Closing Ceremonies

Our closing ceremonies were yesterday, after classes ended but before our exams have started. Before dinner, we had the castle-wide group shot of all the students (except for a couple who went to Berlin for the week-end). After dinner, we heard some speeches and some great musicians - violins, harps, piano and many vocalists, followed by a dance. It was a good way to end the term.

The Union flag, Canadian flag and Queen's colours fly on our castle.

The castle, complete with a moat. Here's where I've been studying for the past 3 months. We actually do have a moat, which some mallards and Canadian geese live in.

Walking to the front of the castle. Before the dinner and closing ceremonies, we were taking a large group picture.

Some of my friends were all together: Juan, Lisa, Dennis, Justin, Jeremy, Eveline.

Some of the ladies went ahead and had their photo taken before the large group shot. Laura (blue floral print) is taking a picture of Alex, Kristen, Jen and Mary Pam.

Everyone walking around confused. There's supposed to be a group shot taken shortly, but we were so scattered.

Just before the group shot we were ...

Milling around.

Oh, gotta put the camera away for our group shot...

Kayla posing for a picture.

The "girls" in front of the castle. L-R: Kayla, Dolly, Andrea, Lisa P, Selena, Ericka, Laura, Krista, Caleigh, Lisa M.

Lisa and Caleigh posing before dinner.

Lisa and I are just about to enter the castle before dinner.

Our castle's courtyard.

Our dining hall. Minus the enchanted ceiling, it's a lot like Harry Potter's great hall.

Our closing ceremony's dinner in the dining hall.

Finishing off dessert in the dining hall before the musical show and dance.

It's a dance. I arrived "fashionably late", and this is what I arrived to. No one's dancing yet! I don't understand.

The dancing is underway!

Jeremy and I are chatting.

Me with my 3 British studies profs, Joy, Anthony and Christian. Joy's Canadian, which makes it seem quite logical that she's a British studies prof.

Gordon getting a word in with Francesca, head of student services.

Anthony, the geography and British studies prof, and Joy, the history and British studies prof, dancing

Adam and Andrew thought this was a great idea.

Andrew and Daphne dancing the night away!

Laughing at the end of the night. There are 3 of my profs hanging out: Andrew (seated) my English prof, Anthony (laughing) my aforementioned geography and British Studies prof, and Daphne (sideways), my art history prof. As the night geared down, no one wanted to leave.

Tragedy

This past Easter week-end, my friend, Justin Schwieg, passed away suddenly. He was 23.

I have known Justin since grade 7 at Bayridge PS, and hung out within the same circle of friends in high school. Needless to say, it has been a rough time for all. My sympathies to his family.