All is not lost that is delayed

High time to give some signs of life. So, we’re alive and some joyful events are behind us like Valentine’s Day, Mardi Gras, two birthdays, a nameday and a country visitation.
Mardi Gras Season (”Farsang” in Hungarian) is the time of costume balls and masquerades. This period lasts from Epiphany (6th January) to Ash Wednesday and these cheerful feasts are for saying good-bye to the cold weather. Dominik had two opportunities to put on and have fun in his cowboy costume. Though, we cannot say he particularly liked it. The most famous carnival in Hungary is the ”Busójárás” in Mohács when local people dress in quite awful characteristic furry costumes. They make noise with different things to frighten away the winter. This tradition is originate in a legend that is about forcing out the Turks from the country under favour of the night in this way (awfully, noisily).
There is nothing worth mentioning at labour front. Meanwhile, I check up and refresh my knowledge as regard job-hunting (CV, AC) with taking part in trainings, interactive presentations, CV-consultancy, mock interviews. These are preparation days for jobseekers organized by one of the most famous university of Budapest. What’s more, I want to take part in a course from next month. Webpage creating. I’m interested in it and can take it to our profit in case of an own enterprise. In addition I started to refresh my knowledge of German on my own at home. I realized that I haven’t say any word many years since and I was in trouble when I had to have a conversation in German within the frame of a job interview. Otherwise, I like obtaining an insight into the companies on the occasion of the interviews. I can get admittance into places where I wouldn’t have possibility to get into anyway. Being familiar with different workplaces and insight into the characters of them is a great thing and can be useful in the future at the same time.
I bought my season ticket in the nearby leisure center, brought out the bicycle from the garage and I face the spring. So, I don’t laze, I try to turn this awkward situation to my advantage. :-)

Job Labyrinth

At the end of the year it seemed to me that I was a winner as regard job-hunting. Now, I feel myself like a loser. I found the job of my (present) dreams and I was employed promptly. It was a striking, highly effective, fast decision by the company. ”We make decisions in this way and you’re expected to act in the same way in return.” I was surprised but happy and knew that I’m their person. Meanwhile, it came to light that I’m still on the payroll at my previous workplace. I didn’t think of it because it’s being liquidated for years. I got in touch with the liquidating company. I needed to announce my purpose to work to my previous employer so that they could give me the sack (because of the liquidation) and I would be entitled to the sum paid as compensation for dismissal. (I wouldn’t had been entitled in case of mutual agreement or of giving my employer notice.) In this way the process is slower but much more profitable. It wasn’t a question which one to choose. I couldn’t work during the period of notice or at least till I got my documents from the liquidator. One of my eyes laughed, the other cried. I was completely ready to work but thought at the same time that was the best thing could happened. I was busy with Christmas and could arrange everything that a magical Christmas requires – in the belief that I had my workplace from January. Or rather, correcting myself, I wasn’t entirely easy about it because we took leave of each other (in the midst of great regrets) with this: they kept on finding a person for the position because it was quite urgent to fill it. In case of finding no suitable one, I got it from January. I hoped they couldn’t find a new person in a month like December. Everything turned out as I expected. Or rather ALMOST everything. The post is still vacant. The contact person said that they return to personnel questions in February and he couldn’t say anything encouraging. Why? What happened? They didn't let me in on the secret. Promising situation! To wait or to find another job? Well, what is done is done, I think I keep on looking for the perfect job that fits in perfectly with family life. I believe that if my lot in life is to have this position, I won’t miss it. Fate can decide otherwise and that’s the taste of life, who knows what the future has in store for us?!

Botticelli to Titian

On the last day of 2009 Krisz and me visited the large-scale exhibition in the Museum of Fine Arts which shows two centuries of Italian masterpieces. The 130 paintings on show represent the art of over 80 masters, among whom are Leonardo, Giorgione, Raphael, Veronese and Tintoretto on loan to the Museum of Fine Arts from over 50 museums worldwide including the Uffizi in Florence, the Louvre in Paris, the national galleries of London and Washington, the Metropolitan Museum in New York, the Galleria Borghese in Rome and the Prado in Madrid.
We did this especially on the grounds of the fact that Krisz is one of the masters of the exhibition as he printed the art-publication of the exhibition at the specially request of the customer. It’s a thick book of 450 pages and in its case quality was the most important by far as what we are talking about is painting. That’s why I said that he is an artist as well.
We had the opportunity to see one of the most famous and valuable paintings in the world, the emblematic Lady with an Ermine by Leonardo da Vinci and other works that are sensation in themselves. My favourite painting was Fra Bartolomeo Della Porta – Saint Family at Rest because there is a little but important part of it that only a careful eye can discover (or a mother).

I wish everyone to have confidence about the future and have decided prospects for going on and follow your hearts.

(As a matter of curiosity: my phone number is quite correct --> the last four number is 2010.)

Between Holidays

It’s not easy to slow down back from the excitement of the preparations to the peaceful calmness of the Holy Holiday.

This Christmas was the absolutely most enjoyable one for our little son. I hardly believe that this one was the third Christmas with him. Even now, he plays with his newest toys with the greatest pleasure until late evening. This year’s handcraft was the big heart-shaped gingerbread stitched with silk stripes with a Dominik-photo in the middle. It was perfect present for everyone. Even for the mistresses in the infants’ nursery. There was a little Betlehem play by the children which was about the birth of Jesus then collective singing, children and parents together attended by piano and guitar (I would have taken my flute with myself). Sincere children’s mouth made the audience laugh several times.
Other big bang was my mother’s cake which is called beigli-cake. It’s a combination of the traditional poppy-seed and walnut strudel in a cake. Perfect for those who likes both. Staying by my mother, her magnificent decoration meet with the greatest success. I really liked the decoration in the windows, on the doors, on the banister, the festive board with the luminous runner in the middle and the real surprise were the elegant cover seats and the angel wings especially for the only grandchild.
Holy Afternoon at my mother-in-law’s place, Holy Evening at my mother’s place, first day of Christmas at our house, second day of Christmas at my sister’s place as usual. Variegation and lavishness were the characteristics of our Xmas menu. It was French onion soup served in toasted rye cobs with cheesy dollars then stuffed chicken breast filet with fungous sauce beside ”princess potato” and stewed cauliflower as a garnish (this course mainly for female members) and roast pork with braised red cabbage (mainly for male members) and cheese in breadcrumbs with tartar sauce (mainly for my sister) and salad, cabbage salad… Dessert was my orange cake that was made previous night till 2 AM. What a pity that the snow melted by Christmas Eve.

29 in the light of the fourth candle

Mikulás arrived in the light of the second candle

I wouldn’t have thought that Dominik adapt himself to the new situation (bölcsőde/”school”) so easy. Like a duck to water. The first days were cruel but nicely at the same time so far as a training into a new community can be. This is a process for the mother, too. He asked me every morning if I left him. Till this morning. The question has changed today. ”When will you pick me up?” he asked. I’m incredibly proud of him and I love him too much for words.
Dark days seemed as if turned into bright days (it turned out that I’m entitled to a huge amount of severance pay from my previous workplace through the liquidator company) as long as we became aware of an another bereavement. We layed my father’s sister’s husband (60) to rest last week in the country. It was a simple civil ceremony but so much the more touching.
As regard Mikulás and his presents, I hope sweetie poisoning may not exist…

In the light of the first candle

I add success after success on LABOUR MARKET. I’m not just planning but I’m taking decisive measures for the REAL RETURN – contrary to the original plan to which according I would have to be a pregnant one month old.
In Hungary, women are quite privileged to stay home with their children for 3 years. God knows that I wanted, really wanted to stay. Spending the time being with your child can be never enough and nobody can pay such a huge amount that compensate the absence of each other. My decision is not the source of the conflicts with Krisz but the result of it.
Dominik attends a day care center (it’s called ”school” by the mother of the American little girl named Joy from Kansas). He started from November and I’m going to start from December. It seems that I found my dream job or my dream job found me. It’s in the near (Budaörs is the number one criterion for me so that I can get Dominik at any time, independent of traffic jams), good position, good salary and I’ll be able to use my management knowledge (and English!) that I picked up at the college. I took part in several interviews and I finally got three job opportunities almost at the same time that I really wanted to get. It’s a great homour for me. As a career-starter, it took much more time 5 years ago. Now, there are three positions within one or two weeks. Each company wanted me and I had the opportunity to choose. That’s something like success! Certainly, it would have been far better if it had happened after the second baby, according to the original plan. Unquestionably, it wouldn’t be wise act to rush into a new baby as long as private life is doubtful.
Advent season begins. Time to light the first candle.

Dark Days

A chain of depressing events close to me that clouded the days bygone. Two surgical interventions, a death, conflicts in private life, upset of family planning and others. I’m not sure where begin and how detail and if I wanted to live through the happenings again. We’d be on dangerous ground. I just mention in a few words because of the functionality of this blog that is inspired to exist as a diary in which there is place for good things so much as bad things.
First my godmother went under the knife with her heart and its blood vessels. Subsequent event was my mother’s operation. It was two big abdominal myomas that needed to remove. Both of them are hopefully over the hump, and I can just pray for them to be uncomplicated. While my mother stayed in hospital, I attended the obsequies of my kindest colleague’s husband (age: 64, diagnosis: lung cancer). I got to know just then and there that her daughter’s body partly became paralyzed. It’s said that it never rains but it pours.
To be continued…

Seasons of Change

You never know which day is the last warmest day of the season before autumn/winter. We tried to act as if each day was the last warmest one. (This reminds me of the initial sentence of a movie which says that this is the first day of the rest of your life.) So we weren’t inactive during indian summer either. To stop weediness at this time of the year is the most grateful task because it doesn’t grow again (at least till spring) or just very slowly. I like my chrysanthemums because they’re charming when other plants loose their beauty. Pelargoniums grew a lot but I’m not very satisfied with this type. It’s quite thin, not like my mother’s. However, she wasn’t satisfied with hers, they usually run over the fence by this time, but this time they don’t hide the fence either. The surprise of the season was the tomato plant that came up from previous year without any care before discovering it. By now, it teemed several kilos king-sized tomato.
Unfortunately, we left off cycling because of the wet chilly weather. We used it the whole summer and was a good choice in many respects such as economy, environmental protection, physical exercise, shape forming, getting tanned…
Meanwhile, Dominik’s great-grandmother (on Krisz’s side) turned 85. We congratulate Dédi! Cordially.

Füles Mackó: A hegedűművész --- for Dominik (and for Gábor)

Weekdays and Playgrounds

I became an English teacher! Nowadays preparations for lessons keep me well employed. This isn’t my new job, this is a favour for family members. My pupils are my sister and her husband and Krisz. Ancsa’s aim: medium state degree that is neccessary in order to get her diplom. The boys’ aim: speaking and understanding English. I want them to take an exam, too. All of them met the language previously (I mean as a curriculum) but they all needed to refresh their knowledge, so we started from the very beginning. To tell you the truth, I wouldn’t have thought that a teacher’s life can be so complecated. Preparing for the lessons requires so much time. Theory, practice, homework, the proper structure of a teaching period, to grab the attention with various examples, questioning, nothing can escape my attention. The most important thing is to check myself continuously in order to give no disinformation. Consequently, a teacher’s job involves many responsibilities. It’s a good practice for me, too. Otherwise practice makes perfect. I enjoy.
Developing the thought and staying at the theme of work, I’d like to mention that I found a new job that is much more closer to me than credit affairs. It’s catering, party service. Why is it perfect for me at this time? It’s casual work and I’ve been payed on the nail. On the other hand I like it because of its diversity – changing places, changing people, changing occasions (conferences, birthday parties, weddings, outdoor programs). You misunderstand me dear reader if you think that I want work whatever happens. I just want to complete the family cashier, being away from my son the less time possible.
We tested as many playgrounds as we could this summer. The absolute winner located in downtown, in Millenial Park. It’s fabulous, belongs to the world of fantasy with its fairy creatures. The elements are really smart, interesting and entertaining. Disadvantage is the crowd. On the 2nd place on the winner’s stand is the simpliest which is the only playground that suits Dominik’s size.

Visiting Angelika in Croatia

Aug 28 - Sept 2, 2009 Dubrovnik, Croatia

We could feel ourselves privileged because of the opportunity of spending a couple of days in Croatia’s most beautiful town at Angelika and Vlado’s place. I wouldn’t have thought that we meet the sea this summer for the second time.
Dubrovnik is a drive of about 1000 kms from Budapest, so it requires a whole day or a whole night drive. We travelled by car and tried both part of the day. Even the little one bore the long tour patiently. Dubrovnik (Italian, Ragusa) is a historic city on the East Adriatic coast in the extreme south of Dalmatia. It’s one of the top tourist destinations in the world and is nicknamed "Pearl of the Adriatic". This was our first time in Croatia in spite of the fact that it is the most famous recreation area for Hungarians because of its beautiness and nearness.
As regard meals, one day there was Croatian tasteword (tuna pate, shells, schrimps with wild rice) by Vlado; the following day there was Hungarian kitchen (palócleves made of potato, butter-bean, meat) by Krisz. Bravo guys, truly bravo! Next day but one we were in a restaurant in the harbour and tried seafood again including octopus salad, fish, potato with spinach, grilled vegetables. I think it would have been a mistake to miss it, just as well as this pleasant summer send-off. Thank you.

K. László Szilvia versei a hónapokról (részlet)

AUGUSZTUS

Új búzából sül a kenyér,
hú, de finom, ropogós,
Nyárbúcsúra készülődnek
az iskolás nebulók.
Augusztusi meleg napok
odébb viszik a nyarat,
De a sok szép, kedves emlék
még sokáig megmarad.

In the Middle of the Last Summer Month

August 8-9, 2009 Füzesgyarmat

We spent the whole weekend in the country – unfortunately without Krisz because he had a night shift on Friday and had to work on Sunday as well. Dominik had great fun with each member of the family and special thanks for Évi for babysitting and take care of him while staying there. He also enjoyed the company of his godparents who actually had the 1st wedding anniversary on Sunday. Pig sticking, horse show, bathing, sunbathing – we were rich in outdoor programs. Dominik used his motorcycle with pleasure all day long. Configuration of the soil are much more favourable than our hilly landscape. As it were a part of his body like my camera of mine.

The sand pit is ready! Grandpa fabricated it, father (and of course Dominik) layed the foundations. Really practical because its cover can be framed into seats. Sand-castles, sand-moulds, shovels, riddles make yourselves ready for playing!

As if Dominik found out my every secret wish. I wrote about potty training last time and since then, from the following day he uses W.C. regularly. At first, for just number one and a few days ago was a milestone, the first number two in the W.C.! I was so happy! I think we’re on the right track to clean habits. I wouldn’t have thought that it would happen quite soon. I’m very happy, it’s a real sense of achievement! And let me report that he also can „read”. He is able to recognize his name written on a paper and the word „Tesco” (saving shopping center) in any context, written on any product.

His ruling passion is boobs henceforward. No comment. Opinions differ.

What's new

Spectacles for Dominik! Poor sweet darling. Certainly, it’s not a tragedy but I feel sorrow for him because it’s just a disturbing factor BUT the sooner the better. How did it happen? How did it start? We realized that his eyes look sometimes inwards by turns. The eye-specialist said that we should had drop into his eyes for 3 days mornings and evenings so that the muscles of the eye would be entirely loose so that he could make certain the real reason of the convergent squint. The side effect of the drops is the mydriasis = it dilates the pupil like a drug which remains for one more week after the last drop. It worked well: the doctor measured much more dioptres like previously. This was the more difficult part of it – to keep him in and safeguard his eyes from too much light – but he is a smart little boy and understands everything that is explained what to do and WHY to do. Many times he said automatically that ”the sun is shining, we can’t go out because of my eyes” (süt a napocska, nem jó szememnek) and wore sunglasses without disagreement or he automatically put on when needed. So I think I felt worse of us two. But it’s over, the glasses stayed (as a birthday present) at least for 3 months, till the next medical examination. What is the problem? It’s a taint, a hereditary thing. His eyeballs are a little bit smaller than need, that is why the picture seen is created not in the suitable place of his brain, his eyes struggle. Aim: the reduction of the number of dioptres till zero. Anyway, he wears the spectacle heroically and tolerate very well. He looks like a wise guy with it, his face changed very much (for me).

After some education and after my one hundred and three – per cent – final exam I became a credit consultant/administrator, a link between creditors (merchant banks and banks) and borrowers. Flexible time-table, go-ahead, on comission, mainly collateral loans. Not the job of my dreams but can be a source of living (or rather salary supplement) in the world of credit in which we live in these days. I’m going to see my money after each successful loan disbursement. My first job is to find my client and to know his/her aims, to pick up information. Information about the credit (sum of credit, period, purpose, type of currency, istallments), about the object of the credit (how many people, age(s), earning(s), outstanding debts, checking the central registration of abbey liard), about the property (location, type, size, value, mortgage). After examining the creditability to choose the most suitable (or the only suitable) bank for him/her on the grounds of aims, facts, property as cover. To give information about the conditions of the credit, to collect the necessary client and property documents without loss, filling the necessary forms, signing the contract and make the bank receive and grant the credit.

Meanwhile, Dominik turned 2. (The train-cake is made by my mother.)
Things in which he shines: ”poetry recital”, knows and says at least 2 dozen verses shorter and longer as well, speaks well-worded, conjugates correctly, thinks along the right lines, dutiful, orderly, always behaves as ought, plays really fair, helps me in the kitchen (beating the eggs, mixing the ingredients) and in the bathroom (taking the dirty clothes into the washing machine, carrying the laundry basket, hanging out the wet clothes)…
Things in which he doesn’t shine: potty training (he tries the adult toilet sometimes with a constrictor or without it and shows more interest than in a pot). Is it a stereotype that girls become potty trained earlier and summer is the most suitable period to get rid of the diapers?

All children are wonderful, but the most wonderful one for us is our 2-year-old Dominik!