Commuting time/Starbucks/Puppies

Since I'm working crazy hours, I've been commuting at different times. I've realized that every time has a different crowd (and then, of course, I compared it to my Starbucks observations)

5:30 AM

Profession: electricians, security guards, plumbers

What's in their Starbucks cup: bold drip, black

What they wear: tshirts, paint-stained jeans, boots w steel-tipped toes

6:30 AM

Profession: CEOs, high power execs, presidents of companies

What's in their Starbucks cup: herbal tea - "I don't need caffeine" (their energy comes from power?)

What they wear: VERY expensive suits, leather attaches

7:30 AM

Profession: upper-middle management, social workers, secretaries

What's in their Starbucks cup: lattes

What they wear: slacks and an upscale shirt, sneakers that they change into high heels at work, general look of exhaustion

8:30 AM

Profession: grad school interns, IT guys, tech companies that are "laid back"

What's in their Starbucks cup: caramel machiatto, extra shot

What they wear: jeans, loosely buttoned collared shirt, messenger bag

9:30 AM

Profession: college interns, part-time employees

What's in their Starbucks cup: frappaccino

What they wear: skirts above the knee, tank tops, flip flops, tiny purse

The benefits of finally getting around to the Advance Reader's books floating around my house

Girls- (and possibly Ari, although I think you'd enjoy it far less)

Drop whatever you are doing and go out and get Hothouse Flower and the 9 Plants of Desire by Margot Berwin.

No, seriously, do it NOW.

It's rare that a book engrosses me enough to not only nearly miss my stop on the train, but also lose out on several hours of sleep just so I could finish it... in a day.

Finally, a blog post...

So as Rachel reported.....I have an imaginary ripped bf....which really just means I like this gorgeous ripped, very nice guy to whom I enjoy talking but who lives in North Carolina....thus making him as useful as an imaginary boyfriend in most situations. (Especially since I am not moving to NC any time soon.....imaginary bf is is.)

So, onto other news, I have been doing a lot of preparation for tutoring this week, I discovered last week that my tutee likes scrabble and I played junior scrabble with him during the tutoring session. It is an educational tool for reading (decoding) and spelling, so therefore writing as well. Anyway, the junior scrabble boards have the words spelled out on the easy side and you take turns putting out letter tiles (at least 2 at a time unless you are finishing a word) until someone finishes a word and gets a point. Whoever finishes the most words, wins. I let my tutee win, he was really excited. But he also learned how to spell a few words by heart and how to say the words on the board. I am using this as a way to teach him the ways to decode vowels/ vowel combinations in words correctly. I made a scrabble game board for long a/short a words, long and short e vowel words, and long and short i vowel words. I am going to play the games with him over the course of the next 2 sessions. I am getting paid to play scrabble...I guess life isn't so bad.

Also, I am almost finished with one of my many knitting projects. I haven't finished a project in a while. I also started a project at work (at the knitting store). It is a baby sweater. I have never ventured into sweaters, so this will be fun...something new to learn :)

Also, for the knitters on the blog- here is a fun website with fun knitting themed stuff. I got a kick out of it.
http://gifts.cafepress.com/knitting
Here is my personal favorite logo- is this not what you have to say EVERY time someone sees you knitting? http://bags.cafepress.com/item/answers-purple-tote-bag/99079959

And onto Ari related stuff- Ari , me and Rach saw your mom at the mall, as Rach already reported. We do all miss you TERRIBLY! At least we get to hear from you and about your adventures on the blog and skype and other conversation enabling devices. I think about you every time I see hummus now, since you are as you reported, in the land of the freshest most delicious hummus ever! Much love from us all, and this will be the end of my blog for now.
Goodnight to all, and to all a good night!
Alissa

late nite post

greetings from my ouch as i lay in a towel, too lazy to put on clothes after my shower. sexy i know. hot shower was needed after work - too stressful for what it is sometimes. seriously, do ppl think being a condescending asshole makes me WANNA help u?
tw thanks meghan! you're the only one who cares about this blog relationship! i give and give and give...haha
i am watching the food netwk show where tv hosts/chefs talk about their favorite meals - i wanna go to a diner NOW.
my ohne is being stupid and duplicating my future appointments in past dates, so when i delete the old ones, it erases the new one too. iphone is lookin bttr and bttr. altho i feel like i wanna wait until they come out with some new fangled contraption thats even bttr. silly technology.
i need more book shelf room - friend from wk gave me 2 bags worth of dean koontz books.
o0o ari - me and alissa saw ur mom today at the mall foodcourt. we bonded over how much we all miss u. whats ur # btw? and what will (soon - yay!) be ur address?
i guess thats all really for now, too tired to regale any more lil trivial tidbits.
ps alissa has a hot ripped imaginary bf lol.
love u all and heres to a better tomorrow!

Random adendum...

..to my post about Adem-um.

At Adem's BillyMaysBQ we were talking about the Halloween party.  John hadn't seen the pictures on Facebook.  His reason? I post too many pictures of myself with other guys.  Apparently he's gotten jealous over the years.

The funny thing about that- he got jealous of you- from the picture of the two of us on the beach in Florida.  hahaha.  

I don't think he's so jealous anymore. 

And there was much rejoicing

Hey Rachel, you can post now!

I somehow ended up designated poster Re: Adem's BDayBBQ.  I think I volunteered.  Or maybe I was drugged.  Or hypnotized.  Or there was a shiny object.  

Ooooh, shiny object.

There was much food and much rejoicing.  Any night is good that starts out with chocolate-covered figs and strawberries with a blueberry port reduction for the sauce.  Also Cajun Shrimp Fettucine. Mmmm.  And fiesta dip and homemade guac, and cake.  

Christina played a bunch of songs.  She has mellowed out her voice.  There are no longer moments where you're (or at least I'm) convinced someone is strangling a cat.  John seemed particularly taken with her music.  

We all played "Fill in the Blanks of Ari's Life" since all of us seem to be getting different bits and pieces of your story.  You need to post more damn it. Putting together a puzzle not knowing who has what piece is more complicated than all of our over-taxed brains can handle.  And it will only get worse one the girls to to Vegas and kill brain cells not just with mass amounts of alcohol, but from lack of oxygen when they forget to breathe while watching gyrating manflesh at Thunder from Down Under.

All in all the party was fun, all were well fed. Steffie channeled an overgrown breech baby. (yes I did mean to say breech) It lacked the frenetic haphazard energy of an Ari party, of course, but then again it was an Adem-Channeling-Billy-Mays party.

In other News: The Meghan Files

• Cute boy at softball last week- must pursue, even if he reminds me of Pete.
• It's hella fucking humid.
• I have been invited to participate in a threesome, expect an update about all things awkward this weekend.  But there will be cheesesteak, so not all will be lost.
  
• OkCupid keeps showing me Jeff as a "User you might like".  Must beat Staff Robot to death.  
• There are 7 people in the world right now doing their best Tony the Tiger impersonation  for an audience comprised of a pair of scissors, a can of crushed tomatoes and a plastic hanger.

so0o itchy

I hate 'squitos - if poison wouldn't kill me, i would totally down some arsenic to spite those bitches.
matt's friends bbq went well, besides those darned bloodsuckers (vampires would be so much cooler btw. true blood is doing awesome this season). there were lots of couples, and i totally want a bf to wrap his arms around me, but i digress.
i also almost saw matt naked - sorry erica and ari, only saw chestal area haha.
friday was not so pleasant. who knew i could go from pissy to melancholy to depressed all in one day? but wine and puzzle and the girls brightened the day.
at work we're getting 2 new people - one out of house, and one in. the temp is getting hired (she's my age and seemes shy/nice - i'm just worried that i won't be the baby of the office, which is my only claim to fame there : -/ ). aaand a guy got fired - no one knows why, so rumors are a flyin'. just makes me thing that no one is ever really safe. plus im terribly paranoid/anxious that i may indirectly get this other guy at work in trouble (he didn't do the work/process right) and he's gonna kill me in an empty alleyway (he and i already had beef. that's right, i said beef. moo).
oh, and who knew z100 had nightly therapy sessions - 1am cutter's story...and then britney spears! totes inappropes.
aliss got me the starbucks hard plastic cup - yay supply and demand! and my dad left a voicemail "happy 24th - walter". um...are you confused or being manipulative?
ari - i love the apartment - looks awesome and i cannot wait to come see you in the winter (hopefully it all works out)!!!!!!!!! ps-my friend went to the jonas brothers concert w/ her lil cousin. i know you're jealous.

i looooves yous alls! <3

Update on Life- Vegas, Disney, other random things...

So News of the Week-
1. Trip to VEGAS is booked! This is very exciting and makes me just beyond thrilled. Vegas with the girls, what could be better? It will be a time to let loose and really celebrate all the accomplishments of all of us for the past 2 years :) (since it was at least 2 years ago that I remember any other vacations even close to this...) So, August 19-22 will be all about fun, wild, freedom, Vegas baby!

2. Stuff for my trip to Disney World with my sister keeps coming in the mail and makes me only MORE excited. Maps, DVDs of the park activities, tickets to Cirque de Sole La Nouba.....it keeps coming and just builds the anticipation for the trip.

3. Other than these trips.... Ari, I miss you a lot. I only wish you could be there for Vegas as one of the girls! Hehe! Since that is not possible, we will have to put an ARI mask on one of us, or someone else and take pictures with said person. We will have plenty to blog, so I am sure it will feel like anyone reading about it, was actually there!

4. In other news, I have been tutoring, working at the knitting store, knitting, crocheting, taking my aerobics class, going to the gym, trying to make it to yoga, the usual.........

5. Finally, Rest in peace Walter Cronckite. He died today. Very sad. Again, RIP.

Holy Shit!

So John moves into his new apartment in the City tomorrow.  

I have the distinct feeling that when he does, and I'm no longer constantly occupied, it's finally going to click that 'Holy Shit! Ari's halfway around the world'.

I do not look forward to this moment.

I'm really dreading it in fact. Constant distraction and companionship (and frequent sex) has kept that bit of my brain at bay.  Now I'm just going to have to curl up in to a little ball and rock for the next 11 months while frantically trying to make an Ari surrogate.  It might involve a can of chick peas, some pipe cleaners, and googly eyes.  Or maybe popsicle sticks.  And mascara, lots of mascara.

In Other News:

• Pete imed me today.  Called me a pessimist.  No surprise there.
• Halloween is only 3 1/2 months away.  Adem is already scheming.
• The nori-wrapped tofu in thai red curry sauce at Gobo is possibly the most orgasm-worthy food ever. 
• There are 7 people in the world right now taking photographs of their pigmy marmosets playing Wagner on miniature theremins.  

That is all.

harry potter and the displaced american

i was just going to ask about how harry potter was; i'm going to see it on sunday although it won't be half as entertaining without the in-house picnic and the GRE book (and the nap of course).

lon's party sounds like a blast; i kinda wanna see photos of new, thin Lon i bet he looks good. in any event, the family we're staying with is leaving for the week to go to Sinai which leaves Brandon and I with the house. But, I have an apartment that i'm moving into come 1 august!!! it only cost an arm, a leg, my first born child, and only a little sex (mostly heavy petting). In any event, for those of you who have seen the apartment photos on the book o'faces, I know, right? for those who haven't, check it out. Or just come visit me, whichever is most convenient I suppose.

There will be many more posts to come, but it's 1am, i haven't slept in a real bed in over a week and there's a party downstairs...i thought i had left my house.


l'hitraot kulam!
-faceheadfaceshoulderskneestoesorangejuice

Harry Potter was AWESOME

that is all

Ok, so maybe I don't hate my job

Basically, I said "I need more money," and *poof* - I got a raise.  Then I said "I can't work here unless you also pay my commute" and *poof* - Metrocard, LIRR, tolls, and gas all paid (my boss doesn't even get her Metrocard paid).  I said I wanted less hours, and suddenly I'm only working 20 a week.  Honestly, this place LOVES me.

An hour later, the mom of my tutee calls, saying that her daughter is in love with me and may perhaps build a shrine to me (she's 7) and she sincerely hopes all the company's tutors are just like me.  My boss told her boss (the Director of the program) who told THE PRESIDENT OF THE ENTIRE FLIPPIN' COMPANY.  That's right - he now thinks I'm amazing.

Then they hired Dan.  And I aced my 2nd teaching exam w/out ever taking an ed course.  Best.  Day.  Ever.

So I am watching TV right now and it is a show about Hollywood dogs....
One dog had a Bark Mitzava, one was doing yoga and doing the downward facing dog position. The woman doing the yoga with the dog was being paid 50 an hour and was telling the dog to extend his spine and breathe in. The show was hysterical.

This weekend I had my grandparent's 60th anniversary party. There were a lot of second cousins of my mom and uncles. These are people (second aunts, uncles and cousins) I have never met, or MAYBE met once when I was very little. Of course there were 2nd cousins that were 14-16 ish, and a few a littl onlder, but as I expected, I stuck to socializing with my 1st aunts, uncles, grandparents and cousins.

You cannot take teenagers and young adults and tell them to socialize with other ppl their age or the same gender and expect them to have ANYTHING to say to eachother when they have never spoken before, know nothing about eachother, just because they are technically family. I am glad I got to see my grandparents for their big event. I also got to see and hear my grandma drunk...she is normally fairly outspoken but some of the comments she made about one of my aunts (who we all know she hates anyway, but....) were really mean. At least most of them were not to her face. My grandma actually said she was drunk on thinking aboutthe party the next day....It was a good time though, many funny stories were shared...and good food was eaten....

So that is it from me...I am gonna be watching True Blood with Rachel tonight. Suukki!

And my first post...

So I went to a wedding yesterday.  As one would hope, it was predictable- the bride and the groom said 'I do', the mother of the bride got drunk and very jovial (and fell down three times on the dance floor), and the food was mediocre at best.  

My friends are all still convinced that the groom is so far in the closet that he doesn't know it.

But the real point of my post is Hasids.

After the wedding I went to visit Cypher in Brooklyn (for those not keeping track, he's the circus freak).  This morning when he was giving me directions from his place back to the BQE, we were on Google maps.  Street view is one of the most wonderful tools ever invented, particularly for slightly complicated directions.  As far as I'm concerned, most directions for getting onto and off of parkways in any borough are usually pretty complicated.   Thus the need to visuals.

So... 

The best direction I was given by Cypher while we were looking at Flushing Ave on street view was, 'Turn at the Hasid.  There's always Hasids on that corner.'  Only in Brooklyn would those directions be accurate.  

Lo and Behold, there was a Hasid on the corner when I got there.

Hope Israel is treating you well.  And write back to my mother on facebook, she's cranky with you now.

Oh right, Lon's party

I forgot to write about that.  Face, it was ridiculous.  We showed up and the WHOLE PLACE reeked of weed and brownies.  Lon was trashed.  I got trashed within about 3 minutes (YAY tequila!)  John Latella (this kid I grew up with - REAL dork and a half - REALLY annoying) glommed onto Erica, Jason, Dan, and me (I fucking love Oxford commas) and was generally irritating.  Erica and I decided that the way to avoid him was to make out w our respective men.  Oh, there's also this kid Elan there that I grew up with (Aliss and Rach, you guys MAY remember him) and he was slightly irritating as well, but not as much (he's just fat).  Anyway, I wound up drunk and making out all over the house, with breaks of flirting with Lon in between.  Dan actually told me to stop telling people (i.e. John and Elan and Elan's semi-cute friend) that he was my bf bc he liked watching guys flirt w me (I have an odd boyfriend) so I took that to mean that I could flirt w Lon all I wanted.  At one point, John grabbed my ass (and apparently also grabbed Erica's boob) and Elan asked if he could watch Dan and I have sex (NO).  I believe a naked hottub party went down, although I was not there for that.

Oh, and Rachel Azrak (the girl from my year that slept w Lon several years ago) HATES ME.  Like, pure hatred.  It's sad....

The night ended w 3 hickeys (2 on neck, one on lip - seriously, half my upper lip is darkblue/black).  OH! And Lon lost 20 lbs by becoming vegan and looks ridiculously good.  Ok, that's all.

Shooting Hoops During the Call to Prayer...

Hey everyone,



So I know that it's been almost a week since my last post, and I hope this can cover everything since. I spent most of today running around (which I love; staying put bothers me) with Brandon and a few of the other students who I've met. I started on a tour of the HUC campus which is lovely and quite airy and open.

After that, I made it back to this awesome cafe in nearby Mamilla (think the Miracle Mile but, incidentally, less Jews) that I went to when I was here in January, and managed not to throw up this time, a huge feat considering the last time I was there, I ordered this huge and seemingly delicious salad, but thanks to a bug that decimated our entire bus, the salad didn't last long. This time however, I had salad, fish and quinoa and all of it maintained its status as food rather than night-ruiner and toliet-pleaser. Everyone wins.

Anyway, onto the reason for the title of today's post. After a particularly grueling Hebrew exam and figuring out the financial logistics of my new apartment (oh yea, I have an apartment, which I'll be moving into in a few weeks; I will post photos of it soon) and just general homesickness, I had a general feeling of "this shit is too fucking hard." It should not be this hard; the Hebrew is tough, the money is tough, the acclimation is tough. What are they trying to prove? And then I realized...right. We are the future leaders of the Jewish community, if it wasn't hard everyone would do it. I guess they wanna weed out the truest of true.

Anyway, oy the point of the title. So while feeling lost today, I took a walk down to the Old City with some friends at dusk and we walked along this incredible view of East Jerusalem just as the evening call to prayer was being sounded for its Muslim residents.The muezzins were calling from everywhere for a solid 8 minutes. And yet, off in the distance, these kids were playing basketball as if nothing was happening. The last of the 5 calls to prayer of the day was being urgerntly sounded everywhere around the area, and these boys were envelopped in their b-ball game.

So why is this important? Why am I writing about some Muslim kids ignoring the call to worship? Later on, we went down to the Kotel - the Western Wall - just around our own call to prayer time and I prayed at times, but at other times I was just there; watching, observing, being. Just like those kids playing ball, I knew what was going around, but I was trying to find my own way around it. It's helping me to realize that I gotta make my own waves here; sometimes I will join in with the prayer, and sometimes I'll just keep playing ball on my own. I'm not sure where I am with it all yet, and it's still so hard, but I'm definitely trying to make waves.

You're all beautiful, I love you all, and my computer battery's about to die,

Ari

Hey kids...

So, somewhat happy news - I may be leaving my job.

I'm just not getting paid enough.  I'm commuting 3-4 hrs a day and not getting compensated for any of it.  And I'm paying at least $20 a day just in commuting.  And since I get home so late from class and get up so early in the morning for work, I end up eating all 3 meals out of the house and that's costing me a TON.  I think I actually spent more than I'm earning this week.  Also, since there's no centers anymore and it's all tutor-dependent, I'm carrying about (without exaggeration) 50 lbs w me every day on the subway.  So I'm gonna sit down with them and tell them what's up and if they can help me out, that's great.  If not, I'm gone and I'll just work part time at Jen's job where it's much easier and the pay is the exact same (sometimes even more bc of the pay structure at the company) and the hours are more sane.

Dan and I had a big fight the other day, which almost ended up in a breakup.  He needs to get his shit together and get a job and go to therapy and not just sit around all summer.  It wasn't a big screaming fight, but more of a sad "this is what I need from this relationship. If you can't supply that, I have to go" one where he got upset that he was hurting me and decided, at one point, that maybe he should go so he wouldn't continue to do so.  I told him he was an idiot and if he genuinely wants to leave, that's ok, but leaving to avoid hurting me would hurt me more.  So we're ok now, but it's been a genuinely stressful week.  Erica and Alissa - this started the day you both thought I was fighting w you, but I wasn't.  I was just in a shitty mood and it came across wrong.  I did finally get him to say he's IN love with me though.  That was big.  And we talk a little more openly about our future together, instead of me tiptoeing around it like this giant 600 lb gorilla in the room.

Dan and I just bought a 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle.  Girls, I was thinkin that maybe this upcoming weekend we can have a girls' night, order in, watch moves, work on it, and drink wine.  Thoughts?  Ari, webcam?

Btw, putting 18 different kinds of beans in your salad makes one very gassy....

Better than date night.....

Hello from Alissa and Rachel! We just got back from yummy mexican cuisine at Panchos and we saw adorable kittens at Rachel's friend, Jenn's house. There are 4 kittens named Pru, Pheobe, Piper and Sunny. While Rachel is VERY sad that she cannot keep them, she is looking foward to having similar kittens in the future. Piper was her favorite an sat on her chest while she walked around with her .....and PUUURRRED! Alissa was playing with the puppy, Lola, while all thiswas going on. I know, Ari, that none of the puppy/kitten news is all that interesting to you but we are not gonna lie about cute animals!
Meanwhile, Panchos is a more expensive but delicious alternative to Moes. They had good fajitas with PORTOBELLO mushrooms and enchiladas as well. They also had VERY good caramel pecan hocolate fudge cake. You can all guess who had that....I'll give you a hint....not Alissa :)
We walked to and from Panchos and got snacks on the way home. We tried Junior caramels, Junior mints, and sour patch watermelon candy. The Junior caramels were somewhat dissapointing, but at least we tried somehing new and now we know not to get them again. The other candy was as good as ever. We wathed What not to wear when we got home. Now we know what not to wear. We also got good chocolate lollipops ....yummy and homeade. We are now playing a FRIENDS trivia game. Goodnight all, we love you!
Alissa and Rachel :)

finally

hi! finally aliss helped me register and i can read/post on here.
Ari - I'm so glad you're ok and flights went relatively well (boo no london!). i was thinking about you all monday hopin' you landed safe : )
yes you must send us the phone# and pics soon! i miss ya but very glad things are going well, you're meeting new ppl and buena suerte with apartment hunting.
you're in your R year!!! :p
r-a-b-b-i
r-a-b-b-i
r-a-b-b-i
and ari was a rabbi!
we're gonna have to figure out a way to distinguish the 2nd b btw hehe

not much new with me. my face is peeling (got chemical peel) which i thoroughly enjoy (i know im a freak). funky mood today (someone a friend went to hs with and their baby was murdered by the bf) but hopin that'll change with a new day. which Ari is already in - how's Fri going so far? lol

in happier news bought eddie tix, and harry potter is nxt week! i so wish you were here for all this, but living abroad is way more exciting! im so jealous and really hope i get to come visit you!!!

::sex:: <---mm overseas fornication
rachel
(this is how i should always sign my name)

New, Interesting Experiences....

So in the spirit of trying something new and different-

( I'm taking your lead Ari, with the whole meeting new ppl, doing new things thing. I'm just not quite as extreme as you, leaving the country to do it an all.....)

I am taking a ballroom aerobics dance class. It is a great deal of fun. The first week was cha cha inspired aerobics. with some waltz mixed in. I look foward to whatever comes next week.

In not new experiences--- I am making great headway in my crocheted Alphabet blanket. I won the battle against the mighty BOBBLE and can now make a crocheted bobble without trying 18 million times- and still only half succeeding. They are easy now, and I am proud of myself. I can now crochet and knit a bobble.

Also, speaking of knitting....Ari, if there is anything you need over there that can be knit/crocheted, please let me know. I have some ideas but can be persuaded in other directions if you care to give any suggestions.

Much love,
Alissa

I have newfound respect for porters...

Hi once again...this time from sunny Jerusalem, Ir HaZahev (city of gold). I spent most of yesterday sleeping and laying low in Tel Aviv, Actually, being the social butterfly that I am, I befriended my seat-mate on the plane Mike, who is originally from LA but made aliyah (moved to Israel..I'm thinking for future reference I'll just link foreign sounding words to their definions and such) and then came back to LA and is now back in Israel.

Anyway, we bummed around TA for a while, had some coffee and then I booked a hotel room, showered, had EVERY intention of going out in the evening and hanging by the seaside, and then proceeded to pass out for 6 hours in the middle of the day; yea, needless to say I wasn't moving.

So I'm in Jerusalem now, I had to shlep my bags around to the bus from my hotel. I got ot meet all of the 5th year rabbinic interns who are helping us in our Year In Israel experience. I took some photos on a quick tour of the area (I saw a legit pomegranate tree). I'll post those soon too. I am staying with my roommate Brandon's friend Adam's friends in a neighborhood not too far from the school until we find an apartment. Good news though? I have a phone!!! i'll email out all of the info later today.

Thanks for the pre-gift Stef, when I have an actual address to send stuff to, send away! In terms of Sbux, it's probably all new faces there right now (except for fat Kaci, he'll always be there, but he's fat so who cares). And they're on this new health kick which means everything is more "natural" with less preservatives and HFCS and whatnot. Personally, I'd say just go to Panerabread.

and I was totally watching the MJ funeral on SkyNews in my hotel. I kept wondering who the F all those singers were doing "Heal the World," but they were apparently supposed to be the backup singers for MJ's London Goodbye-extravaganza. I think what got me most was seeing Janet Jackson. Sometimes I forget that they're actually related, and seeing her up there visibly shaken helped that.

Anyway, ciao for now all; I'm sure there will be far more updates soon.

Peace, love, llamas and orange juice,
Ari-face,monster,cakes,etc

Yeahhhh....no

I just can't do the MJ thing.  I mean, holycrapMichaelJacksonDIED, but I'm really not gonna cry bout it.  Or watch anything longer than 30 seconds about it.

Is it wrong that I keep looking at blood, bone, and liver samples under microscopes and going "COOL!"and that I'm kindasorta perversely excited about dissecting a fetal pig?  I physically cringe every time I think about it, but I still soooo wanna do it.

Also, the house I'm tutoring at? It's on 80th and Amsterdam.  And it's a 4 story brownstone.  And there's a pond with a waterfall in the backyard.  Seriously, I'm leading the wrong life somehow.

Also, Carolynne facebook messaged me to ask me to work some Saturdays.  Seriously, how unprofessional can you get?  Annnndddddd.....NO.

Goodbye Micheal Jackson...

So today they aired the Micheal Jackson memorial on just about EVERY station for much of the afternoon today. It was very moving, everyone in the audience and sitting in their homes shed many a tear. There were lots of stars there like Brook Shields and Usher, etc.... but at the end the family got up and spoke in a big group. His daughter, Paris, got up and said how her father was a good father and she loves him.....and made everyone not already sobbing, sob. So for all who did not see it yet, watch it with tissues ready just in case. Also, they performed part of what would have been in the London tour, supposedly Micheal's favorite part of the new tour show. I'm sure it will be replayed, and available on news websites.

Otherwise, I am going to the gym, then to dinner with Rachel :)
Ari, I am sorry to hear about your London issues....But you will see it eventally....I am glad you got to Isreal safe and sound though. I am going to start writing letters and making stationary....and when you have all the information on where you are staying to send to us, please do. Letters WILL be sent! :) That is a promise.

Remember, we are the world, we are the children, we are the ones to make a brighter day so let's start giving. There's a choice were making, we're saving our own lives. It's true, we'll make a better day, just you and me!

Much love,
Alissa

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0F9E7Hi6mU

Head go boom

I think I asploded.  Cleanup in aisle steffie, indeed.

So last night I started getting obsessive compulsive and manic for no reason whatsoever.  Face, I made a list of things I'm sending you in your first care package at 1 am.  You weren't even on your flight yet.  And I had to be up at 6.  But it's a pretty cool list, I must say :-)  Also, I went to your starbucks today and it was tres sad.  DUDE - they make the spinach feta wrap with egg whites now.  Total degrade of flavor.  I think they also cut down on feta-age.  Le sad!  I had Starbucks THREE TIMES today - seriously, it was THAT kinda day.  Also, Mamoun's falafel for $2.50 is AMAZING ALWAYS ALL THE TIME EVEN AT NIGHT.

Btw, Ron Weasley had swine flu.  W t fuck? Where's Madame Pomfrey for that?

Ok, off to study (I have quizzes every day now, and a test once a week).  Love you all.  Gnight!

My life in 2 suitcases...

Well, to clarify, 2 suitcases a carry-on and a laptop bag.

Greetings from sunny Londontown. I am writing this post inside Heathrow Airport about to have a pint of Guinness. I just landed here about 20 minutes ago and my flight is in an hour. For those of you thinking I'd have the day to explore London (such as myself), funny story about that:

so while driving to the airport yesterday (Sunday) evening, I find out that my flight to London has been cancelled. Not just delayed, but cancelled; apparent "technical faults on the plane," or so they said in the email that they never sent me. So instead, they put me on a flight this morning (Monday) which got me into London now, with hardly any down time. So, London will have to wait...again. Somehow, my trips to London always seem to be hampered by airplane issues.

Anyway, I get into Tel Aviv at 5:30am local time (which I believe is 2 weeks ago your time) and from there I may stay in Tel Aviv for the day or just head straight to Tel Aviv. The world is my oyster, although not for much longer as they're treyf.

More updates to follow.

ps: they're playing James Brown's "Living In America" in the airport right now...odd

First Blog

Hello all. I am just trying this out. Ari, right now you might still be in London, so I know you must be excited. London, while expensive, is a lot of fun....much to see.
Anyway, not much to report, just checking to see if this works:)
Alissa

i think i fixed it... so give it a try... post something.