Birthday Week!

My Small Group Roman Tour!

This Wednesday, we went on a field trip to Lincoln (about an hour away from Harlaxton via bus).  Here we explored some Roman ruins, toured an old Cathedral that was built during the 11^th century, and also toured Lincoln castle that is currently the home of one of the four copies of the Magna Carta.  We also had some free time to explore the city on our own, eat our sack lunches, visit a pub called the Magna Carta, and do some shopping.  It was a great trip.  Too bad we have to be tested over it!

Rachel and I in front of the Manor

This weekend, I was able to celebrate my 21^st birthday!  It was a little bittersweet. I was not able to celebrate with everyone back at home, but I did truly enjoy my birthday festivities here.  We had class on Friday this week, so many people actually stayed in town this weekend which was nice.  Thursday night, we had a Bistro party that we called “Merica Night” in which we celebrated being American by wearing red, white, and blue, enjoying American food and drinks, playing the national anthem, and listening to any music that was either country or had a reference to the good ‘ol USA.  The Bistro stops serving food and drinks at 11 every night, but since it was my birthday at midnight, a lot of people stayed down until just after midnight.  At midnight, I was hoisted in the air, and everyone sang happy birthday!  It was a fun way to kick off my new birthday. 

At the Goose with Alex, Albert, and Rachel on Saturday

Friday after class, I went in to town and collected Rachel Milne from the train station and brought her back to the manor to spend my birthday with me!  I got to show her all around the manor and then we went out to The Goose and Barcode.  Three other friends of mine had birthdays within a week of mine, so we all wore birthday pins and went out together!  It was a whole lot of fun, and I could not have asked for a better birthday!

View from the Morning Room

Saturday, I got a great birthday present of a snowy manor.  I was really hoping that it would snow while I was here just once to see the manor covered in white!  It truly is beautiful.  A lot the young kids here have been sledding and building snowmen, and several of the students have joined in the fun, too.  I think the refectory is probably missing more than a handful of lunch trays from students attempting to sled down the big hill out back!  Because I have so much work to do, I have spent my time in one of the state rooms called the Morning Room that has big glass windows.  I feel this has been a good way for me to stay in the warmth, yet still enjoy the view of the spectacular wonderland; however, I am hoping to get outside tomorrow afternoon in the snow for a bit!  Later in the evening, we watched a movie and ordered pizza.  During the middle, I was surprised with ai birthday cake from my cross country buddies.  It was made by Cadbury, so it was quite good!  

This morning, I was able to go in to mass at St. Mary’s church, despite the snow on the ground.  I spent much of the rest of the day with my host family for a “barbecue.”  It was much like a gathering with my extended family at home.  Their daughter’s family came to join us, we ate a lot of great food, and then I was surprised with a birthday present and cake!  We also learned how to play Mexican dominoes (and even better, I won)!  I have decided that the Twycross family is awesome.  They truly made my birthday feel special, and I felt like I do have a sort of family over here. To cap off the night, I am working on some  studying for my British Studies test and watching the super bowl (yes until 3:15 am)! Karen and I made a special sign for the occasion! :)  We were very excited about the Giants win and ran around the manor chanting and celebrating!

We hate the Patriots!  GO GIANTS!