An Update At Last

Yes I'm still here, bet you thought I'd been whisked away by some Greek Adonis or was sailing the turquoise waters of the Ionian with Nikos the fisherman - in fact no, that was just a dream I had.

I have finally got around to sitting down to provide an update as to what has been happening since I last posted. The best thing has been a visit from my brother David who rang me a few weeks ago to announce he had booked a flight to come out for a week. I'm going to put a separate posting on later to cover the time he spent here with me.

I have also delayed posting an update because things have been a little fluid on the job front. You may recall that I said I had a new job - I have been working as receptionist in a tattoo studio. I became aware of the job being available when I had my first ever tattoo done at the beginning of June. Those that read the message boards I use will already be aware of the tattoo I've had but those that just read this blog won't be.
I had for some time been thinking seriously of having a tattoo. All of my life up until now I would never have thought that it was something I would consider doing - in fact I can recall clearly pleading with my daughter, Justine, as she was growing up 'please don't have tattoos' which she totally ignored :-)) The fact is that for several months now I have had a clear image in my head which means a lot to me & represents strongly how I see my life. The image is that of a phoenix bird perished in the flames but then risen again in a totally new life. This is such a strong image for me & will always remain so that I decided that this would be immortalised for ever on my body. I searched the internet for a suitable design but couldn't find one that was suitable or that I liked for my lower back which was where I wanted it. I visited Rhapsody Tattoos in Laganas & found a bird shape that I liked & I arranged to have the tattoo done. I had the bird increased in size & asked for the red & yellow to be added on the wing edges to represent coming from the flames & for the bits falling away to be added too. I love the end result, it means a lot to me.

So, do you want to see a photo of it? Yes - well ok, I'll put one on here:


So that is how the job as receptionist at the tattoo studio came about. All has been fine working there but I have found that the hours I've been working were far from perfect. My hours have been 5pm to 11.30pm & one of the results of this is that I am working when my friend Debbie is not & she is working when I'm not so we have not seen each other for ages. The hours don't suit my normal eating patterns either as I find I have either had to eat earlier than I would normally when I'm not always hungry or I've had to eat when I get home from work by which time it is around midnight & after allowing time to digest my dinner before bed it means I'm not in bed until early hours every night. However, just the other day a friend rang me to say they knew of an office job that had become available & had suggested me for it. To cut the story short I had a 1st interview followed by a 2nd yesterday (Wednesday) & have been successful in securing the job. Whoopeee!!!! The hours are much better for me & fit in with Debbies working times too. Although the pay is a little less the employer pays IKA which is the equivalent of the UK National Insurance & is important to me, being a resident here. The job itself seems more suited to my previous experience & skills & as an added bonus, it is just 6 days a week instead of the usual 7, I get Sunday off every week. As with most jobs it is seasonal so will come to an end around the end of October but then hopefully I will work each season for them.
The company is Forum Holiday Services & the office is based in Kalamaki. Duties will include dealing with the administration around airport transfers, excursions etc etc & keeping computer systems updated & it will also include presenting one welcome meeting each week at Tsilivi.
I am going in for a couple of hours a day from today (Thurs) to train on the procedures & will officially start from next Wednesday.
Now you can see why I didn't post anything before & see what I meant by the job front having been a bit fluid. So I hope now that this will be the job I can finally feel settled in.

Another update I can give you is with regard to my UK house sale. I have all my fingers & toes crossed at present but all indications are that contracts will hopefully be signed & completion take place by the end of this month. As you can imagine I am a little tense about this until I know it has taken place for definite. Once it is done I can start the process of buying the house here. Of course once that starts I will keep you posted on progress.

Justine & Simon are still in Australia & I am missing them so much. Justine however, is travelling back on her own & arrives back on Zakynthos on the 17th July & I am so looking forward to seeing her again & giving her a great big hug. Simon is staying in Australia because he has started the procedure for applying for a permanent visa & may be called for interviews. They are hoping to both move there permanently dependant on both getting visas. I will miss them so much if they go but it is such a good opportunity for them. What a great holiday destination I will have too LOL.

So what else is new - I've met a few more people from the message boards over the last few weeks which has been really good - lovely people who I hope to stay in touch with. There are some that I've met once already here this season that will shortly be returning for their second visits - such is the popularity of this island that I'm lucky enough to call my home. I really must try to update the blog more often as I am becoming more & more aware of how many read my ramblings.

It is fast approaching the 1st anniversary of my arrival here too - the actual date is 28th July. If I remember I should really do something to mark the occasion. It has certainly been a year that has seen such changes in my life that I would never have thought possible.

This has been a bit of a long update so I will close for now. I will try to get a posting up over the next few days from my brothers week spent here with me.
Bye for now folks.