Made that Summer Count, School is back in session

School started this week here! I had a fantastic summer and really made it count. This next school year calender is lacking a lot of the usual time off to accomodate a recent state policy. Though the policy is well intentioned, I'm not a fan.  However, I am so grateful for the extra week we had off before returning to work.

I traveled... oh did I travel!

At the end of July, I went on a mission trip to a Native American Reservation in North Dakota and learned so much about the people there. The children are beautiful. I would have taken so many home with me if I could.

Our team worked on building decks so that the residents could get in and out easily of their homes. So many of the house doors were 3 or 4 feet above the level of the ground.

North Dakota is amazing. Such big skies!

Showing that wheel chair ramp who's boss

Drilling!

The poverty and desperation there is huge, but the pride of the people and their culture is so very much intact. I loved every single moment. 

We did a little art with children in one of the communities. Put food coloring in bottles of bubbles then had them blow bubbles onto their papers. Later when they were dry we colored with crayons. I'm not sure whether art makes it onto their plates or not there, but I saw several with very creative inclinations. Oh how I wish I could have brought so many of them home.

My favorite part of the week was the Pow Wow. I learned about all the different types of dancers and their style of dress. Each person took such pride in their costumes. Oh and this was the place to try a bison burger if the urge has ever hit you. Tasty tasty!

The second day after I returned home from N.D. Mom and I hopped on a plane to Italy. We saw Venice, Florence, and Rome. It was art teacher heaven!

Reflecting back on my art history classes made me realize they only scratch the surface. To see these amazing monuments in person leaves one truly in awe.

Pantheon. So much larger than I imagined.

Trevi Fountain

I'm having Italy withdrawls.

North Dakota has left me feeling the urge to do some "Western" art this year, perhaps closer to Thanksgiving. I'm not sure what Italy has done to influence my classes yet.

Perhaps Italy can just me for me.

The experience has left my heart and mind open to new possibilities.