La Vida De Una Nina Del Nueva Jersey

La Vida De Una Nina Del Nueva Jersey http://claireannemiranda.multiply.com/ Thanks for visiting my Multiply site! This is where I'm keeping all my stuff from now on, so come back whenever you want to see what's new. Feel free to post a reply if you see something you like or just want to get in touch. Sun, 10 Aug 2008 23:27:42 -0000 Sat, 9 Aug 2008 01:20:32 -0000 La Vida De Una Nina Del Nueva Jersey http://images.claireannemiranda.multiply.com/logo http://claireannemiranda.multiply.com 100 100 Top of the Rock with Sharon and Marco http://claireannemiranda.multiply.com/photos/album/75/Top_of_the_Rock_with_Sharon_and_Marco Sat, 9 Aug 2008 01:20:32 -0000 Family Ball and Jenny's 19th birthday http://claireannemiranda.multiply.com/photos/album/74/Family_Ball_and_Jennys_19th_birthday Fri, 8 Aug 2008 23:57:19 -0000 Camping at Lake George, NY: the day before rafting day http://claireannemiranda.multiply.com/photos/album/73/Camping_at_Lake_George_NY_the_day_before_rafting_day Thu, 31 Jul 2008 01:22:40 -0000 White Water Rafting http://claireannemiranda.multiply.com/photos/album/71/White_Water_Rafting Wed, 30 Jul 2008 17:44:53 -0000 The Email that Made Me Smile Today I was surprised that the email i received that would really make me so happy didn't come from my husband, my family or friends. It came from someone who is a total stranger whose name I just hear from my conversations with my husband. It came from Colonel David Paschal, Jorge's superior officer. It was one of his routine emails to the families in his company greeting us a happy 4th of July. After all the pleasantries, he made an announcement that we have been waiting for for so long. Jorge's deployment was scheduled to end by late December into early January. His email answered our prayers. Below is the actual email that I received: Warrior Family Members,       On behalf of the Warrior Combat Team I want to extend a special greeting on our Nation’s birthday.  I know that this is a special time for families to gather and enjoy all that the summer season has to offer and a time to reflect on our great Nation.  As I look at the Warrior Team, I share a d... http://claireannemiranda.multiply.com/journal/item/10/The_Email_that_Made_Me_Smile_Today Thu, 17 Jul 2008 03:14:33 -0000 Fourth of July Fireworks Show http://claireannemiranda.multiply.com/photos/album/70/Fourth_of_July_Fireworks_Show Sun, 13 Jul 2008 18:45:16 -0000 Popo's Birthday Dinner http://claireannemiranda.multiply.com/photos/album/69/Popos_Birthday_Dinner Sun, 13 Jul 2008 18:44:07 -0000 Two days at Spruce Run Lake Summer is here and what's a summer without spending some time at the beach? http://claireannemiranda.multiply.com/photos/album/68/Two_days_at_Spruce_Run_Lake Sun, 13 Jul 2008 18:34:14 -0000 Sniff! sniff! My babies are graduating! The best gift a teacher can get at the end of the year is to watch her students graduate. Nevermind the ear-piercing shrieks or the minute-to-minute tattle-tales or the 10 minute-temper tantrum or the crying without tears performances. At the end of the schoolyear, you just realize that you have grown to love each student's idiosyncracies. When they leave, you will find your mornings a little bit gloomy without seeing their laughing eyes telling you that they are happy to see you. Oh well, I have to start all over again with my next 15 batch of students. Another year of http://claireannemiranda.multiply.com/photos/album/67/Sniff_sniff_My_babies_are_graduating Sun, 13 Jul 2008 18:21:29 -0000 How It Feels Being An Army Wife When people I meet find out that my husband is in the army, the most common reaction is, "How do you deal with it?" My response was always, "I just keep busy." That line worked for the first few months of his deployment when I had to deal with fixing our insurance information, changing my name on my ID cards, preparing the paperwork for my greencard, and decorating the apartment. Now that everything that needs to be done has been accomplished and that we are 9 months into the deployment, I start to feel the distance. It has been a week since Jorge called me last. I know i should expect this since missions would usually last 3-4 days, sometimes, it can even last for a week. Jorge averages 2 phone calls a week, so if i dont get any calls for one whole week, i start to get edgy. The other army wives would reassure me saying that no news is always good news, they are just busy. When Jorge does call, he cannot really give me any details regarding his missions. He just gives me a g... http://claireannemiranda.multiply.com/journal/item/9/How_It_Feels_Being_An_Army_Wife Thu, 12 Jun 2008 02:57:38 -0000 Perfect Match! In Iraq time, our First Year Anniversary has already arrived. All day long, I have been wishing that Jorge would call me. First, to greet him a happy anniversary and second, since i have been very emotional lately, i just wanted to hear his voice. When I came home at 6pm from work, I knew that it was already 3am Iraq time and Jorge was awake. When I stepped in the front door, a long slender box was waiting there for me. Like a child on Christmas morning, i ripped the box open to find 12 long-stemmed roses. I was crying when, as if on cue, the phone rang. It was my husband wishing me a Happy Anniversary and at the same time apologizing since that was the only thing he can do for me there right now. I assured him repeatedly that his present was perfect. That wasn't the only thing that made my day. He was very happy to receive the CD and card that Jose Feliciano sent him. We both had the same idea. We both wanted to send a big surprise and it worked out ... http://claireannemiranda.multiply.com/journal/item/7/Perfect_Match Thu, 5 Jun 2008 03:19:11 -0000 Anniversary Surprise One dozen long-stemmed roses! My husband has great taste! The color was spot on. I love old rose pink. Thank you mi papichulo! Te amo http://claireannemiranda.multiply.com/photos/album/65/Anniversary_Surprise Thu, 5 Jun 2008 02:41:10 -0000 New Name: A Question to All My Friends Watching the Children play in the yard today, my assistant and I started talking about how we would name our students if they had been our children. We would say, "This boy looks like a Peter" or "This girl is really an Emma Renee." I know for a fact that I do not look like a Claire. My question to all of you is: "What name suits me best?" What do i look like? Do i look like a Monica or a Stephanie? My friends gave me those answers. What about you? http://claireannemiranda.multiply.com/journal/item/5/New_Name_A_Question_to_All_My_Friends Fri, 30 May 2008 02:03:55 -0000 First Year Anniversary Gift: Paper and Plastic For a whole month now, I have been wracking my brains trying to come up with a really good and memorable First Year Anniversary for my hubby. He helped me out a bit by asking me to send him new running Asics sneakers, Adidas massaging slippers and an Ipod touch. I've sent all those with a short note: "Happy Anniversary." But for some strange reason, it felt like it wasn't enough. Those were necessities, not really wants and besides, they weren't at all that personal and sentimental. Then just two days ago, an idea popped up. Jorge loves listening to Jose Feliciano, a blind Puerto Rican musician who became famous here in the United States. I went online and searched for a mailing address until i chanced upon an email address.  I wrote to him asking if he can send a greeting card and maybe an autographed CD to Jorge there in Iraq. To my delight, his wife wrote to me saying they would do just that. She then gave me some good advice regarding having to deal with being separated from h... http://claireannemiranda.multiply.com/journal/item/4/First_Year_Anniversary_Gift_Paper_and_Plastic Tue, 27 May 2008 02:33:17 -0000 Education Station Class Picture Not wanting to have a generic class picture (which I have, by the way, care of the school's official photographer), I decided i wanted to take my own. Class pictures are stiff and unnatural especially for a class of preschoolers. Asking these 4-year olds to stand up straight, put their hands on their sides and smile is a tall order. With this shot, they were relaxed and a little bit curious as to how it must feel like lying down on the floor to get a picture taken. This curiousity and excitement to try out something new worked to my advantage. I wanted to show the colors and life that each child brings to the classroom. I believe these pictures showcase just http://claireannemiranda.multiply.com/photos/album/63/Education_Station_Class_Picture Fri, 16 May 2008 01:35:20 -0000 Pope Benedict XVI visits the US! As I type, the Holy Father is wrapping up his visit to the US with a mass in the Yankee Stadium. I wasn't able to see him in person because going through security is like going through the eye of a needle. That and the fact that i had to accompany MY father to the hospital yesterday prevented me to wait in line along 5th Ave. for his motorcade. But i followed his visit intently on TV. For a man who has a reputation of being serious and conservative, he surprised everybody with his warm and cheerful aura. Each day, i watched as he captured the hearts of his faithful. His homilies were short but clear. He wanted to say what he had to say leaving no room for misinterpretation. Two of the points that stood out for me were his invitation to the young people to welcome a spiritual vocation and his call for everybody to defend life especially that of the unborn child. Each point were interrupted with a big applause from the crowd. Today is his last day here and this morning,&nb... http://claireannemiranda.multiply.com/journal/item/2/Pope_Benedict_XVI_visits_the_US_ Sun, 20 Apr 2008 20:30:37 -0000 A message for my husband It took awhile to get all the letters i needed but i did it. I must've looked funny taking pictures in the most unusual places but it was all worth it. Somehow care packages and letters are just not enough. I'd like to do more. Hope you like it, my love. Thank you for everything. Te extrano http://claireannemiranda.multiply.com/photos/album/61/A_message_for_my_husband Sat, 19 Apr 2008 00:34:26 -0000 Pope Benedict XVI heads for New York This might be the only opportunity for me to see our new pope. He will be in his popemobile passing along 5th ave bet. 54th and 72nd Sts. I just want to see him even if i have to wait for his motorcade to pass. Wish me http://claireannemiranda.multiply.com/calendar/item/10004/Pope_Benedict_XVI_heads_for_New_York Thu, 17 Apr 2008 02:05:14 -0000 June 5th will be our first year wedding anniversary! I'm so proud of you honey! Te quiero mucho por siempre. We have reached our first year anniversary and honestly, it all seemed like it happened yesterday. It's going to be a bittersweet day for Jorge and me as we spend this anniversary apart. We are just going to have to find something special to do on this day. Regardless of the distance, I love my husband and i can't wait til he comes http://claireannemiranda.multiply.com/calendar/item/10003/June_5th_will_be_our_first_year_wedding_anniversary_Im_so_proud_of_you_honey_Te_quiero_mucho_por_siempre. Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:30:11 -0000 Cherry Blossoms in New Jersey Our very own Cherry Blossoms Festival at Branchbrook Park, Bellevile, NJ. A little quality time with my http://claireannemiranda.multiply.com/photos/album/59/Cherry_Blossoms_in_New_Jersey Sun, 13 Apr 2008 22:10:33 -0000 Cherry Blossoms in Washington DC An out of the whim day trip, my friends and i decided to drive down to Washington DC for the cherry blossom festival. We spent Sunday mass in the Basilicsa of Immaculate Conception and proceeded to the Tidal Basin in front of the Jefferson Memorial for the cherry http://claireannemiranda.multiply.com/photos/album/55/Cherry_Blossoms_in_Washington_DC Thu, 10 Apr 2008 03:04:12 -0000 School Events http://claireannemiranda.multiply.com/photos/album/51/School_Events Thu, 10 Apr 2008 02:13:02 -0000 Ruben's and Jennifer's Wedding Ruben is Jorge's good friend but unfortunately, due to Jorge's deployment, i was left dateless for this event. My date? My sister, http://claireannemiranda.multiply.com/photos/album/49/Rubens_and_Jennifers_Wedding Tue, 8 Apr 2008 15:02:51 -0000 My Minnesota Working Vacation i came here for a relaxing vacation. instead, i was forced to be mom for the weekend teaching this little girl how to cook, drive, assemble furnitures, take pictures, and hook up electronics. Ayan, tessa, i dont want to see pictures of you eating http://claireannemiranda.multiply.com/photos/album/46/My_Minnesota_Working_Vacation Sun, 23 Mar 2008 06:09:51 -0000 Valentines Flowers from my hubby My favorite flowers: Stargazer http://claireannemiranda.multiply.com/photos/album/45/Valentines_Flowers_from_my_hubby Sat, 1 Mar 2008 01:55:15 -0000 Apartment before and after These pictures just showcase the living room. With a blue wall to wall carpet, i found it tricky to make my existing furnitures work....so i just embellished a little. A little trip to the crafts store and 3 blank canvasses and wall lamps later...the finished product. I have yet to finish the kitchen, library, bedroom and bathroom. As soon as i finish, i will post them here. If you have suggestions....please let me http://claireannemiranda.multiply.com/photos/album/44/Apartment_before_and_after Sat, 1 Mar 2008 01:40:31 -0000