I owe...

I owe so many photos of the day...however, I have them backlogged on my camera. Here's one from today. I love today because A. I'm not teaching and B. I walked across the Brooklyn Bridge and C. I saw the NYC Waterfalls and D. Heather is here! All things combined make for tired feet, a full camera, and a happy Jane. Hooray! Tomorrow is my birthday, and I'm always happy around my birthday. :)

Here we are!

P.S. Look out for more pictures from the past 2 weeks or so...

Pride and Parade

Today I donned my rainbow tie-dye shirt and marched off with my roommate to the Pride Parade down 5th Avenue. We supported our equal love for boys dancing in their underwear.

Dan invited his friends Brody (visiting from D.C.) and Ryan (live in Jersey) to the happy day as well. Hooray for pride, hooray for gay! You go boys (and girls)! Gotta support!

Serendipity

Yes, it's one of those happenstance occasions where it just randomly happens, but, going to the restaurant was actually planned, and not serendipitous at all. Oh well. It was delicious. I had much laundry to do today, as it hasn't been done for a few weeks (I was holding out until school was over). I didn't think I'd make it to meet up with Dan and his visitor Brody (in town this weekend from D.C.) It was quite good food actually, and the frozen hot chocolate WAS all it was hyped up to be. Yum-o!

Tonight I did nothing except sit on the couch and watch T.V. and movies...and I loved it!

FREEDOM!!!!

Freedom, ohhhh Freedom! Just like the George Michael song...but better. I am free, free from teaching, and just as Dan and I had planned I stayed in my jammies ALL day and did things on the computer (caught up with e mail, paid bills, bought a plane ticket home for summer...that sort of thing). It was sheer bliss. I cannot explain the rapture and joy that fills my heart by not spending the day with children in the Bronx or in East Harlem. Oh Glory Be!!

If you work a job that does not give you the summers off, I am sorry that you will never know this joy. However, I do not feel guilty for ONE SECOND after the year I just spent teaching small people how to be people. It was insanity (if you haven't read my blog for the past few months). Insanity. So, sorry. I wish I could share the splendor of it with you. If you teach- God bless you.

Tonight I did end up having to rid myself of my pajamas and venture out with Kate and her friends to a rooftop bar in Koreatown. The best part was taking a secret picture of their hidden bar store room. There, several ex-frat guys tried to chat them up while I had an insipid conversation with a drunk guy about how he's done with games and dating and just wants to get married at 27. Wow. I left and got pizza. At least the pizza was good!

The Last Day

It was quite a mix of emotion today. I packed up my room in Harlem, which made me really sad. All those books. It's sort of uncertain where I'll be next year, but most likely I'll be working full time in the Bronx. So, goodbye Harlem children whom I've taught for two years.

But, HELLO summer! I was ecstatic to get out and have pizza with my co-workers. Then on to the bar! Kristin brought her puppy and he happily licked our beers as we celebrated freedom! I made it through my first year teaching!

WAAAAAAAAAAAAA WHOOOOOOOOOO!!!

2nd to Last Day

Last day in the Bronx today. I switched up my schedule a bit this week so I could be there for my school's respective celebrations. Today in the Bronx the kids were having a poetry slam in the morning, the parents were serving a potluck for lunch (excellent food!) and then in the afternoon there was a talent show. Man, my kids can sing AND dance! Hot! Who knew 7th graders had it in 'em! Good stuff. Happy/sad was the overall feeling today. Had to pack up my stuff, clean my desk, and let kids borrow loads of books for summer reading. In all actuality, I don't care if I get them back...they are books, and they need to read, so if this helps them, then so be it! I can get more books.

NYC Philharmonic in the Park

Kate, Dan, Dan's friend Ryan and I jaunted off to Central Park tonight to see the Philharmonic Orchestra play a free concert tonight. It was quite a happening and a spectacle to see. We strolled in early so that we could spread our blanket down and have our picnic sandwiches before the show started at sundown. Seems relaxing enough. Apparently we picked a bad spot though, near the edge and the entrance of the Great Lawn. Mistake. I'm not sure if I could actually identify any of the pieces that were played by the orchestra in the first half of the show because people were constantly walking in, on, and over us to get to God knows where on the lawn. It was incredibly annoying and distracting and it wasn't fun to be truthful. Even this dumpy older Indian guy and his wife decided to tread all over our stuff and just stand up next to us. When I exclaimed something about ANOTHER person walking all over our stuff he looked down at me and said "you brought your blanket, just sit on it and stop complaining!!" I just stared at him. He continued "yeah, I mean you...(still staring) why do have to ruin it for everyone else, just sit there and be quiet" I continued to stare at him in disbelief and finally said "anything ELSE?!" then Kate looked at me and made a face and said "Jane don't say ANYTHING!!" So, I just looked away. Then the guy continued to (get this) FART in our direction for the rest of the concert. Seriously?! Yeah. It was his job to put me in my place I guess. I just showed up early, wanted to enjoy the concert and got trampled, then farted on. What a dick. Sometimes this city kills me.
Anyway, we moved our blanket up and I was able to enjoy most of the 2nd half of the show (amidst some more gas here and there). The fireworks at the end seemed like just a little taste of the 4th of July show that happens here. Got me excited for the 4th!

To Life and Liberty

Went on a road trip with my Bronx kids today to Philly! I've never been there, so I was sort of excited to go, and all in all, I have to say that it was a pleasure. I don't think I would have ever thought I would say those words about spending that much time with my 7th graders, however, they were awesome! Granted I was only in charge of the 8 kids who aren't trouble makers from the 7th grade class I teach there, but whatever.

The bus ride out of the city took longer than the actual trip I think, but once we got out over the GW Bridge we were good to go. We arrived about an hour later than expected though, so the college visit to Drexel University was cut short, but it was still sweet. They gave a presentation at the law school about Constitutional Rights, and the rights of students. Lots of kids involved so that was good. Then the kids got free reign over the cafeteria at Drexell, which they LOVED!

We moved on to Liberty State Park after the kids all horded the ice cream machines in the caf, so I took about 7 girls around with me to see some of the sites. Mostly we had time for them to go to the bathroom, buy drinks from a vending cart on the street and see the Liberty Bell. Oh and they watched a women dressed in old timey clothes making thread. They loved that. They were cute and well behaved, so I can't complain. Makes me happy that I'll probably be teaching there full time next year. Renewed love for those kids!

Nice play on words

So, Manhattan Mini Storage- totally cashing in on the craze. Here's there new sign, which I enjoyed because now you can move out and store your stuff for cheap! Love it!

Saturday in the Park

Kate and I spent the day in Central Park. Not just the normal part of Central Park that we usually walk around, because we wanted something new. We headed up to the Harlem Meer part of the park, which I've actually never visited. It seems to be the forgotten part of the park, which is sad, because it's very, very beautiful! We even saw a few weddings going on. I will be coming back here more often for the peace and quiet that other parts of the park don't offer all the time. :)

The end is in sight!

8th Grade Graduation today at my East Harlem school! Yay for those kids! We did a lot of work, and man some of those kids struggled, but they were so happy today! Tears and hugs everywhere! Such a great day! The teachers celebrated later tonight at a Puerto Rican restaurant in mid-town. Very nice!

A weeks worth- June 14th-June 19th

So, I'm behind on the pictures this week...just one of those weeks I guess. Can't keep up! But I DO take a picture every day, I've just been bad about posting them. So, enjoy, a week of photos!

They include:

A stranded couchsurer who came to stay for the weekend (Wannes from Belgium-very cute, very cool)

A Brunch/Movie Date with Claudia and Rachel (on the walk home I took a picture of the sun through the buildings on the Upper West Side.)

A bus ride home from the Bronx

Several pictures of my East Harlem kids at the Bronx Zoo

And, the graduation practice in East Harlem for 8th Grade Graduation

Newsies and nonsense

I had plans to go out with my friends from my Bronx school, but things don't always go as planned. One of the teachers was hit by a student today on the back of the head. She was really upset, not wanting to go out.

The freaky thing is, she's not the only one this week. Dan also had a problem with a student in his class. He was acting out, and while Dan was trying to calm other kids down at the start of class this kid walks up to the front and starts walking on his hands. Other students moved out of the way so he wouldn't fall into them, but he did fall over. Dan helped him up and started to usher him to the door to kick him out of class for endangering other kids (and himself). The kid wheeled around and punched Dan right on the arm. The kid stepped back a few paces, realized what he'd done and then started challenging Dan to hit him back. Dan then picked up the kids bag and put it in the hallway and told the kid to leave. He called security to have him removed. There will probably be a hearing before school ends. Craziness...this is why kids in New York City should NOT be in school until June 26th! It's WAY too late, kids are already checked out and they do crazy shit to get themselves through. Not ok.

Anyway, to unwind from the day and the week Dan and I both were coincidentally staying in and we decided to watch Newsies. I'd never seen it, and it really went along with the topics from the stupid 8th grade Social Studies state test that I've been grading for 2 days straight this week. Child labor laws and working conditions in the early 1900's. I've read countless essays this week regarding that, but it was fun to see the movie anyway. My goal is to have a relaxing weekend for once!

Subway in the way

This subway is incredibly annoying! First of all, I will never reap the benefits of all this bloody construction. Secondly, it's a complete and total mess for a large portion of the walk along 2nd ave. I have to strategically plan out where to walk to get to or from work, Kate's house, any restaurant along there. Third, it's noisy. It's noisy right this very moment in the middle of the night. And to finish up, it's full of cranes. Not as tall as the crane that fell on the apartment building a few weeks ago, but many cranes lifting many heavy, dirty objects around the street and sidewalks. Don't trust them too much.

So, long story short-not a fan. There's talk that they won't even complete the project if they run out of money. Uhg. Get out of my way subway!

Walking on sunshine

So, I got these new shoes. I couldn't actually afford them myself, so I asked my mother to purchase them for me for an early birthday present while she was in town and she obliged (cause she's a great mama).

The shoes are called MBT's and it's quite and interesting concept, sorta like Earth Shoes, where your heel hits lower than your toes, except these shoes are meant to simulate walking in sand (like the Masai tribe). They look pretty ugly (big fat soles), but they actually feel like heaven. And for a person who has had as many foot problems as I have since moving to New York, I am at the point where I'm about willing to do ANYTHING to escape the pain. And escape the pain, do I ever. They are breathtaking. Lovely. Amazing. Pain free walking. It's like the kid who puts on glasses for the first time and realizes they can see...I can walk without pain in my heels!

For the next week or so I'll be breaking them in. A lot of people buy them to tone and loose weight and get good butt muscles (all good outcomes), but those things to matter to me. Curing my plantar fasciitis once and for all is the real goal. So, don't laugh, cause they look goofy, but cheer because they feel SO good!

Need a hand?

I got this pic as I was walking home from my school through East Harlem today. It was another hot HOT day but I decided to take a walk just to get some exercise. I've been bad at that lately.

This mother/daughter team were lugging boxes back to somewhere, probably to their apartment where they may or may not be packing to move. I just thought it was funny that the little girls box was almost as big as she was. What a good little helper!

In the Spirit of things

My friend Katie died and went to heaven tonight when Dan invited the both of us to come along with he and some of his friends to a club that features large screen TVs playing nothing but show tunes! It was awesome! It's just one big sing-along bar, mostly for men who love men, but also for those who just love show tunes. I belted out a few numbers including, but not limited to "I Don't Know How to Love Him" from Jesus Christ Superstar, and "Take Me or Leave Me" from Rent. It was rad. Seriously. I will return.

Parade to the Boat House

The last day for Mama and Aunt Jan in town. We decided to take advantage of the day though and venture out into the atrociously hot weather. We encountered the Puerto Rican Day parade along 5th avenue, which was quite the spectacle. Kind of amazing to see such pride for the culture and country so far away from New York City, but yet still so much a part of it.

We had a thrill walk across the park along the roadway sidewalk, which proved hot and uncomfortable, but once we got to the Boat House and found seats at the bar while we waited for a table, it all became worth it. Some bloody mary's and some lovely tea, then on to this view of the lake while we had a really nice brunch together.

Around the world

...if the world is Manhattan (which it thinks it is). Today my mom, my Aunt Jan and I got up and since it was a triple H day (hot, humid, hazy), we decided to take the Circle Line Tour around Manhattan on a three hour cruise! Ahhh the water!

We started out at 42nd St. on the West side,passing Jersey on our right and then made our way down around the tip of the island, making our way past Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, and the on up towards the Brooklyn Bridge. What a great start!

We then puttered more upstream up the East River past many of the city sites. The microphone announcer guy was actually REALLY good and I learned a lot of history and stories about the city and people involved in it. I have become such a history nerd since moving here that I just can't help myself when it comes to these dumb tours. I love them! And they love me!

Passed by many midtown places, up past my school and then up the Harlem River past the Bronx, under MORE bridges, but now surrounded by steep rock cliffs rather than housing projects or large apartment buildings. So much of Manhattan's coast is industrial and it seems like for such a tiny island that that space could be utilized so much better. But whatever. I just work here.

We passed through a bridge to get around the northern tip of the island, passing Columbia University and the big C on the rocks. Then headed back down past Grant's tomb, Riverside Church (biggest church in the U.S.) and then back down to the seaport. What a great activity for a hot, hot, HOT summer day!!

We had lunch in Times Square at Juniors Diner, and later that night we went to see the Lion King! Heart that show! What fun! Cheesecake followed and then I collapsed from exhaustion...not really, but figuratively.

And you smell like one too...

Happy Birthday to my mama! I'm so happy to have my mom and aunt in town. We had a fun day today as well, or at least they did while I was at work with kids and science fair projects, but nonetheless, it was a good day. We went to a great Mexican place for dinner and then headed downtown to our tried and true favorite bar in NYC, Don't Tell Mama's.

It was amazing! We drank, we sang, my mom swayed with some random guy next to her (that's how it works at this place, you simply just make friends with the people around you while making your sing-along that much more heartfelt by sharing it with a stranger!)

I think this was one for the history books...no seriously.

Water Under the Bridge

The Brooklyn Bridge to be exact! My mom's in town for the weekend, and my aunt Jan came along too. We had dinner in China Town and then decided to take the opportunity to walk across the bridge tonight. It wasn't the most picturesque, but it was certainly breathtaking anyway. I've never done it, so I thought it was quite fun! My aunt loved it so much she wants to go back later and do it again! We'll see. Here's me and my mama half way!