Different Cultures

In class last night, my professor discussed Indian (from India that is) culture and was explaining the collectivist mindset that prevails throughout much of the Asian and African parts of the world. He was discussing how in these cultures things like marriage and career are decided by family, rather than individuals. How arranged marriages are the norm and the decision to not abide by those decisions are seen as disgraces to the entire family and reason for excommunication.

He also described American culture as individualistic and rooted in personal decision, rather than communal consideration.

What was interesting is that I see Orthodox Judaism as a kind of blending of the two. I am not certain it always was, I think it might have been much more collectivist in the past. And I am not sure how much American society has filtered in to make it what it is today. But it was interesting.

I'm Done

Will someone please tell winter that it's enough already? I'm done with it - it's time for it to be warm again. (Yes, I know it's been a mild winter, but I've had enough even so.)

My Brother

Sometimes I really love my brother. As different as we are, when we get to joking around, we can go on for hours in a tangent that no one else would ever get, but the two of us totally do. I guess that's what family's all about.

Almost for Real

Tonight, I completed a full-length counseling session on a friend of mine (an assignment for class). I thought it went pretty well. After the session, my friend told me that she felt better about the things we had discussed. It was a nice feeling, and confirmed once again, that I've chosen the right field for myself. Now, I just have to spend hours transcribing the session and adding my analysis. Wish me luck!

3 Hours and Counting

I have been on the phone for over three hours now, trying to install Quickbooks on my boss's computer, still to no avail.

I did have the guy on the phone, in a very heavy Indian accent, ask me whether I was single...

Addition to My Soundtrack

Again, thanks to Ezzie for suggesting Lifehouse to me.

"All In All"
Lifehouse

Standing on top of the edge it feels like it's going down
Everything stays in my mind feeling in a daze on the ground
Feels like it's gonna give life's to hard to live anymore
I think I've had enough things too tough
I'm out the door

All in all it's just another day now
You're falling down
What you gonna do
Standing on top of the world tonight
No ones looking back at you

Stand tall
It's going on
It's going on
It's gonna be just fine
You're holding on
Holding on today

Things don't stop and the others announced they're moving on
Salt & tears in the minds in the mouths of a bad decision
Too late for another mistake it's bringing me down
With all your faults it isn't your fault
What's going on

All in all it's just another day now
You're falling down
What you gonna do
Standing on top of the world tonight
No ones looking back at you

Stand tall
It's going on
It's going on
It's gonna be just fine
You're holding on
Holding on today

So you lost yourself
So you lost your way
Found life through someone else
But you threw it all away

All in all it's just another day now
You're falling down
What you gonna do
Standing on top of the world tonight
No ones looking back at you

Stand tall
It's going on
It's going on
It's gonna be just fine
You're holding on
Holding on today

Times rolling on
Rolling on today
It's going on
Going on today

Thanks

As hard as things sometimes get, Hashem is there, watching out for me, giving me strength and what I need to get through. And I am so thankful for that. I am also thankful for everyone who cares. Just a few words can go a long way.

Life Hurts

Some day, life just hurts. I guess you can hide from it, burrow yourself into a cocoon, and not let anything touch you, but I've never been very good at that. It's part of life - without the pain, I don't know if you can appreciate the pleasure. I just have to believe that everything in life happens for a reason.

Part of the Family

I was in Lakewood for Shabbos, with my friend and her family there. I have been there quite a few times now, and have gotten to know her family pretty well. I really feel like I am getting to be part of the family - her brothers tease me, her sister-in-law welcomes me, and her nephew gets excited when he sees me, and they are already inviting me for the upcoming holidays. It's a really nice feeling.

Joy

Jack posted about making a list of those things that bring you joy. I decided that it's the perfect time to make a list of my own.

What brings me joy?
- Laughter - both my own and others
- Meeting someone new who I really like and connect with
- Finishing a good book
- Making someone happy
- Being creative
- Being outside on a beautiful day, looking around and appreciating nature
- Knowing that I have worked hard on something, and seeing it come to fruition
- My refrigerator (I have it covered with pictures of my family and friends)
- Being in a situation where I really can be myself
- Hearing one of my favorite songs come onto my Ipod
- A good night's sleep
- Many, many more...

What brings you joy?

Good Health

I was talking with one of my co-workers and he mentioned that he has heart palpitations on a regular basis, has had the problem for years. I asked him how old he is, because I wasn't sure and it sounded like something that an older person would suffer from, and he responded that he is merely one year older than me! He said he consults with his cardiologist on a monthly basis. I don't even have a regular doctor, much less a cardiologist (I know, I know, I need to have a doctor). I was shocked that someone my age has to worry about such issues. I guess I need to remember to thank Hashem on a more regular basis for my excellent health.

Caring

Sometimes I wish I didn't care so much about others - could be more selfish. It seems easy for a lot of people to do. It would make a lot of things easier. But it doesn't seem to be in the cards for me - I just care too much.

Blue Hair

Being stuck inside like this on a snow day makes me want to something a bit out of the ordinary, like dyeing my hair blue. However, I don't have blue hair dye, nor do I really want to live with the consequences of blue hair acquired while I was bored. Any better suggestions?

Let Down

What do you do when a friend lets you down? When you specifically tell a friend you are in need of their help, and even so, they are not there for you. You have a long history with this person, you know their strengths and weaknesses, and you care for them a lot. But they really let you down when you needed them?

Do you attempt to overlook it and move on? Do you hold them at a slight distance from now on, knowing that the hurt in your heart is there? Do you keep them as a friend but not depend on them any longer?

It's hard, because you don't want to let go, you love them, but they hurt you. I don't know how to continue...

Snow Day

It is snowing hard here - we are expecting up to 2 feet of snow! My father, who grew up in Buffalo, called to tell me I can have all the snow - they don't want it! (The snow is part of the reason my parents left Buffalo for warmer climates.)

It is pretty, I must admit, especially from inside, where it's warm. I have a whole list of snow-day activities to do while stuck inside. Of course, I haven't yet started any of them :)

For those of you also stuck in the weather - enjoy it if you can!

Merger

My company just announced that it is merging with another company. This has happened to me several times, though I have to admit only once did I lose my job because of it. My boss assures me that I don't have to worry, despite the fact that she is planning on working less hours and days in the future. These thinsg always cause some stress, but the truth is, I think it will work out well. As I told my boss, in another year, I will need to work part-time anyway, since I need to do an internship for school. And after that - on to greater things, I certainly hope!

O-girls

Not sure why I find this amusing, but I just do. I am happy to say that out of the 101 facts, I only match 8-1/2 of them. How many fit you?

Young Lady

Yesterday, as a visitor was leaving our office, he said to me "Have a good day, young lady."

I thought it was kind of funny. At 28 years old, I feel as if I have kind of left the world of being young (not that I am extremely happy about that). I know I look young for my age, but it was just kind of funny to realize that someone who didn't know me would take me for being a "young lady." I guess I always considered the term reserved for teenagers.

It must be my young spirit shining through!

Soundtrack

I saw billboard advertising some TV show, and the message across it was "Every life has its own soundtrack."

I can't agree more. While walking through the streets, or sitting on the bus, or driving in the car, listening to music, there are certain songs that I hear that I just wonder how on earth they managed to write a song to describe my life.

WHat songs make up the soundtrack of your life?

Productive Insomnia

I am severely sleep deprived, but for once, it was actually productive. I woke up at 4 AM and worked on a homework assignment due today. Now I just have to make it through the day until school. Wish me luck - it ain't gonna be easy.