Year 2, Week 11 (Days 437 - 443)

With a new week came a new adventure to tackle. This week I took on my first Goruck organized event: the Goruck Light. As our Cadre said throughout the challenge, light doesn't mean easy. I'd love to tell you all about it, but will instead refer you to a summary posted by one of my rucking comrades who wrote a sweet piece for Travelete. 

This week's featured sponsors:

Ties.Com

Oootie.com

BeauTiesLtd of Vermont

Moss Ties

Year 2, Week 6 (Days 402 - 408)

Bow Tie Spotlight:

This week's featured bow tie comes by way of Monica Maria bow ties. I came across an ebay shop that   offers quality hand crafted bows at what I think is the lowest price online - just $12.99.  And with 754 different bow ties in their shop you could spend a whole day just browsing their collection. Check them out by clicking the link below!

This week's featured sponsors:

Louis Lien

Beau Ties Ltd. of Vermont

Forage

Monica Maria

Year 2, Week 4 (Days 388-394)

Bow Tie Spotlight: This week I want to take a moment to highlight one of my own bow ties - not for the sake of self-promotion, because sewing bow ties is more of a hobby than another form income for me - but for the sake of inviting anyone in the NYC area to come train with me. That's right - I'm talking about the Zombiefit bow tie. If you've signed up for a GoRuck/ S.E.R.E. or a Spartan race and are looking for ways to prepare - check out our trainer's blog here. Come out and train with us. 

This week's featured sponsors:

Xoelle

Speak Louder

BeauTiesLtd. of Vermont

Year 2, Week 2 (Days 374 - 380)

Bow tie spotlight: Over this past week I began my official training regimen for the Goruck challenge which I signed up to do in May. Part of the training involves carrying 7 bricks in a backpack during physical training that may or may not involve carrying a teammate on your back as well. As a way to include my family into my training I decided to wrap each set of bricks with a bow tie to represent a member of the family. Yup - the bows will remain on the bricks throughout my training and the challenge. This particular Mockingjay bow was handcrafted by yours truly using scraps of a t-shirt that was given to our teaching staff last year. Our oldest son is a big fan of the Hunger Games trilogy and so this bow serves as a reminder of him. 

I'm also glad to announce that I've got a special discount code for anyone interested in completing a spartan race this year. If you're interested in saving 15% off any race, you can use this link to get your discount. You're welcome!If you'd like in on the Spartan Sprint at Citi Field in April, just use code: CITIFIELD to get 20% off. That second offer expires on the 21st of January so get off the couch!

This week's featured sponsors:

Xoelle

BeauTies Ltd. of Vermont

This Humble Abode

Day 228

Today was the first time I met my new 6th graders. I also got a chance to speak at a whole-school assembly. It's the first time I've had to address somewhere close to 400 people in a while. I talked about my Spartan race and how much I had to train as an individual to be able to accomplish greatness with my team.

Speaking of a great team - I have a great team of supporters who have been supplying me with some awesome ties. Thanks! Today's tie wasn't necessarily a donation, but it's still a great bow from one great company. Check out Beau Ties Ltd. of Vermont for a nice selection of quality bow ties.

Day 225

Nothing says summer like a bold picnic print. With just two more days to rock my shorts to work I had to make it count by throwing on a pair of my favorite dunks. 

Today's bow was acquired from Beau Ties Ltd. of Vermont many moons ago. I still love breaking necks with my footwear selection. 

Day 203

Sunday fun day found us at an outlet mall after the morning church service. We walked around for a few hours, I found some cool gear, and met some nice folks.

Today's bow is a summer favorite - acquired from Beau Ties Ltd. of Vermont and features a strip of old cars, palm trees and surf boards. Way cool.

Day 145

Yeah, I see you Thursday. Come at me!

Today's bow was inspired by Father's Day and our little ones each have their own clip-on version that they wore to match my outfit last year. I can't wait to reveal this year's all-new set of Father's Day inspired bows constructed by yours truly!

Day 144

Oh dear. This is becoming my 'lucky' tie, if there could be such a thing.

This double-silk diamond point with gold paisley, hearts, and arrows has been worn on days when two unrelated people make some very specific remarks about where I'll be teaching next year.

I'm just glad folks respect the love I have for the classroom enough to know I prefer to stay in the classroom, regardless of whether or not I'm sure I'm in the middle of God's will for my life at my current school.



Back to what's absolutely clear - this awesome bow tie. It was a gift from Beau Ties Ltd. of Vermont. Check out their amazing selection here!

Day 137



I can't believe I've repeated color schemes. Yesterday I wore a short sleeve yellow shirt with a blue bow tie. I was so exhausted last night I relied on this blog to give me an idea of what to wear today and without realizing it I've done the unthinkable, the unimaginable. I've repeated the color scheme. It's no wonder then that one of my own students approaches me at breakfast this morning and says "I've seen you wear that before. You need a new wardrobe." Oh, the horror.

Seriously horrible is the fact that this butterfly bow (one I acquired from Beau Ties Ltd. of Vermont) is already showing signs of wear and tear. I noticed several snags in the silk as I prepared my clothing for today and I was bummed to think I will eventually have to retire it from the collection one day. Maybe not.

Day 116

Alas, the math state exam is here. I'm not one to really buy into the idea we need to hype kids up to fill in bubbles. No need to nurture the sort of premature celebration (think Ron Artest aka Metta World Peace) in mathematics. It's business as usual today.

Today I'm back to rockin another awesome bow tie from Beau Ties Ltd. of Vermont. This little batwing features a soft khaki polkadots on black silk and I think it works rather well with my guayabera. Yup, I said guayabera. 

Day 90

Last night I got to meet with about 50% of the parents of the kiddos I get to teach. Wowzers, what an awesome time. I cannot say there was any conversation that didn't make me appreciate my place in the classroom. In fact, there were more than a handful of times when I had to hold back tears from chats that inspired me to holdfast to a desire to stay in the classroom. There are some who would try to convince me that the next logical step for my career would be to graduate from these four walls to an administrative position that allowed me to strategically replicate what I do with a group of 30 kids to a greater scale. I get that, I do, but when Michael Jordan was at the peak of his game (I know, I know - I'm not as cool as Mike) noone was trying to turn him into a coach. There are too many good hearted folks who are treat the classroom as a transitional role that's only as good as their resume needs it to be. That's just not me. There is a far greater number of people who will burn out after a handful of years because, in part, they never got a chance to see someone who enjoyed being in the classroom for more than a decade. There are kiddos who will not have a constant male role model in the form of a classroom teacher and I want to continue being that for their sake. Ladies and gentlemen of the press (imagine me holding a press conference to announce my decision for the next school year sitting with my wife and my agent) I am hereby declaring my commitment to stay in the classroom. So where's my signing bonus?

That's enough of that. Back to bows. Today's bow is another great find on Beau Ties Ltd. of Vermont. I found a coordinating pair of kicks a couple of years back that I just had to bust out today. Throw in the fresh pair of spectacles and a denim vest and I'm good to go for another funtastic Friday. 

Day 78

Here's the last butterfly I currently have in my collection - and perhaps one of my favorite. It's another bow from Beau Ties Ltd. of Vermont - and another one I acquired very early on in my teaching career - back when I taught science and wanted to rep the froggies for this unit I was teaching at the time. Although I heard a few "still wearing green?" comments (although I didn't actually wear green yesterday) I still thought the combination of frogs on a penguin worked well together.

Day 75

Character Lesson ALERT!

When I heard about Coach Mike D'Antoni stepping down from his position as Knicks head coach it immediately reminded me something my father taught me when I was younger. You finish what you start, kids. I think he should've done what he could to finish out the year. It's one thing to get fired for not meeting expectations, but it's a whole different thing to decide to step away from a leadership position you have. I've been seeing a lot of that sort of thing lately - men who, for whatever reason, come to this conclusion that quitting is the best option. Really? That's lame. You finish what you start, kids.

Speaking of finishing, Lord willing, I plan on seeing the next 925 days through with bow ties - even if I have to start repeating bows. Today's bow was another great find from Beau Ties Ltd. of Vermont. It's the second of the only three beautiful butterfly bows I have. Normally their size is intimidating so before this challenge I rarely wore them. I'm looking forward to taking risks and adding more butterflies to my growing collection. Oh, remember that mock standardized test my students took? My classes averaged a score of 81.5%. It's not exactly what I was hoping they'd score, but it's a six point improvement from the last one and it's a huge step in the right direction considering that although it's my 12th year in the game, it's really only my second year completely devoted to teaching 6th grade math. There's still much work to be done and I hope the kiddos learn from some careless mistakes. Have a great Thursday!

P.S. Props to Zappos for always sending me such awesome pavement kissers just in time for a new blog post.

Day 70

I got to take the boys to the dentist today - always surprised by how shocked they are to see well-mannered children. "Would you like to go in with Javi?" asked the nurse. "Nope. Javi's a big boy. He'll be just fine." 

Today's bow was something I found on Beau Ties Ltd of Vermont's website years ago.  It's one of two butterfly bows I own, but I'm glad I held onto it as it gets along with my new blue shoes. Happy Saturday! 

Day 64

Today's a special day in the life of the Bushwick Middle School's teacher. We've all been invited to spend two days and one night at a historic victorian castle that has operated as a hotel since 1869. We're taking some time out of our very busy March to step back together as a team and refocus our energy toward a strong push to the end of the school year. Try not to indulge in any hatorade as you scroll down and take a look at the picture of Mohonk Mountain House.

Today's also special because it's one of the few times I'll be wearing two bows in one day. I'm wearing the more casual print (check out the woodies and surf boards) from Beau Ties Ltd. of Vermont during the day. You might have recognized that my sons wear the same one from time to time - it was a father's day gift we all wore last year.

This evening for our formal dinner I'll be wearing this amazing clip-on bow tie donated by my new friends at Boutaugh. You may have seen their work all over the red carpet this year. Fancy, huh?

Day 62

Here's my take on casual Fridays. I stick my thumb up to you, indeed!

It's been nearly thirteen years since I first reached out to Beau Ties Ltd of Vermont for my very first bow tie. Online bow ties companies were scarce back then and I didn't have the gumption (or the time) to go thrifting in search of vintage bows just yet. Here I am, now in - dare I say it - my prime as a teacher and the company that initiated me into the world of symmetrical neckwear has gifted me with this lovely amazing custom bow. It's a two-fabric piece that consists of this regal gold jacquard and a cupid-inspired silk. I intended on coordinating the small gold arrowheads with the backside and by golly I think I scored! 

Speaking of scoring big, here's my recently released teacher evaluation from 2008-2009. I stumbled upon this report only because I found out someone had run a google search using my name, not because I was actually granted access to my own data on the NYC DOE website. Oh, the wonders of technology! I personally don't have anything against my own data being out there, but I don't like the fact that I was never asked permission for it to be released. I don't care for stale data much, but I just wanted to make sure I was being as transparent as I am idealistic. I've got many faults, nothing to hide, and much room to grow.

Day 50

Here's another simple but stylish bow from my friends at BeauTiesLtd. It's a soft silky creamy tie vanilla tie that I wore instead of my official Rondalla necktie for obvious reasons. I'm super grateful to have finally performed one of my favorite songs today, Del Amor Divino. An uncle of ours visited with us last summer and introduced this hymn to us.

Romans 8:28-39 was the inspiration for this piece, which reminds us that "all things work together for good to them that love God ..." and that "nothing shall separate us from the love of God." It is sung to be an encouraging reminder to God's children of our safety in His love. We hope it's a blessing.

You know what else is a blessing - being happily married for 8 years. If it wasn't for the grace of God on our lives 8 years ago we would be on two totally different life trajectories. I thank God for my better half!

Day 44

 Teaching isn't for the faint of heart. This is twice true when you have responsibilities outside the work place - like parenting. Our youngest was taken into the ER last night on the count of the croup. His coughing sounded worse than it was and I'm glad we decided to take him in and thankfully our little man is doing better, but trying to funtion at my best with only two hours worth of sleep is no fun. This reminds me of a book my mother-in-law got me for my birthday called Do Hard Things by Alex & Brett Harris. It's marketted toward teenagers with the premise being that teenagers in our society have low expectations because we're conditioning each other to do what's easy. You know who else doesn't settle for the easy way out, kids? Jeremy Lin. Look up the Harvard grad and see what not giving up has gotten him so far.

Today's bow was part of my collection prior to this challenge. It's a great green, silk with cream polkadots number from Beau Ties Ltd from Vermont. Clearly, I'm still not over the new jacket. I'll tell you more about the book after I've read a couple chapters. Happy Monday, friends!