I’ve always been a pretty open book on my blog. I love getting to know the people behind the blog, and this post felt like another way to connect with you all.
Some are things you may know, some will come as a surprise, and some are things that are a little hard to share.
1
I was born in (the former) Czechoslovakia and when I was 3, my family immigrated to Canada, arriving as refugees after having escaped communism. When we arrived in Canada, we came with just a few suitcases. Read more here.
2
In my last year of high school, I became a certified gymnastics coach and taught children ages 2-12 at the same gym where I took gymnastics for 9 years during my childhood.
3
I have worked since I was 14 years old. My first job was in a small coffee shop in the mall, followed by working at Thrifty’s (a clothing store, now called Bluenotes). I worked many other retail jobs over the years including in clothing stores, a mall makeup kiosk and for many years, a tanning salon. In college, I would usually work one job during the school year and two over the summer.
4
When I moved to Houston, I wasn’t able to work, but didn’t want to sit around at home. I ended up being a “full time volunteer” for 8 months at an arts-based nonprofit organization. It got me to where I am today and I don’t regret “working for free” for a second.
5
I briefly worked for a bridal magazine that went under and was able to fly to NYC for both my interview and training, which all took place in the Conde Nast building. I will never forget the cafeteria. I explored the city on my own every night and even went to see Legally Blonde on Broadway by myself! (and I know every single word to every song from that musical).
6
I never had my own car until moving to Houston and starting my first real job. I took the bus to school from elementary through college.
7
Anne of Green Gables is one of my favorite movies of all time. I still dream of visiting Prince Edward Island one day.
8
I was in French Immersion from grades 4-12. I used to be able to speak, read and write in French at grade level. I also grew up speaking Slovak fluently and can still understand it. It sometimes saddens me that I don’t get to speak it much.
9
We have lived in three houses in 10 years. I LOVE to move. Yes, I’m a weirdo. There’s something so exciting about finding a great space as your life/family needs change and every home getting better and better to meet those needs.
10
I always hoped I would have my first child by age 30. Our daughter was born 3 days before my 30th birthday.
11
I started my blog after our wedding. I was on a wedding forum and got a lot of messages/emails about my hair, makeup and outfits and someone suggested I start a blog to have it all in one place. Thank you to whoever that was!
12
My wedding hair style was pinned so much on Pinterest that I have friends who tell me all the time that their friend showed my photo to their stylist on their wedding day. My wedding hair/makeup artist told me she once had a bride show my photos to her, not realizing that I was one of her brides. It always makes me smile. I have never felt more beautiful than I did that day.
13
At my last job, I only got five vacation days per year. I wasn’t even able to take the Monday after our wedding off because I had to save my time for our honeymoon. I worked so hard, and wish I would have realized my worth and advocated for myself. In the end, I ended up leaving for my dream (current) job and I will never forget the elation I felt making that move.
14
I wish we would have traveled more before having kids. Our trip to Paris/London was so amazing.
15
When I was a teen and signed with a modeling agency, I had a client measure me and tell me to lose some weight in my hips and thighs (and PS, I was naturally clinically underweight at the time, even though I ate a ton). I felt a little humiliated in the moment, but I just kept eating, because food = delicious. I was basically the most horrible model. The modeling industry is insane and I’m glad I was never caught up in it.
16
I haven’t seen/talked to my father since I was 18 and don’t plan to. I know he can see how my life has turned out and after always being treated like I was a failure (and worse), there is nothing that brings me more joy than the realization that I have built an amazing life for myself and my family, in spite of all I went through growing up. My upbringing taught me to be proud of my strength, success and resilience.
17
I was blonde for many of my high school and college years. I even wore long blonde extensions. I will never go blonde again, but at the time, I loved it.
18
I had horrible, thin, over plucked brows in high school. My agency made me grow them out and to this day, I keep them thick/natural.
19
In high school, I had dark purple walls and a faux fur leopard print bedspread. What the heck was I thinking?!
20
I have been skiing since I was 3 years old. It’s one thing I really miss about living in Canada (other than family and friends, of course).
Okay, one more, as a bonus…
21
My late grandfather used to be the director of a zoo in Slovakia (he was also a published author) and he once had a baby lion living with him (for reasons unbeknownst to me). The lion eventually went back to the zoo, but my mom recalls seeing the lion in his apartment (!!!) For real though:
So, what were you most surprised to learn?
For me I never read how your past was. Is very inspiring to read about how hard you worked and never gave up. You certainly made a great life for you and your beautiful Family. And now your all Texan!!!
Thank you Claudia ?
Anne of Green gables!!! Haha Prince Edward Island really is a beautiful place! If you ever go let me know and I’ll tell you where all of the hidden gems are 🙂
Thanks for sharing these Veronika! What I appreciate most about you is your authenticity, honesty and strength. Quite frankly what surprised me most was your father treating you like a failure. You are an amazing young woman, are accomplished and actually the opposite of a ‘failure’. It’s interesting (and sad) to hear that not all people were treated the way you’d think by family members and it’s healthy to hear that, yes, parents do make mistakes. Wish all the best for you and your beautiful family! Love from Canada!
To be fair, I know he was treated the same way as a child, but be better for your own kids so they don’t live with the same pain. It’s a choice –and I’ll never forget the selfishness of him not striving to be better.
Very interesting! Thanks for sharing. I live in Canada and my children attend French immersion school. What brought you to Texas?
I used to live in Prince Edward Island! I went to college there, and growing up we lived in NB, 45 minutes from Confederation Bridge, so we made many day trips to visit PEI. I was obsessed with all things Anne and we visited Green Gables plenty of times!
I LOVE the lion story.
Amy— oh it’s my dream to see the AOGG house! That’s so awesome 🙂
Veronika, one question: how can a job only give an employee five vacation days per year? Aren’t there rules and regulations regarding the minimum of vacation days in The U.S.? I am not familiar at all with the rights of employees in The States, that’s why I’m asking. Thanks!
That’s a great question! It was a small company (less than 10 employees) so I’m sure the rules are different. I was even asked to work on days I was sick and had a doctors note so…I wouldn’t say it was the healthiest environment.
The US in general doesn’t have a ton of protection for employees. Texas is a right to work state. You can be terminated for any reason at any time. Mothers here aren’t even entitled to any kind of maternity leave, let alone paid leave. If your company doesn’t have 75 employees within a certain mile radius you have zero job protection or maternity leave (FMLA). It’s crazy.
I love to move too! Which works out well since we’re military, but I love having a blank slate to organize things and put things away.
My mother emigrated from Poland a year before she gave birth to me in the states. It was really challenging growing up with a mother raised in communism. I haven’t spoken to my mother since I was 15, I’m 30 now. It’s so difficult to explain and for anyone to understand. But I agree with you – what we went through made us stronger. We know we need to change and be better. On a lighter note, I miss speaking polish and it makes me so sad to think that my heritage is slowly disappearing with me. Some things I can only call by the polish name. I hope that one day my future kids can at least hang on to a few words. I enjoy your honesty! ❤
I love that I found a fellow Anne lover! I’ve been obsessed with the books since I was a kid. I hear there’s a ew movie out but I don’t want to see it because the original from the 80s was so good!
You’ve had a very interesting life! I love the picture at the end of your grandfather.
Thank you Samantha 🙂
It was a wonderful idea to do this. Loved reading about your very interesting and inspiring life.
I was most surprised that you have not seen your father, Having a daughter as beautiful & intelligent & all around good per is so much of a loss to him. Two adorable grandchildren that you have given him is such a loss for him.
I am sorry your relationship with your father has to be this way. Family is so important.
Love your posts. You are so beautiful.
Love those babies as much as you can. You never know from day to day what can happen.
We lost our youngest son (he was 43) almost a year ago & it is something we will never ever get over. I am so glad we had the closeness that we did.
Jackie— I am so very sorry for your loss 🙁 Please accept my condolences.
Hi Veronika, when I’ve seen your blog for the first time (3 years ago) my first tought was that you must be from Slovakia or Czech rep. I am from Slovakia . Currently living in UK and like you, I came just with a few suitcase when I finished my university study.
I don’t know what has happend between you and your father but time is the best cure for any ”kind of pain”. I wish you all the best.
Many greetings from Erika .
Loved this post and getting to know you! Thank you for sharing 🙂 I love that you moved several times with your family. We’re debating moving out of NJ. Sick of home prices and the cold! Do you have family that lives near you? If not, is that challenging with children?