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Posted: July 19, 2004, 2:59 pm (Pacific) by Rebecca Sheffield

Almost home...
Okay I have a little down time, so I am going to try to fill you all in on what I have seen the past week. I am going to go all the way back to London. Last Monday I met up with my Aussie friend Mark in London. We went to Notting Hill and saw the door used in the movie and the travel bookshop. I have pictures of both. I didn't think that was really the door, but as we were standing there arguing a local stopped and told me that was the door. It is dirty and ugly. But I liked Portabello Road it was a fun shopping street.

Paris on Bastille day was perfect. I can not think of a better way to describe it! I wasn't going to go to the parade, but Julian the guy I ate breakfast with talked me into it. It was interesting because their military marched through the streets and then they paraded their tanks, jeeps, and other bits of equipment through the streets. There were no floats and no candy! :-) I enjoyed it, it was a neat cultural experience. Next, we went to the Louvre. I am sure you all have heard about how big it is, but it is massive!!!! But it has to be because some of the paintings are massive! Some of the men in the paintings are life size!!! I loved the Louvre, some of the pictures were amazing! I wish we had more time there. Next we headed up Champs Elyssee, the main shopping street, towards the Arc de triumph (the huge round about). It was a longer walk than we thought it would be. We went to the top of the Arc, and had a pretty view of the city and a great view of the Eifel Tower. Julian decided we needed to cross the roundabout so we could get some good pictures. I thought he was joking, but he wasn't. I felt like a frog from frogger crossing the street! After that we went to the Church of the Sacred Heart (Sacre Coeur). It sits up ontop of a hill and is in this really cute neighborhood. The church is white and gorgeous! Moulin Rouge is in that area, so we walked down there. It was the real Moulin Rouge club; I havn't seen the movie yet, so I don't know much about it. We didn't go out, we just looked from outside. Finally, (it's time for the grand finale) we watched fireworks at the Eifel Tower!!! It was such a neat experience! Julian and I both decided today was the perfect day! I could not have imagined a better day. Plus, the weather was perfect there were only a few clouds in the sky and it was probably 70 F!

I went from Paris to Brighton, that was a mistake. Going from Paris to anywhere would be hard. Brighton was cloudy, windy and cold. I was told it is like San Fran, so I was very excited. I thought it would be pretty, trendy, and have lots of great shopping. Well, after spending a few hours in Brighton I realized it is where the homosexual community lives. That is what he meant when he said it is like San Fran! I was going to wade in the channel, but it was a rock beach and I hurt my feet really bad walking on the rocks. I went to the Royal Pavilion which was gorgeous. It was where one of the Henry's lived and it is decorated in a Chinese theme. The part that sticks out the most to me is the chandelier in the dining room. The ceiling is domed and there is a dragon sitting at the top of the chain for the chandelier. It was very pretty. I was not allowed to take pictures, but I bought some postcards, so I can show you when I'm home.

In Nottingham I saw the underground city. When people first settled in Nottingham they dug caves underground instead of building ontop of the ground. It was fascinating. I even learned how to make leather!

York was my next stop and that was a neat city! I went to the Minster which was very pretty and I walked along the walls. I have been doing so much walking my calves are huge! LOL :-) I met a girl from Minnesota, we had dinner together and just hung out.

Now I am in Edinburgh and I love it. Yesterday I wore shorts for the second time in nearly 6 weeks! :-) I took an open top bus tour of the city and went to see a camera obscura. Basically the camera projects a live picture of the city onto a table it was very fascinating. I shopped a little and hung out at the Princes Gardens until this crazy man started talking to me. I met some Australian girls in my room and we did the ghost tour which I already told you about. Today I went to the castle which was very pretty. It was smaller than the other castles I have seen. Then I climbed this hill and fell asleep in the grass. :-) I was looking at the sea, it was warm and I accidently fell asleep. I enjoyed my hike up the hill. :-) I could see a lot of the city from up there and I could see sail boats on the sea. :-) It was very pretty. I decided not to go back to Princes Gardens because I feared the crazy man, so I went to the art museum. It was really neat as well. I saw work from Van Gogh, Monet, and Rapheal. Well, my family is quick to inform me I arrive home at nearly 5:15 Thursday, so I don't know if I will write any more until after I get home. I am headed to London tonight and will spend my last two nights there. I love you all and look forward to seeing you when I get home! :-) That is me smiling at you. (Just use your imagination)

Posted: July 18, 2004, 6:59 pm (Pacific) by Rebecca Sheffield

Ghost Sighting?!?
Today was spent a little differently than last Sunday. I spent last Sunday in two abbeys/cathedrals in London and this Sunday on a ghost tour. I do not usually get scared of things, but I am in one of the most haunted cities in the world, in a prison that is haunted by the Poltergeist of the man who killed most of the prisoners. I did not feel anything from the Poltergeist, the stories say that people faint, get scratches and bruises from this poltergeist. I don't have anything yet, but they say usually they show up the next day. I usually do not get scared, but I got really scared when I man in a mask jumped infront of the door of the cell we were standing in!!! I just hid my face in the back of the man standing infront of me! I did not know what or who that was, but I was going to hide behind the really tall man infront of me!!! He get's paid to scare us and it worked. It was a neat experience and it made me rethink my theory on ghosts and spirits. I'm still not sure what I think exactly, but if you want to know ask me when I get home. I am going to go to bed because it is late here and I have a long hike tomorrow.

Love,
Rebecca :-)

Posted: July 15, 2004, 2:24 pm (Pacific) by Rebecca Sheffield

Bastille Day in Paris!
Okay, I have a little time to tell you a bit about Paris. First of all I went to Notre Dame! It was gorgeous and it had cool gargoyles hanging from the tops of the cathedral. The stained glass was completely amazing. I then walked to the Eifel Tower!!! It is huge!!!!!!!!! I was standing in line just looking straight up in amazement because it is gigantic! The family behind me was from Chicago, so I hung out with them all evening. It was a mom, dad, and a 4th grade boy. It took us 2 hours to wait in line and get to the very top. On the middle level the boy said whoa look up and I did and my knees quivered! The little boy sat on the ground because it made him nervous! On the elevator ride to the top I got very nervous because this elevator is going 900 plus feet in the air and there is no protection! I never get scared of heights, but I was Tuesday. The view from the top is amazing. I thought it would be similar to the arch, but you could see so much more and the city is so much bigger that it is one of a kind. I sat on the middle level and watched the sunset; that was a once in a lifetime experience. After I went down I was sitting in the grass just looking at the tower thinking I cannot believe this is happening to me. This Frenchman came and sat next to me and began talking. Once we established that I cannot speak french he told me in english that I look like a princess! Isn't that every womans dream to be flirted with by a frenchman under the eifel tower? The tower was gorgeous! I cannot believe that this trip is actually happening to me! The best part of Paris happened yesterday when I made a new friend from Argentina, but my time is running out, so I'll have to tell you about him another day. Until next time!

Rebecca

Posted: July 15, 2004, 10:05 am (Pacific) by Rebecca Sheffield

Pictures
I am e-mailing loads of pictures home, because I have filled up my disks. The computer I am on will not let me view the ones I am sending home, so You may not see the best pictures of Paris, but I need that space on my disk. I will write more later and send the best pictures from a different computer.

Posted: July 14, 2004, 12:14 pm (Pacific) by Rebecca Sheffield

PARIS
I am in Paris and loving it!!!! Tonight are fireworks at the Eifel Tower and I am going with a guy I met from Argentina! I will write more later, but Paris is amazing!

Edited: July 11, 2004, 2:00 pm (Pacific) by Rebecca Sheffield
Posted: July 11, 2004, 1:59 pm (Pacific) by Rebecca Sheffield

Guess where I went to church today???
Westminster Abbey and St. Pauls Cathedral! I am in London and loving it. It seems so surreal that I am actually in London. Stephanie, the girl I roomed with all last month and I were walking around Friday and we kept having to remind ourselves that we are really in London! Friday we saw the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, London Bridge (we broke out into song there), Trafalgar Square, Leicester square, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, the London eye, Westminster abbey and we shopped on Oxford street. Big Ben could be the prettiest building I have ever seen! I doubt my pictures will do it justice. I also loved the Tower Bridge! It is so pretty! I have walked across it twice because I think it is SO pretty! I we were going to go into the Tower of London, but the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh was there, so they were not allowing people in. :-( But it was cool that she was on the other side of the wall from where I was standing! :-)

Saturday we went to Harrods. I had some really good chocolate there!!! They are having their big sale the entire month of July so lots of things were half off, but still way to expensive for me. I did buy a small bag and a pin that says Harrods. I am collecting cool pins for my pag, it is filling up! Shrek was on the fourth floor hanging out in the toy department! :-) I walked through Hyde and Regent Park. I got a little lost, I felt like I was walkig forever!!! I went to the Princess Diana memorial fountain. It had been raining, and my feet were already wet, so I decided to waid through part of the fountain. I headed back to my hostel to get ready for an exciting evening at the theatre!!!!! I saw the Lion King tonight and I loved it!!! I was completely amazed by the costumes and the music. I was so enthralled with the entire evening. I loved the theatre, it was very nice also. Simba and Nala had english accents! There was a man hitting on me in the tube and when he found out I was American he stopped talking to me. He said, "I cannot speak American!" :-) LOL He made me laugh.

Today I went to church at St. Pauls and Westminster Abbey. I also saw big Ben again because I like it so much. I walked across the MIllenium bridge, I saw The Globe, Shakespeares theatre, I went to COvenatn Gardens and saw a lot of street performers. Then, I went to Piccadilly Circus! I have been wanting to go there since I arrived Thursday night! You can see it in the pictures, there is not much to it, but it's very unique. I imagine it is like a miniature time square. I really don't think I am doing London justice; it is absolutely amazing!!!! I could spend my entire two weeks here. Enjoy the new pictures!

I am meeting my Australian friend tomorrow morning and we will spend the day together! Then, I fly to Paris first thing Tuesday morning. I have met so many people that have been there and say it's amazing; so, I cannot wait to go myself. I know I am going to need more than a day and a half, but as fast as I walk I can probably handle it.

Posted: July 8, 2004, 7:01 am (Pacific) by Rebecca Sheffield

What is a bogey?
Okay, I embarassed myself at school last week. I was reading with one of my students and he came to the word duvay. I asked if he knew what that was and he said yes. We kept reading and he came to the word bogey and I asked if he knew what that was, again he said yes. I looked at him and said, "I don't, what is it?" Theo told me, "It is what you pull out of your nose." LOL I was a little embarassed, but I told him we don't use that word in the states.

Today is my last day at school. I have absolutely loved my time here. Dr. Garrison told us we are the best group she has ever brought and her friend from the states told us it is true, Dr. Garrison has continually complimented us. It makes me anxious to get home and have my own classroom. My students are precious and I love being with them. They are having a party for me this afternoon.

I am headed to London this evening, then Paris, Brighton, Nottingham and the sherwood forest, York, and Eidenburgh! I will keep you all posted!

Rebecca :-)

Posted: July 5, 2004, 10:32 am (Pacific) by Rebecca Sheffield

If I could fly for 7 minutes...
***I found the patience and a faster computer, so I have added more pictures!***

If I could fly for 7 minutes I would have flown to France yesterday. Okay I know that sounds silly but i spent yesterday in Dover and the tour guide said it only takes about 7 minutes to fly to France from Dover. It was about 22 miles from the Coast of England to the Coast of France. It was really hazey, but I could still see the coast of France. At first I was not impressed with the white cliffs. I took a boat tour hoping I would like them better after that and I still was not impressed. I decided to hike up one of the cliffs to the castle and hopefully that would impress me. I took a wrong turn and ended up hiking along the cliffs. They were GORGEOUS! After I got away from the harbour, the telephone wires, and houses it was gorgeous!!! Huge white cliffs with the english channel at the bottom. It was breath taking! I stood there completely amazed. I kept walking because I just wanted to get to the next cliff. Before I knew it I had hiked 2 miles to the lighthouse. I had no clue I had hiked two miles because I was so amazed by what I was seeing! I toured the lighthouse and it was neat to see how lighthouses actually work. Then I hiked 2 miles back to Dover. On Saturday night after I arrived in Dover I walked to the sea shore and I saw a half rainbow over the channel. I thought that was the neatest thing I've seen since I've been here, but then I realized I think that about almost everything. I would definately recomend hiking the cliffs if anybody plans on taking a trip to England! Just incase anybody is wondering there are not blue birds in Dover.

This weekend I met what could be the nicest man I have every met. This guy was from Australia and has spent the last 20 days touring 10 different countries. Currently he is running with the bulls in Spain. Not that you all need to know this, but Alec has the pretties eye lashes I have ever seen! (Mama they are prettier than Bucks!) He was teaching me French so I would be ready when I to Paris, which is in 8 days!!! :-) He got his travel book out and was showing me where to go in Paris and what I had to see. He was so nice. I asked if he had ice cream in Paris, because there is one shop that is suppose to have the best ice cream in the world. We began talking about how much we like chocolate. He told me he spent about 30 australian dollars on chocolate in Switzerland. I told him I was jealous and that it must be the best chocolate in the world. He said he had some left in his room and he would get me a bite if I wanted some. He ran upstairs (to the 3rd floor) and brought me a chocolate truffle thing. It was a Baileys cream I think, but it was the BEST chocolate I have ever eaten! Then, he gave me a bite of his chocolate bar with nuts, again amazing! Then, he gave me his chocolate bar. :-) It is so good, I am loving every bite of it. He probably ran to the 3rd floor 4 times to get different things for me. He even offered me some of his cough medicine.

I spent Friday at Leeds Castle. It is smaller than the castle I was at last Friday, but it had a moat around it. It was also newer, so it was not what I pictured a castle looking like, however, I still enjoyed it. It is on 500 acres of land. It is a gorgeous setting.

Saturday I spent in Canterbury. First I went to the cathedral. It was huge! It kept going, and going, and going! It was gorgoeus and very tall. Then I went to the canterbury tales museum. There is a lot to say about that, so ask me when I'm home. (That is another thing that I thought was the neatest thing I've seen in England.) I took a row boat tour and Jack was my tour guide. He is a cutie! He said him and Orlando Bloom went to the same school. :-) I walked along the city walls, climbed the west tower and saw the ruins of the Canterbury castle. I also found the coolest jewelry store; but the jewelry is very Rebecca. It was definately right up my alley. Canterbury was very pretty!

I had my class to myself Thursday afternoon and this morning. I loved it! I was reminded of why I am a teacher. I love teaching and explaing things to my students. They make me smile! :-)

One more thought...being here on the fourth was very different. I had no barbeque, no parade and no fireworks. One british lady in my tour at the lighthouse mentioned it was America's independence day because we saw an American flag flying, but our tour guide did not seem happy that she mentioned that. Well, that is all for now. I miss you all, please keep me in your prayers and I'll see most of you soon!!!

Rebecca :-)

Posted: July 1, 2004, 6:42 am (Pacific) by Rebecca Sheffield

School
First of all I want to thank everybody who has been praying for my cold, because I am almost all better. Usually my colds last about two weeks and this one only a week.

This is going to sound funny, but it doesn't feel like time is passing. I know I sleep and when I wake up it is the next day, but it does not feel like it should be July 1! I think part of the reason it doesn't feel like July is because I am still wearing pants and my sweatshirt! It is much cooler here than I had expected and much cooler than I would like it to be. I miss my warm summer days.

At my seminar yesterday I made three handbells! We had a lot of fun at our Design Technology seminar. We all made different instruments out of the different supplies in the room. We went to Lacock, that is where photography was discovered and then we went to Avebury. Avebury is similar to Stonehenge, I will try to post pictures this weekend.


My students are precious! I get them to myself this afternoon because Chris is off to a conference. He was telling giving me the lesson plans and making sure I knew what was going on. I told him, "Don't worry, I'll be fine!" He looked at me and grinned real big and said, "I thought you would!!!" I love my students and cannot wait to have my own class full of 28 or so children! :-)

I am off to Canterbury, to see St. Augustines Cathedral and the Canterbury tales museum this weekend. I bought a children's book of some canterbury tales yeasterday; I thought that would make it even more fun. Also, I am going to another castle!!! Then, sunday I am off to Dover to see the white cliffs. I am planning on taking a boat to see the cliffs, but I am excited to see the sun rise over the ocean!!!

For those of you who are counting down the days until I return I only have three weeks left.

Love,
Rebecca

Edited: June 28, 2004, 11:00 am (Pacific) by Rebecca Sheffield
Posted: June 28, 2004, 10:32 am (Pacific) by Rebecca Sheffield

Stratford-Upon-Avon
It literally took my 50 minutes to send Aaron 3 pictures, so I'm not sure if I will be sending any more. I don't have the patience.

I have so much to write about my weekend, but not a lot of time, so I am simply going to touch on the highlights on my weekend. Thursday night I got a real british experience!!! I went to a local pub in Stratford-Upon-Avon and watched the football game. England played Portugal (the host nation) in the quarter final round of Euro 2004. I wore my england jacket that I bought here and joined in the action. There were four big screen televisions at the pub and it was packed!!! The game was intense. To make a long story short. England was winning until the last 10 minutes of the game. They then went into two 15 minute overtime periods where both teams scored once. Seeing England score was ridiculous. The place went nuts! Then, the went into a shoot out and Beckham missed his first shot, but luckily Portugal missed one as well. The 6th shot England had was blocked by the keeper and then Portugal scored. Making them the winners. The place was silent! I have never been in an atmosphere like that before. I ended up talking to the guys standing around me. After they found out I was not Portugese they decided it was okay to talk to me! :-) I really don't think I look Portugese, but whatever. After the game a bunch of us played football. Then, we made plans to meet the next day, because they didn't have to work.

Friday, we went to Warwick castle. It was amazing! I loved being inside a castle, I was like a child in a candy store. My eyes were huge all day and I tried SO hard to remember every detail about the castle, so I can tell everybody at home. I would have loved to have been a princess living in the castle. It was gorgeous. The kind and queen held court in the great hall, which was a treat to see. I want to get married in the great hall of a castle! Is anybody up for a destination wedding in England??? Just kidding... My favorite part was when I was at the top of the towers. You could see the entire castle and most of the city. It was an amazing day. I went out with my new mates that night. We were talking and I was in the middle of a story and my eyes got huge and I shrieked and jumped out of my chair. On the wall was a metal sign with Missouri on it. The restaurant we were in was called Chicagos and I got to noticing there were cubs and white sox things hanging on the wall also. It made me homesick to see MO. I am completely fine until I see something like the outline of MO hanging on the wall.

Saturday I toured Shakespeares birth place, his daughter and grandaughters houses and the place where his house use to stand. The man that bought it when Shakespeares daughter died was mad because people kept visiting the house, so he tore it down. In the living room of Shakespeares birthplace was the original floor, so I walked where Shakespeare actually walked! I also saw his grave and read the curse he left. It basically says if anybody digs up his bones they will be cursed. Macbeth was playing at the play house, so I saw that. I really liked it. (Dad, I used my binoculars!) I walked along the river Avon and watched the ducks and swans. I went to the Teddy Bear museum and saw Mr. Beans bear, some of the bears left in memory of Princess Diana, Winnie the Pooh and Piglet, and Fonzie from the muppet babies! It was neat in the museum, all of the walls were painted with fun scenes and they were playing fun children's music. I met up with my new mates again and we had dinner together and they showed me some of the best places to walk along the river. It was really neat to hang out with locals, because our cultures are similar, but very different. For example, I was exhausted and I was slouching on this oversized couch and Nick looked at me with a disgusted look on his face and asked, "Is that how you sit in America?" I grinned really big and said, "Yes!" I was so tired I did not want to sit up straight. We talked about all sorts of things; the different places we've traveled to, school, what we want to do with ourselves when we grow up. Neal was a runner, so he and I had a lot to talk about. Carl wanted to know if I eat Fruit Loops, because apparently when he was in New York and Canada he ate them and loved them. Nick was completely enthralled with me because he had never met an American. They told me I was a Honey. We figured out that means the same thing as a Hottie.

Sunday I went shopping in Birmingham. There were, and I'm not exagerating, at least 8 H & M's in the same shopping area. I did not walk a whole lot because I was tired, but I saw 8 H and M's.

I taught my lesson on the STL Arch today. I thought it might be above them, but it was not, they loved it. I had never seen my classroom that quiet. Dr. G. was there and she was helpful. My students asked some really detailed questions, including why do we have presidents and not kings and queens. They really liked seeing the map of the United States. Also, I gave them all a postcard of the arch and they thought that was SO neat to get something from America. Some of them tried to give them back, but I assured them I bought them just for them. Also, I gave them the blow pops my mom sent and they loved those. They do not have lollipops with gum in the middle. Mama, they said thanks! My time with my students is half over, but it feels like I've been here two days.

Please pray for me because I have a scratchy throat and a runny nose. Thanks! I miss all of you!

Love,
Rebecca

Edited: March 21, 2006, 1:50 pm (Pacific) by Aaron Sheffield
Posted: June 24, 2004, 7:02 am (Pacific) by Rebecca Sheffield

Wednesday and Thursday
Yesterday we had a seminar on emotional literacy. I enjoyed it because I want to incorporate emotional literacy in my classroom. I want students to understand that they have many different emotions and that they are all alright to have. Also, I want them to know how to handle their emotions and feelings when they have them. We talked about that today and we talked about different activities to help in the learning process. They is so much to cram into one school day!

Next, we went to Longleit. It's a long story, but I'm going to try to keep it short. Lord Bath owns this huge house there which you can tour and there is a safari park. We saw wolves, lions, tigers, deer, rhinos, zebras, giraffes, and camels. It was cold and rainy yesterday, but they were all very active. We saw two lionesses get into a fight over some meat! Also on the manor is a hedge maze, a butterfly farm and other activities. We was a fun day.

Today Harry continues to tell me I'm beautiful! :-) I was actually happy to hear that because on Tuesday he was being really hateful to me. Mr. Bird is going to be gone next Thursday afternoon, so he asked if I wanted to teach all afternoon! I am excited, we will have games and some type of technical arts. The technical arts concern me a little, because we don't teach that in the states, but it will be fun. I am excited that he trusts me enough to leave me with his students. :-) Today the students kept calling me Mrs. Sheffield. Mr. Bird stopped them and said "excuse me Miss Sheffield did you get married in the past few days?" I told him I had not. Then he said, "Children she is Miss Sheffield you are Mrs after you get married." That is something we don't make a big deal of in the US, but to Mr. Bird it is a big deal. My students think because I wear rings I'm married. :-) LOL

I got a fun package Tuesday of American candy! Thanks mom. I have been enjoying the chocolate! I havn't given any to my students yet, but I wil share.

I am going to Stratfor Upon Avon, Warwick Castle, and the Cadbury factory this weekend. oh yeah, and I plan on watching England beat Portugual! Until next time!

Love,
Rebecca
Check out my pictures... http://www.sheffieldfamily.net/rebecca/england

Edited: March 21, 2006, 1:50 pm (Pacific) by Aaron Sheffield
Posted: June 22, 2004, 7:06 am (Pacific) by Rebecca Sheffield

You learn something new everyday!
There are only four teachers here today because the rest are on field trips. We began talking at lunch about handwriting. They do not have cursive writing here. They simply tell their students to connect their letters and they do it. The six year olds begin connecting letters and that's that. I began to show them some of our cursive writing and they thought it was weird. I bet it would be hard for them to read our cursive because some of our cursive letters look nothing like our print letters. For example, s would be difficlut. Just a tid bit on english culture.

PE went well today. The dance was adorable and they were all completely enthralled with my accent and teaching abilities that they were all angels! LOL not really, but I can pretend. :-)

England beat Croatia lastnight, so all is still well in England. That's all for now!

Love,
Rebecca

Posted: June 21, 2004, 11:27 am (Pacific) by Rebecca Sheffield

Cheerleading
We are teaching the year five and year six students how to do some cheerleading for their field day. They were so cute today! We began by teaching them the basics; spirit fingers and jumps. Then we taught them two cheers. Can you see me being a cheerleader? :-) I have St. Georges house and we there are 4 girls and 2 boys. We started out a bit shaky, but by the end of recess we were looking really well. Next week I will not wear a skirt or heals so it will be easier to teach.

I am teaching PE tomorrow and I am really pumped. I like my teacher a lot because he has told me I can teach whenever I want. Today he told me that he does not want me to get bored, so whenever I waht to teach something to just let him know. I have been blessed with a good teacher.

The weather has finally warmed up to a decent temperature today, I hope it stays. Tonight we are watching England play Croatia! Go England!

Edited: March 21, 2006, 1:51 pm (Pacific) by Aaron Sheffield
Posted: June 21, 2004, 11:04 am (Pacific) by Rebecca Sheffield

My 2nd Weekend
I started out Thursday night and headed to Sheffield England. It took five hours by train, but I finally arrived. When I got off the train I saw a large sign that said "Welcome to Sheffield", it was neat to see. I spent about fifteen minutes wondering around the city and looking at the amazing sites. The sun was setting over the rolling hills, it was gorgeous. Then, I decided I better get serious about finding a place to stay for the evening. I stayed at a nice B and B. I woke up early Friday morning to hit the streets. It was a bit cooler today than other days have been. I was looking for the Cathedrals, but I found the shopping center. (I'm still not sure how that happened:-) I shopped for a while and found a HOT pink skirt; something that I could not find in the States. Then, I made my way to the University (Sheffield University). I loved the old buildings, they were really pretty. I also found a rose garden and stream. Then I made my way to the Cathedrals on the other side of town. They were really pretty, and I took some good pictures. The town was nice and for the most part very pretty. I walked around for about 7 and a half hours, so I was tired when I left.

I then took the train to Manchester. I met a nice British man on the train. He was giving me ideas about what to do in Manchester. I have found that most people here are very nice as long as we don't talk politics. The place I stayed in Manchester use to be a hat factory and it was built around 1910, and the bathrooms looked about that old. Other than the bathrooms the rest was very nice. I met a Canadian Australian and American there and we all hung out Friday night. I think the Canadian and Australian kind of fancied me. The Canadian kept buying my dinner. The Australian made me laugh harder than I have laughed in a long time! :-) We was very neat to be talking to people from two totally different countries. The Australian may come visit the states next summer and I told him Val and I may plan a trip to the beaches in Australia. He was giving me the low down on which ones to go to.

On Saturday we all went to the Manchester United Football Stadium. Mark (the Australian) and I toured it. I loved the tour. Their football stadium seemed a lot larget than our stadiums in the states. Mark knew a lot about the team because they are the enemy of his favorite team. He answered all of my questions. We saw pictures and quotes from David Beckham. I sat where Tom Howard (The American goalie) sits to change before the games.

Sunday I went to the art museum and walked around. It was so neat. Some of the highlights include a painting of the greek gods including Pandora and Cupid, The Girl I left Behind by Randolph Caldecott (this is neat to me because there is a children's book illustration award named after him), Ophelia by Arthur Hughes, William Shakespeare by Ford Madox Brown, and Madonna of the Pink by Raphael. All in all it was a great weekend. I have always wanted to see Sheffield and now I have and the football stadium in Manchester was great. Until next time!

Edited: June 18, 2004, 1:01 pm (Pacific) by Aaron Sheffield
Posted: June 18, 2004, 12:34 pm (Pacific) by Aaron Sheffield

CHEERS!
Hello All!

My head is spinning, I don't know where to begin because there is so much to say. I guess I will start with school. There are 28 five and six year olds in my classroom. They have an open campus and the children are allowed to run around the entire school yard during their break times. We have 15 minute tea break in the morning and an 1 lunch break. I spend most of lunch reading and writing e-mails. Next week the four American girls here, we are going to begin teaching cheerleading to some students, preparing for field day in July! The children are lovely. They are all excited because they have never met an American before. THey only have about 3 or 4 subjects a day where in the us we teach about 7 or 8. In PE on Tuesday we danced! Chris said I could teach dance next week! ALl of the special classes are taught by the classroom teacher. I am trying to get all of the students names down, but it is hard. Also, there is not a teachers desk in the classroom. I think I like that, because the teacher cannot sit behind it and ignore the students. They are very loud becaue there are so many of them! They were trying to figure out why I am Miss Sheffield and not Mrs. Sheffield. I told them because I am not married. THen they wanted to know why I'm not married. Then Harry asked if I would be Mrs. Sheffield if I got marrie. :-) Heleyna told me to marry a pretty boy and Harry told me to make sure my husband was a good kisser. Then he told me that I'm sexy. I quickly put an end to that converstion. :-) I brought my american coins in for show and tell this week and named them. I have more stories, but class is about to start!!!! I've gotta go. It's been great hearing from all of you! Please pray for me as I travel north to Sheffield and Manchester this weekend

Love,
Rebecca