Kelsey the Greek

Anonymous While I have obviously not transformed into a Greek in the past two and a half weeks, I have been surrounded by a different culture day in and day out. I'd like to think that this culture has influenced me in a few ways and that hopefully I will be able to return home with some of these Greek characteristics.
In Zorba the Greek, the title character states that "A man needs a little madness, or else he never dares cut the rope and be free." This quote stuck with me and I think it helps put into words the way the appreciation for Greek culture. I'm a typical perfectionist who struggles with the idea of allowing any "madness" in my life; I like things to be neat and orderly. However, like Zorba suggests, this means that I will always be chained to that idea of perfection. One way of life that I have learned from the Greeks thus far is that there must be a balance in life between work and play. You can't always be pushing yourself toward perfection, or you will be chained up. Rather, remember the importance of your community and treasure the time you can spend with your friends.
I think another characteristic of Kelsey the Greek is that she's much more willing to try new things. While I still have my comfort foods (tiramisu or gelato, anyone?), I've been willing to branch out and to be slightly more adventurous with my food. I feel like this demonstrates a more laid back, go with the flow type of attitude that I admire about the Greeks. I would love to be able to incorporate this into more aspects of my life, but I'm afraid this part of Kelsey the Greek may be staying in Greece.
Overall, I think being so absorbed into a different country has really taught me a lot about myself: both the characteristics which I take pride in and those which I would like to change. I know that I cannot come back to America the same way as I left; I have learned too much from the Greeks for that to happen.