ListMania

So it's Reading Monday, and I'm supposed to give you guys some kind of review on something that I have read recently. But this is me, and it is 'that' time of year, so I'm taking a slight detour. You see, I haven't actually read anything lately apart from emails and a few blogs. I managed to read something different last week though - my daughter's Christmas list. Every year we dig out the Argos book (Argos is the place to go if you want decent prices for anything from Barbie dolls to a new bed) and my kids go through and write down the things they would like to recieve on Christmas day. We have an understanding - they can write down pretty much anything, as long as they realise that they won't get everything they ask for. Mostly it's just a good way for mum and dad to get some ideas.

Anyway, the son was pretty predictable and mainly stuck to video games and DVD's. The daughter was pretty predictable too, but Ellie has a way of doing things that is funny. Totally unintentional, but funny. Here's a virtual copy of her list - I'll try to copy word for word, but may change a few things so that it is legible. *snort*

Ellie's Christmas List from the Argos catalog, and Play.com, and the internet.

Zhu Zhu puppies, the purple and pink glittery one.
Moxie Girlz lush pets.
Design a friend doll. The one called Ellie like me.
Rosy doll with the Hello Kitty top and sparkly jeans and nice bag.
Big fluffy bunny that talks and eats carrots. That's too much money though.
Shnooks. Any one, but not the green one.
Tamagotchi.
DS games. Grease and Wizards of Waverly Place. They're £25 if you buy two but they're not on Argos they're on play.com. and you can get them in Argos if you want but they're more money in there.
Connect 4  like Andrea's one that we play when she comes up.
Guess Who but the one that don't need batteries.
And an ipod if you can find one that's not too much money but if you can't can I have an MP3 player instead so I can listen to Justin Bieber because Dale doesn't like it when I play Justin Bieber on Youtube.

*coughs* Ah, nine-going-on-ten-year-olds. Aren't they fabulous?

Ellie Christmas!

Delusional Thursday: Progress

So today's post is somewhat late.  I sincerely apologize.  However, please know that I am not goofing around.  I have made progress!  Progress in what you ask.  Well, I'll tell you.

First, I have made progress in my profession as an educator.  I am a unit coordinator at a high school in Manhattan.  I am teaching Geometry, Chemistry and Resource (for my students with learning disabilities). Recently, I was offered a position as a facilitator for the school's monthly professional development meetings.  What does this mean?  I get to teach my fellow pedagogues strategies on differentiated instruction and how to support the needs of ALL students.  Awesome, right!

Furthermore, I have been house-hunting for some time.  I've looked at many different homes, both at open houses and on the internet, and have decided that I want a three bedroom/ two bath condominium on Staten Island.  The interest rates on thirty year mortgages has just fallen and it seems like now- is the perfect time to buy!

I have also made progress in my writing.  It's been a long time since I've written anything substantial.  Just last week, I made myself sit down at the computer, with the door to my bedroom closed and I actually wrote about two thousand words. I was flabbergasted!  All it takes is just sitting down and doing it!  Who knew?

My children at home have also made progress.  My son, Justin, is seventeen years old and a senior in high school.  Yes, he actually attends the high school which I teach.  Long story.  But, he is coming along nicely with his advanced placement classes and looking at colleges.  My daughter, Ayanna, is also in high school (different one), is passing all of her classes and  involved in various extracurricular activities.  My little one, Zionne, is now third grade and this is a major year for her with all the exams she must take.  It's a shame that this is what education has come to- teaching to the standardized exams.  I'll save that topic for my "Topical Tuesday" post.

How is this post "delusional" you ask?  Well, even though I have made progress, it's not the amount of progress I had hoped to achieve by this time of year.  I should have finished at least one of my works in progress.  I should already have owned my own property.  I should have gone back to school and become an assistant principal.  So many should have's. . .


1. Image taken from Wikimedia Commons.
2. Image taken from Wikimedia Commons.
3. Image taken from Wikimedia Commons.

Who Am I? - Mamita

I remember being nine years old and staying the weekend with Mamita (a term of endearment in Spanish meaning "little mommy"), my grandmother on my father's side, along with my little sister, Tamika.  That Friday, my father took us on the crowded "D" train to 125th Street and then jumped on the "C" train to 96th Street.  Mamita was waiting on the other side of the turnstile so my dad didn't have to pay for a return fare.  Mamita is an interesting looking woman.  She sometimes wears multi-colored rollers in her hair with a floral scarf.  Her outfits are just as vibrant often in the hot pinks and bright yellows.

Mamita greeted us with a big smile and a kiss, smearing her bright red lipstick on our cheeks.  She bear hugged us with a force so great that we would see stars.  As we walked along Central Park West towards her building, the sounds of the city engulfed me.  I loved Manhattan which I found to be synonymous with Mamita.  She would take us on these long walks to visit family members, collect money from people that borrowed from her and always to the sand park in Central Park.

Her apartment was small but airy.  It was a two bedroom with a tiny kitchen and large living room.  When you walk in, there is a quaint, little dining area with a heavily worn table with three chairs and a vase filled with fake flowers.  Off the dining area is the living room with a gallery of photos on the walls and side tables.  There is a picture of me, age three, smiling and sitting on her lap.  There is also a picture of my Uncle Robert who died in the Vietnam War.  He is dressed in his army uniform, looking young, fresh and serious.  I never knew him as he passed away shortly after I was born.  Other photos are of my great grandmother, grand aunts and cousins.

The second bedroom is simply adorned with a full size bed and a dresser topped with a statue of the Virgin Mary, a candle and a weird looking flower inside of a bowl with pennies in it.  If anyone is familiar with Catholicism and Latinos, these are typical fixtures found in our homes.  They can be bought at a Botanica, which is something like a cross between an apothecary and witchdoctor (Santeria).  It kind of scared me as a kid but eventually I got used to these items and no longer got the heeby jeebies.

Back to my weekend with Mamita, I digress.  She took my sister and I to a galleria, live poultry market.  I never really knew where chicken came from until she bought one.  Mamita also took us a really cool restaurant called "Under the Stairs."  We ate outside cafe-style on the sidewalk.  I remember being scared that a pigeon would swoop down and eat my steak.  I had a plan to ram my fork in one should this occur. It is a shame that this restaurant is no longer in existence.  I had really fond memories of it.

To end the weekend, Mamita would take us to church on Sundays.  The gothic style cathedral was beautiful and although I should have been focusing on God, I found myself preoccupied with the architecture, the stain glassed windows and ornate alter.  I remember getting several nudges, pokes and slaps to the head for my inattentiveness.  I really miss these moments with her.

To me Mamita represents the fast pace of the people, the blaring taxi cabs, and the overwhelming vibrant energy of the city.   And even though I haven't seen you in quite some time, understand that I have always and will always love you Mamita!





All images taken from Wikimedia Commons.