Yummy Cookbook - I want! I want!

The Edible Brooklyn Cookbook!

Brooklyn, even though not Manhattan, has some really great places to eat!  I wonder what type of recipes made it into this book that is moving right up the top seller lists!

I'm Losing My Mind.. SLOWLY

Today was the first real day of school...Last Thursday and Friday were warm ups!

Several more kids showed up today, and two still have not shown up.  I think that means that my class will end up with 28 students if no more show up.  28!  All the other ELA classes are "split" at a cap of 20.  I get an extra 8 students because they are the scholars.

Scholars or not, I did a lesson on taking Cornell Notes today.  We practiced it.  Then we did an exercise where we looked at a powerpoint slide on The Mirabal Sisters from DR.  We went slowly, slide by slide, discussed important information.  When I did a notebook check, 5 or 6 of them didn't use Cornell Notes.  2-3 of them barely took any notes.  LORD!

So I worked on my "hanging transition words" today.  It takes so long to do the arts and crafts stuff when people keep coming in the room.  I hung up a bunch of posters around the school.  I got my binder situated and feel like I am one step closer to getting things going in the right direction.

I rushed out of school at 3:15 because Fresh Direct was coming between 4 and 6.  I stopped by McDonald's and picked up a late breakfast and lunch and early dinner because I was starving.  All I had all day was half a coke and wheat thins.

I ate my dinner and waited for Fresh Direct.  And waited..  And waited...

Turns out I never hit the final "confirm" so no delivery.  I rescheduled it for tomorrow between 8 and 10.  I have my first meeting for my NYIT class from 5-7, so tomorrow will be a busy day of jumping around from place to place!

Tonight I worked on several things for work, including setting up a new Wiki for my teachers.  I can pull a lot of stuff off my old Wiki, but I didn't want to use it with them.  Starting new!  I also made a really cool PPT about Literary Genres!  Lastly, I am also in the process of moving over 40G of files from my AP's external hard drive to mine.  It has all the files from the previous 2 literacy coaches on it.  They had 2.. now they have me.  FUN!

Not going to stress....Can only do my best...There is so much to do, but my priority is my students - not the Literacy Coach job.  If they don't like it, they can replace me next year.

Show Off!

It was not a very crowded train... I noticed that a guy in Yellow was standing in front of a lady who was trying not to look at him.  I was wondering why he was standing when the train was pretty much empty and he could sit anywhere... Oh.. I see.. he was showing off....

He pulled the bag up to hide it when I walked over... I think he was upset with me, or upset that she wasn't interested... either way.. ha ha..

There was a hot guy sitting there acting like he didn't see any of it.. but I sure saw him.. HOT!!

Things will be fine... I think...

Friday was better at work...

Better.. not great!

I had my kids first and second periods.  The teacher who has them for homeroom doesn't seem to like me.  She was snippy and I think she doesn't like that the kids like me already.  I hate coming into a new school as the Literacy Coach when the last one was so well liked.  I hate to tell people that I could really care less if you like me or are nice to me... the only things I care about are making sure my students are learning, that they are enjoying their education, and that my boss likes my job performance.  I am not at work to make friends.

Over the next few periods I worked on a PPT to share with the staff about the person our school was named after.  I learned all about the Mirabal Sister of the Dominican Republic.

I met with the AP to discuss different points of interest and expectations.  We ended up meeting with the man who is our contact for AR and it turns out his wife was my contact at my former school.  We then went downstairs and all of us met with the principal and arranged for him to come back on Thursday to do a training for all the new teachers.  I guess Thursday I will be staying from 3-5 to see what I can learn about AR that I don't already know.

I moved 4 more tables and chairs into my room since my class numbers are going up up up....

I left school around 4 and was in the hot shower by 4:15. I love working just 4 stops from my house.  It is a good thing!

Oh, there was a really cute guy on the subway on the way home... reading Water for Elephants... I mean seriously - look at the size of his hands and feet... WOWSERS!

Kids are Back

Thursday was the first day with the students.  All last week I was freezing in the building, of course the first day with the kids the AC isn't working correctly.  I met the kids sweating like a pig.

I have the sweetest 7th graders.  I can tell there are a few of the boys who think they will get away with being middle schoolers.. not bad kids, just looking to play a bit.  I can honestly say these kids are Sweet!!  I don't think I will have any problems at all.

I am teaching the scholars group that happens to be bilingual.  I don't speak Spanish, but the kids are taught ELA in English anyway.  All the other ELA classes are split so they only have 20 kids.. I am up to 26... hmmm, just one more way in which I get to deal with a new school... I have not a clue what to do at this school as Literacy Coach.. they do things so differently.  LEARNING CURVE has begun!

But again, the positive point is I have my babies and I like them already.  That is what I am going to focus on!

I start my NYIT class next Tuesday so that will be ANOTHER thing on my plate.  I also sent in my application to be a part of the Teaching American History Grant - American Dream program so that will be a few more things to do.

Otherwise, I am going to concentrate on teaching my  7th graders, being a great coach to my teachers - working my 8-3 work day, and ONLY working late if I get paid for it.  Otherwise, I am going to concentrate on getting my rear end to the gym and getting my hotness back.

I am already counting the days down until summer 2012 in Sunny Isles.....

Hottie in the City

The other day I was coming home from work.  I was exhausted.  When I got on the A train at 168 I immediately pepped up when I saw this amazingly hot man sitting across from me.  I knew I knew him from somewhere - turns out it was Grindr.  He lives right around the corner from me.  So hot! So very hot!

HOT MOVER ALERT!

I had to get all my teaching supplies from my storage units to my new school....

I could have rented a uhaul and did it myself, but due to BOOTCAMP, I just didn't have the time and I really wasn't feeling it.

So I hired these Russian movers to pick up my stuff, load it, move it, and unload it in my room.

All of them were hot, but the youngest one was WAY hot!

Well worth the $300.  Not just because they were HOT, but because it saved me a lot of time and wear and tear on my body!