Shameful confession 1:
I eat this right out of the jar...usually with a fork, though I don't have any idea why. (I think a spoon would be more logical, really).
Shameful confession 2: I have to tell you, it's even better when you mix it with this:
Just tell yourself it's low in calories and everything will be fine. (Hey! Bonus: it's a kosher snack!)
Not to mention the fluffy creaminess and sweet goodness that settles onto your tastebuds as you take the first bite...er, I mean, the 4th bite...dang it! I meant the 12 bite. Sorry.
Shameful confession 3...er, I feel I should I have one. Like, maybe, gaining 10lbs. since I discovered this wonderful new addition to my snacking wardrobe; but alas, I have not, mostly due - I think - to this:
Now, I don't look as amazing as she does...yet.
But I must admit this workout is so Kick Ass (or tuchas) that I, after doing this workout for 9 days before leaving for Europe, had lost an inch in my stomach and had definition in my abs. (why do I not get paid by these people for all the free advertising I do for them?) Now that I've taken it back up since I've been back I have more definition in my abs, more toning in my thighs (you know? That muscle you always admire on runners? On the outside of your thigh? Yep. That one!) and my arms are starting to have that nice slope-y appearance you get when you do more push ups than you ever thought possible? Yep.
...and yet I still eat peanut butter and marshmallow cream like it's going out of style.
What, I ask you, is wrong with this picture?
The following are several pictures that, to the undiscerning eye, would seem quite similiar; to me they are all absolutely glorious as they are my favorite flower in the whole wide world.
This is a picture I took on the way to my car the other day - there is a nursery near my place of employment that has all sorts of lily's near the sidewalk and I took the opportunity to stop and examine, photograph and apprecriate them since it was almost shabbat and that's what I do. :)
Another one from the same place.
And again...
Alternate views of the same bunch.
This one was taken in the cemetery I mentioned in the previous post; they decorated one headstone that was set apart and surrounded by a gate - it was rather haunting (no pun intended, amazingly).
This lilium (latin) was in the same cemetery and I am exceedingly glad this picture turned out so well. I think it's lovely and a perfect depiction of my very favorite flower ever.
Oh yes, and since this posts' title was "favorite things" I shall add - though it has nothing to do with the rest of the post - Kittens!
So, I've always had this "thing" for cemeteries - I've always liked them - and I could never really come up with a good reason for this seemingly morbid fascination. Yesterday while reading "The Brothers Karamazov" by Dostoevsky I found a very eloquent paragraph that sums it up:
"...I have a longing for life, and I go on living in spite of logic. Though I may not believe in the order of the universe, yet I love the sticky little leaves as they open in spring. I love the blue sky, I love some people, whom one loves you know sometimes without knowing why. I love some great deeds done by men, though I've long ceased perhaps to have faith in them, yet from old habit one's heart prizes them. ...I want to travel in Europe, Alyosha, I shall set off from here. And yet I know that I am only going to a grave-yard, but it's a most precious grave-yard, that's what it is! Precious are the dead that lie there, every stone over them speaks of such burning life in the past, of such passionate faith in their work, their truth, their struggle and their science, that I know I shall fall on the ground and kiss those stones and weep over them though I'm convinced in my heart that it's long been nothing but a grave-yard. And I shall not weep from despair, but simply because I shall be happy in my tears, I shall steep my soul in my emotion. I love the sticky leaves in spring, the blue sky - that's all it is. It's not a matter of intellect or logic, it's loving with one's inside, with one's stomach. One loves the first strength of one's youth. Do you understand anything of my tirade, Alyosha?"
"I understand too well, Ivan. One longs to love with one's inside, with one's stomach, You said that so well and I am awfully glad that you have such a longing for life," cried Alyosha. "I think everyone should love life above everything in the world."
See? Who said Russian novels aren't worth anything?
Okay, so that was the prelude to more pictures from Europe - namely, Cluj-Napoca, Romania and a cemetery I visited there with Bagelundercouch (who was more than a little creeped out with my morbidity - and the fact that it was a dark and stormy day didn't help matters for her), and I took lots of photos:
And then you have the striking difference of a Jewish Cemetery; these photos were taken in Budapest just outside the Dohany synagogue:
I think Ivan had it right, my fascination with cemeteries is more a celebration of the lives those stones now "represent" if you will. The men and women who went through wars and celebrations; death of their loved one's and the birth of new family.
I think I should start singing "The Circle of Life" and hold a lion cub up over my head....Mufasah!
Okay...enough of that. I just thought I'd share my random fascination with old things...oh yes, and a snail. He has no name. He is the nameless Romanian snail visiting a tombstone in the rain...perhaps he knew the family and was just paying his repects.
I've realized I have a rather eclectic taste in photographs and tend to capture the seeminly "normal" things that just strike me as funny...this was one of them:
Where but in Europe could you find such convenience? (maybe New York...) If your date cancels on short notice, don't worry, just stop by early enough to pick up another girl next door to your pizza and beer. Just drink 'til she's cute! (or he...) I would only caution you with this: it will be much more expensive. But heck! At least you won't be eating alone, which, according to the latest business book:
is the reason your business life has been seriously lacking; you just need to shmooze a little more, flatter and appease a little more and you'll never have another unsucessful meal. Donald Trump would be proud.
Just remember: only losers eat by themselves.
(Of course, we also save money...)
While on my trip I finished reading
and I am always sad to lose the characters I've grown so fond of over the course of an enjoyable novel. They seem like friends and this is the very reason I choose such long books: I don't want them to end too soon. That's all there is to it.
Well, that and I just love reading, and the longer the book the better.
If you've never read this book, or anything else by Dumas, I highly recommend it as he is a delightful storyteller and inventive plot developer. I didn't want it to end!!!!
But alas, I finished it and went on to Re-read
and, of course, fell in love with Colonel Brandon all over again! Especially so after seeing the newest version from Masterpiece Theater. Not that Alan Rickman wasn't good, he was, he just wasn't what my imagination conjured up at the description of the Colonel; and the new man, played by David Morrissey, was so much better suited...contest me all you like, you won't change my opinion.
I also purchased a copy of
while I was in Belfast, Ireland so I could finish reading it. I had been a little over halfway through when I left for my trip and was unable to take my copy with me since it belonged to the synagogue library and figured it was better to be safe than sorry if I lost it. Which turned out to be a good thing on more than on level because all the books I finished while traveling - after being roughed about some in my bag - had their covers torn off from all the jostling. And the other reason it was good was the very simple fact that I didn't buy much for myself while I was across the pond and books always last forever. So, now I own my very own copy of an excellent work by Eliot (highly, highly recomended if you love classics and love stories), purchased at the "No Alibis" bookstore in Belfast owned by a really nice guy named D. who gave me a cup of coffee and let me browse to my hearts content.
I will tell you: if I could work at my dream job it would be to own a smallish bookstore where I could offer all my customers a cup of tea or coffee as they browse - and have a cat (or two) wander around the store as well. Or sleep on top the bookshelves, really, 'cause that's what they already do. :)
The conversation went something like this:
"Hello love, welcome, I have a fresh pot of coffee in the back and you're welcome to have some if you'd like."
(Have I mentioned that I love Irish accents? One of the first things I did when I was in the Dublin airport was walk up to one of the customer help booths just so I could hear the guy say "Hello, welcome to Dubin, how can I help you?")
I smiled and said thanks to the owner of the bookstore and immediately found the book I wanted, "Daniel Deronda" though I didn't know if I had money enough to buy it that day...but I carried it with me anyway when from behind me I heard, "Would you like a cup of coffee, love?"
(everybody calls you "Love" over there...it's kind of like "Ma'am" here...but so much better).
"Yes, I would, thank you very much." I said in reply.
"White or black?" asked with the quirk of an eyebrow.
"Black. Thanks." And it was good! O, so good, and I loved browsing and drinking coffee from a real mug. It was grand.
I was able to go back the next day and buy it and he offered me a cup of tea that day: "I have a fresh pot of tea in the back if you'd like a cup, love."
"I would love to," I said, "but I have to catch a bus. Thanks anyway."
"On your way home, then, Love?"
"Just a few more days in England first, then home I go."
"Well, thanks for coming back Love, and have a safe trip."
"I always come back to stores I like. Thanks again." I smiled as I headed out the door into the typical rainy Irish weather and headed to the bus stop.
I loved Belfast. And if you go there...go to No Alibis. (It's on Botanic Ave.) It's a great store and you'll get a cup of coffee, too. Or tea. Whichever he has freshly brewed in the back, either way, it's lovely.
I've been a reading fiend since I got back and am now onto
with tyrants, villiany, evil schemes and (drum roll, please) Robin Hood! Can you get better than that?
(The answer is "No")
Oh yes, and the final thing:
There is a reason the Torah says a man shall not sleep with a woman and her sister...the Boleyns are a prime example of this...and David Morrissey (the man mentioned above as the nearly perfect Colonel Brandon) was in this as the Duke of Norfolk and he's AWFUL. Which means he's a great actor because you hate him in this film. Horrid, horrid man. * bleck * I spit in his general direction.
...um, I've heard so much about this movie recently that I figured I should see it:
and although I have been a fan of the Beatles for ages and can sing along with "Strawberry Fields Forever" (and am therefore qualified to rate this movie), I have to say the covers of the songs were pretty good. I got the soundtrack from the Library first...and although nothing beats the originals of Lennon and McCartney - Huzzah! - I will at least give them a 3 star rating. They chose people who could actually sing, too, which a grand bonus.
If you've ever wondered what it's like to trip out on drugs...don't try drugs, watch this movie.
It's the same thing. No...I'm not kidding.
Especially the song "For the Benefit of Mr. Kite" - wow. Blue people...everywhere! All I can say is wow. (Not that I've ever done drugs or have any knowledge of what a real trip is like...I'm just assuming it's realistic. And really, why would you want to go through all that, anyway, when the movie has a happy ending and drugs don't - listen to the voice of reason).
I think I'd stick with the Blue Man Group, too, less creepy - at least most of the time.
Oh yes...and Bono singing "I am the Walrus" was just fun. I like Bono - although a true nod to the Beatles and U2 would have been to have him at the concert on the roof at the end of the film, after all, they did copy the Beatles with their own rooftop concert...er, 20ish years ago? I think I have the timeline right. Maybe.
Anyhow - if you feel like watching a pshyched out movie that has a happy ending...check it out. My final say is: it wasn't as amazing as everyone says it is. But that's just me.
Stupidly slow internet connectivity has prevented the uploading of pictures and amazing blogs of my travels recently - so apologies to all .01 people out there who've been dying to know how my trip went... (thanks Bagel! :P ) and I hope to be back in the game relatively soon.
I guess you'll know when, eh?
Meanwhile, my G-d is amazing and I've had this on my heart for several months and am now going to type it out:
"And now, O Israel, what does the L-rd your G-d demand of you? Only this: to revere the L-rd your G-d, to walk only in His paths, to love Him, and to serve the L-rd your G-d with all your heart and soul, keeping the L-rd's commandments and laws, which I enjoin upon you today, for your good. Mark, the heavens to their uttermost reaches belong to the L-rd your G-d, the earth and all that is on it! Yet it was to your fathers that the L-rd was drawn in His love for them, so that He chose you, their lineal descendants, from among all peoples - as is now the case. Cut away, therefore, the thickening about your hearts and stiffen your necks no more. For the L-rd your G-d is G-d supreme and L-rd supreme, the great, the mighty, the awesome G-d, whos shows nor favor and takes no bribe, but upholds the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and befriends the stranger, providing him with food and clothing. - You too must befriend the strangers, for your were strangers in the land of Egypt.
You must revere the L-rd your G-d: only Him shall you worship, to Him shall you hold fast, and by His name shall you swear. He is your glory and He is your G-d, who wrought for you those marvelous, awesome deeds that you saw with your own eyes. Your ancestors went down to Egypt seventy persons in all; and now the L-rd your G-d has made you as numerous as the stars of heaven.
Love, therefore, the L-rd your G-d, and always keep his charge, His laws, His rules, and His commandments."
- Deuteronomy 10:12-22 & 11:1
You see, there are times when the thing you most hope for is the farthest away from you it can ever be and every outward sign is screaming at you that it will never happen. That everyone else will have this wonderful thing and you never will. That others feel intense joy right now and you can just sit and wallow.
I am in one of those places right now, but I REFUSE to wallow.
Know why?
Because life seems to be handing me lemon after lemon and for a while all I was doing was getting frustrated and upset and angry at all the good news of those around me and feeling sorry for myself that none of it was coming my way, but on the way home from work last night the thought struck me upside the head (hence the title), "I'm looking at this the wrong way..."
And that wrong way is this: the very thing I was letting get me down was the very thing the L-rd was trying to get my attention with to encourage me and keep me faithful. Namely: the joy others were experiencing in having their hopes fulfilled all of a sudden.
I am not so selfish that I was unable to truly wish them joy and truly mean it, but I was sad that others were experiencing the promise I know the L-rd has given me...and they are getting it first, and my thought is, "But, L-rd, that's my promise! You gave that to me and everyone else is getting it first! I don't understand."
Instead of looking at it that way: why not me? why not now? I need to be looking at it like this: Look at how quickly the L-rd is able to bring about what He's faithfully promised to do. Obviously He is fully able to complete the work He's begun and instead of being discouraged when I hear that someone else is full of joy over a new event in their lives I need to say, "Baruch Hashem, look how able He is to do it!" and continue to look forward to the blessings He has in store for me and be encouraged.
This may be old hat to some, and to a certain extent old hat to me, but every once in the while the lesson you learn so long ago needs to be reiterated to yourself because you've forgotten how to apply it.
I don't know if anyone else is going to need to read this or be encouraged by it, or just laugh and say "what a freak for thinking that way" but I will say this: I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ for it is the power of G-d unto salvation to everyone who believes, to the the Jew first and to the Gentile."
G-d is more than able to complete what He has promised and He will do it! "G-d is not a man that He should lie, nor a son of man that He should repent." And He who called is faithful - just think, from the outside perspective, for me to boast in this hope is a fool's errand and everyone - inluding myself - would laugh me into the most humiliated corner imaginable...
But in this do I boast: G-d uses the foolishness of this world to confound the wise and when things come to such a pretty pass as this, namely, impossible all I can say is What is impossible with man, is possible with G-d.
Hope that my Beloved will be restored to me in the fulness of G-d's timing is to hope in the only thing that is assured - G-d is still G-d and this world is in the palm of Hand and every good and perfect gift comes down from Him, the Father of Lights in whom in no shadow of turning.
B'H!
(So, as Facebook would put it: "When life hands you lemons, make grape juice. Then sit back and watch as the world wonders how you did it.") :D
This morning I was so proud of myself that despite being constantly exhausted I was going to be early to work and ready to face the day, and I was! Really. I had everything ready and was on my way out the door when the thought struck me: "I'm missing something."
Who sneezes 13 times in a row in front of Westminster Abbey?
For heaven's sake, who sneezes thirteen times in a row anyway? Honestly!
This is not a full story - but I promise one is coming soon! - this is simply to inform anyone keeping up on my blog that I had a great time (mostly) and am now back home suffering from jet lag that seems never ending.
Why me?!
Woe is me! and Alas and alack!
O geez.
I will be relating stories...some interesting, some boring and some, I am sure, in between (with pictures!) over the next week or two until my veritable fount of verbosity has run dry (and the pictures run out as well).
Until then...G-d bless the U.S. of A and I am SOOOO happy to be home...all I want to do is curl up on the couch or in my bed and watch Jane Austen flicks until the jet lag goes back to Hades from whence it came!
I have photos uploaded now so although this post was written at an earlier date it is only now coming out of the closet. (bad joke, sorry). I also added some photos to the first blog about Budapest - just some of the hostel and the courtyard within - so not super impressive, but I think they're pretty so if feel like checking it out again... :)
Okay, so I was in Cluj, Romania for just under two days with my friend Bagelundercouch (the photos above are the bus that took me there - and back again and so forth - it was a sweet ride. Long at just under 7 hours, but at least it was comfortable and I didn't have to sit next to a masher), and we had a smashing time exploring her city. She's lived there for the past year and although my visit here is for both her and my friend Karat it also happens to coincide with her coming home in a few short weeks.
Impeccable timing, I know.
So, Cluj is amazing. I was there - very briefly - two years ago on a joint mission venture to help the gypsies and other outreaches and sadly don't remember much other than the Coca Cola Park (which, markedly, Bagel had never been to or heard of even though she'd lived there for a year...which probably means it was in the, um, slummier side of things?)
Bagel didn't want to go back with me to get a picture of the Coca Cola park so I have no evidence of it's existence to show you...(just kidding! She totally would've taken me if she'd known where it was), but you'll have to put up with photos of Banca Transilvania - one of the more prominent banking agencies in Romania. And the first photo I took in said country...from the bus window. I have a thing for taking pictures form windows as you'll see in future posts if you stick with me.
So with my very own intrepid interpreter we set off in search of things for me to ogle at and photograph - of which I found plenty!
We visited the oldest Hungarian church in Romania where the ongoing battle for Romania is waged on a daily basis...no blood...at least not usually; but the rivalry goes much deeper in that the Hungarians claim they owned the land first (Romania, that is) and the Romanians claim they were there first.
So what you end up seeing is a HUGE Hungarian church surrounded by Romanian flags on poles of Romanian colors flying boldly somewhat underplayed by a HUGE Hungarian statue of some famous guy only a few learned historians can recall and in front of him (he's being renovated now, so he's covered in wooden construction frames) you have the Ancient Roman (Romanian) Ruins that were "discovered miraculously" in front of this Hungarian church.
Which, class, proves beyond any doubt that the Romanians have been there since Roman times which was most obviously before the Hungarians knew what or where Romania was...(unless, of course, they were planted there? I didn't say that...)
I'm not siding with anyone...just playing devil's advocate...really.
.
So, onward! We saw the two synagogues that have been around since WWII and on which have the plaques commemorating the deaths of the fallen Jews in WWII death camps as well as an eerie poster with lots of old photographs and the caption, "Have you seen me? I've been missing since 1944" and a website you can go to for further information and names of the missing Jews or those who were never confirmed dead after the war. Proof that we will never forget? My heart was pounding as I stood there looking at all these faces from across the river. And the photos on the website are worth looking at if you feel so inclined.
(for those interested the website is: www.missigsince1944.ro)
Okay - so we saw lots of churches...Romanians are big on their churches...all over the city; mashed in between other buildings; set off to the side near little outdoor cafes (of which we went to one...sadly it wasn't Romanian. Leave it to me to find one of the only Irish Pubs in Cluj and go there for coffee! No, it wasn't an Irish coffee...but I was tempted), and some set in splendor in the center of the city.
...and an anti-communist memorial.
We saw the Romanian opera house and the Hungarian opera house (again, the rivalry is obvious - and Hungarians are wealthier, or so it seems):
We visited with some of the homeless of Cluj whom Bagel has been working with for a while now and during that day we also climbed a ton of stairs so we could get to the overlook of the city and take a panoramic shot of all the buildings we'd been lately in front of.
LOTS of Stairs!
Lots and lots and lots.
I liked it since I haven't been able to work out since I left home. It's been a bit hectic, but I comfort myself with the thought of my pack's weight of 30lbs well making up for the lack of a 30 minute workout. 30 minutes in the morning or 30lbs all day long?
We stayed in Bagel's house with her friend and landlord - a wonderful, wonderful woman who treated me like a princess! She saw me the first night and some of the first words out of her mouth are:
"I don't know if Bagel told you, but I am so honored to have one of the Chosen People in my house. I have purchased special food and have set aside special dishes just for you that no meat or milk has touched so they are kosher for you and I hope that you will enjoy being here because I am blessed that you are here."
Princess. All I was missing was the pea under the mattress...oh, yes, and a prince...hmmm.
Lemme tell 'ya.
I don't think I've ever been treated with the respect she showed me and I felt so humbled being there; it was amazing. I only hope I can do the same for my own guests. It was wonderful and I wish I could have stayed longer. In hindsight...I really wish I could've stayed longer, but there will be more on that in future posts as well. :)
But, alas, we had to come back to Budapest.
The bus ride was torturous since it was all night long and HORRIBLY bumpbummpbumpy! And I don't sleep in things that move under the best of conditions (I was given a water bed by my parents when I was a young girl and I had insomnia for about 5 years...frickin' thing moved if I so much as twitched) and this bus was not the best of conditions.
There will be more pictures of Romania loaded a bit later (my interent connection has been painfully slow lately making uploading photos exceedingly tedious) and though they won't have their own posts they will have witty and entertaining commentary - so check 'em out!
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