The Trio at the Luncheon Boating Party- Part 2

Adrien: Gentleman in the Cardigan Sweater (Far Mid- Right)

Angele is so undeniably beautiful. Does she even notice me? Let me move a little closer. Her skin glistens like alabaster marble. I can see her lovely mounds just waiting to be caressed. No. I must control myself. Why must she stare at Gustave? It is incomprehensible. He is not paying any attention to her flirtatiousness, yet there she is fawning over him. I could write serenades and immortalize her very name. Do you think she cares. Perhaps, I must divert her attention. Then, she cannot help but to reciprocate my feelings.

"Would you care to stroll along the riverbank?"


Note: This was a wonderful project we did using a Renoir painting and telling the stories of various individuals in Luncheon of the Boating Party. My trio are the woman with the baseball cap (over to the right), the gentleman leaning over her and the gentleman wearing the yellow boating hat with ribbon. To see more, click here.

The Trio at the Luncheon Boating Party- Part 1

Angele: Lady Wearing Baseball Cap (Far Mid-Right)

Honestly, does Adrien not see that I am trying to attract the attention of the most handsome and talented man on Earth. Gustave Caillebotte. He is just divine in ways that Adrien can never compare. For one, his breath does not smell like three day old garlic bread. Look at Gustave's angelic face gazing out into the distance. If only Adrien would not hover. Let him be utterly pathetic somewhere else. I wonder if Gustave will ever choose to paint me? I would love to see how I look through his eyes.

"Would you care to stroll along the riverbank?"


Note: This was a wonderful project we did using a Renoir painting and telling the stories of various individuals in Luncheon of the Boating Party. My trio are the woman with the baseball cap (over to the right), the gentleman leaning over her and the gentleman wearing the yellow boating hat with ribbon. To see more, click here.

Under a Brooklyn Moon

Under a Brooklyn Moon

All is blurred like the dreams of a child. The rain creates a mystical illusion of peace, happiness and harmony.
The ethereal structures in the backdrop are towers of wealth and abundance.
The graceful arches and cabled suspension, leave one in absolute awe.
This city of dreams is like a glass menagerie of infinite potential.
The lines between dreams and reality are obscured by enchanting lights and enticing romantic pleasures.
This exuberant place is like the little wisps of smoke with an ounce of hope. It impresses the notion that every romantic pleasure is here available under a Brooklyn moon.

Image courtesy of Castle Galleries: Jeff Rowland- artist, Under a Brooklyn Moon,
http://www.castlegalleries.com/artists/jeff_rowland/collection.asp

Pictures

This was a great show at Sea World. It had singing, sea animals, acrobatics and visual effects. Really wonderful show that the kids will love!




This is a picture of one of the shows at Sea World. It wasn't great, jokes fell short, but quite entertaining.




Beautiful moonlight on our anniversary in Disney. We've been married eight years and it feels like it was just yesterday that Gerald asked me on our first date. :D

 
And although I really hate posting pictures of myself, here is a photo of me and my husband. We were at a staff bowling meet. We didn't play but we did have several glasses of wine! It was fun to be out together with just adults!

Juggling Family, Health and Work

Who ever said that managing family, work and everything in between is easy? Since August, I have had constant struggles with time management. These are some things I have tried to get a handle on the situation:

1. Planner- I write down all appointments, meetings for work, etc.

2. Calendar- I have one by the computer and write just little short notes as a second reminder.

3. Family- I check with hubby and kids to make sure they know we have an appointment.

4. Meals- I have planned meals ahead of time for lunch at work or dinner at home. Breakfast for everyone is up for grabs (cereal, oatmeal, quick stuff).

5. Budgeting- I create a budget for myself and husband. He is terrible at this but I try to stick to it. I also make a list of bills and how much to allot for each one.

6. Bank accounts- I check them regularly for checks to clear and ensure that funds are available for spending.

7. To Do Lists- I make a list every morning at work to make certain that I get things done. Then I number the list in the priority that it needs to be done.

8. Grocery shopping- since I usually shop at Pathmark (supermarket in the Northeastern US), I go to the website and search through the circular. I print up a shopping list of sale items and try my best to spend less that $300 every three weeks.

9. Clip coupons- I clip coupons only on the items I actually use and take them with me to supermarket for even more savings.

10. Homework- Every night, I check the kids' homework. I spend about an hour either reading, looking through notebooks and helping them with difficult problems. I also have my own homework from work where I am planning lessons, gathering materials, meeting agendas/ notes and making phone calls (both good and bad).

11. Housecleaning- every Saturday is dedicated to cleaning the house thoroughly. The kids have certain chores to complete and I/ husband do laundry, organize/ shred papers, put away anything that's out of place, etc.

12. Family visits- I usually see my mom and grandmother every two weeks. I try to make it a point to cook for them and take care of things they can't do themselves (they both had strokes and are partially paralyzed).

Now, even with all these strategies, I am finding it difficult to juggle things.  However, it seems like there are just not enough hours in the day to accomplish everything that needs to get done. Any suggestions?

Halloween

Just because I am in the mood for dressing up:

Zombies, and ghosts and ghouls! Oh my!

Zombies, and ghosts and ghouls! Oh my!

Dark shadows and eery street lights cast elongated, shapes on the sidewalk.

Frightening pumpkins encase glowing candles that set an ominous mood to any dwelling.

Zombies, and ghosts and ghouls! Oh my!

Zombies, and ghosts and ghouls! Oh my!

Trick-or-treat bags are swollen with mounds of candy. Parents scour through the candy ensuring the safety of their children.

Children gorge on this delectable feast of sweets resulting in belly-aches and relentless moans.

Zombies, and ghosts and ghouls! Oh my!

Zombies, and ghosts and ghouls! Oh my!

*dusts off blog and resumes typing*

Random Thoughts

1. Don't you hate it when you are shopping and standing near a sales rack, no one else is around, and then all of a sudden a mob of people come and invade your personal space.
2. I love when students have a free period and they take out their homework. They begin reading and writing without my having to tell them.
3. I need a plant for my office but I don't get enough light. I am not experienced with plants so I really don't know what to purchase.
4. You ever wonder why people dig their nose in their cars and act like no one can see them. Guess what? I see you . . .
5. I really wish I could see the night sky with my naked eye. There is too much light pollution so I don't really know what it looks like. Sad.
6. I wish every person who uses the bathroom would wash their hands right afterward. Grosses me out when they don't.
7. I think my daughter is getting involved in too many extracurricular activities. I think it's great that she has joined a team and has after-school clubs. However, she needs some time management skills. Too scattered. I'll have to get her a planner or PDA.

What is your random thought of the day? I want to know.

Reading Mondays at The Burrow

Today I am writing about my favorite authors.  You can find it here.

First days of classes. . .

It is that time again. . . first day of classes. I felt like today was equivalent to one long workout. My students are wonderful but the classes are so large.  Because of budget cuts throughout New York City, schools have suffered greatly when it comes to resources for books, hiring enough teachers for the number of students and in classroom supplies.  Textbooks were not a problem for us as the principal was able to include the cost of books when he was appointed two years ago.  However, the number of students allowed in a general education high school class is 34 maximum.  One of my classes had 39 and another class had 36.  It was such a tight fit that we had to acquire chairs from other classrooms!

Another issue that has arisen this year is the whole school bus thing.  Our high school has a later end time, therefore the students on school buses should not be picked up before 4:00 pm.  It is appalling that the bus arrived at 2:50 pm to pick up the students to take them home.  They miss an entire hour of instruction.  Bussing has also been affected by the budget cuts, so that you have elementary age students on a bus with high school students.  This is ludicrous.  The conversations and behaviors exhibited by teenagers may negatively affected the grade school students who are less experienced.  In addition, they can be exposed to "things" that are inappropriate for their age level.

Despite all these negative aspects, I plan to have a wonderful year.  I am the coordinator of an inclusion program, special education students who are fully participating in a general education curriculum.  I want to move my students at least one grade level in their reading and math skills by January.  I plan to have two seniors graduate with an advanced Regents diploma.  I have one junior and one sophomore who are also bound for a Regents diploma.  My freshman I do not know well yet, but I see promise in them.  All in all, I plan for a good year!

Moonlight Shadows

I love the shadows your body casts in the soft moonlight. You remind me of an obsidian version of Michaelangelo's David. Your form is so perfect. My fingers caress every mound, every surface and every inch of your delectable shape. I am tempted to wake you and satiate the hunger that grows in my core. I reach out my hand and it hovers over your sex. Should I indulge? I then begin to wonder; when we wake up and all the shadows have gone and the moonlight is replaced by sunlight, will I still look at you this way?

Image courtesy of Castle Galleries- Moonlight Shadows - Rob Ford