Category: Trip

Having Fun in The Big Easy

New Orleans. The Big Easy. N’awlins. NOLA. Whatever you would like to call it, New Orleans is high on the bucket for just about every American I know. When I found out that the NCTM conference was going to be held in New Orleans this year, a co-worker friend and I immediately knew that we needed to attend, and go down south to experience all of what New Orleans has to offer.
This flag flew above the USS Bayfield, and survived both the D-Day invasion in Normandy and a few months later during Iwo Jima. 
On our first day in New Orleans, we went to the National World War II Museum, which was unbelievable. Throughout the four building exhibit, they had so much memorabilia from the Second World War, and it was exhilarating to say the least. After going through the World War II Museum, we had lunch at Cochon (which I would highly recommend!) and then headed back to the hotel to get ready for the conference. Afterwards, we took a quick trip down Bourbon Street, had some delectable Hand Grenades, and had a splendid dinner at The Court of Two Sisters.
Had to get some authentic Louisiana food when in NOLA!

On our second and third day, we had the conference for the greater part of the day, which was extremely informational and interesting. I was also able to meet two of my “math-educator” idols, Dan Meyer and JoBoaler. For dinner on Thursday, we went to Arnaud’s, a famous French restaurant located in the heart of the French Quarter. To top off a delicious dinner, they had a small jazz band come to our table and play “when the saints come marching home.” Talk about having a genuine New Orleans experience!

The Jazz Band playing “When the Saints come Marching Home”
 Saturday was the last day of the conference, and, after attending the Pelicans game the night before, we were all really excited to check out the French Quarter Festival. To say we ‘killed’ the festival would be an understatement. We ate fried alligator, crawfish bread, beignets, and pork chop lollipops, just to name a few. In between all of the amazing food, we listened to some great jazz music, including a samba band from Brazil!
During our last full day, we got up early to have some world-famous beignets at Café Du Monde. Afterwards, we went to mass at the St.Louis Cathedral, which was beautiful. Interestingly, the cathedral has a flag for every country New Orleans has ever been apart of. We also had the opportunity to take a city tour, which included stops at City Park and a cemetery. Now, one may be wondering, why would you want to go see a cemetery when in New Orleans? You see, in New Orleans, everyone is “buried” in a mausoleum-esque above ground vault. It was really interesting to see how much different cemeteries are than the ones I am accustomed to up north. That evening, we had a chance to check out the world-famous “Commander’s Palace” Restaurant, which is where Emeril started his career. If you were looking to go to a place with authentic southern hospitality and food, I would definitely check this place out! Perhaps most notably, Commander’s subscribes to the ‘open kitchen’ philosophy, meaning that guests are allowed to freely roam throughout the kitchen at their own leisure.

 

The Commander’s Palace

 

Inside the Kitchen at Commander’s

 

At the end of the trip, it was clear that New Orleans lived up to the hype, and I already cannot wait to get back. Between all of the food, music, conferences and great people we met, it will most definitely be a trip I will never forget. As the French like to say, “Laissez les bons temps rouler.”

 

Touring Pennsylvania Colleges with ESHS

As I alluded to in my last post, I once again had the opportunity to chaperone the annual student council trip to visit different colleges in the northeast. This year, the students wanted to visit Penn State University and the University of Scranton (where my sister is currently a junior), so that is exactly the two colleges we went to go see. 

In front of the Old Main building at PSU
After leaving before the crack of dawn on Thursday, we arrived at Penn State at around 10:00am, giving us plenty of time to visit the bookstore and eat lunch before our campus tour at noon. Having spent a few days at Florida State University, I was expecting Penn State to feel more like a city than a college, but I was (admit-tingly) very surprised at how Penn State managed to have a small-school vibe. 
The East Side High School Student Council
at Penn State University 
Thursday night was one of my favorite moments of the trip. After teaching students how to play some card games, I explained to them the math behind blackjack (as portrayed in the movie 21). Later, we played Taboo in the hotel lobby until 1 o’clock in the morning. I would be lying if I said it didn’t bring me right back to my college days, running programs as an RA. Once the clock hit 1am, it was officially lights out, as we had another long day ahead of us on Friday. 
With Kim overlooking the University of Scranton
After eating breakfast and departing from State College, we headed for the University of Scranton. Once at Scranton, we met up with my sister, who gave us our meal vouchers. We then had an information session, and I was able to see my sister give an outstanding tour of her school. (Note: My sister and I often have a rivalry over which school is better – Marist or Scranton. The U.S. News & World Report often ranks the schools pretty evenly, but they are both tremendous academic universities that are slowly growing onto the national stage). I have been to Scranton many times (mostly to help my sister move-in and move-out), but I was still impressed by how nice the University was.
The East Side High School Student Council
at the University of Scranton
And then we left to go back to Newark. It was such a great trip, and I once again learned so much in every way possible. When I got back on Monday, I found out that my fourth block, which is typically a great class, wasn’t well behaved for the substitute teacher during the trip on Friday. I was very disappointed in them, and explained this to the class the following Monday when I got back. After talking with them in a very quiet voice for a few minutes, I had every student sit in silence and write a letter of apology to the substitute and my vice principal (who had to come to my class to calm everyone down). I have never had to do that as a teacher, but you could most definitely tell how bad the entire class felt. After they started writing, not one student said one word for close to forty minutes. That period, there was such a profound feeling of respect, and I would be lying if I said that it wasn’t one of the most surreal experiences of my teaching career to date. 
My board when I walked in on Monday. 

Last side note – my birthday was last week, and the amazing students of East Side High School once again outdid themselves and couldn’t have made my birthday any nicer. Between signing my board, decorating my door, and singing “Sapo Verde” to me countless times (including five times in my last class alone), they honestly made my day. Below is a photo of some of the remnants of my birthday, and I honestly cannot thank them enough!

¡Muchas gracias por un cumpleaños fantástico!
Muito obrigado do por um aniversário grande! 

Italia!

     During the commencement ceremony at my graduation from Marist, our guest speaker Chuck Todd talked about taking risks and opportunities and offered some other great advice along the way. One of the lines that stuck out to me the most was when Mr. Todd said that, “now’s the time to travel the world; because if you don’t do it now, it will be harder later. I didn’t get to Europe until my late thirties. That’s a regret.”  I started to think about that, and although I was very fortunate to have had many once-in-a-lifetime experiences during my college career, one that I hadn’t was studying abroad and going to Europe. Coinciding with this speech was the fact that some of my best friends from college were studying in Florence for the fall semester. After giving it much thought, the decision was easy: I had to go to Europe while I had the chance.
My first international flight
     Fast-forward to the first week of November, and I was off to Europe for the first time in my life. I was so excited that on my overnight flight over the Atlantic, I barely slept. After having a short layover in Germany, I landed in Florence at 11:00 am, and I was off to Via dei Giraldi to meet up with my friends. Even though I just saw them in August, it felt like I hadn’t seen them in a year. I told myself that I wanted to do something everyday- no matter how tired or exhausted I was. With my new job, I only had one week in Italy, so I had to take advantage of every single hour I had to see the country.
My first view of The Duomo in Florence
     Once I got there, Rob and Tommy showed me around, and we had the best pizza in Florence (Gusto Pizza), amazing Gelato and some of the most delicious prosciutto I have ever had in my entire life. The city itself was amazing – and although I was just getting used to the new culture, language, and money system, I really loved it. I could perhaps write an entire post on the food- the cheeses, the meats, the wines- it was the best food I have ever had in my entire life.
A delicious antipasto course at Gatto
     Since most of my friends were busy with classes on Wednesday, I took advantage of the free time I had and attended some of the museums Florence is renown for. I started by heading over to the Museo Galileo, which houses some of the original telescopes that Galileo used to make his breakthrough scientific discoveries. After spending a few hours learning all about the history of Italian Scientists and Astronomers, I went to see Michelangelo’s “David” at the Accademia di Belle Arti, one of the most famous sculptures in the world.
Overlooking Florence on top of the Duomo at dusk
     On Thursday, Dylan and I went to Pisa to see the leaning tower, and it was such a magnificent day. When we got back to Florence, we met up with Kevin and climbed the Duomo right at sunset for the best views of Florence. The aerial shots from the top of the Duomo were some of the most picturesque scenes I have ever stood witness too. Since it was the last real night I had in Florence, we all ended the day by going to a low-key bar, and I heard all of the great stories from their experience abroad. It was such a fitting conclusion to a great week in Florence.  
Dylan and me overlooking the Leaning Tower at the Piazza dei Miracoli
     Friday was my last full day before heading down to Rome, and I started by taking an extremely informative walking tour of the city of Florence. I was so happy that I went on the tour because I learned so many intriguing facts about Florence that I probably would have never learned. I stopped by the Santa Croce before heading back to my friend’s apartment, and we figured out what to do for my last day in Florence. Although our plans changes many times, we ended up all going to the Orto Botanico di Firenze (the Italian Botanical Gardens), and saw more great views of the city. On Friday night, we went to a steakhouse right down the block from where we were staying, and I had the best steak I have ever had in my entire life. What kind of steak was it you ask? A blueberry steak. I know it sounds crazy, but my mouth is watering just thinking about it.
Overlooking Florence and the Duomo at sunset
     After a great five days in Florence, it was off to Rome for me. I took the Euro Star to Rome, which only took about 2 hours. When I got to the train station, I met up with Marist Brother Enresto, who Brother Sean hooked me up with. Brother Ernesto showed me around the city, and drove me to the Vatican. I toured the Musei Vaticanti, did a quick tour of St. Peter’s Square, and headed over to the coliseum.  After touring the Roman Forum and the Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele I (Italy’s memorial of the unknown soldier), I noticed several police cars closing down the streets and helicopters flying low overhead. After eight police vans rolled up, and out came officers in full riot gear, I started to get a little nervous. I turned the corner, and there were several thousand people demonstrating in the streets. I asked a police officer what they were protesting against- and of course they were protesting for Education Reform!
In front of the Coliseum
     After meeting back up with Brother Ernesto and going to mass at the Chapel of the Swiss Guard in the Vatican, we went out to dinner and then went to the Marist General House. The General House was so incredible, and it was great to see the world headquarters of the Marist Brothers that Sean Sammon talked about so much. The next day, I went back to the Vatican and went to see the Pope give his weekly Papal Blessing. Although it was pouring rain the entire day, the rain stopped just before the Pope came out, and resumed shortly after he finished. It was one of the most surreal experiences I have ever had in my life. I then toured St. Peter’s Bascilica and decided to climb the cupola, and got to see Rome from a bird’s eye view. To say the view overlooking Vatican City with a rainbow in the distance was breath-taking would be an understatement. 
At St. Peter’s Square during the Papal Blessing
     On my last day in Rome, Brother Alberto took me to a few more places around Rome, and our last stop was at St. Paul’s Cathedral, on the grounds were St. Paul was prisoned and executed. We then went to the airport, and I had one last Italian meal before I went through security and started my long trek home. I said goodbye to Brother Alberto, and went through security. Unbeknownst to me, the Roman airport workers went on strike that day, and my flight got delayed by several hours. As a result, I missed my connecting flight to Newark by an hour, so I got to spend an extra night overseas in Switzerland! In Zurich, I had a delicious dinner consisting of bear and potatoes, finished with some delicious Swiss Chocolate Ice Cream (which was incredible, but not as good as the gelato in Florence). The following morning, I was finally able to board my plane back to the states, and I got home after a long 32 hour trip.
In front of St. Peter’s Basilica 
     Going to Europe was one of the best weeks I have ever had in my entire life. I am extremely fortunate that I have so many people in my life that helped put me up in Italy for a week so I was able to afford the trip. It was my first time to Europe, but it definitely will not be my last as I am already itching to get back there. I am just glad that I didn’t wait till my late thirties to get to Europe like some others I know… 
A beautiful panorama overlooking Vatican City from the top of St. Peter’s

 ¡Ciao!

Legend has it that if you throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain backwards, you will be back in Rome. Hopefully the legend is true!

Visiting D.C. with East Side High School

     I just got back from Washington D.C. with the East Side High School Student Council. After being surrounded by 9th graders for the first seven weeks of school, it was very different being with the brightest 11th and 12th graders East Side has to offer. When I was first asked to chaperone the overnight trip to our nation’s capitol, I was so excited, as I really enjoy the D.C. area and I have been involved with student government for as long as I can remember. I expected to have a great time touring Georgetown and American University and all of the historical artifacts in D.C. What I did not expect, however, was just how powerful these two days were going to be.
Students waiting outside the 4D movie at the Newseum
     I first want to mention how appreciative the entire group was from when we first boarded the bus until we got home. From going to the 4D movie at the Newseum to the many rounds of candy given out on the bus, everything we did was greeted with a “thank you,” and the students were so grateful for everything. Three of the students had never been out of the Newark-NYC area in their lives, and a few had never stayed in a hotel. On Thursday night, I was walking around the hotel lobby, and saw that they were all working out in the hotel’s gym. Perplexed as to why they all wanted to work out on the one day they had off, I decided to go into the gym and ask them. They told me that they were so excited that the gym was free and that it was open 24 hours, and it was a great place to hang out. Our students were so happy to do things that others take for granted every single day, and it was humbling to say the least.
Students working out in the gym at the Hotel


     On the flip side, what surprised me the most perhaps was how other people viewed and looked at these students at almost every place we visited. Seemingly unbeknown to a majority of the students, almost everywhere we went, people looked at these students as if they were out of place. On Friday morning at the hotel, for example, a table of other hotel guests literally got up and left breakfast early because our students were eating breakfast. Many times, complete strangers would give glancing looks at these students, almost as if they wanted to ask why these students were in D.C. or visiting college campuses. The weird thing is that most of the students didn’t even seem to notice, and even the ones that did weren’t bothered by it, possibly because they are all used to living in a world with so many ignorant people.  It was eye-opening to see this first-hand, and although we have made tremendous progress over the last 50 years, we still have a long way to go.
The ESHS Student Council
at the Martin Luther King, Jr.
Memorial
     The most powerful moments of the trip, hands-down, were when we were at the two colleges we visited: Georgetown and American University. It was so unbelievably inspiring seeing so many students from Newark interested in college. During the tours, they asked brilliant questions about college life, admissions procedures, and financial aid. It was interesting hearing them worry about things that I took so much for granted for when I was a senior in high school – like how to get into a school without a social security number or how to fill out a mandatory FAFSA form if their parents are undocumented. For many of these student leaders with high GPA’s, the admissions process and financial aid procedure itself is a hindrance to going to college. Although I have read about it many times, actually experiencing institutionalized classism first hand is one of the most opinion-changing events that I have ever stood witness too.
The ESHS Student Council excited to be walking around D.C.!

     Throughout the trip, I was fortunate to have had many amazing conversations with these great students about their future and how they plan on getting there. One of the best conversations I had was with a bunch of seniors about the notion of going to a community college for two years to save money before transferring to a four-year university. Some of these students may have faced tremendous adversities and obstacles in their life, but it is not stopping them from expecting the best out of themselves and attempting to get the best education that they can. After spending two days with this bright, articulate and inspirational group of people, I have tremendous faith that these students are going to be successful in whatever field they want to after college and finally break the “vicious cycle” for their families. I have no doubt that the kids I got to know the last two days are going to be the next great leaders of our country.