Hello from China!!!

Well, I'm here and have finally managed to access the internet so can post quickly, although I don't have long.
Things have been great so far. I have 3 students in my little group who are really sweet, so that's fun, and last night they all took us out for a meal. Their English is absolutely amazing; it really does put my French completely to shame.
Everything is so cheap here it's amazing. You can buy food for such ridiculously small amounts - usually about 11 of us eat for under £10! And the food is really nice, although I have to admit I am getting slightly sick of Chinese food now - really want some English stodge!
Xi'an is such a beautiful city, we've seen some amazing things. All the people are lovely as well.
Now I have to go, don't know if I'll be able to post again but I might, you never know!
So please carry on praying, I'm having a wonderful time, and I'll see you all soon!
xxx

Only 5 more hours to go!

Well, until we get the coach to Heathrow, at any rate.
I'm so excited now! I'm sure I'm going to have a great time - it'll be hard not to really, considering as how I'm going to China.
For anyone who doesn't know, we're doing a summer school teaching English in Xian for a little over a week, then going to Beijing and doing touristy things too.
The only thing I'm slightly worried about is my being a vegetarian. Dave and Susie, the friends we know out there, said the Chinese don't really get the concept of a vegetarian. Although they also said that if I tell everyone I'm a Buddhist they'd understand because Buddhists don't eat meat! Not sure if that's the best way to play it, though ;)
Hopefully I'll be able to post whilst in China, at least while we're in Xian. I have to go now though, finish packing and everything.
Prayers would be very much appreciated, and I'll update everyone soon!
xxxxxx

Shopping Spree!

That's what I did today :)
First of all bought 5 books with my book tokens from Prize Giving. This is what I bought:
-The Dark Flight Down, which I have been waiting to come into softback for almost a year. The prequel is amazing, called The Book of Dead Days (I can't be bothered to link it) and it's really creepy and cool.
-Drowned Wednesday, because Garth Nix is just the best author ever. And because I stupidly started buying this Keys to the Kingdom series before realising that there were 7 and he's only publishing one a year, meaning I'll be buying them until I'm 20! Oh well, what can you do?
-Troll Fell, because it looked fun and I read an extract so want to read the rest now. I always do that, it's ridiculous really!
-A Hat Full of Sky, because all Terry Pratchett books are good, and the prequel to this was amazing. I like his children's books, because they're a lot gentler than his adult ones, and consequently also often a lot more clever!
-And finally my personal favourite, Camelot's Shadow, which I have been wanting to read for sooooooooo long on account of a) me being obsessed with all things Arthurian and b) it looking quite so amazing. I think I shall read this book last, so that I can savour the fact that I finally get to read it more :)

I'll let you know when I'm finished!
I also then went on a clothes shopping spree as I needed new summer clothes, especially for China because we can't wear anything that is classed as revealing - which includes strappy tops, anything relatively low, and skirts above the knee.
Only, by accident - and it was an accident, honest! - I spent £80. Oops. Well actually Dad spent £80, but still. I am going to be very nice and acquiesent for the next few days - wait, years!
I bought 2 pairs of trousers, 2 tops, a cardiganny-thing, 3 skirts and also a pair of shoes. So not bad really!
But still. I spent way too much. I was all set up to be thrifty (don't know if that's actually a word or not!) but then went and looked in Peacocks (I'm really into links today can you tell? (and brackets as well!!)),which unexpectedly had dozens upon dozens of really lovely clothes. So bang went the minimalist policy!
Anyway, I really have to go read a book now, so bye xxx
PS Don't you just love Waterstones? It's so tidy, and therefore so soothing, I love order!

Staying at Sarah's

I would have written Staying at the Clarke's, but the alliteration wasn't as impressive!
Anyway, for the last few days I've been visiting my sister Sarah and her family in Exeter, hence me not blogging for a while. Although I've been utterly amazed while I stayed with them just how much time Sarah actually does spend on the computer!! Seriously, Sarah, I think you have an obsessive-compulsive disorder :D
I had a great time though, many thanks to all the Clarkes. Activites included going to Crealy (theme park type thing), visiting a museum, going swimming, eating out at a really lovely restaurant and also learning how to play poker!!
It was really cool seeing everyone again because, considering as how we're related, we really don't see the Clarkes very often! My niece Anna is getting more grown up every day; it's really very scary (or maybe I'm just getting old - what do you think?!)
Today I have been obsessively reading The Da Vinci Code which I borrowed from the Clarkes. I'd been meaning to read it for ages, very nearly bought it for Dad about 3 times so that I could steal it but in the end just didn't. Have now finished it, and would highly recommend it to anyone. It was very very cleverly written and had lots of interesting information as well, although I did have to keep on reminding myself that it was fiction and I didn't actually believe it!
Tonight we have King's School Prizegiving, my last ever - end of an era!!
Oh, and on a slightly different note, Henry Box school where I am going next year have sent me a letter telling me to write two book reviews before September. Somebody should really tell them this is not the way to get enthusiastic pupils. Although luckily I've read enough of the books on their list to not need to read any more as well!

Leavers' Banquet

Class1
Originally uploaded by Estibesti.

I don't have much time tonight, but I went to my Leavers' Banquet last night and it was AMAZING.
There are a few more photos on my Flickr account if you want to look, and if anyone wants me to email all the photos I took then just ask!
Everyone looked stunning and it was really fun, such a lovely time, thank you everyone, you're great and I'll miss you all!

A little bit of deep Philosophy

So our exams are finished -
What now should we do?
Our workload is diminished
And I'm happy, through and through

Yet, a disadvantage
In midst of all this mirth:
Strangely unsatisfactory
To do nothing that's of worth

And what's this guilty feeling
I find lurking in my mind?
Such conflicts, and my head starts reeling
After all, I've left revision behind

And so to my conclusion:
I'm mad, that must be it
Searching always for differing things to do
When last week, I wanted just...to sit!