"Don’t ever compliment me by insulting other women. That’s not a compliment, it’s a competition none of us agreed to."

Since last time I wrote, a decent amount of things have happened, and I can’t say I was bored for even a minute!

First thing I took part in, was a field trip to a crime museum in Washington DC during which, as usual, I paired up with Silje from Norway. Museum covered some history of crime, some criminals, punishment for different crimes and forensic science section.  To be honest, even if I don't really like Global class that much, it was worth to take it to have an opportunity to go to all those places!

When we were coming back to school Silje and I were talking and she started listing how much things have changed at home since she left- one of things she listed, somewhere in a middle, on the same breath she said that her sister cut her hair, she said that one of her friends had an abortion. I couldn't think about anything else and 16-year-olds, basements, dirty utensils and some questionable people. Because Silje had already moved on, apparently blind for an impact this tiny thing had on me, so I had to bring it up again, only to figure out that yeah, right, her friend got pregnant, happens, teenagers have sex (I'm pretty sure that not only Norwegian ones), sometimes they get pregnant, but because they are young and simply aren't ready for that, they go to a physician who does his job, for free (well, for taxes) and without making a big deal out of that.

I tried really hard not to get overly emotional when I explained why I'm so amazed, but when I got to a part when a physician may simply say "Nah, not doin', ain't wanna go to hell, girl" even if pregnancy is a result of rape, I started getting really frustrated.
As a closure, I asked her if they don't have any people protesting next to abortion clinics. She gave me this look as if I were at least crazy saying that "OF COURSE NOT!".
Than we had a little chit-chat that she considered going to Ireland for her exchange year, but along with her parents she decided that country with such a stringent anti-abortion laws isn't the best place to be "in case something happens".
And before you start imagining my dear Silje in a stereotypical "slutty" way, let me just tell you that if you passed her on a street, you'd think that she is on her way to Sunday School. And if she even wore short skirts, it's only her business. Because you know what, guys? We should stop slut shaming.

+ My mother says that talking about the same thing all the time is getting boring. Oh well, living in patriarchal society got boring many years ago. And don't worry, more "boring" issues are on their way! Keep scrolling!

On Friday (21.03) I was getting ready for a weekend (wait for it), hanging around room in my most comfortable pj's, when my brother ran into a house in a tuxedo (people who can sing problems) asking if I want to go with him and his friends to a burger place. Changing took my maybe 30 seconds and I had a very nice evening. I'm not sure if you know that I have some decision-making issues, and I couldn't decide which milkshake I want to order, that I ended up asking waitress to mix chocolate and raspberry together. It was tasty!

Even if we didn't come back that late I spent pretty restless night, and when I had to get up at 5 it was almost painful. Me and Nate got into a car, picked up Justus (Germany) and headed to a capitol of Pennsylvania- Harrisburg!

After +/- 3 hours we arrived to YMCA (because "IT'S FUUUUN TOOOO STAYYY ATTTT THE YYYYMMMMCCCCAAAAA"), took our backpacks from a trunk and headed to the entrance (it wasn't as easy as it seems to be). Justus eyed us up and asked with a great concern:

-So, guys, where are your sleeping bags?

Our WHAT? Well, having two people getting emails with directions isn't noticeably helpful. Nate just shrugged and laughed while I was worrying how we are going to survive the night. What's wrong with me, that I always worry so much about stuff I don't really have any influence on? 

After common euphoria to see each other again (it was almost a month!) we got accessories for St Patrick's Day (even if it had been a Monday before) and headed toward Pennsylvania State Government Building. It was an informative tour, I asked a guide plenty of questions and got satisfactory answers, however I don't like an idea of government buildings being covered with gold. 

 

Then we moved to a museum, which combined art with science. After going through art part, we enjoyed planetarium.

Isaac (Brasil) and Gabe (Argentina) with a founder of Pennsylvania 

 

In this nice thingy Americans sent a monkey into a space in '59

Right before lunch break we went to St Patrick's Cathedral, just to see how it looks like. Being raised in Europe, a cathedral from 1907 didn't impress me much, so I spent this time talking to Ian about religion in Poland, so he knows what to expect during his exchange. When we were standing between entrance/exit and door to a main part of a church (I have not idea how to call it, and I'm pretty sure that word "przedsionek" isn't the most accurate) I was looking through some magazines you could took for free. Some bumper stickers had caught my eye, so I looked closer. I burst out giggling, because the first one was so ridiculous I couldn't resist. Than a disgust came, and for next half of hour I was just exchanging looks with Ian trying to get over what we have seen. Like, really, people, really?

Last one is the first one I saw.
Later we were laughing that yeah, "a family needs a father", or even two.
I'm not quite sure how I feel about the second one; If I didn't know what they want to say, I'd probably consider sticking it somewhere in my room (you know guys, early childhood educators' perversion), but the hidden message behind it makes me cry. 

We spent our lunch in the smallest mall I've ever seen and took part in St Patrick's Parade. Firstly we were watching from a distance, but when we actually joined a crowd we had a great time. Because I drank enormously huge smoothie for lunch I needed to find a bathroom. When we stopped and started watching parade I tapped someone on a shoulder to make sure they don't leave without me and entered first pub I saw. When I came back Ian asked me, if they let me in. I couldn't understand why they wouldn't let someone pee in their toilet, and learnt that some pubs let in only people who are 21. Maybe it's a good thing I didn't ask for a permission! <feeling like a badass>

before:

after:

Me, Amelia (goes to Spain), Jonathan (goes to Germany), Isaac (Brasil), Ian (goes to POLAND <3)

After parade we saw movie in imax and because we're reading "Fahrenheit 451" in my English 10 class the only thing I could think about was that everything I see is a screed. However I enjoyed watching a a movie about West Guinea, can someone please pay for all the travel I want to do? :)

We came back to YMCA and ate dinner (I tried to teach polish to Ian, and I feel very bad for him right now. Imagine you speak only English, and someone tries to explain to you that yeah, there's "fryzjer" and "fryzjerka", but when you go to a hairdresser you need to say "idę do fryzjera", and saying "idę do fryzjerki" is incorrect, even if person who cuts your hair actually IS a woman). Then I found out that girls are sleeping in a preschool room, which basically meant that I can get pretty comfortable. Just take a look:

Using my knowledge from Child Development I figured out that children need to nap sometimes, so I kinda took their blankets and pillows and a few additional mats.  #soproudofmyself

I was really tired for most of the evening, but when I left gym (I don't understand how people can play volleyball. I mean- HOW do you make your hands move the way you want!?), took a shower (thinking that living in dormitory wouldn't be that bad, after all) I was fully awaken and ready to play "Never have I ever" (don't worry, we were flexing our fingers, not drinking!) and talking until almost 2 o'clock.

"For almost 18 years you’re taught to sit down, shut up, and raise your hand. Then you have to decide what you’re going to do for the rest of your life."-Lavon Curtis

Firstly, before I bore the pants off you with all details from my extraordinarily exciting life I want to prove that I’m working very hard in school here and that it’s not true that American High School doesn’t require me to cut down my sleep to finish all those crazily difficult assignments. So for everyone who questions my effort, here comes a picture from very boring and exhausting day in LHS:

Since I left you over two weeks ago (seems like much longer, doesn't it?) I've done plenty of fun stuff. There were so many of them that, to be honest, I don't feel like writing about anything in here (because I have my pictures, and my journal, and my own head full of memories), so thank my mom nicely, because I'm doing it mostly for her.

Starting from 1st of March my life was pretty filled with fun, not obvious-fun, but little things that make you happy. I met my older sister, who came back from college for a spring break, and ate in Indian restaurant (where everything is too spicy for my taste). I had a chance to try masala chi (kind of a tea); we ordered entire pot, but our Korean brothers didn't like it, so we got to drink all of it!

I visited two Amish farms, where my host parents buy milk, cheese and eggs. They didn't look the way I expected them to, but both women I met were dressed the "traditional" way.

Other than that I was constantly repeating phrase "mandu, mandu, maaaanduuuu, mandu", which was taught to us by Andrew, the oldest of my (Korean) bothers. My skills of survive Korean street life have definitely increased, as well as my assimilation to American culture, because somebody's 18 birthday party with parents in a house doesn't seem weird anymore (okey, it still does, but not THAT MUCH as on a beginning).

On Saturday (15.03) we (meaning me, Nate, Brianna, and Lily) took advantage of beautiful weather (20*C!) and visited Solomon Island, where we started with picking up Rebecca and visiting Annmarie Gardens, a sculpture park and art gallery. The gallery contained mostly modern art, but by "modern" I mean "made in 2000s" not a genre of art. I literally fell in love with a few pieces, but what I liked the most was a part that was supposed to talk about recycling.

sculpture made entirely from plastic bottles, paint and glitter.

Additionally they didn't try to pretend that they are more serious that necessary, and thew following open for us:

"LOOK! This picture shows, how pole dance is not only for strippers, that you can do it because it's fun. LET'S TAKE A PICTURE WITH IT."

Brianna&Rebecca

They even had this little art place, where everyone could do their own piece with bottle tops. Guess who enjoyed it the most? Yeah, you're right, a four year old and me.

Bottle top art, guyz!

Our art.

After indoor part, we run outside and started exploring. It was really well prepared, both for adults and kids, I LOVED IT, especially that since I came to US I don't get to spend that much time on a fresh air (who would think, that I'm going to miss my long walks to school and back?).

We've also went to a beach and walk into the water without shoes (again, only Lily and me) and came back home around 6pm, tired and hungry, but definitely happy.