Here is a brief summary of our school visits. There are many, MANY more details that I'd love to share, and I might in a later post. But for now, I'll just hit the highlights!
American School in London: 40 year old, well established, well endowed school. The admissions director had his act together and led us through a very concise, but packed with information, tour of the upper and lower schools. There is a heavy focus on fine arts here (in general, not just at this school), and we saw state of the art equipment and facilities. Their lower school library had 17,000 volumes, 20 computers, and touch boards (like the smart board). The kids were very engaged and seemed happy to be at school. One negative: no uniform. We have decided that the general atmosphere of the school changes when you don't require a uniform. The kids, especially upper school, were a little too comfortable at school! ANother negative: we knew it would be "secular," but this was amazingly indifferet to any faith, as far as we could tell.
Woodside Park: Older school, new headmaster (sound familiar?), enrollment is down because of the direction he's trying to steer the ship. He actually moved from Houston to take this assignment, but he is a native of England. His wife, the registrat, led us on a VERY thorough tour that lasted about 3 hours. We loved the IB curriculum and the lower school, but the upper school didn't seem to have its act together. The school has 41 countries represented and is extremely diverse. We can't decide if it might be a bot too diverse for us.
Southbank International: The admissions director looked like a 20 year old kid. He did not sell the school, even though he is a former student back there to work. That surprised me. They are also an IB school, with 60 countries represented. NO UNIFORM. Two separate campuses for Ross & Chloe that are about 25 minutes apart. Again, the diversity might be a bit overwhelming for our kiddos. Not sure.
So, ASL might have space for Ross, and Chloe has been wait-listed. Woodside Park practically begged us to come, and SOuthbank didn't show their hand at all ( they want the $300 application fee before they commit!).
We ate at a fabulous steak place last night, La Pampa Grill, with one of Joe's colleagues, Amy. We have also visited the Tower of London and are thinking of taking the train to Paris tomorrow for my birthday! How many gals can say THAT?
I spoke with Nahnee & Pookie tonight and all is well at home. They have been swimming every day, and Emmy is going under water in the spa all by herself! Miracles do happen! My dad got in a little negotiation with her before nap time yesterday when she insisted on wearing her princess nightgown. Ross' play went well. Chloe made it to gymnastics on time. Everyone is happy and cooperating. Thank you, Jesus!!!
More later - must go get ready for the house tours!!!
Kate
Monday, May 19, 2008
Sunday, May 18, 2008
LONDON DAY 1
We arrived safely but a little later than we expected. Joe is a pro at this overseas traveling thing, but me, not so much. I think I slept about 2 hours on the 9 hour flight, and even THAT was dicey because any time we hit turbulence, I was sure we were going down!! I took a Lunesta and downed a margarita at the airport, neither of which had the usual sleep-inducing effect on me. I watched 27 Dresses three times, and LOVED listening to my new IPOD. I have to give a "shout out" right here to Leslie, for her FABULOUS playlist, and Melanie, for the amazing BOSE headphones! I'll never go back to the earbud!!
We went to dinner last night at Mike (Joe's Markit contact) & Sue's house over in St. John's Wood. Think Highland Park to get the picture in your head. They have a 3 story, 5 bedroom home that is really neat. Hardwoods throughout, beautiful leaded glass windows, a small garden (back yard) complete with a gardener. We enjoyed having American food (chicken and pork tenderloin on the grill) and sampling delicious salads from Sue's favorite deli.
Today we have a full day of school interviews: American School in London, Southbank, and Woodside Park. Please pray for clarity. We are both leaning toward one school, but we want to be open to the Lord's leading. We can "mess up" the housing part, and easily correct that, but we owe it to the kids to get the school piece right from the beginning!
Can't wait to get home!!!
Cheerio!
We went to dinner last night at Mike (Joe's Markit contact) & Sue's house over in St. John's Wood. Think Highland Park to get the picture in your head. They have a 3 story, 5 bedroom home that is really neat. Hardwoods throughout, beautiful leaded glass windows, a small garden (back yard) complete with a gardener. We enjoyed having American food (chicken and pork tenderloin on the grill) and sampling delicious salads from Sue's favorite deli.
Today we have a full day of school interviews: American School in London, Southbank, and Woodside Park. Please pray for clarity. We are both leaning toward one school, but we want to be open to the Lord's leading. We can "mess up" the housing part, and easily correct that, but we owe it to the kids to get the school piece right from the beginning!
Can't wait to get home!!!
Cheerio!
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
FINAL THREE
It's finally here! The moment we've all been waiting for! After tomorrow
night, IDOL will be down to two people. I can't decide if I'm excited about
that, or if I'm just relieved. What a whip the last few weeks have been!
You know IDOL is hurting when they can get Dolly Parton and Neil Diamond,
while Dancing with the Stars has USHER for their finals next week! I
thought for sure Simon Cowell had more clout than Tom Bergeron!!!
Random comments about tonight:
Paula chooses David Archu's first song, hoping it will show off his range.
He calls it a "pretty song," and says he was "excited" to sing it. I was
excited when he stopped singing.
David looked uncomfortable singing his 2nd song. I think this is the kind
of song he'd like to be known for singing, but it just didn't work for me.
Randy was right when he said it was not believable. And, I agreed with
Simon's comment about the chihuahua and tiger comparison. Laughed when I
heard that!
Song 3: LONGER THAN... DAN FOGELBERG. Wish David Cook had been
singing it to me!!! That would have been more believable! Archu is a great
talent, but he's not what I would consider an Idol. That being said, he
sails to the finals tonight, with the help of the "judge love" the last
several weeks.
Ultimately, he needs to team up with Josh Groban and go on tour opening for
Celine Dion. THAT is his audience. I don't care HOW many teenaged idiots
vote for him, I promise you they won't be buying or downloading his albums
(until they can get the blue hair special at Denny's).
I think the deck was stacked against Syesha. To begin with, Randy gives her
Alicia Keys to sing. Isn't that similar to giving her a Whitney or Mariah
song? Haven't they told her ALL freakin' season to steer clear of the big
artists?
Her 2nd song was much more Broadway, which is right up her alley. I almost
expected her to do something nasty with that chair! J Her vocals were the
best on this song tonight. She has inherited Brooke's inability to shut up
and take the criticism from the judges, saying "it's okay!" any time the
audience boos!!
The producers' song selection for her was a total waste of air time. She
sounded weak, out of breath, and surprisingly unenergetic. I think she went
out there knowing she's going home tomorrow. I wish she'd given it the
"devil-may-care" type performance we've come to rely on from her. She's in
serious trouble. I fully expect to see her in The Color Purple on Broadway
by the end of the year, ala Fantasia.
David Cook. Rock on, dude! Simon chooses The first Time Ever I Saw Your face...
subliminal message? And seriously, do y'all think David even knew who
Roberta Flack was? Simon said David had the chance to show originality...
hasn't he done that all season? He didn't need that platform.
His 2nd song was fabulous. He is such the rocker, and he looks like
he's very comfortable up there doing his thing! SWITCHFOOT is one of my
favorite groups! The judges seemed to dog on him a little bit tonight, but
I couldn't really find anything extremely noticeable (and off) about his
performances.
Song 3: Don't Want to Miss A Thing. Me, either, especially when he's
singing!!! He is the complete package. I think he might outsell Daughtry.
And, if the 2 of them ever tour together, we've all got to go to that!!!
So, tomorrow, we'll see Syesha sing her swan song, hopefully sans the chair, and then it's on to the David Squared final.
Please, Lord, help David Cook be the Winner!!
Widner, Out
night, IDOL will be down to two people. I can't decide if I'm excited about
that, or if I'm just relieved. What a whip the last few weeks have been!
You know IDOL is hurting when they can get Dolly Parton and Neil Diamond,
while Dancing with the Stars has USHER for their finals next week! I
thought for sure Simon Cowell had more clout than Tom Bergeron!!!
Random comments about tonight:
Paula chooses David Archu's first song, hoping it will show off his range.
He calls it a "pretty song," and says he was "excited" to sing it. I was
excited when he stopped singing.
David looked uncomfortable singing his 2nd song. I think this is the kind
of song he'd like to be known for singing, but it just didn't work for me.
Randy was right when he said it was not believable. And, I agreed with
Simon's comment about the chihuahua and tiger comparison. Laughed when I
heard that!
Song 3: LONGER THAN... DAN FOGELBERG. Wish David Cook had been
singing it to me!!! That would have been more believable! Archu is a great
talent, but he's not what I would consider an Idol. That being said, he
sails to the finals tonight, with the help of the "judge love" the last
several weeks.
Ultimately, he needs to team up with Josh Groban and go on tour opening for
Celine Dion. THAT is his audience. I don't care HOW many teenaged idiots
vote for him, I promise you they won't be buying or downloading his albums
(until they can get the blue hair special at Denny's).
I think the deck was stacked against Syesha. To begin with, Randy gives her
Alicia Keys to sing. Isn't that similar to giving her a Whitney or Mariah
song? Haven't they told her ALL freakin' season to steer clear of the big
artists?
Her 2nd song was much more Broadway, which is right up her alley. I almost
expected her to do something nasty with that chair! J Her vocals were the
best on this song tonight. She has inherited Brooke's inability to shut up
and take the criticism from the judges, saying "it's okay!" any time the
audience boos!!
The producers' song selection for her was a total waste of air time. She
sounded weak, out of breath, and surprisingly unenergetic. I think she went
out there knowing she's going home tomorrow. I wish she'd given it the
"devil-may-care" type performance we've come to rely on from her. She's in
serious trouble. I fully expect to see her in The Color Purple on Broadway
by the end of the year, ala Fantasia.
David Cook. Rock on, dude! Simon chooses The first Time Ever I Saw Your face...
subliminal message? And seriously, do y'all think David even knew who
Roberta Flack was? Simon said David had the chance to show originality...
hasn't he done that all season? He didn't need that platform.
His 2nd song was fabulous. He is such the rocker, and he looks like
he's very comfortable up there doing his thing! SWITCHFOOT is one of my
favorite groups! The judges seemed to dog on him a little bit tonight, but
I couldn't really find anything extremely noticeable (and off) about his
performances.
Song 3: Don't Want to Miss A Thing. Me, either, especially when he's
singing!!! He is the complete package. I think he might outsell Daughtry.
And, if the 2 of them ever tour together, we've all got to go to that!!!
So, tomorrow, we'll see Syesha sing her swan song, hopefully sans the chair, and then it's on to the David Squared final.
Please, Lord, help David Cook be the Winner!!
Widner, Out
The Feverish Earth?
I wrote this last Easter, but thought I'd add it to the blog. I'm sure any mom who has ever painstaking assembled three outfits for three children can so relate!!!
I’m not buying “the earth has a fever” line from Al Gore!!! It is springtime in Texas, and Easter is later than usual this year. I painstakingly purchased Easter clothing for my children, based on the irrefutable evidence that April in Texas should absolutely be warmer than March. My plans were to try to get a decent picture of all three kids in clothing that coordinates but doesn’t necessarily match. To that end, I have a cute little blue smocked dress for Emily with some precious tiny white sandals. Chloe has a yellow polka dotted dress with strappy sleeves and white flip flops with butterflies on them. Ross is wearing navy shorts with a very “mature” John Ashford shirt from Dillard’s and his $65 Born sandals. I should add here that for once, I had all these outfits purchased and ready to go more than two weeks ago, which is, in itself, something of a small miracle.This plan, of course, was before I heard the weather report for Easter weekend. Tomorrow’s high temperature is 43 degrees. Tomorrow night, the temperature will hover right around freezing, and –this is the part I just love – there is a 40% chance of rain mixed with sleet and snow into Sunday, when the high temperature will be 40 degrees. Fabulous. I guess it’s time to recycle the Christmas wardrobe. Maybe I can get one good snapshot of all three kids in their coats that don’t quite fit anymore building a snow bunny in the front yard Easter morning. That’ll be one for the photo album.Global warming? Whatever. I’m freezing my butt off in Texas in April!!!
Sunday, April 13, 2008
IDOL LAST WEEK!
INSPIRATIONAL SONG NIGHT…
Random comments…
Paula needs to tuck her girls in!! I caught Simon looking at them several times!
Did not appreciate Ryan’s comment about Simon’s chihuahuas!!!
Randy must be on the rag tonight.
Inspirational songs, in my opinion, do not include rock songs. I was thinking it would be a mellow night, but I’ve been surprised.
The backup singers distracted me tonight. They didn’t seem well rehearsed.
MICHAEL: I didn’t get the song choice. He sounded like a wannabe rocker. He needs to be more Michael Bolton-like. That is his niche. And please, someone tell him to lose the ascot!!!
SYESHA: She has a great voice but she sounds just like the original artists. She needs to find her own style & voice or she’ll be gone quickly.
JASON: I love this guy! He took a huge risk, because Katharine McPhee made her career on this song, but he is just so likeable. He sounded great, but I do have to admit I almost lost it when I realized he was actually going to play the ukulele!!
KRISTY LEE: Every week I think she’s going home, and then she blows me away. I love Martina, so I’m sure that helped!! I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I think she’s safe.
DAVID C: I thought he was very weak tonight. He sounded nervous and had some pitch problems. He doesn’t do well with criticism… he seemed pissed at Simon.
CARLY: I can’t stand her. Her face was pretty this week, but again, the tat distracts and she looks kind-of trashy. She picked a hard song, it didn’t seem inspirational, and I didn’t think it was great.
DAVID: He is so talented. He reminded me a little of Elton sitting behind that piano tonight. Amazing. Did you see the LICK THOSE LIPS sign? Hilarious!!
BROOKE: Good God, who dressed her this week? Yawn. She sounded good, but it was boring.
Nothing else to say. It was an okay night. I wanted some WOW. Looking forward to Idol Gives Back tomorrow night.
KW
Random comments…
Paula needs to tuck her girls in!! I caught Simon looking at them several times!
Did not appreciate Ryan’s comment about Simon’s chihuahuas!!!
Randy must be on the rag tonight.
Inspirational songs, in my opinion, do not include rock songs. I was thinking it would be a mellow night, but I’ve been surprised.
The backup singers distracted me tonight. They didn’t seem well rehearsed.
MICHAEL: I didn’t get the song choice. He sounded like a wannabe rocker. He needs to be more Michael Bolton-like. That is his niche. And please, someone tell him to lose the ascot!!!
SYESHA: She has a great voice but she sounds just like the original artists. She needs to find her own style & voice or she’ll be gone quickly.
JASON: I love this guy! He took a huge risk, because Katharine McPhee made her career on this song, but he is just so likeable. He sounded great, but I do have to admit I almost lost it when I realized he was actually going to play the ukulele!!
KRISTY LEE: Every week I think she’s going home, and then she blows me away. I love Martina, so I’m sure that helped!! I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I think she’s safe.
DAVID C: I thought he was very weak tonight. He sounded nervous and had some pitch problems. He doesn’t do well with criticism… he seemed pissed at Simon.
CARLY: I can’t stand her. Her face was pretty this week, but again, the tat distracts and she looks kind-of trashy. She picked a hard song, it didn’t seem inspirational, and I didn’t think it was great.
DAVID: He is so talented. He reminded me a little of Elton sitting behind that piano tonight. Amazing. Did you see the LICK THOSE LIPS sign? Hilarious!!
BROOKE: Good God, who dressed her this week? Yawn. She sounded good, but it was boring.
Nothing else to say. It was an okay night. I wanted some WOW. Looking forward to Idol Gives Back tomorrow night.
KW
Sunday, March 30, 2008
IDOL COMMENTS: 3/25
RANDOM THOUGHTS:
What is up with Paula’s Madonna gloves?
The judges must have figured out that they were driving everyone crazy, because they were relatively quiet tonight! As a matter of fact, the show seemed to be a downer tonight… what is the deal???
Songs from the year they were born…
RAMIELE: 1987. Can’t believe she was born when I was getting ready to graduate from High School! How freaking’ old am I? “ALONE” didn’t seem to fit her voice. Didn’t like the way she personalized the song. She does have good control of that enormous voice!
JASON: 1987??? Again?? Someone shoot me. I’m ready to see Jason bust out and do something new & different. I thought Simon was funny when he said he could see Jason playing outside a train station! I kind-of can, too! He is really cute in a John Travolta-meets-Bob Marley kind of way. He needs to step up the wardrobe.
SYESHA: I am now officially in a time warp. I remember really great music in 1987, but I’m not hearing any of it tonight!!! Where’s the JOURNEY? CHICAGO? WHITNEY? She was good, but I agree with Simon. She has so much more to offer than singing – she needs to relocate to Hollywood and find an agent!!
CHIKEZE: 1985. Sounded like a weak Luther Vandross tonight. He’s growing on me, and KUDOS to his stylist. I think this is the best he’s ever looked! He could be in trouble.
BROOKE: 1983! These are my songs! The POLICE! Oh, wait… it’s the geriatric version of the song! Bad idea to try to be a girl STING. She messed up at the beginning. Good for her for correcting it. Funny that she is one of the oldest but silliest (immature) contestants.
MICHAEL: 1978. WE WILL ROCK YOU is the song of that year!! FINALLY he broke out of his mold!! Most energized performance of the night!!! LOVED IT!!!
CARLY: 1983. Unfortunately, to me, she sounded just like the original. I can’t decide if I’m more interested in her tat or her singing. Did you see her hubby? What a freak show.
DAVID: 1990. Dear God. Sounded a little too Broadway tonight!!! I didn’t like it, but I think he’s safe.
KRISTY: 1984. God Bless the USA? God bless. This had the potential to be very country fair-ish. Simon thought she was clever. I agree.
DAVID C: 1982. Interesting take on Michael Jackson. HUGE risk, HUGE pay off. Brilliant. He’s moving up on my list. Right to the top. What an awesome way to end the show!!!
TOP 3: DAVID COOK!!!! I have no others that came close. I guess Kristy and Michael. Can’t believe Kristy is in my top 3. Don’t you just see that David is in a different league???
BOTTOM 3: RAMIELE, CHIKEZE, DAVID A.
GOING HOME: This was more difficult than I thought. First of all, I am erasing the possibility of a Kristy Lee Cook shock elimination, since I doubt America will let her go after singing “God Bless the U.S.A.” That has got to be the most strategic song choice ever made on American Idol. Also, they gave her one of the pimp spots again towards the end safely sandwiched between the 2 Davids, so I think she is safe. So now I have three choices: Ramiele, Syesha and Chikezie.
Syesha sang well and did her baby cry so she’s safe. We now choose between Ramiele and Chikezie…
It could go either way actually with Chikezie having an advantage, but with everything being almost equal, I’ve decided to side with Simon. He gave a bit more positive feedback on Ramiele and I think the results will follow his lead. If Ramiele goes home, then Simon would have been wrong twice this season, the first time when he called Alaina Whitaker “the dark horse”, and having her eliminated the next day.
They will probably put Jason Castro in the Bottom 3 just to wake him up a bit.
So my pick for elimination tonight is Chikezie.
If last night was it for the season, David Cook would be the winner. He rocks.
What is up with Paula’s Madonna gloves?
The judges must have figured out that they were driving everyone crazy, because they were relatively quiet tonight! As a matter of fact, the show seemed to be a downer tonight… what is the deal???
Songs from the year they were born…
RAMIELE: 1987. Can’t believe she was born when I was getting ready to graduate from High School! How freaking’ old am I? “ALONE” didn’t seem to fit her voice. Didn’t like the way she personalized the song. She does have good control of that enormous voice!
JASON: 1987??? Again?? Someone shoot me. I’m ready to see Jason bust out and do something new & different. I thought Simon was funny when he said he could see Jason playing outside a train station! I kind-of can, too! He is really cute in a John Travolta-meets-Bob Marley kind of way. He needs to step up the wardrobe.
SYESHA: I am now officially in a time warp. I remember really great music in 1987, but I’m not hearing any of it tonight!!! Where’s the JOURNEY? CHICAGO? WHITNEY? She was good, but I agree with Simon. She has so much more to offer than singing – she needs to relocate to Hollywood and find an agent!!
CHIKEZE: 1985. Sounded like a weak Luther Vandross tonight. He’s growing on me, and KUDOS to his stylist. I think this is the best he’s ever looked! He could be in trouble.
BROOKE: 1983! These are my songs! The POLICE! Oh, wait… it’s the geriatric version of the song! Bad idea to try to be a girl STING. She messed up at the beginning. Good for her for correcting it. Funny that she is one of the oldest but silliest (immature) contestants.
MICHAEL: 1978. WE WILL ROCK YOU is the song of that year!! FINALLY he broke out of his mold!! Most energized performance of the night!!! LOVED IT!!!
CARLY: 1983. Unfortunately, to me, she sounded just like the original. I can’t decide if I’m more interested in her tat or her singing. Did you see her hubby? What a freak show.
DAVID: 1990. Dear God. Sounded a little too Broadway tonight!!! I didn’t like it, but I think he’s safe.
KRISTY: 1984. God Bless the USA? God bless. This had the potential to be very country fair-ish. Simon thought she was clever. I agree.
DAVID C: 1982. Interesting take on Michael Jackson. HUGE risk, HUGE pay off. Brilliant. He’s moving up on my list. Right to the top. What an awesome way to end the show!!!
TOP 3: DAVID COOK!!!! I have no others that came close. I guess Kristy and Michael. Can’t believe Kristy is in my top 3. Don’t you just see that David is in a different league???
BOTTOM 3: RAMIELE, CHIKEZE, DAVID A.
GOING HOME: This was more difficult than I thought. First of all, I am erasing the possibility of a Kristy Lee Cook shock elimination, since I doubt America will let her go after singing “God Bless the U.S.A.” That has got to be the most strategic song choice ever made on American Idol. Also, they gave her one of the pimp spots again towards the end safely sandwiched between the 2 Davids, so I think she is safe. So now I have three choices: Ramiele, Syesha and Chikezie.
Syesha sang well and did her baby cry so she’s safe. We now choose between Ramiele and Chikezie…
It could go either way actually with Chikezie having an advantage, but with everything being almost equal, I’ve decided to side with Simon. He gave a bit more positive feedback on Ramiele and I think the results will follow his lead. If Ramiele goes home, then Simon would have been wrong twice this season, the first time when he called Alaina Whitaker “the dark horse”, and having her eliminated the next day.
They will probably put Jason Castro in the Bottom 3 just to wake him up a bit.
So my pick for elimination tonight is Chikezie.
If last night was it for the season, David Cook would be the winner. He rocks.
HERE WE GO!
Welcome to the official launch of my blog! I've wanted to do this for so long! I hope to make this a good mix of everyday stuff from Casa Widner and also my own commentary on different things, mostly television shows, I suspect. For now, just a little update on life here:
Ross: Eleven years old and acting every bit the 'tween!! He loves LEGOS, Star Wars, his Wii, playing the piano (okay, not really, but he wants to play in the band next year so he has to endure a year of piano), reading, and eating at IHOP. He is a great friend and a super big brother!
Chloe: Seven years old. loves her American Girl doll, gymnastics, any kind of art work, school, and her friends. She has a sweet disposition (for now) and is a delight!
Emmy: Almost 3. She is at that "I can do it myself" phase, except she really can't. She loves Dora, being outside, riding her trike, and her brother & sister.
Joe is in Israel this week with our Sunday school class, and from what I've seen and read on the trip blog, he's having a fabulous time! We have a busy week here at home, and we will cap it off with a trip to Ft. Worth to see High School Musical on Ice! Look for pictures very soon!
Ross: Eleven years old and acting every bit the 'tween!! He loves LEGOS, Star Wars, his Wii, playing the piano (okay, not really, but he wants to play in the band next year so he has to endure a year of piano), reading, and eating at IHOP. He is a great friend and a super big brother!
Chloe: Seven years old. loves her American Girl doll, gymnastics, any kind of art work, school, and her friends. She has a sweet disposition (for now) and is a delight!
Emmy: Almost 3. She is at that "I can do it myself" phase, except she really can't. She loves Dora, being outside, riding her trike, and her brother & sister.
Joe is in Israel this week with our Sunday school class, and from what I've seen and read on the trip blog, he's having a fabulous time! We have a busy week here at home, and we will cap it off with a trip to Ft. Worth to see High School Musical on Ice! Look for pictures very soon!
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