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THIS BLOG HAS BEEN RELOCATED

The Promised Land

I have not blogged forever. So much going on in my life. I decided that rather than the overall update, I would share with you a lovely passage from an autobiography that I am reading, you can click the title below to access the book online.

"The Promised Land" by Mary Antin:

When I came to lie on my mother's breast, she sang me lullabies on lofty themes. I heard the names of Rebecca, Rachel and Leah as early as the names of father, mother, and nurse. My baby soul was enthralled by sad and noble cadences, as my mother sang of my ancient home in Palestine, or mourned over the desolation of Zion. With the first rattle that was placed in my hand a prayer was pronounced over me, a petition that a pious man might take me to wife, and a messiah be among my sons.

I was fed on dreams, instructed by means of prophecies, trained to hear and see mystical things that callous senses could not perceive. I was taught to call myself a princess, in memory of my forefathers who had ruled a nation. Though I went in the disguise of an outcast, I felt a halo resting on my brow. Sat upon by brutal enemies, unjustly hated, annihilated a hundred times, I yet arose and held my head high, sure that I should find my kingdom in the end, although I had lost my way in exile; for He who had brought my ancestors safe through a thousand perils was guiding my feet as well. God needed me and I needed Him, for we two together had a work to do, according to an ancient covenant between Him and my forefathers.

This is the dream to which I was heir, in common with every sad-eyed child of the Pale. This is the living seed which I found among my heirlooms, when I learned how to strip from them the prickly husk in which they were passed down to me. And what is the fruit of such seed as that, and whither lead such dreams? If it is mine to give the answer, let my words be true and brave.

The Promised Land

Forgotten NY

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  Whilst perusing the web I came across this fun website that
  incorporates out of the ordinary NY history and some great
  photos. I hope some of you enjoy it as much as I have.

Forgotten NY

This Teacher's Got Class

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A friend was kind enough to create this wonderful collage of my students. This past semester was my first as a student teacher. I have to say that, in reflection, it went very well. I feel blessed to have had each of these students with me on this journey and know that lessons were learned from my daily interactions with each of them, happy and frustrating.

This Teacher's Got Class

HAPPINESS IS A JOURNEY, NOT A DESTINATION (Souza)

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For a long time it seemed to me that life was about to begin--real life.
But there was always some obstacle in the way,
something to be gotten through first,
some unfinished busness, time still to be served, a debt to be paid.
At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life.
This perspective has helped me to see there is no way to happiness.
Happiness is the way.
So treasure every moment you have and remember that times waits for no one.
(Souza)

HAPPINESS IS A JOURNEY, NOT A DESTINATION (Souza)

Summer Blogging and New Member of the Family

It's been a long while since I've blogged.
Summer is near and I am making it a goal to do a few things: exercise, blog, take more pictures, travel, and basically enjoy myself. School is over for the semester, although, I am still teaching until the 11th.

Summer Plans
June 12th I am headed to Vegas for a few days with a couple girlfriends. That should be a whole lot of fun and if I am lucky, there will be interesting blogs about it. WAIT...not lucky like THAT...even though they say 'what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas" :) Planning another NY trip for the end of July.

The latest news
I have a new cat named "Chester". I rescued Chester from the pound yesterday. To make a long story short, this is how Chester came to be living with me and "Reebok" (who is far from please that Chester exisits in our little abode).


My apartment manager went away for 5 days, and never came back. About a month later his body was found and he committed suicide. He left behind two cats, one of them being Chester. So, I went to the pound and signed up to take him. I had to wait until the next of kin released him. So, after being practically abondoned (a neighbor was feeding him), locked in the pound for a week, he is now home with me and slowly but surely getting acclamated.

Summer Blogging and New Member of the Family

Grass Roots Democracy at it's Best

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There is nothing like grass roots Democracy at its finest. "You can have your cake and beat Bush too". I found this on the blog of OneTrickCyberPony. I think this is a great idea, who knows, maybe I'll go treat myself tomorrow, in the name of activism of course.

Grass Roots Democracy at it's Best

Othello and I gave out my first referral today.

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So, I haven't blogged lately but it's good to know that teaching is going wonderfully. Today my class finished Act 1 of Othello and I'd say that at least 80% of them GET IT!! I had them read Scene 3 on their own and had them tell in their own words "round robin" style what happens. I was all smiles. They read, comprehended and were able to retell the story. It's days like this that make me PROUD to be teaching and remind me that it's something that I am not only good at but have a passion for.

And then there's this...

I filled out my first student referral today. I have one student who is so darn irritating and disruptive. Ironically, he used to be one of my best and favorite students. He is smart, talented, creative, and he is the most annoying and attention needy guy. He is always writing lyrics...ALWAYS...when I ask him to put them away, he talks back, rolls his eyes, makes comments. He'll sit there are sing to himself while I am teaching...ARRRHHGGGHH. I addressed the issue at the end of the last term. His citizenship grades reflected his lousy citizenship. Today was out of control so I opted to write up a referral for his counselor. Sigh, another benchmark met in the life of a new teacher.

Othello and I gave out my first referral today.

Another Teaching Benchmark met...Othello and 1st Student Referral

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Another Teaching Benchmark met...Othello and 1st Student Referral

Fair is not always Equal when it comes to teaching...

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Dear Blog,

I know it's been a long while since I have written, but life keeps going and going and when it's time to stop...my fingers are too tired or is it my brain?? I have dealt well with the loss of my "Kaya", see previous blogs. I still am saddened when reminiscing, but as time moves on, the sadness subsides.

As far as teaching goes...it's going pretty good. First, my supervisor has not come to observe me for a few weeks because, from what she says, I am doing a great job and she has no concerns. She has observed me at random times and I am succeeding and improving. There are student teachers in their 2nd semester of student teaching (I am in my first), who still are far behind where they should be when it comes to classroom management. I, on the other hand, althouhg frustrated at times, have improved my management skills significantly. At least in my own opinion. :)

Tomorrow I give the midterm final exam. I am concerned for a few of my students. I have a few who no matter what grade they get on the final, their grade will not go above a D. That sucks...but I have done everything and then some as far as communicating with my students. I post their grades weekly, am always available after school and at lunch, let many of my lower performing students make up work that I swore they would not be allowed to make up .

So....Spring Break for the high school begins this weekend. I still have my own classes and work, but I am happy to have a week off from teaching. Plus, I have to figure out what and how the hell I am going to teach Othello when the break ends. Fun Fun Fun...

Fair is not always Equal when it comes to teaching...

.....And on a happier note....I still have my wonderful 16 year old cat....Reebok

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.....And on a happier note....I still have my wonderful 16 year old cat....Reebok

In Memory of my Kitty "Kaya" aka "Poodie"

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Today did not go as planned. I had to bring one of my 2 cats to the vet for breathing problems. To make a long story short, I had to put her to sleep. Not a good day indeed. Kaya brought me a ton of joy, love, laughter and joyous frustration. I hope these few pics make you smile too.

In Memory of my Kitty "Kaya" aka "Poodie"

"....their surviving would have no meaning."

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:If you look at the world in terms of storytelling, you have, first of all, the man who agitates, the man who drums up thepeople, I call him the drummer. Then you have the warrior, who goes forward and fights. Buy you also have the storyteller who recounts the event-and this is one who survives, who outlives all others. It is the storyteller, in fact, who makes us what we are, who creates history. The storyteller creates the memory that the survivors must have-
otherwise their surviving would have no meaning" CHINUA ACHEBE - from an interview with Bill Moyers

In the class I am teaching we are doing an author study on Chinua Achebe, a Nigerian author. There is an interview in the text and the above quote is part of it. I found this quote very powerful and enjoyed breaking it down with the kids and picking at their brains. I love it when I can see the mechanisms in their brains working...if only every day teaching could be like the innerworkings of a clock. Sigh...a teacher can dream can't she?

"....their surviving would have no meaning."

Blogging has lapsed....I know I know....

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Trying to keep up with all that is going on. I wish I had some deep, insightful, and thought provoking blog...but...well, my online blogging time the last few days has gone to my photo blog :)

Blogging has lapsed....I know I know....

New Hobby...PHOTO BLOGGING...Click pictures to the right to view the entire series.

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New Hobby...PHOTO BLOGGING...Click pictures to the right to view the entire series.

If you get a page error, minimize then maximize so that the blogs from the last 15 days can scroll properly. Thank you for visiting.

Teaching is FUN! Yes, the rough first couple of weeks of student teaching have passed. I created a pretty great :) unit on Folk Tales, Myths, Moral Tales...sorta an intro conglomeration of it all. Started the unit out with the Book of Ruth but now we are spending a week reading children's books, evaluating them, analyzing, finding the themes, symbols. Included is small group work, a large class story to model how short stories work, and then they will do some writing of their own. I am excited. This is the biggest project so far that I have developed and implemented. So....that's that, just wanted to share my "happies".

Oh...and the story below. This is one of the tales I used to model how to spot common elements in tales (ie: patterns, journey, obstacle, a moral lesson). I even got an applause from one student when I finished this part of the lesson....ahhhh, it's the little things....sigh.


A stranger comes to a village carrying only a fishing pole. Each time he dips his line into water, he pulls out a fish. He gives away every fish, saying, "One person, one fish." The king of the land learns of this man and thinks that the stranger will surely catch him a basketful of fish. After all, he is the king. Doesn't a king deserve more than one fish a day? But the stranger has a different idea. Walter Lyon Krudop's clever story is enhanced by exquisite paintings that bring to life an ancient Thailand and a timeless theme: the consequences of pride.