100th Post...

It's official, as long as I graduate, I'm spending a year here:


http://www.boun.edu.tr/index_eng.html

Most random weekend ever.....

Yesterday Elise, Lani, Naomi, Josh and I went to the James Dean festival!! The three Jewish ladies worked with Lisa (our student rabbi) over the summer in Massachusetts at a camp. They're from Australia and are traveling around the world now! They went to Rosh Hashanah services with me and then to Marion where they were suppose to take the Greyhound to Chicago to catch their flight to Vancouver. After much complications at the bus station, Josh and I decided to take the Ozzies to Chesterton so they could take the South Shore into the city this morning. It was a fun trip up north, after stopping at White Castle, which was disgusting. But of course, seeing my parents, Nelly, and my grandparents was well worth the journey. Besides the girls need to get to the city. Now it's homework time, since I haven't done any in about two weeks. Oops...

Tomato Sandwich

Yesterday (Tuesday, September 19th, 2006) I ate a tomato sandwich. Yes, it's true. If you know me, this is very significant because you wouldn't ever believe it! But by golly, I really did. They were tomatoes from the garden I planted at Dr. Chang's house, and I baked them with olive oil and this Greek spice that my mom always uses. And I ate them, on toast. It was delicious...I can't wait to have my own garden when I grow up.

Rabbi and Mackenzie visit in the same weekend!

This weekend flew by. Friday night I went to services, where Larry unfortunately sang. They were celebrating two couples' anniversaries, one 66 years, the other 50. I can't imagine living with someone for 66 years. That would take a lot of patience. I told Linoy I would help her with Sunday School, teaching the 5-7 year olds.

Before going to temple, I went to Ryan's with Dr. Chang and Grace for his 81st birthday. It was crazy. We were there for 3 hours before I left, while they proceeded to eat. They're like bottomless pits.

Saturday, I went to the Farmer's Market, then to Torah study with Lisa. Kay and Willard (great name) where there too. They're an adorable couple and Kay gave me a great hug. I continued to knitting class, where we started our dish rag. Mine is light yellow and pretty darn cute so far.

DeAnna, Lisa, and I went to lunch at Panera...Lisa and I went for a run...I wanted to die, but I think Lisa was saying prayers for me so I kept going, haha. Ok, but seriously, I haven't run in the longest time.

Hillel took the Rabbi out for dinner, which was delicious, and I think they liked Lisa. Atleast I haven't heard otherwise. We went to see The Last Kiss, which was rather depressing to me, but I did enjoy it for the most part. The previews were so intense though!!!! Every movie they showed made me jump in my seat! We got FROYO (frozen yogurt, if you don't know the terminology) I love Incredible Yogurt because the guy that works there is so cute. haha.

I went to visit Mackenzie, who was in town with Tyler for Mud Volleyball. I love her, end of story.

This morning (Sunday) I went to help with Sunday School, there are only 4 students. It's so different than at home. They don't go enough or long enough. Somehow I volunteered to help teach always, so that'll be interesting, just one more thing I got myself into.

I miss Jamee, who is in Mexico...and I have so much homework. So I'm going to get busy.

DeAnna's Birthday!

Last night DeAnna, Mike, Jen, Chelsea and I went to Cheeseburger in Paraside for DeAnna's 22nd birthday!! I hadn't hung out with her in way too long and it was awesome. It's amazing how much you realize you miss someone when you're finally with them.

And I like Mike, DeAnna's boyfriend. I think he's more comfortable around me now. He's really funny, and loves DeAnna, so that makes me happy! =)

Interfaith Service

Tonight I attended an interfaith service (Jewish and Muslim) at the Universalist Church in Muncie. I found that the Muslims wanted to explain why Jews and Muslims are brothers and sisters (as in Ishmael and Isaac are brothers, son of Abraham) maybe some in attendance did not know this, but if they didn't before the service, they will know now because it was repeated quite frequently. The Jewish side of a little random, very focused on peace, as was the whole service. And on unity.

They talked about how there are extremist and moderates in all religions, but that's as far as they went into the topic of politics. It was agreed that it would not be discussed, but I would have liked to listen to the different points of view.

I met the president of the Muslim Student Association on campus, who happens to be very attractive. Go figure.

There was dinner following, everything was terrific. I ate a lot of food, and everyone ate the cookies I brought. I find this funny, because they were Martin Van Buren cookies, but they had a weird spice, so I think everyone thought they were ethnic.

Anyways, I have to finish a book and a paper by tomorrow at 9am.

And I learned how to knit yesterday. It's exciting, I'm not sure if I like it more than crocheting though. But I'm better and faster at crocheting as of right now, so I'm biased of course.

Akeehal and the Bee

So I just watched Akeehal and the Bee. I would highly recommend it everyone! There was a great quote, which follows:


Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

Favorite Quotes

I'm taking my favorite quotes off Facebook, but I didn't have them written down anywhere else. So I'm putting them here so I can reference back when needed.


"Strong and bitter words indicate a weak cause."

"It's really a wonder that I haven't dropped all my ideals, because they seem so absurd and impossible to carry out. Yet I keep them, because in spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart. " ~Anne Frank

"If your success is not on your own terms, if it looks good to the world but does not feel good in your heart, it is not success at all." Anna Quindlen

"In the lives of individuals, and of peoples, too, the worst conflicts are often those that break out between those who are persecuted." Amos Oz

"To be nobody-but-yourself - in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else - means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting." -E.E. Cummings

"If you can't be good, be sanitary." -Nelly

"I can see Katie with a man. You...I see you with a suit case." -Nelly

Labor Day Weekend

On Friday, I set the microwave on fire. A real fire, big flames. We had to use the extinguisher. It was quite exciting. We got a new microwave.

I went home Saturday morning. It was a great day. Nelly came home from the hospital, grandpa was so surprised, and Grandma Mettie flipped when she saw me. Daddy and I played cards and my mom and I rode our bikes up town and took a nice walk.

I almost stayed today to go to the beach with them, but I promised a friend I would hangout with him tonight, so I also didn't make plans with my sister, but then he decided he didn't feel like it 15 minutes before hand. I was/am pissed. Then he wanted to hangout Monday, yeah...right.

Plus, I got pulled over on my way back from Chesterton on 69. But I was only given a warning.

Tomorrow I'm suppose to have lunch with Katie and Rick, then it's all homework. =)

September!!!

Happy September!! It's cooling off already! But the leaves are so beautiful when they change, I'll deal with the climate.

Don't forget to change your calendars!

Daily News

So, they published my little response. The best part...they called me Andrew, THREE times!!!!! Cool...

A response I wrote to an article in the Daily News.

In response to Jason Hoskin’s column Israel’s attack on Lebanon necessary, I don’t believe the issue is as simply as supporting one side or the other, Israel or Hezbollah. The issues in the Middle East may seem complex, but the origins are a continual universal problem. Groups of people in the Middle East are without necessities. The Lebanese government is not providing its citizens with basic amenities to live comfortably. There is not enough food, water, or shelter in the area to live secure lives. As history has proven, without security people will rebel and gain these items anyway possible. Since Hezbollah is the only group in the region providing food, shelter, and jobs; the group is easily gaining more power than ever before. The same thing is happening in the Gaza Strip. The Palestinians are living under great human rights violations and thus the Hamas are becoming more influential. The organization has no need to recruit members when on one side of the fence Israeli’s have lush green grass; while in Gaza, clean drinking water is barely accessible. It is easier to blame people who are living well and to point fingers than to actually fix the problem. Israel is targeted in the region because it is a prosperous country that is not helping clean up any messes.

Yet, this is not unique to the Middle East. It is proven that hate organizations in the US, such as the Ku Klux Klan, target people who are without jobs, shelter, and basic needs. These people are desperate and are willing to do anything to be provided with security even if that involves violent acts. Also, after WWI, the US left Germany helpless, without any hope of a future. As in Lebanon and Gaza, hate groups formed and targeted successful groups of people. As a result, the country was so lost, Hitler easily came to power by providing citizens with basic needs they had not had for years. After WWII, the US rebuilt Europe and Japan. By providing Europeans and Japanese with provisions they had not previously had the US assured that peace could be restored. Why aren’t we helping rebuild Gaza and Lebanon?

The problems in the Middle East and the origins of the terrorist groups are complex, but to move in a peaceful direction, people must be provided with jobs in order for them to buy food, clothing, and shelter. If the 15,000 Lebanese soldiers Hoskin speaks of would provide citizens with these necessities and/or the government would create jobs, the people would back the government and not the terrorist organization in the region making recruitment nearly impossible. Right now, Hezbollah is the only political group providing jobs to citizens, but the jobs they are providing usually include a homeless fifteen year old boy and an AK47.

Bombs

What's up with bombs exploiding in the countries I want to go to...? http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2006-08-28T005102Z_01_L27115125_RTRUKOC_0_US-SECURITY-TURKEY-EXPLOSIONS.xml&WTmodLoc=NewsHome-C1-topNews-1

I really don't want to pick new places to go for Rotary (again).

Rain and Rabbis

It rained tonight, a lot...

Is it weird that I want to be a rabbi? I think it's weird.

Temple Beth El

Let's just say that Friday night service was fabulous. Larry, the flamboyantly gay (irrelevant) one-man-show opera, prayer singing, tambourine slamming, cantor, was on vacation. The new 24 year old student Rabbi, Lisa, led the beautiful service. She was so sincere about the prayers and adorable when apologizing for a mispronunciation. When we said the prayer for healing, I almost cried because Nelly is in recovery for hip surgery. I was a little emotional tonight, probably because I was alone and no one would have judged me. If I was with friends, that would have never happened.

Everyone was so welcoming and overjoyed that I'm going to be the liaison for Hillel. I think it's going to be a great semester. Right when I'm actually making some real connections with people in the community, it will be time to go to a different country. At least I'll be more prepared when I'm abroad. On September 10th, we're going to help clean up outside the temple to get ready for the High Holidays. I finally feel that the temple really wants the students to be involved. It's only taken four years!

I talked to my parents and aunt on my way home, everyone is happy and healthy. Life is good. =)

Finally Friday!

The week really flew. Being back on a schedule is a beautiful thing. I workout everyday at two after my classes. Go home, do some homework, go to whatever meetings, shower, go to bed. It's exciting, obviously, but I love it this way.

There are way too many non-traditional students in my classes and I want to shoot them already. I love when they tell a joke that isn't funny and they're the only ones that laugh. Although, I usually laugh after that, at how ridiculous they are.

My president's class will be all right. I'm the only history student in the class, which is rather disappointing. I don't want to be the asshole student that knows more than everyone else. But they did enjoy the George Washington cookies I made. I'm going to make Thomas Jefferson one's next! YUM! My teacher said we'd get extra credit if we named all the presidents in order and the years they served. I think I could name them all, but definitely not the years, not yet at least.

My mom received the bridesmaid's dresses in the mail! That's a whole lotta pink! But for how bring the pink is, they're very beautiful dresses. I'm sure we'll all look gorgeous. Katie couldn't have picked more attractive bridal party. (I'm clearly biased, haha)

I'm going to temple tonight. I'm going to be the Hillel/Temple liaison for the fall semester. I have to go the first Tuesday of every month, which is not a big commitment at all. It'll be nice to get to know some more members and be an advocate for Hillel. Jessica is doing a great job as president and I'm excited to see where Hillel is headed.

Tomorrow, Holly, Jena, Mik, and I are going to the Farmer's Market, then I'll bake a little, go to crochet class, then DeAnna and I are going to hang out until she works the desk. It'll be a good day!

THE 100 MOST ANNOYING THINGS (according to the British)

THE 100 MOST ANNOYING THINGS (compliments of Rick, I thought it was funny.)
1. Cold callers
2. Caravans
3. Queue jumpers
4. James Blunt
5. Traffic wardens
6. Tailgaters
7. Brown nosers
8. Chantelle and Preston
9. Ex-smokers
10. Noisy neighbours
11. Hangovers
12. Carol Vorderman (above)
13. Loud mobile users
14. Men in flip-flops
15. Paper cuts
16. Bad hair days
17. Breaking wind
18. Abi Titmuss (right)
19. Off milk
20. Being put on hold
21. Motorcyclists who weave through traffic
22. Drivers who park in disabled bays
23. Rude shop assistants
24. People who read over your shoulder
25. Skinny people who complain they are fat
26. Stepping in dog poo
27. Big Brother 5
28. Noisy eaters
29. People who don't clear up after their dog
30. Slow drivers in the outside lane
31. Junk mail
32. Bossiness
33. Novelty ring tones
34. Somebody nicking your parking spot
35. Diahorrea
36. Debt companies
37. Snobs
38. Jehovah's Witnesses
39. Running out of loo roll
40. People who have their phone turned off when you call them
41. Mosquitoes (right)
42. Buses not arriving on time
43. Children who cough in your face
44. Being bloated
45. Leaving your mobile at home
46. Americans
47. David Blane
48. Spots
49. Stepping in chewing gum
50. Running out of hot water
51. Wasps
52. Headaches
53. Crazy Frog
54. London Tube
55. Losing your glasses
56. Warm beer
57. CDs that skip
58. Paper jam
59. Bottled water
60. Sunburn
61. Running out .. of change
62. People who .. text in capitals
63. Estate agents
64. Stubbing your toe
65. Rubbish printers
66. Flat tyres
67. People who write 'text back' in texts
68. Breaking a nail
69. Russell Brand
70. The Teletubbies
71. A pen which has run out of ink
72. Cat hair that sticks to your clothes
73. Running out of petrol
74. Flatmates who don't clean
75. Heat rash
76. Losing your passport
77. Natasha Kaplinsky
78. Being hungry
79. Tax returns
80. Road works
81. Cramp
82. Shoppers hitting your heels with their trolley
83. Failing your driving test
84. Burning toast
85. Cold showers
86. Scientology
87. Not being able to find a matching pair of socks
88. Missing the last post
89. Chihuahuas
90. Karaoke
91. Stomach ache
92. PDA (public displays of affection)
93. Craig David
94. Secret workers before exams
95. Socialists
96. Pimped up cars
97. Getting something in your eye
98. Out-of-tune singers
99. Hollyoaks
100. Fake fingernails

First day...

Let's just say, my classes are awesome. I have Middle East history with Dr. Argo, who happens to be quite attractive. He's also funny and intelligent. I have no doubt I'll thoroughly enjoy the class. He also happened to have spent 4 months are the university in Turkey that I would like to attend next year. But I'm also looking at Sabanci University in Istanbul, based on his suggestion. So, we'll see...

My class of Modern Britain class is already fabulous. My teacher is really excited about the topic and spent the summer in London. She already brought in some cute artifacts. Neither class has a research paper, only four five page response things. Very easy.

I'm going to play tennis tonight with Katie and her RAs. I love being on a schedule again!!!!

My one roommate keeps getting louder and more annoying everyday. =) The other is the opposite though, we're getting along really well and I find her less obnoxious (I never disliked her though) the more we live together. I really really like her, and her boyfriend.

Parents

I love my parents. I really do. I know I complain a lot and I'm selfish on many levels, but they are truly amazing people. I'm clueless to how they actually ended up together, but if it works for them, then it doesn't matter to me.

The whole time I was home they went out of their way to make sure I had everything I needed. I know I get aggravated with them, but everything they do is out of love. I feel like no matter what I do, I'll never have as much patience with them as I'd like. I'll snap back at them, but no apparent reason and then feel horribly about it afterwards. I'm better about it now, than when I was younger, but even if I keep improving, I'm sure I'll never feel like I love them enough.

On a side note, my new Rotary choices are as follows:

Istanbul, Turkey
Cairo, Egypt
Hungry
Australia
England

Chicago (Day 2), Redamak, and Oinks!

Today was great again. We went to Lincoln Park Zoo, Navy Pier, rode our bikes along the lake front, and enjoyed the beautiful Chicago breeze. When we got home (on our completely traffic-free drive) we went to Nelly's for her wonderful baking. Then we went to Redamak's and Oinks with a stop at the Michigan beach in between!!