January 30, 2006
Well, how was my first night in my shoe box? Well, I have to admit I enjoyed it. I slept on the leftover mattress. With the full size mattress on the floor, there was no place to walk around. On closer inspection of the closet, the rod was poorly attached, and poorly measured (to compensate a block of wood was attached with a screw and the rod was attached to the block). Despite the little things, I did enjoy the first night. Sorry, it is late. I haven’t eaten lunch, and I haven’t eaten dinner. Last night after picking up some clothes, I got on the wrong train. I ended up getting home at 10pm. After ironing, and putting things in order, I went to bed about 2am. And, I had to get up at 5:30am.

I tried to visit the local internet café, but all of the computers were in use. After shopping for a few things, I returned to my foster father’s apartment (debating whether to go to my room or not). After a couple of hours of trying to relax and write a blog entry, I realize that I should go.

Until next time…

January 31, 2006
I finally got a computer at the local internet café. I am starting to fall asleep at this computer terminal, so I better keep this short.

Today, I was given a sixth grade class to teach. The day went okay. Now, I am going to stop by a copy center to make some copies, just in case I am given the same class again tomorrow. Luckily, carrying 15 (or 20) pounds of worksheets paid off today. Even though I only found about the 6th grade class about 10 minutes before picking up the class, I had more than enough worksheets to keep the students busy. I think being relatively prepared made the day less stressful.

This morning, I finally took a photo of my shoe box. Once I transfer the photo from my camera, I will post the photo.

I am sure some of you might be thinking, “ I wonder how long it will be before the complaints start to fall like rain". At the moment, I am still enjoying the room (and the freedom). I am also enjoying sharing a kitchen and bathroom in an apartment where everyone seems to keep out of sight. Now, if they would only be a little bit neater. I like a clean living space. Unfortunately, a couple of my housemates don’t seem to share my cleaning philosophy. How soon should the new guy start leaving polite notes to his housemates about cleaning up after themselves? The trash had been sitting in the kitchen for at least 3 days; the same can be said for the dishes in the sink. I am seeing more and more little roaches crawling around the kitchen. I am sure it will only be a matter of time before I see the mice. I got tired of seeing the trash, so I took out the days old trash yesterday evening. As for the dishes I think I might wash them once, then start piling the dirty dishes (in the future) on the counter. At the moment, there are so many dishes that I can barely put my cup under the faucet.

Now, I am fighting sleep, so I better end this. Ja mata…

January 29, 2006
Finally, I am back on the internet. Yesterday, I tried to post an entry using the computer at the local internet café, but for some reason, I was not able to log on. I also tried Saturday, but all of the computers were in use. And again this morning I tried, but again all of the computers were in use.

After days of excuses, and procrastinating, I finally returned to my new room. Rainy day to carry my things up to the Bronx. The first thing I noticed was the room was actually smaller than I imaged. Before going up, I took a few measurements at my foster father’s apartment. I used the measurements to get a sense of what I could (or would) be able to bring with me. It turns out that I twin-sized bed would take up half of the room. I decided that I would buy an Americanized futon bed to save a few inches in my shoe box. I found an ad in a couple of newspapers advertising futon frames for $49. I thought to myself, “great, a cheap bed”. I went to the furniture warehouse, and it turned out that the frame was cheap, but the mattress (by my poverty standards) was not cheap. The “cheap” futon mattress was about $90. The sales person was trying to sell me a more expense mattress. Sorry, I have to keep this short. I have to return to my foster father’s place, pick up some clothes, and go back to my shoe box and get ready for work. I will be returning to one of the other schools I worked at in the past. Unfortunately, the start time is 7:45. Just a quick summary of today.

I did about 30 minutes on my rowing machine.
Shaved my head.
Relaxed in the bath.
Brought my teaching materials to my shoe box.
Bought a futon. It will be delivered sometime next week. Oh, by the way. Here in New York, there was a “friendly-fire (cop on cop) shooting incident yesterday at a big restaurant chain in the Bronx. Guess where the furniture warehouse I went to is located. Right behind the restaurant. Today, only Channel 2 news teams was there.

After I bought my futon, I realized that I should buy a blanket and an ironing board. I was also planning to buy a new lock for my room. The lock on my room door does not work. In the neighborhood there is a big department store chain (known for its tools, and some furniture), would you believe that this branch of this big chain had no furniture, and did not have any door locks.

Well, let me end this now. The internet café is about to close.

January 28, 2006
Again, where do I begin? Sorry for the week without an entry. I did a stint subbing in another school. I was really impressed with the school tone. There were not kids running, and cursing throughout the hallways. It wasn’t great, but again, relatively speaking it was a nicer experience than the previous school. Yes, the kids were wild, disrespectful, but (relatively speaking) I had a much less stressful experience. Why am I not surprised that they did not ask me to return.

Yesterday, I returned to one of the other wild schools (mentioned in previous entries). I only returned because a couple of administrators really, really wanted me to work there. I have a very hard time saying no. I decided that I could handle a day -- and that day being a Friday, made the chaos easier to endure.

So, what kind of day was it? It started with me receiving a schedule to cover an absent teacher’s classes. 5 minutes later, the schedule had to be modified. 10 minutes later I was rushed to a 3rd grade classroom. I was told that I might have to cover that class all day. The minute I walked in, I could tell that it was probably a class with a wild reputation. It took me about 10 minutes to get the students calm and focused. And once the students were calm…the regular assigned teacher came. The assistant principal later explained the situation with the 3rd grade class. The regular teacher assigned to the class is a regular teacher at the school who was assigned this class to replace the original teacher -- I don’t know what happened to the original teacher. What the “regular assigned” teacher has been doing (according to the assistant principal) is coming to school late, so that a sub would have to take the class for the day. However, the assistant principal did not accept her lateness yesterday; he made her take the 3rd grade class anyway. The assistant principal really would like me to commit to being a full time sub at this school, so he has been trying to give me really good (relatively speaking) classes. This is a school where the teachers (for the upper grades) go to their classrooms, and the students are “sent up”. Each time I’ve subbed at this school the morning “send up” is a little like the “running of the bulls”. Yesterday one teacher had a red Mohawk hairstyle, and another teacher (in the past) usually wore a faded jeans ensemble (with a faded jean baseball cap). In the past, I would wonder (to myself) how do you tell students to take their hats off in the school building when a teacher is wearing a cap. Yesterday, the baseball cap wearing teacher didn’t have his cap on. I also heard (through out the day) the sounds of teachers yelling in the hallways for students to take off caps, hoods and do rags (a kind of stocking cap worn in inner cities). There must be a no hat policy now in effect. I could go on, but I have things to do.

So, what else is new?

Last week, I rented a room. This weekend I plan to move a few things, and then next week, rent a truck to move the rest.

So, what is the room like?

Small. Very small. Very, very small. By Japanese measurements, the room is about 3 or 4 tatamis in size. By American measurements, it is about the size of a big walk-in closet -- or a college dorm (space for a twin bed, a desk, and not much else). Sorry, I don’t have a photo at the moment. I kind of got the room on an impulse. The rent is $100 per week. I have to share the kitchen and the bathroom. The one time I was there, I saw a couple of guys, a couple of women, and a woman with a child, so it looks like a full house.

When I first saw the room, I told the manager that I would think about it (with the idea in my mind that I would not take it). But after walking a couple of blocks, on an impulse, I decided to take it. When I refused the room at first, I began to think of reasons to not take it, and excuses of how I would quickly find another “better room” (in the mean time, I would have to stay with my foster father), but as I walked something in me just said I am an adult, and an adult wouldn’t be running home to papa. So, with only the briefest of looks – I don’t even have a clear mental image of the room (only that it is small…very, very small). I have not returned to the room since I saw it that one time. At the time, the guy in the next room had his stereo on full blast. Not the greatest first impression, but I was proud of myself for taking the leap.

Strange, I just had a thought. This “room leap” just gave me the same feeling I had when I accepted the teaching job in Japan about 6 years ago.

I was planning to go to my room yesterday after school, but I had a little bit of bad financial news. Or should I have said “more” bad financial news.

I had an alternative reason for going to the above school. The payroll secretary forgot to include the two days I worked (in December), and I wanted to straighten out the mistake. I am learning that it is better to handle problems to bureaucracies face to face. On telephones you are just a voice, and on the computer, you are just some words.

As I was leaving the school, the payroll secretary from the previous school (see the recent entries about last week’s school) called me on my cell phone. Apparently, there was a mistake with the computer codes and none of the payroll data was approved. Basically, this means none of the teachers (at that school) would receive their regular pay for the next pay period. There was a silver lining. Any teacher affected could request an emergency check (for 60% of that pay period’s salary). I just need to go to the regional office to pick up the check. After the phone call, I was not in a mood to travel up to the Bronx to visit the shoe box that will probably be my home for a few months.

So, what are my financial plans at the moment?

Rent for my shoe box will be due around the first of the month. I need (want to) buy a futon (or folding bed) for my shoe box room. Then, there are the other household things (iron, ironing board, sheets, blankets, etc…). Also next month, I want to go to Washington DC for a job interview with the same organization that originally paid my way to Japan. After about 3 years of waiting, I’ve been invited for a job interview. If the interview is successful, I will be offered a teaching assignment overseas again. Although I would like to return to Japan, I put “no preference” for teaching location on my job application. It is very difficult to get a teaching assignment; an applicant has a better chance if he (or she) is open to any location. To go to Washington DC, I need to rent a hotel room, a bus fare (cheaper than train), I need to by a suit, I need to have money for food, and I would like to do a little sightseeing. I’ve never been to Washington DC.

Well, until next time…

January 23, 2006 9:58pm

Quick entry. Today I started subbing at another school. Although it is too early to tell, I think this school might be better. However, I don’t want to get my hopes up. I still have 3 more days at this school. All in all, I think today was a nice day, despite the rain. My schedule was nice (only 4 classes), and I had a preparation period first period. The only (minor) problem I encountered was the assistant principal wanting me to teach social studies lessons since I was covering for the social studies teacher. I did understand her reasoning, but I was a little annoyed that there was no plan, but she wanted me to still teach social studies. She did have a valid position. The students really should have the same lesson (to the best of the teacher’s abilities) that they would have received if their teacher was not absent. All in all, I had a fairly relaxed day. I was out of the school by 3:15; it has been a long time since I’ve been out of the building by 3:15.

After school, I returned to the realty agency that I went to on Sunday. It turns out that (despite the recorded message on the company’s answering machine) the company was closed on Sunday (that’s why no one answered the door). I paid the company a finder’s fee($150), and I received one of several possible rooms available for rent. I will see the first available room on Wednesday evening. Tomorrow, I have to go to a “violence in schools” workshop. In order to get my New York City Teaching License which expired while I was in Japan, I will have to take the violence workshop and a Multi-Subject Content examination.
Well, tomorrow is the workshop. Hopefully, I will have another good day tomorrow. Oh, by the way, the first room I will be looking at is a small room (I will have to share kitchen and bath); the room is located in the Bronx. A bit far, but if I can just get a little peace and quiet, then I think I could be comfortable living in the Bronx.

Ja mata…

I just tried to post this entry, but I used up my free internet minutes for this month. I'll have to wait until tomorrow to post this entry.

Where to start? Where to start? Oh, I almost forgot the reminder I left for myself.
http://www.blogger.com/profile/9502171
Above is the index page for my blog. The page names may change in the future which means the address will change, but the index page won’t change. A few weeks ago, when I changed the title, I did not realize that the address was changed as well. If you are going to bookmark my blog, you should also bookmark the index page so that you will always be able to find me in the blog o sphere.

Today, I did not do much. I washed a couple loads of laundry. I went downtown to a room realty company. Yes, I still plan to get my own place. Right now, I can only afford a single room, with possible sharing a bathroom and kitchen. When I got to the realty company (it looked more like an apartment building instead of an office building) the downstairs door was locked and the buzzer was not working. I called the company on my cell phone, but I only got the answering machine. According to the answering machine, the company had Sunday hours (10am to 4pm), which was why I came downtown to begin with.

Next month, I’ve been invited to be interviewed for a possible teaching assignment overseas. I am very excited!!!!

Sorry for the delay with my blog entries. Last week, I was really put to work. I was so tired that that once I returned home, I would fall asleep (without eating dinner), wake up around 2 or 3 in the morning. Try to make heads or tails out of the materials that I was given to plan my lessons, and then I would fall asleep at 4 only to get up at 6am. I would like to give a detailed summary of last week, but I am going to have to be brief.

Last Tuesday (Monday was a holiday), I started one of the hardest assignments. The kids really didn’t want me for a teacher. I think I brought too much order to the disorder that they were used to. When I appeared with a typed homework sheet and spelling word list, the students started to mutiny. They were drawing posters, and chanting that they wanted their teacher back. In order to keep (or try to keep) the students in line, I started threatening them with taking photos of their bad behavior and showing the photos to their parents. The principal was not happy with my “motivationally tactic”. She did not want (according to her) “the photos to become an issue”. She “just didn’t want to deal with the photo issue”. The principal suggested that I try some other kind of reward system. I mentioned that rewards were just a fancy word for bribery. She said that she would rather deal with bribery for the students than to deal with the photos of the disruptive students.

I felt like the principal was tying my hands. On the one hand, she wanted the class under control, but on the other hand, she did not want to do anything that would create a conflict with the parents.

When I found out that I would be substituting for the previous teacher, I wanted to try to set a new tone with the students. I wrote a letter of introduction outlining my classroom policies and procedures. And by the end of the school day, my letter was edited out of existence. The reason? I was told that my letter gave the impression that the school, and the students were out of control. Really!?!? When a student can say something to the principal like “I’ll call your mama” (with no consequence), or a student can be escorted out of the class (to call her mother), only to have that student return within 10 minutes (nobody was home), and begin singing at the top of her voice within 5 minutes of returning, how much control is in place?

Sorry, this entry is sounding a little choppy, I am trying to type as fast as my turtle slow hands can, and at the same time, I am trying to be brief.

On Friday, I arrived at school at 8:02, I wanted to print out a spelling list worksheet I made (I still don’t have a printer at home), and photocopy some work for the students. After about 20 minutes of running around, and finishing with 5 minutes before it was time to pick up the students, the principal informs me that due to an emergency (two teachers were absent), I would have to cover another class. Later, I was told that the teacher I was covering for notified the school administration about a week prior, that she would not be coming in.

Friday afternoon, my plan was to straighten up the classroom, and leave the school about 3:30 to go to the post office. I needed a postal money order for the Teacher’s examination testing fee ($88 dollars – plus $30 dollars if the payment is past the due date—and it was) 5 minutes to 3pm, the guidance counselor told me that the 5th grade students need to be taken to the main office to pick up their portfolios for Middle school interviews the next day. However, the portfolios were not ready, and the students were their usual impatient selves. The principal asked me to stay with the students in the hallway, while she (and the guidance counselor) put the portfolios together. They finished about 3:35. I asked the principal if she needed any other assistance (actually, I was expecting a thank you for giving up my time), but instead I only got a “no, there is nothing else”…Not even a thank you. I think that school might have gotten a little too comfortable with me. Although I was planning to return, I’ve decided to take some time off away from that school. Tomorrow, I will be subbing at another school.

Again, I apologize for the choppy writing of this blog entry, but I was trying to be brief and at the same time, give as many details as possible.

Well, until next time….Ja mata…

Hello Pen pal. I am going to try to keep this entry as short as possible; I have a lot of work to do. Last week was a fairly easy week (relatively speaking), so that was why I did not post a blog entry for several days. Basically, it was more of the same. On Thursday things started to change. I was assigned the S.A.V.E. room. I was given 3 boys from a third grade class, and 1 boy from a fifth grade class. All were low performers (academically speaking). One boy seemed to be starving for attention. He just seemed unable to stop talking for most of the day. He would also get the fifth grader to chase him around the room. Even when the fifth grader would threaten to punch the boy in the face, the boy would dare him. Once the fifth grade gave chase, the 3rd grader would be so happy running. Occasionally, the 3rd grader -- with his elbows tucked in at his sides) would start flapping his hands like a little bird, running and jumping like he was trying to fly. All the while, he would have the biggest grin on his face because he was being chased.

Also, another side note. During the trip to the bathroom (students in the S.A.V.E.[school detention] program are not allowed to leave the room unsupervised. The boys were having a conversation about their birthdays. One of the boys mentioned that his older brother went to prison (the day before) for stealing an ipod. They laughed and joked. I just thought that it was sad. Anyway…

On Thursday, I arrived to school at 8:18. Usually I like to arrive earlier (around 8:00am). The night before, I did about 20 minutes on my rowing machine. Thursday was the first time in about a week I was using my rowing machine. Before that, my knees were feeling a little sore…I think I might have over did the exercising. Anyway, I really wanted to exercise because I usually put it off and before you know it, summer will have come and gone. Sorry, I am getting sidetracked.

I arrived to school on Friday morning about 10 minutes early. I was expecting to be in the S.A.V.E. room (no preparation needed), but instead, I was asked to cover a 5th grade class, actually, one of the worst classes (if not thee worst) class in the school. Then, when I was able to remove the look of shock, fear, and dread from my face, the assistant principal drops another bomb. She tells me that she would like me to cover the class for today, and all of next week. And my preparation period was at the end of the day.

Later, I discovered that the teacher quit!

A bit shocked. A bit surprised. Yes. However, I should have been looking at the warning signs:

About a week ago, an administration asked about my future availability. Usually, a simple “what days (or weeks) are you available” question would be asked. Last week, the administrator wrote down everything I’d said.

A couple of weeks ago there was a faculty meeting in the teacher’s lounge. Usually, I just sit in the corner with my pile of worksheets. Since I am a sub, there is usually nothing in the faculty meeting that relates to me. I come to school, I babysit a class (or classes) then I leave for the day. The meetings are usually about school policy changes, paperwork etc… The last meeting, I was asked to sit in on the meeting -- and I was given a copy of everything the other teacher’s received. What does a substitute teacher need with a “do not disturb sign” for a standardized test that I would not be administering? Anyway, the kids were wild and out of control. Instead of writing anecdotes about the chaos, I just used my digital camera to take photos of the students not working. In total, I ended up taking 101 photos. When I finish with this blog entry, I am going to the drugstore to have them develop. I told the kids that I would be speaking with each and every parent, and offer the photos to any parent that wanted to see how their child behaved in school. Did I call? No. Why?

After spending the day (on a couple of occasions) to tell me not to tell the students anything about their teacher not returning (with the assumption that I knew anything), I was told that during last period (my preparation period) while the students were in the gym, the administrator came to tell the students that their teacher would not return to school.

When I came into the gymnasium, almost all of the students were crying. To be honest, I’d thought that the gym teacher hit the students. It turns out (as I just mentioned above) they were crying because they “wanted their teacher back”. Personally, I just think they just did not want me to be their new teacher. Although, anyone who knows me knows that I am basically as soft as a jellyfish, when it comes to teaching, I usually (try to) provide a structured, organized classroom, something I don’t think those kids were used to. It took me about 3 hours just to tackle the teacher’s desk, find the teacher’s textbooks, and put the classroom in reasonably presentable condition for next week. There were piles on top of piles of the teacher’s materials in various places around the room. I ended up taking home about 15 (or 20) pounds of the teacher’s books so that I could plan my lessons for next week; I felt like a pack mule.

Oh, I almost forgot to answer the question about calling parents. Since the kids were going home (in tears) with a letter stating that their teacher would not be returning, I did not think I would have gotten much support from parents if I complained about the behavior of their child. Ja mata…

Hello Pen pal. I just uploaded about 27 photos to my other website. The photos are from my October walks around the New York area.

One set was of photos taken while I walked around the perimeter of Central Park.
Another was taken on a walk from 23rd street to 125th street.
The last set uploaded was taken on a walk from downtown Brooklyn to 125th street. The last walk took about 4 hours to complete.

Well, I think that is about it. I was planning to go to the mall today, but having spent about 3 hours here on the internet cafe computer uploading photos, I am tired. I'll buy some take-out on my way home; I will use my rowing machine later this evening. I skipped a couple of days on my rowing machine. Ja mata...

Hello Pen pal. A quick entry. Yesterday I had a very easy schedule at school. I was in the S.A.V.E room for the day with 2 students. Basically, S.A.V.E. is a fancy name for in school detention. Teachers are suppose to send work for the student (from their class) who has detention. The students are suppose to work (independently) on the assignments given. Of course, rarely do they work independently. However, yesterday’s group (of 2) was okay. The day before yesterday, however, was a different story. I had a group of 3 students. They laugh, played, and sang songs (in Spanish). I could go on, but I would rather go onto something a little bit more positive.

Yesterday, during my (last period) prep – When I don’t need to make preparations for lessons, then (in my opinion) last period preps are the best. I decided to look through the newspaper for available (cheap) rooms. I came across an ad for a small kitchenette. There was no price listed – and I was not exactly sure what a kitchenette was. I did have a vague idea of a kitchenette, but when it comes to advertisements, definitions can (and usually do) take on alternate meanings. I “room with a park view” could be a room with a view of a parked car.

Anyway, since I had time to kill. I decided to call, just out of curiosity. To make a long story short, the person was a woman interested in rent out a part of her brownstone. She said that the previous tenant was a slob who didn’t appreciate the room. When I told her that I couldn’t afford to pay security and a month’s rent at this moment, she said that she would think about renting the room to me. I gave her the school phone numbers of two schools that I worked at. It is a long shot, but long shots are better than no shots. Yes, that sounds pretty corny.

Well, that is about it. Although today is Saturday, I will back date this entry for yesterday. Why? If I post more than one entry in a day, the last entry will appear first. Therefore, if I post an entry about today’s activities, then you (the reader) would be reading today’s entry first, then…...

Never mind the explanation; I was just being a bit of a perfectionist.

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January 4, 2006

Hello Pen pal. It has been a few days so just a quick update (I hope). Do you remember the entry I wrote about awhile back about a teacher who I thought was incredibly rude. She'd mentioned that I would enjoy having her class if she were ever out sick? Well, yesterday she was out sick, and I had her class. The result? She was correct. I really enjoyed subbing for her. Her class was very focused; her students (relatively speaking) were very independent. Yesterday was the first time in a very, very long time, I was able to have a stress free day. I did not have to yell once.

Onto another topic (briefly, I hope).

In the previous blog entry, I mentioned that I was planning to move out and find a place of my own. I searched the newspaper and found a room being offered in Brooklyn for $120 per week; I would have to share kitchen and the bathroom. I called the phone number listed. I was told the room would be available, but I would have to act quickly. I was told that I would need to bring a deposit ($120, security [$120], and a broker’s fee [$120]) to get the room. In total, I needed to have $360 to get the room if I liked what I saw when I went to see the place. I was given an appointment to see the place today. I was also told to call before I came. I was very excited! I searched the internet for information about the neighbor (ie nearest public transportation, banks, stores etc…). So, what was the result? I called today and I was told, “Sorry, the room is uninhabitable”.

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January 1, 2006
Happy New Year! Yesterday started with an argument between my foster father and myself. A little background information?

When I agreed to move back in, I said that I would contribute to the rent and to the phone bill. For reasons I rather not go into now (for the sake of time), I am not going to explain why I was being so specific. Basically, to ensure that the money I worked so hard for (see previous blog entries related to work) went where I wanted it to, I gave my foster father postal money orders. He did not like receiving money orders; he wanted cash. And he found every reason why money orders were not good. Now, back to the argument.

Last month, my foster father paid the rent early. In my opinion, I think he was hoping that if he paid early (before I received my paycheck), I would then have to give him cash; since my main (and consistent) argument has been that I would only contribute to the rent and the phone (household goods I would buy as needed).

With the rent paid, my foster father went on, and on during the month about his responsibility to take care of the rent (how he can’t wait—the rent has to be paid before for the 1st of the month. On and on. On and on. Okay, so what did I do?

Since he refused to take the postal money order and apply it to the next rent. I combined that money order with another one for “my contribution” to next month’s rent and mailed both money orders to the housing manager. In total, I mailed $400 dollars, and with the internet, I was able to confirm that the money orders were delivered December 27th. My foster father waited until New Year’s Eve (banks and post offices closed) to tell me that he was going to pay the rent, and he was expecting cash from me (the $400 I promised). Never mind all that talk about paying the rent on time. And never mind that instead of nothing in his rent account, there was $400 there (the monthly rent is $619 dollars). It became my fault that the rent is going to be late. I’m skipping details and other situations, but basically I was furious. I told him I was moving out (within 2 weeks).

Now, I just have to follow through.

After the argument, I think my foster father realized that he was wrong (to a point). But instead of admitting he was wrong, he gave me $60 dollars “for my Christmas present”. Now, I think in the 20 years that I’ve lived here; I must have received a Christmas present 3 (or maybe 4) times (cash each time). At first I was going to refuse it (I really don’t like hand outs), but someone told me that I don’t know how to take a complement, and I refuse (too often) when someone is offering me a gift. So I took the money.

I bought a sweatband and weightlifting gloves (to use on my rowing machine). And I went to the American Museum of Natural History (suggested entry price of $14). Unfortunately, the $14 did not buy my way into any of the special exhibits, so I skipped the special dinosaur show and the butterfly show. Unfortunately, I am becoming a real cheap-skate in my old age. So how was the museum? It was okay. The place was huge!! And being very bad with directions, in the beginning, I just wandered around the solar system exhibit, before I followed my usual plan of action. I started at the top (the 4th fl.), and walked in a clockwise pattern (as much as possible). Usually, the crowd are greater at the beginning; I start at the end and work my way back. Since I was alone, it wasn’t as much fun as I think it would have been if I had someone to talk to. Also, it would have been easier to have pictures taken with me in them. It is difficult for me to ask a stranger to take my picture, then when the picture is unclear, to ask that person to take the picture over.

About the photos. I took about 80 photos (I am in two—both fairly blurry), I will try to narrow down the collection to about 30 (or so) and post them on my other web site. Sorry, I still have to upload the other photos from previous walk-arounds.

Well, I think that is about it. Now, I am going to go to the mall. I was too tired yesterday after walking around the museum. The first photo was taken at 1:33, and the last photo was taken at 5:22(inside the museum). Since I did not eat lunch, I was walking on exhaust fumes.

I bought “take-out” at a local soul food restaurant. Since the argument, I’ve decided not to shop, cook, or clean for others (which is what I’ve been doing for the past 4 months) until I move out.

I wanted to try posting this blog entry using my free internet connection minutes for the new month, but my foster father’s lady friend is still on the phone. I think she has been on the phone for almost an hour. Oh, I think she just got off the phone, so I’ll try posting.

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