Some thoughts just seem to haunt me until I giive them the attention they deserve!

Once again I am troubled by the thought of Lithuania making an “OFFICIAL” change from the use of the english word of LITHUANIA to something more pleasing or inviting or recognizable.

Then a brilliant thought came to mind.

Why not use LIETUVA.

‘Lietuva’ is perhaps the most beautiful word in the Lithuanian Language when it falls upon the ear of an unfamiliar Listener. One rather rugged man in his late fifties surprized me by saying ‘I don’t know much about Lithuania but when you say LIETUVA it conjures up images of a ’story book’ land!

My proposal is to use Lietuva as the only official word! If needed, documents or news releases could cotain a simple phonetic example ( LEE -EH-TOO-VA ) until people get used to reading and saying it.

When searching for a name change the ‘Powers That Be’ might do well to ask non-Lithuanians their opinion on the subject. As THEY are the listeners and readers who are being targeted with such changes!

DO YOU AGREE WITH THE USE OF LIETUVA?

Perhaps one of the most significant events in Lithuania’s recent history has apparently been over looked by all. Including myself.

I just now learned that only a couple of years ago Lithuania ceased to be a Republic!

It seems that His MAJESTY King ROMAN II has restored Lithuania’s Monarchy and dissolved the Republic by ‘Royal Decree’

ENTER His Majesty King Roman II

(I must be living in a cave…how did I miss this one!)

You may visit His Majesty’s web-page (…is there such a thing as a kingdom in disporia?) and even purchase one of several Royal titles.

Here’s the Link!

Nothing important to say. I Just wanted to share this very beautiful video production that I found at YouTube.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YspxhnJs_Q&feature=related

Here’s a little Lithuanian Humor (Lithuanian Language but you don’t have to understand it to enjoy the humor)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suZLNUDtvLM&feature=related

Lithuanian Group ‘Pikaso’ - Sudie - (good bye)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTKCvMKnUbg

Anyone who has had the pleasure of being invited to a Lithuanian’s home will confirm the splendid hospitality that they show their guests. From an ‘American’ point of view it can be almost overwhelming. Even someone who has little to spare and lives in an ‘old shoe box’ will do their best to make you feel welcomed. There must be a law that states that the entire house and property must be spotless from top to bottom. And beverage bottles should never remain half empty on the table. Dinner is often a traumatic experience for those who are watching their weight. And a challenge for ‘big eaters’ such as myself. Just when you think that there can’t possibly be anything you haven’t already yet tasted or tried before…out comes another specialty!

Personally I’m flattered by the attention that I receive as a guest but a little uncomfortable with all of the ‘fuss’. Somehow I feel obligated to let the host know that while I appreciate the the “RED CARPET” treatment, I’m just a commoner and don’t expect it.

The very first time I entered my wife’s parent’s house I found myself struggeling to remember exactly how a old friend used to put the host at ease. At that time I had seldom spoken Lithuanian. Then it came to me and I blurted out “Ne reikia, Aš esu darbininkas ne karalaitis”! (translated to..”It’s not necessary, I’m a ‘worker’ not a ‘prince’!) This immediatley put me in ‘good standing’ in the eyes of my in-laws.

There is also a deep respect for the average working class man in the Lithuanian culture. On another ocassion we found ourselves attending an outing along with my in-laws and some family members. I knew before hand that we would be cooking food on the grill so I insisted that I be allowed to prepare a couple of American style favorites for my new family to try. When it came time to brush a glaze over some pork ‘Kabobs’ there was no brush to be found. My father in-law started to search for it, while he was gone I cut a small bundle of overgrown grass and tied it with a thin vine. His eyes perked up and a huge smile followed. I think this simple act didn’t agree with his preconceptions about people from comparitvely wealthy countries such a America. He’s not a man of many words but he managed to express his approval by saying ‘Jūs esate Lietūvis’ (you ARE a Lithuanian!) Later on when his daughter and I were teasing each other about our faults (by this time we were very full and I was pretty much drunk, along with the rest of the party) He again spoke up and told my wife that if our marriage goes bad, it’s HER fault. That sobered everyone up for a moment. Needless to say I was pleased that I had gained his respect.

Finally the subject of alchohol consumption must be covered! This seems to be a national competiton. In small familiar gatherings it is not uncommon that a single glass be passed around the table. Constantly being refilled by the host from a ‘MAGIC BOTTLE’ that never gets empty as it travels around the table. As a former sailor, fisherman and carpenter I thought I could survive any drinking contest. I had been offered ‘Samagonas’ (moon-shine) on many occassions back in the states but had never before accepted the invitation. Much to my dismay and I hope to your amusement, I was out done by my wife’s eighty six year old great-aunt from Dzukija who dealt the final blow by gently nudging me an saying, “Mykolas, If you’re not going to drink some more you should pass the glass to me”!

A couple of days later I found myself in a similar situation only this time the setting was more formal and we all drank from seperate glasses. By then I had learned to keep a sharp eye out for the appearence of that Magic Bottle! When I felt I had enough I simply turned my glass up side down on the table to politely signify that I no longer desired to continue drinking rocket fuel! The same old woman smiled at me and said “OH!…you’ve learned that custom quickly!

I was sorting through some clutter in my basement today and came across an old wreath that once adorned the front door of my “TROBUS” during the holiday season. It reminded me of a discussion between recent immigrants not long ago. Evidently it is customary for Lithuanians to decorate their own front doors to signify a death in the household. Upon the arrival of these new immigrants they were alarmed by the number of wreaths hung on front doors in their new neighborhoods. One woman recalled how she thought “My God, something very terrible must have happened”

I was also suprised myself when I learned that in the “Brave Country” (one of Lithuania’s touest attraction labels), with all of their emphasis on ‘masculinity’ it is common for men to be given flowers on their birthday or ‘name day’. Another Immigrant found it strange that men in the U.S. were uneasy about receiving flowers for any reason at all. I explained that unless your a figure skater or an entertainer, the only time men usually receive flowers is at their funeral.

A lot can be said for Lithuanians and their fondness for bringing gifts, especially when visiting friends. They always remember to bring a little ‘extra something’ for the children too. I can recall being very excited when as a young boy I would learn that someone will be visiting. It’s those small surprises that create fond memories.

A few visitors have expressed their interest in joining me in the creation of a new English Language forum for discussions. I mentioned that if there were enough participants to get it started and more importantly to keep it moving,…I would be willing to make another attempt at creating a new forum.

As promised…On this first day of June, 2008 I am please to announce the doors (or portals!) to  ‘Kavinė’ are now opened! Consider yourself to be a welcomed guest (and hopefully and active contributing member).

Please bring your ‘Intelect’ or ‘Sense of Humour’ in with you! We respectfully request that “EGO’s and Weapons” be left outside of the premises.

As our forum grows I hope that ‘we’ will be able to provide something of interest for everyone.

Lithuanian ‘Blogger’s’ here at WordPress and other Host sites are very much welcome to post information about their own blogs as well as links to your home pages or specific topics. As well as to any other respectable site that you might maintain or recommend. Please don’t hesitate to to start a discussion of your own or to join any on going discussion.

I chose Delfi as a host because it is easy to register, easy to navigate and relatively easy to manage. (Like you, I also have a few other projects that soak up most of my free time!)

And of course all others who come in the spirit of ‘Brotherhood and Sisterhood’ are very much welcomed!

English Language Students are encouraged to join us…but please don’t embarrass the Moderator (’me’) with perfect or near perfect English Grammar! Make a few mistakes every now and then so that all eyes are not focused on my own lack of proficiency!

Mykolas

(Kavinė) http://forums.delphiforums.com/LTenglishForum/start

Most people would probably agree that the Lithuanian dinner table is just not complete without a potatoe dish of some kind. The most revered is probably Cepelinai. These are grated potatoes that have been formed into a shape similar to that of the gas filled ‘Air Ship’ known as the Zeppelin. They are often stuffed with ground-up spiced meat and served with sour cream laced with bacon or crisped pieces of fatty pork. Very delicious, very filling and very time consuming to make.

Next in line has to be  Bulvių Plokštainis ( which by the way is the proper Lithuanian name for ‘Kugelis’ as it is more commonly known by Lithuanian Americans! ) There are a few variations but it it is basically grated potatoes that are baked until firm and also most often served with sour cream. One slightly superior version of this is to spread the grated potatoes out in a thin layer over dried cabbage leaves. Sounds strange but the aroma of the cabbage leaves really adds a memorable touch. I believe this method may originate or at least be very popular in the southern region of Varėna.

Equally as popular are Vėdarai, which again are grated potatoes that are baked in hog ‘casings’ (sausages) In this method the potatoes take on a pleasant hint of roasted pork. (My personal favorite)

And last but not least…Blynai ! Blynai are coarsely grated potatoe ‘pancakes’ that are fried in rendered fat or deep fried in oil until they become crispy and golden brown.

No doubt about it…at least one of these dishes must be a favorite, otherwise someone might question whether or not you are really Lithuanian at all!

But would it surprise you to know that the Potatoe did not become part of the Lithuanian ‘Food Tradition’ until the early 1700’s?  The truth is that the potatoe finds it’s origins in the South American countries of Peru and Bolivia! It was only introduced to Europe after the Spanish conquests of that part of the world. Before this time, the potatoe never found it’s way into the stomachs of our hungry ancestors…it’s just not a Lithuanian invention!

Sorry if I disappointed anybody!

(Some people can’t see the ‘forest’ because the ‘trees’ are in their way…)

(Others never see the ’sun rise’  because they refuse to leave the ‘forest’)

Long before I had met my Lithuanian wife, before the collapase of the Soviet Regime and as far back as my very early childhood…I aways had a very strong feeling of connection to Lietuva. Certainly I was aware that I was an American, as far as a child could understand. Yet when relatives came calling I could recognize that there was something different about them. Something that didn’t quite fit the mold of other ‘Americans’. This difference was subtle in many ways yet captivativing in others. Perhaps the strongest attraction to them was their spoken and unspoken ways of making me truely feel that I was just as much part of the Lithuanian ‘Tribe’ as they were. They never ‘forced’ our heritage on me. They simply shared their thoughts and memories. Something magical always seemed to take hold of them when they did so. I was too young to fully understand it all back then. But a team of wild horses could not pull me away from their sides.

I’m American Born and my father’s family held their Slovak heritage close to heart. I knew many of them well, And they treated my in very much the same way as the Lithuanian half of the family. I was always happy to see them and listen to their own stories. Yet that ‘Magic’ wasn’t there. I never realted to the Slovak ‘persona’ …for lack of better words.

I spent my childhood years and even into early adulthood in very much the same way that every other American did. And I have a certain pride in my connection to America. I even served ‘My’ country’s armed forces. Yet I  always knew that the people and land to which I owe my existance remained far away and was at that time inaccessable. The thought of Lietuva being held against it’s own free will, for such a long time, sat heavy in my heart.

I always felt strongly that the Soviet Union could not much longer remain intact. Lithuanians and other nationalities were more than ready to release themselves from their bondage. I recall listenening to a man on a radio broadcast program. I never did get his name. He stated with such strong conviction that the Ukrainians were so ‘keyed up’ that it would be only a matter of time before they start hunting down Russians in the streets. Similar remarks were attributed to the sentiments of the people of the Baltic States. What struck deepest was his firm belief that the Soviet Empire could no longer maintain itself. It had to fall!

Just a few years later this came to be. I remember sitting in front of the television in a awe of the sight of even the Russians using armed force to remove the remnants of Soviet control from their own government buildings. And waited impatiently for Lithuania to drive the first stake through the heart of the ‘Vampire’.

The violent reaction to the solidarity of the Lithuanian people on the night of January 13th, 1991 did not surprize me at all. I had expected far worse. As undesirable as the results were for those few brave souls who sacrificed their lives that evening…it was necessary. We owe a great debt to all who left the comfort of their homes that evening to stand in the face of tyranny.

Lithuania’s reclamation made it possible for many to set foot on her soil for the very first time. I made the first journey with my wife who is from Kaunas and lived her entire life until that point of time under Soviet rule. I was the first in my family to return to Lietuva for more than 100 years. I know the spirits of my grandparents and relatives were on that flight with me. They waited to accomany me and their own dreams  of returning came true when my foot first touched ‘LITHUANIAN’ soil.

One would think that when I go to Lietuva that I would be eager to visit all of the historical places and to tour as many cities as possible. Odd as it may sound, I am very much content with just being there. Even overwhelmed by the reality of it all. For now I continue to live in the U.S. because I was not born wealthy and I am a common working man. But I know in my heart that ‘Lietuva’ is my home, the Lietuviais are my people. Lietuva calls to me from a distance, every day, without exception. I know I will never feel complete and nor will my wife, until we wake up every morning to the sights and sounds of what is dear to us.

I often wonder if there are others who feel this way.

I just spent a few hours exploring a list of English Language Blogs which are maintained by students of the Mykolas Romeris University, Vilnius, Lithuania.

As part of a Language Awareness program they are required to create their own English Language blogs. A list of current students and links to their individual blogs is presented in the link that I have provided below.

http://gkavaliauskiene.blogspot.com/

If you are curious to see examples of accomplished English language students then I highly recommend that you take the time to visit their blogs and perhaps commend them for their efforts.

This in my opinion is just another example of my belief that Lithuania remains in good hands. Lithuania has no shortage of capable ‘Pilots’ to guide it through the often times difficult passes found in the ‘Sea of Tomorrow’.

If you are a registered ‘Google’ user, Please don’t hesitate to offer a few words of encouragement on their individual blogs.