Conquering the TV

26th of May, Tuesday

Diet starts today! - the phrase "Diet starts tomorrow", I've been sticking with the entire year has ended. Me and Kim, we are really doing this. So to show our commitment, we got up at 5:30, and went on a 45 minute walk. The sun was barely out, but it was very hot already. I can feel the summer coming.
  School was semi-boring. At 2:30, I biked home, and I had my first almost good meal of the week: sushi and blueberries. 200 calories so far. At 4, I got on my bike again, and I rode to Del and Linda's house. They invited me to come over and look at their house before I live with them for a few days while the Masiellos are traveling. They live very very close to the Greenauers. Their house is beautiful, and they have an adorable dog called Oreo. We talked for two hours straight, about all kinds of things. It was a lot of fun.
  At 6:30, I rode back to Woodmill, completing my workout for the day. Aside from an almost ready dinner, and email waited for me. Al Meilutis told me, that I was on TV earlier that evening!! I didn't have a clue, but apparently a bunch of people saw it. I was on Channel 13's Bright Spot, where Don Alhart talked about me and my Paul Harris. Pretty cool, eh? My 32 seconds of fame. :D
You can read most of the script under the picture. They talked about me baing an exchange student, and how I want to be a journalist. Dreams of November, now I want to be something else. But not everybody has to know that.
You can watch the video by clicking here .
A big shout of "Thank you!" to everybody who made my day today with this!

Rochester, N.Y. - Tuesday's Bright Spot shines on Bori Bernat. Bernat is a Rotary Exchange Student from Hungary and has been hosted by the Greece Rotary Club this past year. They were so inspired by her spirit that they presented her with a Paul Harris Fellow recently to show their appreciation. Bernat aspires to one day be a journalist.

Memorial day in Syracuse

25th of May, Monday

Today is memorial day, honoring all the veterans that fought in last centuries' wars. There are a lot of parades and celebrations on this day all over the US. We didn't go to any of these. Every student has a day off for this holiday, for which we are very happy about.
  We left the camp in the morning. It was rainy and cloudy, there was no point in staying there. We went to  Syracuse instead. I've never been to Syracuse, and to be honest, I didn't see a lot of it today either. We went to the mall to shop for most of the afternoon. The most successful buy of today was my ball dress! Well, I'll probably wear that for senior ball. It's a long, navy blue, strapless dress. I'll post pictures when I'm wearing it. I got it in JCPenney's, I couldn't leave it there for 18 dollars.
  We dropped Abbey off at the Megabus station before 4. She was a going back to NYC. The next time we'll her again will be in June.
  We headed back to Greece, where we arrived before 6ish. We unpacked the car, and our lives continued as they did before. This was a very fun adventure this long weekend, thank you, Kim and Mike! 

1000 Islands

24th of May, Sunday

We got in the boat just after noon. All of us went to a nearby bay called Alexandria bay to have lunch. We ate buffalo wings while watching flyboarders practice right next to us in the water. Flyboarding is this supercool sport, where people wear special shoes, that shoot water, and therefore, people can "fly". It looks like so much fun! The water was cold however.
  After lunch, we filled the boat up with gas, something I've never done before. It's very interesting, how everybody here uses boats as transportation, because there's no other way. Everybody has a boat, and everything is built around them.
  In the evening, one of my dreams came true: we went to a drive-in-movie-theater!!! I've always wanted to do that. We watched Pitch Perfect 2, but the movie was bad. The experience though. so great. We snuggled up in the car with blankets and pillows. And there were a lot of people there. The whole field was full. Some people brought chairs and got out of their cars, some sat in the back of their trucks to see.
Now I can cross this off too from my bucket list!

Paul Harris Fellow

13th of May, Wednesday

When I woke up, I found my laptop before the front door. I got it back for the third time, and when I started it up, everything seemed to be in order. I really hope it will work this time.
  Today we watched another documentary about a famous American serial killer in Psych, today was about Jeffrey Dahmer. Sick sick man, very messed up. In English, we wrote letters to future freshmen, giving them advice about high school, I think that's a cute idea. In US History, we learnt about the Cold War and the Korean War. Pretty interesting.
  At 11:50, Kim picked me up, and took me to the Rotary meeting. It was a completely ordinary meeting with the usual announcements and make-your-own sandwiches. Al was presenting another Paul Harris Fellow today too. I usually feel proud, when someone from my club gets a Paul Harris, because that means they've done an outstanding job at supporting Rotary. But also, (partly because I have such an amazing club), I heard a lot of these introduction too. The first clue, that this was something different should have been the fact, that Al was introducing this Paul Harris Fellow, and not Dan Barletta, who usually does (although he was standing on the podium too). But of course, I didn't catch that. In fact, I still didn't know what was going on, when they called my name. I was half listening, so I wasn't sure what was going on. It was strange, that people were standing on the stage, but they called for me. But anyways, I reached for my notes for my weekly presentation, and headed for the stage.
  Then someone told me, to leave the notes. At that point, I knew what that something big was about to happen, but I wasn't sure what. They were presenting a new Paul Harris Fellow, and they called for me, everybody smiling at me, could it be? Was I really the one, who was getting the award? Seemed unlikely. I'm just an exchange student, and I haven't donated anything significant to Rotary yet.
  But as it turns out, I was being given a Paul Harris! Me, a PAUL HARRIS FELLOW! The question I remember myself repeating was "What?". The whole situation was so surreal, I didn't believe it was happening to me. My ears were ringing, but I heard Al listing the reasons why I was being awarded such an honor. As he said, my involvement with the club and my efforts were above average. Something that I feel every exchange student should do. We are so blessed with the gift of an exchange year by Rotary, we should give something back. But as it turns out, it's unusual for an exchange student to be this involved.
  So I took the pin, the medal, and the certificate in a very awkward way. I was still dizzy when I was asked to make a speech. But I was speechless! No words could describe what I felt at that moment. I was moved by the love that I was given by the club. Because that's what the award represented: love that surrounded me. Of course, this sounds so amazing now, at the time, all the words I could form were "wow" and "surprise". Worst thank you speech ever. There aren't many times, where I find myself lacking things to say, but today was definitely one of those.
  Even when I sat down, my hands were shaking. I couldn't say anything, although there would have been so much to say: what an honor it is, to be awarded a Paul Harris Fellow! President Al said, that no exchange students have ever gotten one from the club. It is very rare indeed. So rare, I didn't know it could happen. I remember thinking to myself, back in November, that this year, I won't experience what it's like, to stand there and receive an award for excellent service, but maybe in the future. How wrong was I!
  I want to officially thank everybody in the Rotary Club of Greece, not just for the Paul Harris Fellow, but for my entire year. You make every Wednesday a happy day for me. You take care of me, and you spoil me with gifts I often don't deserve. Thank you for being in my life!
  When I was called back to the stage for the reason I'm usually asked for, to say my word and fact, I made a poor attempt to correct my previous horrible thank you speech. Instead of trying hard to form a normal sentence, I read the speech I wrote for the District Conference. In March, Anne Morrell called me to tell me, that I have been chosen to give a speech on behalf of the exchange student in Buffalo. A few weeks ago, I wrote the speech, and now it was time to present it to the club.
  It took exactly 5 minutes, which was perfect. That was the goal. I think everybody liked the speech, which I was happy about. I also handed out some words, that I will ask on the test I promised the club. Test sounds so bad, it's more like a quiz, to recap on everything I talked about Hungary this year. Should be fun, at least for me.
  Tony took me home after the meeting. I was still in a shocked state somewhat. I couldn't believe I was a Paul Harris Fellow. I called my Mom and Dad with the great news, and they were very surprised too, but happy, just like me. When Kim got home, we took some more pictures of the award and me in my Rotary blazer.
  After 7, Laura came to pick me up. She invited me to a poetry contest, to be one of the judges, and I gladly said yes. In "Legacy", the independent senior living community she works at, they organize an annual poetry contest for middle schoolers, so they write about an elderly person, who had an impact on their lives. Today was the final round for 7 talented kids from Olympia and Athena. We listened to 5 of them, 2 of them couldn't make it sadly. They were all very good, I was quite impressed. In the end, a girl from Athena won.
  Today was a very eventful and emotional day. I was given a great honor, and a huge gift from my Rotary Club. I am very grateful for all the wonderful things you do! Thank you again and again!

Paul Harris Fellow: pin, medal, and certificate

A shocked me (pic credit to Tony Pierleoni)

President Al giving me the Paul Harris - still shocked (pic creds to Tony)

Posing with President Al (pic credits to Tony)

Coolkid with a Paul Harris .. am I officially the best now?

Big Wigs Show

8th of May, Friday

I rode my bike to school today! What I did in 17 minutes yesterday, I did in 13 today. I got up 10 minutes later than I normally do, and I got to school 3 minutes before the bus. Plus I got a tiny workout before the day even started. Small accomplishment, but still counts. Weather was just beautiful today.
  In Psych class, we watched the movie "A Beautiful mind", about a mathematician who suffers from schizophrenia. In French, we started a new unit about travel (which is a very good topic for me, I've traveled to 32 countries in my life, I counted). In US History, we took a Unit Exam, this one was only 30 multiple choice questions, but I don't expect to do very well on it, I think I scored in the "ok" category. In Creative writing, we had to do our own stories, about any topic. I think mine's coming along well, it's only 3 pages long so far. And finally in Choir, we tested for Clementine. I really don't like choir testing. I'm used to hearing my voice blend in with the rest of the choir. If only 4 kids are singing a piece that usually 50 do, it sounds weird.
  So that was school for me. Finally Friday! I rode my bike home, and chilled for a few hours. At 7, Tommy, Kim Greenauer's boyfriend picked me up. We went to visit Kim at her work at Golden Ponds. I haven't seen her since I moved to the Masiellos, I missed her. While we were at the restaurant, we watched the Big Wigs Show. It's basically a drag queen show, where to gentlemen/ladies lip-sync and do stand-up-comedy. It was very funny. One of the ladies, I could have really mistaken for a woman. She had a feminine face, an alto voice, and legs, that all women could envy. The other one was no mystery. She had a deep man's voice, but it made the show very funny. The costumes, which were made by the feminine lady, were fabulous. They "sang" songs by famous divas, such as Celine Dion, Cher, and Tina Turner, and they had matching costumes for all their celebrities. People went up to them, to give them dollar tips, and take pictures with them.
  It was a very funny experience. This wasn't my first drag comedy show, and we have some cross-dressers in our country too, although very rarely seen. I never judge anybody based on their sexual preferences, but if they're able to laugh about themselves, I like to laugh with them. And apart from being very inappropriate with their jokes, they were hilarious, I enjoyed the show.
  I was happy that I got to see Kim again. Life rushes forward and takes everyone with, we rarely find time to write to or meet our friends. And that's pretty sad. But I'll try to keep in contact more.
The show lasted till around 10. A good and fun way to spend a Friday night.

I met "Cher", and made a face

Test bike ride

7th of May, Thursday

After a medium-boring school day, where the only interesting thing I did was taking a personality test (turns out I'm 54% introverted, little bit less than I would have guessed myself to be), I wanted to do something fun. Kim and Mike weren't home, so I thought I'd take a bike (not mine, that one got a flat), but Kim's, and measure the time it takes me to bike to school.
  17 minutes at a slow pace. I went on Woodmill, and continued on Wakecliff, English Station, Pinebrook, and Northwood Dr, all the way to Greece Athena. I took the back streets, because it's safer and prettier. After I got the Athena, I felt like I could add a little bit more to my ride, so I called the Ritsons, and biked over to their house, taking the back streets again. There, I picked up my helmet, and I headed back home (now safer), on the same way.
  Two hours after I left the house, I returned in love with Kim's bike. It's really nice, and it's perfect for my height. I was happy with my workout for the day. I usually don't do any sports, but biking is fun. I got to explore the neighborhood much better than with a car. From now on, I'll try to bike to school more often.

AP Exam and RIT film production lecture

6th of May, Wednesday

And thee long fear'd day hath comed! My AP English exam. We have been preparing for this the whole year, but now that it's here, I feel totally clueless. My dad says this happens to every student before an exam.

  Around a 100 kids sat in the APAC lobby at 8 am, with black pens in hand, and an unshakeable feeling of self-doubt. My table was on the balcony, overlooking most people in the lobby below (that's the privilage you get if your last name starts with A to F). And though the table squeeked, I really had the best seat in the house.

  I'm not allowed to tell anybody about the questions, but I will tell you this much: they were hard. The first section was a shortshort 1 hour for 55 multiple choice questions about 5 selected poems, rangeing from the 16th century to 2009. I didn't understand 75% of the words in the poems, or in the questions, but I guess being an American didn't give anybody any advantages, because I heard the same complaint from everybody. Old English is hard English. Sadly I couldn't finish all the questions, in the final minutes, I guessed a lot, based on which letter, A, B, C, D, or E I haven't used for a while. Oh well!

  The second part I found much easier. It was 3 essays in 2 hours. The first one was about a book of our choice (I chose Hosseini's The Kite Runner, because it fit the best for the question, and I read it fairly recently). The second one was an analysis of an excerpt from a novel, which I thought went well, and the last one was about a poem, which was pretty difficult due to the lack of poetic devices they asked for us to find. But there weren't any!

  Nevermind. I think I did as best as I could. I'm proud of myself if I get out of bed, I felt extra accomplished today. If I get a 3, I'm OK with that, if by some miracle, I'd get a 4 ... but it's just useless hopefulness until July, when the results are in.

  After 3,5 wicked ours of painful brainworking, Kim picked me up to take me to Rotary. Hallelujah, we had tacos for lunch for the first time! That made me happy. The meeting was cut short today, because we had to leave at 1 for my lecture!

  Kim put me in touch with a professor at RIT, who teaches film production, and he invited me to sit in on one of his lectures. This was my first college class ever, even though I'm not a student (yet).

  Larry took me to the campus, and dropped me off at 2. Mark Foggetti, the professor, met me at the loading dock of building 7B, where the School of Film and Animation is. He showed me the major places in the building, the editing room, greenroom, equipment cage, then we went to the classroom. It wasn't a big lecture hall, it looked more like a cozy little movie theatre. 

  The film production class of 14 students slowly came in, and took their place. For the whole semester, they were shooting their short films (taking turns in practicing different roles in film production), and in the last few weeks everyone was individually editing one of the short films they shot, completing the first rough cuts for the clip. These are what we looked at, and reviewed. We carefully analysed each cut in an artistic way. We critiqued the individual work, and creativity. I didn't actually say anything, only when my opinion was asked, but I always took mental notes of everything. 

  I think I could do this. I've always been fascinated by film, and though for most of my life, I wanted to work as an actress,  I now realize that I can boss people around better, than being bossed around. I want to tell people what to do, how to do it, and I want to create something great. I basicly just described moms, but in a way, films are the children of directors.

  I really want to study film. I know it's a lot of work, but for me, it would be just fascinating and playful. I want to live by the saying: "do what you love, and you never have to work a day in your life". 

  The student works that I saw today were great! They had to cut their raw footage into a 3 minute long short. Most of them did very well on this project I think, I hope the professors agree with me too. I wonder who I'll stumble upon later in life, or work with, or read about. It would be interesting, because I met some really funny, goofy, nice people today. Being at RIT, on my first but unofficial lecture really lifted my spirits. For a short time today, I felt like I belonged in a world meant for me. Thank you, Prof Foggetti for this experience!

  Kim picked me up at 5:30 today, and took me home. She was an angel today, like always, and dropped my package at FedEx off, my laptop that I had to send back for the 3rd time! I wish Lenovo could fix it permanently for once. *Sigh* Today was a long day. It wasn't physically tiresome, but mentally, I was pudding. 

Happy Mothers' Day!

3rd of May, Sunday

On the first Sunday of May, every Hungarian child greets their mother with flowers, hugs, kisses, gifts and chocolate. This is a day for the moms today, appreciating them for all the things they do.

  So, because of this occasion, I want to tell my Anyi here, how much I love her, and how grateful I am for her being my mother. Couldn't wish for better, prettier or wiser! Love you Anyi!

  Sadly though, I couldn't Skype her today, because she was travelling back to Budapest from Israel with my dad. (Who I also love very much, but he will have his appraisal in June :D).  

  Instead, to make my mother proud, I completed 12 blog entries, and I also wrote my speech for the Distric Conference, at wich I was chosen to give a speech on behalf of all the exchange students. And making my Mom proud was top priority. That, and the fact that that evening was my deadline. But mostly for Mom. Whoever read it, and liked it, remember, I worked my magic with those words, metaphores and whatnot in just 2 hours. Imagine if I wouldn't be a procrastinator, I could have written the whole thing in iambic pentameters. I think it's good enough as a first version. If anybody would like to read it, email me, and critique me! I'm interested in everybody's opinion.

  Today my 3 years of waiting finally came to an end! We went to see Avengers 2, Age of Ultron: SO AWESOME!! I love Marvel and superhero movies, and although the critics did not appreciate this movie as I did, I was shocked how well they've done. It's always difficult to live up to the success of the first movie, but this was amazing. I just loved it. I suggest it to everybody, although I'll tell you, that you need serious background knowledge to understand all the references. Me, being fully loyal to superhero movies for most my life, I've seen almost all of them, but I'm not a comic book reader. Partly because it's hard to get them in Hungary, partly because I have no time next to these movies. But yeah, it's good to have seen all the X-men, especially Days of Future Past, all the Iron-man, Thor, Guardians of the Galaxy, Captain America movies, and the Marvel's Agents of Shield series didn't hurt either. All these are awesome. 

  But without these, the movie is still good. Interesting storyline, twists, vivid characters, exciting battlescenes, and top-quality special effects. Big budget movie for big audiences.

  After 2,5 hours of funfunfun, we left the theatre with different opinions, but most of us liked it a lot! 

 Sarah, Lisa and I, we rode our bikes to a nearby 7eleven. At least I would have, but my back tire got a flat soon after we left. Almost the entire thing ripped off. So Sarah took her dad's bike, and I took hers. 

  We had some slushies, brought it back, and by the time we got home, it was dark. Interesting day today. Productive and exciting at the same time. Again:

Szeretlek Anyi!!! (Love you Mom!!!) Happy Mothers' Day!

Talent show rehearsal

2nd of May, Saturday

Rita took me to Ontario, to rehearse for a talent show at the District Conference, two weeks from now. I took on the part of MC with the Bolivian exchange student Ana, so I had to go. There were supposed to be around 40 kids present, inbounds and outbounds, only 14 of us showed up. So the whole gathering was kind of a flop. We sang some songs, and listed what we were supposed to do on that weekend in Buffalo, but other than that, we just talked. 6 hours of doing almost nothing is hard with people around. I usually waste my time on the Internet, but it's way easier than being social.
  At 3:30, Al and Judie came to pick me up, and they took me back to Greece. We stopped at Wimpy's for some milkshakes. and then they dropped me off at the Ritsons.
  After dinner, Mandy, Craig, Lisa and I, we went on a hike. We wanted to go on the Cranberry trail in the Braddock Bay Park, but we turned around halfway, because it wasn't a very exciting path. We stopped at Burger Park, to walk a little but there too. Then the sun went down, and we had to head home.
  We did stop at Ollie's, this wonderful store, where everything is very cheap, in American standards. Hungary is so much cheaper, new stuff cost this much. But still, I enjoy bargain markets very much.