The Perfect Gift

A friend of mine once told me that the only things in life that are worth collecting are experiences. She came to this idea after thieves had stolen all the valuables from her house twice in one year. She said that the only things nobody can take from you are your good memories and since that unpleasant year, she no longer wants any jewellery or expensive gifts to be given. She now collects good memories.

I really like this idea and found it to be very true. If you think back on life, there are very few physical things to remember that have made you happy. Most of our good memories are related to experiences.

So when I had a tough time deciding what to give to my husband as a birthday present, I remembered my friend’s new philosophy of life. Suddenly my task to find the perfect gift turned out to be very easy.

I discovered that there are many internet sites where you can buy an experience as a gift and the variety is wide. You can choose everything from SPA-days to hot air balloon rides. I decided to buy a supercar driving experience from a webpage called Buyagift  I could not decide whether to go for a Ferrari or Aston Martin and took them both. The gift voucher was sent to my home in a beautifully decorated box. I was really pleased! 

When the big day came I was so excited and could not wait for my husband to open the present. He was really surprised and very happy when he saw his gift. I was thrilled.

There are many locations where you can take your drive, and we booked a place in Surrey. It was quite a cold November day, but thankfully there was a nice cafe where we could buy hot drinks to keep ourselves warm. There were lots of men (and a few women) waiting for their turn to try out their favourite cars. They looked like children in a candy shop - so happy and so excited!

To begin the introduction was carried out, the rules were explained and there was a test run on the racing track.  And then the fun began! The first car that my husband drove was an Aston Martin. My husband is quite a tall man and he had a hard time trying to fit in to the car (there are limits to height and weight), but once in there, he enjoyed the ride enormously. The kids and I waited beside the track and although we tried to take photos, we failed absolutely because the car went past just too fast. He drove three circuits and then changed cars and drove another three in a Ferrari.

I haven’t seen my husband that happy in a long time! He said that it was the best gift he has ever had and the expression on his face showed his delight!

By Eva Unt

Visit the FOCUS website www.focus-info.org 

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let is Snow!

Leading up to Christmas, the weather in London was relatively mild.  Many people said that it didn’t feel like Christmas at all, but after living in London for 20 years, I know that Christmas being over doesn’t mean that winter is over!  So when the forecast came for a cold snap and snow last week, my sons’ excitement levels reached an all time high.  Of course their main preoccupation was whether or not school would be cancelled, so when the flurries started to fall on Friday, they were slightly disappointed that school wouldn’t be affected. But that didn’t prevent them from looking out of the window every few minutes to see how much was accumulating, and eventually venturing out to throw a few snowballs.  

London is not a city that gets a lot of snow, so the disruption from what seems to be a minor snowfall can be major.  But one of the wonderful things about the disruption is that it forces us all to slow down and to take a look at what is happening all around us.  The landscape of London changes so dramatically, even with just a light dusting of snow.  The parks and garden squares which are normally green are transformed into pristine fields of white and the branches of the many trees covered in a layer of snow are so beautiful.  The snow also dampens the sounds of the city and it becomes eerily silent; while the light changes too and there is a certain glow that can be seen in the reflection of the snow.  

Having grown up in the northeast of the United States, snow was a normal part of winter life and could last for months.  By the end of February I couldn’t stand the site of it any more and was desperate for the arrival of spring.  Here snowfall is such a rare event that I have learned to step back and appreciate the disruption as an opportunity to admire the beauty of London cloaked in a blanket of white.   

by Eva Stock

Visit the FOCUS website www.focus-info.org 

Applying to UK Universities

If you are struggling with 11+ or even nursery applications wait until your children have to apply to Uni! UCAS is the organisation responsible for managing applications to higher education courses in the UK, and their website has all the information parents and students need, but it is quite overwhelming.  

 

Did you know that there are nearly 50,000 possible courses to apply for? The traditional broad courses such as Biology can be broken into 45 different specific courses making the choice for selecting the right one very challenging. Moreover, you can study subjects that did not exist a few years ago: Band, Watersports Studies, Hair and Beauty Management just to name a few. So the first step is to identify the precise course to study and then understand where that course is offered. Each university will require different grades so it is very important to look into each course’s entry requirements. It is possible to apply to up to 5 universities and the same personal statement is submitted to all of them. The personal statement is a sort of CV that needs to show why the student wants to study that particular course and what he or she has done in the past years that is relevant for the choice. The school also submits a reference for the student which is generally confidential and carefully written. Unless the child decides to take a Gap Year, they usually apply with predicted grades that their teachers believe they are going to achieve at the A level or IB. 

Admission officers are looking, in addition to  a good academic level, for students highly motivated and passionate that would be a good fit for that school. Many of them like to interview candidates to have a better idea not only of their knowledge and skills but also of their thinking pattern and personality.

 

Even if your son or daughter does not want you to go with them, you should always accompany them as it is really inspiring to go to open days or interviews and see and feel the vibe of a university campus. For me, as the parent of a boy in a very British, strict and traditional school, it has been a real breath of fresh air to see the independence and freedom that university students have. I was also glad to have an excuse to visit some other UK cities like Newcastle and Manchester and see how different life if there compared to London. During these visits I have been lucky enough to meet many clever and witty professors and students and each time I wish I could go back to Uni!

By Alessandra Gnudi 

Visit the FOCUS website www.focus-info.org

A Greek New Year's Day

“When am I going to get the Vasilopita coin?” I shouted as my husband was making victory noises, hugging our guests and screaming “This is going to be my year!” as he was retrieving the Vasilopita coin from his half eaten piece of cake!!!

But before I continue - let me explain to you the ritual of this Greek tradition which I believe is one of the most beautiful and inspiring customs of the Greek Orthodox Church. It is so much fun that my kids stay up till midnight, despite how tired they may be, just to be part of this whole experience! Anticipation – Hope – Expectation - Joy, are only few words that can describe the emotions going around the room during the observance of Vasilopita...and all these...just for a cake!  

Vasilopita is a New Year's Day cake in Greece which contains a hidden coin which gives good luck to the receiver. It is made of a variety of doughs, depending on regional and family tradition. On New Year's Day families cut the Vasilopita to bless the house and bring good luck for the new year. This is usually done at midnight on New Year's Eve. A coin is hidden in the bread by slipping it into the dough before baking. At midnight the sign of the cross is etched with a knife across the cake. A piece of cake is sliced for each member of the family and any visitors present at the time, by order of age from oldest to youngest. Slices are also cut for various symbolic people or groups, depending on local and family tradition. They may include the Lord, St. Basil and other saints, the poor, the household, etc. In olden days, the coin often was a valuable one, such as a gold sovereign. Nowadays there is often a prearranged gift, money, or otherwise, to be given to the coin recipient.

The singing of the "Kalanta" (carol-type song) which are part of the Vasilopita Cutting in each home on New Year's/Saint Basil's Day follows. Everybody in the family sings!!!! The words stress the joy and excitement of the New Year which brings new opportunities and they ask Saint Basil to stay a while at their home, to partake of their meal and fellowship, and to grant them "good cheer".

So if you are in London in January and you didn’t have the chance to cut the Vasilopita on the 1st of the month and you would like to do so, these are a couple of places that you could visit:  
Macedonian Society of GreatBritain 
The Vasilopita will be followed by the Society's Annual General Meeting.
Date: Sunday 13 January 2013
Venue: St Sophia Greek Cathedral, Moscow Road, W2 4LQ 
 
Hellenic Centre  
Vasilopita and Greek Evening
Traditional New Year’s cake and an evening of Greek live music, dance and food! For further information and bookings call 020 7487 5060.
Date: Monday 21 January 2013
Venue: 16-18 Paddington Streett, W1U 5AS                                                                  

Although I didn’t win the coin this year....it doesn’t mean that you won’t!!!! I would like to wish you A Happy New Year and an exciting time here in London....Good Luck!!!!!!!


by Maria Alexopoulou

Visit the FOCUS website www.focus-info.org