Oink, Part II

I'm leaving on a jet plane.... and I know when I'll be back again. Sunday!

So, as you know, I am flying to Mexico tomorrow. I am totally excited about the trip to officiate at a beautiful wedding. There's just that whole "pandemic" thing - that "swine flu infesting the world" thing.

But, living here in NYC, I am almost at the point where I feel like the risk is just as bad if I take public transportation around here. There are dozens of confirmed cases here in the five boroughs, and cases all over the country. So, like, I'm at risk no matter what.

I have anti-bacterial wipes, Purell, anti-bacterial spray, clorox wipes, a personal air purifier, and I feel healthy.

I am not checking a bag, which will allow me to exit from the Cancun airport as quickly as possible. I will be able to head right to Riviera Maya, to the resort.

I'll be sure to tweet and post if I can. Wish me luck :)

Happy 61st Birthday, Israel!!

Wishing you a Chag HaAtzmaut Sameach -
Happy Israel Independence Day!

If you would like, feel free to visit a selection of my previous posts on Israel:

13 Things I Love About Israel

Sites and Sights of Israel

My Most Recent Trip to Israel -Day 1

Oink?

I am a bit freaked out about this swine flu epidemic currently spreading around the world. Usually I don't get caught up in these bits of hysteria, but this time I have good reason to worry: I am flying to Cancun this weekend to officiate at a wedding. Don't get me wrong - I am not at all worried about the wedding itself, and I absolutely adore the wedding couple. And, at any other time, I would be OVERJOYED at the prospect of traveling to Mexico for a destination wedding.

However, I am flying right into the "eye of the storm" when most countries are posting travel advisories and encouraging their citizens to avoid traveling to Mexico.

I am trying to remain in control, though - I purchased a personal air purifier that I should be able to wear on the plane. I am flying into Cancun, then I am whisked away to the resort in Riviera Maya. The wedding is at a brand new resort, so I would hope that it will be impeccably clean. I will carry purell and anti-bacterial wipes with me at all times, and I might even purchase a mask for the flight.

I spoke with my primary care physician this morning, and she said to just wash my hands frequently and keep an eye on how I feel. I hope that I won't need to pay her a visit when I return.

Wish me luck?

Day at the Beach

Wishing you all a lovely Sunday. I am writing from the beach on a 90 degree NYC day. It is beautiful, peaceful, and serene. A real-life relaxation CD, right in front of me. The best part? I don't have to be anywhere but right here. Have a great day!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Thank goodness it's cloudy today....

Oh my goodness, I have a pretty bad migraine today. It started two nights ago, and it hasn't gone away yet. This is frustrating for me, because they have been so much better over the past year or so. I haven't had one of these "long-term" migraines in a long while.

I went through a period in college where I was battling migraines ALL the time, and I was even on daily, preventative medication at the time. When I went to Israel in 1999-2000 for the first year of rabbinical school, they got much better (a holy land miracle? lol), and never really returned to that level of severity.

The silver lining to today's migraine? Imitrex is now available in GENERIC!! When did that happen? They used to cost $20 a pill (which was awful when I needed them every single day and the insurance company severely limited what they would cover).

So, there's always a bright side - hooray for generic imitrex!!!

Okay, back to my darkened office....

Cherry Blossom Festival, Washington, D,C, 2009

Lindsay and me at the Cherry Blossom Festival.
April 6, 2009

(On our road trip out to Chicago for Passover)

Jenny Update

Well, hello, all!

To those who celebrated, I hope you had a lovely Passover and Easter. Otherwise, I hope that spring has finally sprung where you live, and that you are enjoying the rebirth of the world around you. I am always inspired by the growth and life taking place around me at this time of year - it reminds me that the same possibility and potential lies within me!

After being away for Pesach (Lindsay, my sister, and I took a road trip out to Chicago for the holiday), I went to Jenny Craig this morning to weigh in. After a week of matzah, I had no idea what to expect. I also hadn't been very focused while away. Sure, I got plenty of activity in, but I didn't really watch what I was eating.

However, there was still good news, which shows me how much my body wants to be losing weight. Latest total weight loss?

I am down

-27.4 lbs!!

Isn't that incredible?!?! I am so close to that darn 30 pound mark. Do you think I might make it this week?

I really, really, really need to refocus. I am feeling SO ambivalent lately about the program, and really not wanting to commit to it any longer. I know that this is just a phase, and I will get through it, but it is so hard. If I hadn't had a loss today, I probably would have just thrown in the towel.... well, that's not necessarily true, but I would have really wanted to.

Okay, it's a new week, and I will try to do my best.

Wishing you a Shabbat Shalom and a great weekend.