We always know better! - Paula Manoli-Gray

A couple of weeks into this new diversion in Vergina, and I am still fuming.

For those not familiar with the area, the diversion is a result of the new big roundabout that has been constructed near the stadium/hospital. There used to be a quick way out of my area, but they blocked it off permanently as part of the new road system and have diverted us – literally 'around the houses' - until the new exit is completed by the end of the year.

Now, I am not an unreasonable person and I understand that diversions are necessary, but what I cannot accept is that 'they' would create a time-consuming diversion that will last for months and cause great inconvenience when 'they' could have finished the new exit first, before permanently closing off the old one.

Does that not seem logical? Or is there some really important reason why they decided to leave the new exit till last and divert people. If there is, I would like to know it, but I personally believe it is just a lack of sensible planning and a complete disregard for what it actually means for people in the area to have to take this diversion several times a day for months on end.

This is one of those situations when I think I could have planned it better than the experts, and let's face it, we have all felt this before! How many times have you seen something in Larnaca and thought to yourself 'who on earth thought this was a good idea?' Some of the mistakes beggar belief, and you just know that behind them is someone who was handsomely paid for their mess!

I don't want to belittle the professionals who plan for the town and make projects happen, as I am sure there are many who are experts and do the job well, but sometimes one has to wonder who the other half are and how they got their jobs.

But maybe it is too easy for us little citizens to sit back and point out all the mistakes without actually having the experience of making these kind of big decisions… Which is why I think that the municipal council should open itself up to suggestions and ideas from the public when it comes to making big decisions instead of hiring consultants and experts who often expensively fudge it up.

I bet there are many people in Larnaca who care enough to offer sensible, innovative and successful ideas – either based on experience abroad or just plain logic - and I can imagine Larnaca thriving with input from its citizens.

Imagine if the residents of Vergina were asked about the diversion, I am sure they would have come up with something far more logical and convenient. In the same way, I am sure the residents of Piale Pashia could have reminded the powers-that-be that they actually need somewhere to park. And it doesn't take an expert to work out that there are ways to stop our roads flooding at the slightest bit of rain.

Sometimes it's the people on the ground who live and breathe a town that truly know what's best for it, not the men in suits.

First appeared in The Cyprus Weekly, 03/10/14

COOP KIDS FESTIVAL

Information Tel: 22743156 October the 5th at 10:00 am Cyprus University | University Of Cyprus Kallipoleos 75 Leukosia, Cyprus 

Charity Children's Festival to offer Financial Support to "Love Wagon". Games, Music, Dancing in the Original Awaiting Festival for Children Organized by the Central Cooperative Bank.

HALLOWEEN IN WONDERLAND

On Saturday and Sunday October 25th & 26th at Cyherbia jump down the rabbit hole and enter the fun and games for all ages from 9 am till 5 pm.
Put on your Halloween costume and join us for a frightfully good time in the Herb Gardens, Maze and Woodland!
There will be quests, challenges, games, facepainting and competitions.
Oh, and pumpkins, bats and creepy crawlies.. in fact, you don't know what you'll find lurking behind the bushes on Halloween, so beware!
The activities will be ongoing all day, you can come any time you like, but don't be late or the Queen will have your head!
Last admission is 4 pm.

Entrance adults 5 euros, children aged 3 and up 3 euros. Under 3’free.
Entrance fee includes participation in games, a cup of witch’s brew and a prize for each child!

Special Halloween snacks will be available at the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party.

To join the party, please send a message on this event page, or email miranda@cyherbia.com or phone 99915443, stating which day you'll be coming and with how many, because cups of tea don't grow on trees you know! Or maybe they do...

CHILDREN’S Light Party 2014

Venue: Larnaka Community Church
Friday 31st October 4 til 6
Age 6 to 11
Cost: 2 Euro

Come and join us for a safe, positive alternative to Halloween…
The Light Party will be fast-moving with lots of fun and games, crafts, bible stories and drama.
If you have any queries please contact Karen Pekris 99596829

PLEASE BRING A PLATE OF PARTY FOOD!!

FANCY DRESS OPTIONAL BUT NO WITCHES, MASKS OR MONSTERS PLEASE!!

Spotlight On with Beata Pal-Christodoulou & Local Author Penelope Magoulianiti

Women, Motherhood & Independence

We all want to live a full life as attractive women, loving mothers and wives, as well as respected professionals at the same time, but we just need a bit of inspiration occasionally on how to carry on. Women in Larnaca will have the opportunity to learn some useful tips and strategies at the next Larnaca Parents Network’s monthly event from Penelope Magoulianiti, author and speaker, who uses her personal experiences as a roadmap for helping women and mothers – not only in Cyprus but internationally too – in finding their strengths and pursuing their dreams, while devoting time to their families. Beata Pal-Christodoulou, an LPN mum, talked to Penelope, author of the recently published book, Women, Motherhood & Independence – A guide to Financial Freedom, Confidence and Beauty after Childbirth (available both in English and Greek).

“I am excited about the opportunity to come to Larnaca, where I will talk about happiness and its importance in our lives. I will share reasons why happiness is crucial in everything we do, the causes why happiness makes us successful and present strategies to adopt it, not only for our own sake, but for the benefit of our children,” she explained.

“As working mothers we tend to forget how important it is to devote time to ourselves in order to relax and recharge. We tend to run around constantly, looking after everyone else, except for ourselves. At some point we end up being overwhelmed and feel frustrated, angry and unhappy. It is extremely important to pay attention to our needs too, because if we get sick, the precious people we try to protect will suffer with us,” she added.

Life lessons

Penelope emphasized that there is no secret in finding a balanced life, we just must be clear on what we really want from our lives and not how others would like us to be. Below are her three basic principles:


Rule # 1: “We must love and accept ourselves unconditionally. We must be confident with who we are and what we are capable of achieving. We must realize that we do not need permission from anyone to follow our dreams and it is perfectly right to want a better life and go after our dreams.

Having a family doesn’t necessarily mean you have to lock yourself into the house with your one and only priority being to look after your kids and spouse, unless this is the life you really want and makes you happy. If you want more than being a stay-at-home mom, then you must understand that it is perfectly all right and your kids will not hold it against you. Our kids observe us and learn from us through examples and not only through words, what we teach and explain to them”.


Rule # 2: “We must plan our days. We set priorities by writing down our ‘to do’ list and deciding on which ones we have to take immediate action on and which ones we ignore for now because they are not that important. We concentrate on the most important ones that bring us closer to the outcome we try to achieve, like closing a deal, finishing a project, learning another language, etc., whatever that might be.”


Rule # 3: “We ought to eliminate distractions, stop letting others determine our own agenda. When we check and reply to emails the minute they come in, then others determine our days. When we answer the phone the minute it beeps, then we let others determine our agenda. We should not check our email more than twice a day and certainly not first thing in the morning. Instead of being available all the time on the phone, we should direct our calls into a voice mail for a certain period of time with the intention of working without interruptions for around an hour. If you do not have distractions at all for ninety minutes, you are going to do a tremendous amount of work.”

The speaker: Penelope Magoulianiti

Penelope grew up in Liopetri, Famagusta with strict parents, who set boundaries and rules for her, nevertheless, she was a straight A student and involved in nearly every activity at school, eager to become a teacher and having the dream of getting out of the small society of her village and simply travel.

“My mother got married very young, so she made sure I didn’t fall in love from very young age, but she taught me how to have dreams instead, how to have a vision and how to go after my dreams with integrity and determination,” she said.

Penelope got a finance degree from the University of Manchester through distance learning, while working two jobs in Cyprus to enable her to pay her tuition fees. She worked for the same employer (Laiki Bank) for twenty years, out of which, six were in London. Throughout her banking career she gained experience through different positions. She ended her banking career as an investment banker and decided to resign after the events of March 2013 in Cyprus.

She is a mother of two, living in Limassol. She knows how challenging it can be sometimes to have a peaceful family life with career. The past years she has inspired many women by talking to them about her experiences and sharing the knowledge on how to create a fulfilling life.

When: Thursday, 16 October, 2014 - 8-9.30pm

Where: Apothikes, Larnaca

Signed copies of Penelope’s book will be available for purchase at the event

This is a Sponsored Event brought to you by Larnaca Parents Network