Back in April, I was kindly nominated for a Liebster Award by Polly from the amazing Happily Polly (thanks, sweetie, for enjoying Lifestyle Counter enough to nominate me).

Ever since then, not a day has gone by when I didn’t think about how I needed to do this post. That said, I was actually quite daunted by the sheer effort required to adhere to the rules set…

which is kind of why it turned (past) mid- May by the time I got around to actually tackling it…

Anyhow, let me start by answering the eleven questions posed by Polly:

1. In one sentence, sum up why you blog

I started keeping a blog (in the form of a personal diary) back in 2003 as a means of keeping in touch with family/ friends and have stayed the course through the years (albeit with a clear shift of focus) mainly because I find it constitutes a great creative outlet, as well as an opportunity to “meet” and make connections with people from all over the globe.

2. If you couldn’t work at your current job/study the subject you do at uni, what would you choose to be doing?

That has to be a toss between a wedding planner and a photographer. Or maybe (combining the two) a wedding photographer? Hehe…

3. Least favourite food?

Liver. I generally don’t eat meat anymore (became a lacto-ovo pescaterian in 2009) but back when I did I was served liver once and absolutely hated it (something about the texture and smell of it just made me wanna gag). Never touched it again.

4. What is your most embarrassing moment in life?

Can’t really seem to recall – which I’ll take to mean I haven’t really had one embarrassing enough to remember.

5. What are you most proud of?

My ability to adhere to my decisions with Spartan discipline (once, of course, I consciously set my mind on something – which, to be honest, will probably take me longer than average).

6. Who do you look up to most?  (Must be someone you know personally)

My mum and dad. They are so strong, resilient, loving and always find it in their hearts to offer a helping hand – even when they’re hard pressed to make do themselves. Plus, they’ve been happily married for 41 years (which I personally consider a feat in itself) and they’ve somehow managed to put up with me for almost 37 years! Impressive…

7. Where do you see yourself in ten years?

Oh, I hate this question (sorry Polly!). It reminds me of job interviews… I don’t usually imagine (or care much, really) about where I’ll be in 10 years – as long as I am happy! That said, I would ideally like to have found someone to trust, love and grow old next to – with, or without a family.

8. What do you look for in a friend?

I just want my friends to be caring and honest (even, and especially, when it hurts). I’d also like them to love animals – even if not as much as I do (which might be just a teeny tiny bit over the top, he he). I firmly believe (& apologize in advance if that offends anyone) that people who do not, to some extent, care about animals, do not really care for anything – including other people and themselves.

9. Favourite film?

Of all time??? Jee… No idea… Absolutely no flipping idea!

I do enjoy Old Hollywood movies and comedies (‘The Great Race’, ‘Some like it Hot’, ‘Arsenic and Old Lace’, ‘His Girl Friday’, ‘The Sting’ to name but a few), Hitchcock movies (i.e. ‘Rear Window’, ‘Vertigo’, ‘The Trouble With Harry’, ‘North by NorthWest’), Woody Allen movies (definitely not all, but loved ‘A Midsummer Night’s Sex Comedy’, ‘Manhattan Murder Mystery’, ‘The Curse of the Jade Scorpion’, ‘Match Point’ & ‘Whatever Works’) and most animated films. Two movies that I, most recently, loved? ‘American Hustle” & ‘The Great Gatsby’ remake.

And, by now, I think you are sorry you even asked that question… LOL!

10. What would you say to your younger self if you had the chance?

Don’t be afraid to express yourself. Don’t worry too much about what other people think – there will always be those with nothing better to do than to judge you, even when you’ve done nothing wrong. Try your best to take everything in stride. And, by God, learn how to keep a little something for yourself in your relationships – giving everything usually leaves you (flat on your a**) with nothing, in return.

11. And finally, showers or baths?

I would have liked to say baths so much! However, due to environmental concerns I have to go with showers. Might run myself the odd bath – but only as a mega luxury thing (in fact, I can’t really remember the last time).

Now… On to the eleven random facts about myself:

1. I love old movies (40’s- 50’s- 60’s- 70’s). If I could only recommend one of my favorites, that would have to be ‘The Great Race’ (1965) by Blake Edwards. If you don’t know it, make sure you check it out on IMDB & (if possible) watch it. Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis, Natalie Wood and Peter Falk at their best…

2. I am an only child. My mum had trouble conceiving (& a bad pregnancy/delivery) so doctors advised her not to insist on having another baby – if that wasn’t top priority. I am far from spoilt, still I’ve had it pretty good – so I’m not complaining. That said, I would have loved a brother or sister (or both, really). Having no immediate family once my folks are gone is not a prospect I relish…

3. I have a phobia – I’m scared to get behind the wheel. I passed my test with flying colors and have had my driver’s licence for ever yet, I am so worried about possibly causing an accident that, I stay firmly off the streets.

4. I think I may have a bit of ‘Monk’ in me. Got a slight case of (self- diagnosed OCC). Far from an extreme case of course but still, something that’s asymmetrical or out-of-place will bug the life out of me – unless I fix it!

5. I am very social when it comes to smaller groups &/or people I am familiar with, but tend to clam up once in a larger group or in the company of strangers. Funny thing is, while I personally think that makes me hopeless at PR, others keep telling me I am brilliant at it! Still haven’t figured that one out – one of life’s mysteries, I guess…

6. I started studying English at a very young age & have always loved it. At 36 (one BA, one MA, 2 foreign boyfriends, many foreign friends and 7 years abroad later) I have developed into a funny sort of ‘hybrid Greek’: I speak my own tongue but think… in English (I know. It’s ridiculous). Nine (if not 10) out of ten books I read are in English, too.

7. You’ll never really see me watching TV (per se). I just don’t find anything on it appealing enough, plus I cannot stand commercial breaks. What I do watch is series on DVD, instead.
8. I am a very ‘animated’ person. I make all kinds of faces & wave my arms around (a lot) when telling a story or trying to make a point. I guess it comes with the territory (of being Greek) but some of my non- Greek friends have been known to find it unusual and/ or distracting (Kerstin hun, if you’re reading this, I’m looking at you).

9. While I am a big tech and gadget fan and I do enjoy playing the odd game on my phone or tablet, I never really got into the whole PlayStation/ Wii craze. Would never buy one/ stock up on games – since I know they’d all just end up gathering dust on some shelf.

10. Am a bit of a “hardcore” animal lover. I have a soft spot for dogs/ cats and cannot for the life of me spot one (especially a stray) without stopping to talk to it/ pet it and, if need be, give it food/ water (I’ve been known to pop into supermarkets on the spot, to do just that). Animals, naturally, pick up on this – and always approach me, wherever I go. Even on vacation I’ll probably find a stray at my door, soon as I settle in. Humans, apparently, also pick up on it – so whenever there’s an animal related issue/ emergency I am the one everyone comes to…

11. I got my belly button pierced, back when I was 19 and @ uni in Athens. That was about the same time that I started contemplating getting my tattoo (Japanese ideogram for ‘Faith’). Seventeen years later I think it’s safe to say I’ve pondered that enough – so I’m scheduling it for Fall 2014.

Now, on to the tricky bit (& some cheating, on my part). I always find choosing just a few out of the many (& varied) blogs I love extremely difficult. Plus, these awards are honestly quite a bit of work – which means not everyone might love getting them, anyway. So… I’ll kinda “sidestep” rules 4 & 5 above, by simply saying this:

If you are one of the first 11 people to like this post (and happen to have less than 200 followers) consider yourself nominated!

The questions you’ll need to answer, should you choose to accept the award are:

1. How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
2. Got any “funny” phobias?
3. What’s your favorite quote?
4. Do you follow your heart or your head?
5. What’s the one piece of clothing you keep reaching for, no matter the occasion?
6. If you had 3 wishes, what would they be?
7. What’s your favorite song/ album right now?
8. What’s the most disappointing beauty product you’ve ever bought?
9. What’s your favorite book and why?
10.You need to relocate – now. Where do you choose to go?
11. If you could only have one dessert, for the rest of your life, what would it be?

So, have fun with this – and do leave a comment with a link to your answers below, for me to check out!