My First Day of School,Abnormally Large Popcorn and the Secters of Central Pa(e)rk

I've just had my first day of school. It is 10:25PM and my brain is empty of clever ideas to use for writing my blog, but completely filled with worry and How-the-hell-am-I-going-to-ace-the-IB-Diploma-program related feelings. I'm not completely having a nervous breakdown yet (talk to me in a month ;), so I still remain optimistic and excited for the school year. I'll try to fight my writer's block by telling you a bit about the IB curriculum. 

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (The IB Program) is defined as ''an academically challenging and balanced programme of education with final examinations that prepares students, aged 16 to 19, for success at university and life beyond. It has been designed to address the intellectual, social, emotional and physical well-being of students.'' Pretty definition, huh? I can say, with all my heart, that based on the 3 days I've been at UNIS that statement stands very strong. But again, talk to me in a month. 

Anyway, in IB there are 6 academic areas, from which you have to choose your courses for the next 2 years -1st Language and Literature (There isn't a possibility to study Estonian at UNIS, surprise-surprise! so my ''first language'' is English), 2nd Language, Social studies, Sciences, Math and the Arts. To complete the Diploma program, you have to take 3 courses in standard level and 3 higher level. My highers are: Math, History and Film, the standards are: English w Performance, Physics and Russian. The one I'm most worried about currently is the Maths, because although I am an alright mathematician, I'm no Dexter in Dexter's Laboratory. (I know he was probably more the science guy, but come on, it's all a big confusing family.)

Putting the academics aside, I had a great time discovering NYC this past week. Me and my mom walked around quite a lot in the city, but what sticks out for me was Central Park and going to the movies. 

The popcorn in my hand is a medium size and the drink is the smallest they had. 

We went to see "A Hundred Foot Journey", which was wonderfully directed by Lasse Hallström. A short synopsis is: ''The Kadam family leaves India for France where they open a restaurant directly across the road from Madame Mallory's Michelin-starred eatery.'' (Thank you imdb.com for that ;)  

I am a total movie-nerd; seriously I would pack up my bags, move into a cinema any day of the week and I found this film very enjoyable. 

Leaving aside the film itself, the experience of going to a US cinema was definitely different than in Estonia. First of all, the ticket prices are through the roof. We got the cheaper tickets by going to see it in the morning and even those were 8 dollars (6 euros), which I think is a bit much. The tickets also didn't have seats on them and let me tell you, navigating in a dark movie theatre to find a seat, while you have a drink and popcorn in your hand, being a person with 2 left feet was not my favourite part of the experience. Also, as I said in an earlier post, the serving sizes of food were ridiculous. That drink in my hand is the SMALLEST they had; it is a solid large back home. (I'm not complaining though, don't get me wrong, it's just that, I'm probably going to have to throw the scale out the window after a few months of being out here. Keep in mind, that I live on the 31st floor.)

Moving on to Central Park, I have one word for you - paradise.

Those beautifully pedicured nails are my mother's, don't get any ideas.

Everybody was so friendly and bubbly. There were people rollerskating (dancing, would be more accurate), street performers, caricaturists, children playing in the fields etc. The park reminded me of home a little bit - I am seriously starting to miss the nature. (Estonian territory is roughly 50% covered in forests, let us not forget that.) I could go on and on about Central park, but I think my words are not enough to express its true beauty. 

The day we went to Central Park was also the day of the rain. And I ain't talking no ''seenevihm'', I'm talking full on cats and dogs, like a storm was brewing. This was the first time, I'd got to see a storm like this from a high place, so it was quite absolutely terrifying. 

That fog in the second picture is not fog, it is rain.

I have finished writing this blog post! (Yay, I'll do the patting myself on my back later...;) It is now 11:10PM and if I want not to look like a zombie tomorrow, I probably should go to bed. Thank you for reading and good night! 

PS! All students who just started another school year, I wish you persistence and good luck. We'll get through this one also without having a nervous breakdown. I'm optimistic. Very optimistic. Quite optimistic. Yeah... (Ask me again in a month.)