New York Musings

Ben from Idaho

2007-09-01T02:39:00.000-04:00

I'd like to give a little respect to my friend Ben, who I have known since high school, and only by some random chance ran into this year in Boise. Luckily there is evidence that people from Idaho really do occasionally escape for awhile and learn about other cultures and peoples. Ben is a wonderful example of this. Please stop in and say hello on his blog sometime... weblog.bmgeisler.com Here is his bio:

I am currently a foreign scholar studying at Sichuan University, PRC. I enjoy travel, adventure, wine, reading, brazilian jiu jitsu, woodworking, bowyery, the smell of pavement when it rains, writing, languages, enlightened discourse, horses, plotting and subterfuge, winter, boxing, blacksmithing, avante garde jazz, coffee, working with my hands, and most likely, you.

29 days without meat

2007-09-01T02:31:00.000-04:00

Well, so far so good. I haven't eaten meat in 29 days. I don't really notice, except when I'm at a barbecue and there is tritip steak.... or ribs... Mmmm... ribs... Okay, I notice, but it's not that difficult.

So I'm still learning how to develop a meat-free diet. I think it will be a positive change though. The most interesting thing is the way perceptions have changed about vegetarians. I remember in college, just 6 years ago, my roommate always being questioned about being vegetarian, as if she was an alien. Now, I've not had anyone really argue with it. In fact, more often people are congratulating me, and giving signs of respect. That has surprised me.

School started for me. So far I'm learning a little more than I expected to. I really like my law classes the best. I have 2 of them, and 1 more next semester. This semester my two law classes are about ethics and about special education. It is interesting to study what federal laws say and what my state law says.

I also have a diversity class, a standards class, and a finance class. I think that the finance class COULD be really interesting but so far is a lot of reading. We will see though. I at least see value in all of these classes, which is different from the majority of undergrad courses. Yay!

Happy Labor Day, everyone!

2007-08-19T05:11:00.000-04:00

Wow, this is scary to me. I won't say any more than that because I don't want to risk being perceived as commiting an act that undermines the efforts towards political reform in Iraq, and then having my assets seized.

Here is an excerpt, taken from this site. Bush Executive Order of July 17th 2007

(i) to have committed, or to pose a significant risk of committing, an act or acts of violence that have the purpose or effect of:
(A) threatening the peace or stability of Iraq or the Government of Iraq; or
(B) undermining efforts to promote economic reconstruction and political reform in Iraq or to provide humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi people;
(ii) to have materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, logistical, or technical support for, or goods or services in support of, such an act or acts of violence or any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order; or
(iii) to be owned or controlled by, or to have acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order.

So late so late

2007-08-16T04:48:00.000-04:00

I worked 12 hours today... at work. Then as I was leaving I decided to not bring my computer home and work anymore. I thought about going to bed at ten, but Eric wasnt getting off of work until 11 (which means 12 by the time he really gets home), so I wanted to wait because I hadnt seen him.

He came home.. we talked about health insurance... vision insurance... life insurance... All sorts of fun things!! He fell asleep as I was completing his health questionairre for work online.

Then I stayed awake and "caught up" on how my friends are doing... myspace, photos, blogs. Thought about emailing some and decided incoherent 3 am emails are unnecessary.

I ordered my textbooks. Lots o' textbooks. Back in the swing of things, ordering textbooks.

I have four more days. 4 days until...

intellectual stimulation
overworked
emotional exhaustion
eager learning
lots o' reading
online classes
Holy crap! 15 credits!
What am I doing?
more loans
something to do at night
less time at work
Woo hoo! Less time at work!

.... on a side note, I am on some rocking cool ed committees for the state. I'm not supposed to say anything "publically" without going through the PR people at el departamento de educacion. But, if you are interested in how the tides are turning in education in my little ol' state, please shoot me a line. I can email all I want. :-)

Sleepy time!

Ok, I'm blogging again!

2007-08-12T21:23:00.001-04:00

Well, I haven't blogged for quite awhile. I think it comes down to not really thinking that I had anything interesting going on. But then, I was thinking, does anyone REALLY have anything interesting? And I decided that for the most part, no, most blogs don't. But we love reading people's journals and knowing their personal details. :-)

So my latest life change is that I have stopped eating meat. Today is day 10. So far, so good. I really think that I am eating much healthier. Not necessarily because I am not eating meat, but because I am more conscious about what I am eating. I feel good about this in general. I spent two years without a car, for the environmental good I believed I was doing. I don't know how long I will go without meat, but I know for now I am going without. Kudos to me!

I start classes next week. I am going back to school full time to get my administrator's license. I'm currently finishing up Teacher Man by Frank McCourt, which is making me feel like I am joining the dark side of the education world. Other than that, I am excited and nervous to be going back to school. 5 class, 4 of which are online. Wish me luck!

Erik Halpin

2007-03-28T01:33:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone! I just want to say that my cousin, Erik Halpin, or Erik Blake Halpin, is here with me and I am so happy!!

Where I'm at...

2007-03-21T22:24:00.002-04:00

Well, I was inspired by Arzhang's post that was inspired by Mike's post...

I'm in Atlanta now - for the NCTM conference. Before today was the research Pre-session. I like attending things like this because they take me out of my own little bubble. They make me reconnect with the ideas and passions that inspired me to teach in the first place.

I say that literally and figuratively. Within 15 minutes of being here, a man came and sat down next to me. I thought a moment, and then did a double take. It was my mentor teacher from my first year of teaching!!! He observed me every other day in the Bronx High School. Then, today, I sat down in a seat for the Key Note speaker, picked up the materials on my seat, and saw the face of one of my professors staring back at me from the front of a brochure. It brought back a flood of memories from CCNY and my master's program. And to think - I still have 3 more days here!!

My big decision this week was that I applied to a master's program. My goal in life is going to be to collect degrees, I think. Ok, not really. But, I applied to a non-thesis program in order to get my administrator's license. It's not that I don't enjoy my work, but there isn't much room to move from here, except to other online schools and positions. Having an administrator's license would just give me a few more options (some of which would include having summers off again!).

So, there is what is going on in my life. Oh, and if you haven't read "The World is Flat" you HAVE to read it. Seriously.

Where I'm at...

2007-03-21T22:24:00.001-04:00

Too Dependent on my computer

2007-02-26T04:10:00.000-05:00

I had a "I'm too dependent on technology" realization this week. When I started this job, my office-mates told me we use MSN for inter-office chatting. So I started using that and gmail messenger mostly. I didn't even have aol messenger on my work computer, so I forgot it existed.

Here I am now, a little more than 6 months later, and you would think forgetting about aol or AIM would be no big deal. EXCEPT for this - I had about a handful of my "best" friends that I only talked to on AIM for the previous 5 years or so. We never called or emailed because we were always online. The sad and almost sick thing is that in a way, I forgot communication with those people existed also.

So, I was missing one of those friends, who actually works about 2 minutes from my house. This was the thought process that went on in my head....
"Hmm... I wonder how he is doing. I haven't talked to him since... hmm... well, I guess since the beginning of fall semester....
I should call him...
I can't believe I haven't called him sooner. He hasn't seen my house yet.
I'd feel weird calling him.
I would? Why?
Hmmm....
.....
I don't know, we just don't call each other.
Maybe I should email.
Do I even have his email address?
...
I wonder where his Mom lives.
I don't even remember where he lives...
How do I get in touch with him?
Hmm.... how did I in college?
Oh my gosh!!!!! Messenger!!!
I completely forgot about AIM! Is that program still around? It must be! Is anyone still using it?
Whoa!!! How did I totally forget that?!!"

So I immediately installed it. Within less than a week I have reconnected with about 5 of my closest friends. As Im telling Eric about some of these people, saying how great they are and that I miss them, I feel like a complete jerk that without messenger its like the friendship ceased to exist.

I dont even have a paper address book anymore. If some of you all out there switched logins or email addresses, I would lose all contact.

How scary is that??!!!!! I'm not talking about someone you did a science lab with one day, but people that I spent hours upon hours with during college - who know my family and my past.

Shoot - I'm talking about people who know my maiden name!

And to think - my friendship with them is semi-dependent now on a computer program?!

It is one thing to stop seeing each other daily, because you finish school. Then, of course, people move away, to other locations. But at some point, I didnt just move to NY or idaho or whatever, I moved to AIM and lived within it. People visited me there, called on me there, without necessarily even knowing my current address or phone.

Can you tell? This freaked me out...

The best years of your life...

2007-01-09T00:48:00.000-05:00

Do you ever find yourself longing to return to a time in your past? Maybe high school, or college? I truly believe my favorite years were my college years, for the good and the bad times. There was a lot of stress, and tears, and not enough sleep, but accompanied with so much learning and growing.

So... I am going to relive my wonderful years at good ol' ACI. How? Well, that was the tricky part. I am FINALLY done going to school for awhile, so I wasn't going to enroll. But..... my husband is going to Albertson! Go Yotes!!!

Today was his first day of class. It is the winter term and he is enrolled in the class that was by far my favorite education course. He brought home the syllabus, and I looked over the week's assignments and reminisced fondly. He also brought me a copy of the newspaper, which I read and laughed at how irrelevant so much of it seems to me now.

We looked at the social events, campus ministry opportunities, talked about financial aid, FAFSA, advisors, and the works. Ahhh.... just like being back. (minus the homework!)

So folks, if you find yourself missing your college years, this seems to be a great way to get as close to those years again, without actually going to college again.

Good Luck Eric! I hope you enjoy this as much as we did.

Look at me Mom, I'm blogging!

2006-12-17T01:28:00.000-05:00

Oooh! Ooh! Two posts in one month! Now I'm really going!

So, I'm in Idaho Falls for a month, working the Mary Kay business a little more. We are still going for the car by our anniversary - April 21. We think it is doable, especially with me not being in a class in the spring.

Speaking of class, I still don't know what my final grade was or really even if I passed. I don't know why this class was so much harder that my undergrad, or even my master's that I did in night classes, but it was. Maybe because I didn't know anybody. Maybe because ever part of me detested being there. Maybe both.

So, today is Saturday, and next Friday Eric and I will go down to Salt Lake, then fly out early early Sunday morning with Mom and Eric to go to Venezuela! Can you all believe it?!! My mom is going with us to Venezuela!! Honestly, it is really incredible the way things change. I still can barely believe that I ever went to venezuela, AND that I went so far as to MARRY someone from there, and now even my MOM is going there - to South America! Crazy!!!

But, it is true. So, we leave Boise on Friday, December 20 something, and we will fly back in to the country on January 6. We will speak some spanish and eat arepas and caraotas in the middle. My husband is in seventh heaven right now, thinking about going back. God Bless him for having been away from his family for over a year so that he could be with me. He deserves this trip.

So - to my adoring fans (all three of you) - have a very wonderful holiday season and a splendid New Year! I promise to take lots of pictures.

Quick Update

2006-12-11T23:11:00.000-05:00

Ok, Im trying to make a concerted effort to blog more regularly. Here is the skinny on my current life:

Work is a little lame. Well, frustrating is more the word. I feel like Im working for a nonprofit company. Not enough people, too much work. Yuck!

Im almost done with my calculus theory class. Love the content, dont like going.

Leaving for Venezuela in two weeks with mom and Eric. Eric couldnt be more excited.

Played the viola in a musical - Yay! Music!

Garage door opener disconnected from the door.

Mary Kay business, with my new business partner Eric, is hopping. Shop online at http://www.marykay.com/quintero We will earn the company car (pontiac Vibe) by our first anniversary.

Sean is back from Africa! Yay for living through two years of Peacecorps in south africa!!

My cousin Erik and I have been talking much more. I love him and had missed him also. yay for family!!!

My dad lost a lot of weight. Im so proud of him!!

Eric is probably transferring to Albertson for the spring semester. We hope.

I'm still messy.

The Impact of Blogging

2006-11-16T21:34:00.000-05:00

You know, I always blogged in New York... sometimes I lagged, but in general I tried to keep up with it. I'm sure anyone reading this, as a fellow member of blog land, has gone through a slump with no comments, where you start to think "Is anyone else even reading this?" Some of us write just to get things out, but I think a large portion feel good knowing they have an audience, regardless of the size.

So, today I was back at my beloved college, now as an adult with something to contribute. I stayed after the meeting to speak with a former education professor. At the end he said, "Oh by the way! I loved reading your blog and hearing about everything that you were experiencing while you were teaching in New York." I was aghast! I had no idea that he had ben reading my blog, and enjoying it nonetheless. He talked to me about some of the schools I had worked at and other stories.

And that is why I started this blog - to share my New York experiences with the world - teachers and students who may have no idea how different the "same" job can be. I never really thought I was though. But at least one person was reading.

I've been thinking this week about my work in New York - whether I affected students... where they are now. I will never really know. But I will always have my hopes.

An Update

2006-09-05T23:25:00.000-04:00

Well, i wrote a nicely worded blog about my feelings towards riding a bike to BSU three times a week. I was quite proud of my compilation, clicked to publish, and an error kept occuring. So, I copied the text to repost later, but then forgot and began copying and pasting things for my work. And, alas, it was lost. I was so inspired the first time that I couldn't bring myself to repost.

However, I will say that Eric FINALLY was able to meet my wonderful pal Arzhang. We have had some fabulous times already. For a glimpse of our fun, please visit Arzhang's page.

Scary Chemicals in the Air

2006-08-20T19:58:00.000-04:00

I heard on the radio that they would be doing an aerial spraying of the area to protect against West Nile Virus. I immediately thought of the lessons I learned about the DDT sprayings that were later found to cause birth defects and other issues. Today I saw this article...

http://www.kbcitv.com/x79003.xml

This is where my issue comes from - they say that the chemicals aren't dangerous because they will "evaporate into the trees" and won't ever hit the ground. I don't understand what that means. Are they saying that it lands in the trees, so it doesn't hit the ground? If that is the case, then what about anything that can blow in through my window, or just misses a tree in general? How does something "evaporate into" something else? I'm so confused.

It's funny.. being back in Idaho. Bank robberies, Red alert for air quality, cattle rustling, and chemicals... I guess I can see how some people are comfortable in New York because they know the dangers there - maybe a little robbery, a mugging, etc. But you know, and you protect yourself. Protecting yourself against air - that's a little tricky.

These rock

2006-08-20T16:55:00.000-04:00

I don't know what I enjoy more about this website - that it exists, or that the pastor at church today used some of these graphics to talk about John the Baptist.

Check it out.

We Bought a House!

2006-06-30T22:26:00.000-04:00

Okay, sorry I haven't written anything in a long time, but I have been SOOO busy since the wedding. We got our stuff (mostly) moved out of the New York apartment. I started work here in Boise and the job is great. Yesterday, we found the perfect house, and today our offer was accepted! Woo hoo!! So, we will now fly back to New York and start our three week honeymoon/travel excursion. This will include a little time with LaDonne, with Dad, and the week in North Carolina. Relaxing time - Finally!!!

For those people who reside in Boise and care, the house is located next to Capital high school, on Vera. I cant get any more specific than that.

The wedding party

2006-04-25T10:08:00.000-04:00

The wedding party
Originally uploaded by nyjenn313.

I can't believe I'm married.

Jennifer Camille Quintero

Upstate New York

2006-03-25T10:23:00.000-05:00

Im sitting in a hotel in upstate New York. Eric is taking the TOEFL test, and for some bizarre reason, Vestal New York was the closest place where he could take it before June. I dont understand it. Oh well. Im nervous for him. But, not being from a country with a huge push for standardized testing from age 10 forward, he doesn't feel the stress or the pressure. It's funny, because I keep thinking (and sometimes saying) "Don't you know that your WHOLE FUTURE will be effected by your score on this test?!" But he doesn't really seem affected by it. He didnt hear SAT, SAT, SAT while he was a kid or any of the other hoops we jump through - GRE, LSAT, MCAT, Praxis, LAST, blah blah blah... so it's like just another thing to him. I mean, maybe it really isn't. Maybe this is just his way of not getting stressed out and doing his best. But its just so unamerican! Isn't the USA about last minute cramming, completing endless test prep routines, eating every possible brain food for a week, listening to recordings of clues while you sleep, and praying that the notes under your pillow will somehow be absorbed into your brain?

Or was that just me?

27 days to go...

2006-03-25T10:17:00.000-05:00

Yeah... 27 days away... It's hard to believe.

The wedding plans are starting to congeal a bit. Really, all of the plans are coming together. Once Eric and I made the biggest decision - figuring out where we want to live for the next stage of our lives - we became a little more motivated to do everything else too.

My dress is in - I just need to go pick it up. I mailed Katy's dress to her (purchased from Craigslist). I saved more than 50% on my bridal accessories by ordering them off of ebay, so Im feeling better about the spending in general.

The honeymoon is planned - North Carolina!! WOoo!!! I'm honestly really excited to be going to the South. I've only been to Atlanta and to Florida, and both of those were when I was young. I've never driven through any parts of the South so this should be great fun. I think we are both just so excited to go somewhere new to both of us. More details to follow...

Nothing important

2006-03-03T23:49:00.000-05:00

I have nothing important to report. I'm a little burnt out on... well... everything. But... I made some wicked good chicken parmesan for dinner tonight. Earlier this week, rice krispy treats, and i experimented with a clam sauce that turned out well.

I'm just making sure I keep up with my blog though. I don't want any people to say I'm neglecting it. ;-) (you know who you are)

Driving gloves

2006-02-28T00:43:00.000-05:00

I would never buy them for myself, but I love them. I had on my suede gloves today while I was driving home for work. It was like a party between my hands and the steering wheel With only a light touch from my hand, the gloves gripped the wheel and I could turn it as easy as spinning a pinwheel. They were wonderful.

Then I thought... leather... hmm... what's my opinion? Well, I decided that if you eat meat you can't be against leather because you're already killing a cow. So, of course, use it for whatever you can. Take a lesson from Little House and the Prarie and make a toy out of the organs. But, the problem of course, is that maybe animals are being killed just for the skins.

At some point I will remember to research this.... but for now - any opinions out there? Does leather come from cows that are also being slaughtered for the meat? Or, are the animals killed for the meat and the other parts are discarded and different cows slaughtered? Any insider info out there?

My vacation week

2006-02-26T17:50:00.000-05:00

Things I have done during this week off...

Eric's cousin was here, so we piddled around with him.
Visited LaDonne. (yay!)
Tried on dresses. and more dresses. and more dresses.
Celebrated my Grandma's 84th birthday.
Finished putting together all of the invitations.

But... the climax of the week happened today.

I don't know if this is politically correct, but we did what we call "Poor shopping." We go on to craigslist.org, and straight to the "Free Stuff" section. Then, if we see something we can use - we get it! Today was a big score. We got a sweet dresser and matching nightstand.
Until now, Eric's things have been in these storage crates from Staples, turned sideways like a makeshift shelving unit (if youre not sure what I mean, think back to college.. i'm sure you knew someone that had the same). So, a real 6-drawer dresser is quite a step up. Plus, it will allow us to organize the room a lot better and for me to take back some of my space (WOO HOO!!).

But I have to work tomorrow. The more I'm an employee, the more I think I was made to be self-employed. This whole "going to work" thing just doesn't sit well with me after awhile. Maybe I'm just lazy. I don't think so though.

I have a blog?

2006-02-16T20:57:00.000-05:00

So, until Arzhang asked me why I havent blogged in awhile, I really had forgotten that I had one. Weird.

I've been busy though. The wedding is in about 8 weeks (I think). Unbelievable. Im starting to have a bit of an identity crisis - trying to appreciate my last name before I lose it. I'm torn between my traditional values of becoming a family and joining names and holding on to my own name. If we were in Venezuela this wouldn't be a problem because they take both names (and then have 4). I don't really want to get rid of my middle name either. It's weird. I never would have thought it would be so trying.

Work is good. I'm working extra, mostly for the connections that it gives me. I enjoy it too. I'm really changing things a lot at my school. I don't think anyone else ever slows down long enough to appreciate what I am doing, but I can tell that the attitude of the school about math is changing. FOr example, we gave a practice state test and I convinced the administrators to pay the teachers extra to do this data analysis where we looked at every question and analyzed the mistakes. It made the teachers feel good for two main reasons: the practice test was actually used to develop instruction from that point, the administration gave money to the math teachers, showing that it is also a budgeting priority.

Teachers are collaborating more and more also. The more teachers work together, the more successful a school is. If teachers are collaborating, they can obviously share resources, but it also helps students to pass from grade to grade. I meet with the teachers weekly by grade level and we talk about whats being done, plan lessons, or whatever the needs are. Also, we have identified key vocabulary for each grade level as teams. It's a nice change.

I think the administration is also recognizing much more how great their math teachers are. Well, they always respected them, but blindly I think. Now, when I have my meetings with the administrators, I tell them exactly what each group of teachers is doing that week, and they recognize specifically the work that they are doing.

So... my life is good. I still need a wedding dress, and that stresses me out sometimes, but if I wear flannel, oh well. We have the church and the reception center, so those are the biggest things. Now we just need..... (Haha, that list still has like 800 things). Oh, and I bought my plane tickets... Haha, a previously overlooked IMPORTANT part for this thing to happen.

In resolution... I am good. If I dont post anything for a week or two, shoot me an email and remind me that I still have a blog. Tell me to do my laundry also, it's been equally neglected.

Back to your roots...

2005-12-29T02:04:00.000-05:00

Well, here I am back in idaho falls. I was here this summer for a month, then thanksgiving, and again now for the Christmas break. It's weird being here sometimes. Actually, it isn't. It is weird being here with Eric though. When Im in New York, everything is always like a dream when I come back to Idaho. I watch movies and I see the Empire State building, or a subway or something, and I feel like I have had a really long dream for two and a half years where I live in that city. And now, I have Eric in my life. Before I went to venezuela, my focus was on my new job, being active in my church, getting the heck out of New York, and possibly getting a phD. Now.... oh my. None of those things seem so important now. The job is a job. The church is still an important part of my life but my attendance at every function isnt integral to my (or their) survival. I don't know where I will be living for the next few years, and I've waved goodbye to the phD. At least for awhile. PLUS... my budget has completely shifted and Im not the center of my own world anymore.

But really, I know all of this. It isn't new to me. But it isn't completely real to me either. I just can't believe it. I can sit here, listening to Eric and my mom talking in the living room, hearing her voice that is probably more familiar to me than my own, and his now familiar voice with it's Latin accent, and I just don't believe it. It is like the New York dream that I am living now travels with me. It is sort of like when you dream that you are wetting the bed and then you wake up and you actually are. I feel like when Im in New york, it is this dream life, then I come to Idaho, to my real life, and when Eric is still with me here, it hits me that Im not actually dreaming.

Im not complaining or anything. I love Eric and although every single person I know has been totally worried about how this whole crazy love-scheme would play out, Im still happy with all of the decisions that we have made. Definitely, in the last few months, I have become more of an adult. I guess that's the weird part - the realization that there is no turning back. I find myself having odd longings for my high school days, or for college. Maybe it is the simplicity, the lack of bills, the familiarity and clear set of goals. I dont know. My future now is unimaginable to me. I can imagine, in theory, growing up, getting a job, getting married, having a family, etc, etc. But I have strayed from that basic plan so far now that I can't picture where I am going with my life.

I've always functioned on goals. Now, I don't really have any. It's just so weird. Or maybe it's just growing up that's weird.

Viewing audience - you are all about the same age as me. What are your thoughts? Is anyone else having a bit of a pre-midlife reevaluation/freak out? Give me your input.

Ugh....

2005-12-10T08:32:00.000-05:00

I probably shouldn't post at 8 am on a Saturday, because Im more inclined to be whiney in the mornings and in the evenings, but oh well. First of all, I really am sorry that Im not keeping up on my blog a little better. Or with the phone... or with my emails... My days don't have enough hours right now. Between working extra and having to drive everywhere, and then having more responsibilities at home, I'm exhausted. That pretty much sums me up right now - exhausted. It's one of those times where the list of things i want to get done is much bigger than the list of things that actually gets done every day. Oh, and Im sick. That's why Im whinier in the morning and evenings because my throat hurts so much during those times. I don't mind being sick so much when I dont have a fever or body aches, but its just annoying. Especially when you live with someone who needs clear, detailed explanations for things and the last thing my throat wants is for me to use anything more than two word phrases.

Im going back to Idaho for Christmas. It's one of those mixed excitements. I am excited to be back in Idaho and spend time with the family. But, like most years since Ive lived in NY, I am not excited for Christmas. I dont really have the time, energy, or desire to go do any Christmas shopping, and without the giving part, theres nothing to Christmas for me. Getting stuff is cool, but it isnt what its all about. But, at least this year Eric will be there and it will be his first Christmas in the US, so it should be a little more fun. Katy has her baby also, so the new members should add a little kick to the holidays.

So... that's where Im at in life. Tired. But, at the same time, theres a certain peace to everything. I feel like everything around me is moving fast and I have nothing to do with it, but I also feel like it is all going in the right direction. So, que sera sera.

Bienvenido!

2005-11-20T15:52:00.000-05:00

I want to give a shout out and welcome to the newest blogger (who had no coersion to create this blog, of course). http://ericquintero.blogspot.com Say Hello to him and welcome him to the world wide web, as well as to the United States. His posts are usually in Spanish, but essentially, they are just pictures of some of the interesting and bizarre things we/he see here. It is very reminiscent of my first posts.

Also, here is a question.... What is the definition of a continent? How many are there and what are their names? It's been a big debate today between myself, educated in the US, Eric, from Venezuela, my roommate, educated in Venezuela and Canada, my mother, and whatever info we could find online. It's a tricky one. Give us some insight. I don't want to sway the polls so Im not going to say what the sticking points are yet.

Dear World:

2005-11-19T15:49:00.000-05:00

I am sorry that i have fallen off of you. Or at least, given the appearance of it. I am still here though!!

Things are good. The first couple of weeks were stressful... adjustment doesn't come easily when youre alone, let alone when you have other people to consider. It is nice having eric here though. Once i stopped complaining and realized how lucky I am, things improved. We have been doing some important things like watching my recorded television shows and disney movies. Really, we do nothing, and it is so wonderful.

More updates later. I will keep in touch better, people. Sorry

Join the Circus!

2005-11-14T19:45:00.000-05:00

Well, Eric is here. And Brandan. And Josh. I have a full house and it's all guys and me. Oh my. Katy - my deepest sympathies for your childhood. Lude conversations, explicit vocabulary, and, of course, moonings. When was the last time you saw someone get mooned? Well... I did. I will say no more than that. I don't want any guilty parties to be offended by my publicly posting this information, but let's just use this example to illustrate the completely different environment from my normal life.

But, of course, I am happy. I have some of the dearest men in my life all right here in the same apartment. Yes, they are difficult sometimes, but they are also wonderful and keep me laughing.

As for Eric being here, I know you are all wondering how it is going, what we are doing, etc. I will post more later, and for any of you that speak spanish, I convinced him to start his own blog. We "still like each other" as everyone keeps asking me. Maybe it is more work than I expected, but it is still well worth it. It is good to have him here.

The Final Countdown...

2005-11-08T00:35:00.000-05:00

We are now at 17 hours, and counting..

(Unless you are Eric, then you are at only 5 and a half hours because you are counting down until when you leave your home, not when you arrive.)

But, since the majority of us are not Eric, we are at approximately 17 hours. Tick.. tock... tick .... tock...

I don't know if any of this has really set in as being reality yet. I keep thinking about the English institute that he is going to be attending, next door to the Empire State Building. I think about that area, then I think about Eric. I try to mesh the two thoughts into one and picture Eric walking around near the Empire State Building and I just can't do it. I've had a few different moments where I sit here on my couch and try to imagine what it would be like to have him sitting over there
----------------------------->
on my couch also. Can't do it. So, I will have to just wait and experience it. And, I don't have very long to wait. I remember in that movie "Fallen" with Denzel Washington (the movie where the people always are singing "Time... is on my side...") the narrator says that there are points in your life where you know if you go forward something big is going to happen and to change. I feel like that now. CS Lewis says that every little decision that we make pushes us in some direction. Obviously, some events more obviously steer us or redirect our lives. Tomorrow, with Eric arriving here, will really make my life quite different from last spring (combined with the new job, new car, new roommate, and no college), drastically changed from 3 years ago (when I was still in college), and not recognizable from 6 years ago. From here, decisions become "we" decisions instead of "I" decisions. I am thinking about two people for the holidays, instead of just myself, not committing myself to activities or work things because I dont know Eric's schedule yet.... It is like you lose a little of yourself so that you can gain everything that the other person brings to the relationship.

So, with all that said... to answer the real pressing question for anyone who knows me well... I havent totally cleaned my apartment. It's a lot better, but not perfect. I will do some more sprucing tomorrow before I go to the airport. Now... sleep.

Holy Smokes, Fresh Prince!

2005-11-06T00:34:00.000-05:00

My mother has just alerted me that the original few episodes of the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air had two extra verses where Will is seen drinking champagne on an airplane. I promptly researched the matter, and found the rumor to be true. The complete lyrics are as follows. Does anyone remember these? I thought I knew them word for word... now I need to practice again.

Now this is the story all about how,
My life got flipped, turned upside down,
And I’d like to take a minute, just sit right there,
I’ll tell you how I became the prince of a town called Bel Air.

In West Philadelphia, born and raised
On the playground is where I spent most of my days.
Chillin’ out, maxin’, relaxin all cool,
And all shootin’ some b-ball outside of the school.

When a couple of guys who were up to no good,
Started makin’ trouble in my neighborhood.
I got in one little fight and my mom got scared,
And said You’re movin’ with your auntie and uncle in Bel Air.

I begged and pleaded with her the other day
But she packed my suitcase and sent me on my way
She gave me a kiss and she gave me my ticket
I put my walkman on and said I might as well kick it

First class, yo this is bad,
Drinking orange juice out of a champagne glass
Is this what the people of Bel-Air livin' like,
Hmm this might be alright!

I whistled for a cab, and when it came near,
The license plate said fresh and it had dice in the mirror.
If anything I could say that this cat was rare,
But I thought Nah forget it, "Yo home to Bel Air."

I pulled up to the house about seven or eight,
and I yelled to the cabby "Yo homes, smell ya later."
Looked at my kingdom, I was finally there,
To fill my throne as the Prince of Bel Air.

A Great Divide

2005-11-04T01:45:00.000-05:00

Week 2

I am sitting on the steps talking to Bob. He was in the Naval Reserves during Vietnam. He has a degree in political science and history. He can name all of the countries and capitals in South America. He hasn't eaten since Sunday, but when someone brings him some food, he shares it.

I spoke to another girl from the church, about my age, who used to volunteer with the homeless on the steps. She said her favorite part of the job was watching the people's faces as they walk past the people sitting on the steps. I decided to make it a point to observe the same during the night.

As I sit listening to Bob, enjoying the stories about communication systems in the 1960's, I am partially turned towards him and partially facing the street and the people passing by my new friends and me. One woman does the sign of the cross on her chest. Some stare forward. Many turn, glance, and continue. Often, I can see a little shudder, a quickening of the pace, or a shift to the opposite side of an empty sidewalk lane.

And much to my horror, one person (and thank God only one person) stops, faces the steps and points. "I can't believe anyone allows this! This is disgusting! How can this be allowed?! People, just sitting all over... uh!! Ridiculous! I can't believe it!"

The steps have rules. They are a community, and probably the best run community in all of New York City. These steps are not a zoo. These steps are not for filthy animals. People live on these steps. People who can hear. People who can see. People who can think. People who feel, deeply.

I never ask for my life to change. I never realize the things that I don't know. I know the places that I have not visited. Two weeks ago, I knew that I had not sat on the steps and talked with these men. Now, I cannot just walk past and I do not quicken my pace. God only needs an open heart to make big changes. After only two weeks, I am excited to see how I will be used throughout my work here.
After the woman walks away, Joe, the outreach coordinator, turn to me and says "A month ago that woman was here, falling down drunk, and trying to get this younger guy to come home with her on the bus."

Who am I?

2005-11-04T01:42:00.000-05:00

Week 1

I am standing outside of my church, engaged in conversation with June. Her son lives in Florida, where she has just returned from. She has some family in Queens, but her wallet is missing and it had all of her phone numbers in it. Her biggest worry is that it will begin to rain again, because her coat will not protect her from the water.

As we are talking, a business man approaches us, holding out a ten dollar bill. "Take this and get yourself a bite to eat and some coffee or something." He extends his hand towards me. "Here, take it." I don't move. I'm not the homeless one. But I realize then, we are really no different.

If they made a movie of the story of your life...

2005-11-02T18:34:00.000-05:00

What channel would it air on?

I haven't decided for me yet. I have decided not to limit it to the basic channels. Maybe I'd be on the gameshow network. Or TLC.

After you answer that.... what channel would you WANT it to be on?
For me, hmm.... I need to think again, and look at a TV listing. I will post my answer to this one later. Y'all should answer though. Mom and I have been discussing it frequently. We need other opinions.

Spring Break Idea

2005-10-29T20:34:00.000-04:00

Spring Break Idea
Originally uploaded by nyjenn313.

Yes, if I was still, wild, crazy, and living the college life, I would jump on this for a spring break idea. Cancun - too hot! Palm Beach - too wet. But a Jesus hot air balloon - no way you can go wrong!! I want to see THIS on MTV Spring Break specials!

Time to Rant - Casual Sex

2005-10-27T17:50:00.000-04:00

I'm sorry.... but I will never believe that casual sex is okay, healthy, emotionally or physically. No no no. I just don't think it should happen and I think that with the liberation of females the situation is only getting worse. But, luckily, AOL with match.com has this article titled "When Should You Do the Deed?" Ugh.... here are some highlights...

They Say:
4. When you nearly die laughing
What is it about people who can get you giggling at the drop of a hat? Whatever it is, it gets some single people ready to head to bed. "If the guy can make me laugh hard, he's pretty much sealed the deal," says Michele, 43, from Akron, OH. "I don't care if it's date one or twenty-one but he has to have me laughing hard before I sleep with him. If I'm dating someone and the vibe has been so-so, if he all of a sudden has me on the floor laughing, it makes me see him in a whole new light. Being funny is sexy. It says you're confident, you can make fun of life, and you're probably imaginative in bed."

I say:
Oh, well, now THERE is a good criteria. Well, let's see, so by now I'd have slept with my cousin Katy everytime we mention Mom falling off the chair, my cousins Brandan and Travis when we talk about, well, anything... and pretty much every one of my friends and probably a few mere acquaintances. Oh, and look... shockingly, Michele is single at 43!! Hope that works out for you, Michele!

They Say:
7. When you feel your partner has earned it
In this fast-paced world, it can be easy to fast-track every aspect of a relationship, including sex. Maybe that's why some people choose a more slow-paced approach, holding off until they feel their date truly deserves it. "I like a long build-up to sex," says Helen, 44, of San Anselmo, CA. "Why rush it? A drawn out flirtation leads to more anticipation, which leads to really hot sex. If you do it right away, it's over shortly, and he may lose interest. If you wait, he'll feel like the luckiest guy in the world that he finally landed you." Helen's motto? Let your date wine and dine you. "Since you were so hard to obtain, he'll work harder at pleasing you. You don't want to be like every other woman who hopped into bed with him quickly. Be different, and you'll get treated like a princess."

I say:
Thank you very much Helen, for this lesson on the advantages of playing mind games, a useful lesson for the young and the old. Of course, the only reason not to rush into sex is because the guy "may lose interest." My favorite portion of Helen's commentary was "You don't want to be like every other woman who hopped into bed with him quickly." However, while you don't want to be like all of those women, you DO want to find a man with a long resume of OTHER women who have hopped right into the sheets with him. Yes, like a good employee, the sign of a good mate is a well stacked list of credentials. Oh, and again, look at that, still sleeping around at 44. Bravo, Helen. Looks like you're sure winning your little game.

Now, some of you may be thinking, what about birth control?? Safe Sex?? Teenagers reading this?? Have no fear! There is a footnote...

* Note: Before engaging in sex, it's imperative that you decide what type of birth control you will use, and you should supplement that with condoms to protect against sexually transmitted diseases. Also, this article is not intended to advise virgins. Deciding when to have sex for the first time in your life involves much more than is discussed here.

So, for all you virgins out there, looking for advise in your already tumultuous time of life, forget everything you just read, flush it from your brain, and instead make an educated decision about whether you are truly ready. Right.... easy to do... Thank you AOL and match.com for bringing us this helpful and enlightening information.

Click here for the full article.

Simple pleasures

2005-10-25T18:11:00.000-04:00

I love the show Grey's Anatomy. It's a good show, and it reminds me of Arzhang.

But, what I also love is that I have recorded it and I can watch it now, in the middle of the day. Woo hoo!!!

Oh my... how my life has changed...

Global Warming Solution

2005-10-23T15:22:00.000-04:00

Global Warming Solution
Originally uploaded by nyjenn313.

This graph demonstrates unarguably the cause and necessary means to reduce
global warming.
(thank you to Justin for sending this to myself and the other teachers)

Shout out to D-Dawg

2005-10-22T17:41:00.000-04:00

Heeeeeeyyyy Dana! I am just sending a hello to my mom's friend Dana, who is working in Korea now. She is keeping tabs on my mom and I through our blogs. Unfortunately, they stink at giving actual pictures of how we are doing. Mom's is like her hall of shame half the time, and mine has become my Eric page. (yay... 17 days!!). So, for Dana, and everyone else, here is how we are REALLY doing.

Mom had her partial knee replacement on her second knee. She is still home recovering. She said the movement and walking with her knee is better than the last time, but the pain seems to be a little worse. Hopefully, after one more week she will be able to go back to work. I dont really know if that is good or bad, but I know that I am in no position to support her yet, so she has to go back someday. (Sorry mom, truth is truth).

I am doing well. I will start working with the homeless regularly this week. I am really pushing myself outside of my comfort zone with this one. These are the years to grow though, so I am trying to take advantage of it. Other than that, just preparing my home and my life for when Eric is here. Good times for all.

Sooooo.... that's the brief brief summary. But hey - hasn't technology changed? I can post a blog or send a text message to South Africa. Amazing!!

New Blogger!

2005-10-17T19:25:00.000-04:00

There comes a point in every non-blogger's life when they think, "If Jenn's mom is doing it, why shouldn't I?" That point came for Fred SMith.

Ahhh, yes.... the author of those sometimes too long and sometimes too often campus-wide emails of the good ol' days has now begun a blog. Check it out, give him some love, and welcome him to the blogging world. Fred's Blog.

Remember kids, if not for the comradery of our blogs, we have nothing.

Does taste matter?

2005-10-16T18:28:00.000-04:00

I don't think I care what food tastes like anymore. This is what I just made for myself.... some white rice (easy, because I have a rice cooker), plain broccoli (in the steamer part of the rice cooker) with some organic kindney beans thrown on top. No salt, no flavor. I mean really, NO flavor hardly. I don't even care. I just want food that is quick and healthy. I dont want good tasting microwave dinners loaded with chemicals. I'm also trying to not grocery shop so that I actually use things like the cans of garbanzo beans or the 12 cans of tuna.

How am I ever going to cook for someone from Venezuela? I don't want him to think that all American food has no taste? Or, worse yet, for him to secretly begin eating McDonald's or other devil-spawned food. Ugh. I hope he can cook, because let's face it, I'm no use anymore. If he relies on me, it is going to be plain, dry noodles with a side of peas for dinner. No, that's not true. I always overcook my noodles because I get distracted. He will have soggy, tasteless noodles with peas. Yummmm.... I hope he is excited.

Lucky for me, none of you know him, so you can't warn him... Hahahaha!!!!

wow... that was evil... (jenny... stop writing.... stop writing.... )

Missionaries kicked out of Venezuela

2005-10-13T19:46:00.000-04:00

Oh no...

Chavez moves against US preachers

Sneering Coke Dealing Snowman

2005-10-11T16:47:00.000-04:00

I don't know what is weirder about this... the fact that it exists and is publicly known, or that it is an article in the NY Times.

Coke Dealing Snowman

ERIC IS COMING!!!

2005-10-07T15:22:00.000-04:00

That's right! Eric got his visa!! He will come here on November 8! Only one month! YAY!!!! I am sooo excited!! I love him so very very much and it will be soooo good to be with him! Yay!

Memory Lane

2005-09-29T00:34:00.000-04:00

I was driving back from Connecticut today and took a very inefficient route. By "inefficient" I mean that instead of going from Connecticut to home, I went Connecticut... through the Bronx, along the West side of Manhattan, through Harlem, THEN into Queens. Oh, and did I mention that this was all between the times of 11:30-12:00 pm?

As I was driving, both through the Bronx and Harlem, I thought to myself, "This is not somewhere that a single white female should be driving in the middle of the night." But, the funny thing about that is I have spent extensive amounts of time in each of these places. I worked near the area in the Bronx where I was driving. In Harlem, I earned my masters. My second apartment in New York was at the edge of Harlem, so I was constantly on the buses running along 125th St. So, essentially, during my first years in New York, school, work, and home were all in these "scary" areas. Funny though... when I was regularly in these areas, not knowing enough to be afraid, I never had a single problem. I never even felt afraid. But now that I'm not regularly there, to see the reality of what goes on there and some of the beautiful moments shared among real people, I'm afraid. But of what? Those people who used to be my neighbors, coworkers and students? Or just of unknown and different? That is probably it.

How unfortunate.

Grumpy

2005-09-27T16:28:00.000-04:00

Yeah, I'm grumpy today. I have a legitimate reason though. Okay, remember back when I got my breathing machine and I thought it was like the worst thing in the world and I totally hated having to use it? Well, then I went away for a month to Venezuela, and I didn't bring it. Wow. What a difference. My thoughts were swimmy, I was falling asleep everywhere, and I had a really hard time concentrating. I couldn't wait to have it and use it again! Remember, I was falling asleep at least 5 times a day before I had it.

Well, since I have been back though, I take it off in the middle of the night. I thought that it was because I had a hacking cough when I first came back, and I can't cough with it on. But I don't have a cough anymore and I still do it... every single night. I'm really starting to feel it too. So, I went back in to the doctor and I told him. He said that maybe it is annoying me, so he gave me a different type of face piece that goes sort of into my nose instead of the cup that goes over it. This is more like an oxygen tube with a larger diameter. I was so excited about it. Last night I couldnt wait to go to sleep!! But then, at 3 am, I took it off. How do I know it was 3 am? Well, when I first began the removal process, I would take off the mask, turn off the machine, and never remember a thing. Then I began to remember turning off the machine... followed by remembering unhooking the face piece. And now, I have progressed to a new level where I took it off, AND remembered that I always wonder what time I take it off at, so I checked my watch. But yet, I didn't tell myself to put it back on!!!!! GRRR!!!!

I don't know what else to do. I'm like a drug addict or something that wants to quit but physically can't. I have tried reading before bed, stretching, drinking more water, drinking less water, wearing my retainer, not wearing my retainer, sleeping with a stuffed animal... I just keep taking it off. The only other thing I can think of is that maybe the air level isn't right anymore. Still.... Im going to South America in four days and Im barely lucid. UGH!!! Can someone please come watch me sleep and slap my hands away?

I need a nap now.

Following Arzhang's lead...

2005-09-24T15:48:00.000-04:00

You are a
Social Conservative
(38% permissive)

and an...
Economic Liberal
(20% permissive)

You are best described as a:

Totalitarian

Link: The Politics Test on Ok Cupid

How to facilitate adaptation...

2005-09-23T16:58:00.000-04:00

There is one thing I do not know how to help my new teachers with - adaptation. I do not mean to the schedule or the work or anything, but to the 9,000 emotions and thoughts that you just don't have to deal with when you aren't working in difficult schools.

So, since half of my readers are med students (or really, student), and the other half is my mother, who has a fair amount of memories of me going through the same thing, I decided to put this out there and ask for suggestions.

Here's what I think is the situation.... You come into a school wanting to help, to improve kids' lives and to change things. Then, you start, and you realize that you are human, and you can only do so much. You want to address every problem, nip every bad behavior in the bud, and spend some personal time getting to know every student so they know how insanely deeply you actually care about them and their futures. But you simply can't. Then, you begin to feel guilty because you have chosen some students over the others, wondering if you made the right decision. And eventually... you just feel absolutely drained and confused. How do you choose? How much can you expect from yourself? How much can you really expect from them, coming from the environments that they do? How do you find that balance?

I remember my first year.. crying sooo many times. In fact, I remember watching the news in June and hearing about one of the students from my old school in the Bronx and crying for an hour. Mostly, I cried because I felt like no matter what I did, these students never had a chance... no positive examples, no encouragement... what hope is there? Man I cried that first year. I should have had a water bed.

I remember my friend Linda said during her hopspital work as a pharmacist that someone told her something about that he thinks of it like if the emergency pharmacy team is called in, the patient is basically dead, but if you are able to keep them alive, you have accomplished something. If you lose them, they are the same as they would have been without you. I think you kind of have to think of these kids that way also.

But really... you need to be patient. And I can't just tell them that and have them understand. So many little victories are happening everyday. If the kids aren't cursing, slapping each other, or doing whatever else they normally do outside school, you are already winning because you have broken them from their societal norms of acceptable behaviors. If they are calling you Mr. or Ms, you have a victory, because they are showing respect for an adult. They are all victories, of far greater magnitude than memorizing some formula or applying some rule. Changing lives is not visible, and especially not quantifiable. It isn't until parent teacher conferences, or until the spring when you really start to recognize how much each student is changing. Not in two or three weeks!!!!

Ugh.... but I don't know how to let them know that. Mom... Arzy... any advice?

Blah...

2005-09-22T21:50:00.000-04:00

I feel kind of blah lately. I'm just soooo tired all the time. I mean, not sooo tired like I used to be, but tired enough that Im coming home and sleeping at least two or three hours a night. I know the problem too, that's the most annoying part. I don't eat at all while I am at work, so by the end of the day I'm drained of energy. I knew I needed to be eating, but it didn't really dawn on me until one of the new teachers today asked me what period I take my lunch and I said "Oh i dont." He laughed, and I just stood there thinking "Way to follow your own advice, Jenn." However - I have been taking my own advice by eating oatmeal in the mornings. I feel better on oatmeal days than I do on egg and toast days. That 1/3 cup of oatmeal really packs a punch that gets me through the day.

Now, lets discuss television. I am so excited for the season premiere of Everwood. I know, I know. Usually my posts are so much deeper or at least of some relevance to something other than popular culture, but whatever. I'm not in grad school anymore, so I can be honest about my couch time vegetation activities. The only problem is that before, the TV was a form of procrastination. Now... it's just who I am. Time to admit it. I'm a couch potato (insert Idaho jokes here).

The real thing Im excited for - to see Eric... but I cant talk about that all the time. So, the other things Im excited for - Season premiere of Everwood, Season premiere of Smallville, and Season premiere of One Tree Hill. Yes, that's right - teeny bopper, 2005 version of Saved By the Bell. I love it. So a 16 year old got emancipated from his parents and got married.... yes, maybe a little unrealistic. So what?? Love it.

Self talking - Go do something productive, Jenny!!!

ok.....

Unacceptable!!!

2005-09-20T23:31:00.000-04:00

I think I may be starting to get sick. Nooooo!!!!! Next weekend is like the most important weekend of my life SINCE I WAS BORN!! Okay, maybe not sooo important, but I would like to feel well. A crowd of non-english speakers, the mountains, an awkard car ride and some karaoke... Who wouldnt want to be on their A-game? But wait!!! Maybe... with a sore throat, the karaoke will at least once and for all be eliminated from the list. Eureka!! I mean, aw, shucks. And I soooo wanted to sing for his family.

Work is still good. Ive been in meetings a bunch lately, but today's was awesome. The whole morning was how to support new teachers in your building. A lot of the things suggested, I am already doing. There were quite a few Ooohhs and Aaaahhs from the other coaches and the facilitator when I mentioned emails....... Oh yes... that's right... Using email as a form of communication!!! New York is so cutting edge!

Humidity

2005-09-16T07:18:00.000-04:00

I cannot stand humidity. I went to the gym yesterday, came home, and thought, "Why bother showering? Five minutes later I will be sticky and gross again." I don't know if the air is actually stickier humid in New York, but it feels like it. When I was in Miami last summer, the humidity level was very high, but I don't remember feeling as much like the humidity contained elements of stick and grime. But maybe it is my NYC animosity that inclines me to assume the worst of the humidity here. Regardless, yesterday, at 1 am, it was still between 75 and 80 degrees and extremely humid. Yuck!!! I deal with it better than when I first moved here though. Now I dont feel like severing a finger or something to distract me from it. I simply just sit.... very still... and try not to think about it.

What to say...

2005-09-15T18:35:00.000-04:00

I have sooo many things that I want to blog!! No, really!! Part of why I havent been blogging more is because sooo many things are going on. My job is awesome. I am really enjoying working with the new teachers. Like I told someone, "they are cuter than new students." All so idealistic and mildly neurotic. It is great. But I really feel like I am making an impact on the world too. It is still a weird feeling when a "model lesson" needs to be taught, and Im the person who does it. But, that is my job now. I always wanted to be a model. Hahaha. And that agent said I was too short. Pbbtthh!! Haha.

More exciting, we are in the final stretch with Eric's coming to america process. Which, I must say, really is quite a process. I told my mom that I dont know how someone could do this if it wasnt an American and a foreigner working together. For the student visa, he first had to be accepted somewhere, which required an application fee. Then, he had to get an appointment with the Embassy. To TALK TO SOMEONE to make the appointment, you have to pay 24 dollars by credit card. Then, to actually go to the appointment, you have to pay another fee at a Banco Provincial in Venezuela in bolivares, plus the student database registration fee online, plus another fee at the embassy to actually send you the visa and your passport. Some with credit cards, some online, some in Bs. What a mess!!!

But, we are almost done. We have all the school stuff done, and the appointment with the embassy for October 6. So, if all goes well, he will be here November 8 and stay until April. Yay, here for my birthday!! yay!! What a present! haha. For all you people out there who will need to meet him, give your stamp of approval or whatever, start scheduling it in. You know who you are.

A Happy Birthday Tribute!!

2005-09-08T20:38:00.000-04:00

Today is Eric's birthday!!! Happy Birthday, Eric!!!

And truly, I am very happy that on 8 September, 1981 Eric Daniel Quintero Aponte was born, so that 24 years later, I would know him. haha, well, 24 years a few thousand miles later.

Now, I can just hope that maybe for his next birthday, I can actually be with him! But still, Happy Birthday!

(it's not fungus on his face - makeup from one of the kids on the trip, no worries.)

I deserve my license

2005-09-08T19:57:00.000-04:00

My adult license, that is. Okay, I don't actually have a slip, but at some point we all either earn, or establish that we will never earn, our license to be considered a functional adult member of society.

Of course, there is the new job. I have an office, with TONS of bookshelves and meeting space. I will be getting a SmartBoard and a work laptop. Every day, I send a supportive email to the department with activity suggestions or other helpful information. I have 17 teachers in the (math) department. 8 are new. 6 of the 17 are special ed teachers. Today was the first day with students, and my teachers, especially the new ones, were prepared. They had activities, markers, procedures - all prepared.

I am going to like this job.

There are a couple of other ways I feel adult. The second is my relationship with Eric. I will be meeting his family in a few weeks (October 1-5) in Venezuela, and then if all goes well with the embassy and what not, he will be here in November. But all in all, having that person that I will be spending my life with just feels "adult" to me.

Last, my food. Danny and I cook all the time. Our kitchen is as close to the Jetson's as it can be by shopping at Target. Rice cooker, cappuccino machine, crock pot, mixer, etc. Today's meal really is what earned me my adult license though. This morning, into the crock pot went 3 pounds of beef, carrots, onions, and then later squash. Mmmm. We eat gooood here. (Since we've seen pot roast, I've included a picture of VZ ground beef that Danny prepared a couple days ago.)

So, after living on my own in New York city for two years and traveling on my own to South America twice in six months, I finally have fully earned my adult license. yay!!

2005-09-01T16:00:00.000-04:00

What a looker!!

Mi Vida Nueva

2005-09-01T15:24:00.000-04:00

Well, I am back and finally stationary (until Friday when I will go camping, haha). After a month of mission work, a few days in Boise, a few weeks in Idaho Falls and an almost 3000 mile drive to new york from Idaho, I am stopped. I started going in to my new work this week. I think I will like this job. I will post more details later, but essentially I am supervising math instruction at a middle school. I have an office and a desk instead of a classroom now. It is neat and I feel like a grown up.

My friend Danny moved into the apartment. He is my swell Venezuelan/Canadian pal that I have known for almost a year. We commiserate about being new New Yorkers and the state of the world. And he cooks, which is always nice.

I have my car also, so I feel free again. I hate to be dependent on it, but I must say it felt good to go shopping for groceries and not be limited by transportation troubles.

The plans are still in the works for Eric to be coming from Venezuela to stay with Danny and I for a few months and study English here. I am probably the most excited about this. I think he will be great fun to have here and actually spending time with him in a non-structured environment will be good.

My cousin had her baby, beautiful Taylyn, and started college. Spending so much time with her this summer was good for the soul.

All in all, I feel refreshed and invigorated. New car, living situation, job, friends, guy, and renewed faith. I even painted part of my bedroom yellow for a little spice.

And....

best of all...

.....

.....

¡¡¡¡¡¡I AM DONE WITH COLLEGE!!!!!!!

For the first year of my life, I will not be going to school!!! No night classes, no more City College commute - nada, nunca.... ¡¡¡BUENO!!! ¡¡¡Finalmente!!

Keep in touch with me!! I have time - finally!

On the road again..

2005-08-25T11:05:00.000-04:00

I am making my trip across country now. At the moment, I am in Nebraska. Today we will finish up with Nebraska, cross through Iowa, and stop in Illinois. I am already missing those mountains though. To compensate for the lack of mountains, my mother and I are stopping at as many oddities as we can along the way - a house made of dinosaur bones, a giant indian at the buffalo bill ranch, a water tower with aliens painted on it...the whole sha-bang. It is quite fun and interesting. I wll post more when I am back in NY. (Side note: I have updated my flickr page with some Venezuela pics.)

38.46

2005-08-16T21:18:00.000-04:00

My New Car!
Originally uploaded by nyjenn313.

Miles Per Gallon! Woooo!!! I took the new car for a little spin down to Salt Lake City and back to Idaho Falls. Stopping at my favorite indian reservation, Fort Hall, I checked my trip odometer, looked at the amount of gas that my car required to fill it back up, and realized that my new baby had gotten almost 40 miles per gallon. But, luckily, I had a calculator with me to confirm my mental math. Quickly performing the division, I found that the car had gotten exactly 38.46 miles per gallon, including going through at least a half hour of one of the worst rain storms I have seen in ahwile. Way to go kid!

Important News!

2005-08-13T17:20:00.000-04:00

In looking for random things to go see during our road trip across america, my mother and I stumbled across this notice...

QUIRK ALERT
The Museum of Menstruation and Women's Health is looking for a permanent home. Planned displays include an actual menstrual hut, the history of menstrual objects, customs and advertising, and current women's health issues. Until recently the museum was in the private home of a bachelor, but folks were reluctant to visit the museum in that location. The museum's founder, Harry Finley, has amassed 4,000 items relating to the subject.

Web: www.mum.org

Pajama Party and Im invited!!

2005-08-08T18:17:00.000-04:00

Okay, it is 4:15 pm and I am still in my pajamas... WOOO... I'm such a bum.

BUT!! what that means is that I am back in the country and back in Idaho. Okay, I have been for a few days, but I needed that time to readjust to American life before I could actually blog.

My time in venezuela was amazing. I am going to be uploading pictures and inserting stories, daily probably since I have enough time to be sitting in my pajamas still in the middle of the day. For now though... a brief summary...

3 days - leadership training in Miami.
2 days - training with the kids (46 students, 40 of which were a group from Ohio)

First 2 weeks in venezuela - drama evangelism. We performed a 20 minute skit 4 times a day in different neighborhoods, parks, churches, street corners, plazas. My team was mostly in poor village type areas.
(kids flew home after 2 weeks)

Next week in venezuela - medical works. Each day, the team (3 docs, 2 nurses, 3 other adults and 4 kids) set up a medical clinic in whatever space the community had given us (churches or schools mostly). We saw 250-300 patients a day. We saw everything from dehydration to parasites to a woman having a heart attack at that moment.

Back in Miami 2 days - readjusting and debriefing before sending the kids back home and before we left. (Only myself and 1 other person were there all the way from day 1 until day 28).

Free day activities : Week 1 - supposed to be the beach, but because of hurricane Emily it was shopping.
Week 2 - Beach (sunburn!!!!)
Week 3 - horseback riding, hiking, swimming under a waterfall in the Andes mountains.

That's the "pack a whole month of incredible experiences into a brief posting" style summary. Like I said, stories and pictures will be posted regularly as I enjoy my relaxing time in Idaho. ahhh... home...

Still alive

2005-07-24T16:20:00.000-04:00

Okay, adoring public. I am in Venezuela still and alive. I have had some amazing intense experiences. I have learned so much about havnig a personal relationship with God, the Venezuelan people, myself, and Spanish. Ive been an awesome translator when needed. I would love to stay here, live here forever. I love speaking spanish, i love being here in South America. I would love to be a full time missionary. But, sometimes, I think i already am. Some people are called to travel the world and some people are called to do work with students and teachers at home. Maybe i can do both, like i am now. I am so content and happy. Yay!!! More details when i return. For now, i am alive. No big D right now either. hehe...

Signing off...

2005-07-05T08:47:00.000-04:00

Okay, I am off to save the world. Well, maybe not the WHOLE world, but hopefully touch a few lives... create a ripple effect... that sort of thing. You know, religion and all that aside, an integral part of who I am is that I truly believe that what I do makes a difference. Someone asked me that question - Do you really think it makes a difference? And my answer, after some honest contemplation, was - yes. I truly do.

Above all else, I hope that I always will believe that I have the capacity to effect positive change in the world. And I hope that everyone else can believe that about themselves also. Without that belief, the world is lost and all of the problems of today will just worsen.

So, from NYC, this is Jenny, signing off. I will return to a computer August 3, at which point I am sure I will have some crazy Venezuelan stories to tell (in spanish, so start practicing).

Best wishes to all.

(ps. check out mom's blogger and send her some love while Im gone. She's gonna be bored. http://jksmoments.blogspot.com Especially you, frank... haha...)

New Job!!

2005-07-01T19:48:00.000-04:00

Everything works out in the end! I went on a job interview yesterday for a junior high school about 200 feet from my apartment. They told me that I interview really well, and they were impressed, but they asked me a ton of questions about my age... They also said they wouldn't be deciding anything until August. I wasn't feeling good about that.

Today, I went on another interview at a junior high school that is also in Astoria/Long Island City area, but not quite as close. The school, the principal, and the math AP seem great though. They half offered me the job, but then said they had received one more resume and have to interview the person. I left, and was about halfway home when they called me to say they had thought about it and didn't want to risk losing me, so they were officially offering me the position. Yay!!!

So... what is a math "coach?" Well... I wouldn't be teaching anymore. Essentially, it is a staff developer. The math coach sort of sets the tone for the department - training teachers, offering advice, a friendly ear... those sorts of things. The coach in no way disciplines anyone or tattles to the principal, so it should be someone that teachers can feel comfortable discussing their difficulties with. This school in particular will have 5 new teachers next year. Initially, they will be my primary responsibility - sitting in their classrooms regularly and offering as much helpful advice as possible.

I think this will be a good move for me. Training teachers is an exciting idea to me. An also interesting thing about this school is that last year, they began the AVID program, which is the same one I worked in for two years in Caldwell. I think that experience really helped me out in getting this position. The school also emphasizes technology a lot, which is a forte of mine. It seems like a good fit all around.

So, now I can leave for Venezuela with peace of mind. Ahhhh....

Giving up? Giving in? Moving on?

2005-06-27T00:23:00.000-04:00

Dreams and goals are a funny thing. Some goals you don't realize you have until ten seconds before you need to act upon them, and some you develop ten or twenty years ahead of time.

I've wanted to be a teacher since I was in the third grade. At the time, i thought to teach you only needed a high school degree, and I wanted the easy way out. The more I worked with students, the more I developed a love and interest in the field.

So the decision that Im considering making is difficult. But, I think I am going to quit teaching. The politics are intense in New York, and perhaps I truly am not thick-skinned enough for the system. Or, perhaps I actually am targeted a little more because I am so easy going, laid back, respectful, and young.

I know, right now, if you know me, you are thinking, "You are being too rash!!! Calm down, take a minute, think this through!!" And to that, I say, I have. A lot, of course. The sad part is that when i started thinking about it, I was kind of excited to not be teaching anymore... to do something else. Its sad that we live in such a broken and hurting world that just being good is a difficult thing to do without almost unbearable resistance.

I do not want to leave education though. At this point, I am hoping to get a position as a math coach (a sort of consultant who works with teachers, especially new teachers, and helps them develop good teaching methods). If not, then I may tutor privately. Either way, after one year, I will be applying to a phD program in educational research that I am very excited about.

Education is where I am meant to be, without a doubt. The issue is determining where I fit into the broad spectrum of jobs associated with education. Still, even thinking about not being a teacher is bizarre to me. Bizarre, alarming, unsettling, saddening.... everything. Sad for the students, sad for the system.... I dont know how to fix education here, but hopefully if I can become a coach, I will be able to impact some things. But who knows.

Good People marathon - Part III - the wedding

2005-06-27T00:13:00.000-04:00

Okay, this post is a week overdue. My apologies to the good people included in this posting who had not yet been mentioned.

8. Juan - This is the friend who was getting married - the whole reason I was in LA. I met Juan in California, when I went to the University of Redlands. The city of Redlands collects all of the smog that comes in from LA, and I was getting headaches. Juan came to me one day and said that the next morning he was going to drive into the mountains to Lake Arrowhead and asked me to join him, hoping that the fresh air would help me feel better. It did help. Juan was also the person who brought me a Bible and told me there might be some good advice inside of it, even though I didn't believe in it. I stayed up the entire night reading, and have considered myself a Christian ever since. I am happy that we have stayed in touch and that he made me a part of his wedding day.

9. Juan's family - This is just one of the greatest families that I have ever met. Every time that I am in LA, they make me feel as if I am one of the family. I have stayed with them a few times on vacation, and even visited with my mother. Juan's parents are a good example of a loving, healthy set of parents who raised their children unselfishly and with lots of love. Being around this family and seeing them all work together to basically put together a whole wedding and reception on their own was refreshing.

10. Linda - Ive tributed Linda before, but I can never mention her enough really. She has moved to San Diego and will be doing her residency there. Linda is a sweet loving person who I know will be a good friend to me, regardless of how much or how little she agrees with me sometimes. I can go to her for anything, and share anything with her. Anyone who knows her is lucky to have her in their life. I wish she would update her blog a little more often though. hehe.

11. Casey - Casey is Linda's husband and has also become a good friend of mine. I particularly enjoy discussing problems or thoughtsi with Linda and Casey because when Linda and I may just sit there being girls and thinking like girls, Casey always brings a different perspective. He has a knack for trying to see things through the eyes of the other person involved. More importantly, he is a wonderful husband to one of my dearest friends.

And then I flew back to New York. What a week!

Good People Marathon - Part II - LA

2005-06-10T12:39:00.000-04:00

I am in LA for a wedding until Sunday. This part of the trip so far will be part II of the good people marathon, of three parts.

5. Wednesday - Brandan. For anyone who knows me, or Brandan, I need not go into the power of the relationship that I have with this person. Brandan has been everything to me at some point or another. He is my beloved cousin who I grew up with side-by-side. We spent our summers together everyday in elementary school, we drove to school together everyday in junior high and high school. In college, I did my laundry at his apartment and we shopped together, danced together, and spent hours on the phone together (usually at work at 6 am). As Brandan told someone last night "We are really more like brother and sister than anything else." Also, we have agreed that for every ten thousand he makes as an actor, I should get 100 (1%). I have confidence that he will make it big, so this should pan out.

6. Thursday - Brandon from ACI. When Brandan my cousin asked how Brandon and I knew each other, he replied "Jenny tutored me in Calculus." Personally, I would have never said that I tutored him, even though I was being paid to. Brandon was my math partner for a good three years of math agony. Without his calculator skills, I dont know if I ever would have passed some of those classes. But since then, he has also become a good friend and someone I respect a lot. He went to engineering school in St Louis and is now working full time in LA. He still finds time to have fun though.

7. Thursday - Laurel. Oh, Laurel. I have known her since I was 8 years old. All of my funniest, scariest, happiest, and craziest memories of high school involved Laurel in one way or another. We were in drama together, pulled pranks together, met Weird Al, walked around the river, and spent countless hours with other random people together (petr with the big head, Gary from Iowa...). Laurel went to school in Boston and has made her way to California, and eventually LA. I would have voted her the person most likely to have nothing to do with the sports industry, but here she is - doing computer graphics for the broadcasts of professional sporting events. It is good to see Laurel, but more importantly, it is good to see Laurel happy.

Wow... 7 people already! I said it was going to be a marathon!

Good People Marathon - Part I

2005-06-10T12:14:00.000-04:00

This week has been what I would like to refer to as my Good People Marathon. The first portion of these were in New York, the next in LA.

Part I - New York.

1. Friday-Saturday. LaDonne and Ian. They came up from NJ partially to congratulate me for graduating and partially because we hadn't seen each other in a few months. LaDonne is teaching in Camden, NJ and Ian is working at the Public Defender's office in Philadelphia. LaDonne was my roommate my senior year of college and my coworker for the AVID program for two years. LaDonne is a very sensible and loving person with a heart for teens and people. I can always depend on her to support even my craziest ideas. They both have provided invaluable support over the last two years of living out here.

2. Saturday - Danny. He is a New Jersey born venezuelan who lived in Canada for the last ten years. Danny works in TV now and hopes to somehow use TV and media to make the public more aware of ways to help people at home and abroad who are suffering. He lived at an orangutan refuge for a few months at one point. Danny has gone through the same transitions moving to New York less than a year ago. He is good for fun time or for serious time, if he isnt working so hard that he has no time.

3. Monday - Eric. I met Eric this spring. He works with computers doing GIS work in Manhattan, but lives and was raised in New Jersey. Eric has a very genuine and honest personality. His presence reminds me that not everyone has the New York mentality, which is much harder to remember, even not being from New York. He has reminded me to enjoy things in life like music, movies, and simply having fun with someone, even while being a busy teacher. He is also wonderfully supportive of the work that teaching requires and the stress that sometimes occurs. Eric has a fun, sarcastic personaility that washes away any sort of blues and keeps me smiling. He is good for the soul.

4. Tuesday. Mas. He is a friend of friends from ACI. Mas and I never really knew each other in college, mostly just because we were rarely in the same place at the same time. He has just moved to New York for a summer internship and still has the fresh awe of a new New Yorker. He also still has the energy and charisma of the small town West. His excitement about the big city and all that it encompasses reminds me of my first few months in the city.

Humor for my math buddy

2005-06-03T17:56:00.000-04:00

Spring05_49
Originally uploaded by nyjenn313.

This was drawn by a student at my high school.

2005-06-03T17:54:00.000-04:00

Spring05_50
Originally uploaded by nyjenn313.

Laundry Day!

2005-05-30T14:34:00.000-04:00

Laundry Day!
Originally uploaded by nyjenn313.

Okay, it has been awhile. Between visitors and being sick, laundry hasn't been a priority. Luckily, the laundromat behind my house was open today, so I did it ALL. 4 loads... nice! All at once! And now, I have a mountain of laundry on my couch to fold. Luckily I have Telemundo to keep me company (the spanish channel).

New Haircut!

2005-05-30T14:32:00.000-04:00

New Haircut!
Originally uploaded by nyjenn313.

I went to a Brazilian salon near my house. First of all, I would just like to say that it was the most oddly sensual haircut I have ever received. It was one of those times I needed a video camera. He was like throwing the hair to this side, snip snip, throw it over here.. snip snip...totally what i would imagine at a salon in NYC. Anyways, I didnt love it at first, but Im okay with it. I know, I told some people i felt like I had a mullet. I was being dramatic.

Christian Fasting... a tricky subject

2005-05-30T09:59:00.000-04:00

Fasting is a subject that is often misunderstood by people who have never fasted, and people who have. I am not sure that I even really know what I am talking about, but today I am doing a liquids only fast, so i decided it is a good time to discuss it a bit.

First of all, I think the idea of fasting has become kind of taboo - associated with an eating disorder almost. Maybe that's just in my head, but Im still saying it, because all these thoughts are from my head. While fasting regularly used to be a much more commonplace occurence, especially among Christians, I think it is now fairly unpopular.

Second, fasting is never meant to bring harm to the individual. For example, if I were to not eat or drink anything for a whole day, I would be so wiped out, dizzy, etc. that it would take me two days to recooperate. So, for me personally, I would never do a full fast because the physical toll would be too great, and that isn't the point.

So what IS the point?

Well, the idea, as I understand it, is to give up something assuming that God will replace that something with some sort of spiritual hoo hah. Take hoo hah to mean what you want. But, maybe you have an issue you are grappling with or a decision to make... so you may fast for a day and pray, hoping that by giving up food or drink or whatever you are fasting from, God will provide you with spiritual guidance. Or, you may not have a specific issue in mind, but just want to pray and have a time of a stronger relationship with God in general.

So, today I am fasting for various reasons. First, it is memorial day - a holiday whose meaning is too often forgotten. Many thousands of people have given their lives for us in this war, the Gulf War, Vietnam, Korea, the World Wars... and while I do not necessarily agree with the motives of war, unarguably many brave men have sacrificed for my safety, and more importantly, their families today are still sacrificing every single day. Part of why I am fasting is to ask God to help me to remember that thousands of people have given up their lives for me. Second, I am going on a mission soon (july 5!) and I am praying about the best way to use my time over the next few weeks to prepare for the trip. I have been trying to do various things - read my Bible, read other Christian writings, Study spanish, panic - and with my wheels spinning, I am not effectively preparing in any way. So I am also asking for a clearer path and some guidance.

I know other people who fast regularly, but don't really talk about it and don't make a scene about it. I was going to post and say I was fasting today just so that i would have to actually do it. But then I decided with as much as I was confused about fasting a few years ago, that this is a good opportunity for a little clarification. I do not assume to know everything, and in fact, I really had to sit down, research, and think this out a lot before writing it. But, hopefully this helps some others with a little more clarity.

Don't hate me for what I am about to say...

2005-05-28T11:51:00.000-04:00

But in the last month, I have lost 8 pounds and I am soooo mad! I haven't gone to the gym in a few weeks. The first couple of weeks were because my classes were culminating and I was swamped. The last two weeks or so, it was because I have been sick (which I still am, really, but I decided to fight it out). So, I went to the gym today, and the first thing that I always do is weigh myself. When I weigh myself, i usually do it when I go on a Saturday morning so that the weights are comparable. Well, normally I weigh 128, but today, I got on the scale, immediately moved the slider over to 128, and it didn't move down. "Curious..." I thought. Well, I HAVE been sick, so probably a couple of pounds got lost... So I slid it down to 125. Still no movement?? "What is this nonsense?" I thought. So, I AGAIN moved it, and continued until the weight was balanced, at which point the weight was at 120 pounds. "NOOOO!!!" I thought. I haven't weighed a mere 120 in like three years. Grrrr.... 120 to me is a sign that I am not in good health, which upsets me.

So... that is where I will be for the next few weeks - at the gym getting in shape for my trip to Venezuela. I absolutely cannot be some namby-pamby 120 pound weighing girl when I go there. No way, mister.

(Epilogue - for all of you thinking... what an idiot... complaining about losing weight... Remember that it is not the number that is my issue, but the indication that the health of my body has deteriorated and I have lost muscle mass...)

Good Bathroom Service

2005-05-28T04:07:00.000-04:00

Spring05_37
Originally uploaded by nyjenn313.

Now, here is a good bathroom sign. This sign was in the bathroom at Rice to Riches, a place in lower Manhattan that sells various flavors of Rice pudding. I love this place, especially the rice pudding, but also the atmosphere. I have been there many times, but never used the bathroom until recently. I found this sign, shaped like a grain of rice, in the bathroom.

3 day weekend

2005-05-27T20:41:00.000-04:00

Okay, so for some reason, guys love to ask "Why are you single?" or "Why dont you have a boyfriend?" Well, luckily, I have a three day weekend, and what better way to start it off than to take a quiz to find out the answer to this question?

Sidenote - katie and i arent sure that we agree with the results.

You Don't Have a Boyfriend Because You are Too Shy

When a guy gets to know you, he finds a great catch

Problem is... you're too shy for most guys to get to know.

From meeting someone to dating, you usually have your guard up.

And while you're just holding back, it makes you seem like you've got something to hide.

Why Don't You Have a Boyfriend Take This Quiz :-)

Find the Love of Your Life
(and More Love Quizzes) at Your New Romance.

Unleashed

2005-05-25T01:12:00.000-04:00

I went and saw Unleashed tonight. I wasn't sure what to expect, but it was a good flick. As I told my "friend" that I saw the movie with, it was the perfect movie for the two of us to watch because the male portion of the movie-going couple is satisfied with the fighting aspect, while the musical and female portion of the couple finds emotional fulfillment in the piano music and the story of a tortured soul being accepted into a loving family. There are some pretty intense fighting scenes, though not extremely bloody, so I was able to keep one eye open. The main characters, Morgan Freeman and Jet Li, are an interesting combination of actors which I think is successfully pulled off. There isn't a whole lot to the script, but I think the simplicity of it is what pulls off the whole feeling of the peacefulness of the new family that Danny (jet li) joins after being a leashed fighter all of his life previously. But yeah, good flick.

Bad Day for technology

2005-05-25T01:05:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, I used my palm pilot, entering some upcoming events and tasks. Then I got home, got ready for bed, and went to set the alarm. The little bugger would not turn on though. Phooey! This happened once before. So, the memory was wiped. Oh well, at least I had it all backed up on my computer.

So I checked my email this morning before I went to work, then shut down my computer, put it in my bag, and headed to work. When I got to work, the computer wouldnt turn on. I tried plugging it in, even though I knew I had charged it, and it still wouldnt turn on. So, I called Dell when I got home tonight, and the prognosis is that the motherboard is fried. Well phooey again!

This just goes to show... just like how my mother's clothes washer from the early 80's was able to last twenty years, my desktop computer that I bought in 1999 has never had a single problem. They just dont make things like the used to. However, this one may be my fault, due to just overuse and overheating. Hopefully the tech guy from the Phillipines (literally - I asked. He has a brother in Jersey though that works in the city who he sees about once every 7 years) is correct and there is no issue with my hard drive.

8thgrade

2005-05-23T14:41:00.000-04:00

8thgrade
Originally uploaded by nyjenn313.

No explanation needed.

Blogger Mom!

2005-05-22T12:06:00.000-04:00

My Mom has got to be one of the coolest moms ever. So, she started her own blogger!!! Yay for mom!!! We all thought it was cool that she was commenting on my blog, but now she is really one of us!!! So, check her out, send her some love. http://jksMOMents.blogspot.com Hahaha... MOMents.... oh mother, how I love you.

Okay, yeah, that figures

2005-05-19T17:23:00.000-04:00

I'm sick. It started as a little tickle in my throat. The next day, there was some discomfort in the throat, and by the end of the day my shoulders were a little achey. Today it has spread so that my arms and my head are achy and I feel warm/cold. The temperature thing is a tough gauge because the a/c and heat are so messed up in my school. But the achy sore neck and arms is a definite give away.

So, apparently my body hates the idea of having a weekend without being a student. I'm trying to adjust to the idea of not being in school for a semester or two, but so far, I am involuntarily rejecting the idea. Not a minute of freedom. oh poo.

Now that I have a master's degree

2005-05-18T23:36:00.000-04:00

I have time for pointless online quizzes...

That's right! Today was the last day of college!!! I AM FREE AT LAST!!!!!!!

I can't believe it really. Anyways, the results of this quiz are fairly accurate so it must have a strong scientific backing to it. Ahhhh free time...

You Are a Romantic Kiss!

You are an idealist, and unsurprisingly, you give the ideal kiss

Your kiss causes almost anyone to fall in love with you

And to be honest, you need to be falling a little to let your lips loose

No biggie… your kiss is worth the wait :-)

What Type of Kiss Are You?

More Great Quizzes from Quiz Diva

Taking a Big Step

2005-05-16T12:52:00.000-04:00

This weekend I completed my classes about the Presbyterian church and about 5th Avenue Presbyterian in Manhattan. I have decided that I am going to become a member of the church. This is a really big step for me, as I haven't ever been a member of a church before. I was baptized as a child, and I have attended various churces, but I haven't ever actually been a member. I agree with a lot of the doctrine of the presbyterian church and the reform tradition though, so I think this is a good decision.

I will be officially made a member of the church on Sunday, June 5th. More details as it gets closer. For those who pray or think deeply, please keep this on your mind.

"Can you tell me your name so that I can pray for you?"

2005-05-16T11:06:00.000-04:00

I was leaving my house at about 8:30 Sunday morning. I had in my hand a piece of toast that I had buttered with love and an egg on it, cooked to the perfect point. The yolk was not completely hard, but not so runny that it would get on my clothes. A homeless woman walked up to me and asked me for a dollar. I said to her "Are you hungry?" And she said that she was. So, I said, "here, take this then" and handed her the food in my hand. She insisted that she couldn't take the food, so I said I would still give her money also. I handed her the money. She was holding the food while i had been searching in my purse though. She tried to give it back to me, but I said, "No, i already ate something else, please just keep it."

I started to walk away and the woman yelled back at me, "Miss, wait a second!" I turned around and she said to me, "Can you tell me your name so that I can pray for you?"

I told her my name as my eyes began to tear up a bit. I couldn't believe that this woman with nothing, compared to me, with virtually everything that I need, would pray for me. Moments like that make me really appreciate being in New York City. Not because I love talking to homeless people, but because that woman knows to appreciate every little thing, and reminds me to do the same. It is moments like that where I really feel and remember God's love. Life may be harder here, but I would rather live here and work harder, but appreciate what I have than to live somewhere easier and forget how lucky I am.

Slow down, you move too fast

2005-05-13T13:06:00.000-04:00

Do I? How fast is "too fast" really? Does that mean that if you are not taking the time to enjoy things, you are moving too fast? I think maybe it does. Everyday on the way home, I pause in front of a lilac tree to make sure that I enjoy the smell.

A school in Brooklyn has offered me a position as a math coach. For those people from outside of NY Education, which is pretty much everyone who reads this, this is a position in between a teacher and an administrator. A math coach does not teach, or maybe only one period a day, and sort of coordinates and develops math instruction. During this year, this is what I have done to be qualified for this position:
1. I have my master's degree in mathematics education (in two weeks).
2. I have been attending leadership training at Bank Street College.
3. I attended a three day seminar at the request of the regional instructional superintendent on Geometer's Sketchpad.
4. I have been regularly meeting with the Assistant Principal of instruction about math related issues and developments.

I really like the school that I am at, but we don't have a math coach or a department leader, so math intstruction is chaotic at best. I have some students enrolled in three classes at the same time. This should never be allowed. If a student cant pass one math class at a time, why would they be able to pass when they are taking three? They can't. But, we dont have anyone leading the mathematics department, so guidance does whatever they want when they pick the students classes. It is a total mess. I would like to be the math coach here, but they are shuffling their feet about getting it shoved through.

But, i dont want to work in Brooklyn. I like living in Astoria and working at a performing arts high school. So, do I try to convince this school to get on the ball? Do I think in a more career minded way and just try to get a coach position somewhere, figuring the quicker I can move up in the board of ed, the better? Or do I try to go back to just doing basic teaching duties and enjoy being a teacher for a bit? How fast do I really want to move? I sit in these leadership meetings and i am easily 15-20 years younger than everyone else in the room.

These are the other options:
1. Move back in with mom in idaho falls and mooch off of her and do nothing.
2. Move in with Laurel, get a domestic partnership so that I can be on her health insurance and let her support me (still dating guys, of course - it's just business folks).
3. Stay in the situation I am in and just pray that I dont get so completely taken advantage of that I have a mental breakdown next year.

Ugh.... being an adult is rough work!

The Final Straw

2005-04-29T11:29:00.000-04:00

I remember my mom saying that when people quit smoking, it is never because of one of the "big" reasons that are obvious, but some little personal thing that is actually kind of silly, but just annoys the person enough to quit. Well, the same happened with me, but instead of it being smoking, it is sleeping.

As I have already told some people, I apparently have at least one, or a couple sleep disorders. Im sure anyone who has ever met me can remember me sleeping somewhere odd and awkward... McCain, in class, during the ACTs, during the Weezer concert, sitting on the subway, standing on the subway, standing on the platform waiting for the subway.... many places. Well, when I fell asleep in the middle of talking to a student, that was it. I started researching sleep disorders.

I found out a few interesting things, but in particular that I have 4 of the main symptoms of narcolepsy. So I called a sleep center at a hospital and had a sleep study done. The first thing they always say is to take the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. At first I took it and thought it probably wasnt reliable. So I made a few other take it, they scored low, and I realized maybe it IS reliable.

I went in for the sleep study... they hook up 22 different types of sensors to monitor brain activity, eye movement, leg movement, breathing, heart rates, oxygen levels, snoring, etc. What they found is that I have sleep apnea, meaning that I either stop breathing or my breathing is so restricted for more than ten seconds at a time that my bloog oxygen levels drop. This can happen in everyone, but it should be less than 5/hour. During REM sleep, mine was 42 per hour. So, today, I got my breathing machine. I call it "Mr. Breathy" but the actual term is a CPAP machine. It just pushes air into my lungs constantly so that when my airway becomes restricted, air will still be pushed through.

Thank goodness I got it today. Right after the man left who came to set it up, I picked up my laptop. I was using it last night and had fallen asleep with it on my lap. Normally, I wake up at some point and set it on the floor. This time I hadn't apparently and it had slid onto the floor. My USB stick was still in the back of it and it bent it in half!!! Grrrr!!! I was sooo irritated... Sure, falling asleep in front of students is embarrassing, but my files!!! Luckily, they were still able to copy off of it onto my harddrive, but im not sure what will happen when i take it out of the USB port and try to straighten it out. Oh well. At least I have the files.

As a closing remark, everyone should take the Epworth Sleep scale... it takes 2 minutes and it gives you a good idea if you may have something that is uncommon, but you didnt realize because people just dont talk about it that much. Sleep disorders generally begin in teens and 20s but go undiagnosed for 10 or 20 years becuase it is attributed to other factors. So go, take it. Tell me what you get.

Estoy esperando ir a Venezuela

2005-04-18T17:24:00.000-04:00

Well, i did it. I submitted my application for a mission trip this summer. For the last few months I have been saying Thailand Thailand Thailand. Then, at the last minute, as I was finishing the application and ranking the trips, I looked one last time at the Venezuela trip and said, sorry Thailand, Venezuela. I am not sure what exactly caused the change. Heres some background.

Organization: Real Impact Missions
Dates: July 5-August 2
Possible trips: Venezuela, Thailand, NYC

The Thailand trip is a group of about 15 to 20 people. They work at an orphanage that was started by a pastor to save female children from prostitution. Since prostitution is legal, many families sell their children either because they can't afford to keep them or because they just don't want them. The orphanage hunts down families who they believe will do this, either because they have sold daughters before or because of their financial crisis, and offer to take the daughter instead and feed, shelter, and educate her. In addition to helping there, they work with university students teaching English and other miscellaneous outreach activities.

The Venezuela trip has a more diverse focus. For the first two weeks, there is a group of 50 to 60 people. They work with the youth and do drama activities and teach about Christianity. They work in schools, parks, and anywhere they're needed. Then, in the middle of the month, another group of medical missionaries come and join the larger group. During that time, they work with the community about treating and preventing some of the diseases, trying to help as many people as possible in a short time. The larger group assists the medical team during this time. After the medical team leaves, usually some other have stuck around and done some more community projects, but since this year there are only about 6 who would be able, they have decided to all fly back together and debrief in Miami instead of in the country as they normally do.

So, I submitted the application and they contacted me today. We spoke about the specifics of each of the different trips (except for the NYC trip which I said absolutely not to), and about the possiblity of being an advisor or a team leader. The majority of the people involved in these missions are in their late teens or twenties. The team advisors each have a group of five to six people who they sort of watch out for and oversee, making sure nobody goes out on their own while also leading Bible studies and discussing all of the thoughts and feelings that are experienced during the mission. The team leaders sort of help oversee everything. I told them that I am willing to serve wherever I am needed. I also expressed that I think I can manage a group of 6 teenagers, or a group of 20 teenagers (especially ones who WANT to be there).

I am really excited about this. I look forward to the growth and the experience. I hope everyone will support me, especially those Spanish speakers by drilling me until then (haha). But honestly, I am lucky to have such wonderful loving friends and family who I know will support me and encourage the work that I hope to do.

A letter from Sean Smith (tito)

2005-04-11T17:02:00.000-04:00

Yay! I got a letter from South Africa today! I am going to type some of it into here, assuming that Sean wouldn't mind. Ahhh... the good work of a campus safety officer turned Peace Corps.

"I was never very good at letter writing, and now it seems strange that I've picked it up here because it's such a mission to mail letters here. It's 3 different treks to get the stamps envelopes and then go to the post office. In addition, going anywhere around here is a hassle in and of itself due to being hte only white person and I'm constantly being harassed. Not usually in a bad way, but people asking me what I'm doing here, asking me for money, or sometimes the typical pointing and laughing. It's getting better though as people are becoming familiar with me, but it's still a pain in the ass after putting up with it for the past 5 months.
"This are okay I suppose. I mean, they could be worse. Right now it's very, very hot. Like I mentioned earlier about heat stroke, I've never had anything like that happen to me before. The sun is brutal here. I don't know if it's a Southern hemisphere thing or what, but I feel energy just fly out of me in the sun.
"I hope I make it out of Africa unscathed. Everything here is out to kill you. The insects all carry some scary disease like tick-bite fever or malaria, the animals are all venemous or have huge teeth, and the plants look like nature's razor wire. The weather is not your friends either between super lightning storms and heat stroke. Then there is HIV/AIDS which is just dessimating the population. On top of that is the out-of-control crime rate and I basically look like a huge target to muggers... I'll stop, I'm making myself scared.

"So you know the saying 'you don't really know what you've got till it's gone?' That is so true for me. I miss America so much. Not only am I on the other side of the planet from my friends and family, but I miss western civilization. I miss being physically comfortable. I dont think I have been since I got here; I sweat when I'm trying to go to sleep. Yeah, that's it! I miss air conditioning. I miss TV, radio, internet, books (that I haven't read), basically all media. I miss reliable electricity, not having to share a toilet, and the ability to take a hot shower/bath; the bucket bath is such a pain in the ass. I miss going out at night (you can't cause of crime) and food with flavor (South African food is bland)... I just realized I could go on forever with this rant so I'll stop. I know I couldn't comprehend how nice I had it before this little adventure, but now I think I would be content with any job in America, knowing that no matter how much I was struggling, I am still better off than 90% of the people in Africa. I know I saw this all the time now and the words themselves don't mean much, but appreciate what you have now. To live in America is to be truly blessed, and once I realized how many people in the world lived in poverty, I can consider myself lucky."

Amen Sean. Thanks for reminding me (and all of us, since I share everything) of how lucky we are. Thank God for people like Sean who are willing to leave his entire life to try to make a little difference in those areas of suffering. What an amazing person and sacrifice to make.

If anyone would like to write to him or anything, he would LOVE to hear from people. Just let me know and I will send his address there.

mozambique1

2005-04-11T12:55:00.000-04:00

mozambique1
Originally uploaded by nyjenn313.

Another picture from Sean. The caption that he wrote was "In case I forget what country I am in." What a tourist!

mozambique2

2005-04-11T12:53:00.000-04:00

mozambique2
Originally uploaded by nyjenn313.

Sean sent me some pictures. He took a vacation for a week to go to Mozambique and see the beaches. He is doing well and back in South Africa.

Finding God in NYC

2005-04-10T12:57:00.000-04:00

I remember a sermon from when I had only been in New York about 6 months that was titled, "Where is God in New York City?" I don't know if anyone remembers, but it wasn't long after I saw one of my students get attacked because of some gang activity. At the time, I had closed off my heart and decided that God was not in New York City at all. That sermon especially spoke to me.

Over the last few months, I've really been trying to find a church that I felt was a good fit for my spiritual needs. For awhile, I just refused to try because I was too scared. I've realized that when you don't really have any attachment to a specific denomination, or some other guiding force, finding a new church is sort of like dating... you try a few out, you see if they say anything that you just can't stomach, you see how they treat their mothers and their children... and you eventually find a match, then deciding to open up your heart and share your life. It's a scary commitment. In visiting different churches in New York I've realized that beyond the differences in style or music or congregation size, there are two main classifications that I have noticed. There are the churches here that have given in to what I call "New York City life" which means that casual sex is unavoidable, drinking a little beyond what is healthy is still morally acceptable, and many other things that millions of people are engaging in will not be spoken against for fear of losing members of the congregation. New York has a very migrant population and this applies also to churchgoers - they travel around. Then there are the other churches who are not afraid to stick to their guns, and are some of the morally strongest establishments that I have witnessed. These churches are fighting with all of their hearts and strength and resources to try to break down the "Sex in the City" stereotypes and reach the lost people in their 20s and 30s who are being torn between God's will and the pressures of the city life.

I attended a service today at the 5th Ave Presbyterian Church. A friend recommended that I check it out, and, oddly, I listened. I guess I sort of realized that I had closed my heart to a huge population within the Christian community by refusing the check out any denominational church. I think I will stick with this one for awhile. Partially, it is because if I really want to go on a mission this summer, I need to open myself up so that my heart can be molded. The second reason was something that the pastor said in his message. He came here ten years ago from Texas. He said that he loves preaching in New York because New Yorkers are not practicing Christianity blindly, but, like with everything else, they are stubborn and resistant, develop questions and seek answers. New Yorkers are not afraid to spar with God and throw some punches or even bite if necessary, but knowing all the while that God may punch back because He has defenses of his own.

Some days I really hate it here. It's no secret. But today, as I am sitting in the middle of a park (fully equipped with wireless internet) and I think about the many different faces of Christianity, I think maybe some parts of it aren't so bad, even if they are a little more difficult to find.

Ode to My Rice Bag

2005-04-10T00:49:00.000-04:00

Oh, Rice Bag. I love you so.
When I lie in bed, you keep me warm.
For as the evening is chilly, you are there.
Since my landlord has turned off the heat over two weeks ago,
You, my rice bag, still care.
Rice bag, we looked, to find the rules
And, alas, we have learned, the minimum
"Fifty-five" at night, we read
As the chill numbed my toes
So I turned to you,
You plaid beauty,
Took you in my hands,
And placed you in the microwave.
Two minutes later and things were getting hot.
I took you to my room,
left you under the covers
ANd waited for my bed to be warm enough to tolerate.
While we always start off hot,
By morning, the flame has worn away.
Thermodynamics... our enemy.
Though you were still there,
By morning you were cold,
As was I.
But, oh, rice bag....
Rice dream...
Thank you for your warmth.

In other words... MY APARTMENT IS SO COLD!!!! I miss having heat that I could control! Blast this steam heat! Grrr.... At least I have my beanies... that I can wear.... all day.. even indoors.... grrr..

Parent Teacher Conferences

2005-04-10T00:33:00.000-04:00

The biggest, scariest two days of the semester are over. These were actually the easiest that I have had yet. I am not sure if it is because the weather was finally nice and so nobody wanted to go to a school when they didn't have to, or if it was because I've been better about sending home progress reports and have had the same kids all year, but I barely had any parents. I mean, still around 30, but when you could be teaching up to 160 students a day as a math teacher (or have over 300 students if you teach an A/B day class like gym), only 30 is nothing. I actually only have about 100 students now because the statistics classes are small.

So, the funny story of this semesters P/T conferences goes to the librarian, a dear friend of mine.

Mother: My son says that he never checked out a book. He shouldn't have a fine and I want his report card (which you can't get if you have outstanding fines)
Librarian: What is your son's name? I can look it up in the computer.
Mother: My son is _______. This is ridiculous. My son is always getting blamed for things. The school called me and said that people are accusing him of having hacked into the school's computer network and into other people's computers... It is all completely ridiculous. My son would never do anything like that. He is a good kid.
(as the mother is going on, Librarian sees in the computer what book the boy checked out).
Librarian: I am sorry, but I do personally remember checking this book out to your son. You will have to pay the fine.
(Mother pays the fine)
Librarian: Also, if you see the book at home, we would still like to have it returned. I would appreciate if you could look for it.
Mother: Fine, I will. What is the name of the book.
Librarian (trying not to chuckle or laugh): How to Hack Into Computers

HAHAHA... that is so funny. I mean, I feel bad, but it's funny. The librarian checked the date and realized it was like 4 days before the school had all the reports of this kid doing some hacking. Im not sure exactly what the problems were, but I know a lot of people were involved. Quite incriminating evidence, I would say though. Silly boy.

I was also told that I am a large contributing factor in the downfall of public education. That was the low point of the conferences. This woman says that her son "isn't being reached" and that I "and all his other teachers are losing him." I am sorry, but her son doesnt do any work or take any notes. He really is bright, but he is lazy. Sweet kid though. He had the guts to wear a republic pin all during election time even though everyone gave him a ton of guff for it. I may not have been super pro-Bush, but it's hard to go against the grain in high school.

Anyways, back to topic. I survived parent teacher conferences. It is always the time that I feel the oldest though because I realize that there is a community of adults (parents) who regard me as ... hmm... an authoritative adult. I'm an educator. I still dont buy it. I just think I am a really really good actress playing the part of a teacher. Maybe I am. Maybe there is no difference. Regardless, I'm here and growing up.

So Tired!

2005-04-05T19:46:00.000-04:00

Ever since day light savings, my sleeping schedule seems so off. Before, I would get home, it would be getting dark shortly thereafter, and I would wind down, do some work, and go to bed. Now, I come home, it is still so light out that I think, "Hey! Ive got time for a nap!" (no jokes, please) So, I lie down to take my nap. But, since I am relatively delirious while I am napping, each time that the phone rings and it is some form of a telemarketer, my subconscious decides that "earns" me more of a nap for my troubles. So, I sleep more. By the time I know it, it is a little after seven o clock and Ive been asleep for two hours. Still, it isn't dark though, so I feel like I have all the time in the world. Oy.

Parent teacher conferences are Thursday and Friday. I dont mind doing them, but I DO mind having to be there so long. We work all day thursday, then have the conferences from 6-8:30. It's new york, so a three hour gap isnt worth going home for. Then we work again Friday morning for a half day and have parent teacher conferences in the afternoon until 3. So, it ends up that within a two day period I am in the school at least 20 hours. Yuck!! I will bring a pillow and nap in between, I suppose. At least my time will be productive.

Saturday morning cartoons?

2005-04-02T12:58:00.000-05:00

What has happened to them? I woke up, turned on my TV... and like every other week, I saw a variety of pokemon-style cartoons, a handful of Hillary Duff type shows, and infomercials. They are just no good. They don't appear to have any educational value, or any moral lessons, and to be honest, I don't even find them very interesting. The pokemon-style cartoons are just all about fighting and the Hillary Duff style shows are all about boy-girl relationships.

I was excited when it was 1 o clock and Family Matters came on. Good ol' Steve Urkel. My latest hobby has been looking into where all my favorite childhood stars have run off to. Well, cool cat Jaleel White is apparently now a write and has his own NBA blogger. Interesting. NBA Blog Site Whenever I see child actors on Broadway or on TV I always wonder what they will be like as 20-somethings.

Uh oh.... caring about celebrities?? Me?? Maybe I've been in New York too long...

At the risk of sounding heartless....

2005-03-31T16:22:00.000-05:00

I am going to briefly weigh in on the Schiavo issue. I think a lot of people are nuts. In one article it said a musician woman who had been outside the hospital said it had "broken her heart." What?! I am sorry, but a promising teen killed by a drunk driver is heart breaking; a parent of three children killed by accident in a subway shooting is heart breaking; a four year old shooting his two year old brother is heart breaking; the MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WITHOUT ACCESS TO CLEAN WATER is heart breaking. The passing of a woman who has been without cognitive function for 15 years - that is not, in my opinion. Granted, I do not have the right to say what breaks other people's hearts, but I will use my blogger to say that there are some crazy, short sighted people out there. All these people who are putting hours and hours of thought and effort into this issue probably don't think twice about topsoil erosion, water pollution, destruction of the coral reefs, or, even more relevant - overpopulation, the earth's carrying capacity, and a lack of resources. Maybe I am the short sighted one, but if I am without cognitive function, I would much rather the resources spent on bathing me, feeding me, medicating me, clothing me, keeping me warm, and everything else be put towards some children who don't own coats in the winter or towards installing more drip irrigation systems on farms to conserve water. Americans.... I can only just shake my head. Heart breaking....

On the set

2005-03-30T21:21:00.000-05:00

I love teacher field trips!! Instead of the "professional development" activities other schools do, we got to go on a field trip to the new school site - Kaufman studios. They tape Sesame Street and Law and Order: trial by jury, along with other things, at those studios. I got to see the real Snuffle... umm... I dont know how to spell it.. snuffleupagus? Everyone knows who I mean. It is huge!! I got to see inside of Oscar the Grouch's garbage can too (3 monitors so the muppetteers can see where they are going). Also interesting, the men who play big bird and elmo are the original people from when the show began 35 years ago. They are apparently these crazy men in their 70's. How cute!

The Trial By Jury set was really interesting too. I dont know why, but I always would have assumed things like the tile on the floor were real tiles. Even standing on the set, I thought that they were real. It wasnt until one of the set designers explained that it is all just wood painted REALLY elaborately and textured, AND i bent down and touched it, that I believed it wasnt real. Quite amazing.

So, regarding my earlier comment, about that it is the future school site, that is exactly what I meant. Kaufman studios donated part of their land for us to build a school on. Right now it is used for a parking lot, but they have two others. We will have a partnership with the studios. How exciting! There will be stars all around my school! Neat!

The move isnt scheduled to occur until summer 2007, though. Who knows by then. AT least for now I got a free t-shirt and hat!

Visitors from another land

2005-03-22T10:48:00.000-05:00

My mom and Katy (my cousin) arrived here yesterday. Katy is the best to have around! She has never been far from Idaho, except Canada once when she was in elementary school, so New York is quite the culture shock. Her eyes were so wide as she was looking around on the subway. Well, at least they were until the train started to move and she grabbed hold on a railing and held on for her life (at least the way she saw it). I wish I had more time to spend with them. I have a research paper due tomorrow that I am way less than prepared. Just a rought draft, at least. Plus I have a bunch of tom-foolery going on at work to deal with. People are all crazy here. Apparently, a teacher hit a student yesterday. I dont know the details yet, but reliable sources have confirmed that an investigation is occuring. Incredible. Back to the discussion on Arzhangs site a few months ago, there is no point in putting more money into education if you have monkeys at the front of the classroom. There is the argument that More money would mean higher pay which would appeal to better people but I dont buy it at all. The money being higher would attract more people of the lower caliber. At my school, I can work as much as I want doing various other activities like clubs or tutoring and I make around 40 dollars/hour. Some teachers work so much extra that they make Hundreds each month that way. But all of the teachers I know who are doing that, and making money the big priority, are not the teachers who have their heart in it. They are the leeching, scamming teachers. More money could improve other factors that affect teacher stress levels (buildings, classroom materials, benefits, etc.), but I still don't think it would solve enough problems to justify more and more going into education, unless it was a dramatic dumping of money to restructure the whole education system. Then maybe. But for now, I work with monkeys. I wear a raincoat all day in the hallway to keep my clothes clean while they are flinging their...

My Birthday!

2005-03-13T22:00:00.000-05:00

I had a good birthday, full of people who care a lot about me. I got to see Josh, which was nice because I havent seen him in awhile. Matt gave me his present, which was a CD. Dating a musician rocks!! We are not talking about some mixed CD of other peoples songs that made him think of me. Oh no. He actually got together his friends (who are also professional musicians) and recorded 6 songs for me. The songs are "Fly me to the moon," "Hallelujah, I love her so," "Night and Day," "You may be right," "Joey (when she's not around)," and "Isn't She lovely." He used piano (him), bass, drums, and saxophone. After he recorded the music tracks, then he recorded all the vocals (him again) and then the second vocal lines for harmonies (and again him). THEN... as if that wasn't enough... he went out, took pictures, and made a whole CD case to go with it!

Speaking of super sweet gestures for my birthday, Frank showed up at my door! He had booked a flight, took off three days from work, and flew her from Chicago to see me for my birthday! Apparently everyone knew about it but me. Frank told mom and josh, and mom had the foresight to let Matt know so that he wouldnt plan anything with me that would interfere with Frank being here. Frank called me and said "I'm getting rid of T-mobile. The reception really sucks in New York." At first I didnt believe he was actually outside of my house, but then when I looked out my front window and saw him, I became a little more convinced.

All in all, a good birthday. Good people around me. Now, maybe LaDonne next weekend, Mom and Katy for the week after, and Dad the next weekend. I am going to call march the month of Idaho coming to me. (Instead of me going to Idaho). Anyone else want to visit?

Out on the town

2005-03-08T23:31:00.000-05:00

Since I have been back from Brazil I have been going out quite a bit more than.. well.... ever before. I am quite proud of myself - actually taking advantage of the fact that I am in NYC. The day that I returned, I went to Matt's brother's senior recital on the clarinet. Very impressive. Then on Thursday, I got free tickets to see Little Women, the musical on Broadway! On Friday, Katie, Danny (my Venezuelan, Canadian friend), and Matt and I went swing dancing. Last night (monday) I had free tickets to go see the New York City Orchestra perform at Carnegie Hall with a 200 person choir.

Some upcoming events - my birthday is this weekend. Since my mom will be here with my cousin Katy a week later, I have told Matt that he can be in charge of the actual birthday weekend. So, Mom gets here the next weekend, which is also the same weekend that my Dad is moving to Pennyslvania (about 3 hours from me). My school's vocal department has their show this week and next week, so I will go to that at some point. At the same dance club, March 19 is country western night - partner and line dancing! I am there for sure!!! I really am excited!

Ahh... good times... If only I didnt have to go to work and to college so I had time to just play all the time. At least Im almost done with school.... just 3 more months!!!

I'm back!

2005-02-27T00:48:00.000-05:00

2005_18
Originally uploaded by nyjenn313.

Here is proof that I am still alive and well. I have my new glasses (for the smarty pants look) and I just cut my hair. Yeah, i cut it myself. I am so cheap. I am scared of New York haircuts too. Here I am world - new look.