Greeks Creating Gifts RSS

My original plan was to become an architect. Instead I followed my happy inner child into adulthood and found a career that incorporated things I did in school like daydreaming, sketching, playing with friends, riding my bicycle, and digging in my yard. These contributed to a career in architectural model making and photography. (The latter was necessary to document my creations, just in case people didn't believe what I created. In this respect, it's like catching a fish.) It was my third grade teacher that wrote in a report card that I daydreamed too much. She did not realize my...

If there's a will, there's a way...that's what my mother used to tell me. When she was telling me this, I really didn't want to listen but, luckily she repeated it a million times and it finally sank in. I can understand where this saying comes from, especially coming from her as a Greek immigrant. It rings true today but, it's not said, "if there's a way, there's a will". It’s too old fashioned. Other forms of this phase such as 'Stay hungry' or 'Do what you love and the reward will come later' are heard today. All true. As...

Our products are creative. Inspired by Greece and our family upbringing. We are thankful that our parents persevered and spoke Greek to us in the household, took us to Greek school and to church to learn our Orthodoxy Christianity. Sure, it took a lot of work and it wasn't until I was married and had a child of my own I finally truly understood what our parents were doing. They realized our heritage is special and historical. Greece has given more than any other country in terms of language, architecture, philosophy, academics, and sacrifice. A few days I ago I...

Just a few days ago, March 25, Greeks from all over the world and many here, in Chicago and the United States celebrated Greek Independence Day. No other ethnic group suffered as much as the Greeks did. Imagine 400 hundred years of being occupied by the Ottoman Turks. Four hundred years!!! The Greeks became crafty to save their language and heritage by taking it underground, hidden away from the Turks. Such interesting history I must learn more about, but back to Chicago Greek Independence Day. This holiday is a dual celebrated day, not only for freedom but also for a...

Ah, my first blog post. It's my turn to write now. A new medium. As a passionate Greek-American, it shouldn't be too difficult to write about our wonderful Hellenic heritage, my thoughts and observations. For me, it's been quite easy. I have been fortunate to have grown up in a family that spoke Greek and understood its importance in the American landscape. Growing up Greek in San Francisco along with other Greek families and friends, attending the Greek Orthodox Church, Greek school and the many activities that were associated in this unique circle has shaped me into what and who...