Hello, dear friend!

Hello, dear friend. I have missed you so. Every time I feel the desire to say something clever I wish I were more active on my xanga so I had somewhere to put it. Well, I can’t promise to maintain this, but for now, hello again.

Last night Ash and I stayed home and I cooked. I love cooking. Almost to the point of going to cooking school to become a chef… but I can’t decide what type. Pastry chef would be fun but I tend to prefer savory to sweet… but I digress….

I made homemade pasta for the first time (unless you count that one time it was a group project at Girl Scout Camp- and I have the badge to prove it.) And for the first time it wasn’t too bad! You have to get pasta really thin, otherwise it’s chewy, but I made ravioli and stuffed it with a spinach asparagus ricotta filling and topped with a three cheese marinara. SO GOOD!

We watched No Reservations. I think I’m a better chef than Katherine Zeta Jones. And I would look really cute in those little white jackets and aprons. French Culinary Institute, here I come.

Why does someone keep calling our office and asking for their parole officer?

So I’m reading Nehemiah, and it’s pretty amazing!! This guy gets a vision to rebuild something that he feels is important to G-d and with his passion and drive he makes it happen! I think it’s chapter 3 that lists all the people that helped out. Everyone is remembered for their contribution. Two really stood out to me. One guy (what was the ruler of half of Jerusalem) had his daughters help out (very cool!!!) but there’s another guy that stood out even more. It keeps saying that so-and-so worked and whats-his-face worked, but one guy it says “worked zealously”. I hope I would be described as “working zealously”. At the end it says that they all “worked with their whole heart.” There’s my challenge.

I like Xanga. Old school is better.

I know we can't be young forever,
But when you're beside me time stands still.
I'd go down in stories as your lover,
But there's still a thousand pages for us to fill…

I'm so proud you wouldn't believe it!! Check out Iris' myspace and then buy their CD. If you don't know how message me and I'll get it to you. Only $7! My brothers are brilliantly talented (and not to mention hot!) www.myspace.com/irisalive

Stars they fell, and pictures faded.
Before the world was complicated,
We could love with trusting eyelids closed.

Well, I got back in town at 10:30pm on Wednesday night so as much as I had every intention of going to the congregation in Long Island the next morning for Rosh Hashana, I was wiped. Especially since I had a killer cold. And the kicker was trying to arrange the details. Where is this famous Jewish hospitality that I’ve heard so much about? Boo.

I did go to a service with some of my friends up in White Plains (about half an hour north of the city). It was really a concert and I was bummed that not only did I not really get to go to a proper Rosh Hashana service but I didn’t get to do my favorite part of the holiday, called Tashlich. It’s where you go to the river and read verses from Psalms and Micah and then throw bread crumbs into the water as a symbol of “casting off” your sins. It’s a very introspective and personal ceremony. I love it.

 Then this weekend I went to Ikea which was a wonderful romp in Jersey. And only spent around $100. $55 for new rugs for the apartment and the rest for Sukkah supplies. Not too shabby.

I’ve been thinking about Florida. Actually, I’ve been thinking about where I could go to be near the people I love. What would I do in Florida? I don’t know. What do I want to do with my life anyway? Hmm… I need some conversations with my girls.

I feel like my heart is bruised. I’m starting to feel like Charlie Brown with Lucy and that darned football. Anyway, that’s how you talk yourself into not getting out of bed all day Saturday. Which I did. But I think the rest helped me kick my cold.

I downloaded two songs that have made my day so much better. The na na na song from Mockinpott (although I can’t tell if I want to sleep or cry when I hear it) and If I had $1,000,000. And I’m wearing a green dress today. I look like the lovechild of Lucille Ball and a lepruchan. That’s cruel.

I told you I'd start blogging again. Sorry if it was a bit abrupt. Just throw you guys right in as if I never dissapeared for all that time. See my facebook for gorgeous pictures of Whistler, Canada (where the chocolate is sooo much better than in the US).

Hey guys in and around Dallas! I'm on my way for Labor Day weekend! I'm meeting Leigh and Jenny there. Anyone else? We three girls are looking for a place to crash if you want to play host! (Otherwise I'll be bunking with my partying Grandparents and I just can't take the 3am parties.) I'll be there Aug. 31- Sept. 6.

Many thanks to the Shubert Org. for paying for my vacation (even if this is technically my long layover on the way to Canada for a tradeshow!)

Yes, Becky, I will start posting again soon. I really miss xanga. It may be old fashioned but in terms of REALLY knowing what your friends are up to it kicks Facebook and Myspace booty. (That said, check out my Myspace and Facebook!)

My apologies to my xanga friends for my extended absence. I did what I swore I would never do and now spend my days on myspace and facebook (much to my boss' dismay). Please track me down there. I hope to post some prayer requests on here soon so you can know what I'm up to and offer prayer support if you like.

Please note that I still read your blogs so please don't stop writing here just because I'm a slacker. I enjoy your creativity.

Please know that if you haven't heard from me in a while it's because I have little time for phone calls, but plenty of time for IMs (during the work day) or emails. Please feel free to contact me! Much love, Laura