Dies Septendecim - "Oh My Gosh, It's Howl."

    Today was the best day at GLA, in large part due to our movie night. No further discussion. 
Jackie beat Ash by five minutes! (4:10 & 4:15) For those wondering; yes, they do stay up after their initial Early Riser time. 
We filled up on breakfast in preparations for our battle - for the games. All lead by our amazing Praetors: Chloe & MacPhearson. The first game was a version of Rock, Paper, Scissors and Shark and Minnows combined. Instead it was Gods, Heroes and Mortals. The two teams had to agree upon which move they'd pick, as well as a back up. The team that lost the "battle" then gets chased and has to avoid the other team. If tagged, they have to join the opposing side, and the team with the most people wins! It was touch and go for a while but eventually Team 2 reigned victorious. Followed by a water break, we had a 5 leg relay...with a bit of a twist. The race was made up of five special legs, and those participating in each leg at a special instruction/ In the first leg we had to run backwards, the second we crawled on all fours, the third we had to run while roaring like a bull, the fourth we had to flap our arms while skipping, and in the final leg we had to do a crab walk. (Medusa, Nemean Lion, Minotaur, Harpies, Crab). Many skidded on the dewy grass leading to laughter, added on times in the races, and a sudden spike in our competitive spirits. Next, after a hydration break, was a partner pose competition, with Achaea and Italia emerging victorious. Students put their all into completing these random poses as quickly as possible, specifically  "backpack" and "paparazzi." As the morning got hotter our water balloon toss was up next. Many ended up popping their balloons in the earlier rounds, some held their ground as the distance increased, and Matthew and Hyun were the last pair standing, showing us their extensive teamwork by going almost half way with running catch. Claps to them. After our water balloon toss, we had a quick "water war", with almost everyone ending up soaked. Lastly, students either went in to shower or stayed out for another 30 minutes to play Ultimate Frisbee. 
  
Quid fecimus in otio? (what did we do during free time?)
   After Ludi, we were treated to an extra long otium until electives at 4:30. Students napped, showered, read, and played soccer outside. In the MPR, which we migrated to because of the atrium's heat, we listened to music as we relaxed. Students created a floor gang (goor flang) and read or talked while lying on the floor, others played a very intense and long game of Munchkins. Many continued their work on Varietas projects or art, with Jackie continuing an extremely impressive mosaic.

   After the restful and enjoyable otium, we reconvened and traveled to Haley for our second and last electives. Princeps taught a course about the Bronze age and The Iliad. Dr. Whitchurch's course was on 15th century humanist Laura Cereta, and her 72 letters in Latin in response to misogynistic critics. Our RAs held second sessions of their electives from last week: Benji taught about the Satyricon, Olivia taught about Cleopatra, and Jams taught about the evolution of Latin throughout history.

   Oh thank goodness. It's movie time, with this masterpiece having been selected by Magistra Blanks. Something so close to perfection that the entire room broke out into cheers at the mention of the name. So finally, the moment you've been waiting for. HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE. WOOO! (both of your Aediles may have very strong feelings about this film) Anyway, we got to eat popcorn and watch the beautiful animations. Everyday makes us realize just how close we are to the end of our time at the academy. We walked back to Andrews under the stunning sky, popsicles in hand.


Province Cup Update:
Britannia 91
Africa 86
Germania 84
Italia 82
Achaea 74
Asia 73
Aegyptus 72
Hispania 64
Gallia 57


Iocum diei (joke of the day):
What did the farmer say when he found out someone had been dumping soil in his garden?
The plot thickens.
Today's joke submitted by Gabriel

GLA Out of Context  
"When I was little I wished to ride my dog like a horse." - Rin
"I'm the shimmy king." - James
"Felony shmelony, that's what my mother always told me." - James
"Do you think fireworks are out of the budget?" - Marisa
"PIERSON- why you makin' me look foolish?!" - Hyun
"No, he's from The Hunger Games." - Riya
"Horace is cute." - Benji
"Why you dolphins have guns?" - Jazz
"If you don't like it, don't tell me or I'll be sad."- Magistra Blanks
"I LOVE YOU HOWL!" - Jazz
"I was gonna like your hand." - Reece


"RED, WHITE, AND BLUE, BABY, THESE COLORS DON'T RUN. USA, USA."
- Jazz (and also Noah)