Day 14- Happy Birthday Kaylee!!!

Lauren: This Trip is Dover

Today was Kaylee's eighteenth birday, so HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KAYLEE! Since today was not filled with many plans, Diana, Faith, and I went into town and got Kaylee a vegetable cake (she is vegan), balloons, and birthday gifts. I got her two choker necklaces and a ring. I'm really glad that we were all there to celebrate her birthday. It was so great to see her face light up when we came in with the vegan vegetable cake, birthday balloons, and our gifts to her. A few hours after we got back from the town, we all went to yoga. Honestly, I really did not want to go and was totally not in the mood to go, but after I went, I was glad that I did. After the class, I had much more energy and I felt happier. Anyways, tonight is our last night in Dover and although I enjoyed every minute of this trip, I think I'm ready to go home. Since we our leaving for our flight in the morning, I'm gonna get some sleep. I cant wait to see my family when our plane arrives. Goodbye, Dover. Hello, California.

Diana: Sad and Happy

Today we celebrated Kaylee's birthday by getting her a vegetable cake, balloons, and presents. She turned 18 today so I wanted to make sure it was memorable. I got her cat earrings. It was really fun because we got celery, grapes, bananas, and blueberries. It was funny because we got her sparklers and we could not get them to light up but when Kaylee did it, it worked. She was super happy which was so awesome to see and I was glad that she was happy. Later we went to yoga which was fun. I really liked being able to still do some yoga. The yoga was not hot yoga so it is a little harder to do the poses because the muscles are not loosened as much. I am so glad that I am going home tomorrow. This trip has been so amazing and I am so thankful to my dads, to Cheryl, to Lisa, John, Heather, Lin, all the donors and everyone else. I had a wonderful time. As for Zombie I am so glad that I was a part of it and that my parents would take me at 5 in the morning. I would like Zombie to go on because I want newcomers to be able to experience something that I did and have memories that will last a lifetime. Also Zombie has helped us come together as a whole and kept us out of trouble. Not doing Zombie will result in some of us being off pace and getting into trouble. It is only fair to give the newcomers a chance at what we experienced. I am sad to think that Zombie is done. I think all in all Zombie was a huge help to our lives and who we became. Thank you so so much dad and papa for driving me in the morning, I know it was not what you wanted to do, but you did it anyway. Thank you as well for paying, I cannot express how thankful I am of you both for giving me this chance to have an experience of a lifetime. Love you so much. see you soon.

Faith: Sweet Home California

Today is Kaylee's birthday. So, Parth, Noah, and I gave her a card and present we got yesterday. She really liked it. Later, the girls celebrated with a vegetable cake, and we gave her jewelry. A little later, some of us went kayaking again. It was really fun, but I was really sore from yesterday. The water was also colder, so dunking each other was not as fun as it was yesterday. So, I really want to dedicate this blog to all of our donors, supporters, etc. This trip would not have been possible without all of the money we raised, and especially all of the support we have. Without that, we would not have been able to swim the channel!! I am also very happy my parents let me come on this trip, and that they did soooo much to help get money for the trip. I also want to thank Sam Busby, because we had team suits, caps, and robes that helped us bond, and feel closer as a team! So thank you! Also, I learned a lot about myself on this trip, and I created many memories that I will have for the rest of my life :). So overall, I had an amazing trip, but I am happy to be coming home. Last but not least, I want to say thank you to Cheryl, Lisa, and John for helping soooo much on this trip. On my last note, goodbye Dover, England and hello Carlsbad, California!!!!!!!!!!

Maddy: HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAYLEE

Today was an amazing day. Kaylee and I stayed up until midnight and I was able to sing her happy birthday. The highlight of my day was getting my tattoo. The most painful part was the outline. the shading didn't hurt nearly as bad as the outline. I am extremely proud of myself and very happy with my tattoo. I want to thank my parents for letting me get it, Cheryl for educating me on tattoos, and the girls for holding my hand from the other room. Later, we went to yoga and had our last team dinner. This trip was more than a global trip for me. This was a learning experience and a great way to transition to college. I learned about friendship, teamwork, love, compassion, strength, and happiness. All things that I can take to Chicago. Thank you mom and dad for sending me to England, I wouldn't have been able to swim without your unconditional love and support. Thank you Arch for everything, this has been a life-changing experience that I will never forget!!!!

Kaylee: 18 YEARS OF LIFE AND I COULND'T BE MORE GRATEFUL!!!!

Today I woke up older. I am officially a woman. 18. The day started with breakfast downstairs. I was given a card signed by everyone. Super sweet! Noah gave me a stuffed cat which was the best because I really love cats and it was REALLY nice that he remembered and went out of his way to get it for me. Later on, Maddy brought me into the hotel lobby where the girls surprised me with a PERFECT CAKE which was made out of blueberries, bananas, celery, grapes, and a sparkler that said 81. They know me very well lol. Best cake I have ever received. After that I went with Maddy while she got her tattoo done. John walked all the way to the yoga place by the hotel and got the instructor to lead a class for us. It was very relaxing and felt super good because I haven't done yoga in a while. THANK YOU JOHN!! Honestly, this day has been really awesome. I am really glad I was able to spend it with everyone. The best gift of all is life. I am so glad I made it to 18. Thank you to Cheryl, my dad and mom, my family, and peers. THANK YOU ARCH ACADEMY!! This will be the last blog of the trip so I want to say thank you again to everyone who supported us! This whole trip has been such a great experience and has helped me to become a stronger person. It has also helped us to bond more as a group. 18 and couldn't feel any better!! THANK YOU THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!!

Parth: The End of the Trip

My day began with an interesting two hour hike, made more interesting with the progression of rain throughout the day.  It was awesome, being less humid by far than the last hike that we went on, and much faster.  Later in the day, we also went kayaking, making our way through the water.  It was awesome as well, and I managed to keep my top half dry this time.  I did not get dunked, and I loved it.  Throughout the day, Wesley and I were upping our social skills, and I managed to help him through several tricky situations.  Later in the day, we went to yoga, and then dinner, and I celebrated the end of the busiest day since the English Channel swim happily.  I would like to thank the sponsors and everyone who has helped with the swim and the global trip.  I would like to thank everyone who has contributed in any way to Zombie.  I have really appreciated being a part of it, and I really believe that it is good for everyone who has experienced it.  It is a staple of the school now, and I believe that for the school to keep going as well as it has been, it needs to keep Zombie.  The best part of Zombie was that it improves my life throughout my time in it.  I love my time in Zombie, and I think it is a necessary ingredient in the recipe for success for Arch kids. 

Noah: final day of the global trip

Today we went hiking to the white cliffs with John and Lisa, where we went to the white cliffs before. It was a rainy and windy day when we’re walking towards the white cliffs. When we were on top of the white cliffs the English Channel was foggy and I couldn't see France. We got back to the hotel and ate lunch. We also went kayaking at the beach. It was fun back because I like kayaking and the beach. After we went kayaking, we played games and watched TV in our room. We also ate dinner near the beach and the food we ate was good. Tomorrow morning, we are going to the airport and our flight leaves at 3 o’clock. I’ll see you soon in San Diego. I really like Zombie and I think it helped me become stronger and make better friends with my peers. Thank you to Cheryl for doing Zombie and I hope it will continue.

Wesley: Sad, and happy

Today I woke up, and went to the gym, and I sadly realized today is my last day. I am so glad I got to go to England again in a very good way. I know next year I will go to my first Spanish speaking country which is the second popular language in the United States. After I went to the gym I ate breakfast. Then we went on a hike again, and it was even prettier than last time. Then I went and ate some lunch. I had sausage, and chips, and pistachio ice cream. Then me, and the guys, and Faith went kayaking, and we flipped each other out of each other's kayaks. It was raining while we were in the water. A lot of you know how I said as a little kid I want the queen to blow me a balloon. Today when we go out of the water, as a California blond hair teenager I said I want princess Diana to give me a surf lesson. After that we went and did some yoga. Then we went and had the last dinner of our global trip. I had fried squid, prawns, and tart. I am very, very sad I have to leave England for the second time. But I have a lot of people that would miss me if I didn’t come home. I am sad this trip is over but I will look forward to going to Spain, and Portugal next year. Besides, there's no waves on the channel to surf. I think we need to keep Zombie going, for several reasons. One of the reasons is because it's made school more fun, and not just work. Its makes us feel good afterwards, and have a good day at school. We get to go places together. I think from now on for Zombie we should do swimming not as early, and only two times a week. I think we should train to do the Madagascar channel. Zombie is helping me train to do my future job which is a navy seal.

Zach: No title

Today was exactly the same, although a little different. We started off with a hike that John lead. Then after the hike, some of us went off and did another hour of kayaking and paddlboarding. During which, as I was on the paddleboard, I thought about Zombie. Now I think that Zombie is a very key role in the success of the students attending Arch Academy. It simply helps with getting our academics done and keeping our well being well. I think that overall, noticing that I managed to get to swim the English channel is amazing. Something else that was amazing was that the English Channel was a goal which became a motivation to get things done. I think that this helped me and without continuing Zombie, I think that the future students will not be able to have the same opportunity to be as successful. That is what I think of Zombie and I truly will miss it. Later we did yoga and after yoga, I was exhausted. I will also truly miss Dover and England in general. I also again want to thank all that have supported us.

CJ: The end of an era?(the triathlon)

The end days. Nobody sees them coming and then bam, here they are. So what did I do? Today we woke to my favorite type of weather, dark and stormy. J. So after a very small breakfast we went on yet another hike with John to the White Cliffs. This hike was better than the first, because the fog looked spectacular and we went farther than before. After this we had lunch and went kayaking again because it was freaking awesome. Today was stormier and cloudier so we decided not to kayak as long. But it was still fun. Then when we returned, we all went for another yoga section. As a result, my legs are toast, and my abs hurt. So, I guess this is the end of the trip, but is it the end of Zombie? As much as I dislike getting up early in the morning, I have to admit, it is an experience like no other, and I have never been on a team like this before. It’s truly one of a kind. I feel I have taken a lot of life lessons from the experience. But, after an achievement like this, what is next? Do I want to stop swimming, no, but a break would be very welcome. I think I would like to go back to Alcatraz, with no wetsuits. The experience is indescribable really. I want to take this opportunity thank everybody involved and who supported us. You support is greatly appreciated and we could not have done this without you.

Paul: Dreams of Chronic & Sustained Cruelty

Last night, Wesley and I played Guess Who?, and on the third round, I guessed his person on the first turn! Anyway, today we started off hiking along the white cliffs through a thick morning fog. It started pouring rain after we got inside for lunch. I worked on the Zombie A video after lunch while the others went kayaking for a second time (of course, after it stopped raining).

My reflection on Zombie is a challenging experience. Getting up in the morning at 4:00 to swim 3 hours later three times a week is physically and mentally challenging. It’s hard to work your schedule around it, and sometimes you’re tired and may not want to continue. But we carried out three swims a week all the way up until now. I feel very grateful for this opportunity, and am enthusiastic for its use for colleges.

Matt: See You Later England

So yeah it is our last day, and yes I have to admit it was a very good day. I’ll talk a little bit about today and then I will talk about a more important prospect, the future. Today we got up and went for a hike. It was so foggy but, it was so cool because this time we went extremely close to the edge. We looked down and we could see the ocean and a sea of fog. You could also see the cliffs closer towards you. It looked ridiculous. After that we went SUPing and kayaking again and it was still super fun. So the more important part is the future of Zombie. I guess it is not mindful to think about the future so I will say what I feel in the present. I feel like the Arch Academy group has never been more focused academically or even physically in years that I have been here. People don’t get into nearly as much trouble because everyone is too tired to do anything. Also the goal oriented system Zombie provides is amazing. Anyway thanks for reading and have a nice night...we are coming home.

Betzi: Talks of Resurrection...

First off, Happy Birthday to Kaylee!! She has really been an amazing friend to me, a support through the humorous, the painful, and the victorious. The girls welcomed her to adulthood this morning with sparkler-topped fruit and birthday balloons. The streets this morning were blanketed in a thick, warm
fog. We were trying to time the hike such that we might avoid the rain, but the droplets began to fall just as John had us all gathered in the lobby with our backpacks and water bottles. Lisa, Noah, Matt, Paul, John, Zach, CJ, Parth, and I decided to go regardless. We had a lot of fun hiking up the hills, allowing the plummeting orbs of rain to meet our bare faces and arms, and this time when we reached the cliff's ledge, the view was startling- just the grass, maybe seven inches of white chalk cliff, and
then- nothing. Only fog for what might as well have been miles. What had previously shown us a descent into sandy beach and green ocean was somehow much more frightening now, as though the abyss of gray fog that filled everything below would somehow entangle our uncoordinated feet and pitch us from the precipice. I was thinking that the whole scene would have been perfect for a Lovecraft novel. The yoga instructor seemed glad to see us again and to hear that we had been successful in our swim across the Channel, even after I interrupted trikonasana by accidentally sliding my foot across the blonde wood floor in a way that produced a fart noise, and even after Wesley started randomly clapping during seated poses. I know that the English Channel was supposed to mark an end to the swim team at Arch. However, as was discussed over seafood and vegetable stew, it seems as though the Zombies might be resurrected in the coming year. The tattoo I designed for Cheryl and the others is a symbol of accomplishment in channel swimming, but also of the journey. The kelp represents our beginning in the La Jolla Cove, the uncomfortable slimy weeds we had to push through to get to clearer waters. We fought tall waves, jellyfish, currents, fatigue, cold, fear, frustration, and avoidance, sometimes all in a single practice, and we helped each other through it. The kelp twists and progresses to come around back to itself, forming a wreath, just as Zombie progressed from La Jolla Cove to Alcatraz to Catalina to the English Channel and gave us a
success in the water that ultimately guided us back to success in who we are as individuals. I am incredibly happy that the group recognizes the strength they have in motivating and pushing each other as a team, and that they want to get back in the ocean. They know it will be difficult. They
know the next goal, Santa Barbara islands or Alcatraz without wetsuits or whatever it is, will not always be fun to train for- but through this experience I believe that we have gained an invaluable intrinsic self-motivation. I will also be continuing swimming as a part of staying focused and in recovery while on the other side of the continent. I am so proud of us! I am so grateful for Cheryl, John, Lisa, Dan, Mike, Chloe, and all the Arch students past and present who helped develop the swim program into what it is today. I feel like I am part of what will be a legacy left for the next kid who enters the school. They are in for a turbulent ride.