Today 18 years ago....

Big day. Today 18 years ago at midnight that I landed in Sydney first time in my life. Arrived for a position at the Canberra School of Music, Australian National University. Some could say I was stupid and adventurous to come to a continent I knew nothing about...I was terribly lonely and homesick but faced the challenges professionally. I enjoyed the traveling and learned as much as I could about the country, the land and its people. In this process I became one of them and grew to love it. I have seen more of Australia than most Australians do. Some videos are now up on my youtube channel on vargatube. I still miss Hungary but would be equally homesick for Australia as well. 

Check out my videos on vargatube!

I flew British Airways then Ansett (good old Ansett!) to Canberra. When I saw the land from the air approaching Canberra, I knew I would like it here. It was breathtakingly beautiful. Although I have lived abroad before in Europe, I did not anticipate the hardship that goes with leaving your country, home, family and friends and coming this far in a country you don't know anyone. Anyhow, I had incredible opportunities and did some great things I could have never done if I have not left. I made new friends and established myself professionally, built successful businesses and do new and fascinating things. Presently, I am working on the some great stuff so it is 'head down' time. Reflecting about the last 18 years is pretty emotional and makes me proud that I did not give up and run home where it was all comfy! Coming to Australia provided more challenges and makes me grow faster and go further. Forever grateful to my parents who always encouraged me to follow my dreams and believing that I can do anything and my brother Varga Pál for supporting me and being my very much loved brother. Just getting started in Australia :)

Hurray! Holiday!

Every teacher prays for the break to arrive. How about teaching during holidays? Hmmmmm....I am one of those lucky music teachers who teach in breaks. It just happened, years ago that I was asked if I could give lessons in the break. Now, it is an option for my students. Many of my mature-age students don't care about the school breaks so they want to keep having lessons. However, they are not alone. Many of my school-aged students have more time to practise and the parents want some holiday activity for the kids. A few of the parents or students just want to continue and enjoy the steady progress. I have a family in Brighton that I have been teaching for a few years now.

Tonight, after lesson we were standing at the gate with the mum of the two kids I teach and we were enjoying a great chat. She made a comment that made me think about this all. She mentioned that her younger child, a boy I started to teach this year after seeing her sister excelling in piano, was really looking forward to our lesson. Ryan has practised every single day,  played even 3-4 times a day so he was keen to see my reaction to his work! Mum laughingly mentioned that Ryan is an early riser and many times he is down at the piano at 6am! Somehow I can't imagine that he would be very popular in the family!!! Anyhow, the parents have a great attitude towards this. Hearing mum's comments after the lesson, I was glad that Ryan's work attracted my cheerful and demonstrative praise with lots of fun stickers acknowledging how well he is progressing! Kids truly respond well to positive feedback and praise when it is well deserved! Hmmm. Not only kids but adults as well!!! From the teacher's side, I need to admit that a good lesson puts me in a great mood and I never mind teaching during the holiday. The rewards are such that it i worth it.