An Ode to Advanced Mathematics

Wow... the math has only seemed to get harder as the semester has gone on. I thought after midterms I would have a break until finals, but alas, that was not the case. It seems like I am always doing work to either catch up because I didn't understand what we discussed in class or to improve my grade because all I want to do is PASS. I also think this vlog does a good job of showing life in Budapest this term, not the amazing and over the top exciting travel vlogs (which are def a large part of my experience here, but not the majority of the time). I am so incredibly lucky to have some amazing people here to listen to me when I'm crying, go around and explore sights in the city, jam out to Bianca and Troy's immaculate playlists, and making pasta at all hours of the day! We have really all become like a family here and having to say goodbye is going to be so hard.

So, what all have I been up to in Budapest besides doing math all the time?! Well, it was Eashu's birthday and he hates celebrating it, but he's besties with me so I just had to celebrate in some way. He loves mango sticky rice, so I took a few orders of it and put it together with some candles and called it his birthday cake. He loved it. I loved it. It was so fun. Here's to your Taylor Swift year Eashu!

I spent a good amount of time with Brando these last few weeks too! We've always hung out but between midterms and him getting COVID, we couldn't find a lot of time to go explore cafes. BUT after Romania we got lunch and drinks together many times a week, and he goes to Wake Forest so I can definitely go visit him next semester!! He is really such a sweet person and I am so grateful to have him in my life :) we get lunch at Asian Street Food all the time, and even went for lunch AND dinner one day haha. Chances are if you stop in ASF you will find so many BSM people, we love getting good food there then crying over math!

Shayar and I explored the Christmas markets around Budapest which were so pretty! And we got to wear matching fits which was really cute and taste some good mulled wine to warm us up. It really got me into the holiday spirit!! Eashu's friends from Tech - Andrew and Luke - were staying for a night in Budapest and I was so happy to meet them! We got to tell funny stories about Eashu and just have a good time which was really nice. And of course they had to make a guest appearance in the blog. They were so surprised Eashu was friends with someone like me, so I'm glad I can bring some excitement into his life lol.

I got to hang out with a lot of other BSM people, whether that be for homework or studying or drinking or grabbing food. No matter what, I always had a great time hanging out with them! But I always had my comfort people in Shayar, Eashu, and Peppa to go back to! Yes, I got Eashu addicted to Peppa pig and she is a staple in our household, it's really cute. I even got him his own Peppa to take home to Atlanta so he never forgets me.

Never have I experienced mathematics to this difficulty, and I wish I could say it was a wholly positive experience. But they say you grow the most when you're out of your comfort zone, and I am certainly so far in the uncomfortable area that I either adapt or just end up sad. So I chug along and keep going and I promise you, I'm able to make it out the other side :) math is still my one true love despite everything about this semester lol.

xoxo, Mackenzie