Monday, December 03, 2007

Junk Food Dome


Research papers, art projects, and preparations for final exams are keeping life interesting around here. Rylan has been working late into each night, writing or creating. An eight-page paper on The English Patient is in draft form and Rylan has shared enough about the book that I asked to read it myself. It was captivating, mysterious, and lyrical. What beautiful word pictures the author provides when describing the people, places, and events in the story. Romance is contrasted with themes of nationalism and familial cohesiveness within a very diverse group of characters. It's a classic piece of modern day literature that is historically based and has a unique perspective that makes one look at events with new eyes. Additionally, Rylan was given a group project in his art class. After a chapter on types of architecture, the instructor assigned a different form of design to each group and asked them to build it totally out of junk food! Rylan and his partner were assigned the "dome" which they achieved by baking three layers of sheet cakes and cutting them into the shape they needed. The dome was crafted out of rice crispy treats that were formed in a mixing bowl. Layers of white frosting and marshmallow cream coated everything and candy was used to embellish and add detail. They are calling this dome the Palomar Observatory in Winter. A unique and possibly unusual assignment for a college level class, it appears to have provided students with a bit of relaxation therapy after a very intense quarter of study. Rylan's counting down to Wednesday when he's out of school for the Christmas holiday. Brandon has one more week until his final exams are completed.

6 comments:

  1. The observatory looks great! I think it's a very clever and well-executed project.

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  2. Anonymous5:10 AM

    Pure genius!!!
    Lea

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  3. This is pretty cool...and hooray...a break...
    Deby

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  4. Even college boys must have had fun making that cake. The rice crispy for the dome was a clever idea.

    I enjoyed the movie of the English Patient several years ago and have thought recently that I would like to see it again. I may have to read the book, too.

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