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Tuesday, April 25th, 2006
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5:11 pm - "I just can't believe that it's over"
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I really mean that too. I knew that college would go by fast; I knew that this semester would go by fast; but I didn't KNOW it would be over this soon. I miss so many things already, but I am so happy to be home as well. I know, it is hard to explain how I feel. Here are two separate song lyrics that I thought of on my last day in London. This is the best way to describe how I felt:
Here's to the nights we felt alive
Here's to the tears you knew you'd cry
Here's to goodbye
Tomorrow's gonna come too soon
Another aerorplane
Another sunny place
I’m lucky I know
But I wanna go home
Looking back, there are so many things that I did not get to do or see. There were concerts, performances, museums, and events that I missed. Places that I wanted to go and people that I wanted to meet. But, I do not regret spending the time as I did. I learned so much from my students, coworkers, flatmates, and friends. God changed me and challenged me in ways that I never thought he would. I am blessed to have been able to spend 4 months in London and will defintely plan and save to go back [in warmer months, though]. So, to keep with tradition, I will leave my readers with some final notes.
Notes:
1. Things I will miss from London: livemusic on the Tube, my cheeky year 5 students, the green man, minding the gap, clapdagap (not missed cuz its a disease!), my pub (the cheese man), student discounts at Fire and Stone, my sandwich shop guy who tells me I look like Julia Roberts, learning and using new words and phrases (posh, snog, lovely, pants, etc...), the theatre, the fun flavoured crisps, the chocolate (Buenos and Cocoa Delis), and my friends (non-interns, flatmates, and Ken alike).
2. Things I missed about the States: my car, garbage cans, the warm weather, free water at restaurants, free refiills, Cuban food, the $$ exchange rate, the sun, the beach, palm trees, the fact that I cannot end up at the O Bar everytime I go out (not bitter at all), non-smoking public areas, tv that is more than just news and weather, church, Spanglish, publix, baking, my friends and family.
3. I know that there are many more things that I will miss from London and missed from the States while in London, but that list will have to do. I have enjoyed keeping you guys updated and have yet to decide whether or not to keep up with it. I have broken down and joined MySpace so you can find me there. I may decide to blog there instead of having too many cool internet things to keep up with. Either way, you know where to find me and find out about me. I do still have email and phone!! Haha, I love you guys. Cheers.
current mood:  cheerful
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| Saturday, April 22nd, 2006
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11:00 am - Wowzer
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So, it has been a bit of time since I updated, but you cannot say that I didn't tell you so. Here is the plan: I'm going to quickly update you on my last week in Europe. After that, I think I may reminisce some. But, after that, I haven't decided, it may be my last post. Since I have joined MySpace, I may decided to just blog on there to make things easier for me. After all, this journal was called "my life as a Londoner" for a reason, right?
My parents were in town during the week of April 10th, and we went to Paris! We saw the Notre Dame, Eifel Tower, and Chappelle's church. We also went to the Leuve. It was great times and we learned a lesson too: SPEAK SPANISH. I had a very interesting first dinner expereince in Paris where there was an old woman criticizing the restaurant food on one side, another woman who was trying to get some attention from the waiter all night, people trying to squeeze between me and the wall all night long bumping into me, and then of course, there is the over 30 year old couple heavily making out right in front of my face. I mean serious, hard core, making out like two middle schoolers who just learned what french kissing was... and then it hit me... FRENCH kissing! Anyway, the waiter hated us and I ate a salad. WE decided Spanish was our language from then on. It worked.
After we got back from Paris, we had Sader!! I know you know that I am not Jewish, but my twin is. Hilary cooked us some Saderized good food including egg water for soup and some matza cookies. We played hide the *ienkcic and we let in Elijah for some Sader fun.
After the Sader, the next day I was off to Germany as my parents were off to the US. I met up with Dan and we finally went bowling in Germany!!!!!! By the way, I kicked his butt in 2 out of 3 games. We also got to go Spanish dancing with a bunch of Irish. (yes, we were still in Germany).
After I got back from Germany, the crazy time for packing and last minute shows began. I saw Billy Elliot and Phantom. Oh, yeah, I visited my kids at St. Mary's one last time. Hmmm... I also found out that some of my students have been reading my journal, so if you are one of my students reading this right now: You are sneaky!! hahaha, I love you guys and hope you enjoyed seeing me as more than just your teacher. I miss you guys already.
With that, I just have a few notes:
1. Happy Belated birthdays to Kooka, Kyle, Monty, Andrew, and Brandon.
2. I will have at least one more post.
3. Congrats to Julie Caldwell (Johnson) on being married, ow ow!!!!
*forgot what it was called, Hilary- what was it again?
current mood:  sad
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| Monday, April 17th, 2006
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1:49 pm
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| Thursday, April 6th, 2006
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6:21 pm - YEAH!!!!!!!!!
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Well, I just wanted to say that I am not sure when I will be updating because my parents will soon be arriving tomorrow morning. So, yeah, until later.... sorry in advance for a short break.
current mood:  indescribable
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| Wednesday, April 5th, 2006
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6:36 pm - Wasting time...
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I have a few minutes to waste before "hitting the town" with Hilary. So, I figure I can share some things I have written down to remember. Hope you can enjoy it even just a little bit.
Advice: "Do find someone who makes you laugh- Don't use humor as a defense."
On the box of ExtraMints one of students gave me: "Excessive consumption may produce laxative effects."
Quote from a book advertisement: "I've just inspected my legs- I look like I have hairy trousers on."
Name that tune: "I believe in the sand beneath my toes. The beach gives a feeling; an earthy feeling. I believe in the faith that grows, and the four right chords can make me cry. When I'm with you I feel like I could die, and that would be all right, all right."
Okay, gotta jet.
Ooh, JET, I like them. I may have to quote them later! haha, love you guys. Thanks for reading.
current mood:  silly
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6:06 pm - Grrr...Arrrgh...
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That is how I felt last night while writing my resume. I stayed up until 4.30 am working on it. I was also talking on aim to quite a few different people. So, that was a challenge. Anyway, I finally finished my first draft, and I am just crazy excited that I am looking for a job!
I am also really happy about seeing my parentals soon. They will be here Friday morning, and they are in for treat! I cannot wait to see them, and then the day they leave, I am off to Germany to visit my friend Dan. Then, I am here for 2 more days, and off back home to the country of Miami!!!!
Another great thing is that I am almost finished with my vampire book. I am getting so anxious about how it is going to end and what is going to happen next that I am fighting myself to stop skimming and truly enjoy each word. It is really hard to do that sometimes.
I have also recieved several emails from my students. I miss them so much already. They are a sweet bunch.
Well, I guess there is nothing too trivial to report right now. I'm just trying to catch up on some rest mainly. It is kind of nice to have that chance.
Actually, tonight I am going to try to catch a show called Movin' Out. It is a musical story using only Billy Joel songs; that should be interesting. Then, we might stop at our pub. Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention that we have our own pub now. Haha, I went to Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese Pub the other day and truly enjoyed the atmosphere and CHEESE!! The bartenders were great to converse with, and it was not too crowded or smokey. Just wish I would have found it 3 months ago. Either way, I like it!
Well, I think that is it for now. So, I will leave you with two fun quotes from a very British book called: Bridget Jones's Diary- The Edge of Reason by Helen Fielding.
This first one if Leigh!! whom I dearly love and miss: "Bridget, will you stop. Bloody. Staring at me when I am asleep!"
This second one is just pure truth and funny to me: "Hate passive- aggressive behaviour of telephone in modern dating world, using non- communication as means of communication. Is terrible, terrible, with simple ring or non- ring meaning difference between love & friendliness and happiness & being cast out in ruthless dating trench war again..."
With that, I leave you...
current mood:  restless
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| Sunday, April 2nd, 2006
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8:33 pm - Currently Listening To...
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Damien Rice:
And so it is
Just like you said it would be
Life goes easy on me
Most of the time
And so it is
The shorter story
No love, no glory
No hero in her sky
I can't take my eyes off of you
I just can't take my eyes off of you
I can't take my eyes off of you
I can't take my eyes off of you
I can't take my eyes off of you
I can't take my eyes...
And so it is
Just like you said it should be
We'll both forget the breeze
Most...most of the time
And so it is
The colder water
The blower's daughter
The pupil in denial
Did I say that I loathe you?
Did I say that I want to
Leave it all behind?
I can't take my mind off of you
I can't take my mind off of you
I can't take my mind off of you
I can't take my mind off of you
I can't take my mind off of you
I can't take my mind...
My mind...my mind...
'Til I find somebody new
current mood:  sleepy
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8:15 pm - Flashback of the Weekend
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Friday was my last official day as an Education Intern at [deep breath] St. Mary's Roman Catholic Primary School in London, England. It was a truly emotional afternoon as I recieved cards, email addresses, and hugs from each of my students. They also gave me tons of chocolate for Easter! Naturally, I cried. Not from the chocolate- just to clarify. I got back to my flat that afternoon and crashed at around 6.30 PM!!! I know!! Even crazier, is the fact that I slept through the entire night until 8 am Saturday morning. That is how exhausted I was.
Oh, you may be reading some interesting quotes about chocolate in the next few entries (FYI) because Jean gave me the little black book of chocolate as a gift (and the James Blunt CD!). Anyway, Saturday, I woke up early and read my vampire book while doing laundry and listening to my new CD. Then, Hilary and I went to Neil's Yard. This is a really colorful few inches of area in the middle of Covent Garden. It is as though you are not in London anymore. It was fun- I ate a Vegan muffin.... interesting, really. Oh, I also bought a bathing suit!! I truly need to get out in the Sun when I get back home- beach day anyone? That night I hung out with Mnm and Hilary and Lenox. We watched About A Boy and listened to music. Good times.
This morning I went to have lunch with the lady who has been observing my lessons every week this semester. It was Mnm, Annie, and I at Angela and Roy's flat. It was really nice. She made some really good food- it was actually a 5 course meal with all aspects covered. There was wine, cheese, coffes, apetizers... mmmm..... it was fun. I got back just in time though for the famous Oxford/Cambridge Boat Race. I was cheering for Cambridge because I was wearing light blue. They lost though... I cannot win everything I guess. Although, I did win Fantasy Yahoo Pick'em.
Well, I think that is all I have for now. I have several things I would like to get done before my parent's come visit and before I get home to see some more friendly faces. Hopefully I will finish my book soon so that those thigns can happen. Until later I will leave you with some random notes:
Notes:
1. I will miss the sandwich shop guy that told me I looked like Julia Roberts.
2. I will also miss him whistling the tune of Kill Bill.
3. Where's Wally= Where's Waldo
4. Pinny= apron
5. Hundred's and Thousand's= sprinkles
6. In 1930, Ruth Wakefield invented the chocolate chip cookie!!!
current mood:  anxious
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| Thursday, March 30th, 2006
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9:16 pm - My last Thursday...
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It went well. We baked lots of yummy British biscuits and played some hangman too. The kids are great and I miss them already. I am going to write them a goodbye note now, so I will try to have more stories and be more fun later. Until then, Love you guys.
current mood:  thoughtful
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| Wednesday, March 29th, 2006
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8:08 pm - Currently Listening To...
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Answer The Phone by Sugar Ray:
We're on this rollercoaster ride
Hold on, I'll stay here by your side
We head up to the sky then we slide back down
Upside down try to figure out
Not sure if we could work it out
I wanna be alone but you feel like home
Answer the phone, I know that you're home
I wanna get you alone, and do it again, do it again
This all seems so ridiculous
Why can't we just get over this
Don't make me say the obvious
Without you
current mood:  blank
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7:57 pm - My Last Wednesday...
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Today I recieved some flowers, a key ring, and lots of extra hugs!! I think it is finally becoming real to my students that I will not be here forever. It is sweet that they care, but they are making me sad before I need to be.
On a more cheerful note- we will be baking *biscuits tomorrow in school. It is part of the curriculem; how *wicked is that?!?!
Well, I am going to try to get something productive done now. I have a horrible headache, so, who knows what I will get accomplished. Love you guys.
Notes:
*1- biscuits= cookies
*2- wicked= cool or awesome or sweet...etc.
current mood: sick
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| Tuesday, March 28th, 2006
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7:39 pm - My Last Tuesday...
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...as a college intern!!!! I am so excited to be on my last week! Although, at the same time, I am going to miss my "Real British Children" (as I so often call them). Anyway, so far the last week has been good. I have completed some more assignments, had all of my paperwork signed, and have planned my final lessons.
I have also learned a lot of new things in the past few days. For example, in England, music notes are not called the same thing. There is no such thing as a whole note!! (see notes for more details) I also learned from a Snapple cap that "The average person spends two weeks of their lives kissing." Hmmm... interesting. And finally, I was reminded to "take one day at a time" by a wise, young, beautiful woman.
So, I leave you with some interesting notes that people ranging from music-lovers to just lovers will hopefully enjoy.
Notes:
1. semibreve= rest
2. crotchet= quarter note
3. quaver= eighth note
4. semiquaver= sixteenth note
5. How long do you think YOU've spent kissing? [haha]
6. "Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of you life." Philippians 4:6-7(MSG)
current mood: restless
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| Sunday, March 26th, 2006
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6:34 pm - Fire and Stone
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That is where I am off to. It is this really great pizza restaurant that you make reservations for online and it make you feel really posh to eat at. They have all of these exotic pizzas and they are named after the continent the ingredients are mostly found on. There is a North American pizza that has pepporonni on it, lol. Anyway, I'm just really excited about it and wanted to share.
Oh, yeah, before I forget, I went to Hampstead Heath yesterday. This is where they filmed parts of Narnia. I didn't see the lamp post of the wardrobe, but I felt the magic.
Love you, friends.
Note:
1. Posh= stylish
2. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PAPI!!!!!!!!!!!!!
current mood: stressed but blessed
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3:51 pm - Currently Watching...
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GILMORE GIRLS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ok, well, I am not "currently" watching it, but I was last night! I was so excited that the VCR they had downstairs allowed MNM and I to catch up on some G.G. Thanks again to the lovely 519 ladies for that wonderful suprise. I missed you guys though while I was watching it. I sang the entire opening song as loud as I could for you guys to hear and join in, but just in case you didn't---
"If you’re out on the road
Feeling lonely and so cold
All you have to do is call my name
And I’ll be there
On the next train
Where you lead
I will follow
Anywhere, that you tell me to
If you need, you need me to be with you
I will follow- OOH!!
Where you lead
I will follow
Anywherere that you tell me to
If you need, you need me to BE with you
I will follow
Where you lead."
I miss you guys, and hope you survive the cold spell over in the Big T.
Note:
1. Our clocks changed over here, so now, I am even further away in time from home!!! 6 hour time difference this week!!!!
current mood: rejuvenated
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| Saturday, March 25th, 2006
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3:07 pm - Currently...
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Eating:
Thai Sweet Chilli flavoured crisps (chips for my American readers).
Listening To:
You're Beautiful by James Blunt
You're beautiful. You're beautiful.
You're beautiful, it's true.
I saw your face in a crowded place,
And I don't know what to do,
'Cause Ill never be with you.
Notes- Some other British crisp flavours include:
1. Oven Roasted Chicken and Thyme (really does taste like chicken)
2. Slow Roasted Lamb and Mint (not interested, but heard it tastes just like it should)
3. Chargrilled Steak and Peppercorn Sauce
4. Sea Salt and Cracked Black Pepper
5. Four Cheese and Red Onion
6. Roasted Onion and Balsamic Vinegar
7. Whatever happened to Doritos??
current mood:  hungry
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| Thursday, March 23rd, 2006
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9:01 pm - Currently Listening To...
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Hey Julie by Fountains Of Wayne
How did it come to be
That you and I must be
Far away from each other every day
Why must I spend my time
Filling up my mind
With facts and figures that never add up anyway
They never add up anyway
current mood: blah blah blah
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8:39 pm - [sigh]
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Well, I am truly exhausted today. So, I am going to give you a short update:
I broke up a fight at school yesterday- one boy launched his body toward another boy and even took a swing!!
I am fed up with wearing at least three layers of clothing when it is technically "spring"!!!
Even though I only have one more week of my internship, I still have a case study to complete, a unit plan to unite, a professional development plan to construct, a resume to put together, transcripts to request, references to ask for, competencies to prove, friends to write to, shows to book, as well as spend time with Jesus, rest, eat, be happy, and love others!! It is hard to be a teacher, a student, and have a life...
So, I will just leave you with a real-life quote from a student in my class. She seriously did say this yesterday: * "Ooh, look! My ovaries are still warm."
*We were dissecting a flower, but still, I couldn't help but laugh.
current mood: drained
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| Monday, March 20th, 2006
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7:48 pm - Currently Listening To...
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Wonderwall by Oasis
Today is gonna be the day
That they're gonna throw it back to you
By now you should've somehow
Realized what you gotta do
I don't believe that anybody
Feels the way I do
About you now
And all the roads we have to walk are winding
And all the lights that lead us there are blinding
There are many things that I would
Like to say to you
But I don't know how
Because maybe
You're gonna be the one that saves me
And after all
You're my wonderwall
This seems to be the song that is always being played in the Tube. Annie and I dance to it while watching the angry Brits on the escalator.
current mood: amused
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7:29 pm - Let's Have a Flashback
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Well, Friday was St. Patrick's Day. It was fun to see all the kids during the day dressed in green, but I must say it is not as fun if you don't do the whole pinching thing. Yup, it's true, there was no pinching going on if you did not have green on... boooring. Anyway, I finally watched the movie Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind with Lennox, Hilary, and MNM. It was exciting because for a while, Leigh banned me from watching that movie [as any best friend would do]. But, I am finally in a healthy enough emotional state to watch that movie without breaking down, lol. [memories of living with leigh, tear]
After that, Saturday was "the Day of Roald Dahling". What good times I had with Hilary and Helen crawling through Mr. Fox's tunnel, banging on the BFG's enormous ear, skimming Matilda's library, eating Willy Wonka's chocolate, and playing inside James's giant peach. Oh, yeah, I also got new pants...hmmm...
Saturday night was a late night of productivity followed by a late Sunday morning.
Today was a speedy Monday that was given a suprise twist when I recieved a phone call from Germany! Actually the country itself did not call, rather it was Dan. He is a friend of mine that is stationed near Frankfort with the US Army. Some of you had the pleasure of meeting him at my house when we bbq-ed... so you guys know how cool he is!
And now, here I am updating my journal. I love you guys!!
Notes:
1. Advice from a book found on Charing Cross Road:
"DO find someone who makes you laugh- DON'T use humour as a defense."
2. People say things like "You look like you have a bee in your bonnet"!!
3. fancy dress= dressing in costume like for Halloween
4. swimming costumes= bathing suit
5. ONE MONTH BEFORE I AM BACK IN THE STATES!!!! OW OW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
current mood: anxiously excited!
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| Saturday, March 18th, 2006
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10:02 am - I love my friends...
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I would just like to say thank you to Bert for sending me G.G. on tape. That was amazingly exciting, and I am going to try to find a way to watch it this week. Also, thanks to Jeneca for the John Travolta Autographed picture, ow ow!!! hahaha, and Alana I already ate the lollypop. I loved your drawings too.
I miss you guys, and will tell you later how much. I am on my way for a Roald Dahl Day!! Later...
One Note:
1. Mrs = Mrs. (They do not put a period!!!)
2. Happy Birthday, Tia Cucu!!!
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