With unbelievable speed, 1995 is coming to a close. The year went so fast that I could hardly keep up with the happenings. But I'll try to summarize what I remember.
We had a wonderful trip to Hungary this summer - Gyuszi, Erika, Zsolt and Tas - unfortunately the older two children had work and school commitments interfering with their going. Erika and the boys went first, with the intention of visiting, seeing the sights of Budapest, and having the boys swim with a Hungarian coach. It turned out a little differently. In Hungary, what we in the U.S. know as recreational competitive swimming doesn't really exist. Those who swim competitively are dedicated for life to the sport, to the exclusion of most other activities. They are all Olympic hopefuls. By the age of 14, Zsolt's age group, these kids are powerhouse swimmers - Zsolt was totally out-classed. Tas was able to hold his own with the 8-9 year olds, and did have a full week of training before we moved on to other activities. Because the swimming didn't pan out, Erika, through the help of her cousin, was able to place the boys in a sailing camp on the Lake Balaton. This was much more to their liking. The camp had about 10 native kids. This was great for their language experience, as well as their interpersonal skill development. Besides, it was great fun. This camp gave Erika a whole week alone to visit and sight-see. It was much better than dragging bored boys along while visiting elderly aunts, etc. Erika loved the freedom, enjoyed the visits hugely, and walked many miles willingly. For the last week of their stay, Gyuszi joined them, and with a rented car (think $$$$$), toured the country. Among the high points: Erika's father's grave (and tons of others' in the family which increased the family tree book considerably); 3-5 foot diameter stork nests on tops of utility poles (not chimneys any more); the nine-arched bridge and nature preserve at Hortob gy; paprika fresh from the grower; the open air museum at St. Endre which is a gathering of village houses and shops from various regions, as well a native craftsmen; castles and fortresses in various stages of ruin all over, including the one at Kaposv r (a city currently in the news), and a very special one at Smeg, which crowns a lone standing hill.
Krisztina (22) finished her first year of graduate school at the University of Chicago, spent the summer in school as well as working as Assistant Aquatics Director of the local YMCA, passed her prelims with no conditions attached, and is currently working on her research toward her PhD in cell biology and molecular genetics. She still teaches some swimming classes at the Y, and is very involved in scuba lessons. Eventually she wants to be certified to teach scuba. In addition, she (and her mother) are busily planning her up-coming wedding to Jason Chinni in April. Jason is a fine-arts graduate of Ohio University, and is currently working as the aquatics director at a YMCA across the city. He is two years older than Krisztina, and is warm and easy- going. We welcome him to the family. Gyula said that he has never seen his sister so happy.
Gyula (Jay) (19) is finishing up his two-year pre-pharmacy program at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He has been studying hard, even in summers to fulfill his pre-requisites, and now his applications are submitted (or in process) for Pharmacy school. It will be quite a while before acceptances are in, because the interviews don't begin until mid-spring. What a stress, waiting. He has been working as a pharmacy technician for over a year now, and is still interested in pursuing a career in the field, so this is good. He also tried retail sales, physical labor (installing windows with a friend - not on computers, but on houses), stockroom, and other work, so he's finding out what he likes and dislikes in the job market. Now that Krisztina is getting married, he's moving out from her apartment and will be in a place of his own soon. He's got a great roommate, and is excited about it. I think this will be a great growing and learning experience, and I have confidence that he's up to the challenge.
Zsolt (15 in Jan.) finished up eighth grade with flying colors, had a moderately successful swim season, had an exciting and very full summer - Hungary, IMSA science camp, Scout camp, growing to 6'2", and is now trying out life as a resident freshman at Marmion. Due to Gyula's status as an alumnus, Zsolt became eligible for a large scholarship, and won it. He says school is harder than he ever imagined, and also more fun than he ever imagined. He is in the process of having to learn to prioritize. He not only wants to participate in everything, he wants to be best in everything. He's in band (trumpet), drill team, swim team, tutoring, military, and (oh,yes) school, where he's trying for a 4.0. Unfortunately, there are not enough hours in the day to accomplish that, so we welcome him to the real world of having to pick and choose where to expend his energy.
Tas (9) had a super swimming season in the spring. He was the team's top eight year old, won first in the district in butterfly, 9th at state (bad day), and 4th in Midwest Regionals. He also swam backstroke at state and powered two relays, one of which took third. When the USS season results came out this fall for the previous winter/spring season, Tas had the fifth fastest fly time in the state for his age. This season is harder; the distances all double. With his enormous energy level, though.... School is not difficult for him, other than sitting still, avoiding careless mistakes, and being neat. He's still taking piano lessons and has started the trombone - but his enthusiasm is waning - he may switch to trumpet. (I wonder how much of this is admiration of his big brother; Zsolt is toying with taking up drums - Gyula's instrument. Hmm!)
Gyuszi (Julius) has had a very successful Spring living up to his achievement of Distinguished Professor. He has been key-note speaker at commencement, at Phi Theta Kappa induction; he's been honored by the college, the union, the junior college system, the teachers' unions in general. He set out to make a name for himself before he turned fifty, and succeeded (by a few months). His birthday party (he finally let us have a party for him) was great - over 100 people were there. Thanks to all you who could come and make it fun. He is still playing with all kinds of ways to improve the family tree - more data, better format for the book, newer statistics, etc. The trip to Hungary helped with the first part, and in his spare(?) time, he plays with the other aspects. New editions will be available soon (whatever that means!) Teaching and being chair of the department and multitudes of committees is a full time job and then some. However he's home more, and learning to take some time (a little, anyway) for himself.
Erika (Mom) is having a great time. She still works in the consulting business, and is struggling to figure out what the next step is in the computer world - which way to turn. On the side, she is president of swim-team parents' club, as well as team programmer and statistician. She teaches several fitness classes each week, and substitutes for missing life-guards and swimming teachers as needed (as available?). In fact she is mother-hen to much of the youthful staff at the YMCA. She gets to spend a lot of time with Tas, since he's the only one home most of the time. In her spare time, she is sewing Krisztina's wedding dress. Life is busy, but very satisfying.
Hungarian activities, especially scouts is still a big part of our lives. This year was the Jubilee camp, which takes place every five years, and includes all the hungarian scouts in the country - as well as many from overseas. Gyuszi was director for the 10-12 year old boys - about 40 of them. He spent months in planning meetings, shopping trips, and phone calls, working on the organization of this camp. Zsolt, as patrol leader, Tas and two nephews, were all part of his camp, so calling out "Hey N das" turned quite a few heads.
1995 came and went in a blink. 1996 is coming - are we ready? PEACE, and JOY to all in the upcoming year.