Oh hello :)

Hmmmm these are difficult to come up with…

1. Shelley/Byron is my one true real life pairing and I will go down with this ship like the captain in Titanic.
2. The only classic love story I’ve ever identified with is Wuthering Heights.
3. There is nothing I’m looking forward to in 2012 right now more than The Hobbit film.
4. I have a phobia of marriage, and I fear that it may impede any serious relationship I might have in the future. This because girls my age have started talking marriage around me lately. Whenever they do, I get a strange itch on my collar line and fidget uncontrollably. However, I know that for the right person I’d gladly spend my life with them.
5. Ever since I returned from my trip to London I’ve been pining to return as if it were a long lost love.
6. I am potentially and have been attracted by people of any sexual identification: boy, girl, gay, straight, trans, ace, bi, I don’t have a type (although I have likes) and it really depends on my fancy at the given time.
7. I associate smells and tastes with mental images so certain hand soaps and instant soups immediately bring to my mind scenes from the Harry Potter or LotR books, as if I was there at the time.
8. I own a pair of fluffy pink handcuffs a few years now but my bed has a wooden headboard so I haven’t had the chance to try them. :’(
9. I find the only way to appease unfeasible urges and horrible nightmares is to incorporate them into one of my stories.
10. I wish that every morning I could decide if I could be girl Clio or boy Clio. No permanent change, but going back and forth whenever I felt like. I think I’d make a great man. I think I make a great woman too. I wish I didn’t have to settle just for one.

It’s all hitherto unpublished writers so naturally everyone is trying to squeeze all the impressive cultural and literary shenanigans they’ve been up to. Endless lists of famous universities, seminars, jobs, schools, workshops. All inspired and rather daunting.

And then there’s my bio:

Born in 1988 in Athens and grew up in the Shire, Hogwarts and Baker Street. Studies Chemistry at Ioannina but during class she wrote stories instead of taking down notes so she’s still there. Loves researching for her stories and dreams to travel as much as she can and to publish at least one book in her life. Takes a daily 7% solution of tea.

I keep hearing about people from other countries who take these classes, and the assignments, and discussing them with the class, and having a teacher guide you through a semester of creative writing, and I get so jealous.

Majoring in something in Greek universities doesn’t mean that you can pick a diversity of classes with a focus on one. It means a lot of classes that have to do only with your major. I am a Chemistry major and throughout the years I’ve taken 55 classes, papers and labs in total, and not a single one of them was not related to Chemistry in some way. 

There are some Creative Writing seminars, but only in Athens (my Uni is in another city and I can’t take them until I move back home there), they are very short and cost half a good paycheck.

So I write with a constant feeling of guilt, knowing that what I should be doing is studying for my never-ending Chemistry exams.

are you guys excited

I know I am

JESUS CHRIST.

…okay.

Here goes.

1. Name two things you would NOT tolerate in a relationship.

• abuse
• cheating

2. Which one of your friends do you think would make the best doctor?

Absolutely none.

3. When was the last time you snuck out?

I tried to sneack back in, at 17. Oh ho ho ho, was it funny afterwards.

4. Have you ever smoked?

Yes.

5. Do you dream in black and white or color?

Color. So. Much. Color.

6. Have you ever been in love?

Abso-fucking-lutely.

7. Do you drink gingerale when you are sick?

I’ve never had it.

8. Have you ever kissed someone of the same sex?

Noooooo (she wailed ruefully). But hey, I’m still young.

9. What is your favorite film?

That’s tough. Dead Poets Society? Or Lord of The Rings.

10. Which family member are you closest to and why?

My little sister. She’s very close to my age and we grew up very close, did everything together. Also, my mother. We understand each other very well, we function very much the same way.

11. Describe your most significant kiss.

I couldn’t for the life of me pick a kiss that fits that description. I would have to say that it is a kiss I have yet to have.

12. Describe your ex in five words.

Charming, open-minded, unfathomable, argumentative, fashion-challenged.

13. What, if any, medical issues run in your family?

Diabetes, from both sides. I’m screwed. Cancer in males on my mother’s side. Altzheimer’s on my father’s side. Niiiice.

14. When was the last wedding you went to?

My cousin’s, last September, low-key, close family. It was nice seeing my cousin so very happy.

15. If you got to choose how you’d die, how would you want to go?

In a way that made others think Damn, that’s a good way to go.

16. Do you wish on wishbones?

Always. But I always cheat too.

17. Are you a jealous person?

Very.

18. What is the current taste in your mouth?

Cheese and onion potato chips, english breakfast tea with milk. Not kissable.

19. When was the last time you smoked, if ever?

Just an inhale, from my friend’s cigarette last week.

20. Do you get distracted easily?

I don’t think I- OOOH SHINY

21. What was the last thing to upset you?

The information that my school remained closed, earlier today.

22. Do you ever wear ties?

I tried last Christmas, had my Dad teach me. I looked strange, I didn’t go for it. I’ll try again with a less push-up bra.

23. What is the closest yellow object to you?

Lipton paper cup.

24. If your significant other ever hit you, how would you react?

Ideally, walk out and never bother again. Most likely, hit back first and then walk out. Nah. I’d probably choose the high road. Nobody knows more of the true damage of violence than a violent person, so I would avoid it.

25. What are you craving right now?

EVERYTHING. FOOD, SEX, CHOCOLATE, ALL ROLLED INTO ONE. I’m on my period. :/

26. Tell one random fact about the last person you kissed.

He’s bi.

27. When was the last time you felt guilty and why?

All the time, because I feel I’m a financial burden to my parents as long as I don’t have my degree, even if they’d never hear of it.

28. What is one reason why someone should not fall in love with you?

Because nine times out of ten I fall out of love not too long after. The one time is the lottery ticket, then I can mate for life.

29. Do you have any addictions?

Good food. Tea. Coffee. Books.

30. Is your most significant relationship over?

I don’t understand this question.

31. When are you at your happiest? Saddest?

Happiest: When I’m enjoying the moment with all I have. I feel, this is what heaven feels like.

Saddest: When I feel I’m wasting my life. 

32. Would you ever want to be a cop?

I used to, when I was seven. I thought the lady cop uniform looked cute. Now I would like to be a forensic scientist.

33. Tell one interesting story about absolutely anything.

The cat sat on the dog’s mat.

34. Is the human race predictable?

Never.

35. Explain your spiritual beliefs.

I don’t know them well enough to explain. I’m going through my journey.

36. How did you get your last bruise?

I always have bruises. I’m very careless and keep bumping into walls and furniture and not noticing.

37. Do you have competition for the person you like?

I don’t know. But honestly, I hate competition. Nothing makes me give up on love faster than having to compete for it. I don’t see it as something you can win.

38. Where were you yesterday at 7:00 p.m.?

On the bus across country, reading a book.

39. Do you prefer movies at home or in a theater?

Both equally.

40. What are you most self-concious about?

My weight.

41. Name one career you would never consider and explain why.

Plumbing. I had to fix my bathroom sink’s blocked drainpipe a couple of years ago. Most disgusting thing I’ve ever done. I gag just thinking about it.

BunnySutra watch, Swatch.

…I just really love this watch.

Mimi and I are hat buddies.

4. One of my bad habits. Luring my friends into ruining their diets.

8. Sexiest person that comes to my mind immediately. Hayley Atwell.

10. The last time I cried and why. I… I can’t remember! Which is strange, because I am a crybaby.

12. 5 things I like about myself and 5 things I dislike about myself.

1. I like my eyes.
2. I like that I can easily talk and strike friendships with strangers.
3. I like my ability to empathize with people.
4. I like that I’m always up for treating myself with a gift or something special, for a small success or as a consolation prize.
5. I like my ability to take a step back and enjoy the moment.

1. I dislike being overweight.
2. I dislike having procrastination as a baseline.
3. I dislike not being able to wake up early in the morning every day.
4. I dislike that I get too afraid to do something out of my comfort zone.
5. I dislike my inability to focus on something when it doesn’t interest me enough.

Just a random declaration of love for my grandma.

I talked to my grandma. I had forgotten how much I love her. How can one forget that? I hadn’t seen her in three weeks, and this summer I barely got to see her because she was at our summer house.

She’s the most amazing grandma ever. She’s so vivacious and chipper. She doesn’t even look her 82 years. And she drives like Super Mario. Everyone loves her. She just sits at her porch sometimes and meets the passers-by, and they love her too. She practically brought me up. She’s the mater familia of very large and rather odd family, she has the best table manners but she introduces you to her fantastic collection of swear words when she thinks you’re grown up enough. She has been introduced to countless boyfriends and girfriends over the years, and she loves putting them up and feeding them like they were her own. (I wish I could have given her that pleasure as well, but the tempestuous love lives of my cousins and aunts and uncles have kept her busy.)

She brings sunshine to my heart.

I love you, gran.

J. Favourite movies:

• The Lord of the Rings trilogy
• Dead Poets’ Society
• Mists of Avalon
• Master & Commander: The Far Side of the World
• Stray Dog
• Lawrence of Arabia
• Corto Maltese: La Cour Secrete des Arcanes
• Bright Star
• Star Wars
• Young Frankenstein
• ….this list can never possibly end.

M. Super Power I Would Have: Flying. I love flying. And manipulation of the natural elements.

S. Dream House Location: In a bustling city, yet not too far from the country.

U. Where I live now: In Ioannina, in Northern Greece, where my University is located. It’s a quaint little town rich in history and filled with students.

1. I am a novice driver. This is what goes through my mind every time I drive home from work: I’m sure I’ve forgotten something. I think I forgot the car key somewhere. I knew it! Shit! No, wait, engine is running. The key must be here. Or I have found a way to move the car with my telepathic powers. I must make a post about this on tumblr. No! Don’t think about tumblr when driving! Relax. Watch the road. Relaaaax… I feel as if I forgot about something…
2. My blackberry background has been this for weeks now:
3. I have failed my summer goal. Don’t ask me what it was.
4. When I grow up, I want to be a hunter. Or a consulting detective.
5. Best thing about my summer so far is realising how awesome all my friends are.
6. Also, I saw a lady’s boobs. But that’s another story, and a slightly scary one.
7. Currently betrothed to a dead poet.
8. When I hear Animal, by Neon Trees, I dance like a mouse on a sugar high.
9. Also I get ridiculously excited whenever the radio plays a song by Rufus Wainwright.
10. Best things among the books I read this summer were the short stories Babette’s Feast, by Karen Blixen, and the Yentl, the Yeshiva Boy, by Isaac Bashevis Singer.

“Place me on Sunium’s marbled steep,
Where nothing, save the waves and I,
May hear our mutual murmurs sweep…”

Lord Byron, Isles of Greece

1. Sunset at the Temple of Poseidon. Breathtaking.

2. The column at the temple where Lord Byron had carved his name on in 1810. That troll. I waited for 7 years to see and touch that stone, but it was beyond access. A lady who worked there jumped the rope and showed us the exact spot, but we weren’t allowed to get close, and the carvings were invisible from that distance. Maintenance people are cruel. You won’t see it either, but it’s on the second stone from the bottom, on the middle column (the square one). I may have cried a little from frustration.

3. I need to get a tan. This is my freakishly white vampire leg next to my cousin’s, who had been island hopping. No, I have shaved my legs. It’s just that my skin is so transparent that you can see beneath it.

4. I went to a bar that made the best cocktails I’ve ever heard of. Unfortunately, I’m on pain medication so I couldn’t even have sip. The bartender took pity on me and whipped up a virgin cocktail with green tea, lime juice, grated ginger and a splash of sugar. It was divine. He said he would call it the Clio, but I’m not sure I want a virgin cocktail named after me…

5. My cousin and I drove back singing Dirty Dirty Girls Love Benedict Cumberbatch. Yeah. She’s awesome.

1. I’ve just started driving. Circumstances forced me to take the car downtown for the first time yesterday to a very cramped neighborhood, where it took me half an hour to park and I scratched the paint. I drove very calmly there, even though my engine died in the middle of the highway at some point. But as soon as I was out of the car I broke down crying. Thankfully, returning was easier. I’m still stressed over it.
2. When I was sixteen I had a crush on Percy Bysshe Shelley. I still do.
3. Harry Potter is a part of me. Hearing this name feels like I’m hearing my own. Like the instinctive someone called me?
4. My current favourite song is Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall by Coldplay.
5. English and German-language literature are my favourite kinds. One day I want to speak German well enough to be able to read German-language books in the original, as I do with English.
6. My favourite chemistry is Organic chemistry, because the reactions are so aesthetically pleasing. I’m still not very good at it.
7. I really need to go clothes-shopping.
8. I really wish my internet wouldn’t keep crashing lately.
9. A STUPID MOSQUITO JUST BIT ME!
10. AND AGAIN! THAT LITTLE BUGGER!