Farewell KSC

KSC and everyone i've met, you will be missed... and hopefully we'll meet again. This has been an experience of a life time.

Thank you everyone who has helped make this so amazing.

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The Farewell Reception

I can't believe the goodbyes have started already. It didn't seem so long ago that the international office gathered us in the flag room for breakfast and we all went round and introduced ourselves.

Once again the International Office gathered us all into their office for a Farewell Reception. It was really sweet and if they had done it on the Friday i would have cried! They presented us all with KSC mugs and pernament markers, so that people could sign your mug. It was an awesome idea which went down really well. When i get home i want to find some sort of spray or something to make sure all the signatures stay on, because i want to keep mine forever.

We then exchanged our gifts for our Secret Santa. I received a Spud Gun... and the spud to go with it! It was awesome! The poor international office were left with bits of potato on the floor afterwards!

Look at us lot, we're awesome.

After the farewell reception it was time to say some goodbyes. First up was Jonathan. It was a sad goodbye as he'd become a pretty good friend over the past four months. It was the first goodbye which was probably why it was so hard. Because after Jonathan, Priscilla left us, it was also hard saying goodbye to her, if not harder because unlike Jonathan and pretty much the rest of us, she won't be coming back to England. She does Texas proud and we love her and we'll miss her. I just said goodbye to Rich too (James' room mate, i went round to his room to watch Lost). It's all very sad.

The rest of the goodbyes i don't think happen till Friday. It's going to be hard. We've all become really good friends over these past four months. It's amazing how everyone got on so well, we were really lucky to have each other (cheesy but true). However, i don't think it'll be too difficult to leave, because everyone who has made this experience what it is are leaving too.

On a completely other note, Wes, took me, Helen and Emma up the hill and took us to a part which looked right over Keene it was an amazing view, shame i don't have a picture! Anyway, Wes spent the morning with us, after the hill climbing, he took us to the dam, and then ater that off to Brewbakers for Hot Cocoa. He is such a nice man, and i really loved spending that morning with Wes, Helen and Emma.

The Final Week

So here starts the final week in KSC. This time next week i won't be here, and that is the strangest feeling. This week is a week full of exams, papers and journals. Luckily i don't have so much to do. I have to clean up an essay for Mark (Early American Lit) Do my final take home exam (4 pages double spaced) for Orelup (US in Crisis), and then finally i have my British cinema exam on Thursday... i also have a paper and a journal in for Film Theory and a paper and a journal due in for British cinema but i have already finished these, woo.


This week of course isn't just the mark of a lot of papers and exams. For us internationals and national students it's a week of sad sad goodbyes. We've spent 4 months together, seeing each other round campus, having breakfast, tea and fun times together, to say goodbye to these people is by far the saddest thing i'll have to do. The goodbyes sort of started today as Sam gathered us in her room and presented us with a cake....
It was really lovely and i was genuinly really moved. However much she has frustrated and frightened me and everyone else that was truely a wonderful and sweet thing to do.



Tomorrow (Monday) the International office is gathering us all in their office for a 'farewell reception' where we will also exchange our secret santa presents. It's gonna be a sad day tomorrow. It's also the last day for one of my good friends, it's going to be difficult. And then it's Priscillas last day on Tuesday. It's just mad. Everyone is leaving. It's not going to be easy.



I'm sure i'll blog tomorrow with pictures from the farewell reception.

A Reflective Post

This really should be something i should type at the end. But this blog is just full of 'events' rather than my true feelings. I can't hold this back. I don't want to go home. Mum, Dad, Emma i love you all so very much. But this experience has been the best thing that has every happened to me. This really has been the time of my life. I'd like to thank Grandad and Annette for their complete support and encouragement for making me do it. There were times when i didn't think i could do it, but your never ending encouragement made me go on. I did this for me, to escape the quiet, shy, elusive girl i was, to build confidence in myself. Whilst i'm not a fully reformed person, i've deffinately changed. I feel like a different person over here. I have my friends all around me. That's another thing, the people i've shared this experience with have made it what it is, Helen, Emma, Sarah, Amy, Richard, Priscilla, Max, Jonathan, Chrysann etc this simply wouldn't have been what it is without them.
I'm feeling depressed to go home. I'm looking forwrad to Christmas and telling everyone about what i got up over here, but i'll be honest, i don't want to go back. I don't want to go back to a University which makes me feel stupid, i don't want to go back to a place where my friends aren't a second away (!!).
Really, like Emma (sister) said, this is just the beginning. My life begins now. I've experienced this, i've become a new person, and now i can go out into that crazy world and try to get by.
This lifestyle will be missed.
This has been the best experience ever ever. Thank you to my family for your support and love. Thanks to Grandad and Annette for your encouragement (and the plane tickets!!). And most of all thank you to all of my friends over here, and everyone at the international office. It isn't the country, it isn't place, it's YOU guys which have this experience what it is.

IFC - The Final Event

Ok, yes, yes. I'm the last one to post, yet again. I'm not quite as fast as the other two. But i have more important things to talk about, like the cricket. Looks like we're heading for a draw for the second test... it's better than losing but i'd much rather have a win. I've written a whole bulletin on my myspace about my thoughts on the cricket so far, but i know only one person would be interested in that. Still i will post a picture of KP, because he is amazing!

Anyway this weekend has been pretty fun. It all kicked off on Saturday evening, when we went round for dinner at a friend of Priscillas. We spent the evening with Jama and her husband Mark where they treated us with chicken and rice. Mum, Dad, you'd be proud... i ate Pumpkin pie, i hated every mouth full. I was told several times i didn't have to eat it, but i'd still have felt rude if i didn't. At least i tried, and damn it, i'm proud of myself! We were later treated to S'mores... this is cooked marshmellow, and melted chocolate, in between two biscuits.... delicious!

After the meal we went bowling in celebration for Sarahs birthday. I had a really good time. I was throughly amused by Emmas bowling techniques, a little scamper to the line, and the ball elogantly bowled down the alley (or sometimes into the gutter). When the ball didn't quite go her way she'd wave her arms franticlly in the direction she'd want the ball to go. It was amuzing. Though i shouldn't take the piss, i wasn't much better. My score wasn't amazing, but i do blame the fact that i had to partake in the stupid challenges which always happened on my go! Yeah, yeah i had first bowl background (knocked down 4 pins) and then bowl lying down (went straight to the gutter!). It was a fun night all round, i really enjoyed myself.

On the Sunday, the International Friends Club (IFC) took us on our final trip out. It was a trip to Manchester, a bit of shopping followed by watching Ice Hockey match. It was yet another fun day. I really enjoyed the Ice Hockey, people keep making it out as if i only like cricket, but this faster sports i can tolerate too. Of course i'm amused by the fighting, and the naughty people being put into a box. It was fun, there were fireworks, and crazy things going on during the intervals, music and all that lark, it was fun. (Though i have to point out that if you like that watch Twenty20 cricket, music is played constandly through that!). I really loved it. I loved being with my friends and generally having a wonderful time.

For now... back to homework.

Double Stuf?

And so, my Thanksgiving break is over, and what a Thanksgiving it was.

Chrysann, my room mate, and her family kindly took me in for the holiday and i truely had a wonderful time. So day by day this is what i got up to in the past few days.

Wednesday - We left Keene quite late. It was eerie being one of the only people left on the entire camous, it completely freaked me out actually and was wicked excited to get out of there! Anyway so KK (Chrys' girlfriend) drove us to Amherst, the place of which they live. When we got there we dropped off our stuff at Chrys' house. I got a quick tour of their very cute home, and we were off out. We then went to KKs house, which was also a beautiful home, i met her mum, Elizabeth, who invited us all round for dinner for the Saturday. We then went out for Lunch at a random place. I had a stunning panini, hmmm. I soon came to realise that i really do stand out round here as a random guy said to me 'Excuse me... but you don't come round here do you?' and so began the whole story of why i'm here and how long i'm here for.... the first of the ten million times i had to say it this break!!

We then went for a walk around Milford. It was a quick walk as it was quite a small place, but i enjoyed it all the same. We stopped by a random place on the side of the road where there was a random cow...

Afterwards i went back, got my computer sorted for the wireless, and met the parents! Ron and Arlene are absolutely wonderful people, thye made me feel right at home. They made us dinner, and then i 'helped' Chrys make cookies ('helped' being, i got rid of the remaining dough!)

Thanks Giving This day was exactly how i imagined it would be. When i thought of 'Thanksgiving' i thought of three things - turkey, macys parade and 'the game'. And well, darn it, i experienced it all. It started with the parade which went on till noon, then the game kicked off at 12.30, then after the game the family started to arrive. The family/friends being, Caitlyn, Chrys elder sister and her boyfriend Eric, and Erics mum and stepdad, and family friends, Subash and Meera (father/daughter). We enjoyed a wonderful dinner of Turkey (cooked by Chrysann) and veg. It was WONDERFUL! My favourite part of the day, or at least the most amusing part was watching Grey's Anatomy on mute. Now this is something me and Emma (my sister) have been doing for a long time, but i like to mute tv shows and make up my own stories, and well i wanted to do the same again. So when everyone sodded off somewhere i watched the show and came up with my own oreo based story. Eric and Caitlyn and Meera soon joined in, and Greys Anatomy turned into one huge Double Stuf oreo fiasco!

Friday This day started off rather well, because as i was making my breakfast, Caitlyn and Eric arrived, and they said 'we've got you a present' i assumed they were talking to someone else, but no they were talking to me and they presented me with this....

Yup. FOUR boxes of Oreos. They didn't know which types of Oreos i liekd, so they got my one of all they could find!

After much amusement of recieving four boxes of oreos, we all put up the Christmas decorations. I particulary loved this, as it was an activity i love to partake in at home, so i'm glad that i didn't miss out!

After that, me, Chrys and KK went to see the Trans Siberian Orchestra at Manchester, and they were really, really good. They are kinda a rock orchestra, and play predomintly Crimbo tunes, it was good fun!

Saturday We went shopping, then we had dinner at KKs house. KKs mum, Elizabeth made us a wonderful dinner, and i got to EAT squash, and i liked it a lot. We then went on to play a game of Scattergories, where being British became a good excuse for making up stuff and getting away with it!

Sunday It was a very lazy day. We went to see 'Happy Feet' which wasn't that good. Then we picked up our stuff, i said my goodbyes to Ron, Arlene, Caitlyn and Eric, then we left and we went to KKs for a bite to eat, i said goodbye and thanks to her mum and we were on the road back to Keene.

I know this is a wicked long post. But i feel like i've kept it short, theres so much to say about how wonderful this break was and i don't have enough space... or time to write about it all. Many many thanks to Chrysann, Ron and Arlene for their amazing hospitality, and also many thanks thanks to KK and Elizabeth for the two meals.

I'll never forget it.

Our Fellow Internationals....

There are more beyond myself, Smellen and Emma, and i've never even introduced you... bout time don'cha think, say hello to our fellow tourists!

Lets start with our fellow Wolvo peeps,

L'Amy (Amy) Well, this standing next to me is Amy. I love the hat that she's wearing in this picture. I plan to steal it someday. She's crazy cool and wicked fun. Can't believe we never spoke to each other untill we came here. She always has something stupid to say, that's why i like her!

Special Sarah Another Wolvo girl. She came to Keene with L'Amy. She reminds me of Emma. They are both lovely. She is wicked funny, especially when drunk. She made Halloween night with her crazy drunken antics!

Richard Thanks to Richard i now have a reputation for being "evil". It all started from one bad picture. He reminds me of my Dad and my Grandad on my dads side, for he's forever moaning and whinging about something, but does it in good humour. He will make an amazing grumpy old man.

The York Girls

Cat This is crazy Cat, from the York clan. I'll never forget the day i first met Cat. It was the first day of orientation and she wasn't there so Tim walked me to Nest 4 (as Cat lives in the same nest as me) to let him into the building. And we found Cat with crazy hair looking wicked tired. Poor girl only got in at 2am and we were banging on her door at 9.30am. She is wicked loads of fun. She deffinately has her own group of friends, but we love having her with us when she's around.

Mighty Max Ah Mighty Max, wonderfully random and crazy. She is Smellens room mate, and what a room mate to have. She's our crazy cool Spongebob Squarepants fanatic and we all love her... even though she has other friends *gasp*!!!

The York Guys

Jonathan One of my very good friends that i've made whilst over here. And when he wants to be he can be a wicked cool friend too. He's a fun guy, and he's ridiculously funny. He thinks of things in a way that i've never thought of before. I wish he'd hang out with us more because he's fun to have around. I really hope he keeps in touch when we get back to England.

James Ok so i don't know him that well. But i know that he was nice enough to let me go round to his room every wednesday night for six weeks straight to watch 'Lost'. I don't know him well, but when ever i have spoken to him (the few times) he seems a decent chap, a nice sorta guy. Bit forgetful mind....

Tom Ok so now we're deffinately venturing into the land of the unknown. Tom is more Emma's fortay because they go to the same class. He's a nice guy, he seems settled and, like Jonathan, seems to be enjoying the female attention (yeah the British boys are getting A LOT of female attention here!) But Tom seems nice, he turned up for Helen's birthday dinner back then, so he gets points for that!

Lucas Once again, i don't really know Lucas that well. Whenever i have spoken to him he's been lovely. I got to chat to him for a while when i went with him, Jonathan and James to see the screening of Jay Cravens film (a director that came to town). It was a funny night, at least in my mind, because we were the youngest people in the room. And also me and Lucas got in for free because neither of us carried even $2 on us!

... and Lee - Yeah i don't even have a picture of him, thats how much i've gotten to know him. Absolutely sod all. All i can tell you about him is that he has hair like Owen Wilson.

Non English Folk...

Aya The wonderful Aya. She is from Japan and she is staying here at KSC for the full four years. She just recently turned 18 and is an absolute delight. Isn't she cute? We always see her on her phone around campus, the busy bee she is.

Pauline and Cindy I love these two crazy girls. They are from France and will be staying here for a year. Me and Helen routinly see them at 7.30am for breakfast on Tuesday and Thursdays, and of course we are always happy at that hour! Cindy is actually in a relationship with Lucas, and they are the most adorable couple... ever?!

Priscilla The wonderful, gorgeous and super cool Texan. This is Priscilla and as you all know, Priscilla has been wonderful to us. She drove me and emma to Portsmouth, and this picture is from that day. I absolutely love this girl. She is amazing and she actually gets our humour, we can 'take the mick' (she loves the phrase) out of her and she doesn't take too much offence! I will miss her.

So there you go. That is everyone. Those are the people that me, Smell, and Emma, have all shared this experience with. We won't forget them, even those we didn't talk to that much. Some of them i hope to be friends with when i get to England (asides from the Wolvo crew of course). We've all certainly had different experiences over here. It's been fun. I will miss seeing these people every day.