Back to the AIR

Flight trip as a milestone. The very first flight after the world has just recovered from COV-19. Recently there is another sad thing that the world had to deal with: the war between Russia and Ukraine, but for now I do not intend to go into details about it (many Ukranien were on board to Billund).

Milestone, just like the Tunisian one many years ago which was my very first flight in two with my 4-year-old Dominik. From different point of view, but it felt a little bit same. I hardly wanted to believe that now I can travel by air - on one hand after 4 years and on other hand without any restriction. Neither vaccination certificate nor negative tests were required. Huge hurray to Denmark that the country returned to the life before the virus arose.

The primary aim of this flight was to let my godmother know how it feels in the air. At her age of 60, my present was a flight trip for her because she always said she does not want to die without trying sitting on an airplane, above the clouds. At that time, Nolen was too young to leave here, then the virus came, so we had no chance to fly but now we did. I decided to make her dream come true. Good timing, I'm off work. Not a big issue for me but a lifelong experience for her.

Everything went smooth, too smooth. She sat right next to window there and back and hardly could get enough of the high-altitude perspective. She also could experience a couple of brand new things.

She is very very thankful for me, and I am very very thankful to Zoli. He helped us a lot to carry out this nice trip and to make it unforgettable. Compliant, obliging, generous, caring and I could further enumarate his kind attitude. He also let us in his workplace; a feather duvet factory. Extra special experience for my godmother who also worked in the industry for many years. That Thursday night at Zoli surely remains memorable from the creepy movie of 'Quite place' and 'pizzasalat'. 

As usual, Zoli lend me his car, more exactly his swapped car because he even thought of our comfort and got a 5-door one instead of his 3-door one. I really appreciate his trust in me. And I'm really proud of him, how he made his life in Denmark many years ago and how he managed to adopt the Danish lifestyle.

The main thing was flying but of course, we could not go home without visiting one or two places. Or three... This time we went North, to Aarhus, among the oldest cities and second largest in Denmark. The harbour is a major attraction in itself with iconic buildings. In recent years, Aarhus has experienced a large demand in housing and offices, spurring a construction boom in some parts of the city. Anyway, I could summarize the whole country with the following three words: culture, nature, architecture. Culture, under which I mainly mean the kind habitude of the Danish people with a smile; under nature I mean they try to preserve the nature (and the bees) and are pioneers in green thinking. 

A little bit more about architecture which mostly amazed me this time. Danish architecture traces its roots to Viking military encampments. These constructions are ramarkable for their circular ramparts. Ironically, the most famous example of Danish architecture is not in Denmark - it's in Australia, the Opera House in Sydney. The Danish contemporary architecture is known for its focus on people; prioritises natural light, sustainable energy systems and a comfortable environment for the people using the building, either for working or living. 

We visited Moesgaard Museum that has three Michelin stars in the Michelin attraction's guide. It presents the past in a magnificent architectural setting that makes for a world-class museum experience. I also wanted to see another architectonic gemstone, the Iceberg, which is a unique apartment building constructed in a way that provides optimum sea view.

So Denmark is Denmark. Not in vain the second happiest country of the world. As they say, not second but the first.

January - not a grey one

The first month out of the twelve is usually tend to be so simple and event free right after the most festive period of the year. But not the 2022 one. This year it is a little bit stressful, rich in turns.

Career choice for Dominik and career change for me.

Dominik had to name those high schools where he wants to start his studies from September, after finishing the elementary school. His main orientation is languages (and computer science). First English and then Italian, Spanish or even Japanese. All school-leaver students had to write a central examination in Maths and Hungarian grammar and literature. Most of the secondary schools count with the credits of the previous year end and this year's semiannual marks of different subjects. In addition to this, the result of the central examination will be added and there will be a personal oral interview in the preferred school in February.

As for me, after 10+ enjoyable years I decided to leave my much-loved workplace. I was forced to make it happen. Probably, it was high time. Actually, the reason is not work-related at all and was originated in the past, 10 years ago. This sticky situation was handled with success then and this time I leave it as it is and I rather moved forward. To tell you the truth, I lived through all emotional stages which pertain to such milestone. Once starting playing with the idea of quitting, the initial huffiness, negligence started to spread, then the feeling of no matter - never mind, later driving myself into a corner if I really want this or not, then became everything clear and after signing the termination of my work contract I felt relieved then a little bit of desperation came but all the while I tried to be aware of the value I present. Everything happened so fast (as usually in my life ha-ha) and exactly on the way I truly desired, so no complaints. I get my salary for three months as dismissal pay, and after 10+ years of labour relation on the same place 55 days of notice period go with, that my boss is intend to reduce upon my request and additionally I'm dispensed from work during the notice period. So I proudly present that I arrived at the phase of enjoying my worklessness! Everything happenned as I planned. The last question of my boss was 'May I call you in 1-1,5 years later if I need someone for the role of managing director?' This is not a very long period and who knows where I will be then. But this is definitely honourable. So now I'm searching for a new workplace, going for personal and online interviews, get to know new companies and corporate cultures. This is exactly what I planned to do before my return to DEXON at the last stage of the maternity leave but has been canceled then. I believe that everything is good as it is and everything happens as it needs to. 

 

Looking back 2021

The year of 2021 was an ordinary one. In these viral days, it absolutely can be qualified as a good year. For me, 2021 had two well isolable parts. The first part was dedicated to the last months of my last maternity leave. I enjoyed the full summer spent at home with the kids. In the meantime, I busily prepared for my final exam to complete the master's degree programme and get the qualification of economist in marketing.

And then, as a second part I returned to my workplace in September, after Nolen started the nursery. First year in the nursery, last year in the elementary school and last semester at the university - all in 2021.

We kept on hiking and cycling in 2021 as well. This is what we find pleasure in and energizes us. Sometimes we keep traditions, sometimes create. As for me, I have a couple of habits that I never want to give up. Those habits that I do daily, weekly, regularly such as morning gym, greeting the sunrise from the hill, healthy lifestyle, home-made dishes, etc... We also have events that we repeat in every year such as holiday in the countryside together with my sister and our four kids, hiking in Mátra, canoeing in Szigetköz and sleeping in tent, Balaton-round, grape harvest, Halloween, etc... My mom, sister and me tried to organize more girlish programmes and spent more time together, without kids.   

This year, we have a couple of wide family gathering. Bálint left the elementary school, Vanessza and Levente turned 18, Botond turned 20...

Some of our loved ones' relatives left this life that we also bore hard.

Vaccinated or non-vaccinated distinction still ongoing but may eased slightly. Known experiences with vaccination is mixed but mainly under my expectations. Where are we at the end of 2021? Some at the third round of vaccination, over covid, delta variant and at the beginning of omikron... 

 

Nolen & the Nursery

A year ago, we tasted the day care with Nolen. It was my decision. At that time I was still on maternity leave and did the university. My plan was to leave Nolen at the day care on only three days a week and only till lunch. I thought of it as a morning activity for him, possibility of playing with children at the same age, a kind of preparation for the nursery, and a kind of strategy of getting over the usual group illnesses.

We did the very first two weeks. So we were over the very first critical days. With cry from both side, of course. He did his job dutifully, went to the bathroom upon arrival, in the midst of crying. I also cried when I closed the door behind me. Then feelings came day by day. Seeing those mothers with little kids in the supermarket, on the street I started to envy them and asked myself why my little one is not with me? It is not compulsory at all to make him to attend the day care. That government institution did not give as much as it stole. Mornings began uneath. It was always too early to get up, he always told me he doesn't want to go there. Although, the nannies praised him and said that he managed to accomodate himself successfully. The enjoyable part was just began... We already had the decision to finish the day care on the same day when we got the message due to Covid that only those parents are suggested to bring their children for whom the day care is the most wanted. So we cancelled without hesitation. My heart was broken knowing that Nolen has to survive the 2 worst weeks of the adaption period. And I had the fear about its effect for the nursery one year later.

I think we managed to make a good marketing for the nursery. He eagerly expected to attend. On the very first day, I sent him with his father, therefore they managed to handle the whole thing with sufficiently coolness. On the third day, he did not cry at all. There are mornings, less often, when he struggles with his tears but no, he doesn't cry. But he almost every morning asks me: are you sure you are not going to stay, Mom? He made friends with most of the children and sometimes we hear from other parents that Nolen is an often mentioned name at home. Regular question in the car on the way to the nursery: shall I sleep there? Friday is his half-day when he leaves after lunch. He politely says hi to all of the staff by name, and I never asked him to do so. Another morning seance is the waving from the window. Sometimes I'm still standing and change a few words with the kindergarten teacher at the door. Entering the room, he immediately runs to the window, lift up the curtain to get through and wait for me to wave. When we are on the way, eg. from my parents' house to our house, or we are going home from shopping, he always wants to choose the way that drives in front of the nursery. His sign is the flag. Since he is aware of it, he looks for and discover all the flags in any situation everywhere we are going and even happily realizes the red-white-green Hungarian flag on each product in any position and any size.

Yes! He did it. I'm very proud of him.