Ma vie en rose…

Who is she?

2010-09-30T15:32:00.007+02:00

She's not a karate kid...

And she is already independent (=sitting)

And yes is my littlle niece already 4 months old...having fun with Chris, in Brasil, one of her three hometowns :).

The ugliest shoes...probably ever

2010-09-14T13:10:00.004+02:00

Yep, there is a top "Ugliest shoes ever" and the award (my choice) definetely goes to...THIS:

Imagine someone using his/her brains to create this...gee! Imagine a woman wearing these shoes and going out! Oh dear! Some designers really need a break!

How are u all, after my long pause with this blog? Many interesting things happened during this time...but this pair of shoes beats them all ..by far...hehehehehe!

Rainy days

2010-06-25T11:32:00.003+02:00

Uf! rainy days these days (I would say 1 week and a half by now) and too much water for the earth "to drink" at once, so many floodings all over RO. Surprinsingly Tuesday morning I could barely enter in the building I work, the whole courtyard was submerged and the water coverd one's feet. In the afternoon the waters grew even more so the water was 1 meter high. The firemen had to come to help.

I heard that the road from Cluj to Gherla and then Baia MAre was closed due to the floodings. I searched for some news and here is a picture taken Wednsday in Jucu, near Km 17 for those who know the area. See the traffic signs half submerged.

They say it was worse than this in other regions. Poor people! Now it seemes to be better but during the weekend more rainy days are expected.

Forgot to mention that temperatures dropped to 12-13 C. So it's a very good weather and terrain for off-road activities.

La vie en rose...

2010-06-24T07:00:00.002+02:00

If "ma vie est rose" I think everybody's can be the same. Here is someone who is totally agree with me on this one:

Laura with one of the dresses we (mom and I) bought for her. Of all I loved this one the most...and I was right! Is she real or simply a doll? :)

LAURA - my niece

2010-06-23T12:48:00.005+02:00

She is 1 month old and is the newest member in our family. I've only seens her in pictures so far, hopefully we'll soon meet in person. Here I've stolen some pics from Chris just to show the world that I am the most proud auntie of all:

Although 1 month old she seems to be the younghest fan of Brasil football team:

Anyway it's hard to be a baby:

...especially in daddy's hands:

She is sooo cute, don't you agree? I cannot realize yet that my Bro and Chris are parents ;)!!!

Older pics II

2010-06-17T15:22:00.004+02:00

... I stil have a few pictures left.

This is from 2008 - Bro&Crhisr visited Romania (first time for Chris). We went clubbin' in Cluj:

Some of my first drawings...and the final project...unfinished though:

The fifth member of the Ballas', HERA, she is a lovely, smart, loving dog. She can be happy, upset or loving just like a human being (2009):

Giant mushrooms, we went on a Sunday to collect them from the fields around Cluj. My parents-in-law a mushroom lovers and knowers. But this one is giant (my father-in-law here with a white one) - 2010:

Older pics I

2010-06-16T15:39:00.008+02:00

Today I finally managed to ask a colleague from work to help me with downloading the pics I took with my mobile phone. Gee! I have pictures from 2 years ago on it...and all this time I couldn't convice myself to get that downloading cable I needed in order to complete the operation.

Now, here are some photos taken during 2008-2009 winter, at Suior, skiing session. My folks were around too:

Some Romanian artist pictures (Diaconescu, I had one with Florin Piersic but lost it) - we've met them in Cluj at different events (2009):

Having dinner at Marty restaurant with some fiends (Marta, Edit, Istvan - the guy is the singer from SEMNAL M band) - this is our 40s gang (2009):

Meeting Santa and cute Rudolf (2009):

Out in the freezing cold of 2009 winter with HERA our dog (2009). Yep that's me! I had 3 overcoats on me and feeling almost confortable and there were -15 degrees Celsius outside - in Faget:

...

Some of my drawings

2010-05-22T12:38:00.004+02:00

I am a student at Popular Art School at Interior Design class and in first year we had to draw in crayon, charcoal, etc. As I have never paint/drew before here some of my first drawings...I have one preparing for the end of the term and is bigger and more complex.I hope it will be good enough at least to post it here. I have few more on my mobile phone but unfortunatelly I cannot download them...maybe next time.

With this one I've participated to an exhibit organized by the school. Both are made in charcoal.

Now and then

2010-04-20T12:26:00.004+02:00

We had a great weekend, bbq with some friends coming from Suceava on Sathurday and with tehir 2 1/2 and 1/2 years old boys. No pictures taken as everybody forgot to take their camera with them. On Sunday we went to Faget just for a walk in the forest...beautfiul, warm, green and fresh air. Again no pictures taken just walking...

And as I was looking through our pictures I've notice the change of our TOY.

This is BEFORE:

And this is AFTER (NOW):

You can see but most of all you can feel the difference!

The married couple of 2010

2010-04-13T07:39:00.003+02:00

Bro got married!...or I have a sister-in-law! Even though it was just a formality, like in our case, Bro and Chris finally got the PAPER...hehehhe. Another one to put in their personal archive and need to take care of for the rest of their lives. Even though we weren't there to celebrate with them the moment, we really enjoyed the pictures.

You are really great guys! We wish you "Casa de piatra!" (= a sort of Congratulations! in EN:)

Feeling useful but having fun

2010-04-02T10:29:00.008+02:00

We really felt useful last week when some new friends from the off-road club invited us to help the Red Cross from Cluj in order to deliver food and clothes to people living in very remote places and hard or impossible to get by car. Red cross had the initiative, the goods and the list with the people in need and we had the off-road cars, the gas and the mood and crazyness to get up the mountains and give a helping hand and few minutes to talk to the izolated ones. So at 7:30 am we met and started the Red Cross Caravan:

It was a great opportunity for us to help those in need, to meet new people, to try the car in off-road terrain and to see how beutiful can nature be in those untouched places. Time has stopped for those people:

I've talke to an old lady of 85 living only with her old man and having their closest neighbour 5 km away and when I asked "How can you manage here alone with the household?" She asked: "Only God help us here!" Well you get to think that you take all you have for granted, it seems normal for us to have a slice of bread and a plate with soup at the table, but we cannot really tell the price for that. But those people can!

I like their serenity and the fact that they stick together and help each other. We were welcomed because we brought some hope in thei souls but they are rather harsh people and don't like their peace to be bothered.

We had some fun in the sun and in the mud as well. Here's the proof:

What we've been doing lately..

2010-03-29T15:23:00.007+02:00

Well the spring is here finally so we started spending lot of time outdoors.
Last wkd Peter participated for the first time in an offf-road contest, they call it Eurotrial, which took place in Cluj.

I was just a spectator of my husband's foolishness. He has driven that car for a few hours before the openning of the Eurotrial so it was a real madness to compete. But enthusiatic as he is he did it this time as well. I was at home clening the apt. and he called to say: "I am in" ...me speachless, he was supposed to go there as an organizer and our car just be exposed for advertising.

Strange, but I was excited about the ideea so I picked the camera and went for Polus Center parking, where the competition took place. And here it is (only the green "environmental friendly" car is ours:)

The organisers said he did well the first day and had a good total score. He was on the top 3 at the end of day 1. Unfortunatelly, along with other 7-8 cars in the competition, and because of the hard conditions, our Sammy broke up, the clutch failed completely and nedeed replacement (afterwards I've heard is a frequent suzuki problem). It was impossible to repair that during the night. So the contest ended for us day 1.

Conclusions:
1. we like this kind of contests and this sport;
2. this extreme sport is quite expensive for the owner of the car;
3. it's hard to drive and cross the finish line;
4. I was the craziest wife-supporter behind the "do not cross" line, tried (not succesfully though)to negociate with the arbitrators (the rules are very strict at this kind of competitions) - but didn't get any prize for that. So next time I'll be Peter's co-pilot;
5. you meet nice, relaxed, crazy people;
6. you always win something - Peter got experience and a participant diploma :)

Enjoy more pics on my picasa album!

Today vs yesterday

2010-03-05T13:12:00.004+01:00

I was just having a break at work and reading the news on-line when I suddenly ran into some old pics of important sites from Cluj taken in about 1827-1850 and which were presented versus the photos taken nowadays.
My conclusion: the city looked more nice at that time, I love the simple, mistic air of 1800s' and 1900s' and I really think at that time people apreciated more open-air walks and entertainments as well as spending their spare time with the others. This justifies the better look and shape of parks, opera, theatre, back then.
You can see it for yourselves:

Central Paark - Fountain

Yesterday:

Today:

Central Park - The Casino

Yesterday:

Today:

How was the BALLET?

2010-02-18T16:01:00.002+01:00

Pretty interesting and we could manage to stay till the end of the show. That's a plus.
What I like about the ballet shows:
1. The music - I only like symphonic music when I listen to it LIVE.
2. The dance - they are pretty good, some problems only with syncronizing.
3. Women's costumes - classic but nice. I always dreamt wearing a dress like in the 1900s and I can say I did...at my wedding. I love them (to watch, it's quite a stress to wear them).

What I hated about the show:
1. Too hot in the Opera;
2. Men's costumes - quite funny, especially the "trousers".
3. The people coming to these events and eating bomboms out loud and trying to impress the new girlfriend with sweet talk during the show, in front of me, taking all my sight! Gee I couldn't stand the couple in front of me espeacially the guy who was about 2 m tall so in the second act I dared to say:" Could you please in this 2nd act talk less cause I can't see a thing!" They dazeled at me, said ok, stood still the rest of the show....but not sure they understand what 2nd act meant. Peter laughed at me all night because of this!

Reccommended:
Try to stay at the front of the hall or in the upper seats at the balcony. It is essential to see the ballet dancers legs. That's the ideea!

Conclusion:
I will go to ballet shows in the future but they have to be good. Maybe famous dancers.

Night at the Opera

2010-02-12T15:22:00.002+01:00

Is not a title or a movie is what we'll be doing on Sunday evening. We're going to the Opera but for a famous ballet show: The Swan Lake (Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky). See here more details : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swan_Lake.

I always wanted to see this show but couldn't make it. And now the Ukraine dancers (I think this is how you call the ballet dancers) from The National Opera from Kiev are coming to Cluj. I've heard they are pretty good and I simply love the music, hopefully the dancers will be tallented at least for 3 reasons:
1. I am going with Peter and if he doesn't like a show (play, movie or else) he simply gets up and leave...first I was shocked now I am doing the same thing :). I used to stay to the end of the show even if I hate it. Not anymore: why waisting my time for a famous play just for the image (it sounds good when telling others you've been to the Opera....but what they don't know is that you didn't understand a single thing of it) when I can use my time doing something more useful?
2. I like ballet if the music is good too, and I want to go to other shows. If this one will be bad surely I'll "miss" all the other to come. (it happened with the Opera - I simply don't enjoy the show, only the music. But we love theatre - lately we've been to several ahows - very good!).
3. I like Tchaikovsky's music hopefully they won't spoil it!

I've always admired ballet dancers for being able to just stand on the top of their toes. And I heard it's pretty difficult to do that (Peter's aunt was a ballet dancer - now a teacher so we have the information from a safe source). Those shoes they're wearing have a weird name even in RO so no ideea how they call it in ENG.

About winter sports

2010-02-09T10:50:00.003+01:00

I love sports in general and since is stil winter in RO we manage to practice some. We had two ski sessions (last 2 wkds) near Baia MAre in Suior, and realized they started to get modern. They have now the possibility to ski at night (lights on the slopes - nocturn in RO) and it's very nice. Also they have artificial snow cannons and a very nice wooden restaurant on top of the hill.
Skiing it's a bit expensive. Lucky us we have free accommodation at my parents' house!
We've been skating a few timea on an artificial skatering in Cluj. Peter wanted to try on a lake about 3 m deep which was frozen only in the middlle and full of crazy people skating for free. Gee! The must be insane! I simply refused so we didn't go! Luckily nobody was hurt. But how on earth can you leave your child to skate on an alake which is not properly frozen! By the way we kicked the ice to see how thick it was an it had no more than 5 cm. God! When seeing that i simply ran away, Peter laughing at my back!

Anyway the Olimpics from Vancouver are near. When in Baia MAre I used to watch on TV the competition. Not anymore, only a bit of skating and skiing but doing something else (like reading a magazine) at the same time.

Yesterday we had another sport, this time within the city...they call it SHOPPING :)! I am great at it!

Since it was a success...

2010-01-29T11:36:00.003+01:00

...here you have more photos of the Black Sea frozen or close to frozing. These are from another source (it seems everybody was amazed by the view).

Have you seen the sand dunes frozen and slightly covered in snow...and it's real! Here are some details - a closer look!

Once in a lifetime...

2010-01-27T13:27:00.004+01:00

...Lately, you can say "every third year", you can see the Black Sea frozen. It's an amazing thing, but it's real and it's like in the SF movies. Yep! the photos are real (taken by a friend - thank you Sorin! - 3 days ago in Constanta).

God ! How I wish Tha Black Sea was closer to Cluj. I always said to Peter that next time when tha sea is frozen will pay a visit (last time is was 3 or 4 winters ago) but we couldn't make it this year!

Imagine walking (=sliding) on that salty, frozen peer!

This is One of the miracles and advantages of -20 and -30 degrees Celsisus - the average temperature from RO these days. Today it simply hot is -5 :)!

Simply Sammy

2010-01-22T13:18:00.008+01:00

It is small, green, cute, muddy, some call it a "squirrel" (because it can easily climb even on rocks), it has a steering wheel, 4 wheels and two crazy passengers on board and we call it SAMMY.

As i was saying is green:

Muddy:

Muddy again:

Cute (I can't decide the driver or the car):

Even I was around:

An the forestry roads we had ahead...at that time didn't know where they end only hoped to be in civilization:

Yep already a member of our family. We bought it for fun and because Peter is keen on off-road and dreaming about it for so long. It is not yet fully equipped for off-roads but coming soon. We've already been in some muddy short trips, already feeling the adreline rush. Fortunately we haven't been stucked anywhere so far, hopefully will never be without a way out because it is a team sport and you usually never GO ALONE on a trip like this. This is rule no. 1: Hm! Already broken and a kind stranger pulling us out from the deep snow in Faget.. :) Lucky us! Interesting...I like this kind of sports of course when they always end happily in a pub/rstaurant with some food and warm cup of wine.

More photos of the trip through Gilau Mountains (Marisel-Maguri Racatau-Dobrin-Cerc-Finisel-Savadisla-Cluj for those who know the area or want to know it better) on my picasa album. It was a great weather, quite warm and pleasant....pretty good for a walk in the forest...but we were in the middle of nowhere and we were by car this time. Lovely!

Exams :)

2010-01-19T13:16:00.002+01:00

Yep I found out yesterday that I will have 2 exams next week at The Popular Art School were I have my interior design decoration class. Ups! Is an Art History exam and I haven't beeen to any class and I have no knowledge about the subject and I also have to prepare a crayon drawing for the other exam...not that easy.

Well, I never thought I'll have to draw so much and so good (I am not that tallented) but as I am a student now and I am paying for my classes I MUST. It's nice and relaxing to do that anyway but not in such a short time. Art needs time and inspiration...heheheh...like I am an artist now!!!

Anyway tonight I am planning a "trip" to a special shop where I can buy some crayons and some special paper. Let little Picasso (actually I like Monet) get to work! When I'll have something interesting to show I'll probably post one of my drawings here....but it will take a while...so don't be too eager to see any!

Finger crossed...I mean you shoul do that I vae to use mine when INSPIRATION comes!

About the weather

2010-01-19T12:49:00.002+01:00

Hm! I must listen to Chris and talk about the wether. Nowadays talking about it can't be so boring as it was some time ago. And that's because everything seems to be changing! I can't remember a warmer winter than this one. Almost no snow! And I am an 80's generation girl who used to have 4 seasons, each with it's normal "behaviour". Now it's a surprising weather every morning.
I will have to change my wardrobe soon!
They say South Romania and East it is burried in snow (I am not watching the news for some while now - I hete beeing manipulated by press) and still snowing and heavy winds. In Cluj is all sunny...is like spring time. God please let it snow in our neighbourhood too...so we can ski at least one more time this season. Thank you!

Who knows when is going to be the next?

2010-01-15T15:29:00.002+01:00

I mean next post on this blog. Even I cannot tell!

See ya!

The first day...

2010-01-15T14:34:00.004+01:00

...of the rest of 2010. Yep New Years' Eve in Baia Mare in my parents flat and going out for 1,2,3...2010! Happy New Year moment in the centre of the town, watching fireworks, but not taking pictures. Well we have 2 or 3 taken with the mobile phone but only we know whose in the picture...so I'll post the ones taken at home at the PARTY :)

This was 12:01 am:

And here is what's next:) You have to keep the blood running...

Who can tell if this is a natural or an artificial Christmas tree?!

Heheheh I DO!

What we've been doing lately

2010-01-15T14:22:00.004+01:00

I kinnda got used to the idea that I will post here more seldom so I think it's better than ever. Now I am at work in a well deserved break after tones of contracts and stuff like that. I simply was reading other people's blog (no so lazy like me)and thought about my abandoned one. Feel sorry for it so here I am!

Enough talking rubbish! For our winter holidays we went in Baia MAre with my folks and was a good time to remember how to go hiking to the neighbourhoods and how tiring can be after months of chair-sitting. Amaizing!

I almost forgot how bwutiful it can be....Even sweting to get to the top! Of course we had tens of breaks but the wether (that single day only) was shinny and not raining or snowing!

Now to be honest with you we walked to the top because we lesft our ski equipment in Cluj. Never thought it can be snow on the slopes after a week oh havy rain! If usually we are desprate looking at other skiiers and not able to ski this time was different. And I'm glad I forgotten this time!

I simply love the trees on winter! They remind me of the fairytale woods from my childhood stories and of the old snowy winters. I miss them!

More photos on my picasa album.

I am too lazy for this blog

2009-12-23T07:42:00.002+01:00

...Or I lost my interest in it. I don't know why! I can't say I am too busy or I am doing something very important every day, but lately we've been a lot out with friends, my cousin stayed at our place and we went to shopping, movies, concerts theatre. Quite active you would say!

It snowed havily last week and it was a -17 temperature outside and we all hoped a white Christmas this year. Too bad the forecast can't be manipulated...It will be a +15 Celsius on Christmas Day ...so bye-bye snow. I kinnda hate this sudden ghange of weather and temperature and the main reason is because I don't know what clothes shoul I put on in the morning. I am either too hot or too cold...It seems I can't find my balance. It's true I never listen to the forecast for the next day :)

We will be on holiday from tomorrow to the 4th of January. We'll have Christmas in Baia Mare and New Year's Eve to choose from 3 possibilities:
1. Stay in Baia Mare with my folks and parents-in-law coming to celebrate my father;
2. Stay in Cluj and take a champagne and go downtown to celebrate together with hundreds of strangers in the streets;
3 To go with some quiet friends (our 40's group) in the mountains to a remote chalet - not sure if the roads are clean to reach it.

My favourite, in this order: 2,1,3. We'll see!

Meanwhile Happy holidays for everybody and the most Happiest New Year!

I am going to be an aunt!

2009-11-05T15:21:00.002+01:00

Isn't that a good news? I am excited for a new baby born in the clan :), curious about how Bro will handle the situation (I am sure he'll be a great father) interested in how he will react when seeing his baby born and when first have to change diapers.

Anyway I cannot express exactly what I feel in English but WELCOME little one into our family!

First ski session this season

2009-10-19T09:05:00.002+02:00

Yep, this weekend we went to Cavnic to ski. A bit early this season but it was very interesting and warm at noon. The snow measures 60-70 cm and the slopes are really good, no so many people had the courage to listen to the news and come to see if it's really true, so not crowded.

It's not an easy sport for your knees but you easily get used to the pressure in your legs. Hope the snow will last for long in these resorts and more snow will fall in the mountains soon.

The winter has arrived in the cities as well. We had temperature below 0. I think we must get used to the idea that lately we have only 2 seasons: WINTER and SUMMER. Pretty odd! for someone like me who grew up with beautiful springs and colourfull autumns.

Holidays, pictures...

2009-09-21T14:48:00.002+02:00

...and today back to work.
Yep, lucky us! We've been on holiday for a week and we've been to the Danube Delta as we always wanted. A long term plan now finally accomplished.
I've posted the pics taken on our Transfagarasan trip and the pics taken on this trip. Visited: Mud Vulcanoes (Vulcanii Noroiosi), The Delta, Sain Ana Lake (Lacul Sf. Ana) and Tusnad resort Baile Tusnad).

Such a great country we have! I must admit I consider myself lucky to be born here.

Enjoy the pics!

PS: We must buy a new camera, the old one is starting to mess up the pics! :(

Strange Friday wedding

2009-09-03T08:48:00.002+02:00

We have to go to a weeding party that is held Friday night!??? Imagine how fresh we will be! From work straight home, taking a shower and going to a weeding party. Probably we'll have a dozen coffes and hang on until 12 p.m.
It's starange I've never heard or been before to a Friday wedding party. But we have to go as thei are some relatives with my father and attended our wedding. So it'a a sort of "pay-back" time. Lol.

It will be a quiet sleepy Saturday in the Balla family!

I did it!

2009-08-26T08:27:00.003+02:00

..Yep I've found the patience and time and mood to finally upload some photos from our trip to Valcea and Caciulata.

Unfortunaltelly my computer found troubles when uploading the pics taken from Transfagarasan - really a wonder of "modern" world. Too bad authorities don't forbbid bbq in the mountains area and they do not protect it properly. Fortunately Transfagarasan is an example of nature's selfishness when protectig itself. Transfagarasan can be crossed only during summer months from July to September and onlu during daytime and that is because of the heavy snow covering the road.
Personally, I would fine all the bbq people, which populate especially the Muntenia side of the mountain....Without being nasty, you expect those parts to be vandalised!

Here you have some pics from Caciulata a resort in the Olt Valley and from our trip to Valcea generally an area with lots of monasteries and history. Almost all the Romanian leaders from XII to XVII century are burried within the monasteries' walls. In Romania it was a tradition for the ruler to built at least one monastery which he financed during his reign and in the end found his resting peace and tomb there. So every place comes with a sotry...most of the times an interesting one...You just have to find the right person to tell...and they are many.

Frustrations

2009-08-21T12:46:00.002+02:00

It happens sometimes, especially when I have uploaded all the pics with picasa and realize that, apparently I have two acounts with picasa and everything was uploaded on the wrong one. Of course all my enthusiasm was lost instantly and I didn't feel like uploading those pics (selected ones) again.

So when I'll have the time and nerves to do it I will. Until then it will probably be a Saturday at a frind's office helping her out with the papers and probably an evening out on a terrace and a Sunday out in the nature. We have a promise for a speed-boat trip on Tarnita lake...will see!

I jusl LOVE wkds

2009-08-07T15:45:00.002+02:00

Starting Friday afternoon I feel like I am feeling alive again. I just love how productive I am on Fridays and my colleagues as well. I think that if there will be always Friday the efficiency at work will be 100%. People work better when they have a motivation like that...
And then weekends, especially when leaving to nowhere and finding interesting places/people are absolutely magnificent. We ghad a sort of "bank holiday" (how Bro and Chris seem to always have: - I am a bit jealous!)last wkd. Well we took our Friday off from work and visited our parents in their trip to Caciulata (Olt Valley). We've bathe in the sun and thermal water, we had trips to monasteries, memorial houses (Anton Pann) and cities (Rm. Valcea). Then we had a long walk to Turnu monastery, by night...hehehe interesting experience, especially we were with our parents.
And 3rd day we had a trip back to Cluj by Curtea de Arges (the monastery it's simply breathtaking) and then Poenari Fortress (built bu Vlad Tepes - and where to we had to climb 1480 steps through the woods) and then crossed the Fagaras Mountain at 2000 m high through Transfagarasan. I didn't know Romanina could do such masterpiece. Too bad it is not valuable enough today...for tourists as well as for authorities. Simply splendid!
We must go back and take a walk up the mountain.

We took lots of pictures, but our LCD at home has boken down...so until Monday no access at home.

See ya!

Ice Age 3

2009-07-26T20:37:00.002+02:00

We've been to the cinema tonight and seen Ice Age 3 - 3D. Really nice! I think rarely you can find a trilogy that is still funny. We had a good laugh...although the 3D effects were not so spectacular.
A new funny character "Buck" appeared in the scene...and really freshened up the movie. From all of the characters I like Sid best...the crazy creature. I think is the funniest!
I wonder will it be an Ice Age 4 movie released soon???? I saw that Harry Potter continues on and on...is it at the 5th or 6th episode??? I am not very fond of it! I've seen only one episode and I found it casual.
Watched X-Men 3 pretty interesting if you don't expect anything philosophic from a movie. It's pure action trying to explain how it became X-Men 1! We enjoyed it!

Changes...

2009-07-24T08:23:00.002+02:00

I really feel that I need a change at my job! But something more radically.

I think need to change my activity too...I am sick of legal papers and documents and procedures. Or maybe it's because of the place and people....
Hm! I'll see. Planning and looking for new challenges and opportunities...
I am looking for smart people hwo have something to say anf can share thei knowledge with me..
Is only me to look around for something like that? I feel that valuable people are more and more difficult to find. And if you find them it's incredibile difficult to make them share their knowledge...Aren't we becoming to selfish?

Any offers that I may consider..???

Hot and getting hotter

2009-07-24T08:15:00.003+02:00

I should have got used to these temperatures by now... and I think I am. We had 34 degrees yesterday, and today and tomorrow will probably be up to 37. And it is even hotter if you stay in the sun or have to drive a car. Of course we have air conditioning at work...but I am freezing inside and melting outside. I a 25-27 Celcius degrees person.
I think because of this weather and the busy days at work I skipped writing on my blog.

Last weekend we went to Tarnita, a near-by mountain lake and which usually is very cold, almost impossible to swim. Now it's so warm like the sea in summer. Surprinsingly pleasant. we had a bath and a relaxing trip (we were even able to ignore the "manele" songs that surround us.

Peter is working in the afternoons and in week-ends at his parents' house rennovating (is this an English word...or just a "furculition"?:). So meanwhile I am reading and doing exercises (gym) at home. Very refreshing!

Planning a gettaway next weeked...will see!

Oh how I long for a green forest and cold springs!

The first tape I ever bought...

2009-06-26T17:26:00.002+02:00

...was with Michael Jackson, from Hungary, the first foreign western country we visited after the Romanian Revolution from 1989. I remember how my bro insisted in buying an audio system and 2 tapes (that's all we afforded). We choose that with Michael Jackson, BAD album and one with Alice Cooper. I still have them both, even if
I don't know if they're still working.

Anyway we listen to those 2 till everybody in the house got crazy. Later I bought other albums with Michael Jackson and became a fan. I still remember the posters with Mike covering my room's walls and how I suffered from not being able to attend his concert in Romania, Bucharest, in the 90s'. He was truly a legend...I still like his music, especially Bad and Thriller album.
Now I really think we were fortunate to grow-up with real music. I wonder sometimes what will our children will listen? Sometimes I think the real music and lyrics have gone forever...

Great music, great artist! I'm sure Michael Jackson music will be far from been forgotten. Anyway he's really king of pop.

Briefing

2009-06-18T07:10:00.003+02:00

Wow, I don't know what happened lately but it seems that I don't have time for anything...or I have so many things to do. Don't Know.

Well lately we've been pro-active:
1. I had my 10th year highschool anniversary. It all work well we had a good time and a nice reunion. The party was ok. Conclusion: Time flies people slightly change...if they change at all. Which is not so good I would say! Anyway everybody said about me that I have changed...I think they were refering to my haicut, clothes and probably make-up:) I was never interested in loooking good during highschool. I like to say that I have changed as a person...I'm wiser today than 10 years ago...
If curious pictures are on this website: www. picasaweb.google.com/ancu.bm

2. We had our spring holiday and we visited Bro and Chris in UK, London. We took our parents with us. I've been in London before, but still we had a great time there. You can visit London and UK once a year and you'll have things to see. Everybody was impressed by the city, the people, the visiting places, the variety of things you can do there. We had a few days ouside London (North to Cambridge, West to Windsor, Oxford and Wales-Cardiff and South to Eastbourne and Brighton). Surprisingly we had the best weather you can possibly get in UK, 27-28 degrees Celsius almost all our trip. It was quite nice especially that we were coming from 30 degrees and when landing in Luton there were barely 9 degrees Celcius. We were shocked! Anyway if you're looking for a science trip, a pleasure trip, a shopping session, a visiting trip or a hunt for art and celebrities you'll be satisfied in London.

Love in London: clean streets, good roads and transportation, polite people, well organized in everyting, green parks where allowed to rest on the grass, tourist orientated, chep clothes if you know where to look for them);

Hate in London: video surveillence and cameras on every corner, crowdness, big distances - train dependence, lack of ventilation in the tube stations, food (only if you don't go for specialities - chinese, oriental, etc.), high fees, high prices for everything.

Conclusion: Worth visiting but glad to come back home. MANY THANKS TO CIPRI AND CHIS for being our hosts and telling us the local tips&tricks. Pics at the same adress as above.

3. Last weekend we welcomed our coming back home with a picnic in Faget forest. When away from home You learn to appreciate the good mici and frigarui and the still wild nature.

4. Moving for a week in my parents-in law house while they are in holiday to take care of our dog Hera. So will be internet-less for a week but at least will be "downtown people".

Have a sunny weekend!

still at work...

2009-05-12T16:57:00.002+02:00

I hate when somebody (I don't gine names just titles: THE BOSS) changes my programme when I have only 5 minutes to FREEDOM (going home hour) for something "important" which in the end proves to be ok to discuss in the morning as well. Now, is that fair?

Another reason to become professional independent and start my own business....like I don't have already thousands of reasons!

Be independent if you can! Bosses are always annoying and selfish!

10th year anniversary

2009-05-12T08:27:00.004+02:00

...I think this is how they call it in English. To be more precise: it's been 10 years since I've graduated highschool and in Romania it's quite an important anniversary to get together with all your ex-highschool colleagues and friends and meet with your former teachers. Usually there is a sort of remember classes held at school in the old classroom and then the party at a restaurant.

I together with a colleague we've been the organisers, hopefully it will be nice and fun. Anyway, I'm cool not stressed just curious. I think will be interesting to see the former teens that we've been grown up into serious adults (that doesn't necessary apply to me:). From the talks we had during this preparation session I've concluded that "People change very rarely, they usually change their clothes, cars, lovers, jobs...not their behaviour".

Well will see...I am probably wrong. So next Friday (22nd of May) let the party begin!

My birthday party

2009-04-30T12:54:00.004+02:00

Weel Sunday was my ? aniversary and as it followed the Easter holidays when everybody just eat, drik and sit around the table, I said we should go out to celebrate me...and so we did.The plan was to go bbq somewhere nice, in the nature.
Peter and I we love Remetea, a rather interesting area where nature felt free to play with mountains, rivers, plains.The climb is not so diffucult, of course if you are trained...otherwise is quite harsh, it's like climibing few thousand steps straight up. We loved it!

We were in a hurry as some of our friends expected us down at the bottom of the mountain. I can say that only today my legs stopped hurting. Afterwards we set near the river and cooked the traditional mici and slanina (bacon) and some chicken. Lovely.

It was an unusual birthday party but we had a great deal of fun and even a birthday cake.

More pics on my picasa webalbum.

Happy Easter Holiday!

2009-04-17T10:17:00.001+02:00

To everybody who celebrate Easter this weekend. Be careful with the tones of food and drink and cakes.

Cristos a Inviat!

I forgot

2009-04-14T07:48:00.002+02:00

...to tell you that we took part in the "chain reaction" activity on the 28th of March. That means, if you forgot, that we cycled around the city (few hundreds of cycling lovers) to show that we care about nature and the health of the Earth....and of course to sensitize the local authorities in order to arrange more cycling tracks throughout the city....

The latter didn't work out yet :)!

Briefing...

2009-04-14T07:18:00.002+02:00

Less and less time for me to write on this blog or probably the spring air that invites me out...can't tell! The truth is I love this time of the year...it's warm, but not hot, the trees and flowers are in blossom, the grass is green and the earth is simply reviving.

Anyway: We went to the National theatre for the International Theatre Day and we listen to the great actor Florin Piersinc just telling stories from his youth and acting experiences. Very interesting and captivating...never thought one can speak like that to an audiance that was literally in a trance. We loved it!

We had a trip to Budapest (Peter had a sort of business trip). I love that city! We visited the Zoo. It is worth visiting while in Budapest. It's quite big (we walked for 4 hours and we still missed the elephants! Anyway I loved the diversity of the animals and the fact that they were very well supported and they really looked healthy and happy ... as much as they could be. Very many families (babies born in captivity...which means that they are ok!). We also visited Erika (my sister-in-law) she moved near Budapest, near the Danube and the forest to a very exotic location, considering we're speaking about a rather flat country. Many cyclists and sportsmen...I loved that too. We also had a small shopping session....which ended in a cake shop.
By the way, did you know that Hungarians are obssesed with marzipan!!! I really don't like the taste!

This weekend we had Easter holidays, Part one - is the catholic Easter. So we had cakes, lots of food and red eggs. Now, there are only few days left until the Easter holidays, Part two. Hopefully will have sunny days in Baia Mare and maybe will go out for a walk at Izvoare or so....will see!

Happy Easter holidays for some and Happy spring holidays for the others!

Theatre Day and upcoming spring

2009-03-27T13:39:00.002+01:00

The 27'th of March is the Theatre DAy...i think it goes international. Anyway for this special cultural day The National Theatre fron Cluj-Napoca opens its doors for everybody who's interested in visiting it for free...And when I mean doors I'm not particularly refering to the main entrance, but the actors' cabins, the backstage, the dark unseen corners of the building, etc. We're planning to go....won't be something outrageous, but something cute!

And yes, finally sping has arrived in Cluj-Napoca too. We're expecting the upcoming days tempretures of 15. Tomorrow if the weather is still friendly we're planning to participate to the cycling session in order to celebrate The Earth Hour, probably to see some Thetre Fashion Exhibit in Polus Center and then turn off the lights for one hour....I HOPE YOU DIDN"T FORGET THIS ONE!

Sunday we're going out in the nature at a traditional Romanian bbq with mici and fried chips! God how I love spring!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...

2009-03-18T08:59:00.002+01:00

Yes! It's unbelieveble! In the morning it snowed again in Cluj so probably it snowed in the mountains as well. To be honest, we really thought this year's skiing sessions are over. But it seems that the slopes are still snowy and waiting for tourits...so probably this weekend we'll go to Baia Mate visit the parents and also going to Suior for ....I was almost saying "the last skiing this spring season...

So let the spring wait for a few days!

Chain reaction

2009-03-13T07:25:00.005+01:00

Some months ago I've heard from a friend (George) about a public cycling experience in Cluj, in order to advertise this mean of transportation within the city. Cycling in Cluj is quite an adventure these days and you must be very careful in order to stay alive.
This public programme cycling through the city in order to convince public and authorities that they must support and legally organize cycling tracks, in order to be a solid alternativ tu urban GREEN transportation.

Now that the spring is trying to come (still very cold in Cluj) I think we will take part to the next cycling session in the 28th of March - I've heard is also The Day when the lights will be turned off (One os The Saving The World Campaign)all around the world.

For more details see the website: http://www.reactieinlant.ro (in English chain reaction.ro). Hope this GREEN campaing will work!

8th of March

2009-03-09T06:51:00.002+01:00

For a few years now I have a dilemma: Is the 8th of March Mothers' DAy or Women's Day? People I've asked about have different opinions. I remember when I was a child that all we did that day was for mom: postcards, flowers, presents, etc. But also for our teachers....
Now that are people congratulating mwe for the 8 th of March but they seem to do it only out of respect and only after having a revelation: "Oh you're a woman too...Congratulation!" :)

Soooo, is it Mothers' Day or Women's Day on the 8th of March???

Anyway, for all the women out there: Congratulations and wish you a nice spring and a successful year!

Wandering, skiing, relaxing...

2009-03-03T18:00:00.005+01:00

We've taken a short 3 days' trip to Borsa with the intention to have a nice weekend skiing. We were at first undecided: to choose Straja or Borsa. We haven't visited these 2 places for quite a while so were both supposed to be a surprise. Luckily we couldn't find accommodation in Straja and I say luckily because in Borsa the slope is much entertaining then in Straja.
So Thursday morning we left Cluj in the early morning and with our two seats car headed for Borsa. The weather was nice an sunny and we were thinking only about skiing, relaxing and having fun. We decided to stay at a pension house we found on the internet and it turned out to be a good choise. It was the house of some young fellows, very clean and very welcoming. Wow!

It was our skiing in Borsa after at least 5 years. The slope looked good! Few people skiing, meaning that we didn't have to spend a lifetime waiting in a queue to get up the mountain, a sunny day and 2 guys eager to ski.
It was as we reminded and expected! Same Borsa aprox. 2 km of pretty hard slope. We had plenty of photos so you can enjoy. The nature is simply breathtaking in the mountains.

The local people say that soon there will be another "hardcore" slope in the resort but who knows...the rumors are very old and nothing much happened so far. But this time they say that the summer of 2009 will be the one to open it. Will see! it will be a great advantage for the area and for the resort which is one of the finest (I think) from RO. Maybe I am a little subjective here as Borsa is in Maramures. Anyway we'll go back there as soon as possible...but preferably during week-days. Weekends can be frustrating in Borsa :)

Un martisor pentru voi!

2009-03-01T15:07:00.002+01:00

SNOW...at last!

2009-02-13T12:52:00.002+01:00

Well yesterday was a day to remember, when most of us recalled the winter days from childhood. It snowed heavily, the roads were almost blocked, everythig was and is completely white and it's that something in the air...I call it "smell of a winter = mixture of snow and cold, but not very cold". The nature can give you very good, but also very bad days.
Big plans! We really thought that this year we will remain frustrated with the single ski session we had at Vatra Dornei for New Year's Eve. So, we're planning Sunday-ski day at Baisoara if it is enough snow and next weekend a 3-day trip to Borsa. They say it snowed heavily there. Anyway that slope is one of the best in RO, if it snows of course.
Maybe a skating night tonight, will see, and tomorrow a work day. I promised Marta, a friend. I will help her with her archive...GOD! how I hate documents and papers! but she promised some goodies so I cannot refuse her.

Well, have a nice wkd!

The proof

2009-01-31T18:56:00.004+01:00

You asked for it!

Improving....:)

The pics were taken with the camera from the mobile phone, otherwise you could have seen the extraordinary skater, the best figure skating performer in Cluj...that would be ME in case you had any doubts!

Shopping

2009-01-27T07:52:00.002+01:00

This weekend was a lazy one. Didn't do anything special but went shopping. And this time Peter felt like it, I usually do feel like it so we spent about 7 hours wandering in Cluj-Napoca's malls looking for clothes. It was a very inspired decision as we found very cheap but very nice outfits...We are not fans of shopping but we didn't realize the time pssing by so quickly.

When we got home we had dinner and then a movie. By the way have you seen Mamma Mia -the movie. It's wuite new I think, 2008 production, and it's a very funny love story on the ABBA music. Great music, great lyrics, extraodinary acting; especially from Maryl Streep.

We're planning a trip to Baia Mare this weekend. Maybe even skiing if there is snow and proper weather.

Now back to work, which is a LOT!

Progressing

2009-01-21T10:32:00.002+01:00

Well first time when i put my skates on my feet I said to myself that this will be a one-day experience, but we went to the lake for three days on. Yesterday we had to stay indoor as the weather outside was too mild (not under 0 degrees). Today though the weather is cooping with us again.
But tonight it's Opera night. We decided to make some changes this year in our daily programme.
1. First to go to the gym or at least do exercise: we consider that half accomplished so far - ewe went skating and it's not easy, we went skiing, we'll go to the gym as well or just jogging.
2. Be cultural friendly - we are planning to go to the Theatre, Opera and others. Tosca of Giacomo Puccini tonight from 18:30.
3. Improve from a professional perspective - I got this mediator diploma and planning to practice. Peter is taking some Master courses of Management and Bussines.
4. Visiting - we've booked a May trip to London to visit Bro and Chris. We want to go to ski in Austria in MArch (don't know for sure - nothing booked yet). Probably a Delta trip in September. And then weekend trips.

Big plans. Hope we'll have the energy, the resources :)(I mean money here), health and time to keep up with all this stuff.
So far promissing. We're quite good at skating...so we think. Don't you think it was without paying any "price" or sacrifice...I nearly broke my hand ... falling on ice can be really painful. But I'm ok so we'll keep on skating. Relaxing, refreshing, energizing....

By the way watch for thea European Skating Championship from Helsinki now ongoing...skating seems a piece of cake when watching those guys, but don't let yourself carried away by that.

"Productive" wkd

2009-01-19T07:35:00.002+01:00

Yep, I 've passed the exam with a very good mark. I am now as they say a MEDIATOR, so in case of conflict don't hesitate to give me a call :).

I bought skates for myself as well, so Saturday and Sunday evening we went skating on the Chios lake, free of charge. Folks it's wonderful! In 2 days we really got the main idea and we can skate pretty good...at least we think so.
It'a a great refreshment after a week at work. We're planning to go this evening too (at least until the outdoor temperature it's under 0 degrees).

Keep you up to date with our latest news.

Fingers crossed

2009-01-16T13:29:00.001+01:00

I have an exam tomorrow for mediators so keep your fingers crossed for me. Then I'll be free again.

Plans: buying a pair of skates for me (Peter got one already) and go skating on the lakes in Cluj-Napoca and probably on Sunday go skiing at Baisoara.

Have a nice and "productive" (this sounds better in Romanian:) week-end!

Happy New Year! from Bucovina

2009-01-11T12:07:00.009+01:00

Yep for the New Year's Eve celebration we headed for Moldova, namely Bucovina to visit our dear friends Stefan, Anca and David. It was like a dream. If in Cluj and Baia Mare there was slightly any snow remains in the parks there was all white ...like our childhood Christmas used to be! People from Bucovina still keep the traditions from our ancestors: singing carols from house to house for money, nuts, cakes or apples.Of course nowadays ...MONEY are preferable.

They travel neither by car, nor by foot but by sledge. The tourists are allowed to test the feeling for not so many Lei.

Recommended! We did it!

The Eve party was to a friends' chalet in Voronet, a village famous for the monastery that lies in the area.

We even had a childhood experience. We sledged using a sledge and a bag. Phew, you can't compare the sensation with any of the modern organized sports, but it worth while trying...that if you don't have a back problem because from the top of the hill down to its base with quite a speed...you imagine...

We visited a mini-zoo of the chalets in the area...impressive!

The area is full of tourists all year round. It is very appreciated for monasteries from Stephen The Great period, for landscapes, outdoor possibilities, traditions, hospitality of the locals and delicious food. You really need to try it! And if you go by MAnastirea Humorului look for Casa Ancutei, Tanti Uta (the teacher) - is my friend's mom and B&B.

Happy New Year for all of you and may all your wishes come true!

By now you should know where to find the rest of the photos! Other great nature viwe from Borsa, Prislop and Maramures. Enjoy!

End of 2008

2009-01-11T11:46:00.007+01:00

...was a good one. Christmas at Baia Mare with the whole family reunited (Cipri, my bro came from UK with gf Chris).

First time when Chris came to Romania so we had a walk into the city of Cluj. Very cold and nothing really surprising for us. We also went clubbing which was really nice but we realized we weren't that young anymore :) so head home at almost 4 am.
We met old dear friends coming from all corners of the Globe: Goerge and Ioana from US - Oklahoma, Bro and Chris - UK, Ake and Carmen - Thailand and us 2 from RO. Very diverse and multilingual group, thanks God for English!

We had o sort of talk meeting at our place in Cluj with all these foreigners.

For Christmas day we went in Baia Mare where we've tested the "goodies" my mother cooked and always cooks for Christmas. And a premiere: Bro actually decorated the Christmas tree!

Then we went to see some snow at Izvoare and Mogosa, really nice, fooling around, having a walk in the snow and a traditional tea with rum. It was second time for Chris when to see snow in her lifetime...I guess it must be something special. It was a really family celebration for this Christmas very relaxing.

For more photos like these see my picasa web album:

Last day at work for 2008

2008-12-23T11:57:00.002+01:00

This year flew like a moment. I remenber January holiday like it was a month ago. I don't know but it seems to me that time is been compressed and still going. Anyway the scientists say we have only 16 hours per day instead of 24 hours....and after 2008 this seems more plausible. Anyway they assured us not to worry at least not until 2012. Long story about this one anyway...and no time to explain it...heheheh.
Anyway it's nice to be at work these days. It's quiet and nothing much to do. On the streets of Cluj it's crazy, it's the presents' rush these days. At home lots and lots to do or cook...so at work it's the best!

Anyway, for everybody, draw a line, make a sum of 2008 and let 2009 be better! I wish you all a Merry White Christmas! and a Happy decompressed 2009!

Cheers!

Winter holidays

2008-12-10T11:02:00.002+01:00

I know I'be been busy, lazy, busy and lazy again. I have taken some special prefessional courses in order to become a mediator...long story to explain what that means. We've been working extra, we've been celebrating Peter's birthday with a trip to the Danube (Iron Gates)and we've expected Saint Nicholas to bring some presents.

Now we're expecting Santa, Bro and Chris to come from UK for Cristmas...whcih will be hopefully a white Christmas at home in the familiy, and New Years' Eve in Bucovina to our friends Anca and Stefan and little David.
We're expecting holidays in a word and we're in the middle of choosing and byuing presents! It's not an easy job but it gives you great satisfaction in the end.

Until then we're enjoying our friends and sons-in-law Ioana and Goerge whom yesterday stepped on Romanian ground again. They're home and they're fine and are the friends we always miss as we can talk with them for hours and can't realize what time is it!
PS: Happy birthday George for today!

Well we (Anca & Peter)wish you all the best for Christmas and A New Year full of joy and happiness! Cheers!

Lazy October...Ups!

2008-11-04T18:41:00.001+01:00

It seems that I had no inspiration during this October but I'll make it up to you during November.

The place where time stopped

2008-10-30T17:54:00.008+01:00

Yes, it's in Romania, not far from Cluj, and it's is known as "Padis".

Actually it's part of Apuseni Mountains, an area populated to the top of the mountain and hills, but where everyday all you can hear is the ring bell from the cows neck - practically an old version of a gps in order to know where the animals are...were they eaten by the bears or not? ;)
In these places people base only on raising cattle and on wood. In the winter they are blocked in the mountains and 3-4 months have to stay by the fire and "make children" as one of the villagers said. The actual distance from a house to another is about 3-4 km, imagine that one is on my hill and yous is on the other hill. Quite funny and comfortable for a tourist, but for local folks I can't imagine what can happen if they need an egg to make a pancake...Holly Christ...they need to have some imagination.

We were invited by a friend who owns a chalet in that parts and who was celebrating her birthday. And as Peter's birthday is coming they agreed to celebrate together.
These friends have about 45 years old having big kids...but damn they know how to have fun. We were talking with Peter and made a conclusion: the BIG guys know how to party, maybe it's because they do not do this too often, maybe because they have more experience with these things...or maybe they simply know how to do it! Anyway they're really cool.

We had walks in the forest, picking-up mushrooms (they say they were good ones...I can't make the difference so that's why I do not eat them:) and Saturday evening we made a big fire (well Peter is the fire-boy) and cooked some sausages, mici, slanina (it's not like the tiny, not tasty, English bacon) and chicken. We had potato salad and garlic salad (mujdei for those who know what I'm talking about).

Overall it was a delicious, tasty, unforgetable, fat, not healthy feast like we the Romanians are used to do in open air and then feel sick the next day. But it was worth it. We has champagne, wine, beer and local tzuica so everybody was happy. The next day the nature seemed more friendly so we had a visit in Peter's opened truck to the Belis Lake. My hand got frozen on the iron bars of the car but it was damn fun! We tasted some almost frozen berries from the wood and then hardly, Sunday in the afternoon we got our things and headed again for Cluj.

God how I love nature!

PS: For more picture enjoy my photoblog.

Bucovina

2008-09-24T20:10:00.003+02:00

It's always a pleasure for us to visit our dear friends Anca and Stefan and from one year on our godson David. They live in Suceava in Bucovina, north-east of Romania. Great place, great peoples, great food. We planned a visit as David, the little one, celebrated his first birthday, and it's a real tradition that the godparents take part in this celebration and put the little one to choose from different objects: pen, book, money, medicine, etc. in order to see what is he going to become when grown-up! Interesting and funny at the same time. For David the book, the money and the mouse seemed to be the most interesting and then the medicine. I'm proud of him...hopefully he''ll make money out of books :).
Even the weather was the coldest ever...it almost snowed, we had great time. David it's growing up fast and becoming more and more curious. He's already walking on his own feet!
He's crazy about Peter as you'll see from the photos and not so crazy about me...I'm not fun for him:(.
That weekend we visited Humorului Monastery and it's tower and some nice B&B's from the region. Actually tourism it's the main occupation on these parts as a Monastery is every street corner and history and Stephen the Great is everywhere. You can see for yourselves how time seems to have stopped!

No inspiration for me tonight....I'm not very good with words tonight;) so let the pics speak:

Escape

2008-09-24T19:31:00.002+02:00

Was the last summer day...although in September, when we had 30 degrees Celsius and after which a drop to 6-8 degrees followed. Anyway I think we have to get used to having two seasons per year instead of four seasons. So the last day of summer 2008 we spent it in nature, having a "relaxation" and realizing that we're getting tired too soon after climbing a hill. Anyway Cheile Turzii a natural splendor near Cluj-Napoca welcomed us with it well-known fresh air, green trees and wild cliffs.
And when you think that we used to "conquer" the 2000 cliffs of Retezat one day and now we can barely get our feet up to the cross of Cheile Turzii. You can enjoy the full trip on my photo album. There you can see our trip car - a Dacia 4x4 and in the first picture the desperate try of our authorities to have a highway in Transylvania.

Anyway it was quite a hot day on the mountain!

A well deserved holiday

2008-09-01T19:26:00.007+02:00

After ages of working at the office and then at home we took a Friday off and set to conquer Hajduszoboszlo, a nice Hungarian resort very close to the border with Romania. The resort is something more like a seaside as it has water pools for all kinds of taste, gender, age or preferences. It has also hot water pools with healing effect too. It proved to be very inspired as outside were no more than 20 degrees Celsius on Sunday.
We enjoyed the wave water pool (artificial waves of course - but very challenging. we had some days of relaxation as we had never had for months. It was not our first time there....we've been there 2 years ago and enjoyed even more. Here are some pics (we didn't take too many) where you can see the adventurers we took with us ;)

No need for introduction for this fellow:)

Here is from right to left: Mom, Mother-in-law and Father-in-law:

Peter and his sister, Erika:

The lake for boat navigation, full of big fishes, ready to be eaten :)

Here is our "black rat"...very confortable indeed:

And here is my father too...very hard to settle him down:

No need to say how much we all enjoyed everything...these guys can be very funny and party people!

Oh man! How I liked bathing and thinking only about what should I eat next? Chocolate or Apples?

Construction site ... reloaded

2008-08-20T19:34:00.003+02:00

We are almost finished with the reconstruction of our apartment....there is only some parquet to be done on one room and ready. At this time some workers are doing the job so soon to celebrate. Today arrived our new sofa...we have finished sticking the wall paper (it is on fashion)and when all ready and clean I promise to post some EXCLUSIVE pics (sic!) with it. God help us!

As I have promised...

2008-08-20T19:18:00.004+02:00

...I don't know how many posts ago, here are some pics with Hera, our dog. It's funny we got the dog as a present from a friend and because we live in an apartment with two rooms, at second floor we passed Hera to my parents'-in-law. Hihihihi...imagine my father-in-law is an animal lover and now the dog it's his best friend...and I mean it...Hera it's coming at bbqs and in trips with us. But she's simply lovely.

It's a beautiful combination between two species: rothweiller and wolf and a very smart dog as her mother it's trained for the Army. But enough with words:

We took the pictures in the courtyard of my parents-in-law and in the city park (Cluj-Napoca). Here are some pictures taken in the park as well:

For those who didn't pass through Cluj ever here is The Old building of Filarmonica:

Here the Fountain of the deities, unfortunately it is subject to vandalism and destruction:

And last, the Casino, restaurant and terrace and it's lake on which you can go by boat:

It was only a short walk in the park:)

Excuses

2008-08-05T07:29:00.002+02:00

Yep! I have to be excused by all my readers cause these past weeks I've been quite absent from the blog...and most probably the days to come will be the same. My daily programme starts from 8:00 am at work - quite busy until 5:00 pm. Then Peter takes me from the office and we go shopping things for the house or directly to the apartment and work-work and again work. We're a bit tired and can't wait to finish the rennovation process. And the finish line it's coming rapidly...thanks God!
So until then enjoy the summer!

Nothing much...

2008-07-11T10:02:00.002+02:00

This week every day was almost the same, after work we went home and watch for the workers to get the job done in our apartment. Incredible how many little things can make the difference between finishing this week or a week later. Now we had to move to my parents'-in-law house as we practically have no bathroom at home: no toilette, no bathtub, no water running, it's only dirt and dust. Phew! I can hardly wait the cleaning day.
So me and my mother-in-law we're having fun together in the same kitchen. Luckily she'a a nice person and I'm an open-minded girl ;)

So no more privacy...let's hope only for one week...the most!

Have a nice weekend! we're planning only our Sunday as Saturday is working day!

PS: Have I told you we bought a boat ( a rubber one of course)??? Heheh looks nice and it's pretty big too so feel free to join us in an extreme water expedition.

Re-discovering Cluj

2008-07-04T08:25:00.003+02:00

Yesterday evening after we "got rid of" the folks working to set up our interior doors, Peter had the idea to do something. We usually get some sweets, some fruits, water and we take his 4x4 Dacia (he got it from work for transporting materials) and we head for nowhere. Yesterday at 20:30 he wanted some "extreme adventure" so we went straight to the Faget forest (very close to Cluj-Napoca). Now whenever he saw a road through the forest filled with mud he would try it. We drove into the woods only us and the birds...and the road got thiner and thiner, we navigated among the trees so close that we barely got onto the other side...chilling at some point as it was getting darker and we were alone in the forest. If we got stuck there we would have to leave the carthere and head for home on foot. The main road is not so far there and now there are plenty of houses built all around, but it would be hard for Peter to explain his boss why the car is stucked in the mud in Faget.
Well, those who know Peter when he's driving need no explanation for what happened next. We got safely at the main road but we've tested another 3-4 similar roads. One just ended up suddenly and we found ourselves alone with plenty of oak trees. Peter was starting to really enjoy at this point....
Anyway hard to describe in words the real feelings...especially in English! ;)
Then we headed for Ciurila (very close by the future highway on the area) anf found a top of a solitary hill and stopped by to eat some sunflower seeds (I guess this is how their translation into English:) in the open-carrier of the car. There were plenty of ATV lovers on the area but the real show was made by....the one and only Peter. Later on he told me that at some point on a very abrupt hill he thought we will roll-over with the car....Imagine my face at that point!
We saw an incredibile sunset up there....I never thought it could be so spectacular and so close to the city (unfortunately no pictures taken).

Then Peter started to drive on the opposite side of the city and I said here we go again...it's not over and it was 10:00 pm. We went to check on the highway construction site...still not finished...only lots of trucks, mud, dust and very bad roads...I mean the road actually dissaperead on the area...it's only a countryside road now. We thought of drinking a hot cup of tea at our friend's new location for the summer, Vlaha. Well we had a cup of wine instead with some very funny friends. Incredible how much energy they had at that time of the day. At 11:30 we headed for home...I gues at 12:30 we got into bed....
Today I'm like the batteries that compete with Duracell rabbit in the well-known comercial.

Have a calm peaceful weekend!

Holidays....

2008-07-02T14:44:00.003+02:00

Everybody goes on holidays: Croatia, Turkey, Bulgaria, Greece, Tenerife, etc. Hm! I'm quite jelous as we had our summer holiday already in April so until September no holiday for us. Though we have weekends plans:

A must:
1. Go to Suceava to visit Anca, Stefan and David (our godson). I heard is growing up fastly so if I want to recognize him I should pay a visit quickly.
2. Go to Hajduszoboszlo - a nice resort in Hungary (very close to Romania) - with a great aquapark with some friends whcih invited us.

A probability:
3. Go to the seaside, in Medgidia, as Didi - my friend will be working as a judge in the town and we'll have free accomodation near the sea.
4. Go to Balea Lake and drive through Transfagarasan.
5. Buy a boat (rubber boat) and navigate Tarnita, maybe Cris and others.
6. Go fishing with some friends that invited us thousands times. Actually fishing seems boring to me, but Peter seems to enjoy the idea.

As you can see I'm thinking only about pleasure and holidays, no word about work or smth.

But all these have to wait until we finish with our apartment renovation. Long way to go! :(

Have a nice day at work...if you can!;)

1 Year

2008-06-30T07:56:00.005+02:00

Yeap! 1 years since I'm Mrs. Balla. Hehheheh. Time flew...I can't believe that one year ago at this time of the day I was stressed out having my hair fixed and my make-up done....and back at home everybody was waiting desperatly for the bride to show up...
Phew! Beautiful, stressing (just before), elegant, colourful, exhausting (in the morning), delicious, a big YES and now moments to dearly remember. Anyway we had a great time! Here we are back then:

And here we are today (forbiiden under 18:)

Too bad you are not here to celebrate: Bro, Chris, Ioana, George, Anca, Stefan, Andre, Costel, Didi, Fish! These are the moments when I miss you the most and feel sorry you're all spread all round the globe!You should come back home to Cluj!

Construction site

2008-06-27T08:31:00.002+02:00

This is going to be like our apartment again. We want to make some modifications and modernization to the bathroom and we want to change the interior doors with new ones more beautiful and more warm....at least this is what we have in our minds. Well as you all know when you're on a construction site problems don't stop to show up. For now we have only one the doors do not fit completely so we have to make a big mess and demolish parts of the walls. God how I wish all these things be more simple.
The truth is that I am very pretentious, I like everythig be in harmony, colourful but not showy, bla-bla. The truth is I'm a pain in the ass when it comes to some changes....
1. because i read and I'm interested in interior design;
2. because i have to see all the offers to make the best choice, from every respect.

I can't wait for the moment evething will be ready, set up and we can re-engage in our daily programme (not that it is a very special one).

Have a nice weekend!

Second master degree

2008-06-24T13:02:00.001+02:00

YEs today i have presented my final paper in order to get my master degree in Management and Business. Is my second one after the one in Private Institutional Law. Well unfortunaltely the courses were not what I was expecting out of it... too general and not as serious I thought it would be...but anyway in the afternoon hopefully we'll have another reason to celebrate...
Anyway if any of my bosses read this post BEWARE cause I'm right behind you! Hehehehe.

PS: My brain is boiling at 35 degrees Celsius and keep rising. Gee how I wish these days Cluj was somewhere on the coast with view to a cold-blue sea. Keep on dreaming....

A must see in Italy - Amalfitana Coast

2008-06-12T21:31:00.007+02:00

In our way to the south of Italy we drove along the Amalfitana Coast. Everybody told us is something to be seen in Italy and as it was anyway in our way to our final destination: FAR SOUTH we said we should give it a try.
Personally I have never thought man can build such amazing roads, but if someone j\knows how to do it than Italians sure do. The coast streches for 50 km along the sea and it is build at 100-150 m above the sea level and technically above the sea. It is practically suspended hanging over the blue waters and some huge villas of some rich Italian kamikaze (I would say). The Italians do enjoy to climb and build houses nowhere, but necessarily close to the sky.

It is simply splendid, only sea, blue skies and narrow sinuous road. The small towns along the road are crowded but very cozy and similar to those in Croatia and Greece as far as I 've seen in the pictures.

Here and there there are merchants near the road selling souvenirs and oranges and lemons directly from the trees. Anyway they really have a special taste...not like the ones in Romania.

Here is where I've seen the biggest lemons ever...a melon size. You eat one in a week or so I guess. The funny thing is that all the fruits are very expensive even if they don't pay any transportation fees. But they worth all the pennies.

The road trip was longer than we expected because of the road's narrowness and the fact that one should stop and let the bus pass or otherwise jam the traffic. Horrible to be a bus driver on those roads.

Here is a piece of the famous coast

These places are a really impressive piece of engineering and a gift of nature for the lazy Southern Italians...heheheh...not all of them...only the ones we met.:) But otherwise very nice people. To be political correct the are relaxes or working challenged people. Luckily they have tourism in the South.

Our Amalfitana Coast trip ended in the city of Salerno...a sort of Cluj-Napoca but with seaside. From here to Vibo MArina, the small town which will be our host in the South for one week we drove only on the highway. Spectacular! We drove through the mountains, near the sea and crossed thousands of tunnels. Italian are obssessed to prove how good they are in climbing the highway as high as possible.

The landscape is breathtaking as 2000 m high mountains rise directly from the sea. Just like Vezuvio and others.

Naples - city of contrast

2008-06-02T08:14:00.017+02:00

Well, after 4 nights spent in Rome it was time for us to leave for South. Everything we heard about Southern Italy was that it is the Italian Mob's nest, the weather is hot, the people are poor and the only way they make money is from agriculture. Partly all of these proved to be true but the South has it's own parfume and rythm of life...and that is slowly and pleasantly. We drove about 250 km to Naples from Rome, but our destination was Maria del Cantone a small village near the sea in the Sorrento Penninsula about 70-80 km from Naples (not 50 as they were saying in the travelling guide). And the road between the big city and our accomodation was straight up the hill and then down to the sea...narrow, only curves to the right and then to the left but with spectacular views.
We reeached Villagio Nettuno where we booked our two night sleep at 9:00 pm a little tired and stresed by the road and the fact that we had already been wandering around on the streets without finding any clear road signs to our destination. Now that is Italians' major problem: They have plenty of roads: one near the sea, one 10 m above the sea level and one 20 m above sea level and a highway - all with the same destination, but they have very bad road signs, so if you travel by car get a local map, take an extratime and be relaxed...you'll sure get lost! The nice thing is though the Italians are very friendly and they explain to you where to go to and what is the easy way to get there. Phew! We were a bit tense that night.

Anyway everything got better in the morning when we woke up with this view.

We rented a chalet with two bedrooms, bathroom and kitchen. It had a terrace too. Simply but incredible nice. Because it was not yet in the top season, there was peace and serenity everywhere!

The first day we planned to be lazy so we spent it on the beach sunbathing and doing nothing. Unfortunately the water was a bit too cold for swim, but as we were fascinated by the sea (which is actually very very ink-blue and clear - now I really understand the Italian "azzuro") we did it. Our swimming session was short though.

The relaxation continued with a special Italian pizza at the local restaurant. Well yes! it was on me as I was celebrating my birthday the day before. The pissa it's really good...they put all sorts of special mediteranean ingredients, unknown vegetables :) but very tasty. Anyway they say that Napoli is the birthplace of pizza. The services in the restaurants are very nice! The Italian know how to serve you and surely they know how to eat! (taking into consideration the time they spend eating and the courses they have - about 4 or 5 at noon).

Next day we were back on the road, amazed by the lemon and orange trees near the road full of fresh yellow and orange fruits. We looked but didn't touch! The trees were very well protected against greedy tourist like us! We headed for Naples. Vesuvio - the vulcano rises straight from the sea and protects the big city of Naples. In our way to Napoli, as they call it, we visited the riuns of Pompei, an old Roman flourishing city completely burried by the Vezuvio's lava in year 79 AD. Today is like a city with temples, sanctuaries, amphitheatre, roads, market places, big houses - well a interesting journey back in Roman history which wil ltake you about 6-7 hours. We resisted for 5 hours - and we walked like crazy.

It's a nice piece of history still in reconstruction and worth visiting.

Then, we drove to Napoli (I like the Italian name better than Naples:) and got a quick "image" of the city. It's really a city of contrasts. You walk down the wide crowded streets where you can see all the posh expensive magazines like Armani, Zara, Dolce&Gabbana and if you look to the right or to the left you see these narrow streets filled with strage unfriendly faces, with clothes hanging over your head.

Then you see great piece of art, like The National Museum or churches (great churches here too) and just across the street you see young people begging. They beg for a penny but for their dogs (they have 2,3 or 4 dogs)not for themselves (sic!). This image stroke me! I have never seen it! 20-25years old young people, living on the streets, probably taking drugs and drinking. And they were every 10 m. SHOCKING!

I have no comment about the bags (real mountains) of dirt on the streets. Every 50m!

They say nowadays Napoli is the home of the Black Camora (Black Mob) which is much stronger than the Sicilian one. Well don't know...couldn't recognize no Al Capone on the streets...heheheh.

In conclusion, we were not very much impressed by Napoli, maybe because we didn't have the time to visit its lovely parts and were exausted after visiting Pompei. Here our Napoli guide finding...hardly the right way back to our car.

We've heard that the National Museum it's worth visiting...we couldn't make it! But the Pennisula Sorrentina and the Italian coast it's simply superb! I'll tell you more about famous Amalfitana Coast in the next episode.

PS: I know the pictures are little (I've written this post from the office...ups! and coppied the pics from my album) but you can see them enlarged on my picasa web album.

Rome - the city to come back to

2008-05-21T18:48:00.017+02:00

As I promised hundreds of years ago...I finally uploaded the photos from Italy and now I come with the story. The idea of a vacation in April and May was never in our 2008 plan, but while chatting and eating for 2007 Christmas Peter's aunt, a ballerina, invited us and Peter's parents to her house (rented) in Italy where she works as a ballet teacher for 2 years now. Everybody took it like a nice invitation never to be materialized. EXCEPT me! hehehehe. My step 2: I checked Wizzair's (low cost) flights to Italy and found a bargain for Rome during 23rd of April to 9th of May. I called Peter on the phone and next day our trip was booked (08.01.2008):).
Step 3: Tell Peter's aunt and parents that we are leaving for Italy, all four of us. Sorpresa, sorpresa for everybody but also a hidden joy I could notice in their eyes. Then I started planning the trip: 5 days/4 nights in Rome, 2 nights/3 days in Napoli and its surroundings and then all the way to the boot's bottom in Vibo Marina, a small fishers town in far South Italy. We were supposed to rent a car and drive to the south aprox. 650 km.
When the 20th of April came, in the morning I get a phone call to the office from my father-in-law: "Anca I'm not coming to Italy anymore! I'm not prepared for such a long trip to the "unknown". My decision is made 100%! I don't want to ruin your trip but I'm not coming!" Damn! First shock! The tickets and other reservations were already made for 4 persons. My mother-in-law: "Well me alone and you 2...I don't want to ruin your vacation (like we were in honeymoon)!...bla-bla."
All I have planned started to ruin so I called mom. "Mummy pack your bags in one week you're coming to Rome!" Total silence...but in the end we were 4!
The ladies enjoyed the flight like crazy...I was more stressed then they were! We reached Fiumicino airport, took the rented car (an Opel) and headed for our rented rooms. It was in fact an apartment in a very nice part of Rome, close to the center of the city.
The first night we took a subway trip and the first miracle we saw in Rome was this:

Breathtaking!

Then we took a walk down the streets and saw the Roman Forum (part of it - the one built by Roman emperor Traian) and Traian's Column - the one all the Romanians are proud of. Unfortunately because the site was under reconstruction we couldn't get any closer then this:

Rome by night was pretty cool as first impression what it is going to be like by daylight!
Next day fresh we had our coffee on the apt. terrace and left for adventure.

First impression was going to be confirmed and more. Rome is beautiful. Crowded in the piazzette and on the narrow streets, fancy on certain location, calm an refreshing with its hundreds of fountains and Tiber river and bridges. It has a certain special perfume and I don't mean here the smells on the streets. It's a bit dirty but it is in a way understandable with so many tourists. It is said to be the most visited city in Europe. Many foreigners and especially Americans to be seen and heard on the streets. Art and Architecture ancient or very modern combine perfectly in this city. It has a strong cultural appearance and an open-minded perspective. Vegetation (orange trees, lemon trees, fig trees and plenty of flowers are everywhere on the streets, gardens or on the top of private houses or blocks where everywhere you can see large sunny terraces.

The churches are amazing. Every corner of the street you can see a church and if you're curious enough to enter you will be surprised by its beauty. Many architectural elements but so well combined that you really are amazed. So if you visit Rome enter every church you see. It's worth it! Each one has its own history and charm!

Another particular thing about Rome is its road traffic. At first we said it's going to be hell, but it works better than in Cluj. Many small cars (Smart type) and millions of scooters. They run like crazy! It's scary to adventure on the streets with them. It's true on the other hand that 2 cars out of 3 were hit or damaged in Rome.

I'll tell you more about what we visited in Rome next time. More photos on my picasa album (bottom of page).

A rivederci Italia

2008-05-13T15:45:00.003+02:00

...welcome Romania. we're back from our 2 weeks trip to Italy. We arrived at Cluj on Friday evening but we got used to our daily life again only today really. It was beutiful, a place to come back and to recommend even to my enemies. Rome is the best city adventure we had so far and we concluded with Peter that it's so far the city to come back too as soon as possible.
I will make a review of all the places we've visited and I'll post some pictures but first I have to sort them. We took abou 2.000 pics....heheheh...I surely beat any japanese on Earth! Long live my little CANON!
Soon to come on this blog one of the best vacation ever!...SO FAR :)

Thoughts

2008-04-17T08:09:00.002+02:00

Now that finally spring has come (I hope) and the sun is shining I only can think of vacation, sea, sand and exotic destinations. Next week we're leaving on a 2 week vacation in Italy. I enjoy looking for infomation, for bargains, for destinations, places to see and visit, but when coming to packing my/our luggage, traveling to the destination and settling - that means the first contact with a new place, like Rome and Italy is for us, I really have a little stress. I cannot define it exactly but it is there.
This time we're travelling with my mother-in-law and surprise! with mom. It was supposed to be my father-in-law but he changed his mind one week ago. Long trips to "nowhere" at 70 it's quite a challenge which he decided in the end not to take. It is too stressful. So I told mom to pack her luggage cause she's coming to Italy. I must admit I was sure her answer was a NO! But in the end after discussing the matter, enhacing the opportunity she has...well she said YES.
I hope the both MOMS and us will have a great time there. I'll keep you up-to-date with the news!

Meanwhile have a great weekend and "Felicitari tuturor Florilor pentru Ziua Floriilor de duminica! Si tie Bro!" (Congratulations to all the "flowers"!)

London weather

2008-04-05T18:16:00.002+02:00

These days the weather was simply awful. Dark, rainy, a bit cold and not at all inspiring. God it's like in London, when I've been there visiting my bro, about 4 years ago...gee that much! Well in London at 12 o'clock it was sunny and bright and then all of a sudden in 10 minutes time it was cloudy, it began to darken and started to rain.
Things are upside down in Ro as well. The weather is playing with us and I'm felling London moved to Cluj-Napoca. Horrible!
Hopefully the sun will smile on us again. I feel like sleeping all day long with this weather.

UPS!...I did it!

2008-04-04T16:29:00.002+02:00

It worked...how the....?
Before posting it, it shows me a bunch of numbers and letters and when publishing it, it works...I'm getting older friends!

Oh dear!

Giving a second chance....

2008-04-04T16:24:00.003+02:00

...to this blog and its facilities. Last time when trying to add a photo to my post the damn site or computer disappointed me. It wouldn't upload photos of any kind. Now trying the same thing again. And...there it goes...

This is the picture folks enjoy it!
Damn machine! Now it really got on my nerves. Anybody any good ideas???
and FASTTTTTTT!

Simply an angel

2008-03-28T08:10:00.001+01:00

Remember one of my previous posts from 2007 when I told you abou DAVID our godson. Well, I kept buzzing his paretns, our friends, to send us pictures with the litlle guy, now 6 months old. They live in Suceava 350 km from Cluj so quite far to pay constanta visits. Finally they did send us pictures with the litlle angel.
He's simply adorable and takes your breath away.
Unfortunately this blog doesn't help me post pictures of him...I don't know why! So i'll give you this link: www.blogforbaby.com/blog/david where you can enjoy.

This gut will be a hearthbracker when 17. What do you think?

Welcome bloggers!

2008-03-28T07:47:00.000+01:00

Another courageous story teller is among us starting March 2008! Our dear friend Ioana. Welcome! I don't know how to say this in English so long live Romanian: "Sa te tina penitza mult si bine!"
You can find Ioana and her thoughts and experiences on www.youwanna.blogsome.com or at the bottom of this page.
Finger crossed for you darling!

Rabbits, eggs and chocolate

2008-03-25T10:03:00.000+01:00

Was this weekend agenda! We celebrated Easter at my parents-in-law house. Strange to celebrate it twice but at the same time interesting. We cooked on Saturday, we went to church on Saturday evening and we ate like crazy the whole Sunday. So quite busy huh?
This year "Winning Egg Award" went to my father-in-law who was the luckiest in picking-up his winning egg from the basket. The rest of us just dreamed of the 2009 Easter holidays, hoping for a prize.
Yesterday, the second day of Easter, the tradition (the Hungarian one adopted quickly by the Romanians) says that all the men must "water their flowers". Translation: spreading parfume on women to grow beautiful and shining as the flowers do. Well Hungarians are more practical, they don't spend their money on expensive parfumes but use pure cold water from the fountains to water their loved ones. That must be quite an experience for both parties:)! Though I rather see it only on the TV!

Happy Easter Holidays!

2008-03-21T14:06:00.000+01:00

To all of you who celebrate it this weekend. We are among those who celebrate both, as I'm an orthodox and Peter is a catholic...:)
Lucky us!? When it comes to presents and cookies I gues we are.

We wish you wonderful holidays, love and peace.

PS: Watch out for the quantities of eggs and cookies you eat!:)

Living...healthy

2008-03-19T14:05:00.000+01:00

Yes, yes Ioana I feel guilty for not writing on this blog for suc a long time. I'm lazy, busy, lazy again.
Anyway, we had a family meeting, me and Peter, and decided to change something in our daily life. It's stil a plan but we hope a coming through one. We started by remembering the good all adays when we climbed the mountains with a huge rucksak on our back. Pfiu! Today I would be able to move at least 100 m in that condition. So, first of all we'll go jogging at least 3 times a week. Probably we'll play some basketball with some friends (they promisses). We have to find our bikes in the old attic so we can have some adventurous trips. Then, yesterday while eating milk and biscuits, we realized that we replaced the old jam, home made, with artificial nutella or other and we start wondering why! The truth is the offers in the supermakets is so diverse and tempting that you simply forgot about the tasty mom's strawberry jam or plums jam! Mmmmmm....
I must admit that we had also had in mind the ideea of saving some money as well.
Ah we also want to play tennis. We succesfully tried last year and it worked. We are ouite tallented....thank you! thank you!
We have some plans don't we? Hopefully will be able to fulfill them, at least partially.
Have I told you that we went for jogging on Sunday? We resisted 1 km I guess, but with many pauses. Then we went for ping-pong. Ah! great entertainment! You must try!

I'll keep you up-to-date with our accomplishments :)

Unique day

2008-02-29T13:03:00.000+01:00

How do you feel today? You better start thinking about it because you don't get that chance, only every 4 years. Funny thing is that I know a person who's birthday is today? Isn't that funny and frustrating at the same time? Well you only get to celebrate your birthday, have parties and get presents once every 4 years.

You who celebrate your birthday today: HAPPY BIRTHDAY! At least, you deserve to be celebrated by everyone today.

Tomorrow is the first official spring day. I can't wait for green grass anf flourishing trees! And another advantage is that the day is becoming more and more larger...so we have daylight until 6-7 in the afternoon. Long live the SPRING!

Tomorrow is also MARTISOR, a traditional Romanian celebration of spring. The streets are already full of flowers, presents, martisoare and people trying to buy the perfect gift!

We'll start "the hunt" in the afternoon...:)

Fairwell dear friend!

2008-02-25T20:12:00.000+01:00

Today ma vie was not at all en rose. We lost a dear friend, always a helpful hand when in need, an enthusiastic fellow, a companion to rely on.

The mountain took its tribute again, but this time was one of us. Radu died yesterday trying to climb Bucegi Mountain, in the Prahova Valley.

He was a joyful person who preferred to take the sacrifice for himself rather than sharing it with the rest. He loved adventure, mountains and extreme.

Yesterday he was a friend always calling to check if we were fine, today he's a star looking for his sky. God be with you my friend ! We will never forget you!

What about...Italy???

2008-02-19T10:04:00.000+01:00

We're planning to visit Italy this spring, more precise in April (we'lle be celebrating the Romanina Easter wandering around the penninsula) and we'll be flying from Cluj to Rome, then rent a car to Napoli and then the final destination the southern city of Vibo Valencia. I've herad is a small town but having a beach and being close to Sicily which we're planning to visit...hopefully we won't have to swim to reach it.

We don't know much about Italy. Except the last scandals where Romanian citizens were involved, pizza, spaghetti, Vatican city and Venice...Italy is quite a mistery for us. We'll be travelling 4 people (the Balla's seniors and juniors:). We want to stay in Rome for four days, then while heading south to visit Napoli for 2 days.

We're going south to one of Peter's aunt who's working there as a ballet teacher. We'll bathe in the sun and the sea (hopefully) for aprox. 1 week and 2 days. Gee how I wish to wander without a clue where no one knows me. It' s a great feeling to be anonymous.

Maybe you who already visited Italy can give us some ideas while going south. We also expect some advice regarding accomodation in Rome and Napoli or nearby these cities. Maybe you have visited the south of the country? Is there somethingelse interesting to visit on the road? I must prepare the portofolio as I always do when going on a trip :)

Everybody relies on ME. Pfiu, luckily, I'm a modest person!

Exams are over!

2008-02-11T12:05:00.000+01:00

Well have I told you that I am a student again. I have applied successfully for a master degree in Economics, namely "Management and affairs" last year, and I have just finished the examination for the first semester. Interesting feeling to be stressed again by the faculty exams...well the truth is I haven't been really stressed...It's like some ballet classes...and I mean it. Anyway great feeling when you finish an exam session, I have almost forgot how refreshing that is! It's like starting a new life...of FREEDOM!

All in all I was quite busy the last 2 weeks, now I'm back on business.

This wkd we went skiing to Cavnic, near Baia Mare. Nice weather (12 degrees) and nice snow. Hopefully will be snowing this month. We took some pictures. I'll post them on my photo album.

Till nest time, peace be with you!:)

SS II

2008-01-18T11:03:00.000+01:00

I know it's been frustrating for you not to know whether our trip to Slovakia was in the end a fiasco or not...but here I come with more news.

Second day as I said we decided not to pay a full-day ticket for the bad conditions of the main slopes and to try the night skiing conditions to a third slope near-by that we have only seen one night whilw walking through the resort. This was going to be more cheaper too, almost half the price of the day-long ticket.

It was the most inspired decision we took during the trip. It was cheap, nor crowded and if you were fast enogh you could get there before the rest of the people and "taste" the slope among the first. Very interesting and new sensation. The slope was about 850 m long but quite demanding. We came to life again! Our trip looked like saved...by the night skiing.

We were happy and we used to ski at night. The feeling was great, the slope seemed to be all ours.

Our programme was clear. In the morning, after getting-up (that was almost always at noon) we went wandering the surroundings, the city, the shops and one day we planned a trip to the thermal aquapark in the area.

This is a local monument for those who died during the communist era. The glass walls were spinning around when you touched it.

The small city by night. The benches were practically frozen (here -10).

The Valley it is actually streching between The Low and the High Tatras. Jasna, our resort was on the Low Tatras. But the landscape is splendid. It is perfect for skiing, for hicking and also for bathing in the sun or in the Liptovsky lake (frozen at the time we visited) or the thermal lakes. It was fun! The water was +38 degrees in the swimming pools (very crowded by the way) and outside there was at least - 8 degrees. AND THERE WERE PEOPLE BATHING OUTSIDE! Good grace! Brevheart was a little child compared to these people.

Anyway in the morning we went to the swimming pool and in the evening we went skiing...hm! what a marathon, huh? But it was great. we really felt we were getting again our good shape :).

One day we realized that all the slopes were being opened, starting from the top of the mountain (almost the top) and to the valley. Wow! Finally what we expected! One ambitious man (Peter) proposed to wake-up at 7 in the morning and be at the slopes at 8, to spend all the available time skiing (until 15:30). First seemed to be impossible to achieve but we all had an ambition and we did it. It was great to ski in the morning onto untouched snow.

Images speaks for themselves. Here was the top of the slopes from where you could choose your own personal trail.

Day-skiing turned out very challenging as in the afternoon there was plenty of ice on the slopes and we "had" to fall for the fun of the situation and the spectators. Artificial snow (as most of it was artificial) it's ok but you feel that something is missing. And artificial snow it's not so resistant; it turns into ice very very quickly. Anyway we found a natural slope for beginners and it was a real blessing. Here behind Peter.

Some of us (see the picture above) even leared how to fly....as there were plenty of flying boards on this slope. we had fun anyway, especially when the same character :) wanted to have an extreme adventure by crossing betweend two slopes through the bushes and untouched deep snow layer. Now here we had the greatest time. We were somewhere between the two ski-lifts, in the picture, where you can see the bushes (aprox. where the plane "hits" the mountain, but a bit lower, where starts the mts vegetation). We survived but having NO control at all of the ski. When reaching the slopes we were like Tarzan descending from a tree...everybody looked at us like they've seen some Himalayan conquerors...hehehhe.

Well, our conclusion was that we will be back one day, but maybe on February or March when hopefully there'll be plenty of snow. It is worth it. At the time of our trip ti Jasna the cliff slopes remained closed, as a safety measure, but I think they are the best. Soon to experience that too.

Slovakian Silvester (New Years' Eve) I

2008-01-14T15:01:00.000+01:00

Well I'm back on the track and I promise to keep this blog up-to-date. As you all know by now we decided to spend 2007/2008 New Years' Eve in Slovakia in a wll-known ski-resort...so they say. Only when we got there we realized they may be right. Jasna was the name of the resort which streched through the entire Demanova Dolina (valley) dividing the Low Tatras in two. Jasna is a sort of Valea Prahovei from Romania, many tourists, very famous and en vogue. The big difference is that even if crowded you really don't feel that others pinch you or ambush you. Everybody knows to respect your private space of 30 cm round and to say sorry if stepping on your....foot.

Anyway I made the reservation for four people (We - The Balla's and the Mishes) at a privat house, Zdenka's private. We looked for a cheap but nice reservation, not crowded. Also we looked for an apartment with a kitchen so we can cook The New Years' Dinner and breakfast at least. It proved very inspired our idee as we saved some good money and could spend them all on skiing.

The apartment was situated at aprox 8-10 km from the slopes, but it was worth it as we travelled by car and the gas was more cheap than staying at a fancy hotel with 300 Euros/person for 5 nights as some Peter's friends did. We spend 150 Euros/couple/7 nights. I think it's a bargain, ain't it? If you're intrested just check this out: pension@europe.com

Here's our kitchen

First day was with accomodation. Anyway we travelled almost a day from Baia Mare to Demanova so we arranged things in the HOUSE :) and had a trip to a supermarket in the near-by town: Liptovsky Mikulas. Well we had the unpleasant surprise to see that the ATM from some local bank didn't accept our credit card and we tried a little desperation. All our money was on the credit card. We had some euros - cash money but in Slovakia you cannot pay in Euros. Nor you can find slovak crowns in Romania :)

Well, we "visited" the city to the next 2-3 ATMs in town at a -8 C, hoping to find a dear one which could give us the some damn money!!!!!!!!!!!

We looked for banks we knew from Romania, OTP, Unicredit and nothing. We were quite desperate. If we couldn't pay by credit card we were f...ked! IF YOUKNOW WHAT I MEAN. And in the middle of nowhere, appears an ATM from a promiscuous local bank. I said we must give another try. And BINGO it worked. God bless the unknown banks!

The next stop for the first thrilling night was in...BED!

Second day was our first in the ski resort and on the slovakian slopes.Unfortunatelly it hadn't been snowing for a long time, so the snow was almost entirely artificial. Interesting feeling until the first fall. Ouch! The earth was really frozen! And the ice on the top of it too! The slopes from the top of the mountain (2000 m) were not open because they were not safe enough! We were dissapointed! We payed a fortune for a small slope and another one with ice. And it was so crowded that we had to stay for 1 hour to wait for out turn to the ski-lifts. Horrifing!

This was the first image with the slopes we had. At this point we were amazed and satisfied!

The second view of the beginners' slope from the ski-lift. It was great for beginners but the others we had to give our best to have a little speed. Here started the dissapointment.

Peter decided to climb the slopes carring his skiies on his back. And I as a faitful wife followed him! He crossed from one slope to another so we discovered the gondola slope. Beautiful and abrupt...but full of ice. I reached the slope taking into consideration the indicatives from the slopes and the near-by forest. we decided to come tomorrow, maybe for a better ski session.

We drowned our hopes in a glass filled with finest Romanian wine.

Tomorrow would be a crucial day. Was it worth while coming all this way only to be frustrated?!

PS: To see picture in advance pleasa visit: www.picasaweb.google.com/ancu.bm

Welcome 2008!

2008-01-07T11:42:00.000+01:00

Happy New Year to you all! May all your wishes come true in the nest year and hopefully we'll meet more often, at least with some of you!
I'll post some pics with this wonderful short holiday and tell you all about it. But for now I must get used to this office again, with everybody geting stressed here...for now it's ok.
I hope you all had a great winter holiday and I hope you will share the feeling with us!
Have a great Monday...if you can! I'm still trying.
Kisses

I HATE Flickr

2007-12-12T14:52:00.000+01:00

God, who invented www.flickr.com/photos? He/She must be killed...I mean after uploading all my photos this stupid site tells me that I have reached my free upload limit so from now on if I want to upload more photos I must pay 25 $/year. And as a favour they/it didn't erase my old photos but if I want to see them I must delete the new ones. GEE! Is there anybody as stupis as I was when first choosing flickr???

Now I want to quit them for good! I'm waiting for your advice.

As a relaxation you can see photos from this weekend, from Cavnic ski adventure, on my "STILL - to become abandoned" flickr account on the botttom of this page.

I'm really waiting for your prompt advice. SenQ!

Laziness

2007-12-11T11:14:00.000+01:00

...I know, I know I've been very lazy lately. Fortunately you are nice, patient guys and you understand. Actually at work there were some busy weeks, usually this always happens at the end of the year. Everybody gets crazy, everybody is in a hurry, everybody wants to buy thousands of presents, etc. So it gets crowded and noisy. The town is always full of cars and people wandering around hoping for a bargain, the Christmas ligts are already turned on in the city (I promise some artistic photos of that...in case I convince my BEAR - to be translated HUSBAND to walk with me:), so the Christmas spirit is everywhere... It is very nice but when you feel that even the last hope that today or tomorrow I will finish my tasks at work vanishes and you see yourself hopeless, you kind of get nervous....just a little!

Last wkd we went to Baia Mare and to Cavnic for ski. It was very nice, quite warm. I will post some pictures when I will finally download them from my camera.

I'll keep you up-to-date guys...do not dispair!

Back to ... civilisation

2007-11-20T11:46:00.000+01:00

This wkd was for outdoor activities. After attending so many "indoor" events where our main occupation was eating, drinking and socializing we decided to get our noses out in the nature, especially that it had been snowing heavily the last weeks. We planned one-day trip nearby Cluj, and our first thought was to go near Tarnita Lake and climb the hills for a great panoramic view of the area. Well, Sunday at noon, together with our extreme outdoor partners, The Mishes, we packed some apples, water and some sweets and we drove into the wild.

As Mishu cried out for some snow, our driver (Peter), made us all a surprise and keept on driving long way after we passed through Tarnita Lake.

This is one of the dam's views

The road soon started to turn into a sinouos and snow-covered one. But our "race car", winter equipped, didn't let us down and we could soon reach the top of the hills and enjoy the great Marisel area.

Even if in Cluj there's no sight of snow here we could play with lots of it. The snow layer was about 20-30 cm thick. Enough to have a snow fight me and Peter and then me and Peter against Mishu...which of course Mishu lost! Anyway the Mishes were not in the mood for snow fighting...but will have plenty of time to "educate" them in that spirit as we booked our New Year's Eve with them in Slovakia...hehehehe. Hopefully they won't read this, so will clearly have an advantage with that!

Up there on the top of the hills we discovered again the quietness and peace of the old Romanian villages. Unfortunatelly, lately the Ro villages have turned into a strange mixture of old and new, a kitch, trying to be modern but at the same time keeping some old traditions. Here at first sight we felt like time stopped and that the village remained as I used to know it in my childhood.

We walked for aprox. an hour on the plateau on a terrible freezing wind but it was worth it to see people:

Make new friends:

This cute puppy (yes! he's a puppy from an interesting Romanian dog-race "ciobanesc" meaning the dog that watches for the sheep herd). This kind of dosgs can be very dangerous if you step on their territory, but this one was like a doll. Despite his fierce name "Ursu" (en. bear) he was very calm and friendly. I must underline that I guessed by mistake his name...hehehhe. Here, in this picture, he's having his siestaafter eating like crazy the cake we gave him. Anyway I would like to have a house with a yard and a dog like this one. I love dogs they are so dedicated and faithfull animals.This one came with us for a long way...well I think he had other reasons than just friendship..he was for sure thinkink of those cakes!

We admired the nature's agony...the last moments of life before complete burrial beneath the snow! The light was not so good for pictures!

This is the most normal picture Peter could take with the "author". He's always playing!

Anyway it was a nice trip...which ended with a feast at Motel Gilau and then a nice dessert home-made to which all the four protagonists took part in. We also played scrrable game. It doesn't matter who won, does it?! :)

Teambuilding

2007-11-15T10:59:00.000+01:00

The news that "I MUST" participate to the company's teambuilding "adventure" next wkd pissed me off! We are supposed to go to a fancy hotel in Vartop, near Arieseni, visit the places and do team extreme (hahaha) sports and play other team games. Well, besides the fact that I have seen the area and did all the "extreme" sports already, they're planning for us to leave Cluj on Friday morning and come back on Sunday afternoon...Imagine 3 days of staying nose-to-ose with my colleagues. Good God! I know that that's the spirit but I rather stay at home with my darling and get bored in front of the TV (which won't be the case) than get bored with other 30 "team players". And, imagine that if you try to skip the extraordinary meeting you'll be seen FOREVER like the black sheep of the company. Shitty thing!

The Romanians have a very wrong ideea about teambuilding meetings. They saw/heard smth like that happening in the Wild Wild West at big companies, and BUM! they copy-paste the thing and think they are adventurous and extrem....alow me to HA-HA!

I understand for example a maximum 2-day teambuilding, but 3 days out of which one is just eating breakfast and way back home is stupid! And the ideea is that you do climbing on a rope and other silly things and you're supposed to feel like climbing the Himalaya Mts.

Well I think I'm so nervous is because I already know some of the guys who will show us the adventure (the pros), I've already done almost all the stuff they're going to do, I've seen the area (and seen it 2 months ago) and eveywhere in RO there's snow on the slopes and besdides all these: my dear husband is not allowed at the meeting and I have to stay away from all of that...Why???? Because I have to be a "Team PLAYER".

The truth is that some of "OUR" are so mean and so lack team spirit that they actually need to spend a month in teambuilding.

Yucks!

See here the site of our team leaders or whatever the extreme future-teachers: http://www.adventureinc.ro/

Here just a small view of what will do.

If they try to paint our faces I'm OUT.

It's winter time

2007-11-13T08:14:00.000+01:00

One morning we woke up and our car looked like that:

We looked attentively around and all was covered in snow...it was Monday morning..so the week seemed to start quite GOOD. We talked to my parents (as all the tempting ski slopes are near Baia MAre - my home town) and they said in Baia Mare the snow layer is 15-20 cm thick. WOW! Soon to look foe the ski equipment somewhere deep in the cupboard.

In RO It's snowing like crazy and the temperature is getting lower and lower in our parts. It' s clear winter came a bit early this year. Anyway I hate winter when I have to spend it in a town like Cluj, where the snow is poor and always melting down. It seems more like rainning! But love the Christmas Eve and can't wait for the presents. I like to buy as much as I like to open mine.:) So I'm waiting.

Usually we spend Christmas with all the family, near the fire listening to everybody's stories. And when outside looks like this is even more pleasant:

as I said I hate winter in the city but love snow where I am in nature, It' slike time stopped for hours:

I must admit that all the pictures above are stollen (hopefully the real author won't notice!;). When I'll get out of this damn! office I promise to post my own. Anyway You know that my pictures are better then these...hahahah!

See ya on the slopes of Suior and Cavnic...God hepl us and keep the snow coming!

ERATA

2007-11-01T13:49:00.000+01:00

Sorry foll all the letters eating and other grammar mistakes from my posts...but I'm always in a hurry when writing them and I'm AT WORK trying to hide from my curious coleagues.

DAVID

2007-10-30T09:26:00.000+01:00

The last weekend we went to Moldavia, Bucovina, the North-Eastern region of Romania where my friend Anca and her husband live. It was at the same time a trip for pleasure but also to partcicipate at the baptismal ceremony of their newly-first born child DAVID. Altogether we had a special role in the ceremony, namely we were the god-father and god-mother of David.

We travelled for aprox. 5 hous by car through beutiful places and breath-taking landscapes, but horrible road (under construction). Fortunately we took some friend with us (Ana and George) who were heading for the same big event and were godfathers of the child as well.

As I was saying Bucovina, especially, is that part of Romania with plenty of Monasteries and where you feel like inwardness and peace is at home. The nature and the landscape is just perfect for meditation and rest. Here is just a piece of what we experienced during our trip, and are just some fugitive photos taken on the road. You can see the colour of Autum through the camera lens, but in fact they where more splendid.

We left Cluj on Friday afternoon and reached Manastirea Humorului (our destination) at 10 pm. After cathching up with Anca and Steven (her husband) as we haven't seen each other from New Year's Eve 2006/2007 and after a good sleep in their guest house, we woke up on Saturday in the baptism rush. Everybody was saying and doing something, not necessarily having a clue about it. I don' t know how time passed but we realize we were at the church listening to the priest about what we have to do as godparents. Obviously we were excited about our "status" and we relly hope not to miss smth or doing smth wrog as it was our first time in this position.

It's not a philosophy to attend and to be a godparent but it'a a nice feeling. The tradition says you remain the mentor and a spiritual parent of the child for the rest of your life and you are responsible for his evolution in that respect. Ouch! Responsible? Oh my Gosh! Now I realize. But the kid is a sweety and I think we will get along very well. He's so cute and small and funny.

Our main responsabilities as godparents during the ceremony were:

1. Carring a burning candle through the ceremony:

2. Holding the child in turn with the others godparents while the religious ceremony continued:

3. Dress-up the child with new clothes brought by us (poor baby was terrified with so many "giants" around):

4. Pay for the ceremony...one of teh most unpleasant moments!:)

I must say that the child, in order to be baptized, it is submerged in water, three times, in a big bucket. Fortunately our priest was inspired and boiled some water and then mixed that hot water (it was a funny scene to see the boiled water prepared for the little one, it was like a horror movie scene:) with cold one to make a pleasant bath to David. He cried like crazy when submerged...but we all have our good and our bad moments in life. I think this was the first David's bad moment;)
Here we gathered for the ceremony. The parents of David (our friends) in the middle, both looking left!

Touchin moments. Generations meeting under the church roof (grandmother and grandson):

Afterward everybody went home for the party. We gave the presents for the little one (usually money but also all kinds of baby stuff). Looking for a perfect present I was susrprised to see how diverse and quite expensive can be these things. But they worth every penny.

Well as I was saying after eating like a viking (they eat like crazy in Bucovina, but they have all the reasons to do that...the food is great!) we started the party. As usual me, Peter and Anca (David's mother) started dancing. We started to dance about 6 o'clock (the three of us) and in almost 1 hour the party heated up. At 1 pm we had to take a walk under the moonlight. The village is so quite and the air is so fresh that you have the feeling you could stay there forever.

When we came back the people were still rocking and the noise kept awake half of the village. It was our time to leave the premises. We were knocked out! Of course as we started dancing at 6 pm not at 8 pm as the rest of the people. It was a mega party anyway and we felt like in the College: young and fit! Hahahahah.

More pictures (but not all) at www.flickr.com/photos/ancu_bm. We didn't take too many pictures this time, but David's parents did so we're waiting!