the end

DONE! What a semester... learned alot about Hungary, about myslef, and about life. So glad I had this experience, and I am so looking forward to going home. This will be my last post until after Christmas, so I hope everyone has a great holiday, and if I don't see you "merry christmas and happy new year!"

Boldog Uj Eves!

ketto

2 papers, 2 finals, 2 days...

then packing and saying goodbye to this wonderful city.

Home on the 24th.

Hungarian word

Karacsony "christmas"

the countdown begins

Well, multiple countodowns happening over here...

9 days till I go home

5 finals

2 papers

Life is obviously a little crazy at the moment, and I know I said I'd post about Rome, but I dont think thats really going to happen, so I might as well own up to that now. Suffice it to say that it was a fabulous trip, I got lots of great souvenirs and pictures, and I can't wait to go back to Italy at some point. Right now I'm just trying to wrap up the end of the semester as best I can; stressed over finals, sad to be leaving, excited to be going home. Basically sums up the general mood for everyone over here.

Hungarian word...
hoo-ha "wow"

Don't know if thats how you spell that.

roma, mi amore

Ok, just got back from my birthday weekend adventure in Rome, and I cannot say enough about how amazing that city is. Absolutely the best time I have had, the girls had to drag me back on the plane. Had a really fun birthday and this weekend just put it over the top. I can't write much now, but I will definitely revisit the subjct in my next post. Lots to do, only 2 weeks left! Here is my best picture from the trip:

yay for the Eternal City at Christmas time!

hungarian word:

teszta "pasta"

Simba was not my friend

Having a fabulous weekend hanging around Budapest. Went to Szentendre yesterday with Arnab, its a small village about 45 mins outside of Budapest. Absolutely adorable, it snowed most of the time which was lovely. Bought some Christmas presents, had a great lunch,
wandered around the village, and admired the Danube.
We spent the train ride quizzing each other on Harry Potter trivia. Yes, I'm a huge dork, but guess what, he beat me. Yep, someone may actually know more obscure and random facts about HP than I do. Hard to believe.
After getting back from Szentendre we headed over to Buda to see the Palace and Fisherman's Bastion at night. It was fairytale like; Cinderella never had it as good as those Hungarian fishermen.
Today we went to the Budapest Zoo; I had rather low expectations, especially considering
the weather. Well, I was absolutely wrong, those Hungarian animals are anything but wimps. It was amazing, I saw more animals out and playing than I've seen in my entire life of zoo trips. And that's saying something. However, I was sorely disappointed with the lack of meerkats. But, the sheer proximity of the animals made up for that; for the most part, all that separated us from the animals was a piece of Plexiglas. (not the camels though, totally could touch them) I totally got swatted at (through Plexi) by a baby lion, apparently I looked like lunch.
Also, good news on the paper writing front, I've consolidated my work by simply writing one paper and turning it in twice. I think of it as spending my time wisely.
About to head over to Marxim, my favorite socialist pizza place.

Just 23 days till I get home, and 4 till my 21st birthday...

Here's my Zoo album: http://claremont.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2058603&l=2c048&id=13306486

Hungarian work of the day:
pingvinek "penguins"

citrus and tea... I must be sick

Fighting a cold over here, but in true mommy style I am eating tangerines, drinking tea, and sitting in the sun coming in from my window. Its nice to see the sun, since it was snowing a bit yesterday. (again, California here I come) Also, although a wee bit early, I have picked my new years resolution: I am going to perfect Grammy's Cabbage Roll recipe, because honest to god, they are the best. (and that 5 lbs is staying where it is anyway) I feel that I am now an authority on the subject since I have eaten stuffed cabbage in every restaurant that offers them since arriving in Hungary; and have come to the not-so-shocking conclusion that no one can stuff a cabbage like Grammy. I'll let everyone know when that happens...give me about 5-10 years. Seriously though, everyone is so big on the Guylas, its all hype, stuffed cabbage is by far superior, if its done right, aka Grammy style.
On a rather unscrupolous sidenote, does any6one have a paper about the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy and/or the Rise of Democracy in East Germany that they would like to give me as "reasearch"? I"m almost joking. Very hard to find motivation to write papers when I know that I have such a limited amount of time left in Budapest. Well, back to the vitamin C and sunshine...

Word:
toltott kaposta "stuffed cabbage"

loving shakespeare

Decided it was time for me to attempt to absorb some culture while in such a fabulous city, and went to the opera last night! It was, in a word, spectacular. The Hungarian National Opera House is gorgeous, and the opera, Otello, was amazing. I’m rather pleased that my first opera was in Hungary, especially since I’ll never get such great seats for so cheap ever again. Here’s a picture of the chandelier; reminded me of the Phantom of the Opera.

Phrase:
Nagyon szep! "very beautiful"

Also, here are the links to my new albums!

Random- http://claremont.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2056250&l=e9434&id=13306486

Dad's visit- http://claremont.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2057115&l=577b0&id=13306486

Erin's visit- http://claremont.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2057853&l=ac575&id=13306486