The end of BSM

So yesterday was the last official day of BSM. We had our farewell party, took group photos, got our transcripts, and popped champagne. I'd like to say that it was an emotional event for all of us... but I'd be lying. Most of us couldn't wait to get out of there. First, it was super hot in the room -- everyone was sweaty and gross by the end. Second, they said it started at 4 -- we didn't start getting our transcripts until about 4:45-4:50. Third, most of us are staying a few additional days so it wasn't really goodbye for a lot of us. That being said, I had a moderately pleasant time. I got my transcript and was so stunned that I had to sit on the floor. Film: A Philosophy: A- Combinatorics: A Dynamics and Bifurcations: A-. I just KNEW going in that I was going to get a B in D&B, my first college B, so when that A- popped up I was shocked but so incredibly happy.

Now these last few days in Budapest are getting spent doing all of the things in Budapest that one is supposed to do: the baths, wine tasting, visiting Gellert Hill. Need to keep busy to distract myself from being sad that I'm leaving friends very soon.

126 days down 9 to go

My final BSM final is happening in 2 days. While I will be very excited to finally finish up my classes, I will also be very sad that this experience is almost over. Sure, there have been intense periods of time where I have thought that this was the worse decision of my life, I suck at math, why did I leave my friends, etc. But, there have also been times where I've been so happy to be abroad, living on my own, experiencing new foods and cultures, getting to travel around Europe, making friends that I'll get to visit around the States. For as much as I've hated myself academically this semester, I certainly don't regret this experience. I know I am better for coming here... maybe not mathematically like I had intended but as a person. That's what I'm taking away from this experience. I'm going to go home and things are going to be different. I've got some tough choices ahead of me, but I'm happy and I'm going to make the most of these final days.

Let's hope this Combinatorics final doesn't eat me alive.

Too brain dead to come up with a spiffy title

I have started to write this blog about 4 times now. It’s been a busy few weeks and weekends and I just never got around to finishing it. The reason I get to do this today is because 1) I’m taking a study break and 2) I had a dream last night that my friend Misty yelled at me for not having written anything in such a long time. So, today I write.

Things are wrapping up here. I’ve got my Dynamics and Bifurcations final exam tomorrow at 8 a.m., my final paper for film is due on Tuesday when I take my final exam for that class as well. Wednesday my philosophy final exam/essays are due in addition to the usual homework assignment. Thankfully, I’ll be able to breathe a little after Wednesday since my Combinatorics final isn’t until the following Tuesday.

For nonschool stuffs, it seems that most of my friends here all have birthdays in May. So, there have been a number of nights out celebrating with them. There have also been a number of days where groups of us have gotten together and gone out to eat. Thai, Chinese, Italian, oh yeah, and Hungarian. When you spend about $6-7 on a nice, sit down meal, you can afford to do it often. I don’t know how we’re going to survive when we get back to the States. We’ll probably all be broke within a week.

So yeah. It’s exam time. Wake up, study, eat lunch, study, take a break on facebook for an hour so you don’t go insane, study, eat dinner, study, sleep if you’re that confident in your abilities. Wake up, take the final, accept your first college B and finally move on with your life.

It's the Final Countdown

Today is May 1^st. May freaking 1^st and my time in Budapest is nearing an end. Information about final projects and papers is being distributed. Dates are being set for exams. Emails are being sent about final colloquiums and transcripts. Everywhere I look, I am being told that the end of this study abroad experience is near.

As a result, we are all trying to cram in as much time and fun with each other as possible. This past week, we went out dancing; there was a birthday party; we met for hot chocolate; we marathon-ed the last four episodes of Dexter Season 2; we went out to dinner; we went to someone’s apartment and just hung out. There’s been so much people time (and so little mathematics time :D) because there’s so little time left. Sure, we all know that some of us will keep in touch (Ah, the wonders of facebook) but we’re also very aware that most of us will drift apart and never see each other again. To be together in this way, that’s never going to happen again, so we’re trying to make the most of it.

Various Hang out Pics:

<-- This one was while we were supposed to be working on our Combinatorics Extra Credit...

^     These were at Luis Diego's Birthday Party    ^