A few words for a lot of stuff

Hey everyone!
I'm so sorry it has been so incredibly long since I've updated you on my doings! My only excuse is that I was busy... I know, I know so cliche but it's the truth.

So much has happened but I'll try to fill you in with the things that come to mind now which are probably all the important points anyway.

At the beginning of November, I woke up early not for classes but rather to board, along with the other 150 second years, a coach to London.

London Trip is a four day vaction for us poor, stressed second years that
the school pays for to get us off campus while the first years get certified in First Aid.

(Picture Above: Rahel looking at a mummy in the British Museum... we also saw a mumified bird and mumified fish... we decided those Egyptians just got a little obsessed with mummifying things...)

Because most of us have been to London before and have all seen the main touristy spots like Tower of London and the London Bridge, we went other places instead. And when I say 'other places' I mean half the time we didn't know where the hell we were and the other half of the time we were hanging over an Underground map trying to figure out which train to catch to take us to a certain museum fastest.

(Picutre Above: Me in the London Underground... "Mind the gap, Mind the gap")

I really learned to love London during my time there. Perhaps it was because I had no responsiblities... what a concept!
Well, almost no responsibilities... a couple weeks before, I'd been asked, along with about 13 others, to help with a "thing" the school was organizing. I don't even know what to call it but the first night we were all in London, our little group piled into taxis which took us to the London Royal Society.
(Picture Above: We had good weather except here... oh the bloody London rain!)

All of us students had been chosen for a particular reason; we had the student council president, the girl who started the idea of Globe Lounge, etc. Five of us were also chosen to give small speeches about a certain topic. I was asked to talk about what a Peer Listener is and what it was like to be one, another girl talked about the Save the Children program, a german guys talked about INK, our studen newspaper, and two other boys who are refugees (one from Palestine and one from Congo) talked about how they came to be at AC.

(Picture Above: Us students at the Royal Society with our new principal Neil.)

We were all asked to dress nicely as this was a 'swish' affair. And indeed it was. The Royal Society is an ancient guild-type organization which caters to furthering the sciences. Our affair happened in a small room in the old building that was just bursting with carvings and gilt. It was amazing really. When the guests started arriving, our job was to mingle. Most of the people there were very wealthy potential sponsors for our school... and we were in the spotlight.

All in all, I found it a very strange experience. My speech went really well... I've never really had a problem in front of crowds and talking to people was interesting. However, I left with a funny feeling. I guess I was wondering "How could I have possibly shown these people how amazing AC really is... how could I have communicated this in such an environment." AC is certainly not fancy wine, well dressed people, and canopays... but I guess that's what brings the money in.

After London Week, I had an intensive Theatre Arts week. A Polish physical theatre company came and worked with us for three hours a day in preparation for a short performance that weekend. It was time consuming and exhausting (mentally and physically) but I have never enjoyed myself more. If I was ever to really go into theatre as a profession, this was the sort of theatre I'd do. Moving (not dancing) and singing ancient Greek songs and chants, we pulled together an amazing fifteen minute performance which I'll never forget.

(Picture Above: Me and my second year girls from Dyfed House at our Christmas party... gees, I love these girls.)

The end of the term came creeping in at a pace that left all of us past the point of exhaustion. The Christmas party was a more than welcome distraction and a chance to take off my dirty tee-shirt and hoodie and acutally look nice for a change. And finally, it was time to go home. My last trip home before that final one next May.

(Picture Above: A bunch of kids from my house at xmas dinner in the dining hall with the traditional paper crowns Brits always pull out of xmas crackers... I'm squished in at the back)

I've now been home for about three and half weeks and it's been wonderful. I've been skiing, seeing all my friends who are now at University and eating all the wonderful food I can get my hands on (which has, unfortunatly also resulted in me gaining five of the 15 pounds I'd lost by running every day this term... oh well... it was worth it :) ).

I leave this Tuesday 8th for my final five month term. There are a couple things to really look forward to though. Most espcially is the week long project week I'll be taking in March (over my birthday). I'm going to spend a week in Spain on the Mediteranean coast rock climbing everyday.... sounds perfect, no?

All of my university stuff is in and much of my holiday homework is complete. I applyed early action to Lewis and Clark College in Portland and heard back a couple weeks ago that I've been accepted... and what's more, I've already been given a $10,000 merit scholarship. It's nice to know that someone wants me already! Plus it's one of my top choices so I'm quite content. It is non binding though so I'm going to wait to hear from my other applications before deciding where I'll be next year for sure.

Alright... I'm off to Yoga soon so I'd better call it good. Hope I'll be able to keep you all updated more often this next term.

Much Love from the Reeves' house in Taos.... (kinda catchy huh?)

xx Malia