Ms. McFadden's Top Ten Experiences at Dicken's Universe (in no particular order).

Hearing Charles Dickens referred to as "Chucky D".

Countless compliments about how brilliant our students are.  One person reported that a professor gushed of of Belen, "She says things in a way that you just want to write them down!"

Seeing Ms. Barrios being treated as a rock star.

Sitting next to Maryann and Belen in lecture and knowing that they actually know way more than I do about the book being discussed. 

Taking a morning yoga class on the grass.

Having 70 year old Caitlin who is in my morning discussion group phrase my sketchy idea so eloquently that when she said it, it bloomed into a full fledged brilliant observation.

A renewed appreciation for Dickens' brilliant names of characters such as Spottletoe, Slyme and  Sweedlepipe.

Bringing a glass of port into a lecture hall! to sip while listening to a lecture.

Actually getting some of the inside jokes that professors make about Dickens.

Being in beautiful UC Santa Cruz