First Day of School!

Today was the first day of the teacher work day's for me. It was a blast! Janice and I were picked up at 8:30 by Soula, our advisor, and taken to the school. We met our teachers and were given a layout of the land... they also told me I would be in FIRST GRADE (such a great fit for this). My teacher, Mrs. Filiana, is Greek and very sweet.  It is a very nice school, but very basic in their style of teaching. There are no overhead projectors, no smartboards, no clickers, and no apple computers. Each room is very colorful and contains one computer and one telephone. The atmosphere of the school though is warm and welcoming. We worked for a few hours, and then had a Bar-B-Que where all the students and families of the school were able to mix and mingle, and meet their teachers at the same time. I only got to meet two of my students and a few parents, but the rest will come on the actual first day of school, which is Monday. I only have 10 students in my classroom and learned that in the Balkans, the Elementary teachers are called by their first names... so I am Miss Morgan!!!

The poster on the door is a Welcome to First Grade sign,
and below is the word "Welcome" in all the home languages
of the students just in my class. These countries include France, Italy,
Russia, Switzerland, Romania, Turkey, and of course,
Greece! How incredible! And also note that there are
only 10 students.  

Mrs. Filiana's Classroom... where I will be all semester! 

The Greek Language classroom on the left, and my First Grade on
the right. 

Bailey and I about to have Bar-B-Que... so glad that Mom, Dede, and Bailey
were able to make it to see the school before heading to the airport. 

Outside the School!

Amazing Ancient Artifacts

Today was a day for a road trip. Mom and Dede rented a standard car that we drove to an area about thirty minutes away... or shall I say mom conquered the roads all the way to Vergina. It was absolutely BEAUTIFUL! We toured the tomb of Phillip II (Alexander the Great's Father) and Alexander IV of Macedon (Alexander's son). The burial sites were located inside a hill that established a site known as Aigia. 

 BEAUTIFUL lunch in Vergina! Fig trees right by the table that we picked
and ate as well as olives and rosemary! 

Bailey playing with the stray kittens... what else is new:)

Mckenzie is actually standing in the middle of us! We missed her SO MUCH!

Muse Mountains... the view from the drive!

The Arch of Galerius... pat of an imperial palace for the Roman
Emperor Galerius that used to be.

The Rotunda... used to be part of the Galerius's Palace.

The Philosophy Building at Aristotle University (how appropriate). It was huge but the rest was hidden under trees. Beautiful campus! Over 100,000 on campus students... largest University and most prestigious in the Balkans! Fabulous University... but but nothing beats Auburn... nothing!

Yes... there is a toll tax for bikes. 

Vergina, Greece!

Ahhhhmazing!

Archeologists that are digging up the Palace of Alexander the Great! 

I LOVE THIS PICTURE! Right outside the museum with the ancient burial tombs. 

This picture is for Papa... these are the largest Rosemary bushes I have ever seen!

We ended the day having dinner with my advisor from Aristotle University. It was a great day and I was surely geared up for the First Day of School! 

A New Home:)

Sunday was out day for sightseeing... at least the first official day. We started off the day with a breakfast with everyone at the Electra Palace Hotel (note: most places here are very slow when it comes to service, but it adds so much to a laid back atmosphere). Then we set off for all the museums...

Bailey and I on the walking tours... yes these are the English translator
radios that walked you through the tower exhibits.

At the end of the tour, we walked to the top of the building, and
when we got up there it was quite windy... so this is my Marylin Monroe pose. There
was a great view of the city from here!

Beautiful fountain near the museums... right by the waterfront. 

Burial graves right along the sidewalk... no fence or security... just there.

A real olive tree full of olives!

Picture of a Bible that is written in the original Greek language... at the
Archeological museum... Wow how amazing!

This was a Greek Tavern called "Brothers In-Law" that is right around the corner from
my studio. It was some of the best Greek food or food in general
that I have ever had. We ate salmon, fried feta (that same wrapped in  sesame
seeds ad drizzled with honey), grape leaves, and an authentic greek salad. DELICIOUS!

Pretty Catholic Church that is right down Aghia Sofia square... no one was in it
since they had just finished with night mass! Very ornate and beautiful... unfortunately
cannot type or pronounce the name.

Ceiling with many murals of Jesus and his disciples. 

Holy Water... right outside the entrance of the church. 

Today was all about getting settled in. Janice and I went to breakfast with Mom, Dede, and Bailey... poached eggs, baked tomatoes, and fruits (amazing). After breakfast, we caught a bus to IKEA... home of the best shopping for the essentials of living... trash can, pillow case, shower curtain, lamp, table and more. Mom's seem to have a knack for nesting... because Mom and Dede sent Janice and I out of our own room for a little bit, to run a few necessary errands, and when we came back... the studio looked FABULOUS!!! Cannot thank them enough for their hard work. Now I have a corner of the world that I can call home... and it is so much fun! 


We polished off the day with a trip to another Greek Tavern where we enjoyed Grilled Lemon Shrimp, fried feta, and a spinach salad with mustard dressing as we listened to live music in the back ground and all the locals singing along. There seems to be a large college age crowd in the Aghia Sofia section of Thessaloniki. Topped off the meal with a free dessert of gelato and a chocolate cake of some sort. Wish I knew exactly what was in the dishes... but even if I were told... It does not help (still all Greek to me)! "Parakalo" I have learned means please and your welcome, while "efkahristo" means thank you! Thanks for sharing in this adventure again!

Momma and I at breakfast, making a list of the items we needed form IKEA!

The desk and vanity area... haha! Really it is a great set up, much
like a dorm room. 

The bathroom... down the hallway and separate from the room! 

The Kitchen... right at the foot of my bed. 

Janice and I... the view when looking in the room from the balcony.

My bed and part of the room... right near the window!

The Kitchen!