After we came into London on the train, we headed out to Greenwich with the intent of standing near the Cutty Sark. We did find a spot very close to the 7 mile marker, further down the marathon's route from the famous ship. Caroline and her friend Annie did know we would be in the vicinity, but to make it easier for them to spot us, we used a "Big Red" from The Citadel! There were some great costumes as well, ranging from the obvious (Superman, Spiderman, etc.) to the absurd (bananas, rhinos, men dressed as brides, the list goes on and on).

Thanks to the flag (which Caroline later said stood out like a sore thumb), the pair found us and the first stage of our mission was a success. From Greenwich, we took the DLR (Docklands Light Railway, similar to a monorail) to Mudchute, the best name for a station since Shepherd's Bush (how good does a piece of shrubbery need to be for them to name a station after it?). Right behind the 17 mile marker we had some lunch and met up with friends whose runner (Jimmy from Long Island, NY oddly enough) was raising money for the same cause as Caroline and Annie. First Jimmy ran by, then Caroline, then Annie.

After Mudchute, we got back on the DLR and headed to Westferry, only a few stops away and somewhere between the 20 and 21 mile marks. Our spot here was not right up against the rail (like our others were), nor was it one of our planned locations at which Caroline knew to look for us. As a result, I went farther up the course to act as a scout and to try and spot Annie or Caroline and let the others know one of them was coming. Somehow I did manage to see them and we were able to say hello! I also got to see a celebrity at this stop, but he's in a fairly obscure (but hilarious) British show and while I recognized him, I couldn't quite place where I knew him from until I was well past him on the stairs. Since we were in a rush, I didn't have time to get his autograph (although the show he's in) but I did snap a quick picture of him from afar.

On February 28, 2012, I had the privilege to be on the Mendham High School Fencing Team when we beat Columbia High School (with a record of 49-0 over three years) for the title of State Champions in the State Finals. Joining the fencing team my freshman year was definitely a leap (or a lunge) of faith, but not only did I make lifelong friends, I got into great shape and was able to help represent my school in the state finals. Granted, I was running the cheering section with my sister Lea Fuscaldo, but I was helping nonetheless!

I am 100% in favor of school athletic programs. In fact, in my last post, I commented on how little physical activity kids get in a day at school! I will continue to champion the right of children to go run around and exercise, I will never prevent them from doing so.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, in his "State of the State" speech in mid-January, touted longer school days and a longer school year. I think he has a good point!

Here's the key issue I'm going to dispel: longer school days are not worse, as long as they increase the length of the right activities.

For example, two of my cousins in the UK go to a school in Surrey called St. John's School, Leatherhead. They get to school around 8:30 in the morning, and get picked up from school at 5:15pm.

St. John's School, Leatherhead

The length of their school day is not adversely affecting their education, in fact I would contend they easily learn more than most American students do in one day. Their day is not filled with more lesson times, in fact their lessons blocks are all 40 minutes long, shorter than many American schools. What they have more of is exercise!

Although I will delve more deeply into St. John's School later, but here's a quote from a current pupil, my cousin Joe: