My 1st Real Purim!

Happy Purim to all!
Tonight Jack & I attended Purim tonight
at the nearby Town and Village Synagogue that sponsors ASL
services. It was a LOT of fun. Its a holiday
that some refer to as the "Jewish Halloween"
because people dress up in costumes for it.

I attended a Purim once in my hometown that
Baba was involved in. Or else it was another show
sponsored by her temple but I couldn't imagine
what? I remember being VERY lost not because
I wasn't welcomed but simply because I am DEAF.
I am so blessed to live in a city where I can
actively participate in a Jewish community that
includes us DeAfies! This temple is conservative
and I consider myself a reform Jew but I could
see myself honoring more customs as time
goes by. I guess that's why im reform. I can
pick and choose which aspect of my Jewish
Identity I want to incorporate into my life.
Having grown up in a town that's straight
out of the bible belt but in an Amish/Menonite
sort of way has made my experience in this
city all the more enjoyable! I wish my Uncle
David could have this experience on a more
regular basis. I will make sure the next time
he, Aunt Nancy and Bobby are headed this
way, we will attend one of my services :]

Anyhoo, the Purim holiday is based on
the Book of Esther. In which she and her
Uncle or is it Cousin Mordecai are the
heroes who save the Jews from extermination.
Its sort of a long story but a good one
if you have the time to read up on it, I
recommend you do. We had noisemakers,
people in costumes, skits, songs, a LOT
of fun. I must learn to schmooze more
at the next few services. I kind of keep
to myself but these people are getting
to know me and me to know them.

After the services we had some pizza, drinks
and cookies, cakes. They also handed out
boxes that contained little goodies (kosher
I'm sure) some in Hebrew all seemed to be
products of Israel. Mostly wafers, candies,
pretzels, nougat, and other fun new things
for me to try.

I also got to see my good friend tonight.
He's on my mind sometimes because his
mother just passed away over the holidays.
They were very close! I know he's still
dealing with it. I will see him again in 2
weeks! I will do something fun with him too!

Interesting to note how some people who
came tonight (1 deafie, and 1 signer) both
who didn't want to comply with the rules
of the synagogue. The deafie was using his
SK and I thought the sign at the entrance said
No Cellphones/Pagers etc permitted ON. But
I think it was Cellphones/Pagers should be on
silent/vibration modes. But I saw him using it
in front of the stage and I informed him he had
to turn it off out of respect of the synagogue.
He didn't want to. Felt that they (the Temple)
couldn't force him to do it and he didn't want
to lose data by turning it off. I was a little
surprised but told him his "secret was safe
with me." And then he added he didn't mean
to offend me. He didn't but I did think it was
offensive to the people of the synagogue.
Then the other guy, a hearie who signs he
asked me if he must wear a yarmulke inside
and I said yes out of respect. And he said "really?"
My answer was "when in Rome.." Its as simple
as that. When you go to other countries, or
communities that practice a certain life
style or customs it makes the experience
more enjoyable when you tried to honor
their cultures and allows you a different
point of view. Not soon after I told him the bit
about Rome, another member who is valued
member of the congregation told him he MUST
wear one. And basically you could tell by how
he signed it it wasn't open for negotiations.
I liked that.

State taxes!

Well Jack and I tried to do my taxes and
basically I am being raped by NY state
taxes! I cannot believe how much I supposedly
owe! Its insane! I plan to pay a visit to the HR
offices at all 3 jobs to find out why so little
taxes were taken out? It has left me
not so happy right now.

I also owe a little to federal, again mind
boggling because I always put down 0
as the number of dependents. That's right
I don't even claim myself!

This is one unhappy tax payer!

Shuellas, umbrellas for your shoes!

Last month, Baba and I searched for some kind of solution for rainy days and what I could do to protect my shoes? I don't like wearing rainboots, they are NOT comfortable and often the soles are weigh down which aggravates my left ankle (the same one I had surgery on about 10 years ago). We came across SHUELLAS aka your shoe umbrellas! These cute shuellas can be worn over your shoes (including high heels for those who like torture). I finally got a chance to wear em today and boy, did I get some interesting looks. I am just glad to finally have something to wear as I was getting tired of throwing out shoes ruined from the rain or having to teach while sloshing around in drench shoes and socks. Once it was so bad I actually taught barefoot as it was too cold to wear the wet socks and shoes for 3 hours! Baba suggested I get hot pink and I love em. Brightens up a rainy day like this week will be. The only draw back for those of you considering buying a pair, make sure you order 1 size bigger if you're like me and do not have pointy toes. I realize the back of the shuellas are not fitting right because the front is too narrow but I don't care, I am gonna make them work!

Why I'm a Trekkie

I grew up watching the original series
with my Mom. Mind you I watched it without
CC under the age of 10 and couldn't understand
a word that was said. Before I saw CC at age 15
my tv viewing experiences had been deeply
limited! Anyways that's not the point here.
I remember in the late 80s when Star Trek:TNG
came on and my whole family it seemed
united weekly to watch it back in the den at
the old house on Brookfield Rd (hence the
name of my blog). We all would remincised
(sp?) about the characters and story-line.
Whatever clever thing Data said or
amusing responses from Lt. Worf. Plus
it was awesome seeing Gene Roddenberry's
wife Majel Barrett come back to the series
as Ambassador Troi's mother. And for those
of you who don't know, her voice is the
computers voice used on all the series.

Next came Deep Space 9. Now look I
tried to get into this series, really I did
but they went too Bajorian/Cardassian
for too long they lost me as a viewer.
Plus the fact it took place on a station
with little exploration did not sit well
with me and my views with what Star
Trek was all about. This was my least
favorite next to the original (only bc I
couldn't follow the story-line growing
up left me bored with the original Star
Trek).

DS9 while still being aired when it was
followed by the arrival of the series
Voyager, the crew lost in the Delta
Quadrant, 70,000 light years away
from home. And Captain Janeway was
determine to get her crew back home
to the Alpha Quandrant. Here we meet
the infamous 7 of 9, one of the many
beautiful female actresses to grace
the Star Trek franchise over the
years. And the whole Borg thing was so
wildly popular from the earlier
episodes. I think it was because we we're
coming down from the communist
fallacy from McCarthy Era, the end of
the Cold War which I remember
from my childhood. Plus Berlin Wall came
down either before or during
the TNG airings when I was a teenager.
And we Trekkies generally hate
oppressors! I watched the show pretty
steadily. And We can all agree that
once Captain Janeway cut her hair
the show improved greatly!

Then in the early 2000s I enjoyed
the short lived Enterprise. I liked
their idea of going back to the
early days of Starfleet Federation
space explorations. This series showed
us what it was like before the many
technological conviences we see in
most of the Star Trek franchise. How
the Vulcan command just didn't think
humans were ready for space exploration.
Granted the 1st few episodes were pretty bad
especially with Trip growing a nipple or
3 on his arm as a result of exposure to
something or someone. Overall I liked
this series even though among my fellow
Trekkies or Trekkers (the debate still
rages on the right term for Star Trek
followers) they usually are not fond of
this series and almost always its reverts
back to praises of DS9.

So recently this year after Xmas
Jack convinced me to give DS9
another chance starting with season 4 I
think. All mainly due to the new director
or writer (the same guy who did BSG- Battle
Star Galactica joined DS9 4th season) and
breathed new life into the series. Mainly
the Dominion War. Right now I think we're
watching season 6 and enjoying almost
every episodes. I can see why now this
series got such raves over the years.

Anyways I think one of the reasons why
I've liked the Star Trek series is there
are so many characters on the shows that
are one of a kind. They are either the only
representative of their speices, exiled,
abandoned, the last of their kind etc etc.
Sometimes I think we all feel that way.
Like Lt. Worf a Klingon or Commander
T'Pol who are both viewed as "abnormal"
compared to their peers. Often they are
viewed as emotional or influenced by
Human behavior. Or we relate
to characters like 7 of 9 or
Odo separated from their collective
voluntary or involuntary and
sometimes even both.
Perhaps we feel like Quark and Garak
making a living outside of our comfort
zones. The Star Trek series has
an amazing way of allowing all of us
as individuals to relate to one another
despite our differences (the main moral
and backbone of Star Trek messages).
Address the problems, find a solution and
fight against oppressors!

So yeah, I guess you could say I'm a
Star Trek fan for more reasons than
I can summarize in one blog posting.
Besides I can admit to my inner nerd
just as long as it doesn't take over ;}
But just before you go, here are a few
Star Trek related quotes EVERYONE
should know or sad to say, you just
ain't American!

"Space the final frontier, these are the
voyaged of the starship Enterprise. It's
continuing missions: to explore strange
new worlds, to seek out new life and
civilizations, to boldly go where no one
has gone before!" Jean Luc Picard from TNG

"Live long and Prosper" Mr. Spock

"Beam me up Scotty" Captain James
T. Kirk from the original Star Trek
or possibly just came about from
fans and never used in the original
series?

Now I should TRY to relax and go to bed
but for some reason I'm a little wired...
Insomia it's not for the weak! And this
concludes Stardate 021510 log entry.
Computer end recording message.

Things that make me smile

My Sweets and I are major Trekkies
and tonight while chilling out and watching
an episode called "The Ascent." I think I
saw/heard the best lines yet! Quark from
DS9 who is close to death while stranded on
a planet with Odo (Chief of Security on Deep
Space 9 and former Channeling, now human).
Quark while mulling over what will happen after he
dies says the best lines ever!
"My brother [Rom] will get the bar. My nephew
[Nog] will be completely corrupted by the
Federation and become a Starfleet Captain.
My bones will lie here and freeze unsold
and unmourned."
Quark has become a personal favorite of mine!
Enjoying my DS9 marathon. Im so glad Jack &
I are both sci-fi/futuristic fans! I really want
to attend a sci-fi conference one day. But
they're sooooo expensive! I've actually
salivated to the idea of injecting some Star
Trek theme at my wedding but knowing Baba and
Jack, I wouldn't get away with it. Little do they
know what I have up my sleeves. The Borg
put it best..."Resistance is futile!"

The road to hell

is certainly paved with good intentions.

Recently at the urging of many, I tried to
encourage some changes at a social
gathering that I volunteer for. These
changes were not mean spirited, far
from it. Rather it was to make a group
go from looking good to looking great!
Meanwhile the only enemy I have decided
to leave a nasty comment about the
proposed changes. Not because I had
been offensive, no, just because she is
mad at me and decided to attack me in a
public forum. Not cool. She thinks by leaving
"g" as her name I wouldn't recognize her
idiotic ranting and excessive wordings to
say the same thing in many different
ways. And ironically she criticizes the word
usage "Professional" and my aim to see more
of it at this social gathering when she herself
wouldn't know professionalism if it slapped her in the face!

Frankly I am disgusted but honestly not
surprised.

Her comment is based on her inability to work
or go to school or basically live in the
real world. So of course my approach to see
more professionals attend would leave her
seeing red. Jealousy can really f*ck with a
person. I work 3 jobs, I completed my masters.
I have a boyfriend and a wonderful family.
She doesn't have any of these things so all
she can try to do is attack me in a public
forum. Fine, so be it.

I owe

Jack a kiss, yep, he'll know why. The
swearing rule is in effect always!

Applie Pie Feud Over

I can honestly say that for almost 35 years
now I have NEVER liked or enjoy apple pie.
Sure I could eat the crust and occasionally
a bit of the apple pie sauce but never the
actual apple slices. Those were ALWAYS
discarded. But between Jack buying them
here and there and the wonderfully
addicting Apple Pies from the Best Pie
Company here in Manhattan I am doomed.
Doomed I say/sign dramatically!

Yep I am probably going to enjoy apple
pie for the remainder of my life and all I
can say is... "Damn you Jack!" :}

Still a little tart

So things ended for good between
Szymanski and I a few weeks ago. She
cut me off and I said fine. I couldn't stay
a bobble-head for the rest of our lives.
Always nodding/agreeing with whatever
sprouted from her hands. Never ever being
able to treat her like a real friend.

I don't think about her as much as I
thought I would. And I don't miss her
nearly as much as anticipated. But I
do still think of her every now and then.

What sucks the most about all of it is,
even if we did attempt to be civil and kind
it would be so strained hardly worth
trying at all. And like I've declared to
many this year, 2010 the year when I
am no longer known as "the queen of
second chances!"

The newest member of

Mainstream society (but not really) are
the Italians! It seems every group has
it day! I just never saw it coming from
them or guidos, guidettes! And now this
former derogatory terms are becoming
mainstream here. And I'm just taken off
guard because in recent years it was
the Gays and then the Hispanics/Latinos
that took over pop culture. Now its the
Jersey Shore crowd (a MTV reality show
aimed for teens/20 somethings)
causing the ripple affect in pop culture.

So last night I was teaching in NJ and my
students, a large majority are Italians,
it got me wondering how many of them
feel about the show and its affect on
the stereotypes of Italians? According
to the news, most Italian advocacy groups
have their feathers all ruffled! I don't blame
them because what little I've seen, the
tv show New Jersey Shore is yet about
another group of inconsiderate late teens,
20 something year olds only interested in
partying and sex, just like all the rest of
these reality shows. Whether or not Italian, it
seems that's the way of the newer
generations. Not just this group. So I don't
think this show is necessarily making Italians
look bad but youth in general. I am sure
there are some instances from the show
that are rooted in "Guido" behaviors that
are a cause for concern but how damaging
will it be in the long run? So as I looked
around at my students, I wondered how many
watch this show? Somehow, some way I
am going to incorporate this into my
lesson plan and find out their thoughts.
And if I can catch an episode at Baba's
this weekend while visiting, perhaps I
will get a better understanding of what all
the fuss is about?

Funny how former derogatory names have
been reclaimed. For example, within the
Gay community, some will call each other
fags or their women friends fag hags.
In the Black community, some will
call each other Nigger/Nigga or my negro.
But if you are not a member of these
communities you are not allow to use
these terms.
In the Deaf community, the term Deaf is
used with pride and preferred over
the term hearing impaired. But I
haven't seen the Hispanic/Latino
casually throw around spic or the
Jewish community referring to one another
as kikes. So how far will this go, its hard
to predict. And how good or bad is it
on racial/cultural and religious relations
is what the future has yet to reveal....
All I can say is life sure keeps you on
your toes and it seems being PC is
slowly on its way out.

Thank goodness for chocolate

To soothe my inner pms beast!

In other news I got my syllabuses
and most of my course documents ready
for the spring semester, whee! I feel
relax and energize from the winter holiday
vacation compared to 4 weeks ago when I
was frazzled and exhausted. I don't know
how K-12 teachers handle the short breaks
and LONG school year?! I couldn't do it any-
more. I've done it in the past and frankly
it not my cup of tea. I don't want twice the
work (not only teaching but struggling to
engage my students' attention as well!)
Glad I dodge that bullet ;}

*snarls*

*grumbles*
PMS
Enough said

Cold in full force

Grr I was right I was coming down with
a cold. My throat is on fire, my sinuses
drip drip followed by unending swallowings!
My bed is the hottest spot ill be at today
here in NYC.
And these are the days of our lives...
*soap opera music plays*

2010 "The Year of Lazy"

Since ringing in the New Years I've
maintained a steady diet of sleeping
in, watching movies, eating well and
trying not to feel guilty for doing
so. For some reason I sometimes feel
like I am viewed as immature because
I have not followed a traditional path
of marriage and children. Plus I feel
like I have a slight cold coming on
or allergies acting up.

I am fortunate my professions
allows me periods of time off. A week
here, a long weekend there and summer
off too. I can't complain compare to
those who hardly get a 3 day weekend and
work all summer long! Mind you I still
work in the summer as my media tech
job. I can't stand too much time off. I
get depressed when there is a lack of
structure in my life. I enjoy being
productive either as a teacher or as
a tech. I still get a thrill whenever I
look over my paycheck stub or the
paycheck itself. I skim over all my deductions
and secretly wonder on my tax refund.
I enjoy earning money. Always have since
age 12 or so. I had a newspaper route and
babysitting gigs. Then around 14 I moved
onto being a bus girl at a restaurant. At 15
I worked at McDonalds at the register
taking people's orders. By 20 worked
as a line cooked (altho did that years
earlier at St. Joseph Hospital coffee
shop- remember Mom?)...

I have a feeling when my retirement
rolls around in another 30 years or so
I'll still work part time. Even if its only
a few days a week. Actually when you
think about it, I could do part time now
and be happy to do it. I have already
instilled a 4 day work week for myself
for the past few years and enjoy it much
more than the traditional 5 days a week
yoke.

Anyways am enjoying a steady marathon
of Cleopatra 2525 series that my Sweets
brought me for Christmukah gift. I pah
finished my students grades, whee! Had
to leave PA and come back to NYC in
order to do so but that's that.

"Th-th-th-that's all folks!" *imitating Porky Pig*

Wishing you a wonderful 2010!

From my bastard Kitty Tom & his
sidekick Jupiter who is out of this
world! Plus she knows when there
are freshly washed comforters to lie
on top of. You know in case the harsh
winds should try to blow the blankets
away! Jupiter is here to save the day!

New Years Eve

Hard to believe its almost 2010! Time sure did fly by! I was remarking to Jack the other day that when you hit your 30s you really do see how quickly time speeds up. I didn't feel it in my 20s because I hadn't even a decade under my belt being an adult. I wonder will I feel time goes quicker in my 40s than I do now? Or will it always feel this way as an adult?

On a different note, am having a grand time visiting my family as usual. I am so blessed not only with a terrific family and boyfriend but many good friends in my life.

So for the past few days I've been thinking about resolutions and whether or not I plan to make any? Because really, don't we make them all the time as it is? We resolve not to have a 2nd slice of pie or grudgingly clean up messes in our homes. We make ourselves get up early to go to work and face the cold and sometimes rainy mornings. Its our constant general never-ending quest to keep up with the on-going personal self improvements. I don't wait for the end of the year to do these things as it seems to me we're doing them everyday regardless. Or as some like to say irregardless *snickers*

For my new years eve, Jack and I plan to spend it with Baba, David, Bobby and Nancy who unfortunately has to work that night and will not be with us to ring in the new years itself. I totally respect that because it was last minute plans on my behalf and I've worked many holidays and birthdays in my life. The good news is, we will get to hang tmw and hit the thrift stores for search of good bargains. Afterwards we will join the rest for pizza and chocolate cream pie *just 1 slice each...er if my will-power doesn't fail me because damn it, its chocolate cream pie* plus to watch the movie Galaxy Quest. It will be fun. I just didn't feel like going out to a bar or a party. My family is plenty of fun. The next day we will visit Robbie's family and then I will go over to Mom's the rest of New Years day.

I am also glad to be done with my students grades about 90% done. It would've been 100% but dumb me, I grabbed the wrong grade sheets, fudge-a-duck and now Jack and I have to return 2 days earlier for me to tally the grades for the last class by the 4th of January. That's fine too, there's plenty of things left to do around the apt anyways.

Earlier tonight as one of Baba's Hanukkah gifts, we watched Pan's Labrynth. If you haven't seen this movie, kick yourself for me and then go out buy/rent a copy and sit your butt down to watch it! Or make it your 2010 new years resolution!

Jack's 1st

Attempt at cooking a whole chicken.
Not bad right?
And damn it was tasty!

Merry Xmas!

This is how I know

Computers and the internet as well text msgs are ruining people's ability to spell correctly.
For example I came across these spellling mistakes...

Road the subway
To mean, deaf culture..
Overcome their dissability
You use constrative (contrastive) pronouns
Harding of hearing
Deaf word (world)
Authe (author)
Many similaritys
In the beggining
To bikes (to for 2)

And today in an email to Jack from an ebay seller, he wrote I will "refound" your $$. Ha ha, the $$ was lost but now its been re-founded again. I know I know REFUND but im gonna play with Refound for a while :] granted I've had my share of spelling mistakes or substituting words for worlds ;}

In other exciting news, yesterday was my last class of '09! I was so glad to be done.
Still have a mountain high pile of paperwork to sort through but my
mind is on VACATION! Tonight I gotta do it, no more excuses or put-offs!

I am very excited that while this spring ill be teaching nights (exactly what I didn't want) that next fall that won't be the case! That's because as an ADDer, I find my attention span/energy level are higher during the day than at night. Especially if I work at media prior to teaching. See I love working as a media tech bc there's little thinking involved in the tasks and its a physical job where im on my feet going from various classrooms setting up or breaking down technical equipment. In
addition to weekly software updates and teaching faculty members on how to use the
equipment its a very easy job. Meanwhile teaching im on my feet a good 3 hours straight, performing (really its true, teachers are often former actors) because you are the entertainer/informer (teacher) to your audience (students) and it takes a lot out of you! Or it does for me especially if I've
already worked at media prior to teaching which I did last year and didn't like it. This year teaching
in the mornings primarily and then going to work at media services is a better fit for me.
So I was told next school year '10-'11 ill be able to teach mornings again at 1 school. Now if I can get the other school to give me mornings ill be set! Whee!

For the holidays, Jack and I will stay here for xmas. Last Saturday during the snow storm, we
decorated the apt window w/white lights and Santa on a sled. We took a short walk but
Jack was too cold! As you can see by the picture. I was laughing at him the whole
time, just laughing and laughing at his
obvious discomfort (even when he later put a hat and gloves on) and still for my sake
he came out to enjoy the windy snow storm! I don't think I've laugh that hard in so long!
We made hot chocolate and watched the movie "Elf" with Will Ferrell. Fun movie and
got us in the spirit of the holidays! After xmas we will head down to PA for the remainder
of winter break. I wanted to do all the paperwork prior to our visit and to organize the apt to put stuff in storage.

Holiday Shopping

After work last night I headed downtown to
Barnes and Nobles to use a coupon for 25%
off 1 item, w00t! Its so nice to see discounts
and coupon be in vogue! And the thrill of
saving $$$ no matter how small is an
awesome feeling. I have always loved
pinching pennies! Brought my nephews
and Baba's Hanukkah gifts, have 1 more
to buy for Mom. Jack is already taken care
of so only my aunts/uncles to do. At BN
they had a small table for gift wrapping
that was being sponsored by "Kids Corner"
raising $$ for children with cancer so ofc
I had them wrap my gifts and donated $5.
The boys were so cute and fought over who
would wrap what?

Only 1 more day of work next week, whee!
This weekend I must grade final exams for
3 classes out of 4. No way do I want to go to
PA with that hanging over my head. Im gonna
play it smart this year. Last year I spent New
Years grading, ugh!

Not much new, Jack will start school in Jan, Pah!
His spirits have improved tremendously with
doing things to prepare to go back to school.
I am VERY proud of him.

Tmw I will terp for Jewish services and then
Martin and I will attend a xmas Deaf bingo.
Last week at Deaf bingo I won $20 and
another $15 as a door prize! Not bad cuz
I spent $10 on admissions and $10 on raffles
so I gained $15. But I don't mind bc I had so
much fun with Szymanski and the others.