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...