| Bye, LJ! |
[Jan. 5th, 2009|01:21 am] |
I've moved to reformingjew.blogspot.com
See you there! |
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| My last winter break? |
[Dec. 25th, 2008|01:55 pm] |
I think that I'm going to start writing again. Maybe I'll create a prettier blog though...
I am on my last college winter break...I graduate in a semester?!
I'm heading out to Camp Harlam tomorrow to staff NFTY-GER's winter kallah...
I'm taking a winter class online starting after New Year's.
I'm going to Limmud towards the end of January and then heading back up to school a week early.
I've applied to be an HUC intern at the upcoming NATE conference which coincides with the first few days of Spring Semester...I should be hearing about that sometime next week I think.
I have two Hillel grants to write, and some Hebrew HW to do before I head back to Binghamton.
I think that's enough to keep me busy?
I've started every sentence using the letter I.
I'll try to be more interesting next time... |
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| I finally get it... |
[Sep. 14th, 2008|12:04 am] |
I know I never post on here anymore, but I feel the need to actually write this. At camp we always talk about generational leadership, and how one of the most important jobs you have as a leader is to find someone to fill your shoes. I feel like my hard work has finally paid off and there are a wonderful group of KESHER freshmen all ready to take Hillel at Binghamton by storm. This past Shabbat I asked two girls to take on the role of leading services for Friday night. Watching them lead, I got it. That is generational leadership. Empowering the futute to be leaders.
It was powerful. A lot more powerful than I'm able to express right now.
Oh, and did I mention that I'm now basically shomer shabbat and keep strict kosher?
That's for another post... |
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| (no subject) |
[May. 5th, 2008|12:50 am] |
Soooo I haven't posted here in a very long time.
To sum up this semester...I love Binghamton. I have a ridiculous living situation at the moment and live with some crazy people. I'm living with one of my best friends next year and cannot wait.
I got elected to Hillel e-board and love that Hillel has become my home.
As far as the summer goes I am the Kutz Mitzvah Corps assistant the director and then I might possibly be a NFTY summer intern and/or volunteer for a RJY-Netzer camp in England.
The future looks good...but I wish I could slow down the next 10 days. I have 1 week of classes, 2 exams, and 2 papers to write. I need an A on my papers and exams in order to keep my GPA from totally dying. I need to learn to use my time more effectively next semester.
Like now for example. Why am I sitting here typing when I should be sleeping so I can get up early and do all of the work I didn't do tonight?
Oy. |
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| (no subject) |
[Feb. 21st, 2008|08:15 pm] |
Today, Hillel had its Jewish opportunities fair. Dan came up for the afternoon to table for KESHER. I was surprised at how nice it was to sit and talk to him. I am so frustrated with the obstacles I face being a Reform Jew on campus, and it's nice to talk to someone who gets it. He even took me out to dinner! At the fair I came to a realization. I love my friends here...and they're all pretty much orthodox. Just an interesting observation...
I think my NY-area Kesher Shabbaton is cancelled or "postponed" which I'm really pissed about. Maybe a post for another time...
Dan asked me if I was "happy." When I thought about it, I found it really odd. I answered yes instinctively...but am I? |
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| (no subject) |
[Feb. 9th, 2008|11:22 am] |
Last night, Kesher had guitar-led Shabbat services. WE HAD OVER 20 PEOPLE IN ATTENDANCE!!!! The room was too small, and we ran out of siddurim and chairs. I was so overwhelmed initially, but leading that service and finally feeling some energy in the room was incredible.
Wow. |
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| (no subject) |
[Feb. 3rd, 2008|12:21 am] |
my dad took me off of his health insurance.
lovely. |
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| (no subject) |
[Jan. 29th, 2008|09:29 pm] |
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$75 in my bank account + 3 hour holocaust lit class + my inability to find a job = overwhelmed crying Kelly |
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| (no subject) |
[Jan. 16th, 2008|03:21 pm] |
I'm done ever thinking about my gall bladder. Surgery was successful, as was recovery.
Biennial was fantastic, and a few days at Kutz made me feel good about life again.
This upcoming semester is going to be challenging. I already don't have the money to buy my books.
I think I'm going to be at Kutz again this summer...
The end. |
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| (no subject) |
[Nov. 27th, 2007|09:45 pm] |
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I am so stressed out. blahhhhhh |
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| (no subject) |
[Nov. 7th, 2007|10:30 pm] |
I'm very frustrated. For many different reasons. I am so lucky to have the people that I do here at Binghamton. I'm still really far behind on work. I'm a little afraid that I'm too far behind to catch up. I keep getting migraines.
I'm ready for Thanksgiving... |
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| (no subject) |
[Oct. 28th, 2007|02:08 pm] |
I have a midterm tomorrow that I'm obviously in denial about because I am not studying...
I made my schedule for next semester, and I'm pretty pleased:
Monday:
9:40-10:40: Pilates and Yoga
12-1: Elementary Hebrew II
3:30-6:30: Religion and the Enlightenment
Tuesday:
10:05-11:30: Jewish History and the 2nd Temple Period
2:50-3:50: Elementary Hebrew II
Wednesday:
9:40-10:40: Pilates and Yoga
12-1: Elementary Hebrew II
3:30-6:30: Secular Jewish Identities
Thursday:
10:05-11:30: Jewish History and the 2nd Temple Period
2:50-3:50: Elementary Hebrew II
I can't wait until next year when I'll actually be taking Hebrew for credit and will only have to take 4 classes!
I need to get a job for next semester...
Speaking of jobs-I think I already know what I'm doing this summer. After e-mailing with the Kutz Mitzvah Corps director about possibilities this summer, I learned that she has plans on running similar camps after Kutz in California and Texas, and is trying to work it out to bring staff with her. I hope this works out because it sounds like it could be an amazing summer!
Time to study :(... |
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| (no subject) |
[Oct. 26th, 2007|11:16 pm] |
I am spending the first few days of winter break in sunny California for the URJ Biennial/KESHER Convention :). Did I mention that I found scholarships so I won't be broke as a result?
Amazing.
My stomach is feeling weird tonight. Not so amazing. |
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| (no subject) |
[Oct. 23rd, 2007|08:35 pm] |
My Modern Jewish History Midterm is tomorrow morning at 9am.
My Hebrew quiz is at noon tomorrow.
My Jewish Thought Midterm is on Friday off campus at the Chabad House (a tad inconvenient.)
My Conflicts Between Judaism and Christianity Midterm is on Monday at 6:30pm.
Oy.
My stress level is at an unhealthy level right now.
I'll feel a little better at about 12:30 tomorrow.
I'm ready for Thanksgiving break. |
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| (no subject) |
[Oct. 21st, 2007|10:56 am] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| |  lazy | ] |
I heard the real Patch Adams speak last night. I was surprised at how politically charged he is. He was fascinating. The work he is doing is so important. I hope that anyone who wants to go into a helping/medical profession either sees the movie based on his life, or has the chance to hear him speak.
Lately I've been thinking about what I'm going to do after college.
I'd love some feedback:
Israel:
-Pardes
-Teach English/do Ulpan
-OTZMA
Programs in U.S.:
-Teach for America
-AVODAH: The Jewish Service Corps
Jobs:
-Hillel
-URJ Youth Division
-Congregational Youth Work
-New England Center for Children
Graduate School:
HUC-JIR (This is, ultimately, what I want to do after graduation...I just don't know when)
I have sooooooo much work to catch up on from last week...Sara and I are going shopping at some point too! |
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| (no subject) |
[Oct. 18th, 2007|01:16 am] |
Being sick has given me the opportunity to just sit around and think. Usually I think that for me, thinking about things is a bad thing. I tend to worry way too much. I'm starting to think that this whole gall bladder thing is a wakeup call for me. Yes, in the physical sense because I need to start taking care of my body better, but more in emotional, spiritual areas. I need to learn how to release the negative energy I get from certain people in a more healthy way. I need to take the time appreciate what I do have, rather than what I don't.
This past weekend terrified me. After making the decision this summer that it would be healthier for me to become more independent, I was always worried about what would happen if something did happen to me. Who would be there for me? Could I really take care of myself? I learned that I am constantly surrounded by people who love me unconditionally and would do anything to help me. My roommates spent the majority of the weekend at the hospital with me, and continue to check up on me and support me in my effort to change things. I think what shocked me most about this weekend is that Hillel staff came to see me. I am still so new to this school. I sometimes wonder where I fit in and if I really am building relationships with people...or is it all superficial?
I was shocked as Shabbat ended and I saw the Hillel Rabbi walk in to visit me. It was really interesting for me to see how he conducted a "hospital visit" after shadowing Rabbi Mosbacher this summer. At the time of his visit, I wasn't sure if I needed to have surgery right away. I didn't realize it until he got there, but I was terrified to think that I would have to have surgery. That night was the first time I had ever needed to say Mi Sheberach L'Cholim for myself. It was extremely comforting/scary at the same time. I don't think Shalom knows how much I appreciated his visit, and for helping me to realize that I have an amazing Hillel family at school.
This weekend should be nice and relaxing. I'm hoping to feel well enough to go to services Friday night, because Shabbat just makes me feel better. (And Miriam is visiting!) I have a midterm to take on Monday, and then I need to reschedule the two midterms I missed this past week.
Laila Tov...* |
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| (no subject) |
[Oct. 14th, 2007|03:53 pm] |
What a weekend.
To make a long story short I was in the hospital from 3am Saturday morning until 3pm today. I have gall stones and I need my gall bladder removed (which I will probably do over winter break.) I am now on a very restricted diet. Fun stuff.
This weekend made me realize how blessed I am here at Binghamton. I had so many people come and visit me. I am so thankful and touched.
Come and visit if you're around... |
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| (no subject) |
[Oct. 11th, 2007|01:32 pm] |
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KESHER is really really really really frustrating me. |
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| (no subject) |
[Oct. 7th, 2007|11:49 pm] |
So this weekend was a whirlwind of activity. Thursday night was the big joint Simchat Torah celebration with Chabad and Hillel. It was nice, except for the whole seperate gender thing. It's one huge reason why I could never be comfortable being so traditional. I finally got to see my cousin Sara. I was starting to think that she wasn't here this semester! That same night Christina's sister surprised her by visiting early! We knew that Rose and Christina's sisters were visiting, but we thought that they were both coming on Friday.
I woke up early Friday morning to walk to the Conservative synagogue with a few people from Hillel. Afterwards we went to the Hillel Rabbi's house for lunch. I'm really glad I went. I celebrated every Jewish holiday this fall, something I've never done. Friday afternoon I went shopping with Christina, Rose, and their sisters. We came back just in time to relax a little bit before Shabbat. I wasn't in the best state of mind to be leading services, but I don't think anyone seemed to notice. We only had 4 people though. It's so frustrating to care so much about something, and to not really have anyone else to be passionate with. Sometimes I wonder why I care so much?
I woke up Saturday morning to walk down to services and was still in a pretty crappy mood, but I'm still glad I went. I'm starting to become more and more comfortable with the structure of a conservative service. The liturgy still bothers me, so I just say my own thing and get a few weird looks. Saturday afternoon was spent at a pumpkin patch with my apartmentmates. We had such a good time! There are really cute pictures on facebook. Saturday night we had a big party. I still tend to hate parties, but it turned out to be ok because they HVC boys showed up. It was nice to have some bonding time.
I let myself sleep in today and had a lazy afternoon. I did work on and off, and still have a lot more to go.
Financial Aid here at Binghamton is starting to piss me off. I need documentation proving that I need to be independent. I e-mailed both my high school guidance counselor and my old Rabbi. Hopefully they can help me, because it's really stressing me out.
On a positive note, Amy's daughter had a baby!!!!!!
Laila Tov :) |
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| (no subject) |
[Oct. 2nd, 2007|10:50 am] |
It's been an insane few days.
The holidays are almost over..which is good and bad. I think I'm going to the Conservative Synagogue here Friday morning for Simchat Torah...which will be something different. This past weekend was Hillfest, the Hillside party we throw as E-board members. I'd say it was a success! This weekend is starting to be called siblings weekend. Rose and Christina are having their sisters visit...and I recently found out that my brother is visiting as well. He actually called me and wants to see me. I was pretty surprised. Sunday night was my first game of intramural volleyball...and it felt really good to be back on the court. We won again! I joined the gym here at school to take group exercise classes. I went with Rose to Yoga last night, which was really nice. I tend to laugh at yoga, but I might stick with it.
Oh, something else that's new...I davened shacharit by myself for the first time ever yesterday morning. I've wanted to make that a regular part of my day for a long time. I love having my day start that way.
I need to stop procrastinating and get back to work.
Chag Sameach.
Oh, and also. Yes, I'm angry about what's going on at camp. Stop asking me about it. |
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