The last week whizzed by at an incredibly high speed.
The first years arrived on Saturday, my house left on sunday for camp, I went to camp on Tuesday night, my house left camp on Wednesday evening, and then I stayed at camp (with the other half of the first years) until Sunday and then today (monday) codes (classes) started.
And soon it will be September!
It is blowing my mind.
Camp, for those of you who do not know what I am rambling about, is part of induction for the first years. Basically half the firsties go at a time and they sleep in a cold barn (this year they were lucky and had blow up mattresses... unlike the army cots I got to sleep on) and surf and hike and play silly games and sing ridiculous songs for three days. It is amazing!
I, being a camp leader, was able to go to one of the camps and help out.
It was amazing! I got to know some of the first years and also talked with some second years that I didn't know very well.
It was chilly but we had sun two of the days which meant that I was able to sit on the beach for a while and nap in the sun when I was not cooking or cleaning or planning songs.
I think I danced more at camp than I did in the entire last year! and I sang an incredible amount of 'repeat after me' songs.
I will try to put up some of my photos of camp this week.
So overall I have had a good last week before classes start.
And the icing on the cake, was Sunday night.
On Sunday night I was lucky enough to watch.... the globe theatre on tour preform 'A comedy of errors' on a lawn in front of my castle. It was incredible.
I truly love watching Shakespeare preformed, and the globe theatre does an amazing job.
I laughed and cheered and went away thinking that there couldn't possible have been a better end to my summer.
And even though I have a math test on friday and have EE and IA deadlines up the wazoo and even though I don't feel like I will ever have enough time to both hang out with friends and get to know the first years, I am feeling very happy.
I had an amazing summer and am having an amazing school year.
How lucky am I?
Monday, August 30, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
First year camp
I was lucky enough to be chosen as a camp leader for first year camp.
This means that I get to go to camp with the first years (half of them) and make them play silly games and sing rediculous songs.
I loved camp last year and I am so excited that I get to go again.
I am leaving today and will be back late Saturday night.
I will do my best to put up some photos when I return!
This means that I get to go to camp with the first years (half of them) and make them play silly games and sing rediculous songs.
I loved camp last year and I am so excited that I get to go again.
I am leaving today and will be back late Saturday night.
I will do my best to put up some photos when I return!
Sunday, August 22, 2010
First Year Arrival
Yesterday the first years arrived!
It was a day full of paint paint and cheering and horn blowing and flag waving and suitcase carrying and hugging and questions and new faces. It was crazy!
I can imagine that some of the first years were more than overwhelmed by all of our enthusiasm but we were just so excited for them to arrive that we couldn't help it.
It is a strange feeling having such a familiar place filled with so many unfamiliar people.
New people in the day room. New people in the bathroom. New people in my old dorm.
But it is excited. With the first years came a renewed sense of idealism and high hopes. It is invigorating talking to them because everything is so new and exciting and I remember how I felt last year and feel completely excited all over again.
It was a day full of energy.
Nora and Sarah with the Morgannwg sign
Iris
It was a day full of paint paint and cheering and horn blowing and flag waving and suitcase carrying and hugging and questions and new faces. It was crazy!
I can imagine that some of the first years were more than overwhelmed by all of our enthusiasm but we were just so excited for them to arrive that we couldn't help it.
It is a strange feeling having such a familiar place filled with so many unfamiliar people.
New people in the day room. New people in the bathroom. New people in my old dorm.
But it is excited. With the first years came a renewed sense of idealism and high hopes. It is invigorating talking to them because everything is so new and exciting and I remember how I felt last year and feel completely excited all over again.
It was a day full of energy.
Nora and Sarah with the Morgannwg sign
Iris
Sumire with her Japanese flag
Jens, Avtar and George
Sunley House
Some drumming
and horn blowing
And then bus arrived!!
And then bus arrived!!
Which made Bubo very excited!
And Caroline too
And soon our dayroom was full of new people saying names and countries and playing get to know you games.
And Caroline too
And soon our dayroom was full of new people saying names and countries and playing get to know you games.
A new year has begun!!
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Waterfall Hike
For the past four days I have been climbing up mountains and crawling through caves with my service.
On Monday we climbed up the tallest 'mountain' in south wales... which was depressingly small. To be honest I have seen much better views and done much prettier hikes, but it was still really fun.
Tuesday was really fun. I went caving! It was amazing. We all wore really attractive caving suits, helmets and headlamps and went crawling into the earth. Some of the caves were so small that we had to crawl on our stomachs (for one of them the person behind you had to shove you through) and a lot of the time we were on our hands and knees (I have some beautiful bruises to show for it). We even had to crawl through freezing water for a little while. Although it was a little disconcerting to be so far underground in such small spaces it was totally worth it. The caves are beautiful and it is such an amazing feeling to be so in touch with the Earth. For a small while we even turned off our headlamps and experienced perfect pitch black which I found relaxing. Overall, it was an epic day.
Wednesday we hiked to some beautiful waterfalls. Luckily we had good weather and the hike was not too strenuous so it was very enjoyable. And we even swam in the water which was absolutely freezing!
Today I stayed on campus and played some silly games, did some archery and some kayaking.
Here are some photos of the hike to the waterfalls.
Katheryn (Wales)and Nuella (Nigeria) dancing in our van.
The trail begins
On Monday we climbed up the tallest 'mountain' in south wales... which was depressingly small. To be honest I have seen much better views and done much prettier hikes, but it was still really fun.
Tuesday was really fun. I went caving! It was amazing. We all wore really attractive caving suits, helmets and headlamps and went crawling into the earth. Some of the caves were so small that we had to crawl on our stomachs (for one of them the person behind you had to shove you through) and a lot of the time we were on our hands and knees (I have some beautiful bruises to show for it). We even had to crawl through freezing water for a little while. Although it was a little disconcerting to be so far underground in such small spaces it was totally worth it. The caves are beautiful and it is such an amazing feeling to be so in touch with the Earth. For a small while we even turned off our headlamps and experienced perfect pitch black which I found relaxing. Overall, it was an epic day.
Wednesday we hiked to some beautiful waterfalls. Luckily we had good weather and the hike was not too strenuous so it was very enjoyable. And we even swam in the water which was absolutely freezing!
Today I stayed on campus and played some silly games, did some archery and some kayaking.
Here are some photos of the hike to the waterfalls.
Katheryn (Wales)and Nuella (Nigeria) dancing in our van.
Micky and I in our shades
The trail begins
Down to the waterfall
We made it!
Micky behind the waterfall
Sarah (Isle of Man) and Iris (Albania)
Sarah and I
Micky meditating beside the waterfall
Swimming in the water. It was absolutely freezing (please click on the photo and zoom in on Iris' face. it is priceless)
We made it!
Micky behind the waterfall
Sarah (Isle of Man) and Iris (Albania)
Sarah and I
Micky meditating beside the waterfall
Swimming in the water. It was absolutely freezing (please click on the photo and zoom in on Iris' face. it is priceless)
It has been a good week so far :)
Saturday, August 14, 2010
A New Year
Here is a bit more of an update of the year so far and what I am expecting in the days and weeks to come.
We – the new second years – arrived on the tenth of August toting bags full of the necessities for another year at AC. We were greeted by lists of new rooms and new dorm mates.
This year I am in a room with three other second years: Helen (who was in my room last year. yay!), Nora from Norway and Sheila from Uganda. I am really happy about this dorm!!
We were also greeted by a lovely list of new rules, which include:
A‘lights out’ time at 11:30 (the quiet rooms are open until 12:30 to do work)
and
A ‘wake up’ time, which essentially means we are not allowed in our house between 8 and 9.
While, I am not too distressed about these new rules as I go to bed at a decent hour anyways, I am resentful of the fact that we are being treated like irresponsible children, instead adults who are capable of going to bed by themselves.
But nevertheless, life goes on.
There are many other changes around the school. Our schedule has changed, we have assistant house parents and the second year desks are no longer assigned to specific students.
However, what I am most interested in is the new mission-based program the administration is trying to formulate. They are trying to change the structure of the school to fulfill the mission more completely and more tangibly. At the moment it is mostly semi-formulated ideas and test runs. But I think the school is headed in a new, exciting and positive direction.
All week I have been in and out of meetings with EE supervisors, houseparents, and service leaders.
We had very little time to unpack and put away the multitude of boxes that we left behind in the spring (how I managed to accumulate so much stuff in one year I will never know), before we were thrown straight back into our work. EE deadlines were doled out, service session allocated and tutor talks planned.
I am lucky that my service doesn’t start until Monday and so I have the weekend to work on all the things I wasn’t able to do in the summer.
All next week my service will be going on day trips doing things such as: hiking, caving and kayaking. I am pretty excited!!
And between all of our work and commitments somehow we are trying to see all of our friends. Trying to explain the past two months of our life.
There never seems to be enough time.
Looming ever nearer on the horizon is another exciting event: the arrival of the first years!!!
In exactly one week buses and cars will drive into our school filled with eager faces and bags stuffed with clothing – the other half of the student body.
It is had to imagine a year without my second years. It is impossible to imagine what it will be like with 150 new people.
But nevertheless I can’t wait for them to come.
I can’t wait to meet them all.
I can’t wait to hear their stories, their interests, and their hopes.
I can’t wait for their enthusiasm to fill the school to bursting point.
Because the dorms are separated into first year and second year dorms this year, we have planned a buddy system. Each second year dorm will adopt a first year dorm that they will greet specially, and take care of. I can’t wait to meet mine!
Plus, there are two girls from BC coming to the school and there are two Canadians coming to my house.
After they arrive they are sent off to camp.
I was lucky enough to be chosen as ‘camp leader’. This means that I go up to one of the camps (camp 2) to cook, sing silly songs, play ridiculous games and make the first years dance on the tables. I can’t wait!
This coming week will be full to the brim with service, work and catching up.
And just when I think I am suitably busy, the school will swell with new students and my ‘busy’ will get busier.
I am so excited!
I am back!!
We – the new second years – arrived on the tenth of August toting bags full of the necessities for another year at AC. We were greeted by lists of new rooms and new dorm mates.
This year I am in a room with three other second years: Helen (who was in my room last year. yay!), Nora from Norway and Sheila from Uganda. I am really happy about this dorm!!
We were also greeted by a lovely list of new rules, which include:
A‘lights out’ time at 11:30 (the quiet rooms are open until 12:30 to do work)
and
A ‘wake up’ time, which essentially means we are not allowed in our house between 8 and 9.
While, I am not too distressed about these new rules as I go to bed at a decent hour anyways, I am resentful of the fact that we are being treated like irresponsible children, instead adults who are capable of going to bed by themselves.
But nevertheless, life goes on.
There are many other changes around the school. Our schedule has changed, we have assistant house parents and the second year desks are no longer assigned to specific students.
However, what I am most interested in is the new mission-based program the administration is trying to formulate. They are trying to change the structure of the school to fulfill the mission more completely and more tangibly. At the moment it is mostly semi-formulated ideas and test runs. But I think the school is headed in a new, exciting and positive direction.
All week I have been in and out of meetings with EE supervisors, houseparents, and service leaders.
We had very little time to unpack and put away the multitude of boxes that we left behind in the spring (how I managed to accumulate so much stuff in one year I will never know), before we were thrown straight back into our work. EE deadlines were doled out, service session allocated and tutor talks planned.
I am lucky that my service doesn’t start until Monday and so I have the weekend to work on all the things I wasn’t able to do in the summer.
All next week my service will be going on day trips doing things such as: hiking, caving and kayaking. I am pretty excited!!
And between all of our work and commitments somehow we are trying to see all of our friends. Trying to explain the past two months of our life.
There never seems to be enough time.
Looming ever nearer on the horizon is another exciting event: the arrival of the first years!!!
In exactly one week buses and cars will drive into our school filled with eager faces and bags stuffed with clothing – the other half of the student body.
It is had to imagine a year without my second years. It is impossible to imagine what it will be like with 150 new people.
But nevertheless I can’t wait for them to come.
I can’t wait to meet them all.
I can’t wait to hear their stories, their interests, and their hopes.
I can’t wait for their enthusiasm to fill the school to bursting point.
Because the dorms are separated into first year and second year dorms this year, we have planned a buddy system. Each second year dorm will adopt a first year dorm that they will greet specially, and take care of. I can’t wait to meet mine!
Plus, there are two girls from BC coming to the school and there are two Canadians coming to my house.
After they arrive they are sent off to camp.
I was lucky enough to be chosen as ‘camp leader’. This means that I go up to one of the camps (camp 2) to cook, sing silly songs, play ridiculous games and make the first years dance on the tables. I can’t wait!
This coming week will be full to the brim with service, work and catching up.
And just when I think I am suitably busy, the school will swell with new students and my ‘busy’ will get busier.
I am so excited!
I am back!!
How Lucky Am I?
It has been a summer full of laughter and smiles, lessons learned and thoughts provoked, hugs hello and hugs goodbye.
It has been a full summer!
A month at home in the fresh BC air, three weeks in the hot Tanzanian sun and two weeks in the swirling UK/Irish clouds.
And now I am back!
One year ago I arrived to the castle by the sea overwhelmed, full of idealism and with a smile on my face.
This year I arrived to the castle by the sea overwhelmed, full of idealism and with a smile on my face.
However although the scene I am met by is achingly familiar, it is so incredibly different. It is amazing how much can change in one year. No longer am I overwhelmed by a rush of new places and unknown faces, instead I am overwhelmed by places saturated with memories and the faces of friends I have longed to see.
There is no doubt that I have grown in the past year. I have learned so much about the world, about relationships, about hard work and about myself.
And yet I have stayed the same. I still long to change to the world, I still laugh at things nobody else finds funny and I still marvel at the beauty of a sunset staining the sky red behind a stone castle.
I face this year equipped with a whole year of new knowledge.
I face this year with hopes as high as the moon.
I face this year knowing it will bring new joys and new challenges.
I face this year with open arms.
How lucky am I to have another year in a castle by the sea?
It has been a full summer!
A month at home in the fresh BC air, three weeks in the hot Tanzanian sun and two weeks in the swirling UK/Irish clouds.
And now I am back!
One year ago I arrived to the castle by the sea overwhelmed, full of idealism and with a smile on my face.
This year I arrived to the castle by the sea overwhelmed, full of idealism and with a smile on my face.
However although the scene I am met by is achingly familiar, it is so incredibly different. It is amazing how much can change in one year. No longer am I overwhelmed by a rush of new places and unknown faces, instead I am overwhelmed by places saturated with memories and the faces of friends I have longed to see.
There is no doubt that I have grown in the past year. I have learned so much about the world, about relationships, about hard work and about myself.
And yet I have stayed the same. I still long to change to the world, I still laugh at things nobody else finds funny and I still marvel at the beauty of a sunset staining the sky red behind a stone castle.
I face this year equipped with a whole year of new knowledge.
I face this year with hopes as high as the moon.
I face this year knowing it will bring new joys and new challenges.
I face this year with open arms.
How lucky am I to have another year in a castle by the sea?
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