***Crisis in Greece***

Christos Anesti,
Today, I'm taking the opportunity to discuss my concern over the growing crisis in Greece.   Given, that I have family in Greece, but more than that, a permanent connection to all that my grandparents, and hence Greece has/ had given me; I am deeply saddened by the deaths of  three people and the chaos that is at hand. 

      I was thinking, what could one person do?  Me alone, if I could do anything to help I would but, truly what can one person alone do?  It only takes one person though to talk to one other, and then the second person talks to someone else...You get what I mean.  I can't do anything alone.  However, all of us together those of us who are Greek, those of us who are not, all together we certainly can.  Maybe you fell in love with Greece through books, or visiting Greece or maybe just visiting a Greek household, where you were automatically welcomed in as family.  To you all I am writing, please pray that the crisis subsides and that Greece's economy is restored.   Please also consider, if in any way, there is a channel provided for us to legitimately help restore Greece's economy even slightly and we are requested to assist, please consider offering what you are capable of.
            Please enjoy the following three videos...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=T03YfCa1ISE&NR=1
www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9faZU04ffs&feature=related
www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZB7GCiY--8&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPwuE6ZHWhc
God Bless Us All.  

The Greek Parade in NYC 2010

Being fortunate enough to live in the New York tri state area allows us to commemorate a plethora of cultures through parades in Manhattan.  This allows those of us who may never travel to Italy, the Domenican Republic or Greece to get a lovely glimpse of some of the dances, hear music and see beautiful and unfamiliar costumes.  For me, living in New York, I am fortunate to have the opportunity to parade in the Greek Independence day parade with my three children.

This year we did not go on the float but rather they all marched in parts of the parade (Girl Scouts division, Greek School division).  For my children, it was an opportunity to feel and be filled with pride as so many Greeks, as well as non -Greeks spilled into the streets of NYC blanketing the streets between 69th and 83rd, with beautiful blue and white Greek flags and of course the American flag.  This for the children that are forced to attend Greek school each week is like the Olympic games for the athletes that have to get up at 5am for practice before school each day.  Finally, on this day, the children get a chance to wave the flag, dare I say enjoy the audience on the street sidelines and feel somewhat like a celebrity.  From what I can see with my own children, and what I remember growing up marching, this is a yearly highlight of the Greek school experience.  For even the children that may initially go kicking and screaming, or just "grumpy", by the end of the day, they too will be smiling. 

Celebrating March 25, Greek Independence Day

A wonderful advantage of living in the United States, especially New York, is that we can vicariously travel the world with all the different cultures, religions and languages that we are exposed to here.  Just as St. Patrick's Day is celebrated in our childrens' schools by wearing of green being that Greek Independence Day is hard for our children to grasp at a young age, I take this as an opportunity to instill pride and a looking forward to celebration.  My children know that back in 1821, under the Ottoman empire, parents who were caught teaching their children Greek, were beaten and often killed.  Hence, there was "to kreefo skoleio"...which means the Secret school, where children were taught our language in the churches or caves in the middle of the night.  So, as much as my children may not like going to Greek school, they know what others had to go through to learn Greek.  Because they are young, now is the time to instill this day as a day of celebration at new found freedom.

So, I remind my children and students as well that the Greek flag has nine lines for the Greek word Elef8eria which means freedom.  The children come off there school bus to see blue and white balloons outside on the lamp post as well as nine balloons in the house with a cake made as the Greek flag.  The first year I did this, they were all overjoyed and surprised.  Since then they truly look forward to this day.

Essentially, regardless of whether you are trying to instill a love of the country, Israel, Italy, Spain or a part of Africa, it helps a child internalize it when we point out various holidays that may not be recognized  strongly in the area you live in.  This is part of America's beauty; We are able to enjoy and take pride in our roots that started in other countries.  We will soon be participating in the Greek parade in Manhattan, where we have the opportunity many cultures do to offer some visual beauty of Greek ethnic costumes and a chance to enjoy a positive focus on Greece in these difficult times.

Today, I say, Zntw n Ellas (long live Greece), and God Bless America.

This is on our way to Greek School for the Greek Independence Day Show. 

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Greek Pajama Party Speak Greek Night

There's nothing as motivating as telling our children they can stay up all night, sleep on the den floor as long as they (we all) speak Greek during that entire time.  It becomes quite easy to get the children to practice, paraphrase and learn under the guise of keeping it fun, when they get to sleep with stuffed animals, blankets, in the middle of a floor where they are NOT usually allowed to be.

During this time, we have ice cream, the only catch is that the children request for all things in Greek, and I respond in Greek, not difficult when it is for desired things.  I also do a puppet show for my children, all in the foreign language. (The puppets I bought from a craft store for 2.50 cents each).  The puppets talk to each other, argue, act silly, and talk to each of my 3 children.  Three of the puppets can only speak Greek, so if my children do not understand, they can ask the one (giraffe) puppet , "ti leei".  The giraffe puppet, is the only one who is bilingual, so he can help translate English->Greek, Greek->English.  This keeps it light and fun for my  children.

.....and of course they each earn their newest patch for a job well done!

GREEK ALPHABET PRACTICE ON INTERNET

I'd like to share a site I found that gives children the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the Greek alphabet and test their memory.  Since my children will take any opportunity to get on "mommy's laptop", I imagine that your children may also be more than happy to practice their alpha- omega with such an incentive.  The website is as follows:

http://www.inrebus.com/

Then scroll down to Greek Alphabet flash Memory game.  There are others with in this site as well.  Enjoy.