Stay American Baby
I think that it has been about a week since I have written here. It's not that I'm lazy...it is just that every time I think about updating, I realize that I just have too much going on to even begin to type it all out. And it certainly doesn't help that I don't have a curfew, so it is quite normal for me to walk into my house at 1AM. Not that that is a bad thing, because it isn't - not at all.
Thursday night I went downtown to the Westin around 7 to meet up with the URJ crew. Out of counidence there was a big URJ meeting in town this past weekend. So, Rabbi Michael Freedman asked Danny, Andy, Nina, Boo, Hope, and I, along with the Kesher crew, out for dinner. We went to Mitchell's Fish Market at Newport. We had such a good time! They put us in the Captain's room, so we were all by ourselves and not worrying about disturbing the entire restaurant. About half way through dinner we heard a big boom come from outside. So, we all walked out onto the porch and there were fireworks going off - for no specific reason. We finally decided that Rozzi (the big firework company based in Cincinnati) must have been testing fireworks. Go figure.
The next morning I was back downtown at the Westin by 7:15 AM for the two meetings that I was invited to attend - Lifelong Learning Council and the Youth Division. I am so happy that I was able to have this opportunity - very very cool.
That afternoon I picked Mel up from school and then Aunt Linda arrived from Chicago. Dad called Melanie and the two of them were having this ridiculous fight arguing about where Melanie was going to stay for the weekend. I could hear Dad yelling at her through the phone and Melanie was less than quiet. I was so so so so upset. My thought was that this was my graduation weekend and now everyone was going to be pissed at each other. I littlerly threw my files into my car to give to Sarah, and drove myself right to Brian's. As soon as I walked in his door I broke down. I cried and snotted on his shoulder for about 45 minutes. I didn't really want to talk, I just wanted to get it out...and he was the perfect person to run to. I am so scared that without me here next year things are going to fall apart in my family. Mel and my dad aren't really that close, and I wonder if since I am not going to be around all the time if she is going to see him. I wonder if my parents will stop being civil to each other - because I was always the one that stressed that they had to be for my sake. I just don't know, and I hate that thought. If there is one thing that I hate more than anything it is confrontation with people that I am close with. It breaks my heart.
But after my crying spell I did something that brought me back to my smiley self in an instant. Bri, Nene. Yael, and I all went to Red Robin for dinner - just like we did last year for board bonding. It was just fun. Simple fun. Then we took a side trip to tri county mall so that we could buy a 'wheel of passion' for the PVP files. That was interesting... I never want to have to be in Spencer's with a boy ever again - so awkward! Afterwards we headed to Micah's (finally!) to meet with the new board. They didn't exactly think that it was old/new board bonding time - they just wanted to watch/sing the Free Willy theme song. Oh to be making memories as a board - it is the best! I gave my files to Sarah and then Yael and Nina went back to Nina's and Bri and I went to his house to wait for Alana to get in. It was so nice to finally see everyone and to catch up. This past year it was so easy to sty in contact because we would talk because we liked keeping in touch, but also because we had to for our jobs. And we would also get to see each other at least once every month or so. And now...that is so different. So seeing everyone becomes a treat.
And then Saturday was graduation on the graduation walk! (It didn't rain!!!) It was a beautiful ceremony. It is tradition like that that makes me happy that I had the opportunity to grow up in this community. For 121 years things have been done the same way. Girls have always had to go out and find/make a long white dress. The boys have been sweating in their white tuxes. Everyone has been walking under the flower decorated arches being held up by the sister's of people in the senior class. It is wonderful. Sure, it was a gazillion and a half degrees outside (my sister almost fainted), but it was great. As I sat in my seat in the front row, sweating like a pig, watching Dr Powderly pull the "hello my name is" stickers off of his suit, I was proud. Proud to be part of something so much bigger than myself. I am a Wyoming graduate.
The boat ride was less than spectacular. Sure, it was fun for the first hour and a half, but after that it left something to be desired. It was hot and sticky on the river as well, and people were smoking up a storm, and the bathrooms smelled up the entire underneath of the boat. By the time that we pulled up to the dock at 11:20, I couldn't wait to get home. 40 minutes later we pulled into the parking lot of the school and I started walking briskly towards my car to go to Bri's to do havdallah. And as I was walking I tripped (who would have ever thought?) on one of the cement risers. And no one even stopped to help me. Oy. When I got to Brian's (I made every single light except 1 on my way over there!) I started to cry almost as soon as I heard the first notes come out of his guitar. It was beautiful and so emotional to sit in an intimate circle with Nina, Alana, Yael, Bri, and Nate. We had come full circle. Once again a havdallah service separated more than just shabbat and the rest of the week.
The next morning was my graduation party at my dad's house. Can you say awkward? I am not the biggest fan of both of my parents in the same room for more than an hour. Not that I don't love both of them, but it just makes everything stressful. But besides that, I had a wonderful time. There was good food and good company - what more could one want?
Monday was Mel's graduation from middle school. Oy. Talk about a time warp. It was once again an adorable ceremony. As each of the kids are receiving their diploma, the principal reads their favorite memory from middle school. Mel's favorite memory was being able to walk on the first day of 5th grade after being in her wheelchair for months after her hip surgery. I think that she had about half the adult audience in tears. And then there is Rachel and I sitting and kinda chuckling. I know that it was a big deal (believe me), but I would hardly say that it is something to cry over.
Tuesday around noon I went over to David Wise's house so that he could take me, Jared, Laura, and Jeremy up to columbus for the day. David goes up there on tuesdays anyways, so it worked out perfectly with Talia's graduation party. We drove to David's office, and then I took over the driver's position in the mini van and drove us all to Easton to meet Emily (who had come up the night before). Easton was fun - well at least for us girls. The boys just went from store to store comparing couches. We got to Talia's on the earlier side so that we could spend time with her before everyone got there. But once her friends started showing up, many of them were leaving almost immeadiatly. So we asked Talia where they were all going - and she said the Dave Matthews concert that was at Germain ampatheatre. So we were talking about Dave and the concert and such and then David says "hey, does anyone want to go to the concert? I might be able to get some tickets for us." As it turns out one of David's companies sponsors at that venue. So, ten minutes and 2 or 3 phone calls later we had tickets and we were on our way. I GOT TO GO SEE DAVE MATTHEWS!!! (and I have never gotten to go to that concert because I am always away at camp) It was hands down the best concert that I have ever been to. They are just amazing musicians - so much better live than on CD.
Wed I didn't really do much all day, except take Melanie to her Elm School reunion (her class at elm was basically the same from k-4th grade - all 26 of them. It was actually quite impressive, all of the kids showed up, and most of their teachers as well!!
That night I drove over to HUC for a program for us March kids to reflect on our experiences on the trip. The coolest thing about being there was finding out from Barb Miller that the grant money for each high school aged kid to go to Israel has been raised from $4000 to $6000. I am so so so excited by this. That means that the cost off a summer program like NFTY will be almost completely - if not totally covered besides airfare and spending money. It is so exciting. I hope that this is even more insentive for every single parent to send their high school aged child to Israel. It is so so so important.
After that program I headed home (or to the Ward's house) to go see a bunch of the 8th graders dressed up for their 8th grade formal. So adorable. What I loved the most is that most of them decided not to go with dates. I wish that that was how it was back in my day. Yeah, I went with Jonathan Hicks, and we were friends, but it was still slightly awkward.
Then I drove even more and went over to Sammy K's grad party. I really do keep running into the exact same people at all of these parties. I feel like we all just keep picking up and moving houses or venues. It was fun, the Pinstripes played, all was well in the world because Sammy was giggling...
Josh Levey, Micah, Bri, and I then went back to Josh's house and hung out there for a little bit and watched the replays of the reds game (they are winning again!) and some of Jay Leno.
Thursday (also known as yesterday) was a mall day. It has just been waaayyy too hot and humid in Cincinnati to do anything that doesn't involve air conditioning. So Mel and I went to Pottery Barn kids to pick out a baby gift for Angie Arango/George or whatever it is that you want to call her. I have known Angie since 7th grade when I met her while tryin gon a dress at Gap kids. Little did I know that she worked at my middle school, and from there on out we have maintained a friendship. And here we are, 6 years later and she is about to have a BABY! Craziness...
Mel, Mom, and I, then met her for lunch at cheesecake factory. This just reinforced just how much I adore her. She has been so wonderful to Mel and I...I am so lucky to have herr as one of my mentors.
Afterwards Mel and I ran a few more errands and then just came back to the house to sit inside. I love air conditioning...thank goodness that Kutz has some.
Last night after dinner and such Amanda came over to watch the MTV movie awards and critique all of the outfits with Rachel and I. It was really nice. Amanda seemed to be back to being herself for the most part. I really have missed her these past months. I really hope that she and I will keep in touch during college.
And with that...I think that I have finally finished this update! HoOrAy!! I'm sorry if you read all of that...you really didn't need to, it was kinda more for my own personal documantation than anything else, but if you did - more power to ya! Later days...
oh...here is the set list from the Dave concert, if you have any interest in it...
So Much To Say
#41
Dream Girl
Grey Street
American Baby
One Sweet World
Hello Again
Seek Up
Die Trying
#40[Tease]
What Would You Say
Crush
Hunger For The Great Light
Lover Lay Down
Stand Up *
Louisiana Bayou *
__________________
Stolen Away On 55th & 3rd
Warehouse
Thursday night I went downtown to the Westin around 7 to meet up with the URJ crew. Out of counidence there was a big URJ meeting in town this past weekend. So, Rabbi Michael Freedman asked Danny, Andy, Nina, Boo, Hope, and I, along with the Kesher crew, out for dinner. We went to Mitchell's Fish Market at Newport. We had such a good time! They put us in the Captain's room, so we were all by ourselves and not worrying about disturbing the entire restaurant. About half way through dinner we heard a big boom come from outside. So, we all walked out onto the porch and there were fireworks going off - for no specific reason. We finally decided that Rozzi (the big firework company based in Cincinnati) must have been testing fireworks. Go figure.
The next morning I was back downtown at the Westin by 7:15 AM for the two meetings that I was invited to attend - Lifelong Learning Council and the Youth Division. I am so happy that I was able to have this opportunity - very very cool.
That afternoon I picked Mel up from school and then Aunt Linda arrived from Chicago. Dad called Melanie and the two of them were having this ridiculous fight arguing about where Melanie was going to stay for the weekend. I could hear Dad yelling at her through the phone and Melanie was less than quiet. I was so so so so upset. My thought was that this was my graduation weekend and now everyone was going to be pissed at each other. I littlerly threw my files into my car to give to Sarah, and drove myself right to Brian's. As soon as I walked in his door I broke down. I cried and snotted on his shoulder for about 45 minutes. I didn't really want to talk, I just wanted to get it out...and he was the perfect person to run to. I am so scared that without me here next year things are going to fall apart in my family. Mel and my dad aren't really that close, and I wonder if since I am not going to be around all the time if she is going to see him. I wonder if my parents will stop being civil to each other - because I was always the one that stressed that they had to be for my sake. I just don't know, and I hate that thought. If there is one thing that I hate more than anything it is confrontation with people that I am close with. It breaks my heart.
But after my crying spell I did something that brought me back to my smiley self in an instant. Bri, Nene. Yael, and I all went to Red Robin for dinner - just like we did last year for board bonding. It was just fun. Simple fun. Then we took a side trip to tri county mall so that we could buy a 'wheel of passion' for the PVP files. That was interesting... I never want to have to be in Spencer's with a boy ever again - so awkward! Afterwards we headed to Micah's (finally!) to meet with the new board. They didn't exactly think that it was old/new board bonding time - they just wanted to watch/sing the Free Willy theme song. Oh to be making memories as a board - it is the best! I gave my files to Sarah and then Yael and Nina went back to Nina's and Bri and I went to his house to wait for Alana to get in. It was so nice to finally see everyone and to catch up. This past year it was so easy to sty in contact because we would talk because we liked keeping in touch, but also because we had to for our jobs. And we would also get to see each other at least once every month or so. And now...that is so different. So seeing everyone becomes a treat.
And then Saturday was graduation on the graduation walk! (It didn't rain!!!) It was a beautiful ceremony. It is tradition like that that makes me happy that I had the opportunity to grow up in this community. For 121 years things have been done the same way. Girls have always had to go out and find/make a long white dress. The boys have been sweating in their white tuxes. Everyone has been walking under the flower decorated arches being held up by the sister's of people in the senior class. It is wonderful. Sure, it was a gazillion and a half degrees outside (my sister almost fainted), but it was great. As I sat in my seat in the front row, sweating like a pig, watching Dr Powderly pull the "hello my name is" stickers off of his suit, I was proud. Proud to be part of something so much bigger than myself. I am a Wyoming graduate.
The boat ride was less than spectacular. Sure, it was fun for the first hour and a half, but after that it left something to be desired. It was hot and sticky on the river as well, and people were smoking up a storm, and the bathrooms smelled up the entire underneath of the boat. By the time that we pulled up to the dock at 11:20, I couldn't wait to get home. 40 minutes later we pulled into the parking lot of the school and I started walking briskly towards my car to go to Bri's to do havdallah. And as I was walking I tripped (who would have ever thought?) on one of the cement risers. And no one even stopped to help me. Oy. When I got to Brian's (I made every single light except 1 on my way over there!) I started to cry almost as soon as I heard the first notes come out of his guitar. It was beautiful and so emotional to sit in an intimate circle with Nina, Alana, Yael, Bri, and Nate. We had come full circle. Once again a havdallah service separated more than just shabbat and the rest of the week.
The next morning was my graduation party at my dad's house. Can you say awkward? I am not the biggest fan of both of my parents in the same room for more than an hour. Not that I don't love both of them, but it just makes everything stressful. But besides that, I had a wonderful time. There was good food and good company - what more could one want?
Monday was Mel's graduation from middle school. Oy. Talk about a time warp. It was once again an adorable ceremony. As each of the kids are receiving their diploma, the principal reads their favorite memory from middle school. Mel's favorite memory was being able to walk on the first day of 5th grade after being in her wheelchair for months after her hip surgery. I think that she had about half the adult audience in tears. And then there is Rachel and I sitting and kinda chuckling. I know that it was a big deal (believe me), but I would hardly say that it is something to cry over.
Tuesday around noon I went over to David Wise's house so that he could take me, Jared, Laura, and Jeremy up to columbus for the day. David goes up there on tuesdays anyways, so it worked out perfectly with Talia's graduation party. We drove to David's office, and then I took over the driver's position in the mini van and drove us all to Easton to meet Emily (who had come up the night before). Easton was fun - well at least for us girls. The boys just went from store to store comparing couches. We got to Talia's on the earlier side so that we could spend time with her before everyone got there. But once her friends started showing up, many of them were leaving almost immeadiatly. So we asked Talia where they were all going - and she said the Dave Matthews concert that was at Germain ampatheatre. So we were talking about Dave and the concert and such and then David says "hey, does anyone want to go to the concert? I might be able to get some tickets for us." As it turns out one of David's companies sponsors at that venue. So, ten minutes and 2 or 3 phone calls later we had tickets and we were on our way. I GOT TO GO SEE DAVE MATTHEWS!!! (and I have never gotten to go to that concert because I am always away at camp) It was hands down the best concert that I have ever been to. They are just amazing musicians - so much better live than on CD.
Wed I didn't really do much all day, except take Melanie to her Elm School reunion (her class at elm was basically the same from k-4th grade - all 26 of them. It was actually quite impressive, all of the kids showed up, and most of their teachers as well!!
That night I drove over to HUC for a program for us March kids to reflect on our experiences on the trip. The coolest thing about being there was finding out from Barb Miller that the grant money for each high school aged kid to go to Israel has been raised from $4000 to $6000. I am so so so excited by this. That means that the cost off a summer program like NFTY will be almost completely - if not totally covered besides airfare and spending money. It is so exciting. I hope that this is even more insentive for every single parent to send their high school aged child to Israel. It is so so so important.
After that program I headed home (or to the Ward's house) to go see a bunch of the 8th graders dressed up for their 8th grade formal. So adorable. What I loved the most is that most of them decided not to go with dates. I wish that that was how it was back in my day. Yeah, I went with Jonathan Hicks, and we were friends, but it was still slightly awkward.
Then I drove even more and went over to Sammy K's grad party. I really do keep running into the exact same people at all of these parties. I feel like we all just keep picking up and moving houses or venues. It was fun, the Pinstripes played, all was well in the world because Sammy was giggling...
Josh Levey, Micah, Bri, and I then went back to Josh's house and hung out there for a little bit and watched the replays of the reds game (they are winning again!) and some of Jay Leno.
Thursday (also known as yesterday) was a mall day. It has just been waaayyy too hot and humid in Cincinnati to do anything that doesn't involve air conditioning. So Mel and I went to Pottery Barn kids to pick out a baby gift for Angie Arango/George or whatever it is that you want to call her. I have known Angie since 7th grade when I met her while tryin gon a dress at Gap kids. Little did I know that she worked at my middle school, and from there on out we have maintained a friendship. And here we are, 6 years later and she is about to have a BABY! Craziness...
Mel, Mom, and I, then met her for lunch at cheesecake factory. This just reinforced just how much I adore her. She has been so wonderful to Mel and I...I am so lucky to have herr as one of my mentors.
Afterwards Mel and I ran a few more errands and then just came back to the house to sit inside. I love air conditioning...thank goodness that Kutz has some.
Last night after dinner and such Amanda came over to watch the MTV movie awards and critique all of the outfits with Rachel and I. It was really nice. Amanda seemed to be back to being herself for the most part. I really have missed her these past months. I really hope that she and I will keep in touch during college.
And with that...I think that I have finally finished this update! HoOrAy!! I'm sorry if you read all of that...you really didn't need to, it was kinda more for my own personal documantation than anything else, but if you did - more power to ya! Later days...
oh...here is the set list from the Dave concert, if you have any interest in it...
So Much To Say
#41
Dream Girl
Grey Street
American Baby
One Sweet World
Hello Again
Seek Up
Die Trying
#40[Tease]
What Would You Say
Crush
Hunger For The Great Light
Lover Lay Down
Stand Up *
Louisiana Bayou *
__________________
Stolen Away On 55th & 3rd
Warehouse