Friday Jams

Posted on May 23, 2014 by tosabarbell

When a Hungarian tells you that he’s going to take you to his favorite Hungarian restaurant, your ears perk up. When that Hungarian turns out to be Hungary’s strongest Strongman where you KNOW he loves to eat, you KNOW you’re about to have an amazing meal.

Akos Nagy was so incredibly generous with he and his friend’s and son’s time while we were in Budapest that it was slightly overwhelming. Training, water park, sauna, tour guide, and dinner. Wow! He told us about this place and that there is a Gipsy band but only on certain nights. As we walked in, the three musicians front and center happily greeted Akos’ and proceeded to give us all an amazing, almost private concert.

The first serenade was an Elvis tune, Love Me Tender. I would love to show you the video I shot but it turns out I completely SUCK at shooting video and had my finger over the sound for everything I shot! I was so sad.  After that song, they played a Fiddler on the Roof tune, If I Were A Rich Man. Now, Fiddler has been my favorite musical since I was about 7. I dunno why. But I love it. Being in Budapest, with my new Husband, our new Hungarian friends, listening to an amazing trio of Hungarian musicians play music that has always meant so much to me and it was almost too much. I loved that Akos’ didn’t seem to mind that I teared up a bit and enjoyed the music.

After that, they played the song above, The Lark. It was amazing. As if there were a tiny bird sitting on his shoulder instead of a violin. The man playing the Dulcimer was so incredible I just couldn’t help but stare at the way his hands FLEW across the instrument. He later noticed how enthralled I was with his playing that he made me sit down next to him and played me my own tune! SO incredible!

Better musical friends

This entire night probably sums up our visit to Budapest. Amazing food, amazing music, amazing friends. Even with the others barely speaking English, we found enough commonality to have many laughs. Akos’ son, little Akos’ (what we called him) is a charming, adorable 10 year old who loves Lego’s and climbing on National statues, soooooo, kids are pretty much the same all over. OH! Here’s a question, why do European men sing their country’s folk songs and American men don’t? Look, these strong, deep voices singing it out is awesome. Take note ‘Merikans. I have video of that too. Heehee.

Oh ya, the food? It was the best I’ve ever had. And that was after a week of having “the best I’d ever had.” After being home for only 5 days, I’ve already dropped 8 of the pre-wedding and honeymoon pounds I gained from tweaking my diet (incorrectly, obviously) with a new training plan and going absolutely crazy on honeymoon. I feel better but ohhhhhhh, that food. Bigg is spending one last day there today and I told him he needs to go back there and eat the fish soup again. My god it’s good. If I lived there I’d happily weigh a million pounds. True story.

Our group

The entire experience has been absolutely incredible. I’ll bask a bit more in it all but then it’s time to get back to work. Games are gearing up and it’s time to get back into it. The house needs some work and it’s time to pay attention to it. Dogs are shedding all over so I have to go vacuum. Again. But they’re Hungarian dogs so it’s worth it. Heh.

My Hungarian brothers! I am here to rejoice with you. The several century-long dream of the people of the land now becomes true; land will belong to the one who cultivates it. Today, some one hundred years after our father Kossuth raised the flag of freedom fight high, the hard working people of the Hungarian soil march to re-conquer their homeland and take what is lawfully theirs.

Imre Nagy

Training Log

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Ribbons

Posted on May 22, 2014 by tosabarbell

Ribbons

When Bigg and I decided to have a Handfasting ceremony, we didn’t know exactly what it would look like. We knew there would be some kind of chord, or ribbon and some people would tie them or wrap them around our hands and say cool stuff to send us on our married journey. Details were for later.

Well, crap, then later came. And suddenly we had to get our shit together and bring all these ideas to life. Enter the Google. Anything you need to know? It’s there. As in, Handfasting traditions and ribbon color meanings. Each color was assigned to a person or a group for a reason. Strength for our Highland Game friends; Purple was power for my cousins whom are so dear to me; Brown represents home for my daughter, etc. We laid them out on our beautiful table as they were blessed and watched over by the first Buddha my dear friend Veronique gave me. Enough folks have asked what all the colors mean, so here goes (in order):

Red (Mama Wanat): Passion, Strength, Fertility

Green (Hawkeye, Matt’s Dad): Finances, Charity, Health

Yellow (Jerry, my awesome Bro): Charm, Balance, Confidence

Brown (Zandra): Earth, Grounding, Home

Black (Jason & Jane Clevenger): Strength, Wisdom, Success

Orange (Guy & David, Hawaiian Uncle’s): Encouragement, Kindness, Attraction

Purple (Stacy, Paul, and Denise, my wonderful cousins): Power, Sentimentality

Pink (Amber & Brian): Honor, Truth, Romance, Happiness (And pink is their daughter Delia’s favorite color;)

Gold (Jenn minus Clay): Energy, Wealth, Intelligence

Silver (Becky & Mike, Matt’s sister and BIL): Treasure, Values, Creativity

White (Jeff & KCon, two of my pilots): Concentration, Meditation, Peace

Blue (My wonderful Uncles, Dennis & Ron): Devotion, Sincerity, Patience

And that’s it. All the colors, all the meaning.

Every blessing we received was special. From fun and funny, to meaningful and thoughtful. From lighthearted to deep connection, they were all amazing. You all can’t imagine how many times we heard throughout the day how wonderful our family and friends are. But ya, we knew that. Duh. Heh.

As much as I abhor singling someone out. I need to. Cuz she doesn’t understand what she did for me that day. But first we need to roll back the clock a bit…

Last November, as some of you know. Matt and I hit a brick wall. We were done. The moving truck was scheduled. The anger had passed and there was deep, deep sadness. As I’ve mentioned before, my dear friend Veronique was the one who shook some sense into me and told me I HAD to forgive. Words don’t matter, only love. Forgive. Don’t let this go. We made it, thanks to her and a few of my other dear friends who didn’t judge or take sides, only loved and supported. Jenn & Clay, Amber and Brian. So amazing.

When Bigg and I decided to marry, I called V and told her she needs to be here. We wouldn’t be here without her. We’ll fly her in, put her up. Include the Hubby if we can. But she is really the guest of honor because this would not be happening without her. Well, life can be a cruel Bitch and V died of Cancer weeks before the wedding. There were signs of her on our day; a painting she gave me when I moved away, one of the first Buddha’s she gave me when I was struggling in Texas in my environment. She was there in spirit, but not as we had planned.

Veronique's Flowers

When my friend Jenn (minus hubby Clay who was working but was able to stop by McBob’s later) stepped up to the plate with her Gold Ribbon, something powerful was about to happen. It was felt. She doesn’t know this. But when she stood before us, there was more than just her standing there. There was the love of Veronique; and the words of those important days and how we all came out of it; and a glass angel that was Jenn’s mother’s who had also passed on from Cancer and all the love Jenn has for her came through to us. There was a connection to all of these amazing ladies who held us up when we most needed it.

Each person, group, or couple held an important role in our special day. We’re so amazingly thankful for you all. But Jenn, you were given the duty that day to bring more than you’d imagined. And I thank  you.

Our ribbons are in our basket, bound by all the love we received. The glass angel is right next to it and is impossible to not feel the love every time I pass by and touch it . That is exactly what we were hoping for on our day. Thank you all.

Ribbons Tied

Oh, I’m SO going to bless this union.

Jason

Training Log

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Real Freedom

Posted on May 21, 2014 by tosabarbell

Ronald Regean Statue

When you book hotels in foreign lands, it’s a wee bit of a crap shoot in hoping you’ve picked a good one. We had an advantage with Akos’ in asking if the one we chose was okay and he gave the thumbs up which made me feel a little better. But still, will there be food; coffee; booze; lack of thieves…ya know, the important stuff.

We quickly learned that when you walk in any direction (right right or left left-that’s how Hungarians give directions. I risked it once and went right left and we took about 18 blocks to g0 6 so now I’ll listen to instructions) we’ll find exactly what we need. Tons of food, everywhere. Small city parks right in the middle of the Octogon meant that young people would congregate with their bottles of booze and sit, drink, and laugh.

We saw one large group with a bottle of Jack Daniels and a large bottle of Coke. They’d take a slug off the JD and then a sip of the Coke. All the while telling stories and laughing. It was really a fun sight. We’d see groups all over while walking to dinner, some smaller groups or pairs would just be sitting in a doorway stoop with a bottle of wine talking and drinking. Something that is an absolute no-no here in ‘merika!

We asked Akos’ about it when we connected with him again on Saturday and told him that we could never do that back home. His reply? ‘Ya, here, Real Freedom.’  Point to the Hungarians. And the Euro youth. Somehow, they’ve all figured out how to drink and have fun and not have an entire SWAT force standing behind them in case one gets out of hand. Huh. Why can’t WE do that?

Later that day,  we were walking around Hungarian Parliament and came across the statue of Ronald Reagan. Well sure we needed a picture so decided to look as if we were talking a walk with him. It was all fun and good when suddenly, an old Hungarian man who had been watching and listening to us came up and pointed to the statue and said, “He gave us freedom. He freed us.”

Whoa. That was real. No joke.  This entire time, we’ve had no idea what it was to live behind the Iron Curtain and how it was to be free of that. This old man does. He lived it. Most certainly lost a loved one (or more) in the 1956 Uprising. Freedom means more to him than being able to drink out in public all night. It is life. It is speech. It is living without fear.

To say I was touched is an understatement. It was very real and I was very proud that our President is perceived to do that for this one Hungarian. (Don’t even think of refuting this belief. This is not a political post. I don’t care if you hated Reagan. You don’t belong in this post, this one Hungarian man does. This is his.)

That’s Real Freedom. Directly from those who haven’t had it.

Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.

Ronald Reagan

Training Log

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One For the Books!

Posted on May 20, 2014 by tosabarbell

wedding day 1

If ever in my past I complained about too much running around and being tired, I didn’t know what I was talking about. Throw a wedding and jet off to faraway lands and I quickly realized what utter exhaustion feels like.

And I wouldn’t change a thing. The days leading into the wedding day and the day itself was one for the books. Seeing so many of our friends and family journey their way to Milwaukee just to celebrate with us is so heartwarmingly overwhelming I tear up just thinking about it. I remember asking my cousin Denise months ago if it was okay to invite people who would have to fly in even knowing we were going to keep this very small and her immediate response was something along the lines of yup, even if they can’t make it, they’ll know they are special to you and appreciate it. Word. She was right. And she was here.

It was a great party, a celebration. Exactly what we wanted. So many contributed to making it special, thank you. Many details never made it to the tables, and that’s ok. “Plan B” quickly became the mantra for the entire event.

A plain, nature surrounded hall became transformed to a warm garden filled with the beautiful music, amazing food, and tasty tasty beverages. Everything represented our favorites, and I’ll treasure the day. The beautiful weather made it possible for the kids to enjoy the outdoors and many activities that Amber brought for them, I barely saw Oz once he and the boys took off for gawd knows what.

The loud, somewhat chaotic noise of McBob’s later that evening set an entirely different tone and enjoying some Guinness with their corned beef and our family and friends was relaxing and exactly what we needed. Sure there was a dust up at the end at that was a shame, but it won’t stain the day. Nope. Not possible.

My only regret of the day is that I wasn’t able to fully connect with each person. I know, unrealistic. But still. I know I gave hugs, lots of them. I’m very happy we got to spend a little bit of time with Matt’s sister, Kari and hubby. I like them. Direct, smart, grounded. I’m looking forward to getting to know them better. There were a few at McBob’s that I didn’t get to connect with and I wish that hadn’t been the case. We’ll have to make up for that this summer.

But overall, a most special day. Filled with most special love, one for the books. I’m so thankful for it all. And tired. My body clock is still on Budapest time and I pulled an all nighter yesterday getting back. So it’s nap time. I’m thankful for naps too. True story.

alter pic

The wedding march always reminds me of the music played  when soldiers go into battle.

Heinrich Heine

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