Things I've learned today (so far)

1. Teachers grind their teeth. Dr. Joe, my dentist, said I have some slight grinding and the gums of a 21 year old. I love Dr. Joe.
2. Dave and I are good at the whole throwing a party thing. Actually, at this point, I only know that he and I can prep for a party like mad men. Ready, with time to spare. That's what I'm saying. Now it's time to see if folks have fun.
3. My friend told me that the service that transcribes your voice mail is as good as I want it to be. I hate voice mail. They fix my hate by writing messages down and emailing it to you. Oh, the goodness of 2007.
4. Greek food in LA is not so good. I already knew it but I tried to give it a second chance.
5. Games are a part of my life. I can do nothing about that fact.
6. 80's music still does it for me.
7. I still like to fun. Oh good days had by all.

Happy New Year!

2007 has been so good...I am beginning 2008 happy.

And, I've got a playlist for the nights festivities.

Happy 2008 to all those I love.

How I know my sister is in college

Today I received a card from my sister who is in her first year of college. Several things about the card made it very clear to me that she is now college-aged. Her card was filled with thoughtful and mature thoughts. And...her card was made out of elephant dung. I feel like you only have access to that kind of good stuff when you are a college student.

30 minutes in the life of a teacher

Today had a bump, a hiccup, a long stretch of minutes that I feel may only be able to happen in the world of a teacher. This is not an exaggeration.

9:45-other teacher tells me to call my supervisor about a class placement I thought was a go.
9:56-school psychologist tells me that the folks in the district office think afore mentioned placement is not the best. Unfortunately, I had told the parents about this great arrangement last week...right after the school psychologist suggested the arrangement and said she thought it would be the best possible thing to do for the student.
10:01-my student who needs recess the most missed recess because he was in a meeting. I see him walking in the opposite direction of my classroom. I think he is crying.
10:02-talk with the person he was in the meeting with and find out he was super resistant to the idea of talking with someone. She doesn't know where he went.
10:03-called to try to find him in another classroom...oh, he's in his on his way over.
10:05-nose bleed
10:06-missing boy is back. Engaged in high power negotiation about what happens when someone misses recess, why it's not my job to find him when he is with another teacher and tell her he needs to go to recess, why you can't just go play now, and how to talk to someone instead of shaking with anger.
10:10-reminded the children working that it was time to finish with their independent work and move to the next activity.
10:10 1/4-missing boy is on the floor. He's upset.
10:10 1/2-nose bleed has become a gusher, escort to office arranged.
10:12-principal passes, I ask her to come in to talk to the upset boy.
10:13-hazard waste clean-up.
10:14-reminded everyone to put their papers in their folders not just shoved into their cubby.
10:15-I'm shaky. It's time to read Patricia Polacco. I need some Aunt Chip and the Great Triple Creek Dam Affair.

So, now, at 7:44, I'm in my pajamas. And I had ice cream. It was $1 scoop Tuesday.

Life as I know it...31

The events prior to my birthday blog were different than past birthday blogs. I drove home into the most beautiful sunset. I arrived to my new home, pet the cats, and read the perfect blog birthday gift from Dave.

My 30th year was wonderful, full of goodness. I finished my degree, moved to a new state, decided to live like a grownup, and found out I am a cat person. It's been so good.

Now, when I think about how I will spend my 31st year, one thing comes to mind. I hope that I can really try to interact with my new place...really make this place my own.

I feel like the world holds so much right now. I am so excited for my life. I like that part of being in my 30s.

One more day

While sitting in my staff meeting, after school and a very trick phone call, I told my colleague that I felt like I had been run over by a steamroller. She told me that that I used good descriptive language.

That is a comment only a teacher would make.

Now, I'm going to get Thai food for dinner...because I'm still feeling effected by the steamroller.

Oh, how spoiled I've become

Last week, we got a fancy new TV and a new Tivo. Because of these changes, I am currently working with 3 different remotes. I just caught myself thinking, "I miss the one remote system."

Then I realized that just a few months ago, I was working off of a 19 inch screen and channel changing system that involved moving myself closer to the TV and using the nearest digit.

I don't know if I can ever go back.

826la

As a long-time fan of the superhero supply store in Brooklyn, I'm eagerly anticipating the time travel shop in Echo Park. Maybe I'll be able to finally organize a class trip to their bookmaking workshop. It would be so good. Plus, they seem really funny.

Point of Clarification

From the last blog...I can't make the perfect pancake. But, there is perfect pancake in my life. Don't you worry.

weekendness

The weekend was filled with some excellent hobby exploration. Because I'm a fan, here are the bullet points.

*Dave and I went to see Dan in Real Life which resulted in a self-imposed ban on romantic comedies. Being highly impressionable, I became a little sad that my life doesn't include a house in Rhode Island, playing football/step aerobics/crossword puzzles, the ability to make the perfect pancake, or a syndicated advice column. Don't get me wrong, I love my life and the movie was good. I just can't handle pressure like that.
*I decided to knit again. Gift season is upon us and some people I know have cold necks. Unfortunately, I think I forgot how to knit using the accepted method. Left to my own devices, I do my own thing. I do it consistently, crating something that has a uniformity of design. But, it's not quite knitting. It's mostly just wrong. Now, I have to get un-wronged.
*On a late afternoon trip to Target, I became the owner of a new mop and Dave became the owner of Guitar Hero III. After a brief snafu with sub par products, we got down to business. First I got involved with the process of seeing how much dirty water I can create while mopping, bringing me a deep and unique sense of accomplishment. Then Dave convinced me to try the new game. I stayed up past my bedtime as I tried to nail Cream's Sunshine of your Love. It was good.
*Then there was the fun. As you may know, I like to fun.

Fires

The LA fire department has a blog with links and information that can help. I've learned a lot.

Cat Toys

The current cat toy obsession that Cat is going through made me remember an old SNL skit. I told Dave I'd find it for him. After google-ing "snl cat toys will ferrell," I found a little 5 minute humor (in all it's meat headed glory).

Enjoy.

Views of the freeways

I spend a lot of time on the freeways. The 2, the 210, the 134. All of these are big parts of my day. Although I sometimes get so focused on the driving that I do not see some of the things that are right in front of me (like the Eagle Rock, which I manage to miss each day and insist that I don't drive by it during conversation). I'm a little more observant when it comes to the cars. I'm a little afraid of hitting something so I tend to pay close attention.

Yesterday, I saw a jeep with a snorkel. I spent a lot of the remaining drive wondering when you would need to drive a car with a snorkel. There can't be a whole lot of deep puddles in these parts. And, the LA river is mostly a dribble. I guess there is the ocean. But, that doesn't seem safe.

tasty, tasty

Last night, Dave and I used inspiration from the HipCooks class and let our our inner chefs. Well, I let out my inner cook. Dave said that he let out his inner assembler. Together, we created a tasty little meal. A little chicken-souvlaki type thing with onions. Some Greek-yogurt veggie stuff that may have missed the delicate balance from the class but was good nonetheless. Plus some tasty, tasty pita, feta and cherry tomatoes from the Hollywood Farmers Market. It was a little bit like I was in Astoria again. But, better because we made it ourselves. And, I got to have a good lunch and a tasty little snack with the leftovers. So good.

Take that-I HipCook blogged. Just one of the many HipCooks blogs that could happen from that night. Erin, I know it could have been better...but, I felt pressure.

Fetch

I am currently engaged in a frightening game of fetch with Cat. He sees using his claws and teeth as an integral part of the game. And, he is growling each time I try to get the ball. In his split-personality way, he is also pushing me with his hand, I mean paw to get me to play. Oh, cat, you so crazy.

One-oh-one

Today is my 101st day as an Angeleno. To celebrate I took a favorite walk and thought about my new world. It's filled with blue skies, walks around the meadow, cats, tee-vee (I'm done with the links), new students, hills and mountains, and good people. I like it here.

Life in California-land

This weekend, there was a little weekend away-ing. We spent some time in the mountains (about 2-800 hours from LA, depending on traffic). We rented a killer cabin in the woods; it had a fancy kitchen, the perfect deck for breakfast, the perfect sunset view a half-mile neighborhood walk away, and quiet time.

There were some other high points of the trip:
*I got to say that I was from LA when some guy who liked my coat asked me where I was from.
*I got to see a part of California that was new to me...a part that had fall.
*The hiking boots were busted out of storage.
*And, the people watching was high quality (there was a mullet, wine glass necklaces, and mountain people galore).

It was perfect.

Monday

I experienced a very Monday-ish Monday today. Kids were tired and cranky. New classroom things had glitches and hold-ups. I found out that my big raise is not so big once the man gets his hands on my check. Blah, blah, blah.

With some characteristically perfect timing, Dave sent me a little gift, via iTunes, and changed up my day. Rather than wallowing in the day, I am now enjoying the Into the Wild soundtrack.

A little Eddie Vedder and daydreams of spending some time away from it all are proving themselves to be the perfect way to deal with this overtly Monday Monday.

History

Right around this time, 50 years ago, nine high school students faced a sea of angry people and integrated the schools in Little Rock. I think the first time I learned about the Little Rock Nine was when I was in 5th grade, and all of the classes in my school spent a week watching Eyes on the Prize, a documentary about the nonviolent aspect of the Civil Rights Movement. I always think of that documentary as one of the most shaping experiences of my education.

More recently, I learned about some of the other events that shaped the Civil Rights Movement while watching another documentary. This time, the movie was shown to my graduate school class, and it talked about the Children's March. Until that time, I had not known of the children who forced Birmingham to integrate. These were the children the fire hoses were turned on. The children that the dogs chased. And, it was all so they could receive the education that they wanted.

I always wonder if I am doing enough to teach my students about the history that shapes each of their lives. Wonder if I am doing anything to really promote social justice? Struggle with the fact that I may be perpetuating some part of the myth of "separate but equal" in my position as a special educator. Those are issues I am not sure if I will ever come to terms with....

After school, when I learned that yesterday was the 50th anniversary of that famous day of school, I spent time trying to find things that might help my students understand the history they have inherited. But, this is proving to be more difficult than I had hoped. I am going to have to explain this to them in some way. They should know what has happened before them. I am the one who is supposed to teach them.

blogging nothing

So, I've hit a blogging dry spell. It's not that things in my life are not blog worthy (at least in my own eyes). It's more like a (maybe I've already said "that" / what is the limit for blog-items can one person recycle and still call herself a blogger) + (time away from the computer is good time) = no blogging. [Little homage to order of operations, there...did you see it?]

In the past, when I've run into spells like this, I've resorted to the bullet point. Here it goes:
*My new little baby iPod shuffle is perfect for a walk around the lake. At first I thought I was being an uber-consumer by getting a second iPod whilst having a first big iPod that works perfectly. That was all thrown out the proverbial window during today's outing. The little baby iPod weighs practically nothing. And, clips to my pants. I was out and about with everything attached to me janitor style. It was perfect.

*During a conversation with a friend who lived in Astoria/left Astoria in a very similar pattern with me, I tried to figure out a little more of what makes LA tick. Using NY and Boston (her new city) as comparison, we decided that the essential differences in the cities came down to making out in public. LA embraces the public make out. It's kind of everywhere. NY is a little less inclined (partially because people kind of make out with one person while they keep an eye out for someone better to come along, diminishing the overall quality of the make out). Boston is on the other end of the bell curve. Their Puritanical history makes for very little public action.

*I'm listening to Middlesex on my way to work. It's amazing. Plus, the audio book format is surprisingly wonderful in the car. And, it breaks up my somewhat obsessive NPR-listening.

*this is funny: http://www.dieyuppiekickball.com Sorry Brian.

Ok...Enough. This post is over.

The Weekend, in review

Techie Time
I got to delve deeper into my techie-love by going to Wired's NextFest. I saw green homes, artsy stuff, amazing artificial legs, some scary big brother security stuff, a game that is played with brain waves, and the mayor of LA walk in a robot.

Backyard Time
After hearing about a few meat days, I have been craving some q.t. with grilled food. Last night, thanks to the MaDonks, my grill needs were met. There is something so perfect about sitting in a back yard and eating something off the grill.


Sunday Night Time
I'm now neck deep in Sunday time. I'm having a hard time getting the motivation to do my work I have put off all weekend. IMs with a sister and a deep appreciation for relaxing is making it very difficult to want to get back into the weekday swing of things.

What I have learned

Now that I'm working daily and living in a city with a whole lot of NPR, I've been listening to the radio a lot. Because it's NPR, I'm always learning something. Yesterday I found out that when people talk about trading pork bellies they really do mean the stomach of a pig. I thought that pork bellies was a term for some financial thing. But, it's not. It's all about the bacon.

I also learned that the monster truck is huge in Europe. There is a new truck called Thor. It's Swedish. I think I may need to time a trip to some Scandinavian country to coincide with Monster Jam Europe. If the Air Guitar International Championships are happening at the same time, that might be the most perfect trip ever.

HOT

LA is in the middle of a heat wave. I spent the weekend by the beach (where it was 20 degrees cooler). Now I'm back and I'm schvitzing. I've got a natural glow about me. The news said that this glow should last until the middle of the week. I have little desire to move and I don't want to eat. A few more days above 100 may be a more effective crash diet than a week in the MaDonk's shed.

Hipster Humor

You should watch. It's funny.

I'm awake

It's 5:51. I'm awake. On purpose. Summer is over.

Schools Starting

School is starting on Tuesday and, yesterday, it seemed that it would be starting without me. Despite my summer long effort to gather paperwork, it seemed that I would not be able to produce what has not been mailed. I was devastated. I have become so attached to the idea of starting each September with students. I love my students. I love watching them grow, laughing with them, and seeing their eyes grow wide when something new comes their way.

Today, after a little glimmer of hope, I realized that my year will have students. I will start as a volunteer, if needed. It probably will not come down to that. But, if needed, I'm sure that my school can utilize a volunteer with a graduate degree in special education.

A ticket from God and Dog Poo

I recently had several run-ins with my former life...but there were unexpected outcomes. A few days ago, I walked out to my car and was put into a panic by a ticket on the windshield. Did I not know about an alternate side of the street parking? Was there some law I did not read about in my sub-par studying of CA traffic rules for my driving test? Oh, no. It was a little flyer about God. I got a ticket from God.

The other run-in was while walking on a dark night. My foot slipped and I thought it was poo. I was all grossed out. Nasty poo on my foot. But...no. It was dirt. Dirt not poo.

This is LA not Queens.

Beastie Blog

I love Alfredo Ortiz.

Proud

My little sister started college yesterday. Today her away message says, "Dinner, Opera, Class." I am so excited for her.

My other sister's away message says, "Guitar Hero." PVision is excited for that one.

Precocious Parents

Yesterday I talked to a mom who wanted to subject her 2 year old to flash cards and was concerned that the baby couldn't sit through a whole book. I thought that the first one was not a good idea and the second one was developmentally appropriate. Then I told her about matching bears and felt like I'd done my teacherly service.

Today I learned that American Idol is better than Baby Einstein for the little guys. The Baby Einstein lady was one of the people to get pointed out and applause at the last State of the Union. Does this mean Simon will have to be invited next?

Woo Hoo

Today, I rediscovered my Woo Hoo playlist. I made it last summer and have not listened to it since then. It starts strong with a little Gogol Bordello, moved to a little Instant Pleasure and then lots of big sound music. I love it. A playlist makes all the difference as you attempt to navigate the tangled web of LA freeways.

P.S. The House in the video is confusing to me...but, I enjoy the House so, what the heck.

P.P.S. Although I missed my exit from the 134 to the 2, I found my way home. Another reason to have a little WooHoo!

News and a thought

First, let me begin this blog with the most interesting news I've read in a while. Although I have a special interest because it happened right around the corner from my old apartment, I feel like everyone will be interested. Well, if you like monkeys.

Secondly, I had a realization today. I should be embracing the culture of LA and doing work in public places. After I took a walk today, I stopped at a local coffee shop and was greeted with many glowing apples. All the ladies had white iBooks/MacBooks and fellers had another color Book. Well, except for the two people who must not have known and brought their PCs to the coffee shop. Next week, I'm going to bring my iBook to Silver Lake Coffee (to show I belong) and then push my computer to the corner of the table and go through the 30 pounds of curriculum I brought back from my classroom.

Huh...

Today, as Dave and I walked towards the Yaris, I noticed something covering my car. It was a fine white powder. What could this be? Oh yes, it's ash. Something is on fire and now my car is covered in ash.

But, then we went to see a Beatles tribute band and I completely forgot my whoh-we-don't-have-this-where-I'm-from reaction as I sang all the words (with only a few mistakes) to many a Beatles song.

A problem

I just woke up from a 3 hour nap. I'm not a napper. But, summer has taken over. I had plans for the morning (a walk before it was hot, a few phone calls to rearrange my schedule, and some other things I've already forgotten). Instead of those things, I fell asleep to a David Sedaris audiobook. I'm feeling a little lazy. This is a problem.

Overheard at the DMV

I finally made it to the DMV to take the test I needed for my very own CA drivers license. I had been warned that the test was actually hard and people had been known to fail more than once. I had taken a few practice tests on the DMV's website and felt that I was ready for the real test.

After finishing some line standing, I moved to the sitting and waiting part of the whole DMV experience. I sat in the back row and attempted to look engrossed in my book while I waited for G213 to be called. The whole situation put me in the perfect position for spying.

I saw a woman come over to the chairs of the fellow DMVers and make some type of proclamation that made everyone avert their eyes. She then came over to my section and sat directly in front of me. She started a conversation with the woman at the end of the row. Woman #1 asked about the baby's name, followed up with how spiritual the name was, and then talked about the color of god. [By this point, I was pretty sure Lady #1 was going to snatch the baby or start undressing or something]. Lady #2 had a different take on the situation.

After Lady #1 stopped for a breath, Lady #2 responded with "Have you ever had a psychic reading?"

I was stunned as I watched them negotiate price and then talk about Lady #2's mother and men right there in the DMV's office.

PS I passed my test (on the second try).

A day in the sun

Sunday, my sisters, Pvision and I went on a little hike to the Hollywood sign. It took us a little bit of time to make it up to the top. There were some cheez-it mishaps, water fights, and other assorted breaks. It was a good time.

Monday, I realized that not wearing a hat on the hike was not a good idea. I have a minor scalp burn. I really thought that people only got scalp burns when they were in 8th grade, went to the Bahamas or Puerto Rico with their family, and had someone give them braids on the beach. Oh, how wrong I was.

I have my fingers crossed that peeling is not involved.

News from LA

My sisters are visiting so I've been filling my time with bringing them around and worrying about creating a balanced meal situation. It's left no time for blogging.

Highlights of my last few days in LA:
*I do not know where I am...I get lost (if only by a few blocks) each time I get into the car. Luckily, I'm borrowing Chester, PVision's GPS. So far, despite occasional moments of crank, Chester has not failed to put me on the right course.
*My sisters are visiting and they have brought entertainment. The current entertainment is watching the older one slide her way to fitness on the Total Gym. I'm pretty sure that injury will be at the end of all of this fun.
*The Kwik-E-Mart has turned into a bigger attraction than the Universal Studios stuff. We walked right into the CityWalk tonight. But, when we attempted to follow it up with a Squishy at Burbank's Kwik-E-Mart, the line wrapped around the store and we decided to bail.

Now, I have to go introduce the girls to Pump Up the Volume. Some how, I have failed to introduce them to early Christian Slater. A life without Gleaming the Cube...horrible.

Strum, strum revolution

Today was my first go at the Guitar Hero. I tried (and failed) to play some Iggy and the Stooges and Nirvana. It seems that Warrant's Cherry Pie is my song. It is fitting that I'll be rocking out to the 80s glam metal here in LA. Maybe someday, I'll be
Freebird ready. But, for now, I'm staying at the top of the set list.

Fiction and Reality

Sometimes, it seems that there is a blending between fiction and reality. A few months/years ago, I watched an Australian movie about a man, a lawn chair, and a dream. Today, while reading CNN, I learned about a man, a lawn chair and a dream.

Now I really feel like I need a hobby.

I'm sure my hobby will not be as cool as flying furniture using balloons, though. I'm a little bit scared of the balloons.

Interview No. 2

Although I have a job, I had set up another interview while I was in NY and I decided to keep my options open. Today's interview was with a very different type of school. It was less in line with my idea of education as social justice...more in line with my desire to become a teacher who has resources out the wazoo.

I thought that I would be happy or excited or without stress now that the interview is over. But, I don't feel those things. I feel more conflicted than before. Boo.

That New Car Smell

It's official. I'm an Angeleno. I have a car and if I need something at the store around the corner, I just might drive.





PS My new car met all of my requirements: MP3 jack, nice paint, 40 miles to the gallon. Whooo Hoo!

Why CA is different than NY

I took these photos during my walk today. They are all CA to me.




More to come....

School

I have just accepted a job in a school with a supply closet. I will have paper clips, markers, paper, and bulletin board paper waiting for me to use on an as needed basis! My new principal told me to tell her what I needed and she would get it for me. No more paying for paper and needing a classroom patron to supply post-its!

Seriously though, I have a classroom again. I can go in and create my little classroom universe soon. My shark dissection model and musical instruments will have a home again. And, I will have students. I can't wait to meet them.

It was one year ago today

that my life changed. I am so happy.

4th of July

As a fan of competitive eating, I am happy to hear Kobyashi weighed in for tomorrow's events in Coney Island. I guess a little jaw arthritis is not going to stop this hot dog eating machine.

Day 1 in CA

After one day here, I have: napped despite my effort to adjust to the time zone, spent time happy, retrieved some of my boxes, met many people who know who I am, and received a job offer. I feel as if I am on my way to a wonderful life.

Memories

walking up Ditmars for the last time.
a perfect night in the Beer Garden.
walking to escape the noise of angry downstairs neighbors.
dancing on the counter over the sink.
laughing.
pretending to choose a restaurant and always ending up at Fattys.
consistently thinking it's only a 20 minute walk no matter where i was going.
driving friends home.
fellows propaganda on the subway.
renaming diners to meet our needs.
being serenaded by the latest Cypriot dance music blasting from the cars that go by.
the dog that always sits on his front porch with his front paws crossed.
seeing my students in Astoria Park.
my official tour of Astoria.
running into shop keepers I know on the street.
knowing that spring is here when the fig trees are taken out of the plastic wrap with a bucket on top.
teaching.
making mistakes that helped me figure out what i want.
leaving my 20s.
loving my 30s.

now, i'm moving to new memories. good-bye Astoria.

Moving (part 3)

Packing has continued to be the main theme of my life. I have somehow managed to stuff the remaining things I own into several more boxes and a few suitcases. It feels as if I have not really done much. But, I know that's not true. It just so happens that I had an unforgivable amount of crap. This crap was getting in my way of having a harmonious existences. But, now most of it is gone. I am beginning again. And, I'm overwhelmingly excited. I just wish that the stuff I still have laying around would jump into a bag or box on it's own. I need movers. Or an assistant. Or elves.

PS Last night I realized that the two camps of musical taste are not Beatles vs. Stones. It's Neil Diamond vs. Neil Young. I'm a Young.

Sisters

I'm on the air mattress, listening to the thunder and sisters. My sisters are in the other room, watching some old-timey game show they both seem to love, laughing and talking about things only they understand. It has become a tradition of ours to spend the last few days of my school year together. They get to be loved by my class, not eat the vegetables mandated by mom, and just spend time together doing nothing. I love these days. My sisters are entertainment in a way few others are (to me, at least). The first time they came, they were getting ready for 8th and 10th grades. This time, it is 10th and first year of college. They have changed so much.

Now, they are packing to go home. I'm sad to let them go but am excited for their trip to LA.

Random notes

Tomorrow is my last day as a teacher in Queens. I'm not all caught up in that quite yet. But, I'm sure it's on it's way. Rather than reflect on my life as a teacher, I'm going to give you a list. [As a fan of the reflection, this is a bit of a surprise for me.]

• I'm living without surfaces. I have one chair, my roommate's couch, a folding table and the floor. The floor is catching quite a bit.
  
• I am warm...summer is here and I'm already not sure if I'm loving it. This, of course, is trouble for my upcoming relocation to southern California.
  
• I wrote a little mini-essay about my love of the SmartBoard on some applications and it is possible that this will cause me to get a job. Which is good because I cannot imagine teaching without one.
  
• My sisters are here. Despite some minor moments of bickering, we've been having good times. They are my people.
• My crankiness has been replaced by excitement. I'm excited to have fun again. And, I like to fun. A lot.
  

Vocabulary Lesson

I had an unexpected semi-interview over the phone today. The good news is that my portfolio is generating some interest. The bad news is that I broke some linguistic taboos during the conversation. Besides half finishing two sentences and cutting the woman off more than once (she was a long-pauser and I was nervous), it seems I do not have some of the basic LA pronunciations down.

I think of the word Wilshire as a three syllable word with a long i. Turns out it is a two syllable word with a short i. The woman I was being semi-interviewed by was kind enough to point it out to me. However, I'm not sure if it was really kind. She is the director of a religious school and my lack of enthusiasm about teaching reading and religion was not really sitting well with her.

PS
There is now a little pesty part of me that wants to call the street Will-sh-eye-r and myself an Angelo. We'll see how long that lasts.

What remains of my bedroom

After instituting a strict no-Ikea-kept policy, my phyisical possessions are thinning out. This is all that remains of my bed/dresser. In a few short hours, the bookshelf, desk, kitchen table and chairs will all be gone. In-house camping will be my way until next Monday.

Packing

I am sitting amidst my remaining possessions. Although they have been greatly reduced in number, they are still a little overwhelming. I have yet to figure out exactly how I'm going to get myself and my things to CA--will my files be mailed or come on a plane? How should my CDs be packed for minimal destruction? Part of the problem is the fact that I don't know my end number of boxes. The other part of the problem is that my teaching stuff is out of control. At this point in my life, I find it hard to believe that there was a time that I did not have shark and frong dissection models, musical instruments, and many pounds of books on teaching methods.

I just need to get it done. Pack it up. Don't worry too much about making sure I have access to everything I might need for the first few weeks in CA. And, maybe throw some more stuff out. It's time to be ruthless--let go of all emotional connection to things...and get myself to California in 9 days!

End of the Year Party

Today, my class and I had a discussion about our end of the year party. Each of my students came up with three things that could be a part of our "Perfect End of the Year Party." My personal favorites were: balloon party (despite my slight fear of balloons), sleep party-2 votes, and big cake. After the brainstorming, we matched, re-grouped and came up with our final party plan.

Next Tuesday, we will have a 3 period party. 7th period will be the food portion of our party. We'll be enjoying pizza and ice cream. 8th period will be the dance party/play time. We will live it up, dancing our way to our 37 1/2 minute portion of the party. [For those of you who are not used to dealing with my employers, I have a 37 1/2 minute portion of each day between Monday and Thursday. This is when I am supposed to provide targeted academic support.] Next Tuesday, we'll be enjoying 37 1/2 minutes of movie and rest. It will be our rest period of the party. I think all elementary school parties should have rest periods.

End of Year Award

Tomorrow, my class will have an awards ceremony. I have been having difficulty figuring out what to give as awards. I had a 4th grade trauma--I got the "no more tears" award because I cried each day and my teacher wanted me to stop crying (as a teacher, I now realize she probably hated me).

More importantly, I feel like the whole concept of competitive awards for a nine year old can be a little damaging. I am a little against the whole judgment aspect. I don't want to call one of my students the best at something, causing someone else to feel like their efforts are less-than. I know that sounds a little post-modern parent--but their little faces will just break your heart.

I have to figure out 2 awards for each student. This is like choosing your favorite child. Impossible.

My Desk, revisited

A few months ago, my parents cleaned out their basement. As a result, a ton of stuff that had called the basement home came back my way. I also received the edict that nothing belonging to me could return home. My things were kicked out.

It's fair. I'm 30. I should have my own junk. Plus, since my family shares my problem of making every object an object of importance, I should support all of their efforts to clean house.

My mother has decided to reverse the rule for one thing--my desk. It seems my family is willing to store my desk. I don't have to sell it to the only bidder (there has not been a whole lot of interest, a la Craig's list). My desk will stay in my family...just in the basement.

Ethical Dilemma

In this, the year 2007, we are all well versed in the finer points of Criag's list. It's the source of apartments, jobs, all sorts of encounters...We also know that we are not supposed to actually trust anyone. Only accept cash, don't deal with anyone outside of the area, etc, etc. Somehow I hit the ethical jackpot with my car ad. I have three people interested in my Honda-a Buddhist hospice worker, a teacher from the mid-west, and a doctor from Kuala Lumpur. I had really nice conversations with all of them. Now, I have ethical dilemma. How do you choose between the nice man from Malaysia, the Bronx teacher, or the hospice worker?

PS The doctor is a new driver...new like his license is one month old. It was a little nerve wracking to take him on his test drive. But, I'm sure he'll be fine.

Reality TV

I am late to the game on the whole reality TV thing. I watched an episode of the first season of Survivor, thought I was witnessing the destruction of humanity and stopped watching. But, now it's back. I justify it by saying it's research for my new life. I'm moving to LA...they are all shot in LA. Reality TV is research for my life to come.

It sometimes makes me nervous. I am not like the people on the TV-a professional tanner/rock star/hairstylist. What will the people in LA think of me? I think I'll just need to watch some more TV to find out.

PS Countdown to LA - 21 days.

Junk

As I continue the packing extravaganza, I am amazed at the amount of junk I have. Old papers. Books I will never read again. Containers. All of those will meet their end in the shredder or yard sale. Then there is the knick-knack issue. I have tons of little things without a use. I am not sure how so many of these things became a part of my life. Right now, I am not a fan. I'm actually kind of amazed at the lack of sentimental connection I have to these things--I'm excited for the opportunity to leave these things behind and have a literal clean slate.

I am hoping that this move can help me remember to let things go. And inspire me to be a regular yard sale holder. Or just have a level of quality control that seems to be lacking in my life up to now.

Moving to LA

It's happening. I'm moving to LA. More boxes have been packed. A plan has been made for the pre-garage sale activities. Although my life in LA is still missing some elements (a job, a car, etc.), I think it will be good.

PS I started this last night prior to packing the boxes. It was a much different blog at that time. Much more freaked out. Packing boxes is good for me.

My Desk

When I was 11, I asked my parents for a desk. I was graduating elementary school and felt I needed some place to do my school work. 2 years later, an antique roll top desk became a part of my world. Most 13 year-olds don't have major furniture. I did. I love it-it was almost big enough for me to lay on top of and I had no idea a desk like this existed.

Several years later, I graduated college and my parents no longer wanted custody of my desk. It's 50 inches wide, 50 inches high and 34 inches deep. It's huge. My sisters needed the space. So I moved the desk to DC, moved it again when I moved to a new neighborhood, then it came back to NY, then to Astoria and finally landed in it's current home. I have squished it into a galley like bedroom in a basement apartment, watched as two strong people huffed it up to my 3rd floor apartment, and felt a growing sense of guilt as I continued to ask my dad to help me take it apart and schlep it to my new home. Well, the only help I provide is with the draws. I am dangerous when it comes to the real heavy parts.

Now that I'm moving to LA, I've decided it's time to let my desk go-despite the love in my heart. It has become an albatross around my neck, making it incredibly clear that I do not have a lifestyle that supports an antique roll top desk. I'm a mover. My desk needs a home with it's own room. I hope who ever gets it next loves it as much as I do and gives me enough money to be a substantial part of a down payment on a new car. [The Honda is going, too. I just see that as a chance to upgrade to power windows rather than loosing a part of my history.]

English Language Learners

My life is filled with multi-lingual people. The majority of my students speak another language at home. I live in a place where the boat that a person is fresh off of docks. I hear more languages than I can place on my mile walk to the subway. It's my anthropological dream.

Being surrounded by so many who are at different stages of learning English often brings unexpected dialogue to my world. I was supposed to meet my landlord's son at my apartment after school. I ran into him as he was leaving. I told him that I was sorry I missed him, he replied, "I miss you, too." Such a sweet sentiment kind of misdirected.

Prior to the missing conversation, my student had a more difficult moment with the nuance of language. While he was waiting for the bus, saw me as I returned to the lunchroom and shouted, "She kicked me in the [insert word for a part that is normally covered by a bathing suit]!" He quickly repeated it to anyone who would listen. I then looked at the guidance counselor and said, "You have this one, right?" Then my student gave me a hug goodbye and sat down for a little conversation about the words you can use in school and the ones you cannot.

29 Days...and counting.

I am moving from one coast to the other in exactly 29 days. Goodbye rainy Sundays...hello sunny everyday. I am sure that my world will be filled with all sorts of differences--hikes, sunscreen all year round, hobbies rather than school work, HBO, Guitar Hero, shorts...Dave. I am excited.

I have at least 30 days of a sublet all worked out, have let go of my Mini dreams, and had a great interview with a placement agency. 5 boxes of my most important books have been mailed. My favorite mixing bowls and the shoes I wanted to wear this weekend already live in CA. If I keep doing a little bit each day, I think I'll be ready for my life on the left coast very soon. Whoo hoo.

Moving

Today has been ripe with mishaps. I'm attempting to be uber-productive and have hit some speed bumps.

• I attempted to finalize my teaching certification and the server went down in the middle of it all (this was the second time this happened to me).
• I somehow created a 58,000 page spread-sheet. Opening and closing this sucker caused my iBook to move at the pace of a PC!
• It is possible I never changed my car's title to NYS and am kind of freaking out about what that means as I attempt to sell it in New York.
  

In an attempt to focus on the positive, here's a list of good things:

• I'm going to have a phone interview on Sunday for a job placement place in LA.
• I'm going to my family's house tomorrow for a dinner with a long-lost cousin.
• I've started the packing process!!
• I now plan on having people ferry my most precious things as checked luggage rather than paying for shipping. This means (5 trips from NY to LA) times (2 bits of checked luggage) = 10 boxes! Whoo hoo.
  

Ok, I'm going to fill another box. I think it's time to move away from the computer.

Verbatim

Background: I have a myspace so I can see what my baby sister is up to. Well, I used to spy on her but then she hid all the good stuff. A while ago, she made me switch from whatever the default was for the background to something blue. As of yesterday, that background was no longer acceptable. Today, she designed me a new layout. Of course, since I don't go on myspace now that I can't check up on her, it seems a little a little unnecessary. But, whatevs.

Event: Today, baby sister was throwing down hard. And, I didn't even do anything. In fact, I said thanks. This is what I got:
"...you are not too good with HTML so you might have to wait until you're around me to do this stuff."

PS: By stuff, she means cut and paste.

moving

I am getting ready for my move in some very important ways.

Number one, reality TV marathon. After watching Dancing with the Stars, I stumbled across a Run's House marathon. I am not sure if PVision realized he was starting me on a very bad path when he encouraged me to get TV. Even though I'm almost positive it's making me less capable of complex sentences, I'm enjoying my TV-habit very much.

Number 2...scanning the interweb to decide if the folks sell their furniture with things on it or not on it to try to get an idea for my pictures. The answer is easy for the big antique desk--clean off the junk. Nobody needs to know about my desk system. But, it's less clear with the bookshelf. Do I leave in the books for that book-y feeling? People my be so taken with my thematic arrangement of books that they must buy my bookshelf.

Number three..well, there is no number three. Number three should be packing up or getting rid of junk. The yard sale is June 9. Next weekend is going to need a number three.

Thoughts

In a day consumed by very serious thoughts, I've also had some of my infamous deep thoughts.

• Jello pudding comes with Splenda. My no sugar ever world just got easier.
• In my life, I have lived in Washington DC, NYC, and am about to move to LA. It's like I'm doing some type of major city tour. Kind of amazing for a person who likes the hikes.
  
• You can watch an entire episode of Dancing with the Stars on fast forward, only playing it at normal speed for 10 minutes and get the entire experience.
  
• RIP GGs. My sisters ate poptarts as they watched.
  
• CA is now my next big thing. And, it's big. Different than anything ever before. I like it.
  

Done

I've finished. My thesis is written. My poster is (somewhat obsessively) arranged. I've rediscovered artist spray mount and only had a minor misfire mishap. I'm done.

Really done.

Three years of teaching. 48 credits of all sorts of classes. One very big thesis. And, now I'm done. I'm entitled to a new degree. I am eligible for my credentials to teach.

As I type I am so mindful of the fact that all of those things seem less important than the fact that I've found something that has changed my world. I am now a teacher. I know this because I am overcome with joy at the fact that one of my students moved from the beginning of first grade reading to the end of second grade over the course of this year. ...because the handwritten cards I get become my treasures. ...and because of so many other reasons, too many to write here.

While I'm happy that I've fulfilled my requirements for my Masters of Science of Education. I am so excited for the time I will spend learning my craft. I think it will take a lifetime.

The Final Countdown

I am a big fan of the countdown widget. My dashboard currently has 3. Days until I hand in my thesis (3), weekdays until the end of elementary school (34), and days until I move to CA (51). I've had some big news on all fronts:

Thesis--It's written! All 45 pages provide keen insight into the impact technology can have on the literacy development of 3rd and 4th graders who have disabilities. Well, that's a bit of an overstatement. But, it did provide interesting learning and I think I'll continue to use my intervention in my classroom. Plus--it's written! I'm so close to being finished with this round of grad school.

End of Elementary School--I am getting all sentimental about leaving my students. My kindergartners of two years ago are now very tall second graders who read beautifully. My current class is filled with sweet children who are wonderful. I will miss them all. But, I am excited about teaching in a different environment. I want to be poetry in motion when I teach. I don't know if I'd ever be able to experience that in my chaotic environment.

California or Bust--I've made plans to visit my folks in DC, have tickets for my sisters to spend time with me in CA this summer, and am getting mentally prepared to sell my belongings. After a conversation with a friend last night, I've also decided that I should document the unique nature of my current neighborhood because I'm not sure I'll believe that it is the way it really is once I'm gone. She told me about a store called "Temptation--for kids" and encouraged me to take a picture of the scary dentist awning. So, here it is--part one of my photo documentary of the place I've called home for 3 years.

Guilt

I am sitting on the couch, watching TV, attempting to stay as still as possible. I am five days from handing in my thesis. Last night, I was up way past my teacher bedtime attempting to write enough of my paper so I could give it to my editor friend today.

Now I'm practically incapacitated. I cannot move. My brain hurts. Even though my paper is close to done, I am still feeling overwhelmed with the feeling that I should be doing more...despite my complete lack of ability for locomotion.

I can't wait to be finish school and get to enjoy free time.

On the other hand, one of the unexpected benefits of being this tired is a whole lot of cheesy. I am currently experiencing some serious cheese issues.

The walk

Tonight, as the insanity of the thesis hit a new high, my roommate and I decided to pull ourselves from our respective laptops and take a 30 minute walk around the neighborhood. A neighborhood walk in Queens usually brings some very unexpected things. It's just the nature of the borough. After a few run ins with big dogs that made my heart rate go up, we turned onto a block we don't normally find ourselves on during a walk. Half way up the block, I thought I saw fireworks in someones front yard. I had to walk a few more yards to realize that there were not fireworks but rather fountains, lit with very colorful lights, shooting water high into the air. It's as if these homeowners are stepping up their game--they have obviously put those blow up snow globes and gigantic Easter rabbits to shame.

PS Where do people find these things?

Whap! Bam! Bif!

This morning, as I was putting my laundry away, I managed to hit myself right under my eye with a coat hanger--one of those with clips on the end. In a split second, the far side of the coat hanger arced towards my eye, landing with a thud. I am now the proud owner of a little under eye bruise.

I am sure this will be funny very soon. Right now, it just hurts.

Bullet Points

*My professional Development at school brought some learning. My issue with getting things done is due to a weakness in the production controls of my attention. Some people call this procrastination. I have been able to justify my procrastination by being a little productive on all the wrong things. The lack of order is a temporal-sequential issue.

*Looking up apartments on Craigslists has become a new hobby (please see justification of procrastination information above). LA's Craigslist is crazy. I have seen things like sublet a great apartment (shared bedroom, on TWThs) or $1000/month for a great guest house--from 9:30-3:30 weekdays.

*My thesis is due in 14 days. I am getting a little batty. I have 93 pages of field notes. I wish I had a ruler so I could measure it in inches rather than pages.

*I'm at the point where I am looking at all of my things and trying to judge if it will make the cut for the cross country trek. When I moved to AZ, I just left college and I basically only had books and clothes. Now, I look at things and wonder, "How much would you cost to ship."

*Listening to Elvis Costello's When I was Cruel is the perfect soundtrack for the day.

The Year of the Cold

I like to call 2007 "The year of the cold." At this moment, I am again reminded that an over developed interest in q-tips + teeth that feel like they are loose = I have a sinus infection. Because this is not the first time this has happened to me, I attempted to figure out why I am a germ magnet. Two major themes emerge:

Variable A-Kids. I am not one of those teachers who have managed to develop a personal space bubble. In fact, I think that I may be walking around with a sign that reads, "If you need a hug, I've got a hug" on my back. On Friday, I told the children in my class that I was sick and they should not touch me. At the end of the day, several students' internal struggle with this was visible as they tried (and ultimately failed) not to hug me goodbye. Two tried to keep their feet far away as they leaned in...But, most just attempted to use stealth to avoid the germs and surprised me with a quick goodbye. Sneaking up on germs has no scientific evidence of working to avoid colds but my students do not seem to care.

Variable B-My Thesis. I am 16 days away from handing in my thesis. Each Tuesday, after my 7:30am-9:30pm day, I am run down. I am also loaded down with another phase of work to do for my thesis class. I am always behind in the work I need to do because by Wednesday afternoon, I'm sick. The idea of sitting and doing 2 more hours of work after work each night is much too daunting, thus causing the cycle of undone work/run down me to continue.

Findings
I think variable A is reacting to the catalyst of variable B. The cycle of school and contact with germy kids creates a situation where I sound like a man and have a red, red nose (both were observations by my class last Friday).

However, all of these factors will change after 41 days (end of elementary school) and 64 days (end of NY residency) where another study can be conducted in order to triangulate the findings of this phase of research.

Discussion
Based on the evidence, it is clear that I should invest in anti-bacterial stuff and never take class again.

Honda vs. Prius

Sometime in the near future, I will probably be buying a new car. I love the little Honda that could but I want something more. I've been preoccupied by the Mini--Little, yellow (or whatever color I want), etc. etc. But, there is a bit of guilt. I should get a hybrid to be a better person, reduce my carbon footprint...and just be a better person. Today, I learned that might not be so. According to the most recent Dwell, "50-60% of the lifetime energy consumption of a car goes into its manufacture and shipping." Turns out a 5,000 MPG Mini might be in my future!

What size are your shoes?

Somewhere in the middle of my fair to middlin day, I realized that my feet hurt. After brainstorming and rejecting a few situations that could create foot pain (too much walking while teaching, too thick socks, etc.), I pulled off my shoe and took a peek around. It turns out my shoes were a half-size too small. My shoe size has been an 8 and 1/2 since high school. Somehow, I overlooked the whole shoe size thing when I bought them.

On my drive home from class, I was taking with my mother. At some point, I moved my the back of my foot under the leaver for the trunk. In a split second, I managed to open my trunk with my foot while doing 60 on a major highway.

This made me shout, "I opened my trunk with my foot because my shoes are too small."

My mother was understandably confused.

gifts

Right now, in my effort to deal with a difficult teaching day, I am listening to the soundtrack from The Life Aquatic. It was gifted to me this morning. The French Bowie is perfection. The swimmy songs send me to a zen like state. Iggy and the Stooges feel my angst. Team Zissou seems to know exactly what a person needs when the day is much too big. Good gift.

Out and about

I spent time outside this weekend and it was good.

Here is the highlight reel (in verbal form):
*Seeing a couple walking on their toes and realizing they were adults wearing the sneaker-skate banned in my elementary school...Heelys. I was a little confused by the fact that they were walking. They should have been Go-go Gadgeting it home. But, they just didn't seem to understand the goodness. Or, maybe they were embarrassed...like they should have been.
*Eating some mushroom pizza at Cronkite in the Lower East Side. It was tasty, tasty thin crust.
*A man, who was decked out in some fancy sequence shirt rode is bike around, honking his squeaky horn, saying, "Look at me. Hi girls, look at me."
*I walked and walked and walked. I clocked about 7 or 8 miles this weekend. I love the walking.
*I also remembered that I like to fun. Very good.

PS
Happy Earth Day!

30 things I remember

Today, my friend is turning 30--she leaves one decade for another. To celebrate, I've created a list of 30 memories I have of her (I've attempted to order them chronologically):
1. Drawing in the hallway of Terrace 6, asking her if she wanted to join me, and becoming friends.
2. Using the outlets in our respective dorm rooms like two tin cans and a string.
3. Trying to figure out how to be roommates--who knew we'd start a long tradition?
4. Sending postcards from New Zealand and Switzerland.
5. Finding sanity in one another while living in a house with a chore wheel.
6. Finding one another in DC!
7. Sleep overs after nights out in Adams Morgan.
8. The wall of pillows.
9. Becoming roommates again.
10. Trying out the Sealy Posturepedic mattress as everyone came off the metro.
11. Watching your interpretive dance on New Years Eve 1999...and the Willenium.
12. Attempting to do that exercise thing with you in Rock Creek Park.
13. Watching too much TV on Saturday mornings.
14. Decorating the basement with streamers for parties.
15. Organizing each other's birthday gifts from the group so that you got what I wanted and I got what you wanted.
16. Going to California/Oregon and laughing at the Bread Show.
17. Swimming in the pool of my first DC apartment (this one should be a bit earlier on the list; but then I'd have to renumber).
18. Going to your parent's house and marching in the 4th of July parade.
19. Swinging from the ropes in Lake George.
20. Drinking a bottle of wine (each) on our tour around NYC when I first moved.
21. Going to the conference in Denver together and watching you make the whole room laugh (again, this should be earlier).
22. Taking a walk over an old bridge in Vermont.
23. Knowing that your perspective will always bring new insights.
24. Sharing a book of poetry with me and finding out that I could actually enjoy poems.
25. Listening to one another talk and having years of recall to interject into the conversation.
26. Talking and talking and talking when we find ourselves in the same spot.
27. Comments on one anothers blogs.
28. Watching each of our worlds change as we get older.
29. Knowing that there is a friend who will always want the best for me (and I for her)
30. The connection we will always share.

Happy Birthday! I hope 30 brings wonderful new things to your world...and a few visits from me!

The resuse part of recycle

Today, I've decided to break a (personal) blog rule. I'm using other people's material. Two other people...two friends so it's probably ok.

Reused item number 1:
Yesterday, I noticed that the Ellen DeGeneres Show had found itself on the Faux-Vo. Knowing that I did not put it there, I looked over at my roommate. In her effort to convince me that this was a great thing, she excitedly told me, "You're just like Ellen." When I gave her a look of slight confusion she said, "You both dance everyday."

Reused item number 2:
My good friend VT Girl found this page and then, because she thought it was cool, proclaimed her place in the geekdom. Well, I'll take my place right besides her. When I scrolled down past Jack Kerouac's route across the US of A, I found this other cool map that shows what the world would look like if the population of a country had a direct relationship on the boundaries. Oh I like this stuff.

Ok. That's it. My completely recycled blog here for you to enjoy.

Home again

After a few hours on a plane, an accidental whole day at my family's, and one killer nap, I've made it back to my apartment. I'm enjoying having my things and talking with my roommate. But, I miss vacation time already. And, I miss the person I went to see...I miss him terribly.

But, now that April vacation is over, the end of the school year is fast approaching. I'll be a flurry of thesis, teaching, and life having. Then, summer will appear and I will be California bound.

Today's list

The following things have made me happy today:
*Realizing that it was my 7th day wearing flip-flops as my only footwear
*Getting buzzed by a helicopter that sent us a message (it was to smile - so I did)
*Big white birds hanging out on the side of the road as I walked to the beach; I tried to take a picture but they flew away as soon as the camera was pointed at them
*$52 off on a thing I wanted to buy
*Being told that it has snowed at home for three mornings in a row as I sat on the balcony in my tanktop
*Getting out to walk after several days of quarentine from the sickness I got on the airplane
*A little street-sweeper like thing that cleans the rugs in the hallway of the hotel
*A sea turtle took a dive right below the window
*A beautiful sunset that is calling me outside right now.

A little funny

I know I'm a few days off with the April Fools...but, those wacky folks at google made a joke. And, I wanted to share.

More about the whole visiting Hawaii thing soon.

Air Guitar (part 2)

Last night, after a day of knocking around the city, my friend and I saw Air Guitar Nation was playing at the Angelika. When we went to buy the tickets, we saw the director, producers and subjects (they're not actors because it's a documentary, right) would be doing a Q & A after the 8 o'clock showing. Perfect.

Everything I had hoped for was true. I cannot remember the last time I laughed so hard at a movie. I also cannot remember the last time people clapped in the middle of the movie. But, really, what else can you do when someone does a sick air guitar throw in perfect time to the music--it's the epitome of airness.

Now, I just have to figure out a way to get my hands on tickets to the regional championships.

P.S. a master at work:

PTC

Tonight was a late night of PTC (parent teacher conferences, for those of you who are not a P or a T). I had just two parents show up during my 2.5 hours but both meetings were amazing. I like the chance to talk with parents about their children, like to help them figure out ways to push them to the next level, am interested in what their concerns are and try to use their insights to help make me a better teacher.

One mother said that she is so happy because she sees her daughter learning so much. Much like her daughter, the mother is a giggler. I told her that her daughter has moved from saying, "Me happy" to "I am happy." Then I said I would fall on the floor because of happiness if her daughter said, "I am very happy" and received perfectly matched giggles from them both. At that moment, I knew it was a good night.

Talking, talking, talking

Tonight, I have found myself filled with words. It's as if I cannot stop talking. If something can be expressed in 10 words, I'll use 20. I don't know what is making me so verbose. I worry that it is not going to stop and I will talk myself into circles.

I talked to my sister (who was supposed to be in bed) and could not finish the conversation; I had one more thing to say - more than once. I talked with my professor about a student who I am worried about. I only painted with broad strokes and ended up missing some essential bits of information. My answer to this issue was to email her clarification. The answer to too many words was more words.

I think I've dipped into the obsessive part of myself...or I am experiencing some type of post-Parent Teacher Conference reaction. I hope that it changes for tomorrow. Or, I could be in trouble.

Yesterday's Fun and What I learnd today

I lived it up city style yesterday and actually went to the parade. For more than an hour, I was loving it--the lines and lines of people in the same outfit, the amazingly steady rotation of firemen to cops to bag-pipers to HS marching band, the fact that the slush I was standing in may be my last round of slush for a long time, and being by Central Park--my official favorite place in the city.
*****
My photo retrospective:

The learnings of today are as follows:
1. My brother can make some good chicken.
2. My sisters are going through life stages right before my eyes.
3. It's good to have someone to call and explain it all to-no matter where they are in the world.

Why my roommate is the best

She just told me about this movie. Seeing this is now a plan. Not the competition, the movie...but, maybe that will change after we see the documentary.

Balloon...balloon

Today, on my way to work, the snow and wind made the 60 degree day of earlier in the week a distant memory. After struggling up the avenue, a woman's umbrella dome ripped from the umbrella rod. It flew into the air, flipping over itself, flying 15 feet into the air. The woman was concerned that it would come crashing down onto my head (causing a horrid umbrella injury, I'm sure). I was not concerned...I was enthralled. I had the overwhelming desire to point and say, "Balloon, balloon."

How to deal with the day....

I have had a difficult day. My plans for inclined plane experiments were somewhat thrown off track by dangerous situations (more about this later). I've attempted to wash this day right out of my hair by watching movies. Then, I found this little tool to help me make the hard decisions...WWUD?

*****
Title-Can a simple machine make it easier to move a heavy object?
Prediction-I will see if a wheel and axial will help make it easier to move heavy object. I think it will be easier with a simple machine.
Description-My students will attempt to drag a heavy object across the rug using their own force and then using a simple machine they will attempt to do the same thing. They will see which took more "muscle."
Materials-Chair with rolling wheels and teacher acting as the heavy object.
Prediction-The students will not be able to move their teacher across the rug without the aid of a simple machine.
Observation-Most of the students could not move me across the rug without using the rolling chair. One boy, however, was able to drag me from one side to the other without a whole lot of effort.

Homework

At this moment, if you were looking in my window, it's possible you would think that I am deeply engaged in the dog Whisperer and enjoying a pretzel snack rather than doing my field notes for my thesis. It's probably because field notes are taking about 20% of my attention, the TV 30% and the snack 50%.

All of the homework that I have this year is making me more sympathetic to my students. But, not enough to take away their whole HW thing.

For real?

I was watching TV, the remote was not letting me fast forward past the commercials, and I saw the strangest thing. The Brooklyn Academy of Music has a new little something playing. Edward Scissorhands--the musical. How does this happen? It's craziness.

Squirrels

I have a fear of squirrels. Specifically, I fear them falling into my hair and then going ape. The noise I imagine is horrible.

It seems someone in Santa Monica also shares the fear. They've decided to put the squirrels on the pill. I think that's brilliant!

What they want to know

It's amazing what my students want to know about me. I talk about very little with them because it is not what they should focus on...but sometimes something slips out.

This morning, one of my students told me she was hungry because she only had the muffin from the school's breakfast. I told her that I only had toast and we'd have to wait for lunch. A few moments later, she said, "Do you have one of those toasters with two things and something you push down?" I said that I did.

From the other side of the room I heard someone stage whisper, "She has a toaster!"

I love these kids.

P.S.
A few minutes after the first exchange, the girl who had eaten a muffin told me that I could get a toaster with four spots at the 99 cent store. I told her that was good to know.

Pork

So, right now I am making a dinner I've never made before. It's a part of my branching out to new, tastier foods, and enjoying vacation by doing things I really like to do but have no time for in my normal life.

In an effort to avoid trichinosis, I went to the w.w.w. to look up some information about cooking time for pork.

What I found instead was a chart that made me stop for a moment.

It's a chart of a breakdown of daily caloric intake of pork, per person, by country.

1 Austria 352.8
2 Switzerland 349.6
3 Finland 343.2
4 China 331.8
5 France 301.6
6 Spain 296.3
7 Denmark 293.5
8 Poland 267.7
9 FR Yugoslavia 264.3
10 Germany 247.1

That's a lot of pork!

Special Pants for the Snow

As I drove to work this morning, having just hacked very thin but
amazingly tough layer of ice off of all the windows of my car, I
thought about cold weather gear--specifically snow pants. One of my
friends wore snow pants to school for the entire winter of our senior
year of college. It was Ithaca. So snow pants were a little stroke of
genius.

After my day at work, I came home and procrastinated a little too
much. I had to do a small (yet essential) load of laundry for my trip
on Friday. My strong hate for the whole process of hiking my junk to
the laundromat 3 blocks away was kicking in and the snow was not
helping the fact. When my roommate returned from her walk in the snow
that lasted for a few hours, she offered up her company on the walk as
a bribe. I took it.

But, before we left, I decided that my snow pants were the right gear
for the walk. This was a little influenced by the fact that the whole
point of the snowstorm-laundry trip was to wash the jeans I was
wearing and a few favorite shirts.

So, we made the walk there and back three times, dug our cars out for
the morning, and generally enjoyed the snow. I think the enjoyment was
partially due to the pants.

Base TV habits

So, I still have some TV watcher guilt in me. I did not have a TV for a long time (really that was no cable but to me that = no TV). Then I fell. This year the DVR came into my life. It makes me so aware of my viewing habits. It records everything. You have to make decisions when there are too many competing shows. Today, I made one of those decisions.

My roommate called and asked me to check on American Idol. I am not a fan of the Idol. But, she is and so I pushed record. The "You're recording too many things" menu came up and I had to choose which show not to record...Gilmore Girls or NOVA.

NOVA had to go.

I'm so ashamed.

Out and about

I am a big fan of observing others while I'm out. Sometimes, it may dip too far into staring to be considered polite. But, it usually brings little nuggets of goodness to my life.

Today's highlights:
*A woman was on line for the bathroom at Starbucks and was texting to what I assume was her friend. She texted, "No, you are not too fat. You are hot. Not fat."
*A man who had covered himself with mean looking tattoos had given himself a tattoo that the native women of New Zealand have traditionally given themselves. It was a little chin tattoo with some dots. The Maori grandmas I saw with the tattoo and this knuckle tattoo guy = same.
*A woman (wearing a winter hat with little cat ears) sat on the subway reading a book called the Birthing Partner. When our train came above ground, she called her friend and exclaimed, "Hey! Hi!" She then had a whole conversation in exclamations. I wondered if I was too cranky-NY to deal with shiny-happy people anymore. Then, I wondered if she was really the kind of person who should be around to calm someone who is birthing.

Oh NYC.

Easy, easy

I've been known to chronically complain about the level of convenience in my world. I say it's too low. Getting to things I want to get to usually involves some type of route being mapped out in advanced, unexpected miles driven/walked, confusion and then the inevitable trip to the suburbs.

Today, I found out that it's possible I've just not taken advantage of local resources. Did you know that you can refill a prescription over the phone? I'm not a habitual prescription drug user. So, this was news to me. I found out yesterday when I called the pharmacy, expecting to talk to a person and then got voice jail. Today, I called back, armed with my yellow highlighted number and arranged date and time for my pick up! I just have to show up. Amazing.

Makes me wonder about all of the other things I don't know are out there. I'm sure there are tons.

Drink up

I often feel some guilt for selling out to the coffee corporate giant. But, I like the calmness of their set up. And, I like the tea they have. And, the coffee. And, their gift section.

But, I still feel like I'm a sellout. That is, until today. I have learned that Starbucks now spends more on health care than on coffee beans. They say they do it because it's just the right thing to do.

I've just been absolved of my guilt.

Genetics

On my way home from school, I was talking to my sister when she said, "Do you have a boop or do I?" She was talking about call waiting. The boop was hers. After a few rapid-fire questions (Should I get that? I'm going to get that...don't go, okay? Should I get it?), she answered the call waiting.

Like my sister, I am often unsure of what to do about the beep. When I finally take the plunge and try to click over, I hang up on people.

It seems that it's genetic.

Why I love the Mini

When I was a teenager, I went to Ireland and saw my first Mini. Actually Minis. They were everywhere - all old-school and very clown car-esque. I joked that I wanted to bring one home as overhead luggage.

My love of the Mini continued as I traveled to places where Mini's roamed. Then they came to the US and quickly replaced all other cars as my favorite. Cute, zippy cars = perfect in my world.

I have recently been thinking that I would really actually like to have one of these cars. While I love my Honda Civic, it lacks some of the sexiness that's inherent to the Mini. And, my '97 Civic also lacks power windows/locks, comfortable seats, and some of the major safety features I've come to like in my old age.

Today, the Mini-love found a new level. Having a Mini now means that you can have a personalized billboard. Until 5 minutes ago, I didn't know that I wanted a personalized billboard. But, now I really, really do....

Go Team!

So, I'm a few hours from my very first Superbowl party. Well...the Superbowl and party in their broadest definition.

The game has been FauxVoed, so the game part can be fast-forwarded so we can watch the good commercials. We plan on watching a little Top Chef in between commercials. The party is really just my friend and my roommate. But, I'm excited that I get make all sorts of things that can be eaten with fingers and use all my favorite serving dishes.

(sound of a sigh)

Today was one of those days. Because it was one of those days teaching, it held the hardest and the sweetest things possible. The difficult moments highlighted the fact that you can not predict human behavior. The good moments made things just seem right. I helped my students divide a whole into tenths, hundredths, and thousandths and then convert that to it's decimal equivalent. I listened to a student read a book that is a grade level beyond what she came in reading. I wrote a paragraph with a student who normally ends a writing period with a blank paper.

I'm tired because of the tough stuff. I know I'm a teacher because all of the other stuff is good stuff.

Music on the Tee-vee

Over the weekend, I had a theme of good music - brought to me by the television.

It started with a little Fearless Freaks (a documentary about the Flaming Lips which I highly recommend). It seemed a little disjointed in the beginning and then turned out to be brilliant. It reminded me of their music.

Then a little channel flipping brought me some old school Rolling Stones. PBS was playing the Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus. It's a little bit of 1968 perfectness.

morning internet research

There is nothing like a little early morning w.w.w. time to bring an interesting thing to your life:

• is your rent too little, too much or just right for your area?

Jumpy

In the past two days, three cars have backfired outside of my window. I'm easily startled. The sound of a gun outside of my window is basically guaranteed to get a jump out of me. Three times in two days seems like some type of punishment.

P.S. My roommate has been trying to get me to watch American Idol for quite some time. Tonight, I caved. [It's cold and my only other real option is laundry]. What I've taken from this experience is a reconfirmation of my amazement at the things people do. American Idol also seems like some type of punishment...and it's leaving me jumpy, too.

Snacks

I have a pretty real need to eat on a once every two hours schedule. I get faint (which actually almost happened in my classroom today and has now become my new biggest fear, totally trumping rats). I get grumpy. I get the shakes.

But, I also just enjoy the eating. Sometimes, I think that I'm too quick to fall to my momentary thoughts of pretzels or yogurt. Right now, rather than analyzing the clapping during the State of the Union, I'm wondering if the 4 snacks of tonight means that I have to be done.

I'm just not sure.

Stations

I've recently been thinking about my appreciation for the people in my lives who have distinct stations in their world. Over there, that's their music station. Around the corner and you hit their computer station. A little bit further down, entertainment station.

I was concerned because I didn't think I had stations and I was going to have to fight my nature to develop some. On my ride home from work, I realized that I actually do have stations; mine are just a little further apart.

I have a work station--my classroom. If I try to do work outside of this station, I fail horribly. This week, I've tried to bring work home each night and left the school around 4. It should have worked. But, oh it did not. When I stay at school until 6 p.m., I get tons done...just like tonight-Woo-woo.

Then, I have my rest station-my apartment. I putter. I talk to people I like. I sit quietly. I catch up on the world that can be reached through the w.w.w. It's lovely.

My final station is the rest of the world. It's the station that reminds me that I actually do like others and that fun can be had outside of rest stations. It's just that sometimes, I forget.