As a reminder, our Varietas show, "Res Gestae: Causa Latet Vis Notissima" is Saturday, July 8th from 2:00 to 3:00 PM. All are welcome and we hope to see many of you there to enjoy our hard work over the past weeks.

   It's been a long week but we're almost to sleep-in day. Ash was up at 4:50 while Jackie was resting. So far no student has joined the Early Risers. Let's see how tomorrow goes.

   After an uneventful breakfast, many once again donned masks due to the poor air quality as we walked to Haley for classes. In Locutio, we learned words pertaining to direction and movement, and then played Theseus vs. the Minotaur, where classmates were blindfolded and had to either reach the end of a maze or defeat another blindfolded classmate while being directed by the rest of the class using our newly learned vocab. During Quid Rides?, we analyzed last class's topic of Ad Minores ('punching down'/bullying), and then read examples of Nefas (the humor of the socially forbidden). Finally, in Mercatus, we learned about traditional Roman Convivium and prepared in provinces for tonight's event.


Quid fecimus in otio? (what did we do during free time?)
   James and Addie played- arguably- the most violent game of Spoons. Some of us went to the gym and pool once more and others decided to clean or nap during the break.

   Following after was Varietas and Memoranda. Students were reminded that there's only four more days until the big day! We've started cracking down and making our finalizations: paint has been everywhere, boxes are finding more and more uses, the music is getting faster and details are harmonizing. No spoilers, but get ready to have your mind blown!

   We then had 90 minutes to prepare for... Convivium! In provinces we made table decorations out of cardboard, paper, sculpi, and anything we could get our hands on. We also had to finish our skits in Latin (or Greek, for Achaea) that we started in Mercatus. On top of those, we also had to change into togas. Somehow, we managed all that within just 90 minutes! Claps on backs to all. Surprisingly it was significantly faster to put on our togas versus prior events. Which we call improvement. Goodbye to waddling around in sheets (for most of us)! We walked in the light drizzle over to the eponymous Birdsong Hall and took residence upstairs in the gorgeous dinning room called The Yellowjacket Club which overlooked the football field. As we performed our hilarious skits we ate a (close to) historically accurate feast, including two types of chicken, turkey sausages, light mushroom dip and the freshest fruit for dessert. If only we could have another one...

Province Cup update:
Britannia 82
Italia 77
Africa 76
Achaea 73
Asia 73
Aegyptus 70
Germania 68
Hispania 63
Gallia 52

After the Convivium we returned to MRP for Nugae, where our wonderful Tribunes organized another episode of Barbari for us to watch, and we jammed to music before heading to bed.

Iocum diei (joke of the day):
Why did the chicken cross the road?
why?
BkCAWWWse

GLA Out of Context
"Only 8-10 miles." - Dr. Whitchurch
"She could say she'd kill me and I'd laugh with her." - Rin
"I'm wearing clothes." - Rex
"I'm a safe pyromaniac." - Caroline F.
"I have no towels!" -Hyun
"SALVE- oh rainbow!" - Hyun
"I've given birth in Latin before and my hips don't lie." - Dr.  Whitchurch
"Let me do it for you." - Olivia 
"I'm a meat eater not because I love plants but because I hate animals." - Hank
"You have a nook and a cranny in my brain?" - Benji

Jazz is so exhausted that she can't spell anything.
-Jazz & Noah

   Without a doubt, our Early Risers were Jackie (5:38) and Ash (5:06). The rest of us value our shut eye. But for some reason they naturally wake up at these terrifying hours. Today was the upstairs hall laundry day!! Look at us being so productive.

     The walk to Haley was like walking through a battlefield, with the smog from Quebec overwhelming our senses.
"Classes today were notably cold, but nonetheless Greek days deliver as always." - guest writer Reece. In Διονὐσια (The Great Dionysia) we took our vocabulary quiz, reviewed the grammar we have learned thus far, learned the accusative definite articles, and read a simplified version of Aeschylus' Agamemnon. In Pictura Romana we studied 1st century BCE Romano-Campanian Frescos, learned about the location of famous works of art in the late republic, and were enlightened by Magister Cavedo's map of such in Google Earth. In ἱερἁ (Ancient Greek rituals) Magistra Blanks cast us in enlightenment about all manner of magical use in Ancient Greece. We then played Deal or No Deal and had some preparation time for our culminating rituals. 

Quid fecimus in otio? (what did we do during free time?)
   Today was an extremely relaxed otium. Most sat in the comforts of their own room, reading, playing games, or getting some rest.  

   Once fully recovered, we reconvened ad MPR for a Greek Drill! Our four stations today were: verb form review with Olivia, pronunciation and translation with Benji, a few more chapters of Libelli Cavelli with none other than Magister Cavedo, and conversational Greek with  Διδάσκαλος Cogan, where we were visited by a particularly curious wasp.

Province Cup update:
Britannia 76
Africa 66
Italia 65
Achaea 63
Hispania 63
Asia 62
Aegyptus 60
Germania 59
Gallia 46

   Surprise! After cena we had a super fun watch party at Brock, and it felt like a huge sleepover. We watched the first episode of a show on Netflix called Barbarians, which portrayed the conflicts between the Romans and the Germans. We were so engaged by the film and couldn't help but break out into laughter at the plot twist and surprises. We may even get the chance to watch the second episode soon!
   Afterwards, we played a Province point game on how well we know the staff. Turns out there's still so much to learn about all of our favs here. Hispania especially... they had zero points. 

Iocum diei (joke of the day):
"A dog walked into a tavern and said, 'I can't see a thing. I'll open this one'." 
- an ancient Sumerian c. 2000 BCE

Joke submitted by Hank

GLA Out of Context
"I aspire to have that level of fatherliness." - Gabriel
"If your swag is on full attack or if you have the skills to pay the bills." Διδάσκαλος Cogan
"I bit prematurely." - Reece
"In the immortal words of Mario, 'here we go!'" - Διδάσκαλος Cogan
"That is the face of a world renowned public officer." - Jazz
"It's still whom!" - Reece
"These guys have been kinging since daddy's daddy's daddy." - Magister Cavedo
"That's the first step - knowing The Persians exists. - Διδάσκαλος Cogan
"What if I just bite your arm right now." - Jackie
"That's a Whitchurch-type quote." - James
"The consuls are the light before the dark." - Princeps Wilkins
"I know Matthew is excited that Benji will be there." - Διδάσκαλος Cogan
"fair, fair. Wouldn't want to be on top of the house when I'm on top of the house." -Διδάσκαλος  Cogan
"Okay how long is this- 30 MINUTES?!" - Magister Cavedo
"The Parthenon is still in Greece only because it wouldn't fit in the British Museum." - Magister Cavedo 
"Well, I'm glad we brought this up because I don't want to be the reason any of y'all end up in the ER." - Caroline
"The sea may have mussels, but I have more." - Thomas 
"Can Julius Caesar shake it like a Gaul?" - Addie
​"Do I have enough potassium for the day? Thank you for thinking about that Jazz." - Διδάσκαλος Cogan
"It marches to the beat of it's own...xylophone." - Διδάσκαλος Cogan

Hopefully nothing fire-related occurs tomorrow!
-Jazz & Noah

Parents; we're kidding. More on that later. (We promise everyone is safe and nothing happened!)
   Jackie has failed us and slept in late again. Meanwhile Ash was up at 3:45... we don't know how they do it. When we arrived at Estes the doors were locked, and we had to wait about 10 minutes for campus security to unlock them for us and the many other groups waiting. The line: so long, and us so hungry, that most resorted to toast, bagels, cereal and fruits. Though when the line did die down we got some more protein filled foods. 
   Today in Mercatus to continue our preparations for the end of 'year' event. We learned about the Roman citizenship system and discussed what it meant to be 'Roman'. Locutio took place almost entirely and successfully in Latin, we filled in humorous comics and also did basic reading comprehension in groups. Hunter apparently lives in a bird nest, Dr. Whitchurch wants to eat pants (and Διδάσκαλος Cogan's arm) and have fun trying to guess the number of chairs.  Finally, in Quid Rides? we analyzed Persona (caricature), the topic for last class, and continued in Superiority Theory by reading about Ad Minores (bullying).

Quid fecimus in otio? (what did we do during free time?)
   Well, the upstairs hall was smoky leading to a bit of confusion, so it was a bit of a surprise fire drill when the alarms went off. We exited Andrews and took a head count of everyone- we were all there, no worries. Due to the air quality it was decided that it would be more beneficial to stay in Haley than outside. There we had a 10 minute otium of power naps, card games and reading, before Repetitio Latina (Latin drills). With Διδάσκαλος Cogan we competed in matching Greek words to English and played Around the World with our vocabulary set. Dr. Whitchurch worked on our listening skills with a lesson from Suburani by telling us all about a girl named Sabrina, who definitely needs to go get a job instead of reading all the time. Lastly Abigail excelled at Latin Around The World during Magistra Blanks' lesson, while other sections in this rotation wrote phrases ahead of next week's Mercatus.

   During our real otium students returned back to their beloved gym & pool, did SAT prep, got a well earned nap, and played Seven Wonders.  (Addie's mom, the nap was for you!) 

   With a productive Varietas and Memoranda checked off, we headed to dinner, with copious amounts of ice cream eaten as per usual. After dinner, we returned for our third Artes, Mosaics (and jewelry)!!! We had a rainbow of polygonal glasses and glazed stones at our disposal, along with variegated beads and paints. Most of us chose to employ small circular boards as our base, though some went for more ambitious and larger rectangles. With designs varying from the abstract to the natural, geometrical to cultural symbols, we assembled and grouted our creations with the precision and beauty of Gaudí originals. The tables were also unintentionally painted and grouted, and certainly a few tesserae are still scattered around, vestiges of our triumph.

Province Cup score update:
Britannia 74
Africa 63
Italia 63
Achaea 62
Hispania 61
Asia 59
Aegyptus 59
Germania 58
Gallia 44

Iocum diei (joke of the day):
Knock knock.
Who's there?
Marcus
Marcus who?
That's my name - Marcus.

Today's joke submitted by Mykayla

GLA Out of Context
"She tried to glue my mouth shut earlier, so this is just desserts." - Rex
"I was trying to stop you from stabbing her in the eye with a gentle hair massage." - Reece
"In this grousehold, we grout at all times of day: in the grorning, the grafternoon, and at gright." - James
"That's a decent age for a grandma." - Gabriel
"I am become spontaneous, destroyer of schedules." - Noah
"Spontaneous sounds like the name of a Roman philosopher." - Gabriel
"Would you like to demonstrate how to shake it like a Gaul?" - Reece
"I'm fine with congroutulations but not with congrations." - Gabriel
"Glenn Youngkin cut this glass himself." - James
"Chill in the chat." - Διδάσκαλος Cogan
"Oh don't get me wrong, I still eat like a child." - Magister Cavedo
"That's how Big Air gets you." - James
"How am I supposed to be real in these conditions?" - Addie
"I LOVE YOU BEYONCE!" - Jazz
"Feeling cute, might order the consuls to be killed today, IDK." - Abigail
"They're all gonna be the worst day ever." - Princeps
"Gas store convenience station." - Gabriel 
"mihi placet comedere bracchium Magister Cogan." - Dr. Whitchurch/Barbulus
"You'll break my spinal cord!" - Rin

Special thanks to all the parents reading the blog! 

- Still alive and definitely not burnt to a crisp,
    Jazz & Noah 

    

​   

   Jackie's Early Riser status is safe...for now. He woke up at 4:15 but Ash slept in! Eheu!
The rest of academy has decided to test the waters though. Seeing just how late they can wake up and still be early. Because on time is LATE and late is UNACCEPTABLE. (:
Well that's not completely true. Han-Lin and Rea were up 6:30 for SAT prep. That's the type of dedication we all wish to have.
Anyway, the weather was lovely today. VA decided to bless us with mildly cloudy skies, cool temps, and low humidity. We already know how bad tomorrow could be. 

   After arriving at Halie extremely early to check out the free books cart, and many students grabbing a handful of them, we had a wonderful day of our first α/β/γ classes in what seems like a few millennia. In Διονὐσια (The Great Dionysia) we learned additional vocab and started preparing for a vocab synthesis quiz by each being assigned a word and we will be tested on them tomorrow - for province points. Today's topic in Pictura Romana was Early Hellenistic Greek Painters, the last lesson in 'side A' of the course, and we looked at 1st century BCE painting particularly in Macedonian Tombs, read about Apelles and Protogenes, and discussed the concept of subtilitas (vaguely 'detail/subtlety'). In ἱερἁ (Ancient Greek rituals) we studied mystery cults, specifically the Orphic cult and the Eleusis cult centering around Demeter.

Quid fecimus in otio? (what did we do during free time?)
  Jazz beat Benji in a 25 relay in the pool. That's a lie. Jazz is a runner. Not a swimmer. Olivia- who is our swimmer- completely dominated in the pool. And Marisa did a fantastic job for specializing in Pole Vault. So while there were races going on in the pool, our students were also working hard in the gym. Constantly improving their last reps and bettering themselves even when strengthening their minds. So parents, don't be surprised if we come back home completely ripped. Back at Andrews it was the downstairs laundry day once again. This time, with no conflicts. Inside others played board games and read books from the 'free book' cart mention previously. 

After a lunch in which we were once again relegated to the liminal upstairs, we returned to Andrews to begin BELLUM MERCIUM (Commodity War), an intensive and immersive tabletop game that is a mix of Diplomacy, Risk, Settlers of Catan, and Candy Crush, being played in 5 years of 30-45 minutes. After lots of amazing Latin, negotiating, dropping pieces of paper, wars, territorial conquest, emperors rising to power, random historical events, and lots of luck, we finally finished the game around 9:15.

Special Awards:
Most Wars: Germania
Best Latin: Italia
Most Civ: Achaea, Asia, Africa
Best Vibes (as always): Gallia

Bellum Mercium results:
Britannia
Aegyptus (1 point away from Britannia)
Africa
Asia
Achaea
Gallia
Hispania
Italia
Germania

Current Province Cup Scores:
Britannia 73
Africa 63
Italia 60
Achaea 60
Hispania 58
Asia 56
Germania 55
Aegyptus 54
Gallia 41

Iocum diei (joke of the day):
How did the Italian chef die?

He pasta way.
Submitted by Thomas.

GLA Out of Context
"Hi it's me Gorbachev, how are you doing?" - Benji
"I'd totally murder someone there." - Rin
"You could call him the rizzard of Cos" - Magister Cavedo
"It'll be phenom.com" -  Διδάσκαλος Cogan
"You're a humist." - Brittany
"It was a joint Shreking." - Reece
*While reading a letter* "Happy Birthday... oh, Dear Brittany." - Rin
"English is stupid and I don't care." - Jackie
"No, it's not wizards chess." -  Διδάσκαλος Cogan
"Cogan & Cogan's Attoneys at Law." - Magister Cavedo
"War; TLDR." -  Διδάσκαλος Cogan
"I'm sorry we can't accept your war declaration." - Gabriel
"Ten paces past Cerberus." - Magistra Blanks
"The first rule about Fight Club..." - Addie

Cleaning our battle wounds before lights off
- Jazz & Noah

   Very sad news today. Sad news indeed. 
For one of our Early Birds has fallen...
Jackie WAS A SLACKER. *collective booing* Thankfully Ash was up at 5:30am to claim the well-kept spot. 
Now the good news!! Today is Christian's Birthday (this is specifically for his mom)! He got to play a special surprise soccer game during otium! Again, we are so happy to get to celebrate these special times here at Academy, and he was given a sitting ovation by the entire dining hall during Ientaculum.

During Locutio we prepared for tomorrow's Bellum Mercium (commodity war) by learning important phrases for bartering, writing simple sample conversations, and doing mini simulations. During Quid Rides?, we discussed Turpitudo and read examples about Persona, or stock characters, such as the ones we saw in yesterday's film. Finally, in Mercatus we learned about the social and economic situations of imperial provinces and began preparing in provinces for our Mercatus (not Bellum Mercium) that will be taking place next week.

Quid fecimus in otio? (what did we do during free time?)
As mentioned above, after returning from the gym, nine of us got together to put on a surprise birthday soccer game for Christian (he even brought his cleats from home).

Today's Varietas felt a little lonely due to the new linear layout of tables in the MPR, but that was soon changed due to tonight's Artes. It was filled with painting, tough transitions of ancient Greek and Roman authors, and solidifying play plans.

   Makayla did a wonderful job at introducing Dr. John Thoburn, our guest speaker for that day. Dr. Thoburn talked about the three misconceptions of Chemistry and Art. 1.) The study of chemistry and "classics' are not connected. 2.) The study of chemistry and arts are unrelated. Lastly,  3.) Necessity is the "Mother of Invention." which he disproved by the end of his lecture. Dr. Thoburn went over fire, charcoal, pigments, fibers (spinning and weaving), Bronze, Ceramics, Glazes, Papyrus, Ink, Dyes, and plaster. All consisting of their own elemental equations for how they are formed, getting more and more complex at the marital changes. But luckily, even after his presentation ended, Dr. Thoburn sat with us during dinner for the opportunity to ask more questions! 

   Aligning with our previous topic, we got to make designs in plaster. Which definitely seemed a lot easier when looking at it on paper. Somehow though, throughout the battle of finding the right plaster consistency, fighting the fast drying time, and attempting to draw in what is the cousin to oobleck, we managed to finish our masterpieces! It was extremely messy though. Good luck getting that stuff our of your shirts.


Current Province Cup Top 3:
Italia - 52
Hispania - 49
Germania - 49

Iocum diei (joke of the day):
Some people say Latin's a dead language, but I think it's still roamin' around.
Today's joke submitted by Gabriel.
​
GLA Out of Context
"Leave the battlefield OOH I want dried mango." - Abigail
"Actually, I can't help you because I'm a woman." - Addie
"I'm literally gonna freight hop outta here." - Rin
"We have to counter you with preparation." - Διδάσκαλος  Cogan
"Watch my axolotl." - Laura
"Vergil, more like slay-gil." - Addie
"Rin, join us in the clown car." - James
"25 years ago, when I had been the director for 30 years." - Διδάσκαλος Cogan
"Princeps... wait no... omnēs." - Princeps Wilkins
"Are you telling me a noise cancelled these headphones?" - Abigail
"Get spritzed bozo." - Rex
"I am become plaster, destroyer of worlds." - Gabriel
"Is it bad to drink half n' half?" - Amber
"Manslaughter is girlboss." - ?
"What's with you and arsonism?" - Marisa
"I pray on your downfall every day." - Jazz
"I'm the type of girl who traces on images from the computer." - Marisa 
"Let's talk at a level yell0w." - Princeps Wilkins
"I can totally leg press more than Jazz." - Matthew
"Is this Medusa?" - Princeps Wilkins
"It's like the 10 commandments. If mama duck dies; we all die." - Olivia
"I can't even spell my own name anymore." - Jaxz

Very tired, but pushing through. (It's probably the ice cream)
-Jazz & Noah

   Getting the privilege of sleeping in yesterday was a grand mistake.
Because waking up at our normal times in preparation for our field trip was second only to torture. Jackie was up at another horrendous time, that being 4:25, while the rest of us normal folks attempted to get as much sleep as possible.
 
   Before departing, Magistra McIntire gave us a preparatory lesson on the capitol building and differences in Roman and Greek architecture. After a 30 minute bus drive, which some spent sleeping even more, we had finally arrived in Richmond. 

    Our tour at the state capitol was lead by the wonderful, insightful, and hilarious Mr. Greenough, who quoted Hamilton at least once every five minutes. Throughout our tour of the historic building, that still functions as the active seat of government of the state, we learned about its architectural history (spearheaded by our old pal TJ) and renovation, discussed different aspects of its architecture and art and their classical inspirations, and toured some of the famous old chambers, including a chamber in which Virginia's secession from the union and the acquittal of Aaron Burr took place.

   The beautiful Maymont gardens were a nostalgic visit for most students. We were able to split off into small groups to maximize our hour in the scenic gardens. One was the Japanese gardens that had a huge koi fish pond along with stone rocks that you could walk across to get even closer to the water. Accompanying our new pet fish were adorable turtles that decided to chill on the rocks. Towards the grassy fields of Maymont we were able to spot a fawn and an extremely chonky groundhog. In one of your fun little groups, Matthew pet a bumblebee? Chased around our adorable groundhog and was very entertained by the toads. Then in Hanks party, they spotted a very cute goat. We're sad to have missed it. While we hung out around the different gardens, Jams and Magistra McIntire took a "secret tunnel" (song included).  Unfortunately the path that had the waterfall completely dried out! After trudging in the humid heat, we all were ready for the wonderful AC.

   After departing the wonderful Maymont, we stopped on the way back at DeLuca's Gelato, the owner of which is a Latin teacher and former GLA graduate. The decorations were amazing and the gelato and sorbetto even better. 

   Once we returned, we had about an hour and a half of otium before cena, where some showered, napped, or played games, such as Rex, Gabriel, James, Hank, and Octavian who played the board games Cyclades in the lower floor study.

   After dinner, we walked over to Brock Commons to watch our third movie, Richard Lester's 1966 production of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, starring Zero Mostel as Pseudolus. We had a lesson beforehand by Magister McIntire about the tropes and stereotypical characters in Roman Comedy, which we then utilized in our discussion of the film afterwards and will further discuss in class tomorrow. 

   Current province cup top three:
​   Italia - 53
   Hispania - 40
   Britannia  & Germania - 39

Iocum diei (joke of the day):

   There was a man who lived in a grass house. He had an old throne and he put it in his attic for safekeeping. But one day, as he was sleeping, his throne fell through his grass ceiling and killed him. And that's why people who live in grass houses shouldn't stow thrones.

Today's joke submitted by Abigail
    
GLA Out of Context
"And I wanted to go downstairs, but what if there were creepers?" - Ella
"It's a manly muppet or a muppet of a man, make your choice." - James
"I know the monster I am." - Jackie
"God said to Job, 'here's a province point because you suffered so much.'" - Rin
"I've never heard the original I've only heard Peter Griffin." - James
"The field trip was a bad idea because now we remember what freedom feels like." - Noah
"I've spent some time dwelling amongst the squirrels." - Διδάσκαλος Cogan
"I'm probably one of the most hinged people at this academy." - Logan
"This place is so liminal that I can't even escape it in my dreams." - Addie
"Is Jupiter the CEO of the Roman gods?" - Mr. Greenough
"Let's go this way, it'll shorten the escape route. They'll never know you were here." - Mr. Greenough
"Collecting all the saints like Pokemon." - Brittany
"Yeah. I'm so wild with my water." - Dr. Barbulus
"That's what mash pits are like at presidential birthday parties." - Noah
"...and blog appropriate. Because I've learnt that I have to ask that." - Jazz
"What is the cause of Hepatitis A?" - Stella
"With the feces of an infected person- wait what?" - RA Olivia
"If it's approved by Jams." - Jazz
"Wow. Don't you hate your wife? Me too!" - Magistra McIntire
"Virginia is NOT for Lovers." - Jazz
"Mactrine" - Jazz
"Why did you put Noah in quotes?" - Abigail

To more days of just ice cream with each meal, not ice cream, gelato, and shaved ice.
​- Jazz & Noah

   Today was the calmest day at the academy:
On this fine Sunday, students had the morning until prandium at noon to sleep, socialize, do laundry, go to church, exercise, and any number of strange or ordinary things they might get up to on a day-to-day basis. 

   For one, Jackie was up at 6 and Ash "slept in" till 5:40. Meanwhile our latest riser was Reece with the time of 11:50. Way to cut it close. 

Magistra McIntire, RA Olivia, and Princeps Wilkins had the prettiest dresses on!! The guys need to step it up. Well, Benji did wear three separate T-shirts today. Not sure if that counts though. Mykayla didn't know that milk chocolate had milk in it. We love her anyway. Benji and Rin were in a heated debate over Giton in 'Petronius' satyricon. (Rin also says hi to dad, Noah and I do as well?) Our Latin hallway downstairs held up the Japanese students during the laundry time. Upstairs never did that- just saying. Lunch was a trial between not having forks and our ice cream machine being broken. (we want to blame the sports kids but is that very fair?)

   It seemed that our RA's were also enjoying their weekend. Especially when Benji and Olivia did cartwheels outside of Estes Hall. After lunch we went to Copley to have some screen time (30 minutes) where we answered our many emails, played Cool Math Games, stalked our friends on Instagram and attempted to solve the daily Wordle. While half of us were upstairs using computers, the other half were practicing their spoken Latin or Greek.
   Once we returned from Copley, we had our standard block of time for Memoranda and Varietas projects, where Rin scared us all by pretending to get a plate of dirt to eat, when it was in fact for her amazing art. After Varietas and Memoranda we had our one-day elective classes:
    ​Magistra McIntire: Genethiology - Thank Your Lucky Stars
    Διδάσκαλος Cogan: Discovering Your Voice: Finding Purpose and Meaning in Classical Studies
    RA Olivia: The Real Cleopatra  
    RA Benji: The Satyricon
    RA Jams: Evolving Rome (a study of the changing culture and language of Rome across the centuries)

   After cena, we had an oratio de re academia by Princeps Wilkins. We read excepts from Ovid's tales of Hermaphroditus and Medusa, and discussed the historical & social context of them, and how we can apply our theme of "causa latet, vis notissima" to classical studies and life in general.

   Before we returned to Andrews, we competed in a Province Cup challenge of trashketball, won by Hyun and Achaea. Though we believe Achaea only won due to the bigger trash can that was brought out after the first round.

   Current province cup top three:
​   Italia - 49
   Hispania - 40
   Britannia - 39

   After trashketball, we had our first volvifolium (Page turning) where- without being told- students began walking around the fountain. Then we preceded to chant and turn our schedules to the next week. 


Iocum diei (joke of the day):
A man walks into a tailor's, and he hold up a pair of pants. The tailor says, "Euripedes?" The man says, "Yeah. Eumenides?"

Today's joke submitted by RA Jams

GLA Out of Context
"I promised my mom I wouldn't get arrested in Ireland." - Princeps Wilkins
"I watched a YouTube video once and suddenly became Jesus." - Rex
"No, you're supposed to be offended." - Hyun
"Do you ever talk to trees?" - Ella
"I don't like suspending civil liberties." - James
"Now let's make funny jokes about saltines!" - Ella
"Are you an upsilon female?" - Gabriel
"I really didn't want to eat my rice with my hands." - Kevin
"Women up and get a spoon." - Octavian
"Epicureanism is basically atheist yolo." - Gabriel
"I used to be a pro basketball player." - Hyun
"Just create a pile of human bodies." - Dr. Whichurch aka. Dr. Barbulos
"For Benji!" - James
"In the study room? Just like in Clue?" - Marisa
​
On to more learning, more Latin, and more excitement next week, starting with tomorrow's trip to Richmond!
- Your Aediles, Jazz & Noah

Today we sacrificed Matthew and Kevin. Stay tuned for more on that later.
   Jackie surprised us today by renewing his spot on our "Morning Birds" with the wake up time of 4:15. Sadly Ash decided to wake up at a normal time today. A shame, really.

   Though it's Saturday we still got to enjoy a fantastic day of α/β/γ classes. In Διονὐσια (The Great Dionysia) we competed to complete a vocab-review crossword, and then read a simplified version of Iphegenia, which is extremely impressive considering we've only had 3 classes of Ancient Greek so far. In Pictura Romana, our focus was on Late Classical Greek Painting. We learned about the encaustic painting of marble sculpture, read the anecdote of Nicias and Praxiteles, and discussed the definition of the word 'circumlitio'. As seemed to be a theme for the day, in  ἱερἁ (Ancient Greek rituals) we studied the theorized purposes of sacrifices in the ancient world, and examples of them, such as a sacrifice to purify a community involving strapping wings on a criminal and forcing them to jump off a cliff (don't worry - there were boats to rescue and then expel them).

Quid fecimus in otio? (what did we do during free time?)
  Absolutely nothing. (:
Nah, we're messin'. Students played a game called Seven Wonders. A really complex board game that no one seems to ever finish. And others focused back on a game during ἱερἁ for province points! The friendship bracelet making has spread far and wide! It's no shock to caught multiple students making these crafts around the academy.

   After a relatively relaxing otium, we were visited by three very talented members of Legio XX to educate us about different aspects of Roman life. In province groups, we rotated through three stations, first by a "legionare" who has been crafting and using Roman armor and weaponry for decades. We not only got to learn about them, but try on armor and wield the weapons (in a low-risk way, we promise). Next, a professor of classical roman medicine at UMBC educated us about the life and tools of doctors in the Roman Empire, and performed a simulated arrow removal. That demo jelly has been through a lot. Finally, we learned about the production of Roman clothing, the different types of fabrics and how they were harvested, and even got to spin wool into yarn.

   After the visit from Legio XX concluded, students began preparing for tonight's thermopolium and changed into togas for dinner. We all remember how that goes. Many were waddlingly up the stairs, tripping over their clothes and being the stars of tonight. (We love the staff for all their compliments) The Thermopolium began with the entrance of the Optimates, and a sacrifice of Gabriel's stuffed shark to Neptune. As the middle class provinces- Hispania, Africa, Asia, worked on decorating their food stands, the upper-classes (Achaea, Italia, Aegyptus) spied on the poor and create  client/patron relationships. The lower classes, Britannia, Gallia, Germania, used their hidden talents to convince the rich to give them denarii (Money). Ranging from music, sabotage, and palm readings, even low on money; they didn't fail to earn a living. Unfortunately most stands experienced FURS! (Thieves). In response to their devious crimes, they had 'fur' painted brightly across their face, warning other stand owners of their heinous past. Here students had to use all the speaking skills we've been working on during this past week.  After a week of preparations in Locutio, we passed our first immersion activity with flying colors, and while all of us were nervous going into it, we were impressed with how well we could converse in Latin. 

 
After a successful hour, the following prizes were awarded:
Best Latin - Aegyptus
Best Storefront - Asia
Best Hustle - Hispania
Best Ads - Africa
Best Vibes - Britannia
Most Hilarious Moment - Gallia
Most Money - Africa
Least Money - Italia

Current Province Cup Top 3:
Italia - 43
Hispania - 38
Britannia - 36

But who would we be without our games? Our Tribunes set up a large game of Mafia where our first to be killed we're Matthew and Kevin...our medics. The civilians won by defeat due to the narrator's slacking off. But, victory is victory.

Iocum diei (joke of the day):
How many Drum majors does it take to fix a lightbulb?
A: No one knows. There's never anyone watching.

Today's joke submitted by Jazz

GLA Out of Context
"Musica Chairses." - Matthew
"There's four of them, they're a gang!" - Hyun
"Lay on the sacrificial table, Kevin!" - Hyun
"This is so devastating, people just keep on dying." - Hyun
"If they want to, great, but if they don't want to, we aren't going to force people to be stabbed on the table." - Jams
"Okay, that's the last of the old dead white people." - Magistra Blanks
"I told you she's a kleptomaniac!" - Rex

"What's fun?"
-Jazz & Noah

P.S. Most of the pictures were in the wrong format and couldn't be uploaded but will be shortly.

Spoiler:
There is no "bad."
   Jackie is starting to disappoint us with his later than usual wake up time. (5:15) Ash who was awake bright and early might end up stealing the rightful title of "Morning Bird." Because we doubt there'll ever be a time that earlier than 3:45.

   The rain has ceased but the sun is nowhere to be seen. Hopefully tomorrow we won't have to walk in a scene from a Stephen King book... let's make sure to say away from sewer drains. 

   Today was our last day of A/B/C classes for the week. In Quid Rides? We reviewed the humor of Argutiae (wittiness) and then focused on Turpitudo (literally "ugliness" but just insult in general). As well as hearing for- our favorite bully- Martial. Who we likes to dish out the most honest roast in the Ancient World. In Mercatus, we learned about The Five "Good" Emperors (plus Commodus - we couldn't possibly forget about him) and how none of them could be in any realm considered 'good' rulers by modern day standards - besides maybe Antoninus Pius. Finally in Locutio, we continued preparing for tomorrow's Thermopolium with a more intensive simulated practice of buying and selling, including scams, attempted theft, product monopolies, and lots of shrewd business.

   Instead of having lunch with the other academies and camps here, we were lucky enough to dine upstairs. It somewhat resembled something you'd see in your grandma's house, but regardless of that, it offered a sense of home. 

Quid fecimus in otio? (what did we do during free time?)
    Well... we were supposed to go to the library to get books for our Varietas projects and get to explore a new part of campus, but it was unfortunately closed. They must have known we would've taken all they'd have.
So we got an extra hour of otium which students spent playing Classically themed board games, making friendship bracelets, summoning squirrels, laundry runs, and more time at our pool/gym. 

   After dinner, we went to Duncan Church to use their kitchen to prepare food for tomorrow's Thermopolium. First, we did a Province Cup challenge consisting of a representative from each province balancing a manila folder on their head and walking in a circle 5 times. Who knew balancing would be so hard, there goes any of our dreams of winning the beauty pageant. Accept for maybe Chloe who represented Asia (our winning team) with a time of 48.25 seconds.

Province Cup Podium:
Italia - 42
Hispania - 37
Germania - 32

Before breaking off into rotations, we were introduced to Sunday's elective classes and signed up in order of Province Cup placement:

Magistra McIntire: Genetology - Thank Your Lucky Stars
Διδάσκαλος Cogan: Discovering Your Voice, Finding Purpose and Meaning in Classical Studies
RA Olivia: The Real Cleopatra
RA Benji: The Satiricon
RA Jams: Evolving Rome (a study of the changing culture and language of Rome across the centuries)

There were 3 stations that provinces rotated between:
1. Discussing the roles that different provinces (ultrawealthy, middle class shop owners, and lower class) would have in tomorrow's Thermopolium and strategizing.
2. Playing games such as Rota and Latin Scrabble (Benji is scarily bad at Rota)
3. Primarily, preparing food for tomorrow's Thermopolium (Which lead to all of use smelling like we came out of the garden)

   Now when it came to making the food; it was a whole different ball park. We made cucumes coti, moretum, and lenticula. What theses Latin dishes are will remain secret until tomorrow!! Students had to focus on listening to their peers as well as the instructor, Dr. Whichurch. So when we return home, we can definitely make a mean Roman dinner.

Iocum diei (joke of the day):
Knock knock.
Who's there?
An owl.
An owl who?
hoooo hooooo

Today's joke submitted by Chloe

GLA Out of Context
"I'm very girlboss." - Benji
"I think it's less of writing the blog than fighting the blog. It's very antagonistic." - Noah
"Kill me where your Emperor came from." - Rin
"You got dysentery, gold star." - Rin
"I forgot the Queen's dead." - Rin
"It wouldn't be Rome without genocide." - Jazz
"Meanwhile he's cosplaying as Hercules. Maybe he's going to Comic Con." - Princeps Wilkins
"What?! Women can't swim." - Princeps

- With Parsley under our nails, Jazz & Noah

   

   As is becoming the norm, Ash and Jackie were our earliest risers, at 5:05 and 5:20 respectively. While the rain has ceased, besides the occasional spritz, the skies remained cloudy and grey, the air humid, and the sidewalk full of puddles, causing casualties to many once-dry pairs of socks.
   While breakfast was for the most part uneventful, today's morning announcements were so heavily applauded by the entire dining hall that you'd think the airplane had just landed.

   During ἱερἁ (Ancient Greek rituals) we learned about the classical definition of 'a hero', Hero Cults (including Homer, Heracles, and Diego Maradona), and the difference between worship of a Hero and of a Deity. In Pictura Romana we focused on Classical Greek Painters, our primarily studying Pliny's anecdote on the realism contest between Zeuxis and Parrhasius. We also learnt how to exchange common greeting amongst one another during Διονὐσια (The Great Dionysia), along with a review of the nominative articles and the verb εἰμί - "to be".

Quid fecimus in otio? (what did we do during free time?)

   Today during otium, Ella, Gabriel, Rex, Rin, and James spent at least an hour creating a full tier list of Minecraft mobs. Our students who love the gym (Matthew, Sumanth, Kevin, Octavian, Thomas, and Hyun) returned to their favorite place in the world. Others focused on strengthening their Latin while some wrote music. 

     After otium we had our first Greek drill, where students rotated between four stations in province pairs: vocabulary acquisition with RA Olivia, spoken Greek with Διδάσκαλος Cogan, pronunciation with RA Benji, and writing with RA Jams.

   Not only do we focus on the ancient languages but we also got our hands a little messy...
 In Artes I: Figlina, we painted premade clay pots while also testing our own skills by crafting whatever our hearts desired out of Sculpey. As you can see by pictures down below, we are all more talented than Michelangelo. Though the task was a bit challenging, everyone was overjoyed with the activity! Sorry parents! We might have some clay all over our clothes. 

  After Figlina, we played a province cup competition where provinces had to spell out a Latin word using the bodies of province members. When asked for the name of the game, RA Olivia told the reporters here at GLA Daily News, and we quote, "A great time, goofy, very silly and whimsical." Hispania emerged triumphant, with a blisteringly fast time of 6.27 seconds.

Speaking of the Province Cup, here is the current podium:
1. Italia -42
2. Hispania - 37
3. Germania- 32

Iocum diei (joke of the day):
A dolphin walks into a lemonade store and asks the attendant, "Can I have a glass?" The attendant says, "What?"

Today's joke submitted by RA Benji

A brand new amazing section, proposed by lovely Addie:

GLA Out of Context

In the future, this section will be for daily quotes, but today it is a compendium of all past quotes.

"A Delight to the senses" - Magistri Cogan and Cavedo
"Reece, how could you eat a whole box of clay?" - James
"I'll have what I'm having." - Διδάσκαλος Cogan as quoted by Magister Cavedo
"I'm glad we can turn everything into slander here." - James
"That's an ick" - Reece
"sed panis meus factus est a matri tua" - Magister Whitchurch
"Benji I hope you enjoy your dinner" - the Benjites
"He'll be fine, he's a durable lad." - Caroline W.
"And it was love at first shalom." - Reece
"So we're gonna give you a carrier pigeon..." - Princeps Wilkins
"You forgot to bring my toilet!" - Princeps Wilkins
"Gentlemen. You can't fight in here. It's the War Room!" - Jazz

   Signing off with a clay covered keyboard (sorry Jams)
- Jazz & Noah