On different routes to experiences
I think I can say, along with the members of our group, that we can look back on this day with pleasure, not only us students, but also the younger and more mature women of the newly formed baking club. We tried to squeeze in a lot into this Saturday’s afternoon: we, the ninth graders started with the lesson of Máté Varga. We began with a presentation on the topic of medieval trade routes. I must admit, at first, I was a little doubtful about our excitement evoked by the topic, but as Máté talked, I became more and more fascinated by the subject, and I didn’t think the adjective ‘dark’ used for the Middle Ages is appropriate at all. In the second half of the lecture, we were introduced to the discovery of a Roman gold coin. We were also given an assignment: for the session of Jannuary, we will be working in small groups to research and prepare a map of the medieval routes of Somogy County.
Meanwhile, the baking club, which was formed recently on our Family Day, was also up and running, as the wonderful smells of gingerbread quickly filled up the rooms of the Community House. The moms were joined by two of our students, who were in the mood for a bit of baking after their morning session. We were able to sample some of the delicious Advent treats and I know that some of them will soon be a gifted away.
‘The first session of our baking club has finally started; I was happy that we managed to find a date that worked for all of us. That left only one question for us to answer: What should we bake? But what could be more relevant these days than gingerbread? We made the cookies using a tried and tested recipe, thanks to my fellow mom, Ibolya Czene. Everybody took part in each of the little processes that make up the baking of the gingerbread from kneading to cutting out the shapes. We made Christmas trees, stars, snowmen and little hearts. Soon the room was filled with a honey-cinnamon scent and the sugary egg-white decorations were also put on the treats, bringing the process to closure. Personally, I’ve never made these and at first, I was a little bit nervous to jump into it, but later I was so inspired that I bought gingerbread cookie cutters on the way home. We envied our kids for coming up with something tangible at the end of their projects, so we didn’t hesitate to put together a cookbook, using the recipes we had brought.’
Szilvia Antalné Szabó, parent
‘Within the framework of the ‘Routes of our Career’ program with Ádám Balogh, we talked about university life and higher education in Budapest. After that we had fun at drama class, although the topic was a bit more serious, including issues such as life views, attitudes, changes of perspective and visions. The day ended with a great and exciting social game, a kind of ‘sociopoly’, with our game master, Ádám Balogh. We started the game in two teams, and we were given the rules by Ádám. We listened carefully, as a lot of information had to be learned. Once everyone had settled into their roles, two or three people from each group visited the other team for a few minutes to try to observe and understand how their society works. Once back in their own society, they quickly discussed the information they had seen and experienced so far; and then visited the other societies again to fill in the gaps. One team modelled a dictatorial system, the other society was more money-oriented, reminiscent of capitalism. Our ‘spies’ sent to the foreign societies brought us information on how they worked and from what they told us, we tried to figure out the rules they ‘live’ by. What I found interesting throughout, was that when I arrive as a stranger in another society, (while relying only on my own powers of observation) the rules and laws there apply to me too and there are consequences for not following them, even though I am only a ‘visitor’. The game ended with a big joint reveal of the rules and discussion. On this Saturday’s afternoon, we took different routes to gain knowledge and experience. We all had a great time!
Emma Sárközi and Sarolta Kovács-Nagy