A Peninsula Escape

Back in the days when I moved Philadelphia it was a dream come true. I absolutely loved urban living. Being born and raised in a touristy beach city on the New Jersey coast, the only excitement happened during the summer season. After Labor Day, it was back to the Dead Zone. After living in Philadelphia for a couple of years, I would literally get the shakes if I had to go to suburbia. This was a good way for people to punish me; if they forced me to leave the city, it was like a temporary prison sentence. Before I would go, I had to plan my escape route. If they drove me out of the city, there had to be a public transportation option to return.

Living in Budapest, I still adore urban surroundings. Having matured over the years, however, tree-lined streets, parks strewn with flowers, dancing fountains of water are all a mini-vacation from cement and asphalt. Budapest has the best of all worlds. Day after day you can walk the same streets, but there are still pieces of architectural detail yet to be discovered on buildings you may think you have exhausted. Adding to the mix, many parks and grassy areas are the beacons of respite throughout the city.

Back a couple of weeks ago when I was still in school, one of my students asked me what my plans were for the weekend. At the time my plans included organizing grades, but in turn I asked her about her plans. I had hoped to hear she was going to work on her term project that had already been past due by three weeks. My fantasy ended when she told me she and her friend were planning to go to a strand (beach), one which I had never heard of before. She said she thought it was called Vak Vajú Beach, but then later amended that saying it was incorrect. Rather than hunt for a name, she gave me directions to this little peninsula of Budapest. I was intrigued, but we never did get there.

Today Ron and I decided to explore this unknown territory that has escaped their attention for 12 years. One can take either the four or six tram to the Petőfi híd stop. From there if you do not want to walk, take the number 153 bus to the end of the line which is only two stops. From there it is a very short walk - less than a quarter of a mile.

What we found was an oasis of which we had never anticipated. After passing by luscious gardens in front of the Water Police building, to the right is what appears to be stadium seating for water events. Follow the well placed and maintained walking path with trees skirting the Danube giving some glimpse of the river. On the other side of this peninsula there are multiple restaurants winding along another walking bridge.

Actually our timing was rather poor choosing today. We had checked the weather report this morning for guests. With a forecast offering a 50% chance of thunderstorms today, when we arrived, the chance increased to 100%. Ron has always loved walking in the rain, so I didn’t want to rain on his parade by turning back. We continued walking through the sprinkles as they transformed to light showers wary of the raging thunder in the distance, which sounded like a freight train filled with a cargo-load of loose bricks traveling on loose tracks at high speed. Lightning was keeping a low profile, so we continued to walk to the end.

On our return, we decided to stop for coffee, while waiting out the rain. It stopped before our waitress arrived.

I was really overcome with the maintenance care taken. These gardens are lushly exhibiting blossoms and blooms through a wide range of color. These pictures will whet your appetite for a little green getaway.

One of the many restaurants

I love the V formation with the sidewalks fading.

Beautiful plants

Lovely garden areas

The stadium seating

The walkway bridge on one side.

Stairs to the water, but for what purpose?

According to Google maps, this is called Kopaszi gát.

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Had a Job List

I was cleaning out some files on the computer and came across this list I had done for my graduation party when I received my doctorate. I had it as a poster to show where I had been and how far I had come. It seems like ages ago now and the list has increased exponentially since it was first written, but I have not added to it.

Ryan’s Long List of Jobs and Careers

Leon’s Arcade – Coin changer Long Branch, NJ  13 years old

Miles Shoe Store – Stockboy and Salesman, Eatontown, NJ  15 y.o.

Private Family - Gardener and general slave, Elberon, NJ  16 y.o.

Bishop’s Restaurant – Dishwasher, New Lothrop, MI  17 y.o.

Biscayne Bay Restaurant – Waiter, Miami, FL  18 y.o.

Red Flag Taxi Company – Driver and Dispatcher, Jamestown, NY 

Jamestown Country Club – Waiter, Jamestown, NY 

Daily’s Diner – Owner and Operator, Warren, PA  19 y.o.

Grants Department Store – Pet Department Manager, Shrewsbury, NJ

Woolco Department Store – Pet Department Manager and Paint Sales - Shrewsbury, NJ

New York and Long Branch Railroad – Drawbridge Operator, Ticket Agent, Switchboard Operator – All over Central Jersey

Teresa’s Beauty Salon – Hairdresser, Long Branch, NJ

Started back to college for my B. A. degree – Thomas A. Edison State College 1976

Hair House – Hairdresser, Spring Lake, NJ

Graduated with a B. A. in Psychology 1979

Sears and Roebuck – Credit Collector, Eatontown, NJ

New Jersey State School for the Mentally Retarded – Teacher of Deaf and Blind, Mentally Retarded, Woodbridge, NJ

New Jersey State Department of Human Services – Welfare Investigator, Trenton, New Jersey

St. Michael Elementary School – Teacher 3-6 grades, Philadelphia, PA

Started Masters in Social Work – Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 1983

Graduated with a Masters in Social Work 1986

Stanislaus County Department of Social Services – Child Protective Services Investigator, Modesto, CA

Modesto Junior College - Starting teaching Human Services, then Human Sexual Behavior, and Sociology 1987- 1999

Memorial Hospitals Association – Coordinator of Social Services, Modesto, CA

Crossroads Psychiatric Facility – Clinical Social Worker, Ceres, CA

Started New Directions…In Social Work Care, Owner and self-employed as a medical social work consultant 1990, Modesto, CA

Changed the company name to Therapeutic Interventions 1995 - Medical social work consultant, started EAP programs, private practice therapist, life coaching

Started on doctorate degree in International and Multicultural Education, University of San Francisco, August, 1997

Graduated May 20, 2000   What is next?  Stay tuned for the next list.

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My Cup Runneth Over

Tuesday, I had a heartwarming experience that really bowled me over. As much as I wanted to share the moment, I selfishly wanted to keep it as mine alone for a short while to savor. One of my former students, Adam Meszaros (accents deleted on purpose), back from the days of having students for four semesters, more intensely than now, invited me for a coffee. In addition, to being his instructor, I was his MA thesis adviser. Adam aced his defense and final exams in both American Studies and Teacher Training. He thanked me a million times, which was more humbling than one would expect.


At the end of our coffee, Adam presented me with tokens of his gratitude. The first was a copy of the book called Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking, a title I have had on my Wish List for quite some time. It was a thrill to finally get a copy, but more than that was the fact that Adam took the time to know what books I wanted and hunt it down. His note inside "Thought the title of this book expresses the most important fact I learned from you: the "power of thinking". How I kept from bursting into a waterfall of tears at that moment, I will never be able to capture the 'thought'. As a second gift, Adam made something for me, which will be an office decoration and inspiration. 

I  need to walk you through the graphic, which he created and had laminated, to fully comprehend and appreciate the effort he went through. 
1). Quercus borealis maximus is the Latin name for the Red Oak tree. Not only did I NOT know that, but I also did not know it was the New Jersey State tree, where I was born. The Liberty Bell refers to my years of living in Philadelphia and the Rockies for my time in California.
2.) Hungarian flag colors and my venturing here.
3.) 18 Wattles really threw me. 18 is our building number. Akacfa means Acacia tree. Wattle is a type of Acacia tree. 
4.) BudaBaB our b and b's name is referenced here. In Hungarian bab is bean. Many Hungarians question why we call it BudaBaB when we are on the Pest side.
5.) I am notorious for using a rubber stamp with my initials on 3x5 file cards or participation sheets when they actively speak in class. This was my way of encouraging their language skills.
The Skinner quote on the bottom is one of my favorites.


Shockingly, I managed to hold myself together when Adam was honoring me with these gifts, but later I spoke to Ron in the States. More typical of me, I lost it and could not speak for a few minutes, being choked with emotions. Thank you Adam!

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How Much Do You Invest in an Old Workhorse?

If you have an old workhorse that has put in a number of good years and has been productive, how much more do you invest in him? I subscribe to a educational newsletter called Edutopia. This last week's issue was a bit different as it had an advertisement from Drexel University in Philadelphia. What piqued my interest from this where the online certification programs they were offering for teachers or would-be teachers. The hook was in, now they were reeling me in; I read further. 

Taking a step back, let me say that many, many years ago, in a land far from here, in a section of a city that was not real pleasant, I taught elementary school. I did not have a certification at the time, just my BA degree. After three years, I decided to start on my MA in Education from what was then La Salle College, but is now La Salle University. After one semester, the funds ran out. There were some funds though for the MSW program at Temple University, so switching gears, that is where I headed.

As it turned out, I eventually taught social work, psychology, and sociology amongst other topics before coming to Hungary. California awarded me a Lifetime Credential for college and university teaching. My teaching record now spans 20++ years. However, I still do not have that desired credential for K-12. 

Looking at the Drexel site, there was one program that I could lust over. Technology Teaching Specialist! When I was an undergraduate, this field did not exist. Breathing heavy and adrenaline pumping, I look over the program. Due to an agreement with Drexel and the State of PA, this certification is accepted in a number of states. The whole thing is done online, so no community, getting more excited, then the kicker, crash landing. The tuition...$686 PER CREDIT. The program is 29 credits, which let me save you from running to grab a calculator; it is $19,894. This is just a certification mind you, not a full and complete degree. Applicants have to have their degree already. 

With an outstanding student loan of $70,000 and rising due to interest compounded, there is no way this is possible. As it is, if I return to the States before I go on Social Security, I am looking at a $524 a month student loan payment now. So this old horse is not getting any upgrades before being put out to pasture.

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