Care Package Day

Today, after a whole lot of doing nothing, I got my first care package from my family. 

After calling Luca to communicate with the post man I ran upstairs to open my package! Scissors are in short supply in this house like tape at home so I had to find some of those with which to open the box. I found some pretty quickly.

I unpacked the things I forgot first to get the least exciting out of the way and then moved on to the fun stuff. 

I got candy, socks, underwear, tank tops, new movies, hot chocolate, ink cartridges, my favorite tea, my favorite movies, a rubber duck and crayons to make it feel like home, sticky notes, an iTunes card, and a new pair of my favorite flip flops that I had broken right before leaving :)

I love my family!!!! And finally after all those wonderfully fun and happy surprises it was time to cry.

And cry I did with bits of laughter here and there at my dad's humor which can bridge continents. I still don't think I'm homesick, I think I'm people sick. I love my family so much and am so appreciative of the care they put into my wonderful gift <3

Home At Last

After driving for at least four hours from Kismányok to Szeged I was finally home after almost three weeks in Hungary.

I have my own room here and it is perfect.

My mom made the most wonderful welcome dinner: soup, chicken, mixed sautéed vegetables, and rice. It was delicious.

Then later that day my mom, dad, and sister took me to the city center to see my new town :) it is glorious.

I am so happy that my family is so wonderful, that I have a closed shower and my own bed, and that if I have to live without my mother's cooking for a year that my host mom is an excellent cook as well.

Oh! And I'm ecstatic  that I can drink coffee again! :)

Church Camp?

After my sisters Luca and Flora arrived at the language camp we stayed for one more day for a rebound (returned exchange students) debriefing.

The next day we got on a bus, and another bus, and another bus, and finally one last bus and went to Kismányok for a camp that my sisters have attended for years. Though I didn't understand much of the conversation or Bible talk the people at the camp were lovely and I had so much fun with the daily activities. On Sunday we went to a beautiful old church in the morning

and in the afternoon we went to a high school to play volleyball and méta (a game much like baseball) in the school's lovely facilities.

and after all of that we went to the house of one of the camp attendees to eat polecsenta. It was delicious.

Some of the other days' activities included swimming in a nearby lake and playing more volleyball,

going to a medieval "theme park" where they had shows and basket making, pottery and story tellers and such,

and finally cleaning the whole house before departing to go home.

Beyond the Walls

Yesterday I went on a tour of the most beautiful city I have ever seen! It was breathtaking an made me very aware of how lucky I am. 

Today I web horseback riding after lessons I was only on a horse for less than 5 minutes I had a wonderful day. My mom has always said there was a part of her that belonged on a farm and I never understood until today, but now I do.

New Lessons

Today in Hungarian classes we learned "Can I buy you a drink?" And "Sure." 

Then, after being let out early due to the heat and the fact that its Friday we had some pool time :) just like every other day but still fun. While we were in the pool a Hungarian folk music group set up in the grass and played some great music. Myself and two other exchange students went to join the Hungarian dancing in the pool to the folk music; it was a blast. Some very nice Hungarian lady took pity on me and decided to be my partner and to help me struggle to understand the Hungarian dance instructions. It was great! Then after dinner we had Hungarian dance classes where I learned nothing but the dances were fun.

Today I also saw the first clouds I've seen since arrival; they were more beautiful than represented in this picture and might predict a change in the weather :)

And finally a picture of the wonderful rooms we are staying in. 

8 to a room. Very spacious, comfy,and, not to mention, safe (the hut next to mine is nonexistent because it burned down and one of the beds in my room has broken 3 times). 

Today, mostly a good day, was rounded out by a rather shitty late evening filled with loneliness and missing everyone and everything. Tomorrow will be better and I am, of course, still happy to be here. 

Let the Learning Begin

Today marks the fourth day of trying to learn Hungarian! It is going really well :) I like my teacher a lot; she is wonderful! 

I have learned bunches an I'm still having fun. I am wishing for some closer bonds with individual people rather than just knowing everyone's name but I suppose that takes time.

 Although I am loving this camp every day I get closer to a real home with a real bed, a real bathroom, a real shower, and a real family which I am very much looking forward to.

Free Camp Days

For the last three days I have been swimming in the nice cool pools (it is like 97 here), eating excellent food, socializing with wonderful people, and having lots of fun :) Learning starts tomorrow; it should be fun, less relaxed, but educational and fun.

A Day in 9 Hours

My first international flight went smoothly; I had no issues except for an extreme time zone confusion, which is still going on because apparently now it is tomorrow. The entertainment on the plane was impressive, lots of options.

Listened to some Disney favorites in the KidsFun section.

I also watched When Harry Met Sally, 4 hours of The Buccaneers, and got 1 whole hour of sleep!

The Glad Game

I'm glad that I have had the opportunity to see some of the beautiful city of Seattle.

I am glad that I got to have some excellent passion fruit juice in China Town.

Finally, I am glad that I have met so many wonderful people who worked hard to help me, feed me, and get me on a new flight today. 

Thank you Mele and Ed