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ART&DESIGN school
6 December 2019 
Hello MLE,
As you know, I really enjoy going to Central St Martin’s to give the occasional graphic design workshop and when I am there, I cannot help but compare this school to Vancouver’s big art and design school, Emily Carr, where we went. Though so much is the same, so much has also changed since the olden days when we were studying, about a million years ago now.
In particular, there has always been a lot international students, but now they seem to be from a much more broad array of countries, which is amazing. So many students from countries all over the world. Also, there are so many more openly transgender students, which is also amazing. Queer and trans terminology is always changing, which shows how much things are progressing.
I know that I am comparing London today with Vancouver in the past, but I do think that the times they are a changin, and it’s so great to see when it is for the best.
Suzan
Posted in: design -
OKLAHOMA musical costume drawings
15 November 2019 
Hi MLE,
So exciting to get this in the post: a gift of original drawings from our friend and client, Brigitte. They are of costume designs from the musical Oklahoma. So gorgeous.
mothandrust.co.uk/brigittereiffenstuel
Suzan -
we are NINE
4 November 2019 
As MOTHandRUST turns nine today, we will keep up the tradition to eat a lot all day and then leave the studio early to celebrate! I'm quite happy this is happening on a Monday this year.... Suzan
Posted in: MandR news -
the jewish MEZUZAH
18 October 2019 
Hi MLE,When I was in Israel last week, I noticed that each hotel room door had a little box outside on the doorframe. I learned that it is called a "mezuzah."They must always be on the door frame, not the door. Also they must also always be outside the door, not inside.They must be situated at about shoulder level, so that they may be kissed or touched upon entry.They are often leaning in towards the door, to signal that this is the direction in which God should pass.Inside the Mezuzah case is a Kosher parchment, with two handwritten paragraphs of the Torra. The writing must be done by a licensed Sofer Stam, a scribe who can transcribe the Torah. There must be intension in the writing of it.The verses say such things as there is only one God, you must teach your children about the God, you must love your children, and so on.The effect is that when you go into a Jewish home, you are made aware of the laws written on the scroll.Many people think that it is a good luck charm or a home protector. Some people even have special ones for their cars, etc. thinking it is an amulet against evil. It is none of these things - it is a reminder that helps one make conscious of their responsibilities to God.I bought the Mezuzah pictured above. When I looked at my credit card statement, it was about four times more than I thought it was. I'm terrible with currency conversions. And I didn't know it was ceramic and also 24K gold. It is not just a tourist souvenir, but rather a special item one may give someone on a special occasion, and now I appreciate that.I will fix mine in the right way on the outside my front door, and knowing me, I will probably also touch it each time I enter the house and it will make me happy.However, I have decided not to get a scroll to go inside. People have a lot of different opinions about this, but to me, as I am not Jewish, it just doesn't feel right to have the scroll. The case is enough to give a nod to this interesting Jewish custom.Suzan -
For SAMA
25 September 2019 
Hi MLE,
Though I love film, I don’t usually write to you about ones I have seen. However, this film is really special. Please try to see it in Vancouver if you can.
It has always really annoyed me, how two or three film companies have a monopoly on film distribution. So, if you want to see the latest idiot Hollywood blockbuster, you can go to any cinema in the city and it’s playing several times per day. There are ads everywhere. When it’s not in the cinema, it’s all over Netflix etc. Access is definitely not an issue.
However, independent films like “For Sama” only have a tiny proportion of the distribution that the commercial films have. I was finally able to catch this, but had to leave work early and travel into central London. Anyway, all this to say that I wish independent films were as accessible as the Hollywood ones. So try to see it while you can!
Rant over.
“For Sama” is a film about a Syrian student documenting the siege of Aleppo, even after she became pregnant with her daughter (Sama).
As activists against the Assad regime, Waad al-Kateab and her husband stayed behind in Aleppo as long as they could. It was heartbreaking when they had to finally leave, giving up the fight for freedom. Waad al-Kateab’s husband worked as a doctor in the last remaining make-shift hospital in Aleppo, so the footage here is devastating. To me, it was a good supplement to the footage you see on the news. This was the reality of the war in Syria.
For Sama
SuzanPosted in: