Friday 5

1. The stars were not aligned last night or something, because this morning just stunk. We had our 3rd opener call in sick after 5AM. So, we were on 2s for 1.25 hours, which is tough. And then, because of the new brewing guidelines, we were constantly running out of coffee. And, in drive-thru people kept forgetting modifiers and insisting on having their drinks remade. I know that there was a thunderstorm last night (at 1AM), I’m wondering if that messed everyone up. To top it off, it was sticky and warm in the store because of the humidity. And, my coworkers were super grouchy.

2. I realized that I missed my old manager when she showed up the other day. I like her much better as a person than I did as a manager. It was fun to catch up.

3. My new boss at the new job said that he liked having me in the office because I giggle.

4. Allison planted basil seeds and they’ve sprouted!

5. This is the last Sunday of Religious School. I’m sad but looking forward to more brunch opportunities and hiking/state park day trips.

Catching up to springtime

I’ve been meaning to post since we got back from Chicago and our family seder. So, here goes.

I stirred the pot a little at the seder this year. I just had to, I couldn’t handle it anymore. When I read aloud I changed all the “fathers” and “man” words to be gender inclusive, unfortunately I wasn’t on the ball enough to make them non-specific. And my cousin, a really great man, spoke about it before we ate. He said that we use the 1920ish (not sure of the date) Union Haggadah for its historical value. Our family has been using the same one for years. But, he supports changing the words to be more modern if we feel necessary.  I respected that. It made me feel less uncomfortable about the haggadah and seder.

We didn’t do a second night seder, because it isn’t our family’s tradition. Sometimes, I’ll attend a different seder with friends or such, but not this year. So, instead, on Sunday, my sister and I drove back into the beautiful Madison weather. We were so excited! We put our oregano outside and proceded to attempt to buy more herbs to fill that pot and the others. However it was not to be. Instead, we grilled out. Just portobellas, but I roasted sweet potatoe fries in the oven. It was a delicious spring meal. The kids in the neighboring yards were out playing and even the cat from across the street came for a visit. Just like summer.

This week is a bit crazy because I started my new job. It’s a lot of fun but busy and a little stressful. I have a lot to do in a tight timeline. I’ll do my best. The office is right near the lake, which is nice. Of course, I’m using a cubicle in a windowless office, but…

Friday 5

1. It’s Pesach, which happens to be my favorite holiday. Usually, what I really like are the progressive, interesting seders that I get to attend. This year, once again, that’s not going to happen. So I can only dream of the future when I will be able to hold my own seder or attend one that meets my liking. But, I also love the ideas and I enjoy seeing my family.

2. I have my second job now. I will be planning the courses and trips for a senior citizens summer school (think Elder Hostel) in Madison.  I am a little nervous, but there are 20 years of history and contacts to build on, so it shouldn’t be that bad. I will then help staff the 2-week sessions during the summer. I should make a decent amount of change. And it’s really nice that it’s flexible and I can work around my starbuck’s schedule.

3. I also am 99.9% hired for a Religious School teaching position for next year. It’s perfect because the Temple (reform) is not too far from Hyde Park. I’ll be teaching 8th grade. I’m excited about the curriculum, which is comparative Judaism, comparative religion, and a little bit of modern Israel. I’m a little nervous about the age group, but I think I’ll manage.

4. If 4 could be that I have an apartment, that would be super cool. But, alas it is not. Instead, I’ll just say that we had our first 70 degree day the other day and it was amazing. But, of course, now it is raining!

5. I’m feeling much more comfortable with things after getting the jobs settled. And I can’t believe it happened so fast!

Chag Sameach!

Not confirmed but…

It looks like tomorrow I will have my second job for spring/summer (will announce when official). And it seems, if my references pan out (they should) that I’ll have a fairly lucrative religious school teacher position: 8th grade Comparative Judaism/Comparative Religion. Right up my alley.

And it’s 70 degrees and sunny today. Although the wind is just crazy gusty. Things are looking up!

Mondays

My week usually begins before the sun rises, rising blearily from bed and quickly getting ready to leave for my 5 AM shift. For some reason, my schedule this week is not the same. And, I did not approach bedtime with anxiety on Sunday night, worried that for some reason my 2 alarms wouldn’t go off. I didn’t wake at 3 just to check the time (or maybe I did, but I fell right back asleep knowing that I didn’t have to get up in an hour and a half).  I got out of bed around 8:30, puttered and watched “Today” before turning on NPR. But, now, during the day, I feel lost. I don’t know what to do with myself. I feel like my week hasn’t started. I walked outside in the new spring sunshine. I responded to emails, looked for jobs, and cleaned.

Friday 5

Oh my goodness! I can’t believe that it’s already Friday. This week has just flown by.

1. This is the first week in 3 that I haven’t had to go visit a grad school. I’m happy to just have a whole calm week at home, especially since next week is Passover.

2. I finally finished transcribing the oral history interviews that I began in May or June (not sure which). I feel so pathetic that it took so long. But, she’ll have an amazing record for her children and grandchildren. And this women is amazing. I have really felt guilty about not finishing. So, this feels lighter.

3. Yesterday I sent out emails to education directors at Reform congregations in the Chicago area. I didn’t expect a quick response. But, surprisingly 2 different directors contacted me. Including one congregation that would be really convenient.

4. I am happy that Madison isn’t getting hit with those blizzards. You poor people. I sympathize. But, we’re getting crazy rainy weather and we might get some flurries tomorrow.

5. I need to find a little part-time job to supplement Starbucks after Hebrew School is finished in early May. So, I’m looking…

Why I chose University of Chicago Divinity School

I was really nervous about making a grad school decision after getting stuck in Madison at Starbucks for the last year. So, anyway, I liked Duke a lot. The professors and students were all very nice and I would have fit in well. But, the campus population was shockingly (to me) homogeneous. I didn’t feel like I would be as comfortable. Also, I discovered that funding is being decreased in the religion department for Phd students. That does not bode well. Another negative was that they rarely accept MA students into their phd program. One big decision that I had to make was between studying religious culture during my MA period or text. And I strongly feel that especially with Judaism, text is extremely important.

Besides the obvious “I have a life” positives, University of Chicago is attractive because of the program’s interdisciplinary nature. I can easily take classes in other departments/schools without question. And the emphasis on texts is strong, so I feel confident that I will finish the program ready to enter a Phd program in Jewish studies or another field if that’s what I decide to do.

I’m just so excited to have a decision!

Grad School: it’s official

I just got back from Chicago, where I attended UChicago’s Divinity Day. And, after much deliberation and wavering I’ve signed the paperwork and put a stamp on the envelope. I’ll be attending the Divinity School in the fall! I’m really excited and tomorrow, when I’m less tired I’ll detail the reasons why I decided this was the best decision for me this year.

Sorry about the lack of Friday 5, but it will return next week.

spring?!?

Today is April 1. It should feel like spring! And, it was cold, there was actually a wind chill. Nature is tempting and confusing us here in Wisconsin. This week we’re supposed to actually hit fifty, but I bet you the week after will have us down in the 30s again. Today, there were flurries.

We Wisconsinites deserve a beautiful spring, bone-warming spring. With the birds and the green grass, blue skies, sunshine, and flowers. Where are you?

I’m looking forward to hikes at Governor Dodge, putting my herbs outside, enjoyable walks around downtown Madison.

Counting the moments…