Week Fourteen

All of these images were taken by different photographers across the globe at the same moment, Wednesday, February 25th at 8:12 a.m.

1.Ryan, our newest member, joins us from her Teacher's desk in freshman art. On this day everyone gets to work right away, setting a tone of calm and constructing the opportunity to partake of a favorite moment in teaching - the floating around the room, unnoticed, watching students being engaged.

2.Rachel finds the moment in her living room. After being woken early this morning by the trumpeting of fire trucks reporting to a false alarm in a neighboring apartment building, it's business as usual as she tries to jump start her brain with copious amounts of coffee, and the boy slides into the comfortable routine of morning cartoons.

3. Aziza begins her day filled with expectations of celebration and national pride. One of her country's (Kuwait) independence days, they have two, is the at the forefront. Green, red and white, along with images of their flag, will surround her this day.

Kuwait was threatened in the 19th century by the Ottoman Turks and various powerful Arabian groups, Kuwait sought treaty relationship with Great Britain for protection in January 1899, the ruler Sheikh Mubarak Al Sabah signed an agreement with the British Government.

Kuwait gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1961. So on 25th of February, Kuwait celebrates its Independence Day to mark the creation of Kuwait as an Independent nation. On this day, the national celebrations include public meetings and get-together, firework displays and a spirit of celebration that imbues every Kuwaiti Public buildings are illuminated on the occasion and Kuwaitis, young and old, wear their national dress to participate in the festivities.

Unfortunately we are the only country in the whole world that celebrates two Independence days and that is why:

In August 1990, Iraq attacked and invaded Kuwait, The seven month-long Iraqi occupation came to an end after a direct military intervention by United States-led forces. Nearly 750 Kuwaiti oil wells were set on fire by the retreating Iraqi army resulting in a major environmental and economic catastrophe. Kuwait's infrastructure was badly damaged during the war and had to be rebuilt. Kuwait was liberated from Iraq on February 26 1991 (a major coincidence:)) we celebrate both days 25 and 26 and both are national holidays.

4. Sebrina welcomes a sunny, light filled, hopeful day with a little photographic experimentation with reflection.

5. Cory, our rock, our dedicated and impassioned engine that could, takes a moment away from work to peer out her office window and take in the beauty that is the Long Island Sound. On this day, at this moment, the air is so clear that boats near the shore are visible and much peace is found in a glance out the window.

6. Kristin celebrates today, the annual anniversary of her birth, with a lovely soak in warm water and lavender. Not only is this a rare indulgence for the momma of three, it's a chance to commune with herself and with the mother which brings forth all living things, lavender and mommas included. Happy Birthday Kristin.

7. RC finds herself noticing, contemplating, immersed in child chalk drawings, and then reflecting on the simple things we miss sometimes when we forget to look.