Another slow start to my day today, but it was a bit productive towards the end.  I managed to do two hours on my stationary bike (one hour in the morning and the other in the evening).  I burned about 1, 040calories on my bike.  I also FINALLY started to do a bit of cleaning in my apartment.  I won't embarrass myself by mentioned how dirty I allowed my apartment to get.  I made a To Do list of 11 things, and I managed to get to 10 of the items listed.  I still have a long way to go, but at least it is a start. Tomorrow is another half-day professional development session at school.  I'm going to try to get up early enough so that I can get on my stationary bike before I have to leave.  The last few days I've been managing to keep up with doing a double workout on my bike, so I want to keep up the routine.

Wt. 217.4lbs.

Preparation - Day 3

This will be short.  Today was more cleaning.  I arrived about 11AM to start cleaning and reorganizing the main storage closet in my classroom.  I was (once again) bothered by the idea of just putting things back, and hopefully getting around to cleaning and organizing at another time.  I know that if I don't do the cleaning and organizing now, it won't get done.  So although I'm somewhat annoyed that those around me are all ready set up, and my room still looks like I arrived yesterday, I'm pleased with myself for cleaning out my closets and cabinets.  I think I've done all the cleaning I need to do.  Tomorrow, I will try to get to my room by 8AM (something I haven't been able to do for the last three days), and do as much setting up as I can.

Preparation - Day 2

Today wasn't as successful as yesterday.  I woke up stiff and tired.  I had to drag myself out of bed.  Today I really wasn't in the mood for unpacking.  I was hoping to be finished today, but no such luck.  I'm going to try an earlier bedtime tonight (and breakfast tomorrow).  Hopefully, I can get the burst of energy I had on Day 1.  So, I'm going to end this entry now.  Bye for now.

Almost Doesn't Cut It

This shouldn't take long.  I started cleaning my living room(he furniture movie kind of cleaning).  I think it has been about 3 years since I last cleaned my living room.  There was so much dust that I started getting an allergic reaction....And I only got to 1/3 of the living room.  I had to wash down the baseboards.  I washed then waxed the 1/3 of the living room floor.  I used twisty ties to organize the various computer cords.   The layout of the living room will stay basically the same, but I did relocate the lights.  Hopefully I'll be in a cleaning mood tomorrow.  I will need to do the other half of the living room.  I also need to wash my blankets (yep, they are still out).  I've just been moving my blankets from room to room.   Once I finish with the living room, the hallway will be the last area to clean.  After I clean the bathtub, my apartment will be officially clean...for the moment.  If I follow through with the above plan, it will be the first time in years that my whole apartment will be clean at the same time.  I will also try to put my exercise bike together as well as unpack that printer I bought way back in April of 2008(and never opened).

I almost forgot.  I play the Mega Millions Lotto.  Below are two sets of numbers.  The one on top are the numbers I had, the numbers on the bottom were the winning numbers.  If the numbers I had were the correct numbers, I would have won $10,000.


My Numbers - 03, 14, 28, 44, 48...34
The Winnings- 04, 13, 29, 20, 48...36

Cleaning - Part 1

Today, I finally got around to doing a some serious cleaning of my apartment(furniture moving, wall washing type of cleaning). I tackled my bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen. The last room to clean will be the living room and the hallway. Once the living room is done, I will be able to put my exercise bike together.

Yep, that's the blog for today.

Preview

Not much to write about. For the last couple of days, I've been trying to tackle the cluster of papers, receipts, and other clutter that I've lived in, on, and over for the last couple of years. I also need to clean up my living room so that I can unpack my exercise bike and start exercising.

The attached photos are a couple of "Previews". The first photo is my computer area/dining area, finally cleared off. I've had papers, and clutter covering these surfaces for at least a couple of years. Yesterday was the first day in at least two years that I've eaten at that table. The other photo is the exercise bike. Hopefully, I will finally be able to clean my living room. Once my living room is cleaned the other rooms will be easy to clean.

Cleaning

Finally, the cleaning has begun. The goal is to have a completely cleaned apartment before I travel to the west coast. I want to have a clean apartment to return to. I've already shown you the rest of the apartment, but the living room was always the tough room to finish. Last summer, I foolishly allowed schoolwork to remain on the hopes that I would grade some papers...yes, even though the school year ended. I avoided those piles with a crazed passion. The end result was that the paperwork spilled over into the following school. Today, I finally started to "clean house". I'll continue tomorrow.


Post Date - Saturday, July 11, 2009 10:23PM

Set Up - Day 3

I'll have to make this fast. Tomorrow is the official first day back. So, spending a extra 3 days in schools before the official day, how much have I accomplished.

Not much.

The first couple of days were basically moving days for me. Monday was about moving boxes and furniture. Tuesday was about moving my personal teaching materials from home to school, and moving 6 students desks from the third floor to the second floor for the increased class size I'll have this school year. And today?

Last night I went to bed about 11:30pm only to wake up about 1:30am with a runny nose, a dry cough, and serious case of sneezes. I didn't return to sleep until about 3am. When I woke up again I wasn't in the mood to handle my classroom. I managed to finally get out and catch the train at about 11:30pm. I arrived to school about 12:30pm; my day was about half over when I arrived. Other than shuffling books in my classroom library, I didn't do anything.

Revised Plan

Thursday will have to be classroom set up.
Friday - It would be nice to say that I will be spending the whole day lesson planning for the month of September, but a more realistic plan will probably be finishing up decorating the room and doing my lesson plans for the first week of school. Hopefully, I will be able to have my supply list and letter of introduction revised.


Post Date - Sunday, October 28, 2008 2:58PM
Completion Date - Wednesday, August 27, 2008 8:40PM

Back to the Salt Mine

Sorry, I was too tired to post yesterday. Yesterday was suppose to have been moving furniture and unpack the neatly labeled boxes. Well, that was just hopeful dreaming for me. First of all, I got started later than planned. I arrived to school about 11am. After I moved the furniture to their approx. locations, and cleared off the back cabinets, I was exhausted. Even though I had a fairly concrete idea of where I wanted everything to go, and my boxes were labeled so that I knew exactly what was in them. I still had to deal with a bit of a mental block (a kind of "where do I start, or what do I do" kind of thing). So instead of doing anything substantive, I kind of fritted away the time.

Today, I had a reservation with a mover to help me move my things back to my classroom. To make sure we were on the road as quickly as possible, I moved my things from my apartment to the sidewalk before the mover was supposed to have arrived; the guy was about 40 minutes late. He was a very nice guy though. When we arrived, the side area gate was locked, and the side door was locked as well. My classroom just happens to be the last class by the side exit. If the side entrance had been opened, it would have been a single flight of stairs to my classroom. The only available space was a fire hydrant further down the block. Since the mover couldn't leave his van unattended (and risk getting a ticket), and not knowing where to take the boxes, it fell to me to move my things into the building. Once in the building, I had to take the approx. 10~15 boxes up one flight of stairs. I was exhausted again. I was too tired to do anything productive like unpacking boxes, so I sat and organized the classroom library books. I took a break for lunch. I ordered a turkey sandwich from the local bodega. On the way back, the security guard was either off duty or on a lunch break, so Mr. Gruff (one of the custodians), came to the door...reluctantly (making sure to remind us[those trying to get into the building] that Thursday was the day we were suppose to return).

About 5:40pm, the fire alarm when off. In this school, that's the custodian's way of saying, "get out, now".


What's the attached photo? I took this picture while I was moving my things. On Sunday, someone on the first floor of my building left that trash right in the middle of hallway. They could not even be bothered to put it near the incinerator closet. Where my foster father lives, signs have to be posted to remind residents that they should not through soiled diapers and trash out the window. Amazing...and not in a good way.


Post Date - Saturday, October 25, 2008 11:53PM
Completion Date - Tuesday, August 26, 2008 9:48PM

Cleaning Day 2

Tuesday, July 29th


Today started of as a lazy day, but I was able to eventually get some cleaning done. I spent most of the day on the computer. I watched the final episode of Star Trek Voyager "Endgame". I also watched parts of Star Wars fight scenes.

Finally, later in the evening, I started cleaning. I cleaned the bathroom and the kitchen. Three rooms down, one to go. The last room to clean will be the living room.


While I was in my lazy mode, I wanted spaghetti. But since I had not bathe or showered since Sunday morning(before the several hour walk), I was in no shape to be outside. Since I managed to clean my bathroom and my kitchen, I was in a good mood. I made spaghetti with ground turkey meat for the meat sauce. After I ate dinner, I washed the dishes, and cleaned the stove. I took a bath in my clean bathroom.

Today turned out to be a productive day.


Post Date - Thursday, August 21, 2008 11:05AM
Completion Date - Wednesday, July 30, 2008 2:18AM

One Room Down

Today started off the same as most of the others this summer so far, but about 3pm, I finally started to be a little productive. I went to the laundromat and washed all of my dirty clothes as well as my winter blankets, and winter jacket. When I finished doing my laundry, I finally cleaned my room, including: washing the curtains, folding (and putting away) my clothes, washing venetian blinds and the furniture surfaces, sweeping and mopping the floor. I made my bed and showered before I turned on my computer. I also put on the new bedspread. I put on the bedspread to act as a kind of dust cover, but once I put it on, I didn't like it too much, but I'll keep it for now. I felt very productive.


Post Date - Tuesday, August 19, 2008 12:32AM
Completion Date - Saturday, July 26, 2008 1:16PM

Old Routines Die Hard

Wednesday, July 16th
Today was supposed to be Day 2 of my apartment cleaning. I started today with the best of intentions, but I quickly fell into old habits. I started today with the goal of picking up where I left off from yesterday. I had cold cereal and quickly dressed. I made three trips to the trash compound behind the building complex where I live. I had 7 large black trash bags full, plus my old broken granny cart, broken iron, and other miscellaneous trashed items. After I finished the trash runs, I decided that I would walk up to the local bodega to buy the newspaper and make a withdrawal from the ATM machine. I needed to put some money on my laundry debit card. The washers and dryers in the complex only use debit cards that can be reloaded with $5 being the lowest denomination. Well, being Mr. slow and forgetful, I got the newspaper but forgot about going to the ATM. I didn't feel like going up the hill again at that moment. Then, I decided to go to the nearby park to read my newspaper. Yep, instead of cleaning my room. Although, I did tell myself that I would jump into cleaning just as soon as I finished my newspaper. Well, sitting in the park was nice. I thought about doing it more often. I even thought about getting one of those folding chairs so I would not be limited to a limited selection of dirty benches in shading areas. It was nice, the park was quiet for most of the time I was there. At about 12p.m., people started arriving. Luckily, I was finished reading my newspaper.

When I returned home, I decided to eat a Healthy Choice meal. Then,....

I slipped and told myself that I would just go online to quickly check my email while the meal was in the microwave cooking. Needless to say, about 4 hours later, I was still on the computer.

When I finally go off the computer, I watched the evening news and had dinner. I ate some microwaved rice, ready to eat frozen chicken, and frozen spinach. A dinner plate was finished in about 4 minutes. After dinner I watched another installment of the PBS show, "The Pioneers of Televisions - Late Night Talk Shows". Last week, I watch the other installment of the show, "The Pioneers of Televisions - Early Comedians of TV". After, I made another fruit smoothie. This time, I did not use the book, I just threw some leftover fruit and the last bit of yogurt into the blender. I even washed out the blender when I finished. Now, while I'm typing this blog entry, my bathtub was filling up. Having not bathed in several days, I'm long overdue.


Post Date - Friday, August 8, 2008 9:37PM
Completion Date - Wednesday, July 16, 2008 10:15PM

Cleaning and a Smoothie

Tuesday, July 15th



Day 1 of my apartment cleaning. Finally, I have started cleaning my apartment.

I started the day with another blender drink. This time I wanted to use the bananas that were turning brown. I decided to make a basic banana smoothie, and to my surprise, it tasted almost like the store-bought. I added about a teaspoon of honey which wasn't in the recipe, but I got tired of the "funny" taste I kept getting from my blender drinks. I also think the "funny" taste is coming from the low fat yogurt I've been using. Anyway, the taste of the smoothie was okay; I liked it. I liked it so much that I decided to make another one. This time, I made a strawberry and banana smoothie. I drank one glass of the S&B smoothie, and saved the other glass. Today I also had hot oatmeal and hot green tea. Today however, I did not turn on my computer.

Finally, I was able to start cleaning up my apartment. Finally!!!
Today I tackled only the living room. I went through the mounds of papers. I packed, stacked, and bagged the papers, newspapers, and magazines that had taken over my apartment. I think it will take me about another 2 days to finish my whole apartment.
* Today (Cleaning Day 1) - I cleaned up the school related trash and clutter almost covering the living room floor. I have 7 large black trash bags full to throw out. I also cleaned off the surfaces of the coffee table, my file cabinet, and my dining table which doubles as a office table. It is actually a folding card table. I stacked my school materials in the hallway with the boxes from school. When it is time to return to school, I'll rent a small moving van with a driver.
* Tomorrow (Cleaning Day 2) - I will need to go through the papers, mail, and junk mail and organized the papers that I keep. Today, my main goal was to get rid of trash and clutter. Tomorrow, my main goal will be to organized the papers that I will keep, and do real cleaning (meaning using soap and water). After dumping the 7 bags of trash, I will come back to clean my bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen. Later, while I'm watching the evening news, I will go through the papers and organize them.
* Thursday (Cleaning Day 3) - Cleaning the Venetian blinds, taking down the curtains to be washed, and mopping the living room and hallway floors. Hopefully, I will have mopped the bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen floors on Wednesday.


Completion Date - Tuesday, July 15, 2008 11:53PM
Post Date - Friday, August 8, 2008 1:12AM

Smoothie 2

Monday, July 14th



The lazy days of summer are passing fairly quickly. Today was supposed to be the start of my get in shape goals of eating healthy and exercising. Well, I'm not ready yet. So, what did I do? I got up with the idea of not getting online, because when I get online, I usually don't do anything else. Today was no exception.

I started off making breakfast. As the hot water was boiling, I decided to make a fruit juice in the blender. I made the pear/celery juice from the juicing book I bought from B&N. However, a blender is not a juicing machine, so no matter how long I left the blender on, the concoction didn't liquefy. Basically, what I made was the consistency of apple sauce. The smell and taste still had me thinking of chewing (or in this case, slurping) green grass. After finishing the blending, I drank/ate one glass full, then save the other glassful for another time. After I finished washing the blender, I ate my hot oatmeal, and drank my hot green tea. Then, I decided to go online just briefly.

About three or four hours later, I started watching "Kung Fu Hustle on YouTube, but got tired of watching the movie piece by piece, so I logged offline and watched the DVD. I liked that movie, I discovered that they are planning to make a sequel, "Kung Fu Hustle 2" to come out in a couple of years. The delay is due to the guy who made the KFH movie is currently busy production the Dragon Ball Z movie.

After watching the KFH movie, I went to my foster father's place just to say hello. Although both he and his lady friend were fighting colds, he seemed to be in a good mood. After the visit, I went to the Korean Soul food restaurant to order dinner to go.

I will try getting started on the new routines tomorrow.


Post Date - Thursday, August 7, 2008 1:19PM
Completion Date - Tuesday, July 15, 2008 11:19PM

Today was apartment cleaning day (part 1). I only scratched the surface today. The living room was my main focus today. First up, I did a bit of furniture rearrangement. I moved my computer away from the window area. I think I have a bit of arthritis in my right arm. Lately, when I sit at the computer, I feel a bit of pain. Also, I like the idea of new year new layout. My computer is now in the corner on the opposite wall where the shelving units used to be. After removing everything that I've been shoving into the shelving units over the past couple of months, I washed the units down. Then organized my books. The shelving units are now on opposite sides of the main window, as oppose to being together on the opposite wall. Now, one unit is for professional items and the other is for personal items. The unit on the left will have school related books and materials. The unit on the right will have my commuter reading material and personal items (like my yearbooks, manuals, etc...) I'll attach a photo of my commuter reading material. In the photo, the books on the bottom are books that I've already read. On the top left, are paperback books I've read. On the top right are books I haven't read yet.

Yesterday, I ordered a two-draw file cabinet from Staples, it should arrive tomorrow. The file cabinet will go between my computer and the card table I'm using as a dining room table. Yesterday, I almost bought a copier machine for home use. I am tired of not having access to a copy machine nearby.

Tomorrow will be paper throwing away day. I decided that I will throw away anything that I have not or will not use within a 6 month time frame. Also, I will throw away all the worksheets that I used last school year. I really want 2008 to be the year I "get it together". These last few months have been a stress-filled daze. I can't continue like I have been for these last few months. Oh cleaning up, I actually found a pack of ink for my printer. These last couple of weeks of my printing in blue because I believe that I did not have anymore black ink. This is why I need to clean up, I have to have a neat place. I am one of those people who has to have a place for everything, and everything in its place. When things are not in an easy accessible place, I will forget about it, or I start creating piles (until the piles become mounds that merge into the mess I've been living in).

If everything goes well, then the next few days will follow this way:

Thursday - Living room clean (part 2), paper organizing, cleaning the kitchen
Friday - Lesson planning (goal is at least 2 weeks)
Saturday - Back to the mall (this time shopping for me)
Sunday - Bathroom and bedroom cleaning, and lesson planning at least 2 weeks
Monday - grading student work and doing progress report.
Tuesday - I am not sure, but I do know I don't want to think about school

Ii would be nice if I could tackle cleaning in one day and lesson planning/grading in one day as well. Unfortunately, when I have to do something I don't want to do, my mind turns to mush.

Well, I better go, these last few days I still have not managed to be in bed before midnight.


Post Date - Wednesday, December 26, 2007 11:12PM

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