Yeah. Blog. That thing, umm... Hi!

I would like to not summarize my life in bullet points, but bullet points make things simple (usually). Here's my attempt. I swear I used to be able to write before the break.


I'm back in Budapest for the Winter Term. I knew going back would be difficult, so I'm dealing with it as expect. Future frustrations will arise around the beginning of Spring Term and when I have to watch all the 1 year students graduate. I should be sleeping right now, but somehow I can't. By somehow, I mean a giant cup of Earl Grey tea plus tomato sauce induced heartburn.
I'm waiting for results from Fall Term, but the deadline for grade submission is the 28th of this month. I find the lack of feedback quite frustrating. I did get results from one class, Modern Historiography. Leave it to History to be on their game while Gender Studies ... is Gender Studies. While I enjoy my classes from gender, I prefer dealing with History admin. far more. 


On to other news: no France for me. Actually chances are that anyone who reads this blog already knows this, but it is still worth mentioning. Based on a number of factors, I have decided that it is in my best interests to go to the University of Nottingham. It seems like a better fit both financially and academically. They're rated fairly high and I can get student loans while there. Also, I hope to go for a whole year instead of one semester (which I would financially be forced to do if I went to France). This means I will be able to be at the same school as my thesis supervisor while working on my thesis.


On that note, I'm thinking of making a list of warnings/cautions/tips/etc. for students that might follow my path. While I have enjoyed my time at CEU, it turns out that it just isn't a great match for me. There are many good things about the school and living in Budapest, but in looking back at my undergrad experience, there were certain locational, organizational, and safety factors that I tend to appreciate. Also, if I were in a 1 year MA, I think some of these factors would matter less, but at the thought of having to come back here to write my thesis, I realized that it just wasn't a good idea. 


Switching topics, I'm trying an experiment this week. I am going to attempt to not eat in the dorm cafeteria at all. There are a number of reasons... 

•  Financially - eating two cafeteria meals a day exceeds my budget (1600 HUF, so 830/meal x 2, well you get the picture...)
• I miss green vegetables!
• I'm tired of the same stuff: butter, extra salt, usually mediocre soups, more butter, and too many potatoes (usually with extra butter!). 
• Even with eating in the dorms last semester I managed to lose weight. I'm hoping the process will continue but at a faster pace with me eating healthier.
• I just want to see if I can manage. How creatively healthy can I be? We shall see...

Sadly, first day of the experiment and I'm up with heartburn. (Note to self, do not buy Barilla basil-tomato sauce again.) Will update with results, eventually. I have allowed myself one exemption from the experiment, I am allowed to spend no more than 1000 HUF/meal on three meals this week. This pretty much limits me to the Hummus Bar or the X Floor Buffet (both are far better/healthier options). Midweek (Wednesday or later) I will get a $30 grocery store trip. (Which for Hungary is a ridiculously huge budget, but considering pesticide issues I've decided that I need to buy certain things imported or organic here, i.e. tomatoes.) 


Anyway, that's all for tonight, really random post, I know. Sleep, minus the heartburn.