None of these photos have been Photoshopped. Greece is that good.
Before you arrive in Greece, they hose it down, and repaint everything.
Then they station thousands of men at three-foot intervals. These men wait for you to pass so they can tell you how lovely you are. You! With the gelato! Gorgeous. You! Near the novelty olive oils! You are beautiful. Beautiful!
And you are, of course. Because they sequester you at airport security to airbrush away your imperfections before you can enter the country. Such are the indignities one suffers for vacation photos like this.
In short, Greece is fictional.
Be glad I don’t have access to a slide projector and your phone number, because I have enough sunset photos to put the entire Flickr team into a coma.
I know many, many of you have Greece on your Mighty Life Lists, so in the next few weeks I’ll be offering ideas and urging you to go sooner than you otherwise might. Like tomorrow. How’s tomorrow for you?
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While you pack, we’ll talk about:
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Places I recommend,
The super cute things I stuffed in my carry on,
What Laura and Aubrey packed (bonus),
Athens street art,
Foods I tried,
What you should taste while you’re there,
How to make a comfort kit for plane rides,
And how Laura Mayes and I were almost killed trying to watch the sun rise over the Aegean.
That last bit changed the way I think about my life goals. Profoundly, in fact. We’ll talk.
Here’s where I thank Intel, who funded my trip to Greece. It’s been a privilege to be part of the enthusiastic, helpful Intel team, many of whom have made their own Mighty Life Lists in solidarity — Dave Veneski wants to ride the three hardest mountain stages of the Tour de France, Bryan Rhoads wants to make wine in Spain. Their support has inspired lots of you to make lists too — Jennifer wants to feed a giraffe, Liza (who’s mini-list is on her old site) wants to buy glasses with colored frames.
If you’ve made your own list, please email me (maggie [at] mightygirl [dotcom]) with the subject header Mighty Life List. Eventually, I’d like to link to all of your lists on Mighty Girl, so we can start working on our lives together. With purpose! And community! And so forth! It will be rad.
In the meantime, I have about five more dreams to accomplish in the next month, so things will be looking fairly surreal over here. Won’t you join me? Please pick something accomplishable to do the next month and commit to it in comments. Yes. Do it! And keep us posted.
Greece looks amazing! Adding to life list, fo sho.
Love the site, love the Greece posts, can’t wait to see the packing list.
I don’t have much of a list yet, but in the next month or so I will:
Run a 1/2 marathon
Travel to Egypt for 9 days
Both have been things I’ve wanted to do, both have taken a lot of preparation and sacrifice, both are going to be amazing. I hope.
Mighty List, I will here by create you, and then work on finishing you.
Oh my Greece is now number one on my travel wish list. It is beautiful! I can’t wait to see more from your trip. What an amazing experience for you!
My life list goal for the next month is to get my first tattoo. I have been wanting to get one to symbolize my journey to motherhood. After five years of trying, infertility, depression and a miracle pregnancy I now have the most amazing little boy.
The pictures are STUNNING and I am loving, loving, loooooving every minute of this! Go, you!
I’ve never commented on your blog but this time I just have to. You know why? Because while I spend my days looking at all the wonderful stuff and places you Americans take for granted I rarely come across a post when I think: “Greece on travel wish list? Why didn’t they just go sooner?” Oh right! Is it because you aren’t just an hour flight away? He he sorry, I never get to “rub it in anyone’s face”, but this time I just have to. Yep, been to Greece 4 times already and I’m only 23. Maybe my part of the world isn’t that bad after all.
I had an idea for a web site in 2007. I’ve thought about the idea a lot, but been too scared to follow through.
Last week I talked to a designer. This month I will commit to making it happen.
http://robyndevine.typepad.com/devine-life/100-things-to-do-in-my-lifetime.html
that’s my mighty list.
and there’s not one thing on there i can accomplish completely in one month’s time, but in the spirit of your challenge, i challenge myself to knit 15 hats for my One Hundred Hats project (#36 on my list) – i’m just 5 hats in, so doing 15 in a month will do wonders for the goal, for the project in general, and for my yarn stash!
thanks Maggie, for inspiring me to do great things!
I’m going to run in a 10k in October. Me! Who doesn’t run even when chased. 4 more weeks of training. Next: mini marathon!
Please post your comfort kits for plane rides ASAP, as I’m leaving for a 2 week vacation to Thailand and China on Sunday. :) Many thanks!
Greece looks amazing! I’m moving to Madrid next week and I have to admit, it’s partly due to your Life List. So muchas gracias, Maggie!
My goal is not to cry on the 14-hour plane ride. (I’m VERY interested in this comfort kit of yours!)
Other things to do next month include seeing “Guernica” and visiting El Retiro Park.
I’m going to get help. I’m going to go talk to someone who isn’t my mother, my sister, sister-in-law, or a friend, about my issues, and I’m going to try and finally deal with them. So I can get past it all to the rest of my life, and the rest of my list. I’ve been treading water for too long.
Check out my life list…that I created because of you and your life list!
1. Sky Dive
2. Run more than 3 miles ( hard for me)
3. Build/grow a succulent wall
4. Take more classes in ceramics, working/living “green” , cooking, and more
5. Continue to see live music…always.
6. Give back more….get involved with more charities
7. Travel, Travel, Travel, and Travel
8. Instill the great values (Seize the Day, Do the right thing, treat other as you would like to be treated, etc )I learned from my family to my kids (hopefully!) and those who surround me in life
9. Start my own business
10. Continue and maintain my amazing friendships…until all of us are old and grey
Would love suggestions on the sky diving and take more classes items!
I went to New York City for my 40th birthday, 11 days ago. It was number 44 on my Life List. 40 is feeling pretty powerful. I love it!
I am going to make my apartment my home. Something nice and comforting, big fall sweater like, to return to each day.
I can do that.
I so badly want to come up with something clever to say, but all I can genuinely must is “Wow” and “I’m so jealous” and “I wish Intel loved me like they love you.”
“Muster” … that’s “muster” … not “must.” Sorry. Too busy daydreaming about going to Greece someday. (Sadly, not tomorrow.)
I made a life list back in 1980 or so (before they were called Life Lists), and so proceded to cross off skydiving, tap dance lessons, extended backpacking trip, French language lessons, guitar lessons, complete my BA, swimming lessons. My task for your challenge for the next month will be to come up a new list! Ready, set, GO!
Your list is so thrilling it kind of frightens me. I mean, I have a list deep down inside, but it’s so easy to put it off. For the days when I have more time and money.
Are those days coming soon ? Because if not, I might have to swim to Greece tomorrow. And it will be worth it.
In the next month, I cut off eleven inches of my “security blanket” hair and donate it to Locks of Love.
How divine Maggie! Love the pictures.
In the next month I’m going to buy my first house (oh my dear goodness, really!) and since that one is kind of a fluke (I’ve been working on that for awhile) I’m going to really go out on a limb and get a henna tattoo! Crazy I know.
I’ve posted the link to mine (first 50) before, but here it is again and will email it, too: http://queenofbirds.wordpress.com/mighty-life-list/
This month I hope to do 100 pushups. and the month after that, catch and release on a trapeze.
love the photos, keep them coming:)
i think your final thing for intel should be the bubbles on the golden gate bridge. invite all of your audience to join you.
Also, I’m a little distressed about you being almost killed on the Aegean. Curious about that story, for sure.
I have a bunch of things on my life list, but in the next month, I’ll
Sew Roman shades for all the upstairs windows.
It’s part of a larger decorating project…three Amy Butler fabrics, 2 (out of 3) rooms painted to match the fabrics, switch-plate covers, lamp shades, bedskirt, etc to match…but the curtains are really becoming necessary. My mom has threatened not to visit until there is some privacy in my house.
Oops…sorry for bad link. Here’s my lifelist:
http://dakotagrrl.weebly.com/my-mighty-life-list.html
#37 is to read texts from all of the major world traditions, so this month I’ll be reading the Mahabharata.
I want to live in Paris some day, but first I must learn French. My first class starts two weeks from tomorrow.
Thank you, Maggie; you’ve helped light a fire.
I have always wanted to go to Greece, and this desire has only been strengthened looking 1.) at your pictures and 2.) the scenery in Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. (What? You know you watched it.)
Also, yesterday I got a tattoo. HOLLA!
that picture of you in the black dress is stunning. you have amazing hair. i am now going to put “have good hair” on my life list.
Dear Maggie: You ARE the Mighty Girl!! Time in Greece in now on my list.
STUNNING pictures, MG ;D Looks beautiful.
Finally follow through with ballet lessons for my begging tomboy, art lessons for my other daughter and time at the gym for me.
Exercise. That’s it – not timing or difficult – just exercise. Can’t really disappoint myself that way right.
ahh, these pics are killing me – i want to go baaaaack! i studied abroad in greece almost 9 years ago, and yup, it’s pretty much impossible to take a bad picture there. the light is magic or something.
in 3 weeks i can cross one off my list – i’m shaking things up and moving cross-country to san fran. wheeee!
I love your mighty life list. It’s really inspired me to get moving and be more actively engaged in my own life. Thanks for the inspiration.
I commit to getting closer to being able to run that half marathon (#7) by running more frequently this month.
I’m going to do #12 on my list: throw a terrific party at my house.
The list to-date is at my blog: http://sassafrasmama.blogspot.com/2009/07/life-list.html
Thanks for the inspirtation Maggie.
those men … are correct!
I have a list of 101 Things to do in 1001 Days.
http://positivelyanna.blogspot.com/2009/03/101-things-in-1001-days.html
I think this month I’m going to work on #59. Plant herbs and use them to cook
Love your Mighty List and thank you for the inspiration.
You are so inspiring. Lately I’ve been feeling blah about getting older and not feeling like I’m accomplishing anything. This is just the kick I need to just get out there and do it already! I am working on my list now, and I am choosing this one to do in the next month: make a doll for my daughter. This is a challenge because I only recently learned how to use a sewing machine, but I know I can do it!
OK, I am working on my mightylist and sending it to you! (goal #1)You are inspiring Maggie! Getting to Greece and Cyrprus in on the list.
Also, I will have my kitchen re-painted and new floor put in, so my kitchen will be happy, and not its current shade of SAD, this winter. (goal #2)
Hi Maggie,
I wanted to let Jen know she can do her #54 in Colorado Springs at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. http://www.cmzoo.org/
However, in order to post, I had to register and give my birthdate and blah, blah, blah. I gave up.
Hope she reads your comments!
Next month I plan to go camping alone. Well, not totally alone, but I will be sleeping in a tent by myself.
on my list too…write now I cannot even move from one apartment to another…I am in a funk…but very happy is living my life….cannot wait to hear your suggestions…
Delurking to say that in the first pic you look like the ballerina in the Tin Solider story- y’know, just one leg. Love it.
Can’t wait to read the packing lists… and my goal for this month is to make a mini-book for my husband… been wanting to for a long time… stare at the cool papers waiting for me… just haven’t DONE it – so thanks for the inspiration!
LOVE that last picture of you, Maggie – the sandals are awesome!!
I am so going to make my own sourdough, which is on my list and is totally doable. I need to write the list down, though. Greece is on it, high up there, with Paris and someplace with coconuts growing on trees and also with monkeys.
I love, love your blog. Thank you for inspiring all of us to go for those dreams! The only two things that I would like to accomplish month? Make some pita bread and spend some quality time…alone.
I am another person that you have inspired to reach for the stars. I am starting my own life list which I know a ton of other people have done because of you. The first entry on my life list: “Take a pottery class.” I have a feeling this list will change my life. Thanks Maggie.
Is it cheating if I am going to do two in my list, but they’ve been planned since May?
I’m going to present at a conference at Mansfield College, Oxford University and see Stonehenge. I leave on Saturday!
Hey, Maggie, how much longer are you there? I’m almost serious. And you thought you were joking when you said to start packing!
Incidentally, you should have a Mighty Girl convention for the Bubbles off the Golden Gate. Let us know so we can all start planning!
I agree with cousin Colleen! I want to do the bubbles!
YOU LOST A LEG!?
Hi Maggie,
Long time lurker. I’ve been to Greece and it is just as fictional as you say. For my life list goal for this month, I’m getting married next weekend! I’m so excited and hope you post the info on the comfort kit for plane rides with enough time for me to grab the things for our trip to Italy.
We’re planning on starting a family in a year or so and I found your site through Momversation doing “research.” I can’t tell you how funny and inspiring I find your site. Thank you!
Did you get to Nafplio while you were there? Nafplio = HEAVEN.
in the next month, i will cross number 69 off my list, which is to paint and make curtains for our guest room. and this isn’t on the list, but every thursday, i’m going to bake something new and bring it into work. shared pie=better community.
I love this. My husband and I made a pact to “be intentional”, no more wasted moments. Thiis month I am going to finally do what I was born to do. I can’t wait to see where you go next.
Yes. Here is mine. http://www.wanty.co.uk/2009/09/life-list.html
And from it I commit to no 6, for the next month I will listen to music every day.
the blood sugar issues resolvement is still under way for the month but here’s one that I didn’t think would happen for another year – my Number 65.
http://www.jodimichelle.com/2009/09/15/sixty-five-life-list/
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