Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Another dead child; more fingers pointing, paper shuffling and politicos scrambling

Police found a dead four-year-old baby boy at an apartment in the Norwood section of the Bronx early Monday morning. Medical examiners are investigating whether the death was due to the family's impoverished conditions--there was no heat when officials arrived--or to a television that had fallen on him a few days earlier.

The family lives a few blocks away from my old apartment. I'm left wondering if I might have passed them on the way home or down to the train. These deaths are literally hitting close to home now.

Monday, January 16, 2006

Dana's b-day party pictures

Last Friday, Rach and Shaun hosted the gang at their lovely abode in celebration of Dana's birth 25 (or 26?) years ago. It was great to get together for the sole purpose of enjoying each other's company. When's the last time that's happened? Shaun's birthday? My birthday last August? My memory can't seem to stretch far back enough for the answer.

I hope double-oh-six is saturated in nights like last Friday. According to my calculations, we have at least one birthday to celebrate each month until April, my graduation *fingers crossed* in May, then birthdays from August through November not to mention holidays, awards shows, and seasonal activities. I can't wait.

Thanks again to Shaun and Rach for being such gracious hosts.

Here are some pictures of the fun:






Thursday, January 12, 2006

Me? Teacher? Puede ser...

Yesterday I had an interview for a part-time teaching position at a Brooklyn non-for-profit organization. The agency prepares talented improverished youth for four years to succeed in college. I would be the the grammar instructor for one of the high school freshman sections every Saturday.

An information session, grammar test, and individual interview with the program director and a supervisor comprised the group interview. There were three people, including me, so I’m not sure how well it went overall or how the others did. I’m satisfied with my performance though. I arrived early (after getting lost twice en route), was dressed in business casual which is pretty formal for me, did well *fingers crossed* on the grammar test, and had a pleasant interview the folks.

If I don’t get it, then it would be okay because it just means that I, Monika, was not the right match for their needs. I'm supposed to find out sometime next week. In the meantime, I'll make the most out of final hours of liberty before I start my last semester next week.