Haven is just so much FUN!

Please give me some time till wedding #7 people!

Times that I spend alone are pretty rare these days. I am either with high schoolers, friends, roommates, or Charlie.  I go through different stages of how I feel about alone time. Right now I like it. I'm at the Charlotte Airport. I am alone and it's fun.

I am on my way to my 6th wedding since Aug. Seriously. I'm about to rock my bridesmaids duties for the 3rd time and rock the dance floor for the 6th time since Aug. Every wedding has been so special and unique. I have been honored to stand up next to good friends and watch them promise to love and support the life partner that they chose. It's been great.

I love dancing. I love planning parties and helping out.

Charlie said I should be a wedding planner when I retire.  I was talking to my old roommate Clark about all my upcoming wedding last summer and he said that parents should tell their kids to start a wedding fund for friends' weddings. Its true. I never had one of those savings accounts so don't expect Christmas presents family and friends...... sorry. I can email you some pictures of me in my dresses if you want! Does that count as a present.....I think so!

I have a ton of bridesmaid dresses....... if only I walked the red carpet or went to fancy places in NYC.

I am so thankful for the friends I have and the fun that this Fall has been. But I am ready for a wedding free Winter. So my single friends..... hold on a bit for making more wedding plans. 

Transportation in NYC

Oh the subway...... it's so consistent and is a mode of transportation that can be trusted.  For the first three years of my NYC life I used only the subway and the bus. I paid my $76 a month for my unlimited rides. I took a job out in East Flatbush during my fourth year of NYC life and out there, there aren't any of those trusted subway lines so I had to buy a car.  

I have done pretty well with the whole driving and parking life so far. I have learned to read the stack of no parking street signs. I learned that when one sign says no parking from 7AM to 10 AM and another one states no parking 4 PM to 7 PM and the third one says no parking on Tues and Thurs between 9:30-12:30 that if it happens to be a wed at 11:00 I can park there for about 6 hours before I have to move it again. I get it.

Last week I parked my car outside of my gym, just for a short hour and it happened to not be the hour of the week that permits cars. Actually according to the ticket, which I found hours later, there is NO PARKING ALL DAY EVERYDAY, except for all the other cars that were parked there and for some reason didn't get taken away. Maybe those other cars had some kind of special parking permit that you have to know someone who knows someone in order to purchase. (I would guess those permits cost more than my car is worth........so even if I knew the people who knew the people I would have to pass on the purchase)

So I walked out of my gym to get into my car so I could drive home.....and bummer..... my car is gone. My gym is in a neighborhood called Bed-stuy. Some people call it Bed-Stuy....do or die. I read an article on the neighborhood once and they called it "A troubled neighborhood". So my first thought is my car is stolen and my slip drive that has my teaching lessons on it are stolen. Bigger bummer.

Charlie and I called 311, cause thats what you do in NYC whenever something goes wrong or you want to clarify that on Sundays it is OK not to pay the muni meters.  So 311 tells us to call the Navy Yard. (Its the pound for cars in Brooklyn that get towed)  They have my car and I am so glad it didn't get stolen. Stolen by the city but at least I can get it back for some "easy" monthly payments on my credit card.

We ride our bikes to the Navy Yard and retrieve my precious little green car. It has chalk writing on the windows and a piece of chewed gum. That is the definition of violation. I'm over it though cause I got my car back!

NYC Marathon, Eagles vs. Giants, Phillies Vs. Yankees, and Halloween

This was one very fun action packed weekend! Here is some Halloween fun! I was a Gypsy and charlie was Japanese. We really just looked through our closets and found the most comfortable clothes to wear.

That was Saturday and we went to see the Halloween parade on 6th ave in the west village. So crowded but fun! In the middle of the parade about 100-150 people did the thriller dance and that was by far the BEST part of Halloween night.

Sunday was full of marathon fun. I woke up early to finish making my cheering poster and a few friends, charlie, and I cheered on the 26.2 mile runners for over 3 hours! I love marathon day!

Then..... Eagles rocked the Giants! Good day all around!

Two weddings in two days in two different states!

Here are some images from this past weekend! Amy and Bill got married on Saturday in a beautiful garden in Delaware.
Manuel and Danna were married on Sunday in NJ in a beautiful mansion with great food and fun!

Cause Dads are survivors!

As most of you know my Dad was diagnosed with cancer about a month ago. He had a tumor in his arm that was cancerous.  His surgery was last Wednesday and I learned a whole new definition for the word 'stress'.  Jen and I drove out on Tuesday night and although Rebecca was unable to get the time off work we spoke with or texted her every 30-45 minutes throughout the surgery day. 

Wednesday was forever.  Surgery started at 7:45 A.M. and Jen and I got there at 6:00, an hour after Dad and Gail had checked in. We got to spend about an hour together before he went in. A little less time for me, cause I was passed out for about two of the 60 minutes we had with Dad. The doctor had to have my Dad sign papers and he was explaining the risks of surgery....... something about blood transfusions and I don't remember anything else cause I passed out cold, right out of my chair and onto the floor.  I drive all the way from NYC to support my Dad through this major surgery and then I find myself laying on the floor with nurses calling my name....... not my Dad's name....... my name.  I wouldn't expect anything less from my family at 6:00 in the morning in the pre-op room. We've always been so good at drama.

So after I take the attention away from my Dad for a few minutes we refocus ourselves on Dad. The doctor took him in at 7:45. Gail, Jen, and I can't help from crying a few tears. My Dad is so tough, he is telling us he will be just fine. The doctors tell us he will be out around 1:30.

Ok, we can get through six hours. 

It's 8:00 and we eat breakfast..... it's 11:00 and Gail parents get to the hospital..... it's 11:30 and Jen and I go for a walk around the hospital grounds..... it's 12:30 and we manage to eat lunch...... it's 1:30..... it's 2:30..... nothing.....our thoughts are going places they never should have to go..... it's 3:00 and one of the doctors come down to our waiting room and tells us he is doing fine and its taking longer than expected and it will be 1-2 more hours. We call Darin and update him. It's 4:00.....Jen and I walk it off again...... its 5:30.....it's 6:00 Doctor Fox comes down to tell us surgery is over and it went better than expected!!!!!!  Jen and I burst into tears.... happy tears. Later I told Jen I wanted to grab the Dr. and just hug him and she had wanted to do the same thing..... we didn't. We saved the drama this time around.

At 6:30 Jen took it upon herself to find Dad. His room number hadn't appeared on the computer screen in our room. Jen took Gail, me, Gail's overnight bag, Dad's overnight bag, and some other random bags we used when we made our 10 hour home in the waiting room, down to the first floor. We got to see Dad. He was perfect! Healing and resting. I could breath again. My Dad is OK.

Thanks to all who sent prayers and positive thoughts! 

School has begun

School is here in a major way. Today I am thankful that I work in NYC and we get off for very holiday and today is one of them. 

I have enjoyed meeting my new freshman in my English classes and seeing the students in my advisory class who are now juniors! (we started together as a class when they were freshman) My ESL classes are also going well. I think ESL is the most rewarding job because I get to see so much growth in such a short amount of time.

I am head of the English department this year! It's a small department, just 9th -11th grade, but I am excited to take on a new leadership position. 

I am starting my 6th year of teaching and I still get shocked by some of my students. I was shocked to have a "man" walk into my 9th grade English class...... facial hair, keep voice, and BIG. Apparently he just finished the 8th grade and my question is...... how many decades did he spend in the junior high school? 

I was also shocked when I was teaching about making connections and after reading a short passage aloud a student wanted to respond.  She said, "I can connect to making mistakes...one time I went to stab a student in the head in 4th grade with a pencil and I accidentally stabbed her in the eye...... I felt bad." My question to her is...... why is it Ok to stab someone in the head? I am shocked to have a student in my class who can't read. It sucks. I am doing what I can in a class of 28 but my question for his elementary teachers is, 'how did he get to high school'

Along with all these stories I have some awesome and really bright students this year! I love teaching and being a part of so many students' education lives!

I went to my first every high school football game last week. My high school won!!!! It was so super fun. 

Rebecca's wedding

My dear sister Rebecca got married Aug 15! It was so super fun to be a part of it and see Rebecca and Phil make their commitments to one another and then to dance the night away.

I love family. It was great to see everyone. Here is a short little video of Rebecca the night before her wedding. Cool, calm, and collected.

Here is a picture of Bec and I getting ready for the rehearsal dinner!

Wedding pictures.....

Summer vacation!

It has been a really fun last two weeks.

Last week was Delaware beach vacation. There were a bunch of us from Brooklyn (most formally known as Delawareans) and some real Delawareans down at Dewey beach for a whole week. It was so relaxing and I really enojoyed everyone who was at the beach house.

I did a lot of swimming in the ocean....... I can stay in there for hours! Ate some really great food and did some running on the beach. Charlie and I did a bike ride that should have been really fun....... but I had sun burn and I think I got like heat stroke on the ride cause I was really, really HOT! We ate boardwalk fries and salt water taffy!! Charlie played a basketball boardwalk game and won me a stuffed little bear.

I tried to soak up as much time as I could with Liz, since she is soon moving out of Brooklyn to once again take on all that is means to be a true Delawarean!Here is most of the group eating crabs! Breaking apart and really digging in!

The week before we went on beach vacation Charlie and I took a trip up to the Catskills and went camping at Little Pond Campsite for about four days. We had a great time! We got to visit with Darin and it was really nice to have a chance to spend some time with my brother.

Summer months of change

I finished teaching summer school last Thursday. I'm glad I did it. Not too long and I actually enjoyed it. It was really nice seeing some one my worst students in a small classroom and actually functioning properly!
The weather has been amazing and I have been spending a lot of time outside. I ran 18 miles this week (not all at once) and I rode my bike for 35 miles on Saturday!
There is so much change going on. It seems like when one change happens...... every other kind of change has to happen too.
These next four months will bring about a lot of new things for me. Two of my closest friends are moving out of the city. I think I have maybe like one friend left living in New York. Anyone want to move in New York? Its awesome.....
My sister Rebecca is getting married, my friends Bekah, Kayla, Danna, and Amy are getting married. Anyone want to help plan bridal showers? (I say that...... but you all know how much I love planning things!!)
I have a new roommate moving in on Aug 1. My roommate Clark lost his job and has to move out. Real bummer cause he was a great roommate. This new girl Maggie is moving in with us and I think it'll work out real nice.
Some things remain the same and I am so very thankful for that. I will return to the same teaching job (that I love) in September. I will stay in my apartment in Fort Greene and continue to keep on loving it. I will attend that same church.
I will NOT return to College of Mount Vincent......cause I graduated!!!! No more grad classes after a busy day of work, for that I am grateful!

So here's to a beautiful summer....full of changes..... but beautiful.

Maiya's first birthday

Maiya turns one today! She is such a fun little girl. I went out on Sunday to NJ for her birthday party. This is a picture of Maiya eating her happy birthday cupcake!

Below is Maiya and I! Its really unbelievable how much I just love this litttle girl!

And of course an updated picture of three sisters!!!!

I stayed in NJ on Sunday and Monday and got to spend some quality time with Jen. It was so nice and relaxing. Jen and her family really live in the country! Bears, trees, nature, and of course their sweet log cabin. I really enjoyed being with Maiya and Haven too. They are both growing up so fast!

When life gives you lemons......

What am I suppose to do make lemonade or something? But I don't even like lemonade. I like happiness and fun and laughter...... and that is not at all what life is giving me right now.

I am so thankful for my friends and family. I have the most amazing support - thanks team!

It is just so interesting when things happen and they are just out of my hands. I like to know what is going to happen and honestly I don't really like surprises..... well not most surprises. I like to be in the know. I was sooooooooooooo not in the know this past week and I feel confused and overwhelmed and honestly really sad.

One of my best friends got engaged yesterday. I got my heart broken yesterday. Its interesting how one day can one persons best and another persons worst.

OK..... so maybe I'll make some lemonade or something. Maybe I'll learn to like lemonade.

the swine

I hate being sick. I know people don't enjoy being sick....I just think I hate it more than most.

I was sent home from work on Thursday cause I had "swine like symptoms". The test for the swine is really terrible......they push this long stick with a swab up your noise and I mean up......like way up near your eyes. Anyway, I survived that. (maybe that sounds dramatic... "survived") The test came back negative and I could exhale cause I was not part of the swine epidemic.

All I can say is, "three cheers for charlie." When I am sick I think the whole world should stop and nurse me back to health and make sure I make it. When I am sick I want to complain and really make sure everyone knows just how sick I am and they all know exactly everthing that is hurting me. I don't just tend to mention it once that I'm sick, I'm sure to repeat it again and again until I start to gain some health back. I am a very intense patient.

Well, I'm on the road to recovery now!!! If you don't live in NYC I would suggest you stay out for a while till we all get our health back.

Graduation

I graduated today! I have my masters degree in Urban and Multicultural Education!

The half Marathon race

It was 93 degrees when I finished my 13.1 miles. I wasn't sure if I was going to throw up for pass out first! I can't wait to do another race!!!

It was the hardest thing I have ever made my body do. I thought during mile 12 that my legs might just fall off. It was just so, so very hot out!

I loved that I trained and completed the race! Training in the cold and cool weather made it hard to run in the heat but somehow I pushed my body to do it. It's really amazing what a body can do if the mind just tells it to do it!

Below is a little video charlie took when I was on Mile 6. I am all smiles and really enjoying it.

There is another video of me really close to the finish line but I look half dead. Just enjoy this video where it looks like running is only lots of FUN!

Anyone wanna do the half marathon in the Hamptons in September with me?

Spring break 2009

Charlie and I went to the White Mountains for Spring break. I found these really rad cabins made by the outing club at Dartmouth College. We drove up on Monday. For those of you that live in NYC or any other crazy traffic city know that making driving plans totally revolves around traffic. We decided to leave early. Charlie wanted 5:30 A.M. but that is just too early so we left around 7:00 and got up to our cute cabin by 3:00.

Our cabin didnt have any indoor plumbing (it is turned off till around mid May) We had a nice wood stove to keep warm and a full kitchen to cook. I did my research and found a health club close by so we were able to shower everyday! Here is our home away from home.

We went snowboarding at this great mountain called Sunday River in Maine. It was about 50 minutes from our cabin. I am still a brand new beginner at this whole snowboarding thing. There are some things I can say at this point I can do......well at least I thought I could do. I can ride a ski lift, I can get down an easy mountain without falling, I know how to get in and out of my snowboard in less than 5 minutes, I know to wear a helmet always, and I know that staying warm is key to enjoying the sport. Take a guess at which of those things I "know how to do" I actually did not know how to do..................... Ok, I'll tell you....... turns out I don't know how to ride a ski lift. That's right, day one...first ride of the day and I fall out of the ski lift. I'm ok cause I know that wearing a helmet is important and my knee is in recovery. (I just have my fingers crossed that my knee heals by Saturday....my half marathon day)

Anyway, our break was more than just me falling out of the lift. It was amazing to be in the country and hear the birds and see the stars and not care about time. The white mountains are just breathtaking! Outside our door was the most amazing view of snow capped mountains. We just enjoyed being together and being outside. So thankful for breaks!

Since I was a little handicapped on Wednesday and Thursday from my fall I did a little video footage of Charlie, someone who knows a few more things about snowboarding than me and tells me....."just take time to heal, there is always next year." Below is a little video of snowboarding fun!

We came back to Brooklyn on Friday night and now just preparing to go back to school tomorrow. Three special cheers for the White Mountains!

Easter fun in Brooklyn

I hosted Easter dinner for the first time ever. Jen, Dave, Haven, Maiya, and Charlie's brother Pete came over for some Easter fun! I love everyone in my family but this Easter Haven really stole my heart. Here is cute little Haven and to the right is Jen and I.Below is a video of Charlie making Haven laugh really hard!!!

Running

I have taken running to a new level. I am currently training for a half marathon. Its in two weeks and liz and lindsay are going to run it too. I am in the peak of the training and survived my 12 mile run last Sunday.
I am really enjoying my runs and my races. Its so fun to run with 5,000 other runners! Its like one big team......and I love teams!
I am doing 9 New York Road Runner races this year so that I qualify for the NYC marathon in 2010. I love the NYC marathon. Its amazing. I have to just keep reminding myself of how much I love the marathon.
The qualifier run I did this morning was a 10K in central park. In the rain. In the cold. In a big poncho (wish I had a picture). I have to just keep remembering my goal......NYC marathon 2010. Liz and I were so wet and freezing when we finished our race but we did it and had some fun!

Old pics that I like........

Pics from last Fall

Bekah, me, Charlie, Gabrielle, and Christine last september

Surprise visit!!!!

I was on my way from work on Thurday night......a few Thursday nights ago. Just a normal day for me. Teaching English classes and teaching ESL and then stopping at the gym before home. Charlie and I were talking about what we'd make for dinner. Charlie was driving so he pulled my car up to the front of my house to drop me off. At my door step, just standing there were.............. Millay, my dear friend and old roommate and Sarah, my dear friend who also use to live in Brooklyn. Just at my stoop.

I think I just stared at them and it didn't even register that they were at my house. That Millay had crossed the ocean and Sarah had crossed the midwest to come and pay me and my city a visit. This picture is our first reunion pic!

It was amazing to have them over for a week. We got to just catch up, eat brunch, get tea, hang out at prospect park, eat sushi and laugh!

This pictures below is of us after a really nice sushi lunch!

Friends are amazing! I am so thankful for the friends I have in my life!

Sarah and Millay got to see my sweet new duplex apartment. It was so nice to have room for them to stay!

It was a wonderful visit!

Iron Jawed Angels

Its hard for me to believe that women have not always had the right the vote. Its hard for me to grasp that we have only been able to vote since 1920. (thank you 19th amendment)

I would highly, highly reccomend this DVD. Its really good! You all know it takes a LOT to keep me awake for the entire movie. I used it as an extra credit project for my English class. We all really like it!

snowboarding!

As I have written in a previous post, I am trying to embrace the long and dark winter month. So far I would say I am doing pretty well with my litte goal.

I decided to give snowboarding a second chance. My first snowboarding experience was about three years ago and I fell so many times, had too many bruises, and ended up crying down the mountain cause I was in so much pain.

So this past weekend Charlie and I went up to the Catskills and snowboarded!

I took a lesson on Sunday and stayed on the bunny hill all day and tried one very small mountain at the end of the day. Monday, I stayed on the little mountain all day and by the end of Monday I got down the mountain without falling. (granted it took me like 45 minutes cause I went from side to side and REALLY slow...... but didn't fall and thats what I'm counting. (thats me below)

December Fun!

The holiday season was action packed! No school! Family! Friends!
The left pic is of my family's christmas. We had a celebration at Jen and Dave's house the Saturday before Christmas! And three sisters and Maiya on the right!

Christmas Day Charlie and I spent with his family in Queens and then we flew down to Florida for his cousin's wedding. Below is a picture of us at the beach wedding in Florida. It was so hot and so pretty and I really liked being with Charlie's family.

After Florida we flew into Philly to go to my tradional New Years celebration with friends at Linds and Collin's house. It was great to see Collin, Linds. Patrick, Mers, Mike, Nathan, Shannon, and others! Charlie, Collin, and Nathan to the left. Dit and Tardo below. (that naming is for you mers)