Wow!

10am- Good morning! Last night was very exciting. From about 10pm onwards the Ivy League Uni decisions were released. I'm afraid there were some disappointed faces but there were also many shouts and screams of joy. People were running and screaming from house to house, to the seafront, anywhere! It was wonderful to see so many of my friends get in to brilliant schools. My Japanese dormie is simply amazing- Princeton, Brown, Duke and waitlisted for Dartmouth. I have other friends who've got into Harvard, Yale, NYU and many other prestigious universities. Sadly, some of my friends were disappointed but it's wonderful how everyone is happy for each other. Have had triple-free as Econ was cancelled because of job interviews. Must go and do my Econ work now. Am going to relax tonight and then work tomorrow. Love to all.

Taking a break

1.45pm- Good afternoon everyone. I've had quite a relaxed day so far. We had a test (purely for revision) in History first code and it wasn't too bad. I then had double English and we went for a stroll to the seafront and sat discussing Larkin's poetry in the sunshine for the rest of the lesson. I like Thursdays as I have double free (early lunch!). I worked, had lunch and then went to Econ. We were given a past paper to complete in our own time so I've been able to finish my application for work experience at the Guardian. I understand that it will be very competitive but it would be an amazing opportunity. I'm keeping my fingers crossed! 
   There is a strange atmosphere on campus today, among the Second Years at least. People are quietly thinking about what will happen tonight and even though I did not apply to the US, I find myself thinking about Durham and my own dreams for Uni. That in turn makes me realise how much work I have to do! Sadly, I feel as though studying and thinking about studying seeps all your energy and enthusiasm away. I think I will take a walk in the sunshine later to remind myself how beautiful and great life actually is! I've also been thinking a lot lately about what I would like to do after university. I've had an ambition to be a journalist for a long time and after the Guardian Open Weekend I feel more confident than ever that that is what I want to do. There are times however when I think about what should people strive for- to be viewed as successful by others or to be genuinely liked by others? My friend and I had an interesting discussion about this in the carrel unit earlier as I asked her "Are there any nice successful people?!" She said of course there are, and I'm sure she's right but I think it's a fascinating subject.
      Must get back to my desk now. I have a flute lesson at 3.30pm and then I want to work before the Uni news starts coming out. Love to all.

Where to start?!

8.10pm- It is time for revision and hard work yet there seems to be so much to do I don't know where to start! I make lists of things to do in order of priorityy but by the time I finish writing I think of something else which is more important.. and so it goes on! The end of the IB also means the end of AC. Concentrating on work means less time spent with amazing friends who'll be thousands of miles away in a couple of months and I sometimes wish the IB was not so important. I also feel as though priorities can become distorted and worries blown out of proportion and it is vital to find some time to think and reflect.
    I had a wonderful school session in Service today. I'm now usually put in charge of a group of children and treated like another class assistant. Today we had to write observations of what we see in Spring. Helping six 6 year olds learn to write is so difficult! If you take your eyes off their work for a second, they've spelt 'blossom' as 'blusm'! I'm learning to write for one, talk to one, point at one, smile at one and nod at another! I relish the opportunity however and love absolutely love my sessions.
    Tomorrow is a big day for many Second Years as the US Uni results are released. Hopes and dreams will be realised for some and sadly ruined for others. I have many close friends who are tonight anxiously waiting to hear about their futures. It will be an interesting day and I have my fingers crossed for all of them. Ultimately, however, I have to remind myself and others that health and friendships are the most important and treasured things in life. Without these (to me at least) academic success seems meaningless.
     Having said that, French and Maths past-papers, as well as a History test and Econ revision are all calling. Love to all.

Full day

11.35am- Morning everyone. Today is one of my busier days. I have full and codes and then Service. I am hoping that my lady will manage to come to Computer Club today as she has not been for a couple of weeks. I love working with her and so hope she manages to get here today. After service I will work for a while before supper. I will work again after supper but at 8pm I'm meeting some friends to bake. The lovely sunny weather is continuing and so all the sunglasses and summer dresses have appeared on campus. The Prince of Holland is here with his entourage today, so more big men wearing black suits standing around campus. They are attending some lessons, visiting PK and staying the whole day. Must go to French now. Love to all.

High security!

9.40pm- Good evening. Thought I'd briefly update you on the mystery ambassador! The Israeli Ambassador to the UK visited AC this evening, along with his large entourage of sinister-looking bodyguards. I found it very amusing to see groups of tall men in black suits strategically standing around campus (some with microphone  headpieces to complete the spy look!). At one point there were so many men in suits we were wondering if we would ever actually get to see the ambassador himself! When he did appear, he was very relaxed and attentive. He spoke well about the need for peace and his personal role in the negotiations in the Middle East. He also answered questions from the audience, and I had to chuckle when the first question came from an Iranian student. That could only happen at AC! I thought the ambassador spoke as well and as fairly as could be expected, although there was inevitably a bias towards Israeli interests. There were some telling phrases however- he said Israel had no intention of bombing Iran before proceeding to say all options must be explored and that if such a situation were to arise, the West would of course support Israel.  My Palestinian co-year feels very aggrieved that he was even invited to AC, and this just shows the extent of the problems and deep-rooted divisions which must be overcome in order to achieve any progress in Israel/ Palestine. I however found his talk very interesting and feel every opinion should be heard, especially at a UWC.  Must finish my French past-papers now. Good night.

The Castle, Ambassador and the Prince

2.55pm- Hello everyone! I had a great weekend away in London. I stayed with my cousin and it was lovely to see her and catch up. On Saturday I went to the Guardian Open Weekend- it was AMAZING!  As you all know I am an avid Guardian reader and I got to attend some fascinating talks and meet some of the journalists. Simon Hoggart ( whose column I adore!) and Luke Harding (AC graduate and now Senior Guardian Correspondent) both signed copies of their books for me. I also saw Tim Dowling and his band which he so often talks about in his column. I talked to them about careers journalism etc., which was was very helpful. I saw all kinds of interesting people- from MPs Zac Goldsmith (the closest thing to likable a Tory can ever be) and Vince Cable (such an intelligent man) to economists and diplomats-Will Hutton and Sir Andrew Wood (former UK ambassador to Russia). I was also so excited to be in the Guardian offices (especially the newsroom!) and constantly kept thinking "I'd love to work here!!!".  In addition to the stimulating discussions,it was a good break from AC and a reminder that there is more to life and learning than just IB examinations.
   On that note however, I am now incredibly motivated to work for the IB. I will return to my carrel unit in a moment! An ambassador is visiting late today but can't divulge which one because of security reasons (that's why we only found out who in assembly this morning!). Will go to a Q&A later.  The Crown Prince of Holland is visiting tomorrow ( he is a former student and visited last year as well). Love to all.

Sunny day

10.45am- Good morning! Yesterday was a busy day. I worked, went to my last National Evening and had to decide and then announce the new Peer Listeners. It was awful telling the people who didn't get it as there were some great candidates. Sadly there can only be one boy and one girl and I'm very happy with the new pair. They take over after Easter break.   I'm walking to Llantwit for groceries straight after codes to enjoy the sun. Love to all.

I said I was busy before..!

11.45am- Hello everyone! I've just realised it's been almost a month since I last wrote on here. A lot has happened in that time. The Sunday during Mocks was quite dramatic. I fainted in the shower, cut my head and the cut had to be glued together in hospital! As a result of that, I felt out of sorts for a while and couldn't sit my Econ and Maths exams. I tried one Maths paper but I jsut didn't feel up to it. There was also a time when I thought I wouldn't be able to go to Rome for Project Week. Luckily however, I rested and felt better and was able to head off to Rome with everyone else. We had a great time and saw most of the main attractions. It was a nice break from work and lots of fun. The day after we came back was my 18th Birthday and so the fun, relaxing time continued. I was able to go home as Project Week didn't officially end until last Sunday. I had a lovely meal on the day and then celebrated with some old school friends in Cardiff on Friday. It was an amazing week, and coming back to AC was a lovely ending. I had my official, recorded IB French Oral exam on Monday. I think it was OK, but not great. We've been getting mocks back this week and they haven't been too bad considering the amount of time we had to revise. I also had to do the Maths exam which I missed. I'm trying to enjoy this time with my friends and co-years as every day we are reminded that the exams are coming and AC is almost over. I am conducting Peer Listener interviews with my fellow PL and Houseparents tonight. I am excited and interested to see how the 1st Years will take on the role. Today is a particularly busy day. After codes I will go to the gym. I have a Flute lesson at 3.30pm, normal Peer Listener meeting at 4.30pm and then the interviews start in PK at 6pm and won't finish until past check-in. Most importantly, I'm still having fun and appreciating this amazing experience more and more every day. Love to all.