Quick Hits

I've had many blogs to write, but no time. So I'm resorting to the "quick hits" of everything from the last few weeks.

• Rode the subway all around Manhattan, Brooklyn and the Bronx commuting for job #1 and to job #2.
• Had dinner with my cousin at the coolest apartment I've ever seen- 4 bedrooms, 2 bath, dining room with a table that seats 8, kitchen with a table that can also seat 8, living room with a working fireplace, windows that overlook Gramercy Park and a rooftop deck. 4 of the nicest (and luckiest) guys live in this huge, eastside apartment and their rent is less than mine up in Harlem. I nearly cried.
• Interviewed for my dream job at Central Park. I didn't get it. So the job search continues. Again, I nearly cried.
• Had visitors in town from Long Island and Dallas. It was a very fun and crazy weekend. Below are some of the activities we did.
• Aimee Mann Christmas Concert
• Shopping in SoHo
• Christmas Drinking Tour of the City- after South Street Seaport and Rockefellar Center we lost momentum
• South Street Seaport Christmas tree carol singers performance
• Saw Paul Rudd walking around the West Village
• Danced on the bar at Hogs and Heifers- the original bar that inspired "Coyote Ugly" bars everywhere
• Took a limo home from H&H since no cabs were around
• Went on a "real" date with a very cute boy
• Stayed up all night with my roommate and friends before my 7am flight back home
• Passed out on the flight- literally. I rode most of the way home in the flight attendants' area telling my life story to Joe the flight attendant who was watching over me.
• Back to Dallas for Christmas with my family

Each of these bullets offer many stories to tell, but I just haven't had time for writing. I'm hoping the New Year will provide one full-time job so my life is a little less crazy. Of course, living in New York means my life will always be just a little bit crazy...

To all my teacher friends at W. Elementary

One of my current jobs requires me to visit schools throughout New York City. Given my past school experience, my boss sends me to the classrooms to tell the students what we will be doing. I do a cute little announcement regarding the "two rules" to remember to help us with our project. Then I join all the other data collectors in the cafeteria to take pictures of school lunches and make observations. I've been to many schools and each time I catch myself thinking, "Wow, I really appreciate the structure and organization of W. Elementary." At these schools, the teachers do not stay in the cafeteria during their students' lunch. Instead these kids are left in the supervision of a handful of cafeteria monitors. Maybe you are thinking to yourself, "Wow, an entire lunch period to myself." I wouldn't get too excited. I have a very strong feeling when the students return to the classroom they are completely unruly and unfocused.
So far I've observed some noisy cafeterias. I've seen some lacking the necessary structure to efficiently move students through the line. I've seen kids playing around. But today was the worst school I have ever seen. No wonder the principal acted so nervous about us being there. She knew what we were going to witness.
The first lunch period consisted of kindergarten, first and second grade. At first, the monitors seemed to be fun and have a good rapport with the students. But it was soon apparent, they actually lacked any real control over the students. Apart from lining the kids up to go through the lunch line, there was no structure. In fact, I can most adequately describe what I saw as chaos. Kids were yelling (3 grade levels of them). Many were running around, chasing each other, pushing each other, falling on the ground. But I knew it was out of control when I witnessed two first grade boys get into a fist-fight. As my teacher instincts kicked into gear, I had to fight the urge to go over and start disciplining. I was there to observe. Nothing more. As the monitors made empty threats that were ignored, I had to turn my back and suppress all the advice I was dying to suggest. I really wanted to go over to the microphone that was being used to talk over all the noise and take control of the chaos. I'm not saying I'm an expert classroom mangager. All I know is that pushing and pulling and yelling at the few students they were able to "catch" behaving badly was not working.
The last lunch period was fifth and sixth grade students. It seemed to be a little quieter. As it turns out, that was only because the students were given the option to not eat lunch and play outside instead. Are you kidding me? As soon as I had taken the last picture and made my final note, I got out of there. Sadly, I'm scheduled to go back next week. Maybe I should take earplugs. And a Xanax...
All I know is what I saw today was far worse than anything I ever experienced on my worst days at W. Elementary.

1F-ing Hot Christmas Party

Last night my roommate and I had a Christmas party to kick off the holiday season. We first mentioned the idea of having a party last year when we still lived in the dorm. When we moved into apartment 1F, we knew it would be possible. By New York standards, our place is big. We had plenty of room for the 20+ people we wanted to invite. So we after making our list of invitees, we created a very cute evite. We went with the Naughty or Nice theme, thus setting the tone for our party. Evites were in the inboxes before Thanksgiving.
Next we planned our menu. I chaneled my inner-Charlotte hostessing skills and created a menu that would make Martha Stewart proud. There was a cheese log with crackers, chips and queso, tortilla rolls with salsa, popcorn, M&Ms, sugar cookies and rice krispies. Various friends were consulted for their popular party recipies. Our drink menu included white russians, cranberry vodkas, peppermint schnapps hot chocolate, and a rum punch that was very popular.
Even with all our planning, shopping, and prepping before Friday, my roommate and I were still rushing around to finish everything before party time. Luckily most people don't show up at the actual party time. That gave us a little extra time. We set the food in the living room (because it is known fact that people will gather where there is food). We created a "bar" in the kitchen (because it is also a fact that people will gather where there is alcohol). We converted my roommate's room to be the overflow room by setting up her futon as a couch. Christmas decorations were placed throughout the apartment- a Christmas tree in the living room and my roommate's room, Santas, a wreath, and various other knicknacks. Lights were strung on the "bar". Basically, apartment 1F was ready to start rocking around the Christmas tree.
Of course, we still had to get ready for the party. In between batches of cookies, I did my hair and make-up and dressed up in my subtle holiday party outfit. Even though we were finally dressed and ready to greet guests, my roommate and I each need our final party touches. So my roommate donned a Santa hat, and I wore reindeer antler (that had blinking lights). Let's just say, I had no problem getting the attention of a very cute party guest...
Today as I wandered around the trash and party remnants, I declared the party a HUGE success. We had just the right amount of food. Drinks were plenty (besides the very popular punch). At one point there were probably 30 people mingling, dancing, drinking and being merry. The party didn't wind down until 2:30 when a small group left for the bar.
What can I say? My roommate and I know how to put together a party. And in the end, we proved being naughty really is nice.