Anonymous

Today has been one of those days where I kind of wish I blogged anonymously.  Then I could tell the Internet all about it.  Instead Rob gets an earful of venting when I get home.  Since I don't want to publicly state it all, the short version is today I got to spend my afternoon dealing with the crap part of teaching that I really really hate.  The part that extinguishes any of the growing feeling of "OK, maybe I could stay in academics and teach" completely.  The part that reminds me why I stopped wanting to teach 10 years ago.  The thing is I don't actually disagree with the problem.  I disagree with being notified of it 3 weeks into a semester and the quick fix is to change the curriculum I've been working on for almost a year (and would affect almost 600 students).  We're working on a solution.  But seriously, I've cursed more today than I have in the past year.  Probably not really, but it feels like it.

Today I am STILL dealing with a paperwork issue that should have been resolved in JUNE when I made a special trip in while 37 weeks pregnant to find some documents were missing.  They were sent. I am now told they are missing again and the person who can fix it does not return email or phone calls.

Not anonymously, Simon was with me.  And it was the first day I was kind of glad he was.  BUT due to some miscommunication, the babysitter didn't show, so that was fun... And he went through 3 outfits by 2 o'clock.  His current onesie has both poo and pee stains and I just don't care.  Because he's not getting another outfit before pajama time.  Which is soon.

BUT Simon smiles now.  And he laughs.  And Ellen down the hall can get him to do almost a real belly laugh.  And it's so cute it makes me cry.  So despite all the stress, there is good.  And I'm kind of most excited that the fall TV season starts tonight.

A Day in the Life: 12th of September

I started blogging four years ago on Wednesday.  One of those early, first month I was blogging posts was a rundown of my crazy day.  I was thinking today that I should do a play-by-play post and remembered that early one.  You can read about that day, I started at 5:15, I'm guessing I went to bed the night before between 10 and midnight.  It's funny how my life is so different, yet still very much the same.

I'm going to start this day at midnight, due to no longer sleeping through the night.

Midnight - Go to bed after folding baby laundry and finishing prepping for my class today.
2:ish am - FEED THE BABY
4:54 am - FEED THE BABY
6:15 am - FEED THE BABY
6:20 am - Alarm goes off, it's NPR so I let it play
6:25 am - Put baby back in bassinet and hit snooze so I can sleep 10 more minutes before getting up
7:14 am - Overslept, wake to radio, get up start shower and ask Rob to please change and dress the baby.  So glad I laid out clothes and diapers last night.
7:35 - Pump for five minutes so baby has a snack
7:48 am - Leave for CSI with Simon.  Only 10 minutes late, but no time for either of us to have breakfast (and I never got around to packing lunch either)
8:05 am - on the 7 train.
8:34 am - on the Express Bus to SI
10:00 am - arrive at the lab where I work, FEED THE BABY drink some water, eat an energy bar
10:10 am - Simon charms the office ladies, I check my mailbox
10:15 am - check email and respond to students, count photocopies for class, random class prep stuff, meet with a student, Anna (a fellow grad student, who has generously agreed to childcare) arrives and I go over Simon's care (diapers, bottle, etc...)
10:55 am - FEED THE BABY
11:10 am - teach my class
1:10 pm - finish class meet with a student, pick up the baby, who is freaking out in the hall, on the way to the office with student to fix a schedule problem.
1:15 pm - give Simon back to Anna so I can sign some papers
1:20 pm - FEED THE BABY who is like OMG I am starving and you never FEED ME
1:50 pm - Simon is asleep. Eat an energy bar, drink some water. Answer student emails, work on online class prep.
2:10 pm - meet with Patty
2:15 pm - meet with another student
2:30 pm - head to office to fix more scheduling things.
2:45 pm - BABY woke up and OMG you left me alone and I don't know where I am and I am going to FREAK OUT
2:50 pm - FEED THE BABY
3:00 pm - Simon is happy, start working on the three things I MUST finish before leaving (two of them are sending two sentence emails...)
3:30 pm - Simon has had ENOUGH of work today.  Meet with Naomi.
3:50 pm - Finish last email.  Pack up.
4:00 pm - leave the lab
4:15 pm - Express Bus back to Manhattan, think about reading for class on Wednesday, take a nap instead.
5:15 pm - On the 7 train
5:48 pm - Arrive home and OMG I woke up and I don't care that you are wearing me in the carrier I don't know where I am and am going to FREAK OUT, and I'm really wet and I think you forgot to feed me today.
5:50 pm - change the baby
5:53 om - FEED THE BABy
6:00 pm - ask Rob to please turn on the US Open because I'm still FEEDING THE BABY
6:10 pm - hand the baby to the Daddy and eat a pudding cup
6:50 pm - FEED THE BABY
7:00 pm - Pour a glass of wine, and blog, the veggie lasagna (thank you Tammy!) is almost done.
7:02 pm - Simon FREAKS OUT again.  Rob has him, he's not wet, dirty, or hungry.  Rob plays his least favorite game "Cry Until Your Tired"  Simon lost around 7:20.  He sleeps until he'll be ready to eat again soon.

Kind of ready for bed now.  The rest of the night will include eating dinner, watching tennis, watching Bachelorpad #guiltypleasure, and bed by 10:30 - I hope.  And of course there will be more FEEDING THE BABY.

Tomorrow we go to the doctor for our 2 month shots.

*Simon travels in the Ergo carrier on these trips.  He pretty much sleeps the entire time.  I can feed him in it if I need to.
*I do NOT eat enough on CSI days.  Kind of no time, but I'm working on it.  Usually if I pack something I eat it, but it might take a couple of hours.  The second energy bar today actually took two "sessions"

PSCH Gala

Saturday night Rob and I had the opportunity to attend the PSCH Gala through his work.  It was black-tie optional, which means Rob could wear his suit, but I totally needed something new.  So last weekend Rob took my shopping for and evening gown.  Saturday night we got dressed up.  The Gala was at Chelsea Piers and the room was all glass / windowed walls with views of the Hudson.  During cocktail hour was a silent auction.  We bid on some things but did not win, and that is probably ok.  Dinner and dancing followed.  Dinner was pretty good, desert was excellent.  They were a little to liberal with the wine.  I would take a sip they would fill it up.  Really people, I only wanted a half glass to start with!  We had a blast.  I hope we get more opportunities in the future.  We like getting dressed up in fancy clothes and finding new ways for philanthropy.

PSCH (Promoting Specialized Care and Health) has been providing services in New York City for 30 years.  From their website "Since 1980 PSCH has been meeting the growing challenges of developmental disabilities, mental illness and co-occurring substance abuse behaviors. Our multidisciplinary approach and centralized referral process help to insure that each person who comes under our care receives the appropriate range of services and level of care, with an individual treatment plan coordinated by highly competent and caring case management professionals."  We were glad to buy raffle tickets to support this organization.

Coney Island Film Festival

Friday was the opening night party at the Coney Island Film Festival, which takes place (obviously) at Coney Island.  What makes this festival unique is the fact that is comes with a sideshow.  Rob says it's the most fun of any festival he's attended - and we went to Cannes earlier this year! (Which was awesome in a completely different way)

As part of the party we were privileged to attend Burlesque by the Beach and get a taste of some of the different kinds of acts that take place here.  The Burlesque is in the back room of the Coney Island Museum, and there is a stage with some wooden bleachers.  It felt like a circus in the 1930's where some seats were set up in a tent.  It's part of the vibe that I love about Coney Island.  The show was hosted by the Great Fredini, who kept us going with magic tricks and illusions.  And some sword swallowing.  That was impressive.

The Great Fredini

The Great Fredini

In the first half of the show we saw Serpentina, the snake charmer (and also our bartender)

Serpentina

 

 

Aci, who is one member of Tokyo Delores and her ariel act.  This was also very cool.

And the first have closed with the delightful Miss Tickle.  Her Burleque was entertaining.  The feather panels on her skirt are all removable and she used them like fans. Then at the end she attached them to her arms and was like a bird flying around the stage.

Miss Tickle

Miss Tickle

After this all of the filmmakers in attendance were invited to the stage to tell about their film.  So Rob got to speak on the Burlesque stage.  He did good, he remembered to say his name, the film name, and when it was playing.  All the important details.

Rob

After an intermission which seemed to go on FOREVER because it was now 10:30 the second half started.  I didn't take pictures during the acts because I was tired.  But we saw another burlesque dancer, Bambi the Mermaid in her lobster (or was it a shrimp) costume.  It made me giggle, and the song she danced to was funny too.  We saw all three members of Tokyo Delores in their acrobatic act, and the fire eater.  She was awesome.  I can't remember her name, but she had some crazy tatoos.  And Rob got a picture with her before we left.

Serpentina, Tokyo Delores, the fire eater, Miss Tickle, Bambi the Mermaid, Fredini

the fire eater, Miss Tickle, Bambi the Mermaid (she still has on her lobster hat), Fredini

Rob and the fire eater

Rob's screening is today (Sunday) at 3.  It should be fun.  I am bowing out of attending so I can get my school stuff done.  But maybe he'll win a prize.

Coney Island = Awesome.

Check this out

So Rob did some animation for Moby. Here is the latest video - I really love this one.
And if you CLICK HERE you can read all about the deluxe album release that includes Rob's animation.

Story of a Sewing Machine

Last Saturday Rob and I took a walk. He bought me this.

Because I had this (oh, and I got the new pink scissors too)

So I put them together.
And made these.
And each will get a silver string because...

Rob will use these.

To make these.
And each set will get a bag and fly to Paris.



Where they will be sold in a store.
I'm so happy about my sewing machine.

The End.

OSD Party

A big thank you to all of our friends who came out last night. The screening at Blondie's was a hit. We had close to 200 people show up for the live performance by The Subterraneans and the screening of the music video "Test" lovingly also known as the Robot Video. We sold some CDs and shirts, and had a great time.

The crowd

Rob giving his intro speech

Mesmerized by the awesomeness

Check out the website www.onestuckduck.com to see the film and you can also view "Talking to Strangers" and "Stormin' the Castle" (also known as the "Cat Shorts") on the site.
T-shirts are for sale. $15 and FREE Shipping.

Party Like a Robot: the video is finished

Suiting Up

So last week I had my grad school interview. I think it went well. I'll find out in a couple of weeks if I get in. But before the interview I needed to buy a suit. I actually do own one - but have never worn it, and it wasn't an option as it was procured when I was a size smaller than I am today. Luckily I have the best husband in the world who too me shopping last Saturday. Since my interview was on Wednesday there was no time for tailoring, so we went with the skirt option. Here I am looking all corporate.Really, the material is so nice and silky feeling I don't know why I haven't been wearing suits for years. Oh yeah...I work in animation. Dress code: casual.

Resume Overhaul

I have always prided myself on the fact that I have a good resume. I wrote my first resume in High School, and it was simply awful by my standards today. I made that one from a template in the Career and Life Skills class that was required. In college I updated this same template for a few years. And then I started looking for internships. I went to a Resume Talk that my dorm was hosting and saw what my resume could be. I spent several weeks going to the Career Building (I can't remember what it is really called, but is in the house across from the Health Center at IU) which I recommend to anyone who is getting ready to graduate or start the intern process. They helped me re-format and learn to write in an active voice. I have sections. I have a good resume.

As I have worked for the last few years, I have had to update my resume, probably more than most do to the fluidity of my chosen profession. I've added jobs, deleted substitute teaching, moved Education to the bottom under experience, and deleted "Software" cause really you should be able to use Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. What I didn't realize I was doing, well I knew I was doing it but didn't realize it could hurt me, was tailoring my resume to my chosen field. This is great when I am looking for jobs in Research and Production. I took out the administrative jobs, and put emphasis on the production management and research analysit skills.

This morning I spoke with a Recruiter that a friend had recommended. I need a job, and I am open to anything. As we were talking I mentioned my experience as an Executive Assistant. She asked where, and I told her at Stretch Films, and listed some of those duties. She then pointed out that none of that was on the resume. WHAT! Oops! I had totally forgotten that except for the title which is on there as "Executive Assistant / Production" There is virtually no mention of my many administrative skills. Which includes typing, proofreading, booking travel, and a surprising (to me when I really thought about it) amount of data management.

I made a fatal mistake. I didn't write to the audience. Especially in the current economic atmosphere, there are plenty of qualified candidates who have worked in admin jobs in a business field that is not television. So I spent the morning revamping my resume's job duties to include the administrative skills. I also re-vamped the language, because while someone in television looking at my resume knows what post-production coordinator or storyboard editing means, someone in the traditional business world probably does not. Or at least don't see how that skill translates. I feel good about this - except for one more small point.

I have had A LOT of jobs. And they often only last a few months. While in television this is normal, and a wide amount of work is a good thing. To a business (and the mortgage company) it looks like you are flighty and can't keep a job. So I also re-organized with long-term jobs on top, followed by a list of "Freelance Experience." It's the best I can do.

I now have three resumes for 2009. One that I sent to the recruiter, who so kindly asked me to re-submit with changes and she will pass along my resume to the correct department. One that I re-vamped for Production Coordinator and Admin jobs, I realized that including some of the administrative skills is actually a plus, and some of the language is a little more professional. And then I have my original 2009 resume that I will continue to submit to animation production and research jobs.

I'm hoping this resume overhaul does good things. Now on to the dreaded cover letter...

Nothing to Write Home About

The monotony of nothingness has set in. I have no job. (I am freelancing some - those are good days, and sending out resumes from home) It is cold out. And today it is snowing and raining. And overall just not fun to be out walking around. So I bake. And watch Gilmore Girls. But there is really nothing new and exciting. But I want to keep updating this blog. And I wonder - is the nothingness worth writing about, does anyone want to read it. This week I am considering it a good day to shower and get dressed each day.

My week:

Last Thursday and Friday - I had freelance work. Out of the house - it was awesome.

Saturday - I finally got dressed late in the day. I won't say how late. And we went out to dinner at TJ's Asian Bistro and had sushi. For those in Woodside I highly recommend the Tokyo Roll.

Sunday - Sunday's are always good because we have church. And last Sunday Sarah had all the girls over for muffins and coffee. A great way to spend the morning.

Monday - Rob had some of the One Stuck Duck guys over to talk about progress on the music video. When they were done I turned off the Gilmore and did some socializing. Oh yeah, and in the morning Rob took me grocery shopping.

Tuesday - Hmmm, I guess here is where the nothing really set in. I watched Gilmore and made sugar cookie dough. And Rob made chicken parm for lunch. Yum! Then we walked to the mall. Yes, there is a mall in Queens, about 3 miles from here. So we walked to the mall, looked around, and then walked home. We were SOOOOOO tired.

Wednesday - This morning I made the cookies. And was showered and dressed at a decent hour. Today is a good day so far. And as I sit here typeing about nothing, and the play-by-play of my week, it really hasn't been that uneventful after all.

Funny Kid

So we were at this school Friday with Sesame. And we showed the video and I was asking this kid some questions about the show. The conversation went something like this:

Me: What was the show about?
Kid: Diego.
Me: Yeah, but what was the show we just watched on the tv in there about?
Kid: Dora
Me: (ok let's go on) (show picture from show) Can you tell me what happened in this part?
Kid: Elmo.

Ok, we are getting somewhere. I ask the rest of the direct questions about the show, and the kid gives correct (or at least Sesame related) answers. Then we have a minute to wait until he's ready to go back to his classroom.

Me: Did you have fun today?
Kid: Yes. It was awesome! I got to see Diego!

Oy! He was only three, but come on.

Back to Work

This whole working thing - it's hard work. I've grown accustomed to sleeping in 'til around 10, eating a breakfast type snack, checking email and blogs, sending job hunt related emails and searching online for jobs, making lunch, running a few errands, dinner, tv, and more blogging as late as I want. It's been a nice surreal existence. But I was really happy when Tuesday I was asked to work Thursday and Friday, with a stop by the office on Tuesday afternoon. This has been a crazy week. I worked. And I forgot how exhausting it can be. Wow. And in reality I didn't even truly work a full week. Two networking events (I was too tired for number 3) and two days of work.
Monday I went to an even on how to network better. It was insightful, and I made it through without too much anxiety in talking to new people. We talked about the biggest setbacks encountered when networking and some techniques to overcome them. Then on Tuesday I was asked to freelance at Sesame Workshop Thursday and Friday. I stopped in for awhile that afternoon to view the tape we were going to be showing the kids. Then onto How to Get York Book Published, part 1. It was interesting and not that I'm planning on writing a book or anything, knowing the process can't hurt. (Unfortunately I skipped part two - Editors and Publishers because I was just too exhausted.) Wednesday was frigid cold, so luckily all we had was a condo board meeting and then a dinner with Bill and Jess. Of course since these were in the evening - it was frigid cold. The downside to the first three days of this week was I didn't fully prepare myself for sleep deprivation and an early rise. I spent several hours on Wednesday with this blog, posting and updating the format, and finally told myself I'd fix it later it's after midnight and I have to be up at 6! This is not so good for a non-morning person who has been sleeping in for a month.

Thursday, I was up at 6:20, showered, I even made lunch, and out of the house at 7. At Sesame by 7:35 and on the way to the school. We hit a little unanticipated snow (unanticipated because I never checked the weather) and when we got to the school the lack of cars in the parking lot was of some concern, but the kids were there and ready to go. We set up, and research was on! We showed a 40 minute (so almost full length, missing short segments) episode of Sesame Street to the kids. Then asked them some questions. Then we did it again. And again. I got to watch three episodes of Sesame Street in a row. Or I should rephrase, I got to listen to the SAME episode of Sesame Street three times in a row. I had almost forgotten how there is a threshold of how many times you can watch something before you never want to look at it again. I did not hit this on Thursday. I did hit the threshold of how many times I can listen to others sing the Elmo's World theme though, as it wasn't stuck in my head from watching, but only after the repeated singing. It's almost gone. When we got back I entered data for awhile, and then headed home. It was 4pm when I got there (just after the plane landed in the Hudson) and I took a nap. When I woke up for dinner at 5:30 I knew there was no way I was going to be heading back out into the cold for the book event. But I did watch a little tv and go to bed at a reasonable hour so that I could get up at 6 on Friday.

Friday I did it all again. When I got home I decided that I really just wanted to hang out on the couch. If it's not too windy we MIGHT take a walk to get some air, and break up the cabin fever. This working thing is hard stuff, but I am so happy I'm back in the rat race. Let's hope I can do it again next week.

What a Week For Good Things

Going down a roller slide on a playground, definitely a good thing.

This has been a crazy week to start my new year. It all started with an email. In my quest to find a job, and my hope that my old one will start again soon, I keep going back and forth between wanting to find a full time job and wanting to wait it out. Depending on several extraneous factors my anxiety over what to do fluctuates. Some days I am calm and able to believe that everything will be fine. Other days I am scouring the web for any and every job opportunity that may be out there. I've even met with a couple of recruiters at staffing agencies in the hopes of finding some full time work, knowing that if my hope (of more Bubble Guppies, that I do not believe in these moments) does come true, that I may have to pass...if I am in a full time position that I like that pays well and I have committed to. Of course this is also all resting on the fact that you snap your fingers and have a job. I found that really I can relax because the job market right now stinks, and if I just trust that when I do get offered a job it will be the RIGHT job for me then all is well. So back to the email. Last week, before I went to Indiana, I sent this email. It is one I had debated on for awhile, I don't know why. I think it has to do with me not promoting myself well, and being shy when it comes to networking. Most people I know don't really get this, I have an open and outgoing personality...with people I know. Talking to strangers...no way. And even people I kind of know, unfortunately for me that is what networking is all about. Working those minor connections. So I sent the email. To someone I have never met, but emailed with in the past, and not knowing what would happen, but it's just cyberspace so how bad can it be?

Then I got on a plane and went to Indiana (I can't say home anymore, cause when I did that to Rob he said, "no you're not here" so Indiana it is. On Sunday I check my email and there are four of importance. One: for an event on how to network better in times of needing a job. Check - signed up for that one. Two: for an event on how to pitch a children's book; Rob wanted this one because it may give us ideas on how to pitch a show too. And it is a two night event, so more networking. Check - I'm in, and because it's through an organization I belong to, FREE. Three: from an old friend I haven't seen in awhile saysing yes to my invite for drinks. And as this friend is from somwhere I used to work - it counts. And Four: back to the email I sent, a response. Yes, he'd like to meet with me and talk about freelance, and when can I come in next week. I set the meeting for Tuesday. And enjoy the rest of my weekend.

Tuesday comes and I have my meeting, but not just me Rob has one too! (His was set while we were in NM) So we head into the city for our interviews. And a good day! Rob came back and was excited. He won't know for awhile if it's a go, but he has some things in the works, and his music video and website are coming along smashingly.

I had a great interview as well at (this is what you've been waiting for) Sesame Workshop! The dream job, what got me into this in the first palce. I was asked to come back on Friday for a training session and to bring my passport for the paperwork. YAY! Wednesday I had drinks with Jack. We caught up on life and work and what's going on. And he knows some people at "the Workshop" who aren't necessarily research but more networking... So I have those names to contact when I have a chance.

Friday I went in for my training on how to be a freelance researcher for Sesame Workshop. It's a lot like being a researcher at Nick Jr. So for me it was pretty easy to do the observation, but it's a new recoding sheet, so I have to get used to the format. At the end of the day, they'll call me. But I am officially on the freelance list, and that means work! And all because I finally got the guts to send one little email.

So I am finally able to relax a little. I am going to see where the freelancing takes me. And keep on the tight budget. And remember to trust that everything will work out and that Rob and I will be fine.

"Haunted" Black Forrest Cake

My cousin Andrew got me this really awesome cookbook as a wedding gift. 100 Best Desserts. So for our Halloween party at work I made the Black Forrest Cake. It was delicious! Thanks Andrew.

I DID IT!

I finished the JP Morgan Chase Corporate Challenge (5K) and I did it in under 40 minutes...just barely. 39:45. My birthday present to myself was to run and finish the race. Of course it was cold here yesterday and it rained the whole time. Here is a pic of Me, Mariana, and Russ; the only three from our floor who made it.

Quotes of the Day

Today we went to New Jersey to interview kids and find out what they know. Here are some gems? My questions are in italics.

How can you tell it's Spring?
Look outside.
Leaves coming out.

How do you take care of plants?
Seeds then water! And sunshine.
Will it grow in the closet?
No!
Why not?
Nothing grows in the closet.

What can you tell me about trees?
Things grow on trees.
Poison Apples.
Trees grow on flowers.

What lives in a tree?
Squirrels. Ants. Spiders. Birds. Leaves.

What kinds of things come from trees?
Leaves. Pickles. Apples and berries. Plants. Pickles. Flowers.

What kinds of things are made out of wood?
Houses.
Woodpeckers.

What is recycling?
You do it by yourself.
When you watch a movie.
Popcorn.
The old stuff goes to somebody else.
Garbage.
You give it to old grandmas and grandpas.
Throw it in the dumpster.

January

Wow, already it's the end of January. Where did the month go. It's no good when the year is already flying by. Well, I made it back from Christmas and had a nice quiet easy week at work and then everything wen nuts. The schedule at work is getting shifted a lot right now. The show is undergoing some big changes, and with teh re-writes, and the artists working like crazy, the episodes we were supposed to test just weren't ready in tome. So we had to cancel and reschedule, giving ourselves a TRIPLE week.

Generally when we do our research we test one episode at a time over a two day period, and then have several days off to analyze and write the report. Occasionally we will have a Double week, where we test two episodes over two days and then have several days off to write the report. We had our first TRIPLE just before Thanksgiving, testing three episodes over five days and then had ten days off to analyze and write. Last week was number two. We tested three episodes over six days.

Friday - one show,
Monday - cancel due to snow, unfortunatly I didn't get teh message until arriveing at the office at 7am.
Tuesday - two shows (I left after the first to get to the office to start with the data and analysis - this episode had to be presented Tuesday at 3 - so we did in 7 hours what nomaly takes 4-7 days - never again)
Wednesday - one show
Thursday - one show
Friday - one show and a report due

NOw six days off to prep for the next one. Which now that I look at is actually FOUR episodes over seven days... Hmmm it's Wednesday/Thursday off then Monday - Thursday. How am I ever going to rest again.

At least I got to spend last weekend on vacation in Las Vegas with Rob.

So January is coming to a close, and work seems to be all I have accomplished.

I start classes at Hunter College next week. I'll keep you posted.

Gems from the Kids

I thought I would post some of my favorite kid quotes from different research sessions over the past few months. Sometimes they give very cute answers and sometimes come up with just some of the strangest things.

On Bubble Guppies:
“Why are they wearing bathing suits?” (because they're Bubble Guppies!) “I want to be a Bubble Guppie!” 4-year-old girl

"They’re half fish! That’s a mermaid."

"It was funny because I was goin' like this (big smile)." 3yr old girl

On Construction:
“They were building, and made a doghouse, the dragon ate ice and ate a lot of crackers. He had a really big stomach!” 4-year-old boy

On Rock & Roll:
“When big crab pulled out a fork!” 4-year-old boy

“When he rings his bell and he can’t get the bell off the cow.” 3-year-old boy

On Restaurants:
“Mr. Grump was happy and the giant tomato was angry too. And Mr. Grump was angry like the tomato.” 3-year-old girl

"I didn’t like when the boy was stuck in the pickle, because if my mom was in the show and she was in there I wouldn’t like that." 4 year old boy

On Camping:
“A bear was comin’ to get them and an owl and he was about to sleep and they woke him up. And was eating marshmallows and he had the whole bag.” 3-year-old boy

“Camping on the dark side of the moon.” 5-year-old boy

On Cities:
“It’s hard to find a spot for the car. If there’s a spot you take it quickly and if you don’t someone else will take it.” 4 year-old-boy

On Doctors:
How was the python feeling? “I don’t know…. Nauseous?” 3-year-old boy

What would make the ape feel better? "I think he wants a leprechan!"

On Plays:
“Actors… the wolf came & Deema came over and she said she was late & she was like wolf don't come back. Can you read it again?” 4-year-old girl

"The owl going to kick the frog" (he means the wolf was going to get the Clam.)

On Spring:
“When he (Snow Monster) made it to winter. I hated it because I don’t want my life to be like that.” 5-year-old girl

“The fairy godmother (why?) she made flowers and then fireworks.” 3-year-old girl

The snowman. He;s not mad hes my friend.

On Dinosaurs:
(What dinosaurs do you know?) “A long tail" (Do you know any dinosaur names?) "Johnny" (Who’s Johnny?) "A big dinosaur.” 3-year-old girl


Now you see why I love my job.

My Cube!

Thought you'd like to see where I spend most of my week.

On the left, my shelf and office supplies, as well as Bubble Guppies pics. On the right, my work space, it's pretty clean at the moment. On the bottom, my computer (one of the NEW imacs), vase of flowers, and shared data files.