I am famous...well not really :-)

"The website called XpatLoop.com recently published an interview of me.  I actually wrote the interview and they kindly published it.

XpatLoop is a great resource for all kinds of activities here in Hungary.  For example, they are helping United Way Hungary promote our annual gala dinner.  You are invited of course!"

  - Steven

This one is for Grandpa Jordan: hang in there!

"Mike Kappa, Diane's father, told me today that Grandpa Jordan  is dealing with kidney stones (again!).  I had kidney stones once and--knock on wood--may I and no one else in the world ever have them.  

My sonogram technician, who was also a mother of two, told me that she had stones one time and would prefer giving birth.  I also remember my surgeon telling me that as a man gets older it is easier to pass the stone.  Huh?!?  That is like saying eating glass gets easier with age because you lose your sense of taste.

So Grandpa, 'hang in there!'"

  - Steven

Back to 6-n-9

"6-n-9" you ask?  This is the time difference between Ohio/Kentucky and Seattle.  6-hours behind in Ohio and 9-hours in Seattle.

Daylight savings has finally come to Hungary this weekend.  For almost a month, we've been on 5-n-8 which made is somewhat easier to connect with people in the US.

The good news about setting our clocks 1-hour ahead is that we are truly 'springing forward.'  Today in Budapest it was 63 F (17 C) and sunny.  It felt so good.  Our spring has been cold--even snow--up until today.  Soon enough we'll be complaining about the heat which can reach 100+ F (38+ C).

Thank goodness our new flat has those old thick (really thick!) European walls with a large shade tree in our front yard.

Fearlessness

"Yesterday while walking home a young man dressed in a suit asked me (in Hungarian of course) a question.  After I explained that my Hungarian is poor, he quickly switched to English.

He asked where I worked, as he was looking for a job.  He went on to explain that he recently graduated with a marketing degree from the US.  He was having a difficult time finding work.  I could tell he was frustrated and it appeared he had a long day of asking others this question either on the street or in formal meetings.  I gave him the name of one company to call and told him that his fluent English will help him greatly to find a job.  He said thanks and we parted ways.

I really admired his fearlessness to ask a stranger on the street especially a someone that really doesn't look Hungarian (at least I don't think I do).  I have to say that if I was hiring for a fundraiser, I would seriously consider him.  His fearlessness to ask is unique in any culture!"

  - Steven

For Grandma & Grandpa Jordan

Every time I walk into our corner store I see this in the main aisle and smile...

Bob's Butterscotch Cookies

Yesterday I baked a batch of Bob's Butterscotch cookies!  They were so good-if I must say so myself.  As the cookies were baking I was remembering when we were home in August, waking up to Bob baking these cookies because he knew how much we (Diane especially) loved them.  His were better (of course) but mine were not bad!

When our boxes arrived in January there was some butterscotch chips and butterscotch pudding hidden in the packages....just what we needed for a taste of home!!

-diane

Happy Birthday to Bonnie!

Today is Bonnie Main's birthday.  Bonnie lives in Seattle.  She believes that a person's birthday is one of the  most important celebrations.  So much does she believe this that the whole month is an opportunity to celebrate and rejoice with friends and families.  This is great advice from Bonnie Main.  Please help us wish her a very happy birthday on this day--her birthday--and for the month of March.   

 

Cheers Bonnie!