As a kid, I was not a fan of Easter. Easter meant lots of church going: from Stations of the Cross each Friday during Lent, to rekolekcje (Masses devoted to spiritual reflection), to the Easter Triduum. Over the years, however, the holiday became one of my favorite seasons. A serial contemplator, I appreciated the Lenten […]
Polish Easter Traditions: Colorful Palms, Blessed Baskets, and Barszcz Read More »
I don’t know about you, but when I was a kid, I didn’t care too much about family history. I’d never met my grandparents—nearly all of them had passed before I was born—and my parents didn’t often share stories. From time to time, I’d hear murmurings of my late grandmother’s ailments: a year-long stay at
Life in a Soviet labor camp: My grandmother’s story Read More »
Much like with pierogi, it seems like most people know about pączki (poh-tsch-kee). You tell someone you’re Polish, they tell you they love pączki. But what makes the Polish doughnut so special? (Hint: it’s the yeast. Or the lard.) What is a pączek? A pączek (the singular form of the word) is a doughnut, but
Pączki Day: Why does everyone love the Polish doughnut? Read More »
A glimpse into Christmastime in Poland, to the tune of the English Christmas carol, Twelve Days of Christmas*. *Please note that not all numbers reflect the actual amount of the item…they just sounded fun. On the twelve days of Christmas, we Polish folk enjoyed: Twelve meatless dishes Arguably the most eventful and important evening of
The Twelve Days of Polish Christmas Read More »
I eat my first meal of the day around 11 am or noon (unless you count coffee). It’s usually nothing special—a bowl of oatmeal, a piece of fruit, some yogurt. As a kid, a “meal” like that was unheard of, especially in our Polish household. Weekdays, my dad and sister left for work before 7
Rye bread, farmer’s cheese, and hot tea: How to prepare a Polish breakfast Read More »
When I was 8 years old, my parents enrolled me in Polish school, in addition to regular school. Polish school, from K to 8th grade, was held every Saturday for approximately four hours. The primary purpose was, much like Sunday school, to teach kids religion. We were also taught Polish geography, language, and history. We
Polish school in the US: A path to First Communion Read More »
I didn’t realize how important mushrooms were to Polish culture until we came to the U.S. Whereas foraging for mushrooms was a regular activity back home, it was unheard of (to me) in the States. This was partly because we lived in the city—NYC isn’t known for its sprawling forests—but also because it’s just not
Hunting for mushrooms: A popular Polish pastime Read More »
Pumpkin spice, apple cider donuts, corn mazes…autumn is upon us! In the U.S., fall begins with a whiff of the “PSL”, continues through spooky season, and culminates with the grand feast of Thanksgiving. In Poland, things look a little different. Celebrating the end of harvest season A few years ago, I was fortunate to spend
Polish autumn: A moving celebration of life and death Read More »
As an immigrant, how do you embrace your current identity while staying connected to the culture of your birthplace? I spent years, decades even, trying to be American: understanding (American) football, learning how to count in feet, and developing a taste for macaroni and cheese. It wasn’t easy. Then one day, I realized I had
Immigrant life: Connecting to the past, embracing the present Read More »
My parents won the green card lottery. Did they, a middle-aged couple with a six-year-old, plan on uprooting their lives and coming to the U.S.? No. Did they do it? Absolutely. It was a dark September morning when I, a spindly six year old with pigtails, walked out the door for the last time as
From Poland to New York City: Becoming an immigrant kid Read More »