we're goin' out

So they'd better get the party started!

Last Friday, we celebrated Alison's and Drew's birthdays at Latitude in Midtown. Drew reserved a private room, so we had the place to ourselves! I can't even imagine how much that cost, as my one drink was $11. Yikes! But we had a good time.





This week on Friday, Jenny, Jenn, Carol and I went out for Halloween. There was a costume party at The Saloon on the East Side. There wasn't anything saloon-ey or country about the place, but, again, it was fun. The four of us, all teachers, dressed up as school girls.

By the way, if you've noticed me wearing glasses is in recent pictures, it's because of an eye irritation. The doctor told me no contacts for another week (at least), and he gave me eye drops. I have another checkup on it on Monday.

another author

Tonight I went to a book talk and book signing with Tomie dePaola!!! How cool is that?!?! All you education people out there will know. (Wink, wink.) Tomie dePaola has published over 200 childrens books, with the first ones coming out in the 70's. He's currently on tour promoting his first book geared more toward adults. It's a book of his Christmas memories. He read chapter one to us tonight. The Streganonna books are some of Tomie's most popular works, but I prefer his semi-autobiographical works. Tonight, after the book talk, I had him sign Tom, The Art Lesson, and Nanna Upstairs, Nanna Downstairs. The Nanna book is one of Tomie's favorites; he recently redid the illustrations for it. I read The Art Lesson with my second graders last year, and we wrote a letter to Tomie dePaola. Now I can show future classes that I met this fantastic author!

new york cares

And so do we! Seana and I volunteered, along with hundreds of others, to help out at public schools in New York today with the "New York Cares Day" program. We were assigned to PS 159 K Isaac Pitken School in Brooklyn. It's in the precinct with the highest number of homicides in New York! But it's also an amazing school. And don't worry; we felt very safe!

Before getting on the subway at 8:30 this morning, we stopped at Dunkin' Donuts for coffee and breakfast. Then we took about a one hour and forty-five minutes subway ride to get there. We spent the day repainting a mural on the side of one of the three school buildings. It was such fun to see it go from drab and dull to bright and vibrant. And lots of people in the neighborhood stopped by to watch us work and to praise our efforts. It really did look much better when we finished. We took a quick break for lunch, which the school provided for us - sub sandwiches, macaroni salad, and fruit. And we finally finished up about 3:30 in the afternoon. We left feeling happy to have contributed.

On the subway ride home, we stopped at one stop and quite a few Mennonites got on our car. We found out they traveled to New York from Virginia to pass out Christian music CDs and to witness. The girl who sat down next to me said there were fifty of them! Not a sight you see everyday in Manhattan... On our connecting train, a homeless man with a terrible cough came on our car asking for food. Since the school fed us lunch, Seana and I shared the bag lunches we had packed.

It was a beautiful day (a little chilly, but sunny), we made a small contribution to New York, and we had fun while we were at it!

thursdays are the best

Thursdays are the best. I have class from 3:00 - 4:40, and then my weekend officially begins! Usually I go to the gym for an aerobics class or two, then I come back and go up to the lounge for a relaxing evening. The last couple of weeks Alison and I have taken our dinners up and watched "Ugly Betty" together. Then lots of people come up for "Grey's Anatomy." Usually someone brings cookies, but tonight someone made cake for Drew's birthday. After "Grey's" we stick around for "Six Degrees" to pick out the New York spots we recognize. Thursdays are a great night to forget about class-work and getting up early, and to just vegg out with friends. Plus, there's always the drama and cast of "Grey's" to keep us in suspense! (It's incredible how everyone manages to keep quiet during the show, and then errupt into comments and catching-up time during the commercials.)

fire, fire!

Oh, wait. Not really. The darn fire alarm just went off AGAIN. It went off last night, too. But tonight it's cold and rainy. Geesh, people! And tomorrow morning the housing office has actually scheduled a fire drill. Seriously? What for? Don't we "practice" often enough? I think they need to start giving people fines or removing their stoves or something. I'm sure the fire department shares my sentiments, and I know many of the other residents do. This is ridiculous!

reasons to smile

GOOD FRIENDS

Megan is leaving to do Beauty and the Beast in Alabama, so we had a "Going Away Party" for her at Hi Fi on Friday night. Joely, Adrian, Laura, Sarah, Mike, and lots of others were there. We'll miss you, Megan!

CHILDREN'S BOOKS

Seven authors and illustrators were at Books of Wonder today to talk about their newest releases, to explain how they do their illustrations, and to sign books! I had Chowder signed by Peter Brown (hilarious book, by the way), The Hidden Alphabet signed by Laura Vaccaro Seeger, Jamberry signed by Bruce Degen (who also illustrates the Magic Schoolbus books), and How Do Dinosaurs Eat Their Food? signed by Mark Teague.

FARMERS' MARKETS

I visited the Green Market in Union square this afternoon. The sun was shining, though it was a bit chilly, and the produce was beautiful! The baked goods looked yummy, and the fresh flowers smelled good. There were pumpkins, gourds, mums, and cornstalks - signs of fall even in the middle of Manhattan! I also listened to a great little band play bluegrass music, watched the puppies play in the dog run, admired the artwork for sale by local artists, and watched some street performers. And I didn't spend a dime! What could be better?

fellowship

This week was Megan's last time at fellowship group before she leaves for Beauty and the Beast in Alabama. We're going to miss her! L to R: Adrian, Libby, Laura, Sarah, Me, Megan, and in front: Whitney and Joely

small town city

I was headed back toward school from my fellowship group meeting tonight, transferring trains at the 42nd Street stop, and I ran into Amber M. We went to highschool together in KS, and I haven't seen her since graduation! New York City really is just a small town... (And, yes, I did know that she might be in the city doing theater, but what's the probability of just running into her and of us recognizing each other?)

long overdue

Thursday, October 5

Book Signing with Jon Scieszka, author of The True Story of the Three Little Pigs and Math Curse, among many others.

Dinner with the Girls: Megan, Laura, Sarah, Whitney, Joely, Rachel, and Me - Pasta, Wine, and Grey's Anatomy

Oops... Broke the bottle opener... Megan's trying to salvage the wine!

Friday, October 6

Chinese Student Association's Mid-Autumn Festival Celebration, with moon cakes!

The message that came with this picture: "Dear Reed,You are very very beautiful.What is your major?Welcome you visitNanjing of China and my family.Best regard,Li Hua mei"

Mid-Autumn Festival is as good a reason as any to go out and celebrate! Alison, Carol, Jen, and I went to a Chinese restaurant for dinner at 77th Street, walked back up to school, and had dessert at Kitchenette.

Jennifer & Jennifer

Alison

Jennifer

Me

Saturday, October 7

Fall Fun! Joely, Whitney, Carol, Andy and I went to the Queens County Farm and Museum in Little Neck, Queens. Joely brought caramel apples for us to enjoy on the train ride. When we got there, we visited the pumpkin patch and went through the corn maze... in the dark!

Andy (a model), Joely (a singer/songwriter), Whitney (an artist), Me

Sunday, October 8

No pictures, but Brian came through New York on his way back to NE from a week's vacation in England. He had a job interview about two hours north of the city. We had lunch and walked around Riverside Park. In the evening I went to church at RPC. We took up two pews last night! Afterward, we (Sarah Jane, Noah, Megan, Laura, Libby, Mike, Mike's friend, and I) went to dinner at Cosi, which, in Italian, means, "Like this..."

and another one

Evan Joshua was born on Thursday, October 5, at 10:28 pm in Saint Louis.

He weighed 9lbs 2oz and measured 20 3/4 inches.

Congratulations, Lani and Jon!

welcome

Welcome to the world, Naomi Lynn!

October 1

7 pounds 12 ounces, 20.75 inches

Congrats, Jamie and Greg in St. Louis!

(Who we know from Wisconsin...)

modesty matters

I'm not a mom, but when I found this online I thought it was important to add my signature. It's something that matters to me as a Christian, a woman, and a teacher. The Family Research Council has also linked to this campaign. I encourage you to consider adding your name to the over 600 others already listed. You can do so by clicking here.

Moms for Modesty Mission Statement
As a Mom for Modesty I believe in common-sense modesty for girls and young women.
I believe in refraining from sexualizing our girls and young women.
I believe that it is unwise and unfair to taunt boys and young men by permitting my daughter(s) to dress in an immodest manner.
I believe that true beauty comes from within and I strive to teach my daughter(s) this truth.
I will loyally shop at retailers that provide girls' and young women's clothing that is modest, affordable and stylish.

Click here to add your name.

continuing adventures

Mom, Dad, and I stayed busy through the rest of their visit. Here's what we did on Sunday and Monday:

Sunday Morning - Breakfast at Route 66 on 9th Ave at 55th Street with a walk through rain to get there, a subway ride down to Battery Park at the southern tip of Manhattan, a ferry ride (the weather miraculously cleared up while were getting the ferry tickets)
Sunday Afternoon - Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, hotdogs for lunch, a ferry ride back to Manhattan, City Hall and City Hall Park, Ground Zero site of the World Trade Center
Sunday Evening - Chinatown, Little Italy for dinner (the most delicious veal marsala Mom's ever had)
Monday Morning - Breakfast at Kitchenette, a trip to Target (thanks, Mom & Dad, for helping me stock up), a stop at the grocery store (apparently the amount of food on my shelf concerned Mom & Dad)
Monday Afternoon - General Grant's Tomb, Morningside Cathedral, grilled panini sandwiches for lunch, a Columbia neighborhood walk, and a stop back at the dorm for dad to take a nap while mom and I got some icecream.... then Mom and Dad left for the airport and I took a nap

We had a lot of fun together, and we wore ourselves out! It was like a mini-vacation. I'm so glad they came, and I can't wait for my next visitors! Now it's back to work on all my class assignments.