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Clay, As you suggested the site really provides some great info/insight (re: The Huntington )If it is any consolation I think the photo suggests more of how we felt than how we looked. Our brains are all filled up in that shot. As Steve suggested at the end of the day "the dishes are done" I naively asked if that was a Chinese proverb or saying he politely answered "No, Rand" I think our trips home will invigorate us for the week ahead...I am looking forward to seeing everyone. Drive safe!
Together We Can ( Do Anything!)
Rand

I enjoyed the field on Friday, but I wish I had more energy in the afternoon to take a closer look at the artifacts at the Pacific Asia Museum. Perhaps for next year, the trip to the museum could occur first and then the afternoon tour at the Huntington Library would keep us all alert in the great outdoor. On another note, as I was looking at some of the artifacts at the Pacific Asia Museum especially those displayed during and post cultural revolution, I think I might possess a couple artifacts that could possibly be of value (i.e. stamps). I need to go home and dig from the garage for some artifacts my parents stored.

Clay,
The Pacific Asia Museum was very interesting. I did not expect to see the variety of materials that we did in such a small place. The tour guide did a great job in making the material interesting and answering any questions we had. I found it entertaining that her presentations are usually formatted for elementary school kids and the simplicity her portrayal of the exhibits may have been the thing that pooled me in. She made me feel like a third grade kid again.

One part that really stood out to me were the propaganda paintings under Mao. It would communicate to the kids well because it portrays a proud China in which everyone was equal and gave a good impression of their views on the "poisoning ideas" of the west. Good stuff.

Learning about the Meiji Period reminded me of why I am here. It is a period of Japanese history that I had a limited background in. It was interesting to learn about the problems of the Meiji faced such as the need to streamline their leadership, the need to dismantle and restructure their government and the need to overcome problems such as regulating trade, controlling inflation and a poorly managed tax system. Once again, the information I am collecting will add to the limited insight I have. It is interesting to access the manners in which Japan and China approached Western development and influences that gradually seeped into those nations. The Japanese rise to becoming a growing world power in the early 1900s is a dramatic development in light of the short span of time this was accomplished. This data will help in developing a compare and contrast activity involving China and Japan, and their response to Western influence. Rob

The trip to The Huntington merely whetted my appetite to explore it in much greater detail on a future trip. The differences in the garden design were so nuanced with detail particular to the Chinese and Japanese cultures. Beautiful and fascinating.
This is the kind of place to start out in the early morning, browse the entire grounds, have a picnic lunch and then visit the interior museums.

The last time i visited the Japanese Tea Garden at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco I was in the 4th grade! I'm now very interested in investigating other Asian Museums in the Bay Area. Chinese Museum in Oakland is very nice as well.
Visiting the Pacific Asian Museum was also a great experience. The modern exhibit with commercial art from the 20's and its stylistic continuance in propaganda art was intriging. The ancient artifacts and the docent "Mary the Geologist" also made for a great visit.

Kelly Hoover
"Making Each Day Mightier"
San Ramon Valley High School
Danville, CA
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Life it may be a one shot deal, but I so enjoyed being part of this convivial, dedicated and intelligent group of people. I may be the caboose in these postings, but looking at the picture of our group at the Pacific Asian Museum has me wanting to roll back time. This has been one of the most gratifying academic experiences in my last few decades. I wish everyone the best of success in incorporating this wonderful experience into their classrooms. An "A+ experience". Thank you all.