Happy Endings Are Overrated (In Musicals, At Least)

On Saturday, we went to see the musical Once on Broadway. With musicals there is often an expectation of tap dancing, happy endings, and predictable plot arcs--this musical was none of those things. It was, however, inspirational, touching, and innovative. The musical numbers were gorgeous; masterpieces of vocals, instruments, and subtle, yet theatrical, choreography. The story was moving with an ending both melancholy and uplifting--a sensibility not often found in musicals. Beyond the music and story, which were incredible, many steps were taken to ensure that the musical extended its innovations into the audience experience.

For one, the musical was set in a bar in Dublin. To offer the audience a sense of what this might feel like, there were opportunities both in the beginning of the play and during intermission for the audience to go up on stage into the bar for a pint (served in a regulation sippy cup) and to listen to music in the Dublin bar setting. Very cool. So, if you are looking for a fun, moving, well-done musical, I completely recommend this musical!

This was my favorite number from the piece. Check it out!

Human Rights Cinema Club

Last year, for a class that I took on the human and social dimensions to the concept of peace, we had to design a peace education program. While for many people, this took the form of a program aimed at restructuring post-conflict societies, I wanted to create a program I could apply to my current professional life. From this, Action! A Human Rights Cinema Club, was born. Today was our first club meeting of the year and I am always excited to see the enthusiasm with which students approach the overwhelming task of learning about and finding ways to eradicate human rights abuses worldwide.

After much back and forth with documentary directors, human rights practitioners, and NYC area organizations, I am really excited for the lineup we have for this year. Yay!

Kicking It Old School

I would definitely not call myself a luddite. I have an iPhone. I engage in social media processes. I adore my macbook. Despite my affinity for technology, I engage in some completely inefficient, old style, outmoded, dinosaur habits that I just can't seem to let go of. 

One of those archaic habits I continue to harbor is the use of an agenda book. While my phone, my computer, or an iPad could just as efficiently store the dates and times of commitments, for some reason, I am wholly dependent on my Barnes and Noble weekly agenda book. I have been buying some variation of this planner since college. I religiously cross out the things I have done and move old, unfinished activities to the next day until they too get crossed out.  

I was at a meeting today at grad school and whipped out my planner, which invited several laughs and queries into why I would ever use such a thing. Admittedly, we did keep changing dates and I was involved in a comical dance of writing something down only to cross it out a moment later. When faced with questions as to why I loved this thing so much, I really couldn't come up with a reasonable explanation. I just like it. 

I guess perhaps in a world that often moves too fast, where technology is constantly upgrading, changing, and progressing, I just find something comforting in my elephant patterned, purple printed, old school agenda book. 

A Feminist Reading of 50 Shades

Via

I realize that teachers are not supposed to have favorite students; however, let's be honest, that is somewhat of an impossibility. The other day, a group of my favorite little sophomore girls, who were in my freshman class last year, ran into my room giggling.

"Okay, what's so funny?" I asked them.

After a moment of silence, the girls sheepishly revealed their newly acquired library copies of Fifty Shades of Grey. Seeing as I have read this book (and would not want my fifteen-year-old daughter reading it), it took every ounce of my overly opinionated being not to immediately launch into a tirade about why they should not be reading these books. Honestly, it is not even the sexual content of the books that bothers me, but, rather, it is the demeaning and disempowered depiction of the main female character who completely subsumes herself to the (older) man she falls in love with. Not exactly a role model generating novel.

Determined to make this a teachable moment, I asked the girls about the female character in the novel and we talked at length about why the author chose to paint her in this light.

What I found was pleasantly surprising. Perhaps the push for gender reform and equality has made (some) strides--despite the widespread exploitation of women's bodies and labor worldwide. The girls all felt that there were major problems with the way the author developed her female character and they were actually endlessly critical. They said that the books were just fun, guilty pleasures. Hmm...I guess it might be hypocritical to call them out on that...

I can only hope that someday, if I have a daughter, she will be just the right combination of critical, questioning, analytical--with a touch of rebellion. While I hope that her rebellion will be more along the lines of skipping school to see a new art exhibit at the Met, I suppose that if it involves sneaking off to the library to obtain a copy of 50 Shades of Grey, I can live with that. As long as she conducts a feminist critique of the novel as she reads it.

Fall Kickoff

Oh Monday... how difficult it is to relinquish the freedom of the weekend. Sigh...

I am about halfway through The Discovery of Witches and I am totally obsessed! Like The Night Circus last year, it is fulfilling a fall-inspired literary yearning for a book filled with mystery and mystical creatures. If you are looking for a fire front read to match the horror tinged season, definitely check it out!

Speaking of fall, this weekend was the perfect way to kickoff the season of autumn. The Yankees won, which meant that we got to wander out of Yankee stadium, buried in a wave of blue, as Frank Sinatra's "New York, New York" blasted over the intercom. There's nothing like it!

After some manicures and pedicures, my sister and I met up with her boyfriend and M. and headed off for some dinner at my new favorite neighborhood joint, The Penrose, followed by the Bon Iver concert, which was awesome. It was just my perfect concert combination; an exhilarated crowd, an artistry of sound, a mix of new and old songs and sounds, and a light show that highlighted all of the right dramatic musical moments. Love it! 

Add in a dash of art shows, brunches, smushy faced dog love, warm fall beverages, crisp fall weather, and a great book to read cosily in bed to close the evening on Sunday and this was definitely a perfect weekend...

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Friday Footnotes

Here is what I am loving on this beautiful fall Friday:

Take me out to the ballgame...
Let's Go Yankees! I love going to baseball games, especially on clear, chilly nights. I am looking forward to meeting for some Shake Shack pre-game and then heading to the Bronx to watch the Yankees play.

Excited to see Bon Iver at Radio City on Saturday night: I love Bon Iver's almost haunting sounds. I remember riding an overnight train with my friends in Southeast Asia. It was hands down one the least well-maintained trains I had ever been on; mice were skittering loudly all night, bugs were spotted far too often to comfortably sleep, and between the not so gentle movement of the train and the really strange passengers in our car, I'm pretty sure not one of us slept that night. I did, however, listen to the entire Bon Iver album on my Ipod and it rocked--please don't yell at me about the Ipod you travel purists!

I look considerably more happy than I actually was in this picture. 

Today is International Day of Peace! While the message of the International Day of Peace is often directed towards a ceasefire in global conflict, on this day, perhaps we can all take a moment to reflect on the conflicts big and small that impact our lives and think about ways in which we can find and work toward peace.

Brooklyn Book Festival: I know, I know, but I just can't stop mentioning it! I am so excited!

Happy Autumn! Yes, it is officially the first day of fall this weekend and I couldn't be more excited about the arrival of my favorite season! My two favorite holidays fall in the fall--Fall Festivities and Halloween, and I adore the colors of the changing leaves. My sister was making fun of me this past weekend because I have totally become one of those New Yorkers who turns into a "peeper" in the fall. AKA a city person who goes to New England on the sole mission of spending time in nature and seeing the changing leaves. Strange for someone who grew up in New England, but, by the same token, that need for crimson, gold, amber, burnt orange, and scarlet hues runs deep...

Image Via 

Happy Friday Everyone! Enjoy your weekend!

Weekend Happenings

It's Thursday, which means that I am already thinking about the weekend! I am excited to head to the Yankee game on Friday, a concert on Saturday, and the Brooklyn Book Festival on Sunday, but here are some other fun things happening around the city that I may need to squeeze into my weekend itinerary!

Hester Street Fair 3rd Annual Stylist Tent: Music, mimosas, and great fashion finds for cheap! If you are more into food than fashion, tonight is their Farewell summer Clambake.

The Feast of San Gennaro runs through Sunday. While I sometimes feel a little claustrophobic when I go to this, it always promises to have good food...I am such a sucker for good food...

Andy Warhol opened at the Met a few days ago. I am hoping to stop there on my way home from work one of these days!

Monet's Garden runs through early October at the New York Botanical Garden--I need to get there before it closes!

Image Via

 So, if you are in NYC this weekend, be sure to check these out!

Signs of Fall

A couple signs that my favorite season is here...

The Brooklyn Book Festival is here and with it...The Librarian Olympics! For reals...I can't make this stuff up! If the end of the summer olympics has left you with a void in your heart, check out the  librarian olympics, which includes events like Name That Book...

Starbucks says so. Caramel apple spices. Pumpkin spice lattes. Yummmm...

Apples, pumpkins and autumnal colors grace all of the covers of my favorite magazines...

All of my seasonal favorites have emerged in store window fronts...

And best of all...the weather is perfect!

Happy Fall! 

Sunday Stroll

M. and I decided to take advantage of the gorgeous weather on Sunday and head out to Brooklyn via the ferry for one of our favorite day trips. We are both a little obsessed with the ferry. It takes us to Brooklyn in minutes and it is a beautiful, breezy way to travel when the weather is nice. 

We got off the ferry in Williamsburg where we wandered through the Brooklyn Flea. The vendors change weekly, but some of my favorite stalls this week included one where I found my dream piece of furniture--the elusive library card catalogue! I would have brought it home but it was huge, heavy, and needed a lot of work since its previous owner had decided to paint the whole thing a putrid shade of green. I know that the perfect one still awaits me somewhere out there! There was another vendor selling all old school supplies. I was having flashbacks to the classrooms of my youth. We were tempted by the many food vendors there, but knew that we had a destination in mind for dinner, so we persevered! We do need to go back and try a donut from Dough though--the line was  insane and people couldn't stop talking about how delicious these donuts were...

From here, we decided to walk to Greenpoint, Brooklyn, where we planned to eat dinner. There were so many cute places to stop along the way. One of my favorite finds was Jungle, a garden store that felt very secret garden as we wandered around.

As we entered Greenpoint, things became greener and everywhere we looked people were biking the tree lined streets. Independent stores, restaurants, and bars lined the streets and everyone seemed to be out relaxing. One of my favorite stops here was Word, an independent bookstore (with really cute stationery as well!). 

After some Sunday strolling, we hit up our favorite Greenpoint seafood place: The Lobster Joint. Sometimes this New England girl just needs a little "New England comfort food." The last time we came it was so crowded that we had to sit at the bar. This time, we were finally able to grab a picnic table in their beautifully done backyard. Under a large old tree and a beautiful, nearly cloudless blue sky, in the perfect 70 degree temperature, we sat at a reclaimed wood picnic table and enjoyed delicious New England fare before jumping the ferry back home.  

Should you find yourself in Brooklyn, be sure to check out:

Brooklyn Flea

The Jungle

The Lobster Joint

Word 

Have a happy Tuesday! 

In Search of the Perfect Fall Read

All of these days of consecutive fall-like weather have made me want to read the typical fall book fare; stories that scare, have a supernatural twist, or are set deep in the woods of New England. While I love the "masters," Edgar Allen Poe and Nathaniel Hawthorne, I am also always on a quest in the fall to find a modern storyteller who weaves a frightening or mysterious, fireside reading tale. Last year, Erin Morgenstern's The Night Circus was my favorite fall read. This year, I have downloaded A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness and I am hoping that it will meet my fall reading requirements! Supposedly she writes in the style of Kostova, who I think writes beautifully, but that is also the promise of her publisher so we'll see if she delivers...

I'll let you know how it goes!

Friday Footnotes

I think I might need to change the name of "Friday Footnotes," since it seems like I never actually write them on Friday anymore...

Here is what I am loving on this absolutely GORGEOUS Sunday morning...

The beautiful lilies that M. got me have opened up beautifully:

Spending the day at the vineyard with my mom and sisters yesterday. Cake to commemorate my sister's birthday, chilled rose, beautiful views, and the perfect weather made for a lovely way to spend the last Saturday of summer...

This book that I finally finished and would definitely recommend! As I sat and read the remainder of it on the train yesterday, I had to keep stifling laughs.

The fact that this is a four-day-weekend. I can simply pretend today is Friday!

Looking forward to my plans for today to wander around Brooklyn Flea in this perfect weather and end the day with some outdoor dining in Brooklyn.


Hope everyone has had and is having a wonderful weekend!

An Open Invitation

Nicholas Kristof touts the importance of human rights worldwide, yet in his latest op-ed fails to support one of the most fundamental human rights: the right to unionize and strike should workplace situations call for it. As he adds to the anti-strike rhetoric facing the Chicago teachers, he takes a problem of institutionalized educational inequity and turns it into the simplistic critique of Chicago teachers and their strike that is "not fighting on the behalf of students."

First of all, let's address test scores. Kristof argues that poverty does negatively impact student test scores but that, "Some Chicago teachers seem to think that they shouldn’t be held accountable until poverty is solved." Standardized tests are mired in inequities to begin with. Tests are culturally biased and inefficient at actually measuring learning. However, my ability to teach will be, in large part, based on how well my students, two of whom entered the ninth grade reading on grade level, can perform on a standardized test.

More importantly, Kristof has effectively equated the concept of being educated with that of test success and desires a teacher population that willingly acquiesces to this concept. For someone who writes about human rights and advocates for equality, the push to denigrate workers who fight against the business model as applied to a far more difficult to measure concept like education, is counterproductive. Does he think that classrooms where teachers are pressured (for their own survival) to ensure that students pass tests where the culturally elite have determined what body of knowledge is most important will produce an analytical, creative, and critical body of citizens? To be educated means far more than earning a 65 or higher on the New York State Regents Examination. It means having an ability to "read the world." While students who enter school with higher literacy skills will go on to have an education in which they are learning to think critically and thus will take on the roles of policy makers and advocates in the future, students who enter school at a far lower literacy level, will likely be "taught for the test" as a mere function of their teacher's self preservation.

To argue that he doesn't see how these Chicago teachers are putting their student's rights first is baffling to me. This strike goes beyond his myopic view of teachers simply fighting for concessions in regards to evaluations based on tests or a longer school day, or a "re-zoning" act that, in turn, ensures that schools can staff their teacher population with a new and cheaper work force. This is about students and their right to a fair, just, and critical education in which inequities are not reproduced through schooling.

But, oh right, clearly I, and all teachers, are in this profession for the money, for the glory, for the respect, for the short workdays, for the abundance of classroom resources at our fingertips every single day, for the summers off, for finding the one job in which there is absolutely no evaluation, and for a career in which our innate laziness is rewarded. Because really, that is the true nature of unions and strikes, right? To protect mediocrity. To reward laziness. To justify not going to work for a few days.

I invite you, Kristof, to take my job for one year. Then, let's talk.

Frankenstein Has Gone to the Dogs!

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein makes for a great fall/halloween season read. It is also one of my favorite books, so it makes sense that I would be excited about the upcoming release of Tim Burton's Frankenweenie. Oh how I love the fall movie season!

Can't wait to see this! 

Shorter Days, Chilly Nights

Yesterday, M, Frenchie and I took a walk up to our favorite park and both noticed that, despite the fact that it is still early September, the leaves are changing, the air is noticeably cooler, and each night dawn creeps a little closer to day. As a teacher, I despise fall, as it is my most hectic season, but profession aside, fall is my absolute favorite. Since I live in a city, it is hard to fulfill all of my fall fantasies, so I will merely daydream here via Pinterest...Oh, and maybe plan a fall trip... ;)

If I had a house with a porch, I would so be that neighbor who over decorates...

Apple picking and pumpkin picking are my fave...

Warm apple cider by a bonfire sounds good to me...

And of course, a great fall book to read by the fire on a cool night...

Perhaps this, which looks intriguing... 

Happy Monday!

Friday Footnotes (On Saturday AM)

Thankfully, it has cooled down significantly here in New York City and, if my friends at weather.com are correct, it will be in the seventies all next week! Yay! Here are a few things that I am loving on this lovely Friday/Saturday AM:

I have talked a lot about how much I enjoy breakfast with M. and this morning was no exception... I had a long week this week since I am back to work and back to graduate school. I am teaching a new grade level--always a stressful prospect when you find out last minute--and I am in my final year of graduate school, meaning I have a thesis to write in addition to coursework. All of this said, it has been a bit of a stressful week. This morning though (after sleeping a little late because my body demanded it!), I woke up to my favorite flowers on the table, my favorite hot chocolate awaiting me, and M. cooking a delicious breakfast. I felt like one lucky girl, and was grateful for breakfast with M.

Donors Choose: Since I work at a school where paper is not provided, books are often hard to come by, and technology is on par with a classroom of the 1960s, I am rather grateful to all of the funding I have received through Donors Choose. While, in many ways, it feels problematic to work at a publicly funded high school and need to rely on private donations, I really have no other choice for acquiring resources. I finally got a classroom computer that will arrive this week and I could not be more excited!

Swedes in Town!! I had a message awaiting me this morning that one of my favorite Swedes will be in the area in two months. My friend is tagging along with her boyfriend who is coming to lecture at Columbia on Swedish mysteries and crime fiction. Not only am I excited to attend the lecture, but I can't wait to see my friend! In the meantime, I will need to revisit The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, so I am ready to discuss!

My plans to relax this weekend...
Like I said, it has been a long week so I am happy to take it easy this weekend. While I have a lot of work I need to do, for today, I plan to take a lot of leisurely strolls with M. and dog, read a little more of my current read, get a manicure, and all in all, just allow the day to take me, like ocean waves, wherever it will.

Happy Weekend!

Model Poses

Fashion's Night Out is in full swing in NYC with amazing events all over Manhattan. A range of concepts abound, but I think my favorite idea is from Kate Spade. Fashion's Night Out, as conceptualized by the store, is a "Game Night" with loads of games awaiting challengers and with Milk Truck food trucks for refueling parked closely outside. I also love the many "pop-up" stores that have sprouted around the city. On my way downtown via the "S" today, I made a quick detour through Grand Central only to find Bobbi Brown's pop up store awaiting me. Nothing like a little free sample to make your day a happier one!

Here at home, as I am up working, I have my own little fashionista primping and posing...

Fashion Week: NYC

Fashion week starts tomorrow in New York City. 

I am not in the fashion world, nor am I particularly fashionable, and yet every year I am acutely aware of the start of fashion week because it takes place right near where I work. Walking past models in stilettos and contraptions that I would hardly classify as clothes has the impact of making this mere mortal feel the need to step up her game...

I always dress just a little bit nicer this week each year as a result.

Should you be in NYC this week, be sure to check out Fashion's Night Out tomorrow night at various locations throughout the city. I am hoping to hit up at least a couple of nearby stores; however, we'll see how motivated I am feeling after my FIRST DAY BACK WITH STUDENTS! Yikes. I think that wearing this and walking down a runway might be less daunting...

Hope you are having a wonderful Wednesday, whatever you are up to...

 

Current Read: A Dose of Funny

When I was hiking with my friend the other day we were talking about recent good reads. As we were climbing and sweating in the muggy heat, she told me she was reading a book that was hilarious and "reminded her of me." Not sure if that was a good or bad thing, I prompted her further and she explained that just like when I tell her stories from my life and precede these stories with, "nobody is going to believe me because this is so crazy," the author of this memoir has taken her crazy experiences and turned them into a memoir.

I have just started reading this memoir and I am thoroughly entertained. While this book had mixed reviews overall, so far I am enjoying it; however, I'll admit, I am only on page ten. I'll keep you posted.

So, if you are looking for a laugh, check out Let's Pretend This Never Happened (A Mostly True Memoir) by Jenny Lawson. Maybe she'll inspire me to start blogging about all those things in my life that just sound too crazy to even be real!

In Search of the Craic: Ireland Travel Guide

Prior to traveling in Ireland, I had never heard the term "craic" before. The "craic" is essentially good talk, enjoyable conversation, a good time and it is found anywhere from teashops to bars to street corners in Ireland. Ireland has to be the friendliest place to which I have ever traveled and the "craic" is definitely one of the best attributes of traveling there. While there are a million different itineraries one could take in driving around Ireland, this was ours...


Warning: Major Photo Dump to Follow...

After leaving Dublin, we drove to Bunratty where we toured Bunratty castle and the grounds, got lost and wound up on a picturesque winery, dined at Durty Nelly's (the oldest operating tavern in Ireland, supposedly), and stayed in the beautiful Bunratty Castle Hotel:

From here, we were off to Galway. I wish I could remember the names of all of the beautiful places we saw along the way, but seeing as in Ireland, pretty much everywhere you look there is natural beauty, it is hard to keep everything straight. Definitely see The Cliffs of Moher. Gorgeous.

Apart from that, the one stop I must recommend (but that might be difficult to locate ever again!) was this amazing restaurant somewhere in County Clare. We were starving and saw a sign that said "food" so we drove up to this beautiful stone farmhouse with a green swinging dutch door, colorful potted plants, and picturesque views all around us. It was the best meal ever. Everything was really local--like, their farm local, the furniture was hand carved, the floors were stone, and the hearth made me think a cold winter night in this restaurant would never be cold. If you should find yourself driving the road from Bunratty to Galway and you see a little farm tucked away off the side of the road with a sign that says "food," I urge you to pull over...

Galway was such a great stop! I would definitely recommend it. It was here that we were sitting in a tea store, having high tea on china, that a local man introduced himself and wound up giving us a tour of the town. We talked to him for at least an hour about everything from politics to his second cousin who shares a last name with M. When in Galway, I recommend An Pucan (meaning "boat" in Gaelic) for traditional Irish music and the "craic," Cupan Tae for high tea and the conversation with the locals, Ard Bia, a delicious place to stop for lunch, and then a lot of wandering, as Galway is a great place to just explore.

After Galway, we headed to Connemara State Park and Kylemore Abbey, which were both beautiful. Connemara was a really (windy) fun hike with gorgeous views of the countryside and the ocean.

From here we went to Clifden via Sky Road, which was one of the most beautiful drives I have ever been on. In Clifden we stayed at this lovely bed and breakfast where I insist you stay should you ever find yourself here. Across from a castle and a sheep farm, this peaceful and adorable bed and breakfast was relaxing and quintessentially Ireland. When in Clifden, check out Mitchell's (be sure to make a reservation) for fresh seafood...

From Clifden we were on to Westport, an adorable seaside town with lots of places to eat, shop, wander, and enjoy a piping hot cup of coffee or a cold perfectly poured pint of Guinness. We ate lunch at The Pantry and Corkscrew. From a perfect potato leek soup to a light, flaky, delicious, savory quiche, the food here was phenomenal.  We then wandered around before jumping back in the car to go to Knocknarea for a beautiful, quick hike and to a nearby megalith with a final stop in the quaint medieval town of Donegal.

Donegal was a beautiful Medieval town that provided more fun wandering opportunities and a lovely meal at the Old Castle Bar and Restaurant.

The next stop was Slieve League. I'll let the pictures tell the story...It is a not-to-miss spot, for sure.

On the way back to Dublin we drove through Northern Ireland and made it back to the car rental place ten minutes before the vehicle was due...

For such a small country, Ireland has much to offer and much to see. We were already talking about the millions of other routes we could travel should we find ourselves in search of the craic in the future.