Departure, Only to Return (One Day)

At the gate, Brian parks himself on the roomy seat and gives his legs a good stretch for one last time before departure.


Only in London...


Megan smiles whenever she thinks back on her experience in London.







Even the wingtip of our aircraft was distinctly British. We followed the setting sun towards home. (The wings of departure?)


London's many sites continued to linger on the mind.


Three movies and several hours later our jet has almost caught up with the sun.


It was not that long ago we were in London!


But now...the familiar sight of the California coastline appears and we will soon be home, only to begin planning our return trip!

A Final Day

Ross amused more than just the two classmates seated to his left and right.


Ivan's concentration was palpable as he gave a personal reading of his paper.


With a final flourish, Aaron gave a reading that reminded all of his formidable wordsmith skills with which he delighted the entire class from Day One.


Megan strikes a curious pose, or is that a pose that shows curiosity?


There are always many varied responses to a public reading.


With finals week officially over, someone had to say it: It was our last class. It was a realization that no one wanted to face, but our time together in London had come to an end. We may go our separate ways, but we'll always know that we learned plenty about life from one another, from London, from our new-found British friends, and about ourselves. From this day forward, we can take this knowledge everywhere we go. So, thanks for a brilliant time!

A Special Relationship (Or, Nick and Nicole)

Our British Life & Culture class series ended with a provocative lecture by Nicole D'Adamo, who laid out the argument for a special relationship that exists between the US and Great Britain which many believe began around World War II with England's Prime Minister Winston Churchill and the US President, Franklin Roosevelt.


Through clever use of audience participation, Nicole outlined the many differences and similarities in the areas of politics and culture as seen from the unique vantage points of the European Union countries, the USA and the United Kingdom.


Alina confers with a fellow student to help her decide which policy the USA would likely support.


It only appears that Nicole is trying to get the attention of Saint Nick (that's really his name, Nick, that is!)

Photo Class Finishes WIth Flash and More Collage Pages

With beautiful back light illuminating their subjects, students learned how to use the camera's on-board flash to reduce the lighting contrast and to provide more visible detail on the shadow side. In this photo, Megan is likely making the proper setting for pleasing fill-flash as she photographs Joan and Erwin, whereas the blog recorder's own flash has added too much light to Megan.


More collage work has trickled in these waning days of fall. Many of these images are to be found in the pages of the altered book project.















Brilliant stuff, huh?

Beautiful Boxes and Compelling Composites

During our critique sessions, students shared their final projects. Through the box project, students explored the combination of found objects and three dimensional space. With the composite photographs, many smaller images were arranged together to create a larger construct of space. All of us were pleasantly surprised at the wide range of submissions. Below are just a few of the gems produced by these creative students.







Stand by, there's more to come!

Finals Week

As the first week of December arrives, so do finals. It's a time for studying and exam-taking (and for some students, a late night cram session). More than a few too, were working this weekend on their college applications to meet November 30 deadlines. But all of this is part and parcel of being a student. That said, students and instructors alike can delight in knowing that during any walk throughout this city, day or night, one will see beautiful reminders of the holidays to come. And that season will undoubtedly begin as soon as the last exam is over.

Eiffel Tower Moves

Mary H has sent in these two fabulous photos from the Paris trip.

In case you wanted to know how that blurry scene turned out of the crowd of young tourists in the Musée d'Orsay but from Mary's perspective, here it is.

photo by Mary

This photo was aptly titled "Mona Ana." Check out that wry smile!

photo by Mary
Thanks, Mary!


(This short video just arrived in my email box. Thanks go out to Joan A, who in a moment of inspiration, recorded this clip).

While the Eiffel Tower in Paris did not actually change locations, at least one student, namely Erwin, was clearly moved by the City of Light's famous landmark. See several of his serendipitous steps here.