Day 10: Challenge?

Okay, I have to admit that I thought this ten day challenge of writing everyday would be just that... a challenge. And to be honest, at first it was! The first day or two I had to remind myself to write. But as I continued on my blogging journey, it became less of a task and more of a relaxation and outlet to express myself.

I felt very surface level with my first couple of posts because I was testing the water and determining exactly how much I wanted to put myself out there. I still have more to divulge and maybe at some point I will get there, but I think this is somewhat what my professor was talking about when she said she discovered a secret about writing not so long ago herself.

It becomes easier over time!!! And quite enjoyable at that. I have learned that writing, like reading allows me to "escape reality" for a short amount of time. I can remove myself from the craziness of my life, and take a moment to reflect. I have determined that I am a night blogger. I like to blog after my "day is over" and use it as a time to look back at my day, week, or year.

Writing is amazing. Writing is fun. I have come to enjoy myself. I wold be lying if I said the feedback didn't make me feel like a child receiving positive feedback from my teacher.

I am glad I embraced this challenge with arms wide open! It has really paid off.

Who says it has to end after 10 days...?

Day 9 Challenge: A December Bday Party in March

* I saved this entry to notes on my mom's phone last night on my way home from the party since my phone had 1% battery and no Internet access! Then, hers died too! *

Tonight we celebrate the birth of a good family friend! She turned 55... in December! Why was the party so late? I still don't know the answer to that, but frankly it didn't matter because it was so much fun and an excuse to get everyone together.

The party was held at Sur La Table at the Westchester Mall where we were the chefs and cooked our own dinner from scratch. This included pasta, sauces, and a cake. At first, I was incredibly nervous because to be honest, I do not spend a whole lot of time in the kitchen. But after a couple "glasses of courage" I realized that it wasn't meant to be a cooking competition, it was meant to be fun!

Luckily, the birthday girl's middle son and girlfriend (both a year older than me and my good friends) were there as well as we represented the youngins. Our team was pretty much doomed from the beginning. As we added lemon juice to a way to hot skillet, it exploded everywhere and we were all covered! Luckily we had on our aprons.

Of course there were many more mistakes along the way in this adventure. Sauce was burnt, pasta was too thick, then too thin, then nonexistent at all. The meat wasn't shredded finely enough and I refused to touch the fatty pieces. Therefore, half of it got thrown into our "garbage bowl" even though it was perfectly usable. But we didn't care. Half the time we didn't even pay attention to the food. The people were the sources of entertainment. And we did pay attention to the food, we did it together as a team.

My last couple of posts have been about family/friends. At this point of my life, I have begun to realize how much I treasure my time with loved ones. I often discuss the need to be out on my own, but in reality I love being surrounded by loved ones as often as possible.

Needless to say tonight was great. Way better than sitting home doing work or out partying with strangers in the city. Call it a coming of age tale if you will, as I have come to realize what life is all about... being with the people that make me happy and make me a better person!

Happy birthday Pat... 3.5 months later! :)

Day 8 Challenge: Family

Finding the right balance between family, friends and alone time is incredibly hard to balance. Many times I find myself unsure of what is really my time best spent.

Recently,  I have been helping my cousin Erin decide on a college. She is a senior and increibly well-rounded and really has her pick. She is such an amazing person with an incredible spirit. We often discuss how we would like to trade lives... he becoming older and established in her career, and me ready to embark on the journey known as college.

We are spending time together tonight for the first time in 3 months! With our buy schedules, we had to pencil this day in forever ago. Hanging out with her and divulging our current highs and lows makes me realize how important family time really is. Just the other day, playing a game with my family I had this same realization. And now this realization is reaffirmed.

Family time is curcial, especially as I get older and look forward to starting my own in the somewhat near future.

And because this time is so important, I must esxcuse myself to hang out with my cousin/friend.

Day 7 Challenge: Musicality

Sometimes my own words don't express how I am feeling. Sometimes I need the words of others. Sometimes this comes in the lyrics to a song. Most of the time this comes in the lyrics to a song.

Currently, I find myself in one of those moods where one negative thing in my life has caused me to reflect on any/every negative thing in my life. I don't like to consider myself a "Negative Nancy" or a "Debbie Downer," but sometimes, I just need to be at peace with my thoughts and my music.

Reflecting on a specific person who was once in my life and has recently reemerged, I couldn't help but wish they were here now; to tell me exactly what I want to hear to get me through the night.

 I don't have these nights often; I would say they are pretty rare. People are constantly saying how upbeat and sunshiny I am all the time. And usually, I am. But sometimes, I wish I could show people my insecurities, and self-doubt because let's face it; we have all been there.

I am going to allow myself to "wallow in my pity and self-doubt"for tonight and tonight only. (quote credit: Seth Cohen on The OC) When I wake up, and the sun wakes up and a new day begins, I will go back to my bubbly, perky, genuinely happy self. But tonight, it's all about myself, my music, and my thoughts... and maybe some tears. I just need a good cry.

I know, I know; cue the violins! I acknowledge that SO many people in the world have it worse off than I do, but that doesn't mean I can't have one of those days/nights where I think I have it the worst.

Part of me is scared to post this entry because I am SO vulnerable at this moment. But part of me is saying, "This is who you are RIGHT NOW." So even though I am exposing my open wounds for you all to see, I am okay with this because this accurately represents who I am and how I feel at this moment.

Until a sunnier, happier day; goodnight to you all!

*Below is my playlist:

Yellow- Petra Haden and Bill Frisell
Fix You - Coldplay
When I Was Your Man- Bruno Mars
Bless the Broken Road- Rascal Flatts
Hometown Glory- Adele
Your House- Alanis Morissette
Vindicated- Dashboard Confessional
Dancing- Elisa
Push-Matchbox Twenty
This Woman's Work- Maxwell
Slow Dancing in a Burning Room- John Mayer
Half of My Heart- John Mayer
Light Years Away- MoZella

Day 6 Challenge: Realistic Fiction

            Sadie looked at her phone. 9:13. Then she looked at it again; still 9:13. Sadie continued to anticipate the call. When was it going to come? Why was it taking so long to hear a response?

            She couldn’t understand why he wasn’t answering her incessant calls and texts. Did he not read what she had told him? She clearly stated that it was important and that she wanted to hear his side of the story. Unable to bear the thought of another second going by without receiving a response, she moseyed out into her living room, where her roommate Alex was watching T.V.

            “Am I being unreasonable here? I mean, I said I wanted his thoughts!” Sadie exclaimed.

            “You mean he still hasn’t answered yet!?” Alex asked “Wow! He must really be thinking things through. You did lay it on pretty thick, S.”

            “I know I did, but we have been through so much, I thought he would at least give me a response.”

            “Give him time.” Alex said.

            “Time? It’s been two weeks!”

            Two weeks too long in Sadie’s mind.  Time was running out and she needed an answer, or she would have to take care of things herself.

            Finally the phone rang.

            “It’s him!” Sadie said, her heart pounding and stomach in knots.

            “Well answer it!” Alex yelled.

            Sadie reached for the phone. “Hey, I’m glad you called. Oh… okay, yeah I can do that. See you at 10.”

            “So, what did he say?” Alex anxiously asked.

            “He asked to meet me to discuss it. We are meeting in the park at 10. I need to hop in the shower.”

The time on her phone read 9:50 and Sadie rushed out the door after saying to Alex, “I shouldn’t be long! We will talk when I get home!”

“Good luck…” Alex stated.

11 o’clock rolled around.

Then 12.

Then 12:30.

Alex was worried. She called Sadie’s cell at least 10 times. Finally someone answered… but it wasn’t Sadie. It was him.

To be continued!

Day 5 Challenge: A Game Changer

After not seeing my dad and stepmom for weeks, I was finally able to go over to their house for a few hours tonight to spend some time with them. I was kind of hemming and hawing about going to their house... of course I had a billion things to do today (and everyday) but I talked myself into going, knowing it would mean a lot to them.

Little did I know how much it would mean to me! My family has always loved playing games... Scattegories, Gin Rummy, War, etc. A new favorite game of ours is Quiddler. Each round, the players have a certain number of cards. We start with 3 each and work our way up to 10 (11 tonight since we had a tie). You have to form words using your letters or picking up from the pile or stack of cards. It's definitely challenging but in a good way!

When playing tonight, in the round with 11 cards, I formed the word 'writing.' It dawned on me! This would be a great word to play with my students! Not only is this game fun, but it also helps students with spelling. I always have a dictionary out when playing to double check my spelling, and would encourage my students to do the same thing!

I asked my dad to borrow the game in hopes to play before Spring Break!

I always hated "Game Night" as a kid, but looking back, I realized how much fun it was... how much fun it is. Hopefully my students will feel the same way! 

Day 4 Challenge: The Happiest Place On Earth

I am SO excited for what is coming up in my classroom/ at my school in the next few weeks!

Next week, we will be having Doreen Rappaport visit our school! I cannot wait for my 6th graders to engage in her presentation. We are currently reading her book Jack's Path to Courage about President Kennedy and will be followed by Dirt on Their Skirts about women in baseball. We are so fortunate to work/attend a school that afford us these opportunities. I am honored to also be attending a luncheon for Ms. Rappaport where I can get books signed and engage in conversation with her about her career and impact on children.

After vacation, which is over 2 weeks down the road, we will be discussing the organization TOMS and will hopefully be participating in the One-for-One challenge. Many of my students wear TOMS, but I have a feeling they don't know the full story behind the organization...why did it start? what is the benefit?

I look forward to answering these questions (and more) with my students.

I constantly tell my students how fortunate they are to attend our school and as they have matured throughout the year, I can see that they are beginning to realize this as well. While my school is not perfect, I really have never been happier in any other setting working with children. I am so lucky to be appreciated by my coworkers, administrators, parents and most importantly students! To me, my school is the happiest place on Earth!!!

P.S.- How many days until field day!?!

Day 3 Challenge: Reading a New Book for the 2nd Time

How many of you teachers out there "read" books when you were in elementary/middle/high school that you are using with your students now?

I find myself in this predicament as I have "read" Hatchet before and am now teaching it to my 6th graders. The problem? I never REALLY read Hatchet... I remember skimming through the book and checking Sparknotes to make sure I was "keeping up" with the class. Now, I am "re-reading" a classic that I never truly read before, and I greatly regret it.

Sure, I can appreciate the book now and I love the adventure, suspense and survival plot, but I wonder if I would have loved it that much more when I was first intended to read it. Wishing I could go back to the middle school me, I would tell myself, "Trust me! You'll like it!"

Too bad my 23-year-old self wasn't around back then to kick me in the butt and force me to read something I know I would have enjoyed. I hate to admit it, but this isn't the only book I "read" that I am /going to re-read. The list included (but is not limited to) Lord of the Flies, Hamlet, 1984, and Animal Farm. I am actually really, really, really embarrassed to admit this to myself, let alone out loud...well on the Internet.

Would my Language Arts students think less of me? Or, would they sympathize with me?

Either way, this is not something I am proud of. Maybe I wasn't intended to read those books in my teenage years? My love of reading didn't blossom until I was in college... senior year! The little voice in my head is trying to tell me "It's okay!"

Should I go back and reread those books or move on to what I know I will enjoy...even if they aren't classics? Shouldn't Language Arts teachers be well versed in the classics or is it okay that I don;'t really have an interest in reading them? Decisions, decisions...

Time to get reading... and I am not telling you what it is! :)

Day 2 Challenge: A REAL Challenge

You know when you are having one of those days where nothing is going your way? That is my day today.

Exhibit A: I'm going on a cruise in about 3 weeks so we all know what that means... Those three words that every girl/woman dreads. Bathing suit season. It's the worst. I usually am not that anti-bathing suit shopping but after becoming extremely sick a few months ago I found myself on prednisone. Aka the drug that makes you eat everything in sight! Needless to say, I bought a few bathing suits and refuse to try them on until after I got the gym for the next 21 days. I'm finally cleared to exercise again. Which brings me to my next challenger.

Exhibit B: When will I find time for the the gym? Between working, going to grad school and tutoring I barely have a life as it is! But I know it's important!! I will have to make it work...

Now my next challenge? Lets call it Challenge C! Internet problems... I still can't figure out how to link my blog, my iMovie took forever to attach and my Internet JUST went out. So I'm posting via my iPhone. Thank The Lord for access to blogging on my phone! Otherwise, my GGWD project would go back to day 1!

I know we all have challenges but the way in which we deal with them is what matters most! Me? I'm listening to music and think a movie and a cocktail will do the trick!

Until (hopefully a better) tomorrow! :)

Juxtaposition Poem

Lately, I have gotten the feeling that people don't really GET what I do! Yes, I'm a teacher, but I am so much more than that...especially in my school! Negative thoughts about teaching have always bothered me and I thought I would write a poem about this.

What People Think I Do vs. What I Really Do

I arrive at school right on time and throw something together.

I arrive at school over an hour early, finalizing my plans.

In class I sit at my desk, while my kids complete worksheets.

I am on my feet the entire period, delivering direct instruction.

I give a direction and the children get right to it.

I give a direction ten times, and then the children do it with assistance.

I teach 10 kids so I am so lucky.

I teach 10 kids with disabilities, so I am lucky.

During lunch, I sit with my coworkers and gossip.

During lunch, I eat with my coworkers for half a period before it is time to get back to work.

I order my assistant around all day.

I mentor my assistant all day, everyday.

I go home at 3:30 done for the day.

I go home at 5:30, and am up until 11:30 preparing, reviewing, reflecting.

My job is easy, so I love it.

My job is challenging, so I love it.

Day 1 Challenge: Putnam Cty. or Manhattan?

Have you ever seen a picture of something and suddenly you felt inspired. This happened to me just last week. I was going through my pins on Pinterest (being super productive organizing my boards) when I cam across the above picture. I had repinned it from one of my good friends about six weeks ago. Looking at it again, I realized how much I loved the idea of living in a brownstone. In NYC. Or living in NYC period!

This picture, full of light and positive energy and good vibes inspired me to take the next step... start looking for a place all my own! (Well, I will have a roommate, but that's not really the point.) I am at the point where I am ready to be on my own. See, I am stuck in that place where I went away to college for 3.5, lived in Australia for 2 months and found myself in my twenties living at home, saving money and waiting for the right opportunity to come along.

Well, that opportunity is NOW! Almost done with my master's (if I get through 2 more courses this semester, 1 in summer and my portfolio) now is the perfect time to begin the search. As of July, my salary will increase since I will have graudated from Fordham, and come fall, I have no outside of work responsibilites. Plus, all of my friends live in Manhattan, and at heart I am a true city-girl. So why not? My friend, and potenetial roommate, is on her way over right now to start the search!

BUT, am I really ready? I do believe in signs, fate, destiny, etc. but how do I know that I am doing the right thing? Won't I be throwing away money if I rent a closet-sized apartment? Should I be saving?

I think every young person goes through this struggle. (At least I hope so!) Now I just have to decide what' best for me, and what is REALLY discouraging me...

Ever since my parents divorced when I was younger, my mom and I have grown extra close. Part of me feels like I am abandoning her... I know she would never keep me from my dreams, but I still feel guilty doing something that is ultimately inevitable.

So here I find myself between a rock and a hard place.

***I stepped away from this piece for about 25 minutes to talk to my mom, and she said:


"You're ready for a new adventure! Go out there and show NYC what I already know...you will do big things if you are willing to take risks!"


And there it is! See you Putnam County, I'm about to be a city girl!


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