Alghero, Italy

Four days in Alghero (Sardinia, Italy) hardly seems like enough.

We started with an overnight stay in the London Stansted Airport (not something I highly recommend..) and taking an early flight to Italy. Much to our delight, it was sunny and beautiful when we arrived. We got upgraded to a nice apartment with a balcony that viewed the seafront. I really cannot complain.
We made incredible meals, walked everywhere, ate more pizza than was probably necessary-but we had to pack it all into four days! I feel in love with new type of fruit and got my feet wet in the mediterranean. Little did we know, but Alghero has a period of time called a 'ciesta' where everything closes between 1pm-4pm. Once we figured this out, we had very relaxed days.
It was exactly what my sanity needed.
I am currently in Norway staying with my good friend Diana, but I'll save that for another post.

Here is for the pictures, which can say much more than my words:


The view from our Balcony

It's been a full weekend to say the least.

Earlier today I participated in Amnesty International Street Theatre. About 70 Atlatnic College students took the streets of Cardiff in order to raise awareness about human rights. While nice in theory, people were a bit disorganized and shouted a lot and scared some of the passer-bys. This was when I developed my own rule about protests: If, at any point, you feel even slightly uncomfortable with the situation immediately leave. It seems like a very reasonable rule to me

Tonight was the North American Bonfire. I'm not sure I've had this good of a night in a while. We gathered anyone and everyone who had a slight relation to the US or Canada and we assembled around a big bonfire (thank you girl scouts for fire-building skills!) and talked, make s'mores, cooked bacon, played guitar. Just an all around feel good sort of night.

Tomorrow I will be making pizza from scratch, watching a South East Asian national evening, working in the coffee lounge, and catching up on work.

Never let it be said that AC is a boring place to be

What is America?

There is something new that I believe in: the power of cultural identity. My American pride gives me a real identity and there is so much more to be being American than big dreams.

Last night was the North American National Evening-a night where the USA and Canada gets to put on a show for the rest of the school about our culture. Jokes aside, the evening was fantastic. From reading the New Colossus to singing Wagon Wheel to introducing the audience to the monsters of America I think we really gave them a true taste of our beautiful country. Best of all, we ended the evening with a dance to the song 'Bad Romance' by Lady Gaga. To be frank-it looked almost professional. (I promise to put up the video of it soon)

Even better than ending the evening with an incredibly good feeling that we had done our country justice, I now have this bond with my fellow Americans. I have this second family here, and without them- I would be lost. Together we have all rediscovered what it means to be an American and that is a beautiful thing. We are a truly diverse group of students from all states and all walks of life-it's very American. Maybe in order to truly understand your own culture you have to leave your country.

Today, I am proud to call myself American.

Update

And routine has kicked in again. Academics are back on track and most of the august period and induction spontinety has dissapeared.
Already I've finished King Lear, visited the Globe Theatre in London (life really can be wonderful!), finished learning the basics of logic, and there is so much more to come.
Next week I will interview for US University, fast all day Tuesday for Doctors without Borders, talk, listen, and dream.
As a second year I somehow see AC a little differently than I did last year. I feel much more grounded this year and mentally more stable. Although it pains me to say this, this extra year of high school isn't so bad afterall. In fact, I think its done me well.
My roommate-Nicole-has been such a blessing this year. She is the closest thing to family that I have at AC, and I am so lucky to have her.
Again, I am happy. I try not to stress about colleges and work and focus on the more important things.

I say AC, you say Camp

Already it seems the year is underway. The first years arrived on Saturday and the day was spent painting our faces, banging pots and pans, blowing the conch, and shyly greeting the newcomers.

What is to be said in the introduction? Eventually we get tired of "Hello, my name is ____ from ____. Where are you from?". That question morphs into "What house are you in" followed by "What service/classes are you interested in?".
The small talk gets a little old, but its the beginning of a real friendship.

AC Camp was different for me this year (going as a peer listener, not a camper). Different yes, but just as enjoyable. This time I saw how much work the second years do to make the experience enjoyable for the fresh new faces. We all basked in the new pool of optimism that came from all over the world. We enjoyed the optimism in Moroccan sweets, and American hugs, and the singing of the World Cup song "Wavin Flag".

"When I get older, I will be stronger, they'll call me freedom, just like a wavin flag.."

This quickly became the camp anthem. I won't lie, the chorus is still streaming in my head.

At camp I did the walk-an 7 hour hike along the beautiful welsh coast. It provided a great opportunity to spare good conversation.
I lost my voice, I think I have the flu-but I don't regret it in the least. Cheers to my last year at AC-now back to the books.


"When I get older..."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBD9h0jUq3w




ps. On top of all the first year excitement- I got my Advanced Open Water Scuba Diving Certification! And I learned how to use a dry suit. All together- a great success

August Period

Although our August Period (the ten days where it is only second years, my co-years) is halfway done, it feels as though everybody just got here. The canteen (our dining hall) is full of familiar faces and I like it. I feel as though my house is slowly but surely coming together. Powys is such a good place to be and we just got our new dorm mates and our new first years!
This year I will be rooming with:
Nicole (Malaysia- I roomed with her last year)
Eeva (Estonia)
Hangwei (China).
It seems as though it will be a dorm with a comfortable atmosphere. Having second year dormies won't be so bad after all!

On top of adjusting to life at AC again, we have been dedicating our time to service. Tomorrow MEMS (Marine Environmental Monitoring Service) leaves on a weeklong camping trip with ILB (the inshore life boat service). We will be getting our PADI Advanced Open Water and National Geographic scuba diving certifications. Needless to say, I am very excited. We tried out our dry-suits today and they were more trouble than I was expecting. Wish me luck this coming week!

My second year at AC is already flying by a little too quickly. New friendships are forming in fears and excitement of the incoming first years. But most importantly, I have a very good feeling about this.

Here is a photo from our Powys 2nd Year girls bonding session:

Walton-on-Thames

Thoughts from my 5am walk into Llantwit Major on my way to Walton-on-Thames:

I feel lovely when that
first sliver of sunshine hits my face

the only one to see
my smile is the starling

and together we illuminate the sky




I am staying with my Aunt Chantal, her husband Matthew and her son Benjamin. All together, and incredibly fun and friendly family. I've even been mildly successful in forcing myself to work on things such as homework and college applications. Although nothing eventful is taking place, I am very much at peace with this family, England, and my work.
Best of all, I had a good meal! After eating the canteen food at the castle, any type of food is welcomed with a parade of enthusiasm. School starts up in.. 4 days now.
I think I'm ready.