Erin Shaw Street

Tylenol, nuns and Richard Scrushy

It's Satruday afternoon. We're having a quiet weekend -- Nate is sick again. This time it's not an ear infection, but a virus. So we are riding the Tylenol train and watching lots of "It's A Big World." He's a trooper -- even though he's sick he's still running around with the remote control box and a big smile on his face.

I'm posting some photos from the past week. The first one is from a trip to the mall with Grandpa last week. While in Macy's buing Aunt Megan a birthday present we ran into some nuns. They live in a convent about 20 minutes away. We told them all about our great aunts, Aunt Nan and Aunt Teresa, who were Dominicans. They were a big part of our lives, and still are today -- I have a feeling they have a little something to do with the good things that have happened in our lives! Nate looks a little scared in the picture -- I assured him that we're not sending him to Catholic School ... yet! The other photo is of Nate going to the Discovery store. Who could resist this pleading look? We couldn't, and Nate came home with some new toys, including his first soccer goal. Shane is working with him each day, because we only have 22 months left before try-outs for the three-year old league.

In other news, yesterday was Megan's 25th birthday! Mom and Dad went to Jackson to celebrate. How can I have a sister that is 25 and I am only 26? And there is a sibling in between?

Finally, in Birmingham news, Richard Scrushy (aka HealthSouth founder) was sentenced to seven years in jail this week for various bribes and other crony stuff. In particular, he bought his way onto a state board that reviews and approves/denies hospital requests to build new facilities. Funny story: In 1999, while a cub reporter, I was working on a HealthSouth related story. I can't even remember what is was about now, I just remember that I called someone in investor relations with a question. After I hung up the phone I swear not two minutes passed before Richard Scrushy himself was calling me asking just exactly what I was doing probing around his enterprise. He was defensive and edgy and told me not to go stirring anything up. And what did I do?

I think I went to Nikki's West for lunch with my reporter friends and forgot all about it. Which is why, ladies and gentleman, I was not what you call a Woodward or Bernstein!

For more recent photos, see Summertime 2007 album to the right. There aren't any of Richard Scrushy in there though :)

Back from Outer Space

We've been back for a little over a week. I'm finally getting used to the fact that no one will bring us a huge Greek salad or carafe of wine any time soon.

Most importantly, Nate Street update: Nate got tubes early this morning, which we hope will alleviate the bad ear infections he has been experiencing. He was a real trooper and the procedure went very quickly -- he was away from us for less than 10 minutes and did great. He's still sleeping it off and the doctor says he'll be ready to go back to school tomorrow.

I have gotten my blog mostly up-to-date from the trip, and have finally been able to upload my photos -- please see "Greek Adventure" album to the right.  The one adventure I didn't write about in length was our nearly ill-fated trip to the Achillion, the island's palace and biggest attraction. Following the advise of our now despised taverna watier Michael, we set off on our last afternoon for what he described as a "short 45-minute walk." An hour and a half, two near sunstrokes, eight zillion olive and lemon trees, 467 hills,  and just a few bad words uttered later, we finally reached the famed Achillion. Nate, prepare yourself, it is a story that we will tell over and over again, and in subsequent versions we will have walked it barefoot.

It was worth it, though. The palace, named after Achilles, was spectacular. We particularly enjoyed the gardens, which contained sculptures of the nine muses (and a few other random people we couldn't figure out), what seemed to be a magnolia tree (can they grow outside the South???) and the second best iron statue int he world -- Achilles himself. We also saw him after he messed up his heel. There were treasures.

Our last day in Corfu

It's Friday and our time in Greece is coming to a close. I'm waiting on Shane to finish up with his meeting, and then we are going to go to the Achillion palace this afternoon. Yesterday was a busy day. I took an all-day boat excursion. We sailed from the beach by our hotel to the mainland -- about an hour and a half.

The boat docked at a beautiful secluded beach, where we stepped off the ladder into a beach of smooth rock. The landscape kind of reminded me of St. John, with the cliffs covered in trees (only these were olive trees) plunging in to the ocean. I went for a swim and lay on the beach until our hour and half was up. I laughed when three other packed cruise ships came in right after us -- so much for a "secluded" beach.

Then back on the boat for a short trip to the island of Sivota. From what I can surmise, Sivota is a fishing turned cruise ship destination. The main street by the dock is lined with restaurants and gift shops specially designed to get tourists to part with their Euros, which we did willingly. I had lunch with an Iranian born scientist who lives in Palo Alto and works for a pharmaceutical. He told me that the food here in Greece is very similar to Persian food -- shout out to Marjan! We laughed when we asked for the bill and the waiter came over and wrote down our items on the paper tablecloth -- that was the bill.

Spent about a half an hour walking around taking photos ... more Vespas, flowers, sailboats and exciting Euro-fonts. Then it was back on the boat for a two-hour trip back -- we stopped at some caves, which made the trip longer. I was so tired when we got back -- eight hours of Mediterranean son and a rocking boat wiped me out. I was excited to come back and watch a knock-off version of "How Stella Got Her Groove Back" (it's the small things that bring me pleasure).

Then we boarded the buses to go across the island to a famous taverna (notice a pattern here), the name of which I forget now. Upon entering we were given small cups of Ouzo (yes, check that one off the 'things to do while in Greece' list). You could smell that stuff a mile away -- serious black licorice thing going on. I took a sip and that it for me! (Pictured at left are Shane's scientists friends Liz, Andrew and Mike, right before imbibing.) We filed into the taverna, where they packed us in for dinner. Greek salad, lots of meat, pasta, yogurt, fruit and of course wine. But the best part was the traditional Greek dancing that included audience participation.

I was the first one up to do learn the steps of the "vote for Peter Siachos" dance (inside USC joke), which included dancing in a circle and yelling "Yuppa!" It was exciting and made me wish we were a little Greek. Then they had little kids dance for us and I decided if we were Greek Nate Street would dance at our family taverna, along with the pugs. So it was fun but I was so tired by midnight when the dessert was being brought out. They eat so late here and it's not uncommon to have five or seven courses. Phew, that's tiring on the early bird Americans. We got home around 12:45 and I crashed. It has been a wonderful week.

I'm really glad we had the ability to come here, thanks to chemistry and my parents who have been saints to watch Nate this week. We miss him and are looking forward to getting home. The good news is that Shane has found out about a meeting next year ... in London. And the next meeting of this group, in two years, is in Melbourne. Yassas!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Happy birthday Mom! We'll celebrate when we get home, but we did get to talk this morning. I reminded her that 15 years ago I called to wish her a happy birthday from Morocco.

Today was a low-key day at the resort. The highlight of the day was dinner at a taverna across the street, where I had pastichio and we met a cool British couple from Devon (Eddie and Annie Tapp, pictured left)  who talked about how they loved Genesis and Queen, as in the band, not HRH. Then the owner/bartender of the restaurant came out and brought me a gardenia and insisted that we go to the bar, where he poured us shots of kumquat liqour, a Corfiat specialty.

Now I'm not a shot kind of girl, but when in Corfu (plus we toasted Mom's birthday). The organge liquor was surprisngly tasty and mild. Then he brought out a wreath made of olive branches and his wife showed us handmade Greek costumes, aka togas. I think it might have been a ploy to get us to buy a toga, but they seemed genuinely nice. We got out of there without any more kumquat shots or togas. I insisted on wearing the wreath back to the hotel, where I got stares from scientists.

Tuesday night, Kannoni

When you are travelling, it's one thing to say, "you know what, we are just going to deal with all the annoying mishaps. We are going to roll with them." The thing is, it's an entirely different story when you are halfway around the world without your nice, clean American clothes that you spent two weeks selecting, separated from shampoo that smells halfway normal and are in a breakfast buffett line with truly stinky people who actually have their clothes because their airline delivered them. Phew.

But then you are in the Corfu Asian Art museum looking at ancient Buddhas and you feel a little better. Then you get yelled at for taking a picture in an outdoor courtyard and the guard calls you "tourista." But then you walk along the Adriatic sea and take pictures of skirts on clotheslines, and stumble upon the Byzantine icon museum. I'm just saying.

Today was a good day, and the mishaps are a part of travel. Just like the Greek gingerbread cookies are. I had fun exploring more of Corfu town today. I walked along the Venetian-British-Greek streets and shops for about four hours until I returned to the hotel to see Shane and his poster (go vibrational spectroscopy, i t's your birthday, we're going to party like it's your birthday). When he was finished we walked down to the beach to watch a pickup game between his colleagues, who were quite fond of kicking the ball into the Adriatic.

Tonight we ate at Captain George's Restaurant. George himself brought out the fresh snapper for our approval. I had a minor freak out when the fish came with its head still on, which is a huge anxiety-producing thing for me. Something about eating an animal that is still looking at me. I know it's irrational but still ... I needed Shane to clean it up a bit into small, non-identifiable bits. It was quite fresh, and the pita with garlic yogurt was yummy. After we had gelatto. Here I am imitating the Greek goddess of ice cream, Carvela.

Now I'm back in the lobby of the Corfu Holiday Palace listening to the lounge singer who is still singing the 12 songs she knows, only now she's added some unfortunate Celine Dion and Brian Adams. Not Ryan Adams. Brian Adams. Like, "Every little thing I do, I do it for you." I wish there was karaoke in that little lounge. Karaoke makes everything better.

So the good news to this story is that my suitcase arrived this afternoon. The bad news is that Shane's did not. But it may come any day they say, perhaps via donkey. (Postscript: Shane's luggage finally did arrive Thursday, two days before we returned home. But it did arrive!)

Olive monoculture

I'm writing from the hotel's internet hub with the interesting melodies of a female lounge singer in the back at the Kerya Bar. So far she's sung Madonna, Olivia Newton John, George Michal, Sade and The Beatles. Wow.

The Corfu Holiday Palace Hotel was built in 1976 - an extremely good year. Thankfully the decor has not changed one bit, with patterned curtains and fonts that would make any postmodern hipster swoon.

Corfu itself is very pretty -- just what I always thought a Greek island would look like. We are staying in Cannoni, located in mid-Central Corfu on the coast. It's quiet by our hotel (except for the planes taking off about 2 miles away - we can see and hear them from our room). There are a few tavernas looking out over the water and a tricked out pool and beach at the foot of the Holiday Palace.

We arrived late Saturday after barely making our connection to Gatwick. We were literally the last ones on the plane, having run from the most distant gate where the plane from Bham landed. Our flights went well, but our luggage didn't fare so hot -- it is still not here. Quoting David Sedaris, "we are living like pioneers!" I even did laundry in the sink -- a first for me.

On Sunday we explored the beach, located at the bottom of a steep hill. (First item I bought when we went shopping today: new shoes to replace my Dr. Scholl's, which are good for traveling on a plane but not exploring the rocky beaches of Greece!). There is a deep lagoon and mountains in the difference. We think it's Albania but aren't quite sure. Also walked across a foot bridge to a monastery/gift shop filled with icons and porcelain donkeys. Yes! I held myself back. In the evening we attended a reception for Shane's conference, where we chatted with our new friend Mona, an Egyptian scientist who studies Egyptian artifacts using similar technology to Shane's. We also met two Brits (hello luv!) named Michael and Andrew. Shane was thrilled to talk about soccer.

Today we were adventurous and took the #2 bus to Old Towne Corfu in search of new, non-stinky clothes. Unbelievably, there are no Gaps in Corfu. But there is a Sephora -- imagine that. In the afternoon Shane went to meetings and I sat by the pool reading Khaled Housseni's new book, which is as engulfing as his first. Then we walked to a nearby cafe and had moussaka and postida, which were even better than the Greek Orthodox Church Festival at home. We walked along another foot bridge (lots of those) and practiced taking photos with the new camera. So far I've shot a lot of the following: fishing boats, Vespas, signs.

So that's my story. We miss Nate terribly but know he's having a good time at home. Plus he will be really happy when we introduce him to his new Donkey, Kavalapaladalous Street.

Oh, this post is named after a fact I read about this island: the Greeks once forced the island residents to grow olives only -- hence -- olive monoculture!

Hope to post some more and some photos soon! Ciao!

Off to Greece!

We're sitting in the Birmingham Airport getting ready to board our flight to Greece via Cincinnati and Athens. I tried to figure out the calculations of how long this will actually take but it makes me tired just thinking about it. Luckily I have some good reading material -- Khalad Housseni's new book, and Elvis tell-all memoir and a book of travel essays by women. Will probably pick up an "UsWeekly" for good measure. I do hope to post while we are in Corfu, but still unsure of the Corfu Holiday Palace Hotel (yes real name) and its Internet access. If I am not posting I'm probably hanging out with some Brits who tend to take holiday there. Shane and I are predicting we are going to hang out with Hugh Laurie and George Michael (George Michael is my pick). In reality, Shane will probably befriend an Englishman who is obsessed with EPL soccer and they will discuss they Stratfordshire Rangers. You will find me at the beach taverna, being served uzo by Stavros and doing a reprise of "Mamma Mia!" and its salute to Greek island culture. Stay tuned bat fans ... we have a long trip ahead!

Alisa and Jeff's Wedding -- You Betcha!

I've just returned from my trek to Minnesota for Alisa and Jeff's wedding -- what a great time! I'm actually feeling a bit sad about having left the cozy Lutsen Resort where the festivities took place Lutsen Resort Web Link . The whole weekend was like summer camp minus the ice breakers and instead with alcohol.

I flew into Duluth, which has about two flights a day. They get really excited to see passengers arrive and there are a lot of "oh, yas" that go around. From there, I drove two hours north to Lutsen, driving past a ton of fantastic old signs for hotels and random carvings of bears, northern tiki and other random wilderness symbols. Slowly I lost cell phone reception and I knew I was in for an adventure.

That night we had pizza with the friends who had arrived. Though I only knew a few of Alisa's friends before the event, it was great to get to know a bunch better throughout the weekend. They are a group of creative, talented, funny and bold people and I can see why she loves them and they love her.

On Friday I ate secret recipe blueberry pancakes at the hotel. After a sad attempt to find a nail salon (apparently they aren't really into nail care up there) Laura, a sassy Alisa friend from Arizona, and I drove about 20 miles north to Grand Marais. We were told there was a "mall" there. That would be a bit of a stretch, but there were some lovely shops with moose-themed paraphanelia and the "Viking Hus," filled with genuinely creepy yet enchanted troll carvings, etc. The best stop was definitely the "World's Famous Donuts" shop. Here we are depicting the Nordic discovery of donuts, a beautiful moment in Norse mythology.

That day Alisa's friends got together for a luncheon, during which we helped her assemble flowers. Later that night we discovered nan arcade, completely with air hockey, which rocked my world.

On Saturday we woke for a morning yoga class. It was amazing to do the yoga with Lake Superior, which is really more like an ocean, right out the window, waves crashing on the rocks. After that was Alisa's Blessingway. A blessingway is a ceremony that marks a major transition in a woman's life, in which her female friends and relatives share their advice, wishes and memories of that individual. It was a truly moving ceremony.

But the most moving ceremony was that of Alisa and Jeff's wedding ceremony hours later. Jeff built the chuppa, which represents their new home. They wrote the ceremony themselves, and it was one of the most unique and beautiful I've attended. One of the best parts was when a number of their friends and family gave blessings in their native languages, including Chinese, Hebrew and Pashtoon (sp?). I have never seen Alisa more happy, and Jeff couldn't have been a prouder groom. It was amazing. Plus it was followed by a bonfire with S'Mores. That's pretty impressive. Congratulations you lovebirds!!!
For more photos, visit "Alisa and Jeff's Wedding" Album to the right.