New York State of Mind

Hello friends!  It has been very busy the past couple of days.  The work load in my class has more than doubled since the first week.  There are so many forms to fill out for every section of the course.  I wake up at around 6:15 and get home no earlier than 9:00.  After I teach a lesson, I have to complete a self-evaluation, class lasts until 3:30. Next, I plan for my lesson the following day, and then stay during the evening lessons for my observations.  The work is very tedious!  Creating lesson plans and teaching ESL students is very different than preparing and teaching Kindergarten.  It has a different structure and I am reteaching myself parts of speech, rules of grammar, phonology (all the "stuff" I was taught in elementary school, except I don't remember all this terminology).  In fact, its hard to write this blog without thinking..."Oh, that's the noun with the modal verb and past participle," or "Is this sentence in the perfect present or the present continuous?" Don't even get my started on adverbs, articles, and prepositions! LOL! I suppose this is a good think, but it takes a lot of work.

    Last Friday, I visited the Empire State building.  I really wanted to arrive to see the sunset from the top, but I didn't make it in time.  It wasn't a very good experience.  I'm glad my first time to go to the top of the Empire State Building was in December with Jana.  We did not have to wait in any lines to go up and it was not crowded.  We got to freely roam to any side to see the view.  This time, I was fighting through the crowds just to get a glimpse of the city.  I'm glad I have my first memory to hold on to.

    
     I'm continuing to meet great people, see different places, and try new things. Ashley and I went to a fine-dining restaurant within Bryant Park late Friday night.  It was my first time to try Guzpacho and muscles.  I thought Guzpacho tasted like cold salsa and the muscles  like cleaning products.  Maybe I'm the only one that thinks this way.  Apart from my opinions of fine cuisine, I am proud of myself for stepping out of my comfort zone.

My classmate and friend Ashley from Venezuela

                                          

I tried to go to the Hillsong United church on Sunday, but was unable to attend because there were too many people!  I just think that is crazy!  I couldn't go to church because there wasn't enough room.  I was very disappointed.  I plan to try again next Sunday:)

After class yesterday, I went to Bryant Park where they were showing the Wizard of OZ.  This is one of my top 5 favorite movies.  There were tons of people sitting on the lawn with their kids, friends, and family.  I thought how lovely it would have been to watch it with someone, but exhaustion quickly kicked in and had to go.  However, I did get to see the scene where Dorothy sings "Somewhere Over The Rainbow." Take a look below.  Thank you to those who have kept in touch with calls, fb posts, and texts.  Even though I am staying pretty busy, its nice to hear a familiar voice that cares.

Sweet sleep everyone!
B