Angelica's World

Who doesn't love Christmas in New York? Even being a native New Yorker, I still love doing the touristy bit! Last night was one of those times!

The 7th Street and Alumni Hall Council (the one I'm Secretary for) provided 25 students with wayyy reduced tickets ($15) to see the Radio City Christmas Spectacular (yep, the Rockettes). I asked some of my friends to go and we had so much fun. The show was fun--I had seen it before (the night I got my NYU acceptance actually)--it's always a reminder of how much I've wanted to be a Rockette but, thanks to being just barely 5'2" I'll never be able to. Anyway, the show was fun and since it was over so early (8-9:30) we decided to go around the corner to Rockefeller Center. Two girl friends and I took pictures in front of the tree and Saks (where the snowflakes are displayed on the windows in lights) and just walked around for a little while getting excited for Christmas.

Whether you've never done it or you've been up there a lot, it's always fun to check out the area, take some pictures, and enjoy the holiday spirit (and try not to think about all the work that awaits you at home)!

Merry (early) Christmas!!! And Happy Hanukkah to those celebrating this week! :)

Last year during Welcome Week (the week in August before classes start) some friends and I went to an event being held at the Kimmel Center--the Nuyorican Poetry Slam. It was incredible. These poets/performers are extremely talented and gave amazing spoken word performances. That same night I learned about the Nuyorican Poets Cafe located on E. 3rd Street between Avenues B and C but I never had a chance to go.

Well, yesterday in my Caribbean Latinos class (the same one I went to the Brooklyn Museum for) we learned about Nuyorican poetry and had a speaker come in and share tons of information about it. I loved the poetry and really enjoyed reading it. I then learned the history of it and how it began in New York City by people from the Caribbean.

I don't want to give a whole historical schpiel about it but I just thought it was yet another great moment of connecting the experiences I've had in the city to my academic encounters in the classroom. That is certainly one of the best parts about going to school in Manhattan--the overabundance of resources!!!

PS-Definitely try to check out the Cafe some time--the artists are extremely talented!!!

Despite the fact that finals are coming up this week and I've had tons of work, I somehow convinced myself that I needed to give myself a break and take advantage of what NYC is giving me access to because after all, isn't that part of the reason I decided to come to school here anyway?

The School of Continuing and Professional Studies (SCPS) had given away free tickets to the students to go see Cirque du Soleil's Wintuk show at MSG's WaMu Theater Friday night. One of my friends invited me to go so four of us went together. I had seen a Cirque du Soleil performance at Disney four years ago and it was incredible so I was really excited about Wintuk. This show was a little strange--the storyline was unnecessary and a little random but I mean, we just wanted to see the amazing acrobatics (seeing as I used to be a gymnast I really love CdS). Anyway, the four of us saw the show and when we got back down by our dorm we decided to go to Max Brenner: Chocolate by the Bald Man. WOW! I have been there a few times and have yet to be let down by both their "real" food and their desserts. We satisfied my peanut butter obsession and constant craving without much input from me. Basically, a great end to a fun night!

Yesterday, after waking up at 7:15 to continue work on my paper, and meeting with girls to finalize our group project, I headed back over to Alumni Hall for a free trip to see Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater sponsored by my Explorations floor. I had never seen an Alvin Ailey performance before and even though I'm not too into ballet I figured it's sort of something you have to go to, especially as a dancer. The dances were really cool--unlike any performances I had ever seen. I found the choreography to be rather interesting and extremely unique--there were some really fun pieces.

I'm glad I was able to have another culture-rich weekend in Manhattan...now it's time to work on my Take Home Final for my Teaching Literacy class. Once that's done I only have one project between me and Winter Break!!! Can't wait to get home, see friends and family, and be an aunt for the first time :-D

Last night was we had our last Education classes of the semester. The girls in my Cohort and I went out to a delicious Italian dinner at Mangia e Bevi afterwards to celebrate. It was really fun just hanging out with them and relaxing--and getting to know each other better outside of class.

Today was the last day of FIFTH semester at NYU. I can't believe I'm more than half way done...or even freakier--that I only have 3 semesters left! I have done so much in the past 2 and a half years and been exposed to so many opportunities (although I haven't had enough time to take advantage of all of them unfortunately) and I can only imagine how much more is in store for me.

But, along with today being the last day of NYU classes, it was also the last day of my first semester of Student Teaching which we all know I fell in love with! Although I absolutely did NOT want to leave today, it was a great day. My students have been pretty sad that I wouldn't be coming back and continually asking questions about why I wouldn't be there anymore and there were a ton of requests to hold my hand and sit next to me. How could you not love 7-year-olds?

This afternoon, my Cooperating Teacher arranged a "Celebration" for my leaving. First we played a game on the rug and everyone had a chance to say what they liked about me or why they would miss me--it's so funny (and appreciated) to listen to their responses. They then presented me with a book that they made for me. They each wrote me a note and put it together on big poster board--they asked me to read it to them so I did. Then it was time for lots of cookies and pictures and fun.

I seriously was extremely lucky this semester and had such a great placement where I not only was put in a very accommodating, positive school but also with a teacher who was always willing to help me and let me take charge when/how I felt appropriate. I have gained incredible experiences from being in that classroom and am eagerly looking forward to everything else I will learn over the next three semesters Student Teaching.

As for now, I have to finish my take home test and then I have one project left!

In my Thanksgiving post I mentioned that my friend and I are in the process of starting an organization and my dad helped us put together a budget for it. Well, we've made some progress since then and I just figured I'd give some background information on what we're doing (and maybe a shameless plug or two).

This all started with an email I received at the end of the summer from an OutReach friend of mine (that she actually sent out to OutReachers to discuss her idea). She has previously worked with the Challenger Baseball League, a division of Little League, at her home and was hoping to bring this incredible opportunity for children with physical and mental disabilities up to NYC. Of course I was quick to jump on the bandwagon and now we're "business partners" so to speak.

We have applied for the Be a Changemaker Challenge in which students can create organizations that benefit the community and have the opportunity to apply to this competition to win up to a $10,000 grant. We just submitted our application on December 2 and should be hearing back shortly about the upcoming steps to take.

So this is our idea, which we have (what we feel to be very appropriately) called Play! It is a two-part program which will include sports and theater. Part One is the Challenger Baseball which we will begin next semester. We plan to collaborate with an already existing Little League Division that will then support us in setting up a Challenger Division at that park. We will have NYU students volunteer to be one-on-one buddies with the children. We plan to have baseball games once a week (they will arrive early to practice) and the NYU Buddies will be out on the field with the children. We'll conclude the year with a party and awards ceremony. We plan to have this part of the program occur every spring.

Part Two of the program is the drama/theater component which is also in two parts. During the fall semester, we plan to have an NYU student playwright write an ensemble-based play for the children, something that they can understand, and we will rehearse once a week throughout the semester. The children will be involved in all facets of the production from acting to set design, etc. Again, there will be NYU Buddies involved to be paired with the children. The second part of the program will occur each spring and will be rather similar EXCEPT...this time the NYU playwright from the fall will work with the students to create, develop, and write their own play which they will also perform at the end of the semester.

We feel this program is a great way for NYU students to use their assets and skills to benefit this incredible group of children. We also believe that by providing these children with the chance to participate in sports and theater, they will grow and find something to be passionate in, as my partner and I are passionate about each of these integral parts of Play! (special education, drama, performance, athletics) and all the benefits and lessons that come along with that like teamwork, collaboration, confidence, and community (among other things).

And...aside from hopefully beginning the non-profit status application process soon, we're looking to become a club at NYU so we can really integrate this program into the NYU community and gain student involvement as well as exposure about working with children who have special needs! I'm so excited!

And for the shameless plug...if you know anyone interested in getting involved with us either as participants, buddies, sponsors, etc.--we'd love to hear from them...please spread the word :)

Despite the post from 10 days ago about being done with the first semester of junior year, I can now make it official! I finished my last project tonight. It's an assignment for my Caribbean Latinos class which I was really excited about doing but thanks to Barnes and Noble taking a full week to mail me the books I ordered, I couldn't start it until Wednesday night. So for the past three days I worked diligently on my final project and it is now done and will be mailed back to NYU on Monday (yes, it can be postmarked up until Christmas Eve).

I actually really enjoyed the project (I know, some people think I'm crazy for saying that. In fact, I would agree.) Anyway, I ended up reading a children's book (How Tia Lola Came to Stay) by Julia Alvarez (the same author as In the Time of the Butterflies that I recommended earlier this semester). I then made a multicultural curriculum unit based on that book and taught about the Dominican Republic and some information about the author. One of the activities was also to watch mad hot Ballroom (2005) which I had to watch for another class and it shows merengue dancing which is popular in DR. No need to go on and on about the project but I'm pleased with the end result and can't wait to mail it in. The good news is that I've already gotten 4 of my 8 grades for this semester and they're not too shabby...hopefully the rest will follow suit.

Off to the second night of sleeping in my own bed. Good night!

Just wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! I was going to post earlier but I wanted to include a picture of my family from today so I figured I would wait until tonight when I could upload the pictures.

It was great being with my family today--mom and I spent some time setting up this morning and went to the cemetery to visit grandma and grandpa. My brother, sister-in-law, sister, and brother-in-law came over and we opened presents. Only I would be thrilled to receive the complete set of the Full House shows (my siblings made fun of me haha); and I asked for a bunch of books (I know, a little nerdy but oh well I can't wait to read them)! But, my favorite book and one of my favorite gifts was Ballerina Dreams--the true story of five little girls who have Cerebral Palsy but always dreamt of being ballerinas and they finally had the chance..."[they] did it!" (The first link is the news broadcast and video clips of it and the second link is the actual book.) My siblings and I gave our parents tickets to see Jersey Boys on Broadway; they've been dying to see the show but it's so hard to get tickets...so now they're going in October 2008!

Then the rest of the day was filled with tons of eating (shocker), watching Elf (it sort of has become tradition), and just spending time together which I love!

Hope everyone else had an enjoyable and relaxing holiday and takes some time to spend with family at this important time of year!

That's the first thing I said when I walked into my house this afternoon after spending 16.5 hours working at a local Jewish Community Center in their program for Special Needs children. They had a 3-day vacation program for the children, ages 5-10, and each day there was a different activity planned. Monday we did ceramics, yesterday we went to Pump It Up!--a party place full of blow-up castle-like "playgrounds," and today we built bears. We also went swimming, colored, made music, and had fun.

I had such a good time at work that no matter how tired I was on my way there, I didn't want to leave to come home each afternoon. Working with children who have Autism, especially of varying severities, is extremely interesting. I just wish I could see into their worlds and understand what's going on in their minds. They are bright children and each of them has such different personalities and interests but they're all incredible! It was definitely a great way to spend three days of my Winter Break and I wish I could spend more like that!

Just wanted to share that experience on my blog!

I'm at home and bored. It's 1am and I'm just talking to a friend online. After checking out the Dance Team's video's on YouTube (the idea was brought on from the conversation I'm having with my friend), I decided to Google myself. Of course I found my blog, my blurb on the USG website, and a few other things. But, I also came across the article about these blogs that was written in NYU Today--an NYU publication that goes out to NYU families, etc. (my parents received a copy at home which meant that I quickly received a phone call telling me that they saw my picture!). So, anyway, even though I had seen it in the NYU Today (and took a few copies to have as my own), I was excited to see it online and decided I might as well post it on my blog for all to read...so enjoy!