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)

Blogosphere Extravaganza, Part II

While I was in Chicago, I had a chance to spend time with another wonderful friend, both in the blogosphere and out, Rabbi Phyllis Sommer at Ima on (and off) the Bima: Real-life Jewish Parenting. Though we weren't at the same campus for rabbinical school (our seminary has three US locations - New York, Cincinnati, and Los Angeles), we first met as students at a national conference on conversion (held in beautiful Denver, Colorado).

When she was ordained in 2003, she wound up at a synagogue in the Chicago area. I was ordained in 2004 and stayed in New York City for my first pulpit. Through the joys of the world wide web, we have been able to stay in touch. Plus, my brothers have both worked as songleaders at her synagogue over the past few years, so most of my mishpachah (Hebrew for "family") knows her and her family.

So good to see you, Phyllis! Hope to see you again soon!!!

Mayan Adventure Waterpark - Fun with My Brothers!

As I mentioned in my last post, I had such a good time visiting the Mayan Adventure Indoor Waterpark in Elmhurst, Illinois. I had been to plenty of outdoor waterparks, but never an indoor one. My brothers and I decided to go and spend the day, and we took plenty of pictures along the way!! (God knows why I am posting pictures of myself in a bathing suit on the interwebs, but... why not???)

Apparently, I was sharing a story about how the waterslide was "THIS BIG!"

My brother, Adam, and me - I didn't know that we were supposed to make political statements, unless I am supporting the "blue and white flower" party...

My brother, Ricky, and me. Adam says that Ricky looks like my bodyguard in this pic - no problem with that, here! Both my brothers are younger than I am, yet they both tower over me. I really should call them my "big" brothers!

Good time was had by all! I highly recommend a day at the waterpark to all of you, especially when it is so cold and snowy outside - go find some sunshine inside!!

Some OLD photos!

Just bought a new scanner, and made sure to scan some OLD pics of me with friends and family. Enjoy a sampling!

Here's me! I'm about one year old here, and already - the love of music was obvious.

At one of our good friend's weddings, my two best friends from high school, with their husbands.

(Josh, Jessica, Lauren, Jason, and me!

In 2003, receiving my Master's degree - I was ordained as a rabbi one year later.

Sometime around 2001, my family and I went to the Chicago Botanic Gardens and took some fun photos.
(Back row: Me, Ricky, Adam, Lindsay; Front Row: Dad, Mom)

New Kids Concert Recap!

I attended the NKOTB concert at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, NJ, with three friends. We were all fans 20 years ago, and couldn't believe that we were going to see Danny, Donnie, Joe, Jon, and Jordan in concert again! With me was Hope, Eve, and Lori. We made our own shirts...
...And, as you can see, we put our names on the back of each one!! It was so hard finding a place that still did "iron-on" lettering, but I found the one place in Manhattan that does it. I had a great time with the owner at Gifted, the only place that does lettering!!

Here, I had to take a private moment with a huge picture of Jordan Knight, my favorite. Excuse me while I make a kissy-face at him. Oy, he is still so sexy......
The five guys, in concert. They were so fabulous - still great performers, dancers, and singers. And, they were total mensches about the whole thing - they were so appreciative of us fans!

What a fun time!!!!

30th Birthday Celebrations, Part I

Hello, all!

I am already enjoying my 30's! My birthday was kicked off on the evening before my birthday (last Thursday night), and continued all day Friday. Yet, this is only part one, because my sister is throwing me a birthday party this coming weekend. Here is the celebration so far:

Preparing the perfect birthday treat: One Ho-Ho, One Twinkie,
Some Redi-Whip, and a Shabbat candle. What else could we possibly need?




Ah, the finished product...


Making a wish....


I'll huff, and I'll puff, and I'll.....




Oops, I missed...



Lindsay, with a pompadour, using the cordless phone as her mic.
Brilliant, just brilliant.


Oh, the humanity!!

Toasting my birthday - out to lunch with colleagues from work.
The tiara and the mimosa are just perfect, non?



Stay tuned for more joyfulness!

Wordless Wednesday

A cool picture I took...

I don't know, I kinda thought this turned out pretty cool...

(Had this urge to take a picture of my hair spread out like that)

....thanks for indulging me.

Princess Cupcake the Great

I am such a sucker for these things!! I now proudly present my very own M&M creation (meant to look just a little like me):

Princess Cupcake the Great!!
Thanks to Rambling Shan for the idea (be sure to check out her blog!).

I would like point out the following details in the "artwork" (teehee!) above. Random penguin - how very Chagall of me! Also, the director's chair is a necessity. I have directed a bunch of plays/musicals over the years, and I really love creating theatre. There are gifts in the picture, a beach ball in the pool, a seashell, and a butterfly. It was so fun to put together all the components of this picture.

If you want to make one for yourself,
go to Become and M&M and create a character of your own.
I can't wait to see what you come up with!