Friday, 8/3

Last night was another art lecture and it went well, despite being on contemporary & modern art in China and Japan. Admittedly I don't quite "get" modern art, but some of the pop art was interesting to say the least. This morning was a tour of 1920s-1950s Shanghai which was the center of modern culture in China. We had a brief overview of "pop culture" in literature, music and cinema. It was pretty interesting and exciting, one of the better lectures that we have had. I am sure I could use some of the ideas in a discussion as part of my WWII through Film in the Pacific class.

This afternoon was a frustrating attempt to try and print something out, and then I just gave up and went out. A quick stop by Barnes & Noble, then a fruitless search for lunch, before heading off to the movies. Something cool and relaxing: I went to see the opening afternoon release of Total Recall. I did enjoy it. Then I caught the bus back to the university at 4:15, went to the Manoa marketplace to get some bread for dinner from the French bakery. Walk back to the dorm, talk to a few people, and then I decided I needed to do laundry. I just finished laundry and dinner about 15 minutes ago (about 7:45 pm). By the way, good thing I didn't eat the Swiss cheese which had gone moldy since I bought about a week and half ago. I have to decide if I want to head out or not tonight, but probably not.

Tomorrow I am going to stick around the dorm and do some work, and then on Sunday I am headed out all day with some people to Pearl Harbor. I am going to go see the new museum at the Arizona Memorial (it wasn't finished when I was last here in 2010) and then probably do the Missouri and the aviation museum, especially since my admission should be free for the later. I am probably going to act as a bit of a tour guide as well, if they want. I understand we are planning on stopping by the last traditional tiki bar before heading back to campus in the late afternoon.


Next week is already the last week of classes. It's a pretty jam packed week: double class on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday and just a morning class and movie in the evening on Tuesday. Friday night is a final group dinner, then Saturday morning its up early and pack. I think I am going to pick up a car on Friday, drive around on Saturday morning and early afternoon, then head to the airport around 3 pm (after picking up my luggage from the dorm). My flight leaves at 5:30, so that should be plenty of time.

I'll try to post tomorrow evening if I do anything fun, but most likely the next major post will be on Sunday evening and with tons of pics. But for now, I do have a few general pics:

Last night's lecture hall. This is also where we see movies. I am seated at a desk, because it is easier to take notes than in the seats that were spread throughout the auditorium.

Some of the notes I took. I am now at 110 pages of notes. I'll probably top out at 150 or so. I am averaging about 8-9 pages per lecture session.

This is our everyday classroom in the Burns Building. I'll get moved about on Monday as well everyone else.