iCe & snOw

These two are things of the past, are entirely gone, there is no trace of them by now. What’s more, we had 12°C or more these days so we could bring out the cycle at the weekend and could shape up a bit.
These pics are only to remember the winter that wasn’t a long time ago at all. To remember and send off. Let’s see the beauties of the winter, why we love it, anyhow.
-no insects
-really fresh air
-the roses in our cheeks
-the silent when the snow covers over not only the objects of the streets but also the noise of them
-everybody slows down
-winter sports like skating, sledging, snow shoveling
-making snowballs, snowmen and snow-women, angels lying on our back

February Topic

I managed to obtain some coupons in a tricky way of which help I can create some photobooks for free. This is how I spend my time far into the night because they are valid till the end of this month. A photobook about the Tunisian Holiday, one about My PinUp Style, 4 about Dom’s every single year as a summary, one for my mother including her grandchildren and some were presented to my sister to create her owns.
In case February is dedicated to photobooks, I need to systematize all photos that are piled up for some time into photoalbums. You know, the best pics are always get developed, in this there is no lag, in systematizing so much the more. This is what I’m doing with the greatest pleasure, provided the time available is enough adequatly.

Tring!

Sometimes people intend to not completely being aware of a lucky situation in which they are when everything goes smooth. Our way home from Amsterdam can be featured something like this.
Thank God, we have avoided the breakdown of our national airlines (MALEV) which was announced during our stay in the Netherlands. Most of the flights were cancelled, most of the Hungarians stuck at Schipol Airport. But we did not because we were lead by a goodlike impulse when booking the tickets. In this way, we have avoided the huge amount of snow that fell the following day onto Amsterdam and onto Budapest as well - causing further delays.
The exhibition was great (regardless the extremely cold water in the loo) and it is always a good thing to meet our existing partners personally, mainly with whom only correspondence we had before. I obtained some free hours during the exhibition’s opening hours when I had luck to explore the city daytime on my own. Hop-on and hop-off the trams, walking between canals, touching the Dam Square, fulfil mission upon a colleague’s request in a souvenir shop, browsing on the flower market, cheese tasting in the basement, short visit in Heineken shop (Heineken Museum already closed), and travelling back upon sunset from Central Station to Rai. After the breakdown of the stand we had to hurry in order not to miss the kitchen of the hotel by right of the last dinner.

More Light

I'm so happy to experience that we have already more light day by day, the number of sunny hours increases day by day. There is not completely dark when I finish work and not completely dark when I wake up. But there is a little paradox here. This more light makes me feel like we are at spring's door, but I know exactly that we are far from it in real. We have to face the fact that the 4 seasons have slipped and have to heat even in April. The extremely cold weather just began. Entering the kindergarten this morning, we saw Tibor bácsi making some ice on the skating rink in front of the building... So, winter is welcome...

Tomorrow I set off early in the morning, will take a taxi, pick up my colleague Gergő, and will flyyyy. To Amsterdam, again. Just like a year ago. Because "nothing will compare with ISE 2012"... The largest professional AV and systems integration trade show ever held in Europe, bringing together manufacturers, distributors, integrators, specifiers and technology managers from over 100 countries worldwide. Of course, we are exhibitor this year as well. Day-time at the exhibition, night-time exploring Amsterdam then back to the gorgeous 4-star-hotel dead tired. I think I need this air change. I couldn't wait to be over the very first month of the year.

Morning in the Buda Castle District

We spent a sunny morning in the Royal Castle District. Chilly, but sunny. Perfect for taking gorgeous photos and enjoying the clear panorama opened up focusing the other side of Duna including the Parlament. After we became a bit exhausted and a bit frozen through, we looked up the „StrudelCastle” where we could get not only fine strudels but also so-called bread-scone either salami or bacon on top. Hot tea was indispensible of course in order we can fill up suitably for the rest of our walking tour.

Some famous spots without aiming at completeness, in pictures and in some words:
Mátyás-templom / Matthias church was the scene of several coronations and numerous famous weddings. Currently it has 7 bells. The church was also a place of the so called Mary-wonder. In contemporary’s opinion, the victory of the pitched battle for Buda was attributed to a statue. The Turkish invaders did not distroy it, just walled it off. In 1686, during the siege of Buda the wall was collapsed due to cannonfire. It turned out that an old Madonna statue was hidden behind the wall. As the long-forgotten sculpture of the Virgin Mary appeared in front of the praying Muslims, the morale of the garrison collapsed, the superstitious fear of the witnesses overcame and the castle entered into possession of the Christians on the same day. The statue was carried round Buda streets and the place is a shrine since then. It is also home to the Ecclesiastical Art museum. The gallery contains a number of sacred relics and medieval stone carvings, along with replicas of the Hungarian royal crown and coronation jewels.

Halászbástya / Fisherman’s Bastion is a terrace in neo-Gothic and neo-Romanesque style situated on the Buda bank of the Danube around Matthias Church. It was designed and built between 1895 and 1902 on the plans of Frigyes Schulek. Its seven towers represent the seven Hungarian tribes that settled in the Carpathian Basin in 896. The Bastion takes its name from the guild of fishermen that was responsible for defending this stretch of the city walls in the Middle Ages. It is a viewing terrace with many stairs and walking paths.

January Topic

Undoubtedly, one of the best thing of life is to recover from an illness and feel how our energy and pep return.
Anyway, I found out that every month of 2012 will be filled with a spirit of a certain topic. January is dedicated to the care of the teeth, to the dental hygiene. Visit the dentist, let him/her to sum up the situation inside of your mouth, cut the tooth-film if neccessary then whiten, either at home with special 3D white whitestrips from Canada (thanks Viki). Tank up with mouthwash, dental floss and the best quality electric tooth-brush and do not forget suitable vitamins because of your gum. Prevent, strengthen and keep on the status! Only tooth-straightening has left for me. It requires a huge amount of money and includes so much risk. I need to be very careful before taking such a big leap. Dominik got his first electric tooth-brush and had his first visit at the dental office. He had nothing to worry about, the dentist felicitated him on his hale and hearty teeth.

Motto: A sound mind in a sound body.

Christmas 2011

Spirit of Christmas has escaped immediately by the morning of the Holy Evening. Dominik was down with fever and unfortunately, that was not the fever of excitement. We spent the day accordingly, although, little Jesus really had to be the master of the given situation. During bathtime, some presents were placed under the Christmas tree mysteriously… After fast unwrapping we gathered together at my parent’s place. After changing gifts, I grabbed my flute and gathered together at the ancient family house including all the closest family members, fish soup, joint singing under the Christmas tree. This is how we do traditionally year by year on the 24th of December.
Our Christmas procedure was broken up slightly because of my cousin’s engagement. On the first day of Christmas we set off so that we could be a part of a memorable moment, being eye- and earwitness of a famous question: Would you marry me? Enjoyed the fireworks made for the guests and rejoiced in the happiness of theirs! To tell you the truth, my cousin can only congratulate himself upon having found a girl like Lilla. So, young couple, do not hesitate, I’m eager to be part of a world-famous wedding!
After getting home on the 26th of December, we were invited to my sister’s place to spend another nice Christmas Eve together with her husband’s family.
In the midst of the week I needed to work in order not to grow disgusted with Christmas. It was not my choice, of course. My health started to deteriorate significantly.
The following day I finally could start the Xmas cooking and baking! Time for hospitality at our place. My first thought was after everything: Yes, I did it. Very well done. Next morning I woke up with sore back. Pneumonia – said my father.
And now, this is the last day of 2011. Sitting before the monitor, again. Hope this is the last one lonely, weakly.

Botond is 10

The oldest little one in the family turned 10. More correctly, he was born the day after my birthday 21 years later, so we count the chickens before they are hatched… Flock of cute children, a host of fine cakes, cozy conversations, enthusiastic playing got the main roles.

We are over the traditional tea-party in the kindergarten relating to the season of Advent. It is about spending time together with the parents, about joint preparations including making the obligatory birdfood that are hanged to the trees at the end of the evening.

Preparations at home: wouldn’t have thought how self-supporting and original a single woman can be regarding the lighting outside the house. And regarding other fields, like eg. getting the most beautiful pine exist. The Sunday before Christmas (namely the Golden Sunday) has arrived with its 4 candles and we turned into the straight! What a miracle is await for us.

Countdown begins... .. .

Either time passes too quickly or the year is getting shorter.

Hard to believe you're about to venture out to grap all the holiday gear, cheer, stuff you can again. This year though you're smarter, you're better prepared, your tools are all charged up and you're ready to get down, get serious. Sheess... giving meaningful gifts is a lot of work.

Some things are in my mind for some time past that would make me happy. Just let me share right here right now instead of writing a wish list to Santa, just simply giving a chance to be realized. ;-)

- A new camera
- Being spoiled by a beauty-shop (possibly with massage)
- Visitation at a fortune-teller

I think that’s all. Or rather, I have some more wish in my pocket, some of them are unreal, some of them are extreme, so I tried not to leave the real world when this short wish list was worded.

MartinDay Entertainment & LockParty Experiences

The children in the kindergarten were preparing for Martin Day eagerly for a long while with jack-o'-lanterns and self-made lamps, with songs and histories; the parents with saulty biscuits, bread and dripping with onion on top, roasted pumpkin, mulled wine and hot tea... What choice morsels! We have prepared cheesy twisted fingers with bacon inside.













The following evening I was to participate in a so-called lock party where the female participants got a lock, the male participants got a key and could try whether the key opened the lock... At first it sounds a bit bizarre, but to tell you the truth, the idea itself is genius, the brilliant opportunity to engage in conversation is given accordingly. I think this was the first and the last time I visited such a place inspite of the good impression made on me. Lock party checked off.

Rocky Balboa followed by Magic Johnson

Dominik attends basket ball lessons on Thursdays. We were to buy appropriate footwear and I can assure that it was chosen with the greatest care.

What it feels like

This year we had no luck regarding National Holidays with red in the calendar. Almost all of them fell on weekend instead of getting a well-deserved day off.
October 27th, 2011 will be noted not with red but mentally from this time. The date when something was over formally, for good and all. The date when our marriage was broken off and once the divorce becomes legally valid I can get back my maiden name. Not but that... it cuts no ice... I would lie if I said that this did not touch at all, far too. But this was the neccessary bad that needed to happen. And now the question is that do I feel free?

Without Transition

I remember exactly that I was lying under the sun on the 1st of October dressed in a single bikini. Approximately the following day AUTUMN has set in with drastic temperature falling.
To tell you the truth I was waiting for it a bit secretly because we spent not so much time indoor and a lot of stuff left that we had to do within the four walls. Now is time to start winter preparations, time for colourful leaves, walnut, chestnut, pumpkins, dishes made of these and other numerous home-made courses, chrysanthemums and tea-lights - with these two we almost reach All Saints Day…

Hello Africa

Would it be a risky adventure to start boldly on Africa, to become one with the Arabic world, choosing a 4-year-old as a company? Risky, but not dead.

We almost got stuck Hungary but I promised to Dominik and to myself to go on holiday, to go abroad, to fly by airplane, to dip into the sea. I was waiting for the best offer possible and finally we got it. Dominik chose the hotel and I agreed. Destination was Tunisia, Yasmine Hammamet, Hotel Safa with numerous slides around the pools. Regarding travelling, everything went smooth, too smooth.

We could not wish better weather like the Tunisian one in September. The air movement was constant, there were no clouds, temperature was not high above 30° C, mornings and evenings much lower but not unpleasant. The location of the hotel was brilliant from every respect. Our main goal was to spend our time near the hotel, in the pool or in the sea, on the beach. What was above this, that was all gratis for us.

We visited the old medina where could meet even more violent, pushing vendors offering their merchandise in an unduly friendly way. FYI: Tunisia has a place with white-blue coloured houses which is very similar to Santorini in Greece (my big favourite) called SidiBous. We did not see this but got a taste of it at the old medina where travelled by taxi there and by a little train forth – upon Dominik’s special request.

Initially, I was joking with Dominik pointing at the silhouette of a ship far away while we were bathing in the sea and shouted „Look, look, look! There is a pirate ship over there! - but did not mean it. We heared the song of Vangelis-1492 quietly from the direction of the ship and I was amazed… Our other great adventure was the pirate ship named Sultan II with real pirates on board. They were to entertain the unsuspecting passengers with their show while sailing in the midst of the sea. They climbed up through the rigging to the masts and yards of the ship, they swang, they hanged, all eyes were glued to them aloft, the mouths were wide open. Their stunt was accompanied by great music which has an effect on everybody on the ship. They danced, sang and one of them was a real fakir. At first, I did not want to take part of this programme, because I thought that Dominik was frightened by the pirates. Just on the contrary: he cried for going and when got off after the show he said that it had been damn good! In the end they beg for money in pirate manner; permit me to remark that this begging was totally appropriate there and then, and the money they got was well deserved.

What was more than a kind compliment: a young local guy (or God knows where he was from) came to us on the beach while seeing the big waves and asked if I’m a sister of Dominik. „No, I’m not” – I said. „Are you …?” – he did not finished the sentence he was just smiling and me too. I nodded. „Yes, I’m a mother of him.” Sweet situation. According to the second kindest compliment I was Shakira, Shakira...
What was more than enough: face-picking, pampering, regarding Dominik as a curiosity with his blond-haired phiz. And of course the crabby hawkers and sellers on the beach, in the bazars who were to get rid of their goods and to palm something off on the tourists. It reminds me of the story of Aladdin. Remember, there is a seller at the very beginning (see video from 3:10 to 4:30)…
What was lost: a half of Dominik’s flip flop and a half of my rechargeable battery. Former on the way to the post office during collecting shells along the beach; latter fell into the sea from the pirate ship when I got out the camera from my pocket. Never more loss!

The summer of 2011 was unambiguously and fully dedicated to my son.