Project Finale

This week was the final week of the 1.5 month project about human rights. The first year students (my students) ended things with a market where they raised money for Amnesty International. They made over 1000 Euros. The second year students made some sort of sculptures that are supposed to be on display in a public place like a mall, and the third year students had a debate. The mayor even came to be a part of the celebrations.

Antique cabinet for antique Delftware.

To scale replica of The Night Watch by Rembrandt - took two
master painters one year to recreate.

As a school, Friday was a success. Personally, it was also a success. I got in all four of the math lessons that I needed to this week - they were a bit tricky because the students were making something - a box that was just the right size to hold four ping-pong balls. Maybe a little more than half were able to. For the market, my students were making DVDs to sell about water. I had the deadline for the videos set to a week ago Friday, but had to keep pushing it back. Eventually I got them all except for 2 out of 24 groups. I was even able to burn 40 copies with Naomi's laptop among the chaos on Friday. I am learning to juggle a lot at once.

Kilns where Delftware is fired.

Master painter working on a vase that will sell for well over 10,000 Euros.

Sinterklaas.

Yesterday Naomi's mother and significant other, Marinus, came to visit for Sinterklaas. We went to the Royal Delft Museum/Factory. It is nice to see how the Delftware is made. After we got back we had a nice traditional Dutch meal - mashed potatoes, broccoli, leek with cheese, and sausages. It was tasty. Then we impressed them with a movie on our wall in the living room. Now it is time for breakfast (croissants from France) and the opening of presents. We exchanged gifts with a poem. Naomi had to write it in Dutch since Marinus doesn't speak English. Anyway, time to set the table...

Small container ship.

Is this Earth or the Moon?

...A few hours later...we got back from a driving tour of Rotterdam's port. Or parts of it anyway. It is too big to see everything in one day. Up until recently, it was the largest on earth. I can see why. Docks, piles of containers, and refineries that seem to never end. There are even a few wind turbines sprinkled in here and there. I am surprised they don't have more - I mean it is not like visual pollution is an issue there. Now I have no shortage of things to do...but no motivation to do them. Looks like the rest of today might be a lazy one.

The ferry to England.

What does it do?