Counter
Free Site Counter

Monday, October 30, 2006

:-(

Today was the last day of fieldwork. I was really sad to leave. Joaquin let me do a read aloud with the class today. He said it would be nice for the kids to hear a different voice and he felt bad that he hadn't asked me until today. He showed me some books that I could choose from, then I told him that I had brought a book to donate to the class since it was my last day. He was so happy and asked me what book it was. I showed him the book "You Are Special" by Max Lucado that Devora told me to buy. It is such an amazing book and I recommend it. The author tells beautiful messages through his creative stories.

The read aloud went really well. The kids loved the book and we had a great discussion about it. I don't know why I am still in school. I JUST WANT TO TEACH!

Joaquin loved the book so much and he showed me other books he had that were also pretty deep before I did my read aloud. I read two of his and he asked me which one I liked better. At the end of the day, he gave it to me as a gift along with a Thank You card. I started crying. Not surprising. Mr. Koreman came in at the end to be there for the goodbye even though he left before I started crying. Before i left, I handed Joaquin the card I had made for the class at 1am this morning. He was happy. He said he would have read it to the class and I told him that it's probably better to do it after I leave. I hugged all the kids goodbye and left. They were in the middle of an independent reading assignment of writing thank you cards to parents and kids that donated stuff to the class. A group of my favorite girls wanted to make the card for me. I hope to pick them up or get them from someone.

I just wrote Joaquin a thank you e-mail. I wanted him to know how much I appreciated all the time he gave and that he allowed me to be a part of the class and not just an observer. I PSed the letter and wrote that I am going to try to be in his class for student teaching next semester. I wanted to let him know that I am going to FIGHT for it. We shall see what happens.

I am going to miss those kids. I told them I would visit though. I will have to.

Okay, that's all.

Oh, and Miriam is making time for me tonight. We are HAPPY.

Sunday, October 29, 2006

Eh.

The advisor program tonight was eh. I did get some fun notes though. Mwahaha.

I am at Devora's now and heading back soon. I have a suitcase that I had left here over the summer so I am taking it back.

I didn't get the presents I was planning to get. I might just go to Walgreen's and get a Thank You card and give them a book that I bought a while ago. I hope I end up in that classroom again. I really do. We shall see.

Night night.

First Day on the Job

Shabbos was great. I got to meet DJ's uber-fab friend Marci and we stayed on her uber-comfy couches. Awesome. On Friday night, I experienced my first KJ Beginner's dinner. It was an experience. I met a lot of cool people. I did youth groups today. Well, it was raining, so I pretty much sat in a room with an adorable 2 year old and his mother. It was fun.

(Editor's note: On Thursday night, I ended up walking to Brookdale and hanging out with my favorite freshmen and I saw some other people, too. Just wanted to let you know so you wouldn't feel so bad about me being bored.)

Tonight, I got to talk to my Jacobs! I MISS YOU, AUSSIE! OY, OY, OY!

Now I am at Devora's and I can't WAIT to go to sleep! Tomorrow, I have to go back to the city, find gifts for the kids and teacher at my fieldwork because Monday is my last day. :( My teacher teased my class by saying, "Some of you will be staying at your fieldwork, and some of you will be switching." WHY CAN'T HE JUST PUT ME OUT OF MY MISERY!?!? I can't tell if he said that to be mean, or if he wants to make me CRAZY and make me think that he might actually let me stay. I guess we'll find out on Wednesday. I really want to be with this fieldwork class for student teaching next semester. When I was there on Monday, I was helping two girls in the class with their work and they said, "How much longer will you be here?" And I said, "Next Monday is my last day." They looked at each other shocked and then one of them said, "Maybe you can ask Mr. Joaquin (their teacher) to let you stay for longer." I smiled and told them that it's not Joaquin's choice, but it's my teacher's choice. We shall see what happens. I am not going to be happy to leave that class. (In case you couldn't tell.)

Tomorrow night, there is an NCSY advisor program at YU. It's a 3 hour seminar about the legal stuff about being an advisor. Should be fun.

Good night!

Thursday, October 26, 2006

SO BORED!

Thursday night, doing nothing. Sad.

Tomorrow morning I have a meeting at the Manhattan Day School with my education class. We're meeting with the head of the math department. I am still not so sure about what we are doing. Whatever.

I start my new job this weekend. Youth groups! WOOHOO! I am spending the weekend with DJ! I'm excited...in case you couldn't tell.

Anyway, back to being bored.

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

I LOVE DUDU!

The rest of the day went by fairly quickly. Then I met Revital to go to the Dudu concert. IT WAS AWESOME! He was funny, entertaining, and just what I needed to end my day with! I wanted to take a picture with him afterwards, but that didn't happen. It's okay though. His show was pretty much a musical of his life. He sang a bunch of Broadway tunes, but I didn't know most of them. I survived. He kept me laughing. All in all an AWESOME SHOW!

Now, I'm bored. My next final is on November 2 (Teaching Science). It's going to be a toughie. Thank G-d that 2 girls in my apartment are in the class, too, so we can study together. The teacher asked us some sample questions in class today (Like, write a lesson plan for a 50 minute science lesson about _____). The test is going to be insane. Whatever.

Tomorrow, I want to talk to my education teacher about working with my cooperating teacher for student teaching. It would make me so happy which would make my professor laugh in my face because he likes to do that when I'm trying to be serious. We'll see.

Okay, night night.

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

I'm Alive

The test is over and I am alive.

I got up at about 9 and went to do laundry in another dorm. I sat on the floor of the laundry room while my stuff was in the machine and looked over notes. It was a party. Sorry you missed it.

I am not going to say that I did well. My essay was definitely way below par, but I was pretty confident with the 5 identifications. I don't think I failed. I guess we'll find out. I handed it in and ran.

Have a great day.

Not Ready In The Least Bit

I am not ready for tomorrow's midterm. AT ALL. I wrote up all the identifications he gave us to study, but I haven't looked them over. He gave us 4 essays to study, I got the answers, but they are really confusing and he's only giving us one on the test. I tried studying tonight. It didn't work out too well. I DID, however, have a GREAT conversation online! No, that was not sarcastic. Now I have something to look forward to. I am planning to wake up early tomorrow, studying, doing laundry and studying.

Tomorrow night, Dudu Fisher is giving a concert here. My friend has an extra ticket (they were free) and since my plans fell through, I am planning to go. I didn't read the half of a book I was supposed to read for tomorrow's night class, but life is full of disappointments. I DID go out and GET the book today. Speaking of, I found out that I have to write a paper about a book that I haven't read yet. Oh. Great.

That's all I want to write about for now. I need out. I need DJ.

Saturday, October 21, 2006

Here It Comes...

Shabbos was great. Restful and entertaining. My cousin drove me back to the city and I got back just in time to help my roomate clean the room and for an apartment-mate to bring furniture from her house. The apartment is starting to look a lot more homey.

HOWEVER, that does not change the fact that I am starting to STRESS ABOUT SCHOOL. I have a midterm on Tuesday and it's in a class that I just joined. Which means, I don't know ANYTHING. Great. A girl in my apartment is in the class, so we will study together. I don't know what to do about my Hebrew paper. I left a message for my friend who supposedly read it. If she doesn't get back to me, I am in mucho trouble. UCH.

ANYWAY, this week will hopefully go by quickly. Pray for me, Argentina!

Friday, October 20, 2006

Good Times

Last night, Kaila and I went with a bunch of friends to see The Departed. If you like lots of killing, go see it. I spent most of the movie throwing my hands over my face. But, it was fun. We hung out afterwards then came back to the apartment. Now I should really be getting ready to leave since I told my cousin I was leaving here at 1 and I haven't packed yet. Man, I have so much work to do for next week. Oh, and speaking of haircuts, I got one last night. Don't worry, she didn't take any length off.

Okay, have a great Shabbos!

Thursday, October 19, 2006

WOOHOO!

I brought my computer in! The woman at the desk was so sweet and understanding. We shall see what happens. Tune in next week...

Girls Night Out (Take 2)

Tonight was AWESOME! I had such a great time. I love Kennedy. She's awesome! And I got her number! Pictures will come soon enough.

Speaking of which, I think I am finally taking my computer in tomorrow. I hope DJ remembers to bring it to work. We shall see how that goes. Then I am hanging out with Nili at some point. Maybe I will go to a movie afterwards...who knows?

I am going to my cousins's house for Shabbos. I am really excited about that. They're awesome!

Okay, enough for now. Night night.

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

I Should Be Sleeping

I have fieldwork in 7 hours, but here I am anyway.

The wedding was AWESOME! I had class until 7, ran back to my apartment (in the rain), got ready and hopped on a train to Brooklyn. I had a great time.

Tomorrow night is Girls Night Out at Makor. I am SO EXCITED! I'm bringing the perfume!

Okay, day over. Good night.

Tuesday, October 17, 2006

What A Difference

The second days were amazing. I made a lot of new friends and we really spiced up the holiday! We ate, danced, ate, ate, sang, ate and danced. It was a really good time. (Much different than our usual Simchas Torah experience, hence the title of the post.) I got a ride back to New York afterwards. Yesterday, I went to Devora's office and then to her apartment then came back here. I went to a friend's dorm to get the out of print book I was supposed to read for today and started reading it last night. Eh. I have to go to a wedding right after school, then I have homework due tomorrow. It's going to be crazy. Whatever.

ANYWAY, that's the news for now. Have a great day!

Thursday, October 12, 2006

I Have Decided...

So, this week has made me POSITIVE that I want to teach preschool. I am thinking of working in the Yeshiva in the preschool in the morning and then elementary in the afternoon. I should get some elementary in there since it is my major. I have been teaching pre-kindergarten for the last several days and I really like it. I can be my crazy self and the kids still listen to me. It's awesome. My mother taught pre-kindergarten for over 2 decades, so I guess it's in the blood. If you had asked me what I wanted to do last year, this would not have been my answer, but now that I have decided, I am really excited! Now all I need is to graduate. Great.

I am really excited about Simchas Torah. That's how it should be!

I hope everyone has a great Yom Tov!

Excited?

I am not going to CT for Simchas Torah. It's okay. I am going to my aunt's house and it's going to be a PARTY! My cousin is bringing 20 friends and Torah Tours is going to be there. INSANE! I'm pretty excited.

There's stuff going on, but it's all reruns. Drama, drama, drama.

I miss my friends. I don't want to go back to school though. I am not ready for midterms. At all. Eh.

Substituting is going really well. I really should have gone for early education. If I end up in Boston to teach, then I want to work in the Yeshiva and work in a preschool class. Maybe I would do elementary in the afternoon...I don't know. I'll have to think about it.

I went to Cambridge with 2 friends after work today. I got a new skirt and a replacement Shabbos shirt. It was fun. Then I went to Rami's with one of the girls (newly engaged!) and she took my Hebrew story to read so she can help me summarize it. THANK YOU!

Tonight, my mother wanted the translation for one of the songs on the Dnepropetrovsk Boys Choir CD, so I called Malka and asked her. Then I asked her for the transliteration of the song and my mother and I sang it in the kitchen. It was really funny. I would sing it on the blog, but then there's the whole issue of Kol Isha, so I will spare all of you Y chromosomes.

That's all the news for now.

Good night!

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

Catch Up

Yom Tov was lots of fun. Had its moments.

The BBQ today went well. About 25 kids showed up. Tonight, my rents, little bro and I went to the Dnepropetrovsk Jewish Boys Choir concert to benefit our shul. It was so much fun!

Subbing is fun. I love it. I have been doing preschool since the end of last week and today the boss asked if I would want to do third grade tomorrow. DUH! I'm excited. I subbed for the same teacher last year in June, so I know her drill. Since it's chol hamoed, she doesn't have the kids do any writing, so it's pretty easy. After work I hope to go downtown with Malka. I love that girl.

ANYWAY, I should get to bed now. GOOD NIGHT!

Friday, October 06, 2006

Soooooooo Tired

I am so tired. Man oh man. I baked a lot of challah tonight. The last batch is in the oven. I doubled the recipe, then decided to make another batch. I am so tired. Have I mentioned that already?

ANYWAY, I am very excited for the holiday. It's annoying because I know I am supposed to be reading books for school, but one of them is out of print, and the other one...well...I haven't gotten it yet. Oops.

The subbing is going really well. I worked with my mommy today. I think we heard about 3,563 comments about being a mother-daughter team. I'm not complaining, but I am not a fan of reruns. Ha.

BAH! I'M TIRED!

Nighty night night.

I'll probably get to post tomorrow. If not, then have a chag kasher ve'sameach!

Wednesday, October 04, 2006

I LOVE MY JOB!

So...

Another vacation means another dose of substituting. I LOVE IT! I got to see all my camp kids again. Sigh...Can't wait for tomorrow!

Today, after work, my mommy and I ran some errands. We went to Payless and I bought a pair of brown heels. Then I found them in black and got those, too. I wore the brown ones around the house. I told my mother that I think one of my feet is smaller than the other and she said I have always had that problem. Oh. I hope my toes shrink.

In other news, I spoke to my little nephew today. He kept saying, "Auntie Hinda!" Well, it was more like "Auntie Heeda!", but that doesn't mean that I didn't cry about it! I can't wait to see those little munchkins!

Alright...not too much else going on. Just here taking a break from working in the kitchen.

Night night!

Tuesday, October 03, 2006

Awesome YKX@KJ

That is the word for the Yom Kippur I experienced this year. The services were awesome, the turnout was awesome, and being with Devora was awesome. Today, I left shul for 2.5 hours to run a kid's group across the street. That was awesome, too. It was great to actually understand what I was reading. George Rohr is my hero. Highly recommended. He led the services along with Rabbi Weinstock. I can't wait to go back to KJ for a beginner's Shabbos service. It's really amazing and...well...awesome.

In other news, I am supposed to be going home tomorrow. I am not sure if I am getting a ride or taking a bus. I guess I'll find out soon enough.

Thanks for a great YKX, Devora! I love you!

Sunday, October 01, 2006

Erev Yom Kippur

Shabbos was great. I love being at Devora's. The meals were small and fun. Right after Shabbos, we headed to Devora's office to stuff 200 more Yom Kippur folders. There are going to be 750+ people at the beginner's services. It's going to be awesome. I can't wait to actually LEARN something.

I can't believe I am still awake...and I can't believe that DEVORA is still awake. She has to be at work at 7am. I am sleeping in. I will head to her office at some point. Once I go, I am staying until after Yom Kippur. I am not ready for Yom Kippur. That was one good thing about seminary...you were always prepared. One would think that going to a Jewish college would help in this department...but, no. Devora said it will be awesome though. I'm excited I think.

I have to plan an event with someone that will be 2 weeks from now. We were supposed to meet after the meeting I went home for, but we DIDN'T. Now, I don't know what is going on. Whatever.

In other news, I am still trying to figure out what I am doing for the second days. I hope to go hang with my NCSYers. We'll see.



I hope everyone has an easy and meaningful fast and may you all have a g'mar chasima tovah.