True Stories From the City That Never Sleeps (except for me; I love to sleep)

Coming Out Of The Darkness

2011-02-06T18:20:00.003-05:00

December 1 I had just walked back to school from the dentist, where I had just received my first crown. The wind was fierce, and the rain even fiercer. The umbrella had blown to bits, and any semblance of a hair style was gone. But I was happy. My tooth didn't hurt anymore, and in two weeks I was leaving for Cali. to see my family and celebrate grandpa's 90th birthday.

If you know me, you know that grandpa died suddenly that day. When someone is as vital as he, even at 89, you expect them to be around forever. The devastation was unbearable. I curled up in a little ball the next day at home, barely getting up to just go back to sleep. The next day, somehow I went into crisis mode; finished my two weeks of school, changed my flights, and got to California.

Instead of a 90th birthday bash, there was a memorial. Instead of grandpa laughing at all my mishaps, there were tears that he wasn't there the witness them. And ever since then, I have been walking in darkness.

Now, you wouldn't know it at first glance. I've never shirked my teaching duties, I was able to pull off an amazing musical production for my sixth graders, my report cards were done in record time, I didn't eat myself into oblivion; I was normal. But just this weekend I realized that I have been in a depression. How? Because I came out of it.

For some reason, I came home Friday and cleaned out all my closets. I put a huge pile of clothes out for the thrift store. I cleaned my apartment completely for the first time since December. I went back to the gym. And then it dawned on me this morning. Finally I am back to "normal".

The bitter cold and snow of this winter hasn't helped. Today the sun was shining, and we had a heat wave all the way up to 45 degrees. I want to say that the sun "woke me up". And I am grateful.

I don't cry anymore when thinking about grandpa. But if someone brings him up unexpectedly, it doesn't take a second for the tears to fall. That's progress.

The Holidays Have Begun

2010-11-21T19:43:00.003-05:00

Yes, I know Thanksgiving has not occurred yet. So why do I have my Christmas tree up, you ask? Because I am leaving early for Christmas this year. I will be heading to California on December 17 because we are having a 90th birthday party for my grandpa on the 19th. I wanted to enjoy my new tree for a while. Most of the ornaments are from places I have traveled to, with a few blue snowmen to fill it out.

My parents will be arriving tomorrow for the week, then we will meet up again on the 17th in Los Angeles to head to our family's house in Springville. It will be the first time since 1992 that the dad's side of my family will be all together. I am incredibly excited to spend the week there.

And I will be equally as excited to come home on the 28th, then leave on the 29th for Mexico. Happy New Year.

NYC City Chase 2010

2010-10-02T15:30:00.002-04:00

Here's something you don't see every day: two 41-year-old women wearing monkey-catching hats on their head on the banks of the Hudson River. Last Saturday my friend and I participated in our first City Chase. We had to complete 10/40 tasks around Manhattan in six hours or less using only public transportation (subway or bus) to get around. I'm happy to say we came in 214th place out of over 600 teams of two. Not bad for our first time, and we had a total blast doing it!

School is going well but very hectic. Musical is moving right along, also. I have really been enjoying swimming in our pool two times a week. This next week I need to add two days of jogging to the mix.

Luckily my co-worker and friend (and neighbor behind me) and I are trying to motivate each other. Usually we are very good at exercising together; now if we could just stop eating at the diner afterwards.

Week One

2010-09-18T15:36:00.002-04:00

So the first week of school is finished and it went quite well. It will take another week or two to get the fifth graders in the groove of being in a new building and new schedule, but they are getting the hang of it. My sixth graders are delightful. My coworkers continue to be supportive and great. We have a new administrator this year, so it may be slightly different, but for the most part, we are thriving and happy.

Auditions for the sixth grade musical are Monday, so my world will become crazy next week. Not crazy because of the kids; crazy because of the stage parents. Nothing compares to New York City stage parents. :)

I was even able to get in two days of exercise. I am sooo lucky. We have a small weight room at school that includes treadmills and elipticles as well as weights. We also have a pool that is available to faculty to swim two or three times a week. I went twice to do my deep water running. We also have free yoga class two times a week. Not to mention Central Park across the street for walking and jogging.

So my goal is to exercise four times during the week - one or two swim days, one yoga day, and one or two walk/jog days. Luckily my friend and I will push each other to do the jogging, and I love the water, so no one has to push me to swim. Yoga, I hope, will help my strength and flexibility, as well as keep me sane.

Life is good.

September

2010-09-06T15:32:00.003-04:00

I'm really hoping that the rest of September is like this weekend has been. It truly has been beautifully gorgeous. The air conditioner has been open, windows open, and lovely breezes have been wafting through.

I decided to ditch the to-do list and head to the beach on Saturday. It was a great break. I took the subway to the end of Brooklyn and ended up at Coney Island. Hurricane Earl left it quite windy, but the weather was not too hot and perfect for soaking up some sun without sweating to death.I've also cleaned the apartment and am in the process of washing everything washable. Call it spring cleaning in the fall.

I'm lucky that we don't start school for another week. I'm enjoying the extra long summer since the first part was taken up by summer camp and surgery.

I realized a few weeks ago that this will start my 20th year of teaching. This is amazing, especially since I'm only 29.

I know that I am lucky that I truly love my job, so I am happy to celebrate 20 years. I can't imagine doing anything else. Unless I was a billionaire and could travel all the time.

Speaking of travel, I just booked my trip with my friend to Egypt, Jordan, and Israel. This is a trip I've dreamed about for a long time. We're heading there spring break, which means the temperature will be in the low 70's - can't get better than that. Walking on all those places I've read about in the Bible and history will be nothing short of spectacular.

This summer has been wonderful, but let the new school year begin.

Trip #5 - Alabama

2010-09-02T04:20:00.006-04:00

I headed to Alabama for my final trip. Somehow I've ended up with several different friends in Alabama;

my former roommate and his wife, who is one of my close friends;
their children, who are my honorary nephews;
one of my best friends from Virginia;
a dear friends' parents (hi Bill!);
my ex-fiance' and his family.

Guess which one I DIDN'T go to visit on this trip? ;)

So I went to Huntsville/Madison to visit for the weekend. We had a great time. We celebrated Jake's 12th birthday early with my favorite kind of cupcake - the kind with loads of frosting.
Then we headed to the Star Wars Exhibition at the Space and Rocket Center. Now, you may not know that I have been a huge Star Wars fan since it came out in 1977. I have seen all the movies so many times, and I still love them. I hooked my two nephews on them, so we had a great time seeing all the costumes and props from the movies. And wearing dorky masks. I like going to visit them because we are very low-key. We are comfortable just hanging out at home, talking, and pestering each other. Okay, it would just be my former roommate and I doing the pestering.

I also had dinner with some of my favorite people - Bill and Barbara. Here's something I thought about. It's very rare, I think, that adults are close to their friends' parents. Here I am having dinner with a friends' parents. My other friend came down to Raleigh and stayed with my parents and I. I have gone on vacation with another friend and her parents. I love and treasure this.

Finally I saw my friend that moved back to Huntsville after living in Virginia for a long time. I was able to salivate over her new home (my apartment would most likely fit in her sunroom/living room), see her niece and nephew, and, of course, visit with her parents who stopped by.

So, after five trips in seven weeks, I am done. The suitcase is put away for a while. Travel size cosmetics are used up. Frequent flier miles are accumulated. Friendships have been renewed and are treasured.

And my bed has never been so comfortable.

Trip #4 - North Carolina

2010-08-24T06:22:00.002-04:00

First of all, why am I wide awake at 6:20 in the morning when I only have a few more days of sleeping in??

I returned from North Carolina last night. This trip had three parts:

1. I was visiting my parents. We had a great time doing, well, pretty much nothing. But that's okay - they are enjoying doing nothing for the first time in a while. School starts for them on Wednesday, but they will be sleeping in for their first official day of retirement. My dad said he will force himself to sleep in if need be!

2. I was able to go to Greensboro to see my friend/former co-worker and her new twins. What a highlight. They are precious (and I do not use that word most of the time) and like little peanuts. We had a wonderful time catching up and holding babies.

3. I got to spend time with my friend who came down for the weekend. We hung out at the pool in my parent's neighborhood, caught up, and just relaxed (well, she did once she got through DC traffic).

So it was a very nice time. I'm happy to be back in the City, especially since the average temperature this weekend will be 79. What is up with that in August? Loving it - but I leave for my last weekend trip on Friday for Alabama, where the heat is still on. Until then, I'll be at school getting the room ready and putting up bulletin boards. Oh, and hosting an out-of-town guest.

I have loved all my trips and visitors this summer, but I am definitely ready to get back in a routine. You know us OCD/CDO types....

Trip #3 - Colorado

2010-08-11T20:30:00.002-04:00

I just got back from four days in Evergreen and Colorado Springs, Colorado visiting great friends. The best part after seeing friends was the temperature - hallelujah for 60's and 70's! Our first hike was up St. Mary's Glacier. It was such a wonderful hike.Our next adventure was looking at these elk that dropped by Sunday morning to the backyard. I call this picture "Elk Church".
And Monday we took the cogway train up to Pike's Peak.
It was a great, great trip!

Trip #2 - Florida

2010-08-02T11:17:00.002-04:00

So I don't have any pictures from this trip because there is no need to post me in my swimsuit, which is what I wore pretty much the entire trip.

I met three friends in Orlando Thursday morning and by 2:30 we were lying by the pool. We picked an unbelievably hot weekend to be there - even the water was steaming! But it was worth it, because we got to catch up and enjoy each other altogether for the first time in a long while.

Our days consisted of - waking up, lying by the pool, eating lunch, lying by the pool, showering, eating dinner, reading/watching a movie/etc., sleeping.

Just call us Girls Gone Wild.

The most activity was in the airport coming home Sunday night. First, my 7:30 PM flight was canceled. I was rebooked on a 4:30 flight, which was then delayed until 6:30 because of air traffic control issues at LaGuardia. Then, about 5:00, Orlando had a massive storm - thunder, lightning, sheets of rain. Needless to say, I ended up not leaving until 7:30 - my original flight plan.

Then we sat on the tarmac at LaGuardia for 30 - 40 minutes because the gate was
a)taken and then b)broken. So we had to walk down the stairs.

Let's complete my journey with a chatty cabbie who had extensive body odor and wanted to chat and ask me questions like, "Do you have any suggestions of short trips to take my kids on?"

But my experience was not the worst of the four of us. One had to stay overnight in another city because she missed her connecting flight. Another didn't leave until 9:00, barely made the connection, and doesn't have her luggage.

All in all, if I could just forget last night, it was an excellent trip.

Trip #1 - California

2010-07-23T23:06:00.004-04:00

So I am back from my first trip. I'm happy to say that physically I am feeling very good. I'm still not lifting much (well, I did pick up my 18-month baby cousin, but take a look at her; how in the world does one resist this??).I had a wonderful time. I am so lucky. I have usually not had a problem being an only child, but as I get older, I feel the pressures that come with being one. Not being married or having children yet, taking care of parents on my own (not that I need to at the moment, but it will come someday), etc. But my cousin and I have become like sisters. She is four years younger than me and has three beautiful girls (and she was the one who insisted she wouldn't have any kids!). We can talk about anything and everything - blunt, honest, graphic - you name it. I feel like God has given me a sister.

It is always hard to leave, but it was especially difficult this time. Her daughters and I are becoming closer each time I go. And grandpa - well, that's the hardest part. This time, after I left, he told my cousin that he had a gut feeling that would be the last time I saw him. Yes, he's 89 and I suppose I should prepare myself at some point for him to be gone, but when the man builds gazebos and carports by himself still, it's hard to think like that. Needless to say, that put me in tears. It's always hard to leave, but this time was the hardest.

I also got to spend a little time with friends - not as much as I would have liked, but this was more of a family trip. We gossiped, ate cake, and laughed a whole lot.

It was a wonderful trip.

Turning 41, Otherwise Known As The 20th Anniversary of Turning 21

2010-07-11T21:01:00.002-04:00

Birthday has come and gone. It was the first time I've been in the country for my birthday since 2002. Really. That's pretty amazing, and even though I cannot wait for all my U.S. trips, I'm missing foreign travel this summer. Almost enough to try and squeeze something in somewhere...

Don't feel any different than I did at 40. Well, actually, I feel lazy. Because of my surgery, I can't do any kind of exercise for 4 - 6 weeks, not even power walking on the treadmill. It is going to be very hard to balance the food intake without the exercise, especially since I will be driving by Sonics and Poor Richard's Pizza in a few days in Cali. Pray for me!

My life is so different than I ever imagined at 41. I assumed I would be married with almost-grown children at this point. Isn't that what most girls think? That's why New York City is the best place for me right now. If I were still in Texas or Tennessee, I would be surrounded by my married with children friends feeling lonelier and out of place than ever. Not that I don't adore all my married with children friends - I truly do. But here in NYC I am not by myself; there are lots of us here. And I find that very comforting.

But that doesn't mean that if you come across a 40-something Christian man who is available (and if he has children, that's fine, too) that you shouldn't direct him my way. :)

I Am Alive

2010-07-04T11:23:00.002-04:00

All is alive and well after surgery. It was successful, and truth be told, the pain was minimal to what I expected. It's just incredibly uncomfortable, but getting better every day. I am trying very hard not to overdo it. I'm not supposed to lift anything for two weeks and have to move slowly. This is not typical for me. :)

Mom was here until this morning to help me out. We did very well for the week, which means we didn't get on each other's nerves in a small space. She was a great help; carrying the groceries and laundry, fixing me my soft food meals, catering to my every whim. Yes, I am a baby, even at 40.

The thing that surprised me (but really shouldn't have) is how I reacted to the hospital. About 1 AM I started to have a panic attack. I know why; I wasn't able to move at all. IV in my right arm, catheter coming out of me, and leg compressors on my lower legs (to keep the muscles from tightening) - there was no way I could get out of bed on my own. This feeling of immobility completely freaked me out. It was not a happy night at all.

So this week I will continue to heal. I hope to get out once a day to improve my energy and come back to the land of the living. I keep reminding myself to take it easy because I have five different trips coming up. No Fourth of July festivities this year, but I'm okay with that. This week is supposed to be a heat wave, so I will stick to my cool apartment.

I've been reading lots of books. The funniest one so far was the new autobiography of Alison Arngrim, Nellie Oleson from "Little House on the Prairie". Seriously cracked up in every chapter. The most disturbing was the new biography about singer Karen Carpenter. I've always had a fascination for her (and envy for her amazingly distinctive voice). The story of her demise from anorexia nervosa is truly heartwrenching and disturbing. It's an eating disorder I cannot relate to, although I somewhat understand the mentality from another standpoint.

And this week, on Thursday, I turn a year older. When I wrap my brain around this, I will post my feelings on being 41.

June

2010-06-26T20:13:00.002-04:00

How is it that June will be over next week?

Summer Drama Camp finished on Friday. It was a really great time. We had 10 students ranging from rising 3rd to rising 6th. We put on a show based on the 70's cartoons of "Schoolhouse Rock". They did such a great job, and now I can't stop singing "Conjunction Junction". The money I made from camp is my spending money for the summer, and it's so nice to not worry about money running out during the summer. My school pays us through the summer, but they give it to us in one lump sum in June. For just a few days, I feel quite rich.

Today I went to MoMa - Museum of Modern Art. A lot of people dislike modern art, but I love it. It makes me realize how God made people's brains so amazing to be able to think up some of that crazy stuff. My favorite room was a special exhibit called "Days". It's basically a room filled with recordings of people stating the days of the week at different intervals. At first I thought, "How ridiculous this is!", but as I stayed in there, it started to become very cool! Art? No idea if I would classify it as art, but it surely was entertaining.

I'm getting my apartment cleaned up and ready for mom's visit starting Monday. I pick her up at 11:30 and we have plenty to do that day. I'm taking her to Serendipity's for a belated Mother's Day lunch and frrrozen hot chocolate (to amazing to even describe). We're going to buy the rest of my new dinnerware from Pier Imports, then head to the grocery store to stock up on soft foods, which I will be consuming after my surgery Tuesday.

Monday night we are going to Carnegie Hall for a concert by none other than my rival high school from Porterville, California. How crazy is that? I thought I was going to die laughing when I walked by Carnegie Hall this afternoon and saw the billboard.

I check into the hospital on Tuesday and will hopefully be out on Wednesday. I'm not nervous at all; I'm looking forward to the nap. I just want it to be done and over with so I can get on with the rest of the summer.

So this will be the last post for several days, most likely. Wish me luck and say a prayer - if not for the surgery, then for my mom and I not to drive each other nuts for the week. ;)

Red

2010-06-21T17:56:00.003-04:00

All of a sudden - well, within the past year - red has become my accent color. Maybe it's because I can't really wear much red. My skin has that lovely reddish tint from my mom, so red on me is not very flattering. But look at my apartment and you will see that I love red. Not pale red - deep, dark red. Some of my reds include -

the floor-length curtains in my living room
several throw pillows
a red plant pot (with a dying plant in it - sigh)
there is a stripe of red in my shower curtain
a set of red bath towels

And today I got my new red pots and pans. Do you know that I've never bought a nice set of pots and pans? Although I have a tiny kitchen, it was time for a matching set. Two skillets and three pots - dark red. LOVE. THEM.

This morning I headed to the hospital for my pre-admission paperwork and pre-op bloodwork for surgery next Tuesday. The nurses were wonderful; the paperwork was not. Seriously - it's kind of scary to have to bring your living will with you to the hospital. And YES - I DO have a living will. (And so should every single person out there. So if you don't have one, you really need to get one. It doesn't matter if you are single, married, with/without kids. It's important. End of soapbox). I walked out with all the paperwork completed, my pee in a cup, a new EKG, and two large bruises in the two places they tried to find my tiny veins.

Leave it to me to have the only tiny thing on me be veins.

I went to Virginia for a very short trip this past weekend. A friend of mine is having a baby, so I headed to the shower. It was quite nice to see girlfriends; just hanging out, going to a movie, shopping. A few too many baby shower games for me, but hey, I won a candle and a lotion housed in a coconut. And a bag of Skittles.

That was worth the trip in itself. :)

Bring on the Summer

2010-06-12T10:25:00.002-04:00

School is over and my jam-packed summer is about to begin. I always have mixed emotions about school being over. I thrive on routine. Summer is haphazard. I often feel disconnected in the summer. This time, though, that will be impossible, as I will not be alone much. Whether it's my mom here for my surgery, or the many trips to visit friends and family, I'll be on the move.

I'm making a list today of everything I want to do in the city and around the area. Not to accomplish all this summer, mind you, but just to have it to refer to.

I started out by seeing "Hair" last night. Agree with the message or not, it was fantastic. The music was mind-blowing. Two former American Idol favorites, Ace Young and Diana DeGarmo, are in it. So imagine my surprise when, at the end when the entire audience is dancing (some even on stage), I turned to see Paula Abdul laughing and dancing with with me. And there you go - a way I never thought about my summer starting.

Today is MY day. I slept in, I'm reading a book, manicure/pedicure, and I have a end-of-school-year massage this afternoon.

First adventure - summer drama camp for two weeks. And returning to the gym and pool for deep-water running. And a quick weekend trip next week to Virginia for a baby shower.

The biggest thing I need to do is plan out my meals for the next two weeks. If I can do that, it will help me stay in a routine. And of course, after my surgery, it will be jello and soup all the way. Mmmmm...

Goals for the summer are - get rid of some of this stomach that has reappeared. Keep up the exercise. Work on my eating healthy while at the same time traveling a lot and not always having control of where I'm going to eat (think: Sonic). Keep active and go to 15 things in the city that I haven't been to yet.

The Lurking Census Man and Other Stories

2010-06-05T21:11:00.005-04:00

I understand that these census people certainly have a difficult job. After all, they have to track down all the idiots who don't take the 10 - 15 minutes to fill out the census and send it back in. However, the census volunteer in charge of my neighborhood is beginning to annoy me.

The first time I met him I was coming down the stairs to get my mail. He accosted me in the hallway, demanding to know what apartment I lived in. Of course I sent mine in, so the conversation was short and sweet.

Today I was walking back from the laundromat with a pile of clothes to hang up and dry. He was lurking outside the building trying to get in (it's a keyed intercom entry). Hello - I have a pile of clothes in my hand; don't bother me. He started in on his spiel; I abruptly told him I already told him that I had done my census and closed the door.

When I left to go back to the laundromat, he was lurking at the apartment building next door, trying to get in.

Now, maybe I should have let him in because I do know who he is. But he annoyed me, so I didn't. The New Yorker in me is coming out more and more.

We have 3 1/2 days left of school. This year went by so incredibly fast. We're losing our grammar school director to retirement; he is 80, after all. Whoever replaces him will have some huge shoes to fill, and no one will ever be like him. He is the man that literally changed my life when I moved here, because he remembered me from my interview in March when a last-minute opening came up at my school in August. Many tears have been and will be shed at all the goodbye events happening.

Speaking of tears, I burst into them when I went to the doctor last week for my pre-operative check-up. Have no idea why, except I was frustrated with the miscommunications between my regular doctor and my surgeon (all that paperwork, you know). The poor woman didn't know what to do with me (it wasn't my regular doctor; it was another doctor in his practice). All I can think is that maybe I am a little more nervous about being in the hospital than I realized. Sure am glad Mommy is going to be here.

I've been busy buying some new items for my apartment - replacing my pots and pans, dishes, and glasses mainly. My rent is only going up $50, and I am so grateful for that. I love this place and I love my neighborhood.

I now have a membership to the Met. Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art. They are both tax-deductible, and I'm hoping they will get me there more often, especially in the freezing winters and hot summers.

I've been on a Broadway kick lately. I saw "Everyday Rapture" - hilarious. "South Pacific" - very well done, but not my favorite. And yes, I am going to see "Hair" next Friday - for the music, not the nudity at the end of the show. :) And I may just go stalk the Tony Awards next Sunday to see who I can see.

Finally, I just joined a group called "Meet-Up". It's for people 40 and over, single, with no kids. It's a group that gets together for dinner, museums, Broadway - no bar scene stuff. Can you imagine? Let's hope they are not all the freaks that are 40 and over, single, with no kids.

Knowing my luck, they will be.

Summer 2010

2010-05-24T20:39:00.002-04:00

This will be the first summer since 2002 that I will stay in the good ole' USA. I'm kind of looking forward to it; it's shaping up to be a busy one.

First and foremost, my OCD (CDO) did me some good this weekend. I spent almost eight hours at school Saturday and banged out all of my report cards. That's 25 page-long narratives. The weight that is lifted off of my shoulders is amazing. Now if I could just get the weight off my tummy.

School is out June 10. Then, for the second year, I will co-teach a two week summer drama camp. Great money, fun times.

Surgery is scheduled for Tuesday, June 29th. You really do not want me to go into details; let's just say that sometimes it's hard being a woman. A one or two night hospital stay and two-week recovery period. Nurse Mommy will be here the first week.

Then I'm off to Cali. to see the family and do some school research. I have received a grant from my school to explore the Gold Rush area of Cali. I plan on taking gramps with me - should be good times, for sure.

Short trip to Florida with girlfriends, a long weekend in Denver with friends, a week with the 'rents in North Carolina, and then a weekend in Alabama with friends.

The times I actually am here in the city I have big plans: beach via the subway, museums, free concerts. Why do I already think it's going to go by like lightning?

The weirdest thing to me is that, for the first time since 2002, I will celebrate my birthday in the states. And where will I celebrate it? In the huge metropolis of Porterville, California, at Poor Richard's Pizza. And I really do think it's going to be a great one.

Friends

2010-05-19T20:37:00.005-04:00

So it will be three years in August that I have lived here. And it seems like I was born to be here. My family was so supportive of me coming here, the way I approached the move, etc., but I know my parents were worried about me leaving my friends.

But as I told them, I will make some new ones, and the people who are truly my friends will always be my friends, no matter where we are.

It takes a while to make friends here. People live in tiny apartments and don't have friends over very often, if ever. Friendship is different here. People aren't as involved, it seems. But I have found some really great friends in spite of this.

I have friends to meet for dinner or to go out after work with.

I have friends I can talk to about men and weird ailments that are occurring as I get older (okay, maybe that's one category).

I have a friend who even stayed over at my place after she had surgery so I could watch over her. The funny thing was - everyone was astounded and said how generous I was. Really? I didn't think it was that big of a deal - wouldn't friends do that for each other?

So I'm doing just fine with friends here.

But the best part? The friends I left are still my best friends. They are the kind of friends that you pick right up with like you never left. That you can call just to tell them something bizarre that floated through your head or to share a decade-long joke with. That you can talk to while peeing, and maybe even flushing.

I know - now you're wondering if you are one of them...

I can count on a weekly phone call with my girlfriend that has been mine since the age of 16.

I can count on emails throughout the week from my friend; some just to say that one of us bought a new skirt, couldn't sleep, or saw a silly video. Or those phone calls when you laugh so hard that you're not sure anyone is still on the other end of the phone.

Not a week goes by that someone doesn't email me and ask advice about coming to the city. Even better, I get to see these people, ranging from high school friends, college friends, and beyond.

Friends Rock.

Alright, Alright

2010-05-15T23:13:00.004-04:00

Maybe, just maybe, I will start writing again. Today was the first day I truly considered it, so I thought I'd give it a shot this evening. So let me know if anyone is out there anymore. Or not.

I'm not going to try and get up to date since October. Let's just say it like this: I'm great; I still love my new apartment, new neighborhood, and New York City in general; I still adore my school; I made it through the marathon, but I gained eight pounds during the winter because I was lazy and cold; however, I'm back to running and walking again, and I'm also taking Tai Chi; I'm still in therapy for emotional eating, but I'm starting to "get it"; I'm staying in the country this summer for the first time since 2002, but I'm taking several trips throughout the country all summer; I plan to go to the beach as much as possible by taking the subway to the beach; and somehow I am still single.

Don't ever say I'm not honest.

Moving on -

Today in the mail I got a graduation announcement. I really had no idea who it would be when I saw it. When I opened it up, I really couldn't believe it. It was my Charlotte. Not just Charlotte. MY Charlotte.

When I first moved to Virginia I taught preschool. Yes, preschool. Two of my favorite children were Charlotte and Grant, twins conceived after several failed attempts at IVF. They were not only the lights in their parents' lives, but mine, too. I babysat them as well as taught them.

The day I found out that Grant had died by a somewhat simple choking episode while eating a McDonald's french fry at home was a day I'll never forget. The day I had to watch Charlotte at her home during the funeral - seeing her look around not knowing how to play by herself was another day I won't forget. Every single Monday afterwards when I went to their house to watch her while mom went to therapy, then spending at least an hour gossiping and talking with her afterwards, trying to help her deal, were days I will never forget.

And so, she is graduating from high school. I wonder what her parents must feel when they see her walking across the stage. I know what I would feel. How proud I am of her. How I wonder what Grant would be like at 18. Does Charlotte remember him much? I sure do.

And so, with tears in my eyes all day today, I remember that sweet darling boy who ran to me every morning when he came to school; the one who would flap his wings and fly like a bird on the playground; the one who loved to play in the backyard with his sister; and the one who came to me in a dream once to tell me he was okay in Heavan and playing with toys.

The privilege of knowing these children is one I won't soon forget.

Pajamas? Check. Blanket? Check. Food Delivery? Check.

2009-10-15T18:10:00.006-04:00

Winter has come a little too early for me here in the northeast. We've had four days of dreary, cold, and now rainy weather. The forecast is looking up starting Sunday, but until then, I will bundle up with my New Zealand wooly socks on.

The blog is suffering, I know. I've been so busy, and it's hard to find time. Here's what's been happening:

School is wonderful and very busy. I have some great kids this year. I am also tutoring two 7th graders; both very fun boys that are worth the extra time (and money). Sometimes I think back to two years ago and the hard decision I made to switch jobs right before school started. I am pretty sure I made the right choice. :)

The musical continues to go well, although I'm starting to stress about costumes and sets. The acting and singing are my forte, not the other stuff. But I know it will all work out. And seriously - I have a Winthrop and a Harold Hill that will knock any other junior production's socks off!

The marathon training is going well. I did 14 miles last week and will do 16 miles this Saturday. Last week was the first time I was incredibly sore, but I also did a new program - 5-minute walk/1-minute jog for 3.5 hours. I think I deserved to be sore after that!

I have finally made the decision as to where to attend church. After two years of "wandering in the wilderness that is NYC", I made the choice. I visited four different churches - three of my denomination and one of another - and went with one of them after I met with the minister for a few hours last week. I feel good about my choice, and I hope that this will give me the spiritual balance I've been missing since leaving. Faith has certainly played a huge part in being here, but I've really missed having that community to rely on. And even more exciting - I can walk to church!

I've seen some good shows lately. I saw two off-Broadway shows: "Sessions" and "Our Town". Both were quite good. I saw "Rock of Ages" with Constantine (from American Idol) this past Sunday with my great friends Kristin and Rodney, who were up for Kristin's 40th birthday weekend. We had such a great time together. I am seeing "Oleanna" next Sunday with a friend from school. Not a great topic of a play, but we just wanted to see some stars - Bill Pullman and Julia Stiles. And I just today got my parent's Christmas present - we are going to see "White Christmas" on Broadway when they are here Thanksgiving week. We are in the second row, middle! Mom, with her deaf ear, shouldn't have a problem with this one, right??

Finally, I haven't lost any more weight, but that's because I've been eating poorly. Even with all the exercise, I believe I have reached the point where I'm really going to have to focus on the food as much as the exercise. It's called the "plateau". I'm sure anyone out there who has lost weight has heard of it! My goal is 50 pounds by the marathon on 11/22, but if I don't reach it by then, 50 by the end of the year sounds reasonable to me. I'm at 42 now. So when I start to get discouraged about not losing any more weight since August, I just look at these two pictures. One is from March 08 (remember the story when the chick stole money from us at school and I chased her down Central Park West?), and the other is from September 09.

Updates

2009-09-20T12:38:00.002-04:00

1. I LOVE this weather. We have had, for the past three weeks, cool weather with plenty of sunshine. I am choosing to believe that God made it this way for my marathon training. When the sun hits you in the face but you're not sweaty - that is my perfect day.

2. Still love my new neighborhood - it is definitely a huge part of my good mood. Coming home to a comfy place in a clean nabe where you don't hear the "N-" or "F-" word on a regular basis makes a good day indeed. And not darting my eyes around the bathroom to see if there are any bugs lurking can also improve one's mood.

3. New commute to school is a snap. No more subway; just the bus. A few more blocks to walk once I'm on the West Side, but so far it's no big deal. I still walk home through the park - a little shorter of a walk, which is good because I've usually already done my marathon training.

4. Marathon Training is going extremely well. I haven't missed a training day yet. Yesterday I walked 10 miles in 2.5 hours and saw parts of NYC that I haven't seen since I moved here. I really need to start lifting weights again, because I'm now starting to see the sag of losing weight. A good thing, and a not-so-good thing.

4. As of my doctor's appointment last month, I'd lost 42 pounds. I think I've lost a few more since then. I'm even contemplating getting a scale in the house again. I've gone down 3 - 4 sizes, depending on the make of the clothes. I just bought several new pairs of shoes because my feet have shrunk. Ummm - could we lose the weight in the stomach instead, please??!!

5. My classes are fantastic so far! My fifth graders are lovely, even though I always have to remind myself of how long it takes to train them. :) My sixth grade English class is also lovely. Can it be this great?

6. We start "Music Man" rehearsals this week. A little overwhelmed, but that's normal. I have a fantastic Harold Hill and Marion, as well as supporting cast.

7. The apartment is almost complete. Still working on a piece of wall art that I'm compiling from 30 of my favorite photos I have taken from all over the world. I'm excited about how it will turn out!

And that's it from the greatest city in the world!

Day One

2009-09-10T18:24:00.003-04:00

Day one of school was great! My kids seem great! The day was great! I felt great!

Well, except that I wore new shoes and was dying by the end of the day. The pink slippers came out at the end of the day.

It was a great day!

Stress

2009-09-08T19:55:00.002-04:00

So today I got a little overwhelmed with schoolwork. I think it's just because I was thrown a lot of stuff to do quickly today. So I came home and did what I normally would not do - I exercised. I'm SLOWLY learning that exercise is the way to de-stress.

Don't get me wrong - I'm still struggling IMMENSELY with the eating component. As my therapist says, the eating is the last to go. I'm taking her word on it! It's such a problem still. I eat much, much less than I used to, but I still make poor choices. Someday that will click with me as the exercise has.

But the most exciting news today is that my fab. doctor is taking me off one of my diabetic dosages. This is the best news of the day. Of course our goal is to have me off all my medicine, but that will be a while. But today is the first step! I'm so happy to take one less pill!!

The Perfect Week

2009-09-05T20:04:00.002-04:00

Seriously, we had the perfect week here in the city. The weather stayed mid-70's, full of sunshine, and a nice breeze. It was spectacular. I spent Monday - Thursday getting ready for school to start, but I stayed home Friday, and I'm glad I did. Through the beauty of facebook, one of my friends from college and I met up at my apartment for a short visit while she and her husband are here for the U.S. Open. She was walking around Central Park on the same street that I live on, and when she updated her status on FB, I contacted her. Awesome!

I had a great week of marathon training. I did skip my cross-training day on Friday, but that was due to seeing my friend, so I will get over that. Today was my 6-mile walk. I was supposed to finish between 1.5 and 2 hours - I did it in 1 hour and 40 minutes. I'm a little sore tonight, mainly my right leg, as I always put more emphasis on that leg, for some reason. Next weekend I will walk the opposite way to try and even that out.

Still working on finishing the apartment up. I haven't found the right area rug yet for the living room, but most everything else is done.

So we start with students on Thursday. I'm ready. I have high hopes for this fall semester. I think it's going to be a great one!

Marathoner????

2009-08-31T17:14:00.003-04:00

I signed up to walk the Philadelphia Marathon on November 22nd. I've been thinking about it for months, and couldn't decide whether to do the half or full. So I sat down yesterday and was looking at the training calendar. Interesting that training for the full marathon started, well, yesterday. Perfect timing to start, and I think it was a sign for me to do the full. I felt the half would not be as much of a challenge, and I really do well with goals, so I went online, signed up, and here we go!

I'll be taking the train to Philly the Saturday before. And the cool thing is that my parents are coming! They will also be coming in by train that day, we'll stay overnight, then the marathon.

Then we will all come back to NYC, where they will spend Thanksgiving week with me. So excited about this - they'll get to see my new place (NO ONE is more excited about me getting out of East Harlem than my parents!), come to school to meet everyone, hit some museums, take them to the annual school ice skating party in Central Park, and probably go to the Macy's Parade on Thanksgiving. I'm also going to surprise them with Broadway tickets - either will send them to see Mary Poppins or Phantom of the Opera. Or maybe both if I can get the cheap tickets.

So I started my training last night - thank you, God, for the beautifully cool weather. Moderate walk, one hour - I did 2.64 miles. I will need to bump that up to double to really get where I want to be, but I have to remember that I just started. Mondays are crosstraining days, which is perfect, because that's when I take my deep water running class.

Speaking of - need to get that swimsuit on and get going!

Oh, and another thing - you'll be able to keep track of me during the Marathon. I'll have a tracking chip in my shoe, and if you sign up, you will get emails to keep track of my progress during the Marathon! I'll make sure to post the info.

Happy New Year!

2009-08-30T10:31:00.002-04:00

For us teachers, we usually think of the new year coming in September, not January. Sure the date changes in January, but for me, I like my fresh starts in September. So what am I doing for this fresh start? Let me tell you!

1. I moved. Can't get much fresher than that, and this is one I will NOT be doing at the beginning of every new year! But I can safely say that this might be the most significant piece of the new year in a lot of ways. I almost feel like I moved to New York again. I'm just as excited as the time I actually moved here from Virginia. And now my friends here in the city are more easily able to come and hang out at my place or in my neighborhood. One of my friends lives four blocks exactly from me. Another one came over after we had dinner Friday and hung out for a couple of hours. I just feel more sociable and able to have people over - this is going to be great! Oh, and church? Eight blocks away - I will be walking most mornings.

2. I got rid of MORE stuff before I moved. I know you are thinking - what in the world did she have to get rid of in such a small place? Well the silk ficus tree that I've had for years that was collecting dust. The "temporary" furniture I had to get since I had no storage in the other place. The ginormous TV that was a bulky monstrosity. The battered TV trays. Nothing came with me to this place that I didn't love. That's always my goal.

3. I freshened up my classroom last week. Meaning - I changed all the bulletin board paper and borders. Oh, and by the way, I did almost all the boards in our hallway, because I know the teachers, and they hate to do it. So because of my OCD and hating to see yucky paper and borders, I just did it myself. And I was right - not only are they eternally grateful, but I am calm. ;) I also redid and laminated some posters that needed to be freshened up, as well as cleaned out the supply closet. Stop me now, people, stop me now.

4. I'm getting a new haircut today. I'm tired of this one. I'm going shorter. We'll see what I end up with.

5. I went clothes shopping. Now, I'm pretty poor at the moment, but I saved money specifically for shopping. The parents are our school - God love them - give us "cash presents" at the holidays and at the end of the year. So this past year I saved my cash from the end of the year for buying clothes. I'm not going to tell you how much they give us, but it's enough for a relatively new wardrobe (don't hate me, fellow teachers!). So when Larriann was here at the beginning of the month, I started to replace clothes that are too big. Then yesterday, I finished it up. With all the coupons I had, sales going on, and the money I had saved, I only spent about $100 of my own. All that's left are some new shoes, but I am cheap when it comes to shoes, so Payless and DSW, here I come.

6. This might be the most significant thing - I'm getting rid of too-big clothes. In the past when I had lost some weight, I always saved the bigger clothes. I've always been someone who wanted to look good in her clothes at whatever weight I was. Although looking back at pictures, I'm not sure what I was thinking in some cases! But this time, I'm getting rid of it. The Housing Works Thrift Shop, which is a high-end thrift shop, raises money for people living with AIDS, and it is right around the corner. They have been the lucky people who have been getting my larger-sized clothes. I refuse to hold on to them. I'm never going back. It's a scary thing; don't let anyone tell you it isn't. It is. But losing 42 pounds is too big of a progression to go backwards, and I will NOT. There are some skirts that I love - they are going to the cleaners around the corner to get taken in. They are worth it.

The pants I bought yesterday were....three to four sizes smaller than the ones I'm getting rid of. Unbelievable. When I think about it, the weight I am at today is lower than I have been since I was in my early 20's.

After 10 years of going undiagnosed with diabetes, then 10 years of being medicated and not truly helped, it's about time.

Sitting

2009-08-26T08:31:00.003-04:00

So today I will be sitting. Sitting from 11 - 4, waiting for my new couch. Don't you know that they will show up at 3:59 PM? Oh well, today is supposed to be hot and humid, so I will enjoy the air conditioning in my apartment.

I will be getting a sleeper sofa that is the perfect size for this apartment. The couch itself is not bulky - very streamlined - but it is still a full-size sleeper, which will be nice to have again for guests. Of course, I also have the aerobed, so at this point, we could have a slumber party!

I'm gearing up for work - went in yesterday and talked with my boss about getting a stipend raise for doing the musical, and it worked! He's giving me a significant raise, which makes me quite happy! Although I love doing the musical, it is a ton of work, and now I'm getting paid well for it.

Went to the doctor yesterday, too. He is now calling me his "poster child". It's been a year since I started going to him. One year ago I was miserable with nausea, not being able to eat barely anything while getting used to the Byetta. And one year ago, I weighed FORTY-TWO pounds more than I do now. I was shocked by that number when I stepped on the scale, because I knew I had lost weight in Europe, but this last month has been so erratic that I was pretty sure I hadn't lost any more. I even stepped on the scale again just to make sure!

Even though my mind knows that I've lost 42 pounds, my heart doesn't see it. Everyone sees it in my face, but I do NOT see it in the remaining fat rolls of my stomach. Sometimes I wish I would have taken pictures of myself for myself to see the change in my entire body.

I think I need to get 42 pounds of something and carry it to get it through my head that this has really happened. That, and continue to go to therapy, because honestly, food is still a major issue, and without dealing with that, the weight will all come back someday. And I am determined for that not to happen. For me, therapy and exercise has been the key.

And so I sit, waiting for my couch, contemplating my 42-pound weight loss. What a fun day. :)

Turning Forty

2009-08-23T21:14:00.003-04:00

So in the midst of all the craziness this summer, I really haven't felt the "turning 40". It's true - it's just a number at this point. I don't feel any different than before. But there are a few things that are physically changing that I've noticed over the last couple of months.

1. I am having trouble sleeping. Not sure if this has anything to do with being 40, losing weight (which I think would HELP my sleeping), moving apartments, etc. Honestly, it's completely and totally quiet now at night since my bedroom is in the back of the apartment, away from the street and next to a brick wall. But I have been waking up every night and just lying there for a really long time. Hopefully it has to do more with not being on a schedule and it will improve when school starts.

2. I stink. Seriously - I had to change deodorants. This might be too much information, also known as TMI, but it was perplexing me! I started noticing on the Eastern Europe trip that my deodorant just wasn't keeping me fresh, even when the weather was cool. It continued when I got home, so I tried a new brand; a stronger brand. And it's working! I am sure everyone is very happy about that.

I know that when I go to my wunder-doctor on Tuesday that my meds might be changing a bit, mainly because of the weight loss. This is both exciting and terrifying me. Exciting because this has been the goal since we started this journey one year ago exactly. Terrifying because without as much medicine, it will fall even more on me to make sure I am exercising and eating right. Exercise is fine; eating is still a big issue I'm dealing with, meaning that I eat crap. I have the worst habits - still. But I know when the school schedule starts again, this will automatically improve.

This week will be busy. Heading to IKEA tomorrow to check out some curtains and shades and water class in the PM. Tuesday is the doctor's appt. and heading into school to start working on the classroom. Wednesday is exciting because my new couch is coming! Thursday and Friday will also be at school, but still on my own time.

I'm ready.

Back on Track - Soon

2009-08-20T21:34:00.002-04:00

So I have completely settled in to being an Upper East Sider. I love, love my neighborhood and my apartment - have I said that lately? In fact, I may never go past 96th Street again - well, tomorrow I will be to go to the DMV: oh, boy.

Seriously, it's just so much more pleasant around here. I found the best laundry today and will be taking the laundry tomorrow morning. There are some great restaurants, but I'm trying to not go to many because money is tight until we start up school again. But it's really hard!

The thing that I'm not happy about is my willpower and exercising. It has lacked since I got back from the trip. Yes, I've been going to deep water running, but it's only once or twice a week. And I've been eating more than I was, which is not good since I'm not exercising. I go to the doctor on Tuesday and we'll see what he says. I wanted to lose seven pounds this summer, making a total of 40. But as of Wednesday when I went to get bloodwork done, I'm lacking a few. I know I should still be excited at 36 or 37, but I didn't hit my mark. So I will be amping it up starting this weekend. The unbearable heat has not helped. Yes, I could go to the gym, but I do not do well at all in the heat, so I've been staying indoors a lot. And now that I get sunshine in my windows, I enjoy being home more!

Being back on a schedule will definitely help me - I'm a schedule gal. And since I love my job, going back to work is fine with me. And having my breakfast and lunch at school will also help. Let's just hope this heat subsides soon.

So that's what is going on right now - not too much excitement, but after my amazing trip, Larriann's visit, and the big move, not much excitement is O.K. by me.

Saturday Morning

2009-08-15T10:02:00.002-04:00

It's Saturday morning - 10 AM. I've just showered and cleaned up the apartment. I have so much to do, but at least it's not a mess anymore. Someone just came and took all my moving boxes and bubble wrap away for their move.

I'm sitting in my beloved mongo-chair. I'm listening to the Ipod shuffle - I've heard Trisha Yearwood, Pete Yorn, Toby Mac, and Eva Cassidy so far - who knows what will come next. I'm reading my ACU Today Alumni magazine. I am cool even though it's blazing outside. I'm looking out the window onto trees and sunshine instead of my old living room that had no big windows and was dark all the time (well, except from 2:00 - 2:15 PM when the sun would come in the sliver of a window).

I am content. I feel like I am home. In the right place, at the right time. I feel like I am in a place that is so much more me than the last place.

I am happy. Life is good.

The Fitting End

2009-08-13T22:53:00.003-04:00

Those of you who have followed my journey to New York City, which started two years and one day ago, will remember the story of my upstairs neighbor, Blake. If you do not know about Blake, read on. If you do, skip to the last two paragraphs. Or re-read the story, just because it's a good one.

The day I moved into East Harlem I hired two men off of Craig's List to meet my U-Haul truck at the apartment, unload all my furniture/boxes, and carry it up three flights of stairs to my 445 square foot apartment.

I stayed up in the apartment to direct the men, while my wonderful friend Brian, who had driven my truck from Virginia, stayed downstairs to organize the men and make sure no one stole anything out of the truck. At some point, Brian called me from below and said these words: "Your new neighbor is carrying up the loveseat. On his back."

So as I stood in the hallway, here came Blake. Tall, blonde, blue-eyed, shirtless, muscly (is that a word?) Blake. Carrying my LOVESEAT. On his back. He proceeded to bring it into my apartment, introduce himself, and say, "Welcome to the building."

I heart East Harlem.

About a week later I needed a step stool, so I went upstairs to ask Blake if he had one I could borrow. After ringing the doorbell and waiting a few, I decided he wasn't home. Just as I was about to leave, he opened the door. In his towel. His verysmall towel. He didn't have a step stool, but I was okay with that.

About two months later I ran into him in the hall. He was incredibly excited. He had just played a part (he's an actor/waiter - how more New York can one get?) as a character on "All My Children". He was playing Sven the Swedish Masseuse. Seriously. He gave Erica Kane a massage and said, "Yaaah" a couple of times. In fact, I just found the recap of the scene online -

Erica is talking to a masseuse in her room at the Yacht Club as she undresses. She talks about Jack, the troubles with her family and her "crazy" ex-stepdaughter. Sven, the masseuse, goes to work on Erica's stressed out muscles. She goes on about being too out of touch with what she really wants and wondering where she goes from here. "I survived my father, the death of my mother and all of my husbands," she says, "I'm not giving up on love." She becomes distracted, talking about love, and begins to wonder what is going on between Jack and Julia. Sven just listens and says, "Yaaah," every few minutes.

Unfortunately I forgot to set the timer to watch it, but my friend Eddy saw it, emailed me, and we were cracking up. My famous neighbor.

Over the past two years I have been glad to have Blake as my upstairs neighbor. Aside from just being incredibly enjoyable to look at, he is the sweetest guy ever. But he has two large dogs that he wrestles with. In fact, he took several of my sleeper sofa cushions when the sofa wouldn't fit in the door (that's a story for another time if you don't know it), and affixed the cushions to the wall so he can bounce off of them when wrestling (I am not making this up). This makes for very large noises. And then there are the bugs. Because of the dogs, he cannot have the exterminator spray, and unfortunately, Blake has some serious bug issues in his apartment. The last few months they had been migrating down to my super-clean apartment. This was not enjoyable.

So tonight when I went back to the apartment to finish cleaning, the perfect scenario occurred. Jeremy from Brooklyn, along with his wife, came to the apartment to buy my IKEA wardrobe off of Craig's List. As they were attempting to get it down the three flights of stairs, I sensed a catastrophe in the making.

Sprinting up to the fifth floor, I knocked on Blake's door for the last time. Opening the door in true Blake fashion, he was clothed in jeans that were hanging off of him, and as always, he was shirtless. I asked him if he wouldn't mind helping us, and he sprinted into action. He ran down the stairs and proceeded to help Jeremy carry the wardrobe down all the stairs, out the door, and into the station wagon. The entire time he was acting as if he were carrying a pot or a pan, not a wardrobe closet. And he excitedly told me about his new commercial for Ocean City, Maryland, where he plays a guy doing something or another. I have no idea. For some reason, I don't ever really hear what he is saying to me when he's shirtless.

And so, as we hugged goodbye for the last time, I thought it only fitting to end my time in East Harlem with Blake/Sven/Shirtless/Wrestler/Ocean City guy next to me.

The End.

Tomorrow Is The Big Day

2009-08-11T18:36:00.003-04:00

I spent today at my new apartment giving it the good "Cyndi-Clean". Still not done! But I got a ton done, all without any air conditioning. Good times.

When you rent an apartment you usually have to deal with that standard stuff - remember when I was talking about the overhead light fixtures? I know it sounds as if I'm obsessed with that, but I think it's just because I have always rented and have always hated it.

So today I got new pulls for my two closets and a new doorknob for my bedroom door - you guessed it: the pulls match the kitchen, and the doorknob is also silver! It sounds silly, but it just makes it more mine. And I put together a doorknob for the first time - and I only had one leftover part. :)

I cleaned the entire apartment - so much easier without furniture there. I'm still working on the shower, though. I'm replacing the drain cap and shower head, as well as the shower rod. The shower rod is fine, but the round part that screws into the tile is rusted and looks gross. But I needed my drill, which was over here, so I couldn't finish. I'm also putting a silver towel rack in, as well as the storage over the toilet. But I have to do some measuring, so that will wait until this weekend.

I have beautiful new bathroom stuff, too, by the way. Larriann and I got it this past weekend, and it is gorgeous. The apartment's major color will now be chocolate brown. The bedroom has accents of light blue and green, the bathroom the same, along with a little red in the shower curtain, and the living room accents will be more red. I cannot wait to finish it all!

The great thing about this move is actually having both apartments. I don't feel rushed at all. And I don't have to be at work until August 31st, so I am feeling good.

Please pray that everything goes smoothly tomorrow with the movers - I just cannot watch them go up and down the stairs. I know they are professionals, but I'd rather just hang out and not watch!

Be back online tomorrow night - in the new place!

What I Will NOT Miss About East Harlem

2009-08-11T18:28:00.002-04:00

I will not miss the trash. Early on I blogged about the trash in the city. Of course that is a problem in many areas of the city, but it is worse here. The people of East Harlem are so proud of their heritage, but they certainly do not show it in how they treat their neighborhood.

I will not miss the grocery store. When Larriann and I walked into the Food Emporium by my new place, the angels started singing in my head. I'm back to having a normal and extensive grocery store instead of a predominately Spanish food one - maybe this will be a bad thing. :)

I will not miss the language. Once again, this is a thing you have to deal with when most people are walking on the street instead of driving their cars. The language I hear is so foul. People, you do not sound educated; you sound stupid. Of course I will still hear foul language, but I think it will diminish somewhat.

I will not miss the bugs. My neighbor upstairs, although I adore him, has a bug problem that is not going away. Well, except for the ones that are migrating into my bathroom. Not gonna miss that one.

I will not miss the trash yard. Although our new super. has seriously cleaned up our "backyard" where the trash is, it's still gross.

And finally, I will not miss having to sit sideways on the toilet. Because of the location of my sink, you kind of have to sit sideways on the toilet. In the new place, I have a pedestal sink, so I can sit straight ahead on the toilet! Yippee!

A Break

2009-08-10T16:16:00.004-04:00

Most people would not be thrilled at someone staying with them in a 445 square foot apartment for four days while in the process of moving, but that was not the case this past weekend. Throughout all the chaos of moving (and it's quite frustrating bubble-wrapping items for a 22-block truck ride to the new place), my best friend from high school came to see me for the first time since I moved here. It gave me a much-needed break from the stress I was feeling; in short, we had a ball.

She is not the touristy-type, so we shopped for new school clothes, hit a movie, did go to an off-Broadway show, met up with another high school friend, and laughed. A lot. To the point of crying. It can't get better than that.

So now I'm back in the swing of packing again. Today I am finishing up here at the old place - ready for the movers on Wednesday. Tomorrow I will be going to the new place and cleaning "Cyndi-Style". It sure is a long process for this short of a move, but if you saw the difference in the 22-blocks, you would know it is worth it.

Just Another Test

2009-07-30T19:58:00.003-04:00

Today I started to stress.

1 - My bedroom in the new place is SO SMALL.
2 - I went today to take measurements and there are still A LOT of little details that need to be finished in the place - some paint, molding, caulking, etc., etc..
3 - I wasn't selling the things I needed to sell. Sure I sold the grocery cart for $10, but what about the big stuff??
4 - This current apartment fits my furniture perfectly; why am I moving into a place with a smaller bedroom and bathroom?

And then I prayed. Why do we always forget to pray when we know God is taking care of us and will provide? Look what he did for me when I moved here? If you've forgotten, go back and read posts from the summer of '07 - that's what I did.

And then it began.

1 - Someone stopped by and bought my microwave cart.
2 - I realized when I measured that the bed and vanity WILL fit into my new room and still leave room.
3 - I met the super. of my new building - Vincent - and he is the nicest man possible who has been there ten years, who proceeded to tell me about every single neighbor and how nice they are, and then started making phone calls to get all the detail work done.
3 - A neighbor just popped by after seeing my advertisement downstairs and bought my loveseat and kitchen cabinet on the spot. He just took the loveseat away, because I need that room to put moving boxes as I pack.
4 - I've now made over $200 off of selling things - which is going into a little pot to buy some new items for the apartment.

That's enough right there to reassure me that I am going to be alright. I.WILL.BE.ALRIGHT.

In the end, I will live in a neighborhood that I can sit outside on the stoop and read and see trees, not trash and homeless people asking me for money for "feminine products".

I can go around the corner to one of dozens of cafes and have a coffee instead of boarded up Mexican restaurants to look at.

I can do my grocery shopping at a store that carries more than Spanish food and Little Debbies. (Not that I don't like Little Debbies).

Do not forget who is in charge. Do not forget.

UPDATE: And at midnight, a woman from upstairs knocked on my door and wanted to take everything; even things I wasn't selling! She settled for the big wardrobe and TV trays and is getting them Sunday. Honestly, when will I learn not to stress!?

What I WILL Miss About East Harlem

2009-07-29T21:27:00.006-04:00

There are some things that I really will miss about East Harlem.

1. My summer sno-cone lady across the street. Although I've only had one this summer because it's been raining and I've been gone, I still love that she is there if a sno-cone is craved.

2. Living literally above the subway. It still makes me laugh that in the dead of morning, if it's very quiet, I can hear the loudspeaker say, "The next stop is 103rd Street".

3. My pharmacist assistant. Where I pick up my prescription, the lady that works there knows me and is on the same meds as me. And we always talk about how we feel and how it's going on the meds. And she calls me "Mummy".

4. Believe it or not, I WILL sometimes miss Deliverance Temple behind me. I LOVE listening to the preacher on his microphone yelling at the top of his lungs, "If you do crack, cocaine, marijuana, LSD, drink alcohol, you need to come in here and repent!!!!". The other day he had his wife out on the sidewalk with a microphone preaching at the top of her lungs. She was just standing out there by herself, preaching on. Say it, sister.

5. My neighbors. Now, the opera singer has moved out, and I have NOT missed that, but my other ones. I really do have great neighbors.

Blake, above me: the one who carried my loveseat up four flights ON HIS BACK with his shirt off to reveal an extremely nice body, as well as answering his door in a towel; an actor who was on a soap opera as Sven the Swedish Masseuse and had two lines: "Ja", "Ja".

Bikeman: the guy on the third floor who rides his bikes all over Manhattan and always has a nice conversation with me when we cross paths.

Cat Lady, on the main floor: She took care of our "apartment building" cat when he was hurt, and she is so diligent about making sure the apartment owners fix things in a timely manner (letters written by a lawyer and posted on the wall help). And she is truly a nice, nice person.

6. I will miss the 24-hour donut shop diagonal from me. Not because of the donuts. When I saw that they had my favorite San Pellegrino orange fizzy water, I was so happy. And when I told them I loved it, they made sure to always have it in stock.

7. And who could not miss the random and spur of the moment Puerto Rican dancing? Whether it's a group of people, or one lone Puerto Rican man standing in the middle of Leington with a boom box dancing his heart out, it's those kinds of things that have been unique about living here.

Out of the 'Hood

2009-07-29T20:29:00.003-04:00

So I'm moving out of the 'hood. I got my perfect apartment on the perfect street that I wanted (shown above). It truly was meant to be. It popped up on Craig's List when I was going back and forth from sites, the realtor is from Budapest, so we had LOTS to talk about, it's on the exact street I wanted in the exact location, it's the exact price, and all the ceiling lights and cabinet pulls are silver instead of gold.

This is one of my pet peeves in rental apartments - crappy-looking ceiling lights and kitchen drawer pulls. Dumb, I know, but a big pet peeve that I can't believe I won't have to deal with now. The ceiling fan/dining area light I had in Virginia could have won the ugliest lamp award in any contest. I'm even going to change out the pulls on the two closets to silver ones to match (yes, I will have TWO closets instead of ONE!). The area is very European-looking: tree-lined streets, tons of cafes, and the bus to go to work, as well as the express subway, is two blocks away. Yes, I firmly believe it was meant to be. I am THRILLED.

The bedroom is very small, but the living room faces the street and is wider, so I will have light, light, light! The kitchen area is all brand-new - appliances and cabinets. The bathroom is slightly smaller, but I don't care. You have to make allowances, and the fact that I might be able to walk down the street without having to hear the "n" word at least five times is worth it. Seriously.

I'm actually picking up the keys tomorrow and taking more measurements so I can tell the movers where to put things. I start the lease on the 7th, but I'm not moving until the 12th. So right now I am focusing on selling items that I don't want to take - pray that I have as good as luck selling things as I did when I moved from Virginia.

If not, I suppose they will end up on the curb.

Where Have I Been?

2009-07-26T12:37:00.002-04:00

To be honest, I may not be continuing the blog, because I am addicted to Facebook.

Hello, my name is Cyndi, and I am addicted to Facebook.

Facebook truly has been fantastic - I'm able to keep in touch with so many people, and friends who usually are really bad at keeping in touch are even on there.

Until I make my final decision, here's an update.

I had an amazing two-week trip to Eastern Europe. Honestly, it was perfect. The weather was perfect, planes and trains and public transportation went smoothly, all the guesthouses were beyond perfect, I stayed within my budget, and most of all, it was relaxing. That's amazing to me, because most times I don't think of European vacations as relaxing. But because I was on my own, I could get up when I wanted, do what I wanted, eat when I wanted, and go to bed when I wanted. One day in Vienna - it was extremely hot - I stopped to rest in a cafe and ended up reading there for about two hours. But as my Viennese friends, Alex and Claudia, told me, that's the "Viennese way". My pictures are posted on FB or I could send you my snapfish link if you are interested. I would have to say that I loved Budapest the most, then Berlin, then Prague, and then Vienna. For different reasons I love all of them, though.

When I got home last Tuesday, I really didn't have time to rest because I had to start the apartment hunt. On Thursday I saw about 12 apartments with Marlena, a really nice realtor. Eleven of them were so small, there was just no way. One was possibly doable, but it was still a studio. I came home exhausted from the humidity and walking up and down steps, and I was considering that maybe I should stay put.

I started just browsing on Craig's List and an apartment literally popped up while refreshing my browser. Perfect street, one-bedroom, being shown by the landlord, which means no realtor to go through - so I called. "Chubba", the agent from the company, met me at 5:30. First thing I found out - he is from Budapest! So we probably spent 20 minutes just talking about Budapest. Slowly I looked around the apartment - it's not perfect, but the location is literally on the street I wanted, and the cross streets I wanted, two blocks from the express subway and crosstown bus, tree-lined street, etc. The apartment itself is wider than this one, and the living room faces the street, which gives it tons of light, not like my living room cave I have now. The kitchen is still small, but has more cabinets, and they are all brand-new, and so are the appliances. The bedroom is really small, so I'm going to have to get creative. But honestly, you have to give and take, and I know that I won't find a better place for the same price in the same place.

There were signs that this was my apartment. The agent is from Budapest, where I had just been two days earlier. I have this silly pet peeve about apartments. I HATE, HATE the overhead lighting in apartments, primarily because they are usually really ugly and gold-plated (not real gold, of course, but you know what I mean). I HATE gold. The three overhead ceiling lights in this place are new - and silver. And - the kitchen cabinets have silver knobs instead of gold, too. The framing store I took my two new prints to is across the street.

I sign the lease tomorrow, and I have already set up my moving date - August 12. I am beyond excited to get out of this neighborhood and into one that suits me.

So that's it for now. The next couple of weeks will be spent packing and changing addresses, but I hope to also get some relaxation in as well. And Larriann - we've been friends since we were 16 - is coming on August 7th, and we will be doing lots of shopping!

And....I'm Off

2009-07-05T18:56:00.003-04:00

Tomorrow evening I will depart for Berlin at 7:00 PM. I am procrastinating packing as we speak. Although I'm almost done, actually.

I'm cracking myself up. I'm trying SO hard not to overpack. I went shopping last week for some cheap summer t-shirts. I found the best t-shirt at Old Navy. They are better then regular old t-shirts; nice shape, v-neck with a little pleating, good arm length, etc.

So what did I do? I got a red one, purple one, navy one, white one, black one, and a gray one. And those are the shirts I am taking - along with one jogging shirt and a t-shirt from school.

So don't be surprised when you see my pictures from the trip and I'm wearing the same shirt in every.single.one. Except the color will change.

Auf Wiedersehn, and I will update as I can! So excited!

Forty Things I Love About Turning Forty: An Introspective Essay

2009-07-03T22:08:00.005-04:00

1. I will be an even number. I dislike odd numbers. Immensely.

2. Not only will I be an even number, even the two numerals that make up 40 are even. This makes me quite happy.

3. The anticipation of turning 40 will finally be over.

4. I can look back on my 30's and safely say that they were spectacular and much better than the 20's, so I can only assume this decade will even be more amazing.

5. I am in better shape than I have ever been, even when I was skinny. When I was skinny it came naturally, not by exercise and eating right. Now, even though I still need to lose more weight (33 pounds down so far), I can now run 2-3 miles without too much trouble. No way could I do that when I was skinny (recalling the time I quit track in high school after one lap around the field).

6. I am still blessed to have my 88-year-old grandpa. I know how lucky I am, even when he calls me and yells, "Forty!" into the telephone (for the past three years) or laughs until he has to sit down because I stepped in cow crap.

7. I still have both my parents, who have now been married for 41 years. And who NEVER, EVER give me a hard time about not getting married or having children yet. Now those are cool parents.

8. After almost 20 years of teaching - yikes - I still completely love my job.

9. I am still best friends with one of my high school best friends, and it's like no time has past at all.

10. I live in the coolest city. Ever.

11. I have traveled to every U.S. state except Alaska and lived in eight different states, and there are certain things I love about every one of them.

12. I have traveled to twenty different countries. This is a gift.

13. I feel I have grown more in my spiritual faith in the last two years than in the rest of my life.

14. I am blessed to have some of the greatest friends one could possible ever ask for, who would be there for me at the drop of a hat.

15. I can look at the stupid things I do and understand why I do them.

16. Now, if I could just stop doing them in the first place.

17. I still like to eat Kraft macaroni and cheese once in a while, and I've accepted the fact that it will always be in my cabinet for one of those moments.

18. My memory of my childhood is so clear and concise I can recall what each of my classrooms looked like, as well as my teachers.

19. I can recall with great clarity when mean things were said to me by classmates in junior high school, which helps me teach my students how words are never forgotten.

20. I have learned to not worry about getting older.

21. Okay, well, that's a lie.

22. I have learned to laugh at my OCD tendencies (I mean, CDO). So what if I count cracks in the sidewalks and count letters on subway advertisements (hoping for even numbers, of course).

23. I have a secure job that allows me to live a relatively comfortable life in a teeny tiny apartment in Manhattan which really doesn't seem so tiny anymore. Until I visit someone outside of the city.

24. I have faith that what I haven't found yet I someday will.

25. I continue to have perfectly straight, white, healthy teeth.

26. I have been looked at with disbelief by people at least 10 times in the last month when they have learned I am turning forty on Wednesday.

27. I am able to go to Broadway shows whenever I want to. Believe me, it will never become "old hat" to me.

28. Every single roommate I ever had was relatively normal. (I have to put this one because six of them are FB friends).

29. Well, I will make an exception for my former roommate Kevin, because most roommates don't steal your Winnie the Pooh stuffed animal, make photocopies of him at work, then put up missing posters around the apartment complex.

30. Even though I do not have any brothers and sisters, I have cousins and friends who may as well be.

31. I've learned that simplifying one's life can be quite invigorating.

32. I have been able to spend my last seven birthdays in foreign countries, celebrating with flamenco dancers in Barcelona, rappelling off of New Zealand cliffs, sleeping on ferries in Greece...who knows what this one will bring in Berlin.

33. I am breathing.

34. I haven't lost any of my heighth yet.

35. I can safely say that I crack up laughing every single day for one reason or another, usually at myself. Or, since I moved to NYC, at other people.

36. I still like to play board games like Yahtzee and Clue, and I still dislike playing them with my mother, because she always wins.

37. I have less stress in my life now than ever before. This is due in fact to two things: a) I don't own a car and don't drive in traffic, and b) I don't have to deal with state testing in schools anymore.

38. I have maintained relationships with many, many former students, some of which have graduated college now. Let's just hope they remember my rule: NO ONE gets married until I do.

39. I am still a person that can always find the positive in situations, even ones that seem hopeless.

40. It took me very little time to come up with this list, and that makes me very happy.

And...It's Done

2009-07-02T22:32:00.003-04:00

Before -
After -

I'm Being Tested

2009-06-30T18:51:00.002-04:00

So today I went in to school to help my co-worker organize her classroom. We really made good progress and worked for four hours.

But then, I started on my summer project called "Project Underground". Next to our stage, which is in the basement (hence the reason it's called the Underground Theater), there is a section that is enclosed by caged doors. We call it, funnily enough, the Cage. In the cage are all the props and costumes for our theater. Shockingly enough, no one has kept care of it for years, and it literally is a disaster area. Things thrown on the floor, stuffed in bags, thrown in boxes... I had no idea how bad it was until today. I'm just grateful that no living creatures came out of there at me.

I started by taking every.single.thing out of the cage and putting it on the stage. I promise I will have pictures up tomorrow, because it truly is indescribable!

After I got everything out of there, I swept the floor and cleaned the shelves. And don't worry; I was wearing cleaning gloves. I also organized the backstage area.

Then I started making piles - hats, wigs, etc., while throwing away stuff. I can guarantee you that at least %60 of this stuff is going in the trash. Kids have left their clothes back there when changing into costumes, there is make-up that is probably 5 years old, and I don't think we need to keep 50 baskets.

But then my back started really hurting, so I had to stop today. I came home expecting to go to running class, but we are having severe thunderstorms, so I guess that's out for tonight.

I'm starting fresh at 8 AM in the morning; I have two days to get this done. I have to say that this is the biggest organizing/cleaning job I've ever done, and it's testing my patience. But the fact that I am getting paid for this will help me persevere. ;)

To Be Continued...

Weekend Fun

2009-06-21T16:08:00.003-04:00

I was hoping to have some fun pix to post, but alas, it rained continually yesterday. My friend and I went out to Brooklyn to see her new apartment, and then we had planned to go to Coney Island to watch the first-of-summer spectacle known as the Mermaid Parade. Yes, you can picture Ariel and cute little Disney-like mermaids if you'd like, but you'd be wrong. Picture instead grown women AND men dressed as mermaids, complete with pasties and all. Both of us were curious to watch it, but not so curious as to stand out in the rain all day.

So instead I went to Target! One always needs to take a trip to Target before a big trip.

I started to get very excited about finding a new apartment in late July after seeing my friend's new one. Of course, hers is much bigger than mine will be since she is going out to Brooklyn. But just thinking about having more time to find the perfect place and setting up a new house is exciting to me.

One more week of summer camp, and believe me, my mantra has been, "Only one more week, and it's paying for your trip." The kids have all gotten along very well, but it makes for a very long day and I am tired of it.

Heading to Virginia on Friday evening to see my friends. I'll be spending Saturday at two little girl birthday parties, and then I'll have my own party with a few friends for my upcoming birthday. Can't wait to eat at The Melting Pot - yum!

The most exciting thing coming up before I leave for VA on Friday is that I'm going to see "West Side Story" on Thursday night - cannot. wait. I was told yesterday to "settle down" by my friend when I started singing the tunes on the subway. :)

That's about it right now - will post pics from VA when I return!

A "Good" Deed

2009-06-17T16:54:00.003-04:00

It's always amazing to see these moms and nannies carrying up strollers two or even three flights of stairs from the subway. Sometimes they have taken the kid out, or sometimes, unbelievably, the kid is still in the stroller.

If they are alone, almost 99.9% of the time a stranger will automatically help them carry it up, or at least ask them if they would like help.

So coming up from the subway I saw a woman standing at the bottom of the stairs, contemplating how in the world to get her stroller up by herself. The stroller was facing the stairs, so I automatically grabbed hold of the back and said, "I'll help you - let's go."

She didn't really look at me or even acknowledge me, but she lifted up the front and started moving. So I did, too.

When we got to the top of the stairs, no thank you, gracias, bitte, whatever. Nothing.

That's when I looked into the stroller.

It was carrying a baby doll.

Ding Dong, the Dork Is Here

2009-06-13T10:27:00.002-04:00

I am a dork.

I know most of you already knew that, but I'm extra dorky today. Last night I was straightening up the apartment. I took my lease renewal and was going to look over it, just to make sure I only had to give 30 days notice. Well, I was right about that, but my lease doesn't end until AUGUST 31 instead of JULY 31.

So if I had found an apartment this week, I would have been paying double rent for August because of my dumb mistake.

BUT - I will justify my dorkness. When I moved here in 2007, I paid a full month of rent for August, but didn't move in until August 11. They then pro-rated those 11 days out of my September rent. When the lease was renewed last year, it was starting at the end of August - August 2009. So that's why I was confused.

Thank goodness I looked at it again. So now my life is a little less stressful this next three weeks. It's way too early to look for a place for the end of August. So I will go on my trip, then come back and look for a new place, and move at the end of August instead of July. School doesn't start until September 10, so I'll have plenty of time to get settled in before it starts.

So now, for the next three weeks I can just concentrate of doing summer camp, organizing my friend's classroom, continue the jogging, and preparing for the trip. And when I come back, I will find a fabulous apartment!

This weekend will be spent just relaxing, getting over the end of the school year, and staying clear of Puerto Rico weekend, which culminates in the largest parade in the country on Sunday, after which literally millions of Puerto Ricans will emerge onto my neighborhood to continue the party.

Good Times.

School

2009-06-09T21:13:00.002-04:00

So school is out tomorrow at noon. After two years, I still love my school. I'm still adapting to the independent school environment opposed to the public school environment. I think I'm doing well, but as always, at the end of the year, I have a list in my head of things I want to improve on next year. And that is good.

This school is so generous. They pay us well. They take care of us. When we deserve it, they give us more. In fact, my end of year school "gift" from the parents is going into my "new-school-clothes fund for August when I've lost more weight and need a completely new wardrobe. I have always felt appreciated at all my schools, but here they are not in the confines of government budgets and are able to overappreciate us - and I greatly appreciate it!

We are, unbelievably, not being too affected by the economy yet. Our enrollment is up and we are full of parents who still can pay the amazing tuition. I may be adapting, but I'll never understand that life, for sure.

After two years, I still 100% know that I made the right choice to leave Brooklyn and come to this school. As far as I'm concerned, they are never getting rid of me.

Starting Monday, for two weeks, I'll be teaching a two-week summer camp with two of my co-workers. I'm greatly looking forward to it, and it will pay for my trip.

And - I'm starting a "side business". Several people have told me many times that I should start a business of organizing teachers. I have my first "client". We'll see how it goes, and maybe I'll have a new part-time job!

Weight

2009-06-08T20:49:00.002-04:00

I told you I was going to catch up on this blogs; two in one day, even. So here's what's happening with me physically. As of May 22, I had lost 30 pounds. It's interesting, because when I went to the doctor I really didn't feel like I had lost another 10 pounds. But I had. And in doing that, I reached a personal milestone that I'm not going to share, but let me just tell you that I was elated.

I can't see this 10 pounds as much gone on my body as I did the first 20. But apparently others can, because when I walked into my former school on Friday to visit for the first time in a year, I was greeted with eyes popping out and people not recognizing me at first.

I'm continuing my jogging through July. Yes, that even includes on vacation. I've already scoped out trails and parks that are good for jogging in the cities I am visiting. I'm continuing the twice a week class for practice while I'm in town. In August I plan to do a class called deep water running, because frankly, running outside in August does not appeal to me! Obviously the jogging has been a huge influence on my weight loss, so I'm not stopping.

My goal is to lose at least another 10 by the end of the summer. I have already started my "clothing" fund for September for new school clothes. Until then, I have done some cheap shopping at places like Old Navy and Target to get through the summer, because it's reached the point now where I can't wear the old clothes, even with a belt.

I even had to buy new, smaller bras. Not sure how I feel about that one...;)

Moving

2009-06-08T13:02:00.002-04:00

So my next topic to get up to date is moving. After thinking about it for a longgg time, I've decided to move.

To another apartment.

Now that I have been here almost two years, which I cannot believe by the way, I know the city. I want to live in a neighborhood that I actually do things in. I love, love my apartment, but I do nothing in my neighborhood. And it's not a beautiful neighborhood. Luckily I have Central Park three blocks away, but walking through the trash to get there gets a little old.

So after looking around and trying to find the best place for me, I have narrowed it down. Because, honestly, if you don't narrow it down, you will go nuts.

My goal is to find a place on the Upper East Side in the 80's, preferably close to 86th Street where the express subway and crosstown bus is. I looked at a few places a couple of weeks ago and will be searching seriously the next three weeks.

I will move at the end of July. I will be paying more than I do now, primarily for location, but it's not drastic and I can handle it. And the idea of walking out of my apartment onto a tree-lined, full of brownstones, cafes, and shops street is worth it to me.

I want to stay on the UES because, frankly, walking home through Central Park every day from the UWS is my favorite thing. I don't want to give that up. And if I end up in the 80's, not only will I have Central Park, I will also have Carl Schurz Park. This park borders the East River, and it's where the mayor's mansion, Gracie Mansion, is. It's a small park, but it has a wonderful boardwalk along the river, and that's where I like to do my jogging. The river keeps it cooler. So I would have my choices of parks, depending on the mood.

I'm actually very excited about this move, especially since I'm not in quite as much as a rush this time. Last time I had to find an apartment in a weekend, and although I was lucky, it sure was stressful!

If all else fails, I will be fine if I stay where I am. But I'm pretty sure this will work out - everything else has, right?

Travel

2009-06-07T16:55:00.006-04:00

So I have almost finished preparing for my Eastern European two-week birthday trip. My flights have been booked and most accommodations have been reserved. Here's the itinerary:

July 6 - leave for Berlin
July 8 - tell every single person in Berlin that today is my birthday
July 10 - leave Berlin for Prague
July 13 - Prague to Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic
July 14 - on to Vienna
July 17 - finish in Budapest
July 21 - head for home

There are some great advantages to traveling solo. Yes, it would be nice to have someone to travel with, but since the ones that I would want to travel with can't get off of work, I'll be going it alone for the majority of the time.

If you are an introvert, traveling alone is ideal. You don't have to do anything you don't want to do. You don't have to compromise. If you are an extrovert, you can take this time to really meet and mingle with people from all over the world.

I tend to be both intro- and extro-. I like to decide for myself what I want to do, sometimes I want to strike up conversations with others, and sometimes I want to sit in the cafe' and read my book. I'm not really into talking to you on the plane, but I'd love to discuss art with you.

Of course, there are some people who would be terrified to travel overseas alone. I, obviously, am not one of them; doesn't even come close to scaring me. After traveling for the last seven years with 45 students trailing behind me, this will be a dream!

The great thing about this trip is the timing. The Euro exchange rate is fantastic right now. I bought my plane ticket, along with trip insurance, for $629 round trip. And that's going in one place and leaving from another.

I am beyond excited about the pensions I am staying at. When you are traveling solo, the better route is to stay in family-run places. Not only are they cheaper, they often serve breakfast and are eager to help you decide what to do in their home city/village. The amount I am paying runs from $41 - $77 A NIGHT! How amazing is that? And I even get my own bathroom in every place! If you don't know, many places like this have shared bathrooms. I have done that and never had a bad incident, but having my own bathroom is divine.

The owners all have been amazing so far - we've emailed back and forth, and most have already given me directions on how to get there, offered to pick me up, etc., etc. This is what traveling is all about; getting to know the people, seeing how they live, and enjoying the cultural similarities and differences.

I am also thrilled that I will be able to see my Austrian friend Alexander again. He was our tour manager when I traveled to Greece, Italy, and France in 2006. He, his wife, and son live in Vienna, and I will be visiting them in their home while I am there.

And finally, a word of sadness. Poofy Pillow, also known by my PTP students as P-squared, will most likely not be accompanying me on this trip. Sad to say that after several years of going around the world with me, Poofy Pillow may stay home. He's too fluffy and hard to pack, and my goal for this trip is to NOT over pack. I have instead bought a new travel pillow that is ideal for the airplane. I am extremely excited about this pillow! Here's a look at it - Not sure if it will be better than P-Squared, but the fact that it blows up and deflates is a huge incentive to bring it instead of Poofy. But it has become like a blankie to me, so we'll see if I can truly leave Poofy at home. :)

Back and Full of It

2009-06-07T10:35:00.004-04:00

I couldn't decide whether I was going to keep this blog going now that I use Facebook to keep in touch with my friends. But - I've decided to keep writing for myself. I've NEVER been able to keep a journal or diary in my entire life. I have probably started at least 15 times, but I always fell asleep while writing. What does that say about my life? :)

But looking back over this blog, which I have now kept for two years, unbelievably, it's a great reminder to me of all the changes that have happened in my life. It helps me appreciate what God has done for me. It makes me laugh. It makes me cry.

So I'm back, and I am full of it. Full of lots of things I need to write down. And if no one reads it, that's fine. It's here for me to keep my thoughts straight and my memories clear. So within the next day or so, I will have several entries to catch myself up: travel, moving, weight, school, church, and I'm sure several other topics that will creep up.

I think I will start with travel. To be continued later on today after I go to church, buy new bras, and visit the candy store. How's that for an odd combo?

20 Minutes Down

2009-05-19T20:54:00.002-04:00

Beginning Running Class finished tonight. We ran for 20 minutes without stopping, which got us around the entire reservoir.

10 weeks ago I could barely run 1 minute, 2 minute walk. 20 minutes? And what's even more amazing about that? I could have gone longer.

So next Tuesday I start the Basic Intermediate class. By the end of that class I will be able to run my first 5K race. In fact, I may even try to do that before the end of June.

Honestly, people, if I can do this, anyone can do anything they set their mind to do.

You.Can.Do.It.

And The Winners Are -

2009-05-17T20:21:00.000-04:00

Budapest, Hungary
Prague, Czech Republic
Vienna, Austria
Berlin, Germany

and everything in-between!

Fab Friday

2009-05-15T19:51:00.002-04:00

So today was our K - 6 Field Day in Central Park. It was the perfect weather day - cloudy, 70 degrees, then got sunny towards the end. We had such a fun time, and the children were well-behaved and had a lot of fun.

Then I walked on the beautiful day, oh, about 50 blocks or so because I had a doctor's appointment at 5:15.

On May 22nd.

All I can say is that at least I got my walk in.

So tonight I am exhausted from the day, but I just got a second wind and am doing some cleaning out of clothes and cleaning in general. I know - exciting Friday night, but that's how it goes sometimes!

I'm happy to say that there are two sizes of clothes that are going to the thrift store tomorrow and never coming back into my house.

Today I signed up for the next running class - Beginning/Intermediate. I will miss a few of them in July when I travel, but I know myself well enough to know that I won't do it on my own, and I need the incentive of going to class.

And I'm putting this question out to anyone who's reading: I am going to Europe for two weeks in July, but I would like to go somewhere I haven't been before. Any cool suggestions? None of the "normal" destinations, as I have already done most of those. Prague is the first on my list, and I'm thinking about southern Germany (haven't done that since college), and Vienna. Very low-key, relaxing, take the train, ride a bike, wander through cathedrals and museums, hang out with the locals kind of trip.

Thoughts? Or am I talking to myself?!

Week In Review

2009-05-12T22:03:00.003-04:00

First off - most anyone who knows me knows how much I LOVE Bob the trainer on "The Biggest Loser". And he is looking good tonight on the finale'! And let me tell you - one of my parents at school is good friends with him. Last week when I saw her she said, "I sent Bob an email and told him the next time he's in town there is someone he has to meet."

That would be me, baby. Yep. I.WILL.MEET.BOB.

But I'm not a stalker....or am I?

Things are starting to get very hectic here at the end of the school year. It is beyond my comprehension at how fast this year is going. Luckily track is finishing up tomorrow and Bible study is done, so my schedule is starting to let up. But - now report cards have to be painstakingly written, so the next four weeks will be quite hectic.

Add to that our Philly overnight field trip, and today I was asked to go on the 6th grade DC trip again - which I agreed to on one condition; that when they go to Mt. Vernon, the bus driver drops me off at my former school so I can visit with everyone. They agreed, so I will see you on Friday, June 5th! So excited about that!

I'm doing really well with my jogging, especially now that the chiropractor has started working on my lower back. It's finally loosening up, and he should start adjusting it next week. Basically, I'm unbalanced. And not in the way you are thinking.

I'm up to jogging about a mile-and-a-half without stopping, so I'm on my way to my goal of jogging a 5K by the fall and walk/jogging - okay, mainly walking - the Philly Marathon November 22nd. Yep, you read that right. I'm doing the marathon.

I went to a show on Broadway last week - "Next To Normal" - it's now been nominated for a Tony. It was quite fantastic. I'm going to see "Reasons To Be Pretty" next weekend - also nominated for a Tony. And I paid about $30 per ticket. Love.It.

Went to a karaoke club last Saturday for a birthday party. Me singing "Summer Nights" again brought back memories.

Going to another birthday party this Saturday night, and then I'm doing the 6.2 mile AIDS Walk in NYC on Sunday. I have to start doing these to help prepare for the marathon.

The only thing I can say that annoyed me in the past few days (okay, there is a parent at school who is annoying me, but honestly, I have to let that go or I might implode) is the fact that I went to pick up my "wash and folded" laundry last night. When I got home and opened the bag onto my bed, guess what? It hadn't been washed! That's never happened before! I took it back today - whoops - their washers had broken down, they had sent the laundry to their other cleaners, but obviously mine was left behind. So I had to lug it down again today to get it done - and I will tell you that I tossed in a few more items this time. I'm getting my money's worth, especially after carrying it up and down twice.

That's all from the big City!

Snap. Crackle. Pop.

2009-05-04T20:48:00.002-04:00

So my tailbone has been killing me the last few days. I think the jogging is bothering my back. I've always had minor back problems, back to when I was 10 and was diagnosed with mild scoliosis/curvature of the lower spine.

I decided to go back to a chiropractor to keep myself adjusted since I am now exercising so much. Unbelievably I got an appointment when I called this morning for this evening with a famous doctor. This is my norm since I've moved here - famous gynecologist (I was reading Vogue in a waiting room and she was in an article), famous internist (written books and is "doctor to the stars"), and famous gastro. (did Al Roker and Katie Couric's colonoscopies on The Today Show). My new chiropractor was the official chiropractor for the Olympics and has written over 25 books/articles.

But this is what cracked me up. As I was filling out all the first-time paperwork, I was asked about my pain in different areas of my life - does it affect what I do.

Under "Social" it said to check the following (I'll just give you the first one) -

My social life is normal and gives me no extra pain.

Well, that depends on what you're talking about! Cracked me up! But wow, do I feel good right now after 30 minutes of electrodes on my back and a massage. And I get to go back on Thursday and Friday - and it's covered by insurance.

I can deal with that.

Good Morning, Man With Underwear On Your Head

2009-04-30T17:10:00.005-04:00

Hello, and good morning - it's a great day today!
I'm cheery and happy - things are going my way.

As I sit on the subway, reading AM New York,
I learn of the news and the flu that is pork.

I look to my right and the door opens wide,
Huge afro, mixed clothes, teddy bear by your side.

Something is wrong - wait - did I mention?
A large pair of boxers catch my attention.

Why don't I just get it? What is it? What? What?
OH! They are placed on your head instead of your butt.

As I get off the subway still finding you witty,
It reminds me once more why I love this big City.

What A Weekend

2009-04-27T10:33:00.003-04:00

I took some really great pictures in Central Park and on Fifth Avenue Saturday, even though it's too hot for me too soon. The rest of my pictures are on Facebook if you are interested. Luckily it's going back to normal high 60's by Wednesday. Saturday I did my jogging before it got too hot, and then I took a huge walk through Central Park, along with about 2 million other people! But it's amazing to me that you can still find places to be alone, even with all those people! I ended up by the boat lake taking a rest and reading a book.

Sunday was even hotter, so I chose to attend church and then go shop. I spent most of the day underground. I took the air-conditioned subway to the Brooklyn Target, and then back here to Macy's. I don't want to buy too many new clothes, but some essentials were needed.

And today when I put on my pants that I haven't worn since last year, I had a nice surprise. They used to be really tight in the butt; tight enough that I had to wear a very long shirt with them. Now they are entirely too big. And yesterday I bought some new workout pants - size MEDIUM. Seriously, a medium? And a LARGE shirt at Macy's, instead of X-Large. And jogging bras a size smaller. Too much information? I don't care, because I am ecstatic about it!

Off to a great start this week!

Updates, Updates, Updates

2009-04-20T20:27:00.006-04:00

What a long week last week was, but a good one. Let me break it down into categories -

Tennis: My co-workers Maddie and Caryn, and another girl named Whitney, started our tennis lessons last Wednesday. We are with Clement, our tennis coach. Clement sounds like he memorized a positive reinforcement manual with a robot -
"You can do it!"
"WOW!"
"I cannot believe this is you!"
"You are amazing!"
Needless to say, it was tons of fun, and I'm looking forward to this Wednesday's lesson.

Jogging: Still doing well. Last Tuesday I even went to class in the rain. I'm up to 6 minutes jog, 1 1/2 minutes walk, 3 times each. But tomorrow night we bump up to 8 minutes jog, 1 1/2 minutes walk, 2 times. I know I can do it, but I still surprise myself each week with what I can do.

School: School is great. We had parent/teacher conferences last week. Although they went well, they were so intense! It takes a lot of stamina to get through all of those!

The Weekend: I took Megabus to Virginia this weekend for my friend Steve's wedding. Steve and I have been close since 2003. He traveled with me for two summers, and we taught together. I was pleasantly surprised to see some co-workers I didn't know would be at the wedding. I also got to spend time with Brenda laughing, taking a walk, getting a pedicure, and she was also kind enough to chauffeur me around. I saw a lot of friends at church that I hadn't seen since I moved. I also saw my friend Kristen and was supposed to see Lisa, but can you believe that she went into labor and had a 9-pound, 6-ounce boy just to get out of having lunch with me?!

It was a wonderful weekend, but boy, am I tired tonight. Goodnight.

Here is Steve and me at the reception.This is Mike, otherwise known as my "Wonder Twin". He and I taught together my entire time at Woodley Hills. We are the same age and have all the same 80's memories. I'm always the form of water, and he's always the animal. And if you don't know what I'm talking about, you never watched "Superfriends" in the 80's.And this is Kristin, who I went with to the wedding. My former co-worker of 9 years. We shared everything, and I mean everything, with each other. Wow, do I miss her.
I love my friends!

Slow Down

2009-04-12T14:34:00.003-04:00

I find myself wanting to slow each and every day down, as this year seems to be going so quickly. I'm trying to enjoy every day and not to focus on what's coming up. This is good in some ways and bad in others.

I cannot, repeat, cannot, think ahead to the tenth and final jogging class, because the thought that I will be able to jog for 20 minutes without stopping is inconceivable to me at this time. Yet each time I practice I can do the amount I'm supposed to, and that means that each week I'm closer to actually jogging for 20 minutes without stopping. But I can't think about that. Right now I'm at 5 minutes jog, 2 minutes walk, three times total. That's good until Tuesday.

When you think so far ahead you tend to forget what's happening now. People keep asking me about my summer plans, and for the first time in seven years, I can't tell them what I'm doing yet. I will be teaching a two-week theater camp with two of my co-workers that last two weeks of June, but after that? I have no idea. And it's kind of nice!

Some options I am thinking about:

1) Subletting my apartment the entire month of July, buying a plane ticket to Paris, and traveling on the train for a month to the places I haven't been yet: Belgium, Amsterdam, eastern Germany, Estonia, Vienna, etc., hopefully having one or two friends traveling with me for parts of it.

2) Only travel for two or three weeks instead of the entire month, and then look for a new apartment and move, hopefully about 20 - 25 blocks downtown.

It will really depend on how many students we get for our summer camp and how much money we can make. August is wide open, with only the event of my best friend from California coming at some point to visit, including some sort of beach vacation, maybe in the Hamptons.

But right now I'm going to concentrate on April and it slowly becoming spring. I start tennis lessons this week with two co-workers, running class, Bible study, tutoring, and coaching the running club. Oh yeah, and my job. Enough? Life is good.

Am Home, Am Fine

2009-04-09T15:02:00.003-04:00

I am home from my medical procedure and I am resting. It went perfectly, and I'm happy to report that nothing was found!

The anesthesia was fun. I remember the doctor saying that I would go to sleep now. Then I remember saying, "Hey, I can still hear you talking, so I'm not asleep yet."

To which the anesthesiologist replied, "Ummm, Cyndi? We're done."

I guess the anesthesia worked!

I Don't Know What To Title This One

2009-04-06T20:34:00.003-04:00

Tonight I went to the pharmacy in preparation for my "medical procedure" on Thursday and bought -

a certain type of tablet one takes to rid themselves of waste
two bottles totaling 238 grams of a powder that does the same as above
a two-liter of diet sprite to mix the powder in

It was the first time in my life that someone looked at me and wondered if I was bulimic.

I will say, however, that this is the time for me to eat any Easter candy I'm dying to eat (think: Peeps), because at least I know it will ALL be out of my system Thursday morning.

A Long Weekend

2009-04-05T13:59:00.002-04:00

Sorry to my two readers that it's been a week since I posted - the first week back to school has been good but quite busy. And then I had company this weekend, and I finally have a minute to write about the week.

It was a great first week back. I got back into the swing of things quickly - in my running class I'm now doing 3 minute run, 2 minute walk. Today I'm going to try 4 minute run, 2 minute walk, because on Tuesday, we are bumping it up to FIVE minute run, 2 minute walk. Ummmm - what happened to FOUR? I guess it's getting more intense, huh? But I've been doing really well so far, and it's one of those things you can't think about the future; just one week at a time!

I also signed up for six weeks of tennis lessons with two of my co-workers starting next week - I love to play tennis and am looking forward to getting some practice in.

My friend Patrick came and spent the weekend Thursday night. We had a busy, busy schedule. Friday we went to see "Candide" at NYU, and it was really, really great. Saturday I forced him to go jogging with me, and although it was quite chilly, we got in two hours of Central Park. Last night we went to see "Guys and Dolls' on Broadway. Both of us having just directed this at our schools, it was fun to watch it. The sets and choreography wer fantastic. The actors were great, except for Adelaide. She was awful. I'm sorry - she was awful. My 12-year-old student could run circles around her.

So that's it for now - coming up this week: track coaching starts tomorrow, and my wonderful day of purging will be Wednesday in preparation for my fantastic colon cleanse which will take place Thursday morning, also known as a colonscopy. I.AM.THRILLED. And I promise to leave out the details.

The Best

2009-03-27T14:56:00.005-04:00

When I go home to California I have plenty of driving time to reflect on my life and rejuvenate after the long winter. This past week I realized and appreciated that I have the best of everything.

I have the best of both worlds. I live in the greatest City in the world where I can jog in Central Park and when I go home, I go home to the great state of California, where I can look at the ocean and the mountains at the same time while jogging on the beach.

I have the best family. Although my family is smaller than most, they rock. I am blessed to still have my grandpa at age 88. I know how privileged I am to still have him, and I don't take it for granted. I have an awesome cousin who has become more like a sister, who has three beautiful girls to spoil and play with.

I have the best friends. Ever. I have friends that I have known for most of my life. I have friends like Jeff, who was my inseparable counterpart throughout our teenage years, and we pick up right where we left off when we see each other. I have friends like Larriann who I traveled with all over the country as a teenager and has been one of my closest friends since age 17; we ARE sisters. And her husband puts up with our silliness every year! And how many people can say that they still have dinner every year with their prom date? I can't really continue this paragraph, because I would go on and on for pages about all the friends that I love so much.

I have the best life. Although my life is different than I thought it would be, I am independent, I am able to live comfortably, I have been all over the world, I love my job, and I am genuinely happy. My life is much different than I ever thought it would be, but right now, it's quite awesome.

I Have The Best Of Everything.

Productivity

2009-03-19T16:31:00.003-04:00

I am off tomorrow morning for my second Spring Break trip - home to California. In the three days I've been home I have been quite productive. I -

started my running regimen, to be continued tomorrow on the beach boardwalk when I arrive.

went to the dentist and was complimented on my flossing technique.

went to another doctor and scheduled my first colonoscopy, of which I am SOOO thrilled about (family history makes me have to do it at this YOUNG age).

went to school and finished up some work.

went to see "August: Osage County" on Broadway - LOVED it; the most dysfunctional family one will ever hope to see - shockingly dysfunctional, but brilliantly acted.

once again sat through a Broadway show with people eating snacks and making strange noises throughout.

got supplies and last-minute items for my trip.

got my living will signed by the notary (I highly recommend www.legalzoom.com for quick and easy wills!).

mostly caught up on my reality TV shows - a ridiculous habit, I know.

have almost packed everything for California.

Here's something interesting I noticed. Yesterday I was carrying up my 20 pounds of laundry from the cleaners and it seemed to be less heavy than usual. Then I realized: I've lost 20 pounds, so the reason it seems lighter is that I am used to carrying that extra 20 pounds up the stairs on my body!

Run One, Walk Two, and other Spring Break Stories

2009-03-17T20:25:00.003-04:00

This morning I went to Lincoln Center and met my high school choir director for lunch. I am still not able to call him by his first name, even after 22 years - he will always be Mr. Topping to me. He was in town performing, so we went to lunch at Sarabeth's. Then I took him on a nice walk through Central Park.

I told you this Spring Break was all about seeing old friends!

Tonight I had my first running class. We started with some stretching, then headed to the Reservoir. As we were walking over to the Park, here was my thought:

"I am so pumped! I am so proud of myself for doing this! Whoo-hoo!"

As we started to run, here was my thought:

"I am so stupid. Why am I doing this? I will not be doing this again."

Just as I was about the lose it, it was time to walk for two minutes. Run one minute, walk two minutes. Times 7.

By the end, here was my thought:

"Why didn't I sign up for the Thursday class, too?"

But I'm going to save the money and do the Thursday class on my own with a stopwatch.

Yes, I am sore, but we stretched afterwards, and I've already taken my advil before bed.

Next week it will be Run Two, Walk Four. And that will be on my own while in California.

Spring Break Part I

2009-03-17T00:49:00.002-04:00

Picture One - My friend Shane: We've been friends since the FIFTH grade. Seriously. How cool is that? And it took me ten times to get this picture using the self-timer. We were cracking up.

Picture Two - Two of my best friends from college - Nicki and Laura. We traveled together in our singing group, and Laura was my roommate for two years. The stories we have between us are hilarious and so awesome. It was so great to be together again.

Picture Three - My voice teacher, Mike, and I. I consider him to be a great friend, and it's seriously true that he hasn't aged one.single.bit.

Dr. Piersall, our choral director. Lover of Wendy's Frosties. Took us to Germany. I love this man. He was like our surrogate dad in college. He took us on a tour of the amazing new fine arts building at ACU.

An incredible weekend of old friends. And it's only the beginning.

Trip #1 - First Old Home Week

2009-03-12T16:58:00.003-04:00

So tomorrow at 2:10 my two-week spring vacation begins; although it still doesn't feel like spring!

I am flying to Dallas tomorrow afternoon to reunion with several friends, some of whom I have not seen in over 15 years. This is the theme of my entire vacation.

I will be staying with my friend Nicki who I was in chorus and His Singers with at ACU. We were often roommates on tours and switched clothes a lot on tours (you know, to break up the monotony). We were, on several occasions, taken for sisters. I saw her at my 10-year reunion, but we had lost touch since then. Thank you, Facebook.

Saturday morning we will be leaving her adorable 4-year-old twin boys with her hubby and driving to Abilene. I am sure I will have the same reaction as I always do when I see the University - I tear up. Cheesy, I know, but I loved college, and it just brings back so many amazing memories.

We will be visiting with our choir director and his wife, my two-year college roommate Laura and her family, my voice teacher, and hopefully a couple of other local friends. I am so excited that I cannot stand it! Thank you again, Facebook.

Heading back to Dallas on Sunday afternoon, I will then have dinner with Shane, who I have been friends with since the 5th grade up in Washington state.

Monday I will then have lunch with my post-college roommate DaLana - I haven't seen her since 1993 - before I fly back to NY Monday night.

And this is just the beginning: ironically, in keeping with the old home week, my HIGH SCHOOL chorus director will be performing at Lincoln Center Monday night with the Phoenix Chorale, so he and I are having lunch on Tuesday before he flies back to Phoenix. Thank you yet once again, Facebook.

I will be in NY again until Friday, when I leave for California, where more reunions will be taking place, some 22 years in the making. But I will save that trip for another blog.

Oh, and I'm sure there will be a blog in-between reporting on my Texas trip and my California trip, because Tuesday night is my first beginning running class with NY Road Runners. That is, if I can lift my body up after the class to type.

Remembering

2009-03-10T17:52:00.002-04:00

One of my mom's co-workers is considering a move to NYC after she gets married. My mom gave her my email address; she wrote me today, asking me questions about getting a teaching job in the public or private (independent) schools.

As I started to give her information, my thoughts were overwhelming. It was so hard to do all the paperwork to get my NY teacher certificate that I actually took a day off from school to get it all together. Being hired was the easy part; finding the right school, getting up here to take tests, interview, calling principals constantly to keep my name fresh in their minds, paying for hotels, getting lost in Brooklyn, etc.

And that's not counting trying to find an apartment.

The fact that I not only found a public school that I was truly excited to be a part of, then moving up here and getting my ultimate dream job - English and American History - in an independent school that pays better than any other school here - public or private - and without knowing anyone or having any ties to the school? A true miracle.

Sometimes it's good to revisit the past and remember how truly blessed you have been. The possibilities of mistakes and mishaps in my move up here were truly staggering, and nothing - nothing - went wrong in the process.

Except that my sleeper sofa didn't fit in the door.

New York Starry Night

2009-03-05T20:05:00.005-05:00

Most of the time I am now used to living in New York City, but sometimes an event comes along that just makes you feel special to live here.

Our school had their annual benefit, which is a huge event where everyone involved in the school comes together to raise money. Parents and teachers dress up, pretend to snack on hors d'oeuvres, and spend boatloads of money during a silent and live auction.

Scratch that.

The parents spend boatloads of money during a silent and live auction. The teachers stand and watch in awe.

I think I know what I'm going to submit next year for the silent auction. Here's my advertisement:

"Help a teacher get out of debt! Bid to pay off your favorite teacher's credit cards!"

So the entire night, I truly felt like a New Yorker. I got dressed up and met my co-worker on the subway. We then took a cab to Chelsea Piers, which I am sure you have heard of. It's right on the Hudson River and gives spectacular views of the skyline. When arriving, we walked down a red carpet and checked our coats. After being handed our number for the auction, as well as a fancy drink, we proceeded inside to check out the unbelievable things that were for sale.

Price Range? Out of mine. If I were to go into the prices, you might fall over.

The dinner was very nice, and then the live auction began. People dropping $10,000 - $12,000 like nothing. Of course that apparently is low compared to year's past - you know, the economy and all.

I was trying not to be conspicuous, but I WAS looking for the few movie stars that have children at our school. I didn't see them, but some had donated items from their movies for the auction. That's the hardest part of being a New Yorker for me; trying to be cool when seeing a movie star. Still can't do it.

So at the end I got into a towne car with two of my co-workers and a Italian-accented driver who dropped us each off at our respective apartments.

It was one of those perfect New York evenings.

And we even got a goodie bag at the end of the night - just like the Oscars. I'd like to thank the Academy.

Great Weekend

2009-03-01T21:05:00.003-05:00

So I had a fabulous weekend! My friend Brenda came up Friday afternoon to spend the weekend. Her friend from college was also here with her daughter's band, so it was a busy weekend. Friday evening we met them for dinner and went to see "Phantom of the Opera". I was glad to see it again, because the last time I fell asleep. Now, this was not because it was bad; the theater was hot and I had been up since 3 AM. This time it was fantastic.

Saturday we met them at the Lincoln Center, where they had just randomly seen James Earl Jones - can I say JEALOUS? Darth Vader himself?

STOP - I just have to say this: I'm watching "Celebrity Apprentice" at the moment - somebody please stop Joan Rivers from EVER getting any more plastic surgery. Jeez, what a scary-looking individual.

Okay, back to Saturday. We took a long walk through Central Park and ended up eating lunch at Serendipity. My first frozen hot chocolate. Just one word - spectaculicious.

We then did some more walking and shopping, ate dinner, then headed to see "39 Steps" on Broadway. This is where two women next to us forgot that they were in a Broadway theater and pulled out their sour cream and onion potato chips. Ummm - hi. We're not in the Multiplex, people. As my friend Sue said, next thing you know they'll be throwing peanut shells on the floor.

Today we went to church, had a quick lunch, and then shopped. I bought a $120 sweater for $23, two shirts, and two pairs of jeans. Two pairs of jeans TWO SIZES smaller than my other ones.

Yes, the perfect end to a perfect weekend. The only thing that would even make it more spectacular would be if we truly DO get this snowstorm and have our first snow day tomorrow. UPDATE 6:30 AM MONDAY - BACK TO BED FOR A SNOW DAY - YIPPEE!

They're Baaaccckkkk!

2009-02-27T12:48:00.002-05:00

Yep, my taste buds are coming back. After conferring with my doctor, we have decided that I will not be using this particular medicine. It just made me feel too spacey. I did not feel like myself AT.ALL. Because of this, my taste buds are slowly returning. But more importantly, my head is out of the clouds! I am myself again - for better or for worse!

I am so looking forward to this weekend. Brenda will be here soon. We will be seeing two shows on Broadway, shopping, going to Serendipity, and just hanging out. I cannot wait.

And I cannot wait until spring. Have I said that yet today? Unbelievably, I am going to be helping coach the 5/6 running club. We do relays, stretching, and the ultimate goal is to have the kids be able to run the reservoir in Central Park by the end of the six weeks.

So, along with tutoring, my new Bible study I'm attending, my running class, and volunteering at the ASPCA, this spring is going to be FUN!

A Mental Health Day

2009-02-25T18:54:00.002-05:00

You know sometimes you just need a mental health day? Well, tomorrow will be one of those days for me. This week has been something else. Between the funkiness of this medicine, taking Anna and Andy back to the ASPCA this afternoon, my hormones being off-kilter this month, and being freezing cold, I need a day off. Luckily my job is the kind enough to let us do that when we need to, so tomorrow I will be staying home.

Medicine: Besides my tastebuds being out of whack, I've been a space case. This is another possible side effect. I emailed my doctor this afternoon and inquired about lowering the dosage or possibly not taking it and doing another medicine instead. We'll see what he says. I don't like feeling like I'm in a cloud. When my students asked me a question, it took me several minutes to focus and answer, which is not like me!

And if I do go off the medicine, I've decided that it's time to not drink soda anyway, so I will wean myself off of it. I even bought a new filtered water pitcher. Besides, when I start my running class in March, water will have to be my drink of choice anyway.

Anna and Andy: Yep, they went back this afternoon. Yep, I cried. But not as much as I thought I would. Probably because I had to chase Anna all over the apartment to get her in the crate. Andy just hopped right in, of course. Right after he peed on the towel instead of in the litter box. When I left the ASPCA I walked home, which helped me get control of my emotions. I came home and ate some dinner, then cleaned up all their mess and threw it all out. I "de-cat-cluttered" the apartment. I'm sure I will go and check on them next week, and as much as I hope to see them again, I hope that they won't be there and will have been adopted by a wonderful family.

Hormones: Well, you don't really need to know about those. Just know that sometimes Mother Nature likes to come early and annoy you at the most inopportune times.

And I'm sick of being cold. I cannot wait until spring when I can walk home without shaking in my boots. I cannot wait to start my running class in March, start taking tennis class with my co-worker, and just be WARM!

Yay for mental health days.

Cyndi the Bartender

2009-02-24T11:06:00.004-05:00

So tonight I will be my own bartender. I have come to the conclusion that I will no longer be drinking carbonated beverages while on this medicine, so I am going to the store, buying several different types of seltzers and juices, and playing cocktail hour to figure out my favorite combinations.

Cranberry and seltzer?
Grape juice and seltzer?
Gin and Tonic?

What will it be? Will I just succumb to plain old water? Oh, how I crave a Coca-Cola. It's killing me to taste the sweet taste of a Dr. Pepper. My Tab is calling my name. Life is not the same without Sprite.

Unfortunately, the medicine hasn't done anything to make the taste of a Dunkin Donut taste bad. :)

Tastebuds

2009-02-23T09:23:00.002-05:00

Okay, something funky is going on with my taste buds. I started on this new medicine Tuesday, and the only side effect that I have had is that it is altering my taste buds. But only with one thing; soda. Is this God's little trick in getting me to not drink soda? I've been trying to wean myself off of soda for years, but it's never worked. I started noticing it on Friday. At first I thought I had just bought a bad batch of soda, so I bought a two-liter of Dr. Pepper. It tasted weird, so I bought some ginger ale. Weird. This morning - diet Dr. Pepper. Weird.

So - it seems that this may finally be the way I can get off of soda. I'm going to experiment with some seltzers and see how they work. Or, Heaven forbid, maybe I'll just drink water. But that would be too easy, wouldn't it?

On another note -

Anna and Andy will be going back to the ASPCA on Wednesday to get their next round of shots and to hopefully be adopted. It's just too much for me to have them. Yep, I've grown attached to them. They've melted my heart. This weekend was too much bonding time. You knew it would happen. Especially when Anna finally slept on my chest. I cannot adopt them, so I cannot keep them any longer.

And yes, I will cry. But I will get over it. And I will never be a foster parent again. I know you are all saying I told you so. Just don't say it to me. Because I know it already. :)

Sleep. Need. Sleep.

2009-02-19T09:40:00.002-05:00

Contrary to what all my blogging friends believe, I will definitely be able to take Anna and Andy back to be adopted in a few weeks - they are wearing me out!

Anna is very, very skiddish and will not let me pick her up at all. In fact, I have the scratches to prove it. She is always quite concerned as to where her brother is. She loves to play with him, and she is very good about using the litter box and eating her dinner.

Andy, on the other hand, does let me pick him up and pet him, but he's not cuddly yet. He also loves to play, but he is NOT good about using the litter box - hence the trip to the cleaners with a blanket he "used" yesterday.

They love to play "Chase the Kitty" at about midnight. This is where they run at full force, slide across the hardwood floors, and run into my bed. I don't want to lock them up at night because they are locked up in the bathroom while I'm at work, but I think I'm going to have to keep them out of my room so I can get some sleep!

And there is never any reason to buy kittens play toys. Yesterday they spent the evening attacking my open umbrella, two plastic bags, and a big ball of aluminum foil.

Hopefully someone will adopt them as a pair, because they definitely are two peas in a pod!

Anna and Andy

2009-02-17T12:01:00.003-05:00

This is Anna and Andy. They are three month old siblings. Currently they have pushed the pillows down onto the couch and have basically made a tent with them while non-stop attacking each other. Obviously their socialization issues are only with adults, not cats. They will be living with me for three weeks so they can become less skiddish around adults and more ready to be adopted. They are cracking me up, and reminding me why, if I ever adopt a cat, I will most likely get an adult one.

Sweet Home Alabama

2009-02-16T08:43:00.004-05:00

So is this one pathetic picture or what? Three old friends - old in years of knowing each other, not in age. ;) - sitting in the same room, all on Facebook, IM'ing each other. Here's a sample:

"Whatcha Doin?"
"Smelling your feet."

Seriously - does this mean we have an addiction to Facebook? I think so.
We've had a great time this weekend. We've hung out with the four kids that are with us (none of them mine!), went to the US Space and Rocket Center, and had dinner with our dear friends Bill and Barbara - HI BILL - I know you're reading this!

So I'm back to NYC this evening. I have tomorrow off, too, and I'm picking up my foster kitties in the AM.

Seriously cute pictures coming soon!!

Happy Valentine's/President's Day Weekend

2009-02-13T12:37:00.002-05:00

This is what I gave my students today for Valentine's Day - and I just like to eat the sticks. Yum!!

I'm heading out to Alabama for the weekend - pray that my pilot can fly a plane. I'm looking forward to seeing my friends and having a cherry limeade at Sonic. And breakfast at Cracker Barrel.

And when I come back, Tuesday I will pick up two tiny kittens from the ASPCA that I will be fostering for three weeks until they are old enough to be spayed. Fun times ahead!

Progression - Can You Tell?

2009-02-10T18:59:00.005-05:00

To be honest, I really couldn't see the difference yet in the 18-pound weight loss. I have the advantage of being tall and my weight is proportioned well on my body (i.e. I have fat all over!). But I can tell in my pants, especially yesterday when my slacks were dragging on the floor while hanging off my waist.

But I put these three pictures next to each other, and now I can start to see it. They are from October 2008 in Virginia, New Year's Eve in Puerto Rico 2008/2009, and Caryn's 40th birthday February 2009.

PS - and yes, my hair color also changes with the pictures!

Today Is A Good Day

2009-02-06T18:39:00.004-05:00

Why? Because for the first time in... well... ever, I finally feel like I am going to lose this weight. For good.

I had my check-up today and was nervous to get on the scale. I don't like them. I prefer to just go with how I feel. But when I got on there and he kept moving the scale piece down farther than I thought it would go, it was a pretty good feeling.

I've now lost 18 pounds since I got my new doctor and changed my meds. Yes, I know I had a stomach virus, but I lost 8 pounds since I saw him late November.

I'm sure I looked like a big dork walking down the street after the appointment, because I was so happy I had a stupid grin on my face.

So now we are adding another facet to my weight loss that will quicken the weight loss. Our goal is to have me OFF OF DIABETIC MEDS and in "remission" by the end of this year. What a fabulous 40th birthday present this would be. Together, with my meds changing and my therapist, it is going to finally happen.

Maybe this is the reason I felt compelled to move to NYC - somehow I knew that the two right doctors would be waiting for me!

Today is a good day.

More Shorts

2009-02-04T20:02:00.002-05:00

It is wicked cold here tonight. The wind froze my face off and made my eyes tear up. But before I could wipe the tears, they froze.

Today I had my first-ever body scan. This is where you go to the dermatologist and they inspect you for skin abnormalities. You are really supposed to do this yearly, but this was a first for me.

Let me just say that:
1)It's almost more invasive than an appointment with the gynecologist, so....
2)Leave your pride at the door.
3)Hope you get a doctor of the same sex; if a man had walked in, I might not have been able to go through with it.
4)Don't expect to keep your hair in place, because they pick apart your scalp looking for stuff.
5)Don't forget, like I did, to shave your legs before you go. Sorry, Dr. Blum.

After the session I went to my weekly ASPCA cat visit. Tonight I played with a six-week old kitten named Almond who was leaping into the air to catch the feather. Too, too cute. But I'm finding that I gravitate more to the older cats, because you know that all the kittens will get adopted first. I especially spend time with the cats that have been "owner surrendered". This literally breaks my heart that their owner had or chose to give them up and put them in a shelter.

But my favorite cat tonight was one named after my friend - Frieda. I literally let out a large laugh when I read her stats. On the front of her "condo" it said, "Frieda has no teeth and must eat soft food, and she cannot socialize right now."

Short Stories

2009-02-03T18:36:00.002-05:00

Not sure if anyone is reading anymore, so I'm writing this stuff for myself to remember when I lose my memory after I turn forty.

I sure wish the homeless people that wander around the neighborhood would remember who they have already hit up for money. Tonight a 50+ year old lady asked me once again for a dollar because she needed to buy sanitary napkins. By my count, she's been on her period non-stop for about 10 straight months.

I've gotten over having snow days. Those used to be the most exciting part of teaching in FCPS in the winter months. It could be snowing 30 miles away on the other side of the county and we would get a snow day. It could be icing and we would get a two-hour delay. It's been snowing here all day long, and is supposed to continue all night long, and I will be on my way to school tomorrow - same time, same way. At least I don't have to drive in it. And when I have my two weeks of Spring Break, two weeks at Christmas, all the Jewish holidays, and get out June 10, I'll be thinking of my FCPS friends - still in school. ;)

I know why Facebook has not been put on the school filter - because all the computer teachers are on Facebook. Thank goodness, because I need SOMETHING to help me procrastinate grading papers.

Report cards arrived home today - so I expect a full email inbox tonight and tomorrow morning. I suppose when you are paying $35,000 for your child's education, you can bug the teacher a little bit. I sure would.

I have my doctor's appointment on Friday - not sure how much more weight I have lost, but if I were to guess, I would say about a 12-double roll of toilet paper's worth in the last 2.5 weeks.

Gotta love a stomach virus!

January

2009-01-31T13:22:00.003-05:00

So in this year of turning forty, the first month has had highs and lows.

Highs: Ringing in the New Year in Puerto Rico with my friend Sharon
Putting on a successful musical at my new school
Finishing my report cards before above musical, so I didn't have to stress about them
Volunteering at the ASPCA

Lows: Not having running water for four days
Contracting a stomach virus that has wiped me out the last 10 days

Unfortunately it ends with the lows and this blasted stomach virus. I'm still dealing with lingering stomach issues, but let's hope this weekend is the end of it. Today is 22 degrees outside, and after I returned this morning from getting bloodwork done for next week's doctor's appointment, I crawled back into bed to finish a book that is due at the library today. Hopefully I can finish it by 6:00 tonight. Last night I enjoyed an afterschool get-together with friends from work for a newly engaged co-worker, but today is all mine, and I'm not doing anything.

So what will February bring? Well, let's hope I can eat without being ill, a trip to Alabama to see Freda and the boys, a visit from Brenda at the end of the month, and every day is closer to Spring - things are looking up!

Blech, Blech, and Blech

2009-01-21T18:30:00.002-05:00

Monday morning I woke up to a burst pipe in our building's basement. That was the end of water as I know it. Still. Apparently it's being fixed, but us here up on the fourth and fifth floors have yet to see it.

Luckily, I've been able to get enough water out of the spigot to heat it and take a semi-bath. Call it a "Little House on the Prairie" bath.

And the toilet gods have come to my rescue, because for some unknown reason, my toilet has continued working the entire time.

This is especially good, because since yesterday, I have had a stomach virus. I was home today, and if you couldn't find me, there were only two places to look - underneath my electric blankie staring at the four walls, or in the bathroom, staring at the four walls.

In-between those two exciting activities I have -

watched the Inauguration a bazillion times being analyzed by everyone and their dog.

gotten caught up on all the CBS soap operas.

taken several naps, waking occasionally to wipe the drool off my face and visit the throne.

eaten hash browns, the only thing that doesn't bother my stomach.

guzzled Sierra Mist cranberry splash, which my friend on FB Sammie recommended, and now I can't stop drinking it.

had a long conversation with my opera-singing neighbor for the first time, and she's very nice, now making me feel bad for being annoyed by the singing. And she has a great cat.

Now excuse me, while I go to one of those two places you can find me - you can decide for yourself which one it is.

What I've Been Doing For The Last Four Months

2009-01-15T22:15:00.003-05:00

And this picture says it all - how CUTE.ARE.THEY? You can't get much better. This is my Adelaide and Nathan Detroit from our production of "Guys and Dolls". To say that they were spectacular is not even close. Our three shows were so fabulous! I am so proud!

And guess what the biggest mistake was? For tonight's performance I brought clothes to change into. I put on my 1-inch heel brown boot. I pulled the other boot out. It was a 3-inch black boot. Yep. Brought two different boots.

After I stopped hyperventilating from laughter, I chose to wear my fuzzy pink slippers that I wear in my classroom. Onto the stage. To announce the show.

They knew I was crazy. Now they know how much.

So it's all over. What in the world do I do with my time?! I know what's doing this weekend. Sleep, sleep, sleep. And hopefully the songs and dreams of the show slowly drift away.

"Luck Be A Lady......"

UPDATE ON FRIDAY: Why do I find it amusing that today in the mail I received a flyer for discount tickets to the new show on Broadway "Guys and Dolls"? :)

25 Random Things

2009-01-11T20:53:00.003-05:00

Because I am totally swamped right now, I don't have time to write an original post. So I am pasting here my 25 Random Things that a Facebook college friend asked me to write. This week is filled with report cards, as well as the four shows of "Guys and Dolls", which I am directing. After this week, I won't know what to do with myself!

25 RANDOM THINGS ABOUT ME
1. I have seen The Osmond Family in concert, where Jimmy Osmond took me onstage, sang to me, and kissed me on the cheek. I was 13.
2. Saturday is my favorite day of the week because the alarm clock does not go off at 5:30 AM.
3. My fantasy job is to be singing on Broadway.
4. I am not a huge fan of Thanksgiving.
5. If I was not a teacher, I would want to be a tour guide in Europe.
6. I want to go to Europe for my 40th birthday this summer.
7. I have major OCD, and I have to have things end on an even number. But I don't wash my hands 50 times, so I'm not as nutty as one might think. I think.
8. I haven't gotten married because I am not willing to settle and just haven't found the right person yet. That's it.
9. If I had been a boy, my name would be Gregory Michael, which sounds like a Pope.
10. I am a procrastinator - like right now, I should be writing report cards.
11. If I had three wishes, one would be to be trilingual.
12. I have sailed off the Isle of Wight in England.
13. I was born in Fresno, CA - otherwise known as the Armpit of California.
14. I made up my own language in high school with my best friend Jeff.
15. I have only gotten lost on the subway in NYC two times since I lived here.
16. Some of my favorite childhood memories took place at church camp in Yosemite.
17. I love to clean (see #7).
18. I am not always good at getting up and going to church since I moved to NYC, but my faith is the most important thing in my life. But I'm getting better!
19. I have eaten barbequed cow testicles in Australia in the Outback.
20. I have rappelled off cliffs in New Zealand. Twice.
21. I am very competitive, but pretend that I'm not.
22. I prefer french fries over sundaes. Wait a minute. No, I don't.
23. I was going to marry someone in college who is now one of my Facebook friends.
24. I worked at the Olive Garden for five years, and I wish I knew where all that tip money went.
25. I have been known to be listening to my Ipod while walking home through Central Park and to all of a sudden burst out into song, forgetting that I'm in a very public place.

Happy New Year!

2009-01-03T16:51:00.002-05:00

Yep, get up off of the floor. I am turning forty this year, and I have decided to embrace it! Now, those of you who didn't know I was turning forty, I'm sure you are saying to yourselves:

"NO WAY is she going to be forty in July!"
"She doesn't look any older than 31 or 32!"
"How is this possible?"
"Has the world gone completely mad? How is she almost forty???"

Well, it's true, and instead of weeping, I'm going to run with it. In fact, while in Puerto Rico on New Year's, when the clock struck twelve, I yelled at the top of my lungs, "I'M TURNING FORTY THIS YEAR, AND I LOVE IT!", to which all the party revellers clapped and cheered.

It's all in the attitude, baby, and I have plenty of attitude! So sit back and wait for the ride, because it's the year of being honest, sassy, and happy!

And if you are looking for pictures from Puerto Rico, I have posted them on my Facebook account, or I can send you a link to my snapfish account - just let me know! We had a fabulous time!!

FORTY, BABY, and GOING TO BE PROUD OF IT!

Home Again, Home Again - and leaving tomorrow

2008-12-27T18:16:00.002-05:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. My trip to Raleigh started out with my family meeting up with my friend and his mom for dinner. Patrick and I became friends last year when he still lived in the city. We had a great dinner, yummy dessert at his mom's house, and played some serious cards. Lots of laughs!

Christmas was also very nice. My parents really liked the new digital camera I got them, and I got some new sheets and towels, as well as other goodies.

Friday was interesting. We decided to take a family picture since we haven't had one done since I was 14. It was a little painful, but they came out pretty nice. I'm sorry, lady, but I am not 10 years old, and no, I will not lay my hands on my dad's shoulder and put my head on them. I wouldn't have done that when I WAS 10, let alone 39!! We got a good laugh at that!

So I am now unpacked and starting to repack for Puerto Rico. Since my flight is so early on Monday morning and it's out of JFK, which is much farther away than LGA, my co-worker who lives in Long Island is letting me sleep on the couch and is going to take me to the airport Monday morning.

I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year! I will post pictures and a report on our Puerto Rican holiday when I return - I'm going to take a break from technology while I'm there.

And when I come back, the name of my blog will be changing due to the fact that 2009 brings a monumental birthday my way. :)

Off to NC

2008-12-22T18:17:00.003-05:00

I'm taking off for Raleigh tomorrow morning, so here are some tidbits to leave you with:

After school was out on Friday I met my former student Elliott for coffee; he was in town visiting his sister. It's a good thing that age really doesn't freak me out, because he is TWENTY and I have known him since he was SEVEN. What a privilege it is to see my students grow up and still think me cool enough to want to hang with me. :)

My cousin had a beautiful baby girl named Natalia on Saturday. Both are doing well, and you can see her picture on my Facebook page.

Today I ran errands in -8 degree weather. I was reminded again at how efficient running errands is when taking the subway. And walking in-between rides kept me warm. Well, not warm, but at least my blood was pumping.

I saw "All My Sons" on Broadway yesterday. It was my first show with really famous people in it. John Lithgow and Dianne Wiest were amazing. In my opinion, Mrs. Tom Cruise was not. Overplayed, overacted, and a raspy voice. But it was an excellent show all-around.

I usually do not divulge my personal life (read: men) on this blog, but I have a couple of funny stories to tell that just can't be kept quiet. My newest match on a certain internet site sounded wonderful, with the exception that, in the last part, he revealed that he has cancer. Now - I'm all for honesty, but maybe right now is not the time to be looking for the love of your life.

As I was telling this story to someone, they told me about a guy they knew who went out to dinner last week with a woman he met online. After sitting down to dinner, he realized that she wasn't talking much. She is deaf, yet hadn't mentioned that in her profile. She can't talk. Now, I'm sorry, but this is something that should not be left out of a profile page. Yes, that may keep people from wanting to meet you, but meeting and THEN revealing is not the way to go, in my opinion.

It's like people who put a picture on their profile that is 10 years old and 50 pounds lighter than present-day.

So I guess, in a way, it was good that guy #1 said he had cancer - at least he was being honest.

Maybe I just want to stay single. This is all too confusing.

Give Me A Tissue, Tito

2008-12-18T21:45:00.002-05:00

You know when you have that ridiculously stupid joke that only two or three other people, along with you, find incredibly hysterical? Welcome to TITO.

It stems from an old SNL skit. The "Jackson Five" are being portrayed. Michael Jackson turns to Tito and says, "Give me a tissue, Tito."

Isn't that the funniest thing you've ever heard? I thought so, too.

Ever since then, three of my friends and I have a running joke about Tito. Tito follows us EVERYWHERE. For example:

When in Rome in the Roman Forum, I came across an arch that was entitled "Arc de Tito".

Jay Leno jokes about Michael Jackson: "Michael is so desperate for money he's asking Tito for a loan."

When I put the security deposit down on my apartment, I took a long walk down the block to check out more of the neighborhood. My street is a number street; however, it's other name is - you guessed it - Tito Puente Way.

There are so many more instances that I can't even recall.

So tonight when I went to the ASPCA to play with my kitties, I poked my head into a very feisty cat's condo. I pulled him out and played with him a while. He was adorable. When I put him back in I said to him, "Well, that was dumb. I didn't ever look at your name. What's your name?"

Do I even have to tell you what his name is?

TITO.

My Christmas in the City

2008-12-13T19:59:00.004-05:00

So we all know about New York at Christmas in NYC - Rockefeller Center, Saks Fifth Avenue windows, ice skating at Wollman Rink, etc., etc..

Well, let me tell you about the Christmas one sees while LIVING in the city:

Four Best Buy employees ignoring you.

Three Homeless Men trying to earn money singing "Here Comes Santa Claus" while walking through the subway.

Two girls dressed up like candy canes on line at the subway turnstile.

And one Santa Claus hailing a cab.

All in one day.

Happy Birthday Grandpa!

2008-12-09T21:00:00.003-05:00

It's truly difficult to express in words how much my grandpa means to me. My grandparents were the type to take my two cousins and I every Spring Break and most of the summer and go off on adventures. My cousin Stacey and I were, and still are, grandpa's girls. It would not be out of character for either of us to still sit on his lap like we were five years old.

Grandpa is 88 today, yet in the past five years he has -
built a gazebo from scratch
built my cousin's daughters a play house, complete with a slide, windows,and a firemen's pole
planted a vegetable garden and raised chickens
come to NYC with my cousin to see me for a week

Some people my age barely even remember their grandparents. Not only was I blessed with three involved grandparents, I still have one of them with me. He is my most cherished person.

When I just called him to wish him happy birthday, he apparently had ribs all over his face from his birthday dinner. And when my uncle brought him the phone, I heard him say, "Tell Dummy I'm eatin'".

That's my grandpa. Happy Birthday. Here's hoping you reach the next "double double" - as you put it - to 99.

Houston, We May Have A Problem....

2008-12-04T20:28:00.003-05:00

All who know me know that I am a huge animal lover. When my beloved Smokey cat had to be put to sleep in 2002, it literally was one of the hardest things I ever had to do. I decided not to get another cat because I travel a lot. And when I moved, I was happy to not have to worry about an animal.

Hmmm....that may change.

The one thing I LOVE about walking everywhere is that I can pet at least 20 dogs a day if I want to. But I've really missed kitties. So I decided that instead of getting one that I would start volunteering at the ASPCA. The ASPCA here in Manhattan is quite close to my neighborhood, and it's a beautiful place. Add the fact that they do not euthanize, which makes it perfect.

So tonight I went to the volunteer orientation. After I take one or two classes I'll be ready to walk the dogs and play with the kitties.

After the orientation meeting they took us on a tour. A cat that looks very similar to the one above caught my eye. We had a staredown. She seemed to be saying to me, "Yeah, you know you want me."

I'm now taking bets as to how long it will take me to succumb.

Happy Holidays! Can You Believe It's December??

2008-12-01T19:29:00.001-05:00

Spa Castle - Part II: Naked in Flushing

2008-11-29T14:35:00.005-05:00

Of course one has to get naked for a body scrub. It's interesting, because I am a very modest person, but it never has bothered me to much to see naked women in the gym locker rooms. Now, you won't see me standing in front of the mirror, drying my hair while naked. And if I had friends with me, no way, because we would be giggling too much. But it's kind of reassurring to see naked women and realize that no one's body is perfect and I shouldn't worry about what I look like as much!

So my very tiny Korean woman gave me a body scrub. She put on some "oven mitts" and proceeded to scrub the top layer of skin off my body. Seriously. I really cannot tell you how much scrubbing took place.

Then I was covered in a mud body mask and covered in something I can only describe as a tarp. Then my face was covered with some sort of a mask, and I was left for I don't know how long. I woke myself up snoring.

Then came the massage. This lady was no bigger than five feet, yet I am still feeling the effects of that massage today. At one point when she was beating down between my shoulder blades I thought there was another person in the room, because something was also, at the same time, beating down my lower back! What was going on??

She had effortlessly gotten up on the table and was on top of me on her knees. Yes, a Korean woman was kneading my upper back with her hands and pounding into my lower back with her knees. It's NOT a scenario I suggest you try and picture in your mind.

Needless to say, it was a very entertaining and relaxing experience, and when it was over, I stumbled into the jacuzzi and just floated there because my limbs felt like jelly.

I'm really not sure how to end this post except to say that I saw the cutest scenario on the subway home yesterday. A man that had tons of tattoos, earrings in both ears, eyebrow, and nose, black leather jacket, with a ginormous cross necklace on was sitting across from me on the subway. He had his 4-5 year old daughter with him. He took out her My Little Pony backpack and proceeded to brush her hair with loving care into a ponytail, and it was the sweetest thing I've seen in a while!

Spa Castle - Part I

2008-11-28T18:46:00.002-05:00

My adventure today at the Spa Castle will have to be written in two parts, because the day really did take place in two parts.

You really have to check this place out - www.nyspacastle.com.

I took the train out to Flushing, Queens (where you might realize is where the U.S. Open takes place in August/September), then picked up the Spa Castle free shuttle out to the spa. When I went in I was given a bracelet with a number on it. This bracelet also unlocks/locks your locker, and you can buy food with it and pay when you leave - pretty cool!!

You then get a Spa Castle t-shirt and shorts to wear over your swimsuit when you are just lounging or in the saunas, as well as towels. So off I went.

First I went into my own personal jacuzzi that I could control. Once I realized that I truly did need to hold on to the handlebars (picture me whooshing across the jacuzzi when I turned on the jets), I thoroughly enjoyed it. The only thing that was annoying is that my swimsuit kept blowing up like I was a balloon; extra balloon-like blowing up is not what I need.

Then I sat in the tiny waterfall (picture 3) for some time while contemplating whether to be brave and go outside to the heated pools in 40 degree weather. And I went.

Yes, I raced outside in my swimsuit and dashed into the outdoor pools (picture 1) - and it was not a regret at all. The outdoor pools have a lazy river, jacuzzis, waterfalls - pure heaven. Worth the 5 seconds of running in one's swimsuit in the winter.

Then I headed inside to the saunas. They had one that you could choose which lights to be under depending on what you needed help with - creativity, stress-free, etc (picture 2). They even had an ice sauna, an infrared sauna, a gold sauna, and many others. And they looked like little igloos!

Of course there is also the sleep area, where you can just lie down and take a nap.

At this point I was so relaxed that I thought it couldn't get better - until the body scrub.

To be continued....

Happy Non-Turkey Day!

2008-11-27T20:21:00.003-05:00

Yep, the second year I did not have turkey for Thanksgiving. I enjoyed sleeping in, relaxing, reading, seeing a movie, and eating ribs. Gotta love being in the city where you can do whatever you feel like it and not feel weird about not having a traditional day!

I did see something that made me laugh out loud. There was a homeless man in the subway that had a sign which said: "Uninsured, penniless, and overactive thyroid. Please help."

I must admit that's a new one for me. I wonder if I put up a sign that said, "Underactive thyroid", would I get any money?

Not much to say today. Tomorrow will be another story. I'm heading out to Queens to the Spa Castle for a day of rejuvenation. I've lost 10 pounds since starting my new medicine, so this is my Yay For Me reward. This place is supposed to be incredible. Spas, jacuzzis, pools, etc., all for $35 for the entire day. I've also scheduled a Korean body scrub, massage, and de-tox wrap.

Yes, there will be plenty to talk about after tomorrow.

Dreams

2008-11-22T07:19:00.002-05:00

We all have dreams that can be attained. Dreams where we map it out, put forth 100% effort, go for them with a passion...

Okay, screw that. Am I the only one who has the weirdest dreams when I sleep? I'm up at 7:15 AM on a Saturday, which is seriously NOT normal for me, because basically, I wanted to stop dreaming. Wouldn't it be nice to dream of something like David Beckham, a hot day on the beach in Puerto Rico, etc..

No, last night I had several dreams. The first one was of me scooping cat litter. For an hour.

The second one was me serving ice cream to my students. With a hot dog stuffed into it and chocolate on the hot dog. And the high-maintenance mother sitting there lecturing her kid on how he has to be the best.

Now, I usually can figure out why I've had these dreams, even the cat litter one. You see, I'm going to start volunteering at the ASPCA, and I have my volunteer orientation coming up after Thanksgiving.

I'm actually having more trouble figuring out the ice cream one. My students would say that I need to give them an ice cream party, but I think it comes from a conversation I had with my teammates about our field trip to Philly. Except the hot dog part. Don't get that.

And the part about the high-maintenance mom comes from the fact that she and I had an ongoing email conversation this week about her son's giftedness and the fact that I will "not leave this child behind" because he needs higher level thinking. (By the way, she loves me and the fact that I have my GT Endorsement and actually apply it; she just felt the need to pour out all her frustrations to me).

Phew - glad I figured those dreams out.

My New Project

2008-11-19T20:03:00.002-05:00

Well, it's been a while since I have seriously cleaned something. I found a job! While getting ready for our school musical I have found that the "cage", the place where all the props and costumes are kept, is a disaster. I LOVE IT! I can't wait! Today my co-worker and I started to work on it and decided it was an all-day job, so we're going to take a Saturday and rip it to shreds. Now, you know I would prefer to do it BY MYSELF, but I promise I will try and be nice. He has promised to defer to my expertise; we shall see.

I'll even post before and after pictures!

I'm so, so sick.

I'll be here in NYC over Thanksgiving. I may go to the Macy's Parade unless it stays as freezing as it is right now. Then I'll be watching it from my TV while in my blankies and long underwear.

I am going to go to the Spa Palace on the Friday after Thanksgiving. This is apparently a whole-day excursion, and I plan to not only partake of all the jacuzzis and pools, but also the massage. Who knew there was a Spa Palace in Queens?!

But first, I will be going to see the movie "Twilight" this Saturday morning at 10 AM. Yep - 10 AM. I'm going with two co-workers who sucked me into that which is all Twilight. I read the first book in one day and am starting the second one this weekend. I usually do not get into vampire books, but it's the romance, people!

The Familiar

2008-11-15T16:25:00.003-05:00

I realize that I have only written three blogs this month - sorry about that! I find myself on Facebook so much keeping in touch with people, so my blog has been lacking. If you're on FB and I'm not your "friend" yet, get on it! I love FB - I am friends with high school buddies, college friends, an ex-boyfriend, former students in college, and even my former choir directors!

I've been thinking a lot this week about the familiar. One of the reasons I decided to move was that I felt like I was in a rut. I felt like if I didn't stir the pot a LOT that I would end up being unhappy with the lack of change in my life.

Now that I'm in my second year here, I find those ruts happening again. The difference is that, in the city, the mundane can suddenly change to insane. What I mean is - yes, I have my new routines and ruts, but things that happen on a daily basis keep it fresh. I know I am a creature of habit due to my OCD tendencies, so living here always keeps me hopping!

I do love consistency. I love the fact that every morning my co-worker brings me half of his banana because he knows I am trying to learn to like bananas, so he does his part by giving me half - I appreciate it. And yes, I do eat it!

I love that when the bells rings my two co-workers and I stand in the common area to chat about our morning while the kids are going to their lockers.

I love the fact that I now feel quite comfortable going into either of their classrooms at any time to ask a question or just chat, which is something I really missed when I first came, especially since my two former co-workers and I barged into each others' rooms at least 50 times a day.

I love that I have the same bus driver every morning, and that he now knows me and will wait if he sees me sprinting out of the subway station to get to him before he leaves.

And I love that, on a normal day while running an errand, I can see a woman standing in the middle of the road marching in place and saluting. To no one.