tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34995490009935320612024-03-13T22:10:28.901-07:00ALL THE TIMEClaire Seahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13414683813765357386noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499549000993532061.post-22429065917692357232015-02-13T13:36:00.000-08:002015-02-13T13:37:37.256-08:00ROCK THE MOCKS<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've been doing a lot of thinking lately, for a number of reasons. I rather bashfully must confess the main reason is my looming mock IB exams that begin this coming Monday (makes a pitiful cry and falls to the floor), and so when in doubt, (exhaustion, frustration, confusion and on the brink of near delirium) introspection, naturally, seems the way forward! This reflecting is really inevitable, especially when the AC chapter of my life is drawing to a close. This blog of course will always be my personal link to my time at UWC Atlantic College. Its unavoidable really, and if you want to find out why you can read my earlier blog posts, which is what I have been doing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The duality of time strikes me as I mull over those initial posts. On the one hand, if I shut my eyes, I am put back into the Liechtenstein exhibition all over again and can see every stroke of the brush, but on the other, little moments documented in this blog seem like events of a past life. The odd two-way tug that I feel in my chest trying to piece, to put together the past two years has really made my head spin. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Indeed, this blog itself is centred around time (you really have to read those blog posts if you are not drawing the connection) and there is a twinge of regret in my spine each time I think of moments and even minutes lost because they are not stored in some form, digital, written or even pictorial. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And now it is a bit too late to change any of those mistakes and in the words of one of the pioneering English female novelist Charlotte Bronte: "I try to avoid looking forward or backward, and try to keep looking upward." In summary, (precision of language is something I've come to realise I need to work on through my introspection) I am going to attempt to be more conscientious in documenting the last few months in my time at AC. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Anyways, it's back to writing Physics notes for me! To end, here's a fitting and hopefully poignant quote from Einstein: "Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better."</span>Claire Seahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13414683813765357386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499549000993532061.post-82227050662071148022015-01-30T10:03:00.001-08:002015-01-30T10:03:21.254-08:00UWC's UWConference<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It feels like an eternity since I last posted on this blog! Indeed it's been a crazy few months since the start of 2015. So much has happened in so little time, time doesn't just fly now, it breaks the sound barrier. But all that for another day. In this post, the focus is UWC's UWC. That's right, we like our puns. It stands for United World College's United World Conference. It was the first time we held this conference which previously was known as MUN or Model United Nations. What made this conference different and justified a change in its name was that this was the first time </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">the concept of MUN</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> was combined with the Peace Council. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Peace Council does what its name suggests. It focuses on areas such as conflict resolution, discussions on integration of peace and the facilitates such discussion by utilising the diverse body of international students found on campus. Considering the premise of a model United Nations is to place oneself into the shoes of a professional politicker, I, personally, see the merit of including the Peace Council within the conference. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My role in the conference gave me a camera lens view (literally) on the ongoings of the conference. I was part of the media team. My role specifically was to film the conference with my fellow director of film, the genius that is Andrey. With this footage, we are going to make a "mini documentary" as our service teacher, Ken, calls it. I'm just hoping our final product will warrant the title of being a 5-minute clip!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I greatly enjoyed the conference, perfectly content with my 'fly on the wall' type role. Having participated in numerous MUN conferences before this, it was a breath of fresh air seeing the conference from 'outside in'. There was something so symbolically acute in terms of how I was feeling as a participant in the conference and what I was doing with the cameras I was using. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This feeling was perhaps most obvious to me on the morning of the first day, when at breakfast, for once, I was not sharing an intense conversation with a fellow representative but rather listening intently to the various perspectives - personal and adopted - of those who were indeed putting on their MUN faces.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I feel like there should be a part 2 to this post when the final video is completed and I will definitely be editing this to include the URL. I must admit that this experience is perhaps more experiential than reflective, perhaps the reflection will come when I am no longer in 'don't-you-dare-lose-that-shot' mode and am in the comfort of the art studio editing in the bask of an electric radiator. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Till then, let's all follow the wise words of Bono, "<i>we need love and peace, love and peace</i>". M</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ake love, not hate. Peace out <3 </span>Claire Seahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13414683813765357386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499549000993532061.post-60388859545306562092014-10-04T05:21:00.001-07:002014-10-04T05:28:18.258-07:00August Period <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are many reasons why I joined the Global Faculty. I really believe in its mission, 'thinking globally, acting locally', and I was very attracted to how they put that mission into practice. What I didn't realise, is the added bonus of joining the Global Faculty, is that while lifeguards are doing patrols, and social justice members were waking up in the middle of the morning to rush off to sessions, we had a faculty trip to Bristol. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The trip was three days long, and a time not only to meet and help new organisations, but also a chance for the faculty to bond as a year group before our first years arrived. The programme went something as follows. We set off at about 8ish from campus and embarked on a three hour plus trip to Bristol. upon arrival, we then checked into our hotel, found our rooms, etc. before gathering again to start our galavanting. The first organisation we visited was <b>The Bristol Cable</b>: a people's media co-operative, created, owned and produced by people in the city. It was fascinating to listen to views on popular media and the negative influences it could have on its readers. Moreover, the engaging way in which the organisers conducted the workshop meant that most of us had means to give our two cents worth as well. This of course made the workshop very interactive and assisted in allowing all the members of the faculty, both students and staff, to get to know each other that bit better. Personally, the most interesting activity we did was to carry out interviews with pedestrians on the street. We were meant to find stories on discrimination, inviting our interviewees to share personal views and experiences. This led to many different opinions being expressed, including workplace discrimination. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />The following day we went to a drop-in shelter for sex workers, called <b>One25</b>. They are an amazing organisation who are committed to providing assistance to the street workers of Bristol. What is interesting about their approach is that they do not actively try convince such women to come off the streets, they believe that such a decision should be the woman's own choice. Instead, they are keen to provide everything needed in the interim to ensure such workers are protected. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After visiting their centre, we left for the <b>Julian Trust Night Shelter</b> where we were to spend the rest of the day and some of the night. As it's name suggests, it is a shelter for the homeless people of Bristol and is the only such shelter that not only provides them with a hot meal and clean facilities, but the first twenty people to arrive at the shelter get a bed to sleep in for the night. We arrived sometime in the afternoon, because there was much to be done in preparation for our guests, and we were also attending a follow-up session to an earlier course that had been done by the same people who helped at the shelter. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The course is called <b>Alternatives to Violence Project</b> (or AVP for short) and it is about reflecting the ways in which we react to situations. After that session, we began cooking dinner for ourselves in the kitchen since helping at the shelter meant we weren't able to get dinner for ourselves. Those that weren't busy in the kitchen busied ourselves outside of it by preparing the beds and other necessities for the night. This was a lovely time for all of us in the Global Faculty to bond and it was good fun eating the fruits of our hard labour. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Before we knew it, our guests were arriving. My job was to serve them dinner, more specifically tea and coffee, behind the counter. It was an eye opening experience, meeting people from all walks of life. The stereotype I had for a homeless person were quickly eradicated, especially when I went to interact with our guests. Most of them were eager to engage in conversations with us and many shared their personal experiences willingly. It was fascinating to hear their stories, and as I mentioned, the reasons attributing to why they were currently homeless were so unlike what I had expected to hear. Many of their stories were heart wrenching, and it was challenging to speak to them with a face of neutrality (which we had been advised to uphold) while feeling like I was falling apart inside. This was probably my favourite experience from the whole trip, because I felt like I learnt so much from it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Finally, on the last day we went to another centre where we used their community kitchen. The main learning takeaway being awareness on how our global food sources are produced. With our diverse origins, we had rather fascinating conversations, especially with everyone chipping in in areas that concerned their native countries. We then finished the session with another communal kitchen session and it was great to finish the trip with a big bonding and eating session.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I feel like the trip definitely strengthened the bonds within my Faculty and it was also great getting to explore the city of Bristol, even if it was only for a few days. Also final fun fact, apparently Bananarama is considered as having origins in Bristol and so, '<i>Venus was her name! She's got it, ooh baby she's got it!'</i></span>Claire Seahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13414683813765357386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499549000993532061.post-90731354613120240592014-04-05T17:09:00.002-07:002014-04-05T17:09:24.995-07:00Sus(tainability)Co(nference)<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">A contentious question we face in today’s
world is the question of global warming. While some are fervent believers in
what they believe could be the apocalypse-causing phenomena, others scoff at
the idea that the world is facing serious environmental threats. However,
climate change and its many theories are just the tip of one of the many melting
icebergs that is sustainability and all it encompasses. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What is sustainability? This was a question
that I kept posing to myself throughout the duration of the Sustainability
Conference or SusCo as we came to know it. It was a two day long conference,
held as part of our latest Diploma Period, and organized mainly by AC’s
Sustainability Council, funnily enough, also known better to students as Susco
and ECT (Environmental Campaign Team) or as one Susco member put it, the more
radical wing of Susco. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I mentioned above, the conference ran
for two days. It started on the first day with talks from guest speakers and
students to introduce the idea of sustainability and the purpose of the
conference. It was then followed by student run workshops to do with the
concept of ‘Roundview’ which is basically a concept to slow down and eventually
reverse the damage we have done while causing minimal impact to the normal
operations of current modern life. Though I thought the concept was too
idealistic and in my view unrealistic, I couldn’t help but be reminded of how
small permanent changes, where eventually more beneficial than making large
disruptive ones. The second half of the day saw us being split into groups to
attend the workshops we had chosen. I attended a workshop that shocked me
because it was more about personal and positive thinking than sustainability. I
guess the message was that to start taking care of the environment and others,
we have to first get ourselves in order.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">The second day continued with speeches made
by potential Susco chairs and vice-chairs, talks and a panel discussion in the
morning, followed by workshops again and my personal highlight of the whole
conference, a FARMER’S MARKET. I left with a bag of loot, ranging from my dear,
dear persimmons, to delicious homemade cupcakes and gluten free produce made of
cheese and chickpeas. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">That afternoon being the conclusion of the
conference saw the final, closing speeches and concluded with the announcement
of the new chair and vice-chair of the Sustainability Council. All in all, though
admittedly not my favourite conference, there had been some takeaways that were interesting to mull over.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US"></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US"></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">To end, not with the intention of sounding cynical, but just because it sums up reality; and sometimes the truth hurts, </span></span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I am glad I will not be young in a future without wilderness.” - Aldo Leopold </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
Claire Seahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13414683813765357386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499549000993532061.post-63819007461805900152014-02-16T08:12:00.002-08:002014-02-16T08:12:26.900-08:00Point of Personal Privilege<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have not yet encountered a method to better simulte the United Nations Conferences for tweens, teens and youngs adults than the Model United Nations (also more commonly abbreviated as M.U.N.). It is not only a way to introduce young minds to the United Nations, but also a great way to spread better global understanding - by getting people to do in-depthresearch on the countries they are assigned to represent. Since these sort of objectives are exactly what UWC would like to achiveve, it was no surprise our latest conference was an M.U.N. Conference. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--ThtfFaYuMY/UwDgRS62qVI/AAAAAAAAAUY/_0hECGMM3kE/s1600/1655955_1390910044504120_443843850_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--ThtfFaYuMY/UwDgRS62qVI/AAAAAAAAAUY/_0hECGMM3kE/s1600/1655955_1390910044504120_443843850_n.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Delegates of the Human Rights Committee</span> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The duration of it was not too long, it lasted only two days. I believe it was extremely sufficient and believe it or not, by the conclusion of the conference, I felt more drained than I usually did after my last code for the week. In following with real UN Conferences, there were a number of different councils that were set up to deal with specific topics. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I had signed down for the Human Rights Council which was set to debate on the topics of:</span><br />
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> Advancing emergency response for displaced populations affected by conflict and natural disaster (Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Refugees, internally displaced people and the right to humanitarian aid in Syria</span></li>
</ol>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rGdeepBxdgo/UwDgYrjbt_I/AAAAAAAAAUs/sQPG5KJ3gd0/s1600/1551720_1390910024504122_1435383623_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rGdeepBxdgo/UwDgYrjbt_I/AAAAAAAAAUs/sQPG5KJ3gd0/s1600/1551720_1390910024504122_1435383623_n.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">More of my fellow delegates... Can you spot China and Cuba?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I was assigned delegate of the United Kingdom and though this did not affect me personally, was rather pleased to know we had veto rights. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mPNTKi2AJDo/UwDgbLwsBPI/AAAAAAAAAVE/AixlJt5jAis/s1600/1620793_1390318351229956_794257678_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mPNTKi2AJDo/UwDgbLwsBPI/AAAAAAAAAVE/AixlJt5jAis/s1600/1620793_1390318351229956_794257678_n.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Security Council... who have VETO Rights</span> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span id="goog_1393224336"></span><span id="goog_1393224337"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">We were assigned the history room which is located in the castle as our venue and it was defintely a fitting classroom to be discussing the topic of the Syrian Crisis and other recent conflicts. I had thought we were going to start the deabtes on the first day with the issue of the Philippines, and so had spent my morning in the computer lab with a cup of mocha, frantically looking for information on the UK's stance on the topic. Not only did I wake up ealier than usual for this, I had also used up quite a lot of my prinitng credit (something very very dear to all AC students hearts), only to discover the chairs having believed that discussion on Syria would be more engaging, had chosen to start with the Syrian conflict first. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V34oiIz2gIs/UwDgaXYo8sI/AAAAAAAAAVA/48pJpMGdHKg/s1600/1618708_693741193990712_1205426295_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V34oiIz2gIs/UwDgaXYo8sI/AAAAAAAAAVA/48pJpMGdHKg/s1600/1618708_693741193990712_1205426295_n.jpg" height="164" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Security Council in the Great Hall</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Luckily my previous knowledge on Syria was far more substantial than the human rights aspect of Typhoon Haiyan and so I was able to manage through. The other beneficial piece of information I had was that the UK tended to be extremely neutral when dealing with such issues. I shadowed and supported the US and whenever I did contribute, I was sure to stick to politically correct, rather morally obvious choices. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">On the second day, we continued where we had left off on the first. By this time there had already been a split in the house, with countries like China, North Korea, Cuba and various other Middle Eastern countries banding together. On the other side, there were the Western powers with the UK, US, Germany, France coming together. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">After more intense debate and decision making, we passed 3 clauses for a patched together resolution and moved onto the next issue. In the meantime, we survived a terrorist attack from a radical environmental group, dismissed the delegates of Spain (for taking a nap) and Cuba (for passing toxic gas). By this time I had sworn to myself not to become a politician, and soldiered on. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FkRnaKZ0Ew0/UwDgXoneSZI/AAAAAAAAAUk/PPjZj2Gd0dY/s1600/923082_1390318194563305_912057090_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FkRnaKZ0Ew0/UwDgXoneSZI/AAAAAAAAAUk/PPjZj2Gd0dY/s1600/923082_1390318194563305_912057090_n.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Environmental terrorist in action!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Sadly after the hectic and draining happenings in Syria, many people were eager and keen to pass a resolution for the Philippines so that we coulf adjourn for a break. The resolution for the Philippines was passed tragically as quickly as teh Typhoon had come and gone, and the delegates had left the room at the same speed afterwards.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LudE3dsxfF4/UwDgZ0cGA_I/AAAAAAAAAU0/RHRpmRSKWtQ/s1600/1560670_693658007332364_2081357336_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LudE3dsxfF4/UwDgZ0cGA_I/AAAAAAAAAU0/RHRpmRSKWtQ/s1600/1560670_693658007332364_2081357336_n.jpg" height="188" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Modelling the UN look</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Though it was no 'working holiday', I did really enjoy my time during the conference. It was a very good chance to e exposed to a array of different views and to take a minute to reconsider why and how we made our own judgments and decisions. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">And so to conclude <em>'Delegates, the honourable chair would like to close the debate'.</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Credits for the photos used go to those who contributed to: </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/UWCACUN2014"><span style="font-size: x-small;">https://www.facebook.com/#!/UWCACUN2014</span></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span> Claire Seahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13414683813765357386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499549000993532061.post-27441174910535979132013-12-27T01:34:00.001-08:002013-12-27T02:17:17.588-08:00Takin' it EeeaaasyIt's the Third Day of Christmas today. And for all of us students on vacation, here's a little task for our semi-conscious minds... What's the date of the this post? Ahh ahh no cheating by looking at the automatic date attached to this post by blogger. <div><br></div><div>Not sure how long it took you but it took me a good minute before I figured out it was the 27th of December. I even had a massive internal debate over whether it was the 27th or 28th. Finally it hit me it had to be the 27th because the first day of Christmas is Christmas Day itself (25th).</div><div><br></div><div>Yes I'm definitely in 'holiday' mode, after all I went through all that to say this... I AM ON HOLIDAY as you probably deciphered a long time ago. It's currently my writer break which is a nice whole month. From the 12th of December to the 12th of January. </div><div><br></div><div>Since the start of the holidays I spent a couple of days in London before heading back to the sunny island of Singapore. I can't believe I'll be back in Britain the Great in about a week. Time really does fly (what's the name of this blog???). It's been nice being back. Giving me a little bit of a breather after all that UWC. Not saying that I don't miss it... I do and I guess that's why I have been harassing a number of co-years. If such behaviour was to be translated into any form other than on Facebook, I think I'd potentially have a criminal charge for harassment and perhaps have a restraining order placed on me. </div><div><br></div><div>Unfortunately, the one thing I have not been able to get away from, irregardless of a break or no break is the IB. I have just completed the first draft of my Economics IA and my second English Literature in Translation essay. Sadly I still have a reflective essay for Literature, History notes to complete and much needed revision for Mandarin left on my to-do list... Quite a mood dampener!</div><div><br></div><div>But I have been leading quite a 'balanced lifestyle'. I have been having my required 10-11 hours of sleep a day. And though it may seem sloth-like I think my seemingly lazy behaviour can be pardoned when one remembers the number of hours I have yet I catch up on after my time on campus. </div><div><br></div><div>Catching up with friends and family has also been very enjoyable. Genuinely. Personally I think my closest friends are still the ones back here in Singapore. To me it's inevitable. The number of years I hae been lucky enough to get to truly know my local friends tragically can't be matched by the 2 years (despite the 24/7 time I spend with people on campus). Definitely I already have a couple of people who I feel I am really close to on campus and am sure our relationship will last for years to come, if not forever, but for the majority, I don't think that's possible - to have a truly deep and close friendship.</div><div><br></div><div>But that's one of the things on my list to try and do when I am back at AC. Getting to know my friends better. It might be a very short 2 years (less really when you think about all the holidays and breaks we have) but you know what they say, don't knock it till you've tried it! In this case how close I might find yourself despite the short time I spend with someone else. Who knows... Maybe many of the people I consider as friends will soon have a best attached in front of friend by the time I graduate!</div><div><br></div><div>But for now let's hear it for deep holiday philosophising aka idle procrastination! <i>'Today I don't feel like doing anything. I just wanna lay in my bed!' </i>-<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> Bruno Mars, The Lazy Song</span></div><div><br></div>Claire Seahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13414683813765357386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499549000993532061.post-72568006295969051402013-12-04T05:17:00.001-08:002013-12-04T05:17:40.744-08:00Engaging Critically<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I admit that I have been posting less and less. If you believe the reason for this is due to me not having as many things in the first 2 months, you are 180 degrees off. Having now entered my third month at AC (I CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S ONLY THE THIRD MONTH) I find myself almost twice as busy as I was previously. But having come into the third month also means its time for yet another AC Diploma Period. This time the first years had out Critical Engagement Conference while the 2nd years had their Middle Eastern Conference. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was particularly excited for this conference for a number of reasons. First, many 2nd years had told me this had been their favourite conference in their first year. Secondly, I personally feel that the idea of learning how to engage and more broadly, communication, is essential when trying to start projects, etc. Thus I thought this conference would be extremely relevant to arm me with skills and ideas for future projects. Thirdly, the idea of a couple of code-free days is heaven right now. It's the last few weeks of school which also mean that we are having our end of year tests ): a real mood damper. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our conference started on Wednesday and lasted till Friday. Unlike our first conference, this one was only three days (as opposed to five), everyone is feeling the 'business' build-up. We had a little introduction before the official start of the conference on a Tuesday night as we needed to be given a few instructions on the when, where's and how's before the start of the Diploma Period. Moreover, I was even more involved with the conference being in the Global Faculty. Because we had gone through some training programs in Global that were similar to the ones that were going to be held, we were also the Faculty in charge of assisting the Conference.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On all three days, we started the mornings with introductions to the areas we would be focusing on for that day. We would all gather in the Tythe Barns and one of the facilitators would talk about the idea for that day. Next we would split into smaller groups and go to the classrooms to discuss the topics for the day and basically let the conversation flow where it will. in the afternoon, we were allowed to sign up for 2 different workshops of our choice that were led by one of the facilitators. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I really preferred the fact that for the Critical Engagement Conference we could choose our own workshops. As for the Social Justice Conference, we were assigned workshops, and though all of them seemed extremely interesting, there were some I would have really liked to attend just because they dealt with issues that I felt very passionately about. Which is why I liked the fact that for the CE conference, they left it up to us to attend the workshops we were interested in. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I won't go into the details of the days and the workshops because this blog is already running pretty long and I have to go and revise for a Physics test right after this. But I will say that I really enjoyed this conference and personally found the things we learnt a lot more useful for application in everyday life, and life right now as compared to the Social Justice Conference. It really made me consider the hidden implications of the everyday actions I might be carrying out have. That is not to say that it has made me extremely self-conscious about what I do, rather, that I must always remember that every thing I do has some form of consequence or another and that it is always good to take some time off to carefully consider the possible outcomes, especially when the reason for my carrying out this action is for the purpose of helping someone else. I would not want to ultimately be harming them instead!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>"There's nothing wrong with things taking time." </em></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- James </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dyson</span>Claire Seahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13414683813765357386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499549000993532061.post-64195664104167764972013-11-08T03:10:00.001-08:002013-11-08T03:10:24.258-08:00Spreading awareness by being a BALDIE<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A few weeks ago, we had our Amnesty International Headshaving Event. Nowadays it seems to have become the new trend for people to shave their heads for charitable organizations in order to raise money for them. Perhaps it is not the norm worldwide but for me, coming from Singapore, I am rather accustomed to seeing bald men and women at certain times of the year. In Singapore, a yearly event that takes place is 'Hair for Hope'. Island-wide, a huge number of Singaporeans come together, male and female, young and old, and shave their heads to show their solidarity for cancer patients and also raises money for cancer research. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Coming to AC I wasn't that shocked by the idea of shaving one's head for charities, but I can't help but admire the people that did. I did seriously consider shaving my head, knowing that the money raised, especially by girls would contribute a substantial amount of money to the charitable organisations of our choosing. However, my fears of what might unwittingly happen due to stepping into the shaving unknown outweighed my decision to lose locks for money. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This year we saw a rather large number of people, especially girls, who shaved their heads for Amnesty. And though most of the students weren't shaving their heads, many of us still wanted to get in on the razor action. We all gathered in the comfort of the coffee lounge to witness the de-hairing of our friends. The coffee lounge was packed and soon the auctions to see who got to do some shaving began. In order to raise even more money than the amount each person had preliminarily raised individually, the Amnesty team always gives the honour of balding someone to the person who agrees to donate the most money to that soon-to-be baldie. Hullabaloo is probably the most accurate description of the atmosphere in the coffee lounge as overexcited friends and dorm mates fought for the razor. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was not long before the first few razors roared into life and the great de-hairing began. One by one, my fellow ACers lost their mops to friends and dorm mates who had slightly maniacal glints in their victorious eyes. A trend of leaving on tufts of hair, some with obvious shapes (e.g. a moustache) also developed. All in all, it was an evening of fun, laughter and lots of hair. For me, I can now say that though I will probably still not be shaving my head next year, I will definitely be supporting all the brave and special people who do.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"<em>I don't consider myself bald, I'm just taller than my hair' - </em></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lucius Annaeus Seneca</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Claire Seahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13414683813765357386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499549000993532061.post-51845718010322089202013-11-08T02:05:00.001-08:002013-11-08T02:05:07.505-08:00The UWC cycle
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Today, Friday, October 25th marks the
start of October break for all UWC students. Yesterday, my dorm mate Maria said
that she was told that they started the October break because everybody fell
sick during this period. Whether this is a fact or myth, I'll probably never
know, but it definitely applies to me. Yesterday night, I was running a fever
of 38.1 degrees celsius which is why I am now resting in bed and have time to
blog. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Being the last week of school before the
one week break, there have been many different events that have taken place. In
this post, I am going to focus on our activity cycle. As mentioned in one of my
earlier posts, we have to do both activities and service as part of our AC
Diploma. However, while you remain in the same service faculty for your 2 years
here, activities change every 5 week cycle. This gives you a chance to do
activities that you might not be able to do because your service faculty does
not offer it.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">For the last cycle, I was part of the
Atlantic College News Network, more commonly known as ACNN (so much more swag).
Our activity comprised of writing summaries of big news stories. Most of the
time we focused on current issues and events, but I also did a couple of
interesting stories that I was passionate about. I covered the shutdown of the
US government, the shooting in D.C., the 'key' to happiness and a few more
stories. I was really glad I managed to do the activity because I greatly enjoy
writing (definitely not evident from me blogging as often as I can (; ) and it
was a good way to keep up with current affairs. This pertinent need to find
ways to keep up with global news will be explained further when I share my new
activity for the upcoming cycle. I must say I will enjoy ACNN, there was
something very professional about being given a deadline and a story to chase!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The other activity I did was yoga. Since
coming to AC, I must admit that I have not been too physically active. Then
again, I have daily walks to get from one place to another and weekly
(sometimes bi-weekly) walking trips to Llantwit, so I think I'm not doing too
badly. Which is why I was rather pleased to have some form of exercise as an
activity. I definitely enjoyed yoga as it was a way to just push out all the
chaos of AC life and focus on the simple things, like not thinking and
breathing. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">For the new cycle, I am in the school's
Amnesty International youth group and Newsflash. I have attended one session
for each of my new activities and so far think I am going to have a great time!
At Amnesty we plan fundraisers to support the organisation which due to its NGO
status, depends heavily on donations to survive. We also discussed various
human rights issues and shared our opinions on them. The wonderful thing about
having such global diversity at the college is that everything can bring
something personal from their own country's to the table. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Newsflash is also very enjoyable. Each
week we will be focusing on a big news story and sharing again from our own
country's perspective the views we have on the stories. This week we focused on
Edward Snowden. What was interesting was that while we did focus greatly on the
whistleblowing story, we eventually branched out into country's security
policies. As I said earlier, it's really necessary to find ways to keep up
with global issues here. I had thought I would become a lot more aware of
current issues here, but that's not the case. Everybody here is always on their
feet, there's just no time to read the newspapers!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Well that's my activities for you! I can't
wait for the next 4 sessions I have and know that they will be both great fun
and great learning experiences! But for now... OCTOBER BREAK!!! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">And a little quote I couldn't help but
crack up after reading, " <em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I
once wanted to become an atheist, but I gave up</span></em> - <em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">they have no holidays!" - </span></em>Henry
Youngman</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span>Claire Seahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13414683813765357386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499549000993532061.post-69452326195227165652013-10-09T03:34:00.000-07:002013-10-09T03:34:58.118-07:00Social Justice Conference<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In accordance with the idea of experiential learning, from the 23rd - 25th of September, we had a Social Justice Conference at AC. Basically for the whole week, lessons came to a standstill as all the 2nd years went off for challenge camp and all us first years attended a three day Social Justice Conference. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was looking forward to the conference, not just because we had no codes, could wake up and hour later and had sosh on a Wednesday after the conclusion of the conference, but because the many of the second years had said that out of all the conferences they had attended, this had been their favourite. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On Monday, we started the conference with a talk by a guest speaker from UWC USA. I am very ashamed to say that despite the great impact she made on me, I can't remeber her name. I would argue though that that shows how good a speaker she was - that though her name has been misplaced so deeply in the bank of memories in my head, her message remains at the forefront of my mind. During her speech she made a number of extremely important and relevant points. But the one I feel was key is her belief that 'to have social justice, you have to pay attention'. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Following that, we were split into groups and then went for student-led (in this case 2nd year-led) activities. My group first played a few icebreakers and got to know each other better, because believe it or not, I still can't remember some of my co-year's names. Following that, we shared a bit about our views on social justice and what it meant to us personally. The wonderful thing about sharing is that it gives you so many different and unique perspectives on something that seems unbelievably simple. The next task was for us to write a poem on where we came from. We all set off, pens a-scribbling to let flow our river of thoughts on our homelands. Afterwards, we were invited to share our poems with everyone in our groups. My group members were all pretty spontaneous and I had the privilege of listening to everybody's poems. They were all so good. The beauty of it was that by neglecting the need to put extra effort to the rhythm or rhyme of the poem, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and rather just being brutally honest, the poems all turned out so good. In each of them, the raw emotion and honesty could be felt, bringing out the true power of the poems.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Afterwards, we attended another talk, this time on the social justice of the cyberspace. The speaker (whose name once again I fail to recall) was an ex-journalist and television reporter and presenter. With his highly media-based background, he was able to share his clear, inside view on the role of the internet on our lives and the need to guard ourselves against the follies of the world wide net. We discussed topics such as government surveillance, highly dangerous websites and the power and danger of online campaigns, especially in conflict-ridden countries. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The following day, we started with a project known as a <em>Marketplace of Ideas </em></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">which was very aptly conducted in one of the most modern venues we have on </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">campus, the Glassroom of the St. Donat's Arts Centre. The concept of the <em>Marketplace</em></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> is that anyone has the freedom to go up and propose and idea for discussion. And just like a marketplace, the 'customers' are free to decide to who and what they want to spend on. I attended three different discussions during the three hours we spent there. They were on the North and South Korean conflict, the Fukushima Nuclear plant and finally internet piracy. I also led a discussion on the importance of rehabilitating veterans and the need for proper compensation (albeit not just monetary) for their fallen soldiers families as well.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The final two sessions were on talks held by a variety of speakers. I went for a talk by a representative from Save the Children, an organisation who's mission is focused on protecting the rights of children in countries caught in conflict. I was greatly moved by the charity and will include a link to a song by Ellie Goulding called <em>I Know You Care</em> which you can buy and the money will be donated to the organisation. The next talk I attended was held by second years who were involved in the S.T.A.R. project that my school works in conjunction with. The S.T.A.R. talk dealt with the idea of refugees and asylum seekers, the huge amount of suffering they go through and how misunderstood they often are. Having been greatly moved by the talk, I have resolved to signing up for the Jordan Project which will see me going to a Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) camp in Jordan next year to help teach the refugees some basic English and other skills. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On the last day, each house did a presentation on a social injustice in the world. Personally I thought Powys had a good shot at the 1st prize, but ultimately it was PK who won. I will again attach the link for my house's video on the topic of Infanticide of girls in India and please take a look at the video and start spreading awareness on the issue as well. I would love to go on, but I fear this blog has already run too long. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Link for I Know You Care: </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BRdY0NR08g"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BRdY0NR08g</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Link for Infanticide video: </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wp3jVVDwDS0"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wp3jVVDwDS0</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">'<em>I know you care,
I know it is always been there.
But there is trouble ahead I can feel it.
You were just saving yourself when you hide it</em></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">' - I Know You Care, Ellie Goulding</span>Claire Seahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13414683813765357386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499549000993532061.post-86258022515382550472013-09-21T06:37:00.003-07:002013-09-21T06:37:36.489-07:00First of the Grassroots<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hcdbLa9fnJo/Uj2UGnPbHbI/AAAAAAAAAQw/wEJ51R5Mw9Y/s320/DSCN1324.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sprawling fields</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nYR2wVXnA_Q/Uj2UCl0_-jI/AAAAAAAAAQo/6Wm3VClgDqU/s320/DSCN1362.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Something we don't get to see in Singapore... Power lines</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Finally I have had my first Grassroots service session in Cardiff. This Wednesday, we headed into Cardiff, marking the start of the Grassroots Service sessions for this term. There are about 10 of us in the service, and we are going to be at the Centre every</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Wednesday. We were actually supposed to help run a theatre course for the teenagers and young adults who frequented the centre. Sadly, since they didn't receive the necessary response this year to carr</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">y out the course, they have not been </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">able to s</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">tart such a class.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B7ABoUl2-ws/Uj2UOD9uWEI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/u9sr_NDdPVE/s1600/DSCN1325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B7ABoUl2-ws/Uj2UOD9uWEI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/u9sr_NDdPVE/s320/DSCN1325.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At the crossroads, well half a cross really</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TYZ8em0jZ1c/Uj2Upvk5akI/AAAAAAAAARY/J6Axi1N5WmA/s1600/DSCN1375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TYZ8em0jZ1c/Uj2Upvk5akI/AAAAAAAAARY/J6Axi1N5WmA/s320/DSCN1375.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cardiff... HERE I COME</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nevertheless, we are still going down every Wednesday to help out with any of the activities they hope to carry out. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This week, when we got into the centre, we headed for the main chillin' area. It was basically a large room with couches and chairs all around and a platform on one side. On the platform there was a drum set, and numerous amplifiers connected to microphones, two guitars and a bass. There was an extremely relaxed, laid back atmosphere. If anybody wanted to play the instruments, they were more than welcome to pick them up and st</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">art </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">jamming with all the other players. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8BsyPShfA6o/Uj2U3sMk5vI/AAAAAAAAARo/fLzn9mOuyCo/s1600/DSCN1381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8BsyPShfA6o/Uj2U3sMk5vI/AAAAAAAAARo/fLzn9mOuyCo/s320/DSCN1381.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I spy a clear blue sky</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xsi017bXHLI/Uj2VLzJzfJI/AAAAAAAAASI/hcRavB3miZg/s1600/DSCN1385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xsi017bXHLI/Uj2VLzJzfJI/AAAAAAAAASI/hcRavB3miZg/s320/DSCN1385.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Church on the corner of a street</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WP1yjO20f7I/Uj2VPXbT3rI/AAAAAAAAASQ/FevLAQ5hne8/s1600/DSCN1386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WP1yjO20f7I/Uj2VPXbT3rI/AAAAAAAAASQ/FevLAQ5hne8/s320/DSCN1386.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cardiff Millennium Centre to the left... Out of the pic ):</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We started off with 'House of the Rising Sun' played by fellow firsties on guitar and keyboards. The rest of us picked up percussion instruments and beat along. One of the teenagers provided the vocals and off we went! Midway through, someone else provided a rap to the melody and boy was it good. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CmUiX9NXGis/Uj2VKoLo2OI/AAAAAAAAASA/M04NPCtoSaQ/s1600/DSCN1387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CmUiX9NXGis/Uj2VKoLo2OI/AAAAAAAAASA/M04NPCtoSaQ/s320/DSCN1387.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After that, a couple other firsties,</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> including me,</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">took a turn. We did a couple more songs and were joined by more of the other teenagers from the centre. I was so into it that I didn't realise how fast time had gone by. Before I knew it, we were getting back on the bus and heading back to campus. Indeed, time flies when you're having fun! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y9TO7YtqEnE/Uj2Ve-E4bcI/AAAAAAAAASY/9_uFMpjrSvg/s1600/DSCN1388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y9TO7YtqEnE/Uj2Ve-E4bcI/AAAAAAAAASY/9_uFMpjrSvg/s320/DSCN1388.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Love this building. Has such a West End vibe</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Though we might not have been able to carry out the theatre program, I think we are still doing what we go there to do - help the teens and young adults at the centre in whatever way we can! (:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oPO3sm_sVmU/Uj2UZEFMeUI/AAAAAAAAARE/fdYeGhDPygw/s1600/DSCN1369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oPO3sm_sVmU/Uj2UZEFMeUI/AAAAAAAAARE/fdYeGhDPygw/s320/DSCN1369.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">More architecture</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"<em>There is a house in New Orleans, they call the Rising Sun. It's been a ruin of many a poor boy, and God I know I'm one." - </em></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">House of the Rising Sun, Animals</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g9NqgNO7tcw/Uj2UYGxiWKI/AAAAAAAAARA/Y9vjKEoJyx8/s1600/DSCN1368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g9NqgNO7tcw/Uj2UYGxiWKI/AAAAAAAAARA/Y9vjKEoJyx8/s320/DSCN1368.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">RED & GREY</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Claire Seahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13414683813765357386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499549000993532061.post-75749935396467837822013-09-21T05:13:00.002-07:002013-09-21T05:13:50.537-07:00Going Global<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A couple of posts ago, I mentioned I was in the Global faculty. Since then, I have had 2 training sessions to equip me with the skills for helping others. For us in the Global Faculty, all of the first years have training together every Monday from 2.15 - 4.15 in the glass room of the St. Donat's Arts Centre. The last 2 courses have been held by an ex AC student.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the Global faculty, we have many different activities we can take as our service sessions. There is Primary and Secondary schools, Worldview, Grassroots and Themed Team. I hope I haven't left out any of the activities! I am in the Grassroots session, where we go to a Grassroots centre (hence the name) in Cardiff and teach the members there. Sadly, due to some technical difficulties, we have had to change the program a bit, but I will save that for the next post! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So far, I think that the training program has been beneficial. I must admit that it can be a tough paying close attention at the training sessions after a whole day of codes, but other than fighting against sleepy periods, it's been good so far! I've had training sessions with similar objectives in the past. Yet, they have always been about what to do or how to behave when doing so and so service. In our training, we have been focusing on getting rid of our own 'baggage' before moving on to help others get rid of theirs. It focuses a lot on the need to take care of ourselves and manage our own well-being. The AC student in charge of it shared how she suffered and was no use at all to the people around her, when she embarked on a service project without first making sure she was well enough both physically and mentally to pull it off.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So far we have done a lot of activities that make us reflect on our own lives; some about the present, some about the past and some for the future. We did one on writing a timeline on our lives so far and then continuing to aim for something for every 5 years till reaching the age of 50 years. It sounded deceivingly simple, but in reality, I realised I had no idea what I seriously wanted to achieve by the age of thirty onwards. Yet, I was sure to keep it real, with me suffering a midlife crisis at the age of 50, seems pretty likely to me. If anything, I might have one even earlier! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, that's what we will be doing for the first term for one of our Global sessions, and I am sure that by the end of the training sessions, I'll have learnt more skills for doing service work, but more about myself as well! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>" Without deep reflection one knows from daily life that one exists for other people" - </em></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Albert Einstein</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Claire Seahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13414683813765357386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499549000993532061.post-32845209935102709022013-09-21T03:54:00.001-07:002013-09-21T03:54:40.562-07:00Foodbank and why I want to go back to Cowbridge<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pFRlW_lqQaI/Uj1w8swfgrI/AAAAAAAAAQA/ex3H2t43-aY/s1600/DSCN1269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pFRlW_lqQaI/Uj1w8swfgrI/AAAAAAAAAQA/ex3H2t43-aY/s320/DSCN1269.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Along the main street in Cowbridge</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last Saturday, I went into the little town of Cowbridge to help an organisation known as the Foodbank. More specifically the Bridgend Foodbank (Bridgend is a nearby town too). Cowbridge is one of the m</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ost affluent towns (a senior told me it was the wealthiest town in the whole of South Wales), while Bridgend is one of the poorest. This might seem slightly unusual since they are about 10 minutes away from each other, but then again, where there are people with plenty, there must be people with little. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xd_a8hIxCxk/Uj1wXm4WbtI/AAAAAAAAAPM/MEDcgycM2wo/s1600/DSCN1259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xd_a8hIxCxk/Uj1wXm4WbtI/AAAAAAAAAPM/MEDcgycM2wo/s320/DSCN1259.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cars waiting to be filled with groceries</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What the Foodbank does is hand out food to people</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> who are unable to supply themselves and their families with the bare necessities. They run a shop in Bridgend where the locals come in to ask for things like cereal, chopped tomatoes, biscuits, etc. In order to supply their Foodbank, they need to receive donations (either monetary or the food itself) and that is where the 6 volunteers from Atlantic College come in). What we were to do for Foodbank was to stand at the entrance to Waitrose and distribute shopping lists to incoming grocery shoppers. The shopping list had the items that the Foodbank was asking for donations of, and encouraged shoppers to get one or two of the items while shopping. On their way out, they would pass it to the Foodbank booth, collecting these items. They would be brought back to Bridgend and put in the shop for collection by those in need.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ntlpDPyhLrU/Uj1wbpX1nNI/AAAAAAAAAPc/lSpzccWSOrM/s1600/DSCN1260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ntlpDPyhLrU/Uj1wbpX1nNI/AAAAAAAAAPc/lSpzccWSOrM/s320/DSCN1260.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">WAITROSE!!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I enjoyed myself immensely. It was not always easy to convince people that it would be in their interest to donate to the Foodbank. Let alone, get them to take the shopping list. However, there were definitely more people willing to donate and eager to find out more about the Foodbank than those on the flipside. In fact, we saw a great number of very generous donations that day. It was extremely satisfying and I really like the idea of a Foodbank. I think that by preparing the list of food the organisation requires and handing them out at supermarkets, more people will contribute. The buying of tinned food for example does not cost too much, and it also has a greater immediate effect on the people it goes to. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BknFhMnAKq4/Uj1wYGQuCQI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/Xhdw-S_SNMo/s1600/DSCN1258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BknFhMnAKq4/Uj1wYGQuCQI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/Xhdw-S_SNMo/s320/DSCN1258.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Gals 'n' trolleys!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Such collections usually take place once a month and I can't wait for the next one. I am considering volunteering on a weekly basis as well at the Bridgend foodbank distribution centre because I feel very moved by the mission and work of this organisation. I will attach the link to their website below and please do take a look at the good work they do! Even if you're out of the UK, I think you can still benefit from the awareness it spreads (:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ohxxuXWWJUY/Uj1wzvCBe0I/AAAAAAAAAP0/HWIAemXowcY/s1600/DSCN1266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ohxxuXWWJUY/Uj1wzvCBe0I/AAAAAAAAAP0/HWIAemXowcY/s320/DSCN1266.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A beautiful day for a cuppa</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">However, other than volunteer on Saturday, I also managed to explore the town of Cowbridge. We had about an hour before our shift and so I decided to see what this town was all about. My first stop was Cafe Nero, which is sort of like the Starbucks of the UK. I had wanted to look for the pastry made by the Bad boys' Bakery, a project of Gordon Ramsay's. It would take a while to explain the story behind the bakery so again I will attach the link to the website, but basically the pastries are made by prisoners in Brixton. Cafe Nero is one of the chains that has agreed to sell the products made by the prisoners and they currently sell their lemon treacle slice.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sqIekEXDbs8/Uj1w87Q_bzI/AAAAAAAAAQE/g2vGI5Cq58E/s1600/IMG_4600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sqIekEXDbs8/Uj1w87Q_bzI/AAAAAAAAAQE/g2vGI5Cq58E/s320/IMG_4600.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As my sister would say,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD!!!"</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sadly, after talking to the two lovely baristas on shift, I found out that only the Cafe Nero stores in London and Brixton stock the slices. Therefore, I had to contend with the other pastries on sale. I ended up ordering a cappuccino, and three different sweet treats. Namely, a lemon ricotta cheesecake, millionaire shortbread and a gluten free carrot cake. THEY WERE ALL AMAZING. I really enjoyed my tea and had a good chat with the baristas and some of the other customers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D5VEwuRG30w/Uj1wlAUYokI/AAAAAAAAAPk/8CBIFxeuza0/s1600/DSCN1262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D5VEwuRG30w/Uj1wlAUYokI/AAAAAAAAAPk/8CBIFxeuza0/s320/DSCN1262.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The cozy Cafe Nero</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After my tea break, I headed off for the main street of Cowbridge. Since I had spent quite a while in Cafe Nero, I didn't have much time to spend roaming the streets. I ended up only going into two shops, the first was WHSmith (the equivalent of Singapore's Popular), where I got a bar of Cadbury for James, a fellow Powysian, because it was his 17th birthday. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wvWrc1HYELw/Uj1w8Qb3IQI/AAAAAAAAAP8/lb83cW0-AjM/s1600/DSCN1268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wvWrc1HYELw/Uj1w8Qb3IQI/AAAAAAAAAP8/lb83cW0-AjM/s320/DSCN1268.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The other side of the main street</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Afterwards I went to a charity shop, and boy do they have good deals. I got the book One Day for only a pound fifty (equal to 3 SGD) while it would have cost me at least 15 pounds in a regular bookshop. I was glowing after my little shopping spree, and all the way back to Waitrose for the start of my shift. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QqD06m5EGlk/Uj1zhkuUZtI/AAAAAAAAAQY/DSAYYOarKPk/s1600/DSCN1270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QqD06m5EGlk/Uj1zhkuUZtI/AAAAAAAAAQY/DSAYYOarKPk/s320/DSCN1270.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">COWBRIDGE</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All in all as you can probably tell, I really enjoyed my time in Cowbridge. I got the opportunity to meet many new people, volunteer for a great cause, have an awesome tea break and do a little shopping. That is what you call a satisfying Saturday! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Nothing is a waste of time if you use the experience wisely."</span></em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> - Auguste Rodin</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Link for the Bridgend Foodbank: <a href="http://bridgend.foodbank.org.uk/" target="_blank">http://bridgend.foodbank.org.uk/ </a></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Link for the Bad Boys' Bakery: </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.badboysbakery.org/index.html">http://www.badboysbakery.org/index.html</a></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Claire Seahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13414683813765357386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499549000993532061.post-36611538911486772022013-09-21T02:26:00.003-07:002013-09-21T04:28:17.708-07:00Creativity with Karissa<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At AC, we are very lucky to be provided with many opportunities. Everyday, there are so many different activities we can participate in. This is really part of the school's emphasis and belief in experiential learning. On all weekday afternoons there are a range of activities for us as students to choose from, most of them are student initiated. In fact, I might have mentioned this before, but for all students, it is compulsory to take part in at least 2 activities. Other than that though, we can take part in as many as we want as long as they don't clash with our two official activities.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have been going for many extra activities, especially on Mondays and Tuesdays (the days that most activities are held). For this post, I am going to focus on the Creative Writing Course I have started attending, held by the lovely and dedicated Karissa, an intern at AC from the US. Since coming to AC, she has decided to start her own little course on Creative Writing. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I like to do the occasional scribble, so I thought it'd be a good idea to sign up for the course. Since then I have attended 2 lessons and had a one-to-one and think I definitely made the right choice! Karissa gives us complete freedom in the style of writing we want to use. Unlike past courses I have been for which focus on one particular style (e.g. essay writing, poetry, short stories) Karissa accepts any format.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So far, I have done quite a few pieces for the class. All poems for some reason...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first one I did was on the sentence she gave us; <i>She felt very sad. </i></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>She felt very sad - by Claire Seah</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Looking but not really seeing,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Forlorn gaze out of a frosty window,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A road, a walk down memory lane,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A journey of tales,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A journey forgotten.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She sits immobile,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Gazing blindly,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hand carelessly touching the glass pane,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fingertips grazing the surface of another time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Her face is impassive,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Brow slightly creased,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As though in a state of confusion,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Her eyes are cloudy,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Reveal her daze.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But behind her, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Her daughter sits,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Heart heavy,</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Face aweary,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She, she watches intently,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Melancholy as her companion,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As she watches the life in her mother slip away.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That's an example of what we do. We are given some form of stimulus and then encouraged to write whatever we want! Another thing I really like about the class, is the variety of pieces we have. Because we all like to write in different styles and interpret the stimulus differently, all the pieces are so diverse. It's like looking through one kaleidescope and seeing many different patterns. I truly enjoy this course and am going to make full use of the last few lessons I have!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Since this a post on writing, I'll end with some Hemingway.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>"My aim is to put down on paper what I see and what I feel in the best and simplest way." - </i></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ernest Hemingway</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>Claire Seahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13414683813765357386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499549000993532061.post-75080354042268163002013-09-13T12:43:00.003-07:002013-09-13T12:43:44.828-07:00SATURDAY SATURDAY SATURDAY!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AxHeKG0PoUU/UjNmUGX5HsI/AAAAAAAAAO0/ZABzoYzm4Ac/s320/DSCN1156.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are some great houses in the Welsh countryside</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This Saturday (7th Sept) was quite a lazy day. I woke up too late for breakfast which was just as well, because after five days of food from the same dining hall, everybody needs some change!</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I ended up going into Llantwit for some food (ice cream and gluten free almond cake... yummy...) and groceries with my house mate Yuko, from Japan. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YwR_hCBKk3c/UjNky_kel_I/AAAAAAAAANs/22sdhC_PqMI/s1600/IMG_4314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YwR_hCBKk3c/UjNky_kel_I/AAAAAAAAANs/22sdhC_PqMI/s320/IMG_4314.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A lovely summer morning</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first stop was the local pharmacy, Boots. I needed to get a couple of pharmaceutical products (saline solution, etc.) and Yuko had a couple of items she needed to knock off her shopping list as well. I also signed up for my Boots card and am awaiting the thrill of receiving it by post! Cheap thrill, I know, but it's fun to look out for and actually receive post in the 'mailboxes' we have. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_vxS4Ak8CE8/UjNk1HQ4BVI/AAAAAAAAAN0/_XbPjGtaGA8/s1600/IMG_4317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_vxS4Ak8CE8/UjNk1HQ4BVI/AAAAAAAAAN0/_XbPjGtaGA8/s1600/IMG_4317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_vxS4Ak8CE8/UjNk1HQ4BVI/AAAAAAAAAN0/_XbPjGtaGA8/s320/IMG_4317.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The 'long' walk to Llantwit</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Anyways, back to a detailed recount </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">of my shopping trip, we then headed to 'the co-operative' or more simply 'co-op' which is a grocery store. We got a couple of things each, I had already done my shopping the night before (you'll have to read my last post (; ) and so I was helping one of my roommates get a couple of things. We didn't spend a long time there because we didn't need much, and the next stop was more interesting anyways... MARIO'S! </span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TNW3bNlYoGI/UjNlwFTcALI/AAAAAAAAAOE/WdwMrUAOomE/s1600/DSCN1139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4krmuDvSOfA/UjNlvIOH8NI/AAAAAAAAAN8/9vX2vhnqrDA/s1600/DSCN1141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4krmuDvSOfA/UjNlvIOH8NI/AAAAAAAAAN8/9vX2vhnqrDA/s320/DSCN1141.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A mini farm in Llantwit, comes complete with chickens and sheep!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But I am not going to talk about Mario's here, it deserves a post of its own, so does The Cornerhouse Tearooms which has the most amazing gluten-free cakes and good coffee! So you'll see posts about those two places as soon as I can go into Llantwit and get good pictures of the shops. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aBHdS09PBNc/UjNlw8E1sSI/AAAAAAAAAOM/UM41uh3v5Pc/s320/DSCN1143.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Where we wait for the hourly bus</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After that, we went back to the campus. Befor</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">e I knew it, it was time for the Buddy Hunt. Now what is a Buddy Hunt, you might be wondering. Basically, it's an opportunity for first and second years to get to know each other better. How is this done? Well, each second year is paired with a fir</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">st year, put into a group and given a list of clues. We are then supposed to find the locations the clues are intended for and collect points upon figuring out the location. There was a lot of pressure riding on this hunt. A time limit of 45 minutes, the campus is huge, and the stakes were so high... a WHOLE CHOCOLATE CAKE... </span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pBIbe2EyM5w/UjNmFETzqSI/AAAAAAAAAOc/n-chuMAIbKU/s1600/DSCN1150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pBIbe2EyM5w/UjNmFETzqSI/AAAAAAAAAOc/n-chuMAIbKU/s320/DSCN1150.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A natural tunnel, if only more underpasses were made of trees...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That was the most exercise I have done since c</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">oming to AC! I was so exhausted by the end of it! Though we did not leave victoriously 'chocolatey', I had so much fun and got to know a couple of second years better! If you thought my day was going to end there; tha</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">t I was going to take a leisurely stroll back to my house, take a long, so</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">othing shower and then hop into bed... Well, you're far off tangent! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yb0218pmzz0/UjNmJTTIVvI/AAAAAAAAAOk/-sZAAuYD2oM/s1600/DSCN1154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yb0218pmzz0/UjNmJTTIVvI/AAAAAAAAAOk/-sZAAuYD2oM/s320/DSCN1154.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The streets of Llantwit!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Powys was having our house bonding that night. I was glad that we ended up having it in our dayroom instead of the usual fields (which are named after countries, e.g. Cambodia) because I might have passed out on the walk to the field from extreme energy depletion. But I am so glad I didn't pass out because house bonding was so enjoyable. Just sitting on the couches and lounging on the floor playing card games or just talking to people.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jRJop7DIoVQ/UjNl7lkXMLI/AAAAAAAAAOU/x1w56O2Db0w/s1600/DSCN1144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jRJop7DIoVQ/UjNl7lkXMLI/AAAAAAAAAOU/x1w56O2Db0w/s320/DSCN1144.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's the UK, I have to have a shot of a pub!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was after house bonding that I finally got to clo</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">se my tired eyes. Saturday had been a long day, but Sunday, I had a gut feeling that Sunday mi</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ght just be able to beat it!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J1bdG7nkCbk/UjNmVnKZOtI/AAAAAAAAAO8/Wx4BbfYeBwA/s1600/DSCN1155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J1bdG7nkCbk/UjNmVnKZOtI/AAAAAAAAAO8/Wx4BbfYeBwA/s320/DSCN1155.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Shrouded in nature</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">'Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting, get a little action in.
I </span></i><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">get about as oiled as a diesel train, gonna set this</span></i><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> dance alight.</span></i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">' - Sa</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">turday Night's Alright, Elton John</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ABbegM3z0ug/UjNmKUKGLEI/AAAAAAAAAOs/h-LFnHIP33w/s1600/DSCN1153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ABbegM3z0ug/UjNmKUKGLEI/AAAAAAAAAOs/h-LFnHIP33w/s320/DSCN1153.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Do I see cows???</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Claire Seahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13414683813765357386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499549000993532061.post-35165420283778048232013-09-13T12:13:00.001-07:002013-09-13T12:13:24.930-07:00Who's Afraid?<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last Friday, I was lucky enough to be able to attend a talk on Sustainability at the Royal Welsh College in Cardiff. I and about ten other students, left the college at 1700 to make it in time for the 1830 show. Many of the students who went were members of the environmental faculty or the sustainability council. However, it was open to all students, which is why though I am not part of either of those two groups, I went along. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I must admit that I was a little hesitant about going, because I found out that my house was having a house BBQ on the same day! However, by then there was no turning back, having paid for my ticket. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I returned from the show, extremely satisfied and I definitely think it was on par with having gone for the house BBQ, which was apparently awesome as well! I had thought it was going to be a stand-up show, perhaps some cynical Welsh man ranting about the prevention of global warming, which I would have enjoyed as well. But instead, it was really more like a one-man show. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Defining what I saw is going to be extremely difficult. This was truly a unique and thought provoking presentation. Some sections were hilarious, some dead serious. He kept us on the edge of our seats by constantly changing the format of presentation. One minute it could be a speech, then it would be a poem, followed by a video presentation before an anecdote. It was 50 full minutes of 'non-stop action'. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I left with a very tired mind, not being able to fully grasp all I had seen. I felt like I really needed some sugar afterwards, there had been so much information that had to be contemplated. He truly had a remarkable skill for simplifying and conveying little seeds that grew in the light of all his knowledge in a short period of time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Though I did not agree with everything he said, I definitely realised that my understanding of sustainability was not an understanding at all. It was merely the first layer of gift wrapper of a 'pass-the-parcel'. There is so much more to sustainability and how it is linked to our lives. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The idea of sustainability is not just about recycling and making things last. It's more about the need to ensure that we understand the fragility of the situation we have put ourselves in. That the earth is not indestructible and that saving it does more than just make sure future generations can see live polar bears. The earth is the very thing that links us to our past, our present and our future. It is the paper we constantly scribble our history down on. With each footstep, a new word is added to this amazing encyclopedia.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After going for the talk I realised that global warming, forest preservation, communal showers, they're just the leaf on a huge maple tree. The idea of sustainability is so much bigger than that, so much more important than that, so much more powerful than that. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So that was my little paragraph about the epiphany I had due to that talk. As they say, it's so much easier to say something than to do it. Well, I'm only human, and so I found myself on a shopping spree at ASDA (another grocery store... I LOVE THEM), a MNC right after that talk. Oh well, they had great bargains; waste not, want not!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's needs, but not every man's greed.”</span></em><em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> - </span></em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mahatma Ghandi</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Claire Seahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13414683813765357386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499549000993532061.post-69185459770329915612013-09-04T11:17:00.001-07:002013-09-04T11:17:46.689-07:00FIRST DAY... OF CODESSS!!!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_DMoVL-6OfM/Uid0hl_7O7I/AAAAAAAAAMs/TAjE_3fiVz4/s1600/DSCN1171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_DMoVL-6OfM/Uid0hl_7O7I/AAAAAAAAAMs/TAjE_3fiVz4/s320/DSCN1171.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A shot of the castle through the archway</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today (30th August, 2013) was a special day for all students. For some it was ‘good’ special, others ‘bad’ special. Today was the start of the official academic curriculum, also known as the official start of codes (AC lingo for classes). </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I woke up this morning albeit rather reluctantly, lured solely out of a warm bed by the promise of a concoction of sugar puffs, cornflakes and milk. This hesitance felt by me was not so much the prospect of the </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">start of the academic side of Atlantic College, but rather just due to sheer exhaustion suffered from the time I have spent at Atlantic College.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oJqnwHLX4qY/UidbQnH6DkI/AAAAAAAAAMY/wxwoorbLs7s/s1600/IMG_4305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oJqnwHLX4qY/UidbQnH6DkI/AAAAAAAAAMY/wxwoorbLs7s/s320/IMG_4305.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Relaxing on the field... We don't get many of these sort of moments sadly ):</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It’s been a tiring week and five days, yet I would not have wanted to pass that time any other way. It really is my fault that I now feel like I might fall flat on my face at my houseparent’s barbecue tonight – all late night activities I undertook have been a conscious, personal choice on my part. From the three day camp we had, to house games, to ‘showerings’ (a special something for student’s on their birthdays), to hanging out in the dayroom, shower parties or just very, very, very late night girl chat with my dorm mates, there are just so many interesting things to do that sleep was no where on my priority list; until now.
I have just completed my whole day </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">of curriculum and I am knackered. This is even after spending my free code (slot w</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ith </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">no lesson) sleeping. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KYVPG7---I0/Uida-qpJB5I/AAAAAAAAAMA/olRxHO3u7Pw/s1600/DSCN1097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KYVPG7---I0/Uida-qpJB5I/AAAAAAAAAMA/olRxHO3u7Pw/s320/DSCN1097.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Morning view of the walk from the main driveway </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">However, more sleep will have to wa</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">it. Tonight</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">, I have a house </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">barbecue and the first ‘sosh’ (quoting a teacher; it’s the school’s disco), which means a long night and one spent spending a copious amount of energy. Though it is definitely not the remedy for tiredness, weekends are! So I plan to sleep in tomorrow and wake up just in time to have lunch in the nearby town, Llantwit Major, and do some basic grocery shopping.
But back to the importance of today, it’s a Friday today and we all started the offic</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ial curriculum.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Friday’s are the longest days for everyone. Codes, which normally end just before lunch, can last till 15.45 on Fridays. On Fridays I also have classes for every single subject I take for the IB, including my double code (2 blocks of lessons at a time) for English Literature, which is (thank goodness) probably my favourite subject. For the IB course I have opted to take English Literature, European History and Economics at Higher Level and Math, Physics and Mandarin at Standard Level. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am really quite keen on attending on all my classes because I had the freedom to choose what I wanted to study, which meant I obviously chose subjects I liked. I come from a slightly more rigid education system back in Singapore, and am keen to see how I do (hopefully I cope) in a very different system of learning.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NeFgoZk9uHc/UidbK9U-NrI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/0UXdh3-6o0I/s320/DSCN1106.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">View of the trees from the Math Department</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_I_PH0cZCEo/Uid0ggw_H-I/AAAAAAAAAMk/XlzmN3B96TA/s320/DSCN1170.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">View from the side of languages block</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ja4mV2U0h6k/Uid0iOR4vxI/AAAAAAAAAMw/CA819JYbnFc/s320/DSCN1172.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Students milling around before classes</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ipg8Y378FwQ/UidbEke-MpI/AAAAAAAAAMI/CAi1DxE67xY/s1600/DSCN1115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NeFgoZk9uHc/UidbK9U-NrI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/0UXdh3-6o0I/s1600/DSCN1106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The IB makes up half of the Atlan</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">tic Dip</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">loma, the other half, in my opinion is the more interesting half. That is the service work aspect of the college. At Atlantic College, a great emphasis is placed on doing activities that benefit the community and go in tangent with the UWC Mission: The UWC movement makes education a force to unite people, na</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">tions and cultures for peace and a sustainable future. This mission is kept relevant by the four faculties at Atlantic College, namely, the Global, Outdoor, Social Justice and Environmental Faculties. In fact, I was more worried about getting into the faculty of my choice (GO GLOBAL!!!) than getting my subj</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ects!
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nIobwTbULss/Uid2noPY3tI/AAAAAAAAANI/ifSADViuAg4/s1600/DSCN1104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nIobwTbULss/Uid2noPY3tI/AAAAAAAAANI/ifSADViuAg4/s320/DSCN1104.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Side of the castle. The entrance to the right is where the laundry room is.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am now pleased to be able to tell you t</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">hat I have gotten both into the Global Faculty and the activity within it of my choice, the grassroots program which entails conducting theatre classes at a centre for adolescents in need of help in Cardiff. Monday marks the start of my first service training for the Global Faculty and I cannot wait to get started!
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8mVcCyHaO5s/Uid3M5zKW8I/AAAAAAAAANQ/EvnRdgfnUfQ/s1600/IMG_4274.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8mVcCyHaO5s/Uid3M5zKW8I/AAAAAAAAANQ/EvnRdgfnUfQ/s320/IMG_4274.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Entrance to the Arts Centre where I have faculty training sessions</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They say that life is filled with ups and downs, and I know my time at Atlantic College will have its fair share of good and bad times, but for now, the horizon looks bright and clear (figuratively, we have had rather typical wet ‘Welsh’ weather today). And if that’s the case, I am personally not going to let it go to waste.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JFezaLDxvnQ/Uid3t3vk7fI/AAAAAAAAANc/M0rpoNOgJSE/s1600/DSCN1182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JFezaLDxvnQ/Uid3t3vk7fI/AAAAAAAAANc/M0rpoNOgJSE/s320/DSCN1182.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What it looks like on most days... Don't go SUNSHINE!!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Oh I feel overjoyed
When you listen to my words" </span></i><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- </span></i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Overjoyed, Bastille. Thank you to everyone who reads my blog (:</span>Claire Seahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13414683813765357386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499549000993532061.post-39438725517521683452013-09-03T14:42:00.002-07:002013-09-03T14:42:28.241-07:00Cool Cardiff.<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sometime last week, I was able to take a day trip (an afternoon trip, really...) to the lovely city of Cardiff. It was the first time I had left the campus since I had come back and I was really looking forward to seeing what the closest major city to me (Cardiff is after all, the capital of Wales) had to offer. Since it was most of the first years in Powys, first time there, we were taken by two of our second years. The girls were taken by Harshnee and the boys by Ricky. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Having the foresight of a girl, Harshnee booked a cab to take us into Llantwit for a pound each. Though Llantwit was a nearby town, walking by foot would still take at least thirty minutes, or else, you could take the bus, though that doesn't come very frequently. So while the boys tried to figure out how they were going to get to Cardiff (they eventually got the same cab to come back for them again) we girls set off for the train station in Llantwit. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HbqoBmLndZo/UiYh-4WJdEI/AAAAAAAAALs/GofhW7Q1VZQ/s1600/DSCN1142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HbqoBmLndZo/UiYh-4WJdEI/AAAAAAAAALs/GofhW7Q1VZQ/s320/DSCN1142.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of the roads that lead to Llantwit Major</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Like the bus service, the train only comes every hour,</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> so having included some buffer time for the bus ride (better to be safe than sorry) we spent some time waiting for the train to arrive. Not long after, we were joined by the boys who had managed to get there in time to take the same train. It didn't take long for the train to arrive, or at least it didn't seems that way. Before I knew it, I was on the train enjoying the Welsh countryside.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DVD4KQ7rfSM/UiYhFTvH6jI/AAAAAAAAALg/UqSP0GTv9PI/s1600/IMG_4279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DVD4KQ7rfSM/UiYhFTvH6jI/AAAAAAAAALg/UqSP0GTv9PI/s320/IMG_4279.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not the best photo of the Welsh Countryside... It was raining</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When we got into Cardiff we headed for the Red Hot World Buffet in Cardiff, and boy does it have a good deal. You basically pay ten pounds for what you get; a world buffet. It was pretty awesome and that was the most I had eaten since arriving in England. I had three rounds of food and dessert, after which I was duly stuffed. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--Pa3DAZhrYw/UiYhAxtUGEI/AAAAAAAAALY/bRSmTwTGG1o/s1600/DSCN1128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--Pa3DAZhrYw/UiYhAxtUGEI/AAAAAAAAALY/bRSmTwTGG1o/s320/DSCN1128.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">POWYS GIRL POWERRR (Yuko, Yeabsira, Mex and Maria)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was after lunch that we really split up into boys and girls. The girls did a further split. There were eight girls who had gone into Cardiff. Mex my roommate, having lived in Wales for all her life was pretty familiar with the place and acted as tour guide for five of us. However, her services were not really needed, considering we ended up spending most of our time in Boots, a pharmacy, and then in Marks and Spencers! Other than that, we just did more shopping before it was time to meet up. Wh</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">at can </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I say, we are GIRLS! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cphvB2QBHlM/UiYg-AFfufI/AAAAAAAAALI/a-l1h18Mqew/s1600/DSCN1129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cphvB2QBHlM/UiYg-AFfufI/AAAAAAAAALI/a-l1h18Mqew/s320/DSCN1129.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The street outside WHSmith</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I felt really satisfied having managed to get many items on discount! I now qualify for a Boots membership card and am going to get one first thing the next time I am in a Boots store! That was not the only highlight of our trip, we ran into (actually they approached us) some massively famous people, 1D. Okay fine, maybe they were just regular guys with 1D masks but it was still pretty entertaining! Plus they sang to us, so they might as well have been the boys themselves! It was also a great trick to pull on my friends; telling them we had met 1D. Their reactions were HILARIOUS! (;</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jsEaT8rxkEU/UiYg_9B626I/AAAAAAAAALQ/16B94ev1T6Y/s320/DSCN1132.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Me and the boys from 1D (OMG)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All in all, I enjoyed Cardiff, thou</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">gh I a</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">m in no position to comment on anything but the few shops I went to. I hope to continue exploring Cardiff and to take more photos of what seems to be a very vibrant city; so you can bet there will be many more posts on it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"We have al fresco dining in Cardiff now. Who's idea was that?! My soup's filling up quicker than I can eat it." - </span></em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rhod Gilbert</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> (p.s. it's in reference to the wet Welsh weather which I have had the good fortune of not experiencing very frequently... yet)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Claire Seahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13414683813765357386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499549000993532061.post-59122887797167984752013-09-03T09:18:00.000-07:002013-09-03T09:18:04.344-07:00Taming of the SHREW<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nZ9L8zADQt0/UiYGx2aAXZI/AAAAAAAAAJg/2fIDyo6D738/s1600/DSCN1119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nZ9L8zADQt0/UiYGx2aAXZI/AAAAAAAAAJg/2fIDyo6D738/s320/DSCN1119.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A shot of the ticket that got me in!</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The last time I posted, I mentioned </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">that I was thinking of dedicating a post to the production I watched of 'The Taming of the Shrew'. Well, here it is! As I said the last time, I was lucky enough to be able to catch the play on my school lawn, literally. The play was done by the 'Shakespeare's Globe' company and if you are in Singapore, you can catch them (same cast as the one I saw) at Fort Canning from the 2nd-13th of October. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jjXuvWvp9qs/UiYHJcE5g7I/AAAAAAAAAJ4/PuBe3kA2cNU/s1600/DSCN1114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jjXuvWvp9qs/UiYHJcE5g7I/AAAAAAAAAJ4/PuBe3kA2cNU/s320/DSCN1114.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Outside the school arts centre</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-75QNl64jtYE/UiYHGSj1xdI/AAAAAAAAAJo/WivALceIgXM/s1600/DSCN1117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-75QNl64jtYE/UiYHGSj1xdI/AAAAAAAAAJo/WivALceIgXM/s320/DSCN1117.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The opposite side of the school arts centre (the building to the left)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-75QNl64jtYE/UiYHGSj1xdI/AAAAAAAAAJo/WivALceIgXM/s1600/DSCN1117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I really recommend you catch the play. First, it is rar</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">e for the Globe to bring their productions to Singapore. Secondly, it's the SHAKESPEARE'S GLOBE for goodness sakes. If you are not 'Bardnanas' like I am, you might not know the history behind the connection of the company and its deep roots to the genius himself. '</span><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Shakespeare's Globe is a reconstruction of the Globe Theatre, an Elizabethan playhouse in the London Borough of Southwark, on the south bank of the River Thames.</span></i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>The original Globe Theatre was built in 1599 by the playing company Lord Chamberlain's Men, to which Shakespeare belonged</i></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.' Which means that though the building is not the same, you can't accuse me of over exaggeration when I say that Shakespeare himself graced the very ground that amazing theatre is built on. Thirdly, 'Taming of the Shrew' is not as done as often as some of the other productions (more in reference to Singapore). Fourthly, the cast was terrific, it's an all female cast and if you have read/ watched the play you would know that that adds so much more depth to the story. Fifthly, it has a very interesting plot which makes you question certain societal norms and typical gender roles.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XHcUPO7OJRI/UiYHme7KnbI/AAAAAAAAAKY/kPOpWd3daOk/s1600/DSCN1124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XHcUPO7OJRI/UiYHme7KnbI/AAAAAAAAAKY/kPOpWd3daOk/s320/DSCN1124.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The main stage, don't be fooled by it's small size, some big acting happens on it!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XHcUPO7OJRI/UiYHme7KnbI/AAAAAAAAAKY/kPOpWd3daOk/s1600/DSCN1124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">However, talking about the plot, you really </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">don't have to feel worried if you don't know the storyline. I went for the play with no knowledge of what was going to happen, but I was fine. Most of the other AC students who went had never read/ watched the play before and we could all catch up. Anyways, it's Shakespeare, the man who could straddle all social classes, touch and entertain everyone. You'll be fine! </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EUwwx8v4Yjc/UiYHV3iwboI/AAAAAAAAAKA/B5db-v925Kk/s320/DSCN1122.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The crowd (many people come from the area around my school)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I will not give away the plot because I personally hate spoilers. But if you think that by knowing the plot, you will then decide if it's for you or not, you can check out the Wikipedia page as it has a pretty good summary on the key ideas and plot of the play. The play was ex</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">tremely thought provoking, it really made me think hard and more importantly feel hard. I always think that one way to tell if a play is good is if you were subject</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ed to an emotional roller coaster while watching it. If you actually felt furious when the lead character did something, or if you felt depressed when someone got into a sticky situation, or if you rolled on the floor laughing when something comical happened, then you know it was a good play. This production was able t</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">o do that to me. I felt what the characters were feeling as though I was with them in those moments; in that scene with them and that was the reality.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ujeleh24Rp4/UiYJ7l6eLII/AAAAAAAAAKw/S4UQKLKoSFo/s1600/DSCN1107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ujeleh24Rp4/UiYJ7l6eLII/AAAAAAAAAKw/S4UQKLKoSFo/s320/DSCN1107.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another shot of the stage which gives you a better perspective of the size of the stage and a the castle in the background (:</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don't think I can say much more without giving the story away, so I will end here. Please do consider going to see the production as I personally think it really is worth the time and money. And if you do, hopefully you will enjoy it as much as I did! If you didn't... Well I nev</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">er forc</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ed you to watch it! (;</span><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gVSX7viTWAc/UiYJ8y8fM-I/AAAAAAAAAK4/XNiFwnzY_n4/s1600/DSCN1126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gVSX7viTWAc/UiYJ8y8fM-I/AAAAAAAAAK4/XNiFwnzY_n4/s1600/DSCN1126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gVSX7viTWAc/UiYJ8y8fM-I/AAAAAAAAAK4/XNiFwnzY_n4/s320/DSCN1126.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A few of my fellow AC-ers who were at show as well!</span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j-Fir2024u0/UiYHpXWnTNI/AAAAAAAAAKg/YWcCzXa2IvE/s1600/DSCN1125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>“My tongue will tell the anger of my he</i></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>art, or else my heart concealing it will break.” - </i></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Taming of the Shrew, William Shakespeare</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-75QNl64jtYE/UiYHGSj1xdI/AAAAAAAAAJk/Naqv69OwbqA/s1600/DSCN1117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Claire Seahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13414683813765357386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499549000993532061.post-940550294175430042013-09-01T10:04:00.001-07:002013-09-01T10:04:32.003-07:00Decisions, decisions, decisions...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xVo4fly0ZzI/UiNvLXOWQNI/AAAAAAAAAI0/9AcKzuQHGxM/s1600/DSCN1099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xVo4fly0ZzI/UiNvLXOWQNI/AAAAAAAAAI0/9AcKzuQHGxM/s1600/DSCN1099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xVo4fly0ZzI/UiNvLXOWQNI/AAAAAAAAAI0/9AcKzuQHGxM/s320/DSCN1099.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What I see when I stand in front of the field in Powys</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O7aartMfKO0/UiNvWX-fzRI/AAAAAAAAAI8/eqxmQsmA8fI/s1600/DSCN1100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O7aartMfKO0/UiNvWX-fzRI/AAAAAAAAAI8/eqxmQsmA8fI/s320/DSCN1100.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What I see looking up the field from standing near the bottom of it... The house in the distance is Tice</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So in the last few days a lot has happened. For no</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">w, many of my blogs have the wrong time, or rather have no regard for the concept of time. In the sense that I post them so much later after said events have occurred. In my last post I talked about my arrival at Atlantic College, house, dorm mates etc. This one is going to be about the first weekend at Atlantic College. In between much has happened - I went for first year camp, had some talks and house bonding sessions, but I am skipping that for now. I might do a short blog on camp, or I might not. My camp experience wasn't all that interesting because I fell ill and could not do all the aquatic activities, aka the more fun half of everything at camp. Also, I didn't even get any good pictures because we were told not to bring our cameras, phones, or any electronic devices... You know what, that was my short blog on camp. Hope you liked it!(:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7BSHDUeJCVg/UiNvXnTnzCI/AAAAAAAAAJE/AYLXTsZavr0/s1600/DSCN1101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7BSHDUeJCVg/UiNvXnTnzCI/AAAAAAAAAJE/AYLXTsZavr0/s320/DSCN1101.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On the way to the academics departments</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Back to the focus of this blog, DECISIONS!!! After coming back from camp, you'd think we'd have a couple of days to recover from a three day camp. Alas, that is not the AC style of things. The day after arriving back on campus, we had to complete half of our academic and service inductions. In total, all first years went through nine different faculty inductions. Five academic department ones; Languages, Math, Science, Humanities and Arts, and another four service inductions; Global, Social Justice, Environmental and Outdoor. Sounds like a lot but those were pretty relaxed two da</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ys. We had breaks between everything and they didn't even include time for b</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">reakf</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ast, lunch and dinner. So it actually was not tiring at all. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_PqouEyits4/UiNu_voMtqI/AAAAAAAAAIk/aePAcbU5Sew/s1600/DSCN1102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_PqouEyits4/UiNu_voMtqI/AAAAAAAAAIk/aePAcbU5Sew/s320/DSCN1102.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The side of the Math Department</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then came Monday, judgment day. That </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">was the day we had to make all our choices on what subjects and which service faculty we wanted to study/ be in. I decided to take Higher Level (HL): English Literature, Economics and European History and Standard Level (SL): Math, Physics and Mandarin. I had wanted to take Theatre as well, but they are pretty strict about only taking six subjects so sadly I couldn't take that. Oh well! Hopefully I get to do the grassroots initiative in the Global Faculty which is assisting theatre classes at a centre in Cardiff! </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wJqGJIL6cNk/UiNvZfj8YwI/AAAAAAAAAJM/VJKwUsZHKJU/s1600/DSCN1118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wJqGJIL6cNk/UiNvZfj8YwI/AAAAAAAAAJM/VJKwUsZHKJU/s1600/DSCN1118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wJqGJIL6cNk/UiNvZfj8YwI/AAAAAAAAAJM/VJKwUsZHKJU/s320/DSCN1118.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just outside the Top Lawn (it's the grassy bit you see through the arch)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Talking about theatre, I am now sitting just outside the 'Top Lawn', waiting to get into the area to watch 'The Taming of the Shrew'. It's being done by the company 'Shakespeare's</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Globe Theatre', and I am watching the same production that will be going to Singapore later in the year! If it's good, I'll do a post on it, but we'll have to see</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(: I am so happy and feel so lucky that I am getting to watch this! I think it's amazing that I can watch a production done by a well-known company on my school's lawn... I really can't wrap my head around it! Moreover, the tickets for students were so cheap! I only paid 10 pounds (I don't know which key makes the pound sign appear...). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So I'll end here, you might find a blog on the play soon, we'll see!(:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J61wy8Ur6cQ/UiNvE4o_RoI/AAAAAAAAAIs/_LJUWcNynno/s1600/DSCN1107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J61wy8Ur6cQ/UiNvE4o_RoI/AAAAAAAAAIs/_LJUWcNynno/s320/DSCN1107.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Taken earlier in the day when they were setting up for the play</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>“Sit by my side, and let the world slip: we shall ne'er be younger.”</i></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> - Taming of the Shrew, William Shakespeare</span></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Claire Seahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13414683813765357386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499549000993532061.post-61273342543506550062013-09-01T06:27:00.002-07:002013-09-01T06:27:55.438-07:00THE LAND OF SHEEP AND COWS<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pys33vimdT4/UiM-Cgv79pI/AAAAAAAAAII/M7aFKwZuUF8/s1600/DSCN1035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pys33vimdT4/UiM-Cgv79pI/AAAAAAAAAII/M7aFKwZuUF8/s320/DSCN1035.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The view from the courtyard of the castle</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My first blog from Atlantic College. It's been a week (today it's actually 2 weeks... whoops!) but it's the first time I am using the internet on my own laptop which </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">means its the first time I can write a blog. I tried to do so on the campus computers but the problem is that somehow I can never start writing the </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">blog, only the title.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-exzeYZqG92k/UiM-MJwwk9I/AAAAAAAAAIQ/YzzN0LzrCpY/s1600/DSCN1028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-exzeYZqG92k/UiM-MJwwk9I/AAAAAAAAAIQ/YzzN0LzrCpY/s320/DSCN1028.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Principal's house that is located a little from Powys</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Finally though, with my own computer I can blog, so </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">here goes! I have been here for a week and it's been so awesome. I'm in a house called Powys, which before arriving I thought was pronounced Pow-ies. Turns out its actually Pow-is which is probably more appropriate because its the name of some ancient Welsh Kingdom. Then again, they always say laughter is the best cure, so maybe that was the kingdom's tactic. Give the enemies something to laugh about and prevent attacks... Physical ones at least! Verbal attacks would have been rampant. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When we arrived, our first 'job' was to say the name of our houses, in order to prevent having to make a speech. I have no idea whether that was an empty threat to just scare first years or an actual punishment because everybody for some strange reason made sure they could really say their house names properly. Honestly, I have nothing to complain about. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are 7 houses here, and I can hardly complain about having a name that's hard to pronounce. There are the really easy ones like Tice, Sunley, and Whitaker. Then the intermediate ones, Powys and Pentti-Kouri. And finally the ones that don't even sound like how they are spelt, that is if you are following the standard English phonetics. First up, Gwynedd, which is said Gwenyth... and then finally... Morgannwg </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and this one is said totally different... It's pronounced organic but with a m in front, Morganic.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Of course, Powys is the best! But the other houses are pretty cool too. Each house has a dayroom which is a hangout area unique to each house. In Powys we have a foosball table and a decent speaker system which is suitable for most iPods.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-exAXmeFp-Qc/UiM97k254jI/AAAAAAAAAIA/qAPfHUyKOa0/s1600/DSCN1020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-exAXmeFp-Qc/UiM97k254jI/AAAAAAAAAIA/qAPfHUyKOa0/s1600/DSCN1020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-exAXmeFp-Qc/UiM97k254jI/AAAAAAAAAIA/qAPfHUyKOa0/s320/DSCN1020.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">POWYS DAYROOOMMM</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In Powys we have 2 floors in the house. Boys on </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">the first floor and girls on the second floor. Each dorm allows for four people. My three other dorm mates are Mex (Menekse) from Turkey/ Wales, Yeabsira from Ethiopia and Maria from Costa Rica. All of them are really awesome people and we are getting on really well. Unlike other dorms, we don't have any dorm rules except to always try and be as considerate as possible. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have actually written many draft entries in my little Shakespeare books, but I admit, I have been really un-diligent about posting. Please forgive me and I will post them asap! You might get them all at one shot... But better than nothing(;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Going to lie in the sun sunshine in the field now... TATA!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>"The hills are alive with the sound of music,with the sounds they have sung for a thousand years." - The Hills are Alive, The Sound of Music</i></span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Claire Seahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13414683813765357386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499549000993532061.post-39327376124783951452013-07-26T04:40:00.001-07:002013-07-26T04:40:45.137-07:00trying my best...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I must admit since my trip to the museum, I haven't really done a similar excursion. Yes, I've been going to numerous places around Singapore, but I haven't really documented these experiences and haven't really immersed myself in them because I have just been so busy.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Since crossing the 'month left' line, it seems like there are so many things to complete and so little time left to complete them. I plan to go to the Peranakan Museum with my mum sometime next week, and hopefully to Chinatown to have my last egg tart (my last supper) before I leave for the UK. We also plan to go to Raj (located at Biopolis, it has been the restaurant for quite a few family dinners) to savour some Indian cuisine. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hopefully I will then have a few more interesting posts about Singapore before I leave. I must admit that I am rather disappointed that I will only manage to visit such a limited number of places to blog about. I had really hoped to cover many more places but lately, I've been everything but free. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But I know that though I feel rather upset, '<em>it's too late to apologize' - </em></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Apologize, One Republic, and instead I should '<em>always look on the bright side of life!' - </em></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Eric Idle for Monty Python's Life of Brian</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> (;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">P.S. I have been reading a book called Time: A User's Guide by Stefan Klein. No, I did not deliberately pick it to be able to 'cheesily' relate the title of the book to that of the blog! I haven't finished it yet, but already I feel it is a rather remarkable book. As the title suggests, it is about time, but fret not, it is not too scientific in any way. Rather it is a wonderful window into the mystery of time. I definitely recommend it for anybody who can't find much time in their lives to do what they want to and for those who just want more of it (:</span>Claire Seahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13414683813765357386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499549000993532061.post-6163283806461357272013-07-17T04:47:00.000-07:002013-07-17T04:51:10.687-07:00Princely Treasures<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The sunny little island of Singapore did not really live up to its name today. This morning it was raining. Luckily for me, to mark the start of my country expedition, I had chosen something indoors - the National Museum of Singapore. This was the perfect choice because by the time I left the museum, the skies were clear and blue so I managed to get some shots of the roads leading to to the museum and shots of the building itself.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody></tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uI8JTI7cFis/UeZgFQC_9bI/AAAAAAAAAEs/ZtNrZhJtmI8/s1600/IMG_0044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uI8JTI7cFis/UeZgFQC_9bI/AAAAAAAAAEs/ZtNrZhJtmI8/s320/IMG_0044.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<img border="0" height="260" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hwZsHk-qrz0/UeZgSM2wj6I/AAAAAAAAAFA/mDtGMybvdpM/s320/IMG_0043.jpg" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the road to the left and right of the museum if </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">you were to stand facing its main entrance</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The exhibit I went to was 'Princely Treasures - from the House of Liechtenstein'. As the name implies, the exhibition was displaying art pieces owned by the aristocratic Liechtenstein </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">family. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It seemed appropriate to start at that exhibit as it was there that I first had the idea of exploring Singapore before I left. Yes, you read it right, I had gone to the same exhibition just two Saturdays before with my dad. However, because I had enjoyed it thoroughly and felt like there was still 'more to be seen', I decided to head back.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I must admit at this point that this is the third exhibit I have been to (that I remember) at the National Museum in my entire lifetime! The other two were an exhibit on Egyptian mummies and the lost Italian city of Pompeii.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VGY_IP3PmO4/UeZgR-Vk5sI/AAAAAAAAAE4/uw1Ag3WYfxs/s1600/IMG_0042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VGY_IP3PmO4/UeZgR-Vk5sI/AAAAAAAAAE4/uw1Ag3WYfxs/s400/IMG_0042.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">the front of the museum </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(to the left of the p</span><span style="font-size: small;">hoto you can see the banner</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">promoting the 'Princel</span><span style="font-size: small;">y Treasure' exhibit)</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am not sure if it's just me, but I feel that we often forget about the many things our own city has to offer, something else I hope to change about myself before I leave.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What I enjoyed the most was the Baroque Art on display. I'll include the link to Wikipedia's pages on Baroque Art and the Princely family of Liechtenstein below for anybody interested in finding out more about either!</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am a fan of Greek mythology, and though I have yet to pick up a book by Homer, I have spent many nights scouring through online Greek archives and reading the stories of different characters. Many of the pieces on display are based on famous Greek characters and stories as well as biblical characters. If you were to read more about Baroque Art, you would see how religion, more specifically Roman Catholicism, greatly influenced this style of art. Thus many of the bible's characters are the subject matter of the pieces. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-opHtB0XlfaM/UeZuJ4IF5bI/AAAAAAAAAFk/IM3NjNtAy00/s1600/DSCN0935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-opHtB0XlfaM/UeZuJ4IF5bI/AAAAAAAAAFk/IM3NjNtAy00/s320/DSCN0935.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">different Baroque pieces all based on Greek mythology</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TTjk0e5JPag/UeZuHye99xI/AAAAAAAAAFg/Z4As-x1ibHo/s1600/DSCN0936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TTjk0e5JPag/UeZuHye99xI/AAAAAAAAAFg/Z4As-x1ibHo/s320/DSCN0936.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Judith and the head of Holofernes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I also managed to speak to </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">June, a staff at the museum. She said she was a 'bench sitter' and basically was a security guard who had to "make sure no one touches the paintings, kids don't run around screaming and that people don't use flash when they take photographs". I assumed she was an art student and she said she was one on break. She shared that she enjoyed being able to work there as she could view the paintings/ displays free of charge and all the time, but was also sure to add that there was no need to see the same exhibit everyday for 2 months! </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody></tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cZF5bNGObok/UeZzsSrBuxI/AAAAAAAAAGM/fXLUVjwl3UA/s1600/DSCN0945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cZF5bNGObok/UeZzsSrBuxI/AAAAAAAAAGM/fXLUVjwl3UA/s400/DSCN0945.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">more Greek inspired paintings</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6ktRFYR2yfo/UeZzv0ox6KI/AAAAAAAAAGU/qrjU5O22Olc/s1600/DSCN0946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6ktRFYR2yfo/UeZzv0ox6KI/AAAAAAAAAGU/qrjU5O22Olc/s400/DSCN0946.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Christ on his deathbed</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aVGGqbD-xuQ/UeZz5ySkfHI/AAAAAAAAAGc/iCIuGhL7fHg/s1600/DSCN0952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aVGGqbD-xuQ/UeZz5ySkfHI/AAAAAAAAAGc/iCIuGhL7fHg/s400/DSCN0952.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a wide variety of subject matter from fruits to cherubs...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-55nOsC_k05M/UeZ0V9ltQJI/AAAAAAAAAG8/s18Mv_X3ZTU/s1600/IMG_0032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-55nOsC_k05M/UeZ0V9ltQJI/AAAAAAAAAG8/s18Mv_X3ZTU/s640/IMG_0032.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">my attempt at using the panorama function on my iPod Touch</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Being a Wednesday, there were not many visitors. That meant that I could take my time at each art piece, reading the description and taking a good long look at each and every painting! It was rather surreal to be able to stand alone in a whole room of art - as though I was truly in the moment with the characters in the painting. I am not sure if that sounds enjoyable or creepy, but it was definitely a more intimate way to experience the art. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody></tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v3jYehggiJU/UeZ0FUXXZcI/AAAAAAAAAGo/kMS6kFdueYI/s1600/DSCN0953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v3jYehggiJU/UeZ0FUXXZcI/AAAAAAAAAGo/kMS6kFdueYI/s400/DSCN0953.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the bronze statue is watching you...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hnY6nSXSOnU/UeZzonz147I/AAAAAAAAAGE/DBh-88Ee8hY/s1600/DSCN0947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hnY6nSXSOnU/UeZzonz147I/AAAAAAAAAGE/DBh-88Ee8hY/s400/DSCN0947.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">portraits of aristocracy</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another thing I greatly enjoyed was taking photos of the pieces and the people looking at them. I managed to get most of the photographs with other museum goers in the shots. I enjoyed watching how they reacted to the paintings. Some leaned closer to scrutinize the details of the pieces, while others took steps back to better see the picture as a whole. It was fascinating to see how different people reacted to what they saw, especially with some of the more graphic paintings. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ny-2VWuissE/UeZuCIrX2nI/AAAAAAAAAFY/a_PhuXvUI90/s1600/DSCN0937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ny-2VWuissE/UeZuCIrX2nI/AAAAAAAAAFY/a_PhuXvUI90/s400/DSCN0937.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">sharing thoughts and opinions (:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My favourite painting was one called <i>Il Consiglio alla Vendetta </i></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">or Vengeance is Sworn. The two women in the picture are painted in such a 'human' fashion it was not hard at all to imagine they were really in front of me. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wpVY5VOPz3w/UeZ0FS_OsPI/AAAAAAAAAGk/XsSO7ficOxs/s1600/IMG_0031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="335" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wpVY5VOPz3w/UeZ0FS_OsPI/AAAAAAAAAGk/XsSO7ficOxs/s400/IMG_0031.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Vengeance is SWORN... to the left (;</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After spending three hours at the gallery, I left. I felt that it had been a fulfilling three hours spent at the museum. Not only did I manage to enjoy some good Baroque Art, I was also able to witness human curiosity in action. Before I left, I took a few more photographs of the architecture of the inside of the Museum. Hope you enjoy them! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XFbHpfwgc7g/UeZ9Ux7CafI/AAAAAAAAAHU/ysQirMA8WMw/s1600/IMG_0034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="290" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XFbHpfwgc7g/UeZ9Ux7CafI/AAAAAAAAAHU/ysQirMA8WMw/s400/IMG_0034.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">walkway to the exhibit hall</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rw01dcn3ulc/UeZ9Va6AlSI/AAAAAAAAAHg/p9CQsOaHhwA/s1600/IMG_0036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rw01dcn3ulc/UeZ9Va6AlSI/AAAAAAAAAHg/p9CQsOaHhwA/s400/IMG_0036.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">STAIRS! My worst enemy...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1vIJxOcW4Zw/UeZ9X0simOI/AAAAAAAAAHo/YJV6t3zWcvM/s1600/IMG_0037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1vIJxOcW4Zw/UeZ9X0simOI/AAAAAAAAAHo/YJV6t3zWcvM/s400/IMG_0037.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">juxtaposition of classic and modern</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To end off, here's a song about the Greek character Icarus. (I'll include a link on his story for you)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">'</span><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Icarus is flying too close to the sun.
Icarus is life, it has only just begun.
It's just begun</span></i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">' - Icarus, Bastille</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wiki page on Princely Family of Liechtenstein:</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princely_Family_of_Liechtenstein" target="_blank">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princely_Family_of_Liechtenstein </a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wiki page on Baroque Art: </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baroque">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baroque</a></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wiki page on Icarus: </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icarus">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icarus</a></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icarus" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></a>
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princely_Family_of_Liechtenstein" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></a>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Claire Seahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13414683813765357386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499549000993532061.post-5449640327215799212013-07-16T04:33:00.000-07:002013-07-17T01:52:30.345-07:00In a City like Mine...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I first started this post, I said that it was going to be about how I spent the time in my life, a.k.a., not only about UWC Atlantic. So for the next few weeks I'll not be talking about UWC (or not much at least) and instead have set a little project for myself to complete. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don't have much more time left on the little island of Singapore, and so I have decided to make the most of my time here. What I aim to do is to visit different places in Singapore - some of them must-go tourist locations, others not as well known except to Singaporeans, and some of them are just places that have a very special place in my heart. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have actually written out a list of these venues, but I won't list them out here for two reasons.</span><br />
<div>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don't want to spoil the little bit of suspense you have of not knowing where I plan to go.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don't want to disappoint anyone if I don't end up going to a certain place!(;</span></li>
</ol>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I will try to go to these places and will then write a blog on the experience; the place, the things I saw and did and the people I met and hopefully talk to! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Let me warn you first that this is not some kind of travel review blog. I am not going to become a TLC (TV's The Learning Channel) travel guide with advice on where to spend your holiday... I don't want to steal some poor soul's job! I just want to share my experiences (hopefully you will them interesting enough) at so and so place. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What I WILL do is add in a little of 'my crazy' and try and show (pictures will be included!) you how I see my island home. Well wish me the best of luck and we'll see how it goes!(:</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I START TOMORROW! '</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love you tomorrow.
You're always a day away' - Tomorrow, Annie the Musical</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Claire Seahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13414683813765357386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499549000993532061.post-76665359750560903322013-07-14T17:41:00.001-07:002013-07-17T01:58:54.691-07:00The first step(s)...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have decided to call this post 'The first step(s)...' You might be wondering why, especially because of the weird (s) thing I've done. It's because this post is going to be all about that 'first step' in many different situations throughout my life, which all contributed to getting me into Atlantic College and impacted the person I am today. Let's start this story of firsts shall we?</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first time I ever heard of UWC was when my senior, role model and friend, Germaine, shared her experiences of studying at UWC with me. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Being the oldest child in my family, Germaine was someone I admired as an 'older sister'. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She was studying at UWC Adriatic (in Duino, Italy), and whenever she was back for the holidays, she would leave me in awe with the amazing stories she had to share. Her stories fascinated me as I tried to imagine the possibility of having classmates from all over the world and being able to learn about so many different cultures and countries. I remember I thought to myself that I would be so overjoyed to have the chance to have the same experience, and I still can't really believe that I am going to! So I really owe Germaine a big thank you because I am quite sure that without her, this post would never have been written and I definitely would not be waiting in anticipation for my time at UWC!</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The next very important piece of this jigsaw is my O' level Chinese Exam. In Singapore, we have a few national exams and the GCE O'level exam is one of them. I had been preparing to sit for it at the end of 2012, as I took Higher Chinese and for that reason would take the Standard level Chinese paper a year earlier. We've all heard of the great unsolved mysteries of the universe, like if there was an Atlantis and spontaneous human combustion. My getting into Higher Chinese is another of them. But back to the exam, when I realized that I was about to take A NATIONAL EXAM PAPER that (with no exaggeration whatsoever) was about to impact me big time, I started to think about my aims. By that I mean what school I was hoping to enter and basically what I wanted to do with my life. One of the things I came to realize while I was reflecting is that I did not just want to get into a school to get good grades. I wanted to do more with my life especially to help other people. I think that this life is too short to be selfish and too long to spend solitary. We all need one another and I wanted to give something back to the world, be it big or small. Out of the blue, UWC came into my mind and out of curiosity I decided to do a little Google search. This is when I found UWC Atlantic and a new love bloomed! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I then decided to apply. I was unsure about whether I would get offered a place, and remember thinking at that stage that well, if anything happened, it could only get better. So with that in mind, I called the lovely admissions registrar, Ms Bishop. She was so helpful and friendly and before I knew it, I was sending her my complete application. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Checking my inbox for my emails one day, I then saw an email from Ms Bishop - a request for an interview with the Vice Principal! I was so happy that day that despite getting a facial cramp, I continued to smile my way through it! (:(:(:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The next first was the first time I was on the UWC Atlantic campus. After I got the offer for an interview, I caused a bit of logistical chaos. My family had decided to take a nice long holiday to England at the end of 2012 (after my Chinese O's and before the other O' level papers I would be taking in 2013). This meant that having an interview over the phone or through Skype would be rather tricky. Moreover, despite Wales being wonderful, we had never included it in the rather packed itinerary. Yet, after some logistical adjustments, I found myself on the road to Llantwit Major where the school is! I am not one to be superstitious, but I am a literature student and so there was definitely some pathetic fallacy at play. The day we were in Wales, Stratford-upon-Avon (where we then staying) flooded while we got lovely clear, picturesque skies in Llantwit! That's nature talking(; </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I got there, I had my interview with the very warm and open Vice Principal, Mr. Nick Lush. We had a lovely conversation spent mostly on the topic of the wonderful Shakespeare! I say conversation because the stereotypical understanding of an interview is basically a prison interrogation that takes place in a room that's not barred. I must say though that I was slightly worried after the interview having said that the gas in the atmosphere with the greatest percentage was HYDROGEN!!! That's what happens when Chemistry and you are not friends... It comes to bite you in the butt! Luckily, everything else must have been fine since I was offered a place. Phew!</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> My dorm room joke must have worked... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So that is basically my UWC story till now. I have started a countdown timer so that I don't have to keep counting dates on a calendar. I know I have 33 more days to go... Till then though, my UWC journey is in abeyance!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But before I end, I want to share this with you. Always believe in yourself and take risks. I think that that is the main lesson I have learnt from all this. Life works in funny ways and sometimes only many years down the road do we see the connections in the little things that happen over the course of our lives. Since nothing is immediate, sometimes we just have to take a leap of faith. Because without it, we might be compromising or even completely closing a huge opportunity that is waiting with open arms for us. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To use the words of another because they put it so much more elegantly, "<em>Don't stop believing, hold onto that feeling...</em>" - Don't Stop Believin', Journey</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Claire Seahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13414683813765357386noreply@blogger.com0