My Greek Life. The Money And The Matters.

A quiet night in Rhodes, while sitting on our toiletseat-less apartment's balcony and enjoying every little breeze that comes by. Days are incredibly hot here, and drains the energy right out of you. Although life here gives a lot of it back too.

Today after yet another trip to the ATM I started to add up the sums of my bankaccount and got to calculating the difference between money and life. And the balance of it. We need money to survive, that's a known fact. But do we need more than the basics? And what are the basics for a human being? I had a conversation with a Greek friend today whom I recently met, and who has been living here for 5 years now. There's a bar nearby the hotel where we all work and I never saw him there, so I asked what the reason was. He usually goes out in Rhodes town, but his payment didn't get in yet - and he works 7/7. No day off. For 5 years, except for the first year when he got here because then he was an apprentice chef, and they get a day off a week.

My good friends at the watersportcenter have a day off, and I as an animator am intitled to a day off too, and a night off. We have a 09h to 23h job, with some intervals - which I really enjoy. For example, I have time off from 17h till 20h every day. Couldn't miss that. It's the time I look forward to the most, because then I usually go windsurfing, work-out or just write and check my mails. But then I get started again, and finish at 23h. And my pay.. Well, let's face it, it's crappy. So is everybody else's, and almost everyone of us left a pretty wealthy country to come over here.

But my days are so full here, and life is so enjoyable. Everything about life on this Greek island is rich. Except for the actual cash, including my own bankaccount.
Then again. What if I had a nine to five job like I did back home for two months, a full bankaccount and a bottomless pit of worries and complains? Like most of the tourists who come here, really. The ones we all work for. Putting it on the scale, this life here wins. Full monty.
And not having too much money - let's say only the basics, is incredibly necessary. Because if we did have more cash, life here wouldn't be this sweet. The little things in life get appreciated, and you get to understand what really matters.

Our daily life in the boiling sun, being it on the boat or on the beach. Our trips to the beerbridge, playing "who can trow a cigarette the furthest" and listening to sweet tunes. Our barbecue-evenings at Monolithos mountain. Singing, playing guitar, and watching the most amazing sundown you've ever seen. Our nights in Lindos, when we treat ourselves to incredibly good and fine cuisine, after weeks of crappy hotelfood.
This is the life. And there's nothing else like it.
I can resume it all in one sentence I said earlier today. "There is nothing more enjoyable to life than the people you can share happiness with, and the creations that tickle your senses."
And as the admirable Ellen - a Belgian girl who moved here two months ago for Basti, my German windsurfteacher - said at my collegue's goodbye dinner yesterday: "It's all love."
And there is no greater truth than that.

Always yours

Joles

My Greek Life. The First Chapter.

So I'm in Greece. Rhodes to be exact. The village of Kiotari to be even more precise.
I'm working as an animator for Belgian and French hotelguests, doing a really sports-orientated program.
Didn't know I had it in me to be so in shape, fit and energetic. Taking care of your body is indeed of great importance. And it gives you an amazing feeling. You are the owner of your own body, soul and mind.
I've been here for 17 days now - and at the end of this month I will have lived in Greece for 6 weeks.

Today, while I was on the speedboat taking pictures of a couple having a ride on the crazysofa (not what you might be thinking), I realized that I can't imagine living anywhere else than on the beach. Or atleast near one. The gift that nature has given us is so immense and so intense, really there are no words for it. It's truly breathtaking, and the realization of the transcendent force nature has on us is one to be incredibly grateful for. Life on the hills, life in the water, and the beautiful, beautiful sky. And the sun, which is another phenomenon to be grateful for, because without it, we wouldn't exist.
 Days can be long and tiring working as an animator, aswell as short - time really does fly by when you're having fun - and a true boost. I got so attached and used to this life in such a short period of time, adapting to life in the grey citystreets is going to be a great task.

I also got my flightconfirmation to go back home mailed in today, which sounds like such a weird and abstract idea to me right now. I'll probably be looking forward to it the last day of my stay here in Greece - just to see everyone I love again, but then again, that will only take a second.
I do look forward to see and feel that one person in particular which I have an incredible connection of pure love with. Which means another flight. After 6 months of not seeing eachother and not feeling eachother's presence, I can't wait for it. I am counting the days to see him back again, I must admit.
Every person is unique and has the power to leave a great impact on you. And there are thousands, if not millions of those around. And you should let them make that impression on you, aswell as you should try to leave an impression on them. But in this great present, to me, there's no one like the one I met on the crossroads of Amsterdam.

For now I'm going to enjoy every second of life here on the Greek island of Rhodes, and live - truly live.
Wherever you are, being it a grey city or an island of blue - do the same. Live.

J.

My mind: A Survey

Have you had sex in the last 12 hours? No.
What kind of mood are you in? A step closer to letting him go.
Are all guys/girls the same?
I'd like to think they aren't. And at times I'd like to think they are.
Did you have a good day today?
A lazy one. Yes.

Do you own a camera phone?
Yes, and I have a lot of pictures of my inside pockets.

What did you do this weekend?
Had one turbulent weekend. Celebrated a good friend's birthday on friday, followed by wanting to punch a guy in the face after he took my barstool away while I was still sitting on it. Then decided to relax at my best friend's place yesterday, took a long bath, watched a movie and fell asleep. Gazed at people on the train and on the streets today.

You're high and lost walking down the road, who is with you?
Myself.
Do you have a pet?
A turtle. Not really petable.
You kissed someone last night, didn't you?
I didn't actually.
Name something you dislike about the day you're having?
My mind that keeps wandering off to him.
Do you think that you have made a difference in someone's life?
One can only hope so.
Do you give out second chances easily?
Welcome aboard on the wings of forgiveness.

If you dated someone that someone else liked, would you rub it in their face?
I'd probably not date someone I know someone else is interested in. So no.
Is life ever easy?
"The world ain’t no easier than it’s ever been" - Amos Lee. In my words, it's what you make of it.

What were you doing at midnight last night?
Laughing with Elise.

Where's the last place you went besides your house?
Elise's.
Has anyone told you they missed you lately?
Yes.
Have you ever received a text message that made you cry?
Maybe, I don't remember. But it sounds as if that could've happened to me.
What song reminds you of the person you like?
So many. If I had to choose on it would be "I see you, You see me" by The Magic Numbers.

Have you ever told anyone you loved them and honestly meant it?
Yes.
As of this minute, what is going through your mind?
I miss you.
What are you currently listening to?
Nothing. That's a first.

Where is your phone?
Next to me.
Who was the last person to text you?
Elise.

Has anyone ever said something that brought tears to your eyes?
Yeah.
Has anyone let you down recently?
Yes. But maybe I just let 'em let me down.
Who was the last person you cried in front of?
Jones. But he didn't see it.
Last time you had a sleepover?
I stayed at Elise's yesterday.
Have you ever been drunk?
Oh yes. Not proud of it though.

Do you have a Facebook?
Is this the 21st century?

Can you have more than one best friend?
One should consider himself lucky to even have one. I'm lucky.

Are you one of those people who are always cold?
Yes. But strangely enough not now.
What were you doing at 10:00 am this morning?
Sleeping. Snoozing.
Have you ever cried in front of a friend?
I guess so.

Be honest, who is the easiest person in your life to talk to?
Hatim.

Do you hate being alone?
No, I actually like it.

Is your room clean?
Clean enough.
Are you a loud person?
Sometimes.

Do you use the word ‘epic’ daily?
Uh. Nuh.

Which do you prefer: M&M's, Skittles, or Reese's Pieces?
Skittles! Red ones!
If you could control the seasons-which season would you want it to be now?
Summer.

Who is the biggest drama queen or drama king in your life?
My dad.

Honestly, have you ever thrown garbage out of the window of a car?
Maybe when I was little. But I don't throw things on the streets, that's why my bag is always full of little pieces of paper, flyers and receipts.
If you could have any animal as a pet, what would it be?
I'd like to have my dog back, he was awesome.
Honestly, have you ever egged somebody's house or car?
Oh man, this is crazy, but yes.

If eating chocolate was against the law, would you break it?
Why would eating chocolate ever be against the law? It would be the best vice ever.
Do you like energry drinks?
No, Red Bull gives me palpitations.

What's going on between you and the last person you talked to?
She is secretly my mom.
What's for dinner?
We ordered pizza. Cheese and anchovies. So good.

The Love Police

Just take a minute to check this website out and this youtube video.

The message is simple:
Think independently, love eachother, be human to eachother. Educate yourself and wake up. Love is the solution.

Everything is OK.

Love

J.

Co² is Square

While watching the news yesterday a fact came up that shocked me.
Global CO2 emissions from oil, (stone) coal and other fossil fuels have increased by 29% this decade. Which is almost 30%. Which is way too much!
From 2000 to 2007, the global CO2 emissions from fossil fuels rose annually by about 3.6%. That is three times more than in the 90's, when the annual increase was still 1%. Most of these emissions are due to man.
We're punching Mother Nature in the face, turning our backs and saying "I'm sorry" doesn't even cross our minds.
We need to act. And fast.

Let me copy/paste something from an article from the New York Times' Green Inc. Blog: "Governments, negotiators and campaigners now say the Barcelona talks – and the Copenhagen summit that follows – will not make, or break, global climate policy. (...)Yvo de Boer, the U.N.’s climate chief, said it would be “physically impossible” to conclude a deal this year."
Let me be bold. If we keep accepting these increases and not conclude a deal and make a change soon, it'll be "physically impossible" to do anything but sit back and watch humanity fade away. I'm talking wipe-out.

Pitch in people. You may think this subject is boring, and you may not be interested in our earth's health. Let me tell you. We're just dots. Little dots in this enormous galaxy. I often hear friends saying the following phrase when they're having a bad day: "Life's a bitch." Yes, your life is insignificant. But I always reply: "It's what you make of it."
Let me be clear. Without this planet, there is no life. Not even a bitchy one.

I don't want to scare, annoy or anger anyone with this. But wake up. And do something.

Here's a little list of things you can do yourself:

- Stop eating red meat (you have no idea how much a cow contributes to CO2 emissions).
- Stop buying plastic bottles and bottles of water. Heat it up, filter it and put it in an eco-friendly, reusable water bottle. Get a Kleen Kanteen one, an Aquasana glass one or a sym.blue.ology blue glass one with a message.
- Now that I think about it, get your things in a shop. Save money on shipping costs and reduce carbon dioxide emissions (you have no idea how much transportation contributes to CO2 emissions). And if you can, go to the shop by bike or on foot. That's how I do everything.
- Save up money and get solar panels.
- Use low energy light bulbs.
- Back to the roots, the way they do it in Brazil because water is scarce and expensive: harvest your rainwater.

On Carbon Footprint, you can calculate your own carbon footprint and learn how to reduce emissions and save costs.

Whatever you do... Act.

Have a healthy, conscious and aware day.

Jolene

Life lesson

It's all about one fourletterword:

LOVE

J.

The Ink Issue: What A Beautiful Mess.

I am fascinated by tattoos. Especially on women.
There's just something about them. In a world where Mattel invented the Barbie doll and introduced a stereotypical image of how women should be, I am thrilled to see that more and more women are going back to an artform that has been past on from one culture to another, surrounding themselves with elements of themselve. Being it a quote, a portrait or something abstract, I believe every tattoo has its meaning. It's a way of putting out there what is already in you, without the fear of being judged.

I used to think a tattoo was something you had to be a hundred percent sure of, because it sticks to your skin for good. No turning back. So no regrets. But even the silliest thing is not worth regreting, because it marks who you were. And if you change, it marks your evolution.
Of course, if you're not satisfied with your evolution or just made a wrong move by not thinking it through, there's always laser removal.

Before I got my first tattoo about two months ago, I talked to some people to see what their opinion was about the whole tattooing thing. Most of them tried to talk me out of it. I scheduled my appointment without telling anyone, besides two of my closest friends, and went off and got it anyway. Reactions afterwards were "It actually looks really good." Lesson: Do not let anyone talk you out of something you have set your mind to after careful consideration. You might ask them for their opinion. But they are not you.

I'm not Jesus, and not trying to convert you into something you're just not into. But if you are looking for some inspiration, here are some beautiful, tattooed women.

Inked Magazine - Quotes, stars, portraits, custom-made designs,etc...

Betty Lipstick - Hearts, dragons, roses, etc...

Kat Von D - Tattoo artist specialized in portraits, mostly black and grey.

Known From LA Ink & her shop High Voltage Tattoo

Murielle Scherre

Belgian designer of the lingerie label La Fille d'O - has a bow, pin-ups, the word "Amor", cherries, etc...



A random girl in Barcelona with leopard print and a cupcake

A tattoo is a true poetic creation, and is always more than meets the eye. - V. Vale and Andrea Juno, Modern Primitives

Show me a man with a tattoo and I'll show you a man with an interesting past. - Jack London

You may lose your most valuable property through misfortune in various ways. You may lose your house, your wife and other treasures. But of your moko, you cannot be deprived except by death. It will be your ornament and companion until your last day. - Netana Whakaari of Waimana

Ink to paper is thoughtful. Ink to flesh, hardcore. If Shakespeare were a tattooist, we'd appreciate body art more. - Carrie Latet

Tattooing is about personalizing the body, making it a true home and fit temple for the spirit that dwells inside it. Tattooing therefore, is a way of keeping the spiritual and material needs of the body in balance. - Michelle Delio

But! Think before you ink! I'm sure you don't want to look like our famous Belgian tattooed girl aka 56-stars-on-your-face when you're 85.

Jackie