Mind, Body Soul Revisited!!

There comes a day when you wake up and realize that I am getting chubby, my face is breaking out, i'm completely out of shape, and I spend most of days stressed and somewhat frantic like a crazy person. Well, at least I do! :) That is why I am taking back control. I am starting my own one-man campaign (much like Jack McFarlands "Just Jack" extravaganza) to get myself back in order. I am calling it Mind, Body and Soul Revisited. Catchy Huh?? Well I went for a jog this morning to kick off the campaign and it felt great. I even found my anthem, it is by (if you can believe it)...Annie Lennox with the Eurythmics. It is called "I got a life". It is more upbeat than it sounds and I love it. Keep tuned, I will be posting updates on this process hopefully weekly. Enjoy the lyrics and wish me luck!!

"I've got a life
Though it refuses to shine
I've got a life it aint over
I've got a way
It's the only things thats mine
All I'm asking for is tenderness
A little tenderness

Ooo it's a cruel place
You never asked to be here
Nobody cares and no ones gonna help you now
It's dog eat dog the human race
The only thing they'll do is hate you

Such a crime to be unkind
Turn your cheek pretend your blind

I've got a life
Though it refuses to shine
I've got a life it aint over
It aint over
I've got a way
It's the only thing that's mine
All im asking for is tenderness
Tenderness

I've got a life
Though it refuses to shine
I've got a life it aint over
It aint over
I've got a way
It's the only thing that's mine
All im asking for is tenderness

Be strong now baby
Gotta be strong now baby
Gotta be strong"

Whats Happening in Class 1-100!!

Well we are going to have quite the week this week. In reading, we are going to continue to work on using good reading strategies especially using the 3 main questions when trying to read those tricky words "Does it sound right, Does it look right, and Does it make sense". We will also keep building our sight words and learn about the -et word family. In writing we are going to write our third "small moment" about something that happened to use, most of us will probably be writing about our trip to the farm. We are now writing in 3-page booklets like real authors. In Math, we are going to review our last test. Most of us did well on telling time to the hour and counting by 2's and 5's, but those pennies and nickels are still pretty tricky. Wednesday is our "character parade" which just happens to be on Halloween, so kids get to dress up as their favorite "character" and be in a parade around the school. Our class is going to spend the afternoon going to other first grades and singing our pumpkin songs we have been practicing. Mr. Robbins is going to be the "Man in the Yellow Hat". On Friday, Mr. Robbins is going to be at yet another professional development day at Columbia's Teacher's College, but no worries our awesome new sub Ms. Shuford will be there to hold down the fort. First grade is fun. Report Cards are due on Friday. Conferences are in 3 weeks! Just thought you might want to know what is going on in Mr. Robbins class.

Don't worry this is not for my school parents, because do you really think that I would want them to read directly below this that I would love to have Demi Morre's legs. Although they might find it interesting, most likely they would rather chase me around the Bronx as I ran screaming like the little girl I often turn into. I have just been planning and thought it might be a fun blog. Hope everyone is grand. Toodles

My new Fave!!

O.K., I freakin love this C.D. Ms. Annie Lennox is amazing. I bought this album a week ago and I cannot stop listening to it. I fell for Annie in quite a weird way for a gay man. One night I found myself watching "Striptease" with Demi More, you know like most gay guys. And not because they find her irresistible but more because they want to be her. I admit, if I had her legs I would probably dance on a poll too, and marry Bruce Willis ;). Anyway, Demi's character dances to one of Annie songs "Little Bird" from her "Diva " album, and I have loved Ms. Lennox ever since. If you get the chance buy it or download "Sing", "Dark Road", "Smithereens" or "Big Sky". Buh Bye!

Smiles

Hi!!

What a good Thursday! I woke up a little blue today. I usually prefer to wallow in my blue days, which I have found is not all that great of a tactic. Today, I chose to fight my self out of it. I would be lying if I said that this whole transition to the big city has been super easy. It has had its tough moments. But today, I fought myself out of what could have been a really bad day, and I am proud. I felt pride in my day for the first time in awhile. Yah for me!!

I just went for a jog in drizly fall NY weather. LOVING IT!!

Tonight the show I live for UGLY BETTY!!

I hope everyone is doing great. I miss everyone, and thanks for celebrating a good day for me!!

Jakey

P.S. I just got my Halloween custom for our school parade. I am going to be the Man in the Yellow Hat from curious george (compliments of mom) :)

Quickie blog

Time for what I like to call a quickie blog my friends...

Anyway, I almost died like 4 times today driving home. To solve some parking issues, I drive to school up in the Boogie Down Bronx everyday. It is is fun, I have a nice carpool going on with some gals from work. BUT!!, you see a whole other side to New York when you drive. It is f-in nuts. There are really no rules, it is really like driving in those video car games. Honking is completely fair game. If I had a nickel for every time I have been honked at, I could afford a 3 bedroom condo on Park Ave. Manhattan is agressive for sure, but the Bronx is a whole other story. I feel like I am driving and working in a third world country sometimes. There will be old crazy friends chatting it up in the middle of a four lane parkway. Double parking is completely allowed even if it blocks all lanes of traffic. The Bronx might as well have covered trucks with 10 chickens flying out every time it hits a bump, and why not just throw in a burro or two just for kicks. Hell, isn't it about time for the covered wagon to make a comeback. Anyway I digress, driving has been an experience.

Another funny thing happened. Can you believe they have a farm in Queens? We took our kids there today, and it was such a hoot to see these inner-city kids milk a cow and chase baby ducklings. There was even a hay ride. it was such a blast. They each got a pumpkin, and seeing these 6 year olds trying to carry there lunch boxes, water bottles and pumpkins all at once was worth the trip. At least until three kids in a row managed to drop their pumpkin perfectly on my foot. No kidding, karma is a bitch. The kids had a great time, they got to see infant goats and pet bunnies and look at pigs. Field trips are fun, especially when you take kids places they might never see again if they are life time NY-ers. Next field trip is down the road, when I take them to the top of Rockefeller Plaza so they can see all 5 boroughs during our community study. That should be fun!!

New York is cool. If anyway ever makes it out east give me a holler!! Have a great day. And meet me here again for another quickie sometime.

Poll of the week!!

Hi bloggers,

Poll of the week, inspired by my recent viewing of the classic disco smash "Saturday Night Fever". Did you like the movie? Myself, I thought that they story line was awful, but if I could dance like that....WATCH OUT!! Not to mention the outfits, I hope to single handedly bring back polyester bell-bottoms and platform shoes for men. Man, the 70's seemed like a hoot!! Have a great week!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

Congrats to my two brothers.

Kirk and Becca just welcomed a new man into the Robbins Clan. Benjamin Kirk was born on Friday Morning!! Yah! Congrats Kirk and Becca, I am so freaking happy for you two. Love you both!

Also, Ty and Karna are expecting, and I better start to take uncle classes because my uncle responsibilities are growing. I am so excited. Cant wait for he/she or both to arrive!

Hears to Pro-creation friends!! Love to all!

Jake

Ellis Island

Hola Amigos,

Wondering about my ethnic opening, well I just returned from a fabulous experience at Ellis Island. This weekend in the city is "Open House New York". It is a focus on the design and history of this great city, and New Yorkers get to experience many great things that are not usually available. Today we went to Ellis Island for a tour of the south side of the island, which use to be the hospital. This side of the island is very rarely open to the public because it is old and in the beginning stages of renovation. The very cool part was actually being able to go into the buildings. I even got to look very macho in a hard hat!! We saw the doctor's house and an actual isolation ward for patients that came to the country with contagious diseases. The views were amazing and the tour was outstanding. Top it off with great morning weather and you have a very happy Jakey. This is the side of New York that I love!! Hope you all are having a tremendous weekend. Time for me to clean house, or should I say room. :) Who cares I love it no less! Adios Muchachas!

Mr. Robbins