Progress, Progress, Progress!

Now on Day 4 of Winterim, the RUaDgtalNativ group has had an active and busy day. Since everyone has become familiar with the program and routines, we immediately started off with taking photos of some on-campus groups and trying to writing two blog posts each. Within two hours, the blog had sixteen new posts on it, which is amazing progress. After we finished our blog posts, we went out to Panera Bread for lunch, which has internet access, so we would be able to work while eating (not to mention that we had a incredibly hilarious yet gross experience there... RUaDN members would understand). The internet access was limited to thirty minutes per person, but we were able to start creating a GMap for Winterim 2011. When we got back from our lunch break, we continued doing our social media jobs and finishing up whatever we needed to do for today.

Pop Artists in the Making

The Hit Single Machine Winterim is well into the songwriting process, and has already come a long way after four days of work. As most of you probably know, this particular Winterim has the students writing a pop song, creating a music video for the song, and selling it on iTunes. The profits will be put towards a scholarship for a student applying to LA with strong musical potential.

At this point, the students have finished writing their song, and the group has an idea for the general concept for the music video. Today, they were having a discussion session, throwing out ideas for the music video and deciding which lyrics work for the song and which ones are more cliche or boring. From what I gathered, the main concept is about daydreaming during class. There's one lyric about purple seas, and there was some discussion about drool for the music video. Let's see how it turns out; so far, it sounds like a phenomenal and hilarious concept!

Dorothy Gale on Trial in Oz

(Pictured: Alex "Aj Twobad" Twogood)

Today in the Winterim "Objection, Your Honor!," a mock trial workshop, students will be watching The Wizard of Oz. Why would a mock trial themed Winterim spend time watching The Wizard of Oz? Well, the group will be using the movie as the basis for their trial. According to sophomore Ben Potter, the film's protagonist, Dorothy Gale of Kansas, will be put on trial for the following charges: murder in the first degree for the killing of the Wicked Witch of the West, murder in the second degree for the killing of the Wicked Witch of the East, breaking and entering the Witch's castle, and stealing the Wicked Witch of the East's ruby shoes. After watching the movie, the group will gather information and prep for the final trial, scheduled for tomorrow. I'll have an update about how the trial goes tomorrow so check back in.

(Pictured: Greg Stern at work)

Look and Feel the Sea in the Caribbean

Photo by Jeff Steinitz from Great Barrier Reef System site

Students will learn how to do kayak paddling strokes and navigational skills in the Caribbean. Students will explore the pristine landscapes and diverse croak reefs nearby regions off the coast of Belize. They live in Billy Hawk Cay Guest Lodge. Students also learn some basic snorkeling skills so they can explore the unique reefs in that part of the Caribbean. Students will catch and cook the fish that they catch on their own. They will prepare them with native Garifunas. Students will use their leadership and communication skills to build personal confidence. If you are the students' families, friends or anyone in the LA community - you should come back and check how they doing!!!  We are not sure if we will hear from them, but we'll try to posted later.

Snapping Photos in a Digital World

Probably the most proactive on-campus Winterim is Digital Photography, which has already gone to several off-campus locations and taken some amazing photographs.

Already, this Winterim has gone to Concord and a farm in Springfield. in the wide room, students have spread out across the stoolsand couches, eye glued to their laptop screens, and engrossed in their work. "Sharpen everything," says Mr. John Rooney, the director of Digital Photography, "It's important to sharpen everything at least a little bit." Looking at some of the photographs, I saw a wide variety of subjects and many interesting perspectives.

This afternoon, Digital Photography plans to travel to Fitchburg, where they will go to an art museum for a tour and see professional work. They travel to Boston on Monday to take some more shots, and will be back on Tuesday. Check back then to see how their pictures came out!

Paddling through Paradise

Tortuguero National Park

Picture from Wikipedia


The students of Byways and Waterways of Costa Rica are paddling through rivers and canals led by professional river guides from Wilds of Maine Guide Services. They have three base camps: Tortuguero National Park, Pacuare River, and Arenal Volcano. The group is paddling, hiking, swimming in hot springs, and taking trips into the rain forest. We wish them the best and can’t wait to hear more!

Sports Journalism at the Big East Tourney

After leaving from LA yesterday morning, Sports Journalism arrived in New York City in time for the St. John's(18) vs. Rutgers game at Madison Square Garden. It was a tight game as the underdog Rutgers stayed in the game and put up a fight. With the score 65-63 in favor of St. John's in the last minute of play there were a few missed calls that ultimately changed the outcome of the game. With 1.7 seconds left St. John's Justin Brownlee took a few extra steps and stepping out of bounds while throwing the ball into the stands. If the officials had called this it would have been possibly a game changing possession for Rutgers, who would have had a chance to tie it with a 2-pointer or win it with a 3. There was no call and St. John's walked away with a win. It was an exciting and controversial start to the trip. Today the group headed back to MSG for the UCONN(19) vs. Pitt(3) game at 12 and the (11)Syracuse vs. St. John's(18). If you want to check out their updates, check their blog. For the write up of the game from yesterday, visit ESPN here. I'll keep you all updated as usual.

Music Artists, Porches, and Everything in Between...

Students in Watermedia have been finishing their first project, painting a porch. The few that have already finished their porch projects, now are working on any piece they want to create. Morgan Bakstran is recreating the portrait of Drake from his album cover "Thank Me Later." Today they will be taking a trip to the Fitchburg Mueseum to give them more ideas for their projects.

Inside the American Legal System

The System, an off/on campus Winterim, involves learning about the United States legal process and examining the American political and economic system. During the first week of this exciting, fun-filled, and educational Winterim, the students will be commuting into Boston, where they will spend time in the city's courthouses, prisons, and law offices. During the second week, they will be going to Washington D.C. to visit governmental sites.

Wachusett Drift

Skiing and snowboarding are very fun sports, but the students of "The Total Mountain Experience: SKiing, Boarding, and Beyond" learn more than basic skiing and snowboarding skills at the Wachusett Mountain. Mr. Flannery and Ms. MacGillivary, two athletic trainers, learn along with the students how to rescue others who injure themselves on the mountain. Students ride along with the mountain grooming team to learn about snow-making and mountain maintenance.

Today, our students and trainers are learning these skills on the mountain where the temperature is 16 degrees Fahrenheit and the snow depth is 20to 30 inches.

Come back to check how they do!!!

Week One... March 10th.

On Thursday, March 10th all students will be able to join various activities:

• Funworld (check it out)
• Bowling - big ball (just typical game)
• Dodgeball (kicking out opposite players)
• Desserts at Homestead (local at Mrs. Poulin house)
• IMAX "I am Number Four" (movie trip - check the trailer)
• Zumba and Yoga (exercises and dancing)
Have fun!

Behind Closed Doors!

Since the first day of Winterim, Yoga has been hidden from the public eye. Newspaper covers the window panes of the French doors to MacNeil Lounge. and few of the yoga students have been spotted on campus. Nevertheless, we've heard a few rumors. For example, we learned the other day that they went to hot yoga, a more challenging kind of exercise which involves doing yoga in a very hot room and sweating profusely.

Kim, their leader, is close to most students because of her former position as a yoga teacher at LA. Kim welcomes anyone into her group, even if they've never tried yoga before. The group's faculty advisor, Mr. Peisch, is enjoying the art of yoga.

Yoga originated in India. It is the art of mental and physical practices. It has been being taught for more than 3,000 years. There are many different kinds of yoga and many different sequences. This group began with the most basic sequence: Sun Salutation. They will be taking a few other trips but for right now we can only sit and wonder what's happening behind those closed doors!

Rough Riders

Mountain biking in Arizona, an off-campus Winterim, is very difficult and requires you to be in top condition. Their goal is to ride for more than 20 miles a day. It is not easy at all. They have to ride on rocky terrains, uneven terrains, and dry dirt and sad trails. As they ride along, they have the opportunity to witness a multitude of landscapes. They are riding and exploring the unpredictable trails of the Sonoran Desert outside of Phoenix. Early next week, they will be visiting the Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum. Today they will be riding in the evening near and around their campground. It's pretty hot in Arizona today, reaching the mid 80's, but for their ride tonight, it is going to be pretty chilly reaching as low as 50.

This is where the desert is located, and Their campground is located in this area as well.

Two Faces of Talent

The Mask Making group is supposed to be one the most artistic Winterim groups. Their level of performance is very high and their motivation is unbeatable. Students of mask making are learning how to erase negative emotions from their faces and to cover them with happy smiles. This is not only fun for the participants of this Winterim, but also an interesting challenge to see whether they can create full-face characters or not. Students of Mask Making will also perform in the theater and prove to everyone that they are hard-working and very talented people.

Monkeys, Butterflies, and Toucans OH MY!

The Amazon is a place of peace and serenity, not for long because here come LA Winterim. A group of 16 and 2 teachers, plus the native guides. The teachers in this group are overqualified and the students are all very healthy, and they need to be, they are hiking up on some of the highest peeks in the world. They go to many different cities and towns all over the area. This trip is full of breath taking views and amazing people and experiences.

photo taken from:

http://www.treehugger.com/peru-amazon-forest-lake.jpg

Bananas and Blue Men

Last night the entire boarding class of LA went to Blue Man Group at the Charles Playhouse in Boston- this was an exiting experience for all involved. One of our international students, and bloggers was covered in mashed up banana. Mike decided that the ponchos which were given to him were not necessary even though he was sitting in the front row! Mike then had to smell like rotten bananas the whole ride back to school. He wasn't the only one who was upset by this banana stench! The whole bus will smell like bananas for the next unsuspecting passengers! Over all it was a fun trip and to be honest it was funny watching Mike get covered in banana - that was the highlight of my night.

Check out the Blue Man Group YouTube Channel.