I'm back!! . . . Um . . . Sorry about the delay!

I got a bit behind, then a bit further behind, then I think I just gave up.

SORRY!!! I did want to do this regularly but I think I got into the habit of doing it a bit too regularly and then got in over my head. New school, new term, new semester, new start? So here we go again . . .

A few thoughts/ramblings/ravings from the opening weekend of Spring School.

Cracking sermon from Rob – encouraging us to bring our real selves, not religious selves to Bible school and pointing out that the weaknesses we think disqualify us from God’s service are probably the strengths He’ll use. Nice to know no one in the Bible had it together (apart from God!).

It’s SO quiet! There’s only about 100 students here and there’s meant to be about 155. Everyone’s still stranded although the Germans have decided to get a coach so they should be here on Thursday. Going to be an interesting week!

A girl I knew from the 18-30’s holidays is here! Well, two actually, but one that I didn’t know was coming which is cool.

Saying hi to everyone who’s stayed felt, settling into my room, wandering around the place . . . it feels like coming home. Going home for good is going to be interesting! And yes, that was a potential euphemism!!

I’m in the tower this term. Lower, thankfully! Only 36 steps to climb to get to my bed which was so much fun after doing the canal walk for one and a half hours this afternoon! I’m happy though: I’m in the castle! I had a sneaking suspicion I’d be in the tower this term. It’s really good because we’re a bit out of the way so it’s quieter, the room’s small – which adds up to mean we’ll probably get sleep when we want it. And we have our own en-suite bathroom!!

The introduction session was fun this evening. Dougie got us all to do a children’s song again to start us off on the appropriate theological tone – he always does that! Words (and actions) below:

I’ve got peace (peace sign with both hands) like a river (hands make waves), I’ve got peace like a river, I’ve got peace like a river in my soul (point to bottom of foot). I’ve got peace like a river, I’ve got peace like a river, I’ve got peace like a river in my soul.

I’ve got joy (push corners of mouth up into smile) like a fountain (pose like a statue on a fountain), I’ve got joy like a fountain, I’ve got joy like a fountain in my soul (as above). I’ve got joy like a fountain, I’ve got joy like a fountain, I’ve got joy like a fountain in my soul.

I’ve got love (cross hands over heart) like an ocean (surf), I’ve got love like an ocean, I’ve got love like an ocean in my soul (as above). I’ve got love like an ocean, I’ve got love like an ocean, I’ve got love like an ocean in my soul.

I’ve got peace like a river, I’ve got joy like a fountain, I’ve got love like an ocean in my soul. I’ve got peace like a river, I’ve got joy like a fountain, I’ve got love like an ocean in my soul. (actions as above)

Sue the registrar made the mistake of saying that she wasn’t going to be married after school and then saying ‘but hope springs eternal’ in reference to one of the students. Said student went over to her and got down on one knee when it was his turn to say what he’d be doing after school.

One of the students also said that his name was Peter Parker, before school he’d been bitten by a radioactive spider and after school he hoped to going back to climbing walls and ceilings and crime-fighting. Suffice to say these two guys got a lot of applause.

The staff all introduced themselves, then the students who had to say their name, where they were from, what they did before school and what they hoped to do after school. Reassuringly, a lot of ‘I don’t knows’ – I’m not the only one!! We have a professional harpist, an opera singer and one girl whose going to study archaeology. I’m not the only one!!

Haven’t managed to get all of my stuff back that I left behind last term – although it’s my own fault because some of it wasn’t labelled. I know, I know – I’m terrible! I miss my violin. Hopefully it’ll get sorted out tomorrow.

Lectures look like fun again. I can’t believe we’ve got another travel weekend this term! Wonder where we’re going? Or if they’re even organising something? There are a couple of open day type things, so we won’t have as many Saturday trips although Lyme Park is officially on the list. WAHOO!!

We don’t appear to have any memory verses this term, but plenty of assignments to keep us busy.

So I only have one roommate at the moment which is a shame because it means the other two are stranded and we’re not getting to each other all together. On the bright side, it means I can get to know one rather than being overwhelmed into silence – as often happens when I haven’t got a clue!