Petra Gregorová - Just working like the busy bee I am…

My name is Petra and I’m a front-end developer who loves taking pictures whenever traveling, attending conferences or at home trying out some new recipes.

Bratislava, Slovakia

This city is my home, the place where I was born, grew up into the person who I am today thanks to my family and friends that I've surrounded myself.

I've learned how to walk, talk, read and write, and many other things. Being born and growing up under a comunist regime, things sure were much different as today's generation knows it. There were no cell phones, having car or TV was a commodity. Kids never had to worry about fashion trends and how to look cool in front of other kids, because there wasn't much choose from. That our lives were way more simple (at least from kids' perspective), isn't an understatement. That's just how it was and sometimes I wish we could have some of that simplicity back and get back to basics.

Over the years, the city has changed, just like the rest of the world. To me, some of the developments are taking away from the old charm and how I've remembered it but thankfully its history can't be wiped away and there is so much to see or to learn about it.

Chamonix, France

When I first came to Chamonix in 1996, I fell in love. Being a skier, finding yourself in French Alps in a middle of winter, what's there not to love. It is truly like heaven on Earth for me.

I was told once that after spending a winter season there, I might have hard time enjoy skiing as much anywhere else, and it couldn't be more true.

Chamonix has most definitely a special palce in my heart. I've made some life-long lasting friendships there. Thanks to some of those people, I've grown a lot as an individual and have learned a lot about myself and what I wanted out of my life. The time spent in CHamonix and friendships I've made I keep very close to my heart and cherish all the amazing memories I've made there. It wasn't until my 2011 Europe trip when I got to get reunited with some of them again, which was amazing.

During my time spent there, I got do few amazing things, like skiing down a glacier, paragliding, rock climbing as well as spending a night in high altitude (around 3500 m / 11,500 ft above sea level).

Portland, OR

Portland has been my home for 12 years and have grown quite close to it over the years. I have to admit that I have probably been taking Portland for granted for many years for what it has to offer but as more friends started to visit, I became more and more aware of how this city is special and was actually proud for living there.

I'll never forget when I first came to US customs and was asked what my final destination was, the man's reaction was, "I'm sorry". I took it personally and got worried as I had no idea what I got myself into. Obviously, the man was kidding.

I remember my first impression of Portland was that it looked very much like my hometown. Well, minus a castle, few hundreds years old historical buildings and old churches.

Boston, MA

Even though I didn't get to visit Boston till 2010 when I first tried to move here, I was very much drawn to the city. Yes, during my teens it was mainly because NKOTB but after all those years in Portland, I was craving for a change but most importantly, be a little closer to Europe.

Once I got to visit the city for my very first time, was the day before St. Patrick's Day. I fell in love with the city and people in it and there was doubt in my mind at that point, that Boston would be the perfect new home for me and the well needed change scenery I was longing for.

I've had already few of my Blockead friends who have made me more than welcome and showed me around and the fact that my employer had one of our offices here, certianly played into my favor. It ended up taking two more years before I was actually able to make the relocation happen, and couldn't be happier that it finally happened.

Seattle, WA

Seattle and its greater area, has over the years I've lived in Pacific Northwest became my second home. I found myself making trips up there more frequently, especially in last few years leading upto my relocation to Boston.

Mainly I liked visiting my Slovak friends up in Redmond, WA but after NKOTB reunion in 2008, my friend base has undeniably expanded, and it's safe to say that I've made some life-long friends.

Seattle s most definitely a great city with some spectacular views, wonderful food scene and of course great coffee.