Today for our Asian Culture Intensive Learning we were taught about Chinese Culture. In the morning a woman came in to speak to us about Ancient Chinese medicine that is still used today. She told us about acupuncture and “cupping.” These are two ways to increase blood flow and help make the body healthier....
Continue readingGlass Arts: Fun Day of Mosaics!
We spent our day crafting colorful mosaic pieces in the art studio! We were able to choose from a variety of pieces to design, including, but not limited to: candle holders, small glass jars, and flower pots. In order to create such beautiful mosaic designs, we spent time selecting our own glass shards and...
Continue readingOiling at the Bayshore Center
We set off this morning for our second day of Bayshore Discovery Project work. As we did Friday, half of the group went to the boatyard and half to the Bayshore Center. Both groups spent time sanding, oiling, and painting in order to get the AJ. Meerwald ready for spring sailing. Oiling at the...
Continue readingMulticultural Philly Day Two: Chinese Culture
Today our Intensive Learning group combined with the Asian culture group. First in the morning we had a presentation from a woman who specialized in acupuncture and Chinese medicine. She gave a presentation and then demonstrated acupuncture and cupping, which are two types of practices in Chinese medicine. Many of us tried these methods...
Continue readingSacred Spaces: Baha’i Encounter and Bharatiya Temple
Today we were warmly welcomed into the home of a follower of the Baha’i faith. She was from Iran and was very courteous and offered us breakfast. After we were settled we were introduced thoroughly to the Baha’i faith with a PowerPoint that she built. We learned about basic principles and religion in the...
Continue readingSewing For Babies Day 2: Nurse-Family Partnership Visit
Today, we visited the Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) in Philadelphia. The organization helps first time mothers living in low income households who need support, not only physically but mentally and emotionally as well. Their organization guides them through pregnancy and the first two years of their child’s life. When we arrived, we were greeted by...
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Presenting and Feedback (Design Thinking Day 2)
In today’s Design Thinking workshop, we were fully engaged in our projects. We deeply analyzed our ideas for our low-resolution prototypes, providing positive feedback and constructive criticism in order to improve our projects even more. Our Gallery Walks supplied a large amount of advice that pointed us in the right direction to create mini-presentations....
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Day Two of Quilting for Alzheimers
The second day of quilting was just as fun as the first. Today we started off with a speaker from the Harmony Village, which is a nursing home for the memory impaired. Lauren the speaker who came talked about the causes and effects of dementia. Before starting her presentation on dementia, she gave us...
Continue readingCanine Corner: Puppies, Cows, Cats, and Ferrets at PSPCA
Today was fabulous! We traveled to the headquarters of the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, (the PSPCA). Our guide Mandy took us on a tour of the shelter. We saw horses, baby bulls, chickens, turtles, and of course dogs and cats. We learned about all the important work that the...
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Cabinets of Curiosities: Exhibiting Ourselves
What does it all mean? is the most essential question we can ask about our day today. We began by using our personal items to create sample museum exhibits and then critiqued them. Once we examined all of the objects we brought in, we worked in small groups to make exhibits (we had to...
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3.25.18: Château de Versailles and In the Steps of Amélie
Today was filled with a packed agenda as we traveled to the palace of Versailles and had the opportunity to go to Montmartre or les Galeries Lafayette followed with a delicious dinner and a boat cruise highlighting the magical wonder Paris has to offer. Our favorite part was the optional trip to Montmartre. There...
Continue readingA Great Wall Experience
Today we visited the Great Wall of China! After starting off the day with another amazing breakfast, we took an almost two hour-long bus ride to the base of the Wall. It was about a 25 minute hike up to the top, which was incredibly steep, but not enough to drain us because once...
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Castles, mountains, and breathtaking landscapes!
Following the rough ferry ride and few sick kids caused by the stormy sea, we made our way through the Albanian customs this morning. We eventually trekked onto the new bus and traveled to the Albanian capital, Tierna. We visited all sorts of cafes and the city square. After about an hour of exploration...
Continue readingSparks flying!
Blacksmithing, day two. Today we started off learning how to start a fire with coal, a fire starter, and cardboard. Bruce showed us how to maintain the fire and have constant oxygen in the fire. After the short demonstration, we all set off in our separate areas to start our fires. Once all the...
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Update from the Wilderness
A brief text dispatch: “Survived another night. Shelter was awesome last night, much warmer. Sleep here again tonight, maybe take a day hike. Tomorrow we hike 5 miles to next shelter.”...
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