Christmas Part 2

Really this is how Christmas began, but it is my second installment. There was a time in my life when I loved to fly. That was before I spent 2- 4 weekends a month flying between New York and Texas for three months. I now begin to dread it as soon as I book the trip. I usually fly by Murphy's Law. It looked like this trip would be no different. We arrived at the airport to discover that 1) we had no assigned seats and 2) there were not seats together. Erin went to the desk to see what the best available situation was. After a few minutes she was called to the desk. The best thing they could do for us we were told was to give us seats in 1st class. Hmmm, well I guess if there was no other choice, right. Now I haven't flown 1st class for about 20 years so I had forgotten how much nicer it is. We entered the plane with the offer to hang our coats as our carryons were stowed for us. The coach passengers were constantly reminded that there was not room in the overhead bins for their coats, purses or small bags. While the other travelers sat knees in their chest drinking their one complimentary beverage and were given the option of purchasing overpriced snacks, we were served unlimited drinks and warm nuts. While the passengers in coach were asked if they would like a plastic cup of cool water, we were asked if we preferred chicken picatta or artichoke ravioli for dinner. By the time we landed, I had to rethink how I felt about flying. If I had the money or option to always fly 1st class, I think I would learn to love flying again.

Christmas Part 1

There is so much to write about this Christmas that I will have to make several entries to cover it all. I think I will start with the most fun.

I have the best brother -in-law. He is a devoted husband and father. He was so good to my mother during her final years,went way beyond the call of duty. He has always been there for me and my kids. He is probably the most easy going person I know. All that having been said, he loves Christmas and wants all those around him to enjoy it just as much. He spends weeks decorating his house inside and out. Lights on the outside flash in time to music. Almost every flat surface inside holds parts of his extensive Christmas village. I'm sure that he played a big hand in decorating the multiple trees. Despite the fact that his greatest love (besides family) is sports, it is all tastefully done.

With this much Christmas spirit coursing through his veins, I wasn't surprised that he purchased enough generous gift cards for each of his nieces and nephews (who were in attendance) to play a white elephant game with them. The next day he dressed as Santa and allowed everyone including my crazy brother to take a turn on his knee. Finally, the day wrapped up with everyone being given a pair of reindeer antlers for our special family photos.

I know it seems like I cannot talk about holidays without reflecting on my parents, but throughout the celebration I couldn't help but think about the lengths my father went to when someone wanted a Santa. He would have appreciated the take on his tradition of giving the next generation a chance to fight over gifts or gift cards. The reindeer antler family photos were something my mother would have loved! Even though it goes against what in reality I believe, I like to think that they were watching from somewhere, shaking their heads, smiling and saying something like, "That Stan, thank goodness Gaye found him." I do have the best brother-in-law.

Merry Christmas Teacher

Today is both a day that I look forward to and dread. As a teacher this day means the last day before Winter Break, a much needed break for most if not all teachers. For me it is also a day that I dread. It's the day that some children will bring me Christmas presents. It's a difficult day. There will usually be two or three children who will bring useful gifts like a gift card or... well that's about it. There will be the children who will bring something like a stuffed animal, gift set of something vanilla scented, a glass flower or space storage bags. Yep, got those this year and not the ones that you hook a vacuum up to. But then there are the children who have nothing to give. There are some who don't really care that they didn't give the teacher a gift. There are others that tell me they wanted to bring me a gift but... The ones that really break my heart are the ones that tell me that they got me a gift but they forgot to bring it. They assure me that I will get it when we return from the break. Of course there is no gift. I'm not sure if they are hoping to come up with something before they return to school or they are just hoping I will forget, which I do. My heart aches for them. No matter how often I tell them that making me a card is a gift from the heart or maybe a tea bag so I can think about them when I am enjoying my morning tea over the break, there will always be the givers and the wanna be givers.

I would like to think I have become really good over the years at making a child feel that their gift was just what I wanted, although it was a little hard with the storage bag things this year. But I just can't seem to handle the wanna be's. I asked another teacher this year how she handles it. She told me that she never opens the gifts in front of the students. Now maybe it's a southern thing, but that just seems rude not to let the giver see the pleasure on your face when you pull out their carefully chosen gift. But I thought I would give it a try. When I thanked my students for bringing the gifts and told them that I couldn't wait to open them on Christmas day I was met with shouts of "Open them now, open them now!" So that didn't work. I don't know, is there a better way to handle it short of lying and telling them that it is against my religion to accept gifts? I did try telling my students one year that they should buy a gift for the forgotten faculty instead of me like the librarian, school nurse or counselors. That didn't work either. The ones that brought gifts just had to buy an extra gift for one of the others. So is there a way to just enjoy the day for what it is, the last day before Winter Break?

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow

Yesterday we finally had our first real snow of the year. The forecast had warned of a winter storm hitting sometime after midnight on Friday morning. When we woke to 36 degrees and partly cloudy skies, I was sure that the storm had just not materialized. I should have depended on more than just aol before decided what to wear to work. The clothes I decided on were fine, as was the coat, but I foolishly did not chose snow boots for my feet. The storm finally hit around noon. By the end of the day there was about 3 inches of snow on the ground and it was starting to sleet. There was no way that I was going to allow Erin to come pick me up as I could already see fender-benders from my classroom window. I had three choices. Take a cab, not worth the money. Take the bus, 2 hours on a dirty bus with loud obnoxious teens, nope. Take the train. Even though it meant going the opposite direction of home to catch one going the right direction and even though it would take at least 2 hours to get to my home that is 15 miles from work, it was the best choice. It was a much better choice than the shoes I was wearing. The first step outside the building sent me scrambling to grab a railing in order not to fall. The entire walk to the train I looked like someone who was trying to ice skate for the first time. As soon as I safely made it to the train, I called Erin and told her that she would have to meet me at the bottom of the hill on which we live. There was no way I could make it to the top without a pair of boots. So 2 1/2 hours later I was greeted by a little red sled that contained the cutest little snow bunny and boots.

Once I was in the appropriate shoes the fun began. Alivia definitely loves cold weather. We spent about an hour letting her sled down the hill. When Erin and I were completely frozen we decided it was time to take her in. OMG how that child can throw a tatrum. She did not want to leave the snow. Later when we discovered that we were missing some important ingredients for dinner, it was back into the sled for a trip to the store. How much fun! What child wouldn't love to live in a place where you go to the store by sled. The only drawback was that we had to deal with the tantrum again when we returned home. Maybe after a few days and when she realizes that the snow will (hopefully) still be there when she goes back outside, she will just learn to enjoy it in small doses.

Cake Balls

I love to cook. I love getting compliments on my cooking, until this week. The 5th grade at my school sponsors several bake sales each year to raise money for the 5th grade trip. Being a supportive faculty member, I always donate baked goods. Recently, I read a post by Elyse about her experience making 'cake balls' and decided I would give them a try. Within a few minutes of the bake sale beginning, teachers began dropping by my room to compliment me on the treats I had made. Some even insisted that I had not made them. All asked for the recipe. On day two of the sale, I took another batch. Teachers actually began arguing over who would get to buy them. Erin had done such a wonderful job of decorating them that one Jewish teacher insisted on buying all the balls that were decorated for Chanukah. Although I was glad that everyone appreciated what I had made, I have to admit that their compliments bordered on the annoying. I eventually gave out the recipe to all who asked and decided that in the future, I would stick to simple cupcakes. If you're interesed, you can find the recipe on Elyse's blog. There is a link on my profile page.

It's Christmas Time In the City

Yesterday was our 3rd annual Christmas celebration, me, Albert, Megan and Maria. This year we decided that instead of exchanging gifts, we would treat ourselves to dinner and a show. The night began with dinner at our favorite restaurant in the city, Carmine's. It is a family style Italian restaurant in the theater district. Reservations usually require about two months notice, but it's not impossible to get in within a reasonable length of time without a reservation. The food was amazing as usual. We did decide that in the future if we were ordering off the menu, we would ask for the price too. But it is Christmas and we were celebrating. After dinner we took a frosty stroll to Rockefeller Center to gaze upon the most famous Christmas tree in the world. I really do love Christmas in New York. The area abounds with Santa's, life-size muppets and cartoon characters come to life. Of course it wouldn't be New York if there weren't vendors selling all the usual along with hot roasted nuts and Christmas wear. When we were thoroughly frozen, we found, of all things, a Starbucks! After warming up over a pumpkin latte, we continued on to the theater to see Hairspray. This was the second time I had seen it, but by far a better show. Harvey Fierstein owns the role of Edna, sorry Norm. By the time we got on the train to return home, another wonderful Christmas memory had been made with some equally wonderful friends. It is a most wonderful time of the year.

Marissa Jaret Winokur

Field Trips

Although I could complain about the events surrounding today's field trip, I wouldn't want to diminish the fabulousness of the show itself. So, I will not address that, for now at least.

Elementary age children in the New York City school system cannot imagine how lucky they are when it comes to field trips. When my children were in elementary school, we looked forward to a field trip to Buttercrust Bakery where the children were given a piece of bread fresh from the oven. When I taught elementary school we went on two trips each year. One trip was to a ropes course and the other was to a grocery store. In the past two and a half years in New York I have taken my students to the Bronx Zoo, Botanical Gardens, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Whitney Museum, Science Museum, History Museum of New York and live theater to name a few. The 5th graders attend a Broadway show each year. Today we went to a performance by the Alvin Ailey Dance Company. It was amazing. I love dance and aside from anything that my own children have done, this was the best dance performance I have ever seen. Even the children who do not know enough about dance to appreciate it from that aspect were amazed by the athleticism of the dancers. There are so many reasons that I love living in New York. Being the person to introduce children to the fine arts through internationally known artists is one of the best reasons to want to stay.

My Crush

Whether or not they will admit it, everyone has had a crush on a celebrity at one time or another. When I was a child, it was Jimmy Stewart. When I was a teenager, it was Bobby Sherman and Davy Jones. When I was a young adult, it was William Katt. I never completely got over that crush. I have played party games with friends over the years where questions like: "If you could kiss, marry, spend one night with...anyone in the world, who would it be?" My answer was always the same, William Katt. Sometimes the listener(s) didn't know who I was talking about. When I said the guy from Carrie or The Greatest American Hero they usually know who he is. They are usually amazed that he is the one. It was when I saw Big Wednesday that it happened. He was the epitome of the guy I always wanted to be with. The characters' lives growing up in a southern California surfing town during the Vietnam era were not that different from mine growing up on the south Texas coast at about the same time. I even have a VERY memorable and not all together pleasant memory of a trip to Mexico. After seeing it, I became a true fan. I saw everything he ever did; The House, First Love, Baby Secret of the Lost Legend and Butch and Cassidy the Early Years were a few of my favorites. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would meet him. So add one more reason to why I LOVE living in New York. I met him today! He is every bit as gorgeous as I thought he would be, but I never could have imagined how nice he would be. He posed for not one, but two pictures. Even Brandon who has not missed an opportunity to make fun of my crush and my friend Anthony had to admit that he is an amazingly nice guy. How great is it to actually meet your celebrity idol and find out that he is everything you had hope he would be. I gush!

What A Week

With the economy being what it is, I have a real fear of a teacher lay-off. That would really suck as this is the year I should get tenure. My students this year seem to be especially difficult to teach. Everyone is on edge and not just at work. It's scary to see how many businesses are closing their doors or down sizing. It's hard to find much to be happy about this holiday season. This has been an especially stressful week as I was worrying about money and got a very expensive parking ticket, so I decided to make a list of things that have made me smile this week.

1. Alivia - many times, but just tonight as she went into the kitchen and came out carrying a bathroom scale
2. Erin - watching Erin at dress rehearsal last night for their show Saturday
3. My Daughters - listening to them talk on the phone as they plot against me and share secrets like true sisters
4. Last Year's Students - as they performed ballroom dancing in a program this week and came to my room the day before to make sure I was going to be at the program
5. The Weatherman - when he reported that we could have up to 3 inches of snow this weekend
6. The Guy a Target - when he told me that I had beautiful eyes (too bad he was about 18 years old)
7. Old Navy - for putting coats on 50% off so that I could buy a badly needed down filled, but not overly filled jacket
8. Breakfast Club - for not serving anything that would compel me to really blow my diet

Looking back over the list, it is a little sparse. It does remind me that however few, I have had some moments to smile about.