So I got a new cell phone.
Saturday night I went to the AU store to get a cell phone, the girl at the counter presented me with three cell phones I could get free with a plan. After much deliberation I decided on one of them, then I had to decide color, green or pink? I stared at both sitting on the counter for probably 5-10 min, finally deciding on pink. The whole time the girl the sitting there watching me smiling and waiting patiently. When I announce my decision she immediately tells me they are out of pink and only have the green in stock. So I get the green one.
Sunday night I am playing with my new phone, pushing buttons entering important phone numbers. When somehow I set of the alarm!! It's seemed to be some kind of security alarm to alert others that you need help, except I couldn't turn it off! It kept asking for a code, which I had no idea what it was. It would also say things to me in Japanese- NOT HELPFUL! Mind you this is the night before the first day of school, I had wanted to get to bed early to rest for my first day back. But instead I was trying to get this alarm shut off while not alerting the entire hotel to my apparent "emergency". Failing to figure out how to shut the alarm off, I could only think to muffle the sound until the battery ran out. So I took the cushions off the couch sandwiched the phone between them and shoved into the closet. Needless to say sleep was . . . difficult. But in the morning the battery had died and upon charging the phone up the alarm was disabled. I will try to not push that button again- if I can ever remember which one it was.
Oh yeah, the first of school was great.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
In Japan
I arrived into Yokosuka last night and am still very jet-lagged. The trip was actually very uneventful, especially considering my usual traveling adventures. It was nice when I got through the gate to see two of my favorite people waiting to greet me. Jill and Monica were both there with open arms. I am just amazed at how lucky I am that I left Phoenix hugging my wonderful family and immediately stepped off the plane into the hugging arms of my wonderful friends. Things here haven't changed, but then I haven't had a chance to get into the school yet where there will be new teachers and adminstrators to meet.
Now I get the start the fun of finding a new home, car, furniture, . . . And while I did get into the BOQ to stay for a couple weeks the entire base is booked after Sept. 8. So I am not too sure where I will go from here if I haven't found my new home yet. I am not really in a huge hurry to find a home since none of my stuff will be here until mid October.
Now I get the start the fun of finding a new home, car, furniture, . . . And while I did get into the BOQ to stay for a couple weeks the entire base is booked after Sept. 8. So I am not too sure where I will go from here if I haven't found my new home yet. I am not really in a huge hurry to find a home since none of my stuff will be here until mid October.
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Baptism
After leaving London I had the best weekend in Detroit. I got to go and be with some of my best friends who have become really more like family, especially since I just became the Godmother of baby Erinn, the most beautiful and precious baby. LisaMarie's whole family was gathered since this week began with the baptisms and will end with a wedding. They are such wonderful people! So welcoming and they made me feel very much like part of the family. I am so blessed to have made these wonderful friends in Misawa and then continue to becoming family. (I have mention how wonderful Joey is too!!)
And one more thing. . . I am moving to Japan again. I will be returning to Yokosuka Middle School. I can't wait to get back to traveling and seeing all my friends overseas. My family has been great and are very understanding of my need to keep moving.
And one more thing. . . I am moving to Japan again. I will be returning to Yokosuka Middle School. I can't wait to get back to traveling and seeing all my friends overseas. My family has been great and are very understanding of my need to keep moving.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Alnwick
finally got to go all the way into Alnmouth and then Alnwick where Alnwick Castle is located. In case you don't know Alnwick Castle is where they did all the outdoor filming of HP 1&2. It was pretty cool getting to see where all of it was filmed. The castle was AMAZING! I can't believe how big and magnificent it was. And people actually live there during the off season, I can't even imagine what it would be like growing up in that "house", the family has 4 kids (3 teens). I was extremely excited to be in their library, where they actually own the Gutenberg Bible, the very first book ever to be printed. They own older books but they are no longer housed in that library. There were so many beautiful books, I wish I could have at least touched one.
The towns of Alnwick and Alnmouth are quaint and lovely. They are on the east coast and are very devoid of modern things. You can look out into the countryside and almost believe you have gone back in time. One of the reasons movie makers like the area is because they don't have to change the surrounding area to accommodate filming in medieval time. Next time I need to devote at least one whole day there instead of trying to work it into just a few hours.
The towns of Alnwick and Alnmouth are quaint and lovely. They are on the east coast and are very devoid of modern things. You can look out into the countryside and almost believe you have gone back in time. One of the reasons movie makers like the area is because they don't have to change the surrounding area to accommodate filming in medieval time. Next time I need to devote at least one whole day there instead of trying to work it into just a few hours.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Tuesday & Wednesday
I can't believe it's been two days now and I haven't gotten lost. Needless to say, things weren't as exciting. Since I had two days with relative peace I will post them together.
Tuesday, took me to Gloucester (the "ce" is silent). That is where they filmed the first two Harry Potter's (HP henceforth), at least most of the hallway scenes anyway. I got to walk down the same corridors, see where Moaning Myrtle's Loo was, the entrance to Gryffindor Tower, and so much more. It was great. The Cathedral was also very nice and extremely interesting. Maybe not so much now since I remember very little, but I spent an hour on a personal tour and learned a lot. Forgot most of it already but hey I can remember later when the need arises. Gloucester is also the place where Beatrix Potter wrote "The Tailor of Gloucester", the story originated there and the drawings in the book are of the house in town.
Wednesday, was supposed to take me to Alnwick Castle. But a train derailed and shut down all northern heading trains. So they gave us many options, waiting for the trains to start again, taking a bus, abandoning the trip and getting a refund, or abandoning the trip and trying again tomorrow. I was amazed at how calm everyone was, if it was all Americans there would have been a hug uproar! But everyone just took it in stride, I even heard one lady calmly making hotel reservations to pick up the trip from there tomorrow. I however headed back to London to try again tomorrow and spent the afternoon in Oxford.
In Oxford I got to go to the Great Hall from HP. There were no signs or any special recognition of it except for the sheer number of people all happy to be crowded into the dining hall, much smaller than it appears on screen. I also got to attend a service at the Christ's Church. Very nice service, but I think that after a while I would not enjoy the somber seriousness of them (and I'm Catholic!). I also found out that Alice in Wonderland was written in Oxford and is based on a little girl that lived there. There are great literature references everywhere here!!!
Tuesday, took me to Gloucester (the "ce" is silent). That is where they filmed the first two Harry Potter's (HP henceforth), at least most of the hallway scenes anyway. I got to walk down the same corridors, see where Moaning Myrtle's Loo was, the entrance to Gryffindor Tower, and so much more. It was great. The Cathedral was also very nice and extremely interesting. Maybe not so much now since I remember very little, but I spent an hour on a personal tour and learned a lot. Forgot most of it already but hey I can remember later when the need arises. Gloucester is also the place where Beatrix Potter wrote "The Tailor of Gloucester", the story originated there and the drawings in the book are of the house in town.
Wednesday, was supposed to take me to Alnwick Castle. But a train derailed and shut down all northern heading trains. So they gave us many options, waiting for the trains to start again, taking a bus, abandoning the trip and getting a refund, or abandoning the trip and trying again tomorrow. I was amazed at how calm everyone was, if it was all Americans there would have been a hug uproar! But everyone just took it in stride, I even heard one lady calmly making hotel reservations to pick up the trip from there tomorrow. I however headed back to London to try again tomorrow and spent the afternoon in Oxford.
In Oxford I got to go to the Great Hall from HP. There were no signs or any special recognition of it except for the sheer number of people all happy to be crowded into the dining hall, much smaller than it appears on screen. I also got to attend a service at the Christ's Church. Very nice service, but I think that after a while I would not enjoy the somber seriousness of them (and I'm Catholic!). I also found out that Alice in Wonderland was written in Oxford and is based on a little girl that lived there. There are great literature references everywhere here!!!
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Rocky?!?!
Monday in London went by like a blur. The day began with me going to Leadenhall Market, they did some Harry Potter filming there. It was pretty small for how big they made it look on screen. But still it was very exciting to be there. From there I went to Buckingham Palace to watch the changing of the guards. It was very structured and everything was just right to change out the four guards out front. They came marching in (around 40 in the big hats and red uniforms and another 40 in black uniforms). There was even a band to play for them as they marched in. The music while marching was very royal and somber. Once inside the gate they started to set up to play some more. They started out very slowly, you could just here them over the crowd. There were people from all over the world, it was amazing to hear so many voices speaking so many different languages, some I recognized some not so much. But then the music was getting louder and a little familiar?? The whole crowd started to listen closely and then slowly you hear everyone say "Rocky????". The ROYAL GUARD was playing the theme to Rocky?!?! A little off putting but. . . well there's not much more you can say about that. The rest of their selections were what I would have expected from the Royal Guard playing in front of Buckingham Palace.
From the Palace I headed over the Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. I spent a lot of time there, nothing terribly exciting just very interesting. I did get to sit inside the theatre and watch as they were setting up for the next play opening this weekend. I left there to go back to the West End for another show.
And. . . I got lost again! But this time I ended up at the European Premier of the new Batman movie. There I was just feet from the stars and the Batmobile. The crowd was huge so I didn't actually stay all that long, the pressure and heat was enormous. Anyway I had a play to go to. I forget the name right now, but it was pretty good. I am more of a musical person so the fact that they didn't burst out into song was a little sad, but there was dancing. I got invited to go by my new friend David, a tour guide from the London Bridge. He had to go to this play so he could tell tourists about it and invited me to join.
After the play I found my way back to the Batman movie, hoping to see some celebrity leaving the theater. The crowd was much smaller then, but I didn't recognize anyone leaving. The main stars had apparently left another way and were already long gone. I heard a rumor that some Harry Potter stars were inside- but I didn't see any.
From the Palace I headed over the Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. I spent a lot of time there, nothing terribly exciting just very interesting. I did get to sit inside the theatre and watch as they were setting up for the next play opening this weekend. I left there to go back to the West End for another show.
And. . . I got lost again! But this time I ended up at the European Premier of the new Batman movie. There I was just feet from the stars and the Batmobile. The crowd was huge so I didn't actually stay all that long, the pressure and heat was enormous. Anyway I had a play to go to. I forget the name right now, but it was pretty good. I am more of a musical person so the fact that they didn't burst out into song was a little sad, but there was dancing. I got invited to go by my new friend David, a tour guide from the London Bridge. He had to go to this play so he could tell tourists about it and invited me to join.
After the play I found my way back to the Batman movie, hoping to see some celebrity leaving the theater. The crowd was much smaller then, but I didn't recognize anyone leaving. The main stars had apparently left another way and were already long gone. I heard a rumor that some Harry Potter stars were inside- but I didn't see any.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Sunday
Sunday was great, quick breakdown- Church, got lost, Church again, lost again.
Church-part 1
I got to go to Mass at Westminster Cathedral. It was absolutely beautiful inside, even if they were doing massive restoration. Afterwards I walked over to Buckingham Palace. Very cool! Didn't stay to watch the changing of the guards, since I would have had to wait over an hour and there are many things I want to do, so waiting wasn't on my agenda. I started to wander towards Picadilly Circus. Very exciting area with lots of people. From there I decided to get on a bus to Westminster Abbey.
Lost- part 1
The bus I got on was the right bus. . . In the wrong direction. Wish I could say I noticed but I didn't. Along the way I started to think that the ride was taking longer than I had expected but what do I know? I'm a tourist. I have decided I like the riding the double decker bus better than taking the underground. (The bus will be a story for another day.) From the top of the bus I noticed that there was a really great looking open market going on. There where TONS of people, you could barely see the road. I decided to get off the bus to wander through the market. I loved the market, got some tea and cookies. Also found some great pictures I loved. The whole thing was so much fun. When I was leaving was when I realized I had no idea where I was, since I was trying to leave. Finally I figured out I had merely gone the wrong direction on the bus line. Got on the bus and headed the right direction to Wesminster Abbey.
Church- part 2
Got the Abbey just in time for an afternoon service. It was AMAZING inside. And I got to sit in a very cool seat. I have no pictures to show, prohibited during serives, but I will have to find a picture to show you all later. From there I went to the Tower of London and the London Bridge. Both very fun to look at and intersting to learn how the bridge works. Leaving the bridge I decided to take a walk along the Thames River.
Lost- part 2
The walk was amazing. I started to head back to the dorm for an early night. But then noticed the Millenium bridge and decided to cross. Found St. Paul's Cathedral and looked around that. From there I had no idea where to go, but it took 3 hrs to get back to the dorm. All ended well.
I am now very homesick. And am ready to finally be home. I love you all!!
Church-part 1
I got to go to Mass at Westminster Cathedral. It was absolutely beautiful inside, even if they were doing massive restoration. Afterwards I walked over to Buckingham Palace. Very cool! Didn't stay to watch the changing of the guards, since I would have had to wait over an hour and there are many things I want to do, so waiting wasn't on my agenda. I started to wander towards Picadilly Circus. Very exciting area with lots of people. From there I decided to get on a bus to Westminster Abbey.
Lost- part 1
The bus I got on was the right bus. . . In the wrong direction. Wish I could say I noticed but I didn't. Along the way I started to think that the ride was taking longer than I had expected but what do I know? I'm a tourist. I have decided I like the riding the double decker bus better than taking the underground. (The bus will be a story for another day.) From the top of the bus I noticed that there was a really great looking open market going on. There where TONS of people, you could barely see the road. I decided to get off the bus to wander through the market. I loved the market, got some tea and cookies. Also found some great pictures I loved. The whole thing was so much fun. When I was leaving was when I realized I had no idea where I was, since I was trying to leave. Finally I figured out I had merely gone the wrong direction on the bus line. Got on the bus and headed the right direction to Wesminster Abbey.
Church- part 2
Got the Abbey just in time for an afternoon service. It was AMAZING inside. And I got to sit in a very cool seat. I have no pictures to show, prohibited during serives, but I will have to find a picture to show you all later. From there I went to the Tower of London and the London Bridge. Both very fun to look at and intersting to learn how the bridge works. Leaving the bridge I decided to take a walk along the Thames River.
Lost- part 2
The walk was amazing. I started to head back to the dorm for an early night. But then noticed the Millenium bridge and decided to cross. Found St. Paul's Cathedral and looked around that. From there I had no idea where to go, but it took 3 hrs to get back to the dorm. All ended well.
I am now very homesick. And am ready to finally be home. I love you all!!
Sunday, July 20, 2008
WOW!!!
So much as happened the last few days! I am going to focus on what I can deal with for right now.
Friday night was graduation, it was a VVVEERRRYYY long ceremony. Only supposed to last 1hr so we could be at dinner on time, instead it took 2hrs and we missed cocktail hr. But the main point is that I finished year 2!! I am so happy and proud of most of the things I did (some was crap, let's face it) but overall it must have been good since I ended with at 4.0GPA. Saying goodbye to all my wonderful friends was really hard. We all get along so well and have so much fun together, but then again we all scattered as quickly as possible once graduation was over.
Saturday was wonderful, and busy. Left my dorm in Plymouth at 8:30 am and arrived in London around 1:30. Checked into my new dorm room- cheaper than a hotel and safer/cleaner than a hostel- and headed back out. First stop was Harry Potter's house from the movies in Bracknell. It was pretty to cool to be there but not overly exciting. Not much to take pictures of since it is all in the movies. Then back in London I decided I might want to catch a show in the West End. So I stopped by a couple of those "cheap ticket" places and they actually told me the best price/seat would only be offered at the theatre. I was a little confused over them sending business away, but took them at their word. I decided to try Wicked and went to that theatre first. I was a little worried since I had heard tickets started at about £70, but it doesn't hurt to check anyway- besides it was starting in 30min so who knows if there would even be any tickets left. I ended up with a FRONT ROW ticket for only £25. It was an amazing show!! The cast was wonderful, I couldn't help comparing it to the soundtrack I love listening to and this was just as beautifully sung if not better for it being live.
Friday night was graduation, it was a VVVEERRRYYY long ceremony. Only supposed to last 1hr so we could be at dinner on time, instead it took 2hrs and we missed cocktail hr. But the main point is that I finished year 2!! I am so happy and proud of most of the things I did (some was crap, let's face it) but overall it must have been good since I ended with at 4.0GPA. Saying goodbye to all my wonderful friends was really hard. We all get along so well and have so much fun together, but then again we all scattered as quickly as possible once graduation was over.
Saturday was wonderful, and busy. Left my dorm in Plymouth at 8:30 am and arrived in London around 1:30. Checked into my new dorm room- cheaper than a hotel and safer/cleaner than a hostel- and headed back out. First stop was Harry Potter's house from the movies in Bracknell. It was pretty to cool to be there but not overly exciting. Not much to take pictures of since it is all in the movies. Then back in London I decided I might want to catch a show in the West End. So I stopped by a couple of those "cheap ticket" places and they actually told me the best price/seat would only be offered at the theatre. I was a little confused over them sending business away, but took them at their word. I decided to try Wicked and went to that theatre first. I was a little worried since I had heard tickets started at about £70, but it doesn't hurt to check anyway- besides it was starting in 30min so who knows if there would even be any tickets left. I ended up with a FRONT ROW ticket for only £25. It was an amazing show!! The cast was wonderful, I couldn't help comparing it to the soundtrack I love listening to and this was just as beautifully sung if not better for it being live.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
YAY!!!!
Today we had our PLATE conference!! It went really well.
As part of the MAET program 2nd year students had to organize a conference for the other students within GSEO. We were told about it only 3 weeks ago, and then only got one day to work on it in class. Everyone had to present two sessions, one on issues and one on applications of a technolgy. I got to do one on applying the computer into the math and science classroom. The other one was a discussion on the gains and losses of technolgy integration.
You should check out our site here. Be sure to check out the video on the bottom of the home page. Then within each session page you can watch screen captures and voice threads that give you most of the information you would have gotten if you had attended each of the sessions. Really explore site and try out the links. I have included the gallery from the site for all to see our wonderful faces today.
Now we can actually sleep!
As part of the MAET program 2nd year students had to organize a conference for the other students within GSEO. We were told about it only 3 weeks ago, and then only got one day to work on it in class. Everyone had to present two sessions, one on issues and one on applications of a technolgy. I got to do one on applying the computer into the math and science classroom. The other one was a discussion on the gains and losses of technolgy integration.
You should check out our site here. Be sure to check out the video on the bottom of the home page. Then within each session page you can watch screen captures and voice threads that give you most of the information you would have gotten if you had attended each of the sessions. Really explore site and try out the links. I have included the gallery from the site for all to see our wonderful faces today.
Now we can actually sleep!
Friday, July 11, 2008
Week 3
I can't believe week three is already over. The last thing I remember is Sunday, but it's Friday now something happened. Let's see if I can remember anything . . .
Monday, I only know that I posted. And that is only because my posts are dated.
Tuesday we turned in our TPaCKs. Then went to the Fresher for a long evening of relaxing, our professors came out to join us. I learned how to play darts, and we convinced the bar tender that it was both Tuesday and Wednesday- we wanted both specials.
Wednesday, um . . .
Thursday, now that I remember- it SUCKED. Well actually only a part of it was bad. Class was fine, actually got my work done early. But then I got out of class. I was typing up my to-do list when my computer decided it was done. Shut down, no power. My battery died entirely before leaving for England so I have been keeping my laptop plugged in all the time- not very convenient for a portable device. But then Thursday the power cord went on strike also, or rather quit. My computer is a Dell and the only way to get a proper power cord is to order one, but I can't do that here, since it would most likely arrive after I left. So I went to Staples hoping for a miracle, there was not one. But they sent me to another store that MIGHT have what I needed. And then they sent me to another store that MIGHT have what I needed. That third store had something that COULD work, it cost 50pounds ($100) . And it does work but not really well, it'll do for the time being. So after all that, and the good cry I had, I only wanted to go to the gym and shower before dinner. Gym was fine. My shower however broke. The handle came right off!!
Now it's Friday, just have to wait and see. . .
Monday, I only know that I posted. And that is only because my posts are dated.
Tuesday we turned in our TPaCKs. Then went to the Fresher for a long evening of relaxing, our professors came out to join us. I learned how to play darts, and we convinced the bar tender that it was both Tuesday and Wednesday- we wanted both specials.
Wednesday, um . . .
Thursday, now that I remember- it SUCKED. Well actually only a part of it was bad. Class was fine, actually got my work done early. But then I got out of class. I was typing up my to-do list when my computer decided it was done. Shut down, no power. My battery died entirely before leaving for England so I have been keeping my laptop plugged in all the time- not very convenient for a portable device. But then Thursday the power cord went on strike also, or rather quit. My computer is a Dell and the only way to get a proper power cord is to order one, but I can't do that here, since it would most likely arrive after I left. So I went to Staples hoping for a miracle, there was not one. But they sent me to another store that MIGHT have what I needed. And then they sent me to another store that MIGHT have what I needed. That third store had something that COULD work, it cost 50pounds ($100) . And it does work but not really well, it'll do for the time being. So after all that, and the good cry I had, I only wanted to go to the gym and shower before dinner. Gym was fine. My shower however broke. The handle came right off!!
Now it's Friday, just have to wait and see. . .
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