My Greek Summer: Chania - Crete

"You are not alone or limited, you have your nice memories from people and places, to go back anytime you like so to help you keeping going." That is exactly the sense that we are getting from the social media, in our current situation, where social distancing is the only way and the lack of physical socializing with friends and family really affects our whole being.  People are posting favorite places they have visited, calming pictures or videos from the nature or pets, or themselves on their younger version, from babies to college years. Past summer holidays is my best happy place that I like to dive in! So, lets take a trip to my memory lane from our last, family, summer holidays in the beautiful Greek island of Crete.

Our trip to Disney World - How to survive mentally, emotionally and physically

Disney world. How many kids have cried and screamed the lungs out, in front of the camera and then been watched on a you tube video from millions, when their parents were announcing to them: "WE ARE GOING TO DISNEY WORLD!" How many people they have choose to go there for their honeymoon, birthdays, or graduations? The hot place to be on your school/college spring break. Disney World is the land of our dreams. Is the place where everyone is allowed to feel as a kid. Where the adults are overwhelmed and some even emotional from meeting and hugging the famous Mouse and his gang. The place where all the family members can be happy. But is also the place where the word LINES and WAITING sometimes steal the limelight from the actual famous residents of the park. So if a visit there is on your bucket list of "things i want to do before i die" then keep some notes, and go prepared. Mentally, emotionally and physically. Ah and of course financially!

Traveling with kids...

I still remember the time that my parents were getting ready for our summer holidays, loading our car until the wheels looked almost flat from the extreme weight of our stuff and me trying to squeeze myself on the back seat having to battle with the falling hats, beach chairs, umbrellas and other summer paraphernalia. Sandwiches and some cold drinks for the road, and for entertainment the scratchy music of the broken radio signal or from a favorite /boring cassette of my parents. Windows open, no AC at that time, and ready to roll to our destination. No planning ahead from my parents for what to bring to keep me happy, no worries if I am going to get bored in the car, no stress about how they will keep me entertain. Some books and magazines, dolls when I was younger, and maybe a Walkman (and for the younger audience Walkman means small portable cassette player similar (not) to cd player, to mp3 or the smartphones/iPad now) were the only options and of course actually looking out of the window to the scenery around me. But traveling with kids now is a total different story and sometimes if you are not well prepared can be scary and painful... for you and the others around you!

Get happier and healthier with music!

Music and emotions. Music is so vital for our mental wellbeing. Sad or happy, sick or well, old or young, listening to tunes will can only benefit us. Is the best work out for our brain and the balsam for our soul. I cannot even imagine my life without music. Since I was a kid it has been vital, like breathing. Music and dancing is a need. I will still put music on and with every opportunity I will dance alone or with my two boys. And they love it too, and makes me so happy. What a connection you can have this way? I will even try all the music apps are out there 😂 - probably embarrassing my older son-  with most recently the Musical.ly. And I am so happy for all these young people that are expressing themselves through music and dance. What a healthy way to say to the world what you are feeling!

What's your job? (pause) Stay-at-home mom/dad... Hmm

On my role as an entertainer!

In the years I have been traveling and meeting other moms like me, and by saying like me I mean stay-at- home moms (sorry didn't met any stay-at- home dads although i know they exist and are doing a great job), there was always a cloud over us when somebody was making the very logical and normal question: "Do you work?" The short answer was "no, I am a stay-at- home mom" but most of the times a "but" and "because" had to come after that answer so to defend ourselves that we are not those women, that you see in the American reality shows that are pampering and drinking wine all day. Believe me our lives have no glamour, sparkles (well maybe if you have little girls in the house) and we don't live in a pink fluffy cloud, although it sounds nice.

2017 health resolution: Go to an Osteopath!

When I was back in Greece and working for the media sector, I was at one point specialized to write and report for alternative medicine and therapies. I was also keen to find new super foods, the next big effective diet and therapy or technique, anything new, interesting and different.  So for example I knew about the Alexander technique (great therapy for dancers and people with problem with their posture), but for one reason i never came across osteopathy, although it is not a new therapy since it was founded in the late 1800s by physician and surgeon Andrew Taylor from Missouri, USA. I knew physiotherapy and the work of a chiropractor, but osteopathy was never one of those techniques and therapies that fallen under my attention. Not until I moved to the Netherlands. And funny enough the first encounter was for my baby boy, and not for me!

Laugh it up, it's good for you!

They say "when life gives you lemons, make some lemonade", i say "laugh it up as hard as you can!"
In the most difficult times of my life, the moment of stress, unknown, pain, or fear i would always try to find the strength to keep my smile and even joke about it. And you know what? That really helped me to keep going. That is something i want to pass to my sons too. To laugh it up, even if you have just got slapped from life. A laughter and a smile is the best defense mechanism that will and can protect and help you to overcome almost everything!

Your inner kid needs you, or better why you need it?

Captured by my son being silly on mother's day

There was a period of my life that i had to dive very deep, so to start moving up and meet the surface for a good breath of fresh air. It was the time that i left my serious adult self to take over -together with some heavy unavoidable situations life throw you sometimes- and made me send to the corner the inner kid which until then was always my helping hand so to cope with difficulties.

These apps are made for family fun

"Ohhh i am a princess", exploring Snapchat

Sometimes i love the technology so much... Actually most of the time i do, that is why i am here after all!

But when i discover something fun, and hilarious, and entertaining it is like finding a gem in the mad. Apps are my favorite thing, and its because you can have them on your phone, iPad, tablet and not all of them need WiFi.