I would say it is time for an update!
So far, everything has been wonderful! Everyone has been so nice and welcoming (not that I expected anything different!), and I've loved my three(ish) days here.
On Thursday, when I got here, I wasn't able to function much. For these first few days, I'm staying with the Kazar family (they started Paulus), and the youngest daughter, Hannah, invited me to play Wii on my first day. My jetlagged brain didn't do too well, but it was still fun. That night, I ate Hungarian chicken noodle soup (delicious!) and then went straight to bed.
The next morning, I had a slow morning. Then Sanyesz and Endre took me to lunch at the Spar. When we went back to Paulus, Endre went over my schedule with me. I'm very excited about everything I am going to be doing! Sara Kazar came and picked me up, and then I helped her make these gift boxes for the next day, a family fun day outreach event. Hannah helped us, and before we knew it, the boxes were complete! Hannah and I then repainted a few signs for the family day, and then it was time for me to head back to Paulus and sit in on Zoli's advanced English class. I really enjoyed that (thankfully, because I am going to be in his English classes all this week!), especially the discussions of elderberry flowers. That story is probably not funny to anyone who wasn't there, but basically Tunde, a woman in class, brought elderberry juice, Zoli's favorite drink appparently. He went on and on about it, and then I asked how it was made. The lady explained that she picked the flower, put it in a mixture of water, some kind of acid (I don't remember what kind...), and lemon, then you let it soak for a few days. Before you know it, you have elderberry juice! I asked more questions, and then Peter, the man present, claimed that elderberry flowers smelled like sweat. Then Tunde exclaimed that it smelled like cat pee (I later heard a story about her four cats, perhaps explaining why her elderberry flowers smell like cat pee...). Anyway, it was a very funny conversation (I'm writing it down so that I remember it because it is a good memory), but I tried the juice, and I liked it!
Anyway, after English class, I went to youth group! It was so good to see friends again (like Eni, Fanni, Dori, Alexa, Regy, etc), and I really enjoyed the discussion. When we got back to the Kazars, Esther, Hannah, and I watched the Narnia move, Voyage of the Dawn Treader (in one scene, the boat goes through flowers on the water, and I found myself wondering if that was what elderberry flowers looked like. Ha!), which was a great movie!
On Saturday morning, we had the family fun day. I helped set up a little, but then I sat with Sara at the welcome desk. Since I don't know much Hungarian, I wasn't very helpful, but I enjoyed watching the toodlers go through each station with their parents. Afterwards, we ate lunch at the Kazar's, and then Endre wife Vicki (that is probably not how it is spelled, but that is the American pronounciation! In Hungarian it is Vee-ki) took me to Statue Park! I've been wanting to go to Statue Park since my very first visit to Diosd, and I finally got to go! It was very interesting (to me, since I love history and especially affects of communism...weird, I know), and I really enjoyed getting to know Vicki and hear her perspective. Then we went back to Endre and Vicki's condo, where we talked while their kids were napping. After their children, Christian and Liza (Leeza), woke up, we ate dinner (asperagus, fish, and rice - yum!) and then took a walk. When I got back to the Kazar's, Christine was home! I heard about her trip, and then Hannah and Esther and I played guitar hero (I was terrible, so I watched Esther go through her "career"). It was a very fun and funny night (my jet lag combined with Sara's humor made for some very funny discussions/comments).
This morning, I went to church early to help set up for the Lord's Supper. Church was fun (it was in Hungarian, so I followed along when I knew the verses and motions), and then I went back to Endre and Vicki's for lunch. I returned to the Kazar's around 2, and then some guests from St. Louis came to visit. Afterwards, Christine, Hannah, and I had a water gun fight.
So that is my update on what I've been doing! Sorry it is so long. But I've been having a blast. In regards to homesickness, it hasn't been bad because I've stayed busy. In regard to jetlag, this has been my worst day, but the third one always is. Hopefully tomorrow I will be on track for Hungarian time! The transition is going well, I think. There have been some difficult moments, but there always are. In all, I'm learning a lot and I'm loving my experience!
Please be praying for my transition (still). I am helping with Zoli's English classes this week, so I am very excited about that.
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