Well, this is my first update in the past few weeks and I apologize for taking so long to get something out on the Internet for everybody. I have been outta touch with a lot of people, but I hope everyone is doing well. Hit me up in the comments section and let me know what you have been up to.
Since the last update a lot has happened. I was in New York city for 12 days. I had a blast and it was great to see my friends and family too. I traveled by ferry to the Statue of Liberty and also to Ellis Island. It was really interesting to read (in their own words) the accounts of why the immigrants risked it all to come to America. Some came to escape religious persecution, others to evade famine, some to seek gold and riches, and others for their myriad reasons. On a side note, all the entrepreneurs (shop owners, florists, restaurant owners) in New York city are foreigners. You hear so many languages just by walking down the street in the city. Parts of family emigrated from Norway and Poland and my ancestors definitely came through Ellis Island. The officials actually "Americanized" my last name and changed the spelling (just slightly). Makes you wonder how crazy it must have looked before the changes.
My Uncle treated a friend and I to dinner in his old neighborhood of Hell's Kitchen and then to a Broadway Play - Reasons to Be Pretty. The play was OK, but I wasn't too thrilled with it. There were several very heated scenes where the actors/actresses did a remarkable and invigorating job on stage, but overall the play didn't move me. It was kinda dark and definitely not too heart warming. In summary, it was kinda like life beats you up and gets you down sometimes...
A week later my friend and I went to another play that I enjoyed much more. It was a tragi-comedy called August: Osage County. I was set in rural Oklahoma where a family was reunited after the disappearance and death of the family's patriarch. A three hour play, with three separate acts, showcased one of America's most dysfunctional families. I thought it was very well written and would recommend it if you were in the mood for something raw and emotional with a dash of wit and wisdom mixed in.
I also enjoyed several museums, great food, nice long walks, central park, lotsa bars/pubs, and toured the United Nations Headquarters. People watching in the city is unparalleled. It was great to visit the city, but I am unsure if I could really live there. Its a tough town- you have to be a certain kind of person to cut it. I would need some serious motivation to live and work in the "city that never sleeps". If I was just lackadaisically floating along in life, I wouldn't do it in this city. While New York has everything to offer; great culture and probably the worlds greatest cuisine, there are some downfalls too. There is never a moment of true privacy and it seems to me that there is too much pressure, life is too fast paced, and the city is too cold (both literally- winter would kill me- and figuratively- New Yorkers lack compassion and have a very matter-of-fact outlook on life). Plus, the city is one of the most expensive places on Earth. Overall, its probably better to visit, than to make your life in the Big Apple. Don't get me wrong though... I really did enjoy my trip to New York.
Upon returning to Chicago, my cousin, my uncle, and I attended a Chicago Cubs baseball game at Wrigley Field. It was an awesome, warm, sunny day and the Cubs won (Does it get any better?) We rode bikes all over Wrigleyville and even made it down to Lake Michigan that night and really tied one on. It was a blast and was one of the most fun days I have had on this trip (so far)! We also took a little weekend trip over to Michigan and had a bonfire with some of my cousin's old college buddies.
Unfortunately, the road trip hit a little speed bump last weekend... my grandmother suffered a massive stroke and passed away this week. I was planning on visiting her in Des Moines, Iowa and I made it to her bedside before she passed. I was able to say goodbye to her and I was thankful that she hung on long enough for me to tell her how important she was to me and how much she will be missed. I truly love and respect my grandmother and she will continue to be an inspiration in my life- Elaine Szymoniak was a woman who made a difference (In the comments section I will attach her obituary if anyone is interested in checking it out). A former city council member and Iowa State Senator, she was a very cool old lady who loved whitewater rafting and camping out under the stars. Today (also her 89th birthday) was her funeral and she will be missed, but I am also happy because she lived an awesome, full, healthy, happy, and meaningful life. No need to be sad when we look back and see all of the amazing things that she was a part of. Take care all and I hope to get some more videos and updates posted soon. Sorry that this post is sooooo long!!!
P.S. For a video on my grandmother follow this link to the local news station. The video should load up in the upper right hand corner of the screen. It should probably be hosted on their website for several more days.
http://www.kcci.com/news/19528629/detail.html
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Political trailblazer sought to meet needs of all people
ReplyDeleteRegister editorial • May 23, 2009
Elaine Szymoniak might not have considered herself a trailblazer, but her professional and political careers no doubt inspired many to follow her lead.
In 1977, Szymoniak, who died Wednesday at age 88, broke the all-male ranks of the Des Moines City Council at the time by defeating a veteran northwest-side ward councilman. Her inspiration, drawn decades earlier when her children were still in diapers, was the first woman Des Moines City Council member, Florence Myers Wallace. Szymoniak herself served on the council for 11 years.
It was a time of extraordinary growth for the city, particularly downtown, and while Szymoniak helped shape the civic discussion at that time, she also was the most reliable, and often the lone, voice for the idea that the city not neglect the human side of the equation. That passion was evident during her 12 years in the Iowa Senate, where, among other things, she championed establishment of a permanent home for the World Food Prize in Iowa.
Politics was Szymoniak's second career. The first was clearly influenced by growing up in a home with parents who were deaf. She earned a degree in speech pathology from the University of Wisconsin in 1941, immediately went to work, and eventually ended up in Iowa, where she worked in speech and hearing rehabilitation programs. Her childhood experience, and a career devoted to those working to overcome disabilities, gave Szymoniak an appreciation for meeting the needs of all people.
It might have come as a surprise even to those who knew her to learn from her family this week that Elaine Szymoniak had taken up whitewater rafting in her 70s. Given how she took on new challenges throughout her life to that point, however, it should have been no surprise at all.
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009905230305
Elaine Szymoniak, longtime civic leader, dies at 88
ReplyDeleteBy DANIEL P. FINNEY • dafinney@dmreg.com • May 22, 2009
Elaine Szymoniak, a former state senator and Des Moines councilwoman who championed children's rights, equality for women and care for the poor, died Wednesday from complications of a stroke. She was 88.
Szymoniak served on the Des Moines City Council from 1977 to 1988 and as a senator in the Iowa Legislature from 1988 until her retirement in 2000.
Her tenure in each office was marked by passionate dedication to the causes of the underprivileged, friends and family said.
"She made a difference in a lot of people's lives," said Mary Polson, one of Szymoniak's five children and a member of the Urbandale City Council. "She taught all of us to be independent, caring and involved in our world."
Szymoniak was born in Boscobel, Wis. She earned a bachelor's degree in education and public speaking from the University of Wisconsin. She worked in public schools in Wisconsin, New York and Kansas. She worked at the Army Hospital Aural Rehabilitation Center in Oklahoma and Wisconsin General Hospital and Medical School.
In Iowa, Szymoniak spent more than 30 years assisting people with disabilities through the state Vocational Rehabilitation Agency. Szymoniak earned a master's degree from Iowa State University and became the second woman elected to the Des Moines council.
"She was an early mentor of mine and a good friend," said Christine Hensley, a current Des Moines city councilwoman. "When I first decided to run for council, Elaine was the first person I sought out for advice."
Elected to the Senate representing Des Moines' northwest side, she spent more than a decade working on health and human services causes. In 1993, she sponsored Iowa's Welfare Reform Act. She served on the board of directors for the Chrysalis Foundation, a group dedicated to providing leadership opportunities for girls and pushed for legislation to fund and bring the World Food Prize to Des Moines.
She was inducted into the Iowa Women's Hall of Fame in 1999.
Szymoniak is survived by her five children, three grandchildren, three step-grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 2926 Beaver Ave. A prayer vigil will follow at 8 p.m. Memorial services are set for 10 a.m. Saturday at the church.
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009905220356
DES MOINES, Iowa -- Former Iowa state legislator and Des Moines City Councilwoman Elaine Szymoniak has died.
ReplyDeleteSzymoniak's daughter told KCCI that Elaine suffered a disabling stroke last week and died Wednesday night at Mercy Hospice, four days short of her 89 birthday.
Szymoniak served on the Des Moines city council from 1977 to 1988 representing the First Ward. She was the second woman to serve on the city council.
Tom Vlassis, who replaced Szymoniak on the Des Moines city council, told KCCI that the city has suffered a terrible loss with Szymoniak's death. Vlassis pointed out Szymoniak's efforts to keep the World Food Prize in Des Moines and described her as deeply involved with the city and young people.
The Des Moines Register in an endorsement of Szyjmoniak in 1992, recognized her as an extremely hardworking, dedicated and conscientious lawmaker who is regarded as one of the more effective legislators.
From 1988 to 2000, Szymoniak was an Iowa State legislator for the northwest area of Des Moines focusing on health, education and human resources. Among her many accomplishments and awards, she crafted legislation that funded and brought the World Food Prize to Iowa.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday at Holy Trinity Church in Beaverdale. She is survived by her five children.
Copyright 2009 by KCCI.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
http://www.kcci.com/news/19528629/detail.html
Obituaries
ReplyDeleteElaine Szymoniak
Des Moines
Elaine Szymoniak died May 20, 2009 at Mercy Hospice. She was 88. Elaine was a wife, mother, grandmother, friend, mentor, legislator and a woman that made a difference in the lives of many.
Memorial services will be held at 10AM on Saturday May 23rd at Holy Trinity Catholic Church.
Elaine was born on May 24, 1920 in Boscobel Wisconsin and was a graduate of the University of Wisconsin in 1941. She married Casimir (Chuck) Szymoniak on December 7, 1943. Elaine is survived by her five children, Kathy Szymoniak Keeley (Stanley) of Social Circle, GA, Peter Szymoniak (Donna) of Milton Fl, John Szymoniak (MaryAnn) of Boise ID, Mary Polson of Urbandale Tom Szymoniak (Sharon Leighty) of Bend OR; three grandchildren, three step grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
Elaine was a speech and hearing specialist, counselor, and administrator for Iowa Department of Vocational Rehabilitation from 1957 to 1988. She actively worked with the deaf community and at one time was the state's sole rehab counselor for the deaf. In 1977, Elaine earned her master's degree in family environment from Iowa State University. She served on the Des Moines City Council from 1977 to 1988 representing the First Ward. She was the second woman to serve on the City Council and the only woman serving during her time on the council.
In the Iowa State Senate from 1988 to 2000, Elaine represented the northwest area of Greater Des Moines. Her main areas of concern while serving in public office were in health, education and human resources. This is reflected in the committees she served on in the Senate: Appropriations Committee on Human Services (vice-chair), Education, Human Resources (chair), Judiciary, Local Government and the Ways and Means Committee.
Elaine was a bold and progressive leader- spearheading many new initiatives.
One of her more significant achievements as a State Senator was to sponsor Iowa's Welfare Reform efforts of 1993. The catalyst for reform occurred as Elaine read about an innovative idea and decided that Iowa needed change. Based on her research and understanding of the needs of all Iowan's, she organized a process used to design and revamp the state's health programs. During tough negotiations, she played an active role in keeping all parties at the table and her efforts were indispensable in finally passing the Iowa Human Investment Act with no dissenting votes in the Senate.
Elaine was known for her significant public service including crafting the legislation that funded and brought the World Food Prize to Iowa. She served on many nonprofit board of directors or was a member of The Chrysalis Foundation, Iowa Council of International Understanding, United Way, Girls Scouts, the Nexus Breakfast Club and the Task Force for Iowa's Responsible Fathers program. She received numerous honors including the YWCA Woman of Achievement and she was inducted into the Iowa Women's Hall of Fame in 1999.
An avid outdoor enthusiast, Elaine canoed and whitewater rafted throughout the West with a group of women called the River Spirits. She loved sleeping outside under the stars, walking in the woods, and learned to pilot a whitewater raft when she was 77.
Family will receive friends of Elaine from 5PM to 8PM on Friday May 22nd at Holy Trinity Catholic Church. This will be followed by a vigil prayer service for Elaine at 8PM. In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution on behalf of Elaine Szymoniak may be made to the Chrysalis Foundation, 300 E Locust St # 150, Des Moines, IA 50309.