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"