This weekend: A discovery

This weekend my friends at I went to one our favorite spots: Copabanana on 40th and Spruce, on the campus of University of Penn. Me and my girlfriends (who I’ve known since high school: Girls High 246ers!) love this place so much because of the good margaritas. They have so many flavors you can combine to create your favorite margarita. They BEST part is, they give you the metal container they make the drink out of, so that you actually get 3-4 margaritas out of it!!!! Even better, they have this appetizer called the, Copa Combo, which me and my friend Zenobia in particular are dedicated fanatics of. The Copa Combo consists of a few juicy and crispy chicken tenders, buffalo wings, and best of all, three lovely potato skins adorned with bacon and accompanied by sour cream. The potato skins are so good, that we refuse to go to the Copabanana on South Street, because that restaurant discontinued the potato skins! Crazy right! So anyways, this past weekend my friends and I went to Copa’s had our Copa Combo’s and this time instead of getting a margarita, I decided to get a Mojitio, hence my newest discovery. Many people have tried a Mojito before, my friend Geremi, absolutely loves Mojitos. I decided to give it a try, and have found a favorite new drink. I’m not sure exactly what goes in the drink, except for the mint leaves and sugar cane that give it this great minty limeade type of taste to me. It’s not overwhelming sweet or a super strong drink; however, it does have a beautiful effect.

As I Am, Alicia Keys new cd!

First of all...I clearly out of the loop because I wasn't even aware that she had a cd coming out. So when I heard it, my reaction was one of shock and embarassment, because I consider my self a serious Alicia Keys fan. Her music is always so authentic and soulful. Music you can feel. I have all of her cds and have always made a point to buy "the real thing" when it came to her cd's, as well as, some of my other favorite artists like Outkast. Newho... when I went to Target in hopes of catching her cd on sale for $1o-11, (right after black friday...what was I thinking.. I dont know), only to be heart broken as they were sold out. I went to Borders only to be disappointed again. Though as a fan though, I am happy and proud of her success, but I must admit I "feel some typa way" about not being able to purchase her cd at a discount. I have heard the cd is really good and can't wait to hear it. Thus, the thrifty person that I am, I decided to buy it off Amazon.com, where one is always guareenteed a good price for cds and dvds.
Amazon is the 'truth'. I have purchase many cd's from the site for amounts ranging from .99cent to 7.00$...sure the cd is "used" but they have always been in like-new conditions.
Amazon is work checking out. http://www.amazon.com/
And for more about the fabolous Ms. Key's visit http://www.aliciakeys.com/

One of Philly Premier Soul Food Resturants: Ms. Toostie's

Wednesday was my mom's birthday so I took her to one of my favorite spots: Ms. Toosties. Ms Tootsies is a soul food resturant located near Broad & South St. Me and my absolutely love this place and frequent there often, especially for birthdays and welcome homes. We love the place so much, that we traditionally take pictures of our plates when they arrive..lol. Its serious. My favorite meal is the huge fried chicken wings, irresitible cheesy macaroni and cheese and cabbage. (I know I sound like a paid critic) and one mustn't forget the infamous tropical ice tea, which is sweetly served with a pinapple or watermelon slice. The menu also includes, oven roasted turkey wings, catfish, barbq ribs, smothered pork chops, carmelized candied yams, and to top it off, one may want to try the 'Sock It To Me Lemon Pound Cake'. But most of all, I love the environment. The undeniably soulful music playing, the beatuiful artwork all over the walls, the chocolate-brown couches and fur accented rugs. This is a must visit resturant/lounge!
For more info visit:

http://www.kevenparker.net/

Poetry, Rap, Spoken Word infuse into curriculum = A form of literacy

This past week in two of my courses, we were discussing poetry, spoken words, and rap as a form of literacy. In my Adolescent literature class, we read a book entitled, Bronx Masquerade by Nikki Grimes, who is a famous African-American poet. The book is about a class in a school in the Bronx, who has "Open Mike", which is a forum where students are given the space to present their poems. Topics range from identity, teen pregnancy, domestic abuse, gender expectations, and more. In between the poems, are short vignettes spoken in the tense of the students themselves, that give an insight to the student. I absolutely LOVE the book, and would recommend it to everyone! For more information visit the website:http://www.nikkigrimes.com/tour.html
In another class, Teaching English/Literacy, a group of kids from a charter school, Young Scholars, located in Philadelphia, came to speak about their "Hip-Hop class" and the cd they had created, of which my classmate and I were given the previous week. The Hip Hop class was a club/after-school program in which students came to create poems and raps about things that were important to them. Five of the students, which came to visit our class, described their work as, "positive hip-hop". There work was, as one described, "poetry to beats..all rap is, is poetry". They revealed the fun the have "freestyling" and listening to the beats. These very articulate students were very conscious and serious about the issues discussed in their work, and mentioned how they wanted their words to be more than just "heard" but genuinely digested by the listeners, especially their peers. The issues they touch on ranged from, stereotypes of Black teens, awareness of African-American culture,violence in thier communities, but it also was a very comical and funny, creatively done cd. I truly was impressed and proud of the "young scholars" group. Visit the groups charter school website:http://www.phillyscholars.org/ and http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/news.php?id=15312

Self-Reflection for Teachers

On of my classes is surrounded by the theme of "Inquiry". In other words, questioning, and wondering. Our first assignment "Inquiry I" was a look into our experiences with reading/writing/literacy and how those experiences have shaped the way we define and see reading/writing and literacy. Often times, teachers and teacher education programs alike, do not attend to the fact that, teachers teach the way they were taught, hence, the way they perceieve is the 'right way' to teach. Many times there is a disconnection of thought, where teachers and programs, do not see the connection of personal beliefs and experiences and how they inform how one approaches curriculum and instruction. For example, if a teacher believes effective reading instruction starts or includes, the 'sounding out' of words, as that is the way her grandmother taught her, then she will likely prompt her students to do so. Furthermore, when self-reflection or inquiry of experiences does not happen, a person is less likely to be receptive to new or different viewpoints or instruction. Thus, self-reflection and inquiry into ones own belief systems andexperiences is crucial at how one approaches the classroom.
Inquiry, can be helpful not only to wonder about how beliefs and experiences with reading and writing influence teaching, but how views of race, culture and language inform teacher expectations of their students.
So I ask you, my dear reader, How has your past experiences and beliefs of reading influence, what you thing reading is? What is reading to you?

Child Response Paper

Never have I meet a person so enthusiastic and knowledgeable about children's literature, as my professor, Dr. Sipe. I'm positive there isn't a children's book or author/illustrator he isn't aware of. There has been many instances were someone brings up a particular book, and he'll immediate identify and/or comment on the plot or the character. Its amazing! It makes me feel bad, because my memory is not that good. Dr. Sipe is the professor of my Adolescent Literature's class, were we discuss all types of children's literature from young adult fiction and picturebooks, and the many genres such as, historical fiction and realistic fiction. We have explored topics and parts of children's books, that I previously overlooked or took for granted, such as the illustrations on the inside of the book's over (at the beginning at end). Many times the illustrations and colors used, give a insight on the mood or the plot of the story. It is a great way to ask kids for their predictions of the story. We have an assignment coming up called, the Child Response paper.We are to read a couple of books to one child, or the same book to several different children. We are to note children's verbal and non verbal responses to the book, their questions etc. I am excited about completing this assignment, as this class has provided me with a newly informed perspective on children's literature.
Take a look at Dr. Sipes website at: http://www.gse.upenn.edu/~lsipe

I went to the Laff House...finally

I am a huge fan of comedy and I love to laugh. Although I am often very quiet and reserved in situations and environments I am not yet comfortable, I am a very silly, comedic individual. Since about two years ago, I have been going to the Laff House, a comedy club, which is located on the infamous South Street. This past summer, I religiously was in attendance EVERY week, oftentimes going with my friends from college, or high school, or even on a date. I made sure I was there. The laff house has open mic nites on Wednesday, stand up Thursdays, while Friday and Saturday, were reserves for shows with "headliners" (well-known, experiences comedians) such as, Kevin Hart, Shang Forbes, Rudy Rush. All summer I have been going to stand-up Thursdays (where the show is only $10!), but since school has started, I haven't had the chance to go. Last night, however, I was in attendance! I laughed so hard I almost fell of my stool, seriously, several times. Everytime I go to the laff house, I am guaranteed to laugh until my eyes water and stomach hurts. There has been so many times, my cheek muscles hurted from smiling and laughing so hard.
Many people have told me, I should be a paid spokesperson for the laff house, as I have excitedly introduced many of my friends and co-workers to the club. Everyone who has came loves it, and frequents the club more than I do.
If you come to Philly, you must visit the Laff House on South Street!!
Visit the website! http://www.laffhouse.com/index.html

An often avoid conversation turned class discussion about prejudices and stereotypes

Last week in my Teaching English/ Language and Literacy in Middle and Secondary Schools, we had a discussion about the "white privledge", which lead to a intense conversation about stereotypes and prejuduices, and thus, race. It was a very uncomfortable conversation for many of my classmates, who were clearly nervous about talking on the issue. Many people refered to racism as "it", attempting to avoid saying the word. There were questions that were raised such as: Just because I am a white woman does that mean racism can not occur to me? How can I be the blame for something I didn't do? Many comments were made such as: " Sometimes I feel that if I talk about racisim it makes me a racist, and if I don't talk about racism, I'm a racist" "I live in a community where such realities are prevelant (poverty, violence, oppressive racisim), so I had no idea these things were going on." A response to the comment was, "How could you not recognized what is going on in society, just because somethings don't occur around your neighborhood". The article, "The White Privledge", was written by a white woman who came to realize all the privledges and power she acquired, simply by being a white woman. Peggy McIntose, the author, stated “I was taught to see racism only in individual acts of meanness, not in invisible systems conferring dominance on my group” believe it the reason my professor chose to include the article in our readings, where to raise this often avoided issue and to ignite some critical thinking about ones self. Some of the 'privledges' listed in the article were:
I can go shopping alone most of the time, pretty well assured that I will not be followed or harassed.
I can turn on the television or open to the front page of the paper and see people of my race widely represented.
When I am told about our national heritage or about “civilization,” I am shown that people of my color made it what it is.
To view article visit the link:http://www.fjaz.com/mcintosh.html

Two large paper due... a day apart.

So..I have two papers due. One on Tuesday and the other on Wednesday. One is six to eight pages, and the other, eight to ten. Crazy enough, I found both assigments interesting. I think the anxiety came, as for many of my peers in grad school across the nation, from the lengths of the papers and time management. Time management often time is my biggest problem. I never, ever, turn things in late, however, when I set up personal deadlines, I have a hard time being completing them. I try to set things much further in advance, in an attempt to have things done much ahead of time. This weekend, I had NO business going to Fridays to eat with some of my friends from middle school and high school, where we reminsced and laughed over margaritas, and laughed our way over to King of Prussias movie theatre, where we saw Tyler Perry's new movie, "Why should I get married". The movie gets 6 stars in my book!! It was hilarious and there were many moments when we practically stood up at our sits and applauded. Nonetheless, I should have been at home, analysis a 20+-page transcript.
I just recently, about a hour ago, finished analyizing the 20+page transcript and wrote a 9 page analysis, which I am very proud of. Because I have been looking over the transcript for the past week or so, it was very easy to cite lines from the transcript for evidence in my anaylsis. Now, I must tackle the other paper, which is an analysis of two interviews I did, one with a 7th grader and the other with a 11th grader, about there views on literacy in and out of school.
WISH ME LUCK!

Is there a such thing as 'seasons' anymore?

The weather in this country is officially schizophrenic. I don't think there is a such thing as 'seasons' anymore, or even, regional weather. Here in Philly, the weather was in the high 80's last week, and I was too excited to pop the tag off a pair of cute fall-like shorts (the kind you can wear with boots). Just a week later, it is barely 70 degrees and I have on a hoodie and a jacket. Although it is almost mid-October and fall is long overdue, I, nor do I think anyone else, was fairly prepared. This unpredictable weather is happening all over the country, and while many were happy with the extended summer-like weather, I was thinking about global warming. This is an issue that the U.S., its citizen, and the larger global community, must take seriously, now. How many more national disasters, such as, sunnamis and tropical storms need to take place before we see the dreadful inevitable ahead. A piece of our earth atmosphere, that protects us from the suns uv rays and such, is disenegrating at a increasing rate. We think its hot now...


check these links out:
http://www.globalwarming.org/
http://www.climatehotmap.org/
www.nrdc.org/globalWarming

Shoppin' n Philly

I love...love shopping. Philly has an eclectic abundance of shops, malls and such to visit. We have the King of Prussia Mall, which is one of the largest malls in America. The stores, shops, boutique of the infamous South Street, where you can find some unique, one of a kind, clothes, shoes, accessories, fabric...and more! Personally, I absolutely adore accessories and truely believe they are essential to life 8). South Street has approximately five accessory stores, dedicated simply to accessories. Earrings, braclets, necklaces, hair jewerly, rings etc, colorfully embellish the walls and tables. Philly is also a place of great, thrift stores and flea markets. Often, when people ask me what is my favorite shop/boutique, I respond, that I don't have a favorite. I am more attracted to the classic, antique jewlery of older women being sold (for a few dollars!)at church flea markets, in North, West and South Philly. I am a thrift store/flea market fanatic. I frequent the Salvation Army, non-profit ran thrift shops. I also enjoy vintage shops. Retrospect, located on South Street, is my favorite. Although a bit more expensive than the average thirft store and flea market prices, Retrospect houses some of the most "throwback" clothing, accessories and shoes. The other day, I visited and tried on a pair of expensive knee-high white fur boots. They were sooo gorgeous and are something I've been searching for, for a long time. I was prepared to swallow the $70 cost of them, but sadly, the fit was very awkardly narrow..nonetheless...I am still considering them 8 )...you can NEVER have enough shoes, or accessories!

Heres so links for visit:
http://www.southstreet.com/

First few weeks.

My first few weeks at GSE has been a very beautiful academic challenge.