Melinda`s Journal

Bloglovin

2010-12-16T15:29:00.000+02:00

Follow my blog with bloglovin

The Truth about Cancer

2010-12-16T09:36:00.000+02:00

http://vimeo.com/15829623

My Photo Book Nov 06 2010

2010-11-17T16:25:00.001+02:00

Click here to view this photo book larger

Melinda`s Journal: Blink 3x

2010-11-07T16:30:00.000+02:00

My favorite post...written last year.

Melinda`s Journal: Blink 3x: "Yesterday we celebrated grandma`s 82 nd birthday and I couldn`t help thinking of what it would have been like had she been here with us, on ..."

MY PHOTOS

2010-11-07T16:24:00.000+02:00

MY PHOTOS

Înger şi Demon, by Alexandru Ionescu

2010-11-07T13:17:00.000+02:00

Alexandru Ionescu: Înger şi Demon: " Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X..."

ALIVE

2009-09-24T08:38:00.002+03:00

One of my favorite movies is ,,Enough,, with Jennifer Lopez. The following is a really touching song, ,,Alive,, . Enjoy!

xoxo

Mel

SPEECHLESS, by Michael Jackson

2009-09-18T07:53:00.001+03:00

Brilliant song, I love it

Michael Jackson THIS IS IT Official Movie Trailer

2009-09-15T16:36:00.002+03:00

Hello...again!

2009-09-11T08:28:00.002+03:00

GUESS WHO`S BACK?

HISTORY by MICHAEL JACKSON

2009-08-22T10:24:00.001+03:00

Great song, video. Love it!! Enjoy and have a wonderful weekend!!

Melinda Z.

``SPREAD YOUR WINGS AND SOAR``

2009-08-21T16:11:00.003+03:00

Wonderful song by Christina Aguilera. Brilliant lyrics. One of my all-time favorites. Enjoy.

Melinda Z.

AMERICAN PIE

2009-08-21T10:11:00.002+03:00

Warning!!

...watching the following video is a hazard to yourself if you are a bigot, racist,narrow-minded, fake and easily offendable person. I will not be held responsible for any pain caused by dropped jaws and raised eyebrows or just plain shock.

In that case, do not watch. All other normal people, enjoy!!

Have a very nice day.

JUST THE LOVED ONES

2009-08-20T23:12:00.004+03:00

As you all well know by now, I post pictures of my family on my blog. I recently posted some pictures from the twins` christening and certain people from my family accused me of posting pictures taken by me, of them, on my blogs without their consent.

Whoopsie, my bad... Didn`t realize I do not own my own copyrighted photos, haha. But oh well...I deleted them, after all, I made the decision that from now on I will only keep pictures of my closest friends and family members on my blog. Just the loved ones.

The ones that do not matter to me do not deserve to be on my blog. They wish to remain annonymous and I respect that.

So dear friends and followers enjoy my pictures. Of my loved ones. The ones who truly matter.

Melinda Zerkula

Keep on Living My Life

2009-08-20T17:10:00.002+03:00

I have recently been criticized for having written this article ( http://blogcritics.org/culture/article/sinners-go-to-church-saints-go/ )

and though I do respect other people`s freedom of speech, thought and their own opinions I do have to say that I have the right to write what I consider fit and no matter how much certain people try to make me shut up and stop writing I will not do that, I have the right to express myself through my work.

So to all my haters and people who are upset because I express my opinions...your loss not mine, you`re missing out but what can I say....controversy makes people think.

Oh yeah, and truth hurts. They can say all they want to say about me I`m going to keep on writing and if they have a problem with that then maybe it is time they left me alone and pay more attention to their lives.Frustration creates little monsters who are so obsessed with other people`s lives that they just cannot help it, they must criticize what others say otherwise their boring lives take a toll on them.

Get a life, people, and leave my life, my family, my work, my opinions, alone. Maybe if certain people had real lives they would not have the time to take me down. Kids, friends, a loving family, hobbies and passions those things should keep one busy. However when one does not have kids, hobbies, dreams, something to do better than criticizing then....well they just sit and babble about me all day. GET A LIFE.

TO MY GRANDMOTHER, my mother`s mother I APOLOGIZE for unwillingly hurting her feelings and image though that was not my intention. I love her and respect her and although sometimes my grandmother and I have different views on life we both know we care .

Melinda Zerkula

Jessika and Timea at the maternity, June 1st 2008

2009-08-17T11:18:00.001+03:00

PHOTOS from Jessika and Timea`s christening, August 2008

2009-08-17T08:34:00.007+03:00

On August 9th, 2008, Jessika and Timea were christened

Stefano Jr., Elizabeth, me and John (we are cousins)

Elizabeth and one of the twins (yes, shame on me, don`t know which one...)

Andreea

Baby and I

John, my mom and my mom`s dad, and of course cutie pie in pink

My cousins

Nick-the twins` God-father- the girls and Rebecca (in blue), Nick`s daughter

Raluca (Andreea`s sister-in-law), Elizabeth and I and David (Raluca`s son)

The twins` cake

Nick, Raluca and Andreea

Elizabeth, her mom Kathy (my God-mother as well) and Andreea plus babies

My mom, Jessika and Stefano Jr.

My grandmother Ana and grandpa Joseph with baby Jessika

My cousins ( George Jr. was absent, living in Spain at the time)

My princess Jessika

Wonderful memories

HAD FUN today @ the swimming pool

2009-08-16T18:58:00.002+03:00

COPYRIGHT for my BLOG, please read carefully

2009-08-12T16:01:00.004+03:00

To whom it may concern:

You CANNOT:

1.-copy, translate,print, e-mail, distribute any of my posts, articles and photographs that are on my blog, or parts of my articles and posts.

Even if you specify the source, you CANNOT do any of the things mentioned above without MY WRITTEN CONSENT AND PERMISSION. Any violation will be consider violation of the copyright law, both Romanian and international.

2.-use my name, blog url, blog name or any other personal information found on this blog without my MY WRITTEN CONSENT AND PERMISSION. Any violation will be consider violation of the copyright law, both Romanian and international.

3.- use any of the names that I use on my blog or links to other blogs, posts, websites without MY WRITTEN CONSENT AND PERMISSION.

4.-use any of my comments or comments made on my blog by other persons, copy them elsewhere be it in an e-mail or website or print them, distribute them, translate them, without MY WRITTEN CONSENT AND PERMISSION.

Melinda`s Journal: Life, Love and Hope by Melinda Zerkula is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
Based on a work at melindazerkula.blogspot.com.

NEW

2009-08-12T12:17:00.001+03:00

Get your own Widget

The TWINS and I

2009-08-12T10:46:00.001+03:00

My Guestbook

2009-08-12T09:35:00.000+03:00

MY SLIDESHOW

2009-08-12T08:57:00.002+03:00

http://www.slide.com/r/bBx9ydwbzz8UoLnvr8r9a5ow5pa_HPT6?previous_view=mscd_embedded_url&view=original

I LOVE TO TRAVEL !!!

2009-08-12T07:54:00.001+03:00

Europe

Austria: Vienna

Bulgaria: Varna

Czech Republic: Prague

France: Nice

France: Paris

France: Saint Tropez

France: Saint-Malo-en-Donziois

France: Saint-Malon-sur-Meu

Germany: Berlin

Germany: Lichtenstein

Hungary: Budapest

Hungary: Debrecen

Hungary: Hajduszoboszlo

Hungary: Pecs

Italy: Florence

Italy: Grosseto

Italy: Isola d' Elba

Italy: Livorno

Italy: Napoli

Italy: Pisa

Italy: Portoferraio

Italy: Rome

Italy: Siena

Italy: Venice

Jersey: Jersey

Monaco: Monaco

Portugal: Lisboa

Romania: Brasov

Romania: Bucharest

Romania: Cluj-Napoca

Romania: Sibiu

Slovakia: Slovakov

Switzerland: Zurich

Jessika and Timea`s blog

2009-08-11T19:54:00.002+03:00

http://twinsjt.blogspot.com/

This is Jessika and Timea`s blog, check it out!!

Their mommy as well as I will be the ones writing for the twins. Enjoy!

Some games for you

2009-08-11T16:14:00.000+03:00

Here is the link

http://ro.darkorbit.bigpoint.com/

Enjoy!

Having fun with Jessika and Timea & family, VIDEO part 3

2009-08-10T20:55:00.000+03:00

One more video...

Having fun with Jessika and Timea & family, VIDEO part 2

2009-08-10T19:12:00.001+03:00

Another video...

Having fun with Jessika and Timea & family, VIDEO part 1

2009-08-10T18:25:00.001+03:00

Enjoy!!

FUN DAY with the twins & my family

2009-08-10T15:51:00.005+03:00

Dad and I went to Gherla today to see Jessika and Timea, they are getting so big and bright, they are running, laughing and teaching us how to be happy and curious about the world. Videos coming very soon.

Enjoy!!

Want to experience recession?Come to my country

2009-08-10T09:50:00.005+03:00

Here is a link to my first article, written for www.blogcritics.org

Please feel free to comment!!

Thanks!

Melinda Z.

http://blogcritics.org/politics/article/want-to-experience-recession-come-to/

There is no doubt that the recession has impacted each and every person's life in one way or another; depending on social status, wealth, lifestyle, and beliefs, it made all of us rethink the way we live, travel, work and think.

However, I am left wondering how much of it all is a hundred percent truth and how much of it is just a fabrication, a media sensation, a marketing tool made to work in the interest of those who have a lot, and I really mean a lot, to gain from it.

It is hard to separate fact from fiction, truth from panic and exaggeration. I do believe we are in quite a mess right now but still, people let`s be honest:

Are we not we enjoying this just a little bit? Think about this. Recession may have had and still does have a great impact on the economy, small businesses go bankrupt, so do the larger companies, unable suddenly to cope with it all.

The fact is, it rocked world big time. Not many people believed it would come to this, although the signs were there for quite some time. It is not the first recession and it certainly will not be the last one. But in my humble opinion, it came as a positive thing, at the exact right time. Now you can start arguing that I am wrong or crazy.

I may be both. However think of it this way: how could someone have thought that all the greed, luxury, the I-do-not-give-a-damn-about-the-world-I-am-rich-and-that-is-all-that-matters-to me, mentality could go on and on and on forever? Hey people, maybe God is trying to tell us something, like making us put aside our greedy ambitions and never-ending desire to have more and more and more and to go back to basics, like love, compassion, family, friends, hobbies we really care about and so on and so forth.

Interestingly, companies small or large have only now thought about giving their customers better products and services at more competitive and affordable prices. They are going down, like the Titanic, and to save themselves they compromise. Not for our well being of course, but for their own salvation. I am convinced that once this is all over, and it will be soon, they will go back to being the way they used to. Be good until you cross the bridge to the other side, then you can be evil again.

I have lived in Romania my entire life. However I have traveled a lot, and I have friends around the world; let me tell you, nothing makes me laugh harder than hearing them whine on and on about how awful it is not to be able to afford a second car, or to go on a luxury vacation yet again, and so on. My heart truly breaks.

We Romanians have experienced 50 years of communism; they were like 50 years of the worst recession: no food, no money, no rights to do pretty much anything. After the Revolution, in 1989, we suddenly felt free and had all sort of things we never had or had even heard of before. However, it was only an illusion. For the past 20 years, we have struggled just as much as our parents and grandparents did back then; now we have all we can ever desire, but still no money, no jobs, no perspective, no future. My generation went to university, some have masters degrees or Ph.D`s and for what? Our parents taught us to study so we can later have a good job, work hard, have a home, a car and a family.

Well things did not quite end up that way for my generation of 20-somethings. Recession or not, we have struggled for years to get a lousy job that pays 300 euros a month; not enough for rent, let alone food, gas, (if you can afford a car), never mind a flat for which you have to pay 500 euros a month.

So people, please do me a favor and stop whining! Want to experience a nonstop recession? Come to my country. We'll give you 500-600 dollars a month; all you have to do is figure out how to pay rent or make payments of 400 per month, put food on the table for another 500 dollars a month( we do not eat much, actually we can barely afford to eat, however the prices are at least 4-5 times higher than they are in other EU countries), pay for gas, which is about 400 dollars per month, not to mention other small luxuries, like dining out, going to the movies, clothing and so on, which will cost you another 400 dollars at least.

Good at math? You will have an income of 600 dollars and expenses to top that a few times. How do we do it? How did we survive for the past 20, no actually, 50 years? Come and find out but in the meantime stop feeling so sorry for something that you caused in the first place. Oh, sorry. Not you, your greed.

CHARITY WATER...Honduras, India, Rwanda,Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi

2009-08-08T11:57:00.003+03:00

http://www.charitywater.org/projects/fromthefield/honduras.htm

http://www.charitywater.org/projects/fromthefield/india.html

http://www.charitywater.org/projects/fromthefield/rwanda.htm

http://www.charitywater.org/projects/fromthefield/bangladesh.html

http://www.charitywater.org/projects/fromthefield/ethiopia.htm

http://www.charitywater.org/projects/fromthefield/car.htm

http://www.charitywater.org/projects/fromthefield/kenya.htm

http://www.charitywater.org/projects/fromthefield/malawi.htm

CHARITY WATER

2009-08-07T22:21:00.003+03:00

Stop for a few minutes to read these following banners and think. Think how lucky you are to be able to take fresh, clean water for granted. One billion people don`t have that luxury.

A great song in Hindi, sent by my best friend, Shanthi

2009-08-07T20:42:00.002+03:00

Thank you for being such a wonderful friend!! Love, forever, xoxo

Melinda

My Toolbar Download

2009-08-06T11:41:00.002+03:00

Download my toolbar if you like it! Thanks!

Melinda Z.

http://melindaz.ourtoolbar.com/

Blog Catalog

2009-08-06T08:25:00.001+03:00

Multiple chat

2009-08-06T08:06:00.001+03:00

Get this Gadget

All there is to know about your date of birth

2009-08-06T08:03:00.001+03:00

Visit Us

Links to GOOGLE services

2009-08-06T07:58:00.000+03:00

Get this gadget

Tic-tac, tic-tac...

2009-08-06T07:43:00.001+03:00

,,I have a dream,,

2009-08-05T16:19:00.005+03:00

I believe in good, in good people and in good actions.

I believe in human rights and most importantly I believe EVERY single human being has the right to have access to healthcare, to be able to have a proper education and a happy, fulfilled life.

Also, I believe animals have the right to live and to be treated with respect and kindness. Our planet should be treated with the same care and respect as we should treat humans and animals.

Below you`ll find some links to precisely the things that I believe in.

I have a dream that someday more people make small but significant changes.

http://www.therainforestsite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=2&link=ctg_bcs_home_from_ths_home_sitenav

http://www.therainforestsite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=1&link=ctg_ths_home_from_bcs_home_sitenav

http://www.therainforestsite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=5&link=ctg_chs_home_from_ths_home_sitenav

http://www.therainforestsite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=6&link=ctg_lit_home_from_chs_home_sitenav

http://www.therainforestsite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=4&link=ctg_trs_home_from_trs_home_sitenav

http://www.therainforestsite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=3&link=ctg_ars_home_from_trs_home_sitenav

THE ANIMAL RESCUE SITE

2009-08-05T16:17:00.001+03:00

Click here for an easy and free way to help care for those in need at The Animal Rescue Site!

THE LITERACY SITE

2009-08-05T16:15:00.001+03:00

Click here for an easy and free way to help provide books for children at The Literacy Site!

THE CHILD HEALTH SITE

2009-08-05T16:12:00.000+03:00

Click here for an easy and free way to help children in need at The Child Health Site!

THE BREAST CANCER SITE

2009-08-05T16:10:00.001+03:00

Click here for an easy and free way to help fund mammograms for those in need at The Breast Cancer Site!

THE HUNGER SITE

2009-08-05T16:08:00.001+03:00

Click here for an easy and free way to help feed those in need at The Hunger Site!

THE RAINFOREST SITE

2009-08-05T16:02:00.002+03:00

Click here for an easy and free way to help protect endangered habitat at The Rainforest Site!

@ Hajduszoboszlo

2009-08-03T16:50:00.001+03:00

Having fun in the artificial waves

2009-08-03T13:36:00.002+03:00

More pictures...

2009-08-03T09:07:00.004+03:00

www.hungarospa.hu

Had a great weekend of sun, swimming and fun!

2009-08-03T07:01:00.010+03:00

This weekend my parents and I went to Hajduszoboszlo, Hungary and let me tell you it was awesome!! So here are some pictures, enjoy! Videos coming soon...

Photos from Marineland (2007)

2009-07-31T14:24:00.005+03:00

Here are some pictures from two years ago when I went to Marineland. Wonderful memories. Enjoy!

We are a funny family

2009-07-31T08:03:00.003+03:00

My family and I celebrated Jessika and Timea`s first birthday and let me tell you, us the adults enjoyed it the most, we goofed around, sang, laughed, wonderful memories.

Jessika and Timea playing

2009-07-30T12:09:00.009+03:00

For more videos, go to my YouTube page:

http://www.youtube.com/user/MelindaZ

Jessie and Timmie playing in their room while my mom and Andrea were choosing some outfits for them. Enjoy!

Pictures

2009-07-30T09:06:00.014+03:00

Here are some pictures from my vacation...Umm, well I am always on vacation since I do not have a 9 to 5 job and only freelance lol....

Anyway, I had lots of fun at the pool, at my grandparents and at a picnic. Can`t afford going to the beach so the pool will have to do. Doesn`t matter where I go as long as I breathe fresh air and have fun. Enjoy!

First article on blogcritics.org

2009-07-30T06:33:00.004+03:00

http://blogcritics.org/culture/article/sinners-go-to-church-saints-go/

Fun with JESSIKA and TIMEA

2009-07-28T10:17:00.002+03:00

I absolutely love spending time with Jessika and Timea and on my birthday this year, they came to visit and I gave them presents as always and they loved it!!

Jessika being....well.....like me...lol

2009-07-28T09:47:00.006+03:00

On my birthday this year, Jessika and Timea visited me and we had such a great time. They both absolutely love having their pictures taken and both girls also love my camera and they want to play with it, grab it and so on.

But I wanted to make a video so I didn`t let Jessika play with my camera. She started yelling, crying, she was soooooooooooo mad. So little yet so frustrated, lol.So here it is - Jessika being so mad at me for not letting her play with my camera. She was pointing towards me, probably thinking ``I`ll get you for this!!! Ohhh nooooooooo, don`t film me now, not crying, think of my reputation, I`m a good baby!!``

Just look at her face, her expressions speak for themselves.Funny girl. Hysterical, but funny. Just like me.

Kindness chain

2009-07-27T08:52:00.001+03:00

Here`s something to think about....

http://www.oprah.com/slideshow/spirit/inspiration/slideshow1_ss_phil_feature

Have a wonderful day!

Romania rocks!!!

2009-07-26T13:36:00.002+03:00

I love my country, it has so many beautiful places to visit! Check out this link below and enjoy!

www.infopensiuni.ro

O..........is for ORGANIC

2009-07-26T12:48:00.001+03:00

Just some links to check out if you like all things organic. Enjoy

http://vegdining.com/Home.cfm

http://www.breastcancerfund.org/site/c.kwKXLdPaE/b.43969/k.CAFE/Home.htm

http://www.ecohip.org/

http://www.naturalproducts.co.uk/NPE09/public/enter.aspx

http://www.organicmall.com/default.php

http://www.safecosmetics.org/

http://www.saffronrouge.com/

http://www.transfairusa.org/

Truly a wonderful society

2009-07-26T11:41:00.000+03:00

http://www.nationalgeographic.com

Think about it....and act if you care

2009-07-26T11:19:00.002+03:00

IN LOVING MEMORY.......ANA ZERKULA 1927-2009

2009-07-26T08:31:00.001+03:00

My grandmother and I, on my birthday last year.

Blink 3x

2009-07-26T07:51:00.017+03:00

Yesterday we celebrated grandma`s 82 nd birthday and I couldn`t help thinking of what it would have been like had she been here with us, on her birthday.
Last year, we ate cake, drank champagne and had lots and lots of fun. She cried. I asked her why. She said because she felt it would be her LAST BIRTHDAY. I told her no way, she still had to see me get married, have a child and so on. She said yes... but I felt like she knew something on a level that I could not understand at the time.
So, do people really know, feel when they are about to die? Maybe, or maybe they just have premonitions.
I strongly believe in the paranormal, I believe in mediums, clairvoyance, premonitions, the 6th sense, pretty much everything related to those.
I myself have always had premonitions, good or bad and they have come true, almost always. Sometimes I have premonitions while sleeping, other times during the day, for example once I was about to cross the street and for a second an awful image thundered my mind-me being hit by a car. I froze. Good idea, I have to say. Although the lights were green for me to cross the street, a car came racing. Spooky to say the least. Coincidence? No, nothing in life is just a mere coincidence. Everything happens for a reason, a purpose.
Also, I dream of my relatives who passed. I dream of the things that I should be doing in my life.
I also have the wonderful gift of seeing good and bad energy, be in in people or places. Ever since I was very young I could ,,see,, who is gentle and good and who is mean. Also I love houses because they contain energy, good or bad, depends on who lived there and what happened there. That`s why I prefer moving into a new house. In the past years I have been house hunting, looking for a place to rent and I must say, some of those houses were awful. Not in terms of looking shaggy or smelling funny. No, after I entered them my heart started beating faster, my palms were sweating and I had this urge of getting the hell out of there. They were older houses, people live and died in there, however the positive energy wasn`t as strong as the negative energy.
I feel the same way about people. I just know, I can`t explain how, that someone is good and has good intentions. It`s like I can see inside their souls. A few times I have met people who scared me when I looked into their eyes. Also I could feel a negative energy around them. Later it turned out they were mean and had ulterior motives. I was right. From that moment on, I have never ever not trusted my instincts and my intuition. I believe intuition is our invisible connection to God, Divinity, call Him whatever you like, He is there. Not on a fluffy cloud, but out there in the universe. The more I learn about nature and science the more I know that there is a GOD. Our universe is amazing, how can someone NOT believe in a higher force? Everything happens for a reason, everything is perfect in its own way.
I`d like to study anthropology one day, I love it, because I love people and mankind. Man can be evil, capable of destruction, war, hate, crime but also man can be good, capable of love, art, compassion. Everything comes in pairs- Yin and Yang, black and white, good and bad, sunset and sunrise, female and male and so on.
My grandmother died in the hospital after suffering a stroke at home. She was hospitalized and lived for 3 weeks before passing, on March 10th, 2009. I visited her daily, fed her since she was paralyzed. She recognized us, she nodded yes or no, she understood, however she was unable to talk. That must have been awful for her.
A week before she died she went into a coma. The nurses said when we arrived, that she went into a coma the night before and never opened her eyes after that. I sat down on the bed next to her and talked to her, told her how much I love her and that I am grateful that she is my grandmother. Then, she opened her eyes. I got up, scared and confused. Wasn`t she in a coma? We called the nurse and she was surprised yet she told us it is quite normal. Her face didn`t agree with that. I stood in front of her bed and she looked at me. She could not move, talk, smile, not even nod yes or no like she did the days before.
So I asked her to blink three times if she can hear me and understand what I told her before. She looked into my eyes and blinked. Once, twice, then a third time. She knew I was there, she WAS in there, her soul was there, her mind was there, not functioning right because of the stroke but still.... I talked to her and then I asked her again to blink, in Hungarian this time, her mother tongue. She blinked. Three times.
That moment I will always, always, always remember. She was saying goodbye, I just know she was. She was asking me to let her go. And I did, I never returned to the hospital. The night after I visited her for the last time she went into a deeper coma and she died a few days later. I knew I shouldn`t go see her again because on an unconscious level I would try to bring her back. And that was not what she wanted.
Her body was slowly dying and her soul was tired, she wanted to go home. Not home as in home but home as in setting her spirit free from this world. She knew her time here was over, she accepted it and I had to let her go. That`s what she wanted.
And I did.

Glass half full or half empty?

2009-07-24T09:57:00.004+03:00

Ten years ago I dreamed of the day I would become a woman, graduate from university, meet a wonderful, handsome, kind man who would love, respect and adore me, get married and have a child, maybe two.

That`s how I pictured my life at 16, seeing myself ten years later, at 26. Today, I am 26, I have graduated from university and also have a master`s degree, I have travelled quite a lot, I have a wonderful family, some awesome friends who support me, two absolutely adorable God-daughters-Jessika and Timea- whom I can`t really picture my life without, 3 grandparents who although very old they are still here with me, and of course my guarding Angel, Ana, my grandmother who died March 10th this year.

Tomorrow it`s her birthday, she would have been 82 years old. Well, she IS 82, since she is living somewhere else right now. Heaven, another dimension, a parallel universe, maybe she`s right here with me while I`m writing these words, however I cannot see her. I can FEEL her in a way, she comes to me in my dreams, she is very much alive in my heart and mind. I am going to the cemetery today, to give her flowers for her birthday tomorrow. I always gave her flowers one day before her actual birthday. I am also returning a necklace to her. She wore it for years then when she had the stroke and was hospitalized, I took it off and kept it. Sadly , I forgot to give it back to her before being buried. I dreamed one night that she was looking for her necklace and was asking me where it was. That`s when it struck me that I had completely forgotten about it. So today I found it and put it in a box and I`m going to bury it where the flowers are on her grave.

So...I have lots to be thankful for, I am healthy and optimistic, I have a good sense of humor, hey I can even see my relatives who passed away, in my dreams, so I think of myself as LUCKY.

Yes, my life is not the way I imagined it would be, I am not married, nor do I have children of my own just yet, not even a house of my own or a car or even a JOB ....but I have my FAITH, my HEALTH, my FAMILY, my FRIENDS and two wonderful best-friends-in-the-whole-world. Shanthi is my best friend, I met her last year and we connected instantly.

G. is someone I love with all my heart, I`ve known him for 7 years, he`s been my lover, my best friend, the person whom I trust the most and who is never afraid to tell me if I am doing something wrong. That`s what makes a great friend. Caring and loving someone means that you tell that person ,,NO, you are NOT making a good decision, I do not agree,, He`s a wonderful soul, mind , everything combined in an exceptional person.

To grandma....

I will forever love you, thank you for being there for me for 25 years and I promise that one day you`ll be proud of me

To GEORGE V.

Thank you for being my best friend ever and so much more. I love you with all my heart, mind and soul. You mean the world to me.

To Shanthi....

We`ll forever be friends....thanks for all your support!! I am blessed to have you in my life. God wanted us to meet for a reason, so we can learn from each other.

My favorite picture....ever!

2009-07-23T09:07:00.002+03:00

The picture I love the most is this one, taken when the twins and their mommy Andrea were still at the hospital and my parents and I went to see them for the first time.

Timea was sleeping so I asked if I may hold Jessika for a while. I sat down and Andrea took Jessika out of her crib and placed her in my arms, I was terrified, completely scared of holding her, she smelled soo good, that baby smell, so sweet, her eyes were closed and she made some soft and funny noises, I held her little hand and kissed it.

I had never seen a baby so small ever in my life, she was perfect, so fragile yet so eager to face the world.

Today Jessika is funny, smart and yells Meli when she sees me. We have a special bond. Of course I have a special bond with her sister as well but it was Jessie whom I held in my arms for the very first time and that moment I will forever cherish in my mind and my heart.

Baby pictures part 2

2009-07-23T08:45:00.007+03:00

The Invisible Bridge

2009-07-22T09:14:00.002+03:00

Let me tell you a story, it is actually a dream that I had years ago. I was in a forest of some sort and after a while I reached a place where there was an abyss , a huge one and I couldn`t have possibly reached the other side since there was no bridge and I was just standing there sad and upset.

Then, all of a sudden, an angel appeared on the other side, he reached his hands towards me and said ``Come, don`t be afraid``.

I told him no way, there wasn`t anything between us, no bridge no rope.

He said``There is a bridge, it`s called FAITH and it`s invisible, you cannot see it, you have to trust me, walk towards me``. I said, no, I can`t. He said``If you believe you can do it then you will, but if for one second you`ll doubt it, you`ll fall into the abyss``.

So I took one step then another, thinking I should get closer but then I just realized I was walking on air so to speak, right above the abyss but all I could FEEL was a hard surface, a safe one underneath me.

He looked at me and said, ``See, that`s the invisible bridge, that`s your faith, if you believe it, then you CAN do it`` And I did, I didn`t doubt it and I crossed over to the other side. Then the angel disappeared. And then I woke up.

Faith is something that is real, you cannot see it but you can feel it. And that`s FAITH to me.That is God to me.

You win some, you lose some...

2009-07-22T08:10:00.003+03:00

Something soo ``funny`` happened these past weeks. I went to 3 interviews-l was excited, thought they`d like me but boy was I wrong...

The first interviewer asks me-``Single?`` I said yes.

He goes...``Oh I see, well I`m sorry but we are looking for responsible persons, married ones, people like you aren`t reliable....

``I go what do you mean? He goes ``Well mothers are more hardworking, smarter, they know they have to put food on the table so they take their jobs very seriously, sorry you aren`t right for us.`` So I left, didn`t argue, no use really and besides everyone is entitled tot have his/her opinion.

Then a day later I go to a second interview. About 10 minutes later, the man asks me...``Children?``

.I say no. He asks me my age-----it was tooo hard for him to figure that out from my birth date which was on my resume but whatever....I say 26. Hmm...he looks at me.Then asks what my plans were for the future. Have a career, work hard, learn new things, reach my potential bla bla. Then he goes``...yeah right I know women like you....You want the job so you can have 6 month of work before you get pregnant and then have a kid and stay home for 2 years and get payed by us.``

I go no, I don`t wanna have kids now or in the near future. He laughs at me and says``....that`s what they all say.`` I got up and left, slammed the damn door.It`s like ...either way, mother or childless no one wants me. Just great.Brilliant.

Then I went to my 3rd and so far last interview. A woman this time.

``So, you are from Bucharest?``

``Yes, born, raised and educated there.``I told her.

She goes ``Awful city, awful people. So why did you move here?``

``To be closer to family``, I said. ``Planning to stay here for long?``

I go ...``well if I can find a job yes.``

She goes, ``...well let me tell you sweetheart, we don`t really like people from Bucharest. You are all mean and proud. ``

I told her that was prejudice, we aren`t all bad. She didn`t reply to that however her face said it all

.Again, I left, didn`t slam the door this time. How dares she judge people like that? My friends aren`t bad people and I am not either. That`s discrimination, racism, call it whatever but it`s so wrong.

So there you have it, my wonderful experiences living in this welcoming and charming city with people so eager to give everyone a chance.....

Baby pictures part 1

2009-07-20T16:20:00.005+03:00

Presents for Jessika and Timea

2009-07-20T13:47:00.000+03:00

Jessika and Timea having fun at the seaside (The Black Sea, Romania)

2009-07-20T13:34:00.000+03:00

Pictures...like I promised

Introducing Jessika and Timea

2009-07-20T13:08:00.000+03:00

On May 26th 2008, Jessika Renata and Timea Erika, our beautiful non-identical twins were born.

Today they are two very bright, funny, happy and curious girls, whom we all absolutely love and adore.

They are the main reason I moved with my family to Cluj, so we can be closer to them- they live 30 miles from Cluj, in a smaller city, together with their mommy Andrea and daddy Mihai (Michael as my aunt from the United States likes to call him).

Michael is 34 years old and absolutely the best and most devoted and loving father I have seen in a very long time. Andrea is 36 and a full-time mother to her gorgeous babies. Well, they aren`t babies anymore, young girls now, 14 months-old, going on 14 years old, really.

They fell in love and got married soon after, in 2001, I was 18 at the time and very proud to be a bride`s maid. The whole family hoped they would have a child soon after, however God had other plans. It took 7 years, numerous treatments, failures, heartbreak, hope and then, finally the twins were born, healthy and happy to be on this Earth and in our family.

The twins-I really must stop referring to them as twins, they are very diferrent, two separate human beings, two souls, two minds. They are different and that makes them even cuter and more precious.

Jessika loves to laugh and to pose and to have her picture taken, that must be my fault so to speak because ever since they were 6 days old I never stopped taking pictures of them, I have thousands of photos to cherish, wonderful memories for the girls and for the entire family- parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins. They are my mom`s brother`s daughters which means they are my sweet little cousins however I love them as much as I would love my own flesh and blood.

I am also their GOD-MOTHER, they were christened last August and my cousin Elizabeth and I were the God-mothers to Jessika and Timea and also they had a God-father, a close friend of the babies` parents.

Jessika is loud and has a bit of my attitude sometimes, she wants something now, no matter what and she starts crying until she gets it. Okay, I used to be like that when I was her age, now I`m not....Right....I guess my flaws will have to wait, right now I`m still not saying anything bad about myself haha. Jessie also loves to look at herself in whatever mirror she can find, she loves to dance -wiggle her bum- to music and to wear nice dresses and she even tries to put her own shoes on-right shoe to right foot, how cute is that?

Her twin sister, Timea, is completely different. Timea in adventurous, she was the first to walk on her own, she isn`t as careful as Jessie is, she lets go of our hands and runs, never mind about falling-which she never has so far. Timea likes to wear pants and t-shirts, loves to sing, to swim. She is more serious, usually Jessika laughs when I take their picture and Timea just looks at me. Ninety-nine per cent of the pictures you are about to see are taken by me, the only one I didn`t take are the ones which I am in. Makes sense, haha.

I have loads of albums of the girls but my all time favorite is one album called The First Year...it has the most beautiful pictures of the girls so far, I adore watching it, over and over again, it makes me proud to be their cousin, friend, God-mother. I absolutely adore them. And they call me Mel or Mimi and shout and laugh when they come to visit or I go visit so I guess they love me too. Tears....Of joy, of course.

Pictures coming soon...

Mel

Welcome to my blog...first post

2009-07-20T10:56:00.000+03:00

Hello, everyone! First of all let me tell you a little bit about myself.

My name is Eva-Melinda Zerkula, I am 26 years old and I live in Romania. I was born and raised in Bucharest and after graduating from university I continued my studies and last year I finished my Master`s Degree in Marketing and Business Negotiations.

Last June I moved to Cluj, a nice city in Transylvania, to be closer to my mother`s family. Mom was born here and studied here then left to Bucharest to work, she met dad there and the rest, as they say it`s history...

My dad`s parents also came with us and we lived happily in a very comfortable home. Sadly, on March 10th this year, my grandmother Ana died at age 81, an unexpected event which changed our lives, destinies, dreams, hopes forever.

She was more than a grandmother to me, she helped raise me since mom and dad worked and I stayed at home with her so she meant the world to me and her passing truly broke my heart. So sudden, so many memories of the past so many memories that could have been...her seeing me get married and have children-not only mothers dream of that day, grandmothers see their granddaughters walking down the aisle as well.

However, I know she is in a happy place now, I dream about her very often, she smiles at me and tell me in my dreams that I must have faith, that everything will be all right. I have always had faith in God, in His plans for my life and I have told Him in my prayers that I surrender to His will, I`m here to love and be loved, to help other people see how wonderful life is. And even death. Dying is not the end, it`s a new beginning. We may come back here one day to experience life again. We may have unfinished businesses, unfulfilled love and so on. However I strongly believe in free will, we choose what to do here on Earth, we can accept things, change things. Also we can choose whether to come back or not...

Accepting my grandmother`s death was very hard for me, part of me wanted her to stay with me and part of me understood that her time here with us was over and that I should be grateful for having her in my life for 25 years, she is one of the most influential people in my life, she made me who I am today. And today I am a very optimistic young woman, who loves and respects life, people, who has ideals, dreams, hopes , places to see, friends to make and a lot to learn about her and the world.

So that is me...Melinda and this is my blog about life, love and hope.