Mid Winter Recess

Friday-Saturday

I’ve been so bad about keeping up with my blog. I have absolutely no excuse considering this week is the kids “mid winter recess” so I’ve had all week off. It’s been absolutely wonderful. Friday I went to Barnes & Noble after school to pick up a study aid book for my certification tests. I had some homework to do Friday night and spent the rest of the night cramming for my second certification test, which was early Saturday morning. There are three tests to take in order to earn your NYS teaching certificate. I have already taken and passed the LAST (Liberal Arts Science Test) last fall, and next on my list was the CST (Elementary Ed Multi Content Test). Even though I didn’t have much time to study and work on the practice test I felt so much more confident having prepared for that test than I was for the LAST. These tests are supposed to be easy if you are an education major and go to class. Preparing though is always a good thing. I have one more test to take, which is the ATS-W, which tests more of your skills on classroom management and situations that arise while teaching. I’ve been told this is best to take at the end of student teaching since I will have had all semester of classroom experience. I will most likely be taking that test April 21^st. Anyway, although we had to report to the High School the test was administered at at 7:45 am it wasn’t that bad since two of my roommates were also taking it and we were able to wake up early and go together.

I couldn’t stand the thought of sitting still for another minute after the test was over. I went home and did a sort of “spring cleaning” on the apartment. Two of my roommates left for the day so I was able to vacuum, scrub, disinfect, and toss all dirt and garbage collected in the short 5 weeks we have been here. It’s surprising how dirty 4 girls can get a place. It actually wasn’t even that bad I’m just crazy OCD about messes. Saturday night was a relaxing night and I spent it at the apartment with my roommate Celia, her boyfriend John, and my friend Zach. It was so nice to know that the following week was free to catch up on sleep, lesson plans, and anything else needing to get done.

Sunday

Sunday I was going to catch a train to Syracuse so I spent all morning looking up times and prices, which made me miss church. I was about to be out the door when I found a ticket for Thursday to Saturday for about half the price, and decided to wait a few days. I was able to make my way to Penn Station by around 4 o clock and catch a 4:40 train on the LIRR (Long Island Railroad) to my cousin Tyler’s house. My cousin Tyler just recently graduated medical school and is living in Long Island with his beautiful wife Kim and their handsome son Benton. It was only about 30-40 minutes down the island before I arrived at their stop. Kim made a wonderful meal of sweat and sour chicken, rice and beans. I can’t put into words how refreshing it was to be out of the city, in a real house, with family, and eating something other than ramen noodles and grilled cheese. I didn’t realize how much I miss family until I saw them. I am so happy they are as close as they are and I can’t wait until my next visit back.

I caught the second to last train back to the city just in time to make it to a fundraising event for an upcoming play. Ok, so this world is so small. My new friends that I have been hanging out with are all aspiring actors and actresses. Just a couple of weeks ago I met one of these aspiring actresses at a gathering in the upper west side and we started talking about where we were from and she knew someone from Park City! She knew a girl that I went to high school with and was actually having her perform (play guitar and sing) at her upcoming fundraiser for a play that is opening in a few weeks. Luckily, I was able to make it to her fundraiser Sunday night and see my friend from Park City perform! This girl used to perform at the outdoor concerts at Deer Valley and at all of our High School talent shows, etc. Anyway, it ended up being an awesome night and I think a real success. They raffled off tickets to the Late Show with David Letterman, Broadway Tickets, Massages, Free Headshots, etc. All the bands that performed were so fun and entertaining, I loved it, especially because I didn’t have to wake up at 5:30 the next morning. 

Monday

Didn’t do much. Pretty much enjoyed the day off.

Tuesday

My boss from J Michaels was in town to attend a fashion show and buy for the store. He called me Tuesday morning inviting me to join him and my manager Erik at the show. Obviously I got ready right away and headed to the show. I was able to help him shop bags, shoes, and clothes for the store! It was so much fun I loved every minute of it! We picked out some BEAUTIFUL shoes by Steve Madden’s new, higher end line called Freebird. They are very western style boots, which is right up my ally. Also, we ordered some Jeffrey Campbell shoes and I got to meet the designer himself. He was so modest and shook my hand saying, “Hi I’m Jeff”. It’s like umm yeah I know. It was probably the highlight of my week. I have always wanted to go to NYC with John while I worked for him in Syracuse, but I always had school, or some other obligation and it never worked out. I was so happy to finally do this with him. We went out to an amazing Italian restaurant for dinner and spent the entire evening catching up. I miss J Michaels so much. He told me after looking at the taxes and end of the year information he saw that I worked over 900 hours for him last year. I can’t believe that. It has never felt like work while working at J Michaels. I love shoes and clothes and selling them is just fun for me. No wonder I cried on my last day working there. Amazing store, amazing merchandise, and amazing people.

Wednesday

Yesterday I was planning on going back to the show to do some more shopping with John and Erik. I started to look into nannying jobs for this coming summer for the first time all week, which is what I was supposed to be doing all week long and got a little overwhelmed. I canceled my plans to go back to the show and spend the day looking up nanny agencies, filling out applications, and packing for my Syracuse trip.

Thursday

Today I woke up at 5:00 to catch at 7:15 train from Penn Station to Syracuse. I am thrilled that I was able to fill up a giant suitcase with clothes, shoes, and bags that I have never worn or only worn once since being here. It’ll be nice in May when I have to move out of the Bronx and I already have a large chunk of heavy sweaters, skirts, and boots that I don’t need. I’m currently sitting in the dinning car on the train with wifi trying to video chat with my dad. I can’t wait to see my mom. Although I am only there until Saturday afternoon it’ll be so nice to sleep in my big bed, do some laundry for free, and see old friends.