A year like no other....

8.54am- This is it, well almost. Tomorrow night I will be packed and ready to leave this castle that I have called home for the past 10 months. And what a 10 months it has been. So much has changed since the day I arrived as an excited but slightly unsure first year student. Lifelong friendships have been formed, along with many memories which will also last forever. There have been ups and downs, real pangs of homesickness and wondering why I ever came. Of course I know why I came, but at times it can be easy to forget when lost in the chaos of this AC bubble. Overall however, life in the bubble is one of daily excitement and discovery. The blurry faces which were just nationalities back in August now have names, personalities and many of them are now my friends. The violence in the Middle East, the earthquake in Japan.... these global events now feel like one small step away. Of course I love the castle by the sea, the interesting lessons and visiting speakers but AC wouldn't be anything without the students. Sadly, it is impossible to find out every reason why people come here, everything that happened in their lives that made them want to come here, but every day there are glimpses, indications, that reveal the often incredible life stories. Never before have I witnessed so many people from so many different cultures and religions living with each other. Among my friends are an Arab and  a Jew, a Japanese and Chinese, a Catholic and a Muslim. I have learnt a lot from these people, but coming here as only taught me that I know less about the world than I thought, that there is so much more we need to understand before there is hope of a more tolerant and peaceful world. Yet I am determined to continue on this journey next year, and after AC too. This journey will last for my entire life, but it is one that I am willing and want to take.
      Tomorrow I will say good bye to second year friends, to people with whom I have shared many laughs and many tears. AC will be different next year and I will miss many friendships. But those friends will have moved on to the next stage in their lives and there will be new faces to meet once again. Yet this time next year I'm sure those faces will be friends. All that remains to be said is thank you. Thank you to the people who enabled me to come here and to the people who give me so much every single day.
        Until August, good bye.

That end of year feeling

4.25pm- Hello everyone. I'm back a AC after going to the Open Day at the University of Warwick. I found it really interesting and it really opened my eyes to what life at University will be like. I am excited!  Coming back however has been a slightly strange experience. A lot happens in AC in five days and there's always a feeling of missing out when you're the only one who's been away. I had a great time with my parents whilst in Warwick and so I wouldn't change it, it's just one of the complications of being a local Brit at AC!
    Well I had the results of my first year exams today. Overall they are ok. There were a couple of nice but also unpleasant surprises. Going to Warwick has made me very determined and focused to do my best over the coming year. The work has started already.... I have just completed an E Systems Pracital, have another to do tomorrow and have my History Internal Assesment to complete by the end of term. I'm preparing for my EE too and am also enjoying being with friends for the final couple of weeks before the end.
    Today is supposedly and EE preparation day. I met my tutor earlier and we discussed deadlines etc. She then said to concentrate on the IA and so that is what I am doing. Teachers and students alike are talking about the end of the year - shows, travel arrangements and tasks to complete. There is a real sense of things winding up and I'm not sure if I like it!
     Hope all is well. It's lovely to be back here with everyone- it's like coming home. Love to all.

Exams are over, the end is in sight

6.45pm- Hello everyone. I finished my exams on Friday, which was a great feeling. I have relaxed all weekend! We went out for a meal on Friday, and then I went to Cardiff on Saturday. I had a lovely time eating and shopping with my Turkish friend. Yesterday was a very relaxing day. I did actually do a little work as I have E Systems practicals to complete by the end of the year. This week is the final Diploma Period of the year, and is for first years only. It is an outward bound and physical activity week. Today we had a walk along the shore from the college to Llantwit and beyond. It was a  nice walk however it was very windy, which spoilt it a little. I enjoyed being outside in the fresh air and talked to many great people along the way. Tomorrow I have a leadership and initiative activity all day. It should be good and I am excited. The idea of this week is to experience the outdoors but also to challenge ourselves.
     There are only 3 weeks until the end of term/ year. I can't believe it! The IB exams are well and truly underway now and when they finish, the second years will leave. I just hope they all do as well as possible in their IB's and it will be sad to see them go.
    I have just been to supper and so am going to go back to PK to relax. Love to all.