4.) A country you would like to visit.
How about a country I AM going to visit.
I’m going to Greece!
How did this sneak up on me. P&G is a major sponsor of the Special Olympics and they’re sending me to Athens, where the summer games will be held this year, to be a blog correspondent of some type. I didn’t really pay attention to the job description to be honest, I just heard the word Greece and was all, “COUNT ME IN!”
Pat just shakes his head when opportunities like this rise up out of blogging. He’s the one with dreams to travel the world, not me. I like my house and my family and my bed. I like routine. I miss my kids. I’m ridden with mother’s guilt. But I’m sure not going to turn down a trip should it present itself. Especially should it present itself in Greece and with an event as amazing as The Special Olympics.
pat: I can’t BELIEVE you’re going to Greece!! Have you ever even considered going somewhere like that!?!
me: Pashaw! Um YES! Of course I have…Athens is going to be gorgeous and I’m going to make a bee line for those pyramids I hear so much about!!
pat: (laughing hysterically) Please tell me you’re joking right now…Kat? The pyramids are in Egypt.
me: Seriously?? Damn. Really? No pyramids? No camels? No dessert or magic carpets?? Where’s Greece again?
pat: Greece is in the Mediterranean.
me: Is that an island?
pat: No.
me: Well what DO THEY HAVE?
pat: I don’t even know how you’re going to communicate there, considering English isn’t the first language.
me: That’s ridiculous. Everyone needs to know how to speak English. What on earth do they speak?
pat: They speak Greek Kat.
me: Well that’s about to change.
In short. I don’t know what is going on in the continent of Greek, but I DO know that I’m going. And that it has something to do with the Special Olympics. And that I don’t want to die while I’m there. Please Lord Baby Infant Jesus don’t let me die.
Amen.
1.) List 10 things you wish you could say to strangers who share unsolicited advice about your parenting skills.
2.) Write a poem inspired by a picture you took last week. Share both!
3.) Create a bucket list of 50 things you want to do this summer (with or without the kids!)
4.) A country you would like to visit.
5.) What is something you could stand to learn from your significant other?
6.) Getting kids dressed? Cooking dinner? Bed time? Create a video that describes the most difficult part of the day for you.
pamela says
My name is Greek… I think…
Who cares! Let’s go!
Mama Kat says
LET’S GO!!
Tonya says
Sweet! Greece is on my list too.
Kimberly says
That would be me. I completely suck at geography.
But, Greece? Let’s go!
Erin says
GREECE??? OMG you lucky dog….err Kat I should say!
I hope you have a spectacular time.
Only thing I know about Greece is that is where all the celebs hang out on their huge boats!
Simone @Greatfun4kids says
Hehehehe this post made me LAUGH… and turn GREEN with jealousy (which is what my post is about *hint hint*)
Greece!!! I’ve always wanted to see the pyramids too…
How cool is blogging, getting you sent there??
Do you get to bring a friend??
PS I hope you come by and visit my post; It’s called “Green Eyed” on the linky cos I couldn’t fit the word “Monster” in… a poem about/to my daughter (middle child syndrome)
I am LOVING Writers Workshop – it really gets me thinking out of the box I look forward to it every week, thanks Mama Kat!!
Hillary says
I. Am. So. Jealous. Oh my gosh you are going to have an amazing time—at least I think so. I’ve never been. But its on my list of places to go. I’ve heard its lovely!
Michelle says
seriously, I think that was my favorite blog post ever.
AND HOW, please tell me, WAS I NOT FIRST?? I mean, seriously, no joking, i want an answer.
BECAUSE it’s the middle of the night there and I’m up and awake because it’s the middle of the day here. And I was LITERALLY reading another post of yours and clicked on the home button and BOOM other people got their links up first.
the post wasnt even there 20 seconds ago.
What’s going on? ahahahaha? i dont understand. What’s it all mean?
And I gotta pee.
Jessica says
How exciting for you!
Dominique@Dominique's Desk says
Enjoy!! I love the greek food and the scenery is absolutely stunning.
Stephanie @ The Blue Zoo says
How exciting!! You are going to have a blast.
Now, if you ever go to Ireland… I’ll be packing myself in your suitcase. =)
Karen and Gerard says
I think you are brave traveling to a foreign country that you know next to nothing about. I wouldn’t go. I have no desire to do anything like that. Covering the special olympics is cool though. I’m sure you’ll have a fun time!
Lyubov says
Doc, this reminds me of the Greece Poll that I relacl here on SD which most of the voters thought it would never get to 300%. Crazy how fast this stuff goes down and we really should be getting prepared when it shifts to the West. When it hits there won’t be time for stocking up on prep gear. That stuff needs to be going on now!
Ixy says
That picture is so amazing. I’m also geographically challenged, and your conversation with your husband could have been me and mine, word for word. It’s kind of freaky, really. Maybe we’re clones. Haha!!
Dianna says
Wow – how exciting! I’m sure you’ll learn all about Greece and share it with us!
Kimmers says
Wow that’s amazing! Take tons of pictures for us!
Paula Kiger says
Well, I’ve gotta just be honest and say I am jealous.
That’s awesome for you!!!! I am taking my first international trip EVER next month. I am taking my 14 year old to Guatemala. She’d prefer London, Paris, or (probably) Greece. Hopefully it’ll be one of those things she looks back on as an adult and appreciates.
Have a great time!
Mrs. Weber says
I don’t think you can go wrong with Greece…I hear the people there are amazing….and the food – SO YUM! Make sure to get saganaki, the flaming cheese – OPA!
Teacher Girl says
Oh man I am super, duper jealous. Greece has been my #1 country I want to visit for years!
Momma says
Damn you! I would just love some sort of free gift and u get a frickin trip!
Suzyn says
That’s a skillful answer to a dilcufift question
June Freaking Cleaver says
If you’ve ever been to a local Special Olympics event, you’ll be in awe of the participants and the volunteers who help.
I cried watching complete strangers complete their events, and I was so proud of The Boy for swimming like his life depended on it until he reached the other end of the pool.
I lost it when kids and young adults who were not all that ambulatory finished their walk across the shallow end of the pool.
Think what we could all accomplish if we worked as hard as they did.
I can’t imagine what it would be like for a world event. I suppose you’ll learn to blubber in different languages?
Take Kleenex.
Peg says
That is so freaking awesome! How did you land a gig like THAT? Can I be a stowaway in your luggage?
Jenny says
I’m jealous. Have fun on your trip.
Jessica says
That’s an experience of a lifetime…that island of Greece! ;)
Have fun!!!
Not Winning Mom of the Year says
I have always wanted to go there, you are going to have a blast! PS: I learned some Greek words from the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding, like “Windex”.
Have fun….
Bankerchick says
What a great time you will have and to go because you blog wow!
OHmommy says
Shut up! No way! That’s so so so awesome!!!!!!!!!!
Jennifer@ The Mommy Mambo says
Sadly I’m vaca-a-phobic too! I can’t help but worry from all angles since giving birth. Being at home is so much easier and safer and, well, cozier :)
A Mommy in the City says
That is so exciting. I’ve heard Greece is a beautiful country! Have fun!
Exurban Cowgirl says
not to alarm you but i think they’re rioting over there right now. i’m sure they’ll be finished by the time you get there tho!
jessica@domesticated-bliss says
Sounds like a blast! Lucky girl going on P&G’s dime!
Ryan (The Woven Moments) says
“Please Lord Baby Infant Jesus don’t let me die.”
That made me laugh out loud. Also, I think you’ll be fine. :)
MamaRobinJ says
You lucky bum! That would be so awesome. Have fun!
Audreya says
When I studied abroad, a trip to Greece was part of the program. I really wasn’t that excited about it. I mean, I was excited to see somewhere new, but it wasn’t where I would have picked. But then I got there and was totally blown away. It is beautiful! Sure, no pyramids, but lots of other cool old stuff. (Just stick to the outdoor old stuff. I did pretty much fall asleep during a *required* tour of the national museum.) Oh, and the cheeses and the honey are excellent. That’s really all it takes to win me over.
Optimistic Mom says
What an awesome opportunity!! I can only dream. Enjoy yourself!
Andrea says
You lucky duck! Can I hide in your suit case? Please?
Just kidding, well sort of. Have a blast!
Shell says
I am so jealous! Hope you have a great time!
Anita @ Mommy in Search of Me says
Greece sounds amazing! And you are going without kids. I would miss my kids too but the thought of being in such a beautiful place and getting to relax a little, aaahhh! Can I go too?
Caroline says
OH, you are going to have so much fun! It doesn’t matter that you have no idea where you are going. It will be beautiful and you will LOVE it. I can’t wait to read the blogs that come out of it!!
Loukia says
You have no idea how much you’re going to love Greece. As a fellow Greek, let me just say, it’s the most beautiful country ON EARTH. And very loud, especially Athens. And VERY HOT.
Here: All you ever need to know about Greece:
http://loulousviews.blogspot.com/2010/02/memories-from-greece.html
Via says
And now I’m insanely jealous, as Greece is my “county you’d like to visit.” Trumped.
MSRheinlander says
Love it!! I would definitely take any travel offers that came my way! How awesome for you… even if you don;t know where it actually is!! LOL! I too am insanely jealous!
Susanna@Susanna Leonard Hill says
You are so funny! Your knowledge of geography is apparently right up there with mine. My dad used to lament the fact that our school seemed to have skipped the entire subject :)
Have a great time – can’t wait to hear all about it!
Tammy says
You will have so much fun…can’t wait to read all about it through your eyes!
FFPMaMMa says
Where’s the easy button when you need it? I didn’t have to think at all where I would want to travel to. My husband’s homeland of Samoa wins hands down! Thanks for the prompt.
Cam - Bibs & Baubles says
that’s awesome! congrats! I’m sure you’re gonna love it. :)
Stasha says
Funny girl. Just don’t fall asleep and miss your bus stop. You might skip Little Athens and wake up in China town…
Safe journey, see lots, do lots, come back to write about it soon!
lisa, too! says
Lucky ducky, you! The ruins will be AWESOME! and the climate, and the FOOD!!! Yum! Gyros, pita, feta, hummus… I’d SO be there for the food alone. Beats the local Daphne’s Greek! lol!
Brynn says
Holy Crap! What a great opportunity. And, tons of fodder for blogging. Congrats!
Jen says
This is so awesome for you.
I must say, I am a little jealous b/c I have dreamed of going to Greece ever since I did my grade school project about the country.
Have fun, can’t wait to hear about it and yeah, you aren’t going to die.
misty says
HOW FUN! What a majorly awesome opportunity!
Jeanne says
Oooooo— I bet I can fold up nicely into a suitcase! Sneak me onto the plane!! I’ll help you drown your mama guilt in wine… or falafals…. or greek yogurt… or whatever!
Adrienne says
Went as a sr. in highschool – Changed so many, many things about me. I’ve done a lot of travelling, and haven’t ever had a trip change me so profoundly. I’m sure it was a combo of my age and that face that that I’d never been anyplace so exotic. But it was magnificent. And rich in history and culture. And beauty! Drink in every little moment!!
Amy says
I have wanted to go to Greece ever since I saw Mama Mia! I totally want in on that :)
Have a great trip!!!!
Nicole @MTDLBlog says
What a fabulous opportunity! Can you pack me in your luggage? I’ll be your assistant or something…..WOW…now these are the kind of things I hope I get to do one day. Can’t wait to hear more about it when all is said and done! ;-)
Tiffany says
Although I think you are going to love Greece, I think you’ll love Special Olympics even more, and it will overshadow what I’m sure is a wonderful country. It’s an absolutely life-changing experience! You are going to meet some of the most amazing people you will ever encounter- I can promise you that! Have fun!
Mama Track says
Enjoy your trip! I love Greece–it’s charming.
Leslie Limon says
Greece! Really? OMG, how exciting! :) Congratulations!
jackie says
How awesome that you get to go! Greece is one of the places I’d like to visit too! My uncle and his wife went a few years ago when Greece won some soccer championship. They loved it and said that was the best time ever!
Enjoy!
SnipeWife says
I’m trying to follow the bloggin karma and am trying to post on other blogs but to no avail! This is very frustrating because I have read some great posts yesterday and today. :(
Tracy P. says
That’s hilarious and fantastic! Looking forward to hearing about it!
Kisatrtle says
Why you always gotta pray to baby Jesus. Why not grown up Jesus…LOL have a good time
Marinka says
that’s crazy exciting! What sport are you going to compete in?
YOU ARE GOING TO COMPETE, RIGHT?
Dave says
Greece is definitely on my list to visit someday! So much history!
Blythe says
Greece is definitely on my short list of Places To Definitely Go. My friends just got back from a trip there and they LOVED it. I hope you have a spectacular time!
Clare says
Greece is amazing, but hot!! I last went about 8 years ago, it was hot then in the middle of summer. Athens is much like any other capital city ie, very big and very busy.
The MUST-SEE sight is the Parthenon. You can’t miss it (literally). It’s amazing. Soooooo old it’s almost mind-boggling. Oh and the food, also amazing and unsurprisingly completely unlike Italian food, which is why I’m always mystified as to why Americans lump the two cuisines together in Greek-Italian restautants??? Can anyone explain this phenomenon?!
CJ says
My home country… ish. You better learn to speak that language like it’s none of anyone’s business!!
Have fun!!