Last week of term!

Now as you may recall, last week I mentioned that there was a nasty virus going around the school. Well, on tuesday the decision was made to close the school to day pupils to try and reduce the amount of people getting it. On Tuesday alone there were over 100 students with the bug, and a good chunk of the staff too! So with only 30 kids boarding, and that number decreasing daily as parents came and picked up their kids, my week was spent in mainly in my room (away from the nasty bug-carrying kids) and I only left to get food, or do some work which was pretty much supervising the remaining kids in the evenings while they watched movies and the staff kept their distance.

I somehow managed to miss the virus, much to the envy and admiration of the staff who had not been so lucky, they all said it was because i'm a kiwi and we're built tough (I think it was because I voluntarily put myself in isolation as soon as it started getting bad)

Needless to say it was an interesting and unexpected end to my first term, but not really a bad one because I pretty much got a week off work!

So on Friday I made the now familiar trip from Frome to London, but this time with a big suitcase because I won't be back at the school for another three weeks. I had stupidly forgotten how many stairs there are in train stations when I packed, so I had to drag my (overpacked) suitcase across London which was not enjoyable in the slightest. I spent the rest of friday recovering from the journey on the sofa, and before you say anything, yes I did need recovery time – that suitcase is really heavy!

I see the inside of train stations far too much for my liking..

On Saturday I did what any normal 18yearold would do in London (in my opinion)  No I didn't go on a pub crawl, I went to the British Museum (personally I think I have my priorities right). I spent 3 hours wandering the museum in a state of mind that could only be described as pure happiness. After having a lot of practice with museums and queueing, I knew to get there as soon as it opened, so for the first half an hour, the place was nearly empty. 

Now as you may know, I took Classics for two years in school, and it was by far my favourite subject, so when I walked into the “Parthenon Galleries” room, there were tears in my eyes. I cannot explain to you how seeing statues that are broken and missing pieces can mean so much to me, but after studying them for months in year 12, and then having to wait two years to be able to travel to the other side of the world to see them, they are pretty special. I spent over an hour just walking around that particular gallery, taking in every metope and frieze, and wondering how people can only spend 5 minutes there, glancing at the pieces, and then leaving to sprint around the next room.

Other than the Elgin marbles, I saw vases from Thebes, mosaics from Carthage, and enough nude sculptures to last me a lifetime!

Puts Te Papa to shame...

Mosaics from Carthage! I had a freak out on the stairs in from of a Chinese school group.. 

The sculptures from the Pediment of the Parthenon 

A Caryatid from the Erectheion. Again, a freak out in front of a German school group this time..

That afternoon I went shopping. I know this seems to be a common thing for me to do, but this time it wasn't just shopping, it was retail therapy. After a week of sick kids, Zayn leaving 1D, and the car I learnt to drive in being sold, I needed it (so no judging). So I ventured out to Shepherds Bush, and spent a couple of hours there (half the time was shopping, the other half was trying to find my way around – that mall does not have a sensible layout!). After I had finished shopping I headed back to the Slades house, and I actually did come cooking! It wasn't anything amazing, but considering I haven’t cooked anything myself for a very long time, I was quite proud of my salsa (and thankful that the recipe was easy to follow). 

Sunday morning was spent at another museum, this time it was the Dulwich Picture Gallery and it was amazing. I was in awe of the paintings because they all looked like they had been printed, not hand painted, and as I cannot draw to save my life I was seriously impressed. There was a cool competition running while we were there – one of the paintings had been swapped with a chinese factory copy, and you had to try and guess what one it was (there was a 1 in 257 chance you would get it right) personally I had no clue, but there was one of Jesus that looked a bit too good to be real in my opinoin.

Whenever I go on a double decker bus, I have to sit at the front of the top floor..

That afternoon I headed into the city again, this time to meet up with some more gappies. I hadn't met either of them before (yay new friends) so we spent a couple of hours chatting, comparing jobs, pay and school (I definitely won, not that it was a competition). Between the three of us, there was a kiwi, an Aussie and a South African, which made for interesting stories about life back home. After an hour of us three chatting, two Aussie blokes walked in and sat at the table next to us. They were hard to miss because they were covered in green and gold from head to toe, and were very happy because they had won the cricket. As soon as the Aussie gap saw them they started chatting, and moved to our table. They were hilarious, and despite being 10 years older than us they were so easy to chat to (which made it easy for them to give me grief about NZ loosing the cricket). After 2 hours talking to them, we left and I had the task (yet again) of showing the Aussie around London, because he had arrived that morning, and hadn't seen anything yet. I must say I am quite proud of myself because I didn't need a map to get us across the city on the tube, and then around the city on foot! They kept saying I was pretty much a local, which feels weird because everything still feels so new and exciting here. 

Sadly the massive blue chicken has been replaced by what seems to be a Thestral wearing a bow

There are actual flowers out now! Hopefully the leaves will soon follow 

And now we're back to monday! This morning I was a fangirl and went to Baker Street (221b, to be exact), because you can't not go there! 

 It was such a nice morning that I got the tube into the centre of the city and just walked around in the sunshine, which was lovely compared to yesterdays rain and wind..

Now it doesn't take much for my maturity to disappear – a bit of snow, a theme park, or a childish joke will do the trick. So it will be no surprise to you when I say I spent over an hour in Hamleys, playing with the demonstration toys, looking at the Harry Potter section, the Lord of the Rings corner and the Game of thrones shelf. I very nearly bought a lot of things (wands, badges, Gandalf's staff that was taller than me) but thankfully my maturity resurfaced and I didn't (thus saving myself over a hundred pounds...) Once I managed to pull myself away from the toys and out the doors, I slowly made my way back to the train station, and then back to my room for a couple of hours, until I went on a walk around Nunhead Cemetery with Charlie and friend, and Sarah's Dad. It's one of those cemeteries that looks scary, even in daylight. Everything is over grown, and half the graves are cracked, but it was a nice walk (and I was fine, because in the horror movies bad things only ever happen at night).

I feel like I should congratulate you if you made it past all the spelling mistakes and gramatical errors and got to the end!

(congrats)

Football, rugby, and skiing

Another week has gone by, and with every day I'm feeling more and more at home here.

The week started (on Tuesday) pretty amazingly! I spent the morning on skype to a friend in NZ – its weird how now when I hear a kiwi accent it sounds odd, and how when I hear an English accent I don't think twice about it because it is now the norm..
That afternoon I went down to my pigeon hole in the staff room (how grown up does that sound?!) and in it, I found a package, containing my new phone! So now I am the proud (and very cautious) owner of an iPhone 6! It might have been a bit of an impulse buy when my old phone was having a tantrum, but I do not regret a single thing!

Wednesday was a little bit different in the afternoon. In the morning I had forrest school as usual. The sun was shining and it was almost warm (almost). We made popcorn on the fire while the kids made birds nests.

I can't wait for there to be leaves on the trees. I didn't realise how much I've missed it

However that afternoon I went on a fixture (to Port Regis again) but this time it wasn't for netball. It was for football. Now for those who know me, you will know that football is not my favourite sport, like at all. But trust me, if football was always played the way it was on Wednesday, I'd love it (because in every game more than 5 points were scored). Our girls on the tournament were slightly less prepared than the other schools there, because they all had full on football kit – shin-pads and spiked boots, whereas ours were running around in trainers with no shin protection... Most of them had never played before so they were just there for a bit of fun, and they definitely had fun. Within 10 seconds of the first game the other team had scored, and it didn't get much better from there for either of our teams...
We had two teams, and they probably played 7 games each, of which each team lost 6, and the 7^th both teams drew.. Our girls scored 4 goals the entire tournament, against the probable 20 they had scored against them. The last game was a play-off for last, and second to last place, which meant that our two teams had to play against each other. Now because we were one girl short for two full teams, I was roped into playing. I think there were two reasons behind this, the first being that of the staff that went on the trip (me and two PE teachers in their 20's who play rugby), my ability of football was probably closest to the girls' level (i.e. Non-existent), and the other being that the two other members of staff that were on the trip wanted to laugh at me while I attempted to play goalie, because laughing at my accent all day, and only talking to me in a kiwi accent all day wasn't enough. So our girls came last and second to last, but they all had a great day, with only a few bruises.

The rest of the week was just as good, and just as unique.
On friday morning while I was running around the school doing the registers, I was slightly distracted by there being an eclipse! Now because this is England it was cloudy, but I could see it and it was pretty spectacular!

Friday afternoon I watched the year 4 play of “Framed” and it was really impressive! It was a kind of “Night at the museum” storyline, but instead of a museum coming to life, paintings and photographs came to life.
That night was yet another sleepover, this time it was the year 5's turn, so that meant a night of walking between the dorms telling the girls to go to sleep and to stop talking, which of course they didn't do.

Saturday was a chilled day, so there's nothing much to tell you all about except that I watched a full game of rugby and really enjoyed it, so much so that I was yelling at the TV and on the edge of my seat (England needed to beat France by 26 points to win the six nations, and we were only try and a conversion short.) So working in a school where everyone follows the rugby has had an influence on me, and I cannot wait for the world cup to start because I now know some of the rules of rugby! Sunday was a bit different, as I actually left the school for a couple of hours! Every week the boarders have an activity on sundays, and this week it was skiing. Now there was no snow where they went skiing, instead there was this weird bristle mat thing on a hill. I know my explanation is horrific but I cant think of another way to describe it. Some of the kids who board here are crazy good at skiing/snowboarding, and some started crying as soon as they got on the slope and refused to do anything.

We had a pretty good day to spend it supervising the kids. it would have been miserable if it had rained

You can kind of see what the slopes are covered in. I thought it was a really good idea - skiing all year round!

After we got back from the ski trip I spent the afternoon playing just dance, table football and table tennis, of which I won most of the games I played (it might have helped that I was playing a 9 yearold) but then I played the post-grad gap here, and I bet him every time at table tennis, so all that practice I did when I was 12 has finally paid off!

And we're back to Monday! And as usual I have not done anything, but this week it was for my own good. There is a nasty ass virus going around the school right now, and half the boarders have had it, so I am sitting in my room to reduce my chances of getting it. I do not want to start the holidays with the virus (I don't want to go into detail of what this virus comes with – its not pretty..)

So, until next week then!

This was the sunset last night. The perfect end to the perfect week.

I'm a Queen!

It seems that every week I say that it has been the best week yet. This week was no exception!

I mean you know its going to be a good week when you get to dress up as a medieval Queen of England and then walk around an abbey in ruins. Let me explain.

On Tuesday I went on a Year 7 trip to Wells Cathedral and Glastonbury Abbey. Lets just say that I was massively excited about the trip because I hadn't yet been to either place, and my inner art history geek would be let loose while walking around. Wells cathedral was incredible, the architecture and sheer size of it was breathtaking. Unfortunately we weren't allowed to take photos of the interior, but just believe me when I say its amazing. We walked around the inside for a good hour while the guide (perks of being part of a school group) told us all these interesting facts about the history of the cathedral, most of which I have forgotten.. Apparently one of the stained glass windows in the cathedral is massively famous, so he told me to tell everyone I know that I have seen the Jesse window (I expect you to be impressed) We also got to go up to the library where most of the books were written before NZ was found by europeans, and the ancient books were attached to the shelves by chains (just like in Harry Potter). I think my favourite part of the Cathedral was the Chapter house, there's no way me explaining it will do it justice so you'll just have to google it, but trust me when I say its breathtaking.

Wells Cathedral. Pretty impressive right!

After Wells Cathedral we went to Glastonbury Abbey, which sadly wasn't as well preserved as Wells Cathedral, but still amazing. This is where I got to dress up as Queen Elizabeth the First, as part of an informative drama sketch the guides do with school groups to help the kids to understand the changes in the church thanks to various Kings and religious figures. While I was rocking the Queens costume, the kids were peasants, with a couple of the boys as monks. It was all good fun until we had to walk through the park and pass multiple high school groups who were there too. While the kids could all pass as cute in their bonnets because they were 12years old, I wasn't quite so lucky being 18 and wearing a skirt that I suspect were curtains once...

Wednesday was another netball trip, but this time to the fanciest school I have ever seen (it'd give Chilton a run for its money) seriously, for a prep school it was insane, they had a full on Gymnastics centre, a swimming pool, multiple football fields, a lake, and the nicest school dining hall I have ever seen (there was a mini travelator that took the used dishes into the kitchen so you didn't have to take them yourself!)

That night was another whole house night, this time it was Just Dance which unfortunately I got roped into (and then went on to crush the hammer time dance moves if I might add!)

The rest of the school week was pretty normal really. I got two parcels from home, which obviously helped to make this week so amazing! Friday was my first ever Red Nose Day, and I was amazed by just how much everyone got into it! Most of the kids painted their faces funny for money, and there was a bake sale and nearly everyone was wearing their red noses. That night I got to watch the big Red Nose Day TV special and it was incredible, there was Mr Bean, the Vicar of Dibley (guest staring Emma Watson, Jennifer Saunders and Nessa from Gavin and Stacey), a James Bond sketch, Orlando Bloom and heaps of guest appearances. Seriously such an amazing day, and all for charity!

On Saturday I packed my bag and got the train to Weymouth to see my amazing family! It was so good to see them after three years! On Saturday afternoon after i arrived we drove out to Portland Bill and spent an hour or so climbing over rocks, followed by chips and a cup of tea in the cafe after to warm up!

Poor Monty had to have a bit of help getting back up. Needless to say it was easier getting down the hill

The Olympic Rings on a hill which I cannot remember the name of...

Sunday morning was spent cheering on Charlie and Rob as they ran a half marathon in the freezing cold while Sue and I supported in our coats and gloves holding hot chocolates.. They both finished the race in amazing times and were quite tired come the afternoon (rightly so!).

I realised that I hadn't seen the ocean since Christmas. Didn't realise just how much I've missed it!

Just your casual sand sculpture, complete with Jesus and its own wooden shelter..

Post race photo with their medals

That afternoon Rob and I took Monty  for a walk to see  Uncle Davids bench. The view from the bench is so beautiful, even on a cold grey day. We fed the ducks, and tried to keep the bread away from Monty! On Sunday Night I had what was possibly the nicest roast dinner I've had this year!

Monty waiting ever so patiently for his walk

Me and Monty and Uncle Davids bench

The view from Uncle Davids bench is pretty fantastic

And now we're back to Monday. All I have done today is sat in a car while Rob ever so kindly drove me back to school, unpacked my bag, and written this! I don't intend to do a lot more then that because its cold outside and my room is warm so there's no point in moving, other than to get food.

I'll be impressed if anyone has made it to the end of this post – its a bloody long one!

Until next week then x