A day in the life of an Ohioan turned New Yorker

Hi all...it's good to start blogging again.  I thought about switching to another blog server, but I just didn't think it would be the same.  I decided to come back to JU because I really enjoyed the blogging community here. It's so nice to see a lot of familiar faces are still posting!

For those of you who are reading my blog for the first time, my name is Alison.  I am an Ohioan who has been transplanted to the big apple.  My husband and I live on Long Island, putting us about 50 minutes from NYC and 20 minutes from the Atlantic Ocean.  My blog originated as a project for a philosophy class (best liberal ed class I ever took!!  Thanks Prof BB if you somehow come across my blog again!!) I took during my undergrad and it just sort of stuck.  I suppose a lot of eventful things happened after that summer.  Afterall, I got married, moved, received my Bachelors, and began to embark on a new life and career path out here in NY. 

As many of you may remember I HATED living in NY.  Almost 4 years later this place has grown on me.  I've kind of come into my own routines and have finally met some great people.  Honestly, I can't see leaving here, and I am really happy with the way my husband (Hardin) and I have established ourselves. 

Hardin finished up his Doctorate in Music last fall and is currently freelancing throught the area.  He is really trying to grow professionally and meet a lot more cats in the NYC music scene. 

When I left you guys I had a position teaching elementary music right outside of Queens.  Well, unfortunately that job got cut, but fortunately I was able to find something pretty much a week later.  I have been with that same school district for the last three years teaching elementary music.  It's a little rough at times because the district is labeled "at risk," but I find the students to be way more appreciative.  That's not to say I haven't hit a few bumps along the road, because nothing is ideal.  This is my tenure year so everybody WISH ME LUCK!!!!!!(!!!!)

During my 3 year blogging hiatus I have become OBSESSED with fitness and running.  Actually, I just ran in a race today! Two years ago I just decided to start running just to see if I could and sure enough, it was something that stuck.  I started with running .6 of a mile and now I try to run about 15-20 miles a week.  It's a great stress reliever!

Oh, speaking of stress, I have also started my Masters Degree in Special Ed and Music.  I'm about half way through...4.0 so far!!!

So now that I've babbled enough, what's been going on here???


Comments
on Sep 27, 2008

Welcome back Alison! (and check your JU private messages).

on Sep 27, 2008

What's that, how do i get to them?

on Sep 27, 2008

Hiya and welcome back.

What's that, how do i get to them?

Go to the forums and look up 'round the top...where it has these:

My Account | My Posts | My Replies | Private Messages ....

there'll probably be a message saying you got a new PM...if not just click on the Private Messages button and you're good to go.

~Zoo 

on Sep 27, 2008

Thanks!

on Sep 27, 2008

Good to see all of these familiar faces!

on Sep 27, 2008

Alison, glad to see you! Nice to hear that everything is going good for ya.

on Sep 27, 2008

Hi Inbloom!  how are things??  How's your school year going so far??

on Sep 27, 2008

Welcome back!

InBloom I love your new avatar.

on Sep 28, 2008

Elementary music teacher? Cool! I spent the first 12 years of my career in elementary school (and all campuses were at-risk campuses...very rewarding)!

After going to work for the State of Texas, I had the chance to travel to NYC to work with the NY Department of Ed. That was a really great opportunity to see how NY and NYC operate.

Best wishes this school year!

on Sep 28, 2008

I couldn't picture teaching anywhere else.  I subbed in a really rich district and it just wasn't for me.  The kids were bratty and unappreciative.

Ahh..the NY department of ed...I feel like they are in our district every other day..haha.  Nonetheless, I bet it was a pretty rad experience!