Ellinor

This week started off with Cambridge preparation for the big exam which is very near, on Friday this week. 

After class I went to the beach with Sasha to enjoy the sun for a while because they are talking about bad weather that might appear during our last days. Then we had our leaving meeting with the school, something I've heard other people had during the sumer, but it felt so far away for me, but now I've been there to. Departure to home is close. After the meeting we met Christina and Vittoria outside, some of my Cambridge classmates. They where watching the solar eclipse so we joined them. They came up with the great idea to look through a camera film, and it worked! Very cool to see. There was an eclipse in Sweden not too long ago, but that day it was very cloudy so it was impossible to see anything. After standing on the corner of 25th Collins Ave for an hour looking up to the sky through a film, we left the scene and took a Frappuchino at Starbucks and hanged out for a while. 

Later on after dinner me, Sasha and Fosca went to Miami International Mall so I could return a pair of shoes to JCPenney that I had ordered online, but they didn't fit. And ofcourse we stayed for a while and walked around. We also made a stop at Walmart Supercenter shortly, as always it's a crazy and gigantic store. 

But that was my last visit, at least for this time ;-) 

 

Tuesday I had the morning off, no Cultural Series, instead I got some extra time to study and also relax because I think our new roommate have infected our room with a flu virus....I've not been sick a single moment during the whole summer...but NOW during my last week, when my head has to work for the exam, I get the flu...so no gym. Just study and rest. 

 

After class on Wednesday I had to go to the doctor for the second time because of a allergic reaction, don't know for what but it's annoying anyway, I mean I've been here for 3 months, and NOW, the last days I have to see a doctor? Anyway, I got some medicin which will hopefully help. Later in the afternoon I went to Lincoln road with Sasha to find some souvenirs and meet up with Cristina and Vittoria for a drink at Starbucks. The evening was very relaxing, just some studying and Netflix. 

 

Thursday - The day before exam, the allergymedicin started to give some effect but I was exhaustes, so I spend my afternoon in my room, resting. At 4 pm I did the graduationtest for EF (not Cambridge). EF have their own graduationtest and certification, but for me Cambridge is the most important. After dinner me and Fosca took an Uber to Bayside, I just love that place...we took a walk and found some souvernirs we had been looking for. I have packed my bags, and I can tell you that it didn't help to pay for 1 extra lugggage, there is a huge risk that it will be too heavy anyway ;) But I'll se on Saturday! 

 

Fridag - Examday - Last day

Today I woke up at 7am in order to really wake up before the Cambridge exam that started at 8am. 

The test was 3 parts: Reading & Use of english 90min + Writing 2 tasks 90min + Listening 40min. 

I don't like to feel pressure out of time, but it's impossible not to feel stressed during this exam. However, I did my best and that's all that counts. My aim is to reach CPE (Profficiency level) with 80%, but it was very difficult today so I will be satisfied if I pass the CAE (Advanced level) with 60%. But it's 6 weeks until I get the results so I just have to wait and hope for the best! It feels good to finally have done the test. After a long summer of studying I hope it pays off. After the test our class together with our teacher, went to the Gates to have a graduation lunch together. It was nice to hang out a last time, take a group photo and say goodbye. After lunch we got our graduation hats! I think they're cool ;)

In the afternoon I went to Miami Beach center to make som errands. When we got back to EF I went to the beach for a last swim in the ocean before heading home. I like Miami Beach and the location of the school I mean who doesn't appreciate a beach 50 m from the schoolentrance? ;) 

It was nice, the bad weather had decreased the temperature so it felt very fresh today. 

The plan tonight was to go to Espanola way to have some dinner and cocktails and celebrate our last evening, but the weather was terrible...apparently a hurricane is passing in the north around Texas, which creates a lot of rain and wind down in south Florida. Me and Cristina made a brave attempt to get there but we got soaked within 2 minutes...so instead of the restaurant, I braught an italian sandwich from Rosetta, the italian bakery I mentioned earlier this summer. Such a nice place. Sadly, it wasn't what I had expected, but I don't care because I had so many nice moments this summer with good weather and good friends, so one night doesn't matter. I have packed my bags, it's heavy indeed, but that's another story. 

 

I have mixed feelings about leaving, I had a great summer and have met so many wonderful people, some who I'm sure I will see again someday. I look forward to get back to swedish food, standards and the nature. And of course my loving family and friends that I've not seen in 3 months, I really appreciate Skype and Facetime while being abroad for a long time :-)

 

So tomorrow I check out, it's time to say goodbye to my "home" for the summer, EF Language Center, Miami Beach. A new adventure is waiting for me back home in Sweden, I'll tell you more about that in my next post. :) 

 

Over and out from Miami Beach!

 

//Ellinor 

 

P.S
The firealarm was recently turned on, around 00:45...I was awake writing, but it's still annoying...last night in Miami and a idiotic student is smoking in her/his room again and force 500 students to leave the building. I take this as another sign that it's time to go home. Firealarm, weather. allergy etc...it's obivously clear  ;-) 

D.S