εξέλιξη επιτέλους!
Σε άλλες χώρες είναι σύνηθες η αστυνομία να παίρνει μέρος στο Φεστιβάλ. Πχ. το έχω δει να συμβαίνει στο Φεστιβάλ Υπερηφάνειας του Λονδίνου.

Το να δεις την αστυνομία να παρελαύνει στο Φεστιβάλ Υπερηφάνειας, με χαρά και δική της βούληση, και με κίνδυνο της ζωής της (δείχνοντας δημόσια στήριξη στη ΛΟΑΤΚΙ+ κοινότητα), είναι κάτι το οποίο θα μπορούσαμε να εκτιμήσουμε. Και φυσικά να σκεφτούμε πώς αντιμετωπίζονται οι ΛΟΑΤΚΙ+ που είναι μέλη της ΕΛ.ΑΣ. Όπως είπε κάποιος από τους αστυνομικούς "Γιατί κι εγώ να μην μπορώ να πω ότι είμαι gay στο σώμα;"

Άκουσα ότι κάποι@ αστυνομικ@ που ήθελαν να παρελάσουν ήταν ΛΟΑΤΚΙ+. Και τελικά δέχθηκαν επίθεση -όχι σωματική- και άσχημες συμπεριφορές και απορρίφθηκαν από πολλά άτομα που συμμετείχαν στο Φεστιβάλ.

Το να φέρεσαι σε άτομα που προσπαθούν να σε βοηθήσουν όπως σου φέρονταν/φέρονται οι καταπιεστές σου, ΔΕΝ είναι λύση.
Γιατί στο τέλος θα γίνεις σαν αυτούς.

Καταλαβαίνω το θυμό των παρεβρισκομένων, και προφανώς δεν μπορώ να απαιτήσω ή να επιβάλλω καμία συμπεριφορά απέναντι στ@ν οποι@νδήποτε.

Αλλά όταν η συμπεριφορά μας είναι επιθετική όταν δε μας επιτίθενται καλό είναι να προβληματιστούμε.

Το Φεστιβάλ φέτος είχε τον τίτλο "Θέμα Παιδείας."
Αλλά αυτό δεν αφορά μόνο τα ετεροφυλόφυλα και cis άτομα.
Αυτά μας αφορά όλ@ς.

Cruelty free makeup in Europe

Please remember that you don't have to be vegan/vegetarian to go cruelty free on your makeup.
I know that most of the major companies test on animals and it can be hard to find cruelty free companies that work for you and your budget, but animals are being tortured daily for no reason.In 2017 there is absolutely no need to test on animals.
But unfortunately, China forces any brand that wants to sell beauty/skincare products there to test on animals. And since China is a huge market and companies are greedy, they sell there and test on animals.
The more of us go cruelty free, the more affordable and available cruelty free makeup will be.
Of course you can't be perfect all the time and you may make mistakes along the way as it's impossible to always know if a brand is cruelty free or not. But making the effort to find out and not supporting brands that you know test on animals is a huge step forward!
I understand that in some countries it may be harder to find cruelty free makeup than in others, but if you look into it there are options!
Here are some cruelty free brands available in Europe:
-Gosh
-B.
-Collection
-Sleek
-Makeup Revolution (Revolution Pro & iHeart Revolution)
-Neve
-Caked Cosmetics
-Nyx
-Urban Decay
-Milani
-LA Girl
-OCC
-Gerard Cosmetics
-LA Splash
-Sugarpill Cosmetics
-Kat Von D Cosmetics
-Jeffree Star Cosmetics
-The Balm
-Korres
-MUA
-Elf
-Golden Rose
-Barry M.
-The Body Shop
- Pixi
-Anastasia Beverly Hills
-Too Faced
-Eco Tools
-Real Techniques

Here are some places where you can find them:

• http://www.feelunique.com/
• https://www.cocktailcosmetics.co.uk/
• http://www.beautybay.com/
• http://www.superdrug.com/
• http://www.boots.com/
• https://buyaboo.gr/
• http://www.sephora.com/
• http://www.sephora.gr/
• http://www.debenhams.com/
• https://www.muagreece.gr/
• https://www.muastore.co.uk/
• http://www.sleekmakeup.com/
• http://www.sleekmakeup.com/eu
• http://www.urbandecay.com/
• http://www.nyxcosmetics.com/
• https://www.barrym.com/

I'm sure there are other ones as well! Feel free to leave me a comment with more sources!

Websites with lists of cruelty free and vegan brands:

• http://voodoo-blonde.tumblr.com/cruelty-free
• http://www.crueltyfreekitty.com/
• http://features.peta.org/cruelty-free-company-search/index.aspx
• http://www.leapingbunny.org/
• https://logicalharmony.net/
• https://veganrabbit.com/list-of-companies-that-do-test-on-animals/

There are so many other websites, but I included the most known ones and a personal blog.

Hope this helps!

x

ps. If at any point you discover that any of the above-mentioned brands aren't cruelty free anymore, please leave me a comment, to update the list. Thanks!

2016

Time to reflect on the shitty year, before a new shittier year comes:

Thinking back, every year after 2009 (which was when I left Greece and came to the UK -and also when austerity started hitting Greece) has been extremely hard.
2013-2015 in particular were horrible. 

Every year I have zero hopes for the next year, and my only wish is for the year to not be worse than the previous one.
Unfortunately, every year ends being a lot worse than the previous one, so I'm not under any illusion that this year is going to be any different.

Usually I would always be excited about NYE and I would always celebrate, go out, spend time with friends etc.
This year NYE is going to be just like any other day to me, I do not plan on celebrating, because I find it quite ironic to celebrate the shit that is going to come.

Let's see what kinda shit 2016 is going to bring...

Hashimoto

I have been fat shamed all my life. More than often by medical professionals.

For years, no one ever even considered the possibility that I wasn't fat due to my diet, but due to a health issue.

When I was 19 I was diagnosed with Hashimoto, a thyroid dysfunction.

What Hashimoto does to you is basically this: it fucks your metabolism up. Nothing works as it should. Since it is an autoimmune disease there is no cure. You can just take medication to stop it from getting worse.

You can experience hair loss, extremely dry skin, growing hair in places that you shouldn't, depression, anxiety, insomnia, fatigue, abnormal weight gain and so on. I ticked most of those boxes.

Fast forward to 2015, me being 26 years old and taking my thyroid meds.

I had to bring my meds from Greece because UK doctors wouldn't prescribe my meds for me (even though they happily prescribed opiates and antidepressants).

When I finally convinced my GP that I need my medication she prescribed the wrong amount of mg for me. And she did that on purpose. I waited for a few months and upon realising I was gaining weight for no reason (I eat healthier than most people) I went back to see her.

So, when I explained to her that she needs to change my dose she said I should see a dietician. I explained to her that I will not tolerate fat shaming and that being a vegetarian I eat extremely healthy.

She arranged for a few blood tests and an ultrasound (which may take up to a couple of months to take place). She said we could discuss the dose after I get the results back and see a dietician.

So that leaves me hanging for the next few months, not knowing how my body will react -considering I'm not taking the right amount of medication.

However, I know that if I was wealthy and I could afford a private doctor I would have been tested properly and prescribed all the right medication that I need in no time.

Apparently the price you have to pay for not being wealthy is jeopardising your health.

15 reasons why I hate summer

Seriously I hate summer for so many reasons. Here is a list:
1. I hate summer clothes and if I dress the way I want during the summer I'll die from the heat
2. I hate the sun and the light in general (especially summer sun)
3. I hate all those showing off their semi naked bodies
using warm weather as an excuse
4. I hate summer music and the fact that suddenly my fav djs take on the ibiza vibe even when it comes to dnb
5. I hate that my make up is melting and I look like an alien creature
6. I hate that I get sweaty and feel disgusting
7. I hate feeling the heat
8. I hate that in countries like Greece all services stop working during the summer (since everyone is on holidays)
9. I hate colours and for some reason during the summer everything looks extremely colourful
10. I hate tanning or turning red and I fucking wanna stay as pale as I can
11. I hate that the day lasts longer than the night does
12. I hate that plane tickets get ridiculously expensive
13. I hate that fruit, veggie, bread and other shit go bad way faster due to the heat 
14. I hate sweaty sex (aka summer sex)

And the thing
15. I hate the most is that everyone gets so fucking surprised I hate the fucking summer especially coz I'm Greek

On another note I hate beer, sweets and the beach too

Do you love you?

I remember 5 years ago when I was hanging out in Patras' main square with a couple of friends a homeless guy came and sat with us.
He was a foreigner, too skinny, tall and he looked pretty dirty. He was holding a beer on one hand.
He started mumbling something about where he came from and his life in Greece.
The guys stood up and were ready to leave when he came close to me and said:
-I got one think to ask you if that's ok.
-Sure.
He looked at me in the eyes and asked:

-Do you love you?
I think I hesitated for a bit and then replied:
-Of course I do.
I still remember I felt so weird when he asked me. I still remember I wasn't sure of my reply.

And I'm so glad that today being the person I am if he asked again I'd reply the same thing without any hesitation at all.

I hope he's doing well, asking people the things they're scared to ask themselves.

:)

Ελευθερία έκφρασης

Πολλές φορές μεγαλώνοντας αναρωτήθηκα γιατί κάποια άτομα με τα οποία δεν είχα καμία σχέση προσπαθούσαν να μου αποδείξουν ότι οι στυλιστικές επιλογές μου ήταν λάθος. Πόσες φορές μου έχουν πει "Μα γιατί έχεις σκουλαρίκια και τατουάζ μια χαρά θα ήσουν χωρίς αυτά!"
Αυτά τα άτομα προφανώς και δε συνειδητοποιούν ότι το θέμα δεν τα αφορά· δε συνηδειτοποιούν ότι ο κάθε ένας/μία έχει δικαίωμα να κάνει ό,τι τον/την εκφράζει στο σώμα του/της.
Πέρα του ότι είναι απίστευτα αγενής ο τρόπος με τον οποίο οι περισσότεροι σε 'συμβουλεύουν'.
Συνάμα δεν μπορούσα να καταλάβω γιατί στέκονταν στην εμφάνιση και οι 'συμβουλές' τους δεν είχαν να κάνουν με τη συμπεριφορά ή την προσωπικότητά μου.
Δεν μπορούσα να καταλάβω γιατί ενώ εγώ σέβομαι το ότι είναι διαφορετικοί από εμένα δεν τους κατακρίνω, ενώ εκείνοι κατακρίνουν εμένα.

Και ύστερα κατάλαβα. Θεωρούσαν το πώς είμαι 'μη φυσιολογικό', 'μη αποδεκτό' επειδή δεν έβλεπαν άτομα σαν κι εμένα στην τηλεόραση (τη θρησκεία του Νεοέλληνα).
Θυμάμαι πριν 4 χρόνια που μια φίλη μου που σπούδαζε στην Πάτρα είχε ξυρίσει το μισό της κεφάλι μια γιαγιά της είχε πει "Αυτό το χε κάνει κι η Βίσση!"
Είναι λυπηρό.
Είναι απαράδεκτο επίσης, ειδικά για τους νέους ανθρώπους να περιορίζουν την αντίληψή τους.
Γιατί πολύ απλά αυτό το μικρό κουτάκι το οποίο αντιπροσωπεύει τις αντιλήψεις τους δεν είναι το φυσιολογικό. Είναι αυτό που κάποιοι βάφτισαν φυσιολογικό για το συμφέρον τους. Για να ευνουχίσουν τη σκέψη, την ελεύθερη επιλογή. Ώστε να σε αναγκάσουν να μπεις στο μικρό κουτάκι τους για να μη γίνεσαι αποδέκτης/τρια bullying.

Αν αντί να ασχολούμαστε με το τι φοράει ο διπλανός, με το αν έχει τατουάζ ή σκουλαρίκια καθόμασταν να διαβάσουμε τι συμβαίνει στον κόσμο· αρχίζαμε να αναπτύσσουμε κριτική σκέψη και να βελτιωνόμαστε σαν άνθρωποι ο πλανήτης αυτός θα ήταν ένα πολύ καλύτερο μέρος για να ζεις.

University Life Diary I

I created this blog a couple of years ago to share my experiences, views and randomness with anyone that was interested in reading them.

Lately I've been feeling intense pressure from Uni. I've been studying non stop. I've been sleep deprived. I've lost weight because I didn't eat at all.

I was expecting the Christmas break with all my might hoping to get some rest and spend sometime with my family and friends in Greece. 

Being a student in London -especially when you're a foreigner- isn't an easy task. Not only shall you speak English well enough to support your academic studies but you shall also be aware of the 'etiquette' British people follow in their everyday lives.

When I left Greece for the first time, when I left Athens for the first time to chase my dream in music I thought London was the place to be. I -as most foreigners do- considered London to be a paradise of all sorts. London is a marvelous city. It's Europe's metropolitan centre. You can find anything you can imagine there. There are so many choices, so many different people. You can visit exquisite museums, parks and monuments. 

Nevertheless when you live in London for more than a year you'll realise shortly that this is the 'glossy' side of London. Rent is too high, studying fees are too high, living expenses are beyond high and traveling expenses are ridiculously high. You'll probably wonder in which criteria this conclusion is based on. I am Greek, therefore I compared Greek prices to British prices. Yes, I know this is stupid as British people get paid more than Greek people do. I, though, pay my university fees, living and traveling expenses with money coming from Greece. So for me, London is too expensive. Actually most non British university students consider UK, especially London, a very expensive place.

Londoners are quite uptight, gloomy and you will see many are addicted to alcohol. That was totally different from the mediterranean attitude and way of life I was used to. The weather has a lot to do with it. It's either raining/snowing or being foggy and cloudy. I remember during my first year in London when some people in the halls said 'It's so sunny outside!'. I looked out of my window to see the sun. Yes, you could see the sun, but there were also clouds around it. In Greece when it's sunny it's Sunny.

The most striking difference to me is the food. I think British people eat anything without really caring for the taste, the quality. As far as I am concerned this is blasphemy. :P Food is to be enjoyed. I love cooking and of course eating my mom's food! I love Greek taverns where you can go with your friends and family, talk for hours while eating without any rush. It's even better when the tavern is near the shore and you can see, hear and smell the sea.

I knew comparing two completely different countries wouldn't lead anywhere so I soon stopped. 

The problem was that I still couldn't imagine myself residing in London for ever. Well, I can't imagine myself reside anywhere for ever, but I couldn't even imagine living in London for ten years.

Don't get me wrong, I appreciate what London, what UK has given to the world. Especially when it comes to music. So many genres originated there or got their signature sound there.

I understand better now why even though I think London is a cool place, I wouldn't want to live there for a long time. It can be a bit 'too much' sometimes.

Why am I studying in London then? Because UK universities force you to study a lot. Because their equipment is fucking brilliant! When you study in UK don't expect to have amazing tutors that will guide you through your studies. A couple of your tutors will be alright, most of them will suck ass, but one or two will be superb. However you have to guide yourself through uni. You have to sweat if you want to get good grades. You're paying so you better put that money to some good use.

Plus when in London you are the first one to find out everything that's happening in the music industry -compared to the rest of Europe at least.

I have to admit that thanks to London my music horizons expanded beyond imagination! I challenged myself a lot and surpassed many of my limits. I doubt that could ever happen if I was studying music anywhere in Greece.

London gives you creative freedom; not limitless, but plenty.

The reason why I started writing this article is a panic attack I got this morning when I realised how much studying I got to do.
Well, I already knew deep inside. It's not that I haven't been studying during the Christmas break. It's just that my room in Halls is the only place in the world right now I can concentrate on a whim. When I sit on my black leather chair, in front of my black and white desk, in my black and red room in Athens I just can't concentrate.
I'm reading the same thing for hours without understanding what I'm reading. A playful sun ray catches my attention as it's coming through my shutters. I can hear neighbours shouting to each other from their balconies. Their chatting, gossiping, flirting. . . I know my dad is listening to his little old radio, smoking half a cigarette and drinking a tiny glass of his own red wine. And I know my mom is working on the ground floor -she's an aesthetician. When I'm studying in my uni halls room, I know it's either rainy or cold outside. I know my neighbours are either studying or drinking.

I know many foreigners that study in London and have no friends. They just go there to study. They don't go out or have fun. I feel really lucky I met the people that are my 'London family'. They're Italian, Spanish, Brazilian, Jamaican, Cypriot, Greek, Indian. . . I think the reason why I'm having a good time in London is them. Otherwise I would be a miserable misanthropist locked in my room all day.

Thank you guys!

Love, Peace,

and Coke Zero,

Lara