Summer 2010

I failed to write this summer in my blog, so here is a quick sum of it:

July

Graduation
As I was actually at graduation, it didn't feel like I was graduating. I was with the same people for the past four years and it felt like just another day. I sang with the choir, listened to speeches, got my diploma, listened to a long list of names, screamed for my friends, sang again, walked out. When I got out of the stadium, that's when it felt real. I had my diploma (with nothing inside) in my hands, and I was an alumni at PAHS. I searched for my friends to hug and congratulate them. It finally happened!! We graduated! After snapping a few pics with friends and teachers, I found my family. It was so great to have my parents, my godfather and his son, Miklos and Piroska neni there to represent everyone important to me. After we took a million and one pictures, we ran home to have a little feast, to which Hansi bacsi came as well. I got many wonderful presents and after opening them, I ran to change and went back to school for Project Graduation. PG was awesome! I wasn't expecting myself to really stay up all night, but I was so hyped that I did. Ice skating, arcade games, dancing, and all sorts of child games were waiting for us, so of course I took advantage of it! I had many great talks and I will definitely cherish that night. We got home around 6 a.m. and as soon as I got to bed, I fell into deep sleep mode.

Last days in US
I had many interesting days while I was saying good-bye to everyone. I saw Toy Story 3 with Miklos and Borcsa (very good I must say!!), went canoing with the Kertesz csalad, went to the beach, had a total surprise farewell party thanks to Julie with collaboration from Amy and Miklos (Wilson and Diego were also there). The party was very good; we played games, including who knows me best, manhunt, hide and go seek in the dark, went to Shop Rite and Taco Bell. The Taco Bell part is my favorite. Since the dining hall closes at 11 pm and it was past that time, we decided to go to the drive thru. Since we were on foot, no one answered. So we went to Shop Rite. When we came out of Shop Rite, we got the great idea to have me sit in a shopping cart and try the drive thru like that. We weren't expecting much out of it, but when the speaker spoke to us, were in shock.
"Hello, how can I help you?"
"....."
"Hello?"
"Uhh, hi. Can I have a, uhhhh, umm, *the cheapest thing on the menu*."
"And a small Sprite!"
"Ok, is that all?"
"Yes."
"Ok, that will be $2.64."
"Alright, thank you."
We were all in shock and laugying at the same time. When they pushed me up to the window, the guy could not believe us. He laughed and gave us some free food as well. It was quite an experience!

Departure and flight
I was packing all the way up the last minute. Amy came over by surprise and we spent a couple more minutes together. It was not easy leaving my best friend behind, but I know our friendship will not change. Miklos came to the airport to say goodbye and I was with him up to the last second when I had to check in. It wasn't hard saying goodbye, since we knew we would see each other soon.
Flight to Roma was alright. Nothing interesting, except for the fact that a guy went into cardiac arrest half way through the flight. He was under a lot of stress, hasn't been sleeping enough, etc, but he turned out ok. The guy sitting on the other side of my mom is an EMT, or knows CPR (something along the lines of health care) went to the back and helped him. Turns out he is half Puerto Rican, half Italian. He tried to speak Italian to me, but I understood little, but he was very nice. We had to wait a few hours at the airport for our transfer flight. When I was getting our boarding passes, something happened to the system and I had to wait at least 45 minutes to get our passes. I was rather impatient. We finally got our passes and boarded the plane. We were inside the plane already and on the runway. Captain: "We are sorry, but there are planes ahead of us, and we have to wait a while." Well, this "while" took us an hour and a half, the time of the flight. We left when we were supposed to arrive in Budapest. I wasn't feeling well, so I slept for almost all of the three hours until we got there. At the airport we quickly got our luggage and went out. My sister Reka was waiting for us along with my godfather and his son (we traveled the same day, different flights. The planes left about the same times, and were supposed to arrive at nearly the same time) and the guy who drove us. We packed in the car and left to Debrecen. Finally! We stopped for coffee and snacks on the way home to re-energize. When we got off the strada, I was getting anxious. I was so happy to be home again! Anna, Aron, Ancsa, and Imola came downstairs to greet us and help with our luggages. When we settled, we ate delicous csaszar szalonna and fresh bread. Food has never tasted so good.

Fast forward a few days.

The Wedding
My brother Aron got married this summer to Anita. The wedding was in Sarospatak, Anita's hometown. I spent the night at her house, because I helped prepare some things in advance (like the flowers and the deserts). The following morning we woke up happy that it was the day of the wedding! Ate, got ready for the beautifaction process, I went to get a few things, etc. While Ancsa got her hair and makeup done, I was at the hotel with my family to help my brother get dressed, finish decorations and others there for the dinner, etc... The wedding came and it was beautiful. The service was very nice and right after came the state wedding. Now, that was something interesting. The lady said all sorts of things. "I give you the blue of the sky, the green of the grass, etc..." It was quite peculiar. We were laughing so hard in our seats. Oops!
The reception was also nice. The food was good, the wine was good (of course it was, Ancsa's dad has an amazing winery!!), music was not so good, the mood was awesome!, and in general, everything was very good! I danced with my grandfather, my godfather, my uncle, my sister's boyfriend, Ancsa's boyfriend, and a whole lot of other people. Everyone had such a good time!
The next morning we went to church, after which we had lunch with the leftovers (both leftover food and left over people). In the afternoon we went home and attempted to rest.

Grandfather's Birthday
My dad's dad celebrated his 80th birthday this year. We decided to throw him a surprise birthday party, because we knew that he would not allow us to throw him a party that he knew about. The closest family members were there and we all had a good time. It was nice to be with family.

Italy
After Nagypapa's birthday, we went to Italy. It was to both check out where I will be, and to have a family vacation. We stopped in Fonyod to visit family, and also in Slovenia. During our drive, we saw some absolutely breathtaking scenery. The place where I will be, Casa Cares, is amazing. It is such a simple place, yet so nice! No luxuries, but it is perfectly enough.
Day I.
We got a tour of the house. In short: very old, very nice, many doors, many labyrinths, lot of history. After the tour we went to Florence. We saw almost all of the main sights. Ponte Vecchio, the Duomo, (fake) David, Palazzo Vecchio, the Uffizi, etc. Very nice city, but very tiring, especially in the heat.
After coming back from Firenze, we ate at a little restaurant. Family style and very nice.
Day II
Lucca and Pisa. Lucca is a nice medieval town surrounded by a wall. Many little streets to get lost on. Pisa: we only saw the main point, the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Nothing else. Too. Hot. The piazza where it is has no shade what so ever. None! Do not go there on a hot day!!
After Pisa we decided to take a dip in the sea. About a half an hour drive from Pisa is a beach to which we went. It felt so good to cool off in the water! The scenery was so beautiful! If you look back to the land from the water, you saw the beach and huge mountains. I've never been to a beach like that. So amazing.

This was too much to write, so part II will be soon.

Zsofi