heading out of eger tonight and a long flight tomorrow morning.
back to ny, back to "real life" and back to everything i left.....
so long hungary, it's been real.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Thursday, June 9, 2011
the transition has begun
I've begun to muddle through this mess of our room to separate my things....and boy is it fun! Hope you can note the hint of sarcasm there.
I've had to make room in my luggage for gifts and new clothes, so I'm deciding what exactly I can leave here and what I can't live without. School bag from 2005, sorry, you're out. I will miss your green courdoroy and you have served me well. Mom's tupperware? Probable out (sorry mom!) 300 Forint skirt? You're nice, but not that nice, and you fit me a little weird. Hiking boots--I REALLY need you, but why must you be so bulky? Ugh. Get in the suitcase. Jorts? I will wear you until next Thursday, but then you ugly raggy little things are out of my life!
So that's this morning.....Conversing with my clothes. Picnicing this afternoon in the park (how I will miss this--Just me, my ipod, a blanket, icecream coffee, my drawing pad, my novel and my Hungarian notes).
Yesterday was a sad goodbye at school. My colleagues have been really great and my students proved me wrong: I never thought I could teach high school and enjoy it. Or get as attached to my older students as I did...I will really miss my school and everyone in it. Luckily, there's facebook, and although I originally told them we couldn't be friends on facebook...now that I'm leaving, (slash now that they are no longer my "students") I changed my mind. I am actively interested in where they will go to college and what they will do with their lives! And unlike my preschoolers I don't need to wait 13 years to find out! Soooo I'm about to get like 200 teenaged "new friends." Oy.
Soon I have to leave my cute little out-of-a-story-book-looking city....
...Thank goodness I get to come home to the Hamptons, crabs, outdoor movie nights, and the beach. Admittedly, I do miss these things, and I'm not sure what summer would be without them.
I've had to make room in my luggage for gifts and new clothes, so I'm deciding what exactly I can leave here and what I can't live without. School bag from 2005, sorry, you're out. I will miss your green courdoroy and you have served me well. Mom's tupperware? Probable out (sorry mom!) 300 Forint skirt? You're nice, but not that nice, and you fit me a little weird. Hiking boots--I REALLY need you, but why must you be so bulky? Ugh. Get in the suitcase. Jorts? I will wear you until next Thursday, but then you ugly raggy little things are out of my life!
So that's this morning.....Conversing with my clothes. Picnicing this afternoon in the park (how I will miss this--Just me, my ipod, a blanket, icecream coffee, my drawing pad, my novel and my Hungarian notes).
Yesterday was a sad goodbye at school. My colleagues have been really great and my students proved me wrong: I never thought I could teach high school and enjoy it. Or get as attached to my older students as I did...I will really miss my school and everyone in it. Luckily, there's facebook, and although I originally told them we couldn't be friends on facebook...now that I'm leaving, (slash now that they are no longer my "students") I changed my mind. I am actively interested in where they will go to college and what they will do with their lives! And unlike my preschoolers I don't need to wait 13 years to find out! Soooo I'm about to get like 200 teenaged "new friends." Oy.
Soon I have to leave my cute little out-of-a-story-book-looking city....
...Thank goodness I get to come home to the Hamptons, crabs, outdoor movie nights, and the beach. Admittedly, I do miss these things, and I'm not sure what summer would be without them.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
weird things that happened this week
1) A man walks down the street in seriously short shorts. I'm talking Nair commercial short. He was in his 50's. (EDIT--6/6--Worse. While waiting for the bus at school, I saw an old man wearing NO pants, just a shirt, tightie whities AND he was wheeling a wheelbarrow. Does it get much better than that?)
2) The "cool" boys in school have gotten new haircuts. The "half mullet" is no longer popular, but seemingly blow dried long bangs, and a back mohawk (a bo-hawk) are now the new 'do. Also wearing sunglasses inside (haven't you heard the news? The sun never sets on a bad ass).
3) While picnicing/reading/drawing in the park, I got approached by a group of Hungarian 10- year olds. My hungarian is getting better, but I couldn't understand anything except they wanted me to do something with my bicycle. I replied politely, as usual "Angolul beselek" (I speak English).
Well, no sweat for the 10 year olds, they switched right over to english (better than some of my highschoolers!) And explained that their ball was stuck up a tree and they'd like to throw stones at it, so could I please move my bike.
This is a very strange happening here....not many people speak english! Especially 10 year olds. I complimented them, of course!
4) I randomly got Friday off and found out today (thursday). "Oh, we forgot to tell you, there won't be lessons tomorrow because the students will be on a school trip. So don't come in"
...Okayyyy, don't have to tell me twice!
2) The "cool" boys in school have gotten new haircuts. The "half mullet" is no longer popular, but seemingly blow dried long bangs, and a back mohawk (a bo-hawk) are now the new 'do. Also wearing sunglasses inside (haven't you heard the news? The sun never sets on a bad ass).
3) While picnicing/reading/drawing in the park, I got approached by a group of Hungarian 10- year olds. My hungarian is getting better, but I couldn't understand anything except they wanted me to do something with my bicycle. I replied politely, as usual "Angolul beselek" (I speak English).
Well, no sweat for the 10 year olds, they switched right over to english (better than some of my highschoolers!) And explained that their ball was stuck up a tree and they'd like to throw stones at it, so could I please move my bike.
This is a very strange happening here....not many people speak english! Especially 10 year olds. I complimented them, of course!
4) I randomly got Friday off and found out today (thursday). "Oh, we forgot to tell you, there won't be lessons tomorrow because the students will be on a school trip. So don't come in"
...Okayyyy, don't have to tell me twice!
Sunday, June 5, 2011
the red pen is out
I am grading my 9th grader's final exam essays with the topic " a memorable vacation."
If I were in 9th grade, it would be like camping at Lake George, or Cape May N.J. or camping at Smith Point beach 10 minutes from my house or maybe Hershey Pennsylvania.
These kids get to write about Italy, Greece, Egypt, Germany, England, Spain....etc. You get the point. I waited out my entire childhood and college career, only visiting the East Coast of my own country, until I could get out of the U.S. and go explore different cultures. These kids are just traipsing over Europe, checking out Gaudi in Barcelona, German Countryside and eating enough Italian gelato that they get brain freeze.
And they are all 15! Lucky Europeans....
If I were in 9th grade, it would be like camping at Lake George, or Cape May N.J. or camping at Smith Point beach 10 minutes from my house or maybe Hershey Pennsylvania.
These kids get to write about Italy, Greece, Egypt, Germany, England, Spain....etc. You get the point. I waited out my entire childhood and college career, only visiting the East Coast of my own country, until I could get out of the U.S. and go explore different cultures. These kids are just traipsing over Europe, checking out Gaudi in Barcelona, German Countryside and eating enough Italian gelato that they get brain freeze.
And they are all 15! Lucky Europeans....
Thursday, June 2, 2011
My favorite boutique is closing
And it feels like the end of an era.
Once filled with adorable blouses and skirts, the little shop is now emptying out. There are no new shipments in, and big signs everywhere saying "50% off Minden" (everything). The little store near the square that I visited 2 times a week sometimes, to get rid of spare change, is only filled with teeshirts hanging half off the hanger and clothing I've already rejected 7 times. Too-ugly dresses I don't think I would even wear to a theme party and some clothes large enough that I would be swimming in them.
I stopped in yesterday for one last look around and was able to find a pair of jeans-to-cut-into-shorts (Or "jorts"--aptly given name by Aylene) for half price. But really there is nothing left. It served me well while it lasted...But to be honest, I really would have missed this little shop after leaving.
Saying goodbye to the store and my students and my colleagues this week and next is my first step West again.
Once filled with adorable blouses and skirts, the little shop is now emptying out. There are no new shipments in, and big signs everywhere saying "50% off Minden" (everything). The little store near the square that I visited 2 times a week sometimes, to get rid of spare change, is only filled with teeshirts hanging half off the hanger and clothing I've already rejected 7 times. Too-ugly dresses I don't think I would even wear to a theme party and some clothes large enough that I would be swimming in them.
I stopped in yesterday for one last look around and was able to find a pair of jeans-to-cut-into-shorts (Or "jorts"--aptly given name by Aylene) for half price. But really there is nothing left. It served me well while it lasted...But to be honest, I really would have missed this little shop after leaving.
Saying goodbye to the store and my students and my colleagues this week and next is my first step West again.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
the big visit
So, amazingly enough, we had some friends from NY visit lil old Hungary this past week. The week was full of LOTS of wine, LOTS of sun, LOTS of laughing and LOTS of adventures.
I think we really fit everything in, visiting Budapest, then Eger, then "the weekend house," and finally the mountains. All the food that I've been loving these past few months were tried and tested by the NY-ers and they LOVED it as well (--Sometimes so much that someone was ordering 2 meals in one night!)
It was so great that they got to come visit. We were talking about how pictures and words on this thing can never compare to actually being here in Hungary. Pictures and words can't really do it justice--there is an unmistakable vibe here. Pictures don't let you taste the food or admire all the architechture at once, and pictures don't always show the beautiful pale colors of the buildings.
They said they never would have thought Hungary had so much culture, food, and life to offer. Back in the states, we don't hear very much about this tiny little country because they stay out of the news and out of the drama! People here just want to enjoy their wine, drink their ever-flowing mineral water, and "enjoy the life."
I'm just really glad I was able to share this experience with them, because now someone else gets it. They understand why it will be hard to leave after living here, and they were here to feel and get to know this little city for what it's worth--which is so much more than I can type through my blog.
I think we really fit everything in, visiting Budapest, then Eger, then "the weekend house," and finally the mountains. All the food that I've been loving these past few months were tried and tested by the NY-ers and they LOVED it as well (--Sometimes so much that someone was ordering 2 meals in one night!)
 |
| me, ay and ben's mom enjoying a mid-afternoon wine break |
 |
| out to a delicious dinner with a little froccs! |
 |
| jumping shot in the pest square |
 |
| that dingy hole-in-the-wall BEAN place that I cant get enough of! |
 |
| Wine tasting down in the "Valley of Beautiful Women" |
It was so great that they got to come visit. We were talking about how pictures and words on this thing can never compare to actually being here in Hungary. Pictures and words can't really do it justice--there is an unmistakable vibe here. Pictures don't let you taste the food or admire all the architechture at once, and pictures don't always show the beautiful pale colors of the buildings.
They said they never would have thought Hungary had so much culture, food, and life to offer. Back in the states, we don't hear very much about this tiny little country because they stay out of the news and out of the drama! People here just want to enjoy their wine, drink their ever-flowing mineral water, and "enjoy the life."
I'm just really glad I was able to share this experience with them, because now someone else gets it. They understand why it will be hard to leave after living here, and they were here to feel and get to know this little city for what it's worth--which is so much more than I can type through my blog.
Monday, May 30, 2011
i have to leave THIS?
A bigger entry coming soon about shenanigans with my NY friends this past week.....but right now I just need to appreciate that these photos sum up my life here and I'm really going to miss it.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
the days, they just go on by
Every day here is some kind of magical adventure. Even with a "real job." Why would I give that up? (The answer is pursue my dream-- which sometimes feels like some capitalist answer to a real dream, but whatever--no one really cares about that, do they?)
When I tell people June 17th is the day that a period ends this long saga of photography, exploration, nature, deep breaths of ridiculously fresh air, blogging, teaching, loving and living simultaneously...I always follow it with a lip pout.
...The truth is, I've found yet another home here. I know that that is what happens when you live somewhere long enough, but once again the meanings of words are blurring when I travel to and from Hungary.
"Coming" and "Going" don't feel like Coming and Going-- Somehow, it feels all the same even though these words are supposed to have completely opposite meanings.
In the famous words of Conor Oberst, "You're either coming or you just left, but you're always on the way..."
When I tell people June 17th is the day that a period ends this long saga of photography, exploration, nature, deep breaths of ridiculously fresh air, blogging, teaching, loving and living simultaneously...I always follow it with a lip pout.
...The truth is, I've found yet another home here. I know that that is what happens when you live somewhere long enough, but once again the meanings of words are blurring when I travel to and from Hungary.
"Coming" and "Going" don't feel like Coming and Going-- Somehow, it feels all the same even though these words are supposed to have completely opposite meanings.
In the famous words of Conor Oberst, "You're either coming or you just left, but you're always on the way..."
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
life lesson 348
Make plans, but never take them too seriously....
Be flexible so that bumps in the road don't mess up your flow, only lift you up a little bit, and let you back down easy. Be easy. Think of your bod like it has "shocks," (Yes, like a car--maybe they call them shocks for a reason) and you don't want to wear them out. So ride those bumps, get used to being jolted and shoved around, that way if you ever hit a smooth patch, you'll appreciate it more. Smooth sailing is for the boring.
...That being said, maybe planning on your plans changing can help you actually plan your future in a more successful way?
Be flexible so that bumps in the road don't mess up your flow, only lift you up a little bit, and let you back down easy. Be easy. Think of your bod like it has "shocks," (Yes, like a car--maybe they call them shocks for a reason) and you don't want to wear them out. So ride those bumps, get used to being jolted and shoved around, that way if you ever hit a smooth patch, you'll appreciate it more. Smooth sailing is for the boring.
...That being said, maybe planning on your plans changing can help you actually plan your future in a more successful way?
Sunday, May 15, 2011
csipkéskút
This weekend we got to go to this awesome ranch at the top of one of the mountains in the Bükk. A HUGE house, complete with 6 hotel rooms on the property, a coral with at least 40 horses, and even a dread-lock dog (a Puli!)
A lot of fresh air, bonfires, lots of people, about 30 liters of wine, fat on the fire (oh yeah, forget marshmallows here--they roast FAT!), nature, mountain biking, and being lacksidasical in the sunshine.
We spent Saturday morning making dandilion chains......even the Puli,who's name was Negro, got one. I can't make this stuff up.
A few nights spent in the mountains is most definitely the best type of weekend that can be had. No technology, no noise, and no worries. Just trees, trails, air, and lots of giggling.
....It's 10 PM on Sunday night, and it only just started raining now :)
 |
We spent Saturday morning making dandilion chains......even the Puli,who's name was Negro, got one. I can't make this stuff up.
A few nights spent in the mountains is most definitely the best type of weekend that can be had. No technology, no noise, and no worries. Just trees, trails, air, and lots of giggling.
 |
| puli the dreadlock dog...the filthiest animal ever! |
 |
| Check out his funny horse teeth |
 |
| bogracs! |
 | Think about having a birthday party with little kids on a hot summer day. Now think about saying the word "popsicles," and think about the stampede of children you would get. This was almost exactly the same, except bigger, smellier, and wayyy dustier! | ||
| This was the nightly "dinner time call." |
Monday, May 9, 2011
it's all happening
Mediocre (weather wise) weekend....with not-so-mediocre amounts of fun and relaxation. went to the countryside house for a little outside cookin' over the fire
relaxing beverages with bub to ease the stress of a hectic week
hike with neighbors....
this is the backyard of the countryside house....It goes for miles. Never climbing a mountain, but more rolling through the mountains with my mouth gaping open at all the s p a c e
a little skyping with some oh-so-missed mommas (real momma, god momma and grand momma)...
...followed by a beautiful Monday.
Also, I may get the chance to practice a little speech pathology and do my first screening in a local hospital! I have my advisor back home backing me (yay, Queens College--I have something good to say about you!) and it is for an American here....So we will see how that goes. I'm excited, but....nem tudom. Nervous I guess.
Also, one of my colleagues bought me peanut butter, and I have been loving on that little piece of America all weekend. I've been loving it on toast, with a little jam, with a little banana, and of course right off the spoon. Fincsi fincsi fincsi!
What's kinda cool is that a few weekends ago we climbed that far mountian wayyy in the back there :)
Friday, May 6, 2011
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Beginning of Május
My time here is going so quickly. It's unreal. I was thinking today how it feels like I was just in Raleigh, NC bringing in the new year with my college buds....and It's been 4 months!
I've really been enjoying myself immensly, especially since the weather has been so nice. Also I JUST GOT PAID! A party should be thrown, seriously! I've been making do with what I have, which is fine, and living off of my private lesson money...which was peanuts compared to what I have now.
And you know what's really sick? I didn't even run off to the mall to go clothes shopping....I did however run off to my favorite little boutique right off the center square. It's kind of a classy second-hand clothing store....with great prices. I fell in love with it when I was poor, and now that I have money, I find myself still going in! I can't help it...they have these unique vintage-y european clothes which are just my style!
Anyways, here's what I've been up to, I'll let the photos speak for themselves:
I've really been enjoying myself immensly, especially since the weather has been so nice. Also I JUST GOT PAID! A party should be thrown, seriously! I've been making do with what I have, which is fine, and living off of my private lesson money...which was peanuts compared to what I have now.
And you know what's really sick? I didn't even run off to the mall to go clothes shopping....I did however run off to my favorite little boutique right off the center square. It's kind of a classy second-hand clothing store....with great prices. I fell in love with it when I was poor, and now that I have money, I find myself still going in! I can't help it...they have these unique vintage-y european clothes which are just my style!
Anyways, here's what I've been up to, I'll let the photos speak for themselves:
Do not tell me those goats aren't freaking adorable. BABY GOATS!
Sunday, May 1, 2011
life lesson 642
Actions (and for that matter, lack of actions) speak louder that words.
Stop saying and talking and start to BE and DO.
Stop saying and talking and start to BE and DO.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
hungarian word of the day 2
Today's word is brought to you by SPRING!
Buttercup
Buttercup > Gólyahír > Stork's news
The stork is a Spring time bird who carries babies around....and here, buttercups are one of the first flowers to bloom...before spring has officially sprung. Which makes them symbolic of spring coming soon, bringing babies or new life to an otherwise dreary environment!
Buttercup
Buttercup > Gólyahír > Stork's news
The stork is a Spring time bird who carries babies around....and here, buttercups are one of the first flowers to bloom...before spring has officially sprung. Which makes them symbolic of spring coming soon, bringing babies or new life to an otherwise dreary environment!
Monday, April 25, 2011
Hungarian Easter Traditions
Here, Easter Monday is a little more Easter than Easter Sunday. Yesterday, the town was FULL and everyone was out with their families and shopping and walking around. Today, the town is completely desolate!
We are having our Easter dinner today also.
This brings me to ancient Hungarian Folklore traditions....
Folklore tradition says that on Easter Monday, Boys will "water" girls will cold water, and girls are supposed to give them chocolate.
When I asked my students about Easter traditions this is what they told me...The girls looked like they didn't really like Easter, But the boys were laughing and acted like the loved Easter! Of course if this is the tradition! They said that boys they knew would be allowed into their house to dump cold water on the girls to wake them up!
So I think young cheeky boys still do this to the girls as a joke, but now it's more appropriate for the boys to walk around with perfume and the girls to walk around with chocolate eggs. The boys recite the following poem to girls, asking if they can "water" or spray them with perfume. And then the girls say yes, the boys (nicely) squirt their neck, and the girls give them chocolate eggs. (My girl students informed me that "nice boys" spray you with perfume if they like you as a friend, a girlfriend, or even as an elder--like a boy would spray perfume on his grandmother or female neighbors. Cheeky boys get you with the cold water! And apparently, you are lucky if you don't get ANY cold water splashed on you Easter Monday).
There's all sorts of symbolism here, and I can imagine where this tradition came from...Men helping women to become "beautiful" and "pretty" and "smell nice" in the spring time. Being done with winter and ready for summer. Blooming of flowers. An old courting ritual for springtime--You can just imagine 8 year old boys splashing the girl he likes in his class on the playground. Only here, Adult males get to act like children too! (As if they don't already...we won't get into that, though)
"Zöld erdőben jártam kék ibolyát láttam elakart hervadni. Szabad e locsolni?"
> I've been in the green forest, I saw a blue flower and it was going to wilt. Can I water you?
--> Apparently this is the most simple, and the Easter poem can range from this to a little longer and funnier!
Anyway, I thought this was a cute little tradition. At first I thought it was a rediculous tradition for Easter...Splashing cold water on girls is NOT nice! But the perfume and poem combo sounds just lovely for spring time! Imagine getting sprayed by the boy you like on Easter?
§§§ Update: I thought I was off the hook, but I got sprayed with perfume at dinner. Now I smell!
We are having our Easter dinner today also.
This brings me to ancient Hungarian Folklore traditions....
Folklore tradition says that on Easter Monday, Boys will "water" girls will cold water, and girls are supposed to give them chocolate.
When I asked my students about Easter traditions this is what they told me...The girls looked like they didn't really like Easter, But the boys were laughing and acted like the loved Easter! Of course if this is the tradition! They said that boys they knew would be allowed into their house to dump cold water on the girls to wake them up!
So I think young cheeky boys still do this to the girls as a joke, but now it's more appropriate for the boys to walk around with perfume and the girls to walk around with chocolate eggs. The boys recite the following poem to girls, asking if they can "water" or spray them with perfume. And then the girls say yes, the boys (nicely) squirt their neck, and the girls give them chocolate eggs. (My girl students informed me that "nice boys" spray you with perfume if they like you as a friend, a girlfriend, or even as an elder--like a boy would spray perfume on his grandmother or female neighbors. Cheeky boys get you with the cold water! And apparently, you are lucky if you don't get ANY cold water splashed on you Easter Monday).
There's all sorts of symbolism here, and I can imagine where this tradition came from...Men helping women to become "beautiful" and "pretty" and "smell nice" in the spring time. Being done with winter and ready for summer. Blooming of flowers. An old courting ritual for springtime--You can just imagine 8 year old boys splashing the girl he likes in his class on the playground. Only here, Adult males get to act like children too! (As if they don't already...we won't get into that, though)
"Zöld erdőben jártam kék ibolyát láttam elakart hervadni. Szabad e locsolni?"
> I've been in the green forest, I saw a blue flower and it was going to wilt. Can I water you?
--> Apparently this is the most simple, and the Easter poem can range from this to a little longer and funnier!
Anyway, I thought this was a cute little tradition. At first I thought it was a rediculous tradition for Easter...Splashing cold water on girls is NOT nice! But the perfume and poem combo sounds just lovely for spring time! Imagine getting sprayed by the boy you like on Easter?
§§§ Update: I thought I was off the hook, but I got sprayed with perfume at dinner. Now I smell!
Saturday, April 23, 2011
camping in summer
Luckily, we've had straight up summer weather the past few days....and we decided to go into the forest...and stay there! Camping is one of my favorite things to do, and even though I thought we may be jumping the gun a little camping so early in the season, the weather was on our side, and we had an amazing little trip.
We went camping at Szilvasvárad, an awesome little place to go hiking around. We've been there before, but only did the 2 mile short trails, and drove up the mountain to take another shorter trail to an overlook...which was awesome because we saw this last fall
We passed that first overlook within the first hour of our trip and continued to bike (slash hike the really steep parts!) for another 5-ish hours....its was about 15 KM to our destination--Bél Kő--uphill. One thing is for sure, though, camping, hiking, and photographing my journey is one of my favorite ways to spend time!
I really don't mind moving and being active as long as I'm in nature and I have an ever-changing view on my way....It keeps things interesting, because we all know how easily bored I get. This is why I can't go to the gym....I need a workout with a big finale! And boy did I get one.
From the top, we could see down on all the other surrounding mountains, we were about 1 KM high. It just made me feel really, really small. We sat, breathed the crisp mountain air, and felt like we were on top of the world. 
Our descent was fun, and that's what it felt like, a descent! I felt like I was descending in an airplane rolling the whole way down this mountain and seeing everything we saw slowly on the way up, quickly in reverse. It was such a good feeling to fly down this mountain like a bird...and it took a little over an hour to get down, so I had plenty of time to revel in this feeling of weightlessness.
The camping part always includes a lot of laughs: Somehow making a really incredible dinner of potatoes, veggies and beans over the fire, figuring out how borrowed sleeping mats work, sleeping at an awkward angle all night, figuring out how to open the bottle of wine we brought (of course no corkscrew! luckily a nice lady let us borrow hers, but we were ready to get creative), getting all the equipment back into those little tiny bags for storage.....The list goes on.
I always feel a little better after I go camping...I need to get back in touch with my inner cavegirl every now and then. And I always get a little sad packing up our new little "home" we made....To be honest, I always have the urge to go into the forest and stay there--for a long time. I get really tired of relying on technology so much!
The most perfect peace is the quietness of the forest, freshness of the air and the beauty of nature--to me anyway!
 |
| Happy Earth Day! |
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Hungarian word of the day 1 (egy)
So, it is becoming apparant to me how beautiful, literal and poetic the Hungarian language is. As a student of language, and a learner of the Hungarian language, it is interesting to know where words come from. Latin Roots are normally present in the English language, but sometimes words are completely arbitrary! The only thing that makes a cat a cat is that we all agreed to call it that!
I am always looking for ways to remember new Hungarian words, and it's easier to break up big words to what their root words are to understand the whole meaning. Turns out that when you translate from English to Hungarian and then back to English, you occasionally end up with some poetic form of the original word....Or if not poetic, mildly humorous!
I want to start recording these when I find them....I have been collecting them for a while and now I'm going to start sharing them.
Today's word is:
Tip
Tip > borravaló > "A little Money for the Wine"
Okay, so maybe this first one isn't so poetic, but it's definitely amusing. Hungary obviously has a very rich and long history with wine, and so much so that wine (or bor) is actually included in the word for "tip" (probably because that is mostly what they were tipping for back in the day!)
More to come!
I am always looking for ways to remember new Hungarian words, and it's easier to break up big words to what their root words are to understand the whole meaning. Turns out that when you translate from English to Hungarian and then back to English, you occasionally end up with some poetic form of the original word....Or if not poetic, mildly humorous!
I want to start recording these when I find them....I have been collecting them for a while and now I'm going to start sharing them.
Today's word is:
Tip
Tip > borravaló > "A little Money for the Wine"
Okay, so maybe this first one isn't so poetic, but it's definitely amusing. Hungary obviously has a very rich and long history with wine, and so much so that wine (or bor) is actually included in the word for "tip" (probably because that is mostly what they were tipping for back in the day!)
More to come!
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
spring break
It's here, and what a relief!
Good things:
-Finally legal! Officially! All that work for a little sticker (okay, Visa) in my passport and to be "logged into the system."
- Using games in English in my classroom has been my favorite thing. Revamping Catch Phrase, Scattergories, Taboo, Pictionary, Cranium (and possibly Balderdash in the near future!) Has been fantastically fun for my students and I both.
- Nice weather...We have been positively lucking out with the weather, and it's only going to get better this week! We are actually planning a camping trip for the end of this week which just so happens to land on Earth Day :) So yes, I am aware it will be sooo cold at night, but we will be alright, the temp doesnt drop below freezing at night anymore :P Ben is one of my favorite people to go camping with and we're already planning the menu...beans, marshmallows, sausage and baked potatoes for dinner and avocado sandwiches for the hike!
-Rasberry Soup. Really Hungary? But I love rasberries, I love soup, and this is quite a unique treat for my tastebuds.
Bad things:
- My time here is limited
- Airfare back to NY is rediculously overpriced and creating quite a conundrum.
But we don't dwell on negative things because everything, even good things, come and go. So living in the moment is the best thing for any of us
And "in the moment," there is always sweet sweet lovin' in some form, isn't there?
Good things:
-Finally legal! Officially! All that work for a little sticker (okay, Visa) in my passport and to be "logged into the system."
- Using games in English in my classroom has been my favorite thing. Revamping Catch Phrase, Scattergories, Taboo, Pictionary, Cranium (and possibly Balderdash in the near future!) Has been fantastically fun for my students and I both.
- Nice weather...We have been positively lucking out with the weather, and it's only going to get better this week! We are actually planning a camping trip for the end of this week which just so happens to land on Earth Day :) So yes, I am aware it will be sooo cold at night, but we will be alright, the temp doesnt drop below freezing at night anymore :P Ben is one of my favorite people to go camping with and we're already planning the menu...beans, marshmallows, sausage and baked potatoes for dinner and avocado sandwiches for the hike!
-Rasberry Soup. Really Hungary? But I love rasberries, I love soup, and this is quite a unique treat for my tastebuds.
- Trail mix.
- The grooviest bum in Eger. He is awesome and really adds a vibe to the square when he plays there!
- FLOWERS. This city does not skimp when it comes to planting flowers. They were ready for spring, and flowers are in bloom all over town....different colors, different flowers....just everywhere. As it gets nicer, this town literally gets prettier every day!
- My time here is limited
- Airfare back to NY is rediculously overpriced and creating quite a conundrum.
But we don't dwell on negative things because everything, even good things, come and go. So living in the moment is the best thing for any of us
And "in the moment," there is always sweet sweet lovin' in some form, isn't there?
"Surely the one thing which can bring about a fundamental change, a creative, psychological release, is everyday watchfulness, being aware from moment to moment of our motives, the conscious as well as the unconscious."-- Krishnamurti
Sunday, April 17, 2011
to market, to market
Today was MARKET DAY! I love market day.
The antique market comes to town once a month, and when it does I really love wandering around with a coffee on a Sunday morning. Today I wandered with a coffee and a little Avett Brothers in my ears...which was just lovely combined with the sun on my face. It's like a little slice of "Home" in a nice little village which is no place like home. Their tunes playing in my head as I look at really old phonographs, photos and pottery was a great way to start the day.
Anyway, I usually take the same loop, saving my favorite vendor for last. I always end up buying a little something from her...she's got reasonable prices and really cool looking pieces! I'm getting quite the collection going, but only small things--I need to get it home somehow!
I didn't buy anything for myself, just cool things I thought people back home would appreciate...and wouldn't you know, I bought it from the same lady as always in the corner...
After the market, I learned how to cook my favorite hungarian dish--Paprika Chicken. It contains homemade noodles. But I think I can recreate it back in NY....I just need to bring back Hungarian Paprika! You can't get it in America I don't think...so I will bring plenty home to cook with because they flavor everything with it here and it is SO good.
Also, I'm really feeling the need to express my love for dark chocolate ice cream. There is one place in town which sells it...and it's literally like heaven in my mouth. It's one of the most fantastic things I've ever eaten...I predict many many dark chocolate ice cream breaks in my very near future.
But for anyone who knows me at all, you know that I love ice cream, so this should really be no surprise!
Spring Break in 2 days--thank Goodness! To be honest, I'm already in Spring Break mode.....
The antique market comes to town once a month, and when it does I really love wandering around with a coffee on a Sunday morning. Today I wandered with a coffee and a little Avett Brothers in my ears...which was just lovely combined with the sun on my face. It's like a little slice of "Home" in a nice little village which is no place like home. Their tunes playing in my head as I look at really old phonographs, photos and pottery was a great way to start the day. 
Anyway, I usually take the same loop, saving my favorite vendor for last. I always end up buying a little something from her...she's got reasonable prices and really cool looking pieces! I'm getting quite the collection going, but only small things--I need to get it home somehow! I didn't buy anything for myself, just cool things I thought people back home would appreciate...and wouldn't you know, I bought it from the same lady as always in the corner...
After the market, I learned how to cook my favorite hungarian dish--Paprika Chicken. It contains homemade noodles. But I think I can recreate it back in NY....I just need to bring back Hungarian Paprika! You can't get it in America I don't think...so I will bring plenty home to cook with because they flavor everything with it here and it is SO good.
Also, I'm really feeling the need to express my love for dark chocolate ice cream. There is one place in town which sells it...and it's literally like heaven in my mouth. It's one of the most fantastic things I've ever eaten...I predict many many dark chocolate ice cream breaks in my very near future.
But for anyone who knows me at all, you know that I love ice cream, so this should really be no surprise!
Spring Break in 2 days--thank Goodness! To be honest, I'm already in Spring Break mode.....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)