Jason decided yesterday that we should show some teamsmanship since we have not had much time to hang out together outside of studio (which tends to be monotonous). Anyways, we all left Newbern to go to Perry Lakes park, the site of recent rural studio projects such as the toilets, the bridge, and the birding tower (all fantastic in my opinion, having experienced them all myself). But that is beside the point since our destination was the beach. We all ate lunch by the river in the sand, and played in the water a little.

After lunch Jason divided us into two groups and told each group to build a sand castle that should withstand a battle from the opposing team. The ammunition… rocks, the building materials… anything directly available to us on the beach. Both teams began vigorously digging and creating using rock and sand mixtures as concrete and sticks as retaining walls. Three hours was the time limit. When time was called we spent a few moments looking at the beautiful constructions, and then demolished them with rocks. The “free day” was much needed and extrememly refreshing for the group. Team work is one of the most important and one of the most difficult things here at the Rural Studio. Having 17 classmates to answer to requires a great deal of patience and respect towards one another. And this is no ideal world, arguing and bickering does happen, but it’s good to get out of that routine and have a little fun once in a while. Thanks Jason.