Thursday 26 January 2012

Peace Conference

Hello everyone. I'm getting up to date with everything during my double free in the library. I wil be going to early lunch at 12pm and then have Econ last code. I had double English this morning and we signed off our World Literature assignments. We did the same to our EEs last week and it's amazing how much work we've actually completed for the IB already. I've just written my exam timetable for the final exams in May in my diary! I start on May 2nd and finish on the 22nd. It was very strange to see it all written down in my diary- it somehow makes it feel very real and close. I've had a good week this week- just enjoying being at AC. I went with my dormie to her Link Family's last night- good food and fun as always. I'm very excited for this afternoon (can't write on here why but I'll tell you tomorrow!). We have another AC Diploma Period tomorrow, a Peace Conference. It should be really good. There are some very good guest speakers coming and also fellow-students are giving workshops.

Monday 23 January 2012

ToK = Done

6.30pm- Yes, I've submitted my ToK essay!! In a rush but this is a momentous moment during the IB! Off to work then Peer Listeners must attend Student Council tonight. Love to all.

Sunday 22 January 2012

Relaxing day (for AC!)

12.15pm- Hello everyone. Today is my relaxing(ish) day. I worked all day yesterday so had a good night off last night. I've done my ToK essay, I'm just going to read through it once more later. We have to upload them during our ToK codes tomorrow. I also did the other assignments I had so I don't have mush set work for today. There's always revision though..... It's a lovely sunny day here so I'll probably go for a walk later. We had a dorm gym session this morning and then brunch. My Japanese dormie has a Princeton interview now and had a Yale one yesterday. I'm sure she'll get in to both! I had dinner with the Princeton interviewers last night- they came to sit with us at supper and were very nice. Must play my flute later- I have a lesson tomorrow. The Friday Lecture was brilliant on Friday. The Costa Rican ambassador was a lady (which thought was good) and was very impressive. She explained how they are able not to have an army and also provided an insight into the troubles of Latin America. She also spoke about the sustainability programme enforced in the country which replanted many of the destroyed rainforests. It was longer than a usual lecture but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Definitely one of the best lectures we've had. Must go now. Love to all.

Friday 20 January 2012

Friday!

Good morning everyone. I'm so glad it's Friday! This week has been a busy but enjoyable week. I had a lovely time yesterday with my family for Mum's Birthday and also a good evening with some friends.  I've worked quite a bit lately and so I'm looking forward to the weekend. However, I know that I have to work quite a lot on the weekend too. I will finish the final draft of my ToK essay as we are submitting it on Monday. Today I have a French interactive oral, which I am a bit nervous about. I haven't really prepared as I've been doing lots of other work so we'll see how it goes. I've been reading Le Monde this week so hope it's helped! One of my American friends is arriving tonight and so I'm very excited to spend some time with her and all the PTA girls. Some people are going to Cardiff tomorrow but I'll have to wait and see if I can go. I really would love to go but I musn't be silly and go regardless of my work. My dormies and I are going to the gym last code today and then we'll have a 'Friday shower' - the closest PK girls come to communal showering! This evening the Costa Rican Ambassador to the UK is giving the Friday Lecture- I'm very excited! Love to all.

Thursday 19 January 2012

Pure magic


The castle at sunset.....

 Looking past Lady Anne tower towards the watchtower.....

The courtyard with a slightly pink castle....

Sunrise over Top Lawn the next day...

I can't believe I live in such a beautiful place! In a rush- I'm working on my ToK essay and am going out for lunch with my parents later. Happy Birthday Mum!! Love to all.

Tuesday 17 January 2012

A chilly evening in the castle

7pm- Hello everyone. Things are still busy but very good here. I've just had supper and came to the library to check my mail etc. I had full codes and service today -it's one of my busiest scheduled days. I've worked a lot lately but I feel as though it is paying off. Today I've handed in my Econ coursework, did my History timed essay (not great!) and other bits and pieces can also cross other bits and pieces off my academic to-do list. Ideally, I'd to start preparing for the trial exams we have in February but I need to get all of my current assignments done first. The strain is starting to take it's toll on a lot of second years already but I'm trying very hard to maintain my balance. I've been to the gym a couple of times lately after codes as I find it's a good break and I feel more ready to work afterwards. I'm also making sure I relax and take lots of tea breaks (chats with friends!). Am going to go back to the house to finalise my French oral now. I have double free in the morning, which I'm looking forward to. I'm going with my dormie to her link family again tomorrow after Service to babysit. We have a lovely meal with the family and then can work and look after the children. I'm going to work on my ToK essay when I'm there. Good night. Love to all.

Saturday 14 January 2012

The finishing strait

Good morning everyone! This is it- my fourth and last term. I've been back here for almost a week but I've only just had time to sit down and write on here. The first couple of days were filled with lots of hugs and catching up with everyone. I love hearing the strories from break-from Christmas in the States to New Year in Thailand and Australia. On Monday it was straight back into codes and the life of a Second Year IB AC student. ToK essay, Economics and Maths IA's, French oral, History essays.... I'm afraid we Second Years have little sympathy hear the First Years complaining that they have nothing to do! Just you wait, we say! But if I have to work, I can think of no better place I'd rather be. When it's time for a break, there is always someone around for a chat. I was in the PK quiet room on Thursday and the sunset was so beautiful that I ran outside to take photos of the pink sea. Yesterday's sunrise was just as gorgeous. We had the first frost of the year this morning and the grass was glistening on the way to breakfast. Simply beautiful. I will try to put a couple of the photos on here sometime soon.
    Now time for the Uni update. I had my interview at Oxford in early December and got rejected just before Christmas. I was a little disappointed but I expected it. I enjoyed my interviews and the whole application process- passing the HAT and getting an interview are things I will always be proud of. However, even whilst I was in Oxford, I kept thinking of my friends back here at AC enjoying their last couple of days together. I also realized that Oxford was not the place for me. It did not feel 'right'. I kept telling myself and other people that I would wait until I heard from Durham.... and I heard last week. I have an offer!!!!!!! I was ecstatic, happier than I ever would have been about Oxford. I loved Durham when I visited in the summer and I think in the meantime I got carried away with the allure and reputation of Oxford. After the amazing news that I had an offer, I had to wait to find out if I had the college I applied to. I received a letter on Thursday from St.John's! All I have to do now is my IB but I know exactly where I want to go after that!!
   Am going to go to work now. I'm planning on working all day and then relaxing with the PTA tonight. Love to all.