Your Gift is in the Mail

It is always an unexpected, but deeply appreciated surprise when a guest will actually pay attention to my Wishlist and bring us something listed. The people who I would really like to clue in are those who don't stay with us, but pummel me with questions. I am not saying that I mind, because I really don't. Yet, when you send an author thirty plus e-mails asking detailed questions about your upcoming trip and have found the information worthwhile, a cheap paperback book would be a lovely way to say "Thank you for going out of your way to make my way so pleasant."

Today, in the mail, there was a package. It was not on my wishlist only because we had no clue it even existed. It is the book below. No, I didn't forget to rotate the photo. The cover is just like this. There are three things that makes this gift extraordinarily special.

1. We had no idea we were getting it.

2. The author was a guest in 2009 while on his honeymoon.

3. The apartment mentioned in the book "on Akacfa utca" is based on our place.

Seth, if you are reading this, know how extremely appreciative we are of this.  As soon as I finish my current reading material, I will jump into this one. Thank you so very much!

Our apartment was in another guest's novel The Master's Ruse by Patricia Schonstein.

Apparently, our apartment is impressive.

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Hello Kitty

It is never expected that thesis students reward their adviser with a gift, but when they do, it is always a surprise and a thrill. Today, I was at school solely for my office hour. I don't have classes on Thursdays in the spring semester.

One of my former students, Luca Szabo, came in to see me bearing presents. In a rather oversized gift bag decorated in gold butterflies, she had placed an open wooden box with carved out heart-shaped handles that she herself had decoupage decorated. Inside were Hungarian treats that she made herself. They were chocolate confections shaped into balls and rolled in chocolate sprinkles. The two I sampled were delirious.

The pièce de résistance was a framed needlework that she had created also. She said she knew one of my favorite quotations is "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime".and without a doubt it is on my top five list of favorite quotes. This one is a Chinese proverb. I immediately hung the needlework on my office wall, so I had to take the picture with my mobile phone, so it is a little crooked. But the needlework is perfect. I  made a parphrased version for the Writing Center and laminated it. "Give a student the answers and you have helped them survive a day. Teach them to find the answers on their own and you have given them tools for a lifetime."

Getting gifts is always a treat, but having the student make them themselves is something extraordinarily special, which I will never forget.

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Gift From the Blast in the Past

I received this e-mail from a past B and B guest. Hello Ryan,

A blast from last summer's past! We have been having some issues going on here (as always) so haven't had any free time at all. I have a great picture of Budapest hanging that I am planning on sending to you. It is in a cheap plexi frame. Is that ok? That would be the best for sending really. Also, as you know, economy here is pretty bad so discretionary spending in limited here at our house! We often talk about our trip and the wonderful time we had with you. Your place is awesome!

My note back: Hey,

A great blast hearing from the fun past. If you want, you can send the photo in cardboard to reduce the weight. Whatever works for you will be wonderful, just getting it. Please send it to the university address for safety. The result:

Holy smokes, when you said you had a picture in a frame, I was thinking a 4X6 and was concerned about postage. When I went into the secretary's office today and saw the large box, I thought it was books I had ordered. What a shock!!

I brought both of them home to show Ron, but I just may confiscate the one in color for my office. It needs perking up. We were both floored with the photos and the fact that you were generous enough to send them. We love them both and will think of you every time we look at them. Thank you repeatedly!! Ryan Sometimes people's generosity is overwhelming. As my note above stated, I was expecting small photos in frames. Both of these photos are huge. I would not have noticed the quality of the frames if she had not mentioned it, but they look great and are ready to hang. I always feel guilty when people spend money mailing us things. The cost is so prohibitive and in these times especially so. I do count my blessings continually even when they are spread throughout the world.

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