Endangered

Busy day today, but not too stressfully so.  Did some work at home, then went to work, worked there, went back home.  It wasn't smoggy the way it had been the past two days, but it was still grey.  No rain, so that was okay.

Finished setting up the first three topics for my Year 3 Academic Writing class, who are scheduled to return from their internships abroad.  90% of them went to other countries all over the globe.  Now they're coming back and have to be reminded that they've stepped off the plane and need to return to school with both feet on the ground again.  As for my topics, they can take their pick:
1)  Intercultural Readiness (surely you're not surprised ... ?)
2)  Brexit (surely you're not surprised ... ?)
3)  American Protectionism (surely ... you get my drift)
Each report needs to have a minimum of 1000 words, the entire portfolio at the end of the year needing to contain at least 4000 words.  They are allowed to have reports of 2000 words each, or even just one of 4000 words.  At the beginning of Block 4 old style, I'll be introducing two or three new topics.  A lot will depend on what will happen between now and then.  My focus is on issues that are relevant.  By the way ... do you have any suggestions?  Disaster Capitalism?  Scottish independence?  The rising power of China?  That last one isn't exactly 'correct' as that country has been powerful for quite a while.  Of course, they're not simply going to describe what's going on but need to do proper research and analysis.  Number 3 above might be interesting.

The shot is of a Dutch stamp from my collection, from the year 1994, showing an endangered lily species found here.  No idea if it's still on the endangered list.  Looking at what's going on elsewhere, many many other things are endangered now.  I marvel at the plants and other creatures around us -- they are so totally not us and don't have to be.  They are truly fortunate.