Following on the heels of last week’s successful Soul Food dinner, your taste buds will be tickled as you try these traditional Irish dishes:

Barley Onion Soup

Traditional Irish Stew served in a homemade bread bowl
Corned Beef & Cabbage
Boiled Potatoes
Carrots
Green Beans
Turnips

Irish Soda Bread

Vegetarian Dish (“Champ”) — one of the most widely made potato dishes in Ireland

Dessert
Apple Cake
Bread Pudding

Come join us this Tuesday, March 9, in Hocker Hall for some Irish Fun!

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Her class recently finished reading  Mr. Popper’s Penguins and decided it would be fun to build a milk jug igloo. Her mom helped round up milk jugs from faculty and staff at KWC, and 276 jugs later, her third grade class finished the igloo!

They plan to use the inspired creation as a classroom reading spot.

KWC president Cheryl King also visited Ms. Harrison’s classroom for ”I Love to Read” Day. She spent time reading  Teammates to the kids and explaining why reading is important for everyone.

–UPDATE–

The igloo had to be moved recently, and of course, this was the result:

But never fear. Ms. Harrison (and her husband) put the igloo back together again:

Follow more of the Cravens Elementary School third grade adventures at Katy Harrison’s blog: http://harrisoncravens.blogspot.com/.

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KW Seniors looking for a job — here’s a great opportunity from the Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities (AIKCU). KWC is a member, so you’re eligible to attend. From AIKCU:

The annual Spotlight Employment and Internship Fair, a collaborative fair for students from all 20 AIKCU member institutions and Hanover College (IN), will be held March 4, 2010 from 2:00 – 6:00 pm at the Holiday Inn North in Lexington, KY.

This is the 25th annual Spotlight, the region’s premier career and internship fair. Up to 300 highly qualified juniors and seniors from Kentucky’s independent colleges and universities are expected to attend.

You can check out the list of employers attending the fair before you go. Also, here are an agenda, driving directions, a map and available hotel accommodations if you need them. 

Here’s what students and employers said about last year’s event:

Contact Robin Fleischer at Georgetown College for more details:

Graves Center for Calling and Careers
Georgetown College
400 East College Street
Georgetown, KY 40324
502.863.8122 (phone) or Robin_fleischer@georgetowncollege.edu

What are you waiting for? Go! Find a job!

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The game features Daviess County High School, coached by Pat Hume ’92, against Owensboro Catholic High School, coached by Ray Zuberer ’84 and Allison Estes Ross ’02.

Zuberer and Ross both played basketball for KWC. Hume’s mother, Ruthie, is a long-time employee of Kentucky Wesleyan.

If you’re a KWC fan or just a fan of basketball, come out to Apollo High School Thursday night at 7 to get a look at how KWC’s basketball tradition is trickling down to local high school programs.

K-Dub Idol is in full swing again this year. We just completed Round Two last night (Chairman of the Board Mitch Settle even made a guest appearance as a celebrity judge!), with Candace Garrett, Deidra Frazier and Noah Strader moving on to next week’s final round.

A few photos below, with video (hopefully) to follow:

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“In restless dreams I walk alone, narrow streets of cobblestone.”

Paul Simon penned these words over forty years ago in the immortal classic ‘The Sound of Silence,’ but they have resonated with me over the past weeks I’ve spent on the other side of the Atlantic. Until today, I have been walking through a dream, always expecting to walk around the corner and see a distinctly American world once again.

However, there is no America to be found. Even the McDonald placard has been replaced with McItaly. The narrow streets, alleys and tall ancient buildings box me in like an architectural canyon. I let the flat, snow-covered farmland of northern Italy remind me of Illinois as the endless bus rides ship us from destination to destination. Every new stranger’s voice takes me farther from home as they chat in a language
that is still mostly gibberish to me.

Now, walk down the cobblestone, breathe the air and see Italy from the ground up with me.

The biggest difference between Italy and the United States … isn’t. Everything is smaller here. The streets, the cars, the stores, the restaurants, even the bathrooms are all notably diminutive. The average American driver would tremble at the thought of navigating the narrow and packed lanes of traffic that spider-web through the cities of Italy.

But even our coach (private tour buses) drivers deftly maneuver amongst the Fiats and Alfa Romeos through tight corners and roundabouts. Pedestrians have to be as fearless as the drivers when crossing streets, for they have no right-of-way but what they boldly claim for themselves by stepping into the crosswalk.

Off the streets, the stores are built into the old architecture of the city and some could not even fit 10 people who have no personal space issues. Not to be alarmed — there are many comfortable sit-down restaurants, café’s and bars where standing elbow to elbow is not required. However, you will get acquainted with those you sit with, as playing “footsie”, bumping arms and tapping knee caps is unavoidable at the small tables.

Public bathrooms are generally engineered so that there is enough room for the door to open inwards and just miss the fixtures, and no more. Getting in one requires mild contortionism at times.

Although, as a future engineer and overall practical person, I cannot solidly object to this efficiency of space.

Italians take great pride in their work. The squares (piazza) in Firenze house many street merchants and outdoor markets, where shop owners set up stands to display and sell their goods. While there are many souvenirs stands, others mainly include leather goods (jackets, gloves, wallets, purses) and scarves. When you barter with any of the store owners, they always detail the products and sing their praises as fine craftsmanship. They are eager to say how many generations have been in their business and to make you appreciate their work.

The culture, history and very atmosphere of Italy are vibrant and rich, but different from anything we’re used to in America. The true sights of a country are not found at the tourist-touted landmarks, but right on the street, feet on the cobblestone, walking through the dream of seeing the world.

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Intro:
– More than a lesson in sailing, this course was a lesson in life. It was a once in a lifetime chance to leave the comfort of your home and go to a place like no other and live a life most have only dreamed of. To experience a new culture, a new way of life, and an enlightenment that only these islands and sea can provide. Following in the wake of these old pirate trails, our sailing catamaran was our sea chariot to swashbuckling adventure. – Ian

On Learning to Sail:

– Having absolutely zero experience sailing a vessel of any kind, this was a very humbling experience. I soon realized that sailing is no joke and timing is critical; if something is done improperly or too slow, the result could be disastrous.

When I first set foot on the Caribbean Soul, I knew very little to none of the sailing terminology or the anatomy of the boat. I also had zero knowledge of tying knots. This was my first experience on a sailboat and I was going to have to listen carefully and learn quickly. Like a kid on his first day of school, I was wide-eyed and trying to absorb every bit of information that my brain could handle.

Right off I was taught how to moor the boat and tie a cleat hitch. Knowing how important this responsibility was, I went over the process in my head repeatedly throughout the day and that night … As time progressed on the boat, I slowly transformed from a completely worthless landlubber who knew nothing about sailing to a novice sailor who could somewhat handle themselves on a sailboat. – Tyler

– The sea is one of the most powerful forces on earth and we were paired toe to toe with it as we learned the basics, and later advanced techniques of harnessing wind in the art form known as sailing. Nothing comes easy in sailing as our group quickly found out while taking to the sea. Some situations take the patience of a school teacher, while others require the tenacity of the warrior. When done properly, the reward was smooth sailing backed by the clearest water in the world and the most beautiful scenery known to man. – Ian

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February 1st marked the start of my first full calendar month away from home and outside the United States. It’s easy to forget that I’m in a foreign country until I step outside and no one is speaking English. School is still uneventful and tiresome. I very much enjoy the first teacher, as she explains grammar concepts very well, and with some English if we need it. The second teacher knows hardly any English and only explains things in Italian. While being immersed in a language is the best way to learn it, no one learns to swim by being thrown in the deep end while someone shouts instructions from the lifeguard stand. That’s what it feels like anyway.

This afternoon, I researched a lot on the ski trip to Interlaken that we’re planning in a few weeks. I’m getting really pumped about hitting the slopes at Jungfrau

Tuesday was one of the best days I’ve had since I’ve gotten here. Class was nothing to sneeze at, although I’m still blowing my nose like it’s my job. After class, we went to the academic gallery and saw the original Statue of David in all his Apollo-esque glory.

The highlight of my day came afterwards though, when I walked with some friends up to Piazza di Michelangelo, a square up on a hill at the northwest corner of Firenze, overlooking the city. It was the most beautiful sight that I’ve seen since being in the duomo. Words and not even pictures can truly describe the view.

 

 The next day, we took another bus trip to a winery near Sienna. The wine tasting definitely was the highlight of the day. We sampled four different wines while we were there, and my table got seconds. The bus ride back was loud…and then quiet.

Thursday saw much rain and cloudiness to cover Firenze, and the extra two hours of class did not help anyone’s mood. Friday was our last day of class. I went to the first session with Constanza to review for our final. That evening we signed forms in preparation for going to Roma, and received a map, more housing info and a bus ticket.

Saturday was one of the longest days I’ve had thus far. I was up early at the usual time to eat breakfast, pack the last few things, and check out of my room. I then headed over to the school early so I could do some extra study for the final. The test itself was very straightforward and I feel confident that I did well.

Kids slowly drifted back to the hotel with food, preparing to leave on one of four buses, departing at fifteen minute intervals. Last night we learned our bus assignments, made in accordance with our housing. I grabbed lunch at a kebob place down the street from our hotel, and enjoyed my last meal in Firenze. The bus ride to Rome turned into the most successful bus nap I’ve had in a while. We parked on the southwestern outskirts of the city, where AIFS coordinators had taxis coming in at a relatively constant flow rate, each designated to take us to our various apartments.

The five of us finally got our taxis and got to our apartment, and it was absolutely the coolest flat I have ever seen. We have two large common areas, a kitchen, and three bedrooms. The walkthrough of our apartment is as follows (skip to the next paragraph if you don’t want to read this): there is a dining room area as the first room when you enter; on the opposing corner, you walk down the hallway, there is a bathroom with a tub and a washing machine on the right, then the kitchen on the right, two steps down the large living room on the left; straight ahead is one of the double bedrooms, and to the right, through the kitchen and left, is the single bedroom; right and into the living room, you walk across the room, and there is a very narrow, very steep, concrete spiral staircase; down just a few steps is a bathroom that redefines the word tiny; the whole room is a small shower, with a sink and toilet included; up the stairs is another double bedroom.

 Through an almost hour-long discussion process that is hardly worth repeating, I got the single room. The five of us unpacked and moved in, something I have been looking forward to for almost three weeks. We then walked down to a local supermarket to buy some groceries – a convenient five-minute trot from our flat. After stocking up, we then tap-danced around each other in the kitchen, fixing our pastas, salads and sandwiches before sitting around our dining room table, eating together as flat-mates for the first and most likely last time.

 After dinner I grabbed a map and plotted a surprisingly short route to the Vatican. Standing in front of St. Peter’s Basilica was one of the most humbling and awe inspiring experiences of my Catholic life. I absolutely cannot wait to go back (as I will many times in the next three months) and even go inside, and assist at Holy Mass there.

 On a side note, “when in Rome” has quickly become the most overused phrase in our group …

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KWC’s new AED (Automated External Defibrillator) program was featured on the 14WFIE news this week. Thanks to a $10,000 grant from OMHS, we are making campus life safer for students.

Watch a video clip of the news segment below:

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Waking up in Firenze is getting to be very addicting – until I realize that we are still living out of suitcases in a hotel. And, my room is a mess. I assisted at Mass in the duomo on Sunday morning. It was crowed and in Italian, but otherwise relatively impressive.

Mid-afternoon, a few tour guides gave us a practical tour of Florence and showed us several sites, including a bridge market, the post office, our language school and the bookstore. Afterwards, I returned to the hotel and turned on my TV to find Forrest Gump. In German. Life is different here.

Monday saw the beginning of intensive language classes. We have class from 0900 to 1330, but it is divided up into three segments, with breaks in between. Our professoressas are very nice. Our grammar teacher mixes Italian and English to help us out but she says that will end tomorrow. Our conversation and vocabulary teacher does knows hardly any English in my opinion. But she engages the class, and we catch on to what she is saying eventually.

After class, my fellow future engineer friend Maria and I decided to get lost in Florence for the next few hours we had until our welcome cocktail at a bar downtown. And lost we got. But Florence is a very hard city to stay lost in forever, as long as you are up for some major urban hiking. We found the residential side of the city, complete with tall apartments and sandstone colored houses.

Our second day of class was more challenging, but I’m still enjoying it despite the stress. After class, I grabbed a quick sandwich (they are very cheap, and amazingly good too) and boarded the bus for our day trip to Pisa. It was rainy and cold once we got there, and we were a miserable crowd. However, we all made the best of it and took our touristy photos with the Leaning Tower, and learned a bit about the history of the Cathedral for which it was built to be the bell tower.

He's gonna push it over!

Wednesday was the first relatively average day I’ve had here. Class went well; it’s very hard to keep up with our second teacher but maybe I’ll pick up Italian through some form of auditory osmosis. Afterwards, Rosanna held an academic meeting in which she discussed our classes in Rome and some of the expectations for them and I found out that I am in all the classes I signed up for.

Our first quiz was on Thursday but I found it encouragingly easy. After class, Maria and I visited the Da Vinci Museum. What an amazing tribute to the original mechanical engineer! They had full scale replicas of many of his designs that he drew, including his tank, both of his most famous one man gliders, and a mechanized suit of armor. There were dozens of models of his many other inventions such as cantilevers, pulley systems, bridge designs, and ball bearings. I was right at home examining and “geeking out” at the hands-on working models, as I’m sure many of you can easily picture.

After dinner was the opera, and, while fascinating on some level, I could not stop from nodding off. I left at the intermission with a huge majority of the rest of those Americans that went.

The five-hour bus ride to Venzia (Venice) gave us a bleak view of a foggy, snow-blanketed Northern Italy. Once in the city, we hopped off the bus and onto boats to head up a channel to our hotel. My colleagues needed reminding that we were in fact “on a boat” but I got everyone connected with their inner T-Pain soon enough.

It snows in Venice once every 10 years ...

Venice is a beautiful maze of calm waterways, meandering sidewalks and tall bridges for the sidewalks to cross the waterways. There was an art gallery tour that fascinated me as I recognized many of the Titian, Caravaggio and Bellini paintings. But after four hours of walking around to different galleries, I was more than sufficiently beat. I grouped up with some friends and went out to a nice restaurant for dinner and enjoyed some delicious Italian pizze (pizza).

A good Italian dinner ...

Saturday, I woke up sick, but I tried to not let it stop me for too long. Another tour departed our hotel this morning (starting with a short but exciting gondola ride!) and we visited several 15th century seats of government, as well as Piazza di San Marco and the cathedral itself. We even went underneath a building to see an old stone prison of medieval Venice. After the tour, I headed back to the hotel for a long afternoon’s nap.

No streets in Venice ... only sidewalks and canals.

I’m very much looking forward to being in Rome, settling into my apartment, and starting a regular class schedule. There has been so much going on, and there is still so much left that we’re doing. I need a break…

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