November - A Month of Monumental Moments for Marci

On my drive home from work last night, I found myself contemplating all of the huge moments that have taken place, in my life, in the month of November.

A few of them, in chronological order:

1) November 28, 1976: My parents' wedding date! I certainly wouldn't be here without this celebration :)

2) November 4, 1984: The date upon which I "skipped" first grade. I had been in first grade up until that point, but, following months and months of testing and being removed from my classroom, I finally officially entered the second grade. I acclimated easily, both socially and academically, but the true ramifications took years to appreciate. The classmates I "left behind" never really forgave me, and our friendships were strained from then on. I was always younger, and always had to explain why, which became a source of shame (the usual response from the other person was, "Oh, so you're smart or something?"). I wasn't able to feel comfortable with the skipping, on a deep level, until rabbinical school, when I was no longer the youngest person in my class. However, even now, as a rabbi, I am still dealing with being perceived as a "baby rabbi." I am in no rush to be older, at least now, but for years I felt like I had to rush everything.

3) November 11, 1995: The night of the "Screw Your Roommate" Dance at Brandeis, during my freshman year of college. Met my college boyfriend/fiance that night, fell in love, and dated him for the next five years. Learned so much about myself throughout. We split up during my second year of rabbinical school (and never married). Realized that I was most comfortable "mothering" someone, but that this wasn't fair to myself or to the other person. Began to search for a relationship that would allow me to be an equal, and to be cared for by the other person as much as I want to care for my partner.

4) Thanksgiving, 2001: The time during which I traveled out to Arizona to visit one of my best friends, Todd, who later passed away in 2002. The days were idyllic, surrounded by the Southwest US in autumn. Visited the Grand Canyon, Sedona, Flagstaff (Route 66!!), and celebrated Thanksgiving with my family in Phoenix. It was a helpful way to heal from the horrors of 9/11. I will always treasure those precious days.

5) November 7, 2004: As I mentioned a few posts ago, this was the date of my car accident, an ordeal that finally culminated in my successful spinal surgery in December, 2007.

6) November 21, 2009: The date upon which I will fly out to California to visit an old OSRUI friend of mine, Mike. Totally excited to see him, catch up, and enjoy some California sunshine. My first official vacation starting work at my new synagogue. By the way, Mike is a HILARIOUS, TALENTED film critic (in addition to his many other skills - directing, editing, composing, acting, singing, etc.), and you can watch his entertaining reviews on each week's biggest films.

Guess November is, in general, a pretty good month for me :)

My visit to the Egel Nest

(Pictured: Back Row - Bradley Egel, his brother-in-law, Tom;

Middle Row: Bradley's Beautiful Wife, his Sister Sue, ME!;

Front Row: Sammy Egel, and Bradley's nephew, Zach)

Those of you who have visited Bradley Egel's blog, "The Egel Nest," have gotten to know him, the Beautiful Wife, and their WONDERFUL son, Sammy. (And if you haven't visited yet, please be sure to drop by - it's one of the most entertaining blogs out there!).

Well, it turns out that Bradley is an old OSRUI camp friend of mine, and I was able to visit him and his family while I was in Chicago. Bradley's sister, Sue, is also an old camp friend, and she wound up marrying a high school friend of mine (such a small world!!). They have a baby, Zach, and the seven of us had a blast.

You can visit his post about our visit (titled "Marci...Boku," isn't that great?!?!) and also take some time to tour his blog.

(As a P.S., I really wanted to visit another friend, in the real world and blog world, Phyllis, but she was out of town at a camp retreat at OSRUI, with my brother. Next time, Phyllis!)

Oh My Goodness - An Award!

Hooray! I was awarded another award, and I just can't believe it! Bradley Egel, over at The Egel Nest, was kind enough to select me as a recipient of an award that he created. So now, my blog has been "hatched" - whatever that means, it sure sounds fun!

Funny story about Bradley - I actually knew him WAY back when. We both went to the same overnight camp, OSRUI, when we were much younger. I was also friendly with his younger sister, Sue. Fast forward to now (gosh, 15 years later?), and I saw his name on comments on some of the blogs that I visit. Could it be the same Bradley Egel from all those years ago? So I checked out his EGGScellent blog, and it sure is! What a fun way to get back in touch... the blogosphere never ceases to amaze me.

But, wait, there's more! His sister, Sue, wound up being set up on a date with a friend of mine, Tom, from high school. They fell in love, got married, and had a baby a few months ago. Tom is close friends with my best friend's husband (they are the ones who live in Arizona)! What a small world!!

Anyway, thanks, Bradley, for the award. Your blog is so exemplary, so informative, and so fun - I learn much from you. I can only hope to aspire to your blog-errific-ness!

Heads or Tails Tuesday - "Explore"

Well, friends, it is Heads or Tails Tuesday again - hooray! Heads Or Tails is a weekly meme done on Tuesdays. Anyone can play. In fact the more, the merrier! You can visit the Heads or Tails Home Page for more information on how you can join in!

Today's topic is: EXPLORE.....

For some reason, the word "explore" often reminds me of camp. In junior high and high school, I had the privilege of attending a wonderful overnight camp, Olin Sang Ruby Union Institute, (or OSRUI, as we call it). OSRUI is a Reform Jewish overnight camp in Oconomowoc, WI, and I had the opportunity to go for three summers, culminating in a summer-long, intensive Hebrew program that was life-altering.

My summers there were, and still are, precious to me. They really helped further the formation of my identity. Before going to camp, I was stuck in a rut - I had 'skipped' first grade, and had a reputation for being both smart and different. It wasn't that I was nerdy, but I felt boxed in to this one image of who I was. Adjusting to the new social group had been quite challenging when I was so young, and it took a long time to break free from merely being known as "the one who skipped."

So, fast forward to the summer after sixth grade - for the first time, no one knew about my past, and I was able to be whomever I wanted. I EXPLORED many different identities that first summer. I even gave myself a new nickname, Maci (pronounced like the store), in order to EXPLORE what that felt like. Soon, I earned a reputation for being fun, wild, spontaneous, and flirty (I had THREE boyfriends in THREE weeks that year!!). What a difference! Luckily, I was able to bring some of that newfound confidence back home with me, and integrate it into my school life. I was never the same, and longed for the next opportunity to go back to camp. I returned the following summer, and then the summer before 10th grade.

For those of you who have attended overnight camp, you know how intense those friendships can be. I am still friends with a number of my camp friends, and I treasure those summers. Additionally, I credit OSRUI with being part of my inspiration to become a rabbi. Those summers instilled in me a deeper love for Judaism than I probably would have had with synagogue life alone. Perhaps I am a rabbi just so that I can recreate those camp experiences for others!