IB MOCK Exams...

For IB Students that finish their final year in May, January is usually a stressful month. With the holidays now in the past, the shock of returning to school is already quite harsh. Add to that the stress of MOCK exams that effectively set their predicted grades - a critical piece in the puzzle that is entering university - as well as the almost sudden realization that approximately 70% of all final course work is now due in the next few weeks, and you're left with a highly stressed student.

From experience I only operated in one of two modes to try and cope with the pressure. Mode A, was to procrastinate as much as I could leaving my coursework to the last minute, and Mode B, to continuously study and work as hard as I could to complete all my assignments. I alternated between both of them for what I thought were "good" reasons. In fact, looking back I still think they were valid reasons, which came from a genuine intent to succeed.  In Mode A I excused my procrastination for rest, thinking that if I gave myself time to rest once I went back to work I'd be more efficient, and in Mode B I thought that if I spread out the workload I would fell less overwhelmed.
I'm sure in reading this you notice the underlying validity of both those rationalizations. But, I also think you would agree with me that they are incomplete. Rest while necessary can take multiple forms, and mental rest isn't always best accomplished by prolonged periods of not studying. Likewise, to spread work out is a legitimate strategy (and to this day I still try to spread out my work as to not burn out), however it didn't allow for accurate resting time. The answer as it usually is, is somewhere in the middle - balance.

In times of pressure (such as the final months of the IB) we tend to operate in a binary mode. Binary is easier to process than ambiguity, and what I'm proposing is neither too much procrastination nor too much studying, a balance that I found extremely hard to identify during the final months of the IB. So my hope is that by writing this post, and in students reading it, they will have the epiphany I only had a few years later - meditative practices are often the most effective forms of rest in periods of high intensity.

Recently I've started to practice yoga. I did so to avoid further surgery in my lower back (yes, at the age of 23 I've managed to accomplish the not so pleasing feat of having had back surgery), and what I quickly found was the astounding improvement in mental clarity and high energy levels that resulted.

To bring my post full circle and to connect all the dots, I'm proposing a simple model for IB students. Ideally I'd suggest adding one hour of yoga three times a week as your "rest", but if yoga isn't your thing find a physically stimulating hobby that engages the mind in a different manner to active studying. Allow yourself the time at least three times a week, and see how it makes you feel. Then adjust the frequency and duration of your sessions to increase your feeling rested and energized.


Author Bio: Francisco Moreira graduated from Hult International Business school with a Masters in International business and works as a Business Analyst in Offerings Management at CSC based in London, United Kingdom. Francisco is the author of Find Your Rhythm, (www.findyrhythm.com) a self-help guide for International Baccalaureate Diploma students.

Real Men Do Shop…at Hamleys Toy Store

Hamleys toy store in Regent's Street

Ping went my mobile and up popped a text message from my partner.  Just exiting tube he wrote and please can we have lunch as I have a special project for you. Replied okay and we met as usual in John Lewis men’s socks on the ground floor before taking the lift to the restaurant we favour.  JL is great for feeding families who shop with kids and also has quiet spots for those without. We perused the menu and as usual opted for the fish and chips which we always share and a side order of mushy peas.  If you are new to Blighty you may not have encountered this veg before but they are exactly what they say…cooked peas that have been mushed up. They are deliciously minty at JL and you might become addicted to them as I am.

The ‘project’ was to find a special birthday gift for his special grandchild.  Do you have any ideas queried my guy and I immediately knew what to reply. Let’s go back to Hamleys Regent Street. Our shopping experience there was fantastic. Despite the huge crowds, Hamleys  offers something special. Great service!
 

Hamleys' staff playing with children

Having spent part of my career writing about retailing I can always spot the great training that results in great service and the sales assistants here are perfect examples. Ask any of the staff where something is and they know the answer.  They will take you to your request, help you choose and will even gift wrap on the spot at checkout.  And the price points are amazing as they cater to every possible budget. A big hit for us and you will find for any of your overseas visitors no matter what their age.

After some thought my guy decided that a Steiff teddy was the way to go.  He had happy memories of his own one. We navigated the sea of stuffed animals on the ground floor to the Steiff area with many stops to check out all the quirky, noisy, silly mechanical toys that so appeal to the male Brit, especially those boarding school boys who are still kids at heart. It is interesting to note that many of the shoppers are men with kids as it is really a man place.

Arriving at Steiff we inspected the array of teddies and he inevitably chose a model that was similar to that of his childhood. But, this was not a snap decision. He had to inspect the facial expression of every ted…yes they vary…before the choice was final.  With the perfect bear under his arm in a special Steiff box found for us by an enthusiastic sales person, we headed for the pay desk, again taking suitable detours to inspect the appealing, mechanical, noisy big boy toys.  A successful outing, a rather long lunch and a joyful my guy shopping time.  Yes… his grandchild loved the teddy and it was a perfect photo op.

www.hamleys.com


Written by Doris Gilbert. Doris is a free lance journalist and an expat American who has lived in London for several decades.  She has worked with German, Irish and British magazines and is a correspondent with FOCUS, covering many diverse subjects.

For more information about FOCUS visit: www.focus-info.org

Church Watcher volunteering

St Mary at Hill Church

There is something quite magical about being in a building when it isn’t being used for its purpose. It’s like you have a chance to soak it in, listen closer, see if the walls whisper, think about the people who may have walked in the aisles before you. That is exactly the feeling I get when I walk into one of the City churches to volunteer.



In April 2012, I joined Friends of the City Churches and became a Church Watcher volunteer. FCC was started in 1994 and it oversees 16 churches in the City of London, commonly referred to as the square mile. An organisation of over 100 volunteers, they allow the churches to be open to the public by providing 2 volunteers to a church once a week.

St. Benet Paul's Wharf

The job is straightforward, but the rewards are endless. Every quarter, there is a Church Watchers meeting where a you find a scrum of volunteers, many in their 60‘s and 70‘s, elbowing each other to sign up for churches they want to watch on days they are available. There is no regular commitment required, but you often find it is hard to get certain churches if you arrive late to the meeting.

As a Church Watcher, I meet my watching buddy just before 11am at the entrance to the church. We either have keys, or we obtain them from a key guardian. Unlocking the church, we head inside and first try to find the lights. This is always a scavenger hunt, as the churches were here long before the lighting; the switches are often in random locations. Most all churches have a kitchen that we are welcome to use, so the kettle goes on and the watching begins. We are asked to keep count of who comes in to view the
church and report the numbers at the end of the day via email.

The bombed out church St Dunstans in the East

The time in the church is spent in a variety of ways. While some volunteers bring books or projects to work on, this is often overruled for interesting conversation and gazing around the church. Many a volunteer has stumbled upon a memorial or artifact in the church that will often inspire more research. When visitors come in, you can’t help but step into “tour guide” mode and offer information about the church, the builder, the bomb damage, or other unusual fact not know in general.

St Botolph Aldersgate Church

Church watching is entertaining. Often, there are scheduled masses or lunchtime concerts with local talent providing top quality performances free to the public. It is a shame when they are not playing to a full room. Recently, FCC joined Twitter to help publicise these free recitals. You can follow them @ChurchWatchers to see what events are coming up, or pick up a free issue of City Events --the FCC newsletter available at all churches. Audience members are welcomed to bring a lunch and eat in the church.

When 3pm rolls around, it’s time to wash up the tea mugs and pack up the unread books, switch off all the lights, and lock up the church for the night.




Church Opening Schedule
opening times 11am -3pm unless otherwise indicated

Mondays       
- St. Martin Ludgate
- St. Mary Abchurch

Tuesdays       
- The Dutch Church (2nd/4th Tuesdays)
- St. Botolph Aldersgate (1:45-4p)
- St. Dunstan in the West
- St. Mary Abchurch

Wednesdays       
- All Hallows London Wall
- St. Magnus the Martyr (12-4p)
- St. Sepulchre without Newgate
- St. Stephen Walbrook

Thursdays
- St. Benet Paul’s Wharf
- St. James Garlickhythe
- St. Mary Abchurch
- St. Mary At Hill

Fridays       
- St. Andrew by the Wardrobe
- St. Botolph Aldgate   
- St. Ethelburga Centre
- St. Mary Abchurch

Note: St. Mary Abchurch is the FCC HQ and is open daily


Written by Amber Raney-Kincade is "The American Tour Guide In London", providing bespoke walking tours and private guiding services in London. She has lived here for 13 years.




For more info about FOCUS visit: www.focus.info.org

Review of The Cheapside Hoard ‘London’s Lost Jewels’

I would highly recommend an exciting visit to view the mysteries of the Cheapside Hoard at the Museum of London on London Wall. Lying undiscovered for 300 years  ‘London’s lost jewels’ were recovered in 1912 on  London’s Cheapside deep beneath a cellar. Cheapside contained many goldsmiths at the time selling silver plate, gold and jewellery, and The Hoard forms the largest collection worldwide of beautiful Elizabethan and Stuart jewellery from the 16th and 17th Century.

For the first time since 1912 the whole collection of 500 pieces is exhibited together giving a unique insight into the  incredible abilities of the craftsmanship available in Jacobean London where the Old and New Worlds intertwined. Wonderful enamelled peapod long chains worn to the waist set with extraordinarily beautiful gemstones incorporating Colombian emeralds, Sri Lankan sapphires, Indian rubies and diamonds with Middle Eastern pearls amongst Hungarian opals. The pearl cage pendants are  suspended in mid air behind vitrines to entice you to examine the interior of each one.

Beautifully carved in the shape of grapevines there are amethyst and emerald pendants which appear to float behind the glass. The pearl cage pendants are suspended in mid air behind vitrines to entice you to examine the interior of each one. A scent reminiscent of the time lies behind a door which I could open to inhale the potent musk  fragrance. A frog purse in fine silk and metal thread sits alongside gloves and a blackwork bodice and skirt (black silk embroidery on white fabric amongst other fashions of the day.


My favourite examples in the Hoard are a fabulous Colombian emerald and Indian diamond salamander brooch from the 1600s and a unique hexagonal watch formed from one hexagonal natural emerald crystal! I marvelled at an exquisite gold and enamel scent bottle smothered in opals, diamonds, rubies and pink sapphires. Also I came upon an uncut agate cameo of Queen Elizabeth I apparently one of only fifty surviving examples. I admired a sensational gold and enamel pendant comprising two sapphires and a spinel drop from the period and I stood amazed by the 16th and 17th Century dress depicted in the Elizabethan and Jacobean portraits illustrating the phenomenal jewellery worn at the time. The quality of craftsmanship produced due to global exploration was incredible!

 

 The untold secrets of the Mystery of the Cheapside Hoard remain. There was civil war and unrest so we will never know the true owner . The secrets lie forever hidden as to who owned the Cheapside Hoard so go and see it for yourself to unfold the mystery!

The Exhibition is open until 27th April 2014 at The Museum of London.

Written by Gemma Darlington FGA, Jewellery specialist and gemmologist of Gem’s Fine Jewels
www.gemsfinejewels.co.uk