Thursday 19 April 2012

My holiday is over... teaching started this week. We have been learning about the foundations of our faith like creation, the beginning, human nature, body, soul and spirit, authority and power, etc. We got homework which I wasn't expecting which is to write a page on what Jesus accomplished by dying on the cross. I've really been enjoying the teachings and I really want to savour every minute while I'm here but the problem is that the chairs we are sitting in are so comfortable and the room is so warm that it is hard at times not to fall asleep. It doesn't help that they feed us really big hot meals for lunch and dinner. I have actually been struggling with the food here because there is so much of it and it is all delicious. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are buffets and there are so many options to chose from that I usually end up filling my whole plate. On top of that there are two tea breaks during the day which is coffee/tea and biscuits (cookies). I feel full all the time!

My friend took me to the little pond down the road the other day and it was so beautiful. I think I lost my room key there though... didn't take me very long. Anyway it seems like wherever I go I am surrounded by ancient buildings and things. I am excited about all the history here and I love to explore and climb on things that were climbed on by people in the 1800's. There are so many castles here. Real live ones!

Monday 9 April 2012

My first weekend at Pierrepont was very quiet and relaxing. There weren't many people on site because it was Easter weekend and NETS trainees aren't supposed to arrive until later this week. Everyone here has been so nice and welcoming and even though there aren't many people yet, there are about twenty different countries represented by the people who are here. I've really enjoyed having conversations with them and hearing about their home. It's especially fun when they don't speak English very well because then we try different words to understand each other. I was very fortunate because I was offered a dormitory shared by four people rather than eight if I would do a small amount of chores around the place during the week. I was happy to accept that offer. My roommates aren't here yet so I've had this big room to myself over the weekend. As for the food, it isn't as bad as everyone said it would be. It isn't that much different than in Canada except that occasionally someone will make a salad or soup or something that is from their country. 
So far so good!