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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!
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.
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 MaryThis photo was aptly titled "Mona Ana." Check out that wry smile!
photo by MaryThanks, 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.
Today, instead of showing their latest work in class, students in the art class said that they intend to surprise the instructor next week with plenty of new collage pieces. But what if you are one of the individuals who looks forward to seeing new work every week? If you are like me, and in desperate need of some eye candy or a quick fix of collage imagery, don't worry. Here are two faux collages in the meantime: A scene from our classroom work table and a view of a Tube station wall, until the real stuff arrives next week, or so I am told.Seen in Birkbeck Room 540.
Seen in the Waterloo Tube station.
We began our day by leaving the overcast skies of London and heading towards Stratford-Upon-Avon, the birth town of William Shakespeare. On the coach ride, Mary makes good use of her down time and is inspired to work on her collage book.
As we approached the land o' Shakespeare, the weather cleared and we were greeted with sunny, but brisk temperatures. Here, a typical farm scene as it might have looked in Shakespeare's time.
Leaving the relative warmth of the coach, Sandi, Ivan and Stephanie try to absorb as much of the sun as they can, before heading into Mary Arden's home (Shakespeare's childhood home). Stephanie glances behind and checks for overly-aggressive farm animals in the stable area. Note one of the few forms of entertainment back then: Dangling ribbons from a Maypole.
Once inside the house, we learn more about the chores and duties required to live in a farm setting.
The tools and utensils are simple in construction, but were adequate for the task.
We were told of the servant's role and how it wasn't such a bad job, given that one received both food and lodging, as well as a small amount of money to spend any way one would like, perhaps on small luxuries like fabric or a comb.
We listened intently to our guides, who were dressed as they might have in Shakespeare's time, as they explained how a pot of stew was best heated by placing it next to the fire to obtain the best heat transfer, rather than directly over the flames as is often seen in movies.
More items from the simple lifestyle.
A bed in a warm but smoky upstairs room.
It was a blustery day, not unlike that described in a Winnie-the-Pooh story, with everyone's cheeks made pink by the blowing wind, except Owl's. Angus was his name, and together with Becky, his handler and our guide, they showed us how people of Shakespeare's time used falcons (in this case, an owl) to help them capture smaller, elusive prey to supplement their meals.
Given the proper command and signal, Angus would swoop down mightily, then alight on any willing volunteer who donned the thick leather glove. Here, Angus was too quick for the photographer and a bit too flighty for Ellen's tastes.
Jacob tries his hand at it and has got fellow students in awe of his cool and collected approach to bird handling.
Laura is amazed at just how fast Angus lands on the glove, eats the tiny morsel of flesh that is placed on the crook of the thumb, and before you know it, leaves with several powerful flaps of his wings.
Ivan thinks nothing of having this sharp-taloned bird of prey land on his outstretched arm. "It's a piece of cake," he mutters to himself.
Ross and Angus are completely at ease with one another.
As great as the appeal of Mary Arden's home is, it still had to compete with Angus's captivating show of flight.
As seen in this side view, Angus cuts a low profile. Alina has got Angus's landing procedure down pat.
Paul fastens the last button on his jacket in an effort to fend off the low temperatures, while Ana and Emily continue to enjoy the falconry work.
It was a great display of bird and (wo)man working together. Cheers, Angus!
We next visited Shakespeare's home. It is now a museum preserved and filled with furniture that would have been in use at the time. This house has quite a history and having changed hands a few times, the furnishings are no longer completely original. No photographs were permitted, so we will have to make do with an exterior shot. Here we are, getting organized to enter the museum.
We are now on the last leg of the Shakespeare trail, and our guide Nigel describes the use of extra timber on the exterior of buildings that were seen as a show of one's personal wealth. Even Shakespeare's parents weren't immune to this social pressure to keep up with the Jones's. Their house had multiple pieces built into the walls for others to see, but only on that side which could be viewed from the road. Way fewer wood members are seen on the inside. 
A fading headstone seen on the way to Shakespeare's place of burial, but this one is not his. This cemetary can be found just outside the church where he is buried.
The interior is illuminated by ornate stained glass windows. Marrietta, Laura and Ivan stand right in front of where Shakespeare's remains lie.
Although we are even closer to the actual site, one can't quite see it in this shot. You'll just have to cough up your own 50 pence to see it on your next visit to Stratford-Upon-Avon.
On our return through the town, the last of the day's rays fell on Shakespeare's home.
