Christmas Eve Traditions (and an update)

Hello Everyone!

I’ve definitely not been good at keeping up with you guys lately, so I’ll try to make up for it a bit now by giving you an update on my life and sharing my family’s Christmas Eve traditions … maybe I’ll make another post  about New Year’s traditions as well later. I guess I’ll start with the Christmas Eve traditions that way I don’t bore you to death with my “life story”.

              Disclaimer: There are countless traditions for American families to have when it comes to Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Christmas Day traditions tend to be similar – and by similar I mean that there’s always a crap load of food. Anyways, this is just what my family does for Christmas Eve. What are your family traditions like? (provided you have any) Now we’ll be moving on.

            Christmas Eve is the big day for my family. It starts when we all meet at church for the Christmas Eve service. (We usually sing Christmas carols and read out of the book of Matthew and/or Luke and observe the Lord’s Supper aka Holy Communion aka Eucharist. I usually play some special arrangement on the piano or play the violin for a part of the service, but this year I didn’t have time to prepare anything. I did cover the tech booth by myself though since the other two guys who are usually up there with me are deacons – they had to pass around the things for the Lord’s Supper.) When my mother was a child, my Mammaw started fixing finger food for Christmas Eve, after the year there was some sort of beef liver fiasco. –Don’t  ask me what happened with the beef liver. I just know there was some sort of problem, and nobody in the family really talks about it haha–  Anyways, these pictures I’ve incorporated show what kinds of finger food we had this year. We always have a vegetable tray, dessert tray, cookie-cutter sandwiches, and little sausages.

For some reason, only one of my picture tags are showing up that describe what are in the pictures. hmmm. if you really want to know then ask about them in the comment section.

              After we finish our extremely unhealthy dinner of finger food, we all gather in the parlor (where I have everyone’s presents sorted next to the seats) to read the Luke 2:1-19. Oh, I probably should have said this earlier, but we open our presents on Christmas Eve since my Mammaw and Pappaw (Mom’s parents) leave for Ohio to visit my Aunt Phyllis (Mom’s older sister – only sibling) for the rest of the holidays. Even when we lived close to my aunt we had the same tradition because she spends her Christmas Eve with her husband’s family (they eat tex-mex in case you were wondering).  … So after Daddy finishes reading from Luke, we get the cameras out and start filming each other –one by one– starting with youngest to oldest. I’m an only child, so I always get to open my presents first, then Momma, Daddy, Mammaw, and Pappaw. … and that pretty much sums up my Christmas Eve tradition(s).

If you’re bored to death, then stop reading now – here comes my “life story” update thingy.

                I believe the last post I made (and the last time I really got to talk to anyone) was in July, so I’ll try to fill in the gaps from August to today. I always knew that senior year would be an extremely busy year, with applying to colleges and all (I think everyone else calls it “university” … nobody here calls “college” “university” – it may be because in the states we apply to a college within a university; I really don’t know), but this has been absolutely ridiculous. I started off the year studying for the ACT (a college entrance exam that tests over English, Math, Reading, Science, and Writing – the writing section is optional, but the schools I applied to require it). Apparently for me the third time in taking the ACT was the charm; I topped out with a 28 (out of 36) as an overall score which puts me in the top 9% of the nation – I still think it’s just a load of BS, but I really shouldn’t be complaining. In any case, it was a good enough score to get me into Ohio State University and Indiana University at Bloomington (my top choices) with a small scholarship from Indiana (I still have to wait for more information on financial aid from both schools though). Speaking of scholarships, that’s what has been taking up most of my time. All of the major scholarships out there require one or more essays – I’ve lost count of how many I’ve written now (I know I’m in double digits though). I know that I’ve already been rejected for one of the scholarships I applied for – it was just for a bonus summer trip under the USDS, so I’m not too upset. I also took two college classes this semester; History 121 (World History to 1500 CE) and Math 111 (Algebra 1 – the school told me I still needed to take another math class even though I fulfilled the graduation requirement my sophomore year; I didn’t feel like challenging myself with math this semester after what happened last year with Math 120 [Trigonometry], so I took a class that I knew I could sleep through and still make an A). History was a rigorous class, but I liked it. I still don’t understand how they pick out the material to teach us though. Some countries/cultures we learn a lot about, but I still don’t know much about Africa (aside from Egypt) or Southeast Asia. If I had to live with a native Central/South American tribe, I would be an Incan. … Just thought I would throw that fun fact in there (mostly because I still want to live in Peru for a year  haha) … I definitely know a load more about ancient China, but we didn’t cover much of anything on Korea or Japan (unless you count Chinese occupation/influence throughout the area). I also learned quite a bit about the Mongolian Empire; the most resounding fact that stuck with me is the staggering number of Chinggis Khan’s decedents – talk about a man “getting around”! Good Grief! Hahaha … But enough about what I learned in history class … My other classes for the semester were Scientific Research, English 4, Japanese 1, and Advanced Strings. Next semester I’ll take Government (as an independent study course), Scientific Research, English 4, Spanish 4 (well, it might actually turn into another independent study course – I want to focus on verbs), Korean 1 (as an independent study course – it won’t go on my grade card though), and Advanced Strings. If you can’t tell by now, I might be a little obsessed with languages now that I’ve returned from World School. Did I mention that I taught myself a little bit of Old English and Middle English? Hahaha … now to change gears a bit … I’ve also been busy with basketball lately; I love playing it even though I’m really bad. I’ve been a starter since last year, but that really doesn’t mean anything. I can’t believe that this is the last year I’ll get to play it on a real team though. … I also managed to wreck my car in the beginning of November. Never allow yourself to get scared while driving! You will make a dumb decision like I did! The road was slick with rain and I pulled out too fast – I had a rear wheel drive vehicle, it fishtailed. I probably could have pulled it out of the fishtail in time, but there was an oncoming car that I really didn’t want to take my chances with. I’ve always been told that if I had the choice between an oncoming car and a pole, “take the pole”, so I did. My airbags didn’t go off nor was I thrown into my seatbelt. I was completely unharmed, but the front of the driver’s side was a bit crumpled. The cost to repair it would have been $3,600, but the value of the car was only $4,000, so we took the money instead. Right now we’re actually driving to Atlanta to pick up a truck. My parents said that I’ll be driving the impala; it has even more miles than the blazer (the car I used to drive) but has been a much more reliable vehicle. Just last week I started driving on my own again. I thought I would be really scared, but it actually felt really normal. … I can’t really think of anything else to tell you guys that has happened lately. Ummmmmm As for things I’m currently interested in, K-pop is slowly taking over my iTunes library as are language learning podcasts. I keep up with Korean music through a youtube web series, “K-pop Music Mondays,” made by Simon and Martina. You guys should really look them up – Simon and Martina are hilarious and informative.

…

                I should think that sums things up pretty decently. As far as reunion type things go, Ricarda is the only person who has come to see us. I think Anu was in DC a while back too, but we didn’t actually get to see her. :-( I will probably get to go to the same college as another former World School graduate though. :-) I found out through my friend Dillon Ramos (WSIF2009) that Kinshuk Mitra (also WSIF2009) is at Ohio State University. I’ve not actually met up with him in person, but he seems to be a pretty funny guy – he’s helped answer most of my questions about OSU. Now I know I’ll have a friend when I go off to college in August. Isn’t it wonderful how World School has created so many ties?  

The time inbetween

Hey guys!

It's the time between Christmas and New Years Eve! The Time, most of us have free time to relax a little bit and honestly I really really needed that :D But it's also the time to think about the last year and make plans for the next one :-) So here is what I've figured out:

My last year was pretty exciting :-) I became 18 and so I went out partying a lot, which was a great opportunity to meet new people, which is always fun as we know from WS :-) I haven't forgot about you all, but since my last year of school started in september I spend my weeks studying, learning , revising and all that stuff! But it's close to an end! On 30th of march I'll have my last day in school, then I'll have my last big examns and I will finally have my German "Abitur" :-)

Now about my Next Year! :D 2012 :-) Big changes are coming and I am so excited I can hardly express :-) First of all I'll graduate but that's not that kind of a big thing for me (only god knows why). The thing that really makes me freak out are my plans for university, moving out and starting to live on my own (hopefully) in Cologne :-) Seems to be the best place for me ;-)
I want to study "International Culture and Management", but I may have to study something different due to the high fees for that course! Anyways, I'll be completely fine and I am so excited!

Hope, that 2012 has lots of great things to offer for you as well! And I hope that I am able to skype a little more (by the way I got an iphone for christmas (yihaaaa) and after it's arrived I'll directly check out viber as I heard we can talk worldwide with it (same with what's app right?! :D ) )

Hope to see all of you asap!
Love and Greets
Simon

Greetings From Australia!

World Schoolians! It has been far too long since I spoke to a lot of you, so here is a small update on where I've been and what I've been doing recently.

2011 is nearly over, and it has certainly been a big year for us all. I was in year 12 this year, my final year of highschool and well, let me just say I'm most grateful it is over. I know Aussie school-kids probably don't work ANYWHERE near as hard as many countries around the world, but my my, I felt like it was exam and assignment season for about 80% of this year.

June 18th was our Senior Formal, like a prom, held at one of the ritzy hotels in the Brisbane city centre. Everyone looked gorgeous, especially Luke, Jacqui and myself :) Perhaps I'm a little biased...

Sadly the lovely Wilson, our World School chaperon, was not able to attend the formal, but he was able to make it to our graduation service on Thursday 17th of November, the evening before we graduated.

School ending does carry a touch of sadness, but the more exciting aspect is now there are an infinite amount of possibilities of what to do with our lives.

Personally I'm looking to do something in development, town planning or sustainability (this may have been influenced by WSIF2010's housing theme). However I think that whatever it is that I end up doing, I know travel will always be a part of how I want to spend my days. I guess there are just too many international friends to not want to make the most of every holiday.

In terms of reunions, I think we are going quite well here in Oz. With visits from Rene and Jamie already, it seems that people just want to be Where Australia Shines!
I think thats all I have to say for now.

Hope everybody has a safe and happy holiday season.

Best wishes and all of my love.

Meg.

PS. I tried really hard to figure out how to put pictures in but I'm not very good at this whole blogging thingy yet.

Oh How the Time Flies

Hi everyone!

I’m so sorry that I’ve gone nearly completely off the map and haven’t done a good job of keeping up with you, but hopefully that will eventually change. For the moment, life is a bit hectic and it doesn’t seem like I have time to do any of the things I really like doing. Oh well, I’ll stop my complaining and try to give my update.
            The month of July has been a very busy one for me. After I finished up my summer college class I thought things might slow down and get easier, but, apparently, I was wrong. During the early bit of the month I went up to Ohio around the Dayton area and visited my family up there for about ten days. And, let me tell you something; driving for 5.5 hours without a break makes for a very sore backside haha. (Actually it wasn’t too terrible – just tiresome) At the end of my trip to visit my family, I then drove up to Columbus (the capitol of Ohio) to meet my parents (they had driven behind me on the way up because they were going to a conference called OFA) and tour Ohio State University (OSU). OSU was absolutely amazing! I definitely want to go to college there now, but I still have to tour one other school. Here are some pictures I took while we were there though:

The first thing that I thought of when I saw this was World School :)

OSU's Mascot: Brutus the Buckeye

            *sidenote* Because I have decided that I want to become a translator, I have had to start looking into colleges with good scholarships for foreign languages. That has helped me to greatly narrow my choice of schools since very few universities offer certain foreign languages. So to make a long story short, due to the languages that I am interested in learning I can only pick from 2 colleges that are east of the Mississippi River. Those schools are OSU and Indiana University at Bloomington. If you would like to know more about what languages I’m interested in, etc, then just send me a message in facebook or to my email – either one will work.

Ok, enough with the sidenotes. Once I came back home from Ohio I started working on filling out scholarship information and studying for the ACT. For those of you who do not know what the ACT is, it is a test similar to that SAT that is usually used in the south which tests over more materials than the SAT. At the moment I have a 26, but I really need to raise my scores to be competitive for scholarships. Thankfully, I can easily be accepted to both colleges I’m applying for since I have a high GPA with my slightly-above-average score. Anyways, studying for the ACT is probably going to practically consume my soul until September – and maybe October too.

I’ve also finally been interviewed for a job! That happened last Thursday actually. Back in late May I went job hunting all over Middlesboro trying to find anywhere that was taking job applications. While I was in the mall I decided, just for the heck of it, to apply to a fine jewelry store called Brooke’s Jewelers. I never really expected to hear back from them, but after the manager read my school/extracurricular activities/hobbies section on my application she decided to call me in for the interview. The good news is that I “have the job” because the manager really liked me and was pleased that I already knew so much about the different metals, karats, stones, and how to market product to the customer, but they can’t hire anyone who isn't an adult because of a company policy. Can you say “problem”? haha To make a long story short, the manager said that she does want to hire me and will give me a call in January (since that’s when I’ll finally be old enough), and she also said that she would try to bend the rules around Christmas since they will really need help then and I’ll be really close to being of age by then. Another nice thing about the job is that, since it is part of a chain jewelry store, my manager will most likely be able to transfer me to another store near OSU or IUB if I decide to work while going to college. So, I’m really excited that my first job will probably be at a jewelry store. Who knew that my hobby of making jewelry would actually help get me a job? Here’s a photo that was taken back in 8^th grade with some jewelry I designed and won first place with at a state beta convention: 

There’s my update of the month for you. Hopefully reading it hasn’t been a complete waste of your time.    

My India by PARAMAHAMSA YOGANANDA

Not where the musk of happiness blows,
Not where darkness and fears never tread;
Not in the homes of perpetual smiles,
Nor in the heaven of a land of prosperity
Would I be born
If I must put on mortal garb once more.

Dread famine may prowl and tear my flesh,
Yet would I love to be again
In my Hindustan.
A million thieves of disease
May try to steal the body’s fleeting health;
And clouds of fate
May shower scalding drops of searing sorrow –
Yet would I there, in India,
Love to reappear!

Is this love of mine blind sentiment
That sees not the pathways of reason?
Ah, no! I love India,
For there I learned first to love God
and all things beautiful.
Some teach to seize the fickle dewdrop, life,
Sliding down the lotus leaf of time;
Stubborn hopes are built
Around the gilded, brittle body-bubble.
But India taught me to love

The soul of deathless beauty in the dewdrop
and the bubble –
Not their fragile frames.
Her sages taught me to find my Self,
Buried beneath the ash heaps
Of incarnations of ignorance.
Though many a land of power, plenty, and science
My soul, garbed sometimes as an Oriental,
Sometimes as an Occidental,
Travelled far and wide,
Seeking Itself;
At last, in India, to find Itself.

Though mortal fires raze all her homes
and golden paddy fields,
Yet to sleep on her ashes and dream immortality,
O India, I will be there!
The guns of science and matter
Have boomed on her shores
Yet she is unconquered.
Her soul is free evermore!
Her soldier saints are away,
To rout with realization’s ray
The bandits of hate, prejudice, and patriotic selfishness;
And to burn the walls of separation dark
Between children of the One, One Father.
The Western brothers by matter’s might
have conquered my land;

Blow, blow aloud, her conch shells all!
India now invades with love,
To conquer their souls.

Better than Heaven or Arcadia
I love Thee, O my India!
And thy love I shall give
To every brother nation that lives.
God made the earth;
Man made confining countries
And their fancy-frozen boundaries.
But with newfound boundless love
I behold the borderland of my India
Expanding into the world.
Hail, mother of religions, lotus, scenic beauty,
And sages!
Thy wide doors are open,
Welcoming God’s true sons through all ages.
Where Ganges, woods, Himalayan caves, and men dream God –
I am hallowed; my body touched that sod.

From “Songs of the Soul” by Paramahansa Yogananda, published by Self-Realization Fellowship in Los Angeles, CA

THIS FRIENDS IS INDIA FOR YOU:B.AMRITH BHARGAV

Hey everyone!

Been reading the posts here and thought that it’s really great idea to have this blog.

So like some of you guys in the 12^th grade, I had also been very busy with all the exams and university stuffs. But glad it’s all over now; holidays have started for everyone here; Rene and Andy got 2 weeks longer holidays than usual which makes it 6 weeks of vacation (that is the longest one they have ever got I guess, though mine has been since mid April)

Unlike those of you guys who got to work to earn some savings, most of us here don’t work or take part-time at this age. Sometimes it’s not that we don’t want to, but it’s just how the condition here is. Like now I have more than 3 months of vacation and some of us got damn bored just staying at home doing nothing, we think getting a part time would be a great experience, but well it’s ridiculously hard to find any :L Maybe with hundreds of millions lives and high unemployment rate, there are people who needs the job more than we do. Our live here is pretty spoiled I can say…pfff

Anyway, just to keep it short and get to things that I want to actually share with you guys.. So here I have just returned from BALI and I suddenly remember about our reunion plans! Maybe some of you guys have often heard how beautiful it is and all, but seriously even after dozens of times going there, the island never loses its charm. It has everything, from beaches to mountains, temples to clubs, 6-star Bvlgari hotels to hospitable home stays.

I went there last week which was not the holiday season for Indonesian students, yet the island was jam-packed with foreign tourists mostly Aussies I believe. Made me feel like I was the foreign tourist there lol. Things were absolutely cheap for those living with dollars and euros. We could just sit on the beautiful beaches, or hanging out in the posh bars and clubs along the beach side.

This heavenly tender and juicy pork ribs only costs $9 :D

Or when it gets boring, there are ranges of activities we can do! They have this beach for various water sports..

Or this one for surfers..

When you get enough of beaches, head up to the traditional villages. Ubud (dubbed as Asia’s best city) with its art atmosphere, friendly people, small shops and cafes along the small streets was so lovely.

Oh and sunsets in Bali are always beautiful, it feels so magical. Especially while enjoying this Kechak (monkey chants dance) performance on the edge of this cliff overlooking the sea with its sunset as the background. Mesmerizing!

And I also visited this hotel which is famous for its RockBar! Yes the bar sits on a boulder right on the seaside; afar you can see they also have SPA on the rock. Oh yes and SPAs are everywhere in bali for cheap price and if you’re lucky you can get a very good treatment at very cheap price (around $15 for an hour Balinese massage)

Well it’s already a bit too long I think, the point is this island has everything you could imagine of a paradise and I really hope to see you guys there (doesn’t necessarily have to be the reunion, any of you coming here tell me!) hopefully I can come with you or at least I can tell you what and where to visit..

Cheers!

finally! some sort of technological thing i can keep up to date with

Ok i have no idea if this is going to end up on the right page or on some other random persons thing...i fail at technology. But i havem't spoken to so many of you in an absolute age...and i know its totally my fault, but whenever i get on skype nobody seems to be on (bearing in mind this is after i successfully locked myself out of my own skype...long story). Anyways so yeah, the life of cj is pretty standard Not much happening down here. Britain got stupidly sunny and then guess what happened...it rained. Oh the joys of this country. Am not as organised as leah and have no idea what universities i want to go to...but but but i want to be a lawyer. Reckon i would be good at it? At the moment i seem to be plaguing my time with trying to get a job...nobody wants to hire me! :( its been depressing times, but fingers crossed. Then hopefully i can raise enough money to travel somewhere or other and come see you lot :) I honestly did not think it would be this hard to get a job but apparently i am unemployable aha. SO yeah i never realise dhow dead my life was until i began writing this blog, but i am almost definitely sure that the moment i post this i will remember something or other really important to say to you all.
but i love you all, and miss you all. Ceej xx
“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.”

Choosing a University

Hey everyone :)
So my life is like Luke's at the moment... I've been extremely busy in Year 12 with exams, work and choosing a University for next year. In the UK you are only allowed to apply to 5 Universities, which I think is a bit different to the USA (where you can choose as many as you want I think). The Universities in England are cute, they aren't as big as the ones I've seen in the USA and Australia, but many have that old English atmosphere and look, many people have compared Cambridge and Oxford to Hogwarts!


Cambridge University, one of my 5 options.
Anyway, I'm not sure how many of you knew this, but I have been researching into becoming an international student in either America or Australia. I was trying to apply to Colombia, Harvard and Colorado in America, however I am required to sit the American SATs and while I was going to try and do that along with my British A-Levels, I just don't have enough time to do both. In addition, I think I have to complete two subject based SATs which cost a lot of money to sit the exam in the UK.

So......
After about 6 months of researching into Australian Universities (thanks to Luke sending me some prospectuses) I am going to a New Zealand and Australian University Open Day in London tomorrow (Monday 6th June.) This is quite risky as I'll be up there late and I have an exam the next day, but after all this research I really want to go to Melbourne University - it just offers things that the British Universities do not offer. Don't get me wrong, many British Universities are amazing - they are just not for me.

Sorry this has been a long post :) Once I get writing I can't really stop!
I love and miss you all xx

G'day from Oz

Hi there!

I thought that i'd follow the trend - and write  a bit on this blog in order to air my thoughts - and keep people up to date every now and again about what is happening in the always exciting life of Luke.

I've just done a big English unit - and I found this quote - that is probably relevant, it says:

"From here at home, to the ends of the earth, there's a whole world of stories, just waiting to be told.

I hope that everyone will share their stories :)

Anyway

The last few months have been intense, exciting, tiring, and yet - incredibly rewarding. I am in Year 12, the final year of schooling in Australia. This means I have a multitude of assignments, exams and other assessment to complete. I'm currently doing really well so far - so that is great too.

I'm still working at my KFC, it's good fun and fairly good money. I'm saving up for a car, for when I get my licence in September, and of course i'd like to keep travelling.

The travel bug is bringing me this year to Sydney, New Zealand and Malaysia. I'm hoping to meet up with the NZ boys when I go there in a few weeks. 

I also got invited to a wedding in China next year - so I might just make it there - depends on how much money I earn, and how much I spend!

I'm School Captain of my school - and I'm loving the associated responsibilities that come along with that. It sucks up a lot of my time, but it's great being able to do something a bit different - and work with a great bunch of people for the greater good of my school.

Next year, i'm hoping to go to university to study Medicine. Hopefully that will be in Brisbane, but it is very competitive to get into, so I might end up studying interstate. 

I have my formal (sort of like prom I guess) in a few weeks - so that is pretty exciting as well. 

And finally for now - I hope you are all healthy and happy... if ever you're down under, come and say hi.

Cheers from Oz

Luke :-)

Hello All!

Hi everyone,
Hopefully we will be able to keep up with each other more from now on, if you have any tips, tricks, or suggestions then please let me know. My goal is to upload something somewhat lengthy at least once a month - whether that be photos, videos, a life update, or any combination of those. I pray that everyone stays healthy and safe. Now, please join me as I embark on my mission and build this blog.
Your fellow WSIF2010 Alumnus,
Victoria