Hello!
It's been a long time!! Over a month. Sorry about that. I promise more entries.
Yes, I did move to Malaga.
It's really nice here. There are the beaches and it isn't too cold. But I miss
Sevilla. I just love everything there. It has been a little hard not to be
there. But I am excited to explore and get to know a new city. Meet new
friends and go to a new school.
Funny story. So you know how I'm all Catholic? Yea. So I
told everyone that I can't eat meat on Fridays up until Easter. Their eyes
bugged out of their heads. Everyone's 'Catholic' here but no one follows religion. Well, the majority. Most of the old people still go to church all the time.
But idk. I'm me and during lent, I don't eat meat on Fridays.
Anyway I just got back from a weeklong trip to England. We stayed with Host Families in Peterborough, England. I went with my Spanish school. And we had to go to a few English classes. It was all good. I passed. Hahaha.
We had to day trips to London. The train took about 1hr and 35min each way. I took lots of pictures.
But I was really Excited too see everything London has to offer. I saw Buckingham Palace, Chinatown, London Bridge, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, The London Eye, Museums, Candem market and much more :) And we travlled around London the real way. Using the Subway system. It was soo cool to travel in the subway system. They call the subway 'the tube'. Just like here in Spain we call it the Metro.
We took day trips to Stamford and Cambridge. Cambridge was my favorite. It is SUCH an old university. I would love to go there, because it looks just like Hogwarts. Again, I took plenty of pictures.
Cambridge is really FULL of history. It was founded in the 1200s. We saw the tree from which the apple fell and hit Sir Issac Newton's head, prompting him to discover the those three laws of gravity which we need to learn in school. Also, in the library of Trinity College, Winnie the Pooh was created. I saw books from Medieval times. A letter describing what one scientist saw at the testing of the first Atomic bomb. Of course, a few of Issac Newton's notebooks, his walking stick. EVEN a lock of his hair!! It really was quite somthing.
A little river winds throw the University and you can go on a boat and cruise down the river and tour the university a different way. It is called 'punting?' Basically, it's a gondola from Venice, Italy. Our guide was a funny chap from France. He wasn't a student though.
Also, Cambridge has GREAT shopping. Touristy things, to expensive marks like Ralph Lauren, etc. I bought an official hoodie. I love hoodies :) It's quite snazzy. It cost a wooping 25 POUNDS!!!! What? That's not bad. Hahaha my friend, convert the currency. Not to cheap now, is it?
I learned so much.
Inside the Cathedral of Peterborough is buried "Catherine of Aargon." The Spanish queen of England before Henry VIII divorced her to marry Anne Boleyn. Who was eventually beheaded.
The 21st of Feb was Mardi Gras. So the English have a day called 'Shrove Day' but basically it's called Pancake day. You can just pig out on pancakes. Because in essence, it's 'Fat Tuesday'
And yes. I did have tea time. Tea and crumpets. hahaha. I tried it. But I don't like tea. But I ate the muffins with butter and jam. How healthy.
No I didn't have fish and chips. I should've though. Anywho that gives me an excuse to go back :)
Oh! Fun Fact. Stamford, England is where films like 'Pride and Prejudice' are filmed.
I'll upload the pictures in a later post :)
Talk to you later.
-Adios
I'm going to be an AFS Spain student next year, and AFS promises me that changing host families is uncommon, but it seems to happen a lot. I would like to know the truth about this from a fellow student, and, if you don't, mind, would you please tell me the unfortunate circumstances under which you moved. I know it may be difficult to talk about but I really do need to know.
ReplyDeleteHey,
DeleteDon't be freaked out. I know students here who have had remarkable luck with their host families. Others not so much. There are numerous factors. Sometimes people change. Or after a time, their true character shines through. You might change. It also depends on how you adapt, accept different things, learn to live with other people. Don't make them wait. Communicate ALWAYS. YOU need to adapt to them and THEY need to adapt to you. Even if you don't think that they adapted to you, just think that they took you into their home. Always TALK even if it is uncomfortable to talk. If it becomes too unbearable, talk to your liaison. Or anyone else who might be able to help you out. A teacher, a friend's parent, the guidance counselor, even email a AFS person in the US, etc.
Living with anyone who is not your family is going to be hard. You need to learn how to tolerate other's behavior, share more, take a deep breath and let something go. I have changed so much. Learning to be a part of another family really is a big part of your year in my opinion. The circumstances under which I changed were unique to me. The family's beliefs and mine did not coincide. Different philosophy's of life. They wanted/ expected me to be someone who I am not. I couldn't please them. If wasn't all their fault, it wasn't all mine. But you can't always be thinking/ expecting that something is going to go wrong. ALWAYS be positive. Look for something that you like about them. Let your host mother know that you really like it when she makes you feel like her son. Do/say things that bring you closer. Even if you don't want to think of them as your family MEMBERS, just focus on forging strong positive relationships with them. It's something to keep in the back of your mind. Look for signs. They might give a look or sigh if they are bothered by something. After a while, make sure you ask if THEY are happy. They will ask you if you are happy, but ask them too. You Sometimes you need to give a little more than you take. I say this in a positive sense. Even though you live with them, it doesn't mean that you can take advantage of certain things. Be respectful. Always ask "is this ok?" Ask permission to go out with your friends. Even though many students feel that going out is a right or that it is essential to his or her year, you family needs to give you permission. Build their faith and confidence in you. I feel that I am less selfish, more tolerant, I can laugh more. I know much more about myself. For example, how far I can push myself until I need to take a step back. BTW while you are abroad, look for opportunities to learn! Go to a piano lesson with a friend. Always accept an invitation. You know your comfort limits. Break through those! But if they are asking you to go smoke pot with them, I suggest that you decline. Take advantage of this opportunity. Please. How many kids get to say that they studied abroad in High School? Do all sorts of different, interesting things! Make a list. I want you to be proud of all you accomplished. HEY! Make sure that you have so many stories to tell when you get home. Brag about your new language skills. You will make friends from all over the WORLD! That's definatley something to brag about. Wishing you the best, Kate.