Today is my birthday, I am now 40 years old. If there are any readers of this blog, I would appreciate it if you could post a brief happy birthday comment. Yes, an anonymous comment is okay. It would be nice to know how many readers read this blog. I'm just looking for an informal headcount, nothing more than that, so an anonymous comment is just a good as an identified posting.
So, how was my birthday?
It was a quiet uneventful day. I had a bath earlier today. I met Vpal to finish our walk up Broadway. We picked up where we left off. The meeting spot was 168th street and Broadway. I arrived about 3pm, Vpal arrived about 3:30pm. Once we started the walk, we took a detour into Staples. I needed to copy my students' personal narratives. Admin asked for the originals, but sometimes they are forgetful.
Anyway, after Staples, we continued to walk. I stopped briefly in a hardware store to buy a heavy duty extension cord(about $20) for my classroom mini refridgerator. We ended up finishing our walk in the Bronx at the Metro-North station.
I had a Healthy Choice meal for dinner. Just now, I ate the candy out of the gift bag I received yesterday. Yesterday went to the movie to see the "Burn After Reading" with a new social networking group. The group leader gave each new member a gift bag. I thought that was very nice. I really didn't like the movie, but I liked the group.
Well, I better go. Now that I'm 40, I better stop the procrastinating I've been doing and get my act together. I'm going to try rejoining the local Y on Wednesday, October 1st. And try once again for a new me, new beginning.
Post Date - September 28, 2008 8:13PM [My Birthday]
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Burn After Reading
I slept most of the day away. I missed my MN train. I took a taxi to the subway station. The taxi driver was a bit talkative, but very nice (also very honest). He gave an honest estimate for the fee to the station, I suspect he was new on the job. He took out a book that gave distances and the fees to charge. I arrived about 7:15pm the meeting time was 7:30pm. I signed up for one of those social networking sites. It has groups all over the world. Basically, you type in an interest, and the site will provide a list of groups that meet with the same interests. The group I joined this evening was a movie/dinner group. The group meets for dinner than a movie. I signed up just to have a reason to get out of my apartment on the weekend.
Dinner
During dinner the host gave handmade gift bags for the members. I thought that was very nice. Other groups I've joined tended to be very informal, everyone shows up for the activity, the host doesn't usually put that kind of personal touch into the group. For dinner, I had linguine with spinach and shrimp. It was good.
The movie.
The group went to see "Burn After Reading". Although I did chuckle a few times, I didn't like the movie. And, I hated the ending. In the movie, nearly everyone was sleeping with another person. It was also violent at times, but the movie was a comedy. Since, many of the people in the theater was laughing hysterically, then I know it was me. I was just not getting it. After the movie. The other two went home -- One of the problems with the social network group are the people who are "no shows" and can't be bothered to to RSVP whether they will come or not. Of the 6 who posted that they would come, only two came. In total, there were three of us. After dinner, the other two went home, but I walked to the Waverly Diner for dessert.
Post Date - Sunday, November 30, 2008 4:45PM
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Random Thoughts
* My school has started its afterschool program. Even though I am not interested in doing after school, my room will be used.
* Using my room will be two of the schools "coaches"; one has better classroom management than the other. Basically, my students will be wild with one and (relatively) quiet with the other.
* The Spanish girl who can't read or speak any English, I discovered can't read in Spanish.
Post Date - Thursday, November 27, 2008 10:44AM
* Using my room will be two of the schools "coaches"; one has better classroom management than the other. Basically, my students will be wild with one and (relatively) quiet with the other.
* The Spanish girl who can't read or speak any English, I discovered can't read in Spanish.
Post Date - Thursday, November 27, 2008 10:44AM
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Highlights
I haven't blogged in a while. Here are a couple of hightlights:
* More online shopping for for my classroom. I bought:
- a mini fridge for myself,
- 30 clipboards for my students,
- a couple of cases of Japanese green tea.
* Cafeteria lady asked to borrow $300 on Tuesday. I only had $200. Yes, she did pay it back promptly.
* I'm still leaving later and later from school. Yesterday 10pm was the latest -- still, with not much to show for my efforts.
Post Date - Thursday, November 27, 2008 10:37AM
* More online shopping for for my classroom. I bought:
- a mini fridge for myself,
- 30 clipboards for my students,
- a couple of cases of Japanese green tea.
* Cafeteria lady asked to borrow $300 on Tuesday. I only had $200. Yes, she did pay it back promptly.
* I'm still leaving later and later from school. Yesterday 10pm was the latest -- still, with not much to show for my efforts.
Post Date - Thursday, November 27, 2008 10:37AM
Monday, September 15, 2008
Continuation of Our Broadway Walk
Not a very exciting walk. We basically walked through the lower income neigborhoods. There was nothing to take a picture of.
Weekend. Saturday, I did a couple of errands. I went to the bank, then I went to the post office. each was at opposite ends of my city. I took a train ride to the bank. A train ride back to Yonkers, then I bus ride to the post office. by the time I returned home, I was tired. After a nap, I graded papers.
Post Date - Thursday, November 27, 2008 10:32AM
Completion Date - Monday, September 15, 2008 2:58PM
Weekend. Saturday, I did a couple of errands. I went to the bank, then I went to the post office. each was at opposite ends of my city. I took a train ride to the bank. A train ride back to Yonkers, then I bus ride to the post office. by the time I returned home, I was tired. After a nap, I graded papers.
Post Date - Thursday, November 27, 2008 10:32AM
Completion Date - Monday, September 15, 2008 2:58PM
Friday, September 12, 2008
Coney Island Walk - Slideshow
Below is a slideshow of photos I took on the Coney Island walk I mentioned in a previous blog entry. There wasn't much to see, and the weather wasn't great for walking.
At this time, Coney Island is in the news because it will probably be closed down.
Post Date - Friday, September 12, 2008 5:28AM
At this time, Coney Island is in the news because it will probably be closed down.
Post Date - Friday, September 12, 2008 5:28AM
Sunday, September 07, 2008
Errand and Walk Day
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I'll have to keep this brief. It is almost midnight. I would like to be in bed by then.
Today turned out to be better than I thought it would be. Those of you regular readers know, I tend to do only one thing per day. Today I was up about 9:30AM. I showered. I did my laundry for the week, including hanging up my work clothes. I also walked to the supermarket to do my grocery shopping ($139). I also stopped at the imitation Five and Dime store to buy some brooms. Yes, I did say some brooms. I brought a couple of hand held dust brooms for my students. I brought a couple of cheap regular sized brooms. One for the students, and one for "borrowers"; Ms. Across the Hall often borrows my brooms. I also brought a cheap mop. I already had one spill with more (I'm sure) to come.
After shopping for about 30 minutes, since no train would be arriving in time, I walked back home. About a 23 minute walk each way to and from the supermarket. I had about 7 minutes to put away the food before it was time for me to catch my train to NYC.
The plan was to meet Vpal to continue our "Broadway Walk". The meeting spot was 42nd street and Broadway (where we stopped at the last walk). I arrived about 10 minutes early and Vpal only arrived one or two minutes late. We walked uptown (or north for you none New Yorkers). There wasn't much to take picture of, so I don't have a lot of good photos.
Well, it is time to go. It is almost midnight.
Post Date - Tuesday, November 25, 2008 9:06PM
Completion Date - Sunday, September 7, 2008 11:39PM
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
First and Last
Today was the first day of school. I haven't posted in a few days due to getting my classroom ready. After wasting the 3 day headstart, I was still in the pack of other teachers trying to get their classes ready. Since I did not finish on Friday, I signed up to come on Saturday, something I said that I would not do this year.
Saturday
Well, after arrived in the building, I was informed that we only had a half day to finish. I had arrived about 9:45am. After putting up wall and window coverings, knowing that I had to be out of the building at 12noon, I made sure to be ready. Well, when noon arrived, I was ready to leave. After chatting with Ms. Across the Hall, and the new second grade teacher (a former 5th grade male teacher, who was tired of the nonsense of the upper grade students and wanted a lower grade, but had to settle for second grade. An annoucement was made that all staff had until 1pm to be out of the building. Great, I had already shoved what could be shoved and put things away, so it wasn't worth touching anything at that point only to have to start putting things away again.I spent the remaining time chatting and helping Ms. ATH with her things.
Sunday
I was invited to my foster father's daughter's BBQ. This is a very nice family that often consider me a part of the family even calling me brother as if I've always been a part of the family.
Anyway, I decided to take public transportation. However, what is about a 16 minutes car drive from my apartment to my foster sister's place, would take me about 90 minutes by public transportation. The area I live in is mountainous with lots of rolling hills. Since most of the transportation traveled in north to south directions, I had to travel south then cross east before traveling North again. When I arrived at the closest bus stop, I then had to walk up a steep mountain road without any sidewalks (about 12 minutes). I arrived at FS's place, but the hostess or host were not home, but there were a lot of people. On my hike up the mountain side, I stopped off at Pathmark. I bought a large soda, large grade juice, granola bars, and a box of donuts. I was a bit annoyed that I just put the bags on the table with the "other things" without the hostess seeing that I did not come empty handed. Anyway, I spent most of the time on the upper deck, while most of the action was down on the ground level. Since I'm not really a party person, I did what I usually do, I just sat and watched the action pass me by. I left about 6:15pm to catch the bus. But the 6:33 bus just passed me by. I was so busy playing Tetris on my cell phone, that I did not see the bus until it zipped by. It didn't even slow down with me being the only one at the bus stop. I starting walking and waited for the next bus a couple of stops down the road, and again, it almost did the same thing. Apparently, you have to wave your arms like a madman to get the bus to slow down and stop.
I stopped off at the local area mall to do some clothes shopping for "Back to School" for myself. I bought a couple of white dress shirts, a couple of black slacks and a pair of black shoes.
Monday Labor Day
Monday should have been my errand day, but it was my procrastination day. I didn't do much but watch the clock knowing that school started the next day. Until the evening, I really couldn't get my mind to think about school related tasks. Finally, in the evening, I was able to type up my letter of introduction and my supply list. I emailed the letter of introduction hoping that I would beat the last minute rush so that I could send it out on the first day. Here, letters of introductions (as well as most communications have to have admin approval). I shaved (my head), showered, and ironed my clothes for tomorrow. I was in bed by 1:30am.
Tuesday, September 2nd
I was hoping to take a early train to arrived in school to do some last minute set up, but I missed the early train by about 30 seconds so I had to take my regular train that would put at school with about 15 minutes before school starts. Unfortunately, dragging the granny cart full with books I didn't use for lesson planning, and my gym clothes, I was dripping with sweat this morning. I was too hot to put on my jacket. So how was the first day?
Actually, it was okay. Despite poor planning, and an incomplete classroom set up, with boxes still unpacked, the day was nice. Even "Wild One" (the second grader who spent much of his time last year out of the classroom was [relatively] nicely behaved. Would you believe that he arrived to school on the first day chewing gum with nothing but a handful of wrinkled loose-leaf paper. Oh, I also had to revise my letter of introduction, because AP1 told me that it was too formal and needed "more fluff" (more please and thank yous). That surprised me. I'm a bit too soft and usually say please and thank you too much. I don't think I've ever been told that I have a rough edge (usually it is the opposite). I also couldn't send out my supply list because Admin had one for the whole school. On the last day of school back in June, an announcement was made to send down a supply list that we would be using for the coming school year. Since that was the first (and only) annoucement, I put it off, until it was too late. As a result, I now have to send out this crappy list with half the things I don't want my students to have, and missing items that I wanted to ask for. "Two packs of loose-leaf paper (wide-ruled)" is just asking for an endless supply of drawing paper and paper airplanes.
At about 6pm, I was expecting the firedrill bell to go off, but it didn't. Anyway, I left the school and went to the boxing gym with the plan of signing up for a 1 month package of group boxing lessons. When I arrived at the gym, The owner (or the wife of the owner) commented about how I had gained weight, and she wanted to know what had happened that I missed two weeks and I had been doing fine and making progress. Did I tell her the lessons were crappy, and I wasn't motivated to come? No, I just said that I was a procrastinating. As I took out my money to pay for the listed price of a one-month fee for group lesson, the lady told me, "oh no, the cost for changing from private to group lessons was about $180. With the "about $180" cost mentioned, and feeling I did not get what I paid for with private lessons, I told the lady I would think about it, but in the meantime I would clear out my locker. I should have taking my gym bag into the locker room, because coming out of the locker with my shower things and gloves, I felt like a quitter without several people stopping to see what I was carrying out. So, what did I do after? I went to Subway's restaurant; I ordered a foot-long sandwich and three macadamian cookies, with a couple of refills of soda. I came home hot sweating a tired. I fell asleep. Now, at 1am. I have to plan my lessons for tomorrow, and shower of course. Hopefully, I'll be in bed by 2am.
Post Date - Tuesday, November 25, 2008 8:52PM
Completion Date - Wednesday, September 3, 2008 1:02AM
Saturday
Well, after arrived in the building, I was informed that we only had a half day to finish. I had arrived about 9:45am. After putting up wall and window coverings, knowing that I had to be out of the building at 12noon, I made sure to be ready. Well, when noon arrived, I was ready to leave. After chatting with Ms. Across the Hall, and the new second grade teacher (a former 5th grade male teacher, who was tired of the nonsense of the upper grade students and wanted a lower grade, but had to settle for second grade. An annoucement was made that all staff had until 1pm to be out of the building. Great, I had already shoved what could be shoved and put things away, so it wasn't worth touching anything at that point only to have to start putting things away again.I spent the remaining time chatting and helping Ms. ATH with her things.
Sunday
I was invited to my foster father's daughter's BBQ. This is a very nice family that often consider me a part of the family even calling me brother as if I've always been a part of the family.
Anyway, I decided to take public transportation. However, what is about a 16 minutes car drive from my apartment to my foster sister's place, would take me about 90 minutes by public transportation. The area I live in is mountainous with lots of rolling hills. Since most of the transportation traveled in north to south directions, I had to travel south then cross east before traveling North again. When I arrived at the closest bus stop, I then had to walk up a steep mountain road without any sidewalks (about 12 minutes). I arrived at FS's place, but the hostess or host were not home, but there were a lot of people. On my hike up the mountain side, I stopped off at Pathmark. I bought a large soda, large grade juice, granola bars, and a box of donuts. I was a bit annoyed that I just put the bags on the table with the "other things" without the hostess seeing that I did not come empty handed. Anyway, I spent most of the time on the upper deck, while most of the action was down on the ground level. Since I'm not really a party person, I did what I usually do, I just sat and watched the action pass me by. I left about 6:15pm to catch the bus. But the 6:33 bus just passed me by. I was so busy playing Tetris on my cell phone, that I did not see the bus until it zipped by. It didn't even slow down with me being the only one at the bus stop. I starting walking and waited for the next bus a couple of stops down the road, and again, it almost did the same thing. Apparently, you have to wave your arms like a madman to get the bus to slow down and stop.
I stopped off at the local area mall to do some clothes shopping for "Back to School" for myself. I bought a couple of white dress shirts, a couple of black slacks and a pair of black shoes.
Monday Labor Day
Monday should have been my errand day, but it was my procrastination day. I didn't do much but watch the clock knowing that school started the next day. Until the evening, I really couldn't get my mind to think about school related tasks. Finally, in the evening, I was able to type up my letter of introduction and my supply list. I emailed the letter of introduction hoping that I would beat the last minute rush so that I could send it out on the first day. Here, letters of introductions (as well as most communications have to have admin approval). I shaved (my head), showered, and ironed my clothes for tomorrow. I was in bed by 1:30am.
Tuesday, September 2nd
I was hoping to take a early train to arrived in school to do some last minute set up, but I missed the early train by about 30 seconds so I had to take my regular train that would put at school with about 15 minutes before school starts. Unfortunately, dragging the granny cart full with books I didn't use for lesson planning, and my gym clothes, I was dripping with sweat this morning. I was too hot to put on my jacket. So how was the first day?
Actually, it was okay. Despite poor planning, and an incomplete classroom set up, with boxes still unpacked, the day was nice. Even "Wild One" (the second grader who spent much of his time last year out of the classroom was [relatively] nicely behaved. Would you believe that he arrived to school on the first day chewing gum with nothing but a handful of wrinkled loose-leaf paper. Oh, I also had to revise my letter of introduction, because AP1 told me that it was too formal and needed "more fluff" (more please and thank yous). That surprised me. I'm a bit too soft and usually say please and thank you too much. I don't think I've ever been told that I have a rough edge (usually it is the opposite). I also couldn't send out my supply list because Admin had one for the whole school. On the last day of school back in June, an announcement was made to send down a supply list that we would be using for the coming school year. Since that was the first (and only) annoucement, I put it off, until it was too late. As a result, I now have to send out this crappy list with half the things I don't want my students to have, and missing items that I wanted to ask for. "Two packs of loose-leaf paper (wide-ruled)" is just asking for an endless supply of drawing paper and paper airplanes.
At about 6pm, I was expecting the firedrill bell to go off, but it didn't. Anyway, I left the school and went to the boxing gym with the plan of signing up for a 1 month package of group boxing lessons. When I arrived at the gym, The owner (or the wife of the owner) commented about how I had gained weight, and she wanted to know what had happened that I missed two weeks and I had been doing fine and making progress. Did I tell her the lessons were crappy, and I wasn't motivated to come? No, I just said that I was a procrastinating. As I took out my money to pay for the listed price of a one-month fee for group lesson, the lady told me, "oh no, the cost for changing from private to group lessons was about $180. With the "about $180" cost mentioned, and feeling I did not get what I paid for with private lessons, I told the lady I would think about it, but in the meantime I would clear out my locker. I should have taking my gym bag into the locker room, because coming out of the locker with my shower things and gloves, I felt like a quitter without several people stopping to see what I was carrying out. So, what did I do after? I went to Subway's restaurant; I ordered a foot-long sandwich and three macadamian cookies, with a couple of refills of soda. I came home hot sweating a tired. I fell asleep. Now, at 1am. I have to plan my lessons for tomorrow, and shower of course. Hopefully, I'll be in bed by 2am.
Post Date - Tuesday, November 25, 2008 8:52PM
Completion Date - Wednesday, September 3, 2008 1:02AM
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