CULTURA PRIN TURISM IN TARA SFANTA,De vorba cu ing. VICTOR CAMIL

BERZINTU-Lucretia-wbInterviu realizat de Lucretia Berzintu
Israel

http://www.trilulilu.ro/Dositeea/98dcc3241d5e93

In una din excursiile organizate cu pelerini romani la Locurile Sfinte crestine din Israel, am avut marea bucurie de avea ca sofer, si, in acelasi timp, ghid pe autocar, unul din cei mai profesionisti angajati ai companiei Egged (se citeste Eghed), israelian originar din Romania. Pe cand ma aflam in Valea Hozevei din Desertul Iudeei, am profitat de o pauza si am stat de vorba cu soferul autocarului, licentiat in istorie. Cu mana stanga conduce volanul, iar cu mana dreapta tine microfonul. Nu mai vorbesc de faptul ca este o enciclopedie, mai ales in cunostinte de istorie si geografie.

– Stimate domn, va rog sa va prezentati pentru cititorii romani de pretutindeni, apoi sa ne relatati cate ceva despre aceste pelerinaje cat si despre activitatea dumneavoastra, atat la compania unde lucrati cat si cu pelerinii romani la locurile sfinte. Continue reading “CULTURA PRIN TURISM IN TARA SFANTA,De vorba cu ing. VICTOR CAMIL”

"Replici" de atunci si de acum, intr-un dialog cu Lucky Marinescu, artist liric

luckyLucky Marinescu apartine unei generatii de artisti ce a ramas ca un reper pentru teatrul liric romanesc. Calitatile vocale excelente, talentul, pregatirea temeinica, dar si fizicul agreabil au ajutat-o pe aceasta sa ajunga foarte repede, o stea pe firmamentul muzicii noastre usoare. Oamenii se obisnuisera cu vocea ei si o ascultau de fiecare data, cu aceeasi placere. Devenise pentru foarte multi, artista preferata si facea o impresie buna asupra publicului.

Lucky Marinescu s-a nascut pe 12 iulie 1934, la Cahul, in Republica Moldova. Este absolventa a Conservatorului Gheorghe Dima, din Cluj. De altfel, toata copilaria si tineretea ei prind forma si se deruleaza, in acest oras. De primii ani de viata, pe artista o leaga amintiri de neuitat. Ii placeau patinajul, echitatia, dansul, dar mai ales, isi dorea inca de pe atunci, sa devina vedeta. Nu o data, aceasta isi improviza din te miri ce, un microfon si ii incanta pe toti cu vocea ei. Cei care au sprijinit-o, au inteles-o si au ajutat-o pe Lucky Marinescu sa isi vada visul cu ochii, au fost bunicii si parintii, care nu au precupetit nimic pentru ca intr-o zi, copilul lor drag sa isi implineasca nazuintele. In prezent, Lucky Marinescu locuieste in Bucuresti. Are un fiu, Laurentiu, care a mostenit pasiunea pentru muzica a mamei sale. Continue reading “"Replici" de atunci si de acum, intr-un dialog cu Lucky Marinescu, artist liric”

O ROMANCA DIN TIMISOARA TRATEAZA INIMI IN FRANTA – INTERVIU CU LAURA POP, MEDIC CARDIOLOG LA SPITALUL LAUTEUR, WISSEMBOURG

LauraPopLaura Pop, medic cardiolog, vorbeste cu dragoste despre profesia ei, din care si-a facut un adevarat crez. Pentru ca si-a propus inca din copilarie sa urmeze medicina, Laura Pop a muncit dintotdeauna, cu seriozitate si dedicatie pentru a-si implini visul. In prezent, aceasta este medic titular la Serviciul de Cardiologie din cadrul spitalului regional de la Lauteur -Wissembourg din Franta.

Laura Pop s-a nascut la intai de cuptor 1974, in Craiova. Desi a incoltit in pamant oltenesc, a inflorit in Banat, in orasul de pe Bega, Timisoara. Dupa ce promoveaza cu succes examenul de admitere la Facultatea de Medicina Victor Babes, din urbea natala, Laura se simte atrasa, in primii ani de studentie, de obstretica. Pe parcurs insa, isi descopera pasiunea pentru cardiologie si decide sa se specializeze in acest domeniu. Laura Pop isi ia licenta in 1988, iar in 2005, paraseste Romania, pentru Franta. In prezent, ea locuieste alaturi de fiul ei, in varsta de 12 ani, in orasul Wissembourg.

– Te-am ruga sa ne spui cand te-ai stabilit in Franta si in ce imprejurari?
– In urma cu patru ani, rezidenta de cardiologie fiind, mi-am depus CV-ul in mai multe centre universitare din Franta, nu foarte sigura ca as dori sa plec. La doar cateva zile, am primit raspunsul ca eram asteptata in Serviciul de Chirurgie Cardiaca Toulouse, pentru a incepe activitatea in urmatoarele zece zile. In timpul ramas, mi-am facut valiza in graba, am tras o fuga Timisoara-Bucuresti si retur, pentru a obtine o viza de student de la Ambasada Frantei si mi-am cumparat un bilet de autocar pentru destinatia dorita. In 2005, Romania nu era in CE, fapt pentru care angajarea mea in spitalul universitar era in calitate de FFI ( facand functia de intern), in cadrul AFS. Aceste abreviatiuni mi-au fost relativ straine la depunera actelor, dar am avut o incredere oarba ca erau poarta spre o alta lume.
Dupa sase luni petrecute in sudul Frantei, m-am mutat la Strasbourg, unde am lucrat timp de un an in Serviciul de Cardiologie. Inceputul a fost greu, si fiecare emigrant poate confirma, adaptarea la alt sistem, comunicarea, rezolvarea actelor, dorul de casa;… a fost dificil, dar cu incredere in Dumnezeu am fost intotdeauna sigura c-am ales calea cea buna. La plecare, baietelul meu a ramas in grija parintilor mei. Ca mama, mi-a fost cel mai greu, insa cand esti tanar si motivat, lucrurile se intampla repede.
Odata cu integrarea Romaniei in Comunitatea Europeana si confirmarea mea ca medic specialist, lucrurile au luat alt curs. Apreciata pentru eforturile depuse si confirmata Practicien Hospitalier, in urma examenului national de la Paris, din acest an, am fost titularizata in spitalul regional de la Lauteur -Wissembourg, unde lucrez de doi ani, in Serviciul de Cardiologie.

– Care au fost gandurile, visele, aspiratiile cu care ai venit in Franta, din punct de vedere profesional?
– Mi-am dorit sa pot deveni cat mai repede independenta profesional. Mirajul strainatatii si dorinta de a vedea cum se petrec lucrurile in ograda vecinilor, m-au determinat sa plec. Dar nu m-am gandit niciodata, la mai mult de o experienta. Am avut posibilitatea in Romania, la Timisoara, sa lucrez intr-un institut de cardiologie de rang european, cu medici extrem de pregatiti si competitivi, insa sistemul medical romanesc este bolnav, iar saracia creeaza monstri. M-am gandit ca in absenta mea, lucrurile se vor schimba in bine, dar n-a fost sa fie asa, fapt pentru care si planurile mele s-au schimbat pe parcurs si am decis ca nu-i momentul sa ma mai intorc.

– Cum a evoluat cariera ta aici?
– Multumitor, cu efort, dar munca mi-a fost rasplatita.

– Ce iti place si ce iti displace cel mai mult in munca ta?
– Ca si cardiolog, lucrez cu inima oamenilor si cand spun asta, ma refer la un tot unitar cord-suflet, inclusiv la sentimente, trairi, emotii. Este fascinant si nu cred ca exista ceva similar. Cand faci lucrurile cu pasiune, nu stiu ce ar putea sa-ti displaca, eventual ca nu reusesti sa faci mai mult si mai bine.

– Care sunt cele mai riscante si mai obositoare aspecte in activitatea ta profesionala?
– Boala implica riscuri. Lucrand cu vieti omenesti, nu-ti poti permite riscuri majore; fiecare decizie trebuie sa fie cea corecta, iar balanta risc-beneficiu trebuie sa incline intotdeauna in favoarea celui din urma. Meseria de medic trebuie s-o faci cu daruire, fara sa calculezi energia depusa sau timpul petrecut pentru binele aproapelui tau, motiv pentru care se ajunge la stari de surmenaj si oboseala. Personal, imi pare rau cand situatia este evident pierduta si trebuie sa accept sfarsitul, sa accept ca moartea face parte din ciclul de viata al omului.

– Ce impedimente ai intalnit in aceasta profesie?
– Sistemul medical romanesc nu este pregatit sa primeasa tineri formati in strainatate.

– La ce manifestari internationale in domeniu ai participat?
– La numeroase conferinte si congrese legate de specialitatea de cardiologie, evident.

– Cine sunt cei pe care ii admiri in profesia ta?
– Imi admir profesorii ce m-au instruit, colegii si intreg personalul medical – si cand spun asta, ma refer inclusiv, la infirmierele si asistentele medicale cu care lucrez si am lucrat. Ii admir pentru devotamentul si daruirea lor.

– Esti membra a vreunei organizatii internationale de specialitate?
– Sunt membru al Societatilor Franceze si Europene de Cardiologie si ecocardiografie.

– Cum crezi ca va evolua acest domeniu in urmatorii zece ani?
– In ultimii ani, tehnicile de imagerie, precum si cele invazive s-au dezvolat foarte mult si trend-ul exista inca; se vor pune la punct tehnicile de transplant celular si cordul artificial complet.

– In ce oras locuiesti acum si de cand?
– Eu si fiul meu suntem stabiliti la Wissembourg, oras situat pe frontiera de nord-est a Alsaciei, amplasat strategic pentru nevoia noastra de deplasare – la 150 km de Frankfurt, 125 km de Stutgart si 70 km de Strasboug.

– Prin ce se remarca acest oras, are ceva special?
– Craciunul in aceasta regiune este o poveste de basm. Imi place de asemenea, aceasta zona pentru ca este extrem de verde si frumoasa. Oraselul este renumit pentru muscatele ce impodobesc geamurile. Istoria tumultoasa a Alsaciei si a Lorenei a creat aici, un amalgam de culturi si obiceiuri, ce imbina rigurozitatea germana cu spiritul boem francez. Dialectul zonei este alsaciana, germana vorbita de francezi.
La Ligne Maginot, cel mai impresionant sistem fortificant din timpul celui de-al doilea Razboi Mondial, este atractia turistica a zonei. Acesta traverseaza Alsacia de la nord la sud, pe o lungime de 200 km.

– Care sunt planurile de viitor?
– Sa plantez pomi si flori in curtea casei mele. Dar mai intai, sa-mi cumpar casa.

– Cat de frecvent vizitezi Romania? Cand ai fost ultima data in tara si cu ce impresii ai plecat de acolo?
– In general, de trei ori pe an imi vizitez parintii, iar ultima data, am fost in vacanta de Pasti. Sarbatorile religioase petrecute in tara muma sunt incomparabile. Romania este foarte frumoasa, dar pacat ca nu stim s-o aratam lumii. Care strain are curajul sa o viziteze, daca nu exista autostrazi? Dupa 20 de ani de la Revolutia inceputa la Timisora, as fi dorit sa vad altceva, o tara cu adevarat prospera.

– Tii legatura cu comunitatea romana din orasul unde locuiesti? Cum ai caracteriza aceasta comunitate?
– Da. Membrii acestei comunitati sunt medici tineri, suntem colegi la spital. Comunitatea romana locala este mica si recent infintata, cu aspiratii si preocupari comune.

– Care este filosofia ta de viata? Cine este modelul tau in viata?
– Sa fiu impacata cu mine insami in tot ceea ce fac. Nu am un model clar, am incercat sa invat de la fiecare cate ceva.

– Ce recomandare le-ai face celor care doresc sa urmeze o cariera asemanatoare?
– Satisfactiile merita efortul. Deci, sa incerce.

– Cum obisnuiesti sa iti petreci timpul liber?
– Timpul liber il petrec in general, cu fiul meu si in activitati sportive.

– Ce hobby-uri ai?
– Sa calatoresc si sa pictez.

Shuffling worlds

Laura Potra Walsh was born in November 1976, in Bucharest, a city that she left together with her parents, George and Mariana Potra, when she was 13 years old, to come to Chicago, USA. In 1995, the Potra family moved to Modesto Ca, where Laura currently lives with her husband and daughter. She has two brothers, Julian and Mario, and a sister, Carmen, who live in the relaxed vacation destination, Hot Springs, Arkansas. Her parents also live in Hot Springs, and Laura visits them a few times a year. Passing through Arizona with her husband, Laura graciously agreed to give us an interview.

-Tell us about your educational background. What are your impressions of Turlock? What would you like to tell us about the university and the religious culture there?

After finishing high school, Laura attended the University of Illinois at Chicago, as a Biology major. After her freshman year she transferred to CSUS, California State University, Stanislaus so that she can be closer to her parents who had moved to Modesto, Ca. Later, her parents moved to Hot Springs, Arkansas. During her college years, Laura lived in Turlock where CSUS is located. Turlock and Modesto are neighboring towns located in the middle of the state, in a region called the Great Central Valley, a place conducive to agriculture, due to its mild climate. West of the valley lies the coast of the Pacific Ocean, and just east of it are the Sierra Nevada mountains. San Francisco and the Sierra Nevada hills are less than 2 hour drive from Modesto. Sacramento, Lake Tahoe, and Los Angeles, are not too far either. Modesto, as well as Turlock, has many churches, including a Romanian one.

– Tell us about your life after graduating from college? What did you teach? What do you presently do?

– At the university I studied Biology, Math, and Psychology, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts and a Masters of Science in Psychology. I was involved in the educational system for a while teaching math at the high school and college level. I was also a social worker and therapist under the Stanislaus County Social Services department, working with children and adolescents who were in their system. I think as long as you like what your doing, most likely you will be successful at it. Currently, I am a stay at home mom for my baby daughter, Anna, who is 11 months old. I like my new profession and I think it is an investment well merited.

– How long have you been married? How would you describe your husband? How did you two meet?How fast did your relationship progress, considering that you were originally from a different culture?
I’ve been married to my husband Richard Walsh for about five years now. He is Irish – American, and we met about seven years ago at Big Valley Grace Community Church, in Modesto, a church that we continue to attend. Rick is 37 years old, has a BA in Communication and a Commercial pilot’s license with Instrument & Multi-Engine ratings. Currently he works for a company that his family owns called AdClub Advertising in Modesto, which is a national recruitment advertising agency.
– How easy was it for you to adapt to the American culture? To what extent did your husband detect the cultural differences among you, if one can speak of such differences? What similarities, of education or thinking, do the two of you have?

When I arrived in the US I was in 7th grade and it was somewhat difficult to adapt to the new culture, especially since I didn’t speak English. However, by the time I met Rick, 12 years later, I was by then well familiarized with the American culture. My husband and I have the same religion, educational level, and political orientation. Not to mention, he likes Romanian food.

You have an investment property in Tucson, Arizona, a university town. What did you find attractive in Arizona, particularly in Tucson? How often do you visit Tucson with the family and what do you like to visit in the Grand Canyon state? Have you considered moving here in the future?
We’ve chosen Tucson because it was a good investment place for real estate. We like the city, unfortunately, we don’t get to visit it often. For now our future plans are to remain in California.

-How often do you visit Romania? When you were there last, what were your impressions of it? Do you keep in touch with the Romanian community in the city were you live? How would you characterize this community?

Since I’ve been in the US, I went back to visit Romania twice. The first time I went with a group of American Christians from Modesto on a missions trip to an orphanage in Bucharest. I’ve also taught Romanian to a number of such missionaries. Big Valley Grace has missionaries in many parts of the world, including Romania. In my last visit to Romania three years ago, I was accompanied by my husband, who has never been there before. During both of my trips to Romania I was able to visit with family and friends who live there. The Modesto Romanian community here in Modesto is very small compared to what I was used to in Chicago and therefore very different.

I understand that you like to travel. How many countries did you visit and which one did you like the most (in what month/year were the trips).

I’ve mostly traveled in the US, including Hawaii. I went to Romania twice, also in Canada, Italy, Australia, and New Zealand. I think every place I’ve visited has its beauty. In Rome, we were impressed with the ancient architecture and art. Australia and New Zealand seemed exotic. We were there at the end of November, beginning December, the winter season for us in the US, but summer for them over there.

What did you think about Australia ? What did you especially liked or disliked about the Australian continent ?

Sidney is a renown metropolitan city. The Sidney Opera House and the Hillsong Church were memorable. Hillsong is pastored by Brian Houston, and is known for its worship music that is sung all over the world. In the north west region of Australia, we went to Cairns and Port Douglas, to see the Great Barrier Reef, one of the seven wonders of the world. A beautiful place with a tropical climate. The one thing we weren’t too excited about was the fact that this region is considered one of the most dangerous places to live in the world because it is home to many wild and venomous animals, of both land and water. I remember “admiring” the huge Australian crocodiles on one of our boat tours as the guide was describing the “crocs” surrounding us.

How about New Zealand? Tell us please a few things that you specifically liked about this place?

In the south, we liked Queenstown. The people there are very laid back and friendly and seemed to always have a pleasant disposition. New Zealand is the opposite of Australia in terms of having wild and dangerous animals ? New Zealand has none. There were some very beautiful places to see. There were even some icebergs from Antarctica floating by when we were there, Antarctica being relatively close to New Zealand.
Which country did you find to be the most beautiful out of the ones you visited?
The scenery in New Zealand was the most moving.

Who would you consider to be your role model?

– Mother Theresa is a person that for me embodies the heart of a servant. I believe the life of a Christian should be a life of giving and of compassion, especially for those less fortunate than we are.

An unforgettable Christmas

by Vladimir Dubchak

As a preacher?s son I had to travel with my dad to different parts of USSR were dad was preaching and encouraging local churches.

It was such pleasure to travel with my dad, see him preaching and people to be saved. Sometimes trips were marked with my worries about my dad. Several times, coming through airport security, special agents would check our baggage. They would take dad aside explaining that his Bible and other religious literature were printed in Finland and is not authorized in USSR, and should be confiscated. Dad knew he had just one option how to get his Bible and other books back. He would start talk loudly about USSR constitution that guarantees freedom of religion. Finally, the crowd waiting in line would get angry at the officers and security agents would have to back away. Continue reading “An unforgettable Christmas”