Rachel's, the IB L.A.R.P., Julkul, last day of school

I have so much to write about today and unfortunately not so many pictures so accompy the writing. I've been a little lazy with my picture taking skills in the past week.

Last Friday, all the Eskilstuna exchangers, along with Julien (an honorary Eskilstuna exchanger), went to Rachel's for glögg (a warm, spiced, Christmas drink), pepparkakor (similar to gingerbread), and a movie night/sleepover type thing. It was the first time we've had a get-together at Rachel's which made it kinda fun : ) Unfortunately we had to wake-up the next morning at 7 to get to school for the IB L.A.R.P., a live-action, role playing game which the IB students organize every year to get CAS hours (which probably only my IB friends will understand).

Anyways, this year the exchange students at school were invited to join in. We had no idea what to expect, and it was a bit shocking at first I have to say. We walked into the theater at school (which we had the run of for the weekend), where people were lounging around dressed up as characters. Everyone had a mission for their character and we were divided into 2 sides - the scientists, and the mystics. After separating into our teams, everyone got clearance cards for different parts of the school. I being a student, couldn't go hardly anywhere! The game went from Saturday morning to Sunday morning. It was complete with sword battles in the hallways and deep conversations "in-character". Sadly, my character got killed off for aiding in the murder of the Chairman, so I was out of the game Saturday evening (well I wasn't too sad about that)! I have to say that I have never seen anything like that game. It was almost like a live video game. All the students got really into it and put a lot of effort into their characters.

Tuesday, was Julkul at school (Christmas fun). Everyone crowded into the theater to watch the show. There were mostly rock bands playing, but also some comedy acts and other things. It was really fun to see just how talented the kids at my school were. I remember trying to run a talent show at Shep, and how hard it had been to find people who wanted to participate. Here, that's apparently not a problem.

Wednesday was the last day before holidays assembly at school. Each grade had their own assembly. In mine, some amazing singers performed as well as the drama class performing some songs from Rent (in Swedish). It was really great, much better than our assemblies at home!

After the assembly, everyone went back to their homerooms. In mine, we read a Christmas story and ate more pepparkakor (they're going to be the death of me)!
Later, some of the girls in my class went back to Sophie's for her birthday gathering, and a Christmas gift exchange.

Sunday (Christmas Eve) is Christmas here so I will be celebrating it with my host family. We will be at my host dad's girlfriend's place Saturday night, and Sunday morning, then we will go back to Eskilstuna to go to Henric's (my host dad) parents house, then we will go to his sister's, and then finally to midnight mass to end the night. It sounds busy busy busy to me, so hopefully it will be good. : )

Merry Christmas to everyone, I hope you have a wonderful holiday. I miss you all so much!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox - Claire
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