A long day. Yes, the movers hired by the BOE did come to move our things. The movers were 6 Russian exchange students and two Americans. Two of the Russian movers were young ladies. Since there waa a lot of boxes, it was not possible to go through the boxes while to boxes came.

I am starting to fall aslep at this computer, so I will have to finish another time.

Preparation Week has been anything but...So five days to get ready for the new school year, lets see what I've accomplished. I wanted to start last Wednesday, but no one was in the building.


Monday - I arrived to get a day early start. This Monday, I was told by my principal that I would have to relocate to another room. Monday was spent packing up the things in my closets and cabinets.

Tuesday - All day training for the new reading program. No moving, no unpacking, and no setting up.

Wednesday - Day 2 training for the new reading program. I was told that movers would come (and I could skip the training to supervise the placement of my materials). However, no movers came. I was told that if my things were not moved by Thursday, then, I would just stay in my old room. No unpacking, and no setting up of bulletin boards.

Thursday - Things finally came to a bit of a head between the two admins. (from my school and the charter school coming in). I could go into details of the conflicts, and confusions over the moves, but I think I should keep those aspects out of my blog. This blog is supposed to be about my boring adventures, so I will stick to that. Quick summary of my day.

Orientation of faculty members in the auditorium at about 9:10am. During the orientation, I am notified that the movers have arrived. They were planning to move my things out of my old room on the 3rd floor right wing of the building, so they (the charter school can set up). However, there was a conflict...long story short nothing was moved. Up until today, I was reluctant to touch anything out of fear of being stuck with having to move everything. I also did not start putting up bulletin boards in the new room out of fear that I would have to stay in the old room. The conflict may have been settled, so I started setting up the bulletin boards in the new new. I was told this evening that "movers" would arrived 8:30am to move my things from the old room. What movers (Charter school or BOE)? Sorry, I don't know. Tomorrow is Friday, the last day of the week. School starts on Tuesday of next week(Monday is a holiday - Labor Day [No school]). While other teachers are putting the final touches on their classrooms, I will be starting to unpack tomorrow...if I am lucky. I will also be lucky to get to spend the Saturday of the three day weekend in school continuing to set up my classroom. Lucky me! :(

Oh, I almost forgot, during the welcome back orientation, the principal announced that the new reading program that we had two days of training on, might not be able to be done in our school (funding would only be provided if our school was a lower performing school). BOE will make a decision September 6th. Another thing, apparently someone (it wasn't me), sent a letter to the heads of the BOE complaining about being coersed into coming to school two days early. After giving a speech basically about keeping business in the house (and how any problems can be solved inside, she distributed photocopies of the letter to everyone attending the faculty meeting. I am not sure what the purpose was of giving each person a copy of the letter for, however, it did put to rest any lingering doubts about pursuing a grievance against the principal for the "D" rating I received.

What is the plan for tomorrow? If I get a good night's sleep. Hopefully, I will have a lot of energy tomorrow. My plan (assuming the movers arrive at 8:30am), as they are bringing the items into the room, I will be putting things away and in the place I most expect the items to stay. Having spent 3 days after school was over, carefully labeling (most of) the boxes, I should have everything mostly in place by 4 or 5pm. Saturday, I will come in to do the finishing touches, or finish the loose ends.


Post Date - Thursday, August 30, 2007 8:04pm

Today was the unofficial/official first day back. Officially NYC school teachers are required to return on Thursday. Today was the day teachers at my school were strongly, strongly encouraged to attend. We were told that today would be an all day training. However, we (the lowly teachers) found out that training would be two-full days instead of one. I arrived to school at 8:45am. I decided that I would start moving only those things that I would need to get me classroom organized. About 8:30, the principal calls me to her office she asks me to help the guest trainers doing on site training moving tables and chairs. At that time, she still maintains that I would not have to move anything. She said that the other (charter) school coming leaving the building and the new charter school coming into the building, both should have had their rooms changing cleared and ready for us. But since they didn't, then it is not our fault. Then she said that if they don't move by a certain date (I think she said Thursday), then I would just stay in my room. So, basically, I am in limbo. On Monday, I should have been setting up, but instead I was packing up. I think I was one of only two teachers that came to school on Monday. The other teacher to come on Monday was the 4th grade teacher who also has to move. Since she didn't pack up her closet things in June, I think she wanted to get a headstart. As for me, I am in limbo while other teachers came back today, and they are already putting their classroom together. What am I doing? I am participating in an all day training session for today and tomorrow. Lucky me?

So, my morning was basically moving other peoples' furniture (the teacher whose room was being used was supposed to be setting up her room for the training, but she was setting up her room, and seemed to be ignoring the visitor. I thought I was moving desks and chairs for the training set up, but the classroom teacher was basically setting up her room around the visiting trainer. When I realized I was helping her move her furniture -- as if I didn't have my own room to get in order. I left. Next, because I asked AP2 about items the other school had left in the room I was moving into, I sort of ended up volunteering to help move the bookcases out of the room.

While I was helping to move the bookcases, announcements were made, which I couldn't hear as usual. I ended up arriving to training about 6 or 7 minutes late. Training lasted until 12:00, then we had lunch. The principal (as a way to say thank you to the staff for coming on an unpaid day), she bought a lunch spread for the staff. Last year, I avoided the cattle call food line. Each time, she chooses the main office to put the food spread on the counter top. A space that is about 4ft x 10ft for the entire staff. The meal consisted of soda, three 6ft long sandwiches, potato salad, cole slaw, and macaroni salad. By the time, I got to the counter -- I tried to avoid the yap yap and the arm wrap hugs. Sorry, I am one of those people that don't really like the hugging and kisses...especially when I am covered in sweat. Anyway, when I got to the counter, the mac was gone, the plates were gone also. Only cocktail plates about 4in in diameter were left. I had two of the mini plates. I had what was leftover. The people who got on line first came out with plates piled a mile high, I guess they forgot there were other people on the line.

The afternoon training finished about 2:50. The visiting trainer wanted to keep us until 3pm exactly -- she was worried that she might get into trouble if she ended early, but after a couple of minutes teachers were getting up and leaving, not really listening to her as she was speaking.

Somethings kids are the way they are because parents (and teachers) are the way they are.

I was out of the building about 3:05pm. I stopped by Teacher's College Bookstore to buy some bulletin board paper. Then I decided to risk returning to the BOE to get my ID changed. I thought I would make it about 4:30, but I didn't. I went to Barnes & Nobles instead. I finished reading Dragon Avenger by E.E. Knight on my way down to BOE. Dragon Avenger was okay. I liked Dragon Champion better. I wanted something different to read this time, but I could not make up my mine. I was in B & N for about an hour. Finally, I settled on Spearwielder's Tale by R.A. Salvatore. The book is a one volume reprinting of The Spearwielder's Trilogy(662 pages).

After B&N, I was very hungry. That Principal's lunch left me hungry (the food was gone when I went for seconds). I went to McDonald's for the Big Mac value meal. Yes, I need to start exercising again.


Post Date - Tuesday, August 28, 2007 11:23pm

Back to the salt mines. My plan was to be up by 7 and out the door by 8am. Today was technically the last day of my vacation, but I wanted a bit of a headstart with setting up. I had a bit of trouble moving this morning. My body just wasn't used to getting up before 9am. So, today was a good day to go to work, I looked at today like a "dry run". I left my apartment at about 9:15am.

I arrived at school about 10:15am. In the main office the principal was having a conversation with (I later found out) the principal of the charter school that will be sharing our building. My principal mentioned arriving a little while ago. She vacationed in the Dominican Republic. After finishing her conversation with the charter school principal, my principal called me into her office. She explained in a pleasant hushed tone how due to last minute changes, I would have to move out of my room. Since I came earlier than I needed to, I could choose the room from rm. #233 or rm. #236. I chose rm.#233. Both rooms are at the end of the second floor. Room #236 is at the very corner on the left side of the hall with Room #234's door about 6inches away from rm. #236's door. Yes, 6inches away.

Next up was packing. I was told (by the principal) to remove everything from the closets and box up the items. Teachers often have a bad habit of hording and cramming things into their closets, emptying a closet can be a serious job. But, since my classroom a very organized, packing was not a problem for me, tedious yes, but not difficult. My apartment may be a pigsty, but not my classroom.

Anyway, I finished about 3:10. Having given up a day from my vacation, I did not feel that I should stay a minute past. I didn't succeed with my 3pm deadline, but I did come close. I went to the assistant principal to let her know that I was finished emptying out the closets and cabinets.

AP2 - Oh, you finished moving all of those boxes already.
Me - No, I was told to only pack the boxes, someone else is suppose to move them.
AP2 - I don't know who, but I know I won't. And the custodians don't move furniture.
Me - I was told that I wouldn't have to move the boxes.
AP2 - By who?
Me - The principal.
AP2 - You better go ask her about the boxes, just to make sure. I know I'm not moving boxes. She is smiling and is laughing that forced laugh. She isn't telling me to stay and move boxes, but she is hoping I pick up the hint.

Normally, (other teachers have told me that teachers tend to move materials and yes boxes when moving from room to room). But that's in June. With students' help. They laugh when I said that movers would come to move the stuff. I was in no mood to be moving boxes in August. June yes, but not August...on a day I should not even be in school. 3 days before I technically get paid. Officially(I was told), teachers are supposed to return to school August 31st. In other schools, the principals make a budget to allow teachers to get paid for these 3 days. Whether I got paid or not, I don't think I could satisfactorily set up my classroom in 2 days.

I went to the principal, and she said yes, movers would be moving the stuff. And the AP2 should call the BOE downtown to find out when the movers would come. I relayed the message to AP2. She made a face, made a few comments...I didn't care, I wanted to get out of there a quickly as possible. I was out the building by about 3:20pm. Next stop....BOE HQ!

Before heading downtown to the Board of Ed. I stopped by Staples to photocopy my letter of appeal, and copies of my evaluations from about 10 years ago. I arrived at the BOE HQ at about 4:20pm. While waiting on line to show my ID card, I hear that services are closing. Long story short, I could not change my ID because the line was too long. There were about 7 or 8 people waiting. I guess they wanted to be finish promptly at 5pm. I went up to drop off my letter of appeal, and was told (at first) that there is no appeals for "D" ratings. Then, I was told that to file a grievance against my principal for the rating that I received:

1. I would have to file through the teacher's union.
2. a hearing would scheduled (attended by myself, the principal, her rep and my union rep.)
3. The principal would need an opportunity to address the charges.

After that, with me explaining why I thought I did not deserve a "D" doubtful rating with perfect attendance, professionally dressed, compliments etc... nothing noted on my evaluation, but "Keep making a difference. Have a great summer! Being told that I received the "D" rating because I wasn't a team player. Then, I was told that even though I have 3 years with the BOE, I didn't have tenure. So, the principal was within her right to give me a "D" rating. But he did seem to also think it was strange that I would be given a "D" rating. He suggested that if the principal was out to get me, then I needed to be careful, because (according to him), she could then set her sights on giving me a "U" rating next time.

So in the end, I decided to give up. In the past, I have walked away for 1 or 2 jobs because I did not like how something was being done, even when everyone around me said that the issue was silly and minor, but now I am getting older, and I am losing the energy to ride this nonsense merry-go-round.

Moving on. I will have to return tomorrow. Hopefully, I will be able to return to the BOE to change my ID, providing I arrive before 4:30, even though, business hours are suppose to finish at 5pm. I think they should either change the stated hour to 4:45 or post a sign that tells the time services are cut or finished for the day.

Having left empty-handed, I forgot to return to the teacher's store to buy some bulletin board paper. I only had red, green, orange, and black BB paper. It wasn't until I was on the train that I remembered about the paper. I decided to get off the train at 116th and Broadway and walk to the Teacher's College bookstore. Unfortunately, they were closed. They closed at 5pm. I arrived at 5:50pm. They are still on the summer hours. If I remember correctly, I think the last couple of days before school starts, they stay open later.

I returned home, and started walking to my building when I saw the UPS guy with a box coming from my building. I asked him if that box was for me. It turns out the box wasn't for me, but he did have a box for me (my keyboard dust cover). The driver was about the take my package back, because the company didn't include a building name, or apartment number. When a business does sells something on Amazon.com, all they have to do is cut and paste the contact information (including the address of the customer) from Amazon's files. Customers don't need to resend information. All the information is automatically sent with one click. I think Amazon has even patented the one-click operation. Anyway, for some reason, some companies have a bad habit of leaving off the apt. So noooo, I didn't forget to put my apt. building's name and apt. #. My amazon contact information is complete, I even have my phone number. How is my phone number shown on the box -- (000)000-0000.

Oh, I almost forgot. I received an e-mail from that online professional developement company. They sent out a mass e-mail to the students that had taken an online course this summer. According to them, they will review the course materials of the students in the order that they received them. However, it will be the boad of education that will probably take about 12 weeks to process and send the cerificate of completion. Strange, I received my certificate of complete from the computer course in about 3 days. I wonder why? :)

Well, I think that's it for now. Tomorrow is suppose to be an all day train for the new reading program at my school. Oh, today I also found out the school will have a new Math program, and a new Science program. New programs are good, I just hope this (school) year is better than the last one. Oh, and I forgot to let you know that I will be receiving a third grade class this year. My main reason for wanting third grade was because I had the grade last year. I was hoping that I would be able to use some of the materials from last year, but so far, that does not seem to be the case.

Post Date - Monday, August 27, 2007 9:53pm

Tomorrow is a busy day...I hope. I will have to keep this brief, I need to get ready for tomorrow. Well, after cronic procrastinating for two months, my vacation is just about over. A part of me is not looking forward to a return to the salt mines, but another part of me is eager to end this boredom. Okay last day of my vacation.

Today, my plan was to visit the big mall that is a bit north of me.

My microwave just went off. My spinach just finished. Since my dinner is now ready, I should eat now and blog later. But then, I should just get this over with so I can get offline and start getting ready for tomorrow.

So, my plan was to head north on the Metro-North. I arrived at the Metro-North station with about 2 or 3 minutes to spare. I purchased my ticket (roundtrip) for $6.50. I arrived in Tarrytown. The Tappan Zee express bus stop was right by the station, so I did not have to walk far. No sooner did I arrived a taxi driver drove up and offered to take me over the Tappan Zee Bridge for $18. The bus fare was $1.50. I said no thank you. He tried to convience me that there were no buses on Sundays going over the bridge. I didn't believe him, but it turned out he was correct. I'd just assumed that Saturday schedule included Sundays and Holidays. But, I was wrong. The taxi driver drove around the lot and returned offering me $14 (plus toll). I told the taxi driver that I was going home. I returned to the Metro-North platform with about an hour wait for the next train back home. After about a 30 rest of the platform thinking about the fee over the bridge, I started to doubt my hearing. I began to think that I had heard wrong. Maybe the guy said $8 or $4 fee. Finally, I walked back to the taxi area of the Metro-North station. I asked a couple of taxi drivers talking (one cleaning his car and the other smoking a cigarette). They told me that the trip over (one way) was $25. Amazing. Needless to say, I didn't go.

When the train finally arrived, I decided that I would go to the Target store in the Bronx to buy a memory card for my Playstation 2. I can't save without a memory card, and the powers that be decided that it was not necessary to include one in game or the Playstation itself. The ways the trains worked, I could take the southbound MN arrive in the Bronx, then have about 20 minutes there before the northbound (express)MN would take me back to Yonkers. Anyway, in Target, they did not have the memory card for Playstation 2. I went to the Radio Shack a block away, and they did not have it either. One of the customers in Radio Shack told me that I could get one at any game store, he also told me that I could get one used for about $4. So empty-handed, I returned to the MN. I caught the express to Yonkers. I went to a game store in Yonkers, they did have the memory card ($20new and $15used). The clerk seemed more interested in his conversation with his buddy who just seemed to be passing through, and the owner (I think) seemed more interested in his lunch. I decided to forget it. From there, I went to Shoprite to buy a gallon of skim milk. The skim milk expiration date was today, so I bought 1% milk instead. I also bought some cold cereal, Sunday Daily News and New York Times. I walked back home.

At home, I made a couple of sandwiches and a simple salad. I also decided to try again with the chicken. This time, the chicken came out nice...I think. I made barbecue chicken and instant macaroni & cheese. I had the chicken and the mac cooking while I was on the computer answering a couple of e-mails and trying to get my Norton software to work.

My Norton software was due to expire yesterday, so I renewed it yesterday. However today, the program said that my services were expired. It took me about 30 minutes, but no matter what I did, I could not get the program to correct itself. Their customer service page suggested I download a fixit program, but that did not work. Their customer page was anything but user friendly...in my opinion. After searching for their contact page (it was buried deep in the site), I finally found their contact us link at the bottom of a page with about a size 8 font. I was just looking for a phone number. When I clicked on the link, I was given three prompts:

1. Download a Norton Chat program, and chat with an operator.
2. A phone number would be given with the warning that there would be about a 30 minute wait. And finally, the last choice was the option of sending an e-mail with the warning that a reply would take about 48 hours. After wasting about a half an hour to get to this point, I decided on the e-mail option. I was too annoyed to talk to a rep or download another program that may or may not work.

Well, that's it. Dinner is waiting for me. Then I will relax in the tub, pack for tomorrow, and skim through the sunday papers. Before calling it a night.

Tomorrow's plan.

1. Return to school and start unpacking. Tomorrow only admin is suppose to return. Teachers are supose to return on Tuesday. But I really, really need to start getting organized. This school year has to be better than the last.

2. I want to go to the Board of Ed to change my ID BOE ID card. I want the label substitute teacher removed. Originally, I was told last year that the label did not need to be changed because the correct information is on the microchip embedded in the card, and since the place was packed, I didn't want to wait. But yesterday, the clerk at the teacher supply store told me that I would not get a teacher's discount at that store or any other store because the clerks will only look at the label, and substitute teachers don't qualify for discounts or tax free purchases. I was lucky yesterday, the clerk was a nice lady and she gave me the tax free status.

3. While at the BOE, I want to drop off my "D" rating appeal letter. The clock to submit a letter of appeal stopped during the summer, but resumes on Tuesday. If I was smart I would have had taken care of it during the two months I did almost nothing.

Anyway, That's it for now, my dinner is waiting.


Post Date - Sunday, August 26, 2007 7:45pm

Saturday
One more free day to go. Today I went to a teacher's supply store in Brooklyn. I was planning to leaving about 9:30am and arrive about 11am, but I was slow getting started this morning. I ended up leaving my apartment at 12:30pm. There was track work going on, so instead of about a 90 minute travel time, it took about 2 hours to arrive in downtown Brooklyn. My plan was to go buy a couple items at the supply store, then go to the transit museum. I ended up staying in the supply store for about 2 1/2 hours. I ended up spending $171.11. I really did not want to spend anything until I knew for sure what my class and grade would be. However, instead of buying just a lesson plan book, grade book, and bulletin board borders (my original shopping list), I bought much more. I got about 3 or 4 really good books for lesson planning, homework planning, and rubrics. Last (school) year, rubrics was something I did not give much attention to. This year, I planned to be better than I was last year. If I don't get third grade, I will be stuck with the books because the store does not give refunds for books.

After digging my debt hole deeper, I stopped by my father's place to visit and picked up my mail. The bill from my new Target credit card was there. I was expecting about $200 dollar bill, but I was surprised with the almost $400 bill. That is until I remembered buying the Playstation and other items on impulse.

On my way home, I walked to 125th street to take the Metro-North. I did not feel like traveling to the Marble hills station (a 20 minute walk to the train station then a two train[a 10 minute walk and elevator ride between the two trains]. The one-way trip was $4.25[just a 12 minute walk to 125th street]. I bought dinner at a new Japanese fastfood restaurant. It looked like a slightly upscale version of the ubiquitous Chinese takeout restaurant. After I returned home, I ate dinner and showered. I watched a little of PBS.

Tomorrow, I think I will go to that Mall I mentioned in a previous blog entry (the one near Tarrytown).

Well, tomorrow will be my last day of vacation. I have not been in the best of moods these last few days. I am a bit disgusted with myself. All of the materials that I bought home from school have been sitting by the front door untouched, and now I have to drag all of that stuff back, just like ol times. I had two months to organize those papers, but in the end, they just sat at the door waiting for me to bring them back to school and continue the cycle [putting off till the weekend all the work that should and could be done now, then when the weekend comes, not touching the materials until it is time to drag that stuff back]. I really can have another school year like that. Only time will tell if this (school) year will be different.


Post Date - Sunday, August 26, 2007 12:04am

Just a couple of days left before a return to work. Today I did a bit of cleaning. I did about 4 loads of laundry. I also transfered the vinyl cover from the futon in the living room to my bed in the bedroom. I covered the futon with another (lighter)dust cover, and put a fitted sheet over that. The futon now feels more comfortable than when I had the blanket as a cover.

Today, the dust cover for my computer monitor arrived. Wow, that was fast!

I spent about an hour cleaning my room (wiping down surfaces, mopping the floor, etc...)

Tomorrow, I think that I will make a trip to Brooklyn to visit the teacher's store there. Hopefully, I will be able to avoid the last minute madhouse.

Post Date - Friday, August 24, 2007 11:49pm

Another lazy day. Today was sleep, surf, shopping, solitaire, and Playstation 2.

Thanks to the internet, I was able to find help for playing God of War II. I went to one of those websites that tell you what you need to do to win each level. So....I was able to finish the first encounter with level 1 whatever it's called (monster?!). I will need to buy a memory card. Without the memory card, I can't save my progress. Each time I play the games, I will have to start from the very beginning. I am still fairly clumsy with the game, but I am starting to like the game. Also, while online, I bought a couple of dust covers from Amazon.com. The dust covers are for my keyboard and my monitor.



Post Date - Thursday, August 23, 2007 10:39pm

Wednesday
Today was a day of annoyances. Well, after playing with my Playstation, I am now going to try writing a quick entry.

Today, was my appointment for my x-rays. I was up about 8am. Since I had not showered or bathe in days, skipping a bath was not an option. Unfortunately, I stayed playing solitaire until about 9:45am. I was in the bath (I still had water in the tub because I never got into the bath when I'd planned to yesterday). I finally got in the bath about 9:55am. I was in, out, dressed and ready for the Metro-North train. When I arrived at the station, I was on the usually off-peak schedule (one per hour), but the train was still on the rush hour schedule. I had to wait for the 9:50 train (there was not a 9:29 train). Luckily, the medical center was not far. I arrived with a minute to spare. I have a problem with time. I like to know the exact time to be somewhere. Unfortunately, once I know the exact time, it is difficult for me to change my travel patterns. As long as the trains are on time, or at least operating on a regular schedule, then I arrive on time. I knew it would take about 40 minutes to reach the medical center.

The x-rays were uneventful. I was told to call them in a couple of days for the results. I am going to ask for a written report. I will feel more comfortable with some kind of written report, than a vague telephone call, that I won't remember a month from now.

After, the x-rays, I decided to head over to my school to start getting my classroom together. I hopped back on the #1 train and took it to 125th street. Since it was lunch time, I decided to eat lunch at the Subway's on 125th street and Broadway. I settled on the hot pastrami 6in sandwich. I was a bit annoyed that they did not have a couple of my regular ingredients. I forgot to buy a water to drink with my sandwich, so I bought a low-fat strawberry milk . I ate in the restaurant. I was about to drink the strawberry milk that was supposed to have 2% milk. I was shocked and annoyed when I took the time to read the label. I thought I was at least drinking a little bit healthy buying the strawberry 2% milk.

Would you believe that milk had 300 calories and 45 carbohydrates.

That so called "healthy kid's choice" had almost the same amount of calories as half of a greasy hamburger. I was annoyed that the milk had so much calories, so I threw it away.

After lunch, I walked to school. I arrived to find out that no one was there. The custodian told me that admin. would not arrive until a day before the teachers are supposed to arrive. It annoyed me that I had an opportunity to come a little early and I would not be able to take advantage of the motivation. I arrived with pride that I was being a good teacher, but I left feeling stupid and having wasting my time. This is a school that seems to thrive on last minutes. Last minute decisions, last minute preparations, last minute notification...I think you get the picture.

On my way home, I stopped at the Bronx's Target store to briefly look around before it was time to catch my train. I got off in Yonkers to buy some skim milk and orange juice. My blood pressure medicine recommends taking a glass of orange juice with the tablet. I also bought some chicken and wheat bread.

When I got home, I watched the afternoon court shows on TV. Then I decided to hook up my Playstation 2. I decided to bake the chicken while I set up my PS2. It took me about 30 minutes to get the game to start. I tried God of War II. That game was way, way over my head. When it takes someone 5 minutes to decide what sandwich to order, that video game was not the best investment to make. I was doing so poorly on normal setting that after the 10 or 15th time dying, the game stopped and asked if I wanted to try an easier level. I tried the easier level, and...the result was the same.

After a couple of hours, I decided to take a break from the video game. Unfortunately, due to playing the video game, I burnt my chicken. It was still eatable, just a bit burnt around the edges. I microwaved some rice and spinach with my burnt chicken. After dinner, I watched some TV. I watched an interesting program on PBS on the rise and fall of Islamic Spain. It was very interesting. It wasn't until college, I learned that Spain was invaded by Muslims from the north of Africa. This show provide much more details that I received in college. In college, I got the impression the Muslims were in for a few years and then they were kicked out. According to the program, the Muslims were in Spain for thousands of years. Their presence affected the food, culture, and even architecture. Very interesting!

After the PBS program, I decided to briefly try my Fantastic Four PS2 game. The FF game was more my speed. It gave you a task to do as opposed to fighting your way out of a corner. In the God of War game, I spent most of my time fight walls, running into walls, and getting swatted against the same walls for most of the time. Oh, and the game is a bit violent. When I bought the PS2, I depended on the store clerk to recommend a title. Considering the clerk was most likely a 20-something kid, I should have known better.

Well, it is late. I better go.


Post Date - Thursday, August 23, 2007 1:42am

Not much to write about. I've just fell into my old habit of running out the clock. I have not been able to much of anything for the last couple of days. Tomorrow is my doctor's appointment for the x-rays. After that, I will head to my classroom to start getting it in order. Originally, I my plan was to go in a week ahead to get super organized. However, by now, if you been reading this blog for a while, then you know I am a man of plans but very little action.

I was about to set up my Playstation 2, but I am online now doing this blog. I was surprised by the size it is much smaller than I remember the last time I saw a Playstation 2. My (American) neighbor in Japan had one. It was the size of a VCR. Now, it (Playstation 2) is the size of a mini DVD player or a medium size paperback book (9in x 6in x 1in). Isn't technology amazing.

Well, I better go, I have a busy day tomorrow. One last thing before I go. For those of you 30 and above, I thought you might find the link below interesting.

Beloit College Mindset List for class of 2011 - A list of how the children who are entering college this year see various aspects of this world.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20378610/from/ET/


Post Date - Tuesday, August 21, 2007 9:44pm

More YouTube Thriller Videos. Boredom made me watch. The Indian video is a bit strange. The wedding video is somewhat interesting. The Lego video is somewhat cute.

Today was an okay day.

Last night, I ate dinner at about 11pm, I noticed a layer of dust had returned to my bedroom, so (with a little disinfectant and warm water in a bucket), I wiped down the hard surfaces in my bedroom. I used the Swiffer Sweeper to remove the dust from the floor, then I used the bucket of water and disinfectant to mop the floor. I showered and was in bed by 1am.

This morning, I got up about 7:20am. I took the Metro-North into Manhattan for the blood tests. I arrived at the medical center about 9:15am. I waited about 30 minutes before I had my blood taken. The nurse's bedside manner was a bit rough, but she handled the needle very nicely, I barely felt it going in, and I didn't feel it when she changed tubes and removed the needle. I flinched when she was about to reach for the bandage (the needle was already out). I really don't like needles, but this time it was okay.

Okay, I was finished and out of the medical center. My first impulse was to return home and wait for the time for me to leave again for my driving lesson. Even though there are dozens of things that I could have done to kill the time until it was time for my driving lesson, but my mind just went blank. I am a creature of habit, if something isn't written down or presented, I will usually fall back to the familiar, sitting and waiting.

When I couldn't make up my mind, I just started walking, hoping something would come to me. What came to me, was breakfast. I wanted to eat something healthy, but after passing a couple of Spanish restaurants, I fell back to the familiar, I returned to the place I went to yesterday. I ordered pancakes and beef sausages. I also ordered a medium milk and orange juice($8.00). After breakfast, I was at the 163rd street train station (the entrance is nextdoor). It took me a few minutes, but I finally made up my mind. I decided to go to the museum. A few weeks ago, I bought a few credit card size maps that fit in my wallet. Those maps are great! I should have gotten the bus map, but I thought I would not need it. The maps I have are: subway, Central Park, midtown, and downtown. Anyway, I decided on the museum. I wanted to see the Mythical Creatures exhibition.

I arrived at the museum at about 11am. I told myself that I should leave the museum at 1pm to be at the meeting place (Lehman College in the Bronx) on time (2pm). The "suggested" admission price was $18 not including the special "Creature" exhibition. The cheapskate in me came to the surface. Since I would only be in the museum for a couple of hours, I did not want to pay $18, so I paid $10. I stayed in the African and Asian areas until 1pm.

I arrived at the meeting place with one minute to spare. Since the guy was not there, I made use of the public bathroom. When I returned to the meeting place, the guy was there. The guy was there in a very old car. Duct tape on the break peddle, junk in the back seat, broken knobs on each of the two-door locks. Broken knob on the gearshift. Oh and a upside-down steering wheel. The car was bought second-hand "a few years ago".

Okay, guessing game.

What year was the car bought?


\/

\/

\/

I'll make it easier for you. Give me a decade.


\/

\/

\/

Time's up!


\/

\/

\/

1972

The driving experience was okay, but not very good. It was strange. The guy was more uptight with the junkmobile than he was with the company car. The guy insisted that I use the balls of my foot on the middle of the the break peddle (even if it meant sitting at a 45 degree angle). And, the steering wheel could not be turned completely because "it (the car) would make strange sounds". Oh, and the gearshift marker in the dashboard would only point between the labels, so reverse was located between the N and the R. And finally, the guy was charging me more than I paid for the 45 minute lesson in the company car($25). He told me that he would give me a good deal. He told me the good deal was 1/3 of what the company was charging. He told me the company usually charged $30 for an hour lesson. He charged me $28. Maybe he meant to say he would charge me $3 dollars less, but then wouldn't that by $27.

At the end, the guy told me how future lessons would be along the routes students would take to go to work, and how we would be practicing on the highways. I didn't say anything, but I knew I would not be calling this guy again.

After the lesson, the bus going to Yonkers just happened to stop it front of where the junkmobile was parked. I got on the bus, and another stroke of luck, the Westchester buses were now taking Metro cards, so I was able to use my unlimited Metro card. Unfortunately, the bus turned into a cell phone call club. I was in the back of the bus. There were 4 people talking on their phones (about nothing -- in my opinion). The bus making the usual bus noises, only encouraged the talkers to talk louder.

When I arrived at downtown Yonkers, I went shopping. I bought a fitted sheet for my futon/couch. The blanket was making me sweat. I bought a beach towel to cover the moon chair in my bedroom. I can wipe down the hard surfaces, but there is not much I can do about dust accumulation on the chair, so with the beach towel on the chair, when I am in a cleaning mood, I can just wash the towel. I also bought a half gallon of skim-milk. The gallons were due to expire tomorrow. A couple of weeks ago, I bought milk from the local bodega. Now, I always check the expiration date. I always go by the NYC date because it is a day or two earlier. Anyway, the problem was that I'd forgotten the date. I thought I had the date correct, but it turned out, I bought the milk that was already expired...by three days! One of the down sides to a long vacation, the days bleed and run into each other.

I was planning to walk back, but I started getting aches in my mid region, so I decided to take the Metro-North back.

When I returned, I decided to do a blog entry now, because I knew I would not be in the mood to do one later. Before doing my blog, I loaded the typing program on my computer and took the skills test. My level was "touch and type" (means I can type mostly without looking at the keys).

Well, I think that is about it. I think I will play another game of solitaire on my computer (I'm getting a bit addicted to that game). My solitaire skills are poor, but it is still enjoyable. I am currently at the 52% in terms of wins. After solitaire, I will eat dinner (most likely frozen chicken, frozen vegetables, and rice all microwaved). After, I think I will set up my new PlayStation 2. I was about to buy a vertical stand on Amazon.com, but in a rare moment of willpower, I decided to wait until I open the box and see if I need to have the console vertical. The PS2 does not include any extras like the vertical stand.

Post Date - Saturday, August 18, 2007 7:59pm

Today was my doctor's appointment.

Last night, with full access to my couch, I feel into an old habit...I fell asleep there. I woke up 12 something, and I watched a PBS show on Fidel Castro. It was very interesting. I ended up going to bed about 3am. I woke up about 9am. Since I had to catch the Metro-North, I did not have time for a bath, I settled for a shower. I arrived at the medical center about 11:15am. My appointment was for 12:00pm. I waited in the nearby park for awhile.

First I waited about 10 minutes in the hall on the main floor. I was first called in to register and given my patient rights booklet. Next, I was sent upstairs to the waiting area for about a 30 minute wait. First I went to the pre-screening where the nurse (or doctor) asked basic medical questions. I was a little bit uncomfortable with the door wide open, and the assistant standing there like she had nothing better to do. Once I mentioned the occasional groin discomfort, the assistant went an waited in the other room...which was nice of her. The assistant took my bloodpressure. Since my bloodpressure was a little high, she took it a couple of times, then called the nurse (or doctor) to take my pressure again to be sure. The results were the same (140/100). Then, it was back to the waiting area. Then, my PCP (primary care provider) doctor interviewed me about my medical history. He checked my bloodpressure (138/100), then gave me the basic medical check-up. My weight was 204lbs, and my BMI was 32%. Long story short, the doctored believes that the medical problems that I complained about is probably due to my weight and high bloodpressure. He gave me a prescription for some medicine to hopefully lower my bloodpressure. I will have to return tomorrow. Since no one reminded me (and I forgot) about not eating the night before, I will have to return for my blood test tomorrow. One Monday, I will have to make an appointment for the X-rays. The x-ray equipement is located at another facility. I also mentioned the problems that I have been having with my knees, so I will have x-rays on my knees. The doctor told me that I really have to start exercising, but not to start until I get the results of the x-rays. However, he did say that I should start doing sit ups. After the doctor's check-up (and lecture about low salt and more exercising), I was back in the waiting area. The last check was having an EKG. Luckily, my EKG results were normal...whatever that means.

I left feeling good. Hearing the EKG results were normal made me feel better. I decided to walk a few blocks. I was out of the medical center at about 2:20pm. Since I was hungry -- I only ate a couple of bowls of cold cereal and had hot green tea. I went to have -- sorry to say this. I had a hamburger and fries from a local restaurant. Starting tomorrow, I am going to really try to eat healthy. I have to return on Sept. 25th to see if my blood pressure goes down.

After lunch, I decided to walk a little more to hopefully walk off some of that hamburger. I walked from 150th street to 191th street. I took the #1 train to the Bronx. At the Bronx, I decided to have my prescription filled at Target. I was expecting to have the prescription filled sometime tomorrow, or a few days later. I was surprised when the woman said that it would be ready in 20 minutes. Since I had time to kill I wandered Target, and on an impulse, I bought a few things:

* Aller-ease Mattress cover for my futon. The vinyl cover with the blanket on time didn't feel comfortable. This cover is thinner. I will move the vinyl cover to my bed. I already have a cheap plastic cover I've been using since I got the bed sometime last year. The plastic cover on my bed now was from the 99 cent store.

* 3 Target-mixed CDs (Totally Awesome 80s Mix Tape, 80s New Wave: Party Mix, and Turn up the Sexy:Smooth R&B)

* A backrest pillow

* A Playstation 2 with a couple of games (God of War 2, and Fantastic Four)

Well, I better go. I have to eat dinner. I won't be able to eat anything until tomorrow morning after the bloodtests. Oh, I almost forgot. Tomorrow I have a driving lesson. I want to brush up on my driving skills, so that I can start renting a car.


Post Date - Friday, August 17, 2007 8:28pm

I almost forgot about the Jepardy answers:

1. Did I exercise?
2. Did I clean my room?
3. Did I get on my rowing machine?
4. Did I make plans to "do more tomorrow"?

Hello. It has been a while. Reason? I just got tired of writing same as yesterday. Also, I think I have been having an allergic reaction to the dust in my apartment. Last week, it got so bad, I had to leave the apartment. It felt as if my chest was tightening up into a fist. Luckily for me, the "fresh air" outside helped me to feel a little bit better. After returning, I cleaned up my bedroom. I washed down all hard surfaces including the floor. After the cleaning, I felt even better. Over the past few days, I have been getting rid of the trash that have been sitting around for months. In the bedroom, I had winter clothing that had not been put away. I had not used my dressers in months. My routine was to put the clean clothes into the moon chair (or pocket chair). In the living room, I finally cleaned off the futon/couch, I have not been able to lay on it in months. Once I realized that it might be infested with dust mites, I panicked. I threw out the old futon mattress and bought another one. Today it arrived. I stopped off at Target to buy a mattress cover. I wanted the one that said "barrier to dust and dust mites", but it was not available in the full size, so I settled on the vinyl cover.

Today was the last day for my professional development art class. We only stayed for an hour. The instructor collected our "homework assignments". Some students brought cake, fruits, and snackes for an end of the course party. Strange. Since I had already eaten lunch at Subways (and I did not bring anything), I did not eat anything. I just read the free newspaper.

After class, I walked to 72nd street. Before taking the Metro-North to Yonkers, I stopped at Target. After the new futon mattress came, I carried the old mattress to the dumpster behind the buildings. I was too tired to unwrap the new mattress, so I decided to post a blog entry.

Other items. No exercising for this week. The chest-tightening intensified over the days, and culmanated on Sunday of last week. I decided that I would need the doctor's appointment that I have tomorrow, it put me in the exercising mood. I was also nervous about going to the gym, having written that I was feeling okay, when I wasn't.

A couple of items on my wish list. I plan to buy another laptop for use in my classroom. Part of the problem with the piles of work that I bought home, was the belief that that I would be able to grade and type up assignments at home. With a computer at school, I would be more willing to put students' grades into the grading program sooner rather than waiting until the work piles up. I do have four computers in my classroom, but the kids have access to those computers. I want to hook up my computer to my copy machine. My copy machine also functions as a printer, and a scanner. This time, with the stupid and dirty notes start getting past around, I will be scanning and sending it to parents at work...maybe.

I also plan to get a reclineer. I have been wanting one for a few months now. I almost bought one yesterday, but luckily, my showed some self-control.

Let's see, I think that is about it. Oh, wait! One last observation from yesterday of a woman and her daughters (Princess 12 and Princess 16). Yesterday on the Metro-North ride to NYC, this clutch of chatterboxes made sure the whole train knew their business. A clutch is a litter of lizard (and dragon eggs). Clutch came to mind because I am still reading Dragon Avenger about a female dragon.

First up was the conversation between Mother and Princess 16 talking as loud as if they were the only ones on the train. They were going on a cruise and mother and daughter played 20 questions about the trip...what time are we returning from the cruise...Where are we going to stop on the cruise...are we going to be on the cruise ship the entire time. And mother dutifully filled in all the answers leaving nothing out. The man sitting one row in front of me, got up and moved to another car. When the conductor came, first mother did the "how do we get to such and such place". Then she gave up, and just blurted out, "we are going on a cruise, then proceeds to give a detailed list of their iteniary. Then the conversation shifted to Princess 12. She left her ipod, and she wished she'd bought her ipod. Then, she wanted a new ipod. And again, mother dutifully provided an annoying amount of dialog...so do you want American Girl (I assume it is a doll). Okay, I'm going to give you the American Girl for your birthday... that will be your present for your birthday. And then, yes, she repeats that several times. Then, mother changed the "present" to a MP3 player. Princess 12 wanted another ipod, but Princess 16 chimed in to remind mother that Princess 12 already has an ipod. Princess 12 chimed in that it is broken, but Princess 16 reminds P 12 that she(P 12) recharged it last night. According to mother, P 12 just wants expensive things.

I only gave you a rough summary, there was a lot more that I did not feel like retyping. To put it simply. They just didn't shut up. They're gums kept flapping while the train kept tracking (moving).

Post Date - Thursday, August 16, 2007 4:27pm

Jeopardy.

No.
No.
Yes.
Yes.

Above are the answers to the questions. If you've been reading my blog, then you will probably know the questions. If you don't know the questions, don't worry, they are not important.

201.8lbs. / 30.2BMI / 148.7CalB


Post Date - Friday, August 10, 2007 10:52pm

Another Lazy Day. Maybe I should just change the title of this blog. Today was basically more procrastinating. Commuted to class. There was a fire drill. Strange, the high-schoolers seemed to not have a lot of practice with fire drills. Announcement at 12:30 that the school would be having a fire drill/early dismissal. Someone had already mentioned the fire drill to the instructor 10 or 12 minutes before the announcement was made.

At about 12:40, another announcement had to be made because teachers were allowing their students to leave early minus the teachers. 12:45, an announcement was made that the fire drill began, and teachers were reminded that they needed to leave the building with the students. Outside people were congregating on the front steps, so security, and office staff made repeated announcements that everyone had to walk across the street. To be honest, I couldn't tell who the teachers or the students were. Although, the teachers were probably not the ones lighting up cigarettes while they waited for the all clear. After a few minutes, the okay was given. Students were allowed to go home (the ones that did not already leave), and the teachers were told that there was a faculty meeting in the library.

Just in case I did not mention it, the high school was in session for summer school. The Professional Development class was held here because the building was open for the summer. So, the annoucements really did not apply to the Professional Developement class I was attending.

Since today was Thursday, the instructor told us at about 1:50 that we could start cleaning up. The class was packed and out by 2:00pm. Our homework assignment due on the last day is to write up a lesson plan with art as the topic. The instructor needs a copy from each student just in case the Board of Ed. wants evidence that we have been "professionally developed". The instructor also asked that each student provides 17 copies. Each student will give each student a copy of his (or her) lesson plan, so that each student has a set of lesson plans related to art. Nice.

After class, I walked to 72nd street again, this time with a purpose. I wanted to stop at Barnes & Noble Bookstore. I wanted to buy a weight training workout book. It has been many years since I've been in the gym, with only a very vague idea of what to do, and where to start. Also, since I finished reading the Sword of Shannara, I wanted to find my next commuter read. So how was the Sword of Shannara? It was very long and took a long time to get interesting. I really liked the last 1/3 of the book. I was thinking about getting the single-bound edition of the Shannara series, but I passed. I have not developed into a mature enough reader to handle that behemoth. I think I've mentioned that I am only a part-time reader. I read during my commuting time on trains. So after milling around the books for a while, I finally settled on the following:

1. Fitness Weight Training (2nd. ed.) Baechle & Earle
2. Dragon Avenger (Book 2) E.E. Knight

What happened to Harry Potter book 7? Since I already read detailed synopsises on the internet, I am going to postpone reading it until the details are less clear. With my bad memory, that won't take long.

After B&N, I took the express back to Yonkers, and walked the rest of the way home. On the way home, I ordered a broiled chicken from the local Chinese takeout. At home, I microwaved rice and frozen spinach for dinner.

I was planning to go to the gym, but I was too tired, so I will have to try again tomorrow. I also didn't do any rowing. I'm thinking of maybe going to the gym tomorrow morning (or as close to morning as I can get). My plan is to try going to the gym in the mornings until school resumes. Tomorrow is supposed to be apartment clean up day. Saturday is supposed to be my visit to the mall a little further north, if the timing works out, this place will become my new best place. I liked the Jersey City Mall, but it was about a 2 hour travel time (one-way). Four hours in total is too much for some Panda Express.


Post Date - Thursday, August 9, 2007 11:39pm.

Lazy Day. I am sure no one is surprised. This morning I was out of bed about 9:30, and online about 9:38a.m. About 10:12a.m. I realized that I needed to get ready for my Professional Developement class. I was about ready to leave when the teacher of the class called to cancel the class due to the "train problems" here in the NYC area. So, I have nothing to do. I told myself that I should go to the gym, but after a few hours of procrastinating, I gave up lying to myself. I turned on the TV. I sat in front of the TV for most of the day. Around 5pm, I decided to bake a couple of pieces of fish. I had green beans and a cup of microwaved rice.

Feeling a bit guilty, I decided to get on my rowing machine about 8:30pm for about an hour. I then relaxed in the bath. That was my day.

202.8lbs. / 29.5%BMI / 145.5CalB.


Post Date - Wednesday, August 8, 2007 11:21pm

Today, was basically the same as previous days. Up late. train ride to class. 3 hour class. We started a group project. To be honest, I really don't like group projects, I would rather work by myself, but that option was not available. After class, I walked to the train station. Instead of walking to 125th street, I decided to walk to 72nd street then catch the #1 train. From the Bronx, I took the express train to Yonkers. And in Yonkers?

Well, I did it. I went to the Yonkers Y to get my premium 1 year membership($450). Now, having spent that much for a membership, I will have to use it enough to feel that I've gotten my money's worth. The regular membership cost is $350, but I wanted the sauna. I liked the idea of having (what I hope is a nice locker area). Now, my thing will be to be consistent with going. Tomorrow (I hope) will
be my first day attending the gym is a very long time.

When I got home, I was tired. I didn't feel like rowing, so I told myself that I would be starting my new exercise routine tomorrow. This is where I would normally go out to get a pint of butter pecan ice cream, but I was not in the mood. For dinner, I made some Stove Top Stuffing, microwaved collard greeens, and microwaved some slices of the turkey meat.

Well, that's it for now...


Post Date - Tuesday, August 7, 2007 10:53

Lazy Day. Fast Day. Today went by very fast.

Last night, I got hung up on trying to figure out the best way to go to the mall in the Palisades. I didn't finish until about 1:00a.m. So, this morning, I was lazy about getting out of bed. I finally got out about 8:00a.m. My plan was to get only to just quickly check my e-mail, and then get off to cut my hair. However, I got stuck on surfing the net. One, I figured out that there are other malls up here in Westchester, but none that I could figure out how to reach by public transportation. I've also gotten a bit addicted to the map search programs, they allow you to search the planet and allow you to see almost any place from above to what looks like about 50 ft above. I've visited Japan and Africa. Very Cool!! Still complicated for me. But very cool! See the attached photo (A view from space).

Well, after spending a couple of hours surfing, I realized that I only had about 25 minutes before I had to leave to catch my train for my Professional Development class. I hadn't eaten breakfast, and I needed a shower. I skipped breakfast. However, having not bathed in several days, skipping a shower was not an option. I quickly showered and was out. I managed to catch my train.

I was in midtown about 11:15a.m. I had a meatball marinara 6inch sandwich at Subways. I arrived for my class about 11:40a.m. The teacher did not arrive until 12:10, he was 10 minutes late. In class, we continued making our "surreal collage". The teacher's cell phone rang between 8 to 10 times in the two hour period. Class finished at 2:30p.m. Since it was nice out, I walked to 125th #1 train station. On the way, I had a very expensive frozen yogurt in a waffle cone. I won't embarass myself by writing how much I paid.

Anyway, at the Bronx, I took the express Metro-North to Yonkers, then walked the rest of the way home. At home, I cut my hair and shaved my head. Then I changed into my vinyl workout suit. I rowed for about an hour, then soaked in the tub for about 45 minutes. For dinner, I had a few cups of milk, and a couple of cups of orange juice, then I ate a turkey sandwich. I was more thirsty than I was hungry. My dinner is what you might call the lazy bachelor's meal.

Well, that's it for now.

199.6lbs. / 29.0%BMI / 134.8CalB.


Post Date - Monday, August 6,2007 11:09PM

I finished my online course. I am glad. Not much to write about. Another lazy day. After finishing my course, I played Solitaire on my computer. I baked chicken legs with the plan of letting them cook while I did my online course. The stove was on a bit too high, so I the chicken was a little overcooked. Since the chicken was ready, I had a couple of pieces for lunch with plain wheat bread slices. I finally decided to walk up the hill to get the Sunday papers (Daily News and the NY Times). I ended up walking to The Shop-rite in downtown Yonkers. I should have brought my granny cart, but I was too lazy to go back in the building, even though I'd just left. I told myself that I would only be getting a couple of newspapers. I ended up getting a gallon of 2% milk, 2-half gallons of orange juice, some luncheon meat (turkey), mustard (and ketchup). I walked back home. Once home, I had my (slightly overcooked) chicken, green beans, and some pasta salad I bought from the store. I washed the dishes that have been in the sink for a few days. And read my newspapers. I am not sure why, but I started getting a headache sometime after I ate dinner. It should go away by tomorrow. After watching the evening news, I got online.

Yesterday while surfing the Internet, out of curiosity, I searched for locations of Panda Express. I've only been to the one in Jersey City Mall. Since I've moved to Yonkers, I have not felt like traveling Jersey Mall. Anyway, while searching for other locations, I discovered another Panda Express restaurant a little bit further North. After a bit of frustrating searching -- this time none of the so called "travel planners" were very helpful. Maybe the throbbing of my head affected my concentration. Anyway, I gave up on the travel planners and figured it out on my own. If I understood the location correctly, travel to this new mall won't be very difficult. Metro-North to Tarrytown station($3.25), then I transfer to the Tappan Zee Express bus($1.50). $9.50 round-trip. About 1 hour travel time one way by public transportation. 30 minutes by car. Zipcar here I come.

I also did a search to see what kinds of stores were available at Palisades Center (BJ's, JCPenny, IMAX, Lowes Theater, Barnes & Nobles, Target, HomeDepot, an ice rink, Staples, Circuit City, CompUSA, Sports Authority, and others, but my headache is getting to me.


Post Date - Monday, August 6, 2007 1:08a.m.

Another lazy day. Last night, I got hung up on the dancing prisoners. After watching the videos, I did an Internet search to learn more about them. I even tried to post the web link, but my lack of techknowledge came back. The web link just wouldn't set on the page, so I gave up. Long story short, the dancing was done as a way to promote exercise. And yes, at first the prisoners were reluctant to dance, but (according the Yahoo News page) they were persuaded the dance. I am not sure what that meant. Anyway, my plan for an 11:00pm bedtime, became a 1:00am bedtime. As a result, I was in my lazy mode this morning.

I got out of bed about 9am. I immediately got online with the plan of being finished about 1:00pm, but once I started procrastinating, it was all over. I was wasting time for about 2 hours, when I finally decided to eat breakfast. Now, it is about 11:30am. I ate a couple of bowls of cold cereal, and...I went back to bed. I got out of bed about 3:30pm.

I decided that I would eat lunch before doing a couple of online lessons. I had the last leftover pork chop, a couple of slices of wheat bread, and about a quart of orange juice. I got online, and....I started procrastinating again. I was looking at movie trailers. I meant to see Spiderman 3, but I waited too late, so now I'll have to wait until it comes out on DVD. I also watched all of the Transformers' movie trailers (about 15 to 20 minutes).

I finally got to my online lessons. I finished about 7:45pm. The lesson was about the differences between great teachers and ineffectual teachers. It was interesting. It made the almost 2 hours fly by. I decided to take a break from the computer, so I walked up the hill -- one of these days, I will take a photo so that you can see what the "hill" looks like. I am not exaggerating think of a 45 degree angle.

I returned about 8pm. Oh, and I checked my mailbox. My completion certificate for the technology class arrived. To be honest, I was not very impressed with the look of the certificate, but it was still very nice to see. Having a physical reward is nice, no matter how cheap it looks.

Well, having that certificate put me in a good mood. I was now motivated to do another online lesson. I printed out the objectives. I read the objectives. I had my notebook ready for taking notes. I did the pretest questions, and I started the video lesson....The guy talked about the same things he mentioned in Part 1 (there are five parts to this lesson [but 20 lessons in total, plus a midterm and final questions to answer]). The camera angle was different, his clothes were different, but he was saying the exact same things he had said in Part 1. I decided to speed up the video. I finished the 90 minutes presentation in about 30 minutes. Since I managed to finish the second lesson at about 8:45pm, I decided to do another lesson. And....

The guy was repeating himself again. But this time, he kept asking the audience to tell him if he was repeating himself. I thought it was a bit strange for a professor doing a workshop on "great teachers" kept repeating himself, and not knowing what he covered in class. Shouldn't the lecturer know. I can understand it happening at the beginning of the lecture, but for the entire 90 minutes to be basically repeated twice, just seemed a bit strange. I didn't see it as a total waste of time, repetition does have its benefits. And the third time was not totally repeated, but with a title like "Great Teachers" I was expecting a bit more.

Anyway, I finished about 10pm. I have two more 90 minute lessons for this online course. Then there is the midterm question section and the Final question section, then I will be finished this course. Happy! Happy! Joy! Joy!
Well, it is time to end this. Since it is late, I am not sure what I will eat before calling it a night. Oh, a few things before I go.

Since I have been focused on my online course, I have not downloaded an IM (Instant Messenger) program. Just for those wondering why they haven't seen me online.

Harry Potter. While procrastinating online. I read the entire synopsis of the final book. Yep, the one that is in my hall closet that I was soo excited to received. I did an Internet search to find out what happened. And one website was very, very through. Now, the eagerness and excitement has dissipated. Now, I'll probably wait awhile before I read it. I don't think I've mentioned this, but I have a bad habit of jumping to the end of a book to find out how the story ends. I haven't done it with the last couple of books I've read, so I hope it is something I've outgrown (or am out growing).

Staples. In the blog entry from Thursday, I'd mentioned that I went to Staples, but I forgot to mention what I bought. Actually, I'm not sure at this moment of everything I bought, but I do remember a couple:

* 2 desk organizers (one for the bedroom and one for the living room. I decided that the card table in the bedroom will be my bill-paying personal workspace. The card table in the living room would be my schoolwork space table.
* PC TUTOR - Learn Windows Vista and Office I really want to integrate my computer into my lesson planning, assessment, and instruction.
* Typing Instructor Deluxe I was planning on getting Mavis Beacon (the one with the African-American lady on the cover), but this one has games that might motivate me to stick with improving my typing skills. Hopefully, I will be able to finish my Masters (starting in the Spring), I know I will be having pages of papers to type.

Well, I think that's it for now.


Post Date - Saturday, August 4, 2007 11:31pm

Another lazy day. Last night I went to bed about 1am, so this morning I was in my lazy mode. However, I did manage to do a couple of my online lessons. Other than that, I watched a lot of TV. For lunch I had low sodium chicken soup and a couple of slices of buttered toast. I then walked to the store to get the Daily News. I returned to watch more TV. For dinner, I ate a leftover pork chop, broccoli, and Stovetop Stuffing. For dessert, I had a half gallon of raspberry sherbet. Since there was nothing on TV, I decided to watch one of my DVDs. I watched "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire". The movie was okay, but the book was far, far better.
Another no exercise day.

Well, I better go. If I don't get to bed, tomorrow will turn into another lazy day. Oh, before I go take a look at the attached YouTube video. I found it on the Yahoo page. I was able to cut and paste the code onto my blog page. Interesting video.





Post Date - Friday, August 3, 2007 11:36pm

Relapse. Both morning and evening.

Wow, today was a hot day, it was the first day this summer that I really felt hot. Yesterday was nice and warm, but today was hot.

I started off today with the plan of doing at least one online lesson, but once again, I had a bit of a morning relapse. I got online and didn't do much, but procrastinate until it was time for me to get ready for my afternoon class.

From the 10:30 Metro-North train, I arrived at 96th street at about 11:12am. I was reading Sword of Shannara. I was so into the story, I missed my stop. At 726 pages, that story has taken a long time to finally get interesting. Anyway, since I was about 45 minutes early for class, I decided to walk back a few blocks to the high school where the class is held. It was a nice a walk. Although I wasn't feeling hungry something told me the get something to eat, so I stopped at a nearby Subway's for lunch. I had the 6inch Meatball Marinara Sub.

I arrived to class a couple of minutes early, and the teacher was already there. He decided to dress for the weather. He wore baggy shorts and a white sleeveless T-Shirt. He had a fairly large tattoo covering a large part of his forearm. From the tattoo and the earring in his ear, I got the impression the teacher was having a bit of a midlife crisis. The guy appeared to be in his mid to late fifties, he even moved like a man older than his attire would suggests. The tattoo looked about a year old. The edges of the tattoo were too shape, for a graying guy with wrinkles in the grip of gravity.

The classroom was not as cold as it was yesterday, but it was still too cold for me. The woman next to me also put on her sweater because of the temperature. In class, we finished our stained glass projects, then the teacher introduced the next assignment, making a "surreal collage". About 2pm the teacher told us that since it was Thursday, we could leave "a little early between 2:15pm and 2:20pm". By 2:15, the teacher was standing in the front of the room with his backpack on ready to leave. I was again one of the last students to leave. I made a quick trip to the bathroom. By the time I returned, the teacher was locking the door and on his way down the stairs. I was behind him as he walked down the stairs that was when I noticed the difference between his attire and his body language. The way he walked down the stairs made me think he was much older than his attire. He could have had a lingering medical condition, or he could be older than the age I stated above. His movement on the stairs and outside seemed very caution and measured. However, in front of the classroom (when he wasn't sitting), he was in and out of the room several times (mostly on his cell phone).

Since it was early, I decided to walk to 125th street, and then take the train there up to the Bronx. While walking, the heat started to get to me. I knew that I should drink something. I stopped into a local pizzeria. On an impulse, I ordered a slice($1.40) and a Snapple($1.25). It had been a while (I think) since I last ate pizza (months if not a couple[2] years). After I finished the pizza, I ordered another one (along with another Snapple). My other relapse of the day. My old appetite returned. Oh, I almost forgot, while I was eating, one of the workers started to clean the windows. In seconds, the smell of Windex was everywhere. Since Spanish was the primary language spoken and I was just about finished, I didn't say anything. I just left quickly.

I continued my walk to 125th street, and from there, I arrived at the Bronx about 3:45. I had time to stop off at the Target store to go to the bathroom. The next Metro-North train was an express at 4:08pm. I got off at the Yonkers station and walked the rest of the way home. I briefly stopped off at the Yonkers DMV (Dept. of Motor Vehicles). I never changed my address on my driver's license, so I went in to see what I would need to do. One look inside, I decided to do the address change by mail.

I arrived home about 5:05pm. I did not even bother with trying to do some rowing. My third relapse of the day(no exercising). I was soaked with sweat from the heat and the walk, so I just jumped into the shower. After the shower, I layed under the fan for a few minutes, then went to watch TV. I watched TV for the rest of the evening. For dinner, I had the low sodium beef & vegetables with a couple of slices of wheat bread. I chose the beef soup because lately, I haven't been eating the potatoes and carrots (mostly drinking the broth and picking out the beef pieces). However, I ended up eating everything. For dessert, I ate about a pint of lemon sherbet.


Post Date - Friday, August 3, 2007 12:06am

I'm tired, so I am going to try keeping this entry short with quick summarizes.

This morning started about 7am. I was planning to do at lesson one online lesson, but I really was not in the mood, so I procrastinated and wasted the time by reading a couple of "entertainment" website(gossip columns). One was actually a bit too mean spirited. When I finished, it was about 9:40am. I had to get offline and get ready for my class (Art Across the Curriculum). The class is from 12:00pm ~ 3:00 with a total of 10 class sessions (30 hours).I took the 10:30 Metro-North into NYC, then I changed to the #1 train. I arrived the school about 11:30am. My plan was to buy a school lunch ($4.00). I arrived, the security guard had no idea about school lunch, and luckily a kitchen aid was walking pass. According to her, that school does not serve lunches during the summer, then she changed it to there was no one there to take the money. There seemed to be more security guards than office staff, so I gave up. Annoyed, I walked to see if I could buy something cheap, but ended up only getting a pint of orange juice. Since to teacher of the class had not arrived, we were told to wait in the lobby until the teacher arrived. With only 3 chairs available (and the two outer seats were taken by other teachers waiting and having a conversation) I stood.

The teacher teaching the class arrived about 11:55. He came into the lobby spoke to the security guard, said nothing to the teachers waiting for him, and he left the lobby area. The security guard asked us to sign another attendance sheet, then told us where the class was. The building was a high school, but it felt more like a prison.

Walked into the classroom, and....WOW!!!! Iced freaking cold. Everyone who walked in commented about how cold that room was. So, the first hour of the class was for "paperwork". And add another 15 or 20 minutes of the teacher on his soapbox. No disrespect intended, but I think some people just like hearing the sound of their voices. He rambled on about how things used to be. He rambled on how his students thought he was gay because he didn't have photos of his wife in his wallet. He rambled on about misjudging his college professor who was fat, but later discovered he (the professor) could climb a church to take great pictures. He rambled on...I think you get the picture.

After going over the program procedures, he told us that he is very flexible about attendance. He also said that we would be leaving at 2:30, but "sometimes the Board of Ed sends observers to check-up, on those days we will stay until 3:00pm". He also collected our phone numbers. He said that it probably won't happen, but if he needs to cancel the class, he will call each of us. He also might be late tomorrow, from the phone call he had during the lesson, he had an appointment that probably will be finish in time for our class.

The "lesson" started with an introduction on the meaning of an artist. According to the teacher, we are all artists An artist is anyone who is creative, takes risks, see things clearly, recognize patterns, challenges assumptions, and makes creative connections.

After the introduction, we were finally given the assignment. We were going to make Stained Glass projects using tissue paper. The assignment would be too difficult or complicated for elementary school. The way it was presented, the project would have been ideal for connecting to a study of symmetry. The assignment was to fold a paper in half. Draw a design on one half. Tape a sheet of tracing paper in the middle (as if you were making a single page book). Lay the tracing paper over the design you drew, and trace. Then, turn the tracing paper(like a page in a book) over to the blank half of the paper. Trace the design from the back of the tracing paper onto the blank half of the page. Cut color tissue paper pieces for each part of the design that you made. Glue the pieced on the paper you drew the design.

Long story short...Yes I know...too late.

I did not like the presentation (the project was okay), but I told myself that I would make the best of the situation. Whatever the project, I would adapt it to my classroom.

Class finished at 2:30. I was the last to leave. Stupid me had to pack up my things, my jacket, folder etc...The teacher was at the door waiting for me. He had the lights off, and the door lock about the same time I was stepping over the threshold.

Since it was such a nice day, I decided to walk to 125th street. I wanted to go to Staples to get a desk organizer. After Staples, I went to my foster father's place to pick up my mail. I had dinner at a local soulfood restaurant. I arrived at the Metro-North station about 5:20. I took the express to Yonkers. I stopped off at the bank, then walked home. Since I had eaten, I thought I would be able to get right on my rowing machine, but after taking the time to get into my plastic sweatsuit, I only stayed on for about 20 minutes. I took a bath, but I did not rally feel like a bath, so I was only in for about 25 minutes.

Well, that's it. I was only planning to blog for 30 minutes, but I got carried away with my first day of class summary.

202.8lbs. / 29.9%BMI / 8.4CalB

Post Date - August 1, 2007 10:54pm