Future plans…

I started my week working for a little bit more than 12 hours. That was not a nice Monday. What was most irritating was the fact that it wasn’t my fault. They forgot to tell me that the next day’s visit to a client included stuff that I didn’t know about, that needed preparation! Oops, indeed…
At least I got the time off in lieu which I can use in the next 4 weeks. I smell a long weekend soon…

---------------------------------

On a slightly different matter: I was recently enjoying a nice cup of java with my housemate. She turned around at some point, looked me in my eyes and asked me:“Where do you think you’ll be in 5 years”?My first reaction was laughter. When I managed to put myself together, I realized that I had absolutely no idea where I’d like to be in 5 years.


When I confessed that to her, she admitted not having any goals in her life as well, but she’d like to change that. She fears that having no goals in your life can make you wonder aimlessly for years, not achieving anything in your life.That thought put me slightly at unease.

I’ve always respected the saying: ‘Want to make God laugh? Tell him your plans’! There are so many unpredictable variables in life that can totally change your direction, make you see things differently and make unusual choices. I am not a fatalist though. I know that if you want to achieve something in life, you have to provoke Fate and try your best. Since I was in the first year of my university in Greece, I always wanted to finish a Postgraduate degree in London and stay to work. After some years, I’ve arranged it so and here I am!So? What happens next? Where would I truly be in 5 to 6 years time? (I say 6 because I’ll be 35 by then).

In order to reply to that question, I was trying to find first which things would make me happy. I don’t want to be too materialistic but the first thing that came to my mind was physical possessions. I’d like to probably own, or be in the process of buying a house.


Will I be in the financial position to do something like that? Most likely not in my current job! That thought made me question my next career move. I wouldn’t like to be in the same job in five years. I like it, but in a small company like mine, there is no prospect of development. If I stay here, I’ll probably be doing the same thing in 6 years which I wouldn’t like. I’ve already planned acquiring a certificate in programming, but until now I haven’t taken it very seriously. I wanted to take the exam until the end of June, that was my New Year’s resolution, but I cannot see that happening any time soon. So, I have to alter that plan, but stick to it…


So, I’d like to have a better job and probably be looking for a place to buy. What about my personal life? Would I like to be with ‘JJ’ in 6 years? Will I be living with him?I’d like to be with someone in 6 years and have the maturity to settle down, live happily with someone and maybe own a pet. (I’ve always wanted a dog or a cat and never had one. Getting a dog means to me that I am responsible enough to own it. I’d never get one now with the hectic lifestyle I have). I don’t know however if I can see myself with ‘JJ’ in 6 years (is that bad?). I wouldn’t mind if I was, but I just don’t know if I will be. I can’t think that much ahead for that…


What I’d really love to do in the next 6 years is finish a marathon (waiting for my application to be approved), dive in various clean blue sea waters (at least in Greece this summer) and do more fundraising for NGOs (running for Cancer Research each year, volunteering for ‘Action Against Hunger’ etc). Can I also ask for a trip to South America and Australia?

However, all this planning made me think something completely different. What if after all this planning and dreams nothing comes to life? Am I setting myself to be extremely disappointed all by myself? And even if I do realize my plans, will I be truly happy? Will it be worth it?

I have some more brainstorming to do on how I will achieve my goals...

---------------------------------

Greece National Football team said goodbye yesterday to the World Cup. I’m leaving you with some pictures of our really good looking goalkeeper who did an amazing job yesterday:

What dreams may come…

I had such a weird dream yesterday… One of these dreams that you fully remember the next day, that wakes you up stressed and disoriented.

I was in my hometown, in my old house where I grew up (now sold). I was having a very vivid discussion with my brother. I was telling him about my plans. I wanted to have an engagement party of my own, in my hometown to make the gossip stop. I wanted to find a nice little girl to get engaged to and let everyone know about it. I was planning where the big party will take place and who to invite. I spend days trying to find the perfect location and decoration. Then, the day of the engagement arrived. I was very excited and happy about the preparations, but then it hit me:
‘Who will be the bride?’
I spent so much time preparing the whole thing, but I didn’t plan who the bride-to-be will be! It was already the morning of the big day and I had to find a solution, call somebody. I figured out that my very best friend ‘A’ will not say no to me. Even in such a short notice, she will agree to get engaged to me. However, she couldn’t do it like that. She might need to go to a hair dresser, find the proper dress, and inform her parents. Her mother would like to get prepared as well! I don’t want mothers-in-law do to get prepared, but she might need a manicure or something… Could I have the party without her parents? Will we find dresses in time? Will the hair dresser be available?
All these questions were going through my head, when I woke up… ‘JJ’ was sleeping next to me. At least I didn’t wake him up…


The first thing that went through my mind was why on Earth would I want to get engaged like that? This is so not me. I don’t have issues with being gay and I certainly wouldn’t do something just because people gossip and criticize me about it. Am I homophobic on my subconscious?


Then, I remembered the TV show we were watching earlier that evening called: ‘Transvestite wives’. It was a documentary following straight couples (can I use that term?) where the husband was a cross dresser. So, in a way, there was a third person in the couple called Deanne, Betty or Sue. These couples were living in areas like Nottingham or Aberdeen which are not very popular as being accepting and understanding to different lifestyles. Unfortunately, these people when dressed in drag, even when accompanied by their wives, would run into not so polite people and were sometimes verbally abused… It was interesting to see how their wives were so protective over them.
Anyway, I hope that was the reason of the weird dream…

By the way, I cooked for JJ amazing cannelloni with spinach and feta cheese yesterday. OK, not because I made it, but it was very good. I don’t like using ricotta. I prefer adding feta and a little bit of cheddar cheese instead. Too much feta will make it too salty but adding a little bit gives food a really nice taste…