Angelica's World

After a long day of waiting in the hospital yesterday, I finally became an aunt at 5:05pm. My little nephew, Anthony Michael, was born 8 pounds 11 ounces, and 21 inches long. He's absolutely adorable and is such a good baby. He's so alert and I have yet to hear him cry for more than a minute (not that I want to).

My brother has been absolutely phenomenal--a great daddy and a very supportive husband, and my sister-in-law came out of child birth looking amazing...I wouldn't mind looking that good after being up for 25 hours and having a baby! They are going to be such good parents--they're both made for this job, they're such naturals!

And my parents have finally become grandparents...they have been waiting for this day since my brother got married almost four years ago! My sister and I both have our first nephew who we get to spoil like crazy! It's such an incredible feeling to have this new addition to our family. Now we just have to keep praying for a healthy little boy :)

Despite the fact that school's out for a month and I'm home on Long Island relaxing, the city is still only an hour away which means, why not meet up with a friend for a night? (and then write about it on my blog so my readers have another delicious restaurant to add to the list and another fun night out they can plan with friends)

Last night I met a friend who I've known since first grade in Manhattan, with his mom, to go to dinner and then see his friend from high school perform at a comedy club. We met at Rosa Mexicano, across from Lincoln Center, for a delicious Mexican dinner filled with freshly made guacamole--mixed right in front of you, tortilla chips, tacos, and enchiladas. While the restaurant is somewhat pricey (I'm starting to sound like a restaurant critic...hmm another career option haha), it is good quality and really great food. Their pollo tacos definitely have the Angelica Seal of Approval.

Afterwards, we walked up to Stand Up NY Comedy Club where my cheeks literally hurt from laughing so hard for so long. There were some veteran comics and some newcomers who were still breaking through the nerves but overall, it was very entertaining and my friend's friend was actually really impressive! Again, this place is quite expensive if you're on a college budget ($15-20 entrance fee + $15 drink minimum---yes, I spent that for water) but you're guaranteed to laugh your way through the night and have a fun night out in the Big Apple!

Starting a corporation is CRAZY...well, the fact that I'm only 20 years old and creating one is the crazy part in my mind. Anyway, this past week has been incredible for Play! and I just wanted to write a little about it as an update (and a potential means of recruitment and publicity).

My partner and I have been spreading the word around NYU and NYC to try to gain more contacts and better understand the many procedures we have to go through in order to establish ourselves. We are working to trademark and copyright some things, gain not-for-profit status, receive liability insurance for everyone involved, and get the program off and running.

This morning we participated in a conference call grant request presentation. We called in and presented Play! to two mtvU representatives as well as the Youth Venture rep we have been in contact with. Our presentation was ten minutes long and then they had ten minutes to ask us questions to better understand our vision. It was somewhat nerve-racking but I think we did well. We then were able to mute ourselves from the conversation and listen to the other two people present their ideas which were also really interesting. We should find out early next week as to the judges decision for the $900-$1000 grant. If Play! receives this, it will be a HUGE help and our first grant which is awesome!

We've also started seeking out interested volunteers and people who would like to help us administratively. I'm really excited about the direction this is headed in and I hope we can continue to receive funding for it, gain sponsorship, and have a successful first season playing baseball! Please spread the word :)

Just a super quick update because I'm really excited: Play! was awarded its first grant--$1000 from mtvU! We received the news on Friday and as you can imagine, we're thrilled to have accomplished this huge step in our development!

Just got back to school and finished unpacking for my SIXTH semester at NYU! I can't believe after this year I only have one year left before I graduate and have to find out what the rest of my life has in store for me.

My break at home was great. It was the first real break I think I have ever given myself since, as my mom suggested, middle school. I had a full month at home to just relax and be work free (aside from Play! work). I finally spent some time at the gym which I think my body appreciated since the gym was almost a foreign idea throughout last semester. I made some progress reading The Kite Runner which I am praying I get to finish before the overwhelming amount of homework and reading begins this semester. I was hoping to finish in time to see the movie at home with mom but that never happened!

I also spent a ton of time with my family which I enjoyed. They come to visit me a decent amount at school but it's still not the same. And after being in Europe for almost the entire summer, I loved actually just being able to chill out with everyone. I spent some time at my brother's house playing with the baby too. I fed him for the first time on Sunday!!! It's crazy how much baby's change within the first few weeks of life but he looks pretty different and so now the constant question is, "who does he look like?"

The other highlight of Break was getting to see some friends. I hung out with my friends from high school a few times and caught up with them. I also spent some time with one of my friends from NYU--my peanut butter buddy haha! We made some things from The Peanut Butter & Co. Cookbook: peanut butter and jelly french toast, peanut butter baked apples with cinnamon raisin PB, peanut butter waffles with cinnamon raisin PB, and the best one was peanut butter berry crumble! WOW! This cookbook is a must-have; the recipes are so easy and everything is delicious! Needless to say, we had fun together and can't wait to do it back at school this semester!

Now it's back to the real world. Classes start tomorrow--pretty decent schedule, very similar to last semester. I start Student Teaching at PS 41 tomorrow morning--I have to be there at 8am...nothing like easing back into the swing of things! I've heard good things about the school though and I'll be in a 3rd grade CTT (Cooperative Team Teaching) class which should be a great learning experience.

I'm sure there will be many more stories in store for this semester...check back soon!
Oh, and, good luck to all those high school seniors now that your applications are out. Congratulations on finishing that HUGE process!!! You're almost there but don't forget to take this half of senior year just as seriously! :)

So, classes and Student Teaching started on Tuesday. My 3rd grade class will definitely be a learning experience--very different, in many ways, from last semester's placement which is helpful. I just really have to force myself to speak up and get more "face time" with the students because I regret not doing it last semester. The teachers I'm working with are really nice and will hopefully be very helpful.

Classes went well--continuation of last semester with some variations to the syllabi. However, it was great to be back with my Cohort and catch up with the girls--I'm looking forward to a fun semester with them!

Wednesday I had my Don Quixote class which I am soooo excited about. I felt a little dorky walking out really excited but oh well, it should be a good class. I actually really enjoyed the first one because I was already able to make connections between what the teacher was saying and my experiences in Madrid and Spain this summer. Between that, learning tons more about Spanish culture, and reading one of the greatest novels, it looks to be a great semester--don't forget about the tons of reading (aka 1000 pages) that come along with it!

Thursday was back to Student Teaching which went well, and then off to Cohort again. Pretty much the same deal as Tuesday--the teachers are changing things up a bit but I'm looking forward to one of the classes because we'll be learning about incorporating science into the curriculum, etc. This means we'll be doing science experiments in class which should be fun, especially with the teacher who we have!

Today I had my first Dean's Research Travel Colloquium class because I'm going to Greece during Spring Break through the Scholars program in Steinhardt. The class and trip will definitely be a phenomenal learning experience and it sounds like we'll be doing incredible things!

Tonight it's off to the first basketball Tear It Up! of the year--free food and t-shirts at the Men's and Women's basketball game along with a packed gym. It should be fun. I wonder how strange it'll be since it's the first game I'll be at without being on the Dance Team and performing...

Alright, sorry for the play-by-play of my week, that's just sort of how this entry evolved and it probably ended up being a little boring. However, with all that it looks like I'll be doing this semester, I hope to change that and have some interesting entries coming up soon! Have a great weekend :)