Visit to the Rock Hall

Tailgate Party

Soccer match in Wheeling, WV

needless to say...it was cold!

R O C K in the U S A

The Caterham students will be here TOMORROW! Two weeks of fun in the US including tailgating before the soccer game in West Virginia, lunch at the Hard Rock and a tour of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and a weekend in DC.

til October...

what a day!

This is my first time reading the blog since we left the states! The site is blocked from the boarding house computers, so i haven't been able to read or post anything (sorry mrs. barry...) despite the restrictions on the internet, staying in the boarding house has been a really great experience! I've gotten to spend a lot more time exploring caterham, and it's been really cool getting to know all the girls in the boarding house. boarding is kind of different than at reserve though. for one, you can board starting in 1st form, which is like 7th grade. there are less boarders too, and we all live in the same boarding house. breakfast is my favorite time because everyone gets up and eats together. I think because it's the end of the term here the rules are more slack, but we have a lot of freedom to do whatever during the evenings. the one annoying thing is that the matrons come around and turn your lights off at 11. I'm staying at my host's real home for the weekend though, which is how i am able to finally blog!

I feel so lucky that i got to spend my birthday in England! it was yesterday and it was also our last day at caterham school since we leave on Sunday =( I started the day off with a 4am hike up to the viewpoint to watch the sunrise with my host sam and jamie who's also in the exchange. though henry is also boarding, he couldn't be bothered to wake up that early! we actually missed the sunrise, but it was still a great way to start the day. we all spent the morning either making our "thank you caterham" presentation or making robot costumes for the robo-dance, a fundraiser and attempt to break the world record for biggest robot dance. everyone looked great and we helped break the record! we gave our presentation later in the afternoon, and colin made a very memorable speech. after school we all went zorbing where hannah's host works. IT WAS SO FUN! incase you're not sure, zorbing is where you get strapped inside a GIANT beach ball type thing and roll down a hill... i screamed a lot but it was better than a rollercoaster in my opinion! and then last night we went to a cookout at eben's host's house. i think everyone had a really great day yesterday.

today is our last whole day in England =( i think we're all relaxing with our hosts this morning, and we'll meet up at a barbeque at hannah's host's house later.
see everyone soon!
emily

Dōmo arigatō, Mr. Roboto

Zorbing!

Cambridge

After a two hour ride, we arrived at Cambridge, our final of two college trips. Henry, Emily, Caroline, and I first walked around an open market and then around a few of the surrounding schools including King's college, Queen's college, and Clare's college. Then we decided to go to a little cafe for some lunch and tea. The sandwiches were simple but delicious and the tea was HOT. After lunch we decided to do a little bit of shopping. First was the Tibetan shop with tons of hand-made wool products. Second was the fantastic vintage shop with three levels of dresses, bags, jewelry, and much much more. While the girls could have spent all day there, Henry had other plans. After we got back home, I spent the evening at Caroline and Cathy's home. Our plans to go to the cinema fell through but we had a nice evening in. Tomorrow, we are supposed to go to London for the third and sadly the final time.

What a weekend!

On Saturday morning, we had an early start and all Reserve students and their hosts went into London for the day. We broke into smaller groups because it was too hard to keep twenty people together. My group spent most of the time at the various shops in the Camden Market and then we all met up again. While waiting for the group to gather, some of us watched a street performer. This very rude man claimed to be an American, actually spit water on a few of us for not moving closer to where he was performing.

The next morning, after I finally got a full night of sleep, we all went to the town fair. It was a gathering to raise money for a local charity with a merry go round and lots of other booths with games. It was a non-stop weekend filled with lots of memorable events.

-Hannah

Punt Boats

Oggsford

Today, the WRA students headed off to visit Oxford. While Mr. Lewis and Mr. Gough weren't there to meet up with us, the two hour drive was still well worth it. Mr. Murphy, a Caterham teacher and Oxford alumnus, gave us a tour of the campus. After we were let loose, I went to one of the Oxford with Allison, Katie, and Caroline. Then it was off to the punt boats. Mr. Murphy, a paddling expert, taught the four of us how to steer the boat and let us all have a go at it. It was quite fun on the river and MANY pictures were taken!

-Hannah

Who doesn't like to shop?

After school today, all of the WRA and Caterham girls decided to go to East Croydon for a little bit of shopping. We thought it was going to be an afternoon at various stores yet it turned into a three hour shopping spree at one store. We went to a really cheap place and were able to get lots of great clothes for a very good price! After arriving back at the town of Caterham, we met up with the rest of our group at an Indian restaurant. While some were more adventurous than others, I think I went for the least spiciest item on the menu. Tomorrow, we're headed off to Oxford for a tour and to meet up with Mr. Lewis and Mr. Gough!

-Hannah

Globe Theatre

London Bridge

London!

Today we had quite an exciting day... we went to London! After taking the train, we decided to go to the Tower of London. We split up into three smaller groups, but in my group we spent a lot of time in the Bloody Tower. There was an exhibit about King Henry the VIII. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed looking at all of his suits of armour. After the tower, we headed over to the Globe Theater, where we had a quick lunch before the show. We saw 'As You Like It' and watched the play from the standing section. What an experience that was! Finally, we headed over to a pub where most of us ordered fish and chips or various meat pies. After, the long day was over, we headed home on a very sleepy train ride.

-Hannah

Barefoot in the Park

Today was our first real day of the classes we signed up for. I sat in on Psychology, English, and Politics. Politics proved to be the most interactive and there we were all matched up with a group to discuss our political standpoints on certain heated social American issues. At one point I found myself debating torture with some "ginge" boy as they say here meaning red haired. The British certainly are into American politics. The slang here is quite incredible and while language isn't technically a barrier on this exchange I find myself staring vacantly at people after they've finished speaking. However I'm proud to say I learned what a chav is, yet dissappointed there isn't some British vocab class I could have signed up for. They're the kids at public school that all wear wife beaters and gold jewlery. After lessons we headed down to the park in the "ville" where I took off my shoes because they were killing me and the dye had also turned my feet bright pink which the Brits thought was pretty silly. I was excited to find that my host family likes T-swift and I love that everyone sings it around the house. Tomorrow is Shakespeare at the Globe. All previous English and drama teachers prepare to be totally jealous.

Caroline

It's summer... but we still have class

Today was our first day of classes and after picking which classes we wanted to take yesterday, they made schedules for each of us. Along with politics, the class that all of us take, I'm taking history and photography. The history class was quite hilarous, nothing like Mr. Ong's at all. Then I had photography which was somewhat boring because all of the students were just hanging up their work in the gallery. After school we went down to the village where most of us exchanged our money. I'm so excited for London tomorrow!

-Hannah

We just climbed part of the Alps

Hi everyone
Today we got a our time tables with our classes. Jessika, Katie, and I all had the first couple periods off. Sooooo we explored. We looked out yonder a top a grassy hill. Twas a lovey sight to see. WE saw young lads running along the grass track, A man pressing down grass, a giant chess game, and mysterious chairs way in the distance. Why not go sit in the chairs? Finding our way down the moving stair cases we found oursleves just across the street from the cars. We ran across and then noticed a cricket course. We played a quick match and then explored a mountain we had just noticed. On our way up we found a slug and named him Barthalomew.
I have class now. Later there is a Holocust speaker that we will go listen to.
Love,
Allie

hi everyone!

hi everyone! i am at my host sophie's house. i just met her mother jane and her little brother oliver. my room is really nice and i'm all unpacked! i also FINALLY got to shower thank goodness! i don't think we're up to anything tonight which is nice. see everyone soon!

-Jessika

FINALLY!!

So after the longest airplane ride of my life, we finally made it here. Before we even had time to realize that we were here, we were brought right to school. Luckily, Hannah, my host, didn't have any morning classes, so I wasn't forced to think about school right away. After politics and english class, I was brought to my host family's house which is just up the street from school. Hopefully, I will be able to get a good night of sleep tonight because the two hours on the plane didn't do too much for me.

-Hannah

A Little Jet Lag Never Hurt Anyone.....much.

Well, we're not pretty, but we're here!! The flight was fine, everyone made it through customs (I had to vouch for Karan Bains) we all have luggage, and Cole Campbell greeted us at arrival. The sun is shining & there are kids playing everywhere, with the younger kids looking very Harry Potterish (pre-prep starts at 2 1/2!) - it's lovely. The WRA bunch was ushered off to class pretty quickly after dropping their bags, so no one will be napping and we'll all sleep well tonight. We just had our first meeting together and the hosts, both students and faculty, have been fabulous! I'm off to downtown to get some minutes for my phone just in case anyone needs it. Looking forward to a concert here this evening...

Midge Karam

Less than 24 hours!!!!

I am soooo excited! Less than 24 hours!!!! I just started packing and I'm lost. Also do we really have to pack Reserve green or was Eben kidding? SEE YOU ALL TOMORROW!!! :D

-Jessika

ready for some bangers and mash

i can't believe we leave in less than 48 hours! I'm almost all packed (and really proud of myself for not procrastinating!) but weather is so unpredictable, i can't decide what to bring. don't want to be the over-packer...

I've been in touch with my host a lot recently, and it sounds like there is a ton of adventure planned for these two weeks! i hope everyone is excited as i am =) I'm also really psyched to be a boarder, finally.

tomorrow i'm going to buy my summer reading book to take along.. i'm a dork, i know, but i figured it would be appropriate to read jane austen in england. Can't wait to see everyone in the airport!

until then-

emily

Can't wait to get out!

A couple days until we leave for Caterham. I'm stuck at home babysitting. Not my definition of an ideal summer day.

I'm assuming the weather is going to be similar to Ohio, except that it'll most likely be a bit cooler... Saturday's forecast is 16* C which is roughly 60* F. I'm just bringing sweaters and jeans and stuff, in addition, of course, to my RESERVE GREEN! :-P

I was really bummed about the Cavs getting knocked out. I feel like they could have definitely held their own against the Lakers... At least now Karan can chill while we're there and not spend time and energy freaking out about missing game 7....

I hope everybody else is having an excellent summer (so far)!

Eben

Caterham Countdown

6 days, 8 hours, and 10 minutes. Not that I'm counting. I've started packing or at least thinking about what I'm going to bring. My first trip to another country - it's very exciting!

Hannah