Life or Death

I was talking to my really cool co-worker and he was telling me how when he was in a restaraunt the other day, he asked someone to please keep his cell-phone conversation down. The guy lowered his voice, but when he finished his conversation, he told my co-worker that the phone call was a matter of life and death. When further questioned, it turned out that it was a business call, and really, it was a matter of money. It saddened me to think that someone viewed the loss or gain of a few dollars as life or death. Talk about messed up priorities.

Always Working Hard

My co-worker is so cool. We just moved into new offices, and I now have someone in an office right behind me. Previously, there was no one behind me, so no one could see if I was surfing the Internet or blogging. Unless someone walked completely around my desk, they couldn't see what I was working on, which gave me plenty of time to minimize the screen and look like I was hard at work.

My co-worker who now has the office right behind me just took me aside and told me that I never have to worry about minimizing my screen to make it look like I am not on the Internet. He doesn't care, and will never tell. He is so cool.

Update

One of the daffodils in the pot flowered overnight, and several others are opening up as I sit here. They are really pretty, and some people in my office asked how I got so lucky as to receive them (I explain that it's because I am nice to the people who give them out).

It makes me happy to have flowers on my desk.

Calm

The office is much quieter today, my boss hasn't thrown any hissy fits yet. Someone in our office gave me some pretty daffodils that have yet to blossom for my desk. He said that they are a rare variety - the centers turn a really cool color after a few days so I am looking forward to the color on my desk.

Life actually feels fairly calm at the moment, due to my school stuff being wrapped up, and Pesach being over. It's a weird feeling. I would wish for some excitement, but I think I should enjoy the calm while I can, seems like a better plan.

Temper Tantrums

I remember a scene from a movie or TV show in which a parent is making fun of his teenage daughter who, when upset, screams, stomps up the stairs, slams her bedroom door and then turns her stereo on really loud. It was funny as being completely typical of a teenage girl (and I have to admit that I engaged in such behavior numerous times). I wouldn't have thought such behavior would be typical of my boss, who is a supposed professional the age of my mother. I have such a headache.

Learning Programs

I am looking for a Jewish learning program for July and/or August in the NY area. I'd prefer something interactive, rather than sitting in lectures. I'd also like to work on my Hebrew, which is definitely lacking (and which I know will probably keep me from participating in a lot of the kind of learning I would like to do). If anyone has suggestions, let me know.

Dreams

I woke up from a dream this morning that wasn't inherently a bad dream. Nothing that happened in it was negative. It was actually a very typical daily-life type of dream. But the person in it was someone I have been trying to forget. Again, not because anything bad happened to me because of this person. But someone who causes me a bit of sorrow, due to the fact that we had to go in our different directions. And there this person was - in my drean, when I thought I had almost gotten to the point of moving on. And today, this person is prominent in my thoughts. I wish I had more control of my dreams.

Lessons Learned During Crunch Time

With only one day in which to really write my paper, I have learned the following:

- A 10-page paper really doesn't take that long to write, as long as you know what you want to write about.

- A thesis statement can be developed after the majority of the paper is written. In fact, it's sometimes easier to do so after you know what you have already written about.

- The theme of the paper can be developed while writing.

- It's amazing how many different ways there are to say the same thing.

- Even without any experience in a particular field, it is possible to sound like a seasoned professional (I hope).

Almost done with my paper! Yay! I might even be able to leave the house today!

Missing

I really hate it when I put things in a place specifically so I will remember where it is, and then I forget where that ingenius place is. And when I do finally find whatever it is I am looking for, I will realize what a good idea it was in the first place. But not right now.

Back to Business

Yom Tov...Shabbos...Yom Tov...Shabbos. Can you believe it's actually over? I am actually looking forward to have a real week. As wonderful as my Pesach has been, it's time to get back on schedule and have a routine again (my sleep has sorely been suffering).

Even better, my last big assignment of the semester is due tomorrow (I should be working on it right this second, but I have to have some breaks along the way). After that, smooth sailing for the next few weeks. Yay!

Medicating Your Soul

Interesting article over at Beyond BT (not mine this time) about the different "drugs" that are the different paths to teshuvah. It makes me think about the different drugs and paths I've tried since becoming religious, and about the one I think I've finally decided upon - triple coctail twist with a bit of lime, also known as my own combination (I always did like mixed drinks). Ok, please excuse the fact that I am now talking about drinks rather than drugs, it's early, and I've already been up for a while. Read the article and think about what drug you choose.

Back to Reality

I'm back in New Jersey after a wonderful Yom Tov on Baltimore. Wish I could have stayed and played longer, but responsibility (i.e. SCHOOL) beckons. Though I got notice upon my return that they are giving me more than just an education - my scholarship was renewed! Yay! I can attend for another year!

Chag Sameach everyone - hope you are enjoying Pesach!

Elem

I was forwarded an e-mail about Elem, a counseling program for youth at risk in Israel. Since the organization is one that I could see myself supporting, or even working for at some point, I think it's worth checking out. They are currently doing a fundraiser called the "Light of Hope Flag" for Israel's 58th Independence Day. Check it out.

Just Rewards

Hard work is paying off. I gave my group presentation yesterday, which I had dragged into school on Sunday to put together. My group did a great job, with lots of positive feedback from my classmates, and even better, from my professor, who awarded us with an A.

Opposites in One

How is it that you can hate someone and love them at the same time? How can they make you so happy and so sad? Bring such joy and such sorrow? Fear and delight? All in one, sometimes at the same time. It boggles my mind. And breaks my heart.

Blogging from School

I'm blogging from school, on a Sunday. Okay, so I wish I wasn't at school today, but when I'm not taking blogging breaks, I am actually getting a lot done. My group project is ready for presentation tomorrow and my other assignment is over half-way done. It's incredible how much more I get done when I'm not at home to have distractions. Though my Pesach cleaning is WAY behind schedule. I'm not seeing a lot of sleep in my near future - but I do see Yom Tov in Baltimore looming ahead - YAY!

Projection

It's so funny to me that my addresses her feelings and insecurities by describing what she feels her dog is feeling. She keeps saying how confused her dog is, and how he is so out of sorts with our office being packed up. When, by the way she is acting, she is obviously the one who is having issues. I wonder if we all project our feelings onto whoever happens to be handy?

The Same Issues

I held a practice counseling session yesterday with one of my co-workers as part of a school assignment due soon. I don't want to divulge the details, because it's supposed to confidential, but my co-worker is a religious Christian woman and it was really interesting to hear how her struggles with her religion are so similar to my own and many others I know within Orthodox Judaism. What I also found interesting is how much more ineffective I feel when the person I am counseling has struggles similar to my own - when I am dealing with the same situation as the person I am counseling, I feel very little insight and dont' feel like I am very helpful. It's something I hope to conquer with more experience.

Phew!

It has been such a day. My boss is being a real piece of work today. Apparently, being a mindreader is part of my job description, and not only that, I should be able to know when she changes her mind before I've gotten the opportunity to carry out her inital orders. Okay, I'm being whiny, but she is annoying.

Blogger is telling me it can't connect, so if you actually read this, I guess Blogger decided to forgive me for speaking badly about my boss.

I'm ready for a vacation.

Done!

I finished my paper - and it's not even due until tomorrow. I had quite the productive evening. In addition to working on my paper until I couldn't look at it anymore, I started cleaning for Pesach and did laundry. Tasks for the rest of the week include working on my group project, continue cleaning for Pesach and doing my taxes. No problem!

Coming Apart at the Seams

My office is being taken apart piece by piece in preparation for our move in the next couple weeks. It's very weird to watch the cubicles in front of me being taken apart and moved around, with little numbered dots on all the corners. I'm wondering how it's all going to work out, though I am sure there is some method to the madness.

It's All a Matter of Perspective

When my roommate woke up this morning, she kept saying how late it was. I pointed out to her that it was 6:30 am - really, it was quite early. She made the comment that it's all in perspective. She's absolutely right.

I have actually been thinking about it a lot lately. As hard as some things are in my life, I know that I really do have it easy. And I really make attempts to realize and appreciate that. It's all a matter of focusing on the positive, rather than the negative, and appreciating the many things that I do have, rather than those that I don't.

It's all a matter of perspective.

Nose Piercing

I was in the mall today and I saw a sign advertising ear piercing. I told my friend that I was with that I was thinking that my next adventure for when I get bored should be getting my nose pierced. She told me I wasn't allowed to, that it's not cool. Let's vote - is she no fun, or does she have a good point?

Spring is Here!

I love spring. My mood is so incredibly happier when it is warmer. It's amazing to me how the same streets, while still not pretty, now fail to depress me. I didn't realize how much the seasons affected my mood until this year and I see in the matter of a week what a change and influence the temperature has had on my mood. I feel like things are so much easier now and happier and lighter and brighter. I can do anything - I am not even as stressed about school (though I admit to some stress). I wish it would be spring all year round, except then I probably wouldn't appreciate it as much.

For now, though, I am sure appreciating it!

Need Help

Am working hard on my paper that is due in three days. I am running into a problem though. I need a case to conceptualize via the theoretical orientation that I have chosen to write about. If anyone is having issues and wants to e-mail their story, so that I can use it in my paper (everything will be kept completely confidential of course), please feel free to e-mail me.