Before I Forget

Not much news here. We are closing in on the holidays so I'm fighting my procrastination once again this year. It's good I'm going home next week because I haven't even started my shopping. Usually I'm done by now so it will be a bit of a rush once I get my land legs back!

I've been meaning to jot down a few things I've learned the past few days so will make this short (i.e., another form of procrastination)!!

I learned my first Polish swear word yesterday. It is "syn suka" (son of a b**ch. Pronounced sin sooka). Since I don' swear in English I think it is funny I got so excited about this! I may have to start using it if I don't get my butt in gear and get working though!

I love this one...."I have a mom" is Ja ma mam mama. Remember the "j" is a "y" so Ja is yah and the rest is exactly as it appears. "I have a dad" is not as fun. Ja ma mam tata. I really can't envision me calling anyone a "tata" but what can I say?

Last but not least (and this is a clear favorite). "Good luck" is Dobre Fart (pronounced do-bray fahrt. Remember to roll the "r" - if you aren't laughing as hard as I do)!

New Year's Eve is as big a bash in Poland as in the US. We've been seeing posters for "Sylwester" around town and heard there is usually a big band performance on the Rynek Square so we had assumed the band was Sylwester. Hmmm...then how could Sylwester be playing in Kraków at the same time??? Funny, Sylwester is not a band but the word for New Year's Eve here. Huh???? I've since learned that in Poland everyone celebrates not only their birthday but their "name day" every year. Evidently, male and female names have been assigned to each and every day of the year and when your name day comes up everyone with those names will have a party (I like that concept. For once Craig and I will not have the same birthday)! It seems Maria and Sylwester are the names assigned to New Year's Eve; hence, Slywester day! (Male always takes precedence in Poland)! I'm heading to town today to find me a name calendar. If my name is not on it (fat chance) I'm going to adopt a Polish name so I can have a name day party!

Another interesting note....all woman's names in Poland end with an "a". Kasia, Małgorzata, Agnieszka, Elsbieta (Beth Ann would have a name day here) etc. Even last names follow the same rule. Meaning, if the family name is Kowalski (ko-vahl-ski) the woman in the family would have the last name of Kowalska. Interesting, huh?? Would that make me Cinda Masmara???? Guess so!! I met a lady who goes by the name "Maja" because her name is Wendy. In Polish it would be Wenda but with "W" pronounced "V" she didn't want to be called Venda so she goes by Maja (her middle name) which translates perfectly in Polish.

Finally, Craig and I have figured out how to jay walk!!! Between cars, trams and buses it was a challenge but we've mastered the art. We didn't even try in Kraków because we didn't have time to master their tram tracks.

Anyone notice I figured out how to type in Polish???? I'm official now!!! It might come in handy once I know more than syn suka!!

Happy Thursday!