All Thanks Goes to Katia and Her Family
Well, I'm back from Spain. I really did have a blast. The two flights and then taxi ride to the beachfront house in La Manga were like taking a trip back in time, partly because you lose all sense of time passing whilst traveling. I instantly felt fifteen again. What didn't help is that I'd packed a lot of the same things I'd brought last time, so I really felt like a younger me, ready to face Grade 10. Throw in a curious presence of retrospect and you have the vague feeling the journey there brought about in me. Of course, the routine was the same (sleep till 1pm or later, eat, swim, shower, eat, laze about, swim, shower, eat etc.) but, a lot of the things we did or had happen to us repeated themselves, too, with the only admission being the presence of a camera. Katia and I, once again, tussled and fought with a giant cockroach and again Katia did the actual fighting, whereas this time I stood by and filmed. We had the same adventures in jellyfish-infested waters, but this time Katia's mother filmed (insert Carmina Burana). We played beachball/pong, and though I'm afraid that we didn't film that, I *did* bring back rackets so we can all play at lunchtime next year.
The one thing that was different compared to last year's visit was that we went on more trips to places surrounding La Manga. The first, on a three hour small boat ride to circle an island/bird sanctuary, and the second to stand on the top of this rock outcrop of a mountain, staring down at infinite sea. I enjoyed being in places that truly resembled what the world may have looked like before humans got messily involved.
I know Katia mentioned her "crazy vivid dreams", but I have nothing to add. The sea air seems to create dreams in her mind, whereas in mine it created none. I did dream, and I'd wake up with the dream in my head and the feeling would follow me around all day, but when it came time for us to share dreams (or rather, Katia tell me hers), I'd freeze and hit my head and moan that I couldn't remember it. It brought me countless frustration: having dreams so elusive, like the sag of a mattress after a person's slept on it.
The only imagination I had, managed to surface in the daytime. Katia and I thought of many different - and well..reading back over them - *interesting* ideas for The Spotlight, including, but in no means restricted to: candid camera shots of teachers and students with captions, and a pull-out calender of teachers for any given month. In fact, I managed to let some creativity run its course today, as well: Sofie and I started designing for the Fashion Gala and thought of a few good ideas (I thought of many more on the way home, Sofie), but really only came up with one definite plan: calling our 'collection' SadoMasochism or SadoMasochist...y'know..'cause she's *S*ofie and I'm *M*adeleine..S & M...get it? Hurrhurr.
This really just highlights how much I'm looking forward to throwing myself head first into Grade 11. In particular, I can't wait for all the extra-curricular activities: The Fashion Gala, Spotlight, Yearbook, all the plays etc. I'm optimistic that the CAS will be a doddle. As for the schoolwork, I really feel I'm on an all-time high as far as grades are concerned. I was happy with my report and it will give me confidence for next year..whether it borders on cockiness we've yet to discover: I may crash and burn. All I really can say is that I'm already excited for the beginning of the next school year, but also perfectly willing to spend the next five or six weeks preparing and, more importantly, resting.
The one thing that was different compared to last year's visit was that we went on more trips to places surrounding La Manga. The first, on a three hour small boat ride to circle an island/bird sanctuary, and the second to stand on the top of this rock outcrop of a mountain, staring down at infinite sea. I enjoyed being in places that truly resembled what the world may have looked like before humans got messily involved.
I know Katia mentioned her "crazy vivid dreams", but I have nothing to add. The sea air seems to create dreams in her mind, whereas in mine it created none. I did dream, and I'd wake up with the dream in my head and the feeling would follow me around all day, but when it came time for us to share dreams (or rather, Katia tell me hers), I'd freeze and hit my head and moan that I couldn't remember it. It brought me countless frustration: having dreams so elusive, like the sag of a mattress after a person's slept on it.
The only imagination I had, managed to surface in the daytime. Katia and I thought of many different - and well..reading back over them - *interesting* ideas for The Spotlight, including, but in no means restricted to: candid camera shots of teachers and students with captions, and a pull-out calender of teachers for any given month. In fact, I managed to let some creativity run its course today, as well: Sofie and I started designing for the Fashion Gala and thought of a few good ideas (I thought of many more on the way home, Sofie), but really only came up with one definite plan: calling our 'collection' SadoMasochism or SadoMasochist...y'know..'cause she's *S*ofie and I'm *M*adeleine..S & M...get it? Hurrhurr.
This really just highlights how much I'm looking forward to throwing myself head first into Grade 11. In particular, I can't wait for all the extra-curricular activities: The Fashion Gala, Spotlight, Yearbook, all the plays etc. I'm optimistic that the CAS will be a doddle. As for the schoolwork, I really feel I'm on an all-time high as far as grades are concerned. I was happy with my report and it will give me confidence for next year..whether it borders on cockiness we've yet to discover: I may crash and burn. All I really can say is that I'm already excited for the beginning of the next school year, but also perfectly willing to spend the next five or six weeks preparing and, more importantly, resting.