Happy Holidays! I guess it's been almost three weeks since I've last posted. Sorry, life took over a bit, just didn't get a minute to catch up. So much for being totally organized and having a Martha Stewart Christmas here at Chez McGann. I truly intended to get it all done, including some baking, early wrapping, etc. so that the last five days wouldn't be kooky. Went to the US for a week, which threw a wrench in my plan, and arrived back last night. Have finished my shopping for the most part, except for a couple stocking stuffer items, and will hopefully get the tree up tomorrow. Wrapping...still shooting for the 22nd-23rd so that I can actually sleep Christmas Eve for a change. Baking...maybe one day next week if things work out. We are leaving the day after Christmas for a week, so I don't want to have too much food sitting around anyway. Even with the impending craziness, I'm still very much looking forward to the next few weeks. We are having friends over on Saturday for some holiday cheer (i.e. drinky-poos). In other fabulous news, our very good friends, the Feketes, are arriving in Budapest from Moscow on Saturday. They have been living there since August and we are missing them alot. Hopefully Sunday we will head downtown to see the holiday festivities, including the live nativity scene. When I mentioned it today, my darling son Riley could reflect only on 'that time when we saw the sheep peeing'. Keira actually went to see a live nativity here in the village today and was very excited to tell us about the baby Jesus and his mommy. Why can't they just keep some of that innocence?

Next topic of conversation - shopping in the good old USA. Unbelievable, the deals you can find. Granted, we hadn't planned for me to go (see last post, where I explain all that), so the plane ticket was an expense, but I am just shocked by how cheap everything is there. I would venture to guess that I easily paid for my plane ticket with the savings I had shopping. I'm not sure if that's rational thinking or not, but I had to go anyway. And let me just say, Kohl's rocks!! It has been my favorite store on the planet for some time now, always bargain basement prices and good stuff, especially for the kids, but I had an epiphany as I strolled through there last week. There just isn't better bang for your buck, anywhere. If you haven't become a Kohl's believer, you need to get that on your to-do list. Sorry for those of you in Moscow or Ontario, where that may not be an option (try http://www.kohls.com/). Anyway, example. I bought a beautiful black leather jacket for myself, comparable to anything coming out of a decent retailer these days. Ticket price was $180, it was on sale for 75% off, and I had another 15% discount coupon off of my entire purchase, so I paid $38 for it. On top of that, I got 'Kohl's cash', whereby you get $10 back on every $50 you spend, so one could say that's another 20% off and therefore I paid $30 for the coat. How can they do that and still make money? Ok, enough rambling about Kohl's. But WOW! By the way, I'm getting no kickbacks for my promotional activities.

What else is happening? The boys are very excited that they have one week of school left. Technically, it's only four days next week, as Friday is 'bring your games and play' day. Riley brought his report card home yesterday and we are very pleased. Strangely enough, two of Liam's friends had their's as well today, but he has no idea where his might be. Think he may be pulling a fast one, but will wait until Monday to inquire further. It's hard to imagine that he could be so sneaky so early in the game, but I'm not putting it past him. They both know that if the grades head south, the first thing to go is tennis and football. They finish school on the 22nd, the same day that Bill finishes working. Can't believe the day is finally here where he can walk out of that place for the last time. He is having lots of mixed emotions at the moment, I know it is really tough for him. On one hand, 'good riddance', on the other hand, 'boy am I really ticked off about how this all went down, screw you rotten human beings'. I'm not much help when it comes to dealing with the latter, as I've been hoping for 'good riddance' for going on two years. It's just time to move on, and it gives him the perfect window of opportunity to get out of the corporate rat race and do something totally different. Still no official word on his next move, but he will definitely be home for the next few months relaxing and decompressing (not sure what that entails, but I like the word). I'm also hoping that we can get a few things done around the house. Really need to buy new faucets and have tile put down in the bedrooms. We have carpet now, which is incredibly inefficient since we have floor heating upstairs (i.e. the heating is basically insulated and kept in by the carpeting). We also need to get the inside of the house painted, but I'm thinking that will be a Springtime venture. Bill's Christmas present this year is a wine refrigerator, which he has been dreaming about since before I can remember. They will deliver it tomorrow. Apparently it holds over 200 bottles of wine, which I'm guessing will be the next investment. Hungarian red wine is very yummy and still pretty reasonably priced. Guess we will both be total lushes by March after he's home for a few months with nothing to do but manage the wine inventory :)

Suppose I should close for now so that my day won't be shot tomorrow (it's 3:48am and we have to get up at 6:30). I have another 'jingle bells' practice session at 9:00am at Keira's kindergarten, getting ready for the Christmas program on Dec.20th. Will attempt to get back here for some more mindless rambling in the next few days, but in the event that I don't, Have a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Super Kwanzaa, whatever. Hope that you get a chance to stop and reflect on all the amazing things in your life and that you can take some time to relax and enjoy them over the next couple weeks. xoxo.

Happy Monday! Happy indeed! Boldog vagyok (I'm happy). Just printed an article off Yahoo! News about how to increase your overall happiness. Something to ponder after Thanksgiving. Guess it all falls in the same category - Be Happy! Be Thankful! Can you tell that the sun is shining today here in the otherwise wrist-slitting, grey setting of Pilisvörösvár (say that three times fast). Should add that it's only this time of year that is so crummy, or maybe just from November to March. Anyway, hope you had a good holiday weekend, if you had one. I definitely gained at least four pounds since Thursday, ate more than I could imagine in my wildest dreams. Had big turkey dinners with friends on Thursday and Saturday, and cooked big meals for just us on Friday and Sunday. Feeling it bigtime in my jeans today, will attempt to walk a few times this week and lay off the junkfood (as I sit here typing this whilst eating candy corn).

Went to teach my little Magyarlings this morning. We are working on Jingle Bells for the Christmas program. Think the little ones (Keira's group) will just chime in for the chorus, and the two bigger groups will only sing one or two verses. Did you know that there are actually four verses of the original 'Jingle Bells', written by James Pieront in 1857. There's some yuleful-useful information for you. I also tried to read them 'Twas the Night Before Christmas' this morning, but it was mostly lost on them. Lots of funky old school phrases in there, 'threw open the sash', 'his coursers they came'. I couldn't try to translate in English, let alone Hungarian.

I'm headed to Vienna tomorrow for a bit of holiday shopping. Not much to get really, just a couple of things for Bill. He's not easy to buy for, as he will only wear clothes that he picks out for himself and he isn't desirous (big word action) of much. Me, I could give you a list of 1,000 things right off the top of my head. I already got my Christmas present though, may have mentioned it in passing, in the form of car repairs. Had to take it back in a second time last week after the oil pan debacle to replace something on the motor, which was also damaged in my little mishap. Total cost at the end of the day for my doofusness was $800. Don't you just hate that? I know, I should be happy that nobody was hurt, and that we have the money to pay for it (i.e. thankful), but I always just end up thinking about all the things I could have bought with that money.

Bill's board meeting was scheduled in New York for Dec.6th and has, as of this morning, been moved to Copenhagen. This would be great news for him travelwise, except that one of us now has to fly to the US for a weekend to pick up all the Christmas loot that I ordered for the kids in anticipation of him being there next week. Oops. There goes all the moolah I saved buying the stuff in the US rather than here. Another plan foiled. No worries, it will be good to go and see his dad for a couple days. His condition hasn't changed much at all since they brought him home from the hospital last week, still has the feeding tube and is really depressed. His poor mom is ready to lose it, I can't imagine how people can take care of their sick spouses like this for years on end. Not saying that I couldn't - for better or worse, ya know - but it takes a huge toll. I saw my Nana do it forever with my Grandfather, it's just what you do.

So, my other big project this morning was to work on my to-do list for the next couple of weeks. Yikes - holiday baking, Christmas cards, decorating, shopping, meal-planning, etc.. I absolutely LOVE the holidays, just wish the countdown to lift-off wasn't so daunting. And then we will rush through the actual day trying to get organized to leave for our ski trip to Slovakia on the 26th. Think we will do part of our Christmas on the 24th this year. Celebrate with the Hungarians, who open their presents and have the big dinner on Christmas Eve. Again, slow it down and try to find happiness in all the mayhem. Did I mention, totally unrelated, that I got to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade last Thursday? What a treat. That's how I find happiness in small things, that just made my day. On another unrelated topic, just downloaded James Taylor's new Christmas album from iTunes - FABULOUS, as expected. Check it out. Also downloaded 'The Wonder Pets', which is my very, very, favorite thing to come from Nickelodeon in a long time. Not sure who likes it more, me or Keira.

Ok, now that I have gone on and on about all the things I need to do, I should probably spend the last hour of my free time today doing something productive. Have a happy day. xo.

This posting was started on Monday, finished on Thursday. Another crazy week here, need about 12 more hours in my day.

Hi guys. Monday afternoon here. Have been trying to be productive today, just taking a break. Leaving to pick up the boys in a half hour so I won't be here long. My day started out like every other Monday, with my voice raised and my patience absolutely gone by the time I got the boys out the door for school. Why does every morning have to be a friggin' battle? Better question - how the hell am I going to survive another fifteen years of this business? I mean, how difficult is it to get up, get dressed, brush the teeth/hair, and put a pair of shoes on? Have tried everything with them - waking up earlier, waking up later, rewarding them, punishing them, letting them be late, etc.. Morning continues - my car is in the shop (lovely accident last Wednesday between a rock and my oil pan), my other car (the duck) doesn't start because I'm still flooding it most of the time, my hair looks like I stuck my finger in an electrical outlet (make that three outlets), and I have no mobile phone because I left it at a friends over the weekend. Thus begins the typical Monday for me.

Anyway, proceeded to borrow the babysitter's car and head down to Keira's nursery school/kindergarten, where I am teaching English every Monday morning. That turned my morning around and made me feel like I was actually accomplishing something. Interesting that I so rarely feel that with my own children. Hmmmm. The kids at the school are hilarious, three groups of them ranging from two to six years old. We are singing the classics (the Hokey Pokey is their favorite - not sure if that actually constitutes a classic or not), learning colors, numbers, animals, etc.. and they are surprisingly getting something out of it. I'm not a trained teacher, not trained in much actually, but I enjoy it. Came home, succeeded in getting the duck started, cleaned out the office, installed my new scanner, copied some recipes, made a shopping list, caught up on a few emails, downloaded the OSU vs. Michigan game to my iPod, and am now on a roll. For those of you who caught the game Saturday or know how it ended up, please don't tell me. I have been avoiding the TV, internet, telephone, etc. . since Saturday so that I can sit down tonight and watch the game with anticipation as to who will pull it off. Go Bucks!!! And go iTunes!! Just watched the first five minutes of the coverage and got goose bumps. Very exciting. Geez I hope they win/won. We had planned a great day of football watching at my friend Erika's yesterday, without realizing that the game wouldn't be available for download until late last night. Nevertheless, I downloaded the 1973 OSU-Michigan game, which came as part of the iTunes package or 'season pass', and we watched that. Too funny. The video quality was exactly what it would have been in 1973, not to mention the hair-dos (don'ts). Will be incredibly happy to sit down and watch the real deal tonight.

What else to report since my last entry. The weekend was terribly uneventful, although we did find Marshmallow fluff and other delicacies on a shopping trip to our local (30 km away) gourmet grocer, Culinaris. Bill went in search of baking supplies for his Turkey Day treats and I went looking for something to spice up my dinner repertoire. He found most things he needs for his Bourbon Chocolate Pecan Pie and Ginger Pumpkin Tart, crystallized ginger and all, and I found lots of yummy ingredients for my new take on Thai and Indian cooking. Actually, most of my efforts involve pastes and things that are pre-made and ready to go - just add chicken. Am going to try a kooky green curry thing tonight though, which contains fish sauce, lime leaves, and other things new to my kitchen. Let you know how it turns out. Hey, I can even post the recipe. Great idea for yet another blog. In other accomplishments, I have made almost half of my Christmas cards. Not a small undertaking, as each one takes me 45 minutes to an hour to make. Not sure that I will get them all done before Bill's leaves for the US on the 5th, so for those of you stateside, if you don't get a handmade one, it means I don't like you quite as much as my other friends. Just kidding. Will make a mental note of who got screwed in the card department and send you a lovely valentine. OK, need to close for now so I can do the school run. Then off to get my little Liam some new trousers. Can't find anything that fits him, everything is too small in the waist or too long in the legs. Will finishing this mind-bogglingly interesting diatribe when I get back. xoxo.

And three days later.....Happy Thanksgiving. Sorry, just never got back to finishing my last post. Have a whopping ten minutes to chat then need to hop in the shower and put the finishing touches on my Turkey Day contributions. We are picking the kids up from school/nursery and then headed to our close friends' place to spend the evening gorging ourselves on the usual. I made Grand Marnier cranberry sauce, mash potatoes (transporting in the crock pot - super idea, thanks Mom), and the tried and true green bean casserole. I can even buy Campbell's condensed cream of mushroom soup here now. No luck with the Durkee fried onions in a can, but I made my own and they are pretty darn close. Bill has been standing in the kitchen in his underwear all day baking. Not sure what that is about, but he is definitely liberated somehow without clothes on and I can watch the stress leave his body as he becomes one with the baked goods. Reading back on that, many of you will just think it's plain weird, but it is truly the one place he finds peace at the moment. Anyway, now that I've scared everyone off - he is done with his desserts as well and we are ready to eat. Hope everyone has a fantastic day and a few minutes to ponder the things they are thankful for. I sure have alot, wish someone could just stand next to me and remind regularly. Will look forward to hearing from lots of you over the holidays. Will also be sending an email in the next few days to try and get everyone's snail mail address, I am determined to send Christmas cards this year. Try to get back and chat a bit more over the weekend. For those of you headed out into the kooky dark morning tomorrow to get the shopping started, I'm so jealous. Really, I love that chaos. Ok, gotta run. xoxo.

Dear BU,
Grey and dreary autumn greetings from Budapest. Been awhile. Well on our way to Turkey Day. And Christmas just around the corner. Riley and Liam have both already compiled their lists and made Christmas cards for the big guy, talk about being prepared. It's PSPs on both their lists this year, hope Santa has been socking away the cash. Remember when you were little and you were happy to have some oranges and nuts in your stocking? Just kidding, I was pretty spoiled myself, but come on. Seems like every year it gets more and more extravagant. Keira has completely tuned into the program this year as well (she'll be three in January). Like a lightbulb was turned on, she has told me EVERY SINGLE TIME that the commercial comes on for the Pony Princess Castle (Can I just say GAG!) that she wants that from Ho-Ho. She then proceeded to inform me on Monday that she wants to call him and tell him. Trying to figure out how we might manage that one. Friend of mine who has been chased and accosted by some crazy cult here in Budapest told me yesterday that apparently you can actually talk to Jesus via email. Maybe Ho-Ho has the same ISP.

So, news from Budapest since we (I) last chatted. I arrived back from the US last Friday after more than two weeks in Maryland trying to help out with Bill's dad, who has been in and out of the hospital for almost two months with an incredibly nasty case of Pancreatitis. He is in the hospital as we speak, please keep him in your thoughts and prayers. Good days and bad, but mostly bad. The doctors have now said that they will most likely have to open him up to get a better picture of what the heck's going on, they are just stumped at the moment.

Liam went with me to Maryland, and got to go trick-or-treating for the first time ever, very exciting stuff. I let him go by himself with his big cousin Mickey, who's 11, so he thought he was all that and a bag of chips. They were gone for two and a half hours and came back with ten pounds of candy each. Had to bring it back in the carryon to make sure it made it. Halloween here was a bust, as Keira had the chicken pox (see very funny photos on my other page, 'McGann Family Photos'), but we are hoping to put something together later in the month and have a belated party for the boys' friends like we usually do. Think I will scale it down a bit and limit it to ten kids, gets way out of hand otherwise. Keira has recovered for the most part, just a few spots remaining, and went back to her kindergarten this morning. They will have a St. Martin's Day celebration this afternoon at 4:00, where the kids all light up the lanterns that they've made and parade around the schoolyard singing a bunch of kooky German songs (it's actually a German/Hungarian nursery school). Should be a blast :)

Friday morning 10:30am here and Bill just arrived back home after several failed attempts at driving into the city to work this morning. Must be a traffic debacle somewhere, as he spoke to several colleagues who all said the city was gridlocked everywhere. So he's 'working' from home, which is a relative term these days. He is trying to stay motivated and get through the next two months (he's officially done on Dec.22nd), have no idea how he's doing that. They have hired an American guy to come on board as the new reporting guru, or whatever you want to call him. All I have to say is good friggin' luck. Bill continues to explore opportunities on both sides of the pond but is very upfront with everyone in telling them that he fully intends to have a couple months of down time before jumping back into the soup. I continue to go back and forth daily with my thoughts on where we should be in the world, but as I've mentioned, it really boils down to where he finds the right job. I love being here so very much, and yet in so many ways I feel the need on a daily basis to scream my head off. I'm a raging lunatic anyway, so I would probably be that way on any continent. Stopped taking my 'crazy pills' last month (as Riley calls them, they are a very mild anti-depressant) and have surprisingly found that life without them is ok. Have taken them since just after Liam was born and never stopped, just out of habit. Am I oversharing again? Can hear my mom now, 'Why do you need to tell the whole world that kind of stuff'? :) Well, why not? Love me or don't, what you get is what I ramble on about.

Anyone have grand plans for the weekend? We are talking red-carpet excitement over here. Planning to catch up on some laundry, change a few light bulbs, do a big grocery shop. I know, hard to remain calm when pondering the glamour of it all. Actually, after my bout with the flu Mon/Tues this week, I am totally geeked to just be home and getting something accomplished. Still in the throws of my inner-struggle with Christmas cards, and was thinking that maybe I could be really organized and get them started before the month of December. Any thoughts on the subject? I really hate doing them. Haven't, actually, in a couple years, but there is this guilty thing that always sits there, eating away at my holiday spirit. And the confict continues....

Well, speaking of accomplishing something, should probably go get a shower and do something useful. Like catching up on my Hollywood gossip :) All I can say is, thank the good Lord that Britney finally called it quits with that slug of a slimeball Kevin Federline. Words can express my relief. I really am, as they say, 'deep as a puddle', but I do love my 'Rag Mags'. Am upset to hear about Reese and Ryan, thought they had a chance. I know, I know...Kerry, get a life. Will sign off for now. Have a great weekend. xoxo.

Dear BU,

Halfway through October already, can't believe it. Monday here in sunny Budapest. Yes, inexplicably still sunny. Hope I'm not jinxing it by commenting on the phenomenon, but it can't be helped. It has just been lovely, the last six weeks. Here I sit, typing my little heart out, while a bidillion things await my immediate attention. Laundry, Scholastic book orders, email, packing. Liam and I are headed to the US tomorrow for a couple weeks, back November 3rd. Bill brought his dad home from the hospital on Saturday, three weeks later, and then hopped on a plane back to Budapest. Liam and I will take the next shift and hopefully get him a bit further down the road to recovery. Talked to him yesterday and he is just so happy to be home.

Liam is struggling with the whole traveling thing, but I think he's excited to go. He keeps asking me if I will lose him in the airport??? Not sure where that's coming from, but as I told him, if I can keep track of three kids in the airport no problem, one will be a piece of cake. I have promised him that we will write down all our phone numbers and put them in not one, but three places, on his person. His request. Funny guy. He is extremely excited, however, about the prospect of trick-or-treating. Absolute foreign territory for him, as my poor children have never experienced this rite of passage. We just got his costume, a fabulous 'punk zombie' something or other. What happened to super heroes?

Actually, along those lines, Keira will be a Super Carebear. Her invention, in a way. We were searching for costumes online, and she found a Supergirl that she liked. Then she found a Carebear. I told her she had to pick one. We couldn't narrow it down, so I said 'what about a Super Carebear?' Thus, the concept was born, and it was sent off to the design department (i.e. my dear mother, aka Meema). You should see this thing....Bill just brought it back last night. Unbelievable rendition of a Super Carebear, as if there ever was one. Keira woke up this morning and was giddy with glee. Can you imagine that there are more than a billion children in the world who would just like to have safe drinking water - and then there is my daughter, who can just wish for, and receive. Makes me feel sad in a way, and yet blessed that she can live in such a bubble. Riley will be a 'zombie skater dude' - do you see a theme here? Gone are the sweet days of Buzz and Woody.

What else to report? Downloading some new tunes and a movie (High School Musical, still haven't seen it) to my iPod for the trip as we speak. Have I mentioned what an AMAZING thing the iPod is? I'm sure I have, but in case you missed it....go, run like the wind, buy an iPod!! I LOVE IT!!!! Kerry's 'hot stuff' download tips of the day:
1) new BareNaked Ladies (album BareNaked Ladies Are Me)
2) Sonya Kitchell
3) Imogen Heap
4) new Evanescence (back with a vengeance and better than ever)

Am wondering how long it will take me to max out my 60GB's. The new 80GB iPod was just released and is only $50 more. Bummer for those of us who purchased in August. Another great tidbit from me - I'm just full of them today - you can download movies to your iPod and then plug the iPod right into the TV with an iPod AV cable and watch your movies. Frigging genius, I tell you. Am going to take it to Baltimore and do just that with my photo library. Bill's parents are frightfully out of the loop when it comes to technology, so I have to find a way to make it user friendly for them.

Anyone asleep yet? Sorry, just get going on that tangent and there's no stopping me. So....what else?

Rome. How can I forget to mention Rome. When last we blogged, I was heading off for the weekend with the girls to Rome. Seems like a long time ago already after a week of being back to business. It was everything I dreamed of and more, and we didn't really get to much of the touristy stuff. We shopped, ate, drank, shopped, ate, drank, shopped, ate, drank - you get the picture. Had dinner Friday and Saturday on the Piazza Navona, which is something out of a movie. Watched my friends spend like mad and lived vicariously through them. Really, what would I do with Prada boots? Did buy my first pair of designer sunglasses. Saw a couple of amazing things, the Trevi Fountain, The Pantheon, etc.., but definitely need to go back with the hubby for a proper sightseeing visit. What a fabulous city. Girls and I have decided that no matter what, we should make it an annual event. Next stop, Barcelona.

Ok, think I will close for now. Am going to attempt uploading some more photos today, check out the 'McGann Photos 2006' link in 'view my entire profile'. Ciao.

Bonjour mes amis! Or should I say Ciao Bella? What's the news? Me - well, it's 11:56pm, I am out the door at 4:30 (i.e. getting up in like three hours) and on a plane at 7am to Rome. Too pooped to be excited at the moment, but guessing that once I get going I will be elated. There are four of us going, and I would imagine that I will be the one who has to keep the shopping to a minimum. I'm a Kohl's girl, probably always will be, but these ladies can shop. Piazza Venezia, the Colosseum, St.Peter's Basilica? Who needs all that? Problem is, living here leaves one a bit deprived in that department, so you really have to watch it when you get away for a weekend with the credit cards and no hubby. No chance in my going overboard, Italian clothes can only be made in Italian sizes, which are beyond small for my delicate frame :) Ok, I suppose I could manage to find a pair of sunglasses or something. Actually, I'm more excited to sit and watch the world go by than anything else.

News from Bill in Maryland is that his dad is (barely) holding his own at this point and is suffering more pinpricks, injections, iv's, etc.. than most people do in a lifetime. I talked to him today and it looks like he will be in the hospital for at least another week or so, so he will stay there and help his mom for now. It's one thing after the other - gall bladder, pancreas, liver, small intestine, etc., and they still don't know exactly what they're dealing with. I guess we will see how things play out and if I need to I will go when Bill comes back. They call these the golden years? Bill's dad just retired in July, what a deal. Anyway, keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

What else to report? The kids had their big 'L'Enduro' race at school today, which is alot of fun too watch, and yet after five years I haven't figured out what the real purpose is. They set up a big track and everyone has to run a certain amount of time, depending on their age. Parents, teachers, siblings, dogs, everyone joins in. It's pretty much anarchy. Riley and Liam had to run ten minutes, and they both did it. Riley is already stewing over the fact that next year (5th grade) he will move to the 20 minute bracket. Great concept, I always just wonder why they don't make it a fundraiser or something. The weather is still amazing here, I think everyone is on the edge of their seat dreading the cold, grey, inevitable, but we will take the sun for as long as we can get it. Keira still thinks it's summer time and refuses to wear clothes when she's at home. Not sure what to do with her, she is her mother's child. Just kidding.

Well, sorry for the short note, but if I don't get some sleep those double espressos will have to be triple, and who knows what that could lead to. Hope everyone is well. Drop us a line. xoxo. PS-check out my new Quack!Quack! blog to see pictures of my new baby. I know, this is getting a bit out of control.

Blogville, Hungary - September 29, 2006

Dear BU (Blogging Universe),

I like that - BU - just B U :) Can you say PLEASE get a life?
Hi again. Promise not to become too addicted to this, writing to nobody and everybody at the same time. It seems a bit surreal, no? Bill came home last night to find me typing away and decided that it's definitely for him but was rather amused by the concept. Just dropped him off at the airport, last minute trip back to the states. His poor dad has been in the hospital for a week now, with complications from an outpatient surgery, and has taken a turn for the worse. The doctors, of course, have no idea what's going on or what to do next. Lots of complications-stomach, pancreas, liver, etc. We've all been up since 4am this morning so I won't be on long, need to get a couple hours sleep before getting on with the day. Thought Keira would be wiped too and would want to come home with me after the airport, but she was totally ticked off and wanted to go to the nursery. Guessing she will have a nice long nap this afternoon.

Anyway, wanted to make sure that anybody who is a virgin blogger like me can find the photos, etc.. When you click on this blog, you should see 'view my complete profile' to the right, under 'about me'. Click on my profile, and you will be able to scroll down and see all of my other blogspots, including for example, one called 'McGann Photos 2006'. Click there and see photos (not too many there yet).

Will try to update and add things regularly. Feel compelled to add that there isn't too much happening on a regular basis here that might provide, shall we say, reality show glitz and glamour :0 Actually, was thinking that maybe I could convince Paris and Nicole to pop over to Budapest and do the next season of 'The Simple Life' here, lots of basic survival-mode concepts to work with. Or what about a Hungarian version of 'Who Wants to be a Superhero'? What in the hell is that all about? Only in America....would love to be in a roomful of Hungarians for a screening of that one. We do have, however, a very painful-to-watch version of American Idol, and of course all the originals....the Bachelor, Big Brother, etc.. Americans in general don't realize the impact that our very bizarre and, quite frankly, scary pop culture has on the rest of the world. Ok, off my soapbox for now. Just interesting to think about how much American 'everything' permeates so many aspects of life in so many parts of the world. Ok, really, off the soapbox.

Big weekend planned? Not much here. Our friends our coming in from Slovakia for the weekend and we are all going to another good friend's housewarming party. Should be fun. One of the things I love most about being here is that it is so easy to make friends, as you are all sitting in the same strange and foreign boat. And while alot of those people move on and you lose touch, you also have a ton of people that you do keep track of. I have lost touch with everyone from Ohio, with the exception of a few people. I never imagined that would happen, thought we'd all be friends for life. So it goes, that idealistic little dreamworld you live in up until you finish school - what a cynic, eh?? Actually, just got an email from a good friend I went to OU with and was thinking to myself 'hey, it's pretty amazing that we are still even remotely in touch after almost fifteen years'. God, I'm getting old.

Riley started French lessons yesterday with a high school student from the French school, a senior. She walked up and I would have guessed that she was twelve. Conversation with myself went like this - "Oh but wait, Riley's ten, so that couldn't be - Oh, she really is eighteen - Oh, and I really am 35". The best years of my life, so my friend Laura tells me. Would have to agree in a way, but when you see that 40 thing right around the corner it makes you flinch a bit.

Speaking of 40, I'm heading to Rome next weekend with three girlfriends to celebrate my friend Annette's 40th birthday (yes Annette, if you are reading this, now the whole world knows - hee.hee.hee). She's as young and beautiful as ever, but still not thrilled about the whole rite of passage (i.e. to the 'over' side of the hill). We have decided to console her with a few days of fabulous shopping, yummy coffee, even yummier vino, and yummiest of all, a bit of people-watching (i.e. checking out the Italian Stallions). What? No harm in looking, is there? Forgot to mention that there might be a bit of sightseeing in there somewhere.

OK, need to grab a power nap and get a few things done around here. Have a good weekend. Talk soon. xoxoxo

So, I have spent the last year or so wondering what all this 'blog' business is about, and how something that seems as bizarre as 'blogging' can become a national pastime. Have decided that it might be a good way to get connected, so we (note: that means you and me) are going to give it a whirl. As everyone who knows me will agree, I am without a doubt the worst emailer in the universe, hands down. I'm thinking that if perhaps I just log on here every once and awhile and ramble on about my life a bit, I can keep you posted on the happenings with us, and you can do the same. Ridiculous, but somehow journaling to the masses seems so much less daunting than sending a thousand emails. Nothing to lose, right? You can just log on occasionally, or not. Who knows, it might be just what you need to fall asleep at night, like reading a good book about the history of the turmoil in the Middle East :) Will attach some pictures, etc. as well. Guess the best thing is to just use a letter format. What should we call it...Dear Blogging Universe, as everyone in cyberspace can actually read this - how very strange? Ok, works for me. Here goes.

Blogville, Hungary - September 28, 2006

Dear Blogging Universe,

What's the news? Sunny Thursday morning here in Budapest, just thought I would drop in with an update. Will send this out as my first official blog to everyone and hope that it becomes something worth doing/reading (and now, a moment of silence while we all observe yet one more technological coming-of-age event for me). I have lost touch with so many people and am so far away, just feel like perhaps I ought to take advantage of this completely kooky technology and let a few of you who may not even know me anymore get a peek into my world. By reading my ramblings of course, you will have to sign up and create your own little page. Who knows, could be fun.

The news from Budapest is a lot actually. Bill has officially received and signed his 'separation agreement' with Hungarian Telephone and Cable Corp. (big, happy sigh on this end). He will work diligently until the end of December, as only my sweet hubby could, given the situation. After that, well.....lets just say, stay tuned. We have now been living here for nine years (ten for Bill). We still love it here, are very settled, and most days completely content with our lives here. Bill is exploring all possibilities, including the few and far between that are in Budapest, but we have to be realistic and acknowledge that for a 'freelance expat' living in Budapest (i.e. someone already living here and trying to find work here), there aren't a lot of opportunities.

Bill is also talking to headhunters back in the US, focusing for some reason on North and South Carolina. I haven't ever visited either place, but am very open to whatever. He is enthralled with, more specifically, Greenville, South Carolina. And why not? We have both agreed that we would prefer somewhere with a change of season and I think we agree on the east coast. Outside of that, not too many parameters. As we have just shoved the topic right under the rug whenever it came up for the last nine years, it seems very strange to be exploring it now. Human nature dictates that I would prefer the easier option, which is staying put, however I'm trying to come to terms with the idea that change is often a really good thing.

The boys are so settled here, so Hungarian, I will admit that I have a huge fear of changing their entire worlds so drastically. Anyway, we are hoping to go for a visit down south in December/January and see how it feels for us before even considering moving the whole clan there. Bill is also sending his resume in other directions, including Western Europe and even as far east as China. Egads, wasn't really prepared for that one, but again, I'm ready to explore all options. My favorite saying, can't remember who shared it with me, is 'Life is what happens while you are planning it'. Too true, no? Who would have guessed ten years ago that this is where I would be sitting? Not me.

I'm hoping that Bill will take a few months, January-March maybe, to relax, decompress, and ponder his existence. However anyone who knows him knows that there is a better chance of me becoming the next Miss Ohio :) It has been a very long and painful goodbye for him, as he worked so hard for eight years to bust his butt and make the company what it is today. He reflects on the whole life-altering experience often, and has reached the conclusion that working for a big company is not really what he wants to do. Before the company changed ownership (now majority owned by Teledenmark) last year, he was able to be part of the process and part of the solution. Now it's a big machine, with way too much red tape and not much room for any variance from the Danish standard. It is an amicable parting of ways, but certainly not what he had envisioned. One door closes, and another opens.

As I said, stay tuned...We have booked a week of skiing in Slovakia after Christmas with four other families, which will be a great way to kick off his temporary retirement. Whatever we decide to do, we will stay here until the end of the school year.

In other news, the monkeys are all doing really well in their current environments. The boys are now in their fifth year at the French school and seem to be thriving. They operate 100% in French throughout the day, with the exception of a few English and Hungarian lessons each week. Riley struggles a bit with all the reading, so I am hoping to drop the Hungarian before Christmas and focus on the other two. Poor little guy, I really don't know how his brain copes with it all. Interestingly enough, they both go to a French school, but have only Hungarian friends. I have found that whether you are French-speaking or not, the French people tend to be very closed. It's a cultural thing, and I decided a long time ago that there is no way to get around it.

Keira is now going to our local village nursery/preschool three to four times a week and LOVES it. Makes me feel very sad and at the same time thrilled that it is such an amazing place for her. I dropped her off this morning, and like every other morning, she ran as fast as she could into the arms of her teacher, Linda. Coincidentally, Linda has been babysitting for us for three years now, just graduated from college, and happens to be Keira's teacher. Luck, I think not. More like a gift from God. Anyway, sorry to go on and on about it, but it is such a great fit for everyone. Another reason I can't imagine moving. For most Americans, it seems very strange that I am a stay-at-home mom and am sending my almost-three-year-old off to school. Different story in this part of the world - that's just what they do here. We did it with Riley, and with Liam, and I truly believe that it opened up huge worlds for them that they never would have had here at home watching Nickelodeon with me.

It's very quiet here now with all three of them gone most of the week, but I'm getting used to it :) Bill and I always said we would have four, but that plan has since been revised. Three is perfect for us, and truth be told I don't think I could give any more of myself than I'm already giving. You know how some women were just put on the planet to become mothers?? Well, that's not exactly me. I love my life, love my babies, but still lack quite a bit of the patience and nurturing stuff that I need. Again, I ponder what I thought you might be doing with my life when I graduated from college. I was going to climb that corporate ladder, definitely not having kids, and marriage - ha, gimme' a break.

Holy cow, I'm really rambling. Better save something for next time. Actually, better get something done around here. When Bill sees this he will really have a comment or two about how I'm spending my days. In the mean time, hope some of you will log on and start your own memoirs/monologue. Until we blog again...