Appreciating the Under-Appreciated

I’ve been putting a bit of thought into the saying my dad has always told my sister and me: “Luck is when preparation meets opportunity” – more or less meaning…always work hard and do your best because you never know when an opportunity might present itself.

With that in mind, lately I have been thinking about where I am today, how I got here and really whom I have to thank for it all. Yes, I certainly put in my time and worked hard, but I could really only control the Preparation part of the Luck equation.

So…the process of Opportunity. Friends and professors are all major parts of where I am today, but I’ve got to hand it to my parents. It’s easy to forget to show proper appreciation for parents because everything they do is their responsibility as parents, right? Well..wrong, actually. My parents are the most selfless, knowledgeable, honest and hard-working people I will ever meet.

Beyond the basic parenthood duties, it is everything else my parents have done for me (and perhaps your parents for you) that need to be recognized and appreciated: offering knowledge and advice only one can give with time, working jobs that were perhaps less desirable to provide for a family, providing health insurance when I was not offered my own during school, jobs and internships so I can get experience and (hopefully) get a job because of these experiences, PLANNING AHEAD for my sister/me (which perhaps meant personal sacrifice for our long-term benefit), staying up late proofreading papers, allowing us to live in a safe neighborhood, helping me prepare for piano/violin lessons, providing a violin/piano to use, taking my sister and me to Museums, concerts, classes, etc., teaching us extremely important lessons about 401Ks, taxes, economics, politics, religion, international relations, etc., and of course the latest act – helping me move down to Austin, as there is absolutely no way I could have pulled this off without them.

Perhaps I am especially grateful for and appreciative of my parents because everything they/my sister/I have today is a result of their hard work. My parents are both first generation Americans and have worked ridiculously hard for everything, both for them as well as for my sister and me. Something my Dad said to me while helping me move down to Austin was to the effect of ‘we have worked hard so you don’t have to’ which of course is 100% true, but also makes me feel pretty guilty, not going to lie BUT at the same time inspires me to keep working hard and prove there is/can/will be a high ROI in all they have put in (=

A few years back I attended a workshop given by Ed Gerety, perhaps the most memorable part was when he picked an audience member and said, “If you had one hour left to live, who would you call, what would you say and why haven’t you done it yet?”, handed his cell phone to the student, and had him make the call. Not going to lie, it was pretty powerful…obviously if I’m still talking about it 2 1/2 years later.

I hope at this point, my parents already know the immense appreciation I have for them, but if not, here’s another shoutout that really does not even begin to cover my gratitude. (= I would also hope that if any of you have remarkable people in your lives, you would not hesitate to let them know. Genuinely good/caring/selfless/saint-worthy people tend to be few and far between…but really deserve all the recognition and appreciation in the world.

And…so this doesn’t end on an emo note (cough MOM cough) (=, I will conclude with something near and dear to my heart, pride of the motherland (Hungary’s anthem to follow):

a night in Greece

So, I’ve decided that my internship has the power to make me quite nostalgic, as I am thinking about studing abroad and travel each and every second of the day.  At the moment, I’m sifting through my Queretaro photos and video that can perhaps be used in collateral…or website content…or anything really. ANYWAY…

So…I came across this video apparently I took in Athens a few years back – a family friend took my family and I out to dinner one night – we ended up going to this absolutely beautiful location – a rooftop restaurant with live music and the beautiful Acropolis as the backdrop.  Greece sure is an amazing place. And Greek people sure are funny to watch:

and P.S. on the note of Greece…apparently there are adult Greek classes beginning soon here in Austin…heck yes. I think the trauma ensued from my childhood Greek school experience has finally blown over and I am ready to take the plunge once again. (= So freaking excited.

a reflexion after six months of travel

I have been out of the country for the past six months and now am finally back in the states – in Salem, Oregon – to a life which has been so familiar to me during the past 14 years.

I have had some remarkable experiences beginning with my orchestra tour to Canada, followed by by family vacation in Europe, and most recently my study abroad adventures in Mexico. Last year at this time, my plans all seemed so foreign and far away however, I look back now, and it feels as though these past six months have occurred in about 10 minutes.

Canada was a dream trip because I was able to play under Mr. Nelson’s direction again. It’s so easy to take for granted and lose appreciation for what you have, when you have this this/person/group/etc. on a daily basis. I didn’t realize how much I valued Mr. Nelson, his orchestra, and my fellow musicians until I graduated from Sprague and no longer had all of these things and people as part of my daily life. The trip was beautiful, and it was nice to have one last experience with these people after I could truely appreciate the uniqueness and special place this group has in my heart.

Europe with my family was also an amazing trip. As we became more busy with work and school, we sadly have less time for each other. This trip definitely brought us closer and allowed us to appreciate one another as four mature adults. Out of everything we did and saw in Greece, Italy, and England – hands down the best part of the trip was seeing my Greek family. I have not seen them since I was five years old and as I have grown older, I have continued to appreciate the importance and value of family. I really hope that someday in the near future I will be able to return to Greece to visit everyone again. Also, I know I don’t have much time, but I would love to begin Greek lessons so that I am able to communicate with my family.

Athens was absolutely beautiful, the islands were breathtaking, the historical sites were unreal, and Italian coast was more than I could have ever expected. The month flew by quicker than I could have ever expected, but looking back – it was one of the best months of my life and I am so grateful my parents were willing and able to take my sister and me along for this beautiful experience.

Last but not least – Mexico. Where do I even begin? I suppose I can begin with saying my time in Mexico on the Queretaro program was more than I ever could have expected or dreamed. Everything seemed so surreal going into the program – I don’t think it really hit any of us that we would be in Mexico for four months until we boarded the airplane in Los Angeles and we saw that the majority of the other passengers were Mexican, and everything was done in Spanish. At this point everything seems like such a blur: the plane ride to Mexico City, finding a bus to Queretaro, calling my host family at the bus station (and not having any idea what to say or really not understanding what Maru was telling me on the phone), sitting in my room on the very first day, thinking to myself that I was in a complete strange mexican family’s house which I would be occupying for the following 16 weeks…

However, now that I am back, Queretaro seems like home. My host family was amazing – more than I could have ever hoped for, I knew my way around campus, downtown, I could easily negotiate the crazy bus system. Although I am nowhere near fluent, I felt quite comfortable with my spanish. I was comfortable with getting on a bus and taking a weekend trip to a random Mexican city. I could understand mostly everything being said around me and I was in love with the city. I made some amazing friendship with other Mexican students who I know will be lifelong friends.

Most of all, when in Mexico, the most surprising and amazing change which happened was I gained a new family and 14 new best friends. During our orientation, I never would have guessed that our group would have become so close – in fact, I thought the opposite. During orientation, I was almost certain I would not get along with the majority of the people in my group or Christine for that matter; however, I was more than wrong. I love each and every person in the group, and I feel safe to say that this feeling is mutual. We were each other’s everything for four months straight because unlike here, we really didn’t have another other friendships, responsilibties, jobs, etc., which would distract from the relationships. I saw each and every one of these people day in and day out, at school, downtown, and during the nights. We cooked, danced, laughed, cried, traveled…you name it and we did it together. I never would have imagined in a million years how much I care for these people and what a strong bond I feel with them.

It’s hard to describe my experiences in Mexico, and although I can reiterate more or less the events on my time abroad, I know no one will really understand the true impact Mexico has had on my or the sentiments I feel towards my experience. Of course I am excited to see my family and friends back here, but it is so strange to be home. It feels as though nothing has changed, even though I know so much has! Mexico just seems like a dream to me – a vivid dream – but it’s hard to believe that less than a week ago I was living in beautiful sunny Queretaro, Mexico and now here I am, back in Salem, Oregon, preparing for another term at the U of O.

All in all, I have had the most amazing and memorable six months of my life. All of my experiences have definitely opened my eyes and helped me realize that all too often, we get caught up in our day to day rituals and forget that there is so much more that the world has to offer. As I am back in Salem until I move to Eugene in January, I am getting anxious to take off again, to experience another part of the world I have yet to see! I am hoping to find an internship or study program in another country for summer 2008. The travel bug as definitely bite me and I cannot wait for another adventure!

recap of Europe

Well, Europe was the most amazing trip. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. It was the quickest and fastest month of my life. I will update with more details at a later date; however, as for now, I do not have time as I am preparing for my trip to Queretaro! I leave in 3 days which I cannot believe.

On the way back to our hotel in Rome, we encountered a random drum/belly dancing circle:

More updates soon! I’m so excited for Queretaro!

Athens, Ouzo and the Acropolis

I love knowing that my dad grew up here here Greece!  While here in Athens, my Dad’s childhood friend, Paul has been kinda enough to show us around…and well, basically just hang out in general.  I think on of my favorite things about Paul is what an amazing storyteller he is.

On the last night we spent time with Paul, he took us to this restaurant that is located on a rooftop in Athens with a perfect view of the Acropolis and live Greek music.  Sounds perfect, right? (=

So, this video was towards the beginning of the night, but just try to image a ton of Greek people, Ouzo, a beautiful location, delicious food, good friends and storytelling.  

Freaking love this stuff: