In Amsterdam, about to board my plane to Budapest. So many emotions all at once -- it's been so long.
Wrote the above three weeks ago. Haven't been able to access the internet since -- my laptop seems to have a mind of its own and having forgotten my password isn't helping.
Anyway, my third week in Hungary and I still can't believe I was actually born here -- in such a perfectly beautiful country. Overwhelming is the only word that comes to mind when attempting to describe the many things I am feeling.
Budapest -- I think this was the night I landed. To be honest, these last three weeks have been but a blur, and an intense blur at that. Definitely consuming it all faster than I can digest it and that's just fine by me. I feel so at home here.
Couldn't sleep the first night or stop staring at my favorite bridge (Chain Bridge). There are about 10 bridges connecting Buda and Pest (and the islands) and honestly, with a view of the Danube who wants to sleep.
I get to speak Hungarian here which I love. Such a great language. My family is rather international though -- I counted conversations being conducted in five different tongues at my father's birthday dinner two weeks ago. Two of them were only needed if you didn't happen to speak the other three. Sounds confusing I know. I only speak two languages fluently, plus two others embarrassingly poorly. My dad's Hungarian is virtually as good as a native's and my stepmother has learned it amazingly well too.
My friend Adri and I took a couple of trips down memory lane. We last saw each other in our teens. Never a dull moment with this fine lady, that's for sure. We pretty much picked up where we left off a million moons ago.
It doesn't look like much to the passersby, but this is the site of many skipped classes. Having lunch with Adri here, reminiscing over the good old days was one of my favorite highlights.
Then we stopped here for the night. I had such a good time road tripping with Adri. Really have to find the time to upload the rest of our photos. It's just that uploading photos doesn't seem nearly as exciting as spending time with my family and friends. I did however manage to spend the last hour or so scanning in a few old photos I haven't seen in a really long time.
My mom, back in the day:
I love her looks so much. And totally remember that bathing suit.
Well, gotta run again, meeting up with my good friend TT. I don't get to see my friends nearly enough. Not enough hours in the day, that's the truth.
Until next time,
Agnes
Long week, somewhat noncommittal weather… just got home from the airport. Love airports & picking up friends I haven't seen in a while -- I guess catching up is extra special to those of us not on Facebook? Definitely a nice treat after such a taxing week, no pun intended.
It's Saturday night, and with a rather handsome looking smoked salmon sandwich by my side, I can't see much use in anything but turning my spent mind off and enjoying my own company. Which, truth be told, I do actually enjoy, especially when a good book and a cup of jasmine tea are involved.
Almost positive there's some Casablanca on tonight's agenda too.
Don't know what it is about black & white movies, they just have such a relaxing effect on me.
Speaking of usual suspects and black & white, it's been a black & white week for me all the way. I really wish I could be a bit more inspired and induce some glamour into what was essentially a fairly glamour free week, but on the bright side my recent inability to enter the spirit of colors does make for an easy laundry day.
Talk about enjoying one's own company -- definitely wasn't referring to cloning or quintuplets or whatever five twins are called. Just some good old fashioned film noir, you know, with some smoked salmon and goat cheese on a Saturday night.
Until next time.
Agnes
Spring never fails to revive those half-gone memories from my time in Hungary, of being young, somewhat lost, skipping school just to be killing my hours by the Danube and of course, the cherry blossoms. Reading just about everything I could get my hands on, a semi-futile attempt to make up for a school without spirit. At least that's what I thought back then, I also thought that the laws of physics were unnecessary and that my 24 year old teacher was old. [I have grown to be rather grateful for my education since.]
Some say youth is wasted on the young, that young love fades, people come and go… you can't go home again and that it's all over too soon. I don't know. I sure wish I could censor some of life's changes but couldn't imagine life with zero change and every day the same.
BUT BACK TO THE SUBJECT OF SPRING: I'VE BEEN TRYING TO MAKE DRESSES HAPPEN.
Spring colors & pastels have never been my thing but I do like a certain kind of dress, especially when the weather is this nice.
Adri (my childhood friend) and I used to rock lace-up sandals with denim shorts, and of course, a Stones t-shirt -- man, who said youth was wasted on the young!
Until next time,
Agnes
p/s: Found the belt.
then the last few days would look something like this:
ON EASTER WEEKEND MY GOOD FRIEND ERNIE NEEDED SOME NEW HEADSHOTS ON A RIGHT-NOW BASIS,
"nothing fancy" as he put it -- which is perfect as non-fancy is all I am capable of.
Stylin' with those under eye circles & chipped nail polish --
...evidently overdue for both a manicure and a good nights' sleep. Ernie's headshots turned out pretty good though. "Nothing fancy", but pretty good.
Until next time.
Agnes