Saturday night...and Sunday Morning.....

Well Last night about 7:30 we all climbed on the bus and went to Bristol to go....Clubbing!! At last we did it....and let me say it was a crazy, weird, fun, and very silly night! So we got to Bristol about ten past 8 and then waited for a couple friends of Sabine and Katharinas who are working at the Saint Christopher's school in Bristol. It was three guys Sev, Phillip, and Marco, and thank god for them too, because they knew where to go! Well this was a good but funny thing really because... we ended up going to a gay club, because Sev and Philip were both gay. No one realized this till they told us, but once we found out we were all laughing, and figured "Why not?!" I have to admit I had a really good time getting to know all three of them, and the club turned out top be very cool, and poor Marco got hit on by so many guys,and had to keep telling them..."so you know I'm not gay? but thanks for the offer!" ahh he was so cute, and single(and wants to now come visit me:)!
Sev is now my new favorite person and said that I need to move to Germany and study with him next year! He said that he loves Americans, and now that he knows me loves them even more ( I think this is because I told him I hate Bush! hahha)
I had a blast making new friends, dancing, and enjoying the Bristolian night life! The only odd bit was that we discovered they have outdoor urinals!!! Just right there on the street corner, not very proper if you ask me, but good for a laugh!! The only bad bit was that me Jana, her boyfriend Josh and Anna all had to pay £30 for a taxi!!! I'm never doing that again, it's far too expensive if you ask me!
So After some harsh words with our Taxi driver we all stumbled into bed (from exhaustion, not because I was "Tanked!") about half past 2 in the morning!
I didn't wake up till about half past noon today, then did a bit of cleaning, laundry, and then tonight around 6pm I'm going to Church with Pascal! Don't worry I'm not converted :) tonight at Saint Mary's there's a choir singing, so we both thought it would be nice, considering we both love old cathedrals!
Well I'm off, got to go re heat a pie I made last night and fill up the coffee pot for my other wonderful co workers!
Miss you all,
xoxoxox
Cheers,
Ilaria
P.S. no I did not take any photo's...sorry loves!

Day two....BRISTOL!

Well good news everyone I'm feeling much better today and the sun is shining!
Yesterday I had a another amazing day trip and this time to Bristol! I've been before but I didn't really get to see everything I wanted to, so luckily the co workers who didn't fly home to Germany for holiday, wanted to go as well! Katharina, Sabine, Julia, Antone, Passcal and I left Thornbury about 9:30 on surprisingly full country bus headed for the heart of Bristol. We stepped off the bus into the crisp bristolian air about 10:15, and went in search of old streets to wonder through in hopes of finding old treasures long forgotten. We had such a great day full of laughter, picture taking, and exploration. We visited the national museum, the university, the abby, the tower and the St. Nicholas market.
The best part was when we all got lunch and sat on the college green talking and joking around...I really feel like I'm becoming friends with all these people! Then after lunch we all went in the tower, which was built by queen Victoria for Sebastian Cabot who helped discover North America (of all places!). we climbed these very tiny stairs up to the most amazing view in the world, Bristol is so beautiful when the sun is out, the whole city glows!
Then we did a bit of shopping (by this I mean I just looked longingly at things I wanted to buy...) and then me a julia split form the group and walked around taking photo's and chatting (what we do best!). We unfortunately missed the bus and had to wait an hour till the next one came at ten till 7...we didn't get back to Thronbury till 8 and by that time the sun had gone down and we were freezing and my nose was running profusely!
All together the day was wonderful and we all had so much fun, I wish you all could have seen it!
well I'm off to do a bit of laundry,
love you all,
cheers
Ilaria
P.S. I think I'm going to Stroud tomorrow...maybe...:)

The view from the tower


Julia and I


MINI!!!!


I know....sorry...but I needed coffee....and they made me!


The girls minus Jana (sad! but I love this photo!)


Book shop in St. Nichoals's market


Sabine and Julia...Second hand fashion!

Holiday at last...and I have a cold!!!!

Hey Friends and Family,
Well it's my first holiday and I have managed to get a lovely head cold, runny nose and all! Although Im sick I still plan on doing a bit of traveling, Yesterday was amazing because Thornbury Park,Sabine and I all went to BATH!!! We woke up about 8:30 Sunday morning and about 9:00 loaded ourselves in the very cute white mini bus that is owned by the school. We then drove about 45min or so through beautiful sunny countryside till Peter Stevenson (Thronbury parks house father, and a very lovely man as well) said "look out the window everyone and welcome to Bath!" We all looked out to see a beautiful city settled nicely in the river valley of Avon, it was the most amazing thing I have ever seen! So mum its official we need to get very rich and move there!!! I fell in love with all of it, it was the most beautiful day blue sky and sun!
I felt like someone had dropped me in the 1800's, we spent most of the day wondering the old streets taking pictures and laughing about all the large flashy red tour buses people had loaded themselves on for what they consider a "tour"!
Then me and Himonie split from the group to grab some lunch and sit in the beautiful Parade park that sat on the river Avon! Then we headed up to the famouse Bath Abby to look around, it was buitl in 1499! This was so amazing, a must see if you ever go to Bath!
It really was a magical day and one I will not forget!
So although Im blowing my nose ever two minutes, and I feel very groggy, Bath was worth it!
So I have two weeks to relax, have fun and see some some sights of jolly old England!
I miss you al very much and wish that you were here to see all of this with me,
Cheers,
Ilaria
Me, Anna, Himone, Katarina and Sabine


Parade Park


The River Avon


Tour anyone?


the ceiling in the Abby, amazing!


Bath Abby


Bath Art Gallery

Two days left till...HOLIDAY!!!

Hello everyone, so that you all know I have been having a nice week...well hard but not too bad! It's holiday next week, it officially starts saturday after the children go home! I get two weeks of sleeping in, sight seeing and relaxation! it should be brilliant, and most of the co workers are staying here!! I'm thinking Bath, Bristol,Stroud and London maybe...I really need to see a big city ( I really miss the lights and sounds!)
Oh so I got my package from my mum at LAST (damn postal strike!) that made my week complete I practically fell down just running down to Thornbury Park to pick it up! I loved all of it, and I cried when I opened it up...I loved the coffee Karyn and Kali, Every time I drink some I close my eyes and see a vivid picture of home, and all the memories that come with it (which is a lot!). Mason I loved your picture you made me and the bookmark ( I cried when I saw these) they are beautifully made! I also have a feeling you helped mom pick out the sweeties, yippee peach rings and pokey!!! Mum I loved the coffee press and my shoes (kisses)!
Another thing that made my week was that yesterday I got my first letter from Hana (thank you, yours I just sent today<3) It was so nice to see your hand writing and hear about what's going on in your life! (others feel free to do the same :)
Last night Anna and I went to the Lion for a drink and played a very bad game of pool (I won though!) then came back for a movie and a cup of tea!
Today is my day off, I didn't do much just slept in, had a hot bath and a late breakfast plus my usual chat with Tracy! Then about 12 ish I Went into Brie purchased some envelopes, more stamp, and a new pair of trousers (only £4 thank you!) I love second hand shops here!
Tomorrow and saturday are going to be crazy, loads of cleaning and child control! So I'm taking it easy today so that I have energy to keep going! Then saturday night we are all going clubbing in Bristol, we will catch the last bus from Brie and the first bus back in Bristol the next morning about 5 am!! Crazy I know but it should be fun, mum, Da don't worry I'll be careful! It's our weird way of kicking off the holiday's and letting our minds go free after all this work we have been doing!
Oh another thing is (this is directed at family) is Tracy said that on Thanksgiving she would make a mini Thanksgiving lunch with my help of course! So could family please send me recipes? I would love that, thank you!
oh and on the subject of food...I've lost 5lbs!!! must be all the Veg I'm eating and from running after children :) But I feel really healthy and happy so that's what matters!
Well I miss you all very much and Im still working on getting my photo's up so just be patient thank you!
Look for more posts!
xoxox
Cheers,
Ilaria

My amazing day off!

Well its thursday night and I thought I might share with you all how my day went!
well on thursdays I like to sleep to about half past 10, take a long bath and then have a late breakfast ( with two cups of very week coffee!) I then have a chat with Tracy our cook, she is so sweet and funny and knows everything there is to know about the U.K. and life! Then I usually go for a walk into brie (it's slang for Thornbury) to get some fresh air and to people watch. Today however I went in to town (Bristol) with Charlotte to grab lunch do a bit of sight seeing and shopping (of course!). I had so much fun, and I even got to have Thai food ( I know I couldn't believe it either!) the weather was perfect and the landscape beautiful ( I took some very nice photo's!) I found some very cute shoes as well, they were only £3!!! What a deal, and I also found some boots I wanted, but they were £85...geeeeze! I had to slap my hand and look away, otherwise I would be broke! After this we popped into one more shop so Charlotte could pick up something she had placed on hold, and then headed for the parking garage...when there Charlotte tried o pay and the machine ate her ticket! So we had to ring for help and it was so funny because the machine (and I swear to god) started talking to us!!! Because we were talking about how stupid it was and it said "hey stop talking about me! ya know I can hear ya!" we screamed and everyone was looking at us like we were nuts! hahaha it was so funny though....we are still not sure who it was....bit dodgey i you ask me....:)
Well I plan on going back into town soon, on my Holiday (in a week!) to see the museum (which is free) and then the zoo! Ahhh I love my days off<3
Well I got to go me and Anna (Sylkas daughter) are going to watch a movie, and have a cup of tea,
Cheers and I'll post Bristol pictures soon (when I have time)
Cheers and kisses
Lari

End of week three...wow almost a month!!

Well I can't believe it, Im going on week four now! Time is going by very fast, but Im having a great time, finally adjusting and I dreamed for the first time last night (I think this means Im comfortable at last.)!
Well this week was much better because it was back to the regular time table, and Tracy our cook was back (prais the lord!) she makes amazing food:)
Also on monday I had Bakery as usual, but this time Oliver actually got his hands dirty (this never happens! he is a very unmotivated child but so sweet and cute!)I even managed to snap a picture!
I also had a very relaxing day off, just did a bit of shopping (they have fantastic second had shops!), and Wednesday night I want to the pub with Daniel, Antone, and Phillip to watch the Chealse Vrs Velencia Football match! The was great fun because I finally got to chat with just the boys, and it was better then I expected...they are very nice, and always ask silly questions...they keep me laughing!
Then last night I went out with the girls I met last Saturday, and met even more people...Im so happy because I'm also making friends outside of the school...and who speak good English!
The girls I met were really nice and were so obssessed with the fact that Im American, they kept telling me how much they love it, and they also loved my accent...hahha they asked me to say things like Harvard, Kindergarden, and trash can...it was very amusing!
well today I'm going to make lunch with Sabina and then an apple pie (sorry Kali) with apples from the garden!
Then tonight were going to a pub in town to see a jazz band play! So today is going nicley and Im well rested so that does help!
I got to run,
I miss you all very much, and mom, noah and mason I will call you tonight!
Cheers,
Ilaria
P.S. New pictures tomorrow:)

Michaelmas in Thornbury!

Well hello everyone!
So it's a very cold and foggy Monday morning and I have an hour break before I have to go and help in the Seniors class! So I thought I would share with you how last weeks Autumn events went. The week went really nicely other than the time table being changed for the Michaelmas holiday, causing many problems with the children.The children here rely so much on security and pattern, so when something very small is changed (or in this case big) they get confused and usually upset. That is why we must creat rutine so that they can feel comfortable and happy.
So most of the week was spent in the usual manner getting up at 7, then breakfast at 7:50, and washing up at half past 8. There was morning school (mainlessson), after this lunch and then estate work (this was new), which was for me brushing up the leaves around the school with the Seniors! I really enjoy working with their class they are all so sweet and funny, and I really like Sara their teacher.
Friday was the best of all the days, because no school, and we got to sleep an hour later. However the most enjoyable part of the day was when we went to the big fields down by the farm and harvested the vegetables as a whole school (even Joseph participated!)Then we each went back to our houses and washed the vegetables in order to take them to the school hall and make a beautiful altar (pictures to the side). Then at 1pm we all met in the movement hall for a very delicious lunch of homemade soups and rolls! I really enjoyed the whole day, because we spent the day together as a community. We got to work, chat, reflect, rejoice and eat together as one very loving family.

SATURDAY:
Saturday was spent in the typical manner, cleaning all day (I did 6 loads of laundry!! This took forever!)and we had only Shamick in the house. That is not why its special though...I got very lucky and had a bit of an adventure that nigh! Me, Julia (the girl from Brazil) and Leaha (an old visiting coworker)all went out to a small pub in town for chatting and a drink. While there Julia got a call form a guy she is seeing named Toby, who wanted to know if he could meet us at the pub, we of course all said yes! We all had so much fun and ended up making some new friends even! The best part of the night was that it turned out Toby used to work at the very historic and local Castle...so at midnight we all got to got have a tour of the Castle!!! This was so amazing, we even got to sit on the roof and look up at the stars!! The castle is a rare thing to see even for local towns people because its so private,and cost £700 a night to stay there!! So I feel so lucky to have gotten the opportunity to see it! I even got to walk around the room where king Henry the 8th used to eat his meals with Anne Boleyn!! ahhh it was so fantastic!!
well I got to run class starts in about 15 min!
xoxox love and miss you all,
well wishes from a very happy Ilaria!