Teach for America and other things

I have recently been accepted to the Teach for America program for the 2009-20011 school years in the general NYC area. I am not sure where they will place me yet (I'm hoping the lower east side) but it will most likely be somewhere in east Brooklyn. I will be teaching secondary English/ Language Arts- that's anywhere from grades 7-12. I am ecstatic to be a part of TFA's mission to close the achievement gap by placing well qualified people into high need schools, and raise the often far-below grade level achievement of these inner city students. The mission is great, the salary ad benefits are great, and they also pay for grad school. How I am supposed to be a first year teacher and attend grad school is still a mystery to me, but is all part of the huge life journey I'm soon to embark on! If I teach 12th graders, they're never to know that I am only 2-3 years older then them!

And still, before I start teaching, my life will be inevitably changing... all for the better! Very soon, at the beginning of February, David and I are going to take a nice lengthy trip to London. Since it is our future plan to move there after my two year teaching commitment to get my PhD, I am excited to view the culture and architecture of my future home! There will be plenty of photos of that as soon as we return, no doubt. In April, David and I will be saying our vows at the courthouse in the presence of Mom and Dad. we never thought we would ever get married, but since it is so low-key and low-maintenance, we are looking forward to having a day full of love and cherishing! I also have an amazing gold dress with a leopard print head piece thing. Oh yeah!

In June i'll have to attend a 5 week boot camp in Queens so I can train to be a teacher. I have to stay in dorms and the whole bit! I'll be co-teaching a summer school program and attending courses on the St. John's campus. So, needless to say, I will be keeping myself busy in the next months/years to come. Just thought i'd share a bit.

Nina is in town!

My beautiful cousin Nina was in town with her (also beautiful) boyfriend! We went to alphabet city for a fun show. See the family resemblance?

Special report

While walking down the west side an hour ago-




"According to Channel 4 television news, the plane, US Airways flight 1549, took off from LaGuardia Airport at 3:26 p.m. was bound for Charlotte, N.C. and had 146 passengers and 5 crew members. The plane, which made it to a height of 3,600 feet, may have hit a flock of birds, according to the report, and then plummeted. The pilot tried to return to the airport when the plane fell into the Hudson.

Television reports showed several commuter ferries around where the plane, an Airbus A320, was in the water. New York Police Department divers dove into the water to assist with the rescue as plane floated southbound on the river, possibly due to the tidal direction." NY Times

Arrojo Salon

"Backstage" at the an Arrojo Salon runway thingy I did tonight... been awhile since i've done a show. I hear that Arrojo is where they do the hair for "What Not to Wear"?? Hate that show, but they do nice hair :)

Playing bride

Alicia mom and I had a fun girly day trying on dresses. All of these dresses were beautiful, but I might go for something black or leopard print :) Haha.


Alicia looking beautiful


Me talking, Alicia being Asian


Veil


This one was my favorite... simple

The Holidays

The Spells at Club Jager!


At the Camera Store


Migizi idah Niin


Migizi idash niinimoshen <3


Aqua massage at MOA


The family (minus David)


David and I on an overlook of the Mississippi


The lovely Alicia and Timmy standing in the middle of the frozen river


David's breakfast: airport, 9:30 am