the joys of retirement - 6-29-09

First chores and errands:

1 - I went to the post office and mailed out another set of 6 books.  And the last Fourth of July card I'd made.  I like making greeting cards and the summer has so FEW holidays.  I'd sent the others out already - but needed a zip code on this one.

2 - I had my breakfast at the local Subway sandwich shop - they make a wonderful omelet, loaded with veggies, cheese and sliced turkey.  And their coffee is good also.

3- I was supposed to meet someone downtown.  I had noticed that one of the people I was to send a book to lived in my city, so I'd e-mailed her to see if she wanted me just to hand her the book in person rather than put it in the mail.  That worked for her, and she and I agreed on time and place.  I'd never been to the cupcake shop before (it's attached to Books of Wonder on 18th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues).  Since cupcakes don't appeal to me, I had a large cup of tea and waited.  I'd arrived at the correct time... on the dot... After 1/2 hour, I left.  She e-mailed me ... she'd forgotten.  

4 - I had to then go to the post office to mail our her book.  I ran into a woman I used to work with.  We had a long chat.

5 - then to lunch - I love the chicken cutlet lunch - the breading is light and fluffy - the fried plantains are perfection (and I realized I stopped needing salt on them).  The salad - lettuce and tomato is fresh, although boring.  It's a lunch that can hold me for hours!  And very inexpensive $7.50 with tax!

6 - I had an appointment, so I walked from 72nd Street to 56th Street - practically a mile.

7 - then I had to go to the school - graduation started at 6:30.  OMG!  The hall was FILLED with people.  Usually people come dragging in at 7 or 7:30!  I found a seat with some staff members and the food was available immediately.  I had more chicken - anything to NOT eat the pasta (my downfall - I crave it and it does not do good things to me).  I got and gave hugs to the graduates.  The graduating class from night school is small, so they can get away with a dinner/graduation.  It was fun.

8 - As I was walking to the bus, I saw one of my students who had dropped out.  Although he'd given me a very hard time, I liked him a lot. It was good to see him.

Reading/Books

1 - I am almost finished with the most BEAUTIFUL book I've read in years - Hollis Woods.

2 - Since I knew I'd be out of the house for a long time and would need more reading material, I started a book about ecology and environmentalism -Strange Encounters.