First day of 8th grade and Buckingham Palace
japra | Aug 26, 2008 | Comments 12
Roxi started school bright and early on this cool, overcast day. She was so excited! Registration went well yesterday. She met lots of new friends and hooked up with old ones. We’re not the new kids on the block this year. It’s weird to think that.
The school drama department head announced the musical yesterday. It’s The Music Man. How very American! Last year was The Wind in the Willows, very British. Auditions are next Wednesday and then rehearsals start the following week on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons. Roxi just loves it, though, and somehow manages to make excellent grades despite her busy schedule, so I can’t complain. In addition, Roxi will continue her voice lessons, all the while wishing she could fit in piano classes too. She’s been playing on her own this summer, so I guess six and a half years of lessons haven’t gone to waste.
At registration yesterday, Roxi took one look at her schedule and let out a squeal! Math with her favorite math teacher, English with a reputed excellent teacher, Science with her advisor, Advanced French with her teacher from last year, History with another awesome teacher, Drama with her favorite director–AND because she asked at the end of last year… band AND choir (normally the kids have to choose one). She also has two days with study halls and two days with PE.
Today is mainly a getting-to-know-you kind of day. Since there is a 20% turn over every year (typical of the American schools here, I think), the kids go through a couple of days of elaborate team building exercises. Tomorrow is an all day “bonding day” off campus. Believe it or not, they will be boating. In this weather, you ask? Yes. Roxi isn’t thrilled about this because last year, they had to wear “disgusting” wet suits. Anyway, they’re going to build a raft and participate in a dragon boat race. Pick up is after 5:00 pm tomorrow. Luckily there won’t be homework!
Today I’m going to try to muck out the house a little bit. I’ll try to get more picturesque posts up starting next week when life gets back on schedule. Meanwhile, for any of you in London or planning to come to London before September 29, I highly recommend the Buckingham Palace tour. The State Rooms are only open for two months out of the year, and Roxi and I just happened to have been at the Palace at the right time when Mr. DJ’s cousin came to visit last Wednesday. You can stand in line to buy tickets, or you can book in advance. We stood in line for about 40 minutes and were able to get in with the next group of people. It takes about 2-2.5 hours to get through the rooms with the audio guide. Tickets are £15.50 for adults, £8.75 for under 17 year olds, and under 5s are free.
The front of Buckingham Palace. Not a lot of tourists these days. Photo taken by me on Roxi’s Nikon Coolpix L6 because I was too lazy to carry around my huge DSL.
And the flip side. There is lovely pond and garden back here. It’s roped off, but you can sit on a bench along the path and sip a little tea in the Queen’s “backyard” after your tour. Also taken by me on Roxi’s Nikon Coolpix L6.
Filed Under: Blog • Castles • Destinations • London • United Kingdom • What to Do
About the Author: JaPRA is an expat Texan living in England with her husband (Mr. DJ), their 17-year old daughter (Roxi), and their dog Trudy.
Damn… not going to be over until October. I’d love to see those rooms. We’ll expect a full accounting from you!
you don’t often see the ‘flip side’ of Buckingham palace, thanks.
Roxi sounds like an over-achiever like my daughter. It’s busy keeping track of their schedules when they want to do EVERYTHING.
Sounds like you got a wonderful daughter. I bet a lot of parents are wishing their kids were as scholarly and excited by life as she is.
Wish I could see Buckingham Palace soon!
Music Man! So many great songs! I sing, hum or referal to songs from it a lot. In the past week, its been “Trouble which starts with T…” and “you got your irish imagination, your Iowa stubbornes and your library full of books!” What part will she go for?
I was one of those kids who did best with a busy schedule, I am one of those adults too, the busier I am the better I do.
I actually loved high school and was in choir (we didn’t have a band) and I played soccer.
Dragon boat races are such fun! Will they get to be in a dragon boat too? Paddling those things is really interesting.
I have never toured Buckingham palace, I had no idea what was behind it. Maybe next time :-) Are the state rooms open in Feb or March or just in the summer? Did they let you take pictures inside?
Looking forward to more picture posts…
I hope Roxi had a good first day. My kids start Tuesday. That’s nice that your daughter is interested in photography too. I tend to take a small point and shoot with me just in case as the SLR is so bulky. Your photos came out very well all the same.
Pigtown-Design–Too bad you’ll just miss it! Unfortunately there were no photos allowed in the palace and my design vocabulary amounts to “um, er, uh…” But there are a few rooms posted on the link I included. Suffice it to say it was amazing and everything was meticulously maintained.
Christine–Isn’t that the truth! Roxi’s schedule is full, but she had the whole summer to relax. She’s ready to go :-)
Alyson–She’s got a lot of joie de vivre, that’s for sure!
Susan–I was stuck on that one today too! MM seems like a funny choice for middle school. The love interest part could be awkward!! But it’ll be interesting to see how they stage it. The kids don’t get to pick the part to audition for. They just say if they like to sing only, dance only, or have a singing AND dancing solo. Guess which one my girl’s going to pick?!
And band this year is jazz band, which is exciting. Roxi told me that she gets to play piano. Last year she played glockenspeil and xylophone, which was fun, but she’s into piano again, so the band director’s choice gets thumbs up.
Sorry to say, the tours are only available in 29 July to 29 September. Have you been to Windsor Castle? It’s worth going to if you haven’t been.
Sarah–Roxi takes some outrageous photos, mainly of her friends. They also make crazy, hyper videos. It’s very interesting.
Music Man is the musical my high school put on a million, no make that a zillion, years ago.
My daughter was one of 200 students at the American high school in the Hague. Having transferred from a 3000 student school in the US, she had a period of adjustment, but it turned out to be wonderful. The entire student body worked as one class. The kids learned more and did more. The senior prom was for everyone to honor the graduates. Since everyone was from somewhere else, their difference were embraced rather than having to conform to any trends as was the custom is the US. She blossomed there.
Ginny–I am so glad your daughter had a good overseas experience. Roxi is having a lot of fun here… maybe too much fun. It may be hard to pull her away from all this when the time comes! You are right about the blossoming part and embracing differences. I love how most of the students at our school are ex-pat kids. It makes a huge difference.
I’m glad that Roxi got a good schedule! Even though I feel far away from school days, your post made me remember the excitement of seeing a new schedule for the first time.
I hope that Roxi gets a good part in Music Man. Fingers crossed.
your daughter sounds adorable! now if only her love of math and school could rub off onto my daughter – I’d be thrilled!
Joni
Joni–She’s a keeper, that’s for sure. I am certain your daughter is lovely as well :-)
Bee–I was excited too. I’ved been trying to hold back from buying back to school supplies for myself–haha! Roxi says thanks for your well wishes. And hello to her friend!