Too Much!

Just to freak myself out further, I decided to write down on a calendar when the remainder of my assignments for the semester are due:

Next Wednesday - 15-page paper due (have 1-1/2 pages written)
The Monday after that - Group project due, write-up of personal interview due
That Wednesday and Thursday, Friday - first days of Pesach (haven't cleaned a lick for Pesach yet)
The next Wednesday (which is Yom Tov) - Practice therapy session with transcription due
That Wednesday and Thursday - Yom Tov
The following Monday - 10-page paper due (have not yet given it a single thought)

And during all that, I will continue to work full-time. The way I figure it, I have 4 Sundays (guess what I will be doing with my weekends) and 4 evenings (from 6 until whenever I fall asleep) to work on all those assignments (I don't count nights I go to school, because I am way too zapped by the time I get home to do work). Oh yeah, and in the morning from 5:30 when I have been waking up until I leave the house. Sure - no problem!

New York, New York

One of the things that has been impressed upon me about New York, that I actually really like, is that no matter how weird I feel like I am, there is someone doing something much weirder within a very small radius of me. This morning, I had an experience that confirmed this belief.

I was walking towards my office, in a good mood because of the fact that the weather has gotten nice enough to afford me to not wear a jacket. So I was singing along with my Ipod a bit. I wasn't terribly concerned about the weirdness factor, because I feel like it's pretty tame in comparison to lots of the things I see.

As I continue to walk (at this point, I wasn't singing anymore), I see a man in front of me. All of a sudden he stands directly in front of me and starts blowing me kisses. Weirdo. I was a bit startled by it, so I continued to go on past him.

After that, I started singing along again, because like I said, no matter what I do, there is definitely someone weirder very close by.

Viktor Frankl

Once again, I have to recommend Viktor Frankl's book, Man's Search for Meaning. I am using it to write a paper for school, and I am, once again, just blown away by his perspective on life, his incredible outlook and his insight into human nature.

Why is it that, in just a few moments, my mother can bring me to tears easier than anyone else? Why does she make me feel like a 2-year-old, and the most selfish person? What is it with family that makes us feel horrible about ourselves?

Music

My office is oddly quiet today so I petitioned for music to lighten up the atmosphere. The station chosen isn't my typical pick, but it's nice to have something to listen to. And it's certainly better than my next suggestion, which was for each person to take turns singing!

Purple

My co-worked asked to borrow my scissors this morning and when I handed them to her she commented on the fact that they are purple, which happens to be one of my favorite colors (though blue edges it out by just a smidge). I expounded upon the color purple, ruminating on the fact that my shirt today actually matches my scissors (all of which was a fluke - I didn't pick out the scissors and certainly wasn't thinking about them when I got dressed this morning).

A few minutes later, she came back to my desk holding a purple pencil she had found. She gave it to me as a gift. It made me happy on this Monday morning.

Milestone

I overcame a huge milestone this morning - I drove through Manhattan. And I did it without freaking out. I think I only broke one law on my way to my office, and I did get very antsy in the middle of the Lincoln Tunnel, but all in all, I think I did pretty well :)

Yay!

I did really well on my first big assignment for the semester - a practice therapy session that I then had to transcribe and write a summary of from a specific theoretical perspective of counseling. My professor gave me numerous very positive comments and said that I had a really good grasp on the theory that I chose. I also had good feedback from the person whom I did the therapy session on. I feel like I accomplished something this semester - which is nice considering the amount of work I have yet to do.

My Great-Aunt

I took a friend out to dinner last night for her birthday. As we were talking, I mentioned my great-aunt to her who I think is so special. She asked me to define what exactly is so special about my great-aunt.

As I was thinking about it, and explaining what she does, I told her that it's not that she makes a difference to an enormous amount of people. It's that she makes an enormous difference to a small amount of people. She doesn't do things on a grand scale, but her actions, to the people she touches, are certainly grand.

I told my friend that my great-aunt's model is the one I wish to follow for my life.

Others

I've realized that I think I feel stronger for others than for myself. For example, if someone hurts a friends of mine, I get much more upset than if they hurt me. And I HATE hurting other people myself, I will often go to great lengths (and sometimes my own pain) before hurting someone else. Conversely, I really like making other people happy. Not that I don't like making myself happy, but even more so for others.

Sick as a Dog

The dog in my office isn't feeling well. He has no energy, isn't reacting like he usually does, hasn't eaten anything all morning and has been hiding under my desk, which is strange since the two of us have never been the best of friends. I feel bad for him, since he is so obviously out of sorts.

It's interesting because I think I react in a very similar fashion when I'm sick - except for the hiding under my desk part (I usually just hide under my covers).

Poor dog.

My Own System

You would think I would find it helpful to have some kind of filing system for my Rolodex other than just sticking the cards in wherever it happens to be open to. It's amazing I ever find any numbers I need.

Shaloch Manot

As is my usual custom, I brought shaloch manot to my Jewish co-workers. One of them came up to me, gave me a huge hug and thanked me for it. He said he hadn't received shaloch manot since he was a kid, and it made him feel really good. It doesn't take much effort sometimes, but it can make a big difference to someone.

Similarly, I had someone who I barely know look up my address and deliver shaloch manot to me, along with a note with her phone number asking me to call to come for Shabbos. It was such a sweet gesture, considering I barely know her. It really touched me.

Nostalgia

I had a couple friends over last night and we were putting together mishloach manot and reminiscing on Purims past. One of my friends brought up the poem "Hug A War." by Shel Silverstein, one of my all-time favorite authors. I got my copy of "Where the Sidewalk Ends," a book that is never too far away, and was flipping through the pages, scanning those poems that I grew up with and loved.

It took me way back - to 3rd grade and the story about the girl who was too sick to go to school, until she realized it was Saturday. To the poem about the boy who changed a dollar bill for five pennies - because five is a lot more than one. To the one where the brother was trying to sell his sister (and how I usually turned it around).

I love those poems.

Office Politics

On occasion, my co-workers come to me wanting info on what's going on in the office. The figure, since I am the boss' assistant, and I sit right outside her office, I know all the dirt. But the truth is, I don't really pay attention. I very rarely have any knowledge taht isn't public. I told someone that yesterday when he was digging for info and he told me that was probably for the best. I agreed - if I don't know anything, then I can't be in the middle of anything.

Who Needs Sleep?

I've decided that, in order to get everything I need done for school, that from now until May, no more sleep unless absolutely necessary. Also, social engagements might suffer. Too much to do, way too little time...

Connections

The are some real advantages to being part of a frum community. Even though I often feel like I don't know that many people, it gives me a huge leg up for many things.

Since starting graduate school, I have had several projects where I needed to get in touch with professionals in certain fields. My classmates often have to cold call agencies in order to find such professionals. I shot off a couple of e-mails and had my contacts set within a couple hours. It is a real bracha.

Bye-Bye

I just found out that one of my co-workers, who I really like, is leaving for another job. He's one of the two other Jewish co-workers I have, and just really friendly and nice. Two more weeks and then he's gone. So sad.

Catholic Breaks = Jewish Holidays

Who knew that my Catholic university would actually plan their breaks around Jewish holidays? Clueless as I have managed to be these day, it turns out that Spring Break happens to be next week, coinciding with Purim. And Easter Break - oh yeah, Pesach. What a nice surprise!

Highlights

I was bored yesterday - not bored in the sense that I had hours stretching ahead of me with nothing to do (I rarely have those moments these days). But bored in the sense of needing some excitement, some change, in my life. I was in the drugstore with a friend and noticed the kits that allow you to apply highlights to your hair at home with very little financial strain (though I am sure the emotional strain if it doesn't work could be pretty bad).

So, I got brave (I was never one to color my hair because I like it's natural color), and gave myself highlights. And it worked! It was fun, fairly easy and I really like them. Nothing too extreme, but just a little touch that gives me the feeling that I did something different. I think guys are missing out on something here.

Good Shabbos

Sorry for the lack of posting. Been really run down...and really busy. But for good things. Just wanted to wish everyone a good Shabbos!

Such Love

I just got an e-mail from a friend in Baltimore, just touching base. She told me in the e-mail that he almost 3-year-old son keeps telling her that he wants "Shoshana to come and play" with him. I love that kid. If only he were older...

New Management

The man who will soon own my company sat down with me to reassure me that my job is secure (which I have been having doubts about). The unexpected positive that came from our discussion is that he told me he is Jewish and that I can have all Jewish holidays off without a problem, and Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Pesach without even having to use vacation days. Nice.

Running on Caffeine

I am running completely on caffeine at the moment. It has me a little wired, to say the least. I am amazed I am awake at all considering I woke up ridiculously early to finish the homework that I had been putting off until the last minute (yes, it's due today). Whoever discovered caffeine and put it in so many drinks is a wonderful person.

Mezuzahs

I just overheard my boss, who is Jewish but not observant, telling a friend of hers to put mezuzahs on her doors. She said after she was in a car accident someone told her to do so, and it certainly can't hurt, so she was passing on the suggestion. It was interesting to hear - I guess you never know attachment people have to spirituality.