Grace's Page

2008-07-06T22:07:00.002-04:00

Moved In!

I'm into my new place -just need to unpack and clean the place up to my standard. I'm now a proud resident of Long Island City! Woot! My summer plans seems up in the air as everything seems to have not worked out...hmmm maybe I shall travel afterall.

2008-06-26T17:37:00.002-04:00

Wow.

I can't believe that time passes by so quickly.

Done my first year of teaching.

It's been challenging and exciting. Next year will be better. I know it.

2008-05-28T01:33:00.003-04:00

Shoe Heaven

I've never been quite a big shoe lover until I moved to NYC. I remember from an episode on Lipstick Jungle where the girls visited "Shoe Heaven" in this wondrous store. I didn't catch where it was but I did enter shoe heaven this memorial day weekend.

It's located on the 8th floor of Saks Fifth Avenue. It's fun trying on $500+ shoes on your feet. Even though I can't afford Louboutin, Gucci or Jimmy Choos it was a fun window shopping experience!

2008-04-08T22:06:00.002-04:00

Williamsburg Weekend!

Jennifer wanted to try out Williamsburg in Brooklyn for an outing. I was estatic to have Pan Asian Cuisine! Something that Toronto is overflowing with but hasn't overrun NYC yet. We went to Planet Thai for Dinner and spent a good long time enjoying our meal. We started with a mango shrimp roll and a spicy squid salad. For the main course I had the peanut curry shrimp and dessert was shared among us was the green tea creme brulee and also a coconut rice with mango dish. :) Dinner was very enjoyable.

We walked around Williamsburg and was looking for a second place to hang out at. We looked o a side street which was curiously named Tacu Tacu. Peering in we saw that it had a karaoke lounge in the basement. Feeling daring, we went in and stayed, having a surprisingly good time.

2008-04-01T16:54:00.002-04:00

Weekend Round-up

I had my ex-roomate from my China trip come visit me over the weekend! She brought her good friend Andrea with her also.

Went to plenty of places. Usual sighseeing stuff plus places to Eat!

Highlights = Places that we ate!

Dinner Thursday = Crocodile lounge -where they have free pizza with every Beer Purchase!

Dinner Friday = Little Italy. I had a seafood pasta.

Dinner Saturday = Verlaine in the lower east side with southasian inspired tapas and happy hour that lasted til 10:30 pm!

Current Read = A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

Latest Frivilous purchase = BCBGirls Yellow Patent Leather Peeptoe Pumps with matching nine west clutch. Sweet!

2008-03-16T03:28:00.002-04:00

First Celebrity Sighting!

Went out Saturday night, had dinner at five points restaurant in NoHo. I ordered the pan seared scallops. It was okay but not the greatest dish -the same reviews came from my friends dinner at the restaurant too. For dessert I had the cheesecake which was expectionally rich so dinner was saved by the good dessert. After dinner we walked to the lower eastside and had drinks at Back Room. It was pretty cool -there's no sign and you walk through an alley to a 'speakeasy' themed bar. The drinks were served in teacups and beer bottles were served in bags in a vintage decorated back room. It was crowded so we moved on and went to salt bar. Inside I had my first celebrity sighting. Lame yes. But it was Josh Harnett. He's pretty cute but the funniest thing was when we were leaving the bar. We dared Tien to tell him that his jeans did nothing for his butt. She runs back and tells him that but unfortunately my drunk, clueless friend tells his friend standing with him for a smoke this statement instead of him! Too funny!

2008-02-17T00:24:00.003-05:00

Recent Reads

Riding the subway gives me time to enjoy reading novels again. Recently I've read Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides, Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, The Red Pony by John Steinbeck and currently I'm reading a collection of Short Stories by Roald Dahl.

Does anyone have any suggestions of what I should read next?

2008-01-22T19:57:00.000-05:00

Hey people, sorry for the long hiatus from blogging.

Summary of what has happened: 1. A wonderful winter break in Canada -where I was really busy visiting everyone back home :) and received many sweaters as presents. 2. Came back to work... it drags and the kids don't appreciate me just like before 3. NY has had unseasonally relatively warm weather.

Last weekend I went to the winter Jazz festival at the Knitting Factory -it was a cool event. I definately have to say jazz is much better live than on the radio. I also tried to go to basia bulat's concert but it was sold out -so I'll try to catch her when she's in town next.

This long weekend -thanks to Dr. Martin Luther King (Day) I have a couple of interesting meals. Sunday night I met up with other Canadian teachers to gripe about the stresses of teaching in NY over dinner at Agave in the west village. Monday night I met up with some teachers from STEP and had dinner at Robert DeNiro's restaurant -Tribeca Grill. Both places were quite yummy! It's restaurant week in NYC so there is a special price fixe menu -therefore, Tribeca Grill was not to expensive.

Today, I bought a microwave. I braved the logistics of hauling a microwave all by myself over the subway and with the help of a couple of strangers I was able to get it home safe! -Now that's an independent woman move right there!

2007-12-19T23:15:00.000-05:00

Movies and Shopping.

December are built for these two activities. I love shopping...NYC is quite dangerous to my budget. Movies are good too.

I survived my first term of teaching. It's gone by quicker than I thought would be possible. I feel like the children haven't learned anything... I just hope that the smart ones will pass their regents exam. uggh.

2007-12-10T00:19:00.000-05:00

Burned!

I burned my upper arm on the steampipe in the washroom. Mostly first degree burns with a bit of minor second degree blistering occurring. I hope that I don't scar. Interesting note my friend recommended that I apply Polysporin to the wound and then cover it with a band-aid. When I got to the CVS they only had Neosporin. Apparently, in Canada they sell Polysporin but not Neosporin.

Had an interesting weekend out and about in town. Friday I met up with my friend Jennifer and had dinner at Ostia, a spanish restaurant. I had a duck breast with a fig sauce and a side of apples and asparagus. Saturday, ran some errands, went to the Museum of Sex and also had dinner out at Brasserie Les Halles a French restaurant that's the home base of Anthony Bourdain, author of the best selling Kitchen Confidential (Bloomsbury, May 2000) and host of TV Food Network’s “Cook’s World Tour”. I ordered the steak poivre that came with fries and greens. Sunday, I went shopping at Bloomingdale's in the afternoon -too many people but really nice stuff!

2007-12-03T19:23:00.000-05:00

Joined the Y!

It's fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A.
It's fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A.
They have everything for young men to enjoy.
You can hang out with all the boys.

2007-12-02T23:32:00.000-05:00

New Things:

1. Haircut with bangs. Best student comment "Ms. you look different!" scrunches up nose
2. A developing double chin. Gotta lay off the bacon, egg and cheese on a roll for breakfast.
3. Skinny Jeans & 2 Cashmere sweaters for moi from uniqlo my new favourite store
4. CVS (a chain drugstore) opens in my neighbourhood!

Christmas Wish List:
1. Italian Merino Wool Cardigan sweater in a black, blue or brown.
2. Flat boots
3. Anything sparkly that comes in a box
4. Smelly bath stuff
5. Time out New York Magazine Subscription
6. Black Leather Gloves

2007-11-27T18:11:00.000-05:00

Toronto Turkey Time!

I had an awesome weekend back in Toronto for American Thanksgiving. It's really funny that Americans believe that Canadians don't celebrate Thanksgiving at all...(we do it's just in October and it's not a 4 day weekend).

Flew back on Thursday morning -taking the metro before 6 in the morning is not a good idea...I will be taking a taxi from now on. Had Dim Sum with my parents for lunch at Sam Woo's BBQ house. Went shopping and then to Ketan's vegan commune ahem...I mean co-op for a vegan potluck. Friday I met up with Tiffany and went to lunch at Cafe la Gaffe on Baldwin, met up with Keith in the afternoon and at night saw Anika, Caitlin and Ebru and ate at the Yellow Griffin. I had a lamb burger dressed with garlic, sausage and grilled veggies with a side of sweet potato fries. Saturday I made traditional thanksgiving dinner with my family and at night joined Kitty's birthday karaoke get together.

All in all it was a busy and fun-filled weekend except for the delayed flight back to NYC with a the slight land-miscalculations... -Can't wait to go back during the Christmas holiday break -I'll be back between the Eve's of Christmas and New Year's!

2007-11-13T23:11:00.000-05:00

I'll be home for Christmas...I mean American Thanksgiving

Nov 22-25 i'll be around Toronto sort of. So I'm taking early Christmas orders. Whatever you want from the states whether it be a sweater from Banana Republic to iPods etc. I'll pick it up and you can pay me back with the strong Canadian Dollar (oh how I miss the loonie)

Okie...taking requests for your capitalistic appetite to be satiated from the weakening American dollar!

2007-11-11T11:45:00.000-05:00

Professional Development

My school got a grant from the US government and allows me to get free professional development in order to better my biological training. I've been going to Floyd Bennett Field Science Education Center (on the coast in south east brooklyn). It's a field center in Gateway National Recreation Area. It's been really fun -so far I've done a soil analysis and pond water analysis lab studies and also been trained in problem inquiry based learning. I also get free courses from brooklyn college in science education.

2007-11-01T19:36:00.000-04:00

Happy Halloween!

I went to the Halloween parade to take in the sights. Didn't take any pictures. Notable costumes: a flashing Dorothy transsexual, numerous Star Wars characters, condoms and penises and girls in binkinis...Along with a bald britney spears (male) and countless Amy Winehouses.

Also went to eat dinner in east midtown on wednesday night and had Indian food at "Taj Mahal". The odd thing is that kids in NYC trick-o-treat at restaurants and stores because there are too many apartment buildings. Dinner was interrupted often by kids begging for candy.

2007-10-30T23:22:00.000-04:00

Laundry in NYC

Living in a third floor walk-up without laundry is not pleasant. I've done it myself at the local laundromat but this week I've decided that laundry is just not worth doing!

So I decided to get up laundry done for me. In NYC you pay by the pound to get your laundry washed and folded for you. In my neighbourhood it's 60 cents a pound. Each load works out to be around 10 pounds each so 6 dollars/load.

A tad expensive but I think it's worth it considering how much time and effort it takes to do laundry. Alright...I'm just trying to justify my laziness...

Happy Halloween!

2007-10-13T21:25:00.000-04:00

Been quite busy!

Birthday Weekend: Started partying on Thursday, didn't stop til Monday! Thanks Jenna for coming down and spending a great weekend together! Went out to dinner at Saigon Grill on Thursday, Little Italy on friday along with the club duvet. On Saturday visited the Bronx Zoo and went out to Jake's dilemma (a bar) on saturday night -stayed out to last call!

Canadian Thanksgiving / Columbus Day Weekend: My brother and his girlfriend Kitty came down to visit! Lots of shopping and sight seeing -went to Rockefeller center, Apple flagship store and other stores too! Battery City Park, ground zero, Carnegie deli for cheesecake and Katz's deli for pastrami (not listed in any particular order) ....lots of food and fun.

Samba Sushi Wednesday!
Ballin! urban dictionary explaination #2

ballin

1394 up, 282 down

Ebonics.
1.) To play basketball.
2.) Living in affluence/wealth.

Xiomara who I met from the summer program decided to resign and move to Arizona! So for her goodbye dinner we went to Samba Sushi which is South American / Japanese fusion food! Had lots of good food and we order two cocktail trees...to make for a very expensive but yummy dinner!

Homecoming Weekend: No...I'm no in Kingston right now (I wish I was drunk in a ditch somewhere) but looks like it was not meant to be...it's the end of marking period therefore, I need to 'invent' some grades up. (just joking).

That's all for now!

2007-09-20T19:17:00.000-04:00

Whoa the Canadian Dollar reached parity with the american greenback -looks like my salary just got lower and my rent even higher. Oh well, at least my credit cards won't be hit with such drastic exchange rate on it!

2007-09-14T22:53:00.001-04:00

Couldn't Ask for More

The first two weeks of school went pretty smoothly. I've survived. The kids have been on a whole pretty good to me. I've starting to get use to the teacher schedule though I have to say that I'm still not used to getting up so early.

New York City Public Schools have quite a bit of holidays. Because Rosh Hashanah we had a 3 day week and a four day weekend this week! Yay! I think next week is going to seem very very long.

I still haven't found the balance between working, marking and prepping but hopefully that'll come with experience.

Last weekend I enjoyed walking through SoHo window shopping and also having dinner in Little Italy. Let me say adding alcohol to a meal makes it more pricey!

These two days I've been sorting out paper work and also lazying around relaxing and decompressing.

I'll get back to lesson planning and marking soon enough. Btw: Anyone else responsible for doing a bulletin board and decorating their classroom on the high school level? For all my female teacher buddies...FLATS are the way too go -painful feet experience from being on my feet walking around in heels (no matter how small).

2007-09-04T23:50:00.000-04:00

Overall, first day of teaching was a success. No time to blog -too tired from not getting sleep the night before out of nervousness.
:) I'm happy.

2007-09-03T01:57:00.000-04:00

Subtle difference between two nations.

When I moved down here to America, I didn't really think there would that that much of a cultural difference. Superficially, Canadians and Americans are not that different in their North American mindset and attitudes (feel free to argue this Canadian readers). Though there are differences that I come upon.

Crazy array of drinks like: Diet Coke plus which isn't approved for sale in Canada because it contains vitamins and minerals that is not found in soda in the first place. EVERYONE here drinks the ascetically pleasing Vitaminwater by Glaceau which is really a sugar filled drink masquerading as a health product. I also notice the lack of diet drinks stocked anywhere in this city and the fact that Splenda based products cost three times as much here than in Canada.

Subtle word usage difference e.g. soda versus pop, pocketbook versus purse, and college versus university. Pocketbook???!!!!! what a strange non-feminine name given to a handbag.

I still haven't grasped the concept of Fahrenheit and will never know what temperature it is from the radio or television.

Back to food -New York City has banned the use of trans-fat. I had McDonald's French fries the other day and sadly they are bland and tasteless without the zest that only unnatural trans-fatty goodness can provide.

And yes, for my American friends -universal Health care is truly a wonderful concept. I don't personally like hockey but it is popular in my country and no I stick 'eh' into every sentence. Canada does have an army and no, Mexican food is not widely available. Do you have any other questions?

Happy Labour (with a "U") day!!!!

2007-08-29T23:14:00.000-04:00

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!)

2007-08-28T01:03:00.000-04:00

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.

2007-08-27T14:50:00.000-04:00

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.

2007-08-16T02:21:00.000-04:00

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.

2007-08-09T16:37:00.000-04:00

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

2007-08-06T03:23:00.001-04:00

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!

2007-08-05T20:11:00.000-04:00

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.

2007-08-05T00:12:00.000-04:00

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.

2007-08-04T00:25:00.000-04:00

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).

2007-08-02T01:53:00.000-04:00

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!

2007-08-01T18:23:00.000-04:00

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!!!

2007-07-31T23:29:00.000-04:00

FOUND A PLACE!!!

I'm no longer homeless yay!!!! I was looking on craigslist.org for a place to live. Since New York is an expensive city I decided to live in a share. Most of the teacher's that I'm close with in the program or either teaching too far away to room together or have different living situations.

Looking for a place within your budget, ideal area and also a person to share an apartment with is not an easy thing to do. I've been stressing these two weeks and focusing my energies to apartment searching.

BUT I finally found somewhere to live. I'm excited it's close to school, the apartment is two bedrooms third floor walk-up and has also been recently renovated. It has a tiny kitchen but has nice new appliances, walnut stained gleaming hardwood, two large windows in my bedroom along with an airconditioner and a REAL closet!!!

My roommate seems cool, she's my age from Iowa and works as a fashion designer. The only thing that's not the best, is the apartment is located in a more 'industrial' area of town. I guess everything can't be perfect.

2007-07-31T00:28:00.000-04:00

A great night out.

Last week was restaurant week in Manhattan with price fixe menu in some of the best restaurants in NYC. On Wednesday, 10 female teachers and myself went out to eat at Mesa Grill by Bobby Flay. I had grilled scallops for appetizer, the main course was grilled Mahi Mahi and dessert was a fruit shortcake custard thing. There was 3 choices for each course and it was 35 bucks. Excellent food, though southwest grill is not my favourite genre. I have pictures of the food but I'm too lazy to download the pictures.

Afterwards, the NY pretty entertain DOE treated us to see the show CURTAINS starring David Hyde Pierce. It was entertaining and a fun show though I want to see some other broadway shows.

Sorry for not blogging, for a while -I've been busy apartment hunting!!!

2007-07-19T01:10:00.000-04:00

Things I’ve done

1. Went to see Transformers. Personally I thought it was long but the action was great

2. Visited P.S. 1 - a art thingy in Queen’s Long Island City

3. Checked out the neighbourhoods of Park Slope in Brooklyn and Astoria in Queen’s

4. Ate Thai food, Japanese Food, and had Easy Mac for the first time

5. Shopped at Target for the first time (my goodness that place is busy on a Sunday).

6. Bought a black skirt and black tank top from old navy (gotta get rid of my suburban look).

7. Trying to workout regularly at the wonderful gym that I have free membership

8. GOT PAID first 1000 bucks for showing up for the STEP Program! Woot!

9. Violence Prevention Workshop

10. Spoken word poet Lemon Anderson performed for us

11. American Place Theatre directed PD workshops for us

12. Went to the Yankee versus Jays game today, (Jays lost boo…) and didn’t get beat up for cheering the Jays!

2007-07-13T14:40:00.000-04:00

Good News!

My Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday has been quite hectic days with lots of decisions to make. On Tuesday, a job fair to interview with principals and assistant principals with vacancies occurred. I accepted a position in Queen’s (in long island city) which is right across the bridge from Manhattan.

I’m happy. I get my own classroom –and 4 sections of grade 9 living environment. Biology is taught in grade 9. It’s a small school with all new facilities (3 years old) I get my own science classroom and use of a laboratory classroom.

Thursday night, I went on a boat cruise around lower Manhattan! It was a great outing with dinner, a free drink and a cruise for 10 bucks. Good time!

2007-07-10T02:25:00.000-04:00

Optimistic, emotional, sad and beautiful.

The American Place Theatre has a Literature to Life series where they bring books verbatim (but condensed) to the Stage. Today, I saw a performance of Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Forer bought to life in the form of a one-actor production.

It's plot centers around the September 11th attack, and the emotional and physical journey of a child who's lost his father. For some reason it reminded me of The Catcher in the Rye -though the only parallel seems to be a young person wandering through New York City. It's an emotional read, but I definitely recommend reading this novel.

I also went on a scavenger hunt through Central Park (got to visit the John Lennon Imagine Memorial), toured the Museum of Natural History and tried YOGA for the first time!

2007-07-08T22:05:00.001-04:00

Weekend Update!

This Saturday and Sunday I used to get a few ‘housekeeping’ things done. I got a new cell phone, went out Saturday night to the clubs/lounges/bars in Brooklyn, and went to the swanky gym to workout.

Next door to the residence building that I’m living in is the Eastern Athletic Club in Brooklyn Heights. This is by far the swankiest gym that I’ve been to. All the newest cardio machines with individual TV screens attached, pool, full weights, racket ball courts, boxing ring, spinning studio and leather lounging areas throughout. I’m definitely going to miss this when I have to move out of rez.

Upcoming: orientation on Monday, Job Fair is Tuesday, and Professional Development Wednesday.

2007-07-06T22:40:00.000-04:00

First Day of Summer Teaching Experience Program (STEP)

The reason why I’ve moved to NYC so soon in the summer is because I got accepted to the STEP program which allows out of state and international teachers in areas have teacher shortages to come in the summer for an orientation. They provide residence, professional development, job placement help, orientation and also a stipend! So I’m going to be attending classes every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at St. Francis College. Monday is available to visit schools and weekends to spend on my own time.

Today has been a really long day. Traveling and hauling luggage on the subway is not fun, but on the bright side -LOTS OF FREE SWAG from the NY DOE!

My roommate is also from Toronto and actually lived quite close to me in Toronto –It’s a small world! Pictures will go up as soon as I figure out how to post pictures on this blog –any help will be much appreciated!

P.S. write comments! It makes me feel loved!

2007-07-04T21:24:00.000-04:00

Leaving on a Jet Plane...

All my bags are (almost) packed, I'm ready to go. I'll miss you all in Toronto. I signed for teaching high school biology (grade 9) with the New York Department of Education (NY DOE). My flight is leaving at 8:30 am on Friday July 6th...a ONE way ticket.

I'm living in Brooklyn Heights in Residence for six weeks for orientation arranged by the NY DOE. opefully will figure out my job placement, getting a place to stay and prepping for September!

It's overwhelming, exciting and scary all wrapped into one!