Day 18: Katie and Anna's Big Adventure.

As much as the title of this blog sounds like a kindergarten show, we actually had a real adventure today. We decided to walk from our apartment to the church in Reghin. We knew approximately where it was, and we were pretty sure we could find it. We actually ended up taking the long way, but we definitely made it in about 20 minutes. We were so excited!

About four more of our children from Apalina came to my class today. I was so happy because they are all so incredibly eager to learn, and I'm better with children than with adults any day. I have the feeling that my class will be different kids from the village every day, which might make it a little hard to plan lessons, but I think as long as I make them enjoyable and they actually learn something then that is really what matters the most.

Katie and I are taking classes too! A couple of her Advanced students offered to help her with Romanian, and me with Hungarian after our English classes. I'm so excited. I have learned more in two days than I learned in a month with my computer program at home. I think if I can learn to really start forming sentences, I could be on my way to becoming somewhat proficient by the end of these nine weeks. I know a ton of vocabulary, but I can't seem to conjugate verbs and put sentences together to save my life.

After class today we went to Apalina to spend some time with the children. We ended up playing on the hill, and for about an hour, engaged in the most intense game of Red Rover I have ever been a part of. I thought for sure someone's arm was going to get broken. The children were extremely energetic today; more than usual, and Katie and I were worn out after a couple of hours, but it was wonderful to get to spend so much time with them. :)

I fell in love with a new child today. His name is Gyorgy, and he can't be more than four years old. Attila had never met him before, and had to ask the other children who he was. They informed Attila that Gyorgy's family is very poor, which by Apalina's standards means his family is probably starving and possibly homeless. He stole my heart the minute I saw his little brown curls, and even though he didn't say a word the whole time we were there, when we finished playing on the hill, he took my hand and smiled at me, and I was a goner. Look how precious he is!