Home From Hungary

Winter Fun!!

2008-01-06T22:41:00.000+01:00

Snowflakes fall and cover the ground in a thick cold blanket of white. Adults shutter and think of the shoveling that lays ahead.

Children rejoice, pull on their warmest winter gear, grab their plastic sleds and head for the nearest hill.

Their hearts race with excitement as they ascend to the top. They carefully adjust the sled to get it in the perfect position.

They jump in for the thrill of the ride.

The cold air hits their red cheeks and snow flies up into their faces, who could ask for more. They giggle as they crash into the snowbanks, and enjoy the chill of a whitewash.

When the sledding is done, we return to our warm homes and enjoy a night by the fire with some hot chocolate.

Metamorphasis

2007-07-29T18:48:00.000+02:00

Look at this beautiful Monarch Butterfly. Collin and I went on a bug hunt looking for the perfect Monarch Caterpillar to watch it mold into a butterfly. Unfortunately, they are doing construction around his house so we did not find one. One of my students found one in out school yard so, having already watched the process with our students a few times this summer, I took this guy home to Collin.
It was fun to watch and discuss along the way. Collin is full of questions. Why does he eat milk weed? Why is he climbing to the top? Why does he look like the letter J? What is he doing now?
After a night with friends, I am ever so happy when Collin jumps on me EARLY in the morning to say 'Come up stairs Fatty (our clever name for the caterpillar)turned into a butterfly'!!
"I am so excited! I waited 2 weeks for this".
"Yes I am the proud owner of this beautiful caterpillar, oh I mean butterfly".
"I will be very careful to let him go so he can fly free in my backyard".
We spent many minutes watching the butterfly become accustomed to the world around him. Collin fought every urge he had to touch the colorful wings. We were a little worried for our little friend especially when daddy mowed the lawn, but it was a fun adventure to hatch a butterfly!

4.a...a wild bunch of great kids!!!

2007-06-06T19:06:00.000+02:00

This is Robi, Laci, and Roland.
These girls are Adri, Brigi, and Karina.
My name is Adrienn. I am 10 years old. I like to ride a horse. I do not have a horse at my home. I like to play with a PlayStation II. I don’t have a favorite game. I have been learning English for 4 years. I have lessons 5 hours a week. My favorite lesson with Miss Laura is all of them. My favorite English word is CRAZY.

My name is Brigi. I am 10 years old. I like horses. I like to play Sims II. I have been learning English for 4 years. I have lessons 5 hours a week. My favorite food is hamburgers. My favorite lesson with Miss Laura is all of them. My favorite English word is SIMS II.

My name is Karina. I am 11 years old. I like dogs. I have three dogs. I like to play Sims II. My favorite food is hamburgers. I have been learning English for 4 years. I have lessons 5 hours a week. My favorite lesson with Miss Laura is when we paint. My favorite English word is DOG.

My name is Peti. I am 11 years old. On my free time I like to play football everyday. My favorite food is hamburgers. I have been learning English for 4 years. We study English for 5 hours a week. My favorite lesson with Miss Laura was when we would go outside and play football for out special PE lesson. My favorite English word is COTTON and MISS LAURA
My name is Betti. I am 10 years old. On my free time I like to play with my dog. My dog’s name is Niko. I have been learning English for 4 years. I have lessons 5 hours a week. My favorite lesson with Miss Laura is playing Monkey Tango (4-square with feet and hands). My favorite English word is ROSE.
My name is Emese. I am 11 years old. On my free time I like to play with my cats. Their names are Cuki, Mari, and Matild. My favorite food is pizza. I have been learning English for 4 years. I have lessons 5 hours a week. My favorite lesson with Miss Laura is playing Monkey Tango (4-square with feet and hands). My favorite English word is DOG.
My name is Kitti. I am 11 years old. On my free time I like to play with my parents. My favorite food is pizza. I have been learning English for 4 years. I have lessons 5 hours a week. My favorite lesson with Miss Laura is playing Monkey Tango (4-square with feet and hands). My favorite English word is PARROT.

My name is Fanni. I am 11 years old. On my free time I like to play handball. My favorite food is pizza. I have been learning English for 4 years. I have lessons 5 hours a week. My favorite lesson with Miss Laura is playing Monkey Tango (4-square with feet and hands). My favorite English word is HEART.
My name is Gyuri. I am 10 years old. I like to catch lizards. I like to play with my PlayStation I. My favorite game is Tony Hawk Pro Skater II. I have been learning English for 4 years. I have lessons 5 hours a week. My favorite lesson with Miss Laura is when we made Play dough. My favorite English word is CRAZY.
My name is Eszter. I am 10 years old. On my free time I like to ride my horse. My horse’s name is Anikó. My favorite food is sandwiches. I have been learning English for 4 years. I have lessons 5 hours a week. My favorite lesson with Miss Laura is playing Monkey Tango (4-square with feet and hands). My favorite English word is HORSE.
My name is Laci. I am 11 years old. I like to spit. On my free time I like to play football. I am a goal keeper. My favorite food is potatoes. I have been learning English for 4 years. I have lessons 5 hours a week. My favorite lesson with Miss Laura is the special football class. My favorite English word is COTTON and MISS LAURA.
My name is Márk. I am 11 years old. On my free time I like to play football. I am a goal keeper. My favorite food is hamburgers. I have been learning English for 4 years. I have lessons 5 hours a week. My favorite is our special football class. My favorite English word is HANDBALL
My name is Bálint. I am 11 years old. On my free time I like to play football. My favorite food is pizza. I have been learning English for 4 years and we have lessons 5 times a week. My favorite lesson with Miss Laura is when we play football. My favorite English word is MISS LAURA!!!!

My name is Gyula. I am 10 years old. I like dogs. I have 2 dogs. Their names are Kozmo and Hektor. My favorite food is pizza. I like to play football and riding my motor bike. I have been learning English for 4 years. I have lessons 5 hours a week. My favorite lesson with Miss Laura is when we go outside for the lesson. My favorite English word is AWESOME!!
My name is Bence. I am 10 years old. I like lizards. I like to catch them. I like to play with my PlayStation II. My favorite game is Crash Bash and Miet Makers. My favorite food is cheeseburgers. I have been learning English for 4 years. I have lessons 5 hours a week. My favorite lesson with Miss Laura is when we play on the computer. My favorite English word is CRAZY FROG.
My name is Roland, but known to Miss Laura as Mustache Man(my last name means mustache in English). I am 10 years old. I like cats. I have 7 cats, 6 little kittens, and 1 big cat. I like to play computers. My favorite game is Peace Maker. My favorite food is pizza. I have been learning English for 4 years. I have lessons 5 hours a week. My favorite lesson with Miss Laura is when we go outside for the lesson. My favorite English word is I DON’T KNOW.
My name is Kriszta. I am 10 years old. I like gymnastics. I am on the gymnastic’s team. I like to play house. My favorite food is bananas. I have been learning English for 4 years. I have lessons 5 hours a week. My favorite lesson with Miss Laura is when we made Play dough. My favorite English word is STUPID.
My name is Laci. I am 11 years old. I like cats. I have 1 cat, its name is Dörmi. I like to play football. My favorite team is Barcelona. I have been learning English for 4 years. I have lessons 5 hours a week. My favorite lesson with Miss Laura is when we go outside for the lesson. My favorite English word is STUPID.

STUDENTS NOT PICTURED.

My name is Niki. I am 10 years old. I like cats. I do not have any cats. I like to play everything. I have been learning English for 4 years. I have lessons 5 hours a week. My favorite lesson with Miss Laura is when we made Play dough. My favorite English word is CRAZY.

My name is Fanni. I am 11 years old. I like Karina. She is my friend. I like to play Sims II. My favorite food is pizza. I have been learning English for 4 years. I have lessons 5 hours a week. My favorite lesson with Miss Laura is when we listen to music. My favorite English KARINA.

Jozsi and Milán were both ill on the day of pictures, and one had chicken pox, and the other broke his arm and missed talking about themselves.

Build a house for an animal project with third graders.

2007-06-03T15:48:00.000+02:00

THE ASSIGNMENT: Come up with a house for your favorite animals. The students were to build a house, put the animals in it, write up a description, and share out loud with the class.
SNAKE HOUSE
We like snakes. They are nice. Here is our house for snakes. The house is made from pencil cases. Our snakes names are Szilvi and Szilveszter.

The boys who made the snake house are afraid of their snakes.
Especially this guy right here.

Meet Class 3.A...

2007-06-03T13:53:00.000+02:00

This is my first half of 3.a.

My name is Kristóf(on the far left). I am 9 years old. I like cars. My favorite car is Chevrolet Corvette. I like to play basketball. My favorite food is hamburgers. My favorite colors are black, blue and red. My favorite animal is a dog. I have one dog his name is Negro. I have been studying English for 3 years. I have 5 hours in one week. My favorite lesson with Miss Laura is all of them!!! My favorite English word is FAMILY.

My name is Anett(in the pink). My favorite colors are yellow and purple. My favorite animals are dogs, cats, and horses. I have been studying English for 3 years. I have 5 hours in one week. My favorite lesson with Miss Laura is basketball. My favorite English word is LOVE.

My name is Briggi(in the red). I am 9 years old. I like to watch T.V. My favorite foods are pancakes, poppy seed rolls, and turos pasta. My favorite colors are yellow, blue, purple, and red. My favorite animals are horses, dogs, and cats. I have been studying English for 3 years. I have 5 hours in one week. My favorite lesson with Miss Laura is playing games. My favorite English word is HAPPY.

My name is Márko. I was ill the day of the project.

My name is Péter. I am 10 years old. I like dogs. I have 5 dogs. I like to play computer. My favorite food is pizza. My favorite color is yellow. My favorite animal is all birds. I have been studying English for 3 years. I have 5 hours in one week. My favorite lesson with Miss Laura is when we played with the computer. My favorite English word is TORTOISE.

My name is Veronika, I was also ill the day of this project.
My name is Evelin. I was gone from school on the day of the project.
My name is Kitti. I am 9 years old. I like to watch DVDs. My favorite DVD is The Little Mermaid. My favorite food is pizza. My favorite colors are purple and red. My favorite animals are cats and fish. I have one cat, and I have a fish. My cat’s name is Figaro, and my fish hasn’t got a name. I have been studying English for 4 years. I have 5 hours in one week. My favorite lesson with Miss Laura is all of them. My favorite English word is CAT.
My name is Petra. I am 9 years old. I like to draw. I like to draw animals. My favorite food is pizza. My favorite color is yellow. My favorite animal is a dog. I haven’t any dogs at home. I have been studying English for 3 years. I have 5 hours in one week. My favorite lesson with Miss Laura is when we read. My favorite English word is CHRISTMAS.

My name is Big Zsolt, I am bigger than Small Zsolt. I am 9 years old. I like food. I like to play football. My favorite food is hamburgers. My favorite color is red. My favorite animals are dogs and cats. I have been studying English for 3 years. I have 5 hours in one week. My favorite lesson with Miss Laura is all of them. My favorite English word is BASKETBALL.

My name is Áron. I am 9 years old. I like football. My favorite team is Manchester United. My favorite player Christiano Ronaldo. My favorite food pizza. My favorite color is blue. My favorite animal is a horse. I have two horses. One is named Mónika and the other is Leila. I have been studying English for 3 years. I have 5 hours in one week. My favorite lesson with Miss Laura is when we play football. My favorite English word is HORSE.

My name is Mirella, I was gone for this lesson.
My name is Flóra. I am 9 years old. I like to draw. I like to draw flowers. My favorite food is spaghetti. My favorite colors are pink and yellow. My favorite animal is a dog. I have 2 dogs at home. I have been studying English for 3 years. I have 5 hours in one week. My favorite lesson with Miss Laura is when we draw. My favorite English word is WASHING MACHINE.

My name is Zsanett. I am 10 years old. I like animals. My favorite food is pizza. My favorite color is purple. My favorite animal is a puppy. I have 1 dog at home. I have been studying English for 3 years. I have 5 hours in one week. My favorite lesson with Miss Laura is all of them. My favorite English word is PUPPY.

My name is Gibárt(Gibi). I am 9 years old. I like football. My favorite team is Real Madrid. My favorite player is Rooney. My favorite food is bread. My favorite colors are orange and green. My favorite animal is a tiger. I do not have a tiger at home. I have been studying English for 4 years. I have 5 hours in one week. My favorite lesson with Miss Laura is when we play football. My favorite English word is DOG.
My name is Máté. I am 9 years old. I like Yugio. My favorite Yugio is the Dark Wizard. My favorite food is hamburgers. My favorite colors are blue and green. My favorite animal is a dog. I have 4 dogs at home. I have been studying English for 3 years. I have 5 hours in one week. My favorite lesson with Miss Laura is when we play football. My favorite English word is HI-FI SET.
My name is Márton. I am the loud one, we have two Mártons. I am 10 years old. I like football. My favorite team is AC Milan. My favorite player is Kaká. My favorite food is pizza. My favorite colors are blue and white. My favorite animal is a Hen. I have a lot of hens. I have been studying English for 4 years. I have 5 hours in one week. My favorite lesson with Miss Laura is when we play football. My favorite English word is CHICKEN.
My name is Quiet Márton. I am 9 years old. I like football. I don’t have a favorite team. My favorite player is Bellamy. My favorite food is pizza. My favorite colors are blue and orange. My favorite animal is a dog. I have 1 dog. Its name is Boggi. . I have been studying English for 4 years. I have 5 hours in one week. My favorite lesson with Miss Laura is when we play football. My favorite English word is CAR.

My name is Gellért. I am 10 years old. I like basketball and animals. My favorite basketball team is the American Professional League. I like all of the players. My favorite food is pizza. My favorite color is orange. My favorite animals are pets. I have a lot of pets. I have been studying English for 3 years. I have 5 hours in one week. My favorite lesson with Miss Laura is when we play football. My favorite English word is PETS.

My name is Zsolt. There are two Zsolts so I am the small one. I am 10 years old. I like football and basketball. I like to play them too. My favorite food is pizza. My favorite colors are green and blue. My favorite animals dogs, cats, and birds. I have all of those animals at home. I have 1 dog, 1 cat, and 1 bird. I have been studying English for 3 years. I have 5 hours in one week. My favorite lesson with Miss Laura is playing football. My favorite English word is FOOTBALL.
My name is Dávid. I am 9 years old. I like riding a horse. I have a pony, its name is Panni. I have 3 horses too. I like to play football. My favorite food is pizza. My favorite color is red. My favorite animals are horses and boxers. I have been studying English for 3 years. I have 5 hours in one week. My favorite lesson with Miss Laura is when she brings in her computer. My favorite English word is DAVID.
My name is Ádám. I am 9 years old. I like animals. I like to play basketball. My favorite food is pizza. My favorite color is dark blue. My favorite animal is black panther. I have been studying English for 3 years. I have 5 hours in one week. My favorite lesson is a lot of the lessons with Miss Laura. My favorite English word is EAGLE.My name is Dani. I am 10 years old. I like football. My favorite team is Manchester United. My favorite player is Rooney. My favorite food is pizza. My favorite color is blue. My favorite animal is a dog. I have a dog its name is Pamacs. . I have been studying English for 4 years. I have 5 hours in one week. My favorite lesson with Miss Laura is when we play football. My favorite English word is BLUE.
STUDENTS WHO ARE NOT PICTURED

My name is Szandi. I am 9 years old. I like to play tennis. My favorite foods are pizza and hamburgers. My favorite color is yellow. My favorite animals are horses and dogs. I have one horse and two dogs. I have been studying English for 3 years. I have 5 hours in one week. My favorite lesson with Miss Laura is playing the games. My favorite English word is CRAZY.

My name is Helga. I am 9 years old. I like to play basketball. My favorite foods are chips, pizza and bean soup. My favorite colors are green, yellow, pink and purple. My favorite animals are dolphins, horses, and rabbits. I have been studying English for 3 years. I have 5 hours in one week. My favorite lesson with Miss Laura is folk dance. My favorite English word is ELEPHANT

My name is Adri. I am 9 years old. I like dogs. I have 2 dogs. Their names Ördog and Cerzár. I like to play ping pong. My favorite food is pizza. My favorite colors are blue and red. My favorite animals are cat and dog. I have been studying English for 3 years. I have 5 hours in one week. My favorite lesson with Miss Laura is all of them. My favorite English word is THREE.

2007-05-24T14:41:00.000+02:00

My name is Fanni. I am 9 years old. My favorite colors are blue and green and purple. My favorite animals are cats, dogs, and dolphins. I have 1 big sister, and 1 little brother. My favorite foods are spaghetti and cream of rice. My favorite lesson with Miss Laura is when we made butterflies. My favorite English word is BUTTERFLY.
My name is Niki. I am 8 years old. My favorite color is blue. My favorite animal is a seal. My favorite food is cream of rice. I have 1 big brother and 1 little brother. My favorite lesson with Miss Laura is when we made butterflies. My favorite English word is DOG.
Andras is a good kid, but a little energetic. He was not in my class the day we did this project, but he likes football. He has a big family, and enjoys playing during my lessons.
My name is Dávid. I am 8 years old. My favorite animals are tigers, lions, and dolphins. My favorite colors are blue, green, and black. I like to eat potatoes and pasta. I like to play football, cars airplanes, and helicopters. My favorite lesson with Miss Laura was when we made Playdough and dinosaurs. My favorite English words are FOOTBALL, AIRPLANE, and HELICOPTER.

My name is Dominik. I am 8 years old. My favorite food is poppy seed pasta. My favorite animal is a dinosaur. Unfortunately I do not have a dinosaur at home. My favorite color is green. I have 2 sisters. My favorite lesson with Miss Laura is when we made dinosaur puppets. My favorite English word is DOG.
My name is Tamás. I am 8 years old. My favorite animal is a tiger. My favorite color is black. My favorite food is soup. I like football and computers. I have 1 brother and 2 sisters. My favorite lesson with Miss Laura is when we made dinosaurs. My favorite English words are GRAPES and COMPUTER.

My name is Dóra. I am 9 years old. My favorite animals are dolphins and dogs. I have 2 dogs at home. I have 1 sister. My favorite color is purple. My favorite foods are spaghetti and soup. My favorite lesson with Miss Laura is when we draw. My favorite English word is DOLPHIN.

My name is Laura. I am 8 years old. My favorite color is red. My favorite food is spaghetti. My favorite animal is a dog. I have one dog. I have 2 brothers. I like to play football. My favorite lesson with Miss Laura is when we made the Play dough. My favorite English word is DINOSAUR.

My name is Gabi. I am 8 years old. I like to play with Ben10, it is on cartoon network, and a computer game on the Internet. My favorite animals are horses and cats and dogs. My favorite color is gold. My favorite food is spaghetti. My favorite lesson with Miss Laura is when we made Play dough. My favorite English word is STUPID.

THESE STUDENTS MISSED THE PHOTO DAY BUT HAD A LOT TO SAY!!!
My name is Benji. I am 8 years old. I have a little brother and a little sister. My favorite colors are blue, green and black. My favorite animals are pig, dogs and rabbits. My favorite foods are spaghetti, hamburger, and pizza. My favorite thing to play is football. My favorite lesson with Miss Laura is when she brings her computer. My favorite English word is ZOMBIE.

My name is Beni. I am 9 years old. My favorite colors are blue and green. My favorite animal is dog. My favorite food is Nudli. My favorite thing to play is the Internet. I have 2 sisters, they are little. My favorite lesson with Miss Laura is when we made dinosaurs. My favorite English word is LEWIS HENNINGTON and DAVID CURTARD.

My name is Fruzsi. I am 9 years old. My favorite animal is a little dog. I don’t like big dogs. I have a big dog. I have 1 brother at home. My favorite colors are purple and violet and blue and red. My favorite foods are apples and bananas and plums and cherries. My favorite lesson with Miss Laura is when we play with the puppets and make butterflies. My favorite English words are CATERPILLAR, WORM, DOG and CAT.

Meet Monday's 2.A!!!

2007-05-24T08:47:00.000+02:00

My name is Peti. I am 9 years old. I like football. I like to play football. My favorite football team is Real Madrid. My favorite player is Ronaldino. My favorite lesson with Miss Laura is when we play football outside. My favorite English word is CAT.
My name is Viki. I am 9 years old. I like dogs. I have one dog. His name is Bundás. My favorite lesson with Miss Laura is when we play with her puppets. My favorite English word is RABBIT.

My name is Bernát. I am 9 years old. I like horses. I have 8 horses. My favorite horse is Solyom. I know how to ride them. I like to ride my horses. My favorite lesson with Miss Laura is when we learned about dinosaurs. My favorite English word is HORSE.
My name is Patrik. I am 7 years old. I like basketball. I play basketball. I like the NBA. I don’t watch it on T.V. My favorite lesson with Miss Laura is when we learned about dinosaurs. My favorite English word is FOOTBALL.
My name is Eszter. I am 8 years old. I like dogs. I have one dog at home. Its name Toto. My favorite lesson with Miss Laura is when we made Play dough. My favorite English word is DOG.
My name is Robi. I am 9 years old. I like dogs. I have one dog at home. Its name is Tapancs. He is brown. My favorite lesson with Miss Laura is when we get to play football. My favorite English word is SPORTS.

My name is Laura. I am 8 years old. I like animals. My favorite animal is a dog. I have two dogs at home. Their names are Buto and Muszli. My favorite lesson with Miss Laura is when we made caterpillars. My favorite English word is DOG.

My name is Máté. I am 8 years old. I like ice cream. My favorite flavor is chocolate. My favorite animal is a dog. I have 7 dogs at home. My favorite lesson with Miss Laura is when we made Play dough. My favorite English word is DOG.
My name is Milán. I am 8 years old. I like football. I like to play football. My favorite team is AC Milan. My favorite player is Dida. He is a good goal keeper. My favorite lesson with Miss Laura is when we learned about dinosaurs. My favorite English word is KITTEN.
My name is Istvan. I am 9 years old. I like football. I like to play football. My favorite team is Barcelona. I haven’t got a favorite player. My favorite lesson with Miss Laura is when we learned about dinosaurs. My favorite English word is KITTEN.
My name is Patrik. I am 9 years old. I like dogs. I have one dog at home. Its name is Deni. My favorite lesson with Miss Laura is when we play with the puppets. My favorite English word is SPORT CARS.
My name is Dani. I am 8 years old. I like tractors. I have 4 tractors at my Grandpa’s house. Just Grandpa drives them. My favorite lesson with Miss Laura is when we get to use the computer. My favorite English word is POLICE CAR.

I have 2 more students in this class. They were out with the Chicken Pox, or Sheep Pox as we call it here. They are 2 little girls, Adri and Niki. Both are very good students who enjoy art lessons.

Meet the rest of class 1.A!

2007-05-23T13:35:00.000+02:00

My name is Dénes. I am 7 years old. I have one brother, his name is Tomás. I like football. My favorite team is Barcelona, and I like Ronaldhino. My favorite color is green. My favorite foods are spaghetti and pizza. My favorite animals are tiger, hippo, and snakes. My favorite English word is PURPLE.

My name is Milán. I am 7 years old. I like dogs. I have one dog his name is Betan. I like the color black. I like to play yugio. My favorite football team is Arsenal. My favorite football player is Henry. My favorite English word is BANANA.

My name is Dominik. I am 8 years old. My favorite colors are red,yellow and dark blue. My favorite foods are pizza, macaroni and tomato soup. My favorite animals are lions and horses. I like football. My favorite team is Real Madrid. My favorite player is Fabiano. My favorite English word is CAR.

My name is Bence, I was ill the day we answered the questions so you will just have to look at my cute picture and imagine what I would say.

My name is Szabolocs (the boy in the front). I am 7 years old. My favorite animal is a dog. I have one dog at home. His name is Pudoka. My favorite food is spaghetti. My favorite color is blue. I like to play volleyball. My favorite English word is PEAR.
My name is Kleopatra (in the yellow and blue). I am 7 years old. My favorite color is black. My favorite food is chicken. My favorite animal is a cat. I have one cat at home. Its name is Tigris. I like to play with my dolls. My favorite English word is GREEN.
My name is Dominika( in the dark pink) . I am 7 years old. I like next to Miss Laura. My favorite color is red. My favorite animal is a dog. I haven’t a dog at home. My favorite food is pizza. I like to play with my dolls. My favorite English word is FARM.
My name is Patricia (in the very middle). I am 7 years old. My favorite food is pizza. My favorite animal is a dog. I have one dog at home. His name is Bruno. My favorite color is pink. I like to draw. I like to draw princesses. My favorite English word is FARM.

My name is Zsofi. I am 7 years old. My favorite color is blue. My favorite food is spaghetti. My favorite animal is a dog. I have two dogs at home. Their names are Gumbi and Titi. I like to play to play Komokazi outside. My favorite English word is DOG.

My name is Dani (in the grey shirt in front). I am 7 years old. I like to play football. My favorite football team is Real Madrid. My favorite player is Ronaldo. My favorite food is spaghetti. My favorite color is green. My favorite animal is a dog. I have two dogs at home. Their names are Rozsi and Zino. My favorite English word is PLUM.

My name is Noémi( on the left). I am 7 years old. My favorite color is blue. My favorite food is pizza. My favorite toy is pictures. My favorite animal is a rabbit. I have two rabbits at home. Their names are Topsy and Fules. Fules is a girl rabbit. My favorite English word is PIZZA.
My name is Maia (on the right). I am 7 years old. My favorite toy is my picture book. My favorite color is blue. My favorite animal is a cat. I have two cats at home. Their names are Tigris and Artul. My favorite food is pizza. I like to play computer. My favorite English word is CAT.

My name is Cintia. I am 7 years old. My favorite color is pink. My favorite animal is a horse. I have one horse at home. Its name is Leja. My favorite food is cornflakes. I like to eat pizza. My favorite English word is GOOD MORNING.

My name is Marton (in the red). I am 7 years old. I like to ride horses. I have two horses at home. Their names are Dözsö and Kiraly. My favorite color is orange. My favorite food is sausage and mushrooms. My favorite animal is a horse. My favorite English word is HORSE.
My name is Raymond. I am 8 years old. I like to play football. My favorite team is Real Madrid. My favorite player is Iker Casias. My favorite food is chips. My favorite color is blue. My favorite English word PLUM.

My students love when I bring my camera in, they think it is fun. This begins my series of my students. I had each student answer some questions and they had to answer. I then took their photos so you could get a feel of what I do each day.

Meet my Thursday class 1.A!!

2007-05-18T08:22:00.000+02:00

In this photo is Milan, giving a thubs up. Lehel pulling his ears, Botond, in the back, and Attila being cool on the side.
The boys again with Bence added in the back, showing me one of the many toys they bring to my lessons and try to describe them with their limited vocabulary.
This is Sara, the smaller one, and Adel, with Anna in the back. Adel is one of my favorites because she sticks up for the smaller students, she is a wonderful bodyguard.
Here we have Adel, Sara, Anna and Barbi.
My goofballs. In the front is Lehel. Lilla is the young girl behind him, with Big Bence and Kristian behind Lehel. In the back by the door is a shy little boy named Adrienn.

I had them all answer some questions like What is your name? How old are you? But something happened and they did not save properly on the computer. My other lessons will appear on here shortly as well. Next up is Tuesday's 1.A class. I hope you enjoy!!

Coffee in Hungary

2007-05-03T19:29:00.000+02:00

This is my first uploaded video for all to see. It is a contraption to make coffee in Hungary. Emily and I were lazy and wanted a lot of coffee at one time so this is what we decided to do. By the way it tasted awful! But I drank it anyway out of stubbornness.

Spring's beautiful nuisance

2007-04-14T16:26:00.000+02:00

A weed undermines the idea of the perfect yard sprouting its yellow head amongst the green. Pesticides cannot make this king retreat its golden crown. It is hated by many yet within its stems and pedals beauty can be found. A young boy handed me a handful of these beautifully hated members of nature. My hands became sticky with jaundice, but I couldn't help but smile at this gesture. Beauty can be found everywhere.
As I stood holding this bouquet of beauty, I thought of my youth. The many golden chains I braided together reminded me of the freedom lost in childhood. How many times I collected the weeds to chant "Mama had a baby and her head popped off" to skillfully slice the stem with the nail of my thumb. How care free we thought of a week as a brilliantly blooming flower. How we longed to find the perfect fuzzy head at summer's end, inhale the fresh warm air, and spread our happiness throughout the yard. The triumph that was felt when scattering all of the seeds with one strong breath (especially for an asthmatic) is irreplaceable. Dandelions are the great paradox of gardening; they are a nuisance yet bring moments of beauty and happiness.

Shoes along the Duna

2007-03-07T16:41:00.000+01:00

Far away, it just looks like people misplaced their shoes along the Duna. Up close, you realize that these are bronze replicas of shoes. This marks the site where many Jewish victims lost their lives.

This part I knew as I took these photos on a walk with Kat one rainy afternoon. It was not a weary day considering the weather conditions. But, when my footsteps wandered across the paths of these unlaced shoes with their tongues pulled out, my heart did feel a little weary. I sent my photos to many friends and family members and was asked several times, "What is the story behind the shoes"?

The Shoes on the Danube Promade was created by a man named Gyula Pauer and is a memorial on the bank of the Danube in Budapest. It is a memorial to the people who fell victim to the Arrow Cross Militiamen in Budapest and depicts their shoes left behind as they were cast into the river after having just been shot during WWII. There were shoes of men, women and children, including the shoes of a toddler posted above.

I was struck by the little shoes. I could not imagine holding a gun up to a toddling toddlers little head for the beliefs he is too young to possess. This made me think about this story and want to know more about what happened. So I researched the history of this instillation piece.

During WWII between 250 and 400 workers worked around the clock to prevent its Jewish population from being sent to the many concentrations camps that marked the war. They were housed at the Swedish Embassy and other buildings in the area. On January 8, 1945 all of the inhabitants were rounded up and taken away to the banks of the river by the Arrow Cross Execution Brigade. Still wanting to prevent a massacre, 20 policemen armed with bayonets rescued them all, and helped them to flee the country. The survivors remember how they were lucky to escape the fate that their loved ones endured the Christmas the year before, being shot and thrown into the cold Danube river.

This is the site where Jewish men, women, and children lost their lives. The place where they were shot for their beliefs and thrown into the icy winter waters as a means of extermination only after they removed their ever so valuable shoes. They may have lost their lives, but the memory and their shoes remain forever.

Buildings along the Duna

2007-03-06T15:21:00.000+01:00

This is the Duna, or Danube River. On Saturday, Kat and I took the day to walk along the river, up to The Liberation Monument, and just have a fun day in the rain. Along the way we took pictures of the many buildings we saw along the way. This is one of my favorite buildings in all of Budapest. It is Matyas Templom, or Matyas Church. Not only is it in my favorite architectural style or Neo Gothic, but also has a roof constructed of glazed multicolored tiles. This picture does not do this building any justice, it is truly remarkable.
This is another remarkable building also done in the Neo Gothic style. This is my second favorite building. Along with Matyas Templom, they are the only two I remember by name because they have touched me in some way. This is The Parliament. I read later that this is the biggest building in Hungary and has become the recognized symbol of Hungary. I think this is true, because when I am home and think of Budapest these two buildings are the first in my mind. This photo is just a section of Parliament, but as you can see it is a wonderful looking building.
This is another awesome building. This is the Calvinist Church. I have taken a distant picture from across the river, and then a closer shot to try to reveal its beauty. This too is in the Neo Gothic Style, I tend to be drawn to this style. This church also has a roof made of colorful ceramic tiles. It is a major focus point when you are along the banks of the Duna, I am often drawn to the beauty of its artwork in tiles.

This last photo is of St Anne's Church. Where ever you look from on top of Gellert Hill, you will see there twin towers standing above the other buildings. It is done in my least favorite style, Baroque, but stands out to me as well. At least you can not see any fat golden baby angels when looking from the banks of the river.

OUR HIKE IN THE BUKK MOUNTAINS

2007-03-01T08:42:00.000+01:00

Arlo, Briggi, Emily, Eve and I went for a hike together a little north of my village. We had a great time and here are some photos so you can see what we did.

We traveled to Miskolc, then onto Lillafured where we wanted to see Istvan Cave and hike in the Bukk Mountains. We had to wait for our cave tour so we decided to eat. This is a Hungarian Pizza. It is very common for pizza to have ketchup on it. Emily and I thought it was disgusting so we could not eat it. Plus this ketchup was more like French salad dressing then ketchup anyway.

We had to wait, but eventually made it into Istvan Cave. We were not allowed to use flashes in the cave so most of my pictures did not come out well, including the one of the bat that I took for my mother since it is her favorite animal. This is Arlo, he looks like he is a member of the Blair Witch Project, all he needs is some snot running down into his mouth!
Arlo and Emily resting and talking while they wait for the rest of us. I am sure we are off using the woods, it is very very common for me to have to use the bathroom while out and about.
I don't really remember what happened here, but as you can see Arlo and Emily thought is was hilarious. They laughed hard as they sat perched on the throne of stone.

And with the Fall like atmosphere came many opportunities for good old fashion leaf fights. As you can see we are just big kids enjoying the out doors. OOPPS!! Briggi fell, and Arlo takes his chance to kick her while she is down. Oh well, she gets her revenge in the next photo.
Next we hiked to the top of the "mountain", I say "mountain" because anyone who has seen a real mountain would call this a hill at best a bluff. We decided we were too good for the path and made our own climbing straight up.
This is me. I am at the top of the hill and very hot. Let me tell you why. Anyone who knows me well knows I loose just about everything. Well, this day was not different. After making our own path, I dropped my new camera. Did I notice right away? Of course not, I had to scale my way back down grab the fallen camera and then climb back up. So I did a lot of the hill twice and was pooped when I finally reached the rest of the crew.

Day One of the Weekend in Hernadnemeti

2007-02-25T13:07:00.000+01:00

This weekend I decided to not drink one drop of alcohol and to do something wonderful like hiking. I had a pretty successful weekend except this morning while playing with music on the computer, I picked up the glass next to me and not thinking put it to my lips and took a swig. To my surprise it was not water, but Emily's left over white wine from last night. I was a little grossed out, and messed with my perfect record of no liquor.

This is my new friend Eve. She has been in Hungary for a semester and she made the trip to Hernadnemeti two weekends in a row, a true Wood Sprite thing to do.

This is my old friend Emily (Poor Girl Vacation Friend). She is sitting in my flat with warm tea, and staying warm while I am out at the train station trying to find the others. It is not all her fault, she was posted at the bus stop but no one showed up and she went back to my flat.

This is Arlo, one of the newest friends here in Hungary. At my flat on Sunday we celebrated his One Month mark. He did a wonderful dance. Despite having a cold, he made the trip from down in southern Hungary successfully to my door. There was a small mishap, but I found him and he is safe. It's cool!

This was Friday Night's crew. We gathered, we ate, and we played games. It was wonderful. Here is our night in picture form, since I have a new camera I will be doing this a lot, so sorry, get used to it.

Emily meditating to the warm goddess to come down and warm her. I have a problem with the heat staying on in my flat. I don't mind, but she was freezing. OOOMMM OOOMMM.

Eve bought a guitar and is teaching herself how to play. Arlo wants a guitar, and knows how to play. He is teaching her a song, it was fun to listen to them, and to do interpretive dance to.

With all the traveling Arlo was hungry.

We made some Hungarian sausages with bread. It was tasty.
This is Eve laughing at Arlo fixing his huge, wonderful sandwich!!!

AND HERE IS TO QUEEN PIROSKA WITH HER PILE OF GOODNESS SURROUNDED BY A DUVEEEEE!

A BREAK FROM THE STORY!!! I GOT A NEW CAMERA!!!

2007-02-23T17:15:00.001+01:00

For the last three or four months, I have been wanting to buy a digital camera. I like my old camera, but I do not want to take the time to go into a shop and get my photos developed. It is a whole new mess of words I have to learn, and I would have to travel to the city to do this. I do not have such luxuries here in my village.

Friday two wonderful people, Aniko and Janos (my contact teacher and her husband) took me to the grand city of Miskolc to buy my camera. Although I have lived here for over a year I was going to make a tourists mistake, and go to MediaMart where I would have got a crappy camera for lots of money. Instead they took me to a store where Janos gets a discount, because he is a business man owning a Pizzeria, and where currently there were sales going on.

For lack of anything better to try my camera out on, I took pictures of my pictures. I spend quite a lot of time working on these since I now have no TV channels, and sometimes get sick of reading.

DISCOVERY

This is a picture of Collin's hands when we took a trip to Maine. He was trying to put rocks into a hole when we stopped for lunch at a lobster stand, where I who hates lobster had red hot dogs.

DRINKING: This is a person I went through training with when working for Eckerd Youth Alternatives. We only got 2 days off the whole month we were there and we enjoyed the time, relaxing and having a few beers.
ENCOURAGEMENT: A boy and his father's hand on is head following a football match.

FREEDOM: Enjoying the wind in her hair in a red convertible.

RELIANT: A child reliant on his mother's help in buttoning his jacket.

SLEEPING: Collin, Amie and I traveled to Florida to meet my mom and dad for a little Disney Vacation. Collin had such a good time he fell asleep during the Lion King Show, and we captured it.

THOUGHT OF DEFIANCE: This is a picture of a man. I happened to be reading a book where a boy had to stand and watch as his father was beat in a concentration camp and it described the inner conflict the teenager was having. That emotion came out in this painting.

WOMAN: I drew this one day while waiting for some friends to come, it was just a fun little drawing with some sharpies.

Meaningless Journy/Cerimonial Swording

2007-02-21T16:14:00.000+01:00

Piroska, Csongor, The Boy, and the Dwarf all took the portal leading to the world against the kings. They were all alone in a desolate land on a singular road. Within a few steps they found a chest. Csongor used his mighty strength to open this chest. To their surprise they found two things inside. A map and a peculiar honing device. They knew what to do with one, but the other was another mystery. With determination they set off.

All thought they were reading the map correctly. And in the world which they were most familiar, they were. But, this was the Land Against the Kings. The four did not know it, but things here were backwards from that of the Land of Kings. That is the reason for the centuries of feuds. So when they thought they were heading East to Great Lands, they were in fact heading North towards the mountains. They traveled for many kilometers not knowing that the map had deceived them.

Several steps later they still had not reached any destination. Piroska, whose name shouts of red, and the Dwarf who carries the color upon her head had an urge come over them. They had spent many hours in the pleasures of the tents, and now unfortunately nature called them. The Boy and Csongor hesitated to allow the two to venture off the path into the fields to terminate this feeling. But being strong willed women, and the urge even stronger, the two in fact headed for the fields.

Csongor and The Boy went to keep guard while the two women did their duty. The men hid behind a bush to keep out of site, but well in the site of the women. While the two women were squatting in the field they felt a pounding in the earth. Before they knew it the Wicked Yeti ambled pass without noticing the four. The Boy could feel Csongor shake with fear at the site of this wicked beast and could only wonder what had happened in their last encounter. All was a mystery.

Meanwhile as the four others ventured in another world, Laurnia, Bene, Wood Sprite, and the Unwedded Bride all found themselves in another part of the World of Kings. After lying low for a minute and feeling confident that the Black Thorned Rose had disappeared they risked what could have been their lives to head back into the tent of trickling liquid of life. While quenching their thirst Wood Sprite’s eyes catch a man and his hookah. She being of the trees, and he appearing to be friends with tree dwellers she boldly went to make herself known.

This was a brave and wonderful thing for her to do, because the man was in fact Prince Rezso, son of King Király, leader of the World of Kings. The Prince had his eye on the beautiful Wood Sprite and bade us to join him in a ceremonial smoking of the hookah. With little hesitation they all joined in. While partaking in this ceremonial passing of the pipe, the four travelers told the Prince and his merry men what they had encountered through out their journeys. The Prince seemed to think that was a great defeat and tactic, using the power of the portals. He decided to crown us honorary soldiers and teach us the great art of sword fighting. They agreed, but first they would wait for out comrades and until then they drank, ate, and were merry.

Upon the return of the peeing posy, they took the Prince’s offer to learn the art of the swords. He clothed them all in proper soldier’s gear, and placed swords in their hands. Piroska did not need the lesson being a master sword’s woman herself, so she aided in teaching the others how to handle such a weapon. Once again Laurnia could not master the art of this weapon. When it came to swords, she had very little practice and the idea really did not interest her in the least. She was fonder of the art of summoning beasts and having her hand in boxes of magic. The others were masterful in this great art. Each mastered a certain type of sword.

Piroska and Csongor masters of the sword already were awarded different means of battle. Piroska was given more potion pills to use at her will, and Csongor was given The Apple of Elation to go with his Ritter Steel War Sword already in hand. The Boy for his dexterity with the sword received the Valiant Armory Bastard Sword. The Prince, holding onto his Black Prince Sword, wanted to give Wood Sprite a giant sword, but she having already accepted the Official Korbács would only take his Falkata Sword with a brass handle. Bene earned a Late Roman Dagger to aid him in battles. The Dwarf and Unwedded Bride also proved to be experts of the sword. The Dwarf also earned a Falkata while the Unwedded Bride proving very skillful received the Sword of Crusades. Last but not least was Laurnia, who proved unworthy of a sword. Instead she was given a Scepter of Fire. The Cepters at this decided to leave the Land of Kings and venture into the many worlds to find what is lost.

Trenches of Terror

2007-02-16T13:24:00.000+01:00

After little sleep the newly assembled group summoned their great metal transportation and traveled to a world of castles, swords, and whips. It was a long journey but soon they arrived to what appeared to be a festival. They stumbled onto the grounds of the festival in awe of all that surrounded them. It was not long after that they bumped into a young woman who appeared frantic and anxious with her surroundings.

Apparently this was a young bride to be, who was having second thoughts and was hiding from her soon to be husband. We were told of what would become of her if she were to marry this suitor, so we decided to take her in as our guide in this land of Kings. The Unwedded Bride takes us through the festivities leading us to a great decorated tent where fluids ran like waterfalls generously into our bellies, and all was well.

When we grew restless of these activities the Unwedded Bride led us to a great castle, Castle Gyula, to learn the great art of the whips. Which was sure to become a usable skill in the future? The Cepters discussed the importance of gaining such a skill, yet time was of the essence. They needed to learn all they could in very little time. There were two who were elected to have their hand at this masterful skill.

Laurnia with the element of fire was unable to master this great art, after many attempts, she left with only bruises, and finally accepted defeat. But, the Wood Sprite with hair of fire did in fact conquer this useful fighting technique and was granted the Official Korbács. Laurnia and Piroska went to communicate to the whole group what accomplishments they had made and how Wood Sprite was an asset to the guild. The guild of Cepters took great honor in inducting Wood Sprite into the group. As this was a positive and final decision, the newly assembled group explored Castle Gyula and its surroundings for more information on what was lost.

The great Castle Gyula stood on the boarder of this world and the next. It was an important fortified area protecting the inhabitants of the world of kings from that of their arrival world. Surrounding this impressive structure was a profound moat. The only areas that were free from this revolting moat four watchmen decks placed at each of the corners. The raised area of each deck overlooked a dreadfully, unfathomable hollow known through out the land as the pits of despair. In these trenches of torment, many unlucky mortals and immortals met an early, persecuting fate. The association of Cepters were very careful to keep a safe distance from these horrendous holes. As they rounded the last corner, they saw her, the Black Thorned Rose with a raven perched on her left shoulder.

She stretched out her withered hand and wrapped her long, black thorn like nails around Csongor’s esophagus. With one swift move, she cast him into the pit of despair. Laurnia quickly evoked the element of fire to throw a fire ring of protection as Wood Sprite used her whop to fen off the flock of ravens that appeared over head. They were circling around overhead and plunging toward the group despite Wood Sprite’s efforts. Piroska, for the love, and The Boy, for the honor hurled themselves into the hole to help Csongor.

Wood Sprite defeated the four and twenty black birds with the power of her new found ability. With that Laurnia let down her ring of flames and they planned and assault to free their three friends. The best way to do this was to create a diversion and then aid them in pulling themselves free. The Dwarf used her sarcasm and whit combined with the glow of her fiery hair to get the attention of the Black Thorned Rose. Bene the elf also aided the Dwarf in his ability to get one off their guard with his delivery of his words. As this was going on the others went to the hole. Csongor pulled himself free before the other two, when an eight legged beast three millimeters in size moved towards him, he could not stand such torture. Piroska, using her cunning built a ladder with the remains of all those who fell before her and attempted to crawl out. Csongor being a might warrior tried to give support to Piroska when he was struck by a blast sent from the Black Thorned Rose. The diversion had ceased to work, and Piroska was sent back into the depths of the pit. With another attempt and without any aid she emerged to freedom. The Black Thorned Rose inched her way towards the group, she persisted against the defense the others held. They were running out of time The Boy was still at down and the bottom of the hole. The Dwarf laughed at her entertainment and rejoiced in her decision to join this crew of misfits.

When the Rose was within inches from the group, Piroska pulled out a small leather box. She opened it and inside were many pill shaped objects. She cast two to the ground and there appeared two magical portals. They did not know where they lead, but they needed to escape the evils of the Rose. The Boy still in the hole did not want to be left behind. He mustered up the strength using will and might and leaped up just high enough to grab the edge of the hole. With no time to loose, he pulled himself up and they all hurdled themselves away. The two portals disappeared into the air leaving the Black Thorned Rose all alone with a flock of dead birds.

The Land of Deer

2007-02-14T06:45:00.000+01:00

With his departure Laurnia was left on the bank of the River Hernad wondering what she was to do next. She had an overwhelming emptiness within her and felt her time in this world could not yet be up. She had not found out much information. All she had was an inkling of a strange woman and a black bird. She sat down for a moment and just thought. She had nothing else to do but this. This is proof of loneliness for most, the opportunity to just think for long periods of time. The solo mission to find what was lost. The toil of each day lingering while one searches for answers in solitude. Hours passed along. Laurnia decided the time had come to leave this world of solitude for the time being and return when she knew more. She decided to go to Piroska and the rest of the guild to share her small bit of information.

The Philosophical Sheep left Laurnia the power to summon the great metal Cyclops. With it she tunneled through her world with the information left with her regarding that of the dangers of the Woman they encountered along the river. Who was she? Why was she trying to poison them?

She met first with her fair maiden companion, Piroska, and from there they traveled and gathered Bene the elf. They found themselves in the Land of Deer. It was a small and interesting world where they found Csongor the Warrior well established and by his side The Boy. This is where they met the wood sprite and a small dwarf; both with fiery red hair on top their heads, and both willing to give aid in the guilds quest to find the answer to the question they did not exactly know.

The wood sprite with her calm and peaceful demeanor was willing to offer information regarding Laurnia’s encounter with the strange women along the river, and that of the equally strange appearance and flight of the black raven. A wood sprite spends her time in the comforts of the woods and its creatures. The trees, flowers, grass, and all in between talk and offer wood sprites with information on the subject of the happenings of her surroundings.

The woman was no other than the Black Thorned Rose, an evil sorcerer that had learned the spells of witches and wizards alike. The Great Witch Hajnalka gives the power of magic to the chosen ones at birth, but some can also learn the art of magic and sorcery. In most cases these educated few are using their powers for the benefit of the worlds they adhere to. Some sorcerers go bad however, and use their found dark arts for evil. It is known throughout the woods of Gyor, that no sorcerer alone can bring ruin upon us, but with the aid of a mysterious element, they can cause immense turmoil. The Black Thorned Rose has learned the spheres of magic, and with that magic, she has taken control of the minds of a race of black beasts, the raven. The ravens act as her minions, whatever they see, she too can see, and they fly back to her hidden lair and show her the images it captures while spying on the woods.

At the end of Wood sprite’s tale, the dwarf laughed out loud, causing the Land of Deer to shake. She did not believe this story; it was one her elders would tell at bed time to get the little dwarfs to venture off into dreamland. She could not understand why it was that this so-called guild was believing this small wood sprite in her flowing skirts. What does this little bug know of the world outside of the woods? She mocked the guild and their journey, but had nothing else to do so decided to travel along with them because it might prove them wrong, and that is always entertainment. So with that the Cepters, Wood sprite, and Doubting Dwarf, decided to spend the night with the deer.

The First Encounter With The Blacked Thorned Rose

2007-02-12T17:17:00.000+01:00

The big horned sheep looked steadily into Laurnia’s eyes. He stepped toward her, wobbling as an old man does, and gave her a silly little smirk. He had a long goatee to make him appear wise and an inquisitive look in his eye as if always asking questions of the worlds around him. His horns curled over his ears ending at his chin. He also had some tuffs of hair around his horns, but he did have a few areas that shone free from the troubles of hair.

Laurnia and the old sheep made each other’s acquaintance and began to talk of the wonders of this and the next world. She asked for his name. His response, what is in a name that is so important? Does if make one important or just let one identify another? I am sorry, I am chattering again. I chatter because I must have nothing what so ever to do with my time or maybe it is that I chatter because I do nothing what so ever with my time. They traveled down to the river and discussed what was happening with the Tragic Trifecta. They were walking and reminiscing the days of peace and the idea that with great effort it could come to the universe again.

And so passed the days, and while sitting by the fire of night, Laurnia and the Philosophizing Sheep ate and were very merry. Soon an old woman walked into their territory claimed by the river for the time they were there and asked if she could join them. She seemed to talk about nothing but good even though one could see she had in fact witnessed a large amount of evil in her many days wandering the land. Laurnia felt a certain distrust for her, but was willing to give her the benefit of the doubt thinking that this might be a cooping mechanism to hide all the hurt that she had been put through. It was after they feasted that this women took leave of the two others leaving only behind a small basket.

One might think that this basket held a small thank you like bread and cheese, or fruit to help Laurnia and the Philosophizing Sheep, who appeared to be travelers. The Sheep pointed out that that was not all she left behind. A raven perched high in the branches above keeps guard. He looks as if with one false move he will attack, or fly off as if to warn someone of the happenings in this world and the next. The Sheep braved the notions in their heads of the evil that may lie in the basket as well as in tree tops above and opened the basket to examine its contents. He saw an apple. It seemed normal, and he motioned for Laurnia to grab it. She hesitated but pulled out the solitary apple. As soon as this was done a purple smoke seeped out from a worm’s opening in the apple. Soon a purple haze came over the two of them. Before the poisonous smoke could do its worth, the Sheep pounded his cane to the ground causing a glowing cyclone to hoist up the apple and cast it into the River Hernad. With this a banshee with translucent features quickly ascended into the heavens and the raven flew off in haste. With that too, Laurnia and the Philosophical Sheep decided to take leave of each others company. The Sheep summoned the Metal Cyclops and the two departed.

The Metallic Beast

2007-02-08T22:33:00.000+01:00

What was lost? What will come again? Bene was uncertain what his dream meant. He was given the power of seeing Hajnalka, but of understanding he was on the same plane. He had only the choice of describing this dream to the others.

The guild decided to separate upon hearing the monologue given by Hajnalka to Bene at the break of dawn. Each of the members of the Cepters were cased into different worlds using portals. They went to many different lands to confront what comes before them in search of the answer.

Laurnia looked about her after her comrades had disappeared through their chosen portals. Her eyes searched the land around her when abruptly her eye caught on a fiery glow. She stepped closer. It was a mysterious gateway to an unknown land. She hesitated, but being a being a believer of symbols given by the earth and having the command of the element fire, she was determined to use this entrance and courageously undertake what may be.

Laurnia stepped off the fiery orange platform and found herself transmitted to a quiet and peaceful land. She breathed in the air and rejoiced in its silence. After the latest events this was a comforting feeling she felt content to be with herself and herself alone. All around her was flat lands, and quiet. She listened to the nothingness as she gazed at the lands before her. She sat pondering what may come on this peaceful ground when she all of a sudden felt a trembling in the ground and heard a rumbling noise in her ears.

She looked across the vast level domain and saw in the distance the ground was moving. She watched with anticipation plotting her next move when she realized it was not the ground that was moving, but what lies beneath the ground that was making a commotion. Her heart pounded under her breast, but her curiosity kept her rooted to her mark and all she could do was watch and wait.

The clamor grew louder the thing closer, when it stared to rear its ugly head. A drill bit pushed from under the soil and one eye stared into Laurnia’s face. The eye was blinding and she could see nothing of this creature’s body. If she had she would have seen a metal frame covered in bronze and steel similar to that of a snake. The beast had no legs and moved quickly through the earth. She heard it say, do not be afraid, I bring news of another world.

Laurnia stood motionless when an old big horned sheep appeared from around the metallic body. He was hunched over and covered with a matted jacket of wool, his horns curled around his ears which brought an observers eye to his long goatee. His voice shivered with age as he moved closer to Laurnia. He lifted his free hoof, for the other was steady on his wooden cane, which sent the metal beast burrowing out of sight.

The Dream of Dawn

2007-02-07T16:12:00.000+01:00

After the defeat of the Wicked Yeti peace was restored to the Hills of Gellert. The Cepters trekked back to the base of the hill to seek guidance from the great and powerful Hajnalka. Hajnalka was an illustrious, magnificent witch who held powers from all of the universes throughout the heavens.

When Eru Ilúvator awakened the Elder Kinder before man, he gave these Quendi the ability to speak. In some the ability to dream reality before the actual events takes place. This is how the Great Hajnalka summoned the Cepters. She was seen by Bene when he lay half awake in the dawn of day telling him to seek her out for great things are about to happen in the earth and heavens.

The journey to the base brought many surprises. The heat of the hill disappeared with the departure of the Wicked Yeti. They had expected the heat of hell on the way down but all that met them was a severe cold across their faces. But alas, they reached their destination and found themselves greeted by a huge swamp animal named Bonifacz guarding the entrance of a deep, dark cave.

The Cepters did not find the Great Hajnalka for it was late into the evening when they reached the guarded cave. Launia cast a fire ring to keep the guild warm throughout the night and they enjoyed a well deserved rest. Once again, Hajnalka visited Bene at the break of dawn.

You have never looked at the heavens, everything is in the heavens it is here making all things move as the heavens move. Suns, moons, stars, go out into the many worlds and separate yourselves from what you know to find what you need to know. You will be faced with many perils, but keep your wits and trust in the heavens

A thousand years ago there was peace in the heavens, I was there. Now there is trouble. Three stars representing the green of the land that was tragically lost, the red of the blood that has been spilled, and the white hope for the future. The three stars formed a triangular form in the heavens called the Tragic Trifecta. It was then that it was lost. All was lost. But it will come again and must be found.

Lady Liberty

2007-02-04T20:15:00.000+01:00

The group of misfits had had their share of the magnificent fluid and consumed until their stomachs and bodies could take not another drip of this liquid wonder. They decided to leave the cave when they ran into a wise old woman who had the craftiness of a witch to tame two ferocious lions. The woman was called Jeandra. Together these three circled the group of misfits now known as Cepters. The Cepters stood in horror while the male lion, Casponious slowly crept towards the boy. The boy showed no fear although in his mind he was quickly trying to think of plausible escape routes. He found none. It was then when Bailara joined in the movement. All were shaking when the old women spoke with such softness.

You are the band of Cepters and I have come to tell you of a quest you will undertake to defeat evil on the hill. Prophecy tells of an evil woman standing high on the hill of Gellert. She is positioned high on the hill, this imposing woman towers over all man. It was designed by the great Hungarian sculptor Zsigmond Kisfaludi Stróbl and is a sign of liberation, but the evil ones have taken power of the statue and it must be freed. It was intended to honor the memory of István, son of the Hungarian Regent Miklós Horthy, who disappeared into the eastern front. The central figure is the Lady of Liberation and she is holding the powerful and mighty palm leaf. Her body has been taken over by the Wicked Yeti who has complete power over her magical skills. Standing on its pedestal, she reaches great heights and has a great thirst for male blood, so to you fair maidens use your powers wisely for the men folk will be weak. Be careful, at the base of this evil mastermind are two allegorical compositions that look to be harmless. I warn you those are her minions and they do her biddings. They are the representations of progress and the battle with good for they are evil. With this the old women took command of her lions and bid us farewell with a pound on the ground with her giant snow boot.

The band of trekkers decide that from this point on it is best to split up, each group taking one powerful women with them. The boy takes our elfin friend as well as Laurnia the dark haired beauty. The mighty Csongor takes with him the beautiful light haired Piroska. They hurry to the top of the mountain to see what awaits them in the three statues.

The boy and his crew take the short and steep route luckily they find a valley set in a gorge in the Earth’s crust. It is walled on each side by rocky cliffs left by some monstrous natural disaster leaving behind only this dale as well as the magnificent, beautiful stream of the Old World- the Duna. The sight was amazing; when the three reached their destination they almost forgot the reason behind this traitorous hike, the statures. Their gaze was fixed on the flowing Duna below.

The other two took the path leading to the top. It was them who awakened the Boy, the Elf, and the Fair Maiden from their trance. Together they explored the outer perimeters of the Statue’s base. It was not long after as they were discussing the great history that surrounds them that the heard a deafening noise, the sound of urgency came piercing to their ears. The glowing red of the stature’s eyes alarmed all the Cepters, only the Boy remained composed.

They heard her cries and soon the two statues to the sides of the great woman were slinking towards the Cepters. Csongor grabbed Piroska and bound across the platform which they stood in hopes to surround the minions who were moving in close. Laurnia thought quick and with her powers created a fire circle around herself, Bene, and the Boy. She looked to the heavens and secreted a liquid all around them causing flames to ignite and protect them from the allegorical beasts. They were foolish and stepped right into her trap and with one touch of the mystical flame and they disappeared to unknown lands. Now it was up to Csongor and Piroska the stop the Wicked Yeti.

Lady Liberty took her palm branch and with one swift swing she knocked Csongor to the ground. Piroska looked and could see he was not moving. It was up to her. She grabbed Csongor’s might Excalibur and leaped into the air, landing upon the Yeti’s broad shoulders. She knew the Yeti was after this sword for it held a powerful, magical potion that some could not resist. Piroska knew this was a risky move but she was quick and sly. She bound to the left and with a swing of the sword struck the Yeti’s nose. It did not do her any harm, so Piroska decided to protect Csongor’s mighty Excalibur and jumped back to the ground.

The others could not see what was happening, they could only barely make out the moans and groans from behind the ring of fire. They struggled to listen but it was hard to distinguish what was happening from inside the fire walls safety. A shriek was heard over head. Just when Piroska was about to make yet another attempt on the Yeti’s life, she was suddenly swept up by a giant metal bird. The bird came down and grabbed the Yeti in its bronze talons and took the Yeti away.

A Boy, A Beer, A Bird

2007-01-31T17:44:00.000+01:00

It was a cold and windy night. A brave young boy found in him a deep thirst for something and ventured alone out into the cold of winter. He braved the elements with nothing but his thoughts and his whit. He searched high and low to find a full filling beverage. He traveled for days when he stumbles across something in the snow. It was a long journey where he defeted a bridge (named after him) and took the time to start a new city (also named after him).

Laying under nothing but a newspaper and making such a noise was an elf. He rose slowly said something that was incoherent that they boy thought maybe he is speaking elfin. The boy being a smart one decided that this elf might be of some benefit to him. With his elfin magic and skills he may be able to fight against the might powers of the dragons that protect the beer. His name was Beni

They traveled down the steep hills of Buda when they had to battle the Gyros dragon. The elf proved useful. Joining the battle was a huge warrior. With his help the Gyros would hurt no more, Csongor the warrior drove a metal spike into him and he stayed burning in the flames of Moricz Zsigmond. The two convinced Csongor to join the quest. He agreed, fighting the dragon did leave in him and incredible thirst.

In those days the streets of Budapest were pitch dark at night; one lamp at Gellert Hegy, one at Man lady liberty, and one on freedom bridge to give the last light to those who need it. No others anywhere. The boy took the road with his followers known as "the genius carrot" once translated from its ancient language. It was a district of ill repute, a dark lane between the town and the cave of beer, in which at night fallen women with raddled faces and dishevelled hair loitered, after being driven from their haunts in the massive market place. This is where they ran into two fair maidens who were said to know the ways and mysteries of Beer Cave.

It was not easy to get passed these women, or to convince them why they should join the band of thirsty travelers. First to be confronted was the lady in red known as Piroska. They thought she would be an easy target because of her docile features yet with one swing she knocked them all down, they only convinced her with the promise of the first taste of the might might beer. Next up was the loud and obnoxious dark one. It was decided, a battle of the trees. The boy used his cunning in eliciting the help of wayside trash to defeat this one with a hit to the head with a moldy cardboard box. To say the least she joined in the quest.

They walked for a distance, through a gorge walled on either side by rocky cliffs until they saw a cave. Guarding the cave was a bartender and his giant white cockatoo. The ladies of the night told these misfits that if the bird did not see peace and good in you with his glowing red eyes her would gouge out your heart with his large talons, but if you were in fact true and good he would shout your name through out the Cave of Snooker.

The gang sat at the round table drinking the wonderful beer and rehashing their adventures when a sound was heard throughout the cave ARPAD, ARLO ARLO.

A Party for me in Hernadnemeti

2007-01-24T14:21:00.000+01:00

ON MARCH 12TH THERE WILL BE A PARTY FOR ME IN HERNADNEMETI!!!!!

What is the occasion one might ask in a situation like this? One, its spring, the sun will be out, the birds will be puddling cheerfully, and love will be in the air.

Who is invited???

The guest list is rather small, but very significant.

One: Cathy Jo Stigen

This beautiful women holding the adorable babe, is my wonderful mother. She is the experienced one leading her offspring to join the one who flew furthest away.

Two: Amie Louise (Stigen) Olson

This gorgeous mother of two will be adventurous and leave her children at home and join me in Hungary. She is a little apprehensive of this undertaking, but I know that she will succeed and it will be well worth it. Collin asked if he could come too, but we told him that if he came how were we suppose to bring him so gifts. He is a smart 4 year old, and opted for the gifts.

Three: Eric Roger (Lewis) Stigen

This handsome devil, not the one holding the baby, not the baby, not the women in purple, but the striking young man in the maroon polo!! That is my brother Eric. He too will hang up his working hat, strap on some boots and journey to join in the festivities!!!

As you can see I am a little excited that my family is coming in March. I will probably mention it about 8,234,875,903,746 more times before they get here. So deal with it. I appreciate them so much for digging into their busy schedules as well as their wallets to come to see me! Thanks guys, I love you!!!

Good News From the Homefront!!

2007-01-23T13:35:00.000+01:00

I was very excited to hear from my family this week. I am always happy to hear from them, but this week it was better then usual. My mother and my older sister have decided to make the trip to come and see me in Hernadnemeti. This happiness will be doubled if Eric, my brother, can also get some time off and join us in our adventures.

Amie will be embarking an many firsts...this is her first journey to Europe, her first time flying over the whole ocean, and the first time she will be leaving her two boys home for this period of time. I am so happy she has decided to do this, though I wish James, Collin, and Kade could also come. My head is whirling with all the things we can do together.

My mom, however, is an old pro at this traveling business. She will be the captain in their journey and guide them safely to Budapest where I will grab the reins. They will also act as my carriers on their way home. I will be filling their suitcases with my things to make the move in June go smooth. I love my family for doing this for me.

Content

2007-01-18T16:26:00.000+01:00

The other night, I was sitting in my new flat finishing the last pages of a good book when I was overcome with the feeling of content. It had been awhile. My new flat offers some extra comforts, my book was wonderful, and I was eating jelly beans from my new Super Duper Reindeer Pooper from me recently acquired Christmas package from my wonderful parents. Any of these things could have aroused this sense of content, in any case it got me thinking...

Tuesday I was sitting at my small space in the teacher's room at school. Since I prepare everything at home and we have 15 minutes between classes, I took the time to observe, some say eavesdrop, and reflect. (It is one of my favorite thing to do at school!) Most of the time I am reflecting on what I think I hear from my co-workers, not so in this case. On the foggy, dreary day my reflections focused on life.

This is a hard thing to reflect on on such a depressing day, thankfully we can not predict what life may bring we just have to live and be happy. Many questions come shooting to the surface of my thoughts many I might add without answers.

I was a little shocked at this one thought I had while observing the teachers. This is their life. Sounds ridiculous to have thought such a sentence, of course it is and mine too for the moment, and I know very little about the lives my co-teachers live, I blame the weather like any good Hungarian would. But, I am content with my life and situation knowing that I have only six months left. Mostly, this is because this is the longest I have been anchored somewhere and I am one who enjoys being on the move.

I love my job here, my experiences, and what I have learned, (which is a lot more than I can write), knowing it is going to end. This is just one chapter in my book of life. For others it is the whole book with a few paragraphs her and there to liven it up.

I do not feel bad, nor do I think this is horrible for them. It is a wonderful life, just one that I do not want to have. I am too young to be forever in one place. So at the moment I am having a blast here and enjoying every moment that I have before I have to make the journey home. But, unlike last year I am decided in my plans to go home and stay for a while. I am sure after a year of that I will be ready to move on yet again.

I was once told by a friend, Jenna to be exact, that people are either starters or finishers. I am definitely one who likes to finish only in anticipation of the next big adventure!

When all else fails, tell a big Hungarian man with friends!!

2007-01-17T13:26:00.000+01:00

UPDATE: The phone has been recovered!!!

As I said yesterday, I was outwitted by five ten year old kids. I had to move on with my day however, so as planned I went to my private lesson at 4:00pm. This private lesson happens to be with the husband of my contact teacher. He is a pretty big guy, and I told him what happened (in Hungarian since this was his first lesson). He was not sure if he was understanding me so he called Aniko, my contact teacher, home from where ever she had been. The story was confirmed, I was robbed by some kids.

Before I know it, the whole village is involved. He calls a friend, the police, my headmaster, and the mayor! Luckily for me, the kids were out witted by their mother. She returned the phone to the school where I got it back. Good things always happen to me!!!

It is my understanding that one of these kids was the one who is going to trial for injuring a teacher at my school. Nine years old and already in so much trouble. I am just happy to have my phone back. Although I did feel a little stupid in school when all the kids were like "Hey do you have your phone now?"

E.T no Phone Home

2007-01-16T15:14:00.000+01:00

Eternally. Thoughtless. and now I can not phone home!

So today I was walking home from school and happened across some of the village's children. They are not in my class, but I often see them and often join them as we walk towards our homes. Today they were very touchy feely and I could see that they were up to no good. I tried to keep my distance, but being the only foreigner they have ever seen, I often get my three feet rule broken.

I was carrying many things with me. I had my computer, my wallet containing important things, and my phone. I was worried that these particular children were being too touchy so I protected my computer and wallet. As I was focusing on these items, these clever little devils had at my phone without my even noticing. And who says 10 year olds are not clever?

I am sad that I have no phone, I am angry that I was stupid, and confused because I walk with them everyday and nothing like this has ever happened. I guess it goes to show you that niceness does not go far, and that when you least expect it expect it!

Hernad makes the News

2007-01-15T12:36:00.000+01:00

I went on a weekend to Szolnok and upon my return on Monday I found out that Hernadnemeti, my wonderful small village, has been on the news all weekend! I was also sad to find out that it was not for good reasons, and sadder yet when I found out that the reason happened on Wednesday. Damn the language barrier to disrupt my knowledge of village gossip.

Apparently a nine year old student swung a bag at a teacher, who is the tiniest women I have ever seen mind you, and in the bag there was some wooden object. With one swing of the bag he knocked the teacher to the ground injuring her. Now this student will have to go to court to find out the consequences of his action.

The thing of the matter is however, this child happens to be a Gypsy student. Tensions are high in my school this week pinning Hungarians against the Gypsies. I wonder, being from outside the conflict between the two groups of people, if things would be as escalated as they are had this student been a Hungarian.

What happened was no doubt wrong, but why did it happen? Was this student a jerk because he is a Gypsy? Or is this student a jerk because he is a jerk? As of yet I do not know all of the details of this event, but as I figure out more I will be sure to comment on it, because I am often bored and good gossip can go a long way in an environment where you only understand half of what is said, and more importantly I like to understand what is going on around me and question how I would feel if I were a Hungarian or a Gypsy living with these unwritten rules of conduct.

How old are you?

2006-12-22T13:47:00.000+01:00

Every once in awhile, I get the pleasure of walking home with a little boy named David. He is in 4th grade, but is tiny, and looks like he is about 6 years old. He is very nice and occasionally stops by my flat and coaxes me into playing football with he and my neighbors.

Our conversations are all in Hungarian, since he is not my student and I don't know if he takes English, I think he is a German student. Anyway, for a year and a half, I have been walking with this kid. He asks me today, how old are you? I reply I am 27. He looks at me puzzled, and laughs to himself. I know I did not misunderstand the question, because that is the most common question asked by the students. I wonder about this and I hear, Hello, and he turns down his street.

On the rest of my walk home I wonder to myself. When do children realize that being foreign means that our communication is a little slower, and that we are not stupid. I think David is confused as to why I can barely talk with him yet be the old age of 27. One day he will look back at our walks and laugh at his innocent thoughts of my ignorance.

I love these daily interactions with the students. It is part of the reason why I am here, in a tiny village, to give students exposure to diversity. In some of these conversations, not only has it made my day, but also the day of one of the students either in my class or not.

Moving into the Unknown

2006-12-21T14:23:00.000+01:00

As many of you know, my flat on of the perks of living in the tiny, but nice village of Hernadnemeti. I am in love with my balcony patio, and the flat is, lets face it, just cool. Well to my surprise on Thursday, I was informed that I am to move from this flat onto another. I will still be in the same building, so I am not worried I will have a bad experience.

A few things do worry me however. One, I am expected to move in to the new flat by the first of January. This means that my Winter Break will be somewhat disrupted. That makes me a little sad, but I can deal with it. The thing that worries me most is INTERNET. I just spent what little money I have on putting in a phone line, and after months of waiting finally received Internet in my flat. This is very important to me for several reasons. I have grown fond of talking with my sisters and nephews each and every day. Also my parents just joined into the online chatting world, so I can also talk to them every day. This is very important to maintaining my sanity. The second, and only important to me, is looking for a job online. I am sad to say this is my last year, for I do want to go home and be closer to my family. Without Internet this will be more difficult.

So not to sound like I am complaining, but I am a little bit. I don't mind moving, but I want the same perks as in this flat. I am happy with everything I have received her in Hernadnemeti and am very thankful. So here is to hoping the new flat is as wonderful as this one. I will miss you my beloved MTV Cribs of CETP!!!!

Meet my favorite band...

2006-12-18T18:14:00.000+01:00

Just Leave Me Alone Now
This is a new band that just hit the Top Charts. With their number one single Just Leave Me Alone Now. They have been together for several months, but are just now seeing the fruits of their labor. Here is a close look into the new up and coming Punk Band.

Meet Amie, the manager. She is a great lead singer as well as the "team captain". She prepares all of the official road trips in her Chevy Trail Blazer. She coordinates gigs at such places as Air it up, Chucky Cheese (where she occasionally dresses up), and various Zoos. She is best known for her songs I Love My Children, and No No Don't Put That In Your Mouth.

Meet Collin, he is a rocker to the core. He plays the electric guitar (when he gets it for Christmas). He has a punk rockers screech which he is famous for. He also sings lyrics in I Want to Play With My Toys Now, and Now Why...What's That Do.

Meet Alex, the bass player. At the old age of One and a half, he has been strumming on the bass for about a year. He is a very innovative guitarist, and plays a solo in When Does My Mommy Come Home?

Meet Kade, the Drummer. He was born big, bad and ready to pound. He is a natural and has been hitting things since birth. He drums it out in OUCH, My Teeth Are Coming In, and Somebody Change Me!!

This is the fun stuff I miss. Oh well at least it is my wig!!

Fun In The Konyha...Kitchen!!

2006-12-17T15:53:00.000+01:00

In the event that I did not feel like traveling this weekend, since I will be spending the majority of my Winter Break in Budapest playing play station, watching football, and hitting up the Christmas Market, I stayed home and tried some new recipes I saw on two different Cooking Shows. One show was off the web, and in English, always a bonus. The other was on the wonderful channel M1, which of course was in Hungarian, but helpful to me was the written ingredients on the screen, and it moved rather slow so I could understand it.

I first started the weekend off making a wonderful fresh squeezed orange juice to get rid of some oranges that would soon go bad. It was a very refreshing difference in the morning to go with my pancakes!!!

I then decided to start with the English show first and make sugar cut out cookies. The hardest part in this was converting measurements and finding all of the ingredients I take for granted in the United States. I still have not found cornstarch, I could only find corn meal so will undertake making corn bread this week which is one of my favorites.
I usually have a hard time with sugar cut outs, but this batch turned out marvelous!! I had no cookie cutters, and obtained a rolling pin from my fellow teacher Iren, who gave it to me as a Christmas gift knowing I cooked a lot. I decided not to pule{it was my word of the day from a dictionary thing I belong to :-)} over my misfortunes of not having and put my ever so useful Studio Art major to work and simply drew some of my own cut outs. This was fun because I could make what ever I wanted. I made a wonderful Santa face, a cool detailed snow flake, and some tools used by the elves. I also took the advice of my sister Amie and used her icing recipe, only adding chocolate since I also could not find any food coloring. Anyway it was fun and yummy!!

Onto the Hungarian home-made hot chocolate. It turned out wonderful, but very very sweet, so I improvised and watered it down a little. I also made some hot wine using the easy recipe written on the screen. Both turned out great, and unlike last year there was no sludge monster lurking at the bottom of the cup!! To say the least I had a very Yummy Weekend!!

Funny Classroom Moments

2006-12-16T17:51:00.000+01:00

Teaching English can be a fun and hilarious adventure. I often have moments in the classroom where I am laughing too hard to teach the students anything, but that is when the best learning happens because the students let their guard down and just speak.

What are you saying??
One day I was teaching verbs. Verbs can be fun because there are a lot of actions you can do with them. Plus some of them are the words the students want to learn so they can say more then the ABCs and count to you as you walk home. Anyway, some of the students will pronounce the English words with Hungarian pronunciation so that they can spell them correctly. I usually do not say anything about this because when it comes time to say them they pronounce it somewhat correctly.
Well we got to the word sit. The students were in pairs and they were using the verbs in several forms and tenses. The assignment was to come up with some sentences about their partners. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the Hungarian language, the s in Hungarian is pronounced sh. So when Zoli stood up and stated rather confidently Zsofi is shitting on the chair, I had to laugh. I calmly stated Zoli it is sitting on the chair in my best English teacher pronunciation. We get to the next pair of students and Lina says Atilla loves shitting in sports cars. I had to stop the class and explain to them at that point what they were saying, they were a little embarrassed, but I have not heard that mistake again.

Morning Introductions
This one didn't happen in the classroom, but rather on my way home on day. I was walking my route to my flat and I can hear the pounding of shoes on the pavement behind me. I turn, because by now I know that it is a student who is hurrying to me probably to just say Good morning a dozen times even though it is not morning anymore. The student, who is not in my class, looks at me and states, Take your seats, and smiles. I ask tessek? What? And he boldly states Take your seats. I say OK, and give him a high five, to which he is satisfied and walks home. The next day I ask his English teacher why he would say this and she says Every morning when I walk in his classroom all the students are running around so I say Take your seats. I laugh and realize that this student must think this is the mornings greeting.

Preparing for a trip to Budapest.

2006-12-15T17:15:00.000+01:00

Step One: Eat home-made pancakes and get hair braided.
Step Two: Say good bye to the village church.

Step Three: Walk the long and lonesome highway!
Step Four: Have a sweet old lady try to take your picture in the train station. It is hard to use technology!!

Step Five: Have an intense Yatzee tournament on the train ride.
Final Step: Stop off in the Keleti train station for the best gyros ever!!

T Day meals and fun!!

2006-12-14T14:14:00.000+01:00

While Eric and Alicia were visiting I had the chance to show off my culinary skills. Living alone, and having and endless amount of freetime, one has the time and energy to experiment in the kitchen. Anyone who has been to my flat knows that I have the perfect kitchen for doing such experiments. I have to say that it is more fun cooking for and with someone than simply on your own. I had a blast, and together we all jumped into the kitchen to prepare an American/Hungarian Thanksgiving meal.

We had a wonderful time making the meal, but eating it was much more fun. Nothing beats good food, good drinks, and most important good friends.

Magyarorszag vs USA

2006-12-12T18:00:00.000+01:00

One morning, after a quiet night of DVD watching, four americans went for a tour of Hernadnemeti. We encounterd my neighbors first while standing on my patio, and on the street we met some of the children I talk to everyday going to and from school.

We traveled to my school where Eric was put through many tests to see if he was up to par on his 4th grade knowledge...don't worry the kids helped him. We also traveled outside to the play yard where the real fun begins!

The 4th graders loved us. Eric was popular to the girls, and we were all popular for playing a football match. The teams: 9 fast, skillful footballers in 4th grade vs 4 out of shape Americans. To make a long story short we, the Americans lost big time, but not without Alicia getting revenge on Marko and landing on him to which he screamed in Hungarian, wow she must be 50 kilos!!! We said that was all she was and continued playing. Alicia also made friends with the Mayor's son Peti and they posed for the camera.

Sparklers or Csillagszóró

2006-12-11T14:11:00.000+01:00

As many of you are well aware of sometimes in my flat the water will go down the pipe and out of the pipe comes the most discusting smell somewhat like sewage. Thankfully this does not happen all the time, but when it does it needs to be taken care of ASAP! Jenna was here on one of these smelly occasions. We left for the shop to buy food and get away from the gastly smell. We had everything we wanted from the shop and waited in line to pay for our goods. We noticed a small package with csillagszóró written on it. Well csillag is the word for star, and it being Christmas we thougt ah this must be Christmas incense!! We smelled it, and stuck it into our basket as my neighbor behind the checkout smiled and shook her head yes. With her approval of our decision we purchased this wonderful smell great thing.

When we arrived back at my flat we were engrosed in a converstion so forgot about the incense. Soon after our discussion had lulled for a bit we decided to make an event out of lighting the incense. We made a holder for the sticks, because I usually use cones and prepared. We lit it once and a little spark came out but it did not stay lit. We thought well isn't that festive? We continued to light it and sparks came flying out everywhere. I hurried to move all my books aside, we laughed at the fact that we were that daft as to not realize what we had bought. And, my flat smelled worse than it had to begin with, there is nothing like the smell of tons of sulfur in a small area!!

Phase One Of Our Thanksgiving Holiday

2006-11-29T19:35:00.000+01:00

On November 21st, Alicia and Eric began their epic journey to the center of Eastern Europe for a five day journey. They did not know what to expect. They encountered hardships, no sleep, containing all their precious liquids in minimum space, and last but not least confiscated sensitive toothpaste. They over came these perils and arrived safely in Budapest at high noon on the 22nd of November.
I traveled only 200km to meet them in their journey and show them way . We boarded a train in Keleti to begin the hike to Hernadnemeti. We switched trains in Miskolc, then walked the long and lonely highway to my flat. From there on out it was a relaxing evening. I am sure they traveled all the way from St. Paul to watch DVDs, but anyone who has been to my flat knows that after 4:00pm there is not much else to do. We enjoyed each others company and battled jet leg.
I made them a traditional Hungarian first meal, and we drank non other than Borsodi Beer!!! We enjoyed But I’m a Cheerleader, and snuggled under the covers to sleep. It was a good night, when we awake it will be Thanksgiving day and the anticipation of the popular American holiday is getting to us.

Thanksgiving with friends.

2006-11-26T19:17:00.000+01:00

My weekend was wonderful. I not only had Thursday and Friday off due to the American Holiday of Thanksgiving, but I also took Wednesday off to pick up some friends of mine, Alicia and Eric. I was so excited that I arrived at the airport early and had to wait through my anxiety of seeing them.
On Wednesday night we took a train to my village, and hung out in my flat. It was a good way to handle the jet leg that I assume they were under having just landed. We enjoyed each others company, laughing and watching a DVD. The next day my friend Jenna joined us and we had a tradiational Hungarian Thanksgiving. I will be explaining the rest of the adventure over the next few weeks as pictures become available.

T.hank G.oodness I.ts F.riday

2006-11-17T15:37:00.000+01:00

I look out the window and struggle to see the small farm across the way yet the alarm of the roosters has crowed telling me I must get out of bed and begin my day. I wearily walk out my door having not yet felt the effects of the cup of coffee I have just consumed. I head to school thinking TGIF, thank goddness its Friday. It could not be more true, having had a busy and stressful week. I hear the pound of hooves on our mainstreet. Again, I am thankful for the sound because I see nothing past the thick fog that has over taken everything. It may dissapear while I finish this week's lessons. It seems to be the Hungarian fall, fog fog fog!
Sure enough the fog had cleared as second period was finishing. Today went smooth, which usually my 2.a class gives me some problems. We had a wonderful day of bingo, reviewing all of our new vocabulary. But, alas the last class has finished, the bell has rang, and I was quickly out the door.
Now I sit typing while watching my neighbors play a make shift volleyball. They hit a small rubber ball over a closed fence and it appears they are allowed to catch it. I am endlessly amazed at the games they come up with and all the fun they have with a simple green rubber ball. I have joined this fun. They have been to my door to see if I will join but I was talking to my mom on MSN. The pleasure of internet finally had in my flat.

It's here I have Internet

2006-11-16T14:57:00.000+01:00

As most of you know I have been in an uphill battle with Hungary and T online about getting internet. Tears shed and three months later, I have internet. It was a struggle, phone calls with Aniko, Istvan spending time in my flat on my computer, a wasted weekend and it ended with a quiet little Hungarian coming and solving my problems and worries. I only had to try and translate my computer's English so he could put in the Hungarian codes and such.

I had to put in a phone line which took a month on its own. I was then handed a modem and told Na...go install it. Too bad it was all in Hungarian. I figured out the first half with szoltar in hand, but did not know all of the technical hungarain mumbo jumbo, if it were in English I still would not know though. Thanks for the help Hungary.

Well let it be, I can not complain now, I have internet!!! I talked with my sisters as soon as it was hooked up and immediately felt better about the whole situation. I will let you know that I will be updating my blog more often now that it is in the comfort of my flat.

Gypsie Treatment!!!

2006-10-10T11:17:00.000+02:00

As everyone who lives here knows, as well as the people who have had an opportunity to visit, the treatment of the Gypsie population can sometimes be down right cruel. As I was walking home from school with one of my sixth grade students we happened upon a group of gypsie boys ages 7 to about 11. Boys will be boys, and in their young nature they were singing, playing and being a little rude, but no more rude than any other child their age.
As they were playing on their way home, and not paying attention to the world around them in their own little world of 10 year olds, talking of football, and videogames, two of them bumped into a parked car. At this time the driver was trying to back up out of the store where he was parked. He hollared at the boys, which to me was o.k. because children should realize it is important to watch out for traffic on the street, but let's face it, it is Hernádnémeti and like 2 cars travel on the "busy" street a day. As soon as he is done yelling the oldest of the boys screams something back, probable a cuss word heard somewhere else, but uses it with strength in his voice. The car which is partly backed out onto the street, quickly throws it into drive and trys to hit the youngsters. The children have terror in their eyes and run to find safety. The only way to go is straight because to the left is the road, and to the right are the dogs that are trained to bite and bark at them.
I was uncertain what to do, when a man comes running out of the store yelling at the driver that he is crazy to try to hit small children, and a younger boy runs out crying that his brothers and friends may be injured. I wanted so much to reach out to that little one and comfort him but I thought that I would just make things worse not being able to communicate fully.
The child I was walking with seemed to think the fault all lied with the gypsie boys because they are stupid and well gypsies. That is when I realized that the man shouting on their behalf must have been a gypsie too because who else would stick up for small, helpless children being chased by a run down trabant?

The September Sum up

2006-10-10T11:09:00.000+02:00

I started the year off great, and it has passed so quickly. In september I have visited the Aggtelek Caves, and had a wonderful time with both new CETPers as well as a dear old CETPer, Jenna. I have made two trips across the border to Slovakia in order to obtian a Visa, I am now allowed in Hungary!! I went to a wonderful winde festival on accident in Satoraljaújhely with a new CETPer named Erin and learned how to make the best pancakes ever!!! I spent a Saturday on the pitch with my Hungarian women's team, that was fun I made the ref made and my best friend in one small toss of the ball...who knew tessék did not mean toss the soccer ball at me?? And last of not least I spent my last September weekend in Nyrígyhaza with Erin a newly aquainted CETPer and Jenna a dear old friend. September was wonderful.

Things to look forward to in October.
1) Some day I should be getting internet in my flat!!
2) A camping trip with old friends.
3) Rosemary in Budapest
4) Janos and Liz over fall break!!!
5) Dinner with my fourth grader, Bence, and his family.

A few trips across the border.

2006-10-03T10:34:00.000+02:00

In lue of needing a new visa in my trusty passport some of us have been making the journey across the Hungarian border to Slovakia. A few women on a journey to gain acceptaince in a world unlike any other, or just get some stupid paper work so we can get paid our peasant salary.
Erin, Harpswell, Jenna and I are driven by our trusty guide, Hajni to the edge of Hungary and with her aid we make it successfully across the border to have her car start smoking in the rear. "Oh my God, everyone out of the car" is heard for miles or should I say kilometers since we are in Hungary. We stand there for some moments while Hajni on all fours inspects the vehicle. She has been known to be a little nervous in certain situations so she calls Erin's personal shoffer to the scene to help us in our mission for Visas.
Three go with the un named man, or maybe it is just I who does not know his name, and I ride with Hajni and explain my life's theory of GOOD THINGS ALWAYS HAPPEN TO ME and that today I could feel it we were not going to die. She laughed and talked of her amazment in my optimism.
We obtain the Visas, WOO HOO WE CAN GET MONEY!!! and headed back to familiar territory MAGYARORSZAG and live to tell the story.

Great Hungarian Moments...Who says teacin doesn't pay well?

2006-09-19T10:53:00.000+02:00

Wonderfull Village Conversations

Over the past few days I have encountered unique conversational moments. Back and settled I went to my "BIG" store, the Coop. I am anxious to start cooking some good meals after I had spent a week eating out during Budapest's orientation. I decide I want to make sausage and cheese stuffed chicken mmmmmm.
Having to ask for nearly everything at my store I approach the meat lady. The name makes her sound mean, but in fact a very lovely women who is always helpful. I order 1/2 kilo of chicken breast, a stick of paprika sausage, and 20 deka of swiss cheese. After doing this with success, which mind you for me is very rare, she comments on my nice Hungarian. She continues to tell me how the teacher before me had learned no Hungarain and knew nothing, and how happy she was that I decided to stay a second year. It was a real "feel good" moment.

Walking home from the post office, where I bought another phone card, which is used up already, I bumped into three gypsie brothers. I only caught two of their names Szilveszter and Gergő. We had wonderful conversation about computers, video games, and football (soccer). Szilveszter, who later I found out was in one of my new classes and prefers to be called Bruce Lee,(it just goes to show you that if you ask a child to write what they prefer to be called, they will... I was thinking more like Szilvi or Veszti but whatever it is his name now), tried extremely hard to incooperate English into our conversation. Soon their mother and three sisters happened upon us and joined the conversation which lasted 1/2 hour. Eventually the mom said it was time to go and let me on with my day, and off they went.

After a two hour football practice I bumped into one of my 4th year students, Roland. He is wild in class, but rather quiet outside of class which can probably be chalked up to nerves of conversing with a non Hungarian. He walked me home. While doing so he showed me his new, yellow bike and some cool tricks, the pop a wheely is still cool!! He showed me the beautiful moon which was full and orange, and explained the reason for the big smoke in the fields, and told me where he lived in relation to my flat. All of this was in broken English, but I was amazed that he could dig deep and explain things with his limited Enlish vocabulary. Being a teacher does have its perks...and we all know we are in it for the money!

Back in the saddle agian...

2006-09-05T11:04:00.000+02:00

Another year has started in Hernádnémeti Hungary. Unfortunately I missed the wonderful opening ceremony to bring in the new school year. I was hanging out with Kat in Budapest waiting for a ride to Hernádnémeti. I did not want to travel on the trains with all of my luggage which came late, boy was it a relief for all when I finally had the chance to change my clothes!!!

During orientation I had the pleasure of meeting some wonderful new teachers who I hope to make friends with over this school year. I also had some free time where Emily and I went to take in the culture of the museums on Hösok Tere. The artists on display were very cool and it was good to get the chance to see some works of political nature to a more traditional style of barok and midevil nature.

I am now settling back in my peaceful village. I went shopping at Csaba's store and was greeted warmly by all I chanced upon on my way. I have had my first day of classes as well as am in my second as I type. Both went and are going well. I found out that the teachers move up with the students so each child will have the same teacher from 1st to 8th grade. That to me was very interesting. I am sure a family bond is formed therefore love and hate toward each other is understatndable. I was also shocked by how the second year seems so far, in my second day, just like the first. It hardley seems I had a break away from them, and we can continue where we left off. I have had some new students though and I look forward to getting to know them.

No harm with no luggage when aou are safe.

2006-08-23T22:19:00.000+02:00

I battled flight attendents, heavy luggage, and boarder patrol to end my journez in Hungary without clothing. I was a little nervous about traveling without a valid visa, overweight luggage, and my hidden toothpaste in my carry on. I made it though. I had a story planned for when they questioned my expired visa and everything. The only scare I had the whole trip was when a women from the Netherlands felt me up in order to believe I was not harboring anything I should not. It was only because I forgot to take off my belt. so away from her tight grasps on my body I continue on my merry way. I get to Hungary without a problem and think wow that was really easy...not so fast, my luggage did not arrive to its destination and I have yet to shower and I smell like Hungarian cattle on their way to the river for the day.

Before the big trip

2006-08-22T21:34:00.000+02:00

I am sitting in an office in Chicago visiting a friend of mine. In just 30 minutes I will make the trip to the airport to embark on a journey across many lands, large bodies of water, and end in a familiar place...Budapest. Orientation has begun, I will be late, so much for planning, but will arrive shortly to greet the new members of our program. Talk to you soon.

Home for the summer!

2006-06-21T04:34:00.000+02:00

I have arrived in Wisconsin where I will be spending the summer living with my sister, her husband, my nephews Collin and Kade. It was a long trip across the ocean, but I made it without a struggle and met cool people along the way.

On my plane trip from Amsterdam to Chicago I sat between two gentlemen who were both in the ministry some how. We had a wonderful conversation about my father being a minister, one being a youth minister, and the other going to seminary to become a minister. Well the were great at holding a conversation without being annoying and talking the whole plane trip back, it was a perfect balance. Also one of the gentlemen knew a family that I went to college with. One was my teammate for basketball and her father was the men's basketball coach, what a small world.

On my bus trip from Chicago to Madison I met a man who was struggling with the failing health of his mother. He has been traveling back and forth trying to help her maintain independent living and deciding weather he thinks she is up for it. We talked of many things, one being Madison where we were heading. I was explaining my apartment to him and he said he knew someone who had lived there as well. He then asked me if I knew Emma Burns. I did and we talked of that and then he explained about his raspberry farm which I had heard about from Emma before so that was interesting too. It just goes to show it is a small world after all.

I met my new nephew Kade, he is very cute but if you want a smile from the little guy you better be prepared to work for it. He is already a very serious boy. He is content to just hang around on the floor with some toys, or to watch his older brother dance and jump to the characters of his video games. It was also great to see Collin. We had a sleepover the first night I was back and he woke me many times to say, "Warah, I wub you", while stroking my face. After this I hung out with my family and then started work with my old students for the summer. It is good to be back for the summer to see everyone so far, but I am still not sure I have grasped being home yet.

My black eye

2006-05-23T11:29:00.000+02:00

So to make a long story short I fell down a flight of stairs and suffered a black eye. It is very pretty and just in time for my parents to come on monday. The best part of the story is that my contact teacher, Anikó brought a little lamp from home and between each break I am to hold it to my eye. Everyone looks at me a little weird, and it has been fun trying to explain myself to everyone in Hungarian. All of the children think that I got in a fight and I have been trying to explain it to them that I did not get beat up, that I beat the stairs. Well hope mom and dad love the purple coloring that I have put on for them. I look different but this is unreal. Also I must make the point that I am writing this while all of my seventh grade students watch, and they think it is amazing that I can type and watch the Hungarian fulm that they are watching for another class. It is also a little nerve racking to perform and keep their attention on the video they are here to watch. Well that is all for now. 6 Days until my mom and dad are here.

Had a wonderful weekend

2006-05-17T13:12:00.000+02:00

Today the sun has hid and rain scatters all about Hernádnémeti. I would be sad but I had a wonderful weekend with some CETPers. It started on Friday when I played football and forwent the Spanish party at Liz's I had to trade one good thing for the other. But on Saturday I met them in Miskolc to head up to the Aggtelek caves. First of all I almost missed the train, even with living here this long I still have no idea why it did not come. A long story short I made the train and headed to the caves.

The caves were absolutely beautiful. The only complaint the whole day was the fact that there was not an ATM within 30km. No worries the caves were georgious. I was so happy to have gone. I was having fun and did not want to go home so some of us decided to dine in Miskolc. After this I went to Liz's and watched the end of the Desperate Housewives season one. I was so into this show that I did not go home until Monday and had the opportunity to dine at Mama Rosas. It was great. That concludes the weekend. And only 12 more days until I see my mom and dad.

Whats up with laura

2006-04-27T15:33:00.000+02:00

I am pround to say that I have had a wonderful week here in Hernádnémeti. I have been enjoying the great sunshine. I had visitors one weekend and we enjoyed watching my sixth through eigth graders play in a football match. Unfortunately they did not win but Liz, Jenna and I sure did. Jenna ran and scored us some ice cream from a passing ice cream truck. We all went to Miskolc and had a good time shopping and talking.

At school I have been busy. I have been taking the kids outside to teach them 4 Square. It was my favorite game as a kid so I thought they would like it. I was right. They love it, plus we made the court way bigger so it is more of a challenge. I am excited for the weekend where I will be traveling to Tata. It will be a good time I am sure. I am also interested in planning a cooking weekend where we will attemp stuffed cabbage so anyone who is in the area and interested let me know. I have a good cooking kitchen. Oh yeah 30 days until my mom and dad will be here!!!! Well the sun is hogh in the sky and I have avoided getting any real work done at home so I better get going to be productive.

Still stoked about Kade's arrival!!!

2006-04-15T12:36:00.000+02:00

At this moment in my hungarian adventure I am enjoying a wonderful spring break. The weather is wonderful, the sun is shining, the birds are happily bathing in puddles created by the many rivers that are on the verge of flooding, and the storkes have landed and are busy doing what storkes do in their nests about the city. I am enjoying my break in Szolnok, a city to the south of Hernadnemeti. I am spending the time with my just as cheap as me friend Emily.
I bought some interesting and wonderful books today for a wonderful price in hopes to further my knowledge in the hungarian language. One is called the Story of Hungarian, a guide to the language, and it discusses the liguistics and gives information on the nature and workings of this unique language. I also, being a huge classics fan, found a book that has William Shakespear's sonnets written in english and hungarian. I am hoping this will assist me in figuring out word order and forms. I was excited on both finds and am excited to dive into these books. First I have to finish The Drowning Tree, given to me by Mariah and The Prince's Bride from Emily. If you did not already know that is what most of us teaching in Hungary do on our free time...read.
I have also been preparing for a visit from my parents. I am so excited to show them how I have been living for the last 8 months, to ease some worries, and to show off the wonderful people that I live with. And they can see my CETP crib!!!
I have already touched on the subject of my new nephew Kade Edwin Olson who arrived on March 22nd. I am so happy and excited for Amie and James in their new addition. I am also a little sad that I am missing such a huge family event. I can only imagine the look on Collin's face when witnessing all of the first times. I am very appreciative of Amie. She is now the proud parent of two boys, just had a major sugery, is sleep deprived, and she still takes the time to send me pictures and call me to make me feel as if I am really not missing the introduction to Kade. The top picture is Collin being happily awaken by his new little brother who in the words of the happy three year old, "Kade eats boobs". The bottom picture is Kade. I am told that Kade is a easy baby, and Collin is a great helper. Congratulations Amie, James and Collin, Kade turned out great.
That is all from the wonderful world of Hungary.

2006-03-29T12:47:00.000+02:00

I have been invited to a pig killing. Mom and Dad it is while you are here most likely so be ready, you will have to eat fat dripped on some bread. I am sure I will love it. I was invited during a wonderful weekend of playing in a womens football tournament with a group of women I have been playing with while in Hungary. Although challenging, none of them speak a word of english, it was one of my favorite weekends while staying here. Who says being an art major would get me know where it is amazing what you can accomplish through some sketches. I also scored a hungarian language teacher. It was great.
I have made another trip to Budapest for the celebration of St. Patricks Day. I think we were the only ones with the grand idea to live it up in an Irish Pub!!! I was a lot of fun, but I got very little sleep and missed one of my trains so I was scolded when I showedup to football late.
The next weekend I started in Nyrígyhaza and spent the day in Tokaj, an area in Hungary where they produce white wine. It was cool but I only liked the first two wines I tasted. I have learned that I do not like sweet wine. I also met some interesting people there too. It was fun the cellars are interesting and there are some cute crafty type spots so I may have to take my parents there. There is a red wine area in Eger that I would also like to check out so maybe i will save that one for my parents.
The most important news thus far is the arrival of my second nephew. His name is Kade Edwin Olson. He was born on the 22nd of March. My sister is so wonderful that she sent pictures of him as soon as she was home.

A whole month

2006-03-08T12:43:00.000+01:00

Wow! It has been a whole month since I have updated my blog. A lot has happened. I had a wonderful and quite busy month. I have been taking the opportunity to hang out in and near Hernádnémeti and have been enjoying it!! I spent a weekend with a wonderful person, Rosemary, and we made the best bableves anyone could ask for. We ventured to Tiszaújvaros to see the gang of americans but visited only a short while to enjoy some painting and picture swapping. I saw and heard of her wonderful trip to Senegal to see her son and was amazd at the wonderful stories she had. I also had a chance to just chat with Rosemary which was a very welcome break from my past activities.
The next weekend was just as wonderful. My friend Kat came and together we hung out at my school's bring in the spring party. We also ate mac and cheese and drank kool aid!!! I was excited to see all of my students dance and perform traditional and some not so traditional dances. I in fact choreographed the third grade hippie dance, performed to Good Mrning star light from Hair. They did a wonderful job and I took some photos. I had the best time showing the 8th graders my awesome dance moves at their "disco", but my favorite part was all that Kat and I learned from my wonderful co teachers all in hungarian. The best thing I learned that weekend was to say that I am a very picky eater.
I traveled to Kisvarda the following weekend to hang out with Mariah. She has me hooked on some american program called Weeds. It is so funny. We had a relaxing evening. We planned to cook, went shopping, but then lost the time in her neighbors house. Her neighbors invited us over for drinks and snacks and we had such a wonderful time. I again was on the quest to learn new hungarian words and learned the difference between hand and finished which sound to my ear the same but infact are not. Kéz and kész, two very different words. This is also the week that Janos fixed my gamecube. All was lost for the first week, but now I am over my obsession and play it like a normal human.
Jenna came for some cooking and painting this weekend. We made some brownies, and a wonderful fajitas which were hungarianized living in smallville where it is not easy to find ingredients. We also playedsome gamecube and threw toamtoes at rollerbladers and saw Ben Franklin pull a sick 360 grab trick into a wicked manual. Poor Jenna had allergies so we abandoned painting and rocked the beanbag chairs instead. We had so much fun we barely got her on her train.
Today is women's day. I have recieved so many flowers and chocolate from my students it is amazing. Also my students found out I have a game system and now want to come over...I dont think I am okay with that!!! My students are also hounding me about my decision to stay or leave. I told my teachers I had until the 15th and then I would let them know and they told the students. Talk about a small town and a guilt trip!! If the decision is not hard enough itis even harder when a little 7 year old asks You no like Hungary?

Even with piss ants I love teaching!!!

2006-02-01T11:02:00.000+01:00

After a wonderful weekend in Kisvárda, dancing the night away with friends and jello, I returned back to teaching. By the way I was fired up to have the whole bar know my name after my wonderful dance moves which left me bruised and my glasses broken. I blame my small village and the jello. Had I not eaten the jello I would of still had some sence to slow down, oh lets be honest no I wouldn't we can justblame the small village. I get out and BAM!! I have to party. Anyway teaching this week has been the hardest for me since embarking on this grand adventure. I still love it, but I had a difficult day with guess who my stupid seventh graders. I remember in mist of going to school that there was a reason why I strayed away from middle school education and now it has been confirmed for me, I really can't stand the age when they are not only too cool for school, but also think it is funny to be complete and udder Jack Asses. Looking back on myself at that age, I was just as bad, so maybe it is coming back to me, but I was hoping it I would have to take that crap from my own children rather than somebody elses.

So this seventh grade class has been giving me trouble all year, I have almost accepted it, but when another teacher comes into my classroom to yell at them I not only feel embaraced that I can not control my own students, but I am a little sad to say I also feel a rush of relief. I hope that the verbal bashing from someone in their own language will prevent this from happening again. Little do I know. As soon as this teacher walks out the same thing starts up again and the children laugh at their being yelled at. I would like to think it is because they feel uneasy and have not learned how to respond to different situations and cover up with laughter, but I believe that is wishful thinking.

I go over to the classroom of the teacher who assisted me because she speaks English to thank her for helping. I also wanted to get a feel for what I should do in hat situation, because discipline as a non native speaker is hard. She told me she did not know becasue they act the same in her room too. Basically she told me there is nothing we can do. I go back to thinking and decide I will stay with my Choice Theory and if they choose not to learn it only hurts them. But since I have these students three times a week I might follow the advice of Mariah and start kicking some students out!!! I love teaching!!!!

The best traveller ever!!!

2006-01-25T10:56:00.000+01:00

I had a wonderful week teaching with my students. Today was a little confusing because we started a new semester, and this is the first running week of it. One of my classrooms was taken over so my students and I had to make due with the library. I uite enjoyed it actually, and I have access to some computers and the TV DVD stuff. So this class might prove to be my favorite soon. Anyway just a side note, now for the weekend update.

I travelled to Budapest this weekend for the sole purpose of paying Hajni and seeing the new CETPers. I saw some of the new comers, but did not see Hajni so I still have a wad of cash for her, which I almost lost in buying a game cube that is selling in Budapest. Wow good thing the store was closed. I also missed seeing Kyle becasue I wanted to get home rather early. This again did not happen because I had to keep my reputation as the worse train rider ever. I once again had difficulties going home. And by difficulties I just mean things were not to plan as I like it being a big planner and all.

Liz and I were traveling from Budapest and were on course to switch in Miskolc to hop a quick train to Tiszaújváros, where I was going to spend the night. On the train one of the conductors started shouting something about Tiszaújváros, Liz and I just wanted to stick to our plan that we sat silent until the screaming was over. We get off in Miskolc to see our train was cancelled and the place is swarming with abandoned skiiers lost and unable to return or go to their planned destinations. We decide to take a bus to Liz's and I would then take one from there to my village in the morning. Everything at this point is running smooth. I wake up, enjoy a breakfast, and walk to the bus station. I wait and get pressured to follow and join God's choosen people of Jehovah and soon figure out my bus is not coming, and to my luck the nextone will not come until my classes are over. I go back to Liz's and get sucked into several episodes of Desperate Housewives. I am like a crack addict, episode after episode I just couldn't get my fix. We decide after two discs or so that we will venture to Misckolc for a lovely dinner and then bus to our towns from there. We have a wonderful dinner and get to the bus station to catch the 730 bus. I once again think I will be stuck because my bus does not come until closer to 8, but aventually I make it home unharmed. Good things always happen to me!!

The Cheesiest of sajt!!!

2006-01-18T11:03:00.000+01:00

So in case someone who is not living in Hungary thinks that I am writing cuss words, something I would never do they must learn that sajt, that is the word for cheese. Anyway onto my cheesy reflections from the bus station and the previous weeks. As most know I spent Christmas awaz from home this year, and it had its pleasures as well as its hardships. Obviously spending time away from home is very sad and I missed my friends and exspecially my family. I did however realize more than ever this year how lucky I am in the friends and family I have.

Although I was not with them, they were with me. I was so lucky in the mail and phone calls I recieved. I consider my family the best and want to thatnk them for being the best. It makes this experience even more wonderful. Well I could go on but I am making myself sick with cheesiness, I just want my friends and family both here and at home to realize that I appreciate them. The End

A wonderful weekend

2006-01-17T10:52:00.000+01:00

I had a wonderful weekend with friends who I feel very fortunate to have here in Hungary. I started out the weekend with my friend Mariah who joined me from Kisvarda, together we braved the highway and I made it out unharmed by flying wine. We once again made a great impression on my village's ABC store. And another plus my bathroom did not explode on her. We traveled together to Eger, a beautiful town and met Mark along the way. Mariah barely escaped my town under the grasps of evil little yippy dogs. They came barreling out of the gates trying to sink their teeth into Mariah's flesh. She let out a high pitched scream and turned very red. Her scream totally surpassed my vocal outbursts the week before.

We managed to get to Eger succesfully, after taking a moment to enjoy a big breakfast, which we opted over catching our first train. We get there late allowing us very little time to enjoy the beautiful Eger sites before darkness settles, but in time to hang out with wonderful friends. As we waited for our last friend to arrive we gathered in a unique little coffee bar for good conversation. I found out that Kyle, a great, great person has made the hard decision to leave Hungary and tackle other adventures on the home front. I cannot lie, I am very sad about this because Kyle is someone I enjoy so much and hardly had the time to get to know her. I valued the time we spent in Eger conversing over a hot cup of coffee. I have decided that she can be one of my new pen pals and was delighted when she agreed to do so as well. I embrace our new postal friendship that we will share. I am sad to see her go, but I understand her need for departure. I have been in situations which were not good for me emotionally and wass happy for the chance to make the decision that would help my self wellness. I am sad to see you go Kyle, but would be far more so if you stay unhappy.

We had an excellent night tasting the areas wine and relaxing with friends. I have to put in a note of fear I know have for wine when consuming it with friends. It seems wine hates me as much a trains. I once again recieved a shot in the eye from the red evil which sprayed from the mouth of not Mariah, but Janos. I was happily laying when all of a sudden a table flew, my eye stung and Janos was found on the floor. I was a direct target, the wine even jumped and avoided my glasses with a direct hit!!!

My trip home as always was an adventure. I had a plan to return with Jenna through Nyrígyhaza so I would not have to walk to highway. On the train I met Kat and Liz coming home from their trip to Vienna. Liz was going to take the train to Miskolc and bus from there. I decided that was a wonderful idea and joined her. I found out that the only bus to my village was coming in three and a half hours. To make things worse I had to pee, imagine that and all the bathrooms in the surrounding area were closed or broken, what luck. It did give me time to reflect on the recent events and enjoy some reading. I will enlighten everyone to my reflections some other day so just wait.

It is fixed

2005-12-31T10:57:00.000+01:00

To continue the story, I ran quickly down to my neighbor's door. The last time I have seen them is when I saw the eyes of my fifth grade student light up when asking for a wine opener. Marko comes to the door, and I state problem, visz, and point up stairs. Gabi comes up stairs with me to see my new indoor pool and runs back down to retrieve her husband Janos. To make it short he shut the water off in the building. Everyone came to my flat to see the american and her blown up bathroom. I even got a visit from the village mayor. It was an adventure, we had to soak up all the water with my towels, and then clean it while we waited for a man from the city to come and fix it. It is fixed just in time to pick up Kat, and then the cookie making continued. Making cookies was great and we had tons left over. We all had time to watch Monty Python and the Holy Grail too. And that concludes the before Christmas activities except my singing at school, which I did crappily wonderful.

Cookies and Jello

2005-12-29T17:52:00.000+01:00

So it was suggested that we get together and make some traditional American Christmas Cookies by myself in hopes of hanging out with Kyle whom I enjoy, but never see. She ends up eating a nem jo brat and remains in Eger nursing her stomach back to health.
Mariah calls and states that she is annoyed with the ticket woman and may not come, I am a bit sad because I told my co-teachers that I could not do something due to the fact that a friend was coming. Kat couldn't make until Saturaday so I was about to be made a liar. Emily texts me saying she is on the way and will be here at nine tonight. I quick call Mariah back and convince her that she should brave the ticket problems and come anyway. It works and she is on the way. I owe her something big because not only did she come but she trudged through a winter storm wearing only black on the highway. We have time to stop at my ABC store and buy our first batch of liquior and venture home to make some Jello that my parents included in a wonderful care package. We did not have a single problem the whole trip through the ice and snow, and confidently I step firmly into the step of my building...and Biff!!! I go down, but in the words of Kat's hot brittish man Simon Webb, No Worries I saved the beer and only had to sacrifice my elbow and a little pride.
Once safely inside we get down to buisness and make the jello. Satisfied with the results we break out the beer and wine and sit down to an intellectual game of chess. Mind you at this point we have only had a beer a piece. We have finished only two moves each then pour ourself a glass of wine. I am showing her my new travel opporation game given in another package from my parents. As everyone has seen in the game when the medal tweezer hits the side a buzz goes off that can be somewhat alarming. I do this and the poor injured man lurches. I am suddenly wet and there seems to be an interesting color all over my game. I look up and Mariah looks like she is going to die. She obviously thought that this was the funniest thing she has ever seen and unlucky for me she happened to be tasting the wine as I missed the shin bone. The wine was sprayed over me, the game, the chess board, and anything else that was in its path. It was very nice.
We clean up and head out to retrieve Emily. We take the wine with us because it is cold and we thought it would keep us warm. My train station is quite the hike and not thinking we do not bring our phones. We get all the way to the highway and there is no sign of Emily. We venture back and are a little worried that maybe she took the wrong way. We are not so worried however that we would pass up the opportunity to buy a beer to go at the bar. We get back to find that Emily got a ride to my house. Let the consumption begin!!

The evening was wonderful my favorite part was making a new friend in Jonah, we are tight perhaps we will marry in the future. I stumble out of my room to find my house covered in red jello. I called various individuals throughout the night including my new above mentioned friend. I also took a carpet ride and still had the time to write down some needed cleaning supplies. Boy am I hungover.
Lying in my living room trying to make it stop spinning I hear and unusual noise coming from my bathroom, one I have never heard before and was continually made fun of for making the same noise when a dog tried to eat me. Mariah screamed!! A little annoyed for having been aroused from my hung over state, I go to see what she is screaming about. The scream was the perfect action considering that a pipe in my bathroom blew up and water was flowing everywhere converting my bathroom into an indoor pool. The follies of this adventure will soon be exposed because at this time it is my duty to cook the rice for our awesome chicken dinner.

Getting sick and going home!

2005-12-27T12:57:00.000+01:00

As we left off we were all boarding the train to travel home, well I am going to Nyrigyhaza so I don't have to brave the cold as you probably remember. Things are going okay at this point, we buy tickets and actually we buy an extra ticket which sucks but I use it later so no worries. The ticket lady told us to ride in the dinning car so that we could all sit together, as we do so some train conductor tells us not to, but as soon as he is out of sight, we go there anyway. I have always been a rule follower, but just this once I decide it is okay to break a little rule. The train starts up and we begin on our quest. We had a rough night and soon Jenna is passed out while the rest of us enjoy food and refreshments. The train stops and we say goodbye to Emily, and continue on our way. The train stops several more times, and finally the train conductor comes and asks where we are trying to go we tell her, and she tells us we missed our stop, but it is all good because we are in Kisvarda and that is where Mariah lives so we can crash at her place. We do so and I get to witness the wonderful wake up of a super happy morining person scrambleing to make coffee while grumbling the morning goddess for waking her. Jenna and I board the train and find that the train goes north, back through Kisvarda, and then onto Nyrigyhaza, that means I missed my only connection that would get me to my town on time to teach. I feel really sick at this point and can barely talk because my throat hurts and I feel like I may have a fever. To make things worse my phone has decided to re code itself, so I can not call my school to tell them I will not make it to class. We have a master plan to go to Jenna's and call Hanji to call school for me and I really can not talk so she tells me to stay in bed. That night I go to the train station to try again, the train does not show up so once again I will spend the night at Jenna's. I finally get a train the next morning walk home and get picked up half way and told to stay in bed and that I was not allowed in school that day or the next day. So I stayed in bed and acted Hungarian, because my co teacher told me that this is not america and when you are sick you stay in bed. I slept and regained energy for the next weekends adventures. All I have to say for that is J-E-L-L-O!

We make it to Roz's and move to phase three.

2005-12-26T12:10:00.000+01:00

The weekend proves to be a very American weekend starting out with ordering Pizza Hut, and women drinking beer....from a can!! Dinner is finished and I can feel the beat of music running through my veins, and that means... Let's Dance. We venture to the clubs. Once again the dancing shoes are on my feet and I more than cut a rug, I think we as a group must manufacture them. Also I saw a lot of action on the dance floor, some wanted and some that could have never of happened. But all and all a great night of my favorite thing dancing, which we did until about four in the morning when we decided to travel back to Roz's to regroup. We had cramped sleeping courters and a lot of wonderful cuddling happened with close friends who have become family in Hungary. This so ends phase two but we will continure right onto phase three.

Trying to get home in Hungary can sometimes prove harder than it is worth. So after a wonderful night sweating the alcohol out of our systems, we send Janika to gather some provisions to get the greese to counteract the small hangover many of us were suffering from. The wonderful man takes charge and brings home an american favorite...BurgerKing. We enjoy our gressy meal while talking of our dance moves to out new favorite song, Who the F#*@ is Alice. Where is Jacek when you need him. Later we continue the american genre by lunching at subway. As much as one would like to denounce the american food industry taking over the world, sometimes it is damn nice to order something and know what it is going to actually be. Jenna, Emily, Mariah, and I decide the weekend has been great now lets go home. The beauty of this is that all of us will be traveling on the same train.

My train station is a short hike along a dangerous highway that I would rather not brave in the dark, so it is decided that I will spend the night at Jenna and Yerik's and travel to my place in the morning in the safety of the sunlight. The plan is set and put into action. To enjoy the follies of this trip try back tomarrow.

We still have not made it to Roz's!!!!

2005-12-25T12:36:00.000+01:00

Jenna, Emily and I gradually roll out of bed to make coffee and of course switch on MTV. We are enjoying a relaxing morning waiting for Chadwick to call so we might travel to Budapest. We were a little happy that it is getting late and he has not called because we all had hopes that he was getting something only the married people get while living in Hungary. Noon rolls around and we are starving do we saunter outdoors to buy gyros and hot wine. I call Chadwick. The phone picks up, "Hey are you awake yet"? I calmly ask. "I am in a cab in Budapest", was his jack ass response. Although we are well over it now, we were a little pissed because we had been sitting aeound for three hours waiting.
No big deal we well used these three hours to come up with a brilliant plan, Let's mix drinks for the train! Yeah!! To say the very least the train ride was awesome, three women discussing the last night's events and three bottles of rum, vodka(apple flavored), and something clear that was wonderful tasting. One was to be a bitrthday gift, but it made it about half way before we consumed that too. The train arrives and we venture the streets of Budapest to find Roz's house.
We walk out of the tunel and have no clue where to go. The only thing we know is that we are looking for Arpad Bridge. I decide to go and ask someone for help. I scan the area for a safe looking older couple. I approach then and say, "Bocsanat". The reply with we have no money go away in Hungarian. I say "Nem, nem, hol van Arpad Hid"? There faced immediately change and smiles crossed their faces. "Oh yes it is right over there dear".
As I walked away, I took a look at myself and decided that I was dressed pretty good and did not look like a bum, so there was no need for them to treat me like a beggar. At this moment of thought another crossed my mind, I need to break the seal. I am not the only one and we discuss that it can not be much further to Roz's palace so we should hold it. That lasted about a half an hour when we became desperate. Just when I think that I might have to change my pants when we arrive a light shines on a sigen reading WC. We run to find that it is locked. Whatever we drop trou, and only one of us does not make it. I will not release the name of who that was, but I lived in the woods for a year and am a pro outdoor pee'er, just ask the marathon that ran past as we did so. We are almost to the birthday party. To find out who got free drinks, a little action, and what we danced to check in tomarrow. This so ends the reading of today's gospel of Laurnia. PS Baby Jesus takes the Hungarian part of Santas job to help out and he brought me two puppets. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good holiday adventure.

Just before phase two.

2005-12-24T09:48:00.003+01:00

The Christmas Party was wonderful. I wore my beautiful elf shirt and helped in a little american christmas presentation. It was also fin because at the end of the presentation we each, and by we I mean the four americans Jenna, Em, Chadwick and myself had conversations with hungarian families who were trying to learn english. It was quite the conversation I had. I was speaking in Hunglish, and only felt confident after the happy litlle family bought me some alcohol. After my conversation with the family I met up with Em and some of here older students who were around our age so it was a more interesting conversation. They taught me some colorful Hungarian workds such as mige and lofasz, this is a PG sight so translations will not be provided.
I as usual danced a lot and ended the evening on a wonderful note, plans to meet Chadwick in the morning when he calls so we can begin phase two of the weekend...the trip to Budapest.

Aside from my wonderful weekend I just wanted to throw a little Boldog Karacsony es boldog uj evet to all. I hope all those who I can not share the holidays with find themselves safe and happy. And get good presents tooo. I love you mommy and daddy!!!!

Thank you James for the facts.

2005-12-23T11:08:00.000+01:00

Getting around in Hungary can be challenging at times. Just as you think you have the system down they go and change it without asking the permission of the americans. The group of CETPers decided to gather in Budapest in honor of Harpswell, Kat, and Mariah's birthdays. I decided that I would first go to Szolnok to attend a Christmas party with Emily and her Oxford shcool. This is where I met a wonderful man named Yatzee or something who was a great fan of the Star Wars and thought up until me that girls knew nothing of the subject, James would be proud that I battled with the best and had the correct facts. After class on friday I was in a rush to the train station and pretty much ran to catch the train. I buy my ticket to find the ticket lady in a tizzy about who knows what. I was proud because I understood some of what was said and found out that the schedule was changed, but then she lost me which is not uncommon when she started writting stuff on my ticket. Just as I thought all was lost Janna calls and plans to meet me and I then regain my travel confidence and decide the train lady has no clue what she is talking or writting about. As usual I had no minutes to call anyone so her call was music to my ears, we met in the wonderful city of Nyiregyhaza and traveled onto the christmas party. To find out what happened at the party tune in tomarrow. Viszontlatasra.

A wonderful Thanksgiving

2005-11-30T11:04:00.000+01:00

I had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend with all of my fellow american CETPers. We had wonderful hosts in Jenna and Yerik, and great cooks all around. Harpswell made a wonderful bird and Liz carved it beautfully. I also lovedthe hot wine and that is saying something if I liked something I know. The best part of the whole weekend aside from ditching the highschool chick, was hanging out with good friends. The club was hopping and I couldnt stop laughing at the bar....thanks Harpswell. I am proud of our accomplishments of alcohol consumption......Bravo group. We miss those of you who couldnt make it.

There are some things a person just shouldn't see!!

2005-11-22T09:15:00.000+01:00

As many of us do, or all of us I should say who live in Hungary walk to and from their work each day. Well I was doing just that one afternoon after a day of struggling with communicating with my students. I was reflecting on my struggles when I happened across a man doing that as well. He was a man in his fifties or so, and was hauling what appeared to be lead pipes on his bicycle, another key transport. The bike was getting unsteady and so being the good person that I am quickened my pace to see if I might offer him some Stigen assistance. As I closed in on him I noticed that he was spilling some water or something on the ground and i thought it was a weird time to be quenching ones thirst while struggling along so. I just about reached this man when I realized that it was not water that was pouring and splashing where I walk but urine. The man was struggling to releave himself, while carring his load of goods. I was shoked and totally grossed out. I quickly moved to the road so I would not have to step in it. I once again quickened my pace to out walk the man to my street. I have farther to walk on the street than the walking path, and we met in the crossing and in Hungarian he turns to me and asks if something smells odd. Well in my head I had a lot of things to say beins somewhat sarcastic. I did not had the hungarian words to communicate my not so nice thoughts so politely stated yes, but I dont know what it is. This makes the list of things one should not ever see.

The joys of a language barrier!!!

2005-11-15T11:12:00.000+01:00

So as many of you may know learning Hungarian is difficult. My town has not quite got that I myself am not a native speaker and rarely understand what they are saying. I when nervous smile which leads them to belive I understand, and I also have a habit of nodding and smiling when I can't hear which also sends this message.
Well having been in Hungary alone in my appartment I also have been known to dance and sing to whatever music I have selected at the time. Doing so I have developed a reputation and my co workers often comment on it on Monday morning. The first mishap for me came when the teacher who sits next to me in the teacher room, Gabi said something to me with the words enekel and tancol in it. These are the words for sing and dance. I thought she was making jokes about my latest moves. I was wrong I accedentaily joined the school choir and will be singing amazing grace in the christmas pagent. I blame the language barrier.
The second event this week was when Liz and I decided it would be entertaining to go to 40 Year old Vergin. Buying the tickets were a challange and the man kept laughing at us stating that we do not speak Hungarian. I was like duh, good thing it is an English film. Well we finally get the tickets and sit crammed like sardines into the last row. Apparently in Hungary movie tickets come with a seat number and they pack you in even it there are only ten of you you will all be in the back row. Anyway we were waiting for the movie to start and boasting that we will be the only ones laughing because the translations will be so bad in the subtitles. Oh no the joke was on us it was dubbed and that is why the man kept stessing that we did not know Hungarian. Language barrier again wins. On my way to walk Liz to the bus stop some little old lady said a whole bunck about Monday, I had no clue I quickely walked away and on the way back I got an earful from another lady about missing the bus to Miskolc and could not tell here they go every half hour. So I leave with the message this language is really hard!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good things always happen to me.

2005-10-25T11:01:00.000+02:00

A group of us gathered for sausage fest with Gaines. It was a wonderful time. We ate plenty of sausages made from variousthings I imagine. The most intertaining part of the evening aside from the random making out witnessed at a near by disco, was that of a young musitian and his female companion. First we must discuss the type of teenager we are dealing with. He is a lead singer, who on occation has been known to stand on his organ and jump off, have his shirt accidentally fall off, and make love to the microphone stand. Well after his colorful 27th oncore, he found a young lady in the crowd who, my commitators and I hope was a friend already. She with one leg hiked on stage opened up for this young sweaty man stating 'oh you are so hot when your shirt falls off and you wear really tight stone washed pants'. And they proceed to have a moment of seven displaying for all to see their affection for one another. It was wonderful. It almost made it worth the trouble of getting to a small town on a national holiday.
Coming home from sausage fest is where the real adventure lies. All was going as planned when I walked to my first train station and made it to Szolnok with Emily and Chad. We found the one place open to eat McDonalds. Leave it to an American chain to not celebrate a holiday, but we did not mind it was the only food we were going to eat for the day. This is at like 1 in the aftenoon mind you. So I then proceed to my next destination which should have been nirigyhaza. I was told no for the first time that day, and told to boarda train going to Hatvan and that is whereI woould transfer to Miskolcs. Did it all is going fairly well but long because of the holiday I had to take all of the slow transportation. So in Miskolsc and due to thedarkness I decide it would be safer to take the bus. I go to boeard the number two tram and get told no again. So I decide I can walk to the nearest bus stop. I missed the bus to my village by two minutes. The next was at 10 53 and it was only 8 or so. I walk back to the train station and ask information which train goes through hernádnémeti, i was told there was only one the one heading toward tiszaujvaros. well anyone who thinks about it would think that was crazy so I asked her again and she said yes and only that one. I board the train. The ticket master did not sayI was on the wrong train, but luck would have it that that train never went to my village. The last sotop comes and I am getting out and ask the conductor where am I? He says some random town and asked me where I want to be. I state the name of my village and he laughs. Tells me to get back on the train and he will take me all the way back to Miskolcs. At this point it is around 10. I think oh idea my friend liz lives in the town over, i will stay with her. Luck has it again and she is out of town for the night and her flat is locked. She calls a friend and has her father meet me at the train station. He allows me to stay in his son's flat and lizcomes for me the next morning. We walk to the bus station and I have missedthe last bus going to my village until 3, I teach at 11 50. I seethere is one going to Böcs the town next to me and it leaves now!!! I think fast jump on and make it to Böcs at 10, I walk home and change into dress clothes by 11 15 and have time to spare. Good things always happen to me.

It is not always what you think!

2005-10-19T11:16:00.000+02:00

I would like to state that the spell check on the computer is not working and since living in a world were we spell phenetically I am sure there are many mis spellings, but as I do with my students I overlook the gramatical errors and look and fluency and understanding.
Upon reading an e mail from my friend Yerik about his pleasant meal of liver in the Hungarian cafeteria, I started thinking of all the things we think we are eating and it turns out to be something very different. I think Liz can understand this from her adventure in Kalocsa where she bought the lovely cow intestions which were horrible. Those who took a taste can vouge that they were real hard to chew and going down the felt somewhat like a catipillar crawling down your throught. My sister once had an experience eating a catipillar once when she was one. Our friend Mike had placed a jar in her playpen on a camping trip. She always was a clever one and found a way of opening the jar and eating the fuzzy little creature. To say the least it was the last time she ate red meat.
So as I was saying about my appearance in the world, to no suprise to my mother I was delivered by means of a seasarian section. My mom knew this because my sister, the catipillar eater, decided if anything she would jump into this world feet first. So I am here and I am heading to my new home with my family.
My home was a small and wonderfully colored house. Since this home I have always dispised the color pink. It is not fair to say that I hate pink because of this house it might in fact be because of an ugly episode later in life while wearinga brand new pink wind breaker. Anyways this home treated me well and next to this ink dwelling lied the dark brown home of my best and favorite childhood friend Hans. We had many good times together playing in the tree house hiding from our sisters. I was three and together we were anxiously awaiting the arrival of our new siblings to join us in our thirst for adventure. And to take the place of the easy target that the youngest always seems to be labled with. Hiding was key for Hans and I because our sisters Amie and Sarah were clever and tricky. "Hey Laura I have some really good chocolate milk, would you like a taste"? Boy would I I thought as Hans and I raced down the tree. You see from the events of my birth I was always troubled with breathing problems and milk sometimes aggrivated my breathing so it was not often that I could be seen drinking chocolate milk. I often saw the other kids drinking chocolate milk and longed for a taste and in my excitement I ran up to Amie and Sarah. I grabbed the brown filled cup and thrust it to my mouth letting the liquid pour into my mouth. It was chunky and hard to swallow but at last I recieved the taste I was searching for and quickly spit it out. Yuck!! This is it this is what I was wating for? Hans also tried the potion and exclained,"This is not chocolate milk this is mud". I was heart broken as the girls ran away laughing and shrieking the way only girls can. Hans and I returned to our tree house fort where we waited for Paderick, Hans' older brother to plan our counter attack.

where has all the time gone?

2005-10-18T11:22:00.000+02:00

So this last weekend I spent with a wonderful group of Hungarian teachers on a little jaunt to Göndölő, a well known castle district. It was very interesting yet I was lost because the tour was in Hungarian, and I understood about a fourth of it. Anyway I was presented with a tour booklet with some english written into it and used that to get the history behind the areas in which we were looking. We also saw a horse show where a man showed us how the Hungarians used to battle and the way it is a little different from the techniques used by master bow men today. As I was watching a little cat climbed and sat upon my lap. He nuzzled his head into my legs for warmth and made himself comfortable and enjoyed the horse show in my company. I am not fond of cats but the always seem to find me it is in their nature I suppose.
Well upon my arrival back to my flat I realized it was near nine at night and we had left at eight that morning the time flew I was having such a great time. The teachers broke open the first bottle of palenka and cracked the first beer by 8 30, so I was drunk by about 10, you do not refuse liquer from a hungarian they will have non of it. Sunday flew too before I knew it it was time to make some lesson plans and hurry off to bed. I feel that time is moving too quickly if I blink my trip will beover. I need to slow my role and enjoy my time for all its worth. I am sorry to say there will not be a clever story this time, I haveto teach the kids, but I promise a good one for next time.

Daily Routines

2005-10-12T11:14:00.000+02:00

For the last few weeks my students and I have been discussing daily routines or in their case napirend. As we are talking about what time they get up and when they do what it is they do all day I began thinking or daydreaming rather, because I think I have ADD and no one told me, anyway I began thinking. I think about how it is getting harder and harder for me to get up in the morning. Is this due to the weather or amI getting lazy with my challenging schedule? At any rate I know it is not due to lack of sleep because in the week I go to bed no later than 10, and sometimes I even fit in a nap. Napping reminds me of siesta a clever name given to the naps we had a camp. Which then makes me think of my past daily routines and how I like this so much better. Some may have heard this story but because it just gained me enterance to a writting program I would like to enter it into my blogger report it I may, and I know I may because this is my damn blogger so there.
After I lay awhile and wake up I start my morning routine. It is very repititious for I do this every morning. I slowly, and I mean sloth like, I slink under my bug net and begin the task of changing from my sleepwear into my really stylish camos and a T shirt usually reading soething obscure like Do Not Lick Frozen Flag Poles. This is exspecially amuzing die to the fact it is Georgia. I guess they need to be told not to lick frozen flag poles because it would be an unusual phenomenom to have the temperature drop low enough to have it freeze anything. After I have placed on my socks and hiking boos I slowly stumple toward THE BOX.
Ahh the box, the most feared adventure for the boys and chiefs alike. A boy would hold it up to a week before entering this toilet of doom. The smell itself is enough to purm anyones nose hairs not to mention the creepy crawly things that have made a home in what lies beneath. Flashlight in hand I open the think wooden door, I light the area scanning for any sudden movement that could be slithering or crawling about the inner cavity of the box. After the area is secure I quickly get down to buisness, run out rapidly to inhale the morning's fresh air. It is a relief, fresh air ahh.

I am so lucky to be away from that and living in a cute little village of Hernádnémeti, where instead of the box I have roosters and cows which sometimes produce a stench as putrid as the box, but I have the plesure of hiding in my wonderful flat listening to music and watching BBC.

Living through the eyes of Laura

2005-10-10T13:53:00.000+02:00

This is my new means of informing those I am close to as well as those who I only pretend about my adventures. This is the first time I have done this some might say that I am infact a virgin blogger. As i sat down to create the perfect first entry my hands started to get sweaty with fear that all will be disappointed and will not want to read about ly life. It may not be interesting to all so my fingers start tremblimg and the letters become jumbled exspecially because I am still hesitating my typing strokes due to the backwards way the keyboard is set up. Well friends and family here it goes no stopping know I am on my way to a brand new adventure.
I arrived in the small and quite town on Hernádnémeti not long ago approxamately a month and am enjoying the small pleasures of city life but let me go back to the beginning. On a quet night on June 21, 1979 a yong couple tucked in their first born to the pleasures of toddler dreams. They shut the door and move quietly down the stairs carefull not to wake the little one. They take their usuall nightly positions in the livingroom, the man in his rocking chair reading of politics and religion while listening to the moving sounds of his latest big band record, and his wife in her soft chair picking up her knitting where it left off and dreamoing of the little one that is to come who is growing so strong inside her. As she is finishing her knit pearl sequence she grimmices and thinks to herself I told Ed not to cook the meat so spicey I knew I would have heartburn. Ed looks up from his book and questions is everything okay dear to get the reply yes but it was too spicey. To say the least it was not heartburn aching in my mother it was me impatiently wanting to get out of the cramped quarters I had been residing in the last few months. Grandma was called to watch after my sister and my mother and father hurried to deliver me their precious laura. It was not an easy thing to do, I never can do things the easy way I always try to challange myself in everything even birth. In my impatient temper I sucked down some embionic fluid during the sea section and landed myself in a plastic box for the first moments in life. I guess the best things do go to the ones who wait. I however did not wait and put my parents through some un needed worries which I will be doing more in my next few years. Laura Jo Stigen welcome to the world. The end

Welcome to Blogging

2005-10-08T18:48:00.000+02:00

Hey Laura! Welcome to blogging. I hope to read about many an adventure here. Emily.