Ready For Greece

Just thought I would share my Itinerary for Greece. It didn't feel like a big deal before, since Dani and I will only get to spend a week there. It felt like we would be rushed, but I figured we'll take it easy and just stumble upon some wonderful places as we walk around (Serendipity). As the trip gets closer, I am getting more excited.


So I just wanted to share some information on what islands we are visiting and hotels where we are staying. Some hotels are really nice and some have a nice location. Check out our hotels' websites and live vicariously.

Day1 (Sept.25): Athens, Greece http://www.arionhotel.gr/
Day2&3 (Sept.26-28): Mykonos, Gr http://www.mykonosview.gr/
Day4&5 (Sept.28-30): Santorini, Gr http://www.sunnyvillas.gr/
Day 6 (Sept. 30): Athens, Gr http://www.hotelcarolina.gr/location.htm


Here is our itinerary:

Sep 25: Arrival at Athens airport with KL 1577 at 16.20pm / Upon your arrival a lady from our office (Mrs Dulce or one of her assistants, Christina or Alexandra) will be waiting for you outside the luggage claim area holding a fantasy travel sign. She will give you all your vouchers and tickets and answer to any questions you might have. In case you need anything before your arrival, you can call our agency at the following numbers: 0030 210 3310530 or 0030 210 3228410. We are open daily from 09:00am (except Sundays 10:00am) until 08:00pm. In case our agency is closed, you can call Dulce at her mobile any time of the day. Her number is: 0030 6948 043068 (Christina's phone number 0030 6948043062, Alexandra's phone number 0030 6936602291) / Transfer to your hotel.

Sep 25-26: 1 night accommodation in Athens at Arion Hotel with breakfast (triple rooms).

Sep 26: Transfer to Piraeus port / Ferry tickets to Mykonos (07.35am-12.50pm) / Arrival / Transfer to your hotel.

Sep 26-28: 2 nights accommodation in Mykonos at Mykonos View By Semeli - no breakfast (6 persons maizonette).

Sep 28: Transfer to Mykonos port / Ferry tickets to Santorini (14.45pm-17.25pm) / Arrival / Transfer to your hotel.

Sep 28-30: 2 nights accommodation in Santorini at Sunny Villas - no breakfast (6 persons suite).

Sep 30: Transfer to Santorini airport / Arrival / Transfer to your hotel.

Sep 30-Oct 01: 1 night accommodation in Athens at Carolina Hotel with breakfast (double room).

Oct 01: Transfer to Athens airport for the flight back home.




I'll keep a diary on the trip and copy everything I write onto my blog when we come back.

Bijan

This wonderful little Bakery called Bijan is right around the corner from my apartment. I don't know why I didn't realize how great it was until recently. Maybe I've been in denial. Trying to avoid going there because let's face it. Having bakery that makes such delectable desserts so conveniently located is just plain dangerous. So I guess I just refused to believe that this bakery has lived up to its reputation.

So, sitting in the bakery today I realized that it was not only great for its pasteries but also for its clientele. This bakery betokens the culture of northern California. If you sit there long enough you could probably see someone from every country, or at least from every continent, pass through.

I can't believe I finished reading a book with my attention pulled away with every person that walked in and out of the door.

Michael Jackson in terms of my Memory

I am sad and speechless at Michael Jackson's passing today (Thursday June 25, 2009) at the age of 50 years old due to cardiac arrest. He was taken to UCLA via paramedics and coded for an hour in the hospital.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/06/26/michael.jackson/index.html

The last "KING" of music is gone !! I was waiting for his next album.

I remember waiting anxiously for his HIStory album (on tape) to come out and watching his movie 'Moonwalker'.

I regret that I was never able to make any of his concerts. I was hoping to attend one with his next tour. I'm glad I watched 'Moonwalker' with my sister when I was younger. I was able to at least see him in concert in clips and imagine what it would be like to see him live.

I never believed he would hurt a child. I remember being angry whenever I heard news about him in the negative light.

Yes..He may have had psychological issues; but then it may be from all the pressures of having to be a huge role model. I believe he loved children and would never hurt any one of them. I believe he did want to remain a child himself and just wanted to absorb himself in a child's fantasyland. I believe he was a great humanitarian. I remember the first video I remember seeing and one of my favorite songs as a child is ' We are the World'.

Isn't it sad how icons/legends do not get all the credit they deserve until they are gone?

Appreciate one another and express it before it is too late.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDxsM5jLNxM

Can movies show the Future?

I watched Demolition Man a few months ago, which was made sometime in the 1990's.
Sandra Bullock's character mentions something about the Schwarzenegger Library to which Sylvester Stallone's character responds: "Schwarzenegger Library? Arnold Schwarzenegger was President? The actor?" And Sandra Bullock replies: "Yes"

I just thought that it was ironic how Schwarzenegger is now Governor of California. Maybe he will be President someday.

Then I watched AI: Artificial Intelligence starring Haley Joel Osment when he was younger. It is about a Android that can be activated to feel LOVE.

These 2 movies and other movies that have futuristc concepts led me to think about how movies and their concepts aren't too far from what might develop in the future. I just wish I can be around to see all of it.

Flu shots vs. Heart Problems

Better start getting the annual flu shots again.
http://health.howstuffworks.com/flu-heart.htm

Artificial Blood

I just found out today that in a few years we may be able to transfuse Artificial blood!!!! How awesome is that!! I was so extremely excited to hear that news. Why have I not heard anything about this before.

I was able to test some artificial blood samples tonight using Glucometers ( blood sugar check machines) with a clincal lab technician, who is assisting with the study.

Apparently, this artificial blood will be NON-Biohazardous. Since it is not blood that comes from any living entity, the lab technician said we could even drink it without any consequences. Ummmm... I think I would rather not test that theory, but mind-boggling nonetheless.

The most amazing part is that we will be able to use such biotechnology in our lifetimes. Whereas before it seemed like discoveries like this would not be made or put into use until we start taking vacations on the moon. Well, it seemed that way to me anyway.

Wanna find out more: http://health.howstuffworks.com/artificial-blood.htm

When did I become so Assertive?

Recently, I became a Charge nurse. One that other nurses look to as a resource for answers based on my nursing experience and policies and procedures. When did I become that person who is the cutthroat decision maker and the one who has the guts to call the Dr. and TELL him/her what the patient needs rather than asking. Whereas, when I was a new nurse I was very timid like most good nurses are at the beginning but I was timid outside of work too.
When did I transition from the person who always held my tongue to the person who can't keep her thoughts and frustration to herself?

For Example:

Tonight there was a patient (a child). Maybe 5 or 6 years old who threw tantrums by screaming and throwing things off his bed because he wanted his mother to come back with his game. His mother never shows so he continues with the screaming for hours and regresses by peeing in his bed. Of course he is way too old to be peein' in the bed now.

Since I couldn't pop the boy, I had to be verbally forceful with him and threatened to take away his video game console if he didn't stop with his outbursts. So I pushed it away because he wouldn't stop. After taking it away, he continued for a little longer but sooner than later stopped.
I felt like a mother. I should not have been this boy's mother. Where is his real one?

I digress. When I was a new nurse, I would have been shocked at this kid's behavior and just stood there quiet and stumped. Speechless and unable to process my thoughts on what I should say to him to make him shut up.

On the same note.. I can turn around and be sweet and still get nice ones to follow instructions. I swear I'm not bipolar.

Goodtime with my Downtime

So here we are again. It's been almost a year since I have posted anything on my blog.

It's amazing how photos TRULY capture moments. If you forgot what you did and when you did it, dated pictures can let you revisit these forgotten moments and make you say " oh yeah" or "I don't remember taking that picture."

Or if you forgot what you did in January, for example, you can go back to you photos and remember that you accomplished more than one thing (like I just did).

Also when you see photos of places where other people have been and you've never been there yourself. You can only imagine the layout of the place (i.e. New York for me). I have only seen NYC in movies and to me NYC was a fantasyland. A place I have only dreamt of visiting until recently.

I took a trip with my sister for her birthday in April and now I feel like I can live there as a local. Now when I see photos of NYC or the city in movies, I can say "hey I've been there" and know exactly where it's located and how to get there. No longer a fantasy but a tangible reality that I can revisit anytime through my pictures.

I wanted to blog about all of my hightlights for this year thus far but I won't bore you with all the reading. Just see my pictures( www.picasaweb.google.com/seallion316) and chronicle/visit with me.

Let's catch up!!