Greece Lightning!

The past week has been nothing but absolutely amazing. I got the fortunate opportunity to spend my 2 week spring vacation in Greece. I went with a group of assistants who really enhanced my trip even further. Greece has always been one of the top destinations that i wanted to visit and quite honestly i never really that I'd get the opportunity to do so. However, I am so glad i did because it definitely is a place that will remain in my memory forever. Imagine this: Crystal clear water, crisp clean air blowing softly against your cheek and sunsets that set the horizon ablaze.
That's what i had in Santorini. Something that i wasn't expecting was how much i challenged myself during my stay. I rode a four wheeler for the first time and for me that was a huge deal. I'm deathly afraid of heights and water, so zipping around an island with a four-wheeler (often times without road barriers) definitely forced me to face those fears. I'm really glad i did though because i loved it. I pushed the gas with intensity and watched the scenery with side glances every now and again. I felt my heart palpitating with sheer fear and excitement at the same time.... there's really nothing like it. I also took a ferry for the first time, which also happened the be the first time i had ever been on a boat. It wasn't too bad but i must admit i didn't notice i was even on one half the time. For me, accomplishing these seemingly minor feats has given me a new sense of adventure and zeal for life. I can do things if i really put my mind to it and i should never let fear snatch the possibility of challenging myself or being happy away from me. I'm now even more excited for my trip to Scotland in 2 weeks. More to report then. In the world of being an assistant things are getting a bit sad for me. In two weeks my contract is over and about 3 weeks after that I'll be returning home to the states. I have so many mixed feelings about how i feel about it all. Don't get me wrong I'm dying to get back because i miss my family/friends/ and The U.S.A tremendously but i know I'll miss France as soon as I'm back. As for how i feel about the whole experience and my future in France that will have to be saved for another blog post.

One last thing. This trip has inspired me to dust of my writing and create a blog specifically for that. I in no way think I'm a "real" writer, writing is just one of the most therapeutic things for me to do. So here's the link for any of you who may want to read some of my short stories, or leave some constructive criticism :-) Here it is: Write This Time

lastly i leave you with a video of the sunset in Santorini, Enjoy :-)



Bisous,
HK

Alice has Wonderland, I have France.....

I'm sitting in a booth of a restuarant conveniently located downstairs of the hostel I'm currently lodging at. I'm back in Paris but this time for one night only. Consider it my day long layover until i leave for Athens tomorrow. I am people watching and boy is it a sight to see. The art of people watching is simple. Be inconspicuous, subtle and relax. As i peer innocently through the window i see a woman gently pat a man on the shoulder passing by. She wants to know if he can open a jar for her. He politely obliges and after one try, then two, and finally three. he decides that he's just not strong enough. He waves goodbye and gathers his bruised ego to continue on his stroll. Next i see two little girls with bouncy braids at the end of which are numerous multi-colored beads. They have these long candy pole things and they are playing with a dog and shrieking loudly with delight. Next i see a man softly whispering nourishing words to his infant son as he paces up and down the street waiting for an unknown person. The mother of his son perhaps. Je ne sais pas. I think the most interesting thing i see is the amount of diversity that encompasses Paris. All types of people from all walks of life and different cultural backgrounds are walking past these glass panes giving me a little glimpse of their lives. I'm grateful this, this involuntary gift that each person who passes by has given me. I feel the electricity that keeps Paris alive and i want to capture it forever... I don't want to leave.

Where in the world is HK? (Part I)

February 27th, 2010

Freshly showered, smelling of vanilla with a hint of baby powder (thanks to Lacoste "Inspiration") and drinking my current addiction: Viennese Café I can honestly say that i finally have time to update this blog. It's been a long and interesting 3 weeks but i learned so much while have a lot of fun. Just to put it in perspective I went to 7 different cities and 4 countries in 2 weeks so needless to say i was a bit exhausted when i returned. I went on this adventure with four really good friends who are also assistants. I'd like to give a special thanks to Blair for planning the trip and organizing everything.

I will now attempt to recount my mini adventure without boring you to death.

Geneva, Switzerland: I really loved this city, it's grand, rich, and full of energy. It was incredibly modern, filled with chic stores and people from various backgrounds. The first day we went to the the port to see the Jet D'eau which is a large water fountain, i know it sounds less than magnificent but it shoots up water into the air at a height of 459 feet. The only problem was when we went the fountain wasn't turned on, apparently due to the wind but that didn't stop us from taking loads of photos, after-all it was a gorgeous day. The one thing i gravitated most towards was it's diversity. At any given moment you could hear people speaking English, Spanish, French etc. Of course that may be because Geneva is home to the United Nations Headquarters and UNICEF''s regional office for Europe. I was very intrigued by this because they are both organizations that i would love to work for one day. I was a bit disappointed with the actual buildings, i expected them to be a little more magnificent.... you know the kind with thousands of draping flags flowing against the wind. After some research on the internet before leaving for my trip i found out that Geneva has a specialty store selling various American goods. I had told my French family about root beer floats and decided that while in Geneva i would bring back some root beer: Mission Accomplished :-)

Budapest, Hungary: Unfortunately for me, Geneva had me fooled into thinking that the weather was going to be warm everywhere we went. I almost forgot we were traveling through the alps but Budapest definitely reminded me fairly quickly. The icy wind hit my cheeks with a sting as soon as i stepped off the plane and the snow was littered all around us. I'm not going to lie I'm not huge fan of winter and snow but i have to admit there is something about snow crushing beneath the soles of your feet that leave you feeling a bit tranquil. Also, it was my very first hostel experience and I'm happy to report it was a good one :-) We stayed at Homemade Hostel and i would recommend it to anyone. The two girls who worked there were very friendly and readily available to give us vital information on sites to see and cheap places to eat. Per their recommendation we went to a very popular Budapest spa/bath. At first I was apprehensive at the idea of going into an outdoor pool (albeit warmed) in the middle of the snow but it was one of the most exhilarating and relaxing experiences of my life. Each bath offers a different thermal and health enrichment. We also went to Hero's Square and the Millennium Monument.


I will talk about the other places i visited in my next blog post but first i have some unfnished business to take care of. As promised i scanned the article in question from my last blog post and here it is, sorry for it's size:







Until next time folks!

Bisous,

HK