Sunday, March 17, 2013

Red-letter Day


"What doesn't kill you makes you stronger..."
Sometimes I wish I was soulless and could not be disturbed by things that might seems to be pettiness for others. I was touched by some facts and the happenings of this long weekend really upset me. Red-letter day indeed that stamped on my memory much too.

During the last 3 years Dominik was rarely visited by his father and if meeting happened, it wasn't full of content at all, what's more it was rather unconstructive. Last time Dominik told me that daddy has a new girlfriend and he brought even his big TV to the girl and they spent the day together. What I know about him, all come from Dominik because K does not communicate with me, he is still playing the role of the injured party. I thought it must be a quite serious relationship (hopefully more serious than the previous ones) if he shack with the girl. And I understood why he started to push the bringing of Dominik more often: the girl has a daughter just at the same age as Dominik. In this case, I thought, if serious, I had to know her, I must know with whom Dominik is going to spend every second weekend from now. The fact is that I wasn't settled at all while Dominik was alone with his father based on Dominik's tellings (daddy allows everything, daddy fell asleep while he was there, daddy does not like his glasses and suggests not to wear them, daddy does not bring him anywhere, etc). The question is that how to support the picture of Father with capital in this case in order that Dominik do not lose his faith in his father? To tell you the truth, it is very very difficult in this way but definitely needs to be done. K did not realize that we have to stay in touch and cooperate all the time because of our child and did not understand why I wanted to meet his girlfriend. 
Finally, I succeed to carry out this meeting and exchange a few words with his beloved and what a surprise we could speak cultivated as mothers and could understand each other's worries. Interesting situation but my sixth sense whispered that neccessary to happen because of the smooth transition and for the future free from bumps. I'm happy to push this meeting and to get to know her. But we will see. I hope that this relationship will be stable and fruitful for all of us. Although, I left Dominik there with blur of tears and can't stop crying after getting the empty home. Mental struggle. 5 years spending non-stop with my son. K wasn't there when needed to be there. I asked him several times to care for his son but he refused to deal with him and turned his back on us. I had to make my way on my own. So this is a milestone that should have happened earlier, much earlier. 
I still have doubts but in case there will be a system in the visits at least, this can be a great improvement and the emotional balance also will be re-established a bit after a while. The key is Dominik and I must be sure that everything is okay around and inside of him.

Snow Situation

I cannot leave unmentioned the disaster that fall on many people who was taken prisoner of the snow on the highway for more than 15-20 hours.
On Thursday morning we started the day as usual and could not suspect what difficulties we had to face by the end of the day. In the afternoon it began to snow and by the end of work right before the long weekend, considerable amount of snow made me welcome getting my car. I was immensely angry with the weather and shouted that why could not fell in December by Xmas? I started to remove the snow from my car by naked hand because I had neither gloves nor broom. And of course, this was not my fault but the weather. Ahh, it was almost spring! Who recalled winter? Not me!
In the meantime, the wind rose. The situation on the highway started to become chaotic. The cars stucked in the traffic jam and were heavily covered with snow, more meters high, due to the snow-storm and blowing of the wind. Thousands of people and hundreds of cars could not move anywhere until they were set free by the rescue teams. Volunteers, local people helped by bringing food and hot drinks and blankets; schools and shopping centers opened to give shelter to the people. All radio stations helped by broadcasting the latest news continuously and forwarded all the messages containing emergency calls and helping hands as well. For most people this was the only connection to the outworld.
On the day of the Hungarian Revolution and War of Independence, the nation gave evidence of real collaboration and superhuman actions although, only the goverment could not rise to this unexpected (?) catastrophe... 

***
"25 év alatt, amióta ebben a szkafanderben élek, nem történt ilyen, mint ma. Ma nem a széthúzásról szólt minden, meg pártokról, hanem az emberek összefogásáról. Önkéntes autómentők, online szerkeszthető dokumentumok, Google térkép ami szerkeszthető.. volt itt minden, gyorsan reagált mindenki a helyzetre, és még a szomszédos országból is jöttek segíteni! Több tucat pizzéria és étterem ételt szállított ki, csak szervezést kértek cserébe, ők meg sütöttek, főztek. Erre kéne koncentrálnotok emberek, hogy átitasson Titeket ez az érzés, hogy együtt vagyunk, és közösségben kell élnünk. Nem csak, amikor beüt a krach és baj van, hanem mindig. Nem fog fentről jönni a segítség, itt mellőlünk jön a segítség, a másiktól, így tartjuk egymás hátát!
Nagy fel és köszönet azoknak az önkénteseknek és civileknek, akik szállást, meleg ételt, italt és jó társaságot adtak azoknak akik már majdnem 1 napja ott rekedtek. Öröm áradat itasson Titeket át, ne állandóan a kormányt szapuljátok meg a BM-et... evvel csak megteremtitek ugyanazt a helyzetet, és csak idegessé váltok. Eddig is így volt, most is ez van... mit vártok? A segítség embertársainktól fog eljönni.
Én is felhívtam minden pirossal jelzett embert a google térképről, ahol bejelölték, hogy kinek kell segítség, és 80%-ban mindenkit elértem, meleg helyen voltak, megköszönték, hogy hívtam őket, ez a legkevesebb (többiek ki voltak kapcsolva, de a térkép alapján sok ember indult el menteni, meleg étellel, itallal őket). Csodálatos dolgok ezek, ez egy újfajta mentalitásnak is nevezhető, de valójában mindig is itt volt bennünk, csak ráraktuk azt a sok szemetet, ami még a szemünket is eltakarta!
Megható érzés egy ilyen Magyarországon élni emberek! Ne rontsátok el Magatoknak se ezt a jó érzést avval, hogy másokat bíráltok, elítéltek, és ócsároltok... ez a szint teljesen más.
Merőben más. Ez az új paradigma szerves része. Megosztva elbukunk, egységben felállunk, sőt táncolunk! :)"

***
"Sziasztok! Én egy éjjel-nappali boltban dolgozom. Ma olyan dolgok történtek, amik mellett nem lehet csak úgy elmenni. Bejött egy lány ahogy néhányan mondják olyan "mű" nő. Vett egy karton tejet, egy rúd szalámit, 8 kg kenyeret, vajat, meg nescafe-t. Fura volt a 8 kg kenyér, ezért megkérdeztem: "nagy a család?" Mire ő! Nem, az iskolába viszem az itt rekedteknek.
Elgondolkodtam. Aztán jött egy srác. Audival. Kért 30 db zsemlét, 10 kg kenyeret, egy egész doboz sport szeletet. Kérdeztem is. Ennyire szereti a csokit? (persze sejtettem hogy hova lesz) erre ő: "nem a rádióba hallottam hogy elkel a segítség"! És oda viszi. Nem sokkal később megint jöttek. Elvitték az összes mentes ásványvizet.
Már tudtam hova lesz, vagy legalábbis azt hittem. Megkérdeztem. A válasz: A vasút állomásra viszem, most hallottam hogy sokan itt maradtak.
De!! A a legszebb dolog csak ezután jött. 4 fősulis készült az esti bulira, ehhez való bor és chips készletért jöttek. Nálunk hallották a rádióba, hogy a hajléktalan szállóra is el kelne a segítség. Vissza minden. Összedobták a pénzüket és kérték hogy adjak nekik bármit ami ebből kikerül és hasznát vennék. Hát ez engem nagyon megérintett. De még sorolhatnám. Egy néni süteményt vett amit a fiával küldött el az autókhoz stb... Nagyon jó volt ma a napom. Osszátok meg. Én még ilyet soha nem kértem, de akarom hogy tudja mindenki: A magyarok a bajban összefognak."


***
"Úgy gondolom a tegnapi nap után ki kell osztani már megérdemelt és elégszer el nem hangzott köszönömöt. Tehát, én köszönöm az összes civil önkéntesnek, akik:
- Pörgették a közösségi oldalakon, mikroblogokon a percre kész infókat, rondán beégetve és helyettesítve ezzel a királyi médiát és hírközlést. 
- akik létrehozták az online segíts, ha tudsz térképet, 
- akik szervezkedtek, kimentek ásni, traktorozni, terepjárózni, derékig belefagyni a hóba,
- akik vittek meleg teát, kaját, felajánlottak szállást és a segítség ezer más módját,
- akik tartották a lelket a kint didergőkben, mert tudták, nincsenek egyedül. 
Köszönöm a hivatásos:
- Rendőröknek, tűzoltóknak, katonáknak, védelmi szolgálatok tagjainak, a hókotróvezetőktől a szóróanyag rakodókig, áramszolgáltató munkatársaitól vízművesekig mindenkinek, hogy megtettétek amit a feljebbvalóitok parancsai és a szervezeteitek anyagi lehetőségei megengedtek. 
- a sajtómunkásoknak, akik percről percre tudósításokkal igyekeztek információhoz juttatni  mindenkit, akik a helyi rádiók műsoraiban megtették azt, ami a királyi dolga és kötelessége lett volna, 
- a polgármestereknek és jegyzőknek, akik tényleg rengeteg helyen személyesen is részt vettek a mentésben, kinyitották a közintézményeket és segítettek ahogy módjukban állt,
- azoknak a kereskedelmi láncoknak, akik parkolóikkal, fűtött belterükkel, meghosszabbított vagy rendkívüli nyitvatartásukkal tették lehetővé a helyzet normalizálását,
- és a "piszkos labancoknak", akik nem restelltek a negyvennyolcas forradalmunk napján segítő kezet nyújtani!"

***
"Ezt is megéltük! A szabadságharc évfordulóján osztrák hókotrók oszlopban lépik át a magyar határt, hogy letakarítsák a magyar utakat. A Belügyminisztérium miután végigaludta az éjszakát úgy gondolta, hogy SMS-ekkel segíthet a legtöbbet a bajba kerülteknek. Az osztrákok pedig gyorsabban reagáltak mint a magyar hatóságok!"


Monday, February 18, 2013

Surviving the Winter

Although, winter has unquestionably its own beauties and its own feeling and know well that it is a must to exist - I would rather ask for the spring now. Grey days are followed by another or a greyer, leaving and arriving home in the darkness, run the car's engine for a while to let it warm up and to heat up the passanger cab in the morning before get in, spending a lot on the heating of the house, putting on the clothes superposed on ourselves, overwhelming the little clothes closet in the nursery with winter suits, slush, aahhh... I was really happy to experience the other day that the days have already started to become longer. I'm eager to have a bit more sunshine!

Amsterdam
The usual ISE exhibition early in the year is behind us by now where our company is a recurring exhibitor. The show's attendance set a new record this year again with its 44 151 registered attendees and just under 900 exhibitors occupied all 12 halls of the RAI Exhibition Center. It was unexpectedly busy for us as well. Our booth was located in such favourable area from a business point of view. I realized that Amsterdam always shows its same face to me (although, I finally get one of the main tourist attraction, the Red Light District this year), so I need to go out of the town to find some windmill in my freetime next.









Concerto
One of my best friends from the college invited me to join their symphonic concert to the grand Palace of Arts. And how grateful I was to have 2 artist tickets valid for the best seats I imagine. The musical experience was beyond description. All member of the group are really talented people, committed to the music. The group performed several songs from their new record for the first time there, alongside some rarely heard nuggets from their six-year back catalogue and entirely new arrangements of a few more familiar tunes. What hasn't changed, however, the group's continuous drive for something new, its evocation of unusual moods and moments, and - following the trusted motto of "never change a winning team" - the roll-call of its collaborators on the concert stage. By the way, my friend composed the music of many of the currently running TV ads. I'm really really proud of him. The crazy sentimental artist's looking at you. I love him.

Costume Ball No.1
One of the "Zöld Kör" event at this time of the year. This is a local sport club for children. (Just in round brackets, we used to attend some events with my sister when we were children and were usually invited by Györgyi néni who is still one of the organizers of the events.) Lots of doughnuts and Nándi bácsi with his playful contests ensured the joyous atmosphere without any change year by year. Nobody leaves without some gifts. This one was the first one for Emil but he definitely refused to wear his costume.









Valentine's Day
Nothing special just the usual baking, preferably something heart-shaped...

Costume Ball No.2
The eagerly expected nursery costume ball finally came, too. Dancing, fun, masquerades, cheers, laugh and the famous Alma Együttes (Apple Band). Dominik dressed as a KING.

Ha palástom libben a teremben,
Alattvalóim térdelnek előttem.
Koronám fényesen ragyog,
Meseország királya én vagyok.


Visiting Noel
Relatives from the country made a short visit to admire Noel at the weekend. By the way, everyone is well from my sister's side, Noel is putting on weight, plus 1 kilogramm within the first month.

Thursday, January 24, 2013

January with Some Backlogs

First of all, I’m proud to announce that my sister gave life to her second son, named Noel, on the 16th January. Fortunately, it wasn’t a difficult delivery, everything went smooth, both of them are fine, but not her husband. He was taken to hospital with his elbow at the same time and was put in plaster from wrist to shoulder and still has pain and fever, so not a big help for my sister…


January is so much the more eventful this year than it used to be. This should be the greyest month after the most colorful wonderful December and should be the calmest one to recover and reborn in order to start the New Year with new energy. Now, I hardly have time to remove the Christmas decoration but to tell you the truth I don’t mind it very much because I cannnot see enough of it… But in the meantime, ISE exhibition in Amsterdam is approaching and I’m preparing for Valentine’s Day, for the Carnival Season in mind, ie. what cake to bake, what costume to dress Dominik up for the different costume balls and where to get it. He already has some idea but as far as I know him, it will be modified many times right before the final decision.

After trying and experiencing Flabelos I decided to keep on doing Curves this year, what’s more I signed a contract according to which I commit myself to do it for 12 months continuously. I decided on it because I saw the result. Some centimeters in hip and thigh measurement, some percent from body fat percentage (not in weight!) that have been lost and some knuckles in my palm that have been gained (although the latter one is unrequested, of course). The 3 great facts that mean gorgeous advantage for me: 1. The location 2. The lenght of the workouts 3. The flexibility

I’m behind with the monthly topics in writing from last year. Here they come:

November Topic: Hair & Nail

Both horny growth can be the greatest ornaments of a woman. I had luck to see the enlargement of some of my hair magnified 200 times representing all my hair. I was curious if everything is okay right at the top and generally, so visited a hair specialist. My water intake proved to be not enough. This was the second source that threw light on the importance of water – since than I increased my water intake significantly… I got to know a food supplement then and there. Kyani is the name of the product with full of berries. It was suggested to try for a couple of days.  Although, it was said to be a natural one, I found out that in case I took the daily portion, I did not wish to eat an apple or any fruit. The food supplement provided the daily recommended allowance of the vitamins and trace minerals my body needed. This confirmed that I’m the follower of the naturalness.
Regarding care of the nails, I prefer unpolished nails and I swear by the calcium intensifier that makes them much stronger and gives nice gloss.

December Topic: Face

Around my birthday, before Christmas I felt like my facial skin was in need of a special treatment, a little pampering in those cold winter days. I asked my cosmetician to cleanse then polish my face and finally to shower splendid agents on it. I’m going to repeat this treatment again before the summer set in.

Thursday, January 03, 2013

Happy Holidays


Before Christmas
Nothing can be more inspirable to get out of the bed in the mornings during Advent Season than an Advent Calendar. Nothing can make Christmas preparations, Christmas Eve and the following days cosier and more intimate than an infectious chicken-pox. :)








During Christmas
Nothing can be unbearable at Christmas than not to meet the beloved ones. As my sister is going to give life to her second child appr. in 2 weeks from now, we did not want to take risk to infect either Emile or the smallest issue. The potential Xmas company was wider than I thought initially:
-those who had had chicken-pox ever,
-those who suffered from chicken-pox at that time as well,
-those who wanted to have chicken-pox and come through this once-in-a-lifetime illness and
-those who did not care about it.














After Christmas
Nothing can be more relaxed than skating and enjoying fresh chilly air and sliding from 2012 into 2013. I tried the newly reconstructed skating-rink of the city park of the capital. The skating area was expanded to 12,000 square metres. This artifical ice is the largest and one of the oldest ice rinks in Europe (opened in 1870). The fantastic surround in the heart of the historical Budapest recalled my old memories and the good feeling of the whole (located between the Heroes' Square and the Vajdahunyad Castle). Then we tried the local ice rink with Dominik and I think I will persuade his father to teach him how to skate well because he is good at skating. 
And nothing can make me swerve to stay committed to my habit that the first day of the New Year is spent outdoor with walking to let fresh air into my brain to have a clear conception of some things.











Sunday, November 04, 2012

Long Weekend #5 and #6


Four consecutive days twice (due to national holidays and workday removals). I think it is a bit miserable thing to wait the free days in order to put the things in order phisically around you. So, I did not let my legs swing. I worked hard at home because I want to spend the whole December only with cooking and baking, relaxing, mingling with the Xmas crowd without being frustrated because of anything. The question is that will I achieve my goal? I surely do my best and the timing seems good till now.

Some outdoor program made more colourful these long weekends like candles in the cemetries and visiting a gorgeous plant reservation enjoying the unusual warm and shiny weather.

The autumn holiday for Dominik was spent mainly with grandma and Emil. They love each other and can’t believe that soon there will be three little boys in our family thanks to my sister and her husband!

Sunday, October 21, 2012

September, October Topic: Water and Curves



Water. All of us have to realize the importance of water and many of us have to increase the water intake. Drinking water is not just a trend, it is essetial and plays a vital role in nearly every bodily function. Water is the substance of life. Life can not exist without water. We must constantly be adding fresh water to our body in order to keep it properly hydrated.

Curves is that kind of sport that I have been doing (almost) daily for three months. This is a 30-minute circuit workout created specifically for women and exercises every major muscle group (two muscles at a time). The Curves circuit is made up of different resistance machines and recovery boards between each of them. You have to spend exactly 30 seconds on each machine and on each recovery board and repeat the circuit for three times. The most important thing is to have the suitable heart rate all the time that fits your age.  Recovery boards maintains the heart rate by walking, running or jogging in place (depending on your fitness level).