Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow

As this year comes to and end, we can all take a deep breath, put finals behind us, and get the hell out.

I remember the end of freshman year: my parents coming up in shifts throughout finals week to take home loads of my stuff. This year was a little different due to the fact that sophomores are permitted to have cars on campus. I packed most of my things myself and made many a trip lugging stuff out to my weary '95 Toyota Corolla. (I like to call her Carol). Though I am home now in the comfort of my bedroom in Voorhees, New Jersey and my mom, sister, and adorable cat are just down the hall, I feel an overwhelming sense of loneliness. Now, I'm not asking you to care about my personal life or anything like that, so if my expressing of my feelings bothers you--don't read my blog. I use this blog to write about things that are important to me and also for the sole purpose of writing.

Anyway, I feel as though college is the time of someone's life in which you find your niche, so to speak. That is to say, you begin to truly develop a sense of who you are, how you like to express yourself, and what kind of people you feel that you relate to. For me, last year was very difficult. I had a conflict with my roommate (whom I have no hard feelings for; we simply did not get along) and was therefore miserable most of the time. I think the stress and misery literally created a dark cloud over my head that shot out bolts of lightening that screamed "CAUTION: UNFRIENDLY AND UNHAPPY" and thus did not make very many friends. However, this year, I was fortunate enough to be placed with a great roommate who soon came to be a good friend of mine. I, and everyone else, noticed my significant shift in moods. Despite the much MUCH heavier workload this year, I was truly happier. I stopped going to home or running away to visit friends from other colleges on the weekends and began developing relationships at PhilaU instead. I didn't necessarily make new friends this year, but I definitely healed and built upon some of the friendships I already had. I think I can safely say that I have finally found my "niche". And that's a nice feeling.

And this is why next semester is going to absolutely SUCK. About 90% of the people that I've become close with are studying abroad. I am studying abroad in the summer and will therefore be at PhilaU in the fall. I am not complaining about the fact that I chose a different program, afterall, I CHOSE the program. I am extremely fortunate to have found a program that I feel better suits my personality and preferences. I am not complaining about the fact that I will be alone. In fact, I'm not even complaing. I'm very excited for all of my friends to get out there in the world and experiance new things. I am simply worried that the connections that we've built may begin to weaken once again. What are the chances that anyone will remember me while having a fabulous time in Argentina or Italy? What are the chances that I will have time to spend sitting at my computer on Skype when I will have tons of laborious work to do? Relationships are funny things. Sometimes they are fickle.

You know what I am talking about, too. You know that you, or someone else that you were close with signed a yearbook with K.I.T. for "keep in touch". In fact, I'm willing to bet that atleast 10 people signed your yearbook with the same thing and you wrote the same three-letter acronym in return. Now, ask yourself, how many of those people have you actually kept in touch with? Maybe 3 or 4? Maybe 1 or 2? Or none at all? It's so fascinating to me to see how people just simply drift in and out of each other's lives. One minute you're writing H.A.G.S. K.I.T. ("Have a great summer. Keep in touch" for those of you who aren't down with the lingo) in someone's yearbook and the next minute you've forgotten all about them until Facebook reminds you that it's their birthday or that they've updated their photos. Sometimes, the person even leaves their phone number right there in your yearbook. Right there. Right in front of you for you to see everytime you feel the need to take out the book for a trip down memory lane. So why don't we call? Why don't we K.I.T.?

I'd like to dedicate this post to my Scholler friends and all of the other amazing people I've ever met at PhilaU or Eastern or even VMS. To all of you, especially my PhilaU crowd, have a wonderful summer and enjoy your experiances abroad. And try not to forget about me.

Iced Beverages Face Discrimination at Ted's

How difficult is it to make iced tea? What about iced coffee? Pretty easy, right? Apparently not. Not too long ago I asked for an iced DECAF coffee because I am one of those wierdos who is so addicted to coffee that sometimes I actually crave just the taste of it and not the added caffeine. I'm 99.9% sure that regular coffee goes through the same brewing process as decaf coffee, but please, correct me if I am wrong. From this logical assumption, I have concluded that regular coffee and decaf coffee can both be poured over ice in order to make "iced coffee." Again, please correct me if I am wrong. Just recently, at the one-and-only Ted's a la PhilaU, I made the apparaently heinous request of an iced decaf coffe. The cashier looked at me and practically deficated in his pants with confusion. He replied, "We don't make decaf coffee." My response, "Yes you do. I've ordered it several times." He then told me that they cannot make iced decaf coffee. Ummm...Do you have decaf coffee? And do you have ice? Well. Do the math. Thanks.

Another instance: I requested a large iced Earl Gray tea. Same repsonse. Seriously Ted's? Just give me the cup of ice and the tea and i'll do the rest.

Also, I hate when people prounouce "pink" as "peenk".

That's all for now. I'll have more important things to say some other time.

Music

Music today repulses me.While at the gym today one of my least favorite songs of this year came on the radio. Can't guess? Flo Rider's "You Spin me Right Round." I will tell you why I hate this song:

1) It is literally on the radio every time I go to the gym or into a public place that plays music.
2)It's disgusting and foul.
3)HE STOLE THE LYRICS FROM A BOY GEORGE SONG AND NO ONE SEEMS TO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THIS!!!!

The original song, also entitled, "You Spin me Right Round," was really fine the way that it was. Let's compare the lyrics:

Boy George:

Watch out here I come!

You spin me right round baby, right round.
Like a record baby, right round.
Round, round.

You spin me right round baby, right round.
Like a record baby, right round.
Round, round.

If I, could get to know you�re name.
Well I, could trace you private number, baby.
All I know is that to me,
You look like you�re lots of fun.
Open up your loving arms,
I want some, want some.

I set my sights on you (and no one else will do)
And I, I�ve got to have my way, now baby!
All I know is that to me,
You look like you�re having fun.
Open up your loving arms,
Watch out here I come.

You spin me right round baby, right round.
Like a record baby, right round.
Round, round.

You spin me right round baby, right round.
Like a record baby, right round.
Round, round.

I, I got to be your friend now, baby.
And I would like to move in just a little bit closer.
All I know is that to me,
You look like you�re lots of fun.
Open up your loving arms,
Watch out here I come.

You spin me right round baby, right round.
Like a record baby, right round.
Round, round.

You spin me right round baby, right round.
Like a record baby, right round.
Round, round.

I want your love. (x2)

All I know is that to me,
You look like you�re having fun.
Open up your loving arms,
Watch out here I come.

You spin me right round baby, right round.
Like a record baby, right round.
Round, round.

You spin me right round baby, right round.
Like a record baby, right round.
Round, round.

Cute right? It's about a boy who sees a girl he likes and thinks she's pretty. He wants to be with her, presumably for sexual purposes but the intentions are not stated explicitly. It's a little cheesy but I think it's cute.

Now let's review this piece of trash that "Flo Rider" stole from someone else's left overs:
(Flo Rida)
You spin my head right round, right round
When you go down, when you go down down
(Kesha)
You spin my head right round, right round
When you go down, when you go down down

(Flo Rida)
Hey
Hopped out of that house with my swagger
Hop in that with girl, I got places to go!
People to see, time is precious
I look at my Cartier, out of control
Just like my mind where I’m going
No women, no shorties, no nothin but clothes
No stoppin now, my Pirelli’s on role
I like my jewelry, that’s always on gold
I know the storm is comin
My pockets keep tellin me it’s gonna shower
Call up my homies that’s home
Then pop in the night cuz it’s meant to be ours
We keep a fade away shot cuz we ballin
It’s platinum patron that be ours
Lil mama, I owe you just like the flowers
Girl you to drink with all that and power clubs

(Flo Rida)
You spin my head right round, right round
When you go down, when you go down down
(Kesha)
You spin my head right round, right round
When you go down, when you go down down

(Flo Rida)
From the top of the pole I watch her go down
She got me throwin my money around
Ain’t nothin more beautiful to be found
It’s goin down down.
From the top of the pole I watch her go down
She got me throwin my money around
Ain’t nothin more beautiful to be found
It’s goin down down

Hey
Shawty must know I’m not playin
My money love her like a numba one fan
Don’t look at my mouth, let her talk to my fans
My Benjamin Franklins
A couple of grands, I got rubber bands
My paper planes makin a dance
Get dirty all night, that’s part of my thing
Keep building castles that’s made out of sand
She’s amazing, the fire blazing
Hotter than cajun
Girl won’t you move a lil closer?
Time to get paid, it’s maximum wage
That body belong on a poster
I’m in a daze, that bottom is wavin’ at me
Like damn it I know you
You wanna show like a gun out of holster
Tell me whatever and I’ll be your roper…

(Flo Rida)
You spin my head right round, right round
When you go down, when you go down down
(Kesha)
You spin my head right round, right round
When you go down, when you go down down

(Flo Rida)
From the top of the pole I watch her go down
She got me throwin my money around
Ain’t nothin more beautiful to be found
It’s goin down down
From the top of the pole I watch her go down
She got me throwin my money around
Ain’t nothin more beautiful to be found
It’s goin down down

(Flo Rida)
You spin my head right round, right round
When you go down, when you go down down
(Kesha)
You spin my head right round, right round
When you go down, when you go down down

(Flo Rida)
I’m spendin my money
I’m out of control
Somebody help me
She’s takin my bank roll.
But I’m king of the club
And I’m wearin the crown
Poppin these bottles
Touchin these models
Watchin they asses go down down

(Flo Rida)
You spin my head right round, right round
When you go down, when you go down down
(Kesha)
You spin my head right round, right round
When you go down, when you go down down
(Flo Rida)
You spin my head right round, right round
When you go down, when you go down down
(Kesha)
You spin my head right round, right round
When you go down, when you go down down.

This piece very skillfully written music is about strippers and the rappers who exploit their finances on them. Really creative. Really. The song, to me at least, also carries some sort of sexual implication about oral sex. The amount of songs today written about oral sex is ridiculous. I have never ever wanted to hear that much about anyone's personal life and so I certainly do not need this excessive information about yours, Flo Rider. Thanks anyway.

And the fault cannot solely be placed on Flo Rider, although he is an cheat and a copy-cat with no creative intelligence and a pretty crummy singing voice. My message is for all of today's rappers such as Lil' Wayne, T-Pain, Eminem, and any other disgusting pervert who feels it necessary to sing about receiving oral sex from "sluts" or falling in love with strippers. Get a clue: THIS IS NOT HOW WOMEN WANT TO BE TREATED OR PERCIEVED. And also, (this is a personal message for my buddy T-Pain) do you really believe that you are, as you say, "in love with a stripper?" I mean really, it's her job. She doesn't really like you. Get over yourself.

We also cannot place fault solely on the producers of this musical vomit. The fault rests on the shoulders of today's women as well as today's rappers. We dress in skimpy clothes when we go out and compete with each other on who can be the prettiest, the skinniest, the most made-up, have the best hair, or be the sluttiest. It's fantastic that we can have freedom to express ourselves the way we please, but can't we have a little dignity while doing it? Do you like being refered to as a "ho" a "bitch" or a "slut" in every song that comes on the radio? I know I don't.

So this is why my iPod is filled with the classics like Queen, Led Zepplin, AC/DC and some more modern choices like The White Stripes, Wolf Mother and even Amy Winehouse and Maroon 5. I am not saying that the bands I listen to are not guilty of female degradation. Trust me, there are certain AC/DC songs that I always skip when they come on my iPod. Anyway, this is just my take on modern music. I just ask that next time a song pops on the radio in which some disgusting rapper is calling you a ho and commanding you to get on your knees that you think about how the lyrics make you feel as an intelligent, dignified woman.

Losing My Religion

Today is the second day of Passover, a holiday in which the Jewish people follow the laws of Torah that instruct us to eliminate "bread products" from our diet for eight days. The purpose of the holiday is to remind us of the plight that the Hebrews suffered on their exodus from Egypt long ago when Moses freed them from slavery. When the Hebrews (who are today known as Jews) left from Egypt, we could say that they were kind of...well...in a rush. And so there was no time to wait for the bread they had baked for their journey to rise. This is where the concept of "matzoh" comes in. Yes, that is correct. Matzoh, an unleavened loaf of bread, was not always in the form of a pre-perforated, flat, salt-less cracker. Because of this whole unleavened bread fiasco, it is now, and has been for many centuries, common Jewish custom to avoid products that contain yeast and flour on Passover. So for the remainder of this week and part of next week you will notice me avoiding things such as bread, cake, cookies, brownies, pretzels, whole grains (such as corn and rice), certain beans, pasta, pizza, etc. Don't Ask me about the beans thing...I don't really understand it either.

So there's a little religious and cultural lesson for your personal enjoyment. I have followed the rules of Passover ever since I could possibly remember. I have always accepted the fact that, some time in the month of April (or March depending on how the Jewish calander lines up with the stadard calander) I will eat matzoh and suffer the plight of my ancestors. However, last night, probably around 1:00 a.m. in the sewing lab, I began to wonder, "Who or what is making me keep Passover?" I mean, I'm away from home on my own at school. I know for a fact that I have little Passover-appropriate foods to choose from either in the cafeteria or in my room and therefore will probably starve for the remainder of the holiday (as my stomach growls while I'm typing). Who is to stop me from sneaking a pretzel from my food storage container under my bed or prevent me from eating pizza at the Phi Psi pledge luncheon? Why do I continue to do this?

Let me tell you something. These thoughts scare me. I have never been especially religious in the sense that "God is watching all" type of thing, but I have always valued my Judaism as a top componant of my personality. Then again, I have always been around a fairly mixed population of various religions. I'd say about 45% of my high school was Jewish. My house was around the corner from my synagogue. I went to Hebrew school and later Hebrew High School. I was confirmed and went to Israel. I was president and co-advisor of my Jewish youth group. And now....what am I? Am I losing my religion? I am sitting here and questioning whether or not I should keep Passover just because I am away from home? I feel as though I am a stranger at my college sometimes because of the very small Jewish population. It feels unsual to have people look at me funny when I explain the rules of Passover to them as if they have never heard of something so absurd before. And sometimes it's even embarrassing in a way. Yes, I feel embarrassed to have to take matzoh from the sandwich station and sneak off at a pledge luncheon to go buy something that I can eat on this holiday. This occurs on days other than Passover as well. I am always afraid to mention that I am Jewish because I have a constant fear of being stereotyped. As a person who typically does not care what others think of her, this feels strange to me. What do I have to be embarassed about? I should be proud to be different. And I am. It's just a little bit more difficult in this setting where I am truly a minority. I subconsciously brace myself for ignorant comments every time I mention my Judaism.

Maybe I just fear ignorance. Maybe what is truly frightening to me is the lack of education about other peoples' religions. And I am just as guilty sometimes, though I do feel like I try to make an honest effort to learn about other cultures and religions. So as I sit here in my college dorm and contemplate what I can possibly eat for dinner, I remind myself that Passover does matter to me. Perhaps I just need to spend some time at home this weekend and visit my synagogue. I fear losing my Judaism and thus losing a part of myself.

First post

I was reading Caroline's blog today and I decided that I would like to create my own. I figured-hey-I like to write about things and people usually like to read about things so why not? FaceBook is not really an adequate place to write about the goings-on in one's life or the world around them. (Unless of course you are REALLY into reading/ filling out surveys for your "notes section).

Anyway, here is my first post. I will get back you all later with a much more exciting post.