TH1RTEEN R3ASONS WHY

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher: the #1 New York Times bestseller and modern classic has been changing lives for a decade. Netflix chose to create a show based on the books under the name 13 reasons why, and it has sparked a lot of controversy. I understand that it is not easy to talk about such difficult topics. Because I kid you not when I say that after reading the book and/or what the Netflix show, you will talk about a lot of taboo topics such as mental health, sexual assaults, and how we affect one another. 

I know that this post may be a post that will bring out some negativity towards me, but hey, it will not be the first time that I will experience that. I was bullied when I was in primary school because I was wearing glasses. Kids can be really cruel... But now, I do not feel intimidated by anyone. 

With that being said, yes, some people will not want their offsprings to watch this show. I will not say that they have to watch it or they have to read this book because it is not the only way to teach someone to be a better person. It takes a lot more than a movie, a book, a television show, to make someone to want to be a better person. But it is important that now there are people who have opened up to the discussion of taboo topics. Because there are teenagers who commit suicide. There are teenagers who are sexually assaulted. There are kids out there who are experience horrible situations and we do not have a safe enough environment for them. 

I live in New York. Most people are cranky and think their time is super valuable. In a typical day of adulthood I will see an adult person who will verbally hurt another just because they dislike their face, or it took them a minute to decide what to order at Starbucks. They ruin your day, my day, someone else's day by their negativity and/or cursing. Imagine how different it would have been, instead of having an outburst, how would you feel if the person waiting on the line after you at Starbucks smiled at you? It would make you smile back. You might even wish them to have a beautiful day. Life is better when we don not treat each other like dirt. Do not be a rude person. The smallest acts of kindness make a difference. And that is the point of Jay's book.  

All in all, we are all human beings. We do not know what is going on in each other's lives. We all face difficulties and whatsoever. If we treat each other with respect, if we care, we can make a difference. We may even help a tortured soul to spare their own life. #foodforthought

I heart Nintendo

  I am the kind of person that enjoys some "childish" fun. So, one day after work I stepped inside GameStop, I bought a Nintendo 2DS in crimson red with the Mario Kart 7 pre-installed, and the rest is history. My husband definitely questioned my judgement. He could not comprehend that although I have a MacBook Pro, an iPad Pro, a Nexus 6P, I wanted a Nintendo 2DS just to play games. I did not have Mario Kart 7 on those marvelous devices of mine!!! Come on!

  I know that everyone has a different point of view in life, sometimes you need a little something to spoil yourself after a long day at work... Sometimes you need some comfort after a person being rude to you. Playing games has taught me that you can have some fun even in the darkest of days. It's a fun escape from this world, but there's a catch: how much is too much? Do you avoid getting out of the house to play games? If you answer yes, it is a serious problem. Don't get me wrong, I'm not against gaming or any other kind of outlet someone has. It is important to relieve the stress, but everything should have a limit. Put a time limit to your gaming activities so your life will be a little brighter and not lost at all.

  With that being said, let me give you a few descriptions and links of three of my favorite games for my Nintendo 2DS and they are also compatible with the Nintendo 3DS:

  #1 Mario Kart 7 is a race game across land, sea, and air, and it's epic. It's also got a multiplayer mode so you can compete with your friends or other players across the world on online mode. You can also activate the streetpass for this title. You will find all the information about this on the link multiplayer.

  You can also built your own kart. You can built your own racing machine. You can unlock different styles as you move up in the Grand Prix and it's so much fun. And press the link karts for more info.

  What really amazed me while playing is the different power-ups. The power-ups can either give you a boost for your performance or you can sabotage your opponents/other players. But beware, other players can sabotage you as well. And here is the link for the different items and power-ups you will see in the game.

  Of course, you can choose your character. You can play as one of your favorite characters or your own Mii. Check the characters link to see the list. 

  All in all, this kart game is my favorite racing game. What makes this game really appealing to me, is the fact that it's a part of my childhood memories and it brings up a smile on my face whenever I play.

  And without further ado, let's move to my favorite game #2: Animal Crossing: New Leaf Welcome Amiibo (press here to see official info of the game), a game that I play literally every day. It's the amazing, charming, cute animal characters you meet, the customization of this world, a world that makes you feel close to nature, and the amiibo part of it is an excellent addition... No matter how much I want to describe it, it's hard for me to explain it. But I can and I will tell you this: if you like Sims, this is a lot better than any Sims you've played because you create yourself as the mayor of the town and you discover more and more as time passes by. (And BEWARE: One part that has frustrated some players is that you cannot change the name of the town after you create it, so make sure you are certain about it.) 

  What is also very fascinating, there are special events on special days. For example, on Easter Day, you have a Bunny Day on the game and you go on an Easter egg hunt. Each actual season has different features, for instance, it snows in winter. You can also design your own flag, clothes, or even download QR codes. Also, you can visit the villages of your friends that are also playing this game.

  And last but not least, my favorite game #3: Poochy & Yoshy's Woolly World. (Press the link please.) Everyone who has played a Yoshi game before, knows what I am talking about. It's a classic game with some new twists. And for those who ask, who the heck is Poochy, Poochy is a dog that appeared throughout the Yoshi franchise. He can be found in certain levels and serves as a safe platform as he can walk on dangerous terrain, such as spikes and lava. 

  If you wonder if you'd like this Yoshi game, the answer is yes, if you like the Super Mario games, you'll definitely like this one too. The good part is that there is a trial and free version of it on the Nintendo virtual shop for you to try it out before you buy it. 

  Before I finish this entry, I would like to inform you that the numbering in this list is in a timely order. The first game that came with my 2DS was the Mario Kart 7 and I want to say that I enjoy these games equally.

  Thank you for reading this post and I would gladly answer any questions you may have.

Fun apps for the iPad

After a long day, on the way home from work (only if I use the public means of transportation of course), or when I get home, I love playing a couple of games on my iPad to blow off some steam and have some fun. In 2017, I downloaded so far a few games that are fun and really enjoyable.

#1: Crossword quiz (AppStore link) is a wonderful game where you solve crosswords and it has different topics such as pop culture, movies, music, celebrities, animals, characters, brands, I ❤️90s, sports, I❤️80s, TV shows, video games, and so on. Also, there is the daily quiz to solve; new day, new topic. You have the ability to connect this app with your Facebook account and there are achievements too. The achievements give you coins to give you the ability to solve a question in the quiz you might not know. Actually you can use coins to remove some of the letters provided to you in order to solve each quiz question, or you can choose to reveal a letter in your quiz question. I love this game because each question is a picture or a GIF. Check it out.

#2: Family Feud 2 by Ludia (Family Feud 2 link) is a game based on the popular game show. You can connect it on Facebook and play against your friends or you can play against random people. It's so much fun, I really like it. 

#3: Deal or no deal by iwin, Inc (Deal or no deal link) is a version of this interesting game show. There are two modes to play, solo and tournament. Personally, I connected it with my Facebook. If you don't want to connect it with your Facebook, you can always play as guest. It's a very fun game and every time there's an achievement to be reached. 

These are my latest three apps that I can't stop playing. Feel free to share yours on the comments section. 

Fifty shades of whatever

The madness over the Fifty shades Trilogy is not quite over yet, as the second movie, Fifty Shades Darker is going to be released on February 9th 2017. Let me start by the books. Honestly, I read all three of them because I wanted to have an opinion formed about them without having people telling me to read all the books before I speak my mind.

Let me start with why I didn't like it and did not become obsessed with it: Anastasia Steele is a girl who goes crazy over a multimillionaire guy, Christian Grey. The girl is having an awkward first encounter with this stupid interview and - sorry, not sorry - she's the type of girl that a man like Christian would never pursue to involve with her for a lot of reasons. I.e., you can tell she has no experience into being around a man, any man. I'm not going to talk about the contract regarding his BDSM thing, I'm not sure how that works because it's not my scene, but browsing the web will give you a clue: it isn't well written, it's like "let's copy and paste information we found online" and please check it, there have been protests regarding that. I don't know how E.L.James got millions out of this nonsense, but kudos to her for making it happen. I wish I was that lucky in my life.

E.L.James wrote a trilogy based on her fantasy and it definitely worked for her, but for me, reading about this on and off and unhealthy relationship, sorry, it bothers me, it makes me feel diminished as a woman. It bothers me even more because it actually shows this false image that we as women are always keeping our fingers crossed and we try to change a guy who is so obviously not the best for us. Because in any kind of relationship, both parties involved, should definitely accept each other for who they are. This story makes caricatures of men and women. Just think about Ana's friend José. He is the friendzoned BFF who tries to kiss her while drunk and then everything is ok. Also, he is the only Latino character and he says Dios mìo too much. If you start thinking about her "catchphrases", it just makes no sense. And who says "double crap"? Oh and that "inner goddess" thing... It's ridiculous.

And let me go to the ending, the fairy tale ending: from BDSM to the happy married life. If that doesn't sound absurd, I don't know what will. When I finished book 3, I was very happy the torture was over. No, it was not enjoyable experience, I just loved pointing out the weirdness out of it. And then the first movie came along. Why to watch it? Because Jamie Dornan is hot. He plays the part of Christian Grey. You can also watch the TV series Once Upon a Time because he plays the part of the Sheriff. Why should I watch the second movie: 50 Shades Darker? Because I can continue "complain" about it, have a fun night with my female friends, and last but not least, enjoy the view of Jamie Dornan. 

Best skincare tips for acne prone skin

Over the years, I have heard a lot of skincare tips and I've collected the ones that actually worked for me. My skin is sensitive, very oily, and acne prone. I have faced different problems: pores, pimples, blackheads, redness. I have tried many different skincare products and I will share with you my favorite ones.

Let's talk about cleansers. My mom always says that cleansing your skin is very important, so no matter how tired you are or whatsoever, always take some time to cleanse your skin at night. It doesn't matter if you wear make-up or sunscreen or any other product; wash your face before you go to bed. It is very helpful to let your face breath some clean air. Since I moved to NY, I realized the importance of letting my skin breath a little. Impurities are in the air, the moment you walk out of your house, your skin has to face a lot of different weather conditions that affect its health and fumes of the cars etc. I have two favorite cleansers; although I have tried many different brands, I always come back to them. I love them both equally: the Clinique Acne Solutions Cleansing Bar For Face And Body and the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Foaming Cream. Click on the links to read more about these amazing products from their respective companies.

And now let's go to the part I never thought was important: the toner. After washing your face, the use of toner is really helpful. I have two toners I love. My number 1 toner is the chamomile. You can actually make it yourself: you boil chamomile and water, you let it cool, put it in a little bottle, and there you have it, the toner you just made by yourself. It's as easy as it sounds. Chamomile is amazing. Press the following link to read all the good stuff chamomile offers to us: Learn about chamomile. My number 2 toner is the acne solutions clarifying lotion. This toner is part of the acne solutions 3-step skin care by Clinique. I love it and it has helped me a lot. Here is some information about the product: Clinique Clarifying Lotion.

Last but not least, every girls nightmare: the pimples. My number 1 spot treatment for pimples is the Mario Badescu Drying Lotion, it's ideal for whiteheads and it's the best advice I've gotten here. My sister-in-law introduced me to this brand and I will definitely try more products from this line. If you have an Amazon Prime subscription, you can also order the Mario Badescu products from the Amazon website or app. Also, hand-sanitizers can be a last-minute spot treatment solution for pimples. I always have a hand-sanitizer handy and I believe it's a cheap solution alternative for the acne prone skin breakouts. Another spot treatment that works: Aspirin. Why does it work? Because of the salicylic acid which is a natural part of aspirin and it is also used for topical applications for acne treatment. If you have aspirin in your meds cabinet, you can take a pill, crush it up, add some water or chamomile to make a paste, apply the aspirin paste on your pimple, and wait for several minutes. Then, rinse off without rubbing it too hard and the pimple should diminish in redness and size. 

That's all for now, I hope that you'll enjoy this post and feel free to share your opinion about these skincare tips. 

Unpleasant surprises in human interactions

The first time I landed on the John F. Kennedy airport in NYC, I was stunned by the city lights, by the size of the airport itself, by how easier it now seemed to make this trip to the other side of the globe. It was my first flight out of Greece; and I came here with an one-way ticket. A quite shocking experience in many ways.

Landing in JFK,  July 28th 2016.

My experience of my trips to NY - Greece and vice versa is quite positive as I didn't face any kind of trouble at the airport. My flight was delayed when I was coming back from my summer vacation to Greece, but it was kind of normal. Honestly, staying on the air for 10 hours straight is quite exhausting, but I prefer it from the flights that make a stop. When I travelled on November 20th 2015 to come to the USA, my plane made a stop at the Ataturk Airport in Istanbul; although I travelled with company (and I will always be grateful for this and for these amazing people in my life), the staff in the Ataturk airport made me (and I suppose more passengers as well) unwelcomed because they pretended they didn't understand English and we were lucky to find our gate just in time. I'm not planning of visiting Istanbul any time soon after this horrible travel experience.

Other than that, living in NY was something to be discovered. In a way, I was looking forward to see how life is, how everything worked here. Coming from a small town like myself, you see the Big Apple in a prism that makes it look magical and unique. I remember myself standing in awe because I was walking around places I've seen on movies and on TV; I was exploring a place that most people dream about but never have the chance to visit. Traveling here for vacation isn't very hard, but requires a budget that most Greeks don't have available at this moment. Also, it isn't very easy to come here and stay. Immigration is another story, for me, coming here wasn't that hard because I am married to a US citizen; but the paperwork though was a whole different process.

Anyway, I am living in NY for a little more than a year. My husband and I, are both working, we are renting a house, we became independent, we have a life of our own. We have our ups and downs as everyone. When I started working, I was stunned that people would ask me where I was from because of my accent. Actually, here, everyone has an accent. NYC is a multicultural place, and Queens is a place full of diversity.  I remember one man who was very hostile because I came to his country (but he was an immigrant himself), I stole the job of an American (but I have my social security number and my permanent residency card), and for him, I was like a pariah of some short. I will never forget how embarrassed I felt that moment and how amazed I was because I though that people wouldn't start accusing a person they just met without even knowing that person.

I know that racism is a very strong word; but I felt being in the spot for what I do for a living, for our choice to come to this country, and I felt being attacked for being who I am, so I question: does racism exist in 2016 and 2017? I thought people were more advanced. There are a lot of different people in this world, some people are more open-minded than others, but why would people hate one another? Why would people be hostile to one another? Why would someone choose hatred over love and acceptance? What would anyone win if they kill a smile? We are all creatures roaming on Earth and we are trying to enjoy our lives. Life isn't easy, but we can only try to do our best each and every day. So be kind to one another. Spread smiles, spread positivity, spread love.

All in all, there are always people who make you smile and the others who make you wonder why are they like that. You can't change anyone, but you can change your mindset and stop feeling hurt for their bad behavior. No-one is loved by all the people. Stick around the ones who will make you be all smiles.

Winter, snow, and public transportation

One of the first hashtags I used is this one: #summerismyseason. I have used it a billion times. I love summer and let's face it, I'm a summer girl because I was born on July 1st. But truth to be told, I love Christmas. The only reason I survive the winter is because of the beauty of the Christmas holiday. The decorations, the songs, the carols, the trees, the smiles on people's faces, the presents, everything seems perfect during that time of the year. Moving to New York put the whole Christmas craziness into a whole new different level of excitement.

Let's walk a little down memory lane; I see myself walking with my husband on 5th Avenue and fall in love with the windows of Saks Fifth Avenue. It was a magnificent experience for me, I don't know it I can say much about it, I cannot find enough words to express my feelings. The following pictures is what my eyes witnessed during last year's holiday season.

Saks Fifth Avenue Holiday window 2015 - 2016

Saks Fifth Avenue Holiday window 2015 - 2016

And then, after the beauty, came the first snowstorm of my life. I was shocked by the volume of the snow and I was scared of getting out of the house. The following pictures were taken during last year's snowstorm.

Picture taken in the morning, at the beginning of the snowstorm. January 2016.

Picture taken at the same spot at night, when the snow stopped falling. January 2016.

Whether you believe it or not, I didn't want to get out of the house because I thought I would break my leg if I tried to walk in the snow. Honestly, I was so scared and found myself wondering what am I doing here. When I decided it was time to get out of the house, I realized that it wasn't that bad, it was something totally new and I had to accept that it snows in my new home. I may never love the cold weather, but I learnt to survive it and enjoy some precious moments, like the ones on the following pictures. 

Walking on the white fluffy snow. December 2016. 

On my way to the bus stop. December 2016.

The beautiful house and yard close to my bus stop. December 2016.

Walking in the beautiful and pure white snow, it makes you feel like there's a little corner in the world that's called paradise on earth. The weather isn't freezing cold; you feel like everything is magical because this new life you live in NYC is full of adventures and the scenery is like no other. For a moment there, you dare to say: "I love NY." "I am blessed." "What a magic moment." 

And then... And then you wait for the bus. I take to buses to go to work. The first bus came quickly, I waited for only five minutes, I was lucky. I arrived at the second bus stop in ten minutes. I expected that the second bus would come on time too, but little did I know. I waited for the bus for fifty minutes. It seemed like a lifetime. MTA does a great job usually, so I was quite disappointed with the second bus' tardiness. I was late for work and I was very upset. At least, the snow didn't last, the following day it rained and it melted. 

But this past Saturday it snowed all day... The buses were running so late I felt I would die because it was freezing cold. The good part of the whole situation is that I wasn't late for work this Saturday, the problem was on my way back home. Another silver lining, I took a cab home and I was safe. 

The ugly truth: when you don't drive, you have to have a lot of patience in winter. The weather conditions are harsh here and it is equally hard to find reasons to stay optimistic. On hard days, or moments, I dream of this beautiful summer moment, the last picture of this blog entry. I'll always be a summer girl, #summerismyseason. 

Lambiri, Akhaia, Greece. June 10th 2012.

P.S. All the pictures used in this blogpost belong to me. I captured them with different cameras. Hope you'll enjoy it.