Roll on 2012

2011 has vanished before my eyes and so much has happened this year that I dont even know what to reminisce about first! Its crazy that this time last year we had just arrived in Cyprus. We have barely had time to breathe with the amount of things that have occurred in 2011and I have to say we are thankful we took the plunge and jumped ship from England when we did. But that doesn't mean we dont miss each and everyone of you every single day. 

So from (a freezing cold and rainy Cyprus) we wish all our family and friends - who have shown us a huge amount of support - a very Happy New Year and a wonderful start to 2012. 

Of course it will be a wonderful start to 2012....because we're COMING HOME in exactly 4 weeks!

our 2nd christmas

Well its safe to see our 2nd christmas was a little more extravagant than the first! There wasn't a hand drawn paper christmas tree in sight, instead, this year we opted for something a little more green and less 1 dimensional.

As for the decorations, well that was my job. To be honest I think Harry would have been perfectly happy with another hand drawn creation, but for my sanity and christmas spirit, a real life tree was required, decorated with lights, glittery red baubles, tinsel and white ceramic snowflakes.

With presents wrapped, including treats for millie and back up presents for Harry seen as the real ones I ordered didn't arrive on time, and under the tree and a cupboard full of food, all that was missing....some English christmas telly. But we can't have everything.

Now its over for another, time to start saving for our flights. Not long to wait til christmas 2012 in England!

its christmas time....

While we are far away, we wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We hope you enjoy the festivities, eat enough to last you till next christmas and get some wonderful gifts from Santa. 

1312

For the 7 years I have known Harry, his dream has always been to open a graffiti shop. Well, that is something to tick off the list. Last week 1312 opened in the centre of Nicosia. The first graffiti store in the ever expanding capital city of Cyprus, 1312 is Harry's joint project with a very good friend here in Cyprus.

Set on the edge of the old town in Nicosia, 1312 is a small but perfectly formed shop, stocking all the graffiti essentials. With a huge selection of colours and a products including spray paint, markers, inks, accessories and clothing, 1312 is leading the way in the graffiti scene. 

But 1312 is not just a shop, its a living breathing snapshot of graffiti - the walls are covered in graffiti and filled with framed prints, photographs and canvas's. 

1312 is now open in Nicosia. 

its nearly upon us

Its been a bit frantic during the run up to christmas and work has pretty much taken over since colleagues hopped off on holidays and the rest of us hold the fort. But at 2.30pm yesterday, the computer got turned off  and the christmas eve eve shopping commenced.

While it has been raining and freezing cold today, the suns has come out so I dont think Cyprus will be getting a white christmas. I dont know if its the weather, the atmosphere or my age but christmas just isnt the same. SO i have started saving already for christmas 2012 to be in London. A traditional christmas, with lights and decorations everywhere, the atmosphere of christmas in London and the family sat round eating roast turkey and all the trimmings.

But for now, im making our little flat as christmassy as possible, with decorations, cosy lighting, christmas present wrapping, christmas music and christmas smells thanks to some IKEA christmas candles.....

And since the lazy postmen of Cyprus neglected to deliver Harry's presents that have been on the island since monday...im off to battle town on christmas eve. Wish me luck!

here comes the bride

So one of my best friends in Cyprus is getting married. Miss Dominika Gajdziel is going to make a wonderful wife and a beautiful bride. And in order to be a beautiful bride you must have a beautiful dress.  That being said, today was dress shopping day. Armed with starbucks and a variety of coloured post it notes for our voting system, we caused chaos at Pronovias in the centre of Nicosia.

Ive never been wedding dress shopping so didn't really know what to expect. We arrived for our appointment and had a consultation with one of the assistants. You can choose up to 6 dresses from the catalogues, but Domi already knew exactly what she wanted. We were then escorted upstairs to our private dressing area. It was one room, with a separate changing area and leather sofas for the judging panel (us) and lots of full length mirrors strategically placed around your very own catwalk!

With 6 dresses to choose from it should have been hard. But dress number 1 was the bride to be's favourite from the website and our reaction, stunned silence (and for us silence is a rarity) it was safe to say we found a winner! Dress number 2 was also beautiful, but 3, 4 and 5 paled in comparison to the beauty of number 1.

Obviously, photographs are a no no. We don't want to spoil the surprise or let any secrets out the bag just yet. But the expert judging panel were more than happy to pose for a snapshot of this happy day!

Thank you to Misia for the colour coded post it notes. The Gajdziel's are an organised bunch!

oh hello CHRISTMAS

WE HAVE A TREE. And compared to last years rather flat offering (without many euros to our name, Kakoullis took it upon himself to draw us a christmas tree on paper which we promptly attached to the wall, put presents under and got rather attached to) we have a little plump green 3 dimensional tree. Im so happy about it I resemble a child and yesterday while Kakoullis watched me decorate and then sit triumphant with my efforts, i'm pretty sure he thought I was silly. For him, I dont think the christmas tree, complete with lights and colour coordinated decorations implemented somewhat symetrically and [almost] perfectly placed, are as important as they are for me.

Now, keeping with my meticulous and organised nature, yes I assigned my tree a colour theme [red, white and gold], centering round some gorgeous ceramic snowflake decorations my amazing friend, Miss Sophie Press sent me last year (but they didnt really work well on a 1 dimensional paper drawn tree) from The White Company.

I know it's a little bit loopy, but as our first christmas tree togehter in our first home together, I kinda wanted it to be perfect and exactly how I imagined it in my head. Well, our tree is rather small, somewhat stumpy, but its nonetheless amazing. And there is plenty of time for huge overpowering christmas trees towering above us.

Tree, glittery red baubles, tinsel, lights, snowflakes and a big gold star [which is sort of out of proportion with the rest of the tree but ssssh, we dont talk about that], means one thing....ITS CHRISTMAS!

the ceramic snowflakes [that have that orange/cinnamon christmas smell too]

nothing says christmas like a glittery red bauble!

So all thats left is a trip to marks and spencer for christmas food i.e. a large box of mince pies, ferror rocher, quality streets and terrys chocolate orange [it always comes back to the food] and some presents under the tree and we will be all festive over here on this side of Europe.

A Lesson in SPANISH

The one thing I like about Nicosia is the old town with its aging architecture, teeny tiny windy streets and the little cultural spots dotted around in unexpected places. The other thing I love about the old town is out of the ordinary cafes, bars and restaurants you find there.

Well actually, I would never find them, because old town Nicosia is somewhat a maze of one way streets. But luckily for me, I have a friend who is as good, if not better than the Cyprus Time Out magazine. She knows all theses cool coffee shops, beautiful bars and amazing restaurants, which is perfect as anything to do with food is a winner for me!

So on Friday night we ventured into the maze of old town Nicosia in search of Casa Vieja. She may be the Time Out guide but she is not Google Maps and after tackling the one way streets and making two rounds in the car we found parking (a triumph in itself on a Friday night in Nicosia) and tucked down a side street was Casa Vieja. Set in an old Cypriot style house, Casa Vieja is a warm and cosy little Spanish themed hideaway. The decor has been done perfectly, with warm walls, beautiful paintings and tiled tables (which I would have taken home with me if I had a Mary Poppins handbag).

And the Menu seems like it has been handpicked to get your mouth watering from the first line. A perfect amount of dishes offering meat, fish and vegetable Tapas options and of course Paella, which is important. If you open a menu and are bombarded by a million and one things its almost an effort to pick something to eat when the choices are endless. But Casa Vieja has it down to T.

We took a Paella (which be warned takes 40 minutes to make so beware if you are super hungry) and several other tapas dishes which in hindsight were a bit unnecessary. The other thing I like in a restaurant is a generous portion. And Casa Vijea certainly delivers that....with eyes bigger than our stomachs we had to leave half of our paella untouched. But the final defining point of this place which gave it a big thumbs up from me....they box up any leftovers to take home!!

And with a few glasses of an amazing Spanish wine, this place is definitely to be visited. I would reccommend a reservation as its not huge (being a converted house) and it is popular with every table full when we went.

Unfortunately, I was too busy eating, drinking and absorbing the atmosphere to take photographs, except of my boxed leftovers.

But I would definitely hunt it down and visit, not just for the paella or the sangria, but for the Spanish experience in the heart of Cyprus.

Kakoullis the international jetsetter

...last week it was Greece, this week its Germany. Now you know the reason for his new nickname. Ok, so its work, but when adidas put you up in 5* hotels, take you for dinner and there's even time to shop, well lets just say im jealous of this sort of work.

So while Kakoullis is away, im having a Bridget Jones moment....you know.... allll by myselffffffff! something like this. 

But without the red pyjamas and a huge pile of magazines instead of books. 

Its moments like these when im even more happy to have millie; it certainly makes talking to myself seem a little less silly when I can pretend im talking to her. But even she is somewhat sullen about being left here with me. 

It's not that we cant fend for ourselves; it's just so quiet and a little boring rattling round the flat on my own. So in future, if anyone wants to time a visit with one of Kakoullis's jaunts, feel free to invade cyprus for a few days and entertain me and millie. 

We're coming HOME.....

......But just for a holiday. Sorry to disappoint all you of who are still hanging onto a thread of hope that me and Kakoullis will pack in this whole "moving to Cyprus" thing and come back to London. Unfortunately for you, Cyprus is now home for more than the foreseeable future [so please start saving for your flights] and there is a very slim chance that London can persuade us to move back. However, I do miss the place and i'm VERY much looking forward to our visit. We will be returning for one week on the 28th January 2012 and would like to see as many of you as possible in a short space of time.

No doubt our schedule will be organised by the minute in order to see everyone, but aside from the faces I miss, I will of course be frequenting my favourite stores [so anyone who wants to accompany me on multiple shopping trips is more than welcome]. I have already mentally constructed a saving plan for the next few months in order to prepare our purses for the trip - im sure London is as expensive if not more than I remember - and by the time we land in heathrow I will have prepared a list of essential items to purchase from Boots. Needless to say I will then have a suitcase dilemma when I realise I cant fit all my H&M purchase into my suitcase and I bought one too many Benefit Hoola bronzers but oh well.

So, in just over 9 weeks we will be tourists in London.....IM SO EXCITED

the culinary skills of Kakoullis

Ok, I know I write often [sometimes too often] about food and what we eat, but I seriously like food, so you will have to put up with it until I outgrow my obsession. And while i'm usually the one in the kitchen, the past few weeks Kakoullis has taken over. Considering most men in Cyprus don't cook [except when it comes to the souvla] I feel quite lucky that I have a boyfriend who knows how to do more than heat up a pot noodle.

I could totally get used to being cooked for; and I think we have a pretty good deal going on. Kakoullis cooks [and makes all the mess] and I eat and clean up. Which isn't bad as I like eating and I like cleaning [but dont tell him that - otherwise my whole "please help me hoover' argument goes out the window.

Tonight's come dine with me experience - pork chops with mash potato, fried onions and peas. Perfect for a cold winter evening in Cyprus (and for those of you who dont believe that its really that cold - please come and visit and you can experience for yourselves the fridge we like to call home thanks to marble floors and no double glazing).

a little taste of england

When it is freezing cold and raining [and you have time off work] what else is there to do except cook a full english breakfast? The perfect pick me up for a gloomy day in Nicosia and since the rain has been torrential, a sofa day was needed. Courtesy of Kakoullis my stomach is very satisfied and my English food cravings have somewhat subsided. For now. 

the drought is over

From the moment I woke up this morning, it has pretty much rained non stop. When I say rain, i'm not talking about the drizzle that envelops England on an [almost] daily basis. I mean strong, forceful monsoon like rain with drops the size of golf balls.  Trust me, I am not exaggerating or being melodramatic. It has been relentlessly pouring down all day, which made our motor-way journey somewhat slow and tedious and a little bit more dangerous than usual - Cypriots don't drive so well in dry weather let alone wet.

The weather in Cyprus is funny really. Seasons are limited to Summer and Winter and the temperature is either HOT or COLD. There seems to be no Spring or Autumn or "inbetween" weather that I got used to living in England for so long. And while it's wonderful knowing we live in country that experiences sunshine and dry conditions 90% of the year, it's that 10% that I dread. Because when it hits, Winter hurts.

So here we are. In winter. Which I guess is expected considering its mid November. But as you know my dislike for rain is never-ending. I could easily do without the wet feet and frizzy hair.

At this very moment in time, I can hear an orchestra of thunder and lightening, wind and the sound of heavy raindrops hitting the windows and don't even get me started on the marble floor tiles that feel like ice. Ok, cold I can do. In fact cold is nice after a long and hot summer. And it feels more like christmas is coming when you can see your breath.

But even Millie is depressed today with the wet weather conditions. Since living with us she has become a bit of a snob, enjoying the luxuries in life of food, a warm bed and not living in a cage [which is where her previous owners kept her]. She positively detest's walking when it's raining and tries in vain to keep her paws dry' she jumps over as many puddles as possible and will not even contemplate mud. Im not joking she will dig her claws into the ground so hard if she thinks we are going the muddy way! So rain is not her favourite feeling, she literally walked me earlier, pulling so hard on the lead in the direction of home.

Knowing the extreme weather conditions of Cyprus, we will awake tomorrow to blue sky and sunshine. [fingers crossed]

7 years

If you had told me 7 years ago that in the future I would be living with a graffiti loving, trainer addict in Cyprus, I probably would've said your crazy. Then along came Harry Kakoullis and the rest is history. Needless to say we have not only done a whole year in Cyprus, but we have survived a mammoth 7 years together. I will save you the lovey dovey stuff about how we fell in love and how he lovingly places my name in his pieces of art on walls and blah blah blah. But I will tell you this, I woke up on our anniversary to 7 of these BEAUTIES!

fasolia

My Cypriot cooking isn't exactly my best skill. But one thing I have mastered is fasolia [beans]. I love them, but Harry hates them. However since he is away on a work trip, tonight was the perfect time to cook some up without inflicting them on him. I'm pretty sure every Cypriot women has her own way of cooking and while recipes are generally passed down through the family, everyone adds their own twist.

Harry's mum bought me the best Cypriot cooking book; one she used herself and while cooking lambs brain [I kid you not, this recipe is in there] isn't really my idea of a nice dinner, I have attempted a couple of recipes.

In true style I have made the recipe for fasolia my own, adding butternut squash and sweet potato to the basic recipe of onions, tomatoes and beans. And now the weather's turning cold and winters approaching, it's the sort of comfort food you need. In England I would make a shepherds pie, in Cyprus I make fasolia. And if I do say so myself it tastes amazing [although don't ask Harry for his opinion]. And its as cheap as chips....

Millie update #2

I think we can safely say Millie is a little bit loopy. Well i'm not surprised considering she has to put up with me and Harry. We have had her for nearly 6 months, but everyday she finds a new place to sleep or somewhere different to hide her bones so we wont find them. I found her lying on the doorstep of the patio the other day [she was obviously sunbathing] and she regularly falls asleep on top of Harry's belly, or wrapped round in a circle; she certainly doesn't look comfortable with her body twisted round so her nose nearly touches her bum, but her snoring tells me otherwise. And Harry can be proud of his training skills; he can put a treat on her paw and she will wait until he gives her permission to have it. Now thats a pretty obedient dog. 

Football for Foreigners

Football in Cyprus is full of passion, rivalry and fireworks. A random addition I know, but fireworks and flares make a regular appearance at the football here. So firstly its important to say football in Cyprus is inextricably linked to politics; each football team has a different political stance and as such the rivalry between teams extends beyond the pitch and regularly boils down to opposing political opinions. 

And there is still the existence of somewhat hardcore football firms. Football here is no laughing matter it is so serious that the men at work will not speak for the whole day if their team looses. It is a passionate and powerful sport in Cyprus. 

I have always been more than a bit skeptical about football in Cyprus because from my previous experience, the antics of the football firms seem to out shine the actual game. 

As Adidas sponsor many of the footballers in Cyprus, Harry can get VIP tickets, so instead of staying home on my own on a Saturday afternoon, I went with him on the condition that he got me a hot chocolate. Apparently they only do coffee at football in Cyprus [I should've known really] but, as much as I fought against it, I did enjoy my football experience. 

Our team [when I say our I mean its the team Harry and the entire family support so I have no choice], Omonia were playing in Nicosia and they have a sizable football firm, who are very passionate. Their volume, energy and support for their team bounces around the rest of the stadium from their permanent location at stand 9. Seriously it's hard not to get caught up in the atmosphere. 

Now, I will probably not be a regular at the football [mainly because it was freezing] but the VIP seats were pretty nice. I could do football with a touch of class every so often. 

[own photographs]

when it rains it pours!

[image from google images]

Rain returned to Cyprus last night after several months away. After a hot and dry summer the sight of rain is a good thing as we regularly hear about the dangerously low levels of reserve water we have as a country. But I wouldn't feel too bad for us, the sun is back today!! Although winter is definitely on its way. The sandals are at the back of the wardrobe along with the beach towels and bikinis. The marble floors feel like ice every morning and the duvet is back on the bed.

Mountains and Mushrooms

Well I can tick the Troodos mountains off my list of things to do in Cyprus. Instead of spending saturday shopping or at the beach, we decided to head up to the mountains with Harry's cousin and his girlfriend, in search of mushrooms. I still find it amazing that you can be in the city centre and an hour and a half later be up a mountain. And you really realise how small Cyprus is when you stand on the Troodos mountains and can see across the island and beyond to the ocean. 

While we may still be experiencing summer worthy temperatures and numerous hours of sunshine, up in the mountains it's a whole different story. To put it simply, it was COLD. And the air is so fresh it, reminded me of those winter days in England when its freezing cold but the sun shines and the sky is blue and your face feels numb. 

To say that me and Harry are not expert mushroom pickers would be an understatement. On the other hand his cousin and girlfriend are professionals, but before you judge us on this, they have been doing it for many years. They know exactly what they are looking for and hence, they quickly filled up the bag with mushroom after mushroom after mushroom. 

Despite almost getting lost in the forest at sundown and my nose plummeting to remarkably cold temperatures, I had the best afternoon. 

Now bring on the snow and next time we venture up the mountains it will be to the ski resort.