Coffee Guy

The coffee stand guy outside my building infuriates me in a way that only a high-strung NY'er could get bent out of shape. He is SO. UNBEARABLY. SLOW.

All the other coffee cart guys fly through their orders, they know their "regulars" and begin getting their orders done as newbies futz to get out the right change for their muffin. These coffee guys are great -- fast, reliable service -- and in turn, they sell out of most of the items in their cart.

As for the guy on 50th & 3rd. I appreciate the fact that he relaxes through his morning, but I constantly pass him in the morning because I can't think to wait for 3 people in front of me at the rate he moves. Doesn't he know he loses business everyday? I know I'm not the only one who passes by.

I know, I know, anyone reading this would tell me to relax, but that's just not the way I do it in the morning. Efficiency is key...

And so summer begins...

Bean is a great sunbather.
















Got to spend a really nice weekend out in 06880 for Memorial Day. Justin was in Asia (currently in Beijing) so it was just me and the family.

Funny, with the holiday weekend can the official start of warm weather, perfectly timed with my 'changing of the closets.' Works out well b/c now I am shorts and flip-flop ready.

Per usual, looks like this summer is ramping up to be quite busy. Items on the docket thus far:

June:
- Ithaca, NY for Justin's 10 year reunion
- Chicago for work (both Justin & I)

July:
- POLAND!
- Greece (work)

August:
- NYC wedding (Justin's friends Matt & Irina)
- Greece (work)
- Vermont weekend

Here goes summer!

Proud Date

Justin won a Starmine Financial Times analyst award this past week. He was picked as the best earnings estimators in his sector. I tagged along as his +1 at the honors dinner at the NYSE. Very proud of him...

Trucking through the month

It's been a pretty brutal month. High high's, low low's. Feel like the world has just been keeping me on my toes. Maybe I'm just tired from all the travel...

In the middle of all the trips, Justin hurt his back, I had a little health issue all my own (I'm back to being a-ok, amen!). Justin leaves for a week-long whirlwind Asia trip on Saturday (missing Memorial Day). I feel like I finally just got home and now he's off. He said it today, "I feel like we haven't caught up from the last trip." I agree.

Next week, I've filled my schedule with plans to keep me busy. I'm also back to doing Bikram Yoga for a month (first session was last night and boy was it tough...). The week will go quickly.

Few shots from the past week:

Alexis was in from Chicago. Got to have brunch with her at The Standard, then caught up while walking on the Highline. Was good to reconnect.

Justin and I went to an impromptu amazing Sunday night dinner. Tried out a great sushi place '1 or 8' in Williamsburg. We did the Omikase and then supplemented with some extra items. AMAZING meal.

And finally, looking to the summer ahead. Looking forward to opening the "summer party in a box."

Musings

I'll have you know that strange pork was quite delicious. Will have to wait 'till my next trip to the Chinese restaurant in Piraeus to try the famous 'onion explodes the pork.'

Also...

Did you have any idea that chincillas had such cute little feet/paws? (Taken at a pet store around my hotel).

Finally, through a blog I was reading, I got directed to Sarah Kay, a noted spoken word poet's speech at the TED Conference (link) . In true Laura fashion, the speech made me shed a tear (or two). What a beautiful poem she starts and ends with, and her speech, not bad. I've never been a poetry person, but after listening to her speak, I'm immediately interested -- not necessarily in writing or reading aloud anything I would create but to hear more. To be moved to shed a tear is no passing matter. We'll see. On that note, I videochatted with the boyfriend this evening. Video chat is an amazing thing -- AMAZING. It's made these long trips a bit more bearable. Video-talking is so much better, and at the end, I don't feel as far away from him.

Anyway, he's mentioned in passing that he big into poetry in college and even took a poetry class at NYU as an adult, while he was working. This is a side of him I know absolutely nothing about. I think my interest comes off as poking fun (which it really isn't). So I tell him about the video, and how it made me think of him. Hoping this would spark a "I should read you some stuff i wrote" conversation to which he then mentions that there's a poem about me in his top drawer of his nightstand -- the nightstand that I organized for him. The fact that I immediately can't go and run to read it is killing me.

Ugh... and so the countown begins. Heading home on Friday (120 hours until I land, but who's counting??)

Bouzoukia & Cape Sounion

Yesterday I was invited to a colleague's Name Day party (i'm back in Greece). Seeing as my Friday night plan was treadmill, reading and room service, I signed on for the party.

The party was great and then I got invited to go to a Bouzokia. Sadly in all my time in Greece, I hadn't had a proper Bouzoukia experience. I was in.

Boy was it awesome. Greek music, throwing flowers, being overserved, dancing on stage and next thing I know I'm getting dropped off at my hotel at 7:00am -- just in time for the breakfast buffet to begin. Poor waiter in the restaurant, having to deal with me first-thing in the morning. He deserved a medal...

I'm terrible when I'm hungover. On the rare occasion I over do it, I always feel extreme guilt and then counteract it by overplanning.

To that extent, I woke up and immediately showered and left to catch a tour of Cape Sounion, where the Temple of Poseidon is. Whole this was a 4 hour excursion.

Was a great little day trip -- nice to see something new, outside of Athens/Piraeus. Some photos from the trip:

From the road as we headed around the last bend to the Cape

Love the wild anemones that were growing all over

Greeks, similar to other Europeans follow the "common sense" guide. If you walk to the end of an area, look down and realize it's cliff, stop walking. In the states, we have signs, railing and warnings for everything -- as if you wouldn't know a cliff is dangerous...

Sounion's mascot is the local grouse. I had no idea they made such a funny noise. They were all over the temple area, caw'ing away like they owned the place. So cute. This was the famous 'welcome' grouse.

Few shots of the temple. So beautiful...

You just can't get tired of these vistas

I can't remember a time where I've seen water glisten as beautifully as it did today...

Anyway, we'll see what tomorrow holds. Think it's going to rain so it might just be a lazy Sunday here in Piraeus. For now, it's off to bed.

Luck of the Pick

I won my March Madness pool this year. Yes, me. Ironically, this is the year I only watching one full college basketball game prior to March Madness. Amazing, right? Goes to show you that sometimes blind luck is really the best.

So, with my winnings I decided to purchase something totally unnecessary and very un-sporty. Tada:

Fendi Selleria Boston bag

Bought this bag last week and have been toting it all around Greece with a big grin slapped across my face. Who knew a little bright green leather could make me so happy. I’m in love…