gold digger

there's an unwritten rule to digging for treasure - if you're looking for treasure, you'll never find it but when you least expect it you'll strike gold.

many days I searched for gold. I found dirt. days I ached only to be soil faced but empty handed.

today I searched for dirt. I found gold. buried deep - but glistening bright. a precious piece of gold and ruby and diamond - a relic of the past. a treasure found.

Tohu II

on that Tohu thought, I wonder - is the story of the creation not just Pesach Cleaning big scale?
Step 1: Oros of Tohu were too much for this world and there is sheviras hakelim
Step 2: Oros of Tohu scattered and hidden and Oros of Tikkun invested into the world so that it could last and function
Step 3: Our job - to rectify the world by placing the Oros of Tohu in the kelim of Tikkun.

Or in other words:
Step 1: There is way too much stuff for one person/home to handle in fact there's so much it doesnt even fit into the storage containers we have but its far too precious to get rid of
Step 2: Down to the basement it goes ...hidden & scattered...and meanwhile we live our lives with fewer precious resources in a more functional manner
Step 3: Our (Pesach) job - go out to the container store and purchase those kelim in order to elevate our homes by unearthing all that wonderful, exciting stuff and organizing it in an orderly fashion.

G-d we're so on the same page!

Reclaiming my life from the forces of Tohu

ahhh .. its that time of year when the comforting smell of 409 wafts through the air and my sleeves are permanently pushed up to my elbows, leaving my arms poised and ready to scour anything that doesnt move away fast enough - the time when my all too short bouts of sleep are filled with dreaming of a little island that's already clean for Pesach where I can live out my days in peace.

It is in this tumultous time that we are given the gift of our freedom. Freedom not only from actual slavery in Egypt both internal and external, but freedom from those piles of papers we will take care of one day, freedom from hoarding anything that might possibly be sentimental and freedom from unmatched socks waiting in piles to be paired - what a gift- to reclaim your life, reorganize, and make that yearly hachlata to be better, neater and more organized this year.

It's a chance to refocus on the world's general purpose, in my own life- to take the forces and energy- that boundless mass of strength, ideas and enthusiam - of Tohu and channel them into an order of Tikkun, practically fit them into life. Slowly, box by box, room by room, and day by day - I am reclaiming by life and rejoicing in a fresh start...

mirrors of copper

I went to see one of my favorite people today. It had been a while since we had spent time together. She hasnt been well and is exhausted easily. But today I went to spend the morning with her. When I got to the house I peeked into her room. She was busy with something. I heard her ask for her purse and I watched. She took out a lipstick, then blush. She propped her mirror up on her knees just so and carefully applied her makeup - slowly, shakily. Then she reached for a comb and styled her hair. Then she was finished - I walked in.

As we spoke I couldnt help but notice her bedside table. There was a glass of water, some pills, tissues, and her mirror. And I recognized her mirror.

It was a mirror of copper. And one day it will form the copper laver of our Holy Temple.

talking to no one

if a tree falls in a forest and no one hears - does it make a sound?


if you talk and no one listens - did you say anything?

The Tefillin Knot

We ask G-d to know Him & He turns His back
And there in lies everything:

two leather straps
intertwined, one another
each represent a ray
revelation in its essence
chessed & gevurah
right & left
and when tied
part is revealed,
part concealed
but together
-a perfect unity

Fasting for Esther

Zeidy: This one's for you.

Man doesnt choose when their time is up - if they did - we'd never die. Instead they are taken suddenly with little chance to protest. But if you were to choose the day out of all the days of the year - Zeidy I think you chose yours.
I remember it was Adar - the month of joy. We came to New York to see you - they didnt let me in because I was too small but everyone said it was better that way. They all forced smiles and said you'd be fine - but I knew better. I heard them say that your lungs were failing that instead of air they filled with water- so I thought, " just dont drink water." But your not drinking water made your kidneys stop working - so I thought, "just drink orange juice." Rochel sat in the waiting room with me - we felt so old, so mature - why couldnt we come see you - I imagined I'd make you laugh, or smile or just hold your hand. But the nurses said no. It was hard to sit there being sad - there were other kids around and they were all talking and playing - I knew I shouldnt be playing so I just watched. When we left I said goodbye. I don't know if you heard me through the elevator doors and down the hall.

We drove back home and some days passed - you waited. We thought about you all the time and davened and hoped - and you waited.
And then your day came - it was Taanis Esther. I know you didnt want us to be sad so you picked a day that had its own somberness. You picked a day that is followed by joy. Well it was a different Purim that year - it was bitter cold - I know you wanted it that way so that your levaya would be quick. Some people tried to make jokes - to cheer us up - their jokes were hollow - even I didnt laugh. Afterwards we went back to the house - the one that was full of memories and stories and you. We heard the megillah and had a seuda - but it was different and strange - were we supposed to be happy? You wanted us to be.

Each year Taanis Esther is different for our family. Its not just a fast. Its a day full of memories and heartache - I know you dont like that part.

Well this year is different - it's special. This year on your yartzeit we dont fast. This year is Shabbos and so we celebrate. I think this year is your year.

reunited

gasp - pennie is together, sitting side by side at the computer - ok it helps that peshie's computer is broken and she had to use chanie as her local internet cafe - p.s. that's a whole world that screams Israel that this country is missing...carrying on though - it's official....

pennie has decided on their purim costume! so of course we considered the couples bit - but seeing as we wont be together the whole purim - it'll be only half the fun so instead we decided to work the play on words theme
soooo... drumroll please....

Peshie is being "G-d's Gift to Man"

Chanie is "Expressing Herself in Words"

cmon let your imaginations run wild - see if you can figure out what that's gunna look like
and stay tuned for pictures!

Have a wonderful, joyful, shotful or full shot PURIM!

love,
Pennie

brain dump

first off, dearest commenter - I am Chanie and I do all the posting - peshie ...well we wont talk about it ....

anyway - so its been a while and high time to brain dump onto this computer screen so here goes ....

there's a world out there that seeks to change
deep down it hurts -its surface strange
and yet we amble unaware
we act what comes - and it despairs
and then sometimes it dawns on us
we stop & think -perhaps discuss
how we could share a bit of light
yet thoughts move on - prevails the night
so drop the details - find the goal
hold tight to the guiding scroll
feel it , breath it, make it life
lest evil seep in - a sickness rife
our time is short and chances go
but action roots and deep it grow
what seems too late will get but later
dont be fooled by inner faitour
act now - revolutionize
bring redemption- eternalize

The Manicure

This is hillarious - you've gotta check it out!
A trip to the nail salon

An Ode to Tech Support

So while a part of me would love to add to the previous post and continue on the road of reminiscence alas it is time to move on. Next on the agenda : Tech Support a.k.a Hello from India! I doubt there is more than a handful of us left in the states who haven't made it to Pakistan and back all in one phone call - its those times when something isn't working right - like after you've dropped your cell phone in the toilet or when you've tried to fix your computer by taking it apart and cant figure out how to put it back together and you finally muster up enough time...and yes it will probably take hours... to call the 800 number on the box and ask for ....sigh...tech support.
ring..ring...ring...recording...press 1....press 2...press 457...and finally you hear it, softly at first but then there it is, that human voice, in that slightly nasal, "clean- up in aisle 7" kind of voice that offers you their undivided attention and help at 2 am in the morning. It is then that you proceed to explain your problem that you will likely still have after the 2 hours when you hang up the phone ...but in the meantime if you are feeling upset, aggravated and most definitely frustrated, please, please don't take it out on tech support - look how hard he is working!


Seem strange that he got the job when oh so many Americans need jobs? He is completely qualified, in fact it was after a serious interview process that Mujibar was selected...it went something like this:

H.R: Mujibar before you can get this job working as an American with an American phone number you must pass one final test.

Mujibar: I am ready.

H.R.: Make a sentence using the words Yellow, Pink and Green.

Mujibar: Mister manager, I am ready to pass the test.

H.R.: Go ahead.

Mujibar: The telephone goes green, green, and I pink it up, and say, 'Yellow, thanks for calling Tech Support!

Peace Out!

There's a Special Place in My Heart....

For many people High School is an awkward stage. It's that time that you are trying so hard to seem like you arent trying, when you are too self concious to admit you know you are a dork...and then there are those specifics that relate to the high school you went to. Some people pride themselves on ties or pleated skirts they had to wear, some people swear by their sports teams ...and some of us...it was all about the hills...ups and downs, when you were on everyone's good side and when you were mudd, a blur of papers and cramming for tests, rita's and phone calls. Its that time when you can't make it through class cuz you've got the best story to share or that some little code word (salt? pepper?) seems about as life and death important as it gets. Oh and of course there are those special places you like to go to in your free time - the shopping, with the transportation crises and the parks - it is in those short 4 years that every thing in the real world seems to be suspended in time and all that happens is the world to you - and it's just completely unimaginable that there is life or happiness after high school - and what do you mean some things wont matter any more.

And why, you ask, have I gone back in time to those special years?
....well let's just blame it on Calvin:

Photo Contest

So we've decided that its time we add some more pics to the blog - kind of liven things up. So we've started a photo contest .. whoever blogs the k0olest photos wins....ummm...ya they just win....

So drop us a comment and let us know if you have any k0ol photos you want blogged..

meanwhile here's a start...


Just to explain a bit - these are photos that a guy I know took- he's a makeup artist/photographer - he did all the painting and photography ...he's crazy talented so I thought I'd share...enjoy!

Yud Shevat Message

So on a religious note for moment: The Rebbe encouraged, in honor of Yud Shevat that everyone who could should share the idea that the Frierdiker Rebbe was completely dedicated to reaching out to all Yidden and also to explain the idea of Chitas which the Frierdiker Rebbe instituted. The Rebbe also said that this could be done from Yud Shevat up until the next Shabbos so as it is Thursday night I thought I better get it in before it is too late: For those who dont know or those who do, Chitas is the daily study program that consists of the portion of Chumash from that weeks parsha connected to the day of the week, the portion of Tehillim for the day of the month and the portion of Tanya connected to the day of the year. So for those who havent had a chance yet today - knock yourselves out - go learn Chitas! Oh and if you are a facebooker - join the Chitas group ...its tagline: If you waste as much time on facebook as I do you have no excuse not to do Chitas. Have a Great Shabbos!

college

hey everyone!! by everyone i mean myself and chanie ofcourse b/c who else checks this blog,and if ur checkin it then leave a message!! well thanks to G-d's kindness i be gettin myself a reaaaaaaaaal good edgimikation at BCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC, i think i put one too many c's either way, i'm officially the only white girl in some of my classes. one teacher was going around saying how e/o is from all over and then he turns to me and says "so where r u from" i gave him one of my what the *&% are you talken about looks and then said "baltimore" e/o burst out lauphin,so i guess it was ok. and then in another class they were talken abt being a member of the NAACP and i said "ya my membership is in the works" and again e/o lauphed, and then one girl said that at Towson (anothe college) they were the KKK hoods. Now its a crime for wearing a white hoodie too! (the Towson hoodie is white). the one thing i'm learnin in college is this is very important now say it with me GET -get YOUR-your DEGREE-degree AND-and GET-get OUT-out! b/c most of the stuff u'll learn in college u wont' need :) and that is my lesson for life for all you Little People out there, no that was not a joke about chanies height;) (u know i luv u girl)

FaceBook

So Pennie has officially converted!

So for all those facebookers out there ...and all those not yet facebookers ... check out Pennie on Facebook:Click Here!

parsha thought

On a Lighter Note...

Light

There was thick darkness over the entire land of Egypt for three days. [One Egyptian] did not see his brother, and no one rose from his place for three days, but for all the children of Israel there was light in their dwellings -- Exodus 10:22-23.

As opposed to the other nine plagues which afflicted the Egyptians in a very physical way, each causing catastrophic personal and/or property damage, the Plague of Darkness didn't cause any tangible harm.

The absence of light denies people the ability to see their surroundings, making it very difficult to discern objects or people in their vicinity. While humans are endowed with another four senses, each providing the ability to become somewhat familiar with one's surroundings, none are as critical as sight. Lack of sight is such a major impediment that our sages tell us that to a certain degree a blind person is considered to be lifeless.

The world contains so many items which are designed to improve our lives. Without light, however, the most helpful of implements is reduced to a mere obstacle in one's path. A chair, a table, or a mountain of gold for that matter will trip up the person who walks in darkness.

The Plague of Darkness which struck the Egyptians was a physical reflection of the Egyptians' spiritual state. On a spiritual level, light is provided by Torah and mitzvot -- "A mitzvah is a candle and Torah is light" (Proverbs 6:23). With the benefit of the illumination provided by Torah and its commandments, an entire new world comes to light.

Suddenly, those things which one considered to be obstacles are revealed for what they really are -- creations of G-d's intended to assist in one's spiritual journey.

Furthermore, light motivates to action, as opposed to darkness which breeds depression and lethargy. The "bright" environment created by light also allows people to rise above their self-centered tendencies and truly empathize with others.

The darkness which pervaded the Egyptian society didn't allow them to "rise from their place," they were mired in their own selfish desires and pursuits and couldn't envision a higher goal. And worse yet, they "could not see their brother," their selfishness precluded them from sharing in the joy of a friend or commiserating with them when in distress.

It is in our hands to brighten our lives, a step which in short order leads to personal redemption.

women Rock!

This post is for all my lil bros! they are quite the ladies men, they love women
they think everyone should own one.
they know everything about them like why womens feet are smaller then men?
so they can stand closer to the oven.
their very up to date on current events as well; did you hear about the women who was in a car accident?
she was totally at fault,what was she doing out of the kitchen!
with them around a women would never have to worry about what to do if her watch breaks
b/c she'll always have the kitchen clock.
and they know just what to say, for example what would you say to a women with two black eyes?
nothing, you told her twice
but seriously being a ladies man isn't all its cracked up to be, you gotta learn important things like, what a pashmina is, btw its not a rug, and that coffee is not only a drink but a color!
they're really team players, they really know how to take one for the team, but honestly man; how many teams are you on????

oh and just for the record they live by spell check - and chanie!!!! and for the last time.... THAT CAR IS REAL!!!

haha

So for you who was so unamused ...

p.s. for the record pesh not every post has to get your crackin up but anywhoo...

A little boy wanted $100 badly and prayed for two weeks but nothing happened.

Then he decided to write God a letter requesting the $100. When the postal authorities received the letter addressed to God, USA, they decided to send it to President Bush.

The President was so impressed, touched, and amused that he instructed his secretary to send the little boy a $5.00 bill.

President Bush thought this would appear to be a lot of money to a little boy.

The little boy was delighted with the $5.00 and sat down to write a thank you note to God, which read:

Dear God,

Thank you very much for sending the money, however, I noticed that for some reason you had to send it through Washington D.C. and, as usual, those crooks deducted $95.00.

Ketchin Up...

Woah its been a while... here's the quick run down in pennie drop life:

So pennie is finally back together with pesh home again and my hotty is breakin in his first tooth and etty is getting married ...its all party here woo-hoo and for those of you who dont know b-more ...it's always a party ...right doesnt it go baltimore the city that parties? or reeeds or something...

now that we've been through the basic update ...on to the interesting stuff..

So did you hear what happened to President Bush after tonight's state of the union? Well apparently it involved a couple fists and some flying teeth...check this out. Good thing there's enough of our tax money going around to afford him some good dentures...



and look he's still smiling...you got to wonder what he's on...


And on another random note...did you hear about the new Ukrainian SUV? ..wow those two words in the same sentence...strange.... Talk about a sweet ride.

The very first Ukrainian SUV ...wow those two words in the same sentence...strange....was designed and assembled by the engineers of Kremenchug Autotransport Enterprise....doesnt that ring a bell...c'mon all your lubavitchers out there Kremenchug...we know Kremenchug!!! And look after all those nitzutzos we elevated there look at the result... The VEPR is a civilian vehicle but nonetheless the outside of the car is armoured. The car is 5 meters long and 2 meters tall. VEPR’s mass is over 3 tons. The starting price of a VEPR is $70,000.”

Check it out....

talk about American SUPER POWER...compare and contrast our SUVs...

well that's all for tonight...good night ....