ich Kalliope

Own It

I've been thinking a lot about yogurt lately. 

That's saying something because I don't really like yogurt... unless it's the rich, creamy, sweet, full-fat type I enjoy when I'm back in Germany.  I've been thinking about Greek yogurt, and I really don't like Greek yogurt.  But it's not the taste that has my mind spinning.

It's the fact that Greek yogurt has taken over the supermarket shelves in the US and Europe, and Greece is not benefiting from this robust popularity.  Just when Greece could use the rights and the royalties for all this Greek-this, Greek-that phenomenon... they get nothing.  Everyone is selling Greek yogurt, except the Greeks!  The last of the brands made in Greece, Fage, announced in October 2012 that they would be moving it's headquarters out of Greece to Luxembourg.  What?

It seems the world is starting to love all that we Greeks have known about our beloved culture and homeland.  Healthy diet, the power of three ingredients - lemon, olive oil and oregano that makes all foods delicious.  The Feta wars fought in Europe a few years back, has not made it to the shores of the US.  Cheese masquerading as THE Greek cheese are everywhere here in the states.

The world is getting it's Greek On, but who is managing the brand of Greece?

Calling All Goddesses

Here are a few excerpts of an article Ariana Huffington asked me to write for the Huffington Post earlier this year.

Published 06. March 2013

CALLING ALL GODDESSES

As a proud Greek-American, the fate of Greece is of immense concern to me. The complexities are beyond my grasp, and I have stopped even trying to intellectually understand the tragedy that has embraced the beloved country of my grandparents. I feel powerless to affect it in any meaningful way. Or at least I felt powerless until a moment on a very cold, very sunny December day in Boston.

That winter day, I attended the Massachusetts Conference for Women, where more than 8,000 of us, yes eight thousand, gathered together for one day, in one place, to be inspired, learn and lead together...

I wondered, how would Greek women solve the multitude of challenges that Greece is facing? What would they suggest be changed, be fixed, be stopped in order to secure the future of this beautiful corner of the world?

Read more

What I Know (((Today)))

I'm a lucky girl.  That I know.  Blessed with a wonderful husband, family and friends who love me no matter what.  I also know that I have been extremely blessed with experiences, opportunities and self-discovery beyond belief.  I know this too... and need to remind myself everyday...

1. Do what you love.

2. Take risks to find your voice.

3. When a door closes, a window really does open.

4. Do more than just one thing.

5. Stand in your own light and believe you deserve the good things that come your way.

6. Enjoy an evening glass of red wine when you can.  It's a magical time.

7. Enjoy the goodness of others and listen to their stories.

8. Return the love that is given to me.  Everyday.

9. Be grateful.

10. Be joyful.

Standing Tall

It's a snowy Saturday in beautiful Boston.  We had a big blizzard last night, it was rather epic.  So we hunkered down, cooked some good food, drank some nice wine and watched a couple of good movies.  One was set in another city that is near and dear to my heart, Chicago.  In the opening scene the old Prudential building was in the foreground, with the beautiful skyscrapers of the Windy City surrounding it.  It looks pretty small these days.  In fact it has looked pretty small for the past 40+ years.  But everytime I see that building my mind goes back to an early fall day in 1962 when the Prudential was the tallest building in Chicago.  The tallest! 

As I was about to enter kindergarten, at Edison Elementary School in Hammond, Indiana (((a beautiful building in it's own right))), my sweet dad took me on a wonderful adventure to Chicago for a special day.  Just the two of us. 

Edison School, Hammond, Indiana

We first went to the top of the Prudential, to the observation deck on the 41st floor.  I think we could see Hammond.  Then we did some shopping for school clothes, at Marshall Field's.  THE Marshall Field's.  I'm pretty sure I ended up with a glen plaid jumper and some shiny Mary Jane's.

                                                              Marshall Field's

After that, we went for lunch at the Indian Room at the Blackhawk Restaurant.  Really nice.  We ended our day at the theatre, where we saw the Music Man.  Knowing now that my dad is no fan of musicals, makes it even more special!

The Prudential still stands tall as reminder of that day over 50 years ago.  But still not as tall as my dad.  I'm a lucky girl.

 

I Dreamed a Dream

For many years I dreamed a dream of not commuting everyday by car (((there I said it))).  Doesn't make a lot of sense for a car fanatic like me, but it's true.  Perhaps the only people I confessed this secret desire to was my dear husband and parents.  For almost three years now that dream has come true.  In fact, the number of times I've gotten behind the wheel of a car since moving to Boston I can count on one hand (((one)))!

As longtime readers of this blog know, the hunt for the next car was a constant theme, and something my husband and I enjoyed equally (((I think the official medical description is co-dependent or enabler))).  With intrigue and suspense leaving many of you desperately asking... what's next, WHAT'S NEXT?!?  Or something like that... less desperate, more curious... perhaps silently wondering... what will they do now?

The last post about a car was over two years ago when we were considering a Smart Electric.  This was back in the day when we were still navigating the beautiful roads and lame drivers of Portland, Oregon!  And since then nothing about cars (((nothing))) has graced the pages of this site. 

So yes, dreams do come true. 

But new dreams begin, and this one needs wheels!!!! 

Car Heart is back.  Sadly for many of you, the decision has been made without the endless posts here on Ich Kalliope :(  apologies for not including you in this latest search.  We do have a good friend who supports our passion with a fervor that only a fellow fanatic (((addict))) can, and he has been consulted (((you know who you are))).

We're getting behind the wheel of a Range Rover Evoque next week.  It's a beauty.  And frankly the only option we found that gave us the utility, style, luxury and performance we were looking for.  Small but with an aggressive stance, and modern.  Very modern.  I'm in love... again.  The last time I felt this way about a car was when we bought our Maserati Quattroporte.  Which by the way turned out to feel like an 18-month affair with a hot Italian.  My husband described it as "cheating on our other cars"!  But that is for another post. 

Let the driving (((and the next dream))) begin!

p.s. Our sweet 993 is not going anywhere except in storage for awhile until the Massachusetts roads are more deserving of it. 

What's It Gonna Take?

 

It didn't take the heartwrenching tragedy of the murder of 20 small children and their 6 teachers to make me hate the US Constitution's 2nd Amendment, but I hope and pray it made more American's hate it. But we are a distracted society, and December 14, 2012 although only 19 days ago, is already last year. 

Our right to bear arms and the evolution of the amendment over time has turned my country into a dangerous land.  As we continue to fight terrorists in far away lands, I feel the terror right here at home.  At the theatre, on the subway, at the mall, at schools.

As my sweet German husband and I discussed again this New Year's Eve that, yes it's against the law in the United States to have an open container of alcohol in public... and no the guy who walked around with an exposed automatic weapon at a political event for President Obama broke no laws, is sadly the state of our country.  Sad isn't it?

We are in desperate and urgent need of intellegence and common sense.  I want to fight this fight.  There seems to be no more important call to action for our times than gun control.  We have overcome ignorance and fear many times in the history of this nation, to do what's right. 

So I'm pointing the finger at myself and asking "so now what are you going to do!?".  The honest answer is I don't quite know.  On November 6, 2012 the cititzens of the US cast their vote against a candidate and a party who were stuck in a time most of us don't even remember, and who paid little attention to facts.  Well, I love facts and here's one that drives me to action: last year in the US, there were 10, 728 people killed by handguns.  In Great Britain, 8.  In Japan, 48.  In Germany, 42.  The list goes on.

The wisdom of crowds can drive action, and I'm in search of ideas.  So what now Kalliope?

A Vote for our President

A vote for our President yesterday was a vote for science, the planet, for choice, for equal pay, for equal rights, for education, for us all.

 

A vote for our President yesterday was a vote for a generous America, a compassionate America and a tolerant America. 

 

Fired up, ready to go!

The Many Masks of Mitt

I woke up this morning, with the images of Sandy's fury top of mind and then quickly, as with most mornings this past month, my mind shifted to the US Presidential elections.  The stakes couldn't be higher, and I'm going to say that the storm has nothing and everything to do with it!  

For any of my readers that think my absence from the political conversation here meant in anyway that I had disengaged, it is just the opposite.  For the record, these blue eyes (((which are actually green ;))), have never been bluer.  We are far down the path of this campaign, and I have reserved my rants for my Facebook page (((I think that may have been a mistake, but it's too late now!))).  

The candidacy of Mitt Romney has more or less left me speechless (((well kind of))).  As the current governor of my state of Massachusetts, Deval Patrick said at the Democratic National Convention last month about his predecessor Mitt...

"he was more interested in having the job than doing it"

This is what continues to drive him now.  To say and do anything to get the job.  Frankly to run a campaign based on disrespect for the American people, and their ability to pay attention to facts and details is shameful (((shame on us, because he's right about this one))) .  

The latest has the CEO of Chrysler distributing a letter to employees about the lies of Mitt Romney.  Is this not unprecedented?  Has a CEO of a corporation needed to do this in the past, ever?  

As the images of devastation from Sandy make a lasting impression, I know that having leaders who want to do the job, not just have the job is a must.  So is integrity, intelligence and honesty.  Let's send Mitt and his many masks packing on November 6th!

Eat + Italy = Eataly

A recent trip to New York City reminded me again of all I miss about Europe!  Where 5th Avenue and Broadway merge at the corner of  22nd, Mario Battali's Eataly stands ready to embrace me in wonderfully fresh, handmade and beautifully presented food, products and experiences I've only enjoyed in London, Paris and Munich. 

Inspiring like La Grand Epicerie Paris which is my must-stop, must-see, must-eat-there, and my beloved Dallmayr in Munich, Eataly is a short jaunt south of home!  Where Eataly goes one step further and encourages me to explore, experiment and be served at a variety of restaurants within it's massive walls.  It doesn't matter what time of day you wander in, there is a treat awaiting. 

I hope this is a trend here on this side of the Atlantic, but it will take some time I'm afraid.  As in politics we are in food... terribly split.

Seasonal Shuffle

Our move to Boston was filled with contrasts - exciting and exhausting, joyous and sorrowful, familiar and foreign.  Our instinct told us we needed to get ourselves here, and as instinct works... it was right.  We've been "home" here for a little over a year, and have fallen in love (((again))) with the beauty of New England - place and people.  Full-on, transparent, honest, in-your-face, bold and proud surrounds us, as only Boston and those of us who call it home can be.

Summer was glorious, hot, sunny, humid and long.  I will miss you summer, as I do every year.  This Greek girl likes "hot and sunny" best of all, but Fall in this neck-of-the-woods cannot be ignored, and why would you want to.  Yesterday it became official.  Flip-flops and beach chairs OUT... boots and winter coats IN, as we did the seasonal shuffle from storage to closets. 

With my trusty iPhone in hand, here's a bit of what we saw on a recent drive to pick some apples, smell the earth and see the beauty of the changing seasons.  If summer has to end... what better way than in this glorious splash of color that is strictly New England. 

 

          

 
     

     

From my Milan Archives

I won't be going to the Milan Furniture Fair this year (((insert sad face here))).  I have a feeling that this year might be a breakthrough year at the Salone Internazionale del Mobile, at least that's what I thought when I was walking the streets and exhibits in Milan last year, rather uninspired.  It was a look back last year, everyone heralding their classics (((and there are some amazing ones!))).  2011 had little innovation, imagination or inspiration for those of us who are blessed to take in this annual feast of design. 

A look back through the hundreds of photographs we took last year paints an inspiring picture.  And let's me see in retrospect, that even a "bad" year at the Salone is pretty dang good!

       

       

       

       

          

          

       

 

Mind the Gap

I had known my sweet husband just over three months when I met his family for the first time at their home in Germany.  In a small, beautiful village next to a mid-size town, by a good size city a couple of hours away from Munich.  This was over twenty-one years ago and I have been in love with all of them ever since.

The strength of family shores me up.  It always has, it always will.  But my support system just got one person smaller, in a big way. 

  With the passing of my dear father-in-law, there is a gap today.  It is the first time I am here, in this small village without him.  He embraced me, my country and my family from the get go.  I was never an outsider.  I was family.  A daughter, and I hope a friend.

There were language barriers I'm sure, but I don't remember any.  There were cultural differences, but I can't recall anything specific at the moment. There was distance, from a few kilometers to thousands of miles, but it never felt far.  Two families.  One Greek.  One German. It felt like one during those lucky times when I was blessed with both sets of parents in my midst. 

Yes there is a gap that I need to mind.  Bigger than language, culture or distance.  There is a gap in my heart. 

Lieber Schwieger, danke fuer alles. 

Christmas Sweets @ Alte Weihnachtsfabrik

After travel packed, heartwarming and indulgent holidays, you would think I'd be ready to put it all away, and start to think of spring.  But a visit to the Alte Weihnachtsfabrik in Neustadt/Coburg, Germany last week has me thinking about next Christmas.  Seriously.  This magical shop and museum was a such a treat.   Words don't do it justice, but hopefully these photos will give you a taste of what's in store 365 days a year.  I was thinking of many of you when I pulled out my camera and snapped these photos.  Whether you love, and I mean LOVE purple, can't stop buying tableware from Germany or obsessed with Snowmen, this is our place.

 

True Confessions

Is it inspiration, immersion, obsession or addiction?  You be the judge.  In the midst of a glorious Boston fall, a long Thanksgiving weekend, and deeply engaged in a page-turning, can't put it down biography... I look up to find myself surrounded.

 



It started with the product, moved to the experience, and now I'm afraid it might be transferring to the person.  Uh oh... cause he wasn't THAT likeable!  His real understanding and ultimate respect for my chosen profession Industrial Design is unrivaled.  Perhaps I've been courted into his "reality distortion field"?  In any case, I've got a crush big time.

 

Sea to Shining Sea

 We spent 9 great days in our sweet 1996 Porsche 993 C4, traveling across the country.  Starting in Cannon Beach, Oregon and ending in Boston, Massachusetts.  It was the second best travel partner a girl could wish for, the first best was the driver.  What a car, passing 100K miles heading into Denver, a loose tailight in eastern Indiana, some orange duct tape that made it look even tougher, a sip of oil from time to time.  Go sweet Porsche go!