[: Starting School :]

So, I had my first day of school today. It was goooood.
The uniform is so cute. White shirt, black and red tie, black blazer [with school emblem], black skirt, white socks, black flat leather shoes. I'll try get a photo up for you.
The walk up to school was really weird, I kept passing cows, haha, and it is sort of at the top of a hill.
The school is so small! Only about 200 people. But the people I've met so far are great! There are only 2 classes in my year [not many at all] but I just love sitting there and listening to all the accents. The girls are lovely and accepting, and the fellas are so funny!!
I'm really glad it went so well.
I sorted out my subjects and am taking English, Maths [ew], History, Business Studies, Home Economics, Art...and...I think thats it. There weren't many to choose from but it should be good.
Hehe. I keep catching myself thinking or responding with an slight Irish accents. Yay!
Anywho, my throat is parched so off I go.
-Rachel

[: Here at last :]

I made it!
Monaghan, Ireland. I'm here. =]
The flight wasn't too bad...the coach trip took forever...but it's ok because my host family is far better than I could've ever imagined!
I'm living with Grainne [who is just beautiful and fantastic and so so lovely] and her boyfriend [Brendan who seems pretty nice] and Megan. Megan Megan Megan. Where do I start? She is the most adorable 2 year old I have ever met. She has an incredibly strong accent so I have no idea what shes saying half the time, but she's mega cheerful and has the most animated face ever! Love her to pieces. Lisa, the other German exchange student, is awesome as well. We get along really well, and I think she's just as excited about everything as I am.
Yesterday I got my new school uniform [I'll post photos when I get the chance], and a new sim card. If you want to txt or call me you can on 0872651062. Still in the process of setting myself up but everything is fun fun fun!
Lisa and I woke up this morning to the most bizarre noise. We couldn't figure out what it was till I looked out our bedroom and saw a whole lot of cows. Haha. This country in beautiful! All the houses are so cute, there is green for miles and so many cows, sheep, horses and donkeys! Yay!
Also, Jo got me sick. POO! Jo is one of my Kiwi buddies who I flew with and went on camp with. We've had some fantastic laughs...but she got really sick with a flu...and decided to give it to me. Haha. But fret not. I got lozenges and stuff to make it go away. haha
I managed to ring home and to a couple of friends last night/this morning, so I'm full of love. So good to here your voices.
I miss everyone, but I'm having a blast!
-Rachel

[: Back in Hethrow :]

I've spent the last week at Winchester University for the Language and Culture Camp, and have had a wicked time.
SHIT! I have 10 minutes left on the net that I've paid for and they've just opened our gate for our flight >.< class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">London is big...and expensive. Saw all the touristy stuff.
Met heaps of people.
Spent my days with Jo and Annabelle [kiwis] and Mick [Aussie]. Had many laughs.
Very embarrassed about my lack of knowing another language.
So much Swiss, German, Norwegian, Spanish, and everything else!
Having heaps of kiwi pride.
The food at the camp sucked...sucked bad. But everything else was awesome.
Miss my family. Miss my buddies. Miss everyone! Leave me messages! Send me txts!
Haha.
Anyway, really gotta shuttle now. Hopefully I'll be able to update soon. So much has been happening!
-Rachel


Oh, and here is a video of the scariest ride I have ever been on. Stealth at Thorpe Park

[: Exhausted but loving it :]

It's been madness. MADNESS!
Yesterday we arrived at Auck airport abt about 6:15 [too early], stayed there for like 3 hours, then a 4 hour flight to Sydney, 5 hours to kill in that airport, then a 23 hour flight to Hethrow [with a 40min stop in Singapore]. Chaos at the airport, picked up, at the camp, then into this wee town I'm currently typing to you from.
Now that's the jists of it. Let me elaborate.
Today/Yesterday has been adventures of Team Blue [us 5 EF girlies]. There is me and Anna [both going to the same part of Ireland and same school], Jo [terribly ill and going to Northern Ireland], Annabelle [Washington, England] and Sam [who has left our team now for Scotland].
We met in Auckland and bonded for about 40 hours before Sam went her own way.
So much has happened. The flight was dreadful >.< class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">in front of me for most of it pushed his chair back as far as possible the whole time, I felt crappy and the lady behind me kept whacking my chair the whole flight...and the movies were gay.
Our 5 hour wait it Sydney was dull...airport food is expensive!
Upon arriving in England we had some trouble coz Jo's baggage was accidentally sent to Dublin instead, so after sorting all that out [not sure if they've arrived yet] we got met by an EF lady. She looked after us until the taximan came to take us to Winchester University, and after arriving there we were out in 15 mins for a day trip.
So now, I have no clue where I am, I'm smelly, tired, angry, ill and loving every moment of it!
Can't wait for a shower!
-Rachel

[: Up to Auckland :]

Just 2 hours and 4 minutes until the flying begins. I'm up to Auckland today at 11am and then flying out tomorrow from there to England. Scary.
It's going to be sad at the airport. Quite a few of my friends are coming to see me off. Yay! I'm loved!
Anywho, I have to go jiggle my bag around because it currently weighs too much. Haha.
Hopefully I share something late tonight.
-Rachel

[: 2 sleeps to go :]

I have had contact with Grainne [host mom] and also Lisa [the other exchange student] now. It's all getting very exciting. Lisa is from Germany and is 16. We'll be at the same school which is good because it means no awkward sitting by yourself at lunch! Haha.
I signed out of school yesterday which was a big deal. I no longer attend Burnside Highschool! Wah! Freaky! It's small things like this which is making the whole thing more real to me.
Only 2 sleeps to go until I fly up to Auckland. 3 sleeps to go until I fly off to England! Scary.
But it's all coming together. I've just been buying the last few things I need and packing my bag [which is a lot more time-consuming and difficult than I would have realized] so I'm nearly ready.
Anywho, I'll keep you posted!
-Rachel

[: Farewell Par-tay! :]

So, last night was my farewell party. It was small, just the people I shall sorely miss.
Much fun was had. Copious amounts of food. Many photos [which I shall try to remember to load up later]. Dancing in the kitchen. Singing. Laughing. Large amounts of drinking.
And now my head is spinning a little and my insides are angry. But it's alright because I'm not allowed to drink alcohol for the extent of the exchange programme...so last night I sort of made up for it in advance. Haha.
Well, I thank all my friends who made it, and with only 4 days and 9 minutes to go hopefully I'll get to see the rest of you before I leave.
Thanks again to all those who came. Photos will be up soon!
-Rachel

[And now for a few of the promised photos]