Weekend at Lake Balaton

Everytime I go to Lake Balaton, I find out again and again that I almost forgot its beautiness. Although, it is beautiful - either from North or from South - with its sailboats and swans, blueness and extensiveness.

This time we were invited by old acquaintances (we attanded the same nursery with the boy) whose family has a weekend house at the closest corner of the lake. They knew a great itinerary avoiding the biggest crowd on Motorway #7 that everybody can experience on Fridays when driving down to Balaton and on Sundays when everybody goes up to Budapest. We did not have to do anything special just to enjoy the great view, to ride the bicycle, to bath, to sunbath and to eat up the food made ready at home in advance.

Dominik is on holiday...

... and I'm at work but off duty at home at least. He spends 10 days with his fathers in Croatia and this holiday comes to an end tomorrow.

I tried to schedule the more voluminous needful doings by this period and organized some programs for myself as well in order to take advantage of this situation as much as possible.

On Monday I met my high school girlfriend Anikó and chose a lovely place to sit into and ate delicious salads and drank fresh tasteful juices. Instead of rushing home after our thorough conversation, we decided to walk into the heart of the downtown. There was an ideal warm night and so many tourists everywhere. I was completely amazed about the lively night life of Budapest. It is ages since I last walked in the city at night. So many things changed and so many gorgeous places opened. Then and there I felt myself lucky having such a beautiful capital and being a local person because I don't have to spend much money to travel and discover Budapest. So we walked until waterblisters on foot...

On Tuesday I decided to try a very girlish form of motion such as rod dance. Actually, it is in my sister's neighbourhood and she tried first. It is generally known that this sport is not an easy one and makes great demands on muscles, mainly on arms and shoulders. To tell you the truth it is undoubtedly fantastic feminine and the postures looks much easier than they are in practice. During my first time I was tought three postures: the fireman, the swing and the butterfly. I enjoyed the lesson very much but my leg, thigh and calf became all black and blue and not to mention the strongest stiffness I ever had in my shoulders that stayed with me for 4 days!

On Wednesday I made some furnishing with the help of my father and rebuilt Dominik's toy corner. This will be a surprise for him.

Thursday was the first calm evening at home, so it was time to do some housework. 

On Friday there was a family gathering at Györgyi's place. I always envy their beautiful garden and view and like the image of their home. Since I was alone on my side and did not have to divide my attention, I could make thorough conversation with the family members. What's more, I even drank some not alcohol-free coctails contrasted with my habit that I never drink any alcohol. Just a little bit debauch...

On Saturday we made a short cycling tour with long-seen friends and settled on the silky lawn of Kopaszi-gát enjoying each other's company, the sun, the wind and some ice-cream.

Sunday is the final spurt with big cleaning and big cooking!

What else I was doing besides these things? I enjoyed the early sun in my courtyard before work and cought the last ray of the sun after work, read out two books (almost), ate less, moved more and met friends whose daughter was on holiday, too.

What a week and how I want my son to get back and hug and kiss him! :-) 

P.S. Thanks for the great pics for Góga Laci. I'm also endlessly grateful for caring and paying much attention to Dominik. And I'm very happy to hear his honourable mention of Dominik, assigned him as a wonderful little boy. :-)

Two Sundays to Remember

16^th of June, 2014
The close of the notorius '4-Tiger Market' undoubtedly is a historical event for us. It was part of our lives, often visited by my sister, mum and me at the weekends. We knew well where to buy good quality piece of clothes, bags and more on resonable, sometimes on ridiculously low prices. If I see my wardrobe, I realize that 80% of its content was bought there. Special experience was each and every visit.

It was mentioned as 'container town' and the focuse of crimes. Numerous nations but mainly Chinese people sold their ware at this large open air territory. However, there is no plan what will be built on this area yet, it was sad to see the remains of the sometime lively place.

22^nd of June, 2014

Big question: does anyone would like to know what the future has in store for him/her? In many cases the answer is yes because we can prepare ourselves knowingly and in case there is a doubt somewhere, gives more chance to find the right way. As for me, I usually able to perceive some things correctly in advance but usually not sure about them. Recently, too many questions were in a whirl and started to playing with the idea again of visiting a fortune teller. I report that it is not needed any longer. I know an indigo child! Indigo children are believed to possess special, unusual and sometimes supernatural, paranormal abilities such as telepathy and are able to see things that an average person doesn't. It is so funny, this indigo child is an old friend of the family but I never realized his ability and he never unfolded it till now. We meet very very rarely and invited him to the procession to see the flower carpet around the church. We started a conversation and he told one thing after another with the utmost naturalness possible and I was simply shocked. He saw into me. He told me the date when I will possibly be involved in a serious relationship, he told me exactly what is happening and what will happen at work and also mentioned a couple of things that nobody could know besides me. Amazing unexplainable experience. Thank you, Fecó. Honestly.

A week off

First in my life, I persuade myself to take a couple of days off so that I do not travel anywhere or plan anything special. A holiday while Dominik was in the nursery. For those, who asked me prior my holiday that what things needed to be done when I said that I had too many things to do at home, I just want them to think behind: I'm a working single mother with a 7-year-old boy living in a 200 sqm 2-floor house on a 800 sqm site. Tasks are neverending. There are always a lot of things to do and that is what I've been doing continually for 4 years. Only exception is sleep time. When I sleep, I do nothing. Even I do not dream for a while. So I think that in case I would do NOTHING for a week, that would be absolutely normal. But that would be an absolute luxury that I cannot afford.  

So some reasons why I decided to stay at home for a whole week:

1. Recently, while I was going up and down the house, one question was repeated too many times in my mind: this also needs to be done but who knows when I will have time to do it? The list of tasks just broadened day by day.

2. There are too many upcoming events that we are facing this time and require some extra preparations. A couple of namedays, children day, year end and farewell ceremony in the nursery, a wedding in 2 weeks time and the approaching birthday for Dominik!

3. During the 4 years I was able to bring Dominik from the kindergarten for a whole week and welcome him with home-made dishes every single day and spend much more time together, send him to the bed a bit earlier, wake up relaxed and prepare patiently, unhurried in the mornings.

4. If I had missed to go on holiday now, I would had been not very well! According to my initial hopes, among many others I thought that I succeeded in finishing the American-Canadian account of my experiences.

Since today was the day of the farewell ceremony, I paste some photos here. I hate endings. My mood is not so good accordingly.

MATRA Adventures

It so happened that we could get at the beautiful Mátra twice within a couple of days. Mátra is a part of the Northern Hungarian Mountains and the country's highest peak belongs to this mountain range.

Mátra Adventure #1

Even the way approaching Mátra is one of my favourite because of its light traffic and good quality highway.
Adventure No. 1. was about a 12 km long, organized walking tour accompanied by my mother. Although, this trip was set as a chill out in my mind, mom was zealous to execute the given distance as soon as possible since there was some timing and she defined it as an achievement hiking. Finally, we let our conceptions approached to each other therefore we accelerated with Dominik and my mom was waiting for us where needed. Our result was 3 hours for 12 km. I was very proud of my son since he proved to be very enduring while walking and was eager to collect the sealings at the appointed checking points. The following day, he proudly took his certificate to the nursery to take pride in it. Only consequence: less food to carry...  

Mátra Adventure #2

We had the chance to experience the hospitality of Fenyőharaszt Kastélyszálló for a couple of days, together with Ancsa and Noel. Real castle, traditionally decorated interiors combine authentic and contemporary furnishings, perfect scene for outdoor weddings with its lovely lake, fountain and neat decoration. Trampoline to jump till out of breath, animals to keep constantly entertained, outdoor jacuzzi to bring forth some luxury feel, a couple of green acre to explore.

Revival of the Nature. Revival of Me.

Although, we had no winter this year at all, some new things needed to happen in order to get going again.

I. MOVEMENT, i.e. finding Enikő Péntek

Enikő is originally an economist and works as a fitness trainer. She studied the latest fitness trends in Liverpool, found her own way and 'ZONA Training' was born. It is getting more and more popular and has tremendous followers that is still growing. This training is a combination of cardio interval (zippy and resting periods vary rapidly) and zone strengthening. Additionally to Curves that I'm constantly doing after work, I get up early in the morning and do her exercises from the very beginning of February. There is force in what she does and how she does. Last but not least, she is one of the sometime college classmates I attended with and who I'm really proud of and highly esteem. I remember well the garden party after our graduation. She had the very same plan for the future and now she is doing exactly what she always wanted to do. Anyway, she is a mother of two. Big respect for her, definately. 

II. PROUDNESS, i.e. Nursery Olympics

Dominik changed a lot in mind and attitude in the last couple of months. I hardly recognize him. Now, he is totally ready for school. His last most remarkable achievement happened in the field of sport. At first, I was very happy to know that he became the member of the olympic group based on the excellent output he performed. He decided to get a medal, therefore he really did his best to be as close to it as possible. He was praised by the kindergarten teachers day by day and I was informed that how fantastic the way he concentrates the aim both mentally and phisically. I swelled with pride. Training followed by training, strategies and instructions were created for all events and he became dog-tired by the end of the days. 

Finally the Olympics has come. This is a speed-skill-trial-relay held yearly among the 10 local nurseries. They all really did their best, it was so tear-exiting to see their efforts, the teachers' excitement as well, and they won - almost. The result was dead heat. I was amazed and expressed my respect and gratitude to the teachers. The following day, I had to hear the praise of Dominik again. I was informed about his harmonic movement, his quickness and exactitude and in that stress situation he was the only one who made no mistake but stayed calm and concentrated. I swelled with pride, again!

By the way, prior to the Olympics, he suprised me with being on the prize-list of two drawing competitions. He makes me so happy and proud again and again.

III. PREVENTION, i.e. screening test examinations

It was high time to subject myself to the necessary and compulsory gynecological examinations, blood and water tests. I had no complaint but it is good to know that everything is fine, I'm in good heart,  my state of heath is perfect.

Celebrating PISTI

Cutting off town and heading for country is always a good thing, even if it is coupled with an illustrious event. 

We were invited by my cousin to celebrate his 25^th birthday with him. He really put his utmost. He persisted in doing his best all day long and grilled number of different kinds of meat chops with onion outdoor, supplied the guests' favourite beers and addressed a heartwarming speech to the gathered family members. Our good feeling was raised by the extremely good sunny weather on the happy day of my LADA-fan cousin who is actually totally grew up!

Celebrating EMIL

My little scallywag godson turned 3. He attends a day care for a couple of months that is a big help for her mother. What is Emil like? It is quite hard to define. Basically, he is completely different in the absence of his parents. He is absolutely self-determining and has a lot of whims although he is only a tiny child. Just some examples to mention, he hates rolling up his sleeves even if it is longer than needed and simply goes crazy if accidently find a little hole on one of his piece of clothes. He is full of emotions, always acts in a harum-scarum way and really likes fighting. Not only the best buddies with Dominik but also he looks up to Dominik, of course. Always the very same things needed as the other one has, and always the very same things need to be done like the other one is doing...

Loose Teeth. Tiny Bites.

Carefully selected menus. Gappy Smile. And Tooth Fairy. 
Based on the story of the 'Rise of the Guardians' we know well that our most precious childhood memories are stored in our baby teeth and the mini fairies' job is to retrieve teeth placed under pillows and replace them with a gift. By the 22^nd of FEB, 3 teeth were dismissed, out of these 2 completely outgrown, 1 gap and question of days when the next 2 will be left.

’Illuminating. Motivating. Stimulating. Inspiring.’ - ISE Amsterdam 2014

As the ISE slogen changes year by year, my slogen can change as well in accordance with the impression that the actual exhibition makes on me. So my slogan for ISE 2014 is quite simple: ’Recognize. Greet. Chat.’ The most essential difference between ISE 2014 and the previous ones for me is some kind of self-confidence thanks to many many familiar faces and familiar names hanging on the badges. How useful such an exhibition can be, how important the personal contact is, how it changes the relationship with a business partner and how much information are in the background that can be in your possession only being part of such an event. Record attandance was this year again (the total attendance was 51,003, a 15% increase on the 2013 event) and the space rebooking procedure also generated its highest-ever figure.

 

Besides business, it always needful to find time for getting the sufficient portion of stroopwafels and cheese specialties. But how to shop all these if we are passangers by air? Problem solved this year so that I don’t have to worry about the weight limit any longer. Double luggagge, one of them is made to travel together with the exhibition goods by road. That’s all. No weight limit only money…

Celebrating NOEL

The youngest family member turned 1 and he could not be sweeter and more heartwarming as he is. He causes absolutely no trouble for his parents and for anybody. Specimen of the sample children. He walks confidently without any support for more than a month and runs throughout the house confidently for a week, breastfeeded and started to say syllables. Although, his big brother disturbes him very often, there comes a time when he returns everything...

Happy, Happy New Year

If the year of 2012 was dedicated to 'coupons & bonuses', 2013 was the year of great travels. I look forward to finding out what 2014 is about.

Possibly, this will be the year of CHANGES. One big change definately will be: Dominik leaves the nursery and attends the school. The faces, the tasks, the duties all will change and I also change the complete furniture of the kid's bedroom. Furthermore, it was high time to replace my cellular phone to a smart one.

Naturally, there are a couple of decisions with the beginning of the new year in order to improve, develop, encourage and train myself and lead our life best. The most challenging thing is to budget my time well. It is said that no matter how much time you have, the point is that how you spend it. Since time is the only resource that never can be increased and the only resource that I have some fears about, it is very important not to just let it go. On the other hand, this involves the risk of being exaggerated. Recently I feel more and more that I have to make myself to slow down otherwise something bad will happen. Should study the principles of the 'slow movement'...

There are not only new decisions but also new targets, new plans and new projects. Also having amazing new trips up my sleeve. I wish to bring Dominik to the Santa Claus Village at the Arctic Circle in Rovaniemi, Lapland this year. This would be nice till he firmly believes in Santa's magic. 

 

Around Christmas 2013

This was still not the Christmas I always dreamed of but I worked very hard at least to be the one that Dominik was dreaming about.

In December, I gave up all my extra engagements besides work (including Curves as well) and filled the whole month with activities related exclusively with the advent season. On one hand, it was neccessary because we needed to put ourselves (especially myself) in Christmas tune, on the other hand, I surely would have broken down under the heavy but sweet weight of the festive season. In this way I survived. What? Christmas shouldn't be something that must be survived. Ten times rather FAMILY time and the time of LOVE.

So we baked the inevitable gingerbread, visited the local skating-rink, attended to Christmas fairs, looked for special Xmas installation namely a Christmas Tree built of 365 sledges, enjoyed long walks while admiring the stunning Christmas outdoor decorations, travelled to the country to stick a pig, etc.

 

Funeral

Losing a long-beloved person is hardly can be processed and we hardly believe that we cannot see her any longer, never. Margo was a brave struggler against cancer for several months. The killing disease finally won and grabbed her life at the age of 57. We will always remember your puerile optimism, your wording, your titter and we do hope that all your pains dissolved, not like ours.

Rest in peace! 

Baptism

We only just arrived home from Canada and were invited to a heartwarming event. Noémi and Bálint were baptized jointly by "Matyi atya", the same priest who wedded us and baptized Dominik as well. All these are not self-evident because he is just used to be a local priest. He was reassigned many many years ago. Then and there I regret to let him know that our marriage was not an everlasting one.