La Vita negli Hamptons

I apologize for not posting here much this year. I work a lot nowadays and don't travel much, so I haven't really got much to write about. I don't really think that anyone reads this tripe anymore anyway, so that may be another reason for being sloppy with the upkeep. Plus, I'm lazy. Nonetheless, I think I ought to post an update for those who may be so bored that they end up here. Plus, it makes me feel good. Shall I rewind to July?

Summer

This summer, I began working at a private school in East Hampton. Contractual obligations forbid me from saying which one, but most all of you already know where. As fortune would have it, my new employer was in need of multiple ESOL teachers, and they hired Anna as well, so we both work at the same school.
We began teaching in the month-long summer program in mid-July. Most of our students were Chinese boys, and stayed on into the regular school year. After three weeks however, we were more than ready for a holiday (see previous post).
Upon return, we had three weeks of "professional development" before the school year began. No comment. But let's just say we had our work cut out for us when the school year actually began.

Because it was still technically "summer" when the school year began, we could not afford to rent locally, so for a couple months we had to commute everyday from Patchogue, which was quite stressful. However, a colleague gave us a lead on a house to rent in town for the winter that turned out to be quaint, quiet, and inexpensive, and by mid-October we were happily moved in.
Having a house to ourselves was a new and slightly uncomfortable experience; both of us had always shared a house/apartment with someone, so it took a while to get used to all the space and avoid the tendency to squirrel all of our belongings into a corner. Room to breathe, finally!! --- but it still took some getting used to.

Home Sweet Home.

The newest member of the family. 

Fall
The school year keeps us busy. Unfortunately, we end up working for several hours after we get home every night because we have to plan lessons for each day --- there is no set curriculum. Well, not for the ESOL program at least. This planning consumes most of our free time, unfortunately, and because of the school's "unique" system of learning, there's no saying how effective it actually is. But despite this it's our job, and we work hard for our students because it's them we care about the most.

I love my students. But not enough to let them use phones in class (I take them). 

In spite of all the hype about "the Hamptons", there really isn't much to do in East Hampton, especially in the off-season. If you love nature, it's a great place. However, if you are a social person, like Anna, then it is hell. We have tried and so far failed to maintain a social life outside of work. Most of our social events have revolved around having people over for dinner. Other than that, well....you get the idea. 

There isn't terribly much to do either. East Hampton remains exorbitantly pricey even in the off season. Amagansett is cute but ridiculously small -- only two pubs and a coffee shop. Sag Harbor is charming, a little more down to earth, but doesn't have much more to offer than East Hampton. In the Fall, most of our few outings revolved around walks on the beach, around East Hampton town, or trips to Montauk. 

Montauk Point. 

Lighthouse!

View from the lighthouse. 

Historic East Hampton (our social life). 

Mom, J, and Mike come for dinner. 

In October, we went down to Delaware for my 10 year high school reunion (yikes!). I didn't really want to go, but Anna wanted to (for novelty's sake I'm sure), and it was a chance to visit Dad, so I agreed. Of course, the reunion was held at a sleazy summertime bar in Ocean City (it was either that or the fire hall in Frankford, unsurprisingly) and the food and drink were atrocious. Nonetheless there was an open bar and a few people there I was happy to see after so long. To be quite honest I was a bit disappointed, as many of the people who signed up didn't bother to show up. I suppose in the end it was fine --- most people were drunk (and hence amicable), I got to spend some time with some of the few friends I had in my high school class, and it was funny to see how many people thought I lived in the city when I told them I lived in New York.

10 year reunion friends. 

For Halloween, we had our friend Amber over to carve pumpkins (she had never done it before). We bought a bunch of candy for trick-or-treaters but alas, none knocked on our door. So in the end we had a few nicely-carved jack-o-lanterns that no one saw and a glut of candy.

Knives of fury. 

It's a minion!!

Winter
Winter in East Hampton. Apart from the occasional wind, rain, and snow, not much happens. We cook, we try to sleep a lot. The train rolls by, the house shakes.
We went back to Patchogue for Paula's famous Thanksgiving feast. Margaret came down, and San Mino, one of Anna's best friends, flew in from San Francisco. It was great to have him around again, since we hadn't seen him (or Margaret!) since the wedding. On "Black Friday", the weather was beautiful and we went out to the Fire Island lighthouse for the view.

Snow in East Hampton?

One more week until a much-needed Christmas break and, of course, Italy.

Stay tuned for wedding photos!!