On Our Way Home

We are on our final leg of the trip. We are sitting in the Pittsburg airport waiting for our connecting flight. We are tired and haggard from all of the customs and security checks, but are very excited to be on our way home.

Our unique travel experiences have indeed left "lasting impressions." Our painters now understand the difficulties of painting outside in the sun and the wind and even with a few rain drops. Our writers and thespians have been forever changed by their new understanding of the sacrifices made by the women of the French Resistance. The two groups of students learned from each other, worked well together, appreciated each other's work, and were a delight. We would be glad to travel with everyone of them again.

Our last night at La Giraudiére brought us all together to recognize the achievements of both groups of students. The thespians performed their play and the artists were awarded prizes for their paintings. The following awards were given:

The Lasting Impressions Award - Ashleigh

The Prix d'Anjou Award - Hailey

The Prix de Bretagne Award - Jill

The Architectural Painting Award - Annie

The Floral Award - Savannah

The Still Life Award - Lauren

The La Giraudiére Award - Hannah

The Drama Award - Katie

The Bruno Dahl Award - Katie

The Musée d'Orsay Award - Elizabeth P

The Dean's Award - Mary Clare

The Mary Cassatt Award - Judi

The Judges Award - Jennifer

The Best of Show - Hannah

Also, we failed to mention that the person who came in second in the ping pong championship was Jill L. AND the grand prize winners for the Trivia Contest were Elizabeth K. and Lily Kate, although Emma and Ellie won the most daily games.

Are you sure that it's over??

We have had such a wonderful day. The artists and actresses worked until the 11th hour to finish paintings and rehearse. The art show was impressive - the drama performance was beautiful, and every girl will be leaving with great memories. We have so much more to share with you, but we have to get up at the crack of dawn to catch the train to Paris. There will be much more to follow. Enjoy some of our pictures from the day.

Terrific Tuesday

It is hard to believe that our time here is drawing to a close. We are looking forward to our tomorrow. The artists will present the work that they have prepared since arriving at La Giraudiere. The drama students will present their one act play based on the stories of the brave women of the French Resistance. I wish you could all be here to see the work that these smart and dedicated students have completed. Don't worry - we will share with you when we get home. Today was a fun-filled day. We made our way to La Guerande, home of the famous salt pans. We shopped in this beautiful walled city. I bet you will be receiving a gift or two from this enchanting place. Rain moved in on us fairly quickly, so we did not have our swim "sur la plage." We did have a bit of time to work in a bit of shopping. An H & M was spotted in St. Nazaire, so of course, we stopped. Our biggest surprise occurred at dinner tonight. The girls entertained us with a flash mob. They are not only entertaining young ladies, but also talented and sweet. This group is a pleasure. Look for our pictures tomorrow. We wish you were here with us!! - Ann

Sunday in France (sounds like a movie)

We began the day with the best croissants that any of us have ever put in our mouths. If we have neglected to tell you, the food here is outrageously good. And the bread - oh, the bread!!! We headed to town and attended mass at Notre Dame Des Gardes. It is a beautiful church and today happened to be the day of the wind festival in town. It was another beautiful day. We worked diligently on our projects and ended the day with a ping pong tournament. I believe that Mary Clare Walsh was crowned ping pong queen. We are down for a good night's sleep for tomorrow we will walk to the chocolate factory. If you are lucky, your girls may bring back souvenirs from this outing. More tomorrow - Ann

It's Saturday already?

Playwrights at Work

Chateau d'Angers

Painters at Work

After a hard morning's work, we traveled to the Chateaux d'Angers. We saw the beautiful gardens of the chateaux, and then we entered the Apocalypse. The tapestry of the Apocalypse was beautiful and mesmerizing, and it was somewhat frightening to see Revelations portrayed in images. We then shared a wonderful afternoon in the market eating and shopping during free time. We miss you and are anxious to show our work. More tomorrow -De vos filles!

INSPIRED!!!!!!!!!!!

Being inspired by all that they have heard, seen, and felt, these young and very special girls are becoming courageous creators. What has previously been uncomfortable is coming easier. What was once considered uncertain is now coming clear. What has been blocked is starting to open. You are going to be amazed when you see and hear all that has come from the energy of these girls. Each day we are amazed and inspired by their accomplishments. These are special young ladies. -Janis and Ann

The Writers Working on a Masterpiece

Painters Creating Magnificent Works of Art

Elizabeth Contemplating What She Will Write About

A Beautiful Cathedral

Today the artists painted outside for the first time in France! Mrs. McCarty set up a still life of a vase and some apples, and the artists painted away! The paintings were absolutely beautiful; the best that we have ever seen in any of our trips to France.
Meanwhile the overactive imaginations of the resident thespians were hard at work coming up with ideas for their one act play. After an emotional encounter with William Faulkner, the girls reflected on the front lawn of La Giraudiere and began eagerly scribbling ideas in their journals. After a vow of secrecy, the writers toiled away all morning before breaking at lunch.
After lunch all the girls (and chaperones) visited Nantes. This bustling metropolis is a perfect blend of the past and present, especially with the outré elephant from the world of Jules Verne, legendary science fiction author. After visiting the Flamboyant Gothic cathedral, the girls cooled down with some gelato before heading back to the bus.
With all these adventures in one day, the girls can hardly wait to see what escapades await them tomorrow! Lauren, Mary Clare, Ellie, and Emma