The shoe is now on the other foot

I can say that the last week was a determinant one, full of content. Some self-realization (Maslow 5), some acknowledgement (Maslow 4), some success, some self-satisfaction and a lot of experience. Experimentalism gives you self-confidence but there is need for some risk and some courage to gain them (not bad if you have encouragement as well). Big words but I was given pretty much all of them last week. Feelings that are worth being sensible of, words that are worth hearing, people who are well worth getting to know, who fill you up and give new blood to stand up and carry on. Moments to live for, that have burnt themselves into our mind. Let’s see the happenings.
MONDAY
Two job interviews in the afternoon (both through a head hunter company). The managing director recognized me on the basis of my CV at company X, because he worked with my previous company. Informal, friendly, well-succeeded conversation. He said that if I was still interested in the job, I gave them a call on Friday. I said that I could say right there and right then that I was interested in it, that’s why I was there. ”Who knows, you may get a not refuseable offer today, the offer of your dreams.”
The second interview of that day at company Y was an unexpectable success. The questioner was found out that I was over more job interviews because of my proper state of mind. That first turn was personally completed with the 2nd turn which was a great honour for me but didn’t lead me to jump to a conclusion.
THUESDAY
My first day at my new workplace at company Z. I was informed about my employment the previous Friday (no employment contract underwritten till then). Location: perfect (halfway between my parent’s house and the new nursery), working hours: perfect. Others are only for vegetating, for stagnation. It won’t be a challange. Profile and tasks are the very same as at my previous company, only in a smaller way. I have it at my fingertips. Do I want to do it or not? Am I ready for giving up certainty for uncertainty? It’s not a question.
WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY
Learning at company Z. I had to tell them my test-Friday at company Y. That announcement wasn’t received favourably and I was told that if I had more irons in the fire, they had too. They called for a girl to try by Friday. It’s correct. I had no kick coming.
FRIDAY
Trial day at company Y. Discussion of the course of the day in the morning. I was told what to do and how to do by the managing director because the trainee had a day off. Everything went smoothly, I was asked more times during the day whether everything was o.k. or if I had any question. By the way, the director gave evidence of great empathy, he tolerated my evening occupation and suggested to finish earlier.
I had a class reunion in that evening and I happen to organize it with one of my best friend from primary school. (We’ve said good-bye to the primary school 15 years ago.) Rushing home after work, quick telephone call for company X – just in time!, quick conversion, picking up the neccessary things, driving fast into the downtown to pick up one of my classmate and not forget buying some fruit (instead of home-made cakes) on the way of the class reunion. Everything was according to my plan, the evening was great, I was in a record-breaking form, I had a running brainstorm and was happy because I had a lot to speak about. Not just about wedding and child but about life and some life experience. Being on top of things makes you self-confidence. I could speak on and raise subjects, added my remarks, could start the ball rolling so that that event could be more special and remarkable. Last but not least, thank god my memory didn’t failed me (till then). Going to bed at around midnight. Oh my God, I forgot to call company Z! No matter, if it had been so important, I wouldn’t had forgotten.
SATURDAY & SUNDAY
I spent the whole weekend (2*7 hours) at Hungaroring with the caterer company with whom I work occasionally, you know. Two days on the island of calmness. And innumerable quantity of Ferrari. I have never seen such a lot racing car of high value in the same place. The famous Ferrari Team spent a couple of days in Budapest within the frame of the event called Gran Turismo Budapest 2010 and tested the Hungarian speed track just for fun. (Hungaroring is kept its place amongst the most prestigious race locations all over the world.) We provided lunch for them while staying at Hungaroring. I learnt an Italian sentence there: „Sappiamo tutto sulla tua carriera.” = I know everything about your carreer. My third (fourth) language would be the Italian, I think.
On Saturday evening Dominik has his first quite serious accident. He hurt his chin while he was dancing with Mickey Mouse. I got frightened at the sight of the flowing blood but it was needless to sew the wound.

Three is the right number, One given in addition / Három a magyar igazság, Egy a ráadás

I can’t say that nothing happens on labour market with me.
Feeding with promises, false illusions that lead you to believe that you find your job. For the third time. I hardly believe. But I’m optimist and not disappointed at all. I just draw the conclusions of my negative experiences and know exactly since then:

 Don’t swallow everything.
 Be much more careful and sceptical. Act circumspectly.
 Feel the weight of the situation but stay cool.
 Don’t trust the employer’s word (even if he says that you’re the newly employed) until he puts into writing and you sign the contract of employment.

Reviewing

First Swindle: company A made me to give my employer’s notice to my previous workplace and by the end of the notice period they didn’t need me any more. Obscureness, unthoughtful HR strategy. The whole story was detailed earlier.
Second Swindle: the procedure of the choice was through a head hunter. It was a great honour to hear the words of the questioner: "In my opinion, you should stop looking for another job. You fit in our team well." Of course, I didn’t take this statement for granted learning from Swindle One, and I didn’t enter into the spirit of a winner. Thank God, because the following day they called me to announce the final decision according to which I was not the chosen person.
Third Swindle: trial day at company C, thrill of joy (in moderation), discussion of the scope of activities but frozen athmosphere. The girl, who quit her job and would had made place for me, had irrelevant, unfriendly behaviour and gave me the cold shoulder. By the end of the day she changed her mind about her notice. They didn’t need me any more.

Mother's Day Twice

Anyukám, anyukám, találd ki,
Hogy az én nagy kincsem ugyan ki?
Ki más is lehetne, ha nem te.
Ültess hát, gyorsan az öledbe.

(Tordon Ákos - Anyák napi mondóka)

Mother’s Day is always one of the most joyful days of the year with warm feelings in heart. Celebration in the nursery (bölcsőde/bölcsi) made it more special this year. Anikó néni tought the children a cute interactive singing piece initiating the mothers in it. I’m grateful for that imperishable experience which I shall never forget it.
We registered Dominik to the nursery (óvoda/ovi) this week. I’d like him to attend the one I used to attend. Naturally, things and people changed since then but the reputation remained. We don’t belong to this nursery regionally, so we had to register the competent institution as well. Resolution will be in 2 weeks. As Dominik turn 3 in the middle of the summer, he can start in September.

When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child.
~Sophia Loren, Women and Beauty

Cogito ergo sum

I hardly believe that time has passed so quickly. This is a stock phrase. There is SOMETHING on my mind for some time. If I could turn back time, I would do some things otherwise. It’s a fact. Do many of us act in the same way or is somebody perfectly satisfied with his/her path of life? Can we change our fate or is everything predestinated? Questions of this kind and similar to this occupies me. I’ll be 30 this year and a feeling got me into its power that makes me think deeply about my life till now and about the rest of it. Experience! That’s the point. Gain experiences. See life. And lead your life in such a way, if the short film of your life is shown, would be worth seeing.

***

Covering and the first separated night

Dominik is a wonderful little boy. He has to wear a covering on his eye by daily turns. Two months ago he said to me: ”Mammy, let me see!” (Anya, had lássak már!) – and took his partly covered eyewear immediately off. Last time at the ophthalmology he saw a boy with the same eyewear and from that afternoon he wears the partly covered glasses. However, the marketing of the introduction wasn’t bad (as for me). Till then he’s got his favourite cartoon heros who are wearing covering on their eyes (like e.g. Buck in Ice Age 3). My little pirate.
Little performances succeed one other in the play-school. It was an Easter piece, through the children told what was Easter about in real, and now they're preparing for Mother's Day of course. I'm afraid it won't be without tears!...
The first separated night – what a miracle! - went smoothly while we had a good time at a party. It was a business one, organized by Krisz’s workplace. Celebrities were invited to amuse the guests and to give lifelong experiences through their directness, personality and talent. The life of the party was Attila Pataki, the singer of EDDA Művek (old famous Hungarian band) who cheered in a tick and sounded pridefully their 30 jubilee with 30 albums.

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.