It's not me, it's you...

Like most intense love affairs, they begin white hot and then soon enough, they fizzle out.  Once again, it’s happened to me.   It’s become unhealthy and it’s time…Ikea, I’m breaking up with you.

We had a good run of it.  At the beginning, all of your little quirks seemed adorable.  I cherished them.  I was angered at anyone that would disagree with me or speak against them.  “I think it’s precious that the mattress sizes are like none other I’ve ever seen and fit none of the linens I brought with me.  The odd dimensions have character!”  I loved spending time with you and your Escher-like layout.  It was so easy to lose 16 hours strolling in a somewhat circular pattern and giggling as you passed by the rugs again, wondering how that happened because you know you were following the yellow floor arrows!  How could I be mad at a store that offered an assortment of towel holders as well as Swedish meatballs?!  And let’s not even start on the shopping carts and their magical gliding abilities.

But it’s happened.  I’m sick of you.  Really and truly sick of you.  I don’t think it’s cute that you only offer fitted sheets and there is not a top sheet to be found in your entire expanse of a store.  Where I once loved to meander around and gaze at your various living room options, I now grow furious at being forced to view 1,048 couches just so that I can buy one throw pillow. The yellow floor arrows now taunt me, sending me wherever they please.  Your tiny bags of screws and pictorial assembly directions have put me over the edge of sanity.   Even the magical shopping carts now careen dangerously into other shoppers and their throw rugs and wall art. 

You will tempt me, of that I am sure.  I will crave just one more “quick trip” down memory lane to get that TV tray that I foolishly passed by.  I will discover that I bought the wrong size picture frame and just need just one more item…but we all know where it will end up.  It’s simply not good for me anymore, so I bid you farewell.  I think in time, the wounds will heal (literally the wounds on my heels, where other rogue carts crashed into me) and I will begin to remember the good times and feel thankful that I met you.  Until then…

Please enjoy some photos of my home - sponsored by Ikea;

 This little loveseat also doubles as a guest bed.  Come give it a try!

Koszonom covers a multitude of sins...

Greetings from Budapest!

Each day in this new place seems to bring something unexpected.  A new way of shopping (I call it eeny meeny miney mo) where I only buy things that have pictures on them; a new understanding of how things are numbered - I live on the first floor, yet I walk a flight of stairs to get there; a new method of transportation where now getting on 3 different types of public transport is becoming more normal; and most importantly, a whole new language.  As with most new languages, you learn the most basic words and phrases first; please, thank you, I'm sorry, how much, and where is the toilet.  I have found myself stuck on one particular word, koszonom (pronounced koo-sah-nem), which means thank you.  I find that I am using it for any and all occasion, mostly improperly. 

Here are a few examples;

* I give you money for my food and you give me my change.  Koszonom!  (proper usage)

*  I bump into you on the tram.  Koszonom! 

*  I need to ask you a question.  Koszonom!

* I am giving you a confused face because you are speaking Hungarian to me.  Koszonom!

Pretty much in any and all situations I am able to throw a koszonom in there and feel proud of myself. I feel sure that the locals wonder why I am saying "thank you" to them after I step on their toe, but I walk away feeling proud of myself for mastering this new language. Baby steps, people.

Here are a few snapshots of my new home and where I live.  These images are to be used as an enticement to come and visit me...

The River Danube and House of Parliament - my house is behind the white building on the left.

Here is my new mode of transportation!

This is the cute side street by my house - shops and wine bars abound!

This is my building - my place is on the "1st" floor...

but it's really the one on the second floor with the statue thing above it.

Here's the inside of the building - my front door is behind the white gate on the left side.

My living room and attempt to decorate a bit...

Oliver is very comfy in his new casa ~ Louise is still hiding a bit!





Phoebe, lost in translation...

Adjust.  Acclimate.  Adapt.  Accept.  Appreciate.  

These are all words that are going to become quite familiar for me as I begin this new adventure.  I arrived in Budapest yesterday, alive and well.  The cats are also here, very unsure about what the heck has happened to them and their patio, but they will learn the A-list of words as well.


I was brought to the apartment where I will be staying by my new Budapest friend, Elena.  She has been a blessing and a great help.  I am learning the lesson of accepting help.  I like to do things myself, but it's just not gonna be possible over here at this point.  About an hour later I was alone in a strange apartment, in a new unfamiliar country, and I pretty much had a meltdown.  I ran through about 184 emotions in about 17 minutes, most of which circled around the central theme of, "What have I done?!".  I like familiarity, said the girl who moved overseas, and I will have to adjust and acclimate.  Growth comes through change, and change is quite often difficult.


All I wanted last night was something that reminded me of home to give me a bit of comfort.  There is no internet connection at the flat where I am staying, so checking my email or logging onto Facebook to see what all of you were up to was not an option.  I turned on the tv to find that there were quite a few US options...dubbed into Hungarian.  Hungarian Knight Rider was on for a bit and then, like a ray of sunlight, Friends came on.  Because I know each episode by heart, I turned the sound all the way down and let my old friends keep me company.  Phoebe?  Even funny with no sound.  


Today I began apartment hunting, which will take up my focus for the next while.  The places I am seeing are so different from places back home, so I will have to adapt new way of life.  Isn't that why someone moves to a new place?  So what if the toilet is not in the same room as the shower?  Perfect apartment, but there is no furniture.  Great place, but the cats would jump out of the window and plummet to their death.  This one is awesome but there is no parking place.  No Target?  No problem!  Adapt.Adjust.Accept.   Change is good...


There are so many great things about this country.  I am excited to learn more, to become more more flexible, to enjoy and celebrate my new life!!  

The milk speaks volumes...

     At this moment, there is a dairy product in my refrigerator that has a longer Texas shelf life than I do.  This is a very concrete reminder that my time in this great state is coming to a swift end.  I am less than one week away from my departure to Budapest, Hungary.  This time about 6 months ago I would have been hard pressed to locate Hungary on a map and soon I will call it home.  I find this entertaining.

     The question has been asked (current count = approx 7,964 times), Why?  I choose to think of it as more of a Why Not?  What I know is that we are promised nothing in this life.  When exciting opportunities show themselves, I think we should go for them...Why Not?! 

     The good news is, there is an actual plan once I arrive.  I will be working as the Elementary Counselor at the American School of Budapest.  It looks like a lovely place and I'm sure I will enjoy myself there, but let's be honest, I'm not moving there simply for the job.  There are so many amazing travel opportunities in and around the area that I could not pass up the chance!!  Plus, I'm a huge fan of goulash.

     Will I miss Texas?  ABSOLUTELY!!  Friends and family and Target and ChickFilA...but I welcome the new experiences I will have.   I am pushing myself way out of my comfort zone and it is officially sink or swim time.

     Many of my friends asked to be kept in the loop with my adventures, so here you have it.  I can only imagine that lots of entertaining things are going to happen along the way.  I seem to be a magnet for the weird (can't imagine why).  Now you can be a participant without ever leaving your couch (unless you want to come visit!!).  I can't wait to share my life in the Hungary Games with each of you. 

As they say in Hungary, "Biztonsagaos itt furdeni?" (Is it safe to swim here?)


Much love to you all! - Shawn

American International School of Budapest  - for anyone that wants to have a look!