Well, I am certainly going to be busy for a little while. School work has me rather tied up, as do my conversion readings. Over top of wanting to do a ton of personal reading, I have been asked to alter a prom dress for my youngest sister. Now, I can alter clothing. I have done this plenty of times in the past. My work is decent, however nowhere near the level of perfection required for prom wear. The other issue is time. I have no idea where I am going to find the time to actually alter a dress for her. However, knowing my sister's budget, this is the only way she is going to have anything special to wear to prom.
The option we are going with is an old blue semi formal dress of mine with my black corset overtop. Now I still have to alter the dress some, ie make an over skirt and perhaps sleeves. I am not sure what I am going to be able to do.
At the moment I have so many sewing projects lined up that my sewing machine has finally stopped screaming at me to do them figuring I decided to give up getting anything done. So, if I am not online or answering my phone, I might be busy reading my textbook, at school, at work, or with my hands busy on not getting stabbed by my sewing needle.
Donuts
From Trigun
Friday, January 25, 2008
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Textbook Treachery
Ok, I go to community college because I cannot afford to go elsewhere. When you are the one footing the bill, you go where you can afford to go. I am lucky that I do qualify for grant money and scholarships or I would not be making tuition each semester. There is one thing that bugs me, like really, really irks me.
The community college was designed for working class and low-income families to get an education and/or degree to get better paying jobs, so they can move up in the world. So, though tuition is cheaper at a community college with decent courses, which transfer to most four-year universities, the textbook prices remain astronomical. Now there is the option of buying books online used, however, the campus bookstore is not going to make that easy for you. In addition to that, there are always new editions coming out and the professors require these new additions. I just spent 188.00 for a book for one class brand new because there is not option to buy used. That is nearly the cost of a course. Many books now range brand new in the $100 to 125 range if hardback and $80 to 100 in soft cover. This is supposed to be a college encouraging the working class to return to school and help low-income families afford higher education. The cost of textbooks is making this increasingly difficult.
Textbook prices should be capped at an affordable level, especially when it comes to the community college. The government wants people to seek higher education, than they should make it easier for them to achieve and be adding hidden costs to the bill. Books for classes should not cost a third or more of the class for which is for.
I will pay good money for books, however textbook prices are ridiculous and uncalled for.
The community college was designed for working class and low-income families to get an education and/or degree to get better paying jobs, so they can move up in the world. So, though tuition is cheaper at a community college with decent courses, which transfer to most four-year universities, the textbook prices remain astronomical. Now there is the option of buying books online used, however, the campus bookstore is not going to make that easy for you. In addition to that, there are always new editions coming out and the professors require these new additions. I just spent 188.00 for a book for one class brand new because there is not option to buy used. That is nearly the cost of a course. Many books now range brand new in the $100 to 125 range if hardback and $80 to 100 in soft cover. This is supposed to be a college encouraging the working class to return to school and help low-income families afford higher education. The cost of textbooks is making this increasingly difficult.
Textbook prices should be capped at an affordable level, especially when it comes to the community college. The government wants people to seek higher education, than they should make it easier for them to achieve and be adding hidden costs to the bill. Books for classes should not cost a third or more of the class for which is for.
I will pay good money for books, however textbook prices are ridiculous and uncalled for.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Update, Update, read all about it!
Well, it has been brought to my attention that I am neglecting my blog again. This seems to happen a great deal. Life gets in the way and I cannot seem to find the time to write. ~sigh~ Oh, well, perhaps I will do better in the future.
Let’s see, the last time I wrote it was hours before going before the beit din. This was my first meeting with them. It was nerve racking enough, even though my rabbi told me there was nothing to worry about. My rabbi could not be there so, he gave me a letter, which I promptly gave to the Rabbinic consultant, who took the letter to the head of the beit din. Well, I was told a few short months. That was at the beginning of January. Hopefully by Purim or at least Pesach I will be Jewish. This is my sincere hope. At the moment I am studying.
At the moment, I should be unpacking stuff, settling in. However, here I am writing. This is more fun. Eh…maybe not. Decorating can be a great deal of fun.
Yesterday, I put together a cabinet for my dishes and was told that I was being unladylike. Well, I rather be handy any day than unladylike. It fits me. I can be ladylike when I want to and spectacularly, too. Yet, I am the kind of girl who thinks velvet and steel go together quite nicely.
Classes start today. So, at 6:30 tonight I am back to the daily grind. I do have two of my classes online which will allow me do work more. Speaking of work, I have an initial interview to set up a nanny kind of gig this afternoon and I have another call that I am waiting on. Between the two childcare jobs, in addition to my job at the library, I should be able to make the ends meet, which I must add is always a plus in this world.
Recent History:
I have been watching episodes of Firefly again. Love the show. Hate Fox for canceling it. Hooray for the Serenity movie!!
I have been listening to Rochi Lerner’s Torah Sessions on OU Radio. Link: www.ouradio.org. She is an amazing person and has some great insight on torah. I urge all who are interested into checking it out.
Two more of my friends got married to each other. The wedding was amazing. The Shabbat proceeding was lovely too. I really wish I was still in Maryland. I had such a wonderful time there. Oh, well, a dragon’s got to come back to reality sometime. I look forward to my next opportunity to get away from Allentown.
I am currently reading a bunch of things. Textbooks just shoved their way to the top of the list. I am also reading A Great and Terrible Beauty. I finished the 2000 year old man by Carl Reiner and Mel Brooks. That was delightful and really funny. I finally finished reading Trickster’s Queen by Tamora Pierce. I enjoyed the book highly, like I have all her other stuff. I have Terrier to read. I have read a bunch of kids books and I am working on my Hebrew and Jewish studies.
If I am not up on Youtube listening to Final Fantasy music, I am listening to the Sweeney Todd soundtrack. In addition to that I put a smattering of Josh Groban and Phantom of the Opera in the mix. At this current moment, I am hung up on the song 1000 words from FF 10-2. I keep replaying it over an over from youtube. It does serve a non-evil purpose.
This should be a good enough update to satisfy those who have complained I disappeared.
Be Well!
Let’s see, the last time I wrote it was hours before going before the beit din. This was my first meeting with them. It was nerve racking enough, even though my rabbi told me there was nothing to worry about. My rabbi could not be there so, he gave me a letter, which I promptly gave to the Rabbinic consultant, who took the letter to the head of the beit din. Well, I was told a few short months. That was at the beginning of January. Hopefully by Purim or at least Pesach I will be Jewish. This is my sincere hope. At the moment I am studying.
At the moment, I should be unpacking stuff, settling in. However, here I am writing. This is more fun. Eh…maybe not. Decorating can be a great deal of fun.
Yesterday, I put together a cabinet for my dishes and was told that I was being unladylike. Well, I rather be handy any day than unladylike. It fits me. I can be ladylike when I want to and spectacularly, too. Yet, I am the kind of girl who thinks velvet and steel go together quite nicely.
Classes start today. So, at 6:30 tonight I am back to the daily grind. I do have two of my classes online which will allow me do work more. Speaking of work, I have an initial interview to set up a nanny kind of gig this afternoon and I have another call that I am waiting on. Between the two childcare jobs, in addition to my job at the library, I should be able to make the ends meet, which I must add is always a plus in this world.
Recent History:
I have been watching episodes of Firefly again. Love the show. Hate Fox for canceling it. Hooray for the Serenity movie!!
I have been listening to Rochi Lerner’s Torah Sessions on OU Radio. Link: www.ouradio.org. She is an amazing person and has some great insight on torah. I urge all who are interested into checking it out.
Two more of my friends got married to each other. The wedding was amazing. The Shabbat proceeding was lovely too. I really wish I was still in Maryland. I had such a wonderful time there. Oh, well, a dragon’s got to come back to reality sometime. I look forward to my next opportunity to get away from Allentown.
I am currently reading a bunch of things. Textbooks just shoved their way to the top of the list. I am also reading A Great and Terrible Beauty. I finished the 2000 year old man by Carl Reiner and Mel Brooks. That was delightful and really funny. I finally finished reading Trickster’s Queen by Tamora Pierce. I enjoyed the book highly, like I have all her other stuff. I have Terrier to read. I have read a bunch of kids books and I am working on my Hebrew and Jewish studies.
If I am not up on Youtube listening to Final Fantasy music, I am listening to the Sweeney Todd soundtrack. In addition to that I put a smattering of Josh Groban and Phantom of the Opera in the mix. At this current moment, I am hung up on the song 1000 words from FF 10-2. I keep replaying it over an over from youtube. It does serve a non-evil purpose.
This should be a good enough update to satisfy those who have complained I disappeared.
Be Well!
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
General News
As of this moment in time, less than eight hours from now, I will be standing before the Queens' Beit Din. They will decide tomorrow if I have learned enough to be allowed to live my life as a Jew, meaning Shomer Shabbat and Kosher or if I must go home and continue my studying. The probably answer I will receive tomorrow is that I need to go home and continue studying. Most people who convert go before the Beit Din twice. I do not see myself as being privy to special circumstances. All in All, it is up to HaShem. Whatever happens tomorrow, it is all in his hands and I will abide by his judgment.
In recent past news, I attended the wedding of two friends. It was a great deal of fun. Loved the dancing and food, which is always good. I wish them much Joy and Happiness throughout their years together. Mazel Tov!!
I have also managed to get to the MET (metropolitan museum of art). I saw the musical instruments, 19th century paints, the statuaries, Greek and Roman art and all the love galleries of furniture. I sort of felt like I was in the Mixed-up Files of Basil E. Frankweiler. I rather enjoyed that. Next time I go, I get to bring my camera and take pictures, all dressed up of course. ::smiling:: That will be fun.
Moving progress: Well, I now officially live inside the Eruv. My queen sized bed made it my new apartment. Home is where my bed is. I find it rather difficult to sleep in a bed that is not my own. I can survive with just my bed. I can eat, sleep, watch movies, blog, write, read, IM and whatever else I wish from there. I love my bed. It is so comfy.
The old place looks bare. I will be taking pictures of the shell that was once my home. I stood in my barren living thinking, "is this how my body will feel once when I die". It felt so cold and uninviting, so foreign, so estranged from all the memories made there. They were just empty walls. Perhaps empty walls that if given the ability could tell some rather interesting stories of a dragon and her friends watching movies and eating popcorn.
In the not so distant future, I will be attending another wedding this weekend. This one is in Maryland. It will be fun to get away on last time before going back to school on Monday. Wow, school starts up again rather quickly. Where did the month go?? Oh, yeah. I spent it moving.
Other things of note: I started knitting again. I am making myself a lavender scarf. I have one or two mistakes, but that's ok. I work on the Japanese principle when it comes to art. Perfection can only be held by God, thus each piece of Japanese Art has a flaw in it. So, the flaw is artist design.
Also, I started reading A Great and Terrible Beauty. I am enjoying the novel so far. I look forward to reaching the end so I can pick up the next book in the series.
Well, I need to attempt to get some sleep before going before three rabbis that get to decide my fate tomorrow. Actually, HaShem gets to decide that fate through these three Rabbis and the words that come out of my mouth.
Laylah Tov,
In recent past news, I attended the wedding of two friends. It was a great deal of fun. Loved the dancing and food, which is always good. I wish them much Joy and Happiness throughout their years together. Mazel Tov!!
I have also managed to get to the MET (metropolitan museum of art). I saw the musical instruments, 19th century paints, the statuaries, Greek and Roman art and all the love galleries of furniture. I sort of felt like I was in the Mixed-up Files of Basil E. Frankweiler. I rather enjoyed that. Next time I go, I get to bring my camera and take pictures, all dressed up of course. ::smiling:: That will be fun.
Moving progress: Well, I now officially live inside the Eruv. My queen sized bed made it my new apartment. Home is where my bed is. I find it rather difficult to sleep in a bed that is not my own. I can survive with just my bed. I can eat, sleep, watch movies, blog, write, read, IM and whatever else I wish from there. I love my bed. It is so comfy.
The old place looks bare. I will be taking pictures of the shell that was once my home. I stood in my barren living thinking, "is this how my body will feel once when I die". It felt so cold and uninviting, so foreign, so estranged from all the memories made there. They were just empty walls. Perhaps empty walls that if given the ability could tell some rather interesting stories of a dragon and her friends watching movies and eating popcorn.
In the not so distant future, I will be attending another wedding this weekend. This one is in Maryland. It will be fun to get away on last time before going back to school on Monday. Wow, school starts up again rather quickly. Where did the month go?? Oh, yeah. I spent it moving.
Other things of note: I started knitting again. I am making myself a lavender scarf. I have one or two mistakes, but that's ok. I work on the Japanese principle when it comes to art. Perfection can only be held by God, thus each piece of Japanese Art has a flaw in it. So, the flaw is artist design.
Also, I started reading A Great and Terrible Beauty. I am enjoying the novel so far. I look forward to reaching the end so I can pick up the next book in the series.
Well, I need to attempt to get some sleep before going before three rabbis that get to decide my fate tomorrow. Actually, HaShem gets to decide that fate through these three Rabbis and the words that come out of my mouth.
Laylah Tov,
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Last day I am 24...
Well, if everything goes as planned Saturday night will be the last night I sleep in my bed in my old apartment. The packing is getting done. I am not doing half bad all by myself. My desk and office are now packed. It fills me with great sadness and frustration that it is packed away, however I will have a better set up where I am going to be despite the fact that I am condensing down to one room. I will be able to network my computers. I have a laptop, which I am currently writing on and a PC just screaming use me. So, I will finally be able to set everything up.
It should not be this difficult to pack up one’s belongings when they are eager to move. However, I have a ton of emotional baggage clubbing me in the face right now like it has for the past two weeks. I don’t have a great deal more to do really. I have sorted most of the stuff out. I know just have to pack it up. I hate the fact that things are going to be so barren. Of course in my new place everything is going to feel so cluttered. I am a dragon by nature, so a nice cozy lair will be just fine.
Well, I am still working on the job situation. I have an interview tomorrow morning at 9. This is a full time position at a daycare so I will be teaching children, which will make me happy. I miss working with children. It even seems they will be flexible with my Friday class, which one of the places was not going to be. If I get this job, it will be able to cover the bills. That is a very god thing.
I finally saw Shrek 3. It was ok. It was definitely not as good as the first one. As for my opinion on the second one, the jury is still out. I need to see the film again. I am going to attempt to watch Evan Almighty tonight, that is if I get my work done and manage to help my friend with her paper. Perhaps I will watch and edit her paper at the same time.
Well, in less than 24 hours I will be 25, a whole quarter century. I am surprised I made it this long.
It should not be this difficult to pack up one’s belongings when they are eager to move. However, I have a ton of emotional baggage clubbing me in the face right now like it has for the past two weeks. I don’t have a great deal more to do really. I have sorted most of the stuff out. I know just have to pack it up. I hate the fact that things are going to be so barren. Of course in my new place everything is going to feel so cluttered. I am a dragon by nature, so a nice cozy lair will be just fine.
Well, I am still working on the job situation. I have an interview tomorrow morning at 9. This is a full time position at a daycare so I will be teaching children, which will make me happy. I miss working with children. It even seems they will be flexible with my Friday class, which one of the places was not going to be. If I get this job, it will be able to cover the bills. That is a very god thing.
I finally saw Shrek 3. It was ok. It was definitely not as good as the first one. As for my opinion on the second one, the jury is still out. I need to see the film again. I am going to attempt to watch Evan Almighty tonight, that is if I get my work done and manage to help my friend with her paper. Perhaps I will watch and edit her paper at the same time.
Well, in less than 24 hours I will be 25, a whole quarter century. I am surprised I made it this long.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Winter Break
I am so happy that winter break has finally arrived for, except for the snow and ice. I took my last final on friday, so that means I am still waiting for my grade for that course to come in. I am sort of holding my breath. I was walking a bit of a tight rope in this course so I could get either an A or a B. I am hoping for the former.
My move was delayed a week. The weather made things too dangerous to move. The ice would have killed someone, so I am still comfortably sitting on my bed in my bedroom of the last two years. Basically this means I move after my birthday. I am in no real rush. The annoyance is that I packed up stuff I need for the week so I am going to have to unpack stuff, then repack. Of course I still need to pack up a ton of things. I will eventually get around to it. If I am focused I can get a great deal done.
I love my new camera. It takes wonderful pictures. Sometime over vacation, I will get to play some more. yay
I plan on sewing quite a bit, however that is going to be tough to do until I move. I also need to find a new job. I suppose it is good that I am interviewing for practically a dream position tomorrow, actually later today. I might even get around to reading, or maybe I will just listen to CD books while I sew. That would work for me. I also have some movies I want to get to see.
I am Legend, I have been told is remarkable. I am hoping I do make it to the theater to see it. I also have some new DVD releases to watch. Shrek 3 and Evan Almighty...and potter 5. I might break down and purchase it, however, that will have to wait until I have a better paying job.
Also, in January, I have two weddings to attend. One in NY and one in Maryland. Those will be fun. Another big event is I should be going before the beit din. I will hopefully be Jewish by mid January. At the moment I just waiting for the date.
Things will get interesting once my conversion is complete. I will be able to date again, well, I will be dating once I am comfortable making shabbat for myself and settling into jewish life on the other side of the fence. I don't expect things to be easy, but I will manage. I always do.
Well, I should either go to bed or work on packing some more before bed.
My move was delayed a week. The weather made things too dangerous to move. The ice would have killed someone, so I am still comfortably sitting on my bed in my bedroom of the last two years. Basically this means I move after my birthday. I am in no real rush. The annoyance is that I packed up stuff I need for the week so I am going to have to unpack stuff, then repack. Of course I still need to pack up a ton of things. I will eventually get around to it. If I am focused I can get a great deal done.
I love my new camera. It takes wonderful pictures. Sometime over vacation, I will get to play some more. yay
I plan on sewing quite a bit, however that is going to be tough to do until I move. I also need to find a new job. I suppose it is good that I am interviewing for practically a dream position tomorrow, actually later today. I might even get around to reading, or maybe I will just listen to CD books while I sew. That would work for me. I also have some movies I want to get to see.
I am Legend, I have been told is remarkable. I am hoping I do make it to the theater to see it. I also have some new DVD releases to watch. Shrek 3 and Evan Almighty...and potter 5. I might break down and purchase it, however, that will have to wait until I have a better paying job.
Also, in January, I have two weddings to attend. One in NY and one in Maryland. Those will be fun. Another big event is I should be going before the beit din. I will hopefully be Jewish by mid January. At the moment I just waiting for the date.
Things will get interesting once my conversion is complete. I will be able to date again, well, I will be dating once I am comfortable making shabbat for myself and settling into jewish life on the other side of the fence. I don't expect things to be easy, but I will manage. I always do.
Well, I should either go to bed or work on packing some more before bed.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Who Am I to You? (poem)
Who am I to you?
A girl lost, lonely, occasionally blue
Or a woman crying in the night
Too tired to wait till the morning light
What song is there to be sung?
Where upon the Hangman’s gallows the words were hung
Disconnected from this evolving world
No longer holding the gleam of gems and the luster of pearls
Where is the heart of love?
It has been carried away by the springtime Dove.
‘Twas to be stolen in Blind-man’s blink of an eye
Leaving one empty with naught to do but to sigh
When will day break anew?
Not ‘til the heart song rings out true
Shattering, destroying these abysmal walls
Forcing back the wretched tears that so long to call
How is it that I still stand?
The ground trembles in this shadowy land
For no song, no heart nor truth bear credence to reign
But, here I stand soaked in this lonesome pouring rain.
Go where thou wishes, but leave me free
For I am solidly planted, as stalwart as tree
And through cat’s eyed gleam this world I do see
What will be, what shall be, what shall dwell in that place that is me
Who am I to you?
I am what I am to me.
No more, no less,
With song in shadow full of heart and balance of truth.
A girl lost, lonely, occasionally blue
Or a woman crying in the night
Too tired to wait till the morning light
What song is there to be sung?
Where upon the Hangman’s gallows the words were hung
Disconnected from this evolving world
No longer holding the gleam of gems and the luster of pearls
Where is the heart of love?
It has been carried away by the springtime Dove.
‘Twas to be stolen in Blind-man’s blink of an eye
Leaving one empty with naught to do but to sigh
When will day break anew?
Not ‘til the heart song rings out true
Shattering, destroying these abysmal walls
Forcing back the wretched tears that so long to call
How is it that I still stand?
The ground trembles in this shadowy land
For no song, no heart nor truth bear credence to reign
But, here I stand soaked in this lonesome pouring rain.
Go where thou wishes, but leave me free
For I am solidly planted, as stalwart as tree
And through cat’s eyed gleam this world I do see
What will be, what shall be, what shall dwell in that place that is me
Who am I to you?
I am what I am to me.
No more, no less,
With song in shadow full of heart and balance of truth.
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