Saturday, January 26, 2008

Day 49 (365)


Day 49 (365)
Originally uploaded by NYCmiri
Mom and I went to see the Jorge Ali Triana's adaptation of Garcia Marquez's "Crónica de una Muerte Anunciada" at Repertorio Español. I really enjoyed it... Freddy Rivera really brought Santiago Nazar to life and the script sticks to the original story almost verbatim, even the singing didn't annoy me.

We also met Gatorno on the way in, I even bumped into him. Good news NAO!! He's still hot :-)

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Day 48 (365)


Day 48 (365)
Originally uploaded by NYCmiri
This is Destiny, I met her today while she "worked" in her mother's taxi cab. She was extremely outspoken in both English and Spanish, and she can spell most of the words on the Dolch list :-)... She also has an excellent sense of fashion. She posed for me, but was dazzled by the flash. I still think it was a cute shot :-)

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Day 47 (365)


Day 47 (365)
Originally uploaded by NYCmiri
I saw the full moon tonight as I walked home from the bus stop... I don't really know why the moon never ceases to amaze me. Maybe it's because I haven't been able to capture a decent image of it.

This is the best I could do...can someone tell me what I'm doing wrong?

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Day 46 (365)


Day 46 (365)
Originally uploaded by NYCmiri
Duke's first try at light painting.... he was half asleep after a really long day of school, after-school and going to his dad's for a bit. But he wouldn't let me forget I promised him today's picture for light painting... so here it is, It's supposed to say "46"

Day 43 (365)


Day 43 (365)
Originally uploaded by NYCmiri
January 19, 2008

I know this is gonna mess with the order of the picture but It's better late than never.

Does it really get any better than this? a jar that counts your money as you put it in. Why didn't I think of that? :-)

Thanx PanamaRed for pointing that out....I did upload picture #43 to flickr but forgot blog it.... oh no wait! I meant, I did that on purpose to see if you were paying attention :-)

Monday, January 21, 2008

Day 45 (365)


Day 45 (365)
Originally uploaded by NYCmiri
Things you only see in New York.

I met these teenage girls in the bathroom of Toys-r-Us where they were airing out their "body art" with the hand drier. When I left the store I realized there were three boys as well, so I asked them to pose for my picture of the day. They were trying to stand out enough to make it into TRL.

Note that the temperature at the time was 21°F but it felt like 13°F with the wind chill factor

Day 44 (365)


Day 44 (365)
Originally uploaded by NYCmiri
The Giants make it to the Superbowl... and just for kicks I decided to text all the Giants fans I know when the Giants were losing in the third quarter, including my ex-hubby....of course I got tons of obscenities texted back to me.

I'm not really into sports and I don't even understand football....but it's always fun to mess with hardcore fans.

Saturday, January 19, 2008

Day 42 (365)


Day 42 (365)
Originally uploaded by NYCmiri
January 18, 2007

This is yesterday's entry, I was beat when I got home and couldn't upload or blog.

I stumbled upon this hidden block near my school where the movie Push is being filmed this weekend. The movie is based on the novel by the same name. I've never read the book, but I've heard it's interesting. I didn't recognize many people from the cast, the only names that jumped at me were Lenny Kravitz and Mo'nique.

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Day 41 (365)


Day 41 (365)
Originally uploaded by NYCmiri
I tried to get some shots of the falling snow tonight but instead my lens caught a flake, it melted instantly and combined with the light from the flash it created this weird shot of Duke. No flakes showed but I still liked it, so here it is.

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Day 40 (365)


Day 40 (365)
Originally uploaded by NYCmiri
We were not cheering or celebrating anything, this came after a discussion on skin color my kindergarteners were having on their own. To clarify things I asked them compare their skin colors to a piece of white paper and a black plastic bag. After about 10 seconds they lost track of what the discussion was about and started to cheer for no reason. That's a typical kindergarten after school lesson :-)

Day 39 (365)


Day 39 (365)
Originally uploaded by NYCmiri
My co-worker's ridiculous JELLY and peanut butter sandwich. I'm personally not very fond of jelly, so I find it a tad repulsive, but he seems to really enjoy it.

I had a really long day yesterday (work, after-school and middle school fair) got home at around 9 and passed out on the couch almost immediately.

Monday, January 14, 2008

Day 38 (365)


Day 38 (365)
Originally uploaded by NYCmiri
Couldn't find time to take a picture today. This is a sheet in a packet given to all staff members during the faculty conference today. I thought it was convenient.

Day 37 (365)


Day 37 (365)
Originally uploaded by NYCmiri
My brother the gamer playing Call of Duty 4 on his Xbox360. Notice how concentrated he is :-)

Saturday, January 12, 2008

Day 36 (365)


Day 36 (365)
Originally uploaded by NYCmiri
Briana at her '70's birthday bash. She actually made this kick-ass shirt with the help of her great mommy, Nao! Luv you guys!!!

Friday, January 11, 2008

Day 35 (365)


Day 35 (365)
Originally uploaded by NYCmiri
It's day 35 for me and I thought it was a nice round number to do something special, so I decided to celebrate with bugs(plastic roaches to be exact). When I went to my third grade class today the kids were still working on a math lesson that involved making arrays of different things and then noticing what quantity the rows and columns made. One student had a 5 X 7 array and since today is Day 35 here it is..... I flipped that last bug on its back to make the shot more dramatic..... I bet you thought I assembled an army of real roaches just for this picture :-)

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Day 34 (365)


Day 34 (365)
Originally uploaded by NYCmiri
Yes that's 7:07 AM and I was already at work. See, today was the last day of the ELA exam for Duke. Finally, the torture is over!! For the past three days I've had to get him to school by 7:15 am so he can eat breakfast with his teacher and classmates and have a chance to relax before the test begins at 9:15am. Those of you who know me well know that getting to work at 8am is challenge itself...Imagine me taking the train at 6:30am each day...seriously. ...anyway, I did it.....anything for Duke :-)
I even managed to be 8 minutes early today!!!

Wednesday, January 09, 2008

Day 33 (365)


Day 33 (365)
Originally uploaded by NYCmiri
My younger brother boasting about being the Connect Four master. Of course, he is... his opponents are all 9 y/o and younger. Seriously, dude, get a life! :-P

Day 32 (365)


Day 32 (365)
Originally uploaded by NYCmiri
January 8, 2008

Dad all prepped for surgery.

I spent the day at the hospital today with my dad. He was having a procedure done on his right eye. He looks a little angry in this picture, but he was really just anxious. Everything went well and he's home resting now.

When I got home I talked to a friend about my existential meltdown and she assured me that I'm better off without those shoes. Even though look so great on the window, a woman would probably fall on her face on Fifth avenue. Strange analogy, but I totally understood it... thanx pipe :-)

Oh! and before I forget. I know you're reading anyway, but thanx for commenting Nao.

Monday, January 07, 2008

Day 31(365) Harlem!!


Day 31(365) Harlem!!
Originally uploaded by NYCmiri
Harlem at night... I took this one from the window of the Magic Johnson movie theater in Harlem. I went to see a movie with Duke to help him relax for the big test tomorrow. He, and the rest of NYS's 3rd and 4th graders, will be taking Day ONE of the English Language Arts Assessment.

It's crazy how this testing stuff has gotten so out of control. The stakes keep getting higher and the anxiety of testing keeps crawling down the elementary grades. Soon our Kidergarteners are going to be required to write a five paragraph expository essay explaining the life-cycle of a butterfly or something ridiculous like that.

Anyway, this is one of my favorite views:
1) because 125th st is a busy, fast-paced place with lots to see and buy; and
2) Of course, because the Apollo is there.

Harlem reminds me of simpler days as a college student at CCNY.

Sunday, January 06, 2008

Day 30 (365)


Day 30 (365)
Originally uploaded by NYCmiri
Duke and Robbie doing homework in the background after Duke set up the question mark tracks in the middle of my living room floor. He no longer plays in his room, instead he has taken over the living room and any other space large enough to set tracks, do an experiment or build with video cassettes. whatever happened to watching TV or playing video games!! :-)

Day 29 (365)


Day 29 (365)
Originally uploaded by NYCmiri
I didnt have much to take a picture of today...I mean I did, but wasn't really inspired. I just snapped this while checking prices for In the Heights; a show opening soon on Broadway . when the verification screen came on I got the word "wornout". for a second I thought they were describing me. How do they know? :-)

Friday, January 04, 2008

Day 28 (365)


Day 28 (365)
Originally uploaded by NYCmiri
I just bought a new wallet and it has dozens of compartments, including six solely devoted to pictures. This is terrible, I have officially turned into one of those people who carries pictures in her wallet just so she can show other people what her kid, cats or middle-aged couples look like.....

The kid in the top picture is obviously Duke (my kid), the cats and the middle-aged couples came with the wallet, but I can't think of anything else to put in there. Every time I open my wallet I'm surprised by the cats and the strangers. This is really making me have second thoughts about this wallet.....

Thursday, January 03, 2008

Day 27 (365)


Day 27 (365)
Originally uploaded by NYCmiri
Aside from my daily existential breakdown and my hypochondriac tendencies, today I had to care for my bruised ego. This email explains it all, but I'm not sharing its contents... that's the reason it's blurred :-)

I feel I have grown as a person in these past few years and I am coming to a crossroad (as cheesy as that sounds). I'm not as optimistic as I used to be, I have lost some of my hopeless dreamer virtues, and unfortunately I see life for what it actually is and it sucks on most days. But it's moments like this that prove how sometimes I still see the world through a rose-tinted lens filter.

Wednesday, January 02, 2008

Day 26 (365)


Day 26 (365)
Originally uploaded by NYCmiri
Duke dropped his Nintendo DS last Saturday and a small piece broke off. THe system still works, but unfortunately the piece that broke off helps hold the two screens attached. He hasn't been able to use it since and needless to say has been walking around all depressed. His cousins got DS's for Christmas and Duke was looking forward to pictochatting and doing all the non-sense you can do collectively on it. To make things worse the DS was sold out at all the GameStops, toy stores, electronic stores, Circuit City and BestBuy in the five boroughs and surrounding suburbs. I tried to get it fixed but the damage is a little tricky and I couldn't find anyone that was willing to try. Today after work we got off the bus at Fordham Rd. and decided to try a few of the small video game spots, finally we found a store that had a few consoles left. Duke's face lit up immediately. He's such a great kid and asks for so little that it's hard for me to say no. The good news is I get to keep the broken one....YAY!!!!

Tuesday, January 01, 2008

Day 25 (365)


Day 25 (365)
Originally uploaded by NYCmiri
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!

So 2008 is finally here and I didn't go through any of my rituals this year. No lists, no grapes, no getting wasted, no wearing new clothing, just spent it with family and sipping on Bailey's. I figure, I'll take 2008 as it comes and play it by ear, with no big plans. I'm just wishing for health for me and Duke.

Monday, December 31, 2007

Day 24 (365)


Day 24 (365)
Originally uploaded by NYCmiri
I went over to my parent's because my mom decided to make "Sancocho" for New Year's Eve. Sancocho is a thick stew made with different kinds of meat, potato, yucca, plantains and lots of other veggies and spices. It's served with rice and sometimes cassava bread. I think it's really yummy. In this picture my mom is serving me some sancocho and I'm about to eat it :-)

Sunday, December 30, 2007

Day 23 (365)


Day 23 (365)
Originally uploaded by NYCmiri
I Went to Jersey with my mom and two aunts today. I went with the intention to shop, but didn't get to buy much. Waiting for the rest of the people to make up their minds was kinda boring, but it was overall a nice day. We crossed the GWB on the way back and I couldn't resist taking a picture. This is one of my favorite structures in NYC for many reasons. I couldn't take a better photo from the crowded car, but at least it's somewhat centered.

Day 22 (365)


red_carpet
Originally uploaded by NYCmiri
red carpet

I took this one yesterday at Brandon and Ivan's Red Carpet Christmas Party. I didn't think there would be an actual red carpet, but then again it's Brandon, how could I expect any less? Brandon is one of the greatest people I know and I was glad to share this moment with him.

Friday, December 28, 2007

Day 21 (365)


Day 21 (365)
Originally uploaded by NYCmiri
Went to Bryant Park today to take my cousins ice-skating. I didn't actually skate because my heel pain was pretty bad today. took lots of photos, not many good ones. Photographing ice and snow is harder than it looks. I also tried to capture movement in this one by focusing on the guy with the orange jacket.

In other news, I went to see Juno today with Nao and the cousins. It was really good and there was lots I could relate to.

Good Riddance Day

Today the Times Square alliance will be holding an event they call Good Riddance Day . The deal is that people will have the opportunity to shred a list of bad 2007 memories that they want erased or simply put behind them . This serves as a symbolic ceremony to those who are eager to start the new year on a clean slate. It sounded nice for about a minute, so of course I began a mental list of the my bad 2007 memories. I couldn't find a single one that I would actually want erased. The truth is, everything that happened this year taught me something in a way or another. I admit I made a few mistakes, but I don't think erasing them would help. Looking back at my resolution post at the end of 2006 I accomplished most of the things I set myself to.

I do intend to leave procrastination behind for this new year, But maybe I'll wait for 2009 :-)

Thursday, December 27, 2007

Day 20 (365)


Day 20 (365)
Originally uploaded by NYCmiri
Turkey's done! I was standing in front of this store on Fordham Road when I realized the manikins are becoming more and more anatomically correct. Is this really necessary?

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Day 19 (365)


Day 19 (365)
Originally uploaded by NYCmiri
I tried to do a mirror self-portrait with the camera on full auto. The flash confused the autofocus and the image ended up pretty blurred. I decided to keep it because it sort of captures my mood.

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Day 18 (365)


Day 18 (365)
Originally uploaded by NYCmiri
Still under the weather....it sucks to be sick during vacation. cold medicine and lesson planning tonight.

Day 17 (365)


Day 17 (365)
Originally uploaded by NYCmiri
Christmas party at my parents.... ahh...family, stories, alcohol, food and loud music... don't you just love the holidays.

Sunday, December 23, 2007

Day 16 (365)


Day 16 (365)
Originally uploaded by NYCmiri
Finished wrapping all the presents and I'm still a little sick. This is my mom's tree in the dark with the presents around it. I'm still not feeling very Christmasy, but at least the kiddies will be happy tomorrow. (Click on it to see the notes on flickr)

Day 15 (365)


Day 15 (365)
Originally uploaded by NYCmiri
I know I'm being a total Scrooge about this, but there has got to be a law that prohibits this kind of stuff. The door on the right is my door. And no, I did not put up these decorations, my neighbor did. She's a fellow teacher and decorates her door and our section of the hallway at any possible occasion. It's freedom of expression, I guess, but do I have face it every time I leave or enter my apt?

Saturday, December 22, 2007

day 14 (365)


day 14 (365)
Originally uploaded by NYCmiri
I miss seeing this everyday. By the time I leave work the sun is long gone. maybe I need a light box

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Day 13 (365)


Day 13 (365)
Originally uploaded by NYCmiri
Holiday show at work today. This is Duke's class forming two human menorahs and two human dreidels. Duke is one of the candles :-)

Day 12 (365)


Day 12 (365)
Originally uploaded by NYCmiri
My cousin steph and Duke amazed by the David Blaine book.

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Day 11 (365)


Day 11 (365)
Originally uploaded by NYCmiri
Good news geeks of the world!! the day has finally come when tagging in binary codes is acceptable. 01100001 01110111 01100101 01110011 01101111 01101101 01100101 00100001 00100001

Monday, December 17, 2007

Day 10 (365)


Day 10 (365)
Originally uploaded by NYCmiri
I didn't get a chance to take a picture today so I ran into my brother's room and took this one. This is my Luis Carlos. My not-so-little little brother who loves talking on the phone. Thank goodness for free night minutes.

Sunday, December 16, 2007

Day 9 (365)


Day 9 (365)
Originally uploaded by NYCmiri
Went to see a play today at Repertorio Español with Nao. It was pretty nice plus it had the hunk of Francisco Gatorno. After the play we ate enchiladas and went to Grand Central for cake and whispering.

Day 8 (365)


Day 8 (365)
Originally uploaded by NYCmiri
My nephew Elias at 11:30 pm after playing all day. Can you tell he's fighting sleep?

Friday, December 14, 2007

Day 7 (365)


Day 7 (365)
Originally uploaded by NYCmiri
I saw my co-worker carrying the boxes and I had to borrow them. It's a game very similar to TROUBLE. Captures my attitude towards just about every aspect of my life at the moment....ironically something happened right after this that made me change the outlook.

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Day 6 (365)


Day 6 (365)
Originally uploaded by NYCmiri
The highlight of my day was realizing that they are learning after all :-)

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Day 5 (365)


Day 5 (365)
Originally uploaded by NYCmiri
I was organizing my print photos in my closed when I ran into this beauty. It's my first film SLR. It's completely manual!! The funny thing is that it's still loaded with color film and I have no clue what I've shot already with this roll. I wonder....

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

day 4 (365)


day 4 (365)
Originally uploaded by NYCmiri
The corner of my favorite BN in the city [66st and B'way].

Monday, December 10, 2007

Day 3 (365)


Day 3 (365)
Originally uploaded by NYCmiri
On our way home from work at 6pm. Duke is tired, is still obsessed with the idea of making an origami fortune teller. Next stop is Mount Eden...

Sunday, December 09, 2007

DAY 2 (365)


DAY 2 (365)
Originally uploaded by NYCmiri
Duke went over to his dad's today and I decided to be bum. I did nothing but sleep and watch netflix movies all day.......but for some reason I kept hearing "duke noises" coming from his room, each time I stopped and tried to figure out what he was doing for a few seconds, just to remember that he wasn't home. when i he finally got home i took this picture of him.

DAY 1 (365)


DAY 1 (365)
Originally uploaded by NYCmiri

I began a 365 flickr project yesterday. The deal is I post one photo per day for a whole year. It'll be interesting to see when I get sick of this :-)

**This is the description to yesterday's entry.

I had to work today and felt horrible. One of my students passed me this note... it really brightened up my day, but we really need to work on that spelling..:-P

Thursday, November 29, 2007

infinite flickr # 518


# 518
Originally uploaded by Skribbles
don't you just hate it when people drink from your glass without asking?

Friday, November 23, 2007

fall/winter blues

For the past few weeks now I’ve been slipping into a mild case of fall/winter blues. I hardly enjoy being anywhere other than my bed or the couch. I’ve been dragging myself to work and struggling with the middle school search for Duke. I’ve also been teaching test-prep four days a week after school and on Saturday mornings. And during my time off I hardly go outside. Today I had to step out for a few minutes and realized that it’s daylight what I’ve been missing (among other things I won’t discuss). I took a deep breath and it smelled like winter. It was invigorating. It reminded me how much I love the change of seasons and being able to wear a jacket. The goal for this week is to take a short walk during lunch-time each day and get my circadian rhythm back on track.