If you dig a hole to China.....

Making a concerted effort!

Shannon Ruiz — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:05:24 +0000

Okay, lots of stuff has been out of balance lately. And writing, or the lack thereof, has been a side effect or cause of it. So, my goal is to write here at least 2 times/week. Please stay tuned.

The Skin I’m In by Sharon Flake

Shannon Ruiz — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 02:02:15 +0000

In this YA novel, an African American girl faces the taunts and teases of her peers everyday due to the dark pigmentation of her skin. She really has a hard time fitting in, making friends, and just basically surviving her 7th grade year, until a teacher comes along and changes her life. She has many conflicts with the teacher, one in which she burns down part of the classroom!! The teacher never stops believing in her and shows her that honesty and trust conquer all. The main character learns to love the skin she’s in by the end of the book!!!

Pictures of Hollis Woods by Patricia Riley Giff

Shannon Ruiz — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 01:48:26 +0000

This book is so great! It tells the story, via parallel stories in alternating chapters, of Hollis who is left as an orphan in Hollis Woods, Queens, just a couple days after her birth. She is placed in foster family homes, but runs away every time she gets close to the family and close to being adopted. The agency continues to place her in various homes, and she tells the story of her life via flashbacks and vivid descriptions of artwork she has drawn while in foster care. Great read!!

Double Identity by Margaret Haddix

Shannon Ruiz — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 01:43:36 +0000

In this YA novel, Bethany finds out that she has been cloned from the cells of her deceased sister. Her mother and father kept this from her for 13 years, and she only realizes it as her life starts spinning out of control. This is a great read, and adolescent readers with enjoy the twisting plot that keeps you guessing!

Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden

Shannon Ruiz — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 21:21:06 +0000

After the Gyro Place, we headed over to this beer garden. It was packed, but it was so great and a pitcher of beer (a good kind, not like Miller Lite or something!) was only $14.00! It was a great experience and is the only original beer garden still open in NYC and it is right down the street!

The Gyro Place, Ditmars Blvd

Shannon Ruiz — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 21:17:22 +0000

So, I loved our Friday night date! We started at the Gyro Place where I had one of the best gryo’s I’ve ever had. :) I had the beef gyro and Michael had the Chicken Souvlaki sandwich which he was equally happy with. The fries there were great too!!! Imagine McDonald’s fries totally fresh and seasoned with fresh salt and pepper! It was great and the people there were so friendly. I will definitely be going back soon.

Volleyball is Back!!!

Shannon Ruiz — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 14:32:07 +0000

YES, okay, it is about that time again. I’ve joined a league in NYC..had to tryout and everything..they are serious here, and that is good news after spending several years in a state (NC) where VB is no more than a recreational hobby. I tried out and made a division 3 team, WHOOOOHOOO, and my games start this week for the summer season. Wish me luck!

Ford Foundation Building

Shannon Ruiz — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 14:22:24 +0000

While walking home from the UN Building this week, I happened upon the Ford Foundation building. It looked like just another building, but then I saw a sign in the door and window that said “Garden open” and I turned around and went back to see what was going on in there!

And I am glad I did! It was a beautiful garden with water and trees and a sitting area, in the middle of the building! It was airconditioned (which was nice as it was VERY hot that day) and all the offices had windows that were built to open to the garden. It was a lovely little treat. One thing that was really cool was that all the rain water is collected in a cistern from the roof and that is what the gardeners use to maintain the gardens! What an innovative, green idea!

The United Nations Building

Shannon Ruiz — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 14:16:47 +0000

On Thursday, I took off for the day to visit the UN building. Although I forgot my camera, it was a great experience and one I will remember. (And because I live here now, I can go back anytime and take pictures.)

The is a great photo exhibit in the lobby that portrays what is going on in different places around the world: the wars, the bloodshed, etc. The exhibit is quite graphic and many people stood in front of one picture at a time for a very long period of time in deep thought.

One exhibit, called body mapping particularly caught my eye. Women with HIV from around the world, but mainly Africa, participated in this workshop where they created “body maps” via artistic expression theat helped them begin the process of coming to terms with the reality of HIV and any discrimination or stigma that they have experienced.

I actually loved the idea and I am going to modify it and open my year with it this year in Spanish Harlem. Students will be creating body maps using words, symbols, and pictures that portray influences in their lives that have shaped them into who they are today. These influences should depict both the negative and the positive aspects, as well as hobbies, health, and life goals. I think it will be a great way to get to know the kids!

Biking NYC

Shannon Ruiz — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 14:05:54 +0000

Now that I officially live here, I have taken up biking the city with my boyfriend, and it sure is fun!

We have biked Governor’s Island (you must get there on the ferry, bikes are allowed!), we have biked Manhattan and Central Park, we have biked the Hudson Valley River area (which is absolutely gorgeous), and we have biked the East Side and Midtown.

It has been a wonderful experience and a great way to see the city. You should try it where ever you live! We pack up a lunch and plenty of water in the morning, attach our helmets and back packs securely and leave for the day! I highly recommend it! It is a great form of exercise too.