Andrew & Ainsley Sundberg

new sketchbook

2010-11-28T19:07:00.001-08:00

2010-02-10T18:44:00.001-08:00

snow day!

2010-02-10T08:04:00.001-08:00

2009-12-04T05:36:00.001-08:00

Brooklyn's Finest

2009-12-03T09:53:00.002-08:00

2009-12-03T09:53:00.001-08:00

rooftop view 6:19am

2009-09-25T17:12:00.000-07:00

Class walk across Williamsburg bridge

2009-09-22T06:51:00.000-07:00

Weekend art project

2009-08-23T13:12:00.000-07:00

Peak Park

2009-07-21T23:23:00.001-07:00

Overlooking Ballard and the Olympic Mtns.

Amy & Dan

2009-07-21T11:33:00.000-07:00

the old stomping grounds

2009-07-21T11:30:00.001-07:00

my beautiful sister

2009-07-19T13:15:00.001-07:00

View from N train crossing Manhattan Bridge

2009-07-10T20:33:00.001-07:00

2009-07-09T08:52:00.000-07:00

This is what summer is all about. I have time to do things that are theraputic and peaceful. I spent the majority of this project with one eye on Scout, making sure she didn't walk across the canvas or step in the puddles of mixed paint on manila file folders scattered across the apartment floor.

Home sweet home

2009-07-08T14:17:00.001-07:00

God bless Florida ... and summer vacation

2009-07-05T13:39:00.001-07:00

Florida Sunset

2009-07-03T20:17:00.001-07:00

Summer Sky

2009-06-27T10:17:00.001-07:00

One week left! .... man, I look tired

2009-06-19T06:57:00.000-07:00

Whiffle!

2009-06-16T08:52:00.001-07:00

Beautiful Brooklyn Bridge

2009-06-07T18:29:00.001-07:00

Panorama Test

2009-06-03T09:44:00.001-07:00

1st Ave - btwn. 12th and 13th

2009-05-30T10:39:00.000-07:00

Quote

2009-05-28T07:25:00.000-07:00

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at time of of challenge and controversy.

-Martin Luther King Jr.

1st Ave - looking uptown from our roof

2009-05-26T18:09:00.000-07:00

skating through the LES

2009-05-26T06:56:00.000-07:00

4th St btwn 1st & 2nd

2009-05-26T03:44:00.000-07:00

12th btwn. 1st & A

2009-05-25T09:29:00.000-07:00

I stumbled across this monstrous piece of art near our apartment. It comes from a favela in Rio Di Janeiro and is plastered to the side of a school, bordering the neighborhood skate park. The project is called '28 millimeters.' I did a bit of research and was captivated by each of the pieces. The videos are incredible and worth your time. Check them out here:

28 Millimeters

Videos

Size 21

2009-05-19T07:14:00.000-07:00

My teaching partner, Ms. Justice received a gag gift this morning of this amazing pair of size 21 running shoes. I slipped them on and discoverd the size allowed me to wear my normal dress shoes inside with room to spare.

SeaTac layover nap

2009-05-18T10:43:00.000-07:00

Ya done did it!

2009-05-16T17:43:00.000-07:00

143rd & St. Nicholas

2009-05-14T12:21:00.001-07:00

Night sky from the new apt.

2009-05-11T17:48:00.000-07:00

View from our new apt. fire escape!

2009-05-09T14:25:00.000-07:00

Poor Scout

2009-05-01T17:21:00.000-07:00

Back from the vet.

* Spayed
* Extra teeth extracted
* Extra rear claws (prone to infection) removed

* Micro-chipped

Breath Taking!

2009-04-27T06:58:00.000-07:00

Wake Up!

2009-04-27T06:52:00.000-07:00

This is convicting and inspiring at the same time.
Worth your while!

Nap Time

2009-04-17T13:33:00.000-07:00

2009-04-15T19:05:00.000-07:00

My buddy Zach came into town for a few days. We rented a car and rolled to Montauk, Long Island in a Mini-Cooper.

Who Says Love is Blind?

2009-04-06T18:07:00.000-07:00

-taken @ Webster Hall - 'Mates of State' show

Ainsley and Two Scoops

2009-04-01T04:17:00.000-07:00

Researching for debate

2009-03-26T09:52:00.001-07:00

Seattle folks, on Spring Break playing in Union Square

2009-03-24T07:29:00.000-07:00

two news write ups about our school

2009-03-18T10:57:00.000-07:00

New York Post

New York Observer

so thiiiiiis is how we got here.

2009-03-17T07:57:00.000-07:00

The Crisis of Credit Visualized from Jonathan Jarvis on Vimeo.

--thanks matt roddy...

@ the dog park

2009-03-16T11:32:00.000-07:00

Math Pep Rally

2009-03-06T11:15:00.000-08:00

Today was awesome. We had a math pep rally that generated more energy than a high school football game. Every student participated in:
* SPRINTs (timed tests)
* word problem solving
* multiple choice questions

It was amazing to watch an entire school, fully engaged and rooting each other on to academic success.

Student Quote of the Day

2009-03-04T13:44:00.001-08:00

"Hey Mr. Sundberg. Today's a big day. Wanna know why?"

-why?

"Well, I'm getting new glasses and my hair is nice. It's called wave brotha. Gotta go so let me get my swagger right."

Snow Day!

2009-03-02T11:09:00.000-08:00

2009-02-19T16:52:00.001-08:00

God bless vacation

2009-02-17T17:11:00.000-08:00

Scout hearts Tucson

2009-02-17T08:13:00.001-08:00

2009-02-17T08:11:00.000-08:00

Field Trip

2009-02-11T05:17:00.001-08:00

drugs are funny

2009-02-10T07:38:00.000-08:00

2009-02-08T11:01:00.001-08:00

that's what spell check's for right?

2009-02-07T21:53:00.000-08:00

Overheard

2009-02-07T15:00:00.000-08:00

33rd and Park

Two 20-something males walking

"I can't explain it man. When I went to Vegas, I found my serenity - my peace."

big coat

2009-02-06T10:48:00.000-08:00

2009-02-04T09:47:00.000-08:00

2009-02-04T09:46:00.000-08:00

Scout vs. Towel

2009-01-27T11:08:00.000-08:00

2009-01-24T10:43:00.000-08:00

The past few days, we've been watching Scout's ears slowly perk up, making her Yorkie side more aesthetically

prominent.

Honor roll

2009-01-24T06:01:00.001-08:00

Inauguration

2009-01-20T09:23:00.000-08:00

23rd and 5th Ave

2009-01-19T05:44:00.000-08:00

New York Trivia Challenge

2009-01-18T15:14:00.000-08:00

Without cheating, try to answer the following questions.

1) Why is New York referred to as "Gotham City?"

2) Why is New York referred to as "The Big Apple?"

Leave your guesses as comments.

Once you've commented, check this link:

NYC

Hawk on fire escape

2009-01-17T08:39:00.001-08:00

During my Saturday school lesson this morning, my kids started freaking out about a bird they saw on a fire escape across the street. At first, they thought it was an owl. After a closer look, we discovered it was a hawk. This picture doesn't do it justice but the bird was beautiful and big! What a bizarre place for a hawk to hang out - on a Harlem fire escape.

If you look close, you can see it on the far left of the top floor fire escape.

are you dead serious?!

2009-01-17T03:50:00.000-08:00

Publishing Board - After

2009-01-16T08:11:00.000-08:00

Ainsley spent over four hours in my classroom this Wednesday - sorting through graded papers, photocopying, organizing, refreshing this bulletin board in my classroom and one in the hall with the 'A' papers.

Such a big help!

Publishing Board - before

2009-01-16T08:10:00.000-08:00

Chuck Close

2009-01-14T16:12:00.000-08:00

chill zone

2009-01-12T12:50:00.000-08:00

Scout Digs Plaid

2009-01-10T18:21:00.000-08:00

Scout's Story

2009-01-10T16:34:00.000-08:00

Early December, after much thought, we decided to get a dog. For financial and philosophical reasons, we planned to go the rescue/adoption route. We searched online and visited shelters around the city, looking for a dog that would fit in our tiny apartment. We were beginning to feel discouraged because all we could find were huge dogs; mostly pitbull mixes.

After weeks of searching, Ainsley found the Havanese-Yorkie with one ear. We met her 'foster mom' (a kookie woman from New Jersey) who rescued her from a puppy mill. We met in the dog friendly Hotel Pennsylvania and began to become attached. We paid the fee to cover her shots, signed a contract, took pictures, posted them online, called friend and family, and bought her food and treats and toys and a bed. The woman offered to hang onto the dog over the holidays so we wouldn't have to fly with our new puppy. We were thankful for this option and planned to pick her up as soon as we arrived in New York from Seattle.

Needless to say, the holidays were spent showing off more pictures, brainstorming names and preparing ourselves for life with a dog.

Ainsley called to check in on December 26 - no answer.
She tried on December 27 - no answer.
December 28 - no answer.

Finally, from the Sea-Tac airport, Ainsley gets ahold of this lady and the saga began. Here's her side of the FISHY story, in first person:

* I didn't want to spoil your holiday so I didn't call you back until now.
* The dog has had an accident
* It was staying in a crate, 7 ft off the ground
* I heard a loud bang from the next room and came running
* The dog had somehow opened the door of her crate and fell to the ground on her head
* She is now 'neurological,' twitching eyes and all
* No, you can't come see her - she's at the vet
* No, I won't give you the vet's number. The vet doesn't appreciate prospective parents calling about their dogs. We have a unique relationship and they cut me a deal because I rescue dogs and I can't afford to jeopardize that relationship.
* Once she comes home from the vet , you may not see her until I give you permission because I won't release her to you until i know she is 100% recovered.
* I will give you one daily update via text message - no more.

All of this information came while we were waiting to catch our flight. Ainsley was sad - I was furious.

It all seemed super shady to me. After days of being strung along we finally came to the conclusion that:
a. the dog was dead and this lady had fabricated the story and drug us along to get us so frustrated and hopeless that we gave up and moved on.
b. she sold the dog for a profit and created this story to make us move on.
c. she had become attached to the dog and created the story so she could keep her.

She was extremely rude, unapologetic, and defensive each time we spoke with her so we decided, reluctantly to turn the dog down. We texted her giving her our mailing address and requesting a refund. She responded with "as per your contract, you will recieve your money within two weeks."

Wednesday marks the 2 week mark. We'll see.

All of this drama left us feeling pretty bummed. When we finally let this dog go, Ainsley and I looked at our pile of dog food, treats, bed and such with a sigh.

We had planned to go the movies but decided to stay in and search for another dog on our laptops. After 3 hours of searches and applications, we found Scout. Ainsley applied at midnight and recieved a response at 12:15am saying that we had been approved for adoption. We looked at each other, then read the address of the puppy rescue where she was - Olmsted Falls, Ohio.

Long story short, we booked a ticket at 12:30. I left the door at 6:45 the next morning and flew into Akron. I rented a car, drove an hour to the sprawling suburb, met the dog, learned her story, signed the papers and was back on the road within an hour, puppy aboard.

When I finally, got back to the apartment it had been a 24 hour trip.

-----
In a nutshell, here's Scout's story.
* Rescued from a puppy mill with two siblings
* The founder rescue agency had a house fire where she lost everything including several dogs and cats
* Scout and her siblings were staying in the barn so they were safe from the flames.
* In order to deal with her incredible loss, the woman gave the surviving dogs to her friend who also ran a puppy rescue so she could adopt them out.
* 'A New Leash on Life Rescue' is the name of the second agency.
* She had only posted Scout's availability online for 12 hours when we found her.

Our Puppy's Name....

2009-01-08T07:32:00.000-08:00

SCOUT

named after:
Jean Louise "Scout" Finch

Jean Louise "Scout" Finch is the main character and the narrator of To Kill a Mockingbird. She is somewhat of a tomboy. She is not afraid to put up a fight for her beliefs. She is smart for her age and has trouble in school because she can already read and write when she starts first grade. She is in love with Dill Harris (only a childish love), who comes to visit from Mississippi every summer. The novel is written from the point of view of Scout when she is older and she often comments on how she didn't understand something at the time, but now, as a grown up, she does. She is the only one of the three children to see Boo Radley, and actually talk to him. She learns a lot by "standing in his shoes." She was terrified of Boo, but once she actually saw him, she realized he was harmless. She learns the true value of getting to know someone before "judging them." She is sad at the end that she never gave him anything back, as he gave them treasures and their lives.

LaGuardia flights offer the best city views - These shots taken with Scout under the seat in front of me

2009-01-04T07:37:00.000-08:00

Mid-town Manhattan

Southern Tip Manhattan

Above Harlem looking south along Manhattan

Long story - new dog - we're happy

2009-01-02T19:08:00.001-08:00

7:00 am - 33rd & 3rd

2009-01-02T19:06:00.001-08:00

Chuck Norris lives!

2008-12-30T12:38:00.000-08:00

I have just returned from a Westcoast Christmas.

Penny, Ainsley's mom, flew us home, spent the night, and now has to jump a flight back to Portland this afternoon.

Ainsley is at work and I walk Penny to Penn Station, navigating a route through tourists while carrying her two bags. We stop and grab a few 'I love NY' T-shirts at a classic hole-in-the-wall shop and continue West on 34th st.

We get her ticket, watch the monitor, patiently waiting to see which track her train is leaving from.

All is well, she makes her train and finds a comfortable seat next to the window. We hug and part ways.

I sprint up the broken escalator toward the street noise above and charge, head down, along 33rd towards my cozy apartment and book waiting for me on our sturdy black couch.

I have 6 avenues to walk so I pull out my phone and give my folks a ring. My mom answers and we chat about my flight, our new puppy, what Ainsley's up to, how nice it was to all be together...

Out of nowhere, I feel what I swear is someone's shin violently colliding with my stomach. This has to be a joke, a dream, anything other than reality. As I unbend my hunched body, I look up and see a disheveled man, likely 25, in my face - vexed eyes penetrating my own. Time slows and my mind desperately searches through all possible reasons why my adrenaline is engaged and the wind is knocked out of me.

"You F***ing spit on me! Get the F*** outta here!" he stammers, among other things, as fellow pedestrians begin to gawk.

Mind you, I am still talking with my sweet mother about the wonderful Christmas we just shared.

"Are you serious?! Did you really just kick me? Who does that?" I question.

The man comes closer and I instinctively hang up the phone, put it in my pocket and anticipate having to fight for the first time since Jr High.

Two things I know for certain:

1) I did spit on ground.

2) It was nowhere near another human being.

His rage continues to build and the only provocation I can fathom must be coming from my unrelenting stare. The gaze comes more from a place of utter dismay than of maliciousness. Apparently this guy is interpreting it as the latter. He gets louder, uses more expletives, and a confused crowd begins to encroach. The group makes me feel safe. I'm in mid-town and 3 in the afternoon for crying out loud! This is too weird to be happening.

A smile creeps onto my face, likely emitting a message of mockery. I am not intending to make matters worse, I simply cannot understand why someone would kick a total stranger. Is he serious? my mind repeats.

I try to inform the delusional man that yes, I did spit, but it was not intended for anyone's shoe or to act as some sort of sign of aggression.

In retrospect, I probably should have laughed it off and walked away but really?? Come on! -A Chuck Norris roundhouse karate kick to my gut? Really?

The stare down continues. The crowd grows. He uses a few choice fingers to communicate what his mouth has already been doing for 2 minutes now. He turns and walks away.

...."oh. my mom!" I think and quickly redial.

She was scared to death by what she overheard on her end of the line:

"Are you serious?! Did you really just kick me?"

*Click*

I relay details of the encounter as she finally allows herself to breath and even laugh, knowing now that I am safe.

- Only in New York -

View From Mike's Home on Lake Union

2008-12-30T10:40:00.000-08:00

Goodbye Seattle

2008-12-29T14:48:00.000-08:00

Jam Session

2008-12-27T07:37:00.001-08:00

Sea-town

2008-12-26T23:13:00.001-08:00

Animal Cruelty or Just Being Festive: You Decide

2008-12-25T13:42:00.000-08:00

PDX Street Art

2008-12-24T10:26:00.001-08:00

Seattle Fly-over

2008-12-23T23:24:00.000-08:00

Winter Coat Drive

2008-12-22T16:05:00.000-08:00

We had another friendly little competition during the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Each homeroom tried to bring in as many coats as possible for donation. We tracked the daily results on a prominent bulletin board and watched the magic unfold. My homeroom (Washington) not only brought in the most cans for our canned food drive but won this one by a landslide. All in all, our school brought in almost 600 coats!

It has been pretty amazing to watch my kids rally around the spirit of helping others. They kept coming back to the fact that they love joining together for good and cheering each other on as each can and each coat was brought in.

This morning, we took a bus from Harlem to the West Village to deliver the goods. Bag after bag after bag was unloaded and thrown down the assembly line of kids, stretching from the bus to the drop site.

We couldn't have asked for a better day for the kids to truly undertand how much these coats are really helping people. It was 13 degrees plus wind chill, and merely standing outside for a few minutes was challenging as the kids unloaded the bus.

Student Quote of the Day

2008-12-22T08:59:00.001-08:00

This morning, I climbed the stairs from the D train to the blistering 16 degree weather.

10 feet in front of me I see two of my students. Almost in slow-motion, one slips on some ice and crashes on his backside.

Overheard:
"Ohhhhhh, I think I broke my butt....well just the right side. I guess that's why I have two."

Photo of the Day

2008-12-21T09:43:00.000-08:00

Grading Descriptive Memoirs

Photo of the Day

2008-12-20T14:39:00.000-08:00

28th and Park - Balcony

Want Some Cookie With That Frosting?

2008-12-20T06:41:00.000-08:00

Ms. Justice and I combined our Friday family meeting and had a cookie decorating contest as well as an old-school dance off.

New Member of the Family!

2008-12-19T13:13:00.001-08:00

Ainsley and I have been wanting to get a small dog suitable for a small New York apartment for quite a while now. Ainsley has done most of the research - craigslist, puppy finder, you name it. She found this one online, called the owner, got the OK from the landlord and set up a time to meet her near Penn Station.

Here's the scoop:

- Havanese / Yorkie mix

- currently 2.8lbs - will likely grow to 8-10lbs

- was born without her right ear flap

- was rescued from a puppy mill where she was destined for a life in a crate birthing litter after litter ... because of her "aesthetic flaw" which we find endearing.

- will be staying with the woman in New Jersey until we come back from our holiday travels

- We haven't named her and won't until we officially get her.

- she will definitely be loosing that pink bow :)

We are open to name suggestions so comment away!

Photo of the Day

2008-12-19T12:55:00.000-08:00

Looking West on W144th Street

Bring on the Snow!

2008-12-19T08:29:00.001-08:00

Photo of the Day

2008-12-19T02:48:00.000-08:00

West Village Rooftop

Photo of the Day

2008-12-17T16:31:00.001-08:00

Long story short:

1) Our school is having a coat drive and our homeroom has brought in so many coats, it's not even funny.

2) Ainsley volunteers some time each week with an elderly woman who has lived on the Upper East Side for 50+ years. She is helping the woman clean her closet of clothes she hasn't worn for decades.

3) I brought this one in this morning which has to be from the early 80's.

4) Connect the dots -- Ms. Justice, my homeroom partner decided to have an impromptu fashion show in the middle of class. Hilarious!

3rd Anniversary

2008-12-17T07:23:00.000-08:00

Last night, we celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary! It's really hard to believe how quickly that time has passed. The fact that we both kept coming back to was how we are more in love with each other now than our wedding day. We feel pretty lucky.

Photo of the Day

2008-12-17T03:34:00.000-08:00

Bring on the Tooth Fairy