Brooklyn Queens Day 2012
Brooklyn-Queens Day is a day that all students in Brooklyn and Queens love because they have no school! And that’s a reason to celebrate, right?
This Brooklyn Anniversary Day is always celebrated the first Thursday in June! When I was a kid we had Brooklyn-Queens Day back then too, although no one remembers it. I remember it well because I broke my arm rollerskating that day in sixth grade! The day was founded in 1829 and they used to have parades to celebrate Brooklyn! I also remember celebrating Brooklyn Day at the Ft. Hamilton Army Base Pool, Brighton Beach or Coney Island with my friends.
Oh and everything, but schools are open today! The post office and Fedex all make regular deliveries today.
What is there to do on Brooklyn Queens Day?
1. If you are between 13 and 18, you can go be part of the Teen Talent Search 2012 run by CityParks – free
2. The Brooklyn Public Library Main Branch at 10 Grand Army Plaza has a free event 10:30 am – 3:30 pm – Dream Big Summer Reading Kickoff – zumba, face painting, balloon animals and games. All libraries in Brooklyn from 2pm – 4pm will be having activities and giveaways!
3. The Kings Bay Y in Windsor Terrace is having a Mini Camp Day – $45 There is also a Fort Tyron Camp (Scavenger Hunt for kids for $100 for the day). And now there’s the one day chess club also.
4. The Queens Zoo has an all day event for kids on Chancellor’s Day.
5. You can watch the wheelchair tennis tournament (free).
6. Go to The Painted Pot in Bay Ridge (80th and 3rd Avenue) and paint your own ceramic piece. After you paint it, they put it in the oven to bake.
7. Go to Luna Park to ride the rides, the NY Aquarium (discount coupon here) and the Beach in Coney Island (free…but bring money to get a Nathan’s hotdog)
8. Go to the Prospect Park Zoo and ride the Carousel in Prospect Park (I love this one) $2.00 a ride (Noon to 5PM)
9. Free Admission to the Museum of Chinese in America – 215 Centre Street – Manhattan
10. Adventurer’s Amusement Park (Formerly Nellie Bly) is open and good for younger kids.
11. Go Bowling at Maple Lanes or the Fort Hamilton Army Base (it’s cheap there around noon)
12. Aviator Sports at Floyd Bennett Field has something for everyone – climbing, gymnastics, skating, basketball and an arcade.
13. Play ping pong in Bryant Park – Free.
Whatever you choose to do – Relax, read, rest…..Enjoy your day Brooklyn!
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June 5, 2012A Year Later
The date is forever etched into my mind -Aileen Chen died today. I remember seeing the Facebook statuses last year and time seemed to freeze as my mind captured the news that she was gone. A year ago she left us abruptly, but there are many who still remember you and celebrate your life.
RIP Aileen Chen – you were a bright star in our lives and now a beautiful angel watching over us.
I own this little trinket by Aileen Chen
I own this little thing called life,
a life I call my own.
it may be dull,
its existence is not unknown.
I keep this little trinket,
this bauble if I may,
in my pocket,
keep it safe,
its value which I weigh,
upon my hand,
some marvel its shine,
but I know better, yes,
for it is cheap,
but for mine to keep,
until its lost its luster.
But for now till then,
I may not know when,
but I know
its like any other.
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June 4, 2012Signs of Summer Round Here
I came home to find this:
And this sweet moon:
Lee did Good!
It’s almost summer around here!
In just a few short weeks school will be done and I can sit and smell the flowers!
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June 3, 2012Pottery Barn Look Alike
I did a double take when I saw World Market’s Mason Jar $14.99
because it looked like something else I saw: Pottery Barn Mason Jar Dispenser – $69.00
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June 3, 2012Thankful
I congratulated one of my old students who graduated from my school eight years ago and is now a college grad.
And she wrote such kind words back to me.
They are words that I am always grateful to hear/see because it reminds me that what I do matters.
I don’t teach a subject like Math or Reading that is focused on by the Department of Education, but rather a subject that is focused on by the world. And although I have my students just two or three times a week, I try to use that time productively to get in as much as I can so they are ahead of other students when they go to high school. Sometimes, I don’t think my students understand why I work them so hard, but I’m glad they realize it when they get out into the world and see that their skills exceed their peers.
In other countries, students are more advanced than our students. When I have asked these teachers what they consider the secret to their education system is, they say they teach at a higher level. They believe American school minimize student’s abilities and don’t offer enough challenging work. I try to remember that when I am planning my lessons because my students are already at a high level and can do anything!
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June 2, 2012New Store – New to Me!
I just saw a great vintage clothes store online Lace Affair http://laceaffair.com and I love all the vintage looks! Great prices – the first dress is just $40!
Nautical Dress with lace collar $36.99
Baby Come Back Dress $44.99
Love the look of this dress Bow Baby Bow $64.99
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June 2, 2012Is the Long Island Medium Real?
Theresa Caputo is the psychic on Long Island Medium on TLC. I’ve watched the show for two seasons and been captivated by Caputo’s lively personality and her sincerity. She claims to be able to speak to the deceased. Caputo classifies herself as a medium and she doesn’t claim to see dead people. She has said: “Spirit is always there – whether she chooses to acknowledge them or not.” She believes that Spirits are always there and ready to communicate. Caputo believes that anyone can connect with spirits. When I watched the show I always questioned wbether Caputo was a fake. Its a television show so could be real?
I’m skeptical of anyone who says they can communicate with the dead. There must be some trick to how she knows what she knows. Is she recording the audience? Does she have someone research the audience names before she arrives. I like her television show because she’s funny and light-hearted in her discussions with her husband and teenage daughter, Victoria, but I didn’t think she was real.
A friend had been given tickets at the last minute to a place in Long Island to see Theresa and I had a chance to see her live. Before Theresa arrived, I talked with several people in the audience who were very hopeful in receiving a reading. I was very careful to not reveal anything to anyone as I was certain that microphones must be planted in the audience and that’s how Theresa knows what to say to people. When Theresa finally arrived, she began to tell people messages. As she went around the room, she talked to several people and many seemed very moved by what she was saying. She didn’t appear to be fishing for information, but she also wasn’t very specific. So I still felt very skeptical of her. In person she is just as lively, but also gets a bit more tongue-tied. Towards the end of the night, Theresa got to our section of the room and although I didn’t receive any message, my friend did.
And what Theresa said to my friend was very specific. It’s not something anyone else would have known. And it brought my friend great comfort to know that message. As we drove home, my friend and I talked about how strange it was that something like that would have been mentioned.
So I do believe the Long Island Psychic is real. And now I wish I was the one who received a message. LOL.
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June 1, 2012RIP Joel Morales
Joel Morales was a twelve years old NY’er and he was bullied to death. As I was getting ready for work, I heard his name and the word bullying on news this morning and stopped listening ….please God not another one….not another child lost because of bullying.
At school, some students came to me and told bits of Joel’s story. I listened and then searched for his name. When I saw his picture, my eyes filled with tears. Another beautiful kid gone because people were careless with their words.
Joel was bullied because he was just 4’9″ inches tall and because He was smart. And the worst of it – kids teased him because his father was deceased. WOW that’s harsh!
Some of the children who bullied Joel went to the vigel outside of his home. I guess they were sorry for what they did.
I hope Joel’s parents are considering a lawsuit – it won’t be their son back, but it will send the message to parents to teach their children well.
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May 31, 2012Free Windows 8
It’s time for Windows 8 Already! It looks good and I am exited. Microsoft is offering the free release preview. You can check if your computer can handle the power of the new Windows 8 and then download it for free here:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/download
If you don’t like it, you can always go back and remove the Windows 8 Release Preview and just have your old operating system/.
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May 31, 2012A Mascot With a Larger Growl
I am a graduate of St. Francis College. I ABSOLUTELY loved St. Francis because it was a small college & the faculty cared about the students. When I tell people that my college experience included walking around the city with Professor Sparr on Saturday morning or going out to dinner with my professors (Dr. Hughes and Dr. Garcia), they are shocked. When I tell people how registration is simple and easy at St. Francis College, people are shocked. It was a college experience that most schools can’t duplicate because they are too large.
I had 8:00 am classes for 3 1/2 years at SFC and I didn’t mind getting up early and going to school. It was a placed I loved to be and I felt at home there.
St. Francis College’s mascot, The Terrier.
Today I saw the mascot of St. Francis, the Terrier…..the scrappy terrier. He was different than the old SFC mascot featured above. He wasn’t scrappy anymore.
He’s a fighting, growling terrier. When did he become so fierce? I’m not sure if I like him as much as the cute, friendly terrier that I knew for so many years. But change is good, I guess. Maybe he’ll help SFC teams win more games.
Hey St. Francis College – how about making a Lady Terrier next round?
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May 28, 2012When Memorial Day Became A Holiday for Me
As a child, I heard of war mentioned in social studies classes. I heard my parents talk about their uncle who served in the “big one.” I saw my father watch many military television shows. And Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day were just days off from school. I didn’t understand the sacrifices that were made on my behalf.
When I was in high school our friend Mike was in the military. I never got the feeling that he served in the military because he loved our country, but rather because he wanted the money and tuition money that the military provided. I know that sounds terrible, but you have to remember that was all pre-9/11. Many people of my generation didn’t know what it was like for our country to be at war. While a teen, Memorial Day Weekend was a time to party…..not necessarily because I was proud to be an American, but like many teens I didn’t need a reason to party.
When I went to college, I had a lot of friends who were in the military. Again, I always felt that they did it for the money. That sounds terrible, right? College is expensive and being in the military made it affordable for students. Memorial Day weekend was a time to celebrate because college classes and exams were done.
Later in life, I met people who served in the military because they love our country – not because they needed money for college, but because they really loved our country and felt a responsibility to fight for our freedom. And that’s when I learned how important it is to celebrate our veterans.
After 9/11, a friend joined the military and before he left for Iraq, I hugged him tightly. He sensed my sadness and said, “Don’t worry I will be back.” He did come back and made several other missions to Iraq. That’s a hero!
We went out to Long Island National Cemetery. It’s incredible to see all these flags placed on the graves. Although I think it’s beautiful, I’m glad it’s not my job to do it. Can you imagine how long it took to do the whole cemetery?
Lee’s Dad and his uncles were in the military. Lee joined the Marines after college. When I asked him why, he told me because he liked the Marines.
Rest in Peace E&L.
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May 26, 2012Three Years Ago
Three years ago today, we met our house. I can hardly believe it’s been three years already.
Every year we have a party for the house because we like parties AND it’s one of the best things to celebrate. I have a lot to do this morning for our barbecue.
Yesterday we met our new neighbors across the street. The pride in the new owners eyes and voice made me smile. They are a young couple with three children and I am glad to have them as our neighbors.
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