PinkTink's European Vacation!

[disneydreamer98]

Mandy called last night and was still sitting at the airport in Tampa waiting for them to get things straightened around and start boarding. Apparently there were some computer glitches throughout the East Coast as well as some bad weather to contend with. At the time I talked to her I think she was already an hour and a half late from her original departure time.

She said she'd be checking in here once she got over there and settled in.

[LynnieMouse]

OH I CAN'T WAIT TO HEAR HOW IT'S GOING

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[GaRain]

Yeah, we had some pretty bad storms here in Atlanta yesterday.
But I thought that she was going over there to work and to learn - not to vacation!!!

[trickster]

Yay....

Mandy is safe and well and has now arrived in Cambridge. :luxhello:

(Although she didn't enjoy the four hour coach journey from the airport. :no: Mind you: Who would?! :rolleyes4: :laugh4: )

They have bought 'mobiles' which they can return after 30 days. So besides emailing her, we'll be able to send the occasional text. :thumbsup:

[PinkTink]

Hi Everyone!!

I'm here, in Cambridge, and looooving it!! It's a great little city, and I'm so glad to have taken a shower and not be in the same clothes that I was in for 30+ hours.

We had great seats on the flight over...first row by the exit..we had about 6' of leg room and it was soooo nice!! I didn't get a lot of sleep on the plane and I ended up watching "The Holiday" three times, on and off ;-).

The four hour bus ride was NOT fun!!! I do NOT recommend it!! I'm sooo glad I'll be on the train for the next time I return to London (to go see Rich and Ann! :-) )..and it'll be about 2.5 hrs less time in transit!

Alrighty, better get going..even though my internal clock says it's almost 1pm, it's really almost 6 and we're going out to dinner to celebrate everyone's arrival.

Write soon! :-D

[disneydreamer98]

Glad you made it over there safely and have started to settle in!!! You have so much fun in store for you and I'm so excited for you!!!

[GaRain]

Glad you made it safe and sound. But tell me something, why do you really need 6' of leg room?? HA HA HA

[PinkTink]

Here are some quick pictures from today:



This is me, getting very sleepy on the flight!





Making fun of Billy who went to sleep waaaaay early!





Katelyn didn't get it, either!





He looked like Kilroy...





ENGLAND!!!!!!!!!!!!




Here are some misc. Cambridge pictures...





Where we're staying, the Warkworth House




The whole group in front of Regal's Pub...




Parker's Piece








There's a good dose for you ;-)

[POCAHONTAS]

Soglad you all arrived safely

[disneydreamer98]

This is me, getting very sleepy on the flight!





He looked like Kilroy...




Parker's Piece






Is that Worcestershire Sauce you're drinking??? :inquisitive:


Scary to think there's another one out there like you! :laugh4:

Parker was very excited you mentioned his name! :laugh4:

[SnwhtNdwrfs]

Glad you got here! And I love the fact you had leg room- that is always nice---even if some of it wasn't used.

Keep up with the pictures and all--I hope you learn a lot.

[disneydreamer98]

Glad you got here!

Since when is Texas part of the UK? :inquisitive: Just checking....:grin2:

[SnwhtNdwrfs]

Glad you got here!




Since when is Texas part of the UK? :inquisitive: Just checking....:grin2:

Haven't you heard---TEXAS is BBBBIIIIIGGGGG!!! :yes: :laugh4:

[trickster]

Excellent photos, Mandy!

I hope there are lots more to come!!

[PinkTink]

Just a couple of random thoughts on things I've learned thus far:

"The ish" means "the ****" as in "that place is the ISH!!"

Britons place condiments in places where its obvious to know you're getting them (at least in the two places I've been). Some locals called one of the girls "Mayonnaise" because she was from America, and duh, EVERY American likes pounds (the measurement, NOT the money lol) of mayo, right?? ::rolls eyes:: At Regal's the condiments were by the fire escape...and every eye followed us when we went to get some. OOOH, the ketchup packets are soo cool...they aren't foil, but like paperish..it's hard to describe.

One of my roommates, Holly, was in London for a few days...they kept calling her "American" and chiding her for being one....

Oh, Katelyn's alarm clock is so funny..it sounds like Jo the Nanny from Nanny 911 or Supernanny or whatever Nanny show is on. It says "It's eight fifteen...wake up!" over and over and over. And over again. Until one of us gets up to go get it.

We are three in a room...in the top floor of the B&B...oh, I forgot...I guess we Americans are weird because we number our floors 1,2,3, etc starting with the ground floor. Here, it's G, 1,2,3,etc...so when we were told our room was on the second floor, we were pretty excited to only have to drag our luggage up one set of stairs. Think agian! We've got the only room on this floor..so it's kinda cool..we call it "the Penthouse" and Billy's here all the time hanging out with Holly, Katelyn, and me ;-)

Today, the plan is at 2ish we're going to the mall down the road (I'm not spending anything..just looking..basically to get out of the house!) Then Holly and I are going to look at our schools (we're not together...sigh) At 5 we have a meeting and we're all going to Avery's Pub for dinner.

I'll post pictures tonight!!

[PinkTink]

Oh, Rich...quick question... "m" over here...what does it stand for? There are road signs that say "3/4 m -->" or whatever and it doesn't seem like a mile, and it's DEFINATELY not a metre....help??

Also, the UK uses yards a lot..I noticed that. Just a random thought.

[PinkTink]

Soglad you all arrived safely

Thanks, me too!


Is that Worcestershire Sauce you're drinking??? :inquisitive:


Scary to think there's another one out there like you! :laugh4:

Parker was very excited you mentioned his name! :laugh4:

No, wine..that was after the 3 Jack and Cokes (hehe)...British Airways has free alcohol...and has quickly become my favorite airline..Cheers, mate!

Yes..expect more pictures like that!

Yay for that! I'll have to see if I can get a picture of the sign, and he can hang it on his door!




Glad you got here! And I love the fact you had leg room- that is always nice---even if some of it wasn't used.

Keep up with the pictures and all--I hope you learn a lot.

Thanks, Gae!! I'll be posting pictures on (hopefully) a daily basis!



Excellent photos, Mandy!

I hope there are lots more to come!!

Thanks, Rich! There will be!



:uk_bigben:


Ok, how about this...talk about confusing..

a "fag" is a cigarette

to be "fagged" is exhausted

a "faggot" is a meatball

(all according to Rick Steve's)

[GaRain]

When I was in France, I was always given ketchup with everything - not mayonaise.

[PinkTink]

Here are some pictures!! Enjoy!!


Pretty self explanitory!










Pretty English flowers ;-)
























Wanna sign up?





Don't try this at home? Don't have to tell me twice!

Or once, for that matter!





Minnie and Bugs??? TOGETHER??




What Disney characters can you see??









I HAD to do it ;-)

















Where we're eating soon ;-)










Just for Parker ;-)

[trickster]

I'm loving it Mandy!!!

Yes, the 'm' stands for miles. But it could also stand for Motorway on blue signs... Like M25 meaning Motorway 25. I guess it's a similar method to your 'I's for Interstates!

[trickster]

Oh - I also loved the phone box photo.... Did it make you feel like you were back in Epcot?!!

[Annie]

I love the pic's Mandy, and am glad your havin a blast.

Can't wait to hear more about your trip.

[mini-v]

I'm loving it Mandy!!!

Yes, the 'm' stands for miles. But it could also stand for Motorway on blue signs... Like M25 meaning Motorway 25. I guess it's a similar method to your 'I's for Interstates!
Darn! I wanted to answer that one. I actually knew the answer. :laugh4:

[LynnieMouse]

great pictures!!!

can't wait to hear more

Enjoy!!!

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[mini-v]

Mandy,
My dd got caught on that 2nd floor vs 3rd floor when we went to Scotland. They asked if we wanted help with our bags, but dd said that if the rooms were only on the 2nd floor, we could manage. I just looked at my dh and smiled. Not having a lift available was a killer!

[jediprincess]

Hey Mandy don't fortget to go to platform 9 3/4 and get the Hogwart express to Hogwarts. Wait Hogwarts is in Scotland somewhere oh well have an awesome time.

[ChipNDale]

Mandy I am so happy you made it over there safe and sound!! Have a blast and keep up the great photos!! :yes:

[PinkTink]

Here are some more pictures!!!




Cambridge has this thing called "The Gallon Challenge" where you drink a pint from 8 different pubs over two weeks, getting stamps at each one on a little passport deal.....after you get all 8, you get a free tshirt! So here's the brochure/passport thingy..



(and you know me...I can't back down from a challenge!!)




The start of the Gallon Challenge!!





Katelyn and me





All done with Round One!!!






Thumbs up for the Avery and the Gallon Challenge!!





OH SNAP!!









This is part of King's College of Cambridge University:





They follow me everywhere, I swear!!






HAD to do it again!





We climbed up this beast of a hill at the Cambrideshire City Council






Katelyn and me





Thumbs DOWN, people!

[LynnieMouse]

it looks like you are having a great time!!!

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[PinkTink]

Oh - I also loved the phone box photo.... Did it make you feel like you were back in Epcot?!!

It's so funny..I keep thinking "wow, this looks like EPCOT!!!" and then I smack myself and say "NO, Epcot looks like THIS!!"

[trickster]

Hey Mandy don't fortget to go to platform 9 3/4 and get the Hogwart express to Hogwarts. Wait Hogwarts is in Scotland somewhere oh well have an awesome time.


Just to clarify....

The train they use for Hogwarts Express is kept at a maintenance facility 7 miles from us. (But it is always kept out of sight of the public!)

Platform 9 3/4 was used at London's Kings Cross Rialway Station.

And, finally, the beautiful scenic shots were filmed in Scotland!!

[trickster]

It's so funny..I keep thinking "wow, this looks like EPCOT!!!" and then I smack myself and say "NO, Epcot looks like THIS!!"


LMAO!! :rolling:


I am loving your photos, Mandy! :thumbsup:

And good luck with you Gallon Challenge!! :yes:

[disneydreamer98]

Mandy, you really need to learn how to come out of your shell! :inquisitive:

[POCAHONTAS]

Mandy, you really need to learn how to come out of your shell! :inquisitive:

YEAH, REALLY!

[jediprincess]

Just to clarify....

The train they use for Hogwarts Express is kept at a maintenance facility 7 miles from us. (But it is always kept out of sight of the public!)

Platform 9 3/4 was used at London's Kings Cross Rialway Station.

And, finally, the beautiful scenic shots were filmed in Scotland!!


Thanks Rich for that information. I was refering to the books about Hogwarts School being in Scotland somewhere. Not sure everyones knows on the borads or not Harry Potter and Star Wars is even with my Disney obession or should I say my love for Disney

[SnwhtNdwrfs]

It's so funny..I keep thinking "wow, this looks like EPCOT!!!" and then I smack myself and say "NO, Epcot looks like THIS!!"



:laugh: :rolling: :laugh: :rolling:

[ChipNDale]

Great pictures Mandy!!! Looks like you are having a blast.. Any studying going on over there? hehehe

[PinkTink]

So I figure it's high time I write an entry about school, the reason I'm here!

I'm teaching Year 3, which is the equivalent of 2nd grade, at Morley Memorial School, on Blinco Road in Cambridge. It's really a cute little country school and everyone walks there every day. I take the bus, but I have to walk 1/5 mile or so from the station to the school. My teacher's name is Mrs. Brown, and she's really sweet and nice. She's younger, so I feel I can relate to her pretty well.

Yesterday we were only in class for about an hour or so. I had a tour of the campus and then observed for my hour before we had to take the bus back to Warkworth House to meet everyone for our journey to the Cambridgeshire Council for a meeting with the head of education for Cambridgeshire. We walked there, and it's quite a hike..past King's College and the Cam River! We got there early and climbed this HUUUUGE hill, where we saw AWESOME panoramic views of the city, and despite the rain, it was a truly pretty view. We had finger sandwiches and got to do a Venn diagram on differences/similarities between Florida and the UK in terms of policy, ideology, and the like of education. We then walked home and Katelyn, Holly, Billy, and I stopped at the market and bought postcards for people back home. I only could afford 10, (with postage being over a dollar a post card!!) so if you get one, consider yourself lucky. Don't go looking for them just yet...I haven't even written them! After we hung out last night, Billy, Holly, Alyssa, and I all took a walk through a park near us. There were very pretty flowers and we took lots of pictures. When we got back to WH, we met up with a woman from California who is doing research here at Cambridge for the next three months! It was so great to hear an American accent again, let me tell ya! She's going to partake in the Gallon Challenge, starting today!! Yay!!

Today was my first full day at school. I started the day making sandwiches with each of the 30 kids in the class. We had tuna salad, chicken, cucumber, banana, cheese, lettuce, tomato, butter, and marmite sandwiches (not all in one sandwich..those were the options!)...and I prepared it all!! I was impressed with myself ;-). Then we had a music lesson with "Singing Susie" and that was....well...interesting to say the least. English children don't have music teachers, all of the music instruction is done by the classroom teacher, so this was like a "guest artist" thing in the class. She was kinda out there, but oh well. After music, we had a picnic lunch outside with all the sandwiches, and after that Mrs. Brown (Sarah) and I planned out what I'm to do for the next few days, and I'm excited about the lessons. I'm going to focus on tourism in Florida and different things they can do there. I'm going to see if there's a virtual tour of the Kennedy Space Center or something I could show them. They have "numeracy" and "literacy" as their two main curricular focus points, and my lesson falls into both of them!! (They also call math "maths" and that bothers me for some reason).

Tonight we're going to the Prince Regent for dinner/Stop 2 of the Gallon Challenge (stop 1 for Karen). I think Holly and I are just going to do a jacket potato (baked potato) for dinner along with our beer since we're saving our L's for London on Saturday!!

[ChipNDale]

Sounds great so far..

Did you already explain what the gallon challenge is and I missed it? Sounds like fun!!

Never mind I answered my own question!!

[LynnieMouse]

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

sounds like you are having a brill time!!!!

[PinkTink]

Committed the first (well, first and second I guess) faux pas(es?) of the trip.


Things I learned:

1) DO NOT, under ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, wear a "Kiss me, I'm Irish" shirt to a pub in Britain. Just don't.

2) Even though 227 years have past, apparently the British are still rather ticked about losing the Revolutionary War. DO NOT, under ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, tell a Brit "Yeah, we kicked your a$$e$ in the Revolutionary War." Just don't....it will cause your friends to run out and leave you after the whole bar basically goes silent...even if you have the excuse of trying to complete the Gallon Challenge.....

[ChipNDale]

:rolling: :laugh: :rolling: :laugh:

[PinkTink]

Before the aforementioned incident:

[ChipNDale]

:rolling:

The gallon challenge is kind of like Britan's take on the Drinking around the world do you think??? :martini: :beerchug: :martini5:

[PinkTink]

It's Cambridgeshire's take on drinking around the world I think!!

[LynnieMouse]

:rolling: :rolling: :rolling: :rolling:

[SnwhtNdwrfs]

Committed the first (well, first and second I guess) faux pas(es?) of the trip.


Things I learned:

1) DO NOT, under ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, wear a "Kiss me, I'm Irish" shirt to a pub in Britain. Just don't.

2) Even though 227 years have past, apparently the British are still rather ticked about losing the Revolutionary War. DO NOT, under ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, tell a Brit "Yeah, we kicked your a$$e$ in the Revolutionary War." Just don't....it will cause your friends to run out and leave you after the whole bar basically goes silent...even if you have the excuse of trying to complete the Gallon Challenge.....


Interesting things to know. You would think they would forgive us for the Revolutionary War---just a bit maybe...:hide:

[mini-v]

Committed the first (well, first and second I guess) faux pas(es?) of the trip.


Things I learned:

1) DO NOT, under ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, wear a "Kiss me, I'm Irish" shirt to a pub in Britain. Just don't.
2) Even though 227 years have past, apparently the British are still rather ticked about losing the Revolutionary War. DO NOT, under ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, tell a Brit "Yeah, we kicked your a$$e$ in the Revolutionary War." Just don't....it will cause your friends to run out and leave you after the whole bar basically goes silent...even if you have the excuse of trying to complete the Gallon Challenge.....
What part of "low profile" did you miss in the orientation? Good grief, woman! Asking the British to forget about the Revolutionary War is like asking the southern states to forget about the Civil War. Given a chance, I'm sure the British would still like to recover the tea tax from "the colonies".

You'll find there are many differences in language and culture between the US and UK. This will be a wonderful experince, if you don't get yourself beat up in a pub, and one that you'll remember for a lifetime.

I heard once that there are over 100,000 Americans in London. With the number of large companies that do business here, tourists, and students, you hear an American accent more than you might expect.

[jediprincess]

Committed the first (well, first and second I guess) faux pas(es?) of the trip.


Things I learned:


2) Even though 227 years have past, apparently the British are still rather ticked about losing the Revolutionary War. DO NOT, under ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, tell a Brit "Yeah, we kicked your a$$e$ in the Revolutionary War." Just don't....it will cause your friends to run out and leave you after the whole bar basically goes silent...even if you have the excuse of trying to complete the Gallon Challenge.....



Oh tell them to get over the whole war thing it pretty obvious the best country won and with farm equipment at that:laugh4:

[trickster]

I am sooooo loving this thread!

I am also sooooo glad you've settle in well and enjoying yourself too!

Just one word for you though: Maths!!!

[SnwhtNdwrfs]

Maths bothers me also!

[trickster]

.... What? do you need a calculator?!!!!

[Annie]

I'm so glad your enjoying yourself.

I could do that Gallon Challenge in one night, but thats just me I like a good drink.

[Annie]

We could take you up a bigger hill when we go Edinburgh Castle if you wish???

[ChipNDale]

I could go for 8 pints right now.. LOL

[Annie]

I could go for 8 pints right now.. LOL

You and me both Stac :laugh4:

[ChipNDale]

I'll be right over!!! :rolling:

[Annie]

I'll be right over!!! :rolling:

I'll meet you there in 10 mins.

What do you want I'll get them in :thumbsup:

[trickster]

We've just got of the phone with Mandy: She is having a fantastic time and is loving every minute of been here!!

[ChipNDale]

I'll meet you there in 10 mins.

What do you want I'll get them in :thumbsup:


What is a good British ale? I like it not too dark and not too light.. In the middle is good! :beerchug:

[trickster]

... A pint of Boddington's in the Rose & Crown always goes down well!!

[PinkTink]

Basically, you can't go wrong..because, let's face it..you're in a British pub for crying out loud!


*And it's so weird that Bud's an import here...It's a "duh" but still...it's odd!

[trickster]

BTW Mandy: Maps are ready to be mailed tomorrow and will be with yo Friday!

[PinkTink]

Thanks a million!! ;-)

[GaRain]

Would I not fit in because I don't like beer?

[mini-v]

We could take you up a bigger hill when we go Edinburgh Castle if you wish???
Edinburgh is a strange city in that if you go N or S it's straight up or downhill. Go E or W and it's fairly flat. After our trip there for Hogmanay, I've voted the Scots the hardiest lot; between the weather and the terrain, they HAVE to be tough.

Actually, I thought taking Mandy up Primrose Hill in London would be a good hike too. Great view of the city from up there.

[PinkTink]

So today we went on a field trip...on the city bus..THAT was an experience, let me tell you!!


I learned a lot about Cambridge and took a lot of pictures. Here are some:


This has the Coat of Arms of Cambridge





This is the oldest building in the whole of Eastern England...over 1,000 years old!!




This is where the atom was first split...






This is a mailbox..err, postbox..from King Edward the VIII's time





Look how narrow the streets are!





This is where the Royal Family has their tailoring done:






This stone was out in front of King's College





I FINALLY FOUND SOMETHING IN THE UNITED KINGDOM THAT IS YOUNGER THAN THE UNITED STATES!!!! This tree is only 200 years old....young'un!





A map of Cambridge with my students' hands all over it...




My Year 3's!






Us on a bus!




My classroom!






This guy's face cracks me up every time I'm at the bus stop!





I finally figured out what those zig zag lines are in the road!! They're to warn motorists about an upcoming crosswalk!

[ChipNDale]

Great Pictures Mandy....

Who would of thought zig zag lines mean crosswalk ahead! :rolling:

[trickster]

So, have you seen him on tv yet in the adverts? (commercials!).

[trickster]

Loving the pictures, Mandy - great stuff!!

[disneydreamer98]

Good Lord! This must have just taken me 15+ minutes to catch up on 3 pages of this thread up here in GOD'S COUNTRY! :wall: It was worth it though! :laugh4: Mandy, you crack me up and I really hope you survive your stay in Cambridge! :laugh4: I couldn't stop laughing about the two things you've learned while you are there! :rolling: Now I will just wait to see if I'm "lucky"! :sneaky:

[mini-v]

I wondered at first why the school took a city bus for a field trip, but then I remembered that school children ride buses for free in London. Is that true for Cambridge as well?
Good pics, Mandy

[LynnieMouse]

great pictures

[PinkTink]

So, have you seen him on tv yet in the adverts? (commercials!).

We only have two channels on TV...so we don't watch it!


Good Lord! This must have just taken me 15+ minutes to catch up on 3 pages of this thread up here in GOD'S COUNTRY! :wall: It was worth it though! :laugh4: Mandy, you crack me up and I really hope you survive your stay in Cambridge! :laugh4: I couldn't stop laughing about the two things you've learned while you are there! :rolling: Now I will just wait to see if I'm "lucky"! :sneaky:

Glad you're enjoying them!! ... now what do you mean by "lucky?" or am I just missing an obvious thing here?


I wondered at first why the school took a city bus for a field trip, but then I remembered that school children ride buses for free in London. Is that true for Cambridge as well?
Good pics, Mandy

They had to pay. I got a "family fun" pass or something for the day...it was L10 for four "under 16s" and me. The school took care of it.

And thanks for the compliments on the pictures!


great pictures

Thanks!!

[PinkTink]

Just a quick update for you all!

Today we had a "supply" or substitute teacher. It was ok..he had pretty decent control of the class. Also, later on, I worked with a group on their multiplication tables. Two kids are sooooo not getting it and it's killing me.

I'm also getting prepared to teach my lessons. I'm going to do them on Florida tourism in both "Numeracy/Maths" (yes, mathS...it drives me batty!) and "Literacy." I'm also doing a geography lesson on Florida and the states, too. I'm excited about it!!

Sorry for the quick entry..but I'm tired and I really have to be getting to bed!

[PinkTink]

Would I not fit in because I don't like beer?

I think you'd do just fine. One of my friends doesn't drink, and she's doing well!!

[mini-v]

I'm always amazed how many of my British neighbors know the geography of the US better than I do. It would be safe to say few people in the US know the geography of Great Britain as well. In London, a bus fare, single adult ticket, is £2.00 - $4.08 (half that if you have an oyster card - prepaid travel card). They don't have transfers, so if you have to change to another bus, you pay again.

When we were here in the 70's, we found it took us about a year to understand British TV humor because so much of the jokes were based on politics. There were few if any American television programs; unlike now. We get 4 channels now, but we still don't watch it very often.

[disneydreamer98]

now what do you mean by "lucky?" or am I just missing an obvious thing here?






You're just missing the obvious....you said that you only bought 10 postcards and that if you were one of the people to get one, you should consider yourself "lucky"! :grin2:

[PinkTink]

I am veyr drunk right now. we met 2 af guys from base and they did the glalon challenge in 4 hours. new goal!! have a good night!

[PinkTink]

Wooooah sorry about that post, folks!! LOL...

Yes, we met up with some USAF guys that are stationed over here in Cambridge...they're lots of fun and cute!! They just called us to see if we wanted anything "American" from base, since they're meeting us in town and we're finishing up the Gallon Challenge today...how sweet, huh?? We requested Mountain Dew and Crunch Bars...both of which aren't sold in stores here.

Oh, here's a picture of us with them last night at the pub we met them at....



We're going out now..don't wait up!! ;-)

[disneydreamer98]

I am veyr drunk right now. we met 2 af guys from base and they did the glalon challenge in 4 hours. new goal!! have a good night!

:laugh4: At least you spelled the words correctly in the PM you sent me! I'm still trying to figure out how you went out to a club at 1 AM and then made it back and have already posted! :rolleyes4: Just glad to see that you made it back safely!

[disneydreamer98]

We're going out now..don't wait up!! ;-)

Behave yourself! Don't do anything Deb wouldn't do! Well....that kinda rules out just about everything doesn't it?!?! :laugh:

[PinkTink]

I'm still here..they got hung up on base so they'll be here in about 10 minutes.

For now, here's a funny video from last night:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=JzXxb7MeK74

[trickster]

Is Cambridge still standing?!!!!

Only joking - Glad to see you're having a good time and letting you hair down!!

[mini-v]

Wooooah sorry about that post, folks!! LOL...

Yes, we met up with some USAF guys that are stationed over here in Cambridge...they're lots of fun and cute!! They just called us to see if we wanted anything "American" from base, since they're meeting us in town and we're finishing up the Gallon Challenge today...how sweet, huh?? We requested Mountain Dew and Crunch Bars...both of which aren't sold in stores here.


You're in the UK less than a week and you're already looking for American foods! (You forgot to ask for Ranch dressing. lol)

[LynnieMouse]

I am veyr drunk right now. we met 2 af guys from base and they did the glalon challenge in 4 hours. new goal!! have a good night!




:rolling: :rolling: :rolling: :rolling: :rolling: :rolling: :rolling: :rolling: :rolling: :rolling:

[trickster]

Sat here eagerly waiting for the latest installments (and photos)!!!

[disneydreamer98]

For now, here's a funny video from last night:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=JzXxb7MeK74


UGH! Dial up! :wall: I'll have to watch it when we get back home!

[disneydreamer98]

Sat here eagerly waiting for the latest installments (and photos)!!!

Apparently you didn't sit and wait long enough since she has just woke up and signed in! :laugh4:

[PinkTink]

Katelyn, Holly, and I are about to leave for the night with Beau and Brady :-D

I PROMISE I'll update tonight or tomorrow!!!

[disneydreamer98]

Katelyn, Holly, and I are about to leave for the night with Beau and Brady :-D



Do you think those are their real names? They sound like soap opera actors names....like Ridge and Thorn :inquisitive:

[disneydreamer98]

Katelyn, Holly, and I are about to leave for the night with Beau and Brady :-D

2 guys...3 girls...bet they are feeling pretty good about those odds! Especially if Mandy plans on participating in another gallon challenge! :laugh4:

[disneydreamer98]

Their real names are probably Tom and Tim...or Bill and Bob...or Sam and Steve.

[PinkTink]

Their real names are probably Tom and Tim...or Bill and Bob...or Sam and Steve.

No...I've seen their military ID's...they're Brady James D...... and Beau Peter P.....

I promise!!



And Wednesday, they're taking us "punting" which is like the gondolas in Venice, only you rent the boat, and the guys are doing the steering and story telling...this could get interesting!!

[GaRain]

And school?????

I am still curious about the #'s.....3 girls, 2 guys - y'all need to find another guy!!

[SnwhtNdwrfs]

I bet the guys don't mind the numbers!

[LynnieMouse]

I bet the guys don't mind the numbers!

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

[disneydreamer98]

Still waiting for our promised update and photos! :inquisitive:

[trickster]

.... Yeah, me too!!

[LynnieMouse]

we want more

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[PinkTink]

ok ok ok let me write it and I'll post it here ASAP!!

[SnwhtNdwrfs]

I'm waiting.... It has been a few minutes.... come on!!!!

[PinkTink]

Whew.

Where to begin?

I guess I’ll start with Friday. We all had a LONG day at school and by time we got home, we were all like “WE NEED A DRINK!!” So we waited till after dinner and went out to two south-easternish pubs…the Anchor and the Granda. (The Anchor is the site of the video posting).

Here I am about to enjoy the third round of the Gallon Challenge:



After going to the Anchor, we went venturing towards the Granda, not knowing where the h – e – double-hockey-sticks it was (we consumed more than one beverage a piece, and it was very dark).

Here are Katelyn, Holly, and me enjoying round four of the Gallon Challenge at the Granda:




Mmm-mmm good!


We finally found the Granda and were sitting outside when out pops these two guys, one triumphantly holding up a Gallon Challenge t-shirt. I stopped them (more like drunkenly shouted to them across the courtyard …. coughcough) and started up a conversation. Then we got a picture with them:



Come to find out, they’re in the USAF stationed in Cambridge! The one with the shirt’s name is Beau, the one next to me is Brady.

So we figured, since Beau and Brady (well, Beau, since Brady was the DD) had finished the GC, they should help us find two more pubs to go to that night, since we had nothing better to do but go back to the room and be bored. We went to one more pub before calling it a night and me making my infamous drunken post.

Beau decided to wear his shirt, and here’s what the back looks like:


The next day, Beau called me to see what was going on. After waking up at the crack of noon, we decided it’d be fun to finish the GC! However, Holly wasn’t feeling well (the cold she’d been fighting for a few days caught up with her) and so Katelyn and I were the only ones going. They called right before they left and asked if we wanted anything from base that was American…and we were craving Mountain Dew and Crunch Bars. Here’s a picture of us at the Prince Regent, the site of the faux pas heard ‘round the world (Katelyn hadn’t gone before), so I lurked in the back.





Then we walked…and walked….and walked..and walked…and walked to the final two stops after going to the Eagle on the way. Here’s a picture of Brady and me at the Boathouse:



FINALLY we made it to the Baron of Beef, our FINAL STOP ON THE GALLON CHALLENGE!!!







MISSION: ACCOMPLISHED!!!




Us with Brady and Beau ;-)




And of course, I had to continue my wooden indian picture series!

[trickster]

About time!! Only joking!!

[trickster]

Great stuff, Mandy.... So how is the teaching going???

Also, of the 8 pints - How many did you actually like?...

[PinkTink]

Great stuff, Mandy.... So how is the teaching going???

Also, of the 8 pints - How many did you actually like?...


Teaching is going very well..that'll be the next entry....



And I loved each one. Mostly I had Greene King IPA and Speckled Hen.

[trickster]

Speckled Hen is quite nice!

.... (Rich thinking to himself) "I hope Mandy isn't wanting to go drinking her way around Lancaster and Northern England every night?!!!"

LOL!!! :D

[PinkTink]

No..I have ale oozing out of my pores...I've drank enough for a while!

[ChipNDale]

England is just like WDW!!! First the telephone booth and then the Indian... What next.. Mickey walking down the Street?


Great pictures and congrats on the gallon challenge!! hehehe

[disneydreamer98]

www.alcoholics-anonymous.org

[disneydreamer98]

Actually...I think it best she not wait til she returns home!

www.aa-uk.org.uk/

[mini-v]

England is just like WDW!!! First the telephone booth and then the Indian... What next.. Mickey walking down the street?

Not Mickey, but Minnie is getting her passport in order and will be arriving in the near future. :)

[trickster]

Actually...I think it best she not wait til she returns home!

www.aa-uk.org.uk/ (http://www.aa-uk.org.uk/)

:rolling:

[LynnieMouse]

very funny Melis

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[trickster]

I must send a text to Mandy and see how she is - I just keep forgetting though as I have a lot on my plate at the moment!

[trickster]

2 weeks today Mandy will be with us - Yippeee!!

[PinkTink]

So my lessons have been going SOOO well!! I did a lesson on multiplying two-digit numbers, and the worksheet I made was on a Florida Holiday! Today, we did fractions and I incorporated the maps Rich sent me (thanks again!!). I was supposed to be observed (we need 3 observations in the time we're here) tomorrow, but my teacher cancelled (lucky me) so I get to do all three next week!! /end sarcasm.

[PinkTink]

2 weeks today Mandy will be with us - Yippeee!!

:yahoo: :thumbsup: :luxhello: :applause:

[PinkTink]

Actually...I think it best she not wait til she returns home!

www.aa-uk.org.uk/

Well aren't you a freaking comedienne...:slap:

[PinkTink]

I think it's time for another picture post!!


Yesterday, we went punting, which is a lot like a gondola on the River Cam...


Here's Holly, Beau, and me on our side:





King's College Chapel...yes, CHAPEL...





Brady and some pirates...










They sprayed us with water guns...we were sad...






This building (Trinity College?) has a clock tower...see where the clock should be? They can't have one though, since another college that they're in cahoots with built a clock tower first and it's against Cambridge law to have less than so-and-so many feet between clock towers/bell towers...so there ya go.










Bridge of Sighs






This is THE. ACTUAL. CAM. BRIDGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!







Pints...I mean, PUNTS... *cough cough*





Bridge of Sighs from the other direction...I think it's a pretty picture..it's currently my desktop!






Swans and punts






Our group!






They looked classy in their tuxedo shirts....the original plan was for them to punt US, but it was cheaper to do the guided tour.





Brady, me, Beau, and Holly






Roomies!!






Yes. My name is Mandy and I'm an alcoholic.






So in Cambridge, they're finishing up exams..and at the end, they have huuuuuuuuuge FORMAL balls..





And what do you know?? Our two tour guides happened to be in the finest of formal wear....







Going for it...







"Where's the party at?"






We were laughing pretty hard at this point!






Roomies on Parker's Piece!!






Air Force Gynmastics!

[trickster]

Great photos as ever Mandy!

BTW, Minnie will be soon on her way to the UK.... You'll be able to meet up again!!

[PinkTink]

Thanks Rich!!

That's cool about Minnie..oh, before I forget..I FOUND A SMALL MINNIE AND MICKEY AT THE DISNEY STORE HERE!!! I was all *GASP* when I saw them!

[trickster]

.... Small - wow!!

[mini-v]

Rich,
After Mandy has been in Cambridge all this time, you'll have your work cut out entertaining her in London! :D

[disneydreamer98]

The tux t-shirts and them getting into the line is just priceless! It just amazes me that there are other people out there in this world just like you Mandy! :rolling:

[SnwhtNdwrfs]

The tux t-shirts and them getting into the line is just priceless! It just amazes me that there are other people out there in this world just like you Mandy! :rolling:


And it is so funny that they meet thousands of miles away! :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

[disneydreamer98]

Watch out Cambridge it's the weekend....here comes Mandy!

[trickster]

Rich,
After Mandy has been in Cambridge all this time, you'll have your work cut out entertaining her in London! :D

That is true!! :rolleyes4: :laugh4:

[PinkTink]

The tux t-shirts and them getting into the line is just priceless! It just amazes me that there are other people out there in this world just like you Mandy! :rolling:

I, too, was amazed. I thought you said they broke the mold when they made me??

(oh wait, you're in luck..they might have..I AM younger than them....)


Watch out Cambridge it's the weekend....here comes Mandy!

Holler girlfriend...zsnap!


Rich,
After Mandy has been in Cambridge all this time, you'll have your work cut out entertaining her in London! :D


That is true!! :rolleyes4: :laugh4:

Nah...I'm easily amused!! Oh look, something shiny.....

[trickster]

... Or The Lion King!! ;)

[disneydreamer98]

Oh look, something shiny.....

:rolling:

[PinkTink]

... Or The Lion King!! ;)

That should do the trick!

[GaRain]

Mandy, what is it about you that inspires people to do gymnastics?

[LynnieMouse]

great piccies

[PinkTink]

Mandy, what is it about you that inspires people to do gymnastics?

Copius amounts of alcohol and the need to impress three American girls in the hopes of getting some American bootay.

[ChipNDale]

Mandy!! Great photos!!! And lets just say the Tux shirts are great and I know what the men are wearing in my wedding!! LOL :rolling:

[disneydreamer98]

Copius amounts of alcohol and the need to impress three American girls in the hopes of getting some American bootay.

Hmmmm...they must not have received the memo I sent out letting them know that you are a sure thing! :laugh:

[PinkTink]

Hmmmm...they must not have received the memo I sent out letting them know that you are a sure thing! :laugh:

Hey..I'm not easy...


just cheap.

[PinkTink]

Mandy!! Great photos!!! And lets just say the Tux shirts are great and I know what the men are wearing in my wedding!! LOL :rolling:

They were pretty classy!

[disneydreamer98]

Hey..I'm not easy...


just cheap.

:laugh4: Oh okay, thanks for clearing that up!

[PinkTink]

:laugh4: Oh okay, thanks for clearing that up!


Anytime buddy.

[mini-v]

This is a bit off topic, but I wanted to remind Mandy to invest in a paper fan...seriously... if it's warm outside when Rich takes you to the theater in London. The theaters do not have a/c, and it can get really uncomfortable in the Summer.

[disneydreamer98]

This is a bit off topic, but I wanted to remind Mandy to invest in a paper fan...seriously... if it's warm outside when Rich takes you to the theater in London. The theaters do not have a/c, and it can get really uncomfortable in the Summer.

The theaters do not have AC????? :inquisitive: Still in the stone age over there?

[disneydreamer98]

This is a bit off topic, but I wanted to remind Mandy to invest in a paper fan...seriously... if it's warm outside when Rich takes you to the theater in London. The theaters do not have a/c, and it can get really uncomfortable in the Summer.

Maybe Rich could just blow on her to keep her cool! :laugh:

[disneydreamer98]

Maybe Rich could just blow on her to keep her cool! :laugh:

:rolling: :laugh: Still laughing over the mental image of that one!!! :laugh: :rolling:

[PinkTink]

:rolling: :laugh: Still laughing over the mental image of that one!!! :laugh: :rolling:


oh my god.

[trickster]

The theaters do not have AC????? :inquisitive: Still in the stone age over there?


The theatres are old and most have not been refurbished yet.

[disneydreamer98]

The theatres are old and most have not been refurbished yet.

Maybe a little less wallpapering in your house and you could get on that!

[trickster]

Ha Ha Ha!!

[PinkTink]

Head -> desk to the extreme

[SnwhtNdwrfs]

Does anyone else read this thread and get an instant headache?

[disneydreamer98]

Well The Today Show hasn't mentioned anything this morning about Cambridge being burned to the ground or a mass brawl breaking out over a cras Boston Tea Party comment..... Wonder what she did last night?

[SnwhtNdwrfs]

I think she yelled "Two if by sea!" but no one really got the reference. Thus....no brawl

[mini-v]

Maybe Rich could just blow on her to keep her cool! :laugh:
So the theory would be more hot air blowing on one makes one feel cooler? :laugh:

[GaRain]

Copius amounts of alcohol and the need to impress three American girls in the hopes of getting some American bootay.

Funny thing is, I am pretty sure that is not why Summer started doing handstands behind the castle at the Magic Kingdom! :laugh:

[PinkTink]

Today I went to the American Military Cemetery. I took the bus and it let me off 1 mile away from there, and that mile was alllllllll uphill...a slow burn, let me tell you! I decided to go there because a friend of the family's is buried there, and she wanted me to bring flowers to his marker and take a picture of it.




ME's dad's grave








Inside the chapel




Model of battles during WWII




Looking from the altar to the end of the chapel, and onto the reflecting pool




A few of the ceiling of the chapel:















Very humbling....




I put some rose petals on ME's dad's grave and then I took a few back and I'm planning on pressing them and giving them to her




It reminded me of Arlington





I found this grave and he died exactly 42 years to the day before I was born



The reflecting pool, looking at the chapel:





The register:




My name is basically in the middle:



An official document/ Purple Heart from President L.B. Johnson:




From President D. D. Eisenhower:




From HRH Queen Elizabeth:





After I returned (and the heavens opened...I don't know how I lucked out and had sunny weather!), we decided to go get dinner and then we happened upon a "Midsummer Carnival" and it was a blast...they have little slot machines/roulette tables for 2p! Kids are even allowed to play it!!! We then got some "candy floss" and were on our way home. :-D

[disneydreamer98]

Wow, it's beautiful there Mandy. That was very cool of you to do that for your family friend. Places like that are always very humbling....

[PinkTink]

Well The Today Show hasn't mentioned anything this morning about Cambridge being burned to the ground or a mass brawl breaking out over a cras Boston Tea Party comment..... Wonder what she did last night?

They didn't get my remark....Cambridge is still safe. Although, I learned an interesting tidbit from Bray-dizzle... Hitler loved Cambridge so much, he wanted to make it his headquarters...hence all the buildings are still in tact from WWII and most of London was destroyed..


I think she yelled "Two if by sea!" but no one really got the reference. Thus....no brawl

You said it, Gae!!


Funny thing is, I am pretty sure that is not why Summer started doing handstands behind the castle at the Magic Kingdom! :laugh:

LOL probably not!!

[PinkTink]

Wow, it's beautiful there Mandy. That was very cool of you to do that for your family friend. Places like that are always very humbling....


I figured it was an honor to be able to do that for her (and him). It was indeed humbling...it brought back memories of Arlington, as well as the Punch Bowl in Honolulu.

[trickster]

Great report and photos, Mandy!

As you both said: Very Humbling. It reminds us of why we are here today and the freedom we have too.

[mini-v]

You're uphill trek was worth the effort. Thanks for sharing that.

[GaRain]

Those were some great pictures.
We have taken Kaitlin to some cemetaries where soldiers are buried...she has learned to respect the honor of these men. It is so humbling when you see rows and rows of crosses and you know most of them were younger than you when they passed.
Thank you for sharing and making that trek for your friend.

[PinkTink]

Great report and photos, Mandy!

As you both said: Very Humbling. It reminds us of why we are here today and the freedom we have too.

Thanks, Rich. My sentiments, exactly.



You're uphill trek was worth the effort. Thanks for sharing that.

You're quite welcome ;-)



Those were some great pictures.
We have taken Kaitlin to some cemetaries where soldiers are buried...she has learned to respect the honor of these men. It is so humbling when you see rows and rows of crosses and you know most of them were younger than you when they passed.
Thank you for sharing and making that trek for your friend.

I kept thinking that to myself, too....they don't put birth dates on the stones, so you never know how old they were...but you know full well they were probably around my age.

[PinkTink]

So I figured I'd share an email with you all from Mary Elizabeth (M.E.), the woman who's father I went to see...

Wow, Mandy.....what a great job. I love your website......and how about that BEER???????????? Bernie (Bernie is the chief of the ambulance in town and like my second father...seriously, the man is my dad's best friend) will definitely have a few remarks about THAT if he sees your site!!

I loved the photos....gave me goosebumps. Sigh..... I went first to Cambridge with my mom in 1978 and then returned with her ashes in 1998. When I went back the second time my arrival at the cemetary really took my breath away even though it hadn't changed a bit since my first trip. I guess the reason for going the second time made a bit of a difference..

My Mom and Dad were high school sweethearts in Woodbury. (Woodbury is a town right next to Roxbury, where we're from) My grandfather was the minister of the Methodist Church there. Like all young men, he enlisted in the Army Air Force after Pearl Harbor and my parents lived in the South at Air Bases until he was shipped out. I'm not sure how long he was there although I do know that he bumped up a mission so that he could come home because my Mom was pregnant with me. On that mission for some reason the pins in the bombs exploded and the plane went down on take off killing everyone. I did find out when I went in 1998 that the B17 was repaired and flew again. I'm glad that my mother never knew THAT one!!

It was a sad love story......I still can't imagine how tough it must have been for my Mom. She was a hard worker and never gave up. Good cook, good gardener, nice person.....I try to travel in her foot steps but it isn't easy!!!

It sounds like you are having a wonderful time.....I'm jealous!!! It's surely a chance of a life time for you!!

And I loved that Ambulance photo!!! Keep the beers flowing....and thanks, Mandy, for visiting my Dad and taking him some rose petals.

I'll check your website again. It's awesome!!

xoxo m.e.

It kind of made me teary-eyed. But I thought I'd share that note from ME with you.

[PinkTink]

So I figured I'd lighten the mood a bit and share some more photos/stories today!

At that fair last night:

They had a DISNEY TRAIN!! (I think there would be copyright issues in the US!) and look who's at the front of the train!?





Yes, you read that right, folks..win a turd!!





They also have horseracing gambling...like in the States at an arcade..only this time, you win MONEY!!





We lost our shirts!!! Nah, more like L1 or so...we call that cheap entertainment for 4 college kids in an hour!





This morning, we got up and took the train to Ely (rhymes with peal-y) and saw what there was to see on a Sunday...not much. But the cathedral is amazing!





Another beautiful ceiling!





There was an octagon dome/skylight...





Beautiful stained glass:










This one's for my dad...at the "Old Fire Engine House"




Mr. BEAN!!!






It's looking like tonight will be spent hanging out, writing lesson plans, and getting to bed early-ish (for once!).

[mini-v]

Actually, I think there should be some copyright issues with that train here too. Disney is an international trademark and there is a corporate office here in London. Hmmmm!:uk_bigben:

[disneydreamer98]

The letter was very touching and it is obvious how much your trip meant to her. :yes:

Great photos once again Mandy!

[trickster]

It's all gone very quiet from Mandy?!...

[disneydreamer98]

It's all gone very quiet from Mandy?!...

I was thinking the same thing yesterday. It's about time for some new photo's! :yes:

[mini-v]

She may be keeping busy with school or....those guys from the base???? Our next report could be long.

[disneydreamer98]

She may be keeping busy with school or....those guys from the base???? Our next report could be long.

Her hunk of burning love man headed back to the states for R&R....so it can't be him. It must be she's actually doing the job she's there to do! :shocked2: :faint: :laugh4:

[ChipNDale]

Mandy those photos of the cemetary were very touching and moving. Thank you so much for sharing that. And your friends letter made my eyes go a little misty. Thanks again for sharing all of that. I have been to Arlington and have a family member buried there, so I know the goosebumps and feels you can get from something like that.

I hope your trip is going very well!

[GaRain]

Maybe someone else needs to go to Disney World so we have any other trip report to post about.


Hi Mandy!!;)

[trickster]

I cannot believ that a week today, Mandy will be heading up to Lancaster!! :thumbsup:


:party0019::party0019:
:july3: :july2: :july3: :july2:

[disneydreamer98]

I cannot believ that a week today, Mandy will be heading up to Lancaster!! :thumbsup:


:party0019::party0019:
:july3: :july2: :july3: :july2:


I'm not sure she's still coming Rich! :no: I think she may have been kidnapped by trolls!

[trickster]

... I think it is time to send a text to see if she is OK and still alive!!

[PinkTink]

I'm here...just been so busy and I've definately had the week from you-know-where, plus a less-than-fabulous observation...ah, the joy. I'll update later on tonight, promise!

[disneydreamer98]

I'm here...just been so busy and I've definately had the week from you-know-where, plus a less-than-fabulous observation...ah, the joy. I'll update later on tonight, promise!

Glad to hear you are still among the living! Sorry to hear that things haven't been going so well! Looking forward to your update.

[trickster]

... Just think: One week to go and then you can really relax and put your feet up!!

[mini-v]

Maybe someone else needs to go to Disney World so we have any other trip report to post about.

I volunteer to make the supreme sacrifice. Unfortunately, I can't do it till December.

Mandy, sorry to hear about your tough week. Everyone has at least one crappy observation. The trick is to learn from it and do better the next time.

[PinkTink]

On Monday, I had an AWESOME observation, and my professor said "I was trying to think of something you can improve upon, and I just can't!" Basically, I kicked a$$.

Then it started going down hill.

My teacher has banked what they call PPA time (Professional Planning and Assessment) and you're give 10% a week off, and a substitute takes your class while you are *supposed* to stay in school, plan, grade, etc. Well... She hasn't taken it in WEEKS and is now taking whole days/mornings off, leaving me to basically fend for myself. The school system views me as a free substitute, which is NOT cool and/or kosher. I'm not there for that. I'm there to learn with her!!

And today, I was teaching one of the hardest topics of the year (according to her) and I followed her lesson TO THE LETTER and the kids were off the walls and not getting it. And of course, I was observed by my other professor...trying to impress him, and the poop hits the fan. Figures. He said I handled myself well, which is always a plus, but it's a big ego-shoot from the high I had in the beginning of the week.

And I can't for the life of me get my pictures printed out. I think every place knows an American college student wants to develop her pictures and they want to smite her.

I also had to wheel my dirty laundry, in the rain, over a mile to the nearest laundromat. I also paid through the nose...L4 for a wash, L3 to dry..basically, 14 dollars for ONE LOAD OF LAUNDRY!!!! Head --> desk to the extreme with that one.

But other than that, I am still having a good time overall. I'm just ready to move on to Rich and Ann's, have an actual vacation, and be done with this whole "let's use you like the mule you are and not pay you for it" mentality of the school system here.

[disneydreamer98]

I also had to wheel my dirty laundry, in the rain, over a mile to the nearest laundromat. I also paid through the nose...L4 for a wash, L3 to dry..basically, 14 dollars for ONE LOAD OF LAUNDRY!!!! Head --> desk to the extreme with that one.



Now why did you do that when you will have Rich to take care of that stuff for you in 6 days!?!?!?

[SnwhtNdwrfs]

The school system views me as a free substitute, which is NOT cool and/or kosher. I'm not there for that. I'm there to learn with her!!

And today, I was teaching one of the hardest topics of the year (according to her) and I followed her lesson TO THE LETTER and the kids were off the walls and not getting it. And of course, I was observed by my other professor...trying to impress him, and the poop hits the fan. Figures. He said I handled myself well, which is always a plus, but it's a big ego-shoot from the high I had in the beginning of the week.


and be done with this whole "let's use you like the mule you are and not pay you for it" mentality of the school system here.



1. You should be learning from her and not learning what NOT to do

2. Glad you did a good job when it all fell apart. This actually happens more often than you think. Even to "seasoned" teachers like myself. Way to keep your cool.

3. Too many school systems everywhere consider student teachers free substitutes and it isn't right. Sorry that happened to you.


I hope you enjoy the rest of your time and have a wonderful time With Rich and Ann!

[trickster]

Sorry to hear it's not been the best week for you Mandy. Keep your head up as you'll soon be 'On Vacation'!!!

[trickster]

Now why did you do that when you will have Rich to take care of that stuff for you in 6 days!?!?!?

Not a problem at all... We'd only charge half what they are!!!! :laugh4: (Joking)

But - yucky, Mandy would have to wear the same clothes day in, day out for 6 days! Now Who'd do a thing like that?!! :rolling:

[ChipNDale]

But - yucky, Mandy would have to wear the same clothes day in, day out for 6 days! Now Who'd do a thing like that?!! :rolling:


:rolling: :laugh: :rolling: :laugh:

[PinkTink]

Not a problem at all... We'd only charge half what they are!!!! :laugh4: (Joking)

But - yucky, Mandy would have to wear the same clothes day in, day out for 6 days! Now Who'd do a thing like that?!! :rolling:

:rolling: :rolling: CAPTAIN WARDROBE!!!!!! :rolling: :rolling:

[trickster]

Oh! You know some one who would then?!!!! :D

[PinkTink]

Don't live with the brakes on.


Call me cheesy, but I have the "Fortune Cookie" application on my profile on Facebook, and that was my fortune for the day. It's so true. I was hesitant about going to Stonehenge tomorrow (mainly because of spending the money) and now because of what happened in London today. But you know what? I'm a firm believer in you have to live your life and not let the evil in the world win. Go out and do it. "Tear it up" as we've been saying incessantly the past few weeks. I mean, I'm only going to be this young and in this country once, I have to live it to the fullest. How often am I going to be in England with the opportunity of seeing Stonehenge, a torch lighting ceremony at the Roman Baths, and the Magna Carta with three of my friends? If you answered "probably never again" you're right! So I'm gonna go.

Ok, now that I've waxed all philosophical on you..

Today, I came into class ready to kick ass and chew bubble gum...and I ran out of gum, as my dad has been known to say. ;-) My lesson went so FREAKING AWESOME and I was so glad I was observed for it. I got a lot of kudo points so that was good! Sarah said I should be very proud of myself and I've grown by leaps and bounds as a teacher, and I can see it as well. I'm excited for myself and I really think this is one of the best decisions I've made. Coming here has definately impacted me in a positive way and I'm so glad I came.

Today's Katelyn's birthday so we're going out to dinner then back here for an early bed...we have to catch the 4:30am train to London tomorrow for a pickup at 7:30 at St James Street. So I'll see you all soon!!

And remember...you only get one go around. Don't live with the brakes on.

[trickster]

You said it, Mandy: You only live once! When your times up, it's up! (That's what I believe anyway!)

[mini-v]

Stonehenge and London are no where close to each other. Your decision to go on the trip is a good one. My flat and one of the abandoned cars...much much closer.

In all the years that I did substitute teaching, I rarely found it advantageous to follow someone else's lesson plans. Trying to use someone else's spreadsheet is just about as difficult as following someone else's lesson plans.

I had one really good week of student teaching, and I that nearly caused me to give up on my future career. Some teachers are good instructors, and some are just good at taking advantage of a good thing.

Thank you for not asking me to meet you when you come into town for your Stone hedge trip. I don't do 7 am often. I'll wave as you go by, however.

See you soon.

[disneydreamer98]

Sounds like you had a great day Mandy! Have a wonderful time tomorrow! I was under the impression that Clark had demolished Stonehenge when he backed the car into it. :rolling:

[PinkTink]

Another gem from Clark W. Griswold:

"Oh look, kids: Big Ben, Parliament!"

...around the roundabout...

"Oh look, kids: Big Ben, Parliament!"

...rinse, wash repeat about 10 times...

"Oh look kids:--"

"WE KNOW!"

[disneydreamer98]

Another gem from Clark W. Griswold:

"Oh look, kids: Big Ben, Parliament!"

...around the roundabout...

"Oh look, kids: Big Ben, Parliament!"

...rinse, wash repeat about 10 times...

"Oh look kids:--"

"WE KNOW!"


That's Jim's favorite! He say it ALL the time.

[trickster]

I wonder if Mandy will enjoy Stone henge:


And the Roman Baths today:

[Annie]

I've never been to Stone Henge, but have been to the Roman Baths.

I hope Mandy has a brill time.

[GaRain]

One of these days, I really want to go to England. But Ireland is higher up on my list...

[SnwhtNdwrfs]

:rolling: :rolling: CAPTAIN WARDROBE!!!!!! :rolling: :rolling:


Melissa- find us a smiley! :agross: works but we need a specialized one!:mmm: :eek:

[SnwhtNdwrfs]

Did the Romans not like Bubble baths? ;)

[PinkTink]

We had a great day and I'll post all about it, but I've been up for over 24 hours now and I'm exhausted.

Plus, we were evacuated from the train station right before we left London. We're ok, we were just scared out of our minds...the alarms started sounding, people were screaming, the PA was saying "THIS IS AN EMERGENCY!! EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY!!!" over and over. But we're ok now and that's all that matters.

I'll fill you all in tomorrow ;-)

[trickster]

Yep - We're glad you're OK, Mandy and thanks for letting us know via the texts.
(Welcome to being in a 'Railway Enviroment' and evacuations - something I am used too).

On a brighter note, here's looking forward to hearing all about your day trip...

[mini-v]

Plus, we were evacuated from the train station right before we left London. We're ok, we were just scared out of our minds...the alarms started sounding, people were screaming, the PA was saying "THIS IS AN EMERGENCY!! EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY!!!" over and over. But we're ok now and that's all that matters.

OK THAT would have freaked me out! I'm glad it all seemed to be fine. Travel in the UK will probably be less than smooth for the next few weeks.

[PinkTink]

My friends are all freaking out and changing their tickets to the soonest possible departure. I'm ok since I'm staying on in NW England so I think that's a lot less of a target!!

[PinkTink]

Minding the Gap!!!




The first glimpse of Big Ben from the bus!




Westminster Abbey from the bus




Stonehenge :-D



It rocked. Hardy har har.





Me rocking out.




It was cold, windy, and rainy!





Billy and Holly and some rocks






Holly and me





Salisbury Cathedral. It has the oldest spire in Europe, and the tallest in England












This is the oldest working clock in the world






Some more beautiful stained glass. We also saw the Magna Carta, but we can't take pictures in that building. It was cool, but I thought it'd be bigger or something. I don't know...










Then we went to the Roman Baths in Bath. I definately got REALLY SICK AND TIRED of hearing the tour guide pronounce it. It's like she knew it was annoying me and would pronounce it even weirder and every chance she got.






They're spring fed and said to have healing powers. The water is also a LOT nicer than it looks!





An ancient mosaic.




The drains





Me by the baths...






Us with some "Roman"






At Harrod's in London, we saw the Diana and Dodi Memorial. Dodi's dad owns Harrod's...which is like Macy's in NYC on steroids x10000 infinity plus 2.





The wine glass from the night they died as well as the ring he was supposedly going to propose to her with..I don't know if I believe THAT one, but it's a story.





Honkin' huge!!




The Underground!!





The London Eye




Big Ben at night!





It was cold and rainy again!!





The London Eye





SO BEAUTIFUL!!! (Despite the rain)





No, it's not snowing...





Gotta mind the gap!





So we were dead tired from being up/walking for 24 hours...and there were only two trains back to Cambridge...so we get to Liverpool St. Station, decide to split up and get drinks, and all of a sudden alarms start going off saying "EMERGENCY, YOU MUST EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY!!! EMERGENCY, YOU MUST EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY!!!" Everyone was screaming and running out of the station, especially since what happened two days prior. This is the shot of everyone going in 1/2 hour later or so. It was scary!!

[disneydreamer98]

We had a great day and I'll post all about it, but I've been up for over 24 hours now and I'm exhausted.

Plus, we were evacuated from the train station right before we left London. We're ok, we were just scared out of our minds...the alarms started sounding, people were screaming, the PA was saying "THIS IS AN EMERGENCY!! EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY!!!" over and over. But we're ok now and that's all that matters.

I'll fill you all in tomorrow ;-)

Glad you are checking in cause I've been worried about you! Keep checking in daily missy until you get to Rich and Ann's so I don't start freaking out!

[disneydreamer98]

It rocked. Hardy har har.


:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: ......:inquisitive:


Great photos Mandy! I want to go over there soooooo bad!

[trickster]

Great photos Mandy! I want to go over there soooooo bad!


You know you've always got a place to stay if you do!! :yes: :grin2:

[trickster]

Glad you are checking in cause I've been worried about you! Keep checking in daily missy until you get to Rich and Ann's so I don't start freaking out!

Here, here!!

We just can't wait to go down and pick her up and bring her back to Lancaster. :yes:

Hopefully, we'll be speaking to her later.

[PinkTink]

Here, here!!

We just can't wait to go down and pick her up and bring her back to Lancaster. :yes:

Hopefully, we'll be speaking to her later.


I'll feel a lot safer when I'm farther away from London!! (Plus, I'll be with you guys so I'll feel better, too!)

[Annie]

Love the pictures, and am really glad you are safe and sound, as well as V glad you are ok to.

[trickster]

... Exactly, Mandy!!

[disneydreamer98]

You know you've always got a place to stay if you do!! :yes: :grin2:

I'm not sure this "cheeky wench" would want to stay with the likes of you! :crying2:

[PinkTink]

I was called "saucy" today.

Oh, and I found a reallllly good deal at the Disney store...it's a Tink mug and it says "Cheeky Fairy" ... I HAD to get it...how often do you see "cheeky" in the States?!

[disneydreamer98]

I was called "saucy" today.



That's much better than "wench" :inquisitive:

[trickster]

Only


3 days now!!!

:yahoo: :icotjump: :yahoo: :icotjump: :yahoo:

[trickster]

And now only


2 Days!!
:cheerleader4: :cheerleader4: :cheerleader4:
:groupwave2: :groupwave2:

[PinkTink]

Yay!!!!!!

[Annie]

Hey Mandy, do you snore?

[PinkTink]

I don't usually...only if I'm really "pissed" or overtired.


Why? LOL

[trickster]

I don't usually...only if I'm really "pissed" or overtired.


Why? LOL


Well - you'll be doing a lot of snoring then!!!! :rolling:

[Annie]

I don't usually...only if I'm really "pissed" or overtired.


Why? LOL


Just wondering.

I snore very loudly :pleased:

[PinkTink]

LOL ok..I was wondering if the possibility of me snoring would keep you up..guess not!

[trickster]

Nah - nothing keeps me awake!!!

[PinkTink]

I sleep through hurricanes!!

[trickster]

Operation: 'Meeting Mandy' has been put into place!!

[PinkTink]

SOO excited!!!

[SnwhtNdwrfs]

Can't wait to hear about this second part of PinkTink's European Vacation!

[trickster]

Neither can I!!!!

[PinkTink]

Today, we went on a field trip to Hunstanton, which is a seaside town on the North Sea. We took a double-decker coach bus (!!! double decker!!!) on the TWO HOUR journey there. They call it "Sunny Hunny" as a nickname...wanna see if the name rang true?

Here are some pictures! Enjoy!


My kids by the sea!






DEFINATELY NOT Florida!





This reminded me of Block Island


















Hot Digidy Dogs!





I flew a kite for the first time!!





Yep!! I'm flying!!






It was me!! I promise!!





I was so excited and like a little kid!





My kids at the beach





My teacher flying the kite






My little Harvey has a special place in my heart and he was LOVING flying the kite!!





Look at that smile!





We were some happy kite-flyers!





The North Sea





Touching the North Sea!!! :-D






Then it started to rain....this is my face when I get pelted with icy rain bullets that are -290317219872 degrees and stinging my whole body





We then found shelter in the toilets. We're classy.





But long story short, I had a good time. We got some good shopping in, and I got to touch the North Sea. How cool is that?! I also got to see some beautiful countryside, lots of lavendar, and I got a lot of reading done on Wicked so I'm pretty content with the day.

[trickster]

Yet again - excellent photos Mandy!!

[disneydreamer98]

You've never flown a kite before? :faint: What kind of parents do you have?!?!?! :inquisitive:

Another set of good photo's Mandy!

[mini-v]

What? No swimming? Brrr! Not friendly looking beach.

Does your class take this many trips in such a short period of time often, or is this unusual?

[trickster]

And there was only


1 Day to go!!
:cheerleader4: :cheerleader4: :cheerleader4:

:party0019: :party0019:
:groupwave2: :groupwave2:

[disneydreamer98]

Does your class take this many trips in such a short period of time often, or is this unusual?

I'm sure it's unusual Virginia and it's all in Mandy's honor. EVERTHING is always about Mandy! I'm surprised they haven't named a holiday in her honor yet! Wait...Easter They already have!!!! :rolling: :laugh:

[GaRain]

Let's go fly a kite, up to the highest hieght! Oh let's go, fly a kite!

[trickster]

T minus 24hrs!!

[trickster]

Has anyone heard from Mandy today?....

[PinkTink]

Hola people!!

I'll be writing an update in a bit! I'm still here!! :-D

[Annie]

Not long to go now, and I get someone else to talk to other than Rich :)

[SnwhtNdwrfs]

YEAH ANN!!! A True treat for you!

[disneydreamer98]

It's officially Tomorrow over there so Mandy will be at Rich and Ann's Today!!! :applause:

[disneydreamer98]

Mandy should be on the train right now going from Cambridge to London (10:45 or 11:15 AM UK time train = 5:45 or 6:15 AM EST), she said it's about an hour long trip. And then after a little wait and train change she'll be on the train Rich will be driving her to Lancaster on! That train leaves around 12:40 PM (7:40 AM EST). She is VERY excited that the day has finally arrived and I am sure that Rich and Ann are just as excited! :yes:

[disneydreamer98]

It's 7:40 AM EST (no matter what D-F's clock might be saying :rolleyes4: ) so that means the Mandy is on the train and Rich is driving it! :engineerchoochoo: I sure hope Rich avoided his normal 6 pack of beer before heading to work today! :laugh:

[mini-v]

I hope Rich avoided his normal 6 pack of beer before heading to work today! :laugh:

Isn't that asking a lot just for giving someone a ride "home"? :rolling:

[GaRain]

How fun!

[disneydreamer98]

Rich is on the phone with me right now and Mandy has made it safely! :applause: They will sign on later after they have dinner and go over to Rich's parents. Oh geez...now he wants me talk to Mandy! :inquisitive: :wall:

Oh...she's in the toilet!!!! :tele: :work: and I wait......and I wait.....

I think she's using up all their toilet paper!

FINALLY!!!!

Well...she still sounds the same! No British accent YET!

She says that Rich's balls are much nicer in person! :rolling:

[SnwhtNdwrfs]

Glad to hear the balls are better in person~

[LynnieMouse]

glad you arrived safely Mandy!!!!!

looking forward to seeing you on monday

:applause: :applause: :applause:

[disneydreamer98]

looking forward to seeing you on monday



I wanna meet Lynne in Scotland on Monday!!!!! :crying2:

[LynnieMouse]

I wanna meet Lynne in Scotland on Monday!!!!! :crying2:

just hop on a plane lol!!

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: