Haven't done a meme in a while, thanks for the tag, m00ks.
Things I want to do before dying:
get married and have kids
get a job I actually like
do the hike where you walk the length of Israel
write a book (and if I'm even luckier, publish it!)
learn to live fearlessly
have self-esteem for more than five minutes at a time :-P
Things I cannot do:
keep my room clean for more than a day or two (and that's assuming it was clean in the first place!)
blowdry my own hair
argue with people, especially when it's important
ride a bicycle
stay organized
be totally open and honest with other people
keep my mouth shut when I should
Things I can do:
be there for people when I'm needed
dream
read books faster than almost anyone I know, provided that I like them
procrastinate like a pro
be nice even when I don't want to (okay...not all the time, but I try)
open jars and bottles
kill bugs
give good hugs
type 50 wpm
What attracted me to my husband:
I'll get back to this when I have one.
Things I want in a mate:
depth
honesty
humility
a good heart
kindness
acceptance, not judgemental
open mindedness
a funky eclectic fun side, so I know I can just let everything out and be silly when I want to
Things I say most often:
ooooh!
hey kids!
okay G-d, You and I gotta talk
holy _____ (no, it's not a swear word, I just alternate what goes in the blank)
scheisse
now where the heck did I leave my ____?
yay!
chaval
Books that I love:
There are too many to list, so I won't try.
Movies that I love:
A League of Their Own
Finding Nemo
The Power of One
Shrek & Shrek 2
What Dreams May Come
Okay, my turn to tag people... I'm tagging Bella, Libby, and Lvnsm27. Have fun, guys!
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Israel, etc.
So...I haven't exactly been good at keeping this little corner of my world updated. My post from July 14th still stands--we have to daven hard, give Israel good PR whenever and however possible, and I'm still stalking Jameel, Olah Chadasha, and Dave for the news from Israel because the world newsmedia is garbage. Also, if you want to give tzedakah, Jblogosphere has a fairly comprehensive list of organizations collecting donations.
I guess I just haven't been updating because there's not so much I can add--everyone else seems to cover the news (both Israeli and international) and commentary much better than I can, so what do I need to add? Also, since I read so much of other people's work, I don't want to accidentally plagiarize anyone else's words by attempting to opine on the same topics.
Still, I came across this post by Chayyei Sarah today, and it's so grimly funny that I had to link to it. It's her interpretation of a news article about Hizbollah being surprised at Israel's response to the kidnappings and bombings. Enjoy, folks.
Also, chodesh tov...if we say that today. I'm not really sure. May this be the last year that the 9 Days are a time of mourning for the Jewish People.
I guess I just haven't been updating because there's not so much I can add--everyone else seems to cover the news (both Israeli and international) and commentary much better than I can, so what do I need to add? Also, since I read so much of other people's work, I don't want to accidentally plagiarize anyone else's words by attempting to opine on the same topics.
Still, I came across this post by Chayyei Sarah today, and it's so grimly funny that I had to link to it. It's her interpretation of a news article about Hizbollah being surprised at Israel's response to the kidnappings and bombings. Enjoy, folks.
Also, chodesh tov...if we say that today. I'm not really sure. May this be the last year that the 9 Days are a time of mourning for the Jewish People.
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
New post...but not here
Once again trying my hand at blogging fiction, I have the honor of leading off Elster's newest short story project, Elster's Storytellers. Go check it out. =)
Friday, July 14, 2006
"We need you, we need your tefillah..."
'Cuz goodness knows we sure could use the Geula right about now.
I saw this on a bumper sticker when I was in Israel many years ago. I think it sums up how I'm feeling right now pretty well:
אבינו מלכנו, היושב במרומים
הצילנו מאויבנו ברחמיך הרבים
Individually or in groups, people are recommended to say the following perakim of Tehillim: 6, 13, 20, 22, 30, 79, 83, 121, 130, 142.
Have a good Shabbos, everyone.
I saw this on a bumper sticker when I was in Israel many years ago. I think it sums up how I'm feeling right now pretty well:
אבינו מלכנו, היושב במרומים
הצילנו מאויבנו ברחמיך הרבים
Individually or in groups, people are recommended to say the following perakim of Tehillim: 6, 13, 20, 22, 30, 79, 83, 121, 130, 142.
Have a good Shabbos, everyone.
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Israel is fighting for its life
The land, the country I love so much, the place I'd rather be over anyplace else in the world--she is fighting for her life. As Jameel @ The Muqata says in his post of almost the same name (I tried to come up with something else but I couldn't think of anything else that conveyed how I'm feeling right now):
For the first time in decades, Israel is truly at open war with her neighbors. And now, as she fights for her very existance in a world that is even less sympathetic than ever before, there is one thing we can do:
Daven for Israel's life. Daven for the safety, for the lives, of all who are living there. Daven for the mekomot kedoshim that you'll never see, or never see again, if chas v'shalom she loses. If you are a Zionist or an anti-Zionist or somewhere in between, DAVEN. From this side of the ocean, that's about all we can do.
If you want current news and updates on what's going on in Israel, Jameel is keeping a running update on his blog.
(EDIT: As Jameel rightly added, the other thing we can do on our side of the pond is promote pro-Israel opinions in the news, blogosphere, and anywhere else we can.)
(EDIT 2: I'm also following Olah Chadasha and IsraellyCool for up-to-date news.)
The title of this blog posting, "Israel fights for it's life" is not an exaggeration or my cliche -- it was said at 9:45 this morning on IDF radio, by the IDF Home Front Commanding officer, as Israel currently fights on 4 different fronts; North Gaza, South Gaza, opposite Kibbutz Zar'ir in the North, and the rest of the Northern front.
For the first time in decades, Israel is truly at open war with her neighbors. And now, as she fights for her very existance in a world that is even less sympathetic than ever before, there is one thing we can do:
Daven for Israel's life. Daven for the safety, for the lives, of all who are living there. Daven for the mekomot kedoshim that you'll never see, or never see again, if chas v'shalom she loses. If you are a Zionist or an anti-Zionist or somewhere in between, DAVEN. From this side of the ocean, that's about all we can do.
If you want current news and updates on what's going on in Israel, Jameel is keeping a running update on his blog.
(EDIT: As Jameel rightly added, the other thing we can do on our side of the pond is promote pro-Israel opinions in the news, blogosphere, and anywhere else we can.)
(EDIT 2: I'm also following Olah Chadasha and IsraellyCool for up-to-date news.)
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Happy (sort of?) blogaversary to me
I didn't realize it, but yesterday was my official blogaversary. However, I don't think I'm counting it as my real one because I then didn't post again until December, so I feel like it doesn't count. But happy day to me anyway. :)
Monday, July 10, 2006
Acts of Kindness
Random acts of kindness brighten your day, whether you are the giver or the recipient. Helping someone shlep their groceries, or carry a stroller or suitcase up or down stairs, holding the door for the person behind you instead of letting it slam in his or her face--they're not hard things to do. They take a few extra seconds--at most, minutes--of one's time. I've done a few lately, and I've been on the receiving end a few times lately; either way, it made me just a little happier that day. "Random" opportunities to do a small chessed for one's fellow human being are Hashem's gift to us, to make us better people and to get ourselves a couple more points Upstairs.
Then there are the acts of kindness that are far from random, that one undertakes with or without full knowledge of what the job will entail, but still chooses to do because it's the right thing. They're usually a lot more time-consuming, a lot more work intensive, and a lot more exhausting--but one becomes a better person for the experience of it, and the recipient is (usually) incredibly grateful that they had someone's help. However, they are meaningless if they are not undertaken with the right attitude; if one has an air of martyrdom or entitlement to thanks/reward, one might not be gaining any benefit at all.
Either way, whether the act you do is small or large, do something for someone today. It will make the world a better place.
Then there are the acts of kindness that are far from random, that one undertakes with or without full knowledge of what the job will entail, but still chooses to do because it's the right thing. They're usually a lot more time-consuming, a lot more work intensive, and a lot more exhausting--but one becomes a better person for the experience of it, and the recipient is (usually) incredibly grateful that they had someone's help. However, they are meaningless if they are not undertaken with the right attitude; if one has an air of martyrdom or entitlement to thanks/reward, one might not be gaining any benefit at all.
Either way, whether the act you do is small or large, do something for someone today. It will make the world a better place.
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Blah
Isn't it fun when one's already rampant inherent feelings of worthlessness are confirmed?
Blah indeed.
Blah indeed.
A D'var Torah
I was at a bris this morning and I heard a really nice d'var Torah, so I wanted to share it. :-)
At a bris, we give the baby the bracha, "K'shem she'nichnas la'brit, kein yikanes l'Torah, l'chuppah, ul'maasim tovim," just like he (the baby) has been brought into the covenant [into the Jewish people], so may he be brought to Torah, marriage, and good deeds.
The Chatam Sofer focuses on the word "k'shem"--just like. Why is that word used?
With Torah learning, there can be outside, ulterior motives to learn--to show off, to gain prestige, to "one-up" the next guy, etc. With marriage, one can marry for exterior things--for money, for fame, for looks, and so on. When doing good deeds, certainly there are many ways that one's motivations can be far from pure--do we do good deeds for the mitzvah, or to make ourselves feel good? Does a gvir give loads of tzedakah for the mitzvah, or so that his name will be put up on the side of a building or in the dinner journal so that all passersby know that he is supporting an institution?
However, when Avraham Avinu gave himself the first brit milah, establishing a connection between himself and his descendants and Hashem for time everlasting, he was completely devoid of ulterior motives. His entire intention was to devote himself to serving Hashem. Thus, we give the baby the bracha that when he comes to Torah, chuppah, and maasim tovim, that he should come just like the way Avraham approached the brit between himself and Hashem--with a pure heart, devoid of ulterior motivations.
Isn't that a nice bracha?
At a bris, we give the baby the bracha, "K'shem she'nichnas la'brit, kein yikanes l'Torah, l'chuppah, ul'maasim tovim," just like he (the baby) has been brought into the covenant [into the Jewish people], so may he be brought to Torah, marriage, and good deeds.
The Chatam Sofer focuses on the word "k'shem"--just like. Why is that word used?
With Torah learning, there can be outside, ulterior motives to learn--to show off, to gain prestige, to "one-up" the next guy, etc. With marriage, one can marry for exterior things--for money, for fame, for looks, and so on. When doing good deeds, certainly there are many ways that one's motivations can be far from pure--do we do good deeds for the mitzvah, or to make ourselves feel good? Does a gvir give loads of tzedakah for the mitzvah, or so that his name will be put up on the side of a building or in the dinner journal so that all passersby know that he is supporting an institution?
However, when Avraham Avinu gave himself the first brit milah, establishing a connection between himself and his descendants and Hashem for time everlasting, he was completely devoid of ulterior motives. His entire intention was to devote himself to serving Hashem. Thus, we give the baby the bracha that when he comes to Torah, chuppah, and maasim tovim, that he should come just like the way Avraham approached the brit between himself and Hashem--with a pure heart, devoid of ulterior motivations.
Isn't that a nice bracha?
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