Christos Anesti!!
Christ Has Risen!
Kala Anastasi - Blessed Easter!

The past couple of weeks have been insane, but this past weekend put the spirituality back into me. Friday night, Lindi, Sarah and I went to Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox church to celebrate Holy Good Friday. For Orthodox Christians, this, in essance, is participating in the funeral of Christ. During the service, the 'Epitaphios', or tomb of Christ, decorated with red and white carnations, is removed from the church and carried around the exterior, with every person following, carrying lit candles. Once the processional returns to the church, the faithful actually walk under the beautiful tomb to re-enter and continue the service.

We then attended services at Holy Trinity Saturday evening. At 11:30 pm, the Ressurection Service begins, highlighted by the extinguishing of every light inside the church, to symbolize the darkness that befell the world upon Christ's "death". Then, from the back of the altar, one single light emerges, the Priest proclaiming "Christos Anesti!" Christ has Risen, and every person's candle is lit from one to another, signifying the Light of Christ being spread from one to another to light the entire Cathedral from within. Both services, steeped in symbolism and beauty, are the highlight of my year, and fill my spiritual cup. More enriching is sharing my culture with Lindi and Sarah, who were troopers, even though Lindi was going on less than 3 hours sleep both nights, then having to work at 6 am on Sunday.

Sarah and I then cooked a HUGE Greek Easter meal for her family, including leg of lamb, greek meatballs, greek chicken, cucumber salad, Tzatiki sauce (cucumber sauce), fresh lamb gravy and feta cheese.... which only took us 5 hours! It was quite the meal, and well received, even by the Irish Germans we were serving it to! And, of course, we saved the lamb bone for my Dad...

This week has been physically hard for me. My feet have really been giving me problems. So much so, that once I put my feet up at the end of the day, it is extremely painful to get them walking again. Yes, I know I should go to the doctor, but I don't think there is anything they can really do. Stick to my diet, and it should resolve itself.

And right now, I am completely exhausted and just want to crawl into bed and ignore the world. I have overextended myself way too much, doing things for everyone else, and I just don't know where I am going right now. So, time for me is the order of the week.

Oh, and Lin, her brother, her father and I are quitting smoking. I am not ready, but I will try for them. Officially today, but I am going to finish the pack I have. Lindi starts at her new McDonalds today, and is happy about it. Wish her luck!

Can We Just Do Yesterday Over?

The day started alright, driving to work, grabbing my Diet Coke and English Muffin, and then it just seemed to go downhill from there. Cranky Greek Man was in an atrocious mood, so much so, he actually swore at me repeatedly, and it took a phone call to Lindi at lunch to keep me employed and not in prison Orange for ripping his ever-loving vocal chords through his windpipe.

BIG Thanks to Jenn, who not only took me to dinner at Texas Roadhouse, but made the evening enjoyable with a couple of laughs, some serious venting and SHOPPING!

I then visited Lindi at home for my Easter present (A Marilyn Monroe movie, whut whoo!!) and watching Basic Instinct, directors uncut unrated version, then headed home to find only THE MOST ADORABLE PRESENT FROM SHANE AND CHET!!! Thank you SOOOO Much!! We will listen and enjoy it immensely!! You beat me this year, Shane… yours is coming NEXT week for Greek Easter… and y’all know what that means… kouloudia – Greek Easter Cookies! Look for a little Greek Bunny hopping to your place next Thursday and Friday!

And by the way, I am over being used and being a convenience item. For the next few weeks, it’s ALL ABOUT ME… if you don’t like it, fuck off.

Catching Up... On LIFE...

First off, let me say this: I WILL MISS YOU.

I am in the process of learning how to allow someone to make a mistake, stand by altrusitically, and support them unconditionally. I always knew I could love someone that way, but to stand back and be a friend and allow them to make a huge mistake without saying anything is another. And to be cut out of someone's life, all the while knowing it hurts them as much as it does you, doesn't help.

But as a wise friend told me, sometimes you have to let go of your past, even as friends, to find your future. So, I am staying positive and redirecting my energy where it needs to be - into me and into the incredible partner I have chosen.

My last gift will be the same as the first gift given over seven years ago: Roots and wings. I love you, and will miss you, and hope God shines light and love on your path.

This Weekend...

is shaping up to be WONDERFUL. Lin and I get to pend the entire thing together, the better part of two days without parents or children, just her qnd I. We need to reconnect on many levels and I can't wait. Tonight is shopping and dinner and tomorrow night is a party that I have been anticipating for quite some time.

And the Dada...
has pnemonia, but is getting better. 2 antibiotics, oxygen machine and rest. I am glad they caught it in time, or he would be in the hospital. As it is, he's just pacified with driving my Mom insane. PLUS: They paid of their house yesterday, early! CONGRATS to Mom & Dad!

Wedding Update... 182 Days and Counting

Booked a reception center in Taylorsville, hella deal. Turns out a friend of mine got married there PLUS her in-laws own it! Her father-in-law cut me a friends and family deal to use both the indoor AND gorgeous outdoor sections for $550. He doesn't care what we do, literally. We can bring food have 10,000 people, whatever, and we don't even have to clean up! The only thing he asks is that the wine be served from the kitchen, and the only thing we have to clean is the kitchen and bag our trash. That's it. He will take care of the rest. Just so you know, most places were TRIPLE that! So, this makes our budget much more reasonable. Now, I can start getting excited!

TIREDCELT AKA MAVERICK AKA GRACIE

If you ever want me to speak to you again, YOU BETTER FUCKING CALL ME!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you.

Colin Powell Should Be President...

When in England at a fairly large conference, Colin Powell was asked by the Archbishop of Canterbury if our plans for Iraq were just an example of empire building by George Bush.

He answered by saying that, "Over the years, the United States has sent many of its fine young men and women into great peril to fight for freedom beyond our borders. The only amount of land we have ever asked for in return is enough to bury those that did not return."

It became very quiet in the room.

Ding Dong, The Witch is Dead...
That's for You, Lorene

THAT'S IT!!!! I'M DONE!!!!

THE WEDDINGS OFF!!! I've had it with all the fighting and bickering and I am not gonna do it ANY FUCKING MORE!! If I can't have things the way I want, then I don't want to have a wedding. Forget it. It's stupid anyway.


By the way...
APRIL FOOL'S!!