Denver – Jul 17 2015 (date changed)

Join EuroCircle at the Denver Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) to check out the exhibits and have a drink on the roof-top. MCA is a beautiful space and this event is sure to be special.

Have a stroll through museum and meet on the rooftop around 7:30pm. The places closes at 9pm so we can head to another venue near-by after.

See you there,

Ceridwen

Seija Staples – Living in Honduras Is An Interesting Experience

Recently I saw a discussion Seija Staples was having with someone at Facebook and realized she lives in Honduras. One of my friends is partly Hondurian which made me contact her and ask for an interview.
Seija’s husband is an American diplomate. Most diplomates change countries every 2-4 years depending on the country and position – and in many ways it can be a great lifestyle (or a very difficult lifestyle depending on your personality).

Hi Seija. Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I was born and raised in Hyvinkaa, Finland. I always loved to learn languages, and was interested in foreign countries and cultures. My family never traveled much, but I was always interested in other countries and cultures, and loved learning foreign languages.

In high school I spent the summer after my junior year working in Germany – and my interest level went up even more.
After high school I decided to spend my summer in the USA doing sightseeing and exploring. The following year I applied to Brigham Young University. While at BUY I met my husband, got married and ended staying in the USA

Where all have you lived abroad?

I have lived in Utah and Washington State, and Washington DC (USA); Poland and now Honduras.

Honduras is considered very dangerous…how does that affect you?

Honduras has the highest murder rate in the world. It is a challenging place to raise a family, as security is a constantly on your mind. We don’t walk anywhere, and riding a bike is out of question. Instead of normal fenced yard, we live behind cement walls and double razor wire. Our car has tinted windows, so that people can’t see inside. The schools our kids go to have armed guards at all entrances, who check who is coming and going. Our neighborhood is gated, with guards (who are supposed to check everyone who comes in), and we also have security guards patrolling by our house and checking that everything looks normal, 24/7.

Our house is alarmed, and we have a camera to see who is ringing the doorbell, and if it isn’t someone we know, or not previously arranged, we don’t open the door. Honduras is a beautiful country with amazing nature, culture and history–so much to offer to locals and tourists alike, but being so unsafe, it makes is a challenge to enjoy it all. That said, we have traveled around the country, and outside the capital, it is safer, although I also traveled to San Pedro Sula which is the actual murder capital of the world, and I was fine. I don’t go out at night, and I never walk outside after dark.

What’s the most difficult part about living abroad? What’s the best part?

The most difficult part of living abroad, for me, is being away from family. Our family is now spread around all over. I have family in Finland, and now grown children and grandchildren in Arizona, Utah and Alaska, so it has to to do with missing major events, birthdays, holidays; and also not being there to support when difficult situations arise–illness, aging parents, for example. The kids we have at home (ages 11, 13, 16) have a hard time changing schools and making new friends every few years. At the same time, they are very good at adapting to new places and situations, and every time we move, they miss the friends they made there.

The best part of living abroad to me is experiencing new cultures and customs; seeing new places, tasting new foods, meeting new people. I also love learning new languages. I get “itchy feet” after a while of living in one place– with my hustand’s job, we change countries every two to three years, so this has definitely taken care of that.

What have you learned from living abroad?

It has made me appreciate how good we have it at “home”. Being able to walk safely around in public areas, being able to drink tap water, having everything easily available (for example, familiar foods, and the fact that they are clean and safe).
You learn a lot about yourself and your family– when you first arrive to your new country, that is all you have (your spouse and kids) and you learn to rely on each other, and you also learn what is not working in the relationship, as you haven’t made new friends yet, don’t have a routine yet, so your immediate family is all you have.

What is your secret to keeping a positive attitude while living abroad?

Don’t stay at home! Explore your new country, accept invitations, try your language skills, try new foods. In our situation, as we move every few years, we learn to make friends quickly, as we will move soon again, or the friends may move soon, so you don’t take a long time getting to know people, you will enjoy that friendship for as long as it lasts.

What´s the best place you´ve ever traveled to?

In Central America, my favorite place that I’ve been to so far, is a small town of El Cuco, El Salvador. Beautiful tropical beaches. We learned to surf and ate freshly caught shrimp cooked right on the beach. When we lived in Poland, we took road trips to the nearby countries(Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary, Italy–and of course drove to Finland via Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia etc.), –beautiful places.
I don’t think I have one favorite place, but I really like out of the way places, small villages vs. large cities.

Do you have a bucket list? Would you share with us a couple of things on that list?

I don’t really travel for the sake of traveling, as moving to another country is a part of my husband’s job…one of the things I had always wanted to do, but didn’t when I lived in Finland, was going to lavatanssit, so we did that the last time we visited Finland, and had a blast!
There are places I want to see in our current country (Honduras) that I haven’t been to yet but want to go (Copan Ruins, ancient Mayan ruins) and Roatan, a tropical island famous for fantastic diving and swimming with dolphins. When we find out where we will move to in 2016, we will research what there is to do in that country, and those things sort of become our bucket list for that tour

What advice do you have for people who are considering moving abroad, but are feeling doubtful?

I would say, if possible at all, visit the place first that you are considering moving to, before you decide to go live there. Once you move there, you can always go back, so it doesn’t have to be thought of as a permanent decision. Consider the stages of culture shock–most people will adjust after a while, even if it’s hard in the beginning. There will be positives and negatives wherever you live. A real thing to consider is that if you move far away, you will miss many important family events, time with your parents and friends, and those things are important, and, in my experience, become even more so if you have children.

Editor’s note:
Seija and her husband have 7 kids – three of the youngest ones are still at home, she has already 5 grandchildren in the USA. Given what her husband does for work and having 7 kids we can easily guess why she has been a housewife up to now. However, she is an intelligent woman and would like to return to worklife now when she has “only” 3 kids home.

Connect with Seija Staples:

Seija @ Facebook

Share this interview with your friends – and let us know if we could interview you via email for our website.
Contact us via email!

San Francisco – Jul 14 2015

THE BASTILLE BLOCK PARTY will be
at IRISH BANK on 10 Mark Ln at Bush Street on Tuesday July 14 @ 5PM

***Come before 5:30PM and it is FREE!

Photos from last years block party at EuroCircle San Francisco FB Group
2014 Block Party

Members, please LOG IN with your email and password to sign up and find more details. (if you are not a member yet, register below — it is FREE.)

Share this EuroCircle event and invite other Europeans to join EuroCircle.com – it’s free.
REGISTER HERE AS A NEW MEMBER

VOLUNTEERS
*** Hosts needed to welcome our members at the designated EuroCircle during the party. The party is huge  so name tags- please reach out to us if you are interested in hosting! It is a great way to meet people.
VIVE LA FRANCE!

Email EuroCircle SF team

Atlanta – Jul 08 2015

Please mark your calendars for our July Get-together which will take place on Wednesday, July 8th.

Members, please LOG IN with your email and password to sign up and find more details. (if you are not a member yet, register below — it is FREE.)

Share this EuroCircle event and invite other Europeans to join EuroCircle.com – it’s free.
REGISTER HERE AS A NEW MEMBER

See you at Kyma!!

Salutations,
David
EuroCircle Atlanta Team

 

Philadelphia – Jul 8 2015

Border Crossings is a collaboration between EuroCircle and the Geographical Society of Philadelphia. We aim to humanize people and places around the world through substantive presentations and conversations with those intimate with the cultures, in a casual setting with a cash bar.

As an American living in Dubai and conducting research on visual culture of the Middle East, Dr. Sabrina deTurk has had the opportunity to explore and reflect on those cultures in ways not possible as an occasional tourist to the region.
Dr. De Turk will shed light on the ”real“ Iran through photographs from her recent exhibit, “Iran Unveiled”, as well as compare and contrast her experiences as a woman living and working in both UAE and Iran. Learn about common misconceptions on life, perspectives, and attitudes that both cultures have towards the West.

Members, please LOG IN with your email and password to sign up and find more details. (if you are not a member yet, register below — it is FREE.)

Share this EuroCircle event and invite other Europeans to join EuroCircle.com – it’s free.
REGISTER HERE AS A NEW MEMBER

San Francisco – Jul 02 2015

It has been too long since we had a good social, so what better way to celebrate seeing each other than combining the United States Birthday, Jazz, and a very cool venue to this great occurrence.

We will also have a great happy hour that will tempt you to sneak out early from the office as who wants to work until 6PM on the evening before the biggest & most celebrated weekend in the United States!

Let’s use this evening to welcome the new expats that have arrived since Kingsday party in April. A warm welcome to the greatest city in America that holds the current NBA title 🙂

No cover. However, your RSVP is greatly appreciated as we have reserved a VIP section just for EuroCircle group.

Happy Birthday America!

And hope to meet you at Hawthorn!

Mina Deutsch – Owner of Mina D Jewelry

Meet Mina Deutsch, an amazing jewelry designer featured in publications such as Social Life Magazine, Resident Magazine and has been working in the diamond business for over 20 years.

Please introduce yourself

My name is Mina Deutsch. I was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. I grew up with my brother , my parents and maternal grandparents in Brooklyn. We always were and are a very close knit family with strong family ties. My parents are eastern European. Romanian, Hungarian and German. I am currently residing in NYC.

Can you tell us more about how you got started in the jewelry business?

In the fall after I had graduated high school I met Mr. Perla, the uncle of a close friend. He is the owner of Olympic Diamond, he interviewed and hired me at the same moment , and so began my career in the famed Diamond District of NYC.

My duties in the company began as administrative assistant. As I and the company grew my responsibilities and duties increased. I am currently the Finance Director for the company and have gotten to work with various upscale clients worldwide. And also travel for the company including Hong Kong frequently where we have an office.

How did Mina D Jewelry start?

Mina D Jewelry was created out of a passion for creativity, even though designing jewelry seemed as a natural process after being in the diamond and jewelry industry for a number of years. Designing jewelry was a form of expression a way to add something special to my wardrobe, something unique and unavailable in a retail outlet.

What is your favorite collection and why?

My favorite collection is the Ocean Dreams collection. Each collection includes necklaces, bracelets and earrings and are based on color not season. The Ocean Dreams collection is the collection based on the blue tones and hues of the seas and waters. As a child I spent many summers in Miami Beach and always love the colors and tranquility of water and water hues.

Have you always lived and worked in New York City?

As a descendant of Eastern European parents culture and tradition was always important. Whether its seeing a Broadway show, visiting a museum or trying a new restaurant. Living in NYC always has a lot to offer . You never know when you will hear a familiar language and strike up a conversation with a tourist from my parents country.

How do you find the lifestyle in New York compared to your hometown? (housing, food, health care, education.)?

NYC is great for so many reasons, you can walk just about anywhere and there are so many bars, restaurants open at all hours. You can find almost every culture and every type of food, Italian, French, Japanese some of my favorites.

What do you like to do when you are not working?

A typical NYC day is always so rushed and busy, weekends are my time to relax, unwind, read a good book and catch up with friends and family.

How long have you been a member of Eurocircle?

Being a member of Euro circle since April 2014 has been a great experience, it lets me meet new and interesting people. Euro circle brings together a great group of people with diverse back grounds.

Connect with Mina:

Check out Mina D Jewelry
Mina D Jewelry on Facebook
Mina D Jewelry on Twitter
Mina D Jewelry on Instagram

 

New York – Oct 15 2012

Buy Tickets:
https://www.carnegiehall.org/SiteCode/Purchase/SYOS/SeatSelection.aspx?startWorkflow=true&quickBuy=false&quantity=0&eventId=19850

Use special code EUR 15271 (TRY EUR15271 if it does not work, no spaces) for Euro Circle only to get an exclusive discounted $10 seats at Carnegie Hall!

Moscow Sretensky Monastery Choir
NORTH AMERICAN TOUR October 6-23, 2012
“…Rare beautiful music. The dense tone and luminous blend characteristic of Russian choral tradition…” -The New York Times

Moscow Sretensky Monastery Choir was created at a moment in Russian history when full-scale spiritual life became possible once again after decades of persecution. Based in a 14th century monastery in the heart of Moscow, it continues the rich tradition of church chants — the uniquely sonorous singing which Russia has always been famous for. Alongside the daily Divine Services, the choir has taken on the mission of researching, arranging and interpreting early Russian music that was banned under the Soviet regime. Its repertoire also includes songs of the 20th century, most notably from the times of both World Wars, drawing on the full spectrum of Russia’s choral tradition.

A widely recognized and enthusiastically followed ensemble in its native country, the Sretensky Monastery Choir has performed at the Vatican, Notre Dame de Paris, Library of Congress, as well as a number of international music festivals.

October 15, 2012 at 7:00 PM
Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall
New York, New York

New York – Oct 28 2012

Due to Hurricane Sandy we will be rescheduling this party for a future date. Will update the calendar with a new date shortly!

Join Eurocircle and Russianmix.com at our “50 Shades of Halloween” Party

Everyone has their shades – let them come out this Halloween.

A sexy party with hot music, sexy people and many surprises.

Face/Body Painting by Elisabeth Belomlinsky http://www.everybodyart.com/

Drink specials throughout the night!

Live music, DJ’s and prizes to the best winning costume.

We look forward to seeing you then!

Best,
Alex and the Eurocircle Team and RussianMix.com

New York – Sep 23 2012

Join us for our fall kick-off party and our upcoming trip to India at this Midtown Rooftop Hotspot.

There is no cover when you say EuroCircle at the door and make sure to say EuroCircle at the bar and with the waitress for drink specials

Dress: Bollywood chic! The best Bollywood inspired outfit wins a prize!

This party marks the start of fall, so let’s start the season in style, with some good music and a strong cocktail.
Our DJ will be spinning a mix of western and Indian Bhangra dance music, so put on your dancing shoes and party with us.

Tonight, we celebrate Eurocircle’s Fourth Annual Adventure Abroad, and the start of a new EC season. This fall, sixteen Eurocircle travelers from all across the globe, will meet in New Delhi, and embark on a tour of Incredible India. Together, we will admire its architecture, sample its cuisine, ride its elephants, and track the elusive Bengal tiger. When it’s all over, we will go home with beautiful memories and new friendships from around the world.

Featured Host: Sherry Kumar, Serbia– Here to welcome all EC travelers on yet another epic adventure, and kick of our fall party season, Sherry will be on hand to brag about the journey, and talk you into traveling with us next year.

Co-Hosts: Tonight’s co-hosts are Eurocircle’s travelers from our adventures in Turkey 2011, Peru 2012, Cambodia & Vietnam 2013, and India 2014

We look forward to seeing you all on September 23rd!

Best,

Alex and the EuroCircle New York Team

About Monarch:

Monarch opened with cocktail and light fare menu fit for the sizzling summer months in New York City. The Scandinavian-chic décor, designed by Natalia Todorova of Gwathmey, Seigal, Kaufman Architects, features an indoor lounge that radiates glamor and allures with seductive appeal, seamlessly connecting to the exterior oasis patio with sliding floor to ceiling glass doors. Vintage bricks, white painted hand washed wood panels on the walls, teak and grey custom Terrazzo tiles, and raw iron columns evoke a feeling of a Scandinavian summer home with accents of Manhattan elegance. Black pendants designed by Tom Dixon cast gold shadows on the natural tree form bar counter top and glass lighting fixtures project down to reflect on the modern wood walls. The modern, yet unimposing deep seated upholstered sofas invite guests to relax and bask in the views of Midtown Manhattan, while floor to ceiling silk curtains frame the picturesque view of the iconic Empire State Building.