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