Long time away from here, but it was Regents week and so not much to write about. Then again, I've just been too lazy. TC classes started. I'm taking 7-12 ESL Methods and a class on bilingualism. I'm not that excited about either course as it's all starting to get redundant. We're basically rehashing all we've learned about methods, linguistics, ESL ed, etc. I don't see these classes as very important. Otherwise, there's the MA essay I've got to write and hand in on my bday, Feb. 27. That's just wrong.
Meanwhile the transfer is on hold as the DOE is trying to get excessed teachers in the position that I have actually been hired to fill. And my replacement's principal will not release her as she promised for reasons unknown. I will be returning to Queens as a result and staying there until Feb. 13.
Sometimes I think I really don't know myself. Lately, for instance, I've been concentrating on setting up my pension for after retirement, starting up a tax-deferred annuity account, and thinking about when I might be able to retire comfortably so I can open up a cafe/bookstore in some out of the way place. How sick is that? I mean, I don't do these things. I think it's a thirtysomething thing.
Saw
Les Triplettes de Belleville tonight at BAM. Very entertaining though I have to say the ending sucked. A disappointing end to what was a really great time otherwise. Worth seeing. I feel like getting back on the bike! After the foul weather that is...
With the day off tomorrow I think I'll do some grading and relaxing. Maybe read a novel. Haven't done that in ages.
Well, it's been a while. I am still waiting to get the official transfer papers. All looks good though as there are some candidates interviewing for my position. I am supposed to know for sure by week's end if I can in fact transfer. Fingers remained crossed.
Had to go into school today to proctor practice English Regents that we were giving some students as prep for the real thing Jan. 26/27. I just scored the essays and they did pretty poorly. The mulitple choice section went better, not surprisingly. At least these students are getting help.
Not much happening these days, which are somewhat less busy since TC doesn't start up for a while.
The only news is that at school we're watching
Bowling For Columbine, and each of the classes I'm showing it to love it. They can't say enough about it. I'm afraid some of the students were laughing when they shouldn't have been, but that's life I guess. We had some great discussions about the movie and I hope to read some good essays over the weekend. Moore's website, by the way, has some great downloads for teachers and students if anyone wants to teach it in their classes.
Otherwise my AP chewed out the literacy coach at my school, so the lit coach called the principal and asked her to come over to our campus. They had an 'emergency meeting' and though I don't know what was talked about or what happened in the first place, it seems as if the principal is getting more and more of the real story about our so called leader, or AP. All the better pour moi, non?
Holiday pix:
NYC in blue
The Finns take Manhattan
With Adam on New Year's Eve
Chris and Tom of West of Rome jamming on New Year's Eve
B-Mac and some Poles getting ready for the countown to '04
Susan and Tom on the eve of '04
Back in NYC--the trip to Chicago was good. I drove back yesterday--11 hours and a speeding ticket to boot. I hung out with mom and dad, sisters Catherine and Clare, Brian, some of the nieces. New Year's I spent at Tom and Susan's place; that was a lot of fun. Went out to dinner with Brian, Adam, and his roommate Jason before the party to Soprano's, an Italian restaurant. Much celebrating ensued and West of Rome jammed for a while at the bash. Had a very good time. Wasn't even that hung over:)
Picked up a center channel for my sound system; tested it out with
Full Metal Jacket, which was terrific. Hadn't seen it for ten years or so. That was courtesy of
Netflix, which I just became a member of. It's a very cool way to rent DVDs. Highly recommended.
Also got an email from the new principal who has written a letter to my current principal. Looks as if I will get the transfer--well, assuming my school finds a replacement for me. I hope to have this transfer done in the next week or two. February 1st would be my official start date at the new school.