Thursday, July 31, 2014

It's happening, again.

Well, we've made the calamitous decision to leave America, again.

For the second time in three years, Fancy and I will be packing up all our belongings, seeing how many of them we can fit in an under-sized storage unit (because I'm too cheap to purchase the appropriately-sized) and leave the comforts of family and home. 


It's been a much more difficult decision than some realize.  It's difficult to explain why it even makes sense to leave the people that mean the most to us.  We haven't found a way to explain it in words, and only gets worse, the more we try.



Our first departure was generally more excusable to our closest friends and family.  It was given the appropriate title,  "A one year Spanish adventure".  As newlyweds, this experience was something most of our 'framily' (friends + family) could understand and empathize with us.  For the most part, we had a positive reaction when sharing our plan to live in Spain for the year after getting married.  However...

Buuudapest? (said with a heavy amount of incredulity)
Where is that…
Wow, that’s “random”.
Well, that’s ... more exciting ... for you.

Understandably, there was more of a tepid response from our framily when sharing our decision to move back to Europe — for two years.

Two years seems a lot longer.  Budapest seems a little further.

However, as the weeks and months passed by it was incredible to witness our family’s deliberate and intentional support, despite how they may have truly felt.  It might not have been their chosen path for us, or even a path that many would choose at all.  Despite their own wishes and desires for us to remain close, their support ultimately allowed us to share the happy tears when we said goodbye.  For those lucky enough to experience the unconditional love of family, it’s something that no one should take for for granted.

Attempted Analogy


Our decision to move is best explained through emotion and feeling, if you have those.  It's like waking up Christmas morning and you're so excited and thankful to experience all that the day has in store -- and it always delivers!  That's the feeling that Fancy and I experience each morning we wake up in a new continent, a new country and a new city. When does the newness end?  Not sure.  The excitement that we feel each and every day embodies the lifestyle we hope to intentionally create in our life.  When we do this together, we are able to create a life  that is purposeful, intentional.  We feel like life becomes more interesting and full, like we are alive and we are living completely.



New Adventures Ahead.

Settled in the heart of eastern Europe,
6 hours to 6 European capitals…
Inventor of the Rubik’s Cube,
Home to the ball-point pen,
The Pearl of the Danube…


Allow us to introduce Budapest, Hungary.






Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Goodbye Tour, USA

The worst part of these type of new adventures are the goodbyes.

The quote, "Every new beginning comes from some other beginnings end" always reminds me that there are always two sides: the beginning of something new, but also the ending of something previous.

It became downright painful to say goodbye to everyone.  Fortunately, we were able to look forward to spending much needed time with both our families before we departed to Budapest.  However, our last days in Athens, GA, USA were frantic.  We were trying to see as many friends as possible, sell or give away as many items as we could (I now consider myself a CraigsList expert) and Nancy also graduated with her Specialist degree in Middle Grades education, all in the same couple of days.


Our final night in Athens, GA.
Our final farewell in Athens, GA.
Before we left, we completed a last-minute move-out of our new home in Athens, GA.  We decided to hire a property-management company to handle our house while we are away and were able to quickly find great tenants for the house. We rushed home to Fancy's parents, arriving after 1am.  Finally getting to bed a little after 3am, we didn't sleep much. Our flight to Denver left the next morning at 9am.  Did I mention we hadn't packed yet?


Our flight to Denver was  the very next day after the airplane was tragically shot down in Ukraine.  It's not exactly the headline you want to see immediately before boarding an identical aircraft.

We safely arrived in Denver for a week-long trip to Avon, Colorado with Fancy's parents and tucked in a family reunion in Estes Park, as well.  It was just the four of us in Colorado which allowed for some great conversations, beautiful sunsets, copious amounts of wine to be shared (no photos), and multiple 'forced marches' to be endured (when we could find the trailhead).  Everyone should experience the Rockies in July. 







We flew directly from Denver, CO to Florida to spend half a week with my parents in the 30th+ annual week at the beach.  We had to say goodbye to my parents here, but would be flying back to Atlanta for a final goodbye with Fancy's parents.



Fancy got to spend time with all three of her siblings, including our one-year old nephew, Luke.  In all the happenings pre-Budapest flight, her parents were even able to put together a Fancy Nancy Birthday Celebration -- I've got to admit, I'm a sucker for these signs on the door.




Our departure flight left at 9:30pm.  Consequently, we had the pleasure of experiencing one more Atlanta, rush-hour traffic to arrive at the airport on time.  On Schlemmer time -- 3 hours early.  I gulped down my last American meal, chicken pot pie.  Another gut-wrenching round of goodbyes, but we were able to pull it together for the camera, obviously.



We previously transferred our phones, in order to be able to make a couple calls at the airport, if needed.  I will report later at our ingenuity in converting phone coverages, lest we cover too many exciting topics in one blog post.  I'm still new at this, so we are going to spread the good stuff thin.

(Update: We both are able to use our iPhone 5/5s here in Hungary.  We have new Hungary phone numbers, but can still use for iMessages for iPhone people and WhatsApp for non-iPhoners.)


We are so cool, we are going back in time with our cell phones.
Atlanta ---> London

Our flight from Atlanta was on-time.
We were joined by a bunch of first-time flyers.
In particular, there was one innocent, young girl, that had never been on an airplane.  The disappoint on her face was palpable when she finally entered the "Economy" section of the airplane, after initially walking through the first-class cabin.
"Oh...I thought all of the seats were like that".  I couldn't tell if it was more disappoint or grief, or a combination of both.
Poor girl.  

As the plane took off, I remember sharing a smile with Fancy and we couldn't believe the day and time had finally arrived.  It was official.
Our arrival to London was ... less than direct.  

Am I the only immature person that thinks this looks like a ... 


But it afforded us an impressive view of the River Thames. 



We had a 4-hour layover which Fancy spent much as illustrated below:







Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Welcome. Benvenidos. Üdvözöljük.

English: Hello! Welcome!

Spanish: Hola! Bienvenidos!


Hungarian: Szia! Udvözöljük!

A hearty, Hungarian welcome to our blog!

As you can see, the Hungarian language is going to be quite a challenge. But, look at that, you've already learned at least two words in Hungarian, one of the most difficult languages to learn in the world.

Spoken by approximately 10M people, while fiercely proud of their language, even Hungarians will admit it's somewhat irrelevant. Unless, you live in Hungary.  This blog is going to be so good for you, teaching you so many new things.  You're welcome.

After getting married in June 2011, Fancy 
(as the wife will hitherto be referred to)  and I spent 10 months living and exploring southern Spain teaching English in a program funded by a government grant.  We returned to America for two years but began to feel restless to return abroad.  When an opportunity for her to teach at the American International School in Budapest, Hungary was offered, we were conflicted about everything it would mean, but ultimately felt compelled to start again in Europe.

The name CompassComfort was an idea to encapsulate the happiness and fullness we feel as our life unfolds together across the globe.  And, alliterations are just so darn fun-sounding.


We thank you for sharing your day with us and taking the time to follow our journey!!


Please don't hesitate with any questions or comments: tperzel@gmail.com.


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