Went to see a chorus line tonight. Great classic broadway show. The NY DOE had bought tickets for the international teachers to see the play. It was great show -reminded me of my younger days with dancing ballet and all.

First day of school is tomorrow. Hopefully, everything goes well with PD -I now have to start waking up early and becoming a morning person! (Wish me luck on that!)

Reading, Prepping, Reading some more.

I went to my classroom today to reorganize it and clean it up. I took home lots more science material. I also working on my syllabus and what I want to do the first day of schools.

Highly recommended read before the start of school:

How to Survive and Thrive in the first three weeks of school by Elaine McEwan. This book answered all my questions that I ever had on how to set-up the structure of your classroom. The only downside is it's more geared toward elementary and middle school. During the STEP program, Elaine McEwan was brought in as a guest speaker -I have an autographed copy of the book now!

How to be an effective teacher: The First Days of School by Harry K. Wong and Rosemary T. wong.


From my classroom library I stole and read today: Here is New York by E.B. White. Great little essay -beautifully written piece.

Related literary sidenote: I visited Bryant Park today and it has the coolest feature of open air library where you can read books and periodicals in the park. You don't need a library card to borrow material to read. What a great idea.

Moooooovvvvviiinnnnggg

Sorry for not updating in a while, I've been busy moving, moving and more moving. Went back to Toronto to fetch some additional things and came back to my new apartment.

I've concluded I own way too much clothing.

I'm busy these days prepping for my upcoming school year.

Fung Wah -15 dollar bus ride!

Otherwise known as the chinatown express it only costs 15 dollars one way to get from NY chinatown to chinatown in Boston. Last weekend my mother and 3 aunts traveled to Boston to meet up with an old friend (actually one of my extended uncles).

I have to say that it was a pretty laid back weekend -lots of eating and shopping (a perfect way to spend a weekend). On Saturday night we had a seafood feast with both crab and lobster -yummy! Since my highschool has a uniform and a pretty strict dress code for teachers also I bought 4 suits and assorted tops and skirts -all on summer clearance sale! Thanks mom for the clothes -that really helps my budget.

In apartment news: I'm convinced that there is a NY futon price fixing conspiracy. Not only did four different furniture stores carry the exact same line of futons but they were all priced "on sale" at the exact same price with the exact same delivery cost... Still no furniture :( The desk that I wanted off craigslist didn't work out because the lady selling it decided to relist the table at over 100 dollars more!!! (people suck sometimes).

In teacher news: I acquired 30 labs from another teacher -yay! so much less work for me to do...now only if they came with an answer key.

In travel news: I'll be in toronto this weekend (taking the midnight bus all night thursday to make it back to Toronto for friday. I'm going to be driving down with my dad to move down miscellaneous household items and the rest of my biology resources etc.

NYC -What a crazy place!

Since I've arrived, we've a flood from heavy rainfall, a steam pipe explosion that stopped the subways from running and also a tornado that hit the middle of Brooklyn the other day. Seems like NY always has some sort of surprise around the corner.

I'm going to Boston for the weekend to visit my mom and aunts who will in the city that weekend and I'm coming back to Toronto the weekend after next to pick up some stuff, finalize my visa, and see my Toronto peeps!

Miss ya,
Grace

The Horror!

This entry is for all the teachers out there. I just watched a back to school commercial for a new binder by Mead's 5 star line collection.

THE HORROR! The newest binders has BUILT-IN SPEAKERS! They've added a share port to hook up the student's ipod to speakers in a binder!

Obviously they didn't consult teachers on this invention. Hopefully most parent's will refuse to buy a 30.00 binder!

Coney Island Outing

At the south end of the borough of Brooklyn lies Coney Island. It's a great entertainment spot. We rode the N train to the end of the line to Coney Island which kind of reminds me of the 'rides' part of the CNE.

We first stopped at the Coney Island Circus Sideshow and for the low price of 4 dollars -we got to watch a live show with live freaks. First up with the woman who could shallow fire -she was pretty impressive -she could breathe out and hold fire in her mouth. Then was the human-blockhead which took a 6 inch nail and hammered it into his skull. Followed by the sword-swallowing girl who could swallow to two swords at once. She also could contort around 18 blades in a box. Then block-head man used an electric power drill to drill through his nose cavity -that was gross. It was followed by the 'wolf-man' with hair all over his face who also did a tight-rope act and then a scary looking woman who performed a python dance and electric sparking section where she lighted things on fire with her appendage. All around very entertaining.

We then spent some time sunbathing and swimming at the beach. Followed by dinner at Nathan's Famous (where they do the July 4th Hot Dog eating contest). I tried their hot dogs with onions and peppers and also their creamy garlic fries. The last activity was riding the Cyclone roller coaster -I got the very back seat and I have to say it is one of the scariest roller coasters I've ever ridden one. My butt left the seat most of the time and it went FAST!!!

Coney Island is definitely a fun inexpensive way to spend one day of your weekend.

Out and Around.

Explored more of the city today. I went window shopping in BoCoCa That's Boerum Hill, Cobble Hill and Carroll Garden area in Brooklyn today. We passed by some great restaurants and little shops in that neighborhood. Bought a cute tank top from sir of course out of the 'discount bin'. But it's still pretty exciting.

Later in the day, We took the Staten Island ferry to Staten Island and since we didn't know where to visit we then took a random bus and to tour the neighborhood. Near the harbor, we ate on top of a patio with a view of lower Manhattan and shared fried calamari and baked clams with a glass of pinot gris.

From the South ferry harbor we walked up and across the Brooklyn bridge to go home -it was a nice warm evening a good walk.

Havana Night!

I had a Cuban themed evening today. Went out for Mojitos first at Union Square in Manhattan at happy hour at Havana Central. Then later met up with more people and ate at a small Cuban Restaurant called Bodeguita Cubanain the East Village. I had a dish called bistec (sliced beef sauteed with onions along with r&b (rice and beans). It was a very nice evening. Then we smoked Cuban cigars on a wodden deck (that last part is fictitious).

Wicked!

I got a last minute ticket through my residence for the performance of Wicked tonight! What an exciting show I have to say it's one of the best musicals that I've seen. Great story line, professional production and the music was worked seamlessly into the narrative.

Went out to pizza afterwards at a local pizza joint in Times Square -pretty good pizza too! A wonderful evening out. I still can't believe that I live in New York. I go out to Times Square for fun...like it's a normal thing to do.

In apartment news... I'm trying to furnish my room -though I don't know how I'm going to move all that furniture up to a third floor walk up!

Italian Ice

If you want to make millions I have the idea for you. Sell Italian ice on the corner along with the hot dog vendors. They come in yummy flavors like mango, coconut, cherry and lime. It's usually a dollar for a small cup of ice and it's served without a spoon in a small paper cup. It's so good!!!

Also sold on the corners of NYC is Shish kabobs. They are yummy!!! Very meaty and satisfying. Toronto has an unfilled shish kabobs market just waiting to be exploited.

Toronto needs more than hot dogs add Italian Ice and shish kabobs and make millions!!!