Good night New York.
I went and saw Hairspray last night. For an hour and a half I was beside myself during the movie, laughing, giggling, singing along at little snatches. The Broadway music is definitely infectious, and the characters sparkled with that overly brushed, white-toothed cleanliness.
Very basic plot summary for those who don't know: Tracy Turnblad is a plump teengaer who loves to dance and wants to appear on the Corny Collins Show (A kind of American Bandstand). But, of course, she's fat, so she can't. After getting kicked off the show she runs into some of the dancers from theshow's Negro Day -- the one day a month that black dancers are featured on the show. She takes up the cause of integration and fights for integrated tv.
Overall the movie is bubbly cute, a little low on content, but worth it for the flying zingers, the bright colors, the dancing, and, as already said, the infectious, guilty pleasure charm of the young stars. The pain and shot to the heart (You give love a bad name!) comes at hte end, when the goal is achieved and there is integration.
Everybody cheers for it. The black people cheer. THe white people cheer. I'm sure that the conspicuously missing Hispanics, Asians, and Indians are also cheering. And as I was watching this triumphant homage to integration I suddenly wanted to stand up and walk out. Because there isn't any triumph yet.
I wanted to yell--have you actually BEEN to Baltimore? Or, even more, have you been to New York? I went into Manhattan yesterday and was literally shocked by how many white people there were. The subway down is a shifting prism of color, beginning with blacks, followed by the ligter tones of the HIspanics, and by the time you've reached Wall Street only the palest of white skin remains.
Ours is not an integrated country. We live in a system of classes that every day is widening more and more. And, as every year passes, as every group of suburban children graduates with the idea that racism is a thing of the past and that we are all equal, it becomes even more pronounced. The middle class is disappearing, the one arena in which races could mingle comfortably. And it's disappearing.
Is it race? Is it merely socio-economic circumstances? Why do the two so often go hand in hand? It's difficult to watch a show like Hairspray with the cheering for integration and then to go to a school that is 60% black, 40% HIspanic. Then to return home to a better funded school (almost $2000 more dollars per child) that is 95% white. You can't justify that to me. It's impossible.
So I still recommend the movie, I still love the movie, I still fully plan on buying the movie when it comes out on DVD. I just may not ever be able to watch the entire thing. Because it's a lie, an the fact that it's bright, bubbly, well-packaged and shiny makes it worse. The fact that it's taken for granted makes it worse.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Shameless Spoilers
That's right, you have been warned. I finished reading the final harry Potter book about an hour ago, and as none of my friends/housemates up here are finished yet, I am still busting to talk about it thus. . .online blog. So if you have not finished (or, heaven forbid, started!) yet, and don't want anything spoiled, I encourage you to visit this page at a later date.
There. That's out of the way. Overall, I am rather conflicted about this book. It is a marked departure from the tone of the earlier books; much more serious, with a good bit of the wit and good humor missing. It's not necessarily darker. . .just more prosaic and run of the mill (though any time the twins appear, it takes a much-needed jolt of good feeling).
With the darker theme (basically impending war/death) it would be expected that Rowling would up the stakes. After all, there has been a progressive darkening from the first book, when the worst thing to happen was Ron being knocked out, to the second with involved students being Petrified and Ginny being kidnapped, to the third which dealt with court-ordered deaths and Ron's more serious injuries, onto the third with the first true death (granted, Cedric Diggory, a character just barely introduced before the book and not given a great deal of face time anyway) to Sirius Black, to Dumbledore himself. In this book, who dies? A professor nobody knew existed, Tonks' father, who nobody knew existed, Tonks, who has had maybe twenty lines throughout the books, Lupin who only recently reappeared, Mad-Eye, who was forgotten as soon as he died, and Fred. Okay, yes, Fred's death was sad, but it was overshadowed by Harry's attack and the reunion with Percy.
Yes, loose ends were tied up, but almost too many. Victor Krum coming to the wedding? Snape's nauseating crush on Lily Evans? Dudley Dursley suddenly LIKING Harry? Dumbledore's suddenly revealed sleezy past? The simple truth is that more detail was added than needed, in time that could have been spent enjoying the characters we all know and love.
Perhaps that is what is most irking about the book--the fact that it is almost exclusively Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Granted, they are the main characters and the favorites, but what about all of those other characters who have featured so predominantly in the other books? The teacher's at Hogwarts, who don't appear until the last hundred pages, Neville, Luna, Draco. . .or what about Ginny? Poor Ginny, who's name is thrown in almost haphazardly every 50 pages or so to remind the reader that, yes, Harry still loves her, though by the end of the book it's been eight months between the last time he saw her. In the first six books the trio wer eharangued by others who constantly got in the way and tried to help. Dumbledore, of course, wa sthe primary interference, but others got in the way and helped as well. The first book there was Hagrid, Snape, McGonagall, Dumbledore, Quirrel. The second had DD, Hagrid, and Gilderoy all mucking things up (and let's not forget Moaning Myrtle, as Rowling clearly did). In the third the Marauders made their glorious entrance and suddenly Sirius and Lupin joined those irksome adults who want to help. The fourth book everyone was in on the action, and the Order appeared in the fifth and through the sixth. Yet suddenly, in this final installment, everyone is content to let Harry, Hermione, and Ron wander off. I don't believe it. Not foran instant.
Or the fact that Ron, who has displayed one great skill and one skill only throughout the books--tactical ability, as shown in Wizard's Chess--suddenly can throw his voice, cast magic easily, apparate in teh most stressful of situations, hold himself against incredibly strong wizards and, best of all, can mimic Parseltongue. What's with that? Or Hermione wandering around crying every four minutes.
Romance doesn't really belong in these books. Hermione an Ron's bickering worked well. Harry's infatuations worked well. A prolonged love for a girl he hasn't even seen in eight monhs. . .yeah, it doesn't really work. Ron's compliments and one-handed hugs at the beginning o the book. . .a bit heavy-handed. And let's not even get into that passage in the middle of the book when it turned all Star Wars! (Rememer Han Solo asked LEia if she'd rather be with Luke, he's the hero. . .yeah, sound familiar?)
There were, of course, joyous and exciting moments of character development. Narcissa and LUcius' decay as Death Eaters and displayed affection for their son was believable and enjoyable. Percy's return to the Weasley clan, though expected, was pleasant, if rushed. And, of course, Molly Weasley was FANTASTIC at the end. Haven't we all been waiting forsome crazy Molly?
And, as always, it was possible for the reader to stay one step ahead of the game, which always makes or good reading, sitting there going "no, Harry, don't you get it, don't you GET IT?" Yes. I enjoyed that. And being able to yell "I was right! I was right!"
But frankly, a the end, the sacrifice didn't seem enough. The "shocking" deaths of Lupin, Tonks, and Fred? Not so much. I've been predicting a Weasley twin death since the fourth book! And, isn't it curious that not a single character from Harry's year died? All those memebers of the DA, and they all made it through? Snape as the only teacher to die? I mean, seriously, COME ON.
Some characters, who could easily have been left out, were pulled in at the last moment. Krum and Dobby most noticeably. Some didn't get the attention they deserved. IN a shout-out to the movies, Oliver Wood reappeared. And yes, Harry was the final Horcrux, and who didn't see that coming?
But I think I could have handled all of that (though disappointed by the lack of a primary character death--seriously, it's a war! And they ALL lived???? Harry, Ron, Hermione, Luna, Neville, and Ginny ALL lived?????? I'll even throw Hagrid and Malfoy in for good order. . ALL of them???) if it weren't for the epilogue. I hate the epilogue. I wish the epilogue didn't exist. And now I'm just waiting for how long it takes before someone writes "Hogwarts, the Next Generation" starring Jame, Albus, and Rose, with Scorpius as the whiny bitch at school.
Groan.
Overall, it was obviously a good read. I mean, I finished it in 12 hours. I kept going, even when it got annoying. It was just overdone, and a bit of a sell-out. And yes, I really, really wanted ROn to die. But, if you look at my predictions, you'll notice that's the only one that's really off. The rest? Yeah, I did all right.
OKay, that's it for now, hope you all enjoyed the book, I did, despite my many complaints as written here. ('ere, 'ere!)
-J
There. That's out of the way. Overall, I am rather conflicted about this book. It is a marked departure from the tone of the earlier books; much more serious, with a good bit of the wit and good humor missing. It's not necessarily darker. . .just more prosaic and run of the mill (though any time the twins appear, it takes a much-needed jolt of good feeling).
With the darker theme (basically impending war/death) it would be expected that Rowling would up the stakes. After all, there has been a progressive darkening from the first book, when the worst thing to happen was Ron being knocked out, to the second with involved students being Petrified and Ginny being kidnapped, to the third which dealt with court-ordered deaths and Ron's more serious injuries, onto the third with the first true death (granted, Cedric Diggory, a character just barely introduced before the book and not given a great deal of face time anyway) to Sirius Black, to Dumbledore himself. In this book, who dies? A professor nobody knew existed, Tonks' father, who nobody knew existed, Tonks, who has had maybe twenty lines throughout the books, Lupin who only recently reappeared, Mad-Eye, who was forgotten as soon as he died, and Fred. Okay, yes, Fred's death was sad, but it was overshadowed by Harry's attack and the reunion with Percy.
Yes, loose ends were tied up, but almost too many. Victor Krum coming to the wedding? Snape's nauseating crush on Lily Evans? Dudley Dursley suddenly LIKING Harry? Dumbledore's suddenly revealed sleezy past? The simple truth is that more detail was added than needed, in time that could have been spent enjoying the characters we all know and love.
Perhaps that is what is most irking about the book--the fact that it is almost exclusively Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Granted, they are the main characters and the favorites, but what about all of those other characters who have featured so predominantly in the other books? The teacher's at Hogwarts, who don't appear until the last hundred pages, Neville, Luna, Draco. . .or what about Ginny? Poor Ginny, who's name is thrown in almost haphazardly every 50 pages or so to remind the reader that, yes, Harry still loves her, though by the end of the book it's been eight months between the last time he saw her. In the first six books the trio wer eharangued by others who constantly got in the way and tried to help. Dumbledore, of course, wa sthe primary interference, but others got in the way and helped as well. The first book there was Hagrid, Snape, McGonagall, Dumbledore, Quirrel. The second had DD, Hagrid, and Gilderoy all mucking things up (and let's not forget Moaning Myrtle, as Rowling clearly did). In the third the Marauders made their glorious entrance and suddenly Sirius and Lupin joined those irksome adults who want to help. The fourth book everyone was in on the action, and the Order appeared in the fifth and through the sixth. Yet suddenly, in this final installment, everyone is content to let Harry, Hermione, and Ron wander off. I don't believe it. Not foran instant.
Or the fact that Ron, who has displayed one great skill and one skill only throughout the books--tactical ability, as shown in Wizard's Chess--suddenly can throw his voice, cast magic easily, apparate in teh most stressful of situations, hold himself against incredibly strong wizards and, best of all, can mimic Parseltongue. What's with that? Or Hermione wandering around crying every four minutes.
Romance doesn't really belong in these books. Hermione an Ron's bickering worked well. Harry's infatuations worked well. A prolonged love for a girl he hasn't even seen in eight monhs. . .yeah, it doesn't really work. Ron's compliments and one-handed hugs at the beginning o the book. . .a bit heavy-handed. And let's not even get into that passage in the middle of the book when it turned all Star Wars! (Rememer Han Solo asked LEia if she'd rather be with Luke, he's the hero. . .yeah, sound familiar?)
There were, of course, joyous and exciting moments of character development. Narcissa and LUcius' decay as Death Eaters and displayed affection for their son was believable and enjoyable. Percy's return to the Weasley clan, though expected, was pleasant, if rushed. And, of course, Molly Weasley was FANTASTIC at the end. Haven't we all been waiting forsome crazy Molly?
And, as always, it was possible for the reader to stay one step ahead of the game, which always makes or good reading, sitting there going "no, Harry, don't you get it, don't you GET IT?" Yes. I enjoyed that. And being able to yell "I was right! I was right!"
But frankly, a the end, the sacrifice didn't seem enough. The "shocking" deaths of Lupin, Tonks, and Fred? Not so much. I've been predicting a Weasley twin death since the fourth book! And, isn't it curious that not a single character from Harry's year died? All those memebers of the DA, and they all made it through? Snape as the only teacher to die? I mean, seriously, COME ON.
Some characters, who could easily have been left out, were pulled in at the last moment. Krum and Dobby most noticeably. Some didn't get the attention they deserved. IN a shout-out to the movies, Oliver Wood reappeared. And yes, Harry was the final Horcrux, and who didn't see that coming?
But I think I could have handled all of that (though disappointed by the lack of a primary character death--seriously, it's a war! And they ALL lived???? Harry, Ron, Hermione, Luna, Neville, and Ginny ALL lived?????? I'll even throw Hagrid and Malfoy in for good order. . ALL of them???) if it weren't for the epilogue. I hate the epilogue. I wish the epilogue didn't exist. And now I'm just waiting for how long it takes before someone writes "Hogwarts, the Next Generation" starring Jame, Albus, and Rose, with Scorpius as the whiny bitch at school.
Groan.
Overall, it was obviously a good read. I mean, I finished it in 12 hours. I kept going, even when it got annoying. It was just overdone, and a bit of a sell-out. And yes, I really, really wanted ROn to die. But, if you look at my predictions, you'll notice that's the only one that's really off. The rest? Yeah, I did all right.
OKay, that's it for now, hope you all enjoyed the book, I did, despite my many complaints as written here. ('ere, 'ere!)
-J
Friday, July 20, 2007
I'm in Love
with the New York Times.
This is the most sinister, evil, fantastic newspaper in the world. So, seven years ago, when every New York Regents' Test was stolen and there was a city-wide cheating scandal, the Times got a copy of the test answers before it was released and printed it as front page news. Just to prove that they could.
Wednesday they posted an online review of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Just to prove that they could.
Mmmmm. . .must work for demonic, hellish newspaper. . .yes. . .
Well, that's in direct contrast to my current job, isn't it?
This is the most sinister, evil, fantastic newspaper in the world. So, seven years ago, when every New York Regents' Test was stolen and there was a city-wide cheating scandal, the Times got a copy of the test answers before it was released and printed it as front page news. Just to prove that they could.
Wednesday they posted an online review of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Just to prove that they could.
Mmmmm. . .must work for demonic, hellish newspaper. . .yes. . .
Well, that's in direct contrast to my current job, isn't it?
Monday, July 16, 2007
Harry Potter, among other things
Went and saw the 5th movie last night, which was actually phenomenal. I was suitably impressed. It was extremely dark, and I think that it cut more out of the book than any other movies. What it did well--it finally got the characters right. I think that Ron only have about three lines for the entire picture, but they were RIGHT. He was clueless, daft, and clumsy. . .but also incredibly brave and loyal. Ron of the movies finally matched Ron of my imagination! Yea! In addition, the romance wasn't overdone for once. . .just a few hints here and there. And Cedric was in it a bit. . yea for eye candy. The movies must be getting harder and harder to make, though. . .more characters, more action, less time. . .props to all of the writers.
Um. . .there was something else to add, but I don't remember. Anyway, I recommend the movie. Also, it has me really excited for the new book. So, on a note unrelated to my other posts, my predictions for the final book!
First off, neither Snape nor Malfoy will remain "evil." Snape will ultimately save Harry, and Malfoy will snivel around and be incapable of killing people that he's supposed to kill.
Ron and Hermione will get together in an incredibly awkward way.
Ginny will lead Hogwarts students in a rebellion while Harry, Hermione, and Ron take on Voldemort.
Ginny will once again demonstrate that she is one of the strongest wizards ever.
The Marauders will meet again, as Lupin finds himself in some manner of incredibly dangerous situation.
Peter Pettigrew will ultimately die, but helping Harry instead of Voldemort.
Dumbledore will be in it plenty, through Pensieve and portraits.
Bill and FLeur's wedding will NOT go off as planned.
Neville will face down VOldemort, and while he won't be killed, his friends will assume that he has been.
Final face-offs will be: Voldemort v. Harry, Bellatrix v. Hermione, and Lucius v. Ron.
Ron will die. Yes, I am upset at this, but I still believe it quite firmly.
Hagrid is also at danger of death, though his is not guaranteed.
The Ministry will appoint a new Headmaster instead of putting McGonagall in charge.
Voldemort will cast Avada Kedavra, but it won't kill Harry--again. When the battle is over, Harry will no longer have a scar.
Petunia will play a large role. I'm not sure what yet. . .sorry, I kind of fail on that front.
There will be an epilogue, but it won't be from the point of view of the main characters.
H,R, and H will return to Hogwarts for school.
We will see some old friends from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang again. Lavender will finally grow a pair and do something decently heroic.
The end of the final battle will mirror the first book--Hermione providing the brains to get Harry through, but unable to follow, and Ron "sacrificing the queen." His chess skills will come in again.
Also, has anyone ever noticed how much the four main students resemble the original founders? Malfoy Slytherin, Hermione Ravenclaw, Ron Hufflepuff and Harry Gryffindor? I just find that interesting. It has nothing to do with anything else.
All right, signing out, and promise not to mock me too much if I'm totally off when the book comes out on --squee--Saturday!!!!
Um. . .there was something else to add, but I don't remember. Anyway, I recommend the movie. Also, it has me really excited for the new book. So, on a note unrelated to my other posts, my predictions for the final book!
First off, neither Snape nor Malfoy will remain "evil." Snape will ultimately save Harry, and Malfoy will snivel around and be incapable of killing people that he's supposed to kill.
Ron and Hermione will get together in an incredibly awkward way.
Ginny will lead Hogwarts students in a rebellion while Harry, Hermione, and Ron take on Voldemort.
Ginny will once again demonstrate that she is one of the strongest wizards ever.
The Marauders will meet again, as Lupin finds himself in some manner of incredibly dangerous situation.
Peter Pettigrew will ultimately die, but helping Harry instead of Voldemort.
Dumbledore will be in it plenty, through Pensieve and portraits.
Bill and FLeur's wedding will NOT go off as planned.
Neville will face down VOldemort, and while he won't be killed, his friends will assume that he has been.
Final face-offs will be: Voldemort v. Harry, Bellatrix v. Hermione, and Lucius v. Ron.
Ron will die. Yes, I am upset at this, but I still believe it quite firmly.
Hagrid is also at danger of death, though his is not guaranteed.
The Ministry will appoint a new Headmaster instead of putting McGonagall in charge.
Voldemort will cast Avada Kedavra, but it won't kill Harry--again. When the battle is over, Harry will no longer have a scar.
Petunia will play a large role. I'm not sure what yet. . .sorry, I kind of fail on that front.
There will be an epilogue, but it won't be from the point of view of the main characters.
H,R, and H will return to Hogwarts for school.
We will see some old friends from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang again. Lavender will finally grow a pair and do something decently heroic.
The end of the final battle will mirror the first book--Hermione providing the brains to get Harry through, but unable to follow, and Ron "sacrificing the queen." His chess skills will come in again.
Also, has anyone ever noticed how much the four main students resemble the original founders? Malfoy Slytherin, Hermione Ravenclaw, Ron Hufflepuff and Harry Gryffindor? I just find that interesting. It has nothing to do with anything else.
All right, signing out, and promise not to mock me too much if I'm totally off when the book comes out on --squee--Saturday!!!!
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Social Inequity
"Savage Inequalities" by Jonathan Kozol. Go out, buy it, read it. All of Kozol's books are great, but this one in particular is interesting because it hits on so many different cities.
It's just not right, how different school experiences are for people. It's not right that where I went to school we had a great media center, televisions in every room, desks, clean restrooms, extra curricular programs, and great sports facilities while some schools here don't even have cafeterias. It's not right that we took a bus every day and some of these kids have to walk 5 milesa day because they can't afford trasnporation. It's not right that I knew I could go to college from kindergarten and some of these people can never even imagine that as a possibility.
I'm looking into other volunteer opportunities around here as well. I just feel like I'm not doing enough, like being involved in education isn't enough. This is where it has to start, I KNOW that, but. . .but sometimes it feels like I'm not doing anything new, like I'm just filling a hole that anyone could fill. And I guess that's not the case, but still. . .
Feeling very frustrated overal right now. It seems like the older I get the more inequalities I'm able to see in our country, and the less I'm able to affect change.
On a happier front, I'm making friends, going out, seeing the city, and my life right now is pretty great. Which just makes me feel more awful about these poor kids. So that's that. And I"m relaly glad I saved so much money in college, because now I'm not stressing about my funds like everyone else.
Sigh. Oh, and if you post a comment and dont' sign in. . .sign a name. I'm talking to you, anonymous!
Love
J
It's just not right, how different school experiences are for people. It's not right that where I went to school we had a great media center, televisions in every room, desks, clean restrooms, extra curricular programs, and great sports facilities while some schools here don't even have cafeterias. It's not right that we took a bus every day and some of these kids have to walk 5 milesa day because they can't afford trasnporation. It's not right that I knew I could go to college from kindergarten and some of these people can never even imagine that as a possibility.
I'm looking into other volunteer opportunities around here as well. I just feel like I'm not doing enough, like being involved in education isn't enough. This is where it has to start, I KNOW that, but. . .but sometimes it feels like I'm not doing anything new, like I'm just filling a hole that anyone could fill. And I guess that's not the case, but still. . .
Feeling very frustrated overal right now. It seems like the older I get the more inequalities I'm able to see in our country, and the less I'm able to affect change.
On a happier front, I'm making friends, going out, seeing the city, and my life right now is pretty great. Which just makes me feel more awful about these poor kids. So that's that. And I"m relaly glad I saved so much money in college, because now I'm not stressing about my funds like everyone else.
Sigh. Oh, and if you post a comment and dont' sign in. . .sign a name. I'm talking to you, anonymous!
Love
J
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Whoot!
Got my phone back. So y'all can call me again. I know you want to.
Still have glass in my feet, though.
-J
Still have glass in my feet, though.
-J
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
I'm Not A Whiny Bitch, I Swear!
I just realized that my last post kind of seemed like a plea for comments. So not the case. What I really meant was that occassionally a comment, here or there--every entry isn't needed, and that one in particular isn't needed.
Anyway. Life is shit right now. Last night I lost my cell phone. And by lost, I mean seriously lost. I've misplaced my phone before, and I've lost it, while knowing EXACTLY where it was, but right now. . .I don't know where it is. So that is totally not cool, especially since I JUST bought one two weeks ago.
Also, I stepped on a chunk of glass, and I got the big part out, but I think I still have some in my foot, because there is piercing pain. So. . .no phone, and a broken foot.
AND. My teacher is gone. The teacher I am supposed to be observing and learning from. Instead, now I am on my own. With crazy summer school kids who don't respect me or anything. It's the most frustrating, dificult thing that I have ever done in my entire life. It's VERY rewarding, though, especially with the really smart kids. And now for tomorrow I'm trying to differentiate my instruction so that the bright kids can no longer be so infernally BORED all the time.
And the heat index is well over 100. I think I'm dying.
Did I mention that there's a shard of glass in my foot?
-J
Anyway. Life is shit right now. Last night I lost my cell phone. And by lost, I mean seriously lost. I've misplaced my phone before, and I've lost it, while knowing EXACTLY where it was, but right now. . .I don't know where it is. So that is totally not cool, especially since I JUST bought one two weeks ago.
Also, I stepped on a chunk of glass, and I got the big part out, but I think I still have some in my foot, because there is piercing pain. So. . .no phone, and a broken foot.
AND. My teacher is gone. The teacher I am supposed to be observing and learning from. Instead, now I am on my own. With crazy summer school kids who don't respect me or anything. It's the most frustrating, dificult thing that I have ever done in my entire life. It's VERY rewarding, though, especially with the really smart kids. And now for tomorrow I'm trying to differentiate my instruction so that the bright kids can no longer be so infernally BORED all the time.
And the heat index is well over 100. I think I'm dying.
Did I mention that there's a shard of glass in my foot?
-J
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Woodlawn Weekend
It was quite a weekend, let me tell you. First off. I spent. Friday night. In Trump Towers. In a penthouse.
I just reread that sentence, and realized that it sounds a bit different than the actual experience. A friend of a friend was having a party in the Towers, and invited a friend who then invited me. Trump Towers penthouse is AMAZING. On one side of the house you could see the UN building and the river, out another window the Brooklyn bridge, and out another the Eiffle Tower and Chrysler buildings. Can you say wow?
Also went to a play and Ikea. NOt as exciting.
And now I have loads of homework which I really ought to be doing, but I felt bad that I hadn't written. Also--I know many of you have told me that you read this but never comment, but you know, a comment or two here or there would not be amiss. In fact, they would be quite apprecitaed. In other words. . .please, please comment!
Lots of lvoe,
J
I just reread that sentence, and realized that it sounds a bit different than the actual experience. A friend of a friend was having a party in the Towers, and invited a friend who then invited me. Trump Towers penthouse is AMAZING. On one side of the house you could see the UN building and the river, out another window the Brooklyn bridge, and out another the Eiffle Tower and Chrysler buildings. Can you say wow?
Also went to a play and Ikea. NOt as exciting.
And now I have loads of homework which I really ought to be doing, but I felt bad that I hadn't written. Also--I know many of you have told me that you read this but never comment, but you know, a comment or two here or there would not be amiss. In fact, they would be quite apprecitaed. In other words. . .please, please comment!
Lots of lvoe,
J
Thursday, July 5, 2007
A Barnes and Noble coffee cup
I'm drinking out of one, and it makes me very happy. What makes me even happier is that I can identify all of the writers on the cup.
To share a "happy" anecdote of today: UofM has serious issues with getting diplomas to people, so that I was unable to prove my graduation to the NYCTF. Thus, I did not get my stipend check. So I rode the train down to Brooklyn to "explain" my situation to the people there. They were very unsympathetic. I then rode the train an hour back to the Bronx, only to discover that I have somehow lost my school id. WHich costs $40. Which I can't afford without the stipend check. Ah, in what a vicious cycle we live.
In other news. . .well, I don't really have any other news. Just kind of chilling, taking easy classes, going to summer school in the morning where I try to maintain my distance. These are, after all, the kids I will be teaching next year, and as I haven't yet decided my classroom goals or curriculum, I really don't want them to have an opinion of me coming in. So I sit silently in the back and take lots of notes. My hope is that this makes the kids think that I am a silent observer of another teacher, evaluating her and the class. I actually think the kids think I"m an idiot who can't pass 7th grade English Language Arts, and am thus taking the course over again with them. Ah, well, que sera sera and c'est la vie and all of that.
It rained yesterday (4th of July) thus no fireworks. Watched "when Harry Met Sally" instead. Very cute movie, highly recommended, and no, I don't know how I'd never seen it before.
I want to hug all of the diversity in New YOrk. I have also come up with a new life goal: live for a period of 1-2 years minimum in the 10 greatest cities in the world, as measured by population, culture, and famosity (I made that word up!) I haven't quite figured out what the greatest 10 cities in the world are, however. I think:
Hong Kong
New York City
Mexico City
Paris
London
That big city in Japan that I'm blanking on
Cairo
L.A.
That big city in India that I can only think of Baghdad and Bombay and it's something else
Taijet, Bhutan. Which is actually tiny, but only 250 extranjeros are allowed in a year, so I feel like it should count.
Yea lists!
Brazos y besos,
J
To share a "happy" anecdote of today: UofM has serious issues with getting diplomas to people, so that I was unable to prove my graduation to the NYCTF. Thus, I did not get my stipend check. So I rode the train down to Brooklyn to "explain" my situation to the people there. They were very unsympathetic. I then rode the train an hour back to the Bronx, only to discover that I have somehow lost my school id. WHich costs $40. Which I can't afford without the stipend check. Ah, in what a vicious cycle we live.
In other news. . .well, I don't really have any other news. Just kind of chilling, taking easy classes, going to summer school in the morning where I try to maintain my distance. These are, after all, the kids I will be teaching next year, and as I haven't yet decided my classroom goals or curriculum, I really don't want them to have an opinion of me coming in. So I sit silently in the back and take lots of notes. My hope is that this makes the kids think that I am a silent observer of another teacher, evaluating her and the class. I actually think the kids think I"m an idiot who can't pass 7th grade English Language Arts, and am thus taking the course over again with them. Ah, well, que sera sera and c'est la vie and all of that.
It rained yesterday (4th of July) thus no fireworks. Watched "when Harry Met Sally" instead. Very cute movie, highly recommended, and no, I don't know how I'd never seen it before.
I want to hug all of the diversity in New YOrk. I have also come up with a new life goal: live for a period of 1-2 years minimum in the 10 greatest cities in the world, as measured by population, culture, and famosity (I made that word up!) I haven't quite figured out what the greatest 10 cities in the world are, however. I think:
Hong Kong
New York City
Mexico City
Paris
London
That big city in Japan that I'm blanking on
Cairo
L.A.
That big city in India that I can only think of Baghdad and Bombay and it's something else
Taijet, Bhutan. Which is actually tiny, but only 250 extranjeros are allowed in a year, so I feel like it should count.
Yea lists!
Brazos y besos,
J
Sunday, July 1, 2007
A Room With A View
Okay, well, actually that's not true at all. My room does not have a view. Unles you count that as being a view into my next door neighbor's living room. Which, to my mind, counts as not having a view at all.
Nonetheless, I have moved in, finally. I have my own bed, dressers with drawers, and massive bookcases that actually house all of my books! I will now be able to being calling people to chat without being rude and talking in front of people. I will be able to get online on a regular basis, to watch tv, to go for walks and runs and live a normal life. I know that this doesn't sound incredily exciting, but it is. I have to go shopping and get soap, towels, food, etc., but for the moment at least I have somewhere to live.
My room is tiny, very very tiny. I have a bed and two dressers, and honestly couldn't fit aything else. If someone wants to come and visit, they either have to sleep in the living room on the sleeper sofa, or curled into a ball on my hardwood floor. Or, what I recommend, make a real visit out of it, and stay at a New York hostel in Manhattan. Personal recommendations. Also, there are huge bookshelves in my room, so it's like a dream room for me, with all of my books within easy reach, and plenty of room to get more. Oh, I'm in love.
I begin student teaching tomorrow, and I'm mildly terrified. I'll be teaching in an English language classroom, at least, so that much will be nice. And then it's just the month of July, one month, and then I'm free, free, free for two weeks. So, look forward to seeing me, all of those of you who live in A2 or GRap. Yes, Gen, it looks like your prediction may be true and I may be back in Collegetown before spring break. Thank goodness, because I miss all of you!
So give me a call sometime, let me know how your life is, etc. etc. Until then, I am happily unpacking and getting used to living in a brand new place. I love you all!
-J
Nonetheless, I have moved in, finally. I have my own bed, dressers with drawers, and massive bookcases that actually house all of my books! I will now be able to being calling people to chat without being rude and talking in front of people. I will be able to get online on a regular basis, to watch tv, to go for walks and runs and live a normal life. I know that this doesn't sound incredily exciting, but it is. I have to go shopping and get soap, towels, food, etc., but for the moment at least I have somewhere to live.
My room is tiny, very very tiny. I have a bed and two dressers, and honestly couldn't fit aything else. If someone wants to come and visit, they either have to sleep in the living room on the sleeper sofa, or curled into a ball on my hardwood floor. Or, what I recommend, make a real visit out of it, and stay at a New York hostel in Manhattan. Personal recommendations. Also, there are huge bookshelves in my room, so it's like a dream room for me, with all of my books within easy reach, and plenty of room to get more. Oh, I'm in love.
I begin student teaching tomorrow, and I'm mildly terrified. I'll be teaching in an English language classroom, at least, so that much will be nice. And then it's just the month of July, one month, and then I'm free, free, free for two weeks. So, look forward to seeing me, all of those of you who live in A2 or GRap. Yes, Gen, it looks like your prediction may be true and I may be back in Collegetown before spring break. Thank goodness, because I miss all of you!
So give me a call sometime, let me know how your life is, etc. etc. Until then, I am happily unpacking and getting used to living in a brand new place. I love you all!
-J
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