So unlike all my other post, this is just going to mesh together!
So in our last week of classes, I feel like I didn't learn anything new, but will be getting 9 credit hours. He cuts class short all the time, and It's all 400 stuff, which I already took, I did find out I have an extra report to go along with my 5 plus lesson plans. I get to pull a child out every week and work one on one with him or her. I also got to observe on Thursday. It was so much fun, and I ended up leading the class in the afternoon, my teacher had a dentist apt, and I was there with a student teacher, but she just sat there. We all got to hang with Paul and go to City Center. It was a busy week, but Munich is this weekend and Teaching is next week!
Thursday! So I'm in the school in the day but in the evening we went to Stansted to stay in a hostel overnight because our flight was going to be supper early. Well our cab driver smelled like DEATH, The worst smell I have ever had to endure. He was an awful driver and got lost! Well things didn't improve from there. So we get to our BB and since on the website they only had rooms for 4 and 2, well we had 5 girls, so we split up between the rooms so someone wasn't alone. Well We go into our BB and this creepy man with the UGLIEST cat ever (it was like mrs. norris and it was smooshed faced and covered in mats)It was super awkward and that cat just stared at us! So we go look into one of the rooms and we discover there are 4 bunk beds (fine) and a QUEEN SIZE BED IN A ROOM ATTACHED!!!!!! wft, so we had to pay for an entirely unused room because they couldn't be bothered to fix their website! Well the creepiness didn't stop there. We discovered that breakfast is included delivered to our room, and all we could think of was that the creepy manager would be standing in our room with a tray while we were sleeping, so we piled the chairs in front of the door. It was fine, we watched and danced to Shakira singing in the World Cup opener :)
Oh and our cab was super late the next morning, stupid Stansted!!!
Okay this Jew is out! next post is Munich, Germany and especially Dachau :(
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
Madrid, Spain
Thursday
Wednesday evening we had a hilarious cab driver, he was very fast and spoke no english. It was quite amusing. He started shouting English cuss words and point out all the bars screaming Kapital! We stayed at La Musas in an 8 person room. The four of us, April, Emily and Chelsey just passed out soon after that. Thursday we got up and went to Museo Nacional del Prado. We saw some amazing pieces of artwork. After that we had our first offical adventure in Madrid. We got lunch and it was a total disaster. We tried to order in Spanish and eventually our waiter brought us and English menu. The only problem was he put in the order for the three salads, and we were completely confused. So unknowingly we didn't know we ordered, he brought us out our three salads for four people. We tried to explain in broken spanish that this is not what we wanted. Finally a waiter with better english skills came out and we explained what happened. We finally ordered the correct salads. He was still confused why we ordered 4 of the same salads. We didn't realize the way they eat meals is a communal meal, you order several plates and you share everything. Well after lunch we met Carl, who was April and Emily's friend who was studying in Madrid. He showed up Puerto Del Sol, Plaza Mejor, the royal chapel and palace, the main strip,and an Egyptian temple. The five of us laied in the grass for a few hours and just chatted. We then went to our hostel and freshened up. The four ladies went out to dinner, and it was amazing. We understood the culture so we ordered Tortilla espana, pan, queso, ensalada mixa and a pitcher of sangria. It was perfect, the conversation was good and we just had an amazing time. We then walked around and finally went to bed.
Friday
We decided to go to the Renia Sofia (a modern art museum) We saw so many Picasso and Gurnica. It was lovely minus the caffeine headache I had. We then got cafe and went to a park. We laid out in the grass and took a little siesta. Afterwords we took a rowboat out on a lake (after some ticket confusion) and rowed around the lake for a while. After we went to the hostel to freshen up to meet Carl to have him show us the night life of the spaniards. We got a snack at Plaza Meyor and chatted for a while. We then walked to get some Hamburgers at a hole in the wall type of place. They were the best hamburgers I have every had! We ate them under a monument in the middle of a highway and watched the sunset and talked about God. It was such a perfect moment. Afterwords we went to a bar and had Beer, Sangria and Topas, it was very crowded but we danced a bit. We walked to Plaza Mejor and watched the crazy street performers. What a perfect day!
Saturday
This was our last day in Madrid. We went on a tour of the palace(beautiful) and the temple( lame). Afterwords we went shopping for souvenirs and got Churros. I got my books, postcards and my Red Sunglasses! Then we were off to our Plane. We then faced the immigration at gatwick. Chelsey told him we were 'working' in the schools. And they weren't going to let us pass because we don't have visas. I apparently gave one them so much attitude, I don't remember this. It was really stressful at the time. We could of been deported. But we got it sorted outWe ended up staying in a Bed and Breakfast in Gatwick and had a lovely time! It was so cute and it was so much fun. We got dinner at a hole in the wall chicken place, but it was not so much fun. The first bar we went to we got creeped on my some guy claiming to be an immigration officer in Ireland. The first thing he said to me is YOU'RE NEVER GOING TO LEAVE! And he brought up that he knows we don't have Visas and it was pretty intense.
Sunday
We woke up in our BB in gatwick and got some breakfast. Then we went to London to get on the train to Liverpool. I ran into a man who almost wouldn't let me get on the train because I had used an erasable pen and it smudged. So that was overly dramatic, and the let me on the train, which was a three hour ride :( We finally got back to Hope and had new rooms all together. It was much better then being isolated! We all had a pizza party to talk about our weeks and that was so much fun hearing about everyone else's stories! Although ours were the most dramatic :)
Okay well next post up soon!
Wednesday evening we had a hilarious cab driver, he was very fast and spoke no english. It was quite amusing. He started shouting English cuss words and point out all the bars screaming Kapital! We stayed at La Musas in an 8 person room. The four of us, April, Emily and Chelsey just passed out soon after that. Thursday we got up and went to Museo Nacional del Prado. We saw some amazing pieces of artwork. After that we had our first offical adventure in Madrid. We got lunch and it was a total disaster. We tried to order in Spanish and eventually our waiter brought us and English menu. The only problem was he put in the order for the three salads, and we were completely confused. So unknowingly we didn't know we ordered, he brought us out our three salads for four people. We tried to explain in broken spanish that this is not what we wanted. Finally a waiter with better english skills came out and we explained what happened. We finally ordered the correct salads. He was still confused why we ordered 4 of the same salads. We didn't realize the way they eat meals is a communal meal, you order several plates and you share everything. Well after lunch we met Carl, who was April and Emily's friend who was studying in Madrid. He showed up Puerto Del Sol, Plaza Mejor, the royal chapel and palace, the main strip,and an Egyptian temple. The five of us laied in the grass for a few hours and just chatted. We then went to our hostel and freshened up. The four ladies went out to dinner, and it was amazing. We understood the culture so we ordered Tortilla espana, pan, queso, ensalada mixa and a pitcher of sangria. It was perfect, the conversation was good and we just had an amazing time. We then walked around and finally went to bed.
Friday
We decided to go to the Renia Sofia (a modern art museum) We saw so many Picasso and Gurnica. It was lovely minus the caffeine headache I had. We then got cafe and went to a park. We laid out in the grass and took a little siesta. Afterwords we took a rowboat out on a lake (after some ticket confusion) and rowed around the lake for a while. After we went to the hostel to freshen up to meet Carl to have him show us the night life of the spaniards. We got a snack at Plaza Meyor and chatted for a while. We then walked to get some Hamburgers at a hole in the wall type of place. They were the best hamburgers I have every had! We ate them under a monument in the middle of a highway and watched the sunset and talked about God. It was such a perfect moment. Afterwords we went to a bar and had Beer, Sangria and Topas, it was very crowded but we danced a bit. We walked to Plaza Mejor and watched the crazy street performers. What a perfect day!
Saturday
This was our last day in Madrid. We went on a tour of the palace(beautiful) and the temple( lame). Afterwords we went shopping for souvenirs and got Churros. I got my books, postcards and my Red Sunglasses! Then we were off to our Plane. We then faced the immigration at gatwick. Chelsey told him we were 'working' in the schools. And they weren't going to let us pass because we don't have visas. I apparently gave one them so much attitude, I don't remember this. It was really stressful at the time. We could of been deported. But we got it sorted outWe ended up staying in a Bed and Breakfast in Gatwick and had a lovely time! It was so cute and it was so much fun. We got dinner at a hole in the wall chicken place, but it was not so much fun. The first bar we went to we got creeped on my some guy claiming to be an immigration officer in Ireland. The first thing he said to me is YOU'RE NEVER GOING TO LEAVE! And he brought up that he knows we don't have Visas and it was pretty intense.
Sunday
We woke up in our BB in gatwick and got some breakfast. Then we went to London to get on the train to Liverpool. I ran into a man who almost wouldn't let me get on the train because I had used an erasable pen and it smudged. So that was overly dramatic, and the let me on the train, which was a three hour ride :( We finally got back to Hope and had new rooms all together. It was much better then being isolated! We all had a pizza party to talk about our weeks and that was so much fun hearing about everyone else's stories! Although ours were the most dramatic :)
Okay well next post up soon!
Sunday, June 20, 2010
England
Monday
London was so exciting at first, the weather wasn't all that great, but I was in london. We took at 745 train to arrive in about 10. All 22 of us left and as we were about to leave the station I realized I didn't have my Passport and other belongings and left them on the train.( I am now very paranoid about it and double triple check it all the time). I ran back and searched the entire train, talked to the people in management and finally received my passport back after much panic. Dr. P, Stacy and Sarah waited with me and tried to reassure me my passport was coming back to me. Well after that ordeal we went to our Hotel The Royal National Hotel. It was not worth the Excitement. Emily Sarah, Stacy, April, Erica and Brianne and I split up together and we got lunch in the Blooms Cafe and split a yummy mozzarella and tomato pizza with april. We bought a tour bus ticket and it included a boat tour-freezy but fun. I was so cold but we saw everything! We took pictures on the lions in Trafalgar Square. We walked back to our hotel and stopped off at a italian restaurant called Spagettihouse. I got a pesto dish and a glass of pinot grigio. We then walked the rest of our way. Then it was off to the Icebar. That was such a learning experience. The dang hotel concierge told us to get on the wrong bus and it took us to the ghetto of London. There were kids with pit bulls and kids were screaming on the bus. This man was very serious about us being quiet so we wouldn't get stabbed. We were blessed by this woman who took us to our hotel. She got off on the stop to go home, and she walked us back to our hotel. She went at LEAST an hour out of her way. She was quite an amazing woman and I am very happy that I met her. It was defiantly an angel sent to protect us from harm. Needless to say No we did not go to the Icebar
Tuesday
We woke up bright and early we went on the rest of our tour and went to see the Changing of the Guards. It was so rainy and miserable and they didn't even do the full out thing! We were standing for hours waiting and it was kind of disappointing. We then went shopping because we didn't know what else to do. STacy Erica and Sarah went off to see a Wax Museum (they never made it there) April, Breanne, and Emily went to the British Museum and saw items from the Parthenon. It was pretty interesting, but we were very tired! We went to the Forum Cafe and got tea. We went back to our Hotel and realized the Hostel for after Madrid was booked for the wrong date, so we had to rush and book another hostel. Which was a bed and breakfast in Gatwick. After the long day we went and got Ice Cream and watched Britain's Got Talent and fell asleep.
Wednesday
April Emily and Chelsey went off on our own adventure. We went to Kings Cross and bought all day train passes. We took Pictures by Platform 9 3/4 and were loving it. We went to Victoria's Station and saw the changing of the Guards, this time it was full out and Sunny. The weather was quite beautiful on this day. If the weather was like this the whole time. I think I would of liked London more. We walked in Hyde Park. It was so beautiful! We went to the climbing tree and I climbed to the top. We then ventured to the Princess Diana fountain and then to the Peter Pan statue. Hyde Park was so lovely. We then went to our hotel and picked up our bags and then we were off to Madrid :)
Okay bed time, Madrid Post up soon!! Pictures Will be added to this one as well!
London was so exciting at first, the weather wasn't all that great, but I was in london. We took at 745 train to arrive in about 10. All 22 of us left and as we were about to leave the station I realized I didn't have my Passport and other belongings and left them on the train.( I am now very paranoid about it and double triple check it all the time). I ran back and searched the entire train, talked to the people in management and finally received my passport back after much panic. Dr. P, Stacy and Sarah waited with me and tried to reassure me my passport was coming back to me. Well after that ordeal we went to our Hotel The Royal National Hotel. It was not worth the Excitement. Emily Sarah, Stacy, April, Erica and Brianne and I split up together and we got lunch in the Blooms Cafe and split a yummy mozzarella and tomato pizza with april. We bought a tour bus ticket and it included a boat tour-freezy but fun. I was so cold but we saw everything! We took pictures on the lions in Trafalgar Square. We walked back to our hotel and stopped off at a italian restaurant called Spagettihouse. I got a pesto dish and a glass of pinot grigio. We then walked the rest of our way. Then it was off to the Icebar. That was such a learning experience. The dang hotel concierge told us to get on the wrong bus and it took us to the ghetto of London. There were kids with pit bulls and kids were screaming on the bus. This man was very serious about us being quiet so we wouldn't get stabbed. We were blessed by this woman who took us to our hotel. She got off on the stop to go home, and she walked us back to our hotel. She went at LEAST an hour out of her way. She was quite an amazing woman and I am very happy that I met her. It was defiantly an angel sent to protect us from harm. Needless to say No we did not go to the Icebar
Tuesday
We woke up bright and early we went on the rest of our tour and went to see the Changing of the Guards. It was so rainy and miserable and they didn't even do the full out thing! We were standing for hours waiting and it was kind of disappointing. We then went shopping because we didn't know what else to do. STacy Erica and Sarah went off to see a Wax Museum (they never made it there) April, Breanne, and Emily went to the British Museum and saw items from the Parthenon. It was pretty interesting, but we were very tired! We went to the Forum Cafe and got tea. We went back to our Hotel and realized the Hostel for after Madrid was booked for the wrong date, so we had to rush and book another hostel. Which was a bed and breakfast in Gatwick. After the long day we went and got Ice Cream and watched Britain's Got Talent and fell asleep.
Wednesday
April Emily and Chelsey went off on our own adventure. We went to Kings Cross and bought all day train passes. We took Pictures by Platform 9 3/4 and were loving it. We went to Victoria's Station and saw the changing of the Guards, this time it was full out and Sunny. The weather was quite beautiful on this day. If the weather was like this the whole time. I think I would of liked London more. We walked in Hyde Park. It was so beautiful! We went to the climbing tree and I climbed to the top. We then ventured to the Princess Diana fountain and then to the Peter Pan statue. Hyde Park was so lovely. We then went to our hotel and picked up our bags and then we were off to Madrid :)
Okay bed time, Madrid Post up soon!! Pictures Will be added to this one as well!
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
This Could be a Long One
SO I haven't written in a LONG time, So this is me catching up on everything(from that thurs to sunday)...YIKES!
Thursday May 27-Liverpool
Today we had seminar in the Conference center, we had such a great little room with brilliant light that lead into the garden. During one of our breaks we all strolled out into the garden and picked beautiful flowers, I'm not sure the native flower here but it reminds me of a hibiscus. Oh and we picked lavender that made the room smell amazing! Seminar was nice, nothing too fancy but I always feel like i should have all the answers because we're spending most of our time doing 400 things, and i've already taken the class. We'll after class we just went to emily's room and Planned for one of our various trips...i mean it was nearly 2 weeks ago, my memory has been filled with amazing things since then.
Friday May 28-Liverpool
Today we had seminar, which was slightly unexpected since we all though we had fridays free, well I guess since the whole stupid ash thing we have to make it up someway. Class is always easy and never seems to be terribly difficult or stumping. Dr. Popplewell is a great professor. After dinner I went to my room for a while to take some personal breathing time. It's not that I don't like the girls or want to be around them, but I am terribly homesick and some time alone without all the hectic-ness is always appreciated. Well after we all went to FiveWays which is a local pub. It was so nice and we all had such a great time! Some had some bad drinks but I enjoyed a Fosters and then a Rum and Coke :) I'm such a dude when it comes to my beverage choice :) We then started running and laughing back home, I laughed so hard i needed my inhaler :) Soooo Much fun!
Well then the ENTIRE (minus 2 because of illness) group-22girls(well actually 20) went to Popworld. I believe everyone had a good time. It was strange though, I felt slightly territorial over that club. That was my first night out in Liverpool and It kinda felt like my club, well idk I still had a good time. We met Freedom Frank. He was another Random man who kept telling us to be free :/ What eves freedom frank. Oh and I made a personal goal to take a picture with law enforcement for every place I visit. It's a strange goal but hey i have to have one right!
Freedom Frank and the Girls!
Saturday May 29-Liverpool
This was such a rainy day! Ughhh, well today was also the Beatles tour, which if you know me, you know I love my Beatles. Well First we walked around City Centre and had a good time, had lunch at this random place and then went to a Bug World. This is where I decided I would like a children's story from each location I visit, and a post card to be corny. I really could use children stories and would love to grab as many as I can! Well then we went to the Beatles tour pickup spot. I was quite crabby that day. Idk why, maybe the weather? The Tour was quite amazing, we saw so many different sights. Penny Lane, All their childhood times, Where John and Paul first met, Eleanor Rigby's grave, Strawberry Fields, The Cathedral in Liverpool. It was really cool to see all of that amazing history to Music! Well after we found out we were done with the tour AFTER the busses started running so a few of us went to Tesco and picked up PB&J supplies and some Beer and had our selves a fun dinner. Our British friend Paul came by and he ate his first PB&J and he liked it :) We then sat in Sarah's room and watched YouTube Videos and enjoyed ourselves immensely:)
Us at a Beatles Monument
Sunday May 30-Liverpool
Well I woke up, and felt like I needed to go run, so I got up and got dressed. Well I had just tied my shoes when Emily and Erica messaged me and asked me to go to the Liverpool Cathedral. It's the Largest In the UK and the 5th in the World. It was absolutely beautiful, I was awestruck. It was a protestant service, so it was not so fun, very similar to Catholic, but hey. It was so beautiful and I really enjoyed the service. Afterwords I made myself a PB&J and got ready to go to the Hub Festival ,which was a BMX, with Emily and April. It was quite interesting! We were on a Chav Search. Chav is the ghetto people of England. It was fun, we had a good time and I got a ton of pictures. We then walked along the water and I got some more really beautiful pictures! We then had to find our way to liverpool home, and took a couple busses and finally made it. I then took some time to myself and then a bunch of us hung out in Emily's room and we were saying goodbye for now to Paul. I got to teach him how to Salsa, he felt pretty awkward, but hey gotta spread the Latino Feva! Well soon i found myself packing for the Exciting week of London and Madrid!!!!
Us in the Cathedral with the President
Yay few, I'm gonna take a break but a new post soon....Like tonight soon (hopefully, I still have to get London, Madrid and Liverpool this week!!)
Thursday May 27-Liverpool
Today we had seminar in the Conference center, we had such a great little room with brilliant light that lead into the garden. During one of our breaks we all strolled out into the garden and picked beautiful flowers, I'm not sure the native flower here but it reminds me of a hibiscus. Oh and we picked lavender that made the room smell amazing! Seminar was nice, nothing too fancy but I always feel like i should have all the answers because we're spending most of our time doing 400 things, and i've already taken the class. We'll after class we just went to emily's room and Planned for one of our various trips...i mean it was nearly 2 weeks ago, my memory has been filled with amazing things since then.
Friday May 28-Liverpool
Today we had seminar, which was slightly unexpected since we all though we had fridays free, well I guess since the whole stupid ash thing we have to make it up someway. Class is always easy and never seems to be terribly difficult or stumping. Dr. Popplewell is a great professor. After dinner I went to my room for a while to take some personal breathing time. It's not that I don't like the girls or want to be around them, but I am terribly homesick and some time alone without all the hectic-ness is always appreciated. Well after we all went to FiveWays which is a local pub. It was so nice and we all had such a great time! Some had some bad drinks but I enjoyed a Fosters and then a Rum and Coke :) I'm such a dude when it comes to my beverage choice :) We then started running and laughing back home, I laughed so hard i needed my inhaler :) Soooo Much fun!
Well then the ENTIRE (minus 2 because of illness) group-22girls(well actually 20) went to Popworld. I believe everyone had a good time. It was strange though, I felt slightly territorial over that club. That was my first night out in Liverpool and It kinda felt like my club, well idk I still had a good time. We met Freedom Frank. He was another Random man who kept telling us to be free :/ What eves freedom frank. Oh and I made a personal goal to take a picture with law enforcement for every place I visit. It's a strange goal but hey i have to have one right!
Freedom Frank and the Girls!
Saturday May 29-Liverpool
This was such a rainy day! Ughhh, well today was also the Beatles tour, which if you know me, you know I love my Beatles. Well First we walked around City Centre and had a good time, had lunch at this random place and then went to a Bug World. This is where I decided I would like a children's story from each location I visit, and a post card to be corny. I really could use children stories and would love to grab as many as I can! Well then we went to the Beatles tour pickup spot. I was quite crabby that day. Idk why, maybe the weather? The Tour was quite amazing, we saw so many different sights. Penny Lane, All their childhood times, Where John and Paul first met, Eleanor Rigby's grave, Strawberry Fields, The Cathedral in Liverpool. It was really cool to see all of that amazing history to Music! Well after we found out we were done with the tour AFTER the busses started running so a few of us went to Tesco and picked up PB&J supplies and some Beer and had our selves a fun dinner. Our British friend Paul came by and he ate his first PB&J and he liked it :) We then sat in Sarah's room and watched YouTube Videos and enjoyed ourselves immensely:)
Us at a Beatles Monument
Sunday May 30-Liverpool
Well I woke up, and felt like I needed to go run, so I got up and got dressed. Well I had just tied my shoes when Emily and Erica messaged me and asked me to go to the Liverpool Cathedral. It's the Largest In the UK and the 5th in the World. It was absolutely beautiful, I was awestruck. It was a protestant service, so it was not so fun, very similar to Catholic, but hey. It was so beautiful and I really enjoyed the service. Afterwords I made myself a PB&J and got ready to go to the Hub Festival ,which was a BMX, with Emily and April. It was quite interesting! We were on a Chav Search. Chav is the ghetto people of England. It was fun, we had a good time and I got a ton of pictures. We then walked along the water and I got some more really beautiful pictures! We then had to find our way to liverpool home, and took a couple busses and finally made it. I then took some time to myself and then a bunch of us hung out in Emily's room and we were saying goodbye for now to Paul. I got to teach him how to Salsa, he felt pretty awkward, but hey gotta spread the Latino Feva! Well soon i found myself packing for the Exciting week of London and Madrid!!!!
Us in the Cathedral with the President
Yay few, I'm gonna take a break but a new post soon....Like tonight soon (hopefully, I still have to get London, Madrid and Liverpool this week!!)
Saturday, May 29, 2010
A week so Far, where did that go!
WHEWWW A WEEK ALREADY!
At a grave, look at the Architecture!
Monday:
Today was the very first full day of Liverpool. We meet for breakfast and then had a Tour of the campus and got our IDs. Then we were allowed to have the rest of our day free. We went to City Center and that was an adventure. We got on the public bus system for the first time. It was fun we got to ride a double decker bus, although it was a pound and a half. We went to Primark. Which was a great experience. I mean it had very cute clothes for pretty cheap, I bought a grey dress, and then from a stand I bought two scarves, one yellow and one green. Then we went on to plan my Madrid, Spain Trip for next Thursday with Emily P, April D and Chesey O. That monday we meet Emily and Sarah's flatmate, Paige from England and Joanne from Ireland. We went to Cava's ( a tequila bar-30 some flavors of Tequila, including baked bean and chili! I drank a Lime and a Black Current Shot.) Then we went to POP world and had a ridiculous time, it was amazing. Pop world is a club that only plays 90's music. We met paul the pole dancer there, he was quite amusing. It was a great time, and an brilliant first club experience into Liverpool, gotta love corney 90's music!
us at POP world
Tuesday:
Today we had a seminar and a guest speaker. The guest speaker talked about how different the British schools are, it was really interesting to hear. The way they look at children, they are so much more independent and more adult. We had lunch and then Seminar with Dr. P! We discussed Warm Fuzzies, (mine is Fernando), the 5 pillar of reading with a intro into Vocabulary. It was kind of painful, but so much better than Dr. Li, she was THE worst teacher i have ever had! Well moving on, I spent the rest of my evening planning the rest of my trips, going to Ireland and Poland and Italy and Greece and Scotland!
A window from our classroom
Wednesday:
We were in the classroom today, got up late and realized i had TWO conditioners. I had been wondering why my hair was so gross for the week, my bad! So made it down to get some food before heading on the bus to my school. I'm at Wolton in a year 3 (grade 2) classroom. My teacher is Miss Munroe, and a class of 22 7 and 8 year olds. The craziest thing is the simple fact my last name is Torres. For the Liverpool team, one of their all-stars names is Fernando Torres. It's such a huge deal here. I mean grown adults ask me if i'm related to him, they all are just amazing that we share the same last name. I don't even know how to describe it. I mean if someone with the last name was Jordan, i wouldn't ask them if they were related to Michael Jordan, even in his prime! It is the strangest thing, i mean people asked if i was married to him as well. So it is my goal of the trip is to take a picture of his house :) My classroom was a lot of fun, it was filled with their artwork and the children were so independent. Their vocab was so much stronger and more advanced then American students. i was shocked at the words they were using and such a young age! it makes me thing that American Students can be so much more advanced, if we only push them! it was just such an experience and culture shock trying to figure out each child, and how they speak because there are so many different dialects! A bunch of us walked back and i passed out straight through dinner. Then I booked Ireland and went to bed!
WARM FUZZIES...Fernando is in Blue!
Okay friday Thursday through Sunday will be posted tomorrow because I'M SLEEPY
At a grave, look at the Architecture!
Monday:
Today was the very first full day of Liverpool. We meet for breakfast and then had a Tour of the campus and got our IDs. Then we were allowed to have the rest of our day free. We went to City Center and that was an adventure. We got on the public bus system for the first time. It was fun we got to ride a double decker bus, although it was a pound and a half. We went to Primark. Which was a great experience. I mean it had very cute clothes for pretty cheap, I bought a grey dress, and then from a stand I bought two scarves, one yellow and one green. Then we went on to plan my Madrid, Spain Trip for next Thursday with Emily P, April D and Chesey O. That monday we meet Emily and Sarah's flatmate, Paige from England and Joanne from Ireland. We went to Cava's ( a tequila bar-30 some flavors of Tequila, including baked bean and chili! I drank a Lime and a Black Current Shot.) Then we went to POP world and had a ridiculous time, it was amazing. Pop world is a club that only plays 90's music. We met paul the pole dancer there, he was quite amusing. It was a great time, and an brilliant first club experience into Liverpool, gotta love corney 90's music!
us at POP world
Tuesday:
Today we had a seminar and a guest speaker. The guest speaker talked about how different the British schools are, it was really interesting to hear. The way they look at children, they are so much more independent and more adult. We had lunch and then Seminar with Dr. P! We discussed Warm Fuzzies, (mine is Fernando), the 5 pillar of reading with a intro into Vocabulary. It was kind of painful, but so much better than Dr. Li, she was THE worst teacher i have ever had! Well moving on, I spent the rest of my evening planning the rest of my trips, going to Ireland and Poland and Italy and Greece and Scotland!
A window from our classroom
Wednesday:
We were in the classroom today, got up late and realized i had TWO conditioners. I had been wondering why my hair was so gross for the week, my bad! So made it down to get some food before heading on the bus to my school. I'm at Wolton in a year 3 (grade 2) classroom. My teacher is Miss Munroe, and a class of 22 7 and 8 year olds. The craziest thing is the simple fact my last name is Torres. For the Liverpool team, one of their all-stars names is Fernando Torres. It's such a huge deal here. I mean grown adults ask me if i'm related to him, they all are just amazing that we share the same last name. I don't even know how to describe it. I mean if someone with the last name was Jordan, i wouldn't ask them if they were related to Michael Jordan, even in his prime! It is the strangest thing, i mean people asked if i was married to him as well. So it is my goal of the trip is to take a picture of his house :) My classroom was a lot of fun, it was filled with their artwork and the children were so independent. Their vocab was so much stronger and more advanced then American students. i was shocked at the words they were using and such a young age! it makes me thing that American Students can be so much more advanced, if we only push them! it was just such an experience and culture shock trying to figure out each child, and how they speak because there are so many different dialects! A bunch of us walked back and i passed out straight through dinner. Then I booked Ireland and went to bed!
WARM FUZZIES...Fernando is in Blue!
Okay friday Thursday through Sunday will be posted tomorrow because I'M SLEEPY
Sunday, May 23, 2010
I Made It
So I'm here in Liverpool and I'm pretty loopy. Lack of sleep and jet lag :)
So here has been what's up So the flight from chicago to philly was just dandy, easy 2 hour flight, adn the 5 hour layover wasn't so bad either. Got some planning done, hopefully getting everything together.
Well I get on the plane, and find out I got bumpped to first class somehow. I mean first class on a 7hr flight is just fine with me! I got served mimosas and a few jack and cokes. A batch of mixed nuts. Dinner I had red snapper with brown rice and cooked spinach (yum yum) Then I had cake and wine for dessert. Then for breakfast I had fruit, yogart, coffee and an orange juice. My seat reclined back, it was very nice, I just feel super guilty. But we think it's because we sent in complaints about the previous flight experience. Idk at this point.
So now we're sitting on the computers in the library, trying to stay awake. Right now I'm very irritated with At&t. I can't fix my phone with out account information, and of course it's like 8am at home. Well what can you do. More to this post later (including a pic)!
continued:
So we went to dinner at a local pub, I got fish and chips and drank a newcastle (nate would be so proud). Then we ventured across the street to an old church and graveyard. There is so much history there. I mean the people who OWNED the titanic are buried in the graveyard. The church was recorded in the doomsday book. The first wedding on record was in 1557. The church has bricks and pieces of history that are centuries old! The guy that wrote Amazing Grace preached at that church! It was just so overwhelmed with history.
Okay, I'm very sleepy so blogging done!
me at the pulpit
Friday, May 21, 2010
So here we go, we're at it again!
...we're moving out, we're movin' in!
So Tomorrow I get to try all of this again! Cept this time I have a noon flight (leave my house at 9 and arrive in Philly at 3) and leave Philly at 8pm. So a five hour layover, because I really need to spend anymore of my time in the Philly airport! Oh I suck at spelling Philadelphia, so Philly is what i'm sticking with!
This whole trip has lost all it's magic and glory, and I refuse to believe that i'm going till I'm there! But I got to repack, and make sure I have some of the must needs and such, I really want to bring my pillow, I knew I wanted it, but now it's a must, even above SHOES!
At least this week was calmer and I got to workout a CRAP ton, I even got to have some sushi with my mommy (dad came too, but the hawks were on for the playoffs -Blackhawks won 3 to 2 against the Sharks. If you didn't know hockey is a big deal around here, well sports in general, I'm excited to see some footie in liverpool though!
So I barely unpacked, only a few necessary Items, and I only have a few to stick in there, make life so much easier! Shrek was cute, I knew it would be, but i'm happy I got to see it!...so that means bedtime now for a 7am wake up call!
Love Peace and Chicken Grease, ahaha I think i'm gonna raid the fridge for some sushi!
My pup and I, She just wants to go to bed!
So Tomorrow I get to try all of this again! Cept this time I have a noon flight (leave my house at 9 and arrive in Philly at 3) and leave Philly at 8pm. So a five hour layover, because I really need to spend anymore of my time in the Philly airport! Oh I suck at spelling Philadelphia, so Philly is what i'm sticking with!
This whole trip has lost all it's magic and glory, and I refuse to believe that i'm going till I'm there! But I got to repack, and make sure I have some of the must needs and such, I really want to bring my pillow, I knew I wanted it, but now it's a must, even above SHOES!
At least this week was calmer and I got to workout a CRAP ton, I even got to have some sushi with my mommy (dad came too, but the hawks were on for the playoffs -Blackhawks won 3 to 2 against the Sharks. If you didn't know hockey is a big deal around here, well sports in general, I'm excited to see some footie in liverpool though!
So I barely unpacked, only a few necessary Items, and I only have a few to stick in there, make life so much easier! Shrek was cute, I knew it would be, but i'm happy I got to see it!...so that means bedtime now for a 7am wake up call!
Love Peace and Chicken Grease, ahaha I think i'm gonna raid the fridge for some sushi!
My pup and I, She just wants to go to bed!
Monday, May 17, 2010
Oh this Journey Won't End
If this post is confusing, lo siento. I've been writing this since yesterday at 4pm Since i'm still at the airport
PS I"M EXHAUSTED!
So Here we are sitting in the airport with no hope of getting a flight. Stupid Volcano. I can’t believe our luck. So it’s looking like Tuesday or Wednesday. (ENDED UP SATURDAY) So my best friend will be the floor of the Airport. Maybe we’ll get to see Philly, and not be stuck here. Well this isn’t looking so hot, well with great things I guess there are trials too ☹
We finally got a flight out, everyone leaving before 10am, my flight leaves at 4. It’s so stressful, I can’t believe I slept on the Airport floor and now will sit at my terminal for another couple hours while I sit in standby praying a spot on the flight will magically appear. Thankfully I have so many wonderful people keeping my travels in their prayers. Praying is such a foreign concept to me, but so many people really truly believe, there’s got to be something to it.
I feel so alone, sitting in my gate almost 3 hours early. I can not believe that there is no one for me to feel comfort in. I mean literally everyone I know is sleeping, there is hardly anyone in the airport and I cannot reach anyone at this specific time. So here I sit, till 4 pm at the latest, alone and exhausted. I’ve flown by myself a few times, and I am comfortable in silence, it’s just I’ve never been in such a difficult situation all in my own, in a completely different state. It’s still looks like night outside, and the only people in the airport are some employees. I would give so much to be in my bed, with my dog and my family sleeping so close. I wonder how my mom is sleeping, or my dad. They seemed so worried for me, and I think they regret letting me on the trip.
I’m so sick of this announcement about Philadelphia. It’s just the airports welcome but did it have to play while the airport was closed. The only people around were from canceled flights. WE KNOW WHICH CITY WE’RE IN. Watching people walk by, I’m reminded that I need to shower, and I know I look like crap. I feel like I’m on the verge of tears, and I slept so little that I probably resemble one of those people, who you say, what the fuck happened to them.
This old man from Phoenix joined me, and we’re talking about our flight issues. He came from Venice and someone took his luggage, so he missed his flight because some guy mistook the old mans luggage. It was nice to talk to someone, he left to get food. I want to be his age and talk about all my travels and adventures. I mean he saw Antarctica.
So the flight seems like it’s completely booked, and I feel completely deflated. Really what else can they throw at me. I mean really someone in heaven please help me either get home, or make it through with anymore tears.
Oh i know i may seem dramatic, but i'm just exhausted and melodramatic
This is my mommy before I left for my chicago flight at 2pm
Sunday, May 9, 2010
One Week
Less then one week till i'm on a plane to England! It's so crazy to think In less then 7 days i'll be in a different country to live for two months! There still so much to do before I leave! It will get done, I know it will, i'm just slightly overwhelmed.
Last week was so hectic, with checkouts and finals in the same week, It's a stressful combination. I'm sad that I won't have Kim as a supervisor. She is a great supervisor, and Schmidt Wilson is lucky to have her! It's weird that the year is already over! Next year will be very exciting, my senior year and my 3rd year as an RA. I can't wait! Oh and Have fun in Japan Brenana!
This week will be hectic, getting all the stuff I need together, to spend as much time with everyone as well. But It will get done. I'm particularly sad to leave my mommy, she is such a beautiful and wonderful person. I'm glad I got to spend mothers day with her! I got to sleep with my puppy last night, she is so sweet has been super affectionate today, maybe she missed me :)
I got to see my grandparents today, I hate that they live in Phoenix most of the year. They came over for dessert and coffee, it was really nice to see them. It was just nice to see family and have a calm day after the hectic couple of weeks! I can't wait to see others this week, I just wish there was more time :) It would also be nice to see Nate a bit more, but meeting him in Spain will just have to do.
So much to do, so little time!
Okay, well this Jewess is out :)
My mommy's mothers day flowers:)
Last week was so hectic, with checkouts and finals in the same week, It's a stressful combination. I'm sad that I won't have Kim as a supervisor. She is a great supervisor, and Schmidt Wilson is lucky to have her! It's weird that the year is already over! Next year will be very exciting, my senior year and my 3rd year as an RA. I can't wait! Oh and Have fun in Japan Brenana!
This week will be hectic, getting all the stuff I need together, to spend as much time with everyone as well. But It will get done. I'm particularly sad to leave my mommy, she is such a beautiful and wonderful person. I'm glad I got to spend mothers day with her! I got to sleep with my puppy last night, she is so sweet has been super affectionate today, maybe she missed me :)
I got to see my grandparents today, I hate that they live in Phoenix most of the year. They came over for dessert and coffee, it was really nice to see them. It was just nice to see family and have a calm day after the hectic couple of weeks! I can't wait to see others this week, I just wish there was more time :) It would also be nice to see Nate a bit more, but meeting him in Spain will just have to do.
So much to do, so little time!
Okay, well this Jewess is out :)
My mommy's mothers day flowers:)
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
The Start
Here are the facts
I am Sami and I'm a Senior at Ball State University, I will be studying abroad in Liverpool at Liverpool Hope Univeristy.
The theme of my Edel-O is Teach Study and Travel
So each blog i will discuss each one of those aspects
and because the Wandering Jew is a Plant, I will always have a plant in each picture!
I leave May 16th and I am so excited!!!!!
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