Things I STILL don't understand about the UK..

My time in the UK is drawing to a close, and after 10 months, there are still some things about life here that I don't quite understand.

1. No Outlets in the bathroom -  I don't understand this.  I just want to dry my hair with a mirror, is that so much to ask?! (*I have recently been informed this lack of outlets has to do with hydroelectric shock safety.  But still...)

2. No light switch in bathroom - it's a string. The first few times I was terrified to pull the strings (in each new bathroom of course) because, well, because I don't know why.  I just was.   Maybe I thought it was a prank?

3. Separate cold & hot faucets -  Many sinks have separate hot and cold taps.  Which makes it difficult to wash your hands in warm water.  Your choice is cold or scalding.  Good luck!

**Found this helpful video 10 months too late.**

4. Driving on the left - I'm better at looking right first, but I'm seriously concerned about my driving skills upon my return to the states.  Watch out, Nebraska!!

5. Northern English accent - It's so difficult for me to understand the Northerners.  It just takes so much brain power for me. Guess I will just have to return someday so I can get this down.

6. Which side of the pavement do I walk on? -  Left? Right? No one knows.  Between the number of tourists, and people who just don't want to run into others/are in a hurry,  you end up weaving quite a bit while you are out and about.   General rule for escalators: Stand right, walk left.

7. Royal Mail: okay, this one is confusing.  The deliverer of letters is the Royal Mail, but the letters themselves are called POST.   In the States, the deliverer of letters is the Postal Service, but the letters are called MAIL.  Who mixed this up?!

8. Welsh... seriously, it's difficult.

9. Town Names: Aberystwyth, Worcester, Marylebone, Edinburgh, Guildford, Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch and so many more.

I'm sure there are more things that confuse me still, but this is what I could think of at this time.

Does anything confuse you about the UK?  Post it in the comments and I'll see if I have an answer!

~Lina

Jesus is a Scuba Diver

Today was incredible.

First, let me tell you that I was not excited for today.  It has been 7 weeks this half-term, and it has been the busiest and longest 7 weeks of my life thus far. Between assemblies, chapels, water sports weekend, harry potter world, other weekend duties, GAP supper at Katrina's, Mocktails, and study leave, I have never felt busier.   When I woke up this morning I was utterly exhausted.

Yesterday was Lower 4 (6th grade) Cathedral day.  Katrina and I had planned a day of activities in Winchester Cathedral.  We, along with 9 other staff, walked 80 girls down to the Cathedral.  The girls participated in 4 activities throughout the day, participated in a Compline service in the quire, and then we all walked back up the hill to school.

The girls had:

 generic tour of the cathedral (led by myself or Katrina).
St. Swithun activity
Famous people tour
Calligraphy or Illuminations

It was a full day capped with house cover until dinner when I returned.  I sat in the office and literally didn't move for 90 minutes.  I went to bed early, and actually slept until my alarm went off (I've been waking with the sun recently).

Today was important.  Today was the blessing and ceremonial opening of the Jr. School's new buildings.  The Bishop of Winchester came and lots of parents - even one of the architects came! I had to wear a dress! *gasp*

I sat and listened to Bishop Tim talk about foundations.  Foundations are especially important to Winchester Cathedral.  100 years ago the south east corner of the cathedral started sinking - because some brilliant person wanted to build the cathedral on a bog - and it could have been disastrous.  A man name William Walker spent 6 hours a day, for 6 years underwater in complete darkness changing the peat foundations to cement.

I got to carry around part of the centuries old foundation today.  I held history in my hand.  It got me thinking.  Not only is this school community part of me and my "history", but I am also part of the schools history now. in 85 years (around the year 2101), when Swithuns could build a new state of the art building for the Jr. School, I can say that I was at the last blessing (assuming that I'll be alive at the age of 115).  That's really cool.

It also made me think about my foundations.  Jesus is my foundation.  I know that, but I also have questions.  After today, I'm pretty sure Jesus is a Scuba Diver. Just when I think my foundations are going to crumble, because something has challenged my faith or my understanding of Christianity, Jesus comes and replaces all my foundations with stronger ones.  He keeps me from crumbling under the pressure of life.


1 Corinthians 3:11

For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

~Lina

I work at Hogwarts...

But seriously, I think I do.

I recently finished reading all 7 Harry Potter books for the first time and am watching the movies for the first time as well (I only have Deathly Hallows Pt. 2 left).  I figured since I was living in England, I really had no excuse to postpone reading these beloved books.

Little did I know, how familiar these books would feel after living here for 6 months.  I understood the language (it's harder than it sounds), I knew the places, and I understood the school system (OWLs and NEWTs are the real deal friends).

I've had these books floating around my head for a few weeks now and today it hit me.

BAM!

I work at Hogwarts, minus the wizardry.  Here's my list of similarities between St. Swithun's and Hogwarts.

1.  Both schools have 4 boarding houses. Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin - Hyde Abbey, High House, Earlsdown, Hillcroft. (Editor's note: There is a L4 house and U6 house as well but only because not all the students would fit in the 4 senior houses)

High House on left - Main School on right

2. Each house has a reputation and color.  We have a sporty house, creative house, social house, and well, I don't know how to describe the last house. Colors are red, green, blue, and white (i think).

3.  The students are sorted into houses.  While we don't have a sorting hat (I WISH), the L4 girls are sorted into senior houses based on friendship groups, openings, and requests from parents.  Depending on the number of L4s they are sorted into 2-4 of the senior houses.

4. The House Cup. Hogwarts has Quidditch, and Swithun's has so many house competitions.  Recently, we had a House Swimming Gala where the 4 day houses and 4 boarding houses competed in 16 races. (8 events with a Jr. and Sr. division for each). Houses have also competed in Drama, Rounders (kind of baseball), Tennis, Lacrosse, Netball (kind of basketball), and Debate.

girls playing LAX on a weekend

5. Hermione. We do actually have a student named Hermione.  But also great names like: Kitty, Clemmie, Tattie, Izzy, Livi, Jazz, Astrid, and Honor, The girls here, like Hermione Granger, pride themselves on their academic success.  A* (read A-star) is the grade to get here.  B's are seldom and C's are even more rare.

             Note: The grading system here is VERY different to the American system. The system is as                           follows:

                                   90-100      Pretty much unheard of
                                   80-89        A* (with 85-89 being VERY rare. A* means university level work)
                                   70-79        A
                                   60-69        B
                                   50-59        C
                                   40-49        D
                                   Below 40  F

6. OWLs and NEWTs. They aren't actually called Owls and Newts but it's the same idea.  At the end of Year 11 (10th grade), the girls take GCSEs (General Certificate of Secondary Education).  They have been studying 8-10 subjects for 3 years in school and this test serves as a diploma basically.  If they pass they can choose to go on to college (11th and 12th grade) or they can join the army, start a trade, etc.  College is where they take 3 or 4 subjects more in depth, called A-levels (Advanced levels, I think).  A-levels are the equivalent of our First Year of University. 

At the end of 6th form, the girls can apply to no more than 5 universities.  All universities are on the same online application system.  A student may apply to Oxford OR Cambridge, but not both.  Then they wait.  A university then sends out offers to students.  Acceptance into the University is solely based on their A-level test results.  

                              ie: Aline gets an offer from Cambridge of 2 A* and 1 A.  Aline gets an offer from                                        Loughbrough (pronounced Luffbruh) for 2 As 1 B.   Aline scores 1 A* and 2 As.                                  Aline will not be accepted into Cambridge, but could attend Loughbrough.

7. Dumbledore. Okay, so our headmistress doesn't have a beard or a wand. But, she is in charge of all 550 girls at school here. She hires staff, accepts students, gives assemblies, and many other duties during the day.  Dumbledore's trademark is his beard, Jane Gandee's trademark is a dress and heels. Everyday.

8. Visits to town. Hogwarts students took day trips to Hogsmeade, the wizarding town nearby. Girls at Swithun's are allowed to walk or take a taxi/bus into town on weekends.  There is a school mini-bus (16 passenger van) Monday-Thursday that will take students into town for an hour, but many older girls like to walk into town on weekends with friends to go shopping, eat McDonald's, and meet their Win Coll (Winchester College) boy-friends.  There is also a weekly TESCO shop on Friday evenings for boarders so they can stock up on junk food and other necessities.

That's all I can think of for now, but there is probably more.  I will update if I think of more.

Hope you enjoyed finding out a little more about St. Swithun's!

~Lina