Personal Yearbook 2013 Additions.

So I just sent in my yearbook picture and quote. Official.
The yearbook at AC is really nice, it's made by the students (during their Project Week), and contains only the Second Years.
The Second Years get to choose their picture (any), and write 200 words about anything. Mine is quite standard, a quote and then personal inside things that others wouldn't be able to pick up unless they participated in them.

We also write things for our teachers, in the last week I have helped write two, one for Alun in Geography and one for Ruth in English.




Ruth:

“I can’t bloody believe it! Graeme stayed logged on AGAIN!” This familiar outburst marks the start of another English lesson with Ruth. Arriving fashionably late as usual, the rant is not over yet: “I mean, just look at the state of this room! How am I supposed to teach in this kind of environment?” *squirt squirt* Out comes the 99.9% spray. Avrah dodges.

“Blinds up! We need to let in as much sunshine as we can in this place!”

At this point, Zena wonders in at last. “How’s life Zena?” Ruth attempts. “It’s there.”

And so the lesson begins. As much as we were all enraptured by Ted Hughes’ muscular language, our attention slowly diverts itself to more… modern matters. 

 As you once wisely told us, people do a lot of illegal things. Like speeding. Continuously. 

Indeed, when we weren’t discussing the new colour of your front door and the ‘simple’ men of the class weren’t storming out of the room in outrage, we were focused on the reviews of Tranquilino’s sales on Amazon.

 That said, you succeeded in teaching us to appreciate tone and punctuation and even Nick can’t read a poem without at least attempting to draw some kind of meaning from it.

However, some things will never change. We shall forever hate the Moor, and Wodwo will always be a dog.

Our memory will remain forever copied onto your iTunes.

 

 

Alun:

 

 

Alun, the last two years of Geography with you have been… sporadic.

We’re not sure if we should take offense. Leaving us in the hands of an intern, whose name we still struggle to pronounce, and then fleeing half way across the world to compete in triathlons and for your various “important meetings”.  But we forgive as soon as you put on an episode of Planet Earth - you know the way to our hearts.

None the less, your patience has been tested repeatedly. Our extreme protestations of your changing the slides far too fast. Karen’s… well, Karen. We long ago gave up on you remembering all the students’ names: in Geography, he will always be SakFish. 

You never gave up on us, even when half of us had our backs turned to you (seriously, you should rearrange those tables).

You have a talent of making your students beg for work. ‘Please can I have a past paper?’- Abi, and the mystery behind the basis of our monthly grades still haunt us. You succeed in capturing our interest [even Janos’!] when we browse ‘the news’

PS- Please Clean the Geography Filter.

MINE- (the picture will be in black and white though, this was taken in the Romeo and Juliet Tower, you can see the castle in the background)

Abi Drummond- Cayman Islands, England

 I know these will all be stories someday.
And our pictures will become old photographs.
We'll all become somebody's Mom or Dad.
But right now these moments are not stories.
This is happening, I am here and I am embracing it all.
We are alive, surrounded by everything that makes us wonder.
And in these two years, I swear, we are infinite.

 AC, two letters that have irrevocable altered my life.

I learnt far more in one Open House than years’ worth of lectures,
Note-taking and memorization have ever achieved.


Thank you-
For the cheap wine: Walking languidly to
And with such ferocity from Marcross.
For the hummus. And the bowls of porridge.
For the Dhal. And the Al Dente Pasta.  And lunch in the Blue Garden.
For the Green Tea. And Mate. And Norwegian Coffee.
For the highest highs and the lowest lows – usually in the same afternoon.
For Crazy Ponies. 69. Gubby. Petals. Fatty. Giraffe.
And for the one that I cherish more than any nickname could fathom.
Thank you.

 

For all the ones I love: it’s never really going to be goodbye.

I have too many plans, too many checkboxes needing to be ticked.

Abi

King as Alumnus!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jan/28/queen-beatrix-netherlands-abdicates

Prince Willem-Alexander graduated in the 80's and will soon be the King in the Netherlands :) Apparently he visits AC every year with the Dutch committeee.

YAY

Brief but Busy.

Why herrrrrro.

On Saturday night, Chloé, Gabi, Ilisha and I had a Bollywood night. Eccentric.

We ate Dhal and spiced potatoes made by Ilisha after an Insanity session we forced her to. Then we watched a Bollywood movie called Dotsana, which I really enjoyed for the first 2 hours - but after Ilisha had to go back for check-in I gave up on. It's funny, before sitting down to watch it I had never even considered that they would be speaking in Hindi, or that it was so long it would requite an 'Intermission' sigh to go up. Ilisha also painted beautiful henna on our hands [picture to go up soon]. We were very spolied.

In Newsflash today [my new activity], Arjun from New Delhi in India spoke about the upheaval that his home has been in since the December 16th rape. He spoke about joining the peitions for the nights holding candles, but before the rocks started to be thrown and basically informed us [well I hope I wasn't the only one with no idea of the atrocity].

For lunch today I went to the Blue Garden with one of the most genuine, kindest of our First Years- Antonia. We ate tuna on rye bread and then she took a photo of me with the castle in the background for my yearbook picture. It's pretty standard, but good enough :)

Life is pretty busy here with work [shocker]. I'm balancing working on my Maths Project which involves statistics and noting the correlation between Huricane category and damage cost [my choosen topic], my final Literature in Translation Essay, History revision for a factual knowledge test on the Russian Revolution, and various past papers from teachers.

Just over 2 weeks to Mocks and the idea of revision really can't even be contemplated yet... it is not going to be pretty.

Upcoming events:
Ruyi's 19th birthday on Thursday!
MUN on Friday!
Yearbook Slips due on Sunday!
Caribbean Bonding on Saturday!
Ice Skating next Friday!

Lots of Love,
Pictures and Updates soon!

Abi

BEES

There is a petition campaigning to ban the use of pesticides which have been proved to cause harm to bees. It would be great if you could sign it and help get the message to the European union:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/hours_to_save_the_bees/?bemPpbb&v=21422

Here is a little more about the petition:

 

Billions of bees are dying worldwide, threatening our crops and food. But in 48 hours the European Union could move to ban the most poisonous pesticides, and pave the way to a global ban that would save bees from extinction.

 

Four EU countries have begun banning these poisons, and some bee populations are already recovering. Days ago the official European food safety watchdog stated for the first time that certain pesticides are fatally harming bees. Now legal experts and European politicians are calling for an immediate ban. But, Bayer and other giant pesticide producers are lobbying hard to keep them on the market.

Love,
Abi

The Photo.

First Year Yearbook Photo

I will admit it. I did not want to wake up. So much so that when Chloe woke up at 5:30 and shook me to get up as well- I refused. As she left the room she said ‘that’s very selfish of you Abi.’ Which is probably the only word that would have possibly convinced me to get up, the girl knows me well.

And I’m glad I did. All the second years gathered in the dayroom, allocating jobs and waiting for 6am for when the alarms would turn off the doors. I was in charge of waking up my buddy dorm.

6am came and I ran in, turning the lights on and making them get up, FAST. Ohhh so much power. As they all assembled on the wall in front of the windows to the dayroom, they looked cold, disorientated but… well… far too dry.

As the picture was taken 7 buckets of water were thrown over them from the roof above the dayroom (thankfully a flat roof unlike Tice’s). LoScreams. Running. It was very entertaining. I do love them.

Armenian Crazies. The Story of St. Sarkis Day

Last night I decided to stay in for a calmer Friday night.
It didn't quite work out that way.

At about 8pm, one of my First Year's, Nina from Armenia came to me on a mission.
She was very excited and her accent is very strong generally so I was missing the message. But what I gathered was she wanted me to eat an extremely salty cookie before I went to sleep, as tonight was the night that this tradition happens in Armenia. Why? Because apparently, the salt is so intense you go to bed SOOO thirsty that you dream you are in a desert and the person who comes to save you with water is the person you will marry.

I tried to explain to her that 1. I generally don't remember my dreams and 2. I read somewhere you can only dream of faces you have already seen before, and what if I haven't met this man yet?

She wasn't having it.

So there I was at 10pm eating this god-awful creation of a cookie. I swear a fundamental requirement of a cookie is sugar. It was like salty-flour paste. Yum.

And I woke up none the wiser this morning.
Evenso, it was very UWC. Bless her.
For more information, Nina kindly sent me this link:
http://www.thearmeniankitchen.com/2012/02/sonia-tashjian-and-st-sarkis-day.html

 

PS- Nina claims she saw one of her childhood friends, and is now very worried.

Peace Conference Continued

Continued

Sorry! I didn’t mention that the speaker which we had on Thursday afternoon was Manuel Hassassian, the Head of the Palestinian Mission in the UK.

 

On Friday the first lecture was from Whit.

A few notes: he started an English version of the Siberian newspaper in order to fuel understanding between East of Russia and West of the United States post-Cold War. He spoke of how to facilitate a peace process and gave insight on on-going conflict in Kosovo.

 

My first Workshop of the day was led by Ricky, a First Year from Florida/Puerto Rico. It was called the Art of Deception, Persuasion. It wasn’t anything that I didn’t already know, but it was very entertaining to watch three of my co-years try and sell us dishwashers, putting the skills into action. Particularly Phillipa from Zambia, who has such an infectious laugh.

The last lecture of the conference was probably my favourite. It was led by Reinhard Krause, a German who started to work for REUTERS in 1989 as the Berlin Wall came down and covered all kinds of political, sports and international breaking stories. From 200 to 2004 he was Chief Photographer for Israel and the Palestinian Territories, based in Jerusalem. He is currently Global Pictures Editor.

Anyways he showed us videos of him taking pictures in Palestine. It was interesting to see the video, because it shows the before and after that lead up to the picture being taken and the situation in which he was in. He spoke about the ethical standard of taking photos, should you take a horrible picture? He would never take a photo for the sensation or entertainment, but would if he feels the need to show the world the issue.

When showing us a slideshow of the pictures he had taken, he deliberately mixed those of the Israeli and Palestinian ones. He also spoke of the complaints that there were being too many pictures of Palestinian funerals. He explained that this was because at that at the time there were more deaths. Also that the Palestinians funerals are more like demonstrations, whereas the Israeli funerals the family would ask him not to come, and of course he would respect those wishes. He said it was good when there were complaints coming from both sides, for this would mean that everyone is unhappy and that they were always touching the other sides nerves.

Then he moved on to a picture he took of a boy holding a hand grenade. Commentators did not question why this boy was holding it- but why was Reinhard taking the picture- which really was the wrong way around.
Finally he showed us a picture of a man pointing a gun, and that only when he enlarged the picture did he realise the man was pointing at him. When he is based in a certain country, he needs to work hard to not be partial to that side because of course he is trying to keep himself safe from the ‘enemy’ side. His biggest principle is to be the independent witness.

I also really liked the way he pronounced other: azzer.

 

My last workshop was led by Razan, a first year from Palestine. It was probably my favourite. She taught us about Seeds of Peace. It was something that I’d heard about but really knew nothing about. When she went two years ago (with Agat from Israel who was also in the classroom), it was mind-opening. Initially she wanted to go because her older brother loved it a few years prior. But two months before applying for it [for you have to thought the government] her brother was arrested and she was disheartened. Her parents convinced her. When there, she had dialogue sessions between Palestinians, Israelis and Americans [as mediators usually], that were extremely powerful. I really liked the philosophy behind these camps in Maine, and thought they were similar to that of UWC. If not a bit more focussed because there you’re not getting bogged down with school work and Universities.

We ended the session with a discussion on the definition of peace. The problem is there are just too many definitions to be able to attain it. One could be no killing. Another could be co-existing. I sat by Saleh, my co year from Palestine who said he didn’t really believe in peace. It was quite upsetting, but I had no powerful words to convince him of the contrary.

Peace Conference & other AC tings.

Thursday- DIPLOMA PERIOD YET AGAIN!

This morning I listened to a lecture by Johan Gatlung. He is a Norwegian professor and author, widely regarded as the ‘father of Pease Studies’. Some of the things he spoke about went over my head, and were most likely a lot more appreciated by the Middle Eastern History class and Peace and Conflict Studies students. However a few things he said I found really interesting so wrote down:

·         ‘They say it is unthinkable, but of course that depends on who is the thinker.’

·         There are three ways to destroy a community: genocide and sociocide. Sociocide being to kill a society: driving the culture into people’s homes.

·         English is not a good language for mediation, it is too clumsy: “Could you possibly consider the proposal….” German is much more elegant.

 

My first Workshop was called ‘Learning with Grandma’. Valerie Wood-Gaiger (the only one on Facebook as she proudly pointed out) really was a sweet lady, one you just know makes apple pie and smells of lotion. She was elected as the Champion of Inter-Generation Learning. Her main message was to keep the skills of the elder generations alive. To record, to document it all.

 She kept reiterating this point, and it was making me quite upset thinking of the family members who I have missed my opportunity to do that with already. Gabi, who had been sitting on the other side of the classroom discreetly walked over to me with a note ‘Smile, I love you’ It really was so sweet. My zero year asked me the other day if my house became my family: well for you to be feeling something inside, but truly believe it is completely oblivious to others – only a family member would be able to tell.

My second workshop of the day was with Whit Mason. He is also doing the first lecture of tomorrow morning. He started his career as a journalist in Siberia during the collapse of the Soviet Union. He is currently a consultant, working as an advisor on a peace building project in Pakistan and on communication with the Syrian opposition.

Anyways! During the workshop- we worked on structuring a proposal to the UK government on communication teams on a project like Syria. It was replicating the actual event which he did with Syrians to the US government in Istanbul. Our objectives were means, methods, interventions and potential hindrances (obstacles, threats, collateral damage). It was really interesting, but the session was over two hours. For someone who signed down for the session because I wanted to learn more about the conflict, it wasn’t really targeted towards me. The people who had the most ideas were again, the ones who knew the issues extensively.

********************************

Other News!

Louis and Jimmy made Pancakes for Open House on Thursday. I think Jimmy bought about 50 eggs... they were yummy though.

INSANITY- 2 weeks in. I don’t feel as sore in the workouts J I’m not really sure if I’m losing any weight (Dad cringes at this moment ‘You don’t HAVE any weight to lose!’), but if the squats are getting easier to do… something is going right.

 

SUMMER 2013!

I have just booked my flights for travelling in the summer! It was a lot of money to buy all of the tickets, but to be honest- I’m buying memories instead of shoes. Hopefully Mum and Dad will help me out with expenses while I’m in the countries [All those BA points I’m helping you with guys! ;)], but I’m staying with friends everywhere I go which means no sleeping arrangements and minimal amount of food buying…

I’m going to… DRUM ROLL

1. London- Budapest (4 days) – staying with a First Year named Adriano who is Hungarian and Italian. One of the most optimistic people I have met at AC. And calling me ‘AAA’-‘B’  for a term just got to me.

2. Budapest- London- Bangkok (7 days) – Here I will be staying with a girl named Mint. I must admit I’ve never met Mint. She’s my second-year, Hailee in New Mexico’s best friend. However she was very enthusiastic about me coming to visit and I desperately wanted to go. We work well together.

3. Bangkok to Bali- (7 days) - I will be staying with my German co-year named Marvin. His Mum moved to Bali a few years ago as an interior designer.

4. Bali- Singapore- (6 days) (Note: before I leave I need to stop typing ‘Signapore’) Here I will be staying with one of my best friends at AC, Ilisha.

5. Signapore-London-Nice – back to my dear Chloe for 8 more days with her. We may go back to Italy, probably go to St Tropez. It will be wonderful and I am taking her back to Cayman with me <3

 None of this would have been possible if it weren't for UWC <3

Now all I have to do is get through the IB…

The Pre-IB

This was a very well written letter when we got in our inboxes yesterday. It explains a lot about the Pre-IB and I think it is very proactive way of dealing with the issue.

Hey Everyone!

As you may know the senior staff are making their final decision about Pre-IB this week, which will result in a recommendation to the Board of Directors. The board will be seriously considering this recommendation when making their final decision in March. There has been extensive debate and discussion about the Pre-IB over the past few months, and it is with this in mind that I have drafted a letter that addresses some of my serious concerns.

I really wanted to send it to you all because after all, communication is key. I will be sending it to the Board of Directors and Senior Staff tomorrow afternoon and I would really appreciate anyone’s feedback before I do so. Comments, suggestions, spelling (says the native speaker) or otherwise. Also, if you anyone would like to co-sign in solidarity/agreement, I think it would sh really powerful.

Thanks for your time, and enjoy the snow!

- Hana

 Dear Board of Governors,

My name is Hana. I’m a first year from America here at Atlantic College, and since arriving six months ago I have become very involved in both Sustainability and Student Council. Working with this idealistic and passionate group of students has been transformative for me: and I am constantly impressed by their desire to transform and push the boundaries of what is already a fantastic institution. We are passionate about making change in the world, and the ideals our UWC education is based upon.

Over the past semester in Student Council we have been very focused on issues of communication and non-negotiable legal requirements. While founded in a real desire to protect the UWC ideals as we see fit, I would like to clearly separate my arguments in this letter from those that we have expressed previously. I’m not talking about code of conduct or national law, I am talking about the celebration of culture: I’m talking about our pursuit of education as a force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future.

We are aware of the upcoming decision on whether or not to implement the Pre-IB program in the fall of 2013, and before final decisions are made and it is too late for us to have a conversation, I would like to voice some of my concerns. I am aware that you have been told (many times) by students our general feelings of hostility towards Pre-IB, and I bring up our animosity as a reason to work out some of these very legitimate concerns. The following letter is not another statement of hostility, but my honest suggestions on how to make sure this program becomes the amazing extension of the UWC movement that I hope it can become. I have addressed these concerns with as close to an unbiased perspective as I can manage and I hope that you will read this letter and see the positive intentions it was sent with.

The first part of the Pre-IB program that shifted my opinion from initial negativity to openness was the English-language aspect. There has been a very negative perception of Pre-IB here at AC, as many students see it as purely a money making scheme. Indeed this is the reason we were originally given when we found out about the Pre-IB. However, when we went on to hear about the English part of the program, I warmed to it. I was excited that people like my roommate, who struggle so much with English, would actually be able to understand guest lecturers, and wouldn’t have to stay up till 12:30 just translating their homework assignments. I was happy that they would be able to get the support and the nurturing they not only deserve but also need to thrive in UWC, and other English-speaking programs.

I hope that a program like this goes into place, but the English language aspect is also the root of one of my concerns about the Pre-IB program beginning in 2013.

The IQ selection process has been explained to me as the submission of a resume – including school transcript and sometimes exam scores – and a phone interview with a member of senior staff. The interview is supposed to be the part of the application that provides the judgement of character, and the assurance that students have a commitment to the following values: “international and intercultural understanding, celebration of difference, personal responsibility and integrity, mutual responsibility and respect, compassion and service, respect for the environment, a sense of idealism, personal challenge, action and personal example” (UWC Common Code of Conduct). However, as the stated purpose of the Pre-IB program is to teach English to those who would otherwise be unable to cope with an English course load, I doubt that an interview (in English) will be able to provide a realistic portrayal of student’s visions and ideals.

If the Pre-IB program was postponed for another year it would give us the chance to work on this. For 2013 it is too late to work on the admissions process, but if it were delayed we would have the time to discuss our many ideas about how this could work better. For example, we could have a peer-review process where in addition to the senior staff interview there would be the chance for second year students (chosen by senior staff based on recommendations from teachers, house parents, and tutor) to interview the student themselves. At a school with 90+ countries represented interviews could be conducted in the student’s native language and would result in a simple personal recommendation submitted to the staff responsible for admitting the student. Obviously there is a huge potential for bias, but I think that if implemented in addition to the current staff interviews, this would only lead a more realistic evaluation of a student. As it is, our staff does believe they are accepting qualified students, so the recommendation from students should just support that belief, and will build students’ confidence in the selection process as well as increase the reliability of the current selection process. Additionally, a native-language personal statement or application essay that could be read by a student who would then write a recommendation for the student in English (a simple “I think this students personal awareness and incredibly thoughtful writing is a good indicator of…”) would also be a less time intensive addition to the current application process.

The IQ selection process has its issues, but at Atlantic College I can’t distinguish between students who are national committee, and those who are not. Despite this, there are obviously some major problems with the way the IQ selection process works, especially when it is applied directly to selection of Pre-IB students.

During the Governors meeting we had at Atlantic College this fall you stated that the Pre-IB program wouldn’t be able to select students at the same level as those in our current diploma program. I fully recognize that this is due to the age of the program and the small number of applicants that apply, but I believe this is a very clear reason to hold back the program.

I do not doubt that the Pre-IB students who do eventually join us at AC will be amazing individuals who will grow to be our fellow leaders and champions of the UWC ideals, but their selection should be thoughtful and concise so as to ensure that they are in fact the select people who share our passion and idealism and should be part of our Atlantic College community.

Whether it is highlighted or not, one of the major reasons for this Pre-IB program’s rushed implementation is finance. I would ask that you, who do ultimately have the final call on the Pre-IB program, consider very seriously the implications of putting into motion this large of a change to Atlantic College based on money rather than our mission. I realize that more money is needed for the school, and that with more funding Atlantic College would be better able to support our projects and initiatives, thus increasing the quality of our UWC education. I also recognize that the implementation of a new program is a very feasible way of making up this money. However, I have heard nothing so far that ensures a new Pre-IB program will also be in line with the UWC mission, and I would ask that you (as our governors) pay as much attention to our mission as you ask us to. If our own Principal and Governors are not accountable to the Code of Conduct than the very foundation of this institution must be questioned.

Yes, much of the animosity towards the program last term stems from our natural dislike of change, our teenage revolutionaries rebelling against the system, but I think that much of the anger and fear about the program is well founded in our inability to accept a program whose purpose we fundamentally disagree with.

I think that almost every student at Atlantic College would be in support of a program that we thought actually fulfilled the mission statement, that we got enough information about, and that we could not only be “told” about, but also help plan and talk proudly about. You must understand that we love our school (and it is OUR school, as much as it is any of the more permanent members of the community), and this is not because the quality of our dorm rooms, the number of books in our library, no - not even because of the amazing food. It is not because of how much money we have, It is because of our peers.

This program has the potential to be a powerful addition to Atlantic College, but I do not think it will be as effective, accepted or relevant if it is rushed. We have feelings, we have suggestions, we would like to come up with programs. Big brother/sister programs, Saturday whole school picnics – we would like to be language tutors and swim instructors, and I personally would be absolutely honoured to give this life changing experience to 25 more people. By implementing this program in the way it has been so far, there is a huge loss of potential, and it is sad that we are not able to work with you in making this program the best it can be. I implore you, as our leaders and mentors, to take into consideration our concerns and suggestions in the very serious decision you have ahead of you.

Sincerely, and with utmost respect,

Hana Bracale

INSANITY- one week down.

http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/insanity.do

Example above of why this is so hard-core. Dayum.
One week down :) Have had at least a dozen people now come to the sessions.

Tuesday 15th January

I said I would try to update more so I will give an example of why it becomes so hard to do. My goodness. Two days of being back in codes and my brain is frazzled.

I think I may have finished my ToK Essay! AHHHHHH! I am so, so grateful to my teacher Chris Davies, he really guided me and was willing to answer [far too many of] my qualms along the way.  I am so proud of it I almost want to post it on here. But I should wait at least until the official deadline which is on Monday.

I also now have to start thinking of my Maths Portfolio. Something to do with Statistics… using two sets of data and finding their correlation, using various ‘processes’. Egh. I have not decided on a topic, so obviously don’t have any data yet – not good.

My World Literature essay is due in three weeks. I’ve written three, but that was a year ago. Reading them over is going to be painful,  yet alone deciding which is best.

I also learnt that after Project Week, along with my French Orals I will have a 300 word writing piece to be done in Bradenstoke Hall, using three French texts of something to do with French culture and comparing them to my own culture. On the mission for French articles [and deciding what to compare] which after… let’s be honest, I have a very lovely fluent French-speaking best friend. My grammar will be simply beautiful.

I’m also pretty sure there’s a History Paper 1, timed in class to prepare for… At least Geography and E Systems seem mellow right now.  My days.

There is also the mission to find a yearbook picture and quote.

 But on the bright side!

This Friday, to celebrate Louis’ 18^th, 6 of us are going to Bridgend for dinner with him and then on the bus back stopping at the Plough and Harrow where there will be a surprise of an additional 20 friends. It will be a very fun night- 2013 New Year reunion for AC friends   <3

 

Lots of Love and many cups of tea,
Abi

 

PS- Though I don’t know how long I will be able to keep up with them, Gabi and Chloe are doing a 60 day intensive workout called ‘Insanity’. I’m on day two and the number of squats we have all done has made us all slowly sink into our seats with sighs of relief. It’s not pretty. Still, it gets me doing new things than what’s in the gym.  Today there were 7 of us, with the promise of more tomorrow ;)

2013!

I’m back!

Last term was frantic, and most of the events that went on I had already posted about the previous year. Also, a big lesson to learn… once you start to put something off it just becomes more and more less appealing to do as it becomes a bigger task = my blog.

So, hopefully, I will become better at writing at least a short one weekly, with longer posts for the more exciting initiatives that go on.

***

I arrived back yesterday to cold weather to many energetic faces- mine not so much as there were just too many good movies to watch on my 12 hour flight to think about sleeping. The then 3 hour bus ride back I caught up with Chloé and fell asleep on her lap J Unpacking was a mission in itself, but everything I own truly is essential.

Today was finding more friends, catching up on all of our ‘amazing’ winter breaks, where predominantly we did nothing. Ah. I also went to the gym, read some history notes in my newly adopted carrel unit and checked the daunting number of e-mails.

I’ve received conditional offers so far from University of Bristol and Exeter to study Law, the other three said they would wait until all of the applications are in to start sorting out the applicants, so a few more weeks still until I find out. I’ve been hearing from quite a few friends that they are taking gap years, it seems sooo nice. Hopefully some will manage to visit me at Uni, or if they’re travelling around the world stop by ;)

My service has stayed the same, doing Tuesday afternoon with four other second years (this time: Karen from Nigeria, Proma from too many places, Shaan from Zambia and Saleh from Palestine), working with 10 year olds doing: mountain boarding, canoeing and initiatives games. It should be good fun, hopefully not bitterly cold.

My activities will be allocated in the coming week. I get to sign down for four additional ones including Children’s Charities, knowing that I will only get two for this term.

The four others I signed down for were:

Circuit Training 14:15-16:15	Paul Belcher	An intense physical workout using a series of varied exercises that will target your cardiovascular conditioning, improving endurance and strength.	Outdoor
Newsflash 19:00-20:00	Christopher Saltmarsh,   Kaan Giray	Newsflash is an opportunity to discuss global issues and current events with passionate people from the countries involved. The activity takes full advantage of the international nature of our college and epitomizes what AC and UWC is all about: sharing and learning from our experiences. It also provides a means of bursting the AC bubble intellectually, psychologically, and emotionally.	Global
Repercussions of Cold War in Central America 19:00-20:00	Juan Jose Palacio  Karen Martinez	This class will be about Central America's political history. We will go in depth in the effects that North America and the Cold War had specifically in Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua. And finally, how these society was modified by those events.	Global
A Bite of China 19:00-21:00	Weitao Zhu  Yihan Xu  Yiran Shan	A blessing for foodies!  Food is a peculiar approach to society and culture. Cuisine, shaped by various characters of regions and people, or based on different social purposes, reflects numerous aspects of life.  This activity will, therefore, from the perspective of food, talk about traditional and contemporary Chinese culture, including ancient Chinese philosophy (preservation of nature), social interaction and local  customs. In the activity, we will watch a classic TV documentary--a bite of china and discuss the modern dilemma --- sticking to heritages or updating the technique, how to face the invasion of fast food, etc. Through viewing, discussing and potential DIY practicing, we would love to display the little-known sides of Chinese civilization.	Global

We’ll see which two I get J

Children’s Charities will be busy this term, organising the International Show which I really hope goes well.

Anyways, someone is waiting for the computer!

All my love,
Abi