High Holidays are Coming! (Oh and a Bit on the Parsha Too)

As much as the High Holidays are a time for reflection on yourself and your sins of the past year, I am also really looked forward to Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur this October. Although its true, a Jew should "feel" Jewish everyday of his life, but for me the High Holidays are a special time to have a personal discussion with discussion as well as time to thank Him for everything he has given us.

We also get to dress up in Yom Tov (holiday) clothes, feast on delicious food, and be with friends and family. I've already made deliberate preparations, taken off work, and this year, I will try my hardest to follow every halacha of the holiday. I remember that last year around this time, I didn't even have a job, so it was easier to observe the holiday...but this year, my job and current living situation has gotten in the way of keeping Shabbos as much as I would like as well as keeping some of the holidays. I hope to avoid that this year and will ask G-d to help me in my plan to do so.

The High Holidays will also mean my trip to Israel (right after Simchat Torah!) is right around the corner. I'm so excited! Yes, I was there for a month last summer and didn't really know what I was doing, but I was in a house of girls and they planned out most of our days for us (though nighttime we always had free.) Now I am officially on my own, figuring out where I'm going to stay, making my own choices, and I hope to have the language under my belt, at least a little bit. I'm nervous about speaking it.

And the parsha...based on a Drasha by Rabbi Mordechai Kamenetzky

Often Americans are forced to make a choice when it comes to politics. People constantly ask me are you a conservative or a liberal? Are you a Republican or Democrat? We're not to be left with just a tad bit right wing tendencies or right with a smidgen of life wing thrown in. And we're always forced to pick a side.

How ironic then that this week's Parsha Shoftim says, "Do not stray from the path of their counsel, neither to the left or to the right." The Talmud continues by interpreting that we must not stray even when right is right and left is left. We must continue on the path ahead.

While other question, how can we misinterpret direction? Either something is right or something is left. Not the case, according to our sages. Personal experiences and attitudes towards various situations constantly influence our attitude toward Hashem and towards Torah. I mean, really, why aren't all Jews today tznius, G-d fearing people that keep the law as written in the Torah. Should one get into the middle of a situation with the possibility of offending another or not get involved due to political correctness despite the fact the person may have something to settle. If we do see a definite left or right, are we looking from the wrong angle? Is our right Torah's left and vice versa?

To sum it all up, we are told to follow our sages whether they tell us right is right or right is left, meaning we must follow the Torah and keep it as our guidebook and our compass, guiding us in the right direction. But in a confusing world out there and one may stray. Just know that its the Torah that will guide you back on the correct (not right!) path.

The Choice He Made

It's the people that stick with you that really count. Last night, all of my friends were supposed to go out to the New Brunswick bars, but stuck around for a bit and then bounced to this party at 62 Senior St. I wanted to go to the party as well, but I was in cahoots with one of the housemates (surprisingly the fight started with his gf and yet she and I have cleared things up but he can't get past a tiny nothing issue and has to be immature about it) and didn't think it was approriate that I show up (no way would I want him to show up if I threw a party.) Well, my boyfriend, the sweetest guy ever, decided to stick with me. He could have gone with his friends, done what he wanted, and had fun at the party, but he chose to stay with me, and we hit up Scarlet Pub for a few and just walked up and down Easton Ave. I will remember his choice to stay with me and be boring rather then chill with all his friends forever and I will cherish it for a lifetime.

Oh and my friends---they left the party in about 5 minutes.


The first picture of me and Eugene back in May

A Blessing

The Shemonah Esrai (Eighteen Prayers) or Amidah is a daily prayer mandatory for all Jews to be spoken each day. It is one of the most important prayers, up there with the Shema to be said at least once a day (both prayers for men should be said 3 times a day.) Rather then give longwinded liturgy on the origins of the Shemonah Esrai and why its so important, I'd rather reveal the importance of the Shemonah Esrai to my life and why it is my most favorite prayer and the one most important to me.

Only two or three years ago, I was a proud Jew, but one that had never opened a prayer book. I knew only of Judaism in the cultural sense (youth group, holidays) and very little in the religious sense. That all changed upon my growing involvement in Chabad Houses at Rutgers University. I began attending weekly Shabbat services, made easy for me because the Rabbi welcomed baal teshuvim like me (who didn't know a Hebrew word, let alone that it was necessary to stand for the Kaddish) and helped us follow along in our own prayer books by constantly stopping after each prayer to say a word or two about what they meant and to make sure the students praying (davening) would know which page the congregation was on.

I remember seeing the women around me davening the Shemonah Esrai for the first time and I felt very strange and silly. They were bowing at certain moments throughout the prayer and nobody had explained to me that this were certain moments where you were supposed to bow to Hashem as you read the prayer silently to yourself. I made the mistake of pretending I was following along, bowing whenever I felt like it, and continuing to read the prayer in English.

Fortunately, I wanted to learn more and I got together with a friend, a baal teshuva like me, who had learned the Shemonah Esrai and was interested in teaching it to me. We got together one summer every week to learn (a chevra!) before other committments and the start of school again made us stop our weekly meetings. One such week we got together in Ahavas Achim (the synagogue in Highland Park) to learn the Shemonah Esrai. We went through each of the eighteen prayers and what they meant, what you were supposed to think about (in whatever language you can, though Hebrew is better,) at what point you could say a personal prayer, and of course, where you were supposed to bow. I learned about the Jewish connection to Jerusalem through the Shemonah Esrai which had special signfigance for me later on when I went to the Kotel (Western Wall) and prayed for Jerusalem while vacationing and learning in that very city.

I no longer felt silly when davening the Shemonah Esrai with a congregation because I knew what I was doing, I knew when to bow, and I could finally concentrate on the meaning of the words, rather then when to say them and what to do when they are being said.

I'd like to thank my friend for being so patient with me and teaching a prayer that has meant so much to my life and added a new depth to my Judaism.

And now, almost as a thank you gift to all the students and teachers that have helped me to become the good Jewish, halacha-following girl I am today, I am currently learning how to read Hebrew and practicing Shema and Shemonah Esrai in Hashem's native tongue. I hope to be able to say the two (although the Amidah will be longer and different) by Rosh Hashanah.

The Russian Connection

Yesterday I had the privilage of sitting around at Easton Ave. with 8 Russians, an Italian and a Columbian (in the form of my friends Silvia and Vanessa.) We watched the tension-filled, knee gripping tennis tiebreaker between Agassi and Blake and sipped (more like chugged) Corona bottles and shots of vodka. (Well, they did, I had to drive home so I opted out.) Dennis tried to start up a game of Durak (pronounced Doo-rahk) which is a card game that every Russian knows. But if you're not privilaged as I am to be a sladkaya, lubyimya Russian, Durak means Fool in the language. It wasn't so successful but they got a few rounds out and they almost started playing for money (Dennis, Ilya are all big gamblers.)

It was a fun, laidback kind of night and I enjoyed it immensely.

What I didn't enjoy was that I got home too late from work AGAIN and my parents had already left for Cheesecake Factory without letting us give our mom her birthday presents. (Happy 48th Mom!) I had to wait around until they got back (though they invited me to join of course) before I could head out to NB and so I spent an hour fixated on So You Think You Can Dance, that hit American Idol-inspired dance show on Fox. It was pretty good.

Not much happened last night but I care to share it with y'all anyway. Tonight I hit up the bars of NB with my pals. It will be a fun night!

Katrina Inspires Fashion. Who Knew?

From Gawker.com...

We’re always amused when news stories are entirely self-contradictory. Take, for example, this lead from the Sun:

After a catastrophic event like Hurricane Katrina, it feels indulgent to mull over questions of style.

Yes. Yes, it does feel indulgent to mull over questions of style now.

So what to do? Why, spend another 800 words mulling questions of style.

Duh.

It continues...

The NY Sun

How can we bear to ask ourselves what we'll be wearing this fall? What will emerge at Olympus Fashion Week? Just be thankful that you have clothes - and a closet to put them in.

That very thought process, I suspect, will wind up informing the clothing choices and trends that emerge this fall. After the chaos on the Gulf Coast, it's time for order in the world: modesty, linear shapes, and direct, womanly style. Up until last week, this fall could have been dominated by any number of the looks featured in the fall fashion magazines. But something has to guide your hand when you put together outfits or shop for new pieces. Something in the zeitgeist leads us to certain styles and away from others.

Ok, so I do care about Hurricane Katrina and I do care about fashion. But why point out that people are lamenting about fashion in the wake of the hurricane, then proceed to write an article about the trends in fall fashion magazines out this month. If you're going to talk about fashion--buckle down and admit it--and don't write about Katrina in the same category. After all, America is quite the land of materialism.

Hurricane Katrina aside (and yes just because its moved aside for now does not mean its forgotton!!), I'd like to focus on the another aspect of this article...this writer calculates her own list of the biggest trends this fall as a combination of the trends pointed out in Vogue, Lucky, and Harper's Bazaar magazines.

Lucky trends: Russian, menswear, 1970s collegiate, black, and "Hitchock lady."

Why is Russian so in? Ugh I hate velvet!

Says the writer...After the devastation of Katrina, the velvets and rich colors of the Russian trend seem too decadent. Women in menswear is too pointlessly confusing. And college is just frivolous. But there's comfort in the seriousness of jet black and the fitted suits inspired by the 1960s. Well, at least she agrees that there's no need for this silly Russian trend.

Harper's Bazaar trends: velvet (covering bangles, blazers, and platform heels), military style (boots, pins, and sailor pants), rosettes (on shoes, bags, and shirts), or lace (dresses, shoes, and camisoles).

There's also a page in Bazaar devoted to Katherine Hepburn style: menswear. Leather gloves, a trench coat, and a proper suit jacket. Since when is this a new trend? Katherine Hepburn has always been a menswear trendsetter and menswear has been around for a few years now. What gives?

Vogue trends: "..a strong statement piece is what we crave now: a perfect, high-impact coat, a chic and simple day dress or a dramatic Victorian floor-sweeper that changes our outlook with one swift stroke," Vogue says.

The article ends Maybe the Russian look will catch on after all. But for the time being, the safe bet is on creating a sense of surety. And if that comes with bold shoulders and a tight skirt, so be it. No matter what your budget, the bold aesthetic of womanly suits, tight belts, and a serious mien is out there - in all its sober, but sexy, Tippi Hedren glory.

Poof!

I'd like to turn you on to an awesome product that's not so new, but it has worked wonders for me and will probably work wonders for you too!!

As you know, I am not a beauty expert. I am no JolieInNYC (see jolieinnyc.com for all your beauty needs.) However, I know when something works and this product is just IT!!

I have unmangeable hair. I guess you could call it curly, but it tumbles down (or at least it used to tumble down, now its much too short!) in unruly waves that moved in every which way and frizzed to no end!

Though I'd often leave my hair curly (it does manage to look good once in a while, thanks to Pantene Hydrating Curls shampoo and conditioner,) I tend to straighten it once in a while to get rid of the curls and try something new once in a while. Not only did straightening take FOREVER but it never stayed quite the way I liked it. Humidity would make it big to no end, and it ended up poofing and frizzing!! I would use BioSilk, which did wonders some of the time, but sometimes it would continue to frizz and poof despite all my best efforts.

Fortunately, I happen to work at a fashion/beauty magazine, where even lowly researchers such as myself get free beauty products once in a while. That's exactly what happened to me when the Beauty dept. asked me to try out Barex hair treatments for straight hair. Of course, I didn't exactly jump at the chance, but why not? It was free and I wondered how it would help my gigantic head of hair. (Gigantic in that it would never die down!!)

Barex Italiana Silicone hair treatment products, a line of hair treatment products by the creators of the Four Seasons line (not to be confused with the hotel,) nourish and  rebuild the hair shaft while adding volume & shine to all hair types. Whether thick, thin, wavy or straight , Barex Silicone products are naturally balanced to improve the condition, strength and appearance of the hair.

I tried Barex Re-Define Creme (Humidity Proof Smoother) and it worked wonders. After letting my hair air dry and straightening with a flat iron, I combed all the kinks out, then worked a bit through my hair and it instantly de-poofed. Not only did it de-poof, but it didn't poof up again that entire day. I wore my hair straight to work and people continuously complimented me on my post-salon tresses (which of course I hadn't been in a salon in weeks) and asked what I had been using. I told them about Barex and after I was done testing out the product, I scored a tube of my own. I added a bit more gel to my hair every morning for about 3 days (no shampooing of course) and re-straightened

If you're worried your hair will never be straight and stay straight without forking over moola for salon care or chemical straightening every time, don't despair. Get yourself a container of this hair care miracle worker. Check out www.fourseasonsproducts.com and look for Barex. You won't be sorry!

You Oughta Read...

Upon doing some research on Alanis Morissette's album, Jagged Little Pill, being the the highest selling debut album in U.S. history (for your information, this fact is indeed proven correct) I came across a very interesting tidbit on the subject of Ms. Alanis's song, "You Oughta Know." It turns out, that one of the biggest rumors about the song is that it was written about Alanis's ex-lover Dave Coulier.

Who is Dave Coulier, you might ask? None other then Mr. Joey Gladstone himself from Full House!!

It was inevitable that her song would trigger gossip about the identity of the ex-lover savaged in the lyrics for moving on so quickly:

Did you forget about me, Mister Duplicity?
I hate to bug you in the middle of dinner.
It was a slap in my face how quickly I was replaced.
Are you thinking of me when you f**k her?

Morissette dated actor/comedian Coulier after they met at a hockey game in 1992. The relationship reportedly ended because Coulier, fifteen years her senior, wanted to start a family, but Morissette felt she was too young.

Morissette revealed in a 1995 interview that the song was not a mere abstraction but was indeed about someone specific with whom she had a relationship: "I haven't heard from him, and I don't think he knows. Which sort of says a lot about him. The ironic thing is, if anybody questions whether it's them I'm writing about, that means something in and of itself. People who were kind and honest and full of integrity throughout the process of making this album wouldn't question whether they were in that song because they would know," she said.

If Coulier didn't know about the rumor in 1995, he reportedly did by 1997, when the spokesman for Boston's Comedy Connection (where Coulier was currently working) told the Boston Herald: "He admitted the lines are very close to home. Especially the one about 'an older version of me' and bugging him in 'the middle of dinner.' He said she used to do that all the time."

Alanis Morissette will most likely never reveal the identity of the person portrayed in her hit single. Is Coulier the culprit? That more information the world DOESN'T CARE to know!

Relax

This four day weekend was highly stressful for me, but it's over now and things are slowly getting back to normal. Life moves at a fast pace and its up to you to figure out if you can keep up with it. I wish I could tell you new things are happening, but it seems lately my life is bla bla bla. Back to working at the magazine and spending free time in New Brunswick with my friends and my bf.

I really must hit up NYC soon. I need to get rid of this stress in my life and I've been trying to to calm down.

How does one de-stress in one of the most stressful cities in the world? Well, there's always shopping in SoHo. But besides that---well, Fall is my favorite time of year, but the weather is slowly growing cooler and that means I must hit up Central Park before I get to the point where I can't feel my toes. Central Park is just beautiful this time of year, i finally realized that when I went there for my reporting event on the night of Aug. 27th. And though it was night time, the air was crisp and clear and I could picture myself enjoying a picnic lunch and lounging on a blanket, reading a good book as roller skaters and cyclists whiz by. It reminds me of Shabbos day in NB where all the Jews head to the park after lunch at Chabad because its a beautiful day out and why not enjoy the rest by kicking a soccer ball or lingering on a blanket?

It's those little moments that make life so meaningful

Enough of these silly nonsensical entries. I'm going to stop writing if I have nothing to say. It seems when I talk about my own life, there's nothing really to say about it all and so I babble on and on---about nothing. At least that's what it's been like with the past few entries. Perhaps others do the same, but they sound good when they do it, and I, of course, don't. So we'll see what the next couple of entries have in store for all of you.

(P.S. I don't often write about the bad moments of my life (the stress, the endless drama, oh the agony!!!) so perhaps this is why my entries are rather boring.)

But Simona, how do you really feel? Well, I won't really be addressing that in this blog!

Here's To Endless Drama...

I’m going to smile and make you think I’m happy, I’m going to laugh, so you don’t see me cry, I’m going to let you go in style, and even if it kills me- I’m going to smile.

Ups and Downs

I HATE being stuck in the middle between two roommates and two friends (separately) and this weekend was ALL about that. I'm just tired of it..I think the bottom line here is stop thinking of others and worrying about others and start thinking of yourself because YOU come first. Enough said.

Other then that, I saw a lot of old friends this weekend at Chabad when I went for Shabbos. Don't know if I'll be going there as much as I did last year, but I love how there's always a place for me there. ALWAYS. I love how people still want me to be a part of it all. I may just end up going there more then I thought I would.

The bars weren't really poppin and the parties around here aren't so great (well I am 23 after all, just a bit too old for them!) But another week has started so I'm sure things will get better from now on...Well hopefully.

Fall Fashon Buzz

Because yesterday I wrote a big blog entry about fall fashion buzz and it was subsequently deleted somehow by my very own hands, I am going to try my hand at another blog on fall fashion. This time, though, I'm only listing the items everyone should get this fall instead of writing little snippets about them.

And now I present, the top ten items every girl should be wearing this fall...

1) Belts
Wear a giant one around the waist of course. This one's a cinch!


2) Empire Waist
Shirts or dresses with empire waists are back in style this fall...and they hide a tummy too!!


3) Bangles
They're chunk and paper-thin, silver, wooden, black, and gold. Pile them on like Beyonce at the MTV VMAs for a hipster look.


4) Boots
Boots are always in style for fall; this year they come in a variety of styles, heights, and textures. Try a brown suede pair with a knee length tweed skirt or black leather stiletto heels. My favorite, this season's Dior croc boot (way over my budget!)


5) Black is the new black!
Say what? Well, that's just it. Black is the new black. Its in style again for fall--learn how to play it up for daytime and night. Pair it with shimmery accessories, look for interesting detail patterns, and go for a nice textured piece. Spice it up!


6) An "It" Bag
Maybe this Bottega Veneta stunner is a bit more then you can afford, but opt for a specia "it" bag to tote around this fall and look stylishly hip this season.


7) Overcoat
Bazaar puts it best. "When the weather turns cold, a coat becomes an integral part of every fall look, so its worth buying a special one. Choose a style that subtly catches the trend du jour."


8) Menswear Chic
Calling all Katherine-Hepburn aficianados!! Menswear, reminiscent of the movie style icon is still amazingly in style for women, especially in the fall where tweed blazers and baggy suit pants run rampant. Balenciaga trousers and J. Crew suit jackets unite!


9) "Lovely"
Sarah Jessica Parker's combo of lavender and musk is a romantic delight for this fall season. Sooooo Sex and the City cool.


10) Textures-Gold and Silver Sequins, Tweed, and Python-Leather
I am so not keen on the new Russian/velvet trend this season but fall is the perfect time to play up the texturized clothes. This fall, look for tweedy blazers, sequined shrugs, and leather handbags.

A Parsha Bit

From this week's parsha, a short bit...

"You shall follow after HASHEM your G-d, and Him you shall fear and His Mitzvos you shall keep and to His voice you should hearken and Him shall you serve and to Him you should cleave." (Devarim 13:5)

Rashi interpretates this line to mean attaching ourselves to Hashem---to his ways, acts of kindness, burying the dead, visiting the sick, etc. etc. But he doesn't mean physically attaching ourselves to him. Instead, Rashi feels we must attach ourselves, by emulating Hashem's ways. We should do as Hashem does.

Hashem is a healer of the sick, teacher of the Torah to Israel, and good being to all, also patient and merciful. He dresses the naked, feeds the hungry, supports the fallen, chooses His people ISrael with love, gracious to forgive his people, loves charity and justice, builds Jerusalem, makes peace, and repays those who fear HIM, protects, provides, redeems, saves and always does what he says he will do.

Wow, that was a mouthful. Yes, all these interpretations of who Hashem is can be found in our very own Siddurim.

Hashem nourishes the world with his goodness and we must do the same. Although we can never make ourselves to be exactly like Hashem, we must do as he does and make the world a better place. And the only way to get closer to Hashem, though we can't be exactly like him, is to do what he does. Emulating Hashem, according to our Parsha and to Rashi, is the only way to become closer to our fellow Jew while at the same time, become even closer to our Almighty.

Post-College Blues?

Besides reading the trendiest fashion magazines about my absolute favorite season of the year (flipping through Harper's BAZAAR and trying to lift that gigantic September Vogue issue,) I haven't been doing too much lately that's worth writing about. My time is mostly spent between Metuchen and New Brunswick where I have been lounging at the Easton Ave. apartments with Eugene and his awesome roommates. And while some may believe I am trying to relive my college years (and perhaps suffering from a decaying episode of post-college blues,) its mainly because I have a bf who is younger then me and still in college and living out his last year at grand ol' RU in style. And luckily, I don't live too far (only 15 minutes) and can see him any chance I get.

And of course, at the same time, I get to see great friends like Marc and Gordie, Hali, and others. So maybe hanging around Rutgers is not so bad after all.

Besides, my sisters came over to the Easton Ave. apts last night and I had to show them a good time at Rutgers. Luckily, they said they had a blast...

UPDATE: I will never be getting out of work tonight...

My sister broke up with her boyfriend of 2 1/2 years...

I just wrote a giant blog entry on Fall Fashion Buzz since I am keen on it and it is my favorite season of the year (tweedy blazers, croc boots, and giant belts are the trend du jour) only to have it somehow erased on this lovely blogspot page that I totally and utterly despise right now. I spent a while working on it. So yeah, I'm a little miffed...