So as it turns out, I'm pretty much crap at this whole blogging thing.  Its been months with not a single post.  In an attempt to make up for my prolonged absence I've decided to share some pictures from the past six months of my life.  So prepare yourself for an onslaught of photos. Starting with the day to day of my second term at L'abri.

Life at the Manor House...     

Here is a reminder of where I called home.  After watching leaves fall and flowers die throughout the winter, it was beautiful to see everything come to life in the spring.  

The Helpers...

These are the helpers.  Students my first term at L'abri, these five made the transition into being pillars of the community.  Planning meals, doing laundry, maintenance, chopping wood, building fires and being in charge of the work crews each day.  They are incredible and I love them each dearly.  Here they are wearing their Team Zissou hats.  Each individually knitted by our friend and former helper Anna of Portland. 

umm...other stuff...

Helen, Elizabeth and I.  The three of us are long-timers, each staying for two terms as students.

A discussion lunch in Marta's flat.  This was my favorite meal and one of our last formal lunches.  Notice the flowers and candles?  Although we eat together everyday the helpers and workers never failed to make it a beautiful event.  Really, it's these small things that are so meaningful.

Dinner in the dining room.

This is my friend Kari.  I love her and I love this picture.  Sunny days got everyone excited and playing outside.  

And this is Marta.  Remember her?  My tutor.  I am positive I would not have made it through this time in my life if Marta would not have been there to carry me.  I miss her terribly.

And this is a Valentine I received from my dear friend Kristin.  It arrived at the manor exactly on Valentines Day, and I was overjoyed.  So thoughtful that Little Bird.

Tea Time...

These tea times are a big part of the day, as they break up the blocks of time designated for work and study.  There is a lot of laughter and a lot of volleyball.  And when the weather is poor, and we are forced indoors, speed scramble is the game of choice.

It Snowed!!!

In January we were treated with the most snow fall Hampshire had seen in fifteen years!  Everything was blanketed in white and breathtaking.  Many snowball fights ensued.

High Tea...

Here are some of the talents displayed at my favorite time of the week.

Fiona of Ireland taught everyone an Irish jig, which Alasdair and Helen followed with some lessons in Scottish Highland dancing.  We all tried to pick up the steps, but I must say we kind of ended up just moving our feet around  quickly and laughing a lot.

The Swedes singing a folk song and doing a traditional Swedish folk dance to celebrate the coming of summer, or spring, or something like that.  Stefan struggled with the words, and the dance moves, and it was hilarious.  

The Hawkley...

The Hawkley is generally everyone's favorite pub.  It is small, full of interesting local people,great local brews, and often live music.  Many Saturday nights were spent here.  Half of the appeal is the journey to get there.  It is at least an hour walk one way.  Groups of people trekking along footpaths through fields and fields that are lit by the moon and millions of stars.  Great times.

Ali's Kebab...

I am convinced L'abri must keep Ali in business.  Ali is the man who runs this kebab stand along the side of the road, literally in the middle of nowhere.  Nothing on either side of him, his truck is there nightly, and is frequented by L'abri students.  It is a definite pit stop on the way home from the Hawkley.

Work Day...

Last term it was picking and peeling apples, this term it was manning the burn pile.  A smokey, smelly and fun job.  And this is Wesley in his flip shades.  Included purely for a giggle.

And Some Little Outings...

These are some day or weekend trips I took throughout the term.  Either on our day off, or for a mid-term break.

Selbourne...

We walked to a quaint village nearby.  When I say "nearby" I mean it took us about 4-5 hours to walk there, thankfully it was a beautiful day of perfect weather.

So this picture just makes me laugh.  The donkey looks fake, which it wasn't, and with his video camera and map around his neck Steven looks like a dad on vacation, which he isn't.

This is where we stopped for a picnic lunch of sandwiches and cheap wine.  It wasin a stunning little valley full of flowers and fallen trees.

And this is in Selbourne.  This creek is behind an old church and graveyard (which we toured) and down a steep hill (which some rolled down).  I attempted to jump this creek (a misguided bout of bravery) and fell on my face pulling Alasdair, who tried to catch me, down with me.  It was really funny, and painful.

London...

Some family friends of Helen have a flat in London and were kind enough to offer it to her for a weekend that they were away.  We readily took advantage and had a wonderful time.  A perfect break from the intensity of L'abri.  We gave our brains and emotions a break and explored London.  Here we are at Camden Market.

Lovely Kari cooked us dinner one night.

Isle of Wight...

Five of us decided to spend one of our last Thursdays at the Isle of Wight.  Alasdair had a car and was kind enough to drive.  So we took the ferry over and spent the day exploring.

It was absolutely beautiful.  The perfect day.  Definitely one of the days I treasure most from my time in England.  We drove around the island, adventured by foot, played on the beach, picnicked on a cliff, ate ice cream, made daisy chains, and as can be seen above, Kari danced.

Scotland...

40 minute walk to the train station, 1.5 hours on the train to London, ten hours on a megabus - and we were in Scotland!  Helen, Wesley and I took a weekend trip to Glasgow.

  

Lunch with friends.  They were attempting to pick Rachey up...but as can be seen, they failed.  But don't worry, she's not dropping the pose.

We got to attend Helen's dads 50th birthday party.  A dance party where Wesley proceeded to dance for approximately 3 hours straight with a collection of middle aged women.  They loved him!  I loved the whole hilarious scene.  And Helen simply kept repeating, "This is so weird.  What is happening?"

Wesley and I traveled to Edinburgh for the day.  We met up with Alasdair (who lives there) who was kind enough to give us a grand tour.  Here are the boys posing on a would-be rival to the colosseum, if the capital of scotland had ever finished the monument.