Birthday

So today is the day I was born, many years ago. I do not consider myself old, though some of my friends like to make me feel that way.

My kids wanted to know if they will have a party bag for my birthday. I decided to make one up for them, any excuse for my kids. So I prepared the bags and will give it to them after supper along with some birthday cake. It should be fun. That is about it I am doing for my birthday.

Motzei Shabbos a few of us got together at a friends house and had a girls night out. It was really nice. One friend who cohosted it, drove in from Brooklyn, while everyone else was local, and she was friends with almost everyone there or better yet, knew almost all who were invited, so it wasn't uncomfortable for her to be there with my local friends. It was cute to sit there and just shmooze and bake pizza. There was bake your own pizza and while that was baking we had fresh popcorn, french fries and drinks. It was really nice. A night out. Thank you friends. I wonder if we can start a new habit and do it more often and not a birthday as an excuse? Let me know.

Do you remember as a kid playing a trick on your friends with the phone, using the three-way calling feature. Where two of you were talking to each other, and one decided to call a third and play a trick. A nasty trick or cute one. Make beleive that the of the first two people, only one is on the phone. Well, I remember it. I probably have done a few myself and was on the receiving end as well. They are funny if you are the one doing the trick, but not funny if you are on the receiving end.

It happened today. By accident I am sure. Two friends were talking and one called me. I only heard on person on the phone and I said something. Then I heard the other girl talking. It was not meant for her ears. It was something I said about me, that the first friend might understand and see the irony or understand it better. The second girl, well it just wasn't for her ears. But she heard it. I hung up. I was mad. I was angry.

How could they act so childish and do that to me? Don't they understand that when you call someone you need to identify all callers immediately and make sure the listener, the one who you called, understands that there are TWO of you on the phone and not just one. IT is deception otherwise. I am sure that was not the case, but it was still deception and I am mad about it. It will make me think twice about talking and make me be careful with what I say.

What I said wasn't bad. It was actually about moi! But only one would or might have realized the text and understand it better then the other. That is why it was said to only one and not to the other. Oh well. Life goes on. I must continue life and figure things out on my own. I am happy they are friends and happy that things like this will just past and not be mentioned again. They are true good friends and for that, I am thankful.

It Must be Me...

This past motzei Shabbos, I went bowling with my husband. We were by my mom for Shabbos, and took advantage of the night off without paying for a babysitter. The kids were in bed, so we didn't feel that guilty about leaving and going off on our own.

We decided to go to Flatbush for Pizza and found parking not so far not so close. It was freezing, but we walked to J2 on J. We passed PizzaTime and noticed the huge crowd by the counter and no empty seats, so we just continued to walk to J2. What a sight to see. On a motzei Shabbos it was virtually empty! I mean there were few tables with customers, but mostly it was empty. Where was everyone? Where did they go? Come to think of it, when did Pizza Time become so popular? I am so out of the loop of the Brooklyn places! Things are NOT the same as they were when I lived there.

So while we were there and enjoying the quietness, we noticed a group of girls come in. I must be old. The girls were probably in High school. And came out for melaveh malka, with a camera and loud mouths. The way they were dressed, is that really in style? I couldn't help but laugh. I couldn't imagine why they opted to wear those boots...But that is their choice.

After some good pizza we weren't sure what to do. It wasn't so early, but not so late. We decided to go to Maple Lanes and go bowling. Closest place, even though it would be a mad house. I called a friend to join us, but she didn't get back to me...Her husband stepped out and was waiting for him to come home and decide if they wanted to join us. Called a single friend and she said no, but later decided I was just around the corner from her, might as well come and see me.

While we were waiting for our lane, we sat down and watched the other bowlers. They happen to have cosmo or cosmic night, where they turn off the light, have really loud music playing and a red pin that pops up in the middle occasionally and if you get a strike, you get a free game. We saw a group of three girls who were not Jewish, playing and will move to the beaty music. Not a problem. They were laughing and had a good time. The lane next to them was just assigned, so that led to more entertainment for us.

A bunch of Jewish girls show up and start to scream and yak loudly. They enter in their names. Actually they were not names per se but must be how they perceive themselves. I started to read the bowlers and was taken aback by these young Jewish girls. Sexxy, Hotty and some others. I was shocked! What gives?! Why were these girls claiming such names for themselves while they bowled?

Why did these frum girls need this to express themselves, while their neighbors of non-Jewish girls didn't feel that need? Is it me? Am I too old for this and this is the reality that I need to look out when my daughter gets older? Or is there something wrong with the picture? Mind you they also went to the DJ and decided to check out the music and make a scene there. Things did not get better when the next lane was filling up with again frum girls and some boys, but I can't judge, not sure how old they were either. But again, the names were not typical! No real names except for the guys and again the names were not so clean, not something they would use around adults.

Is the generation getting worse? Are the kids degrading? What is going on. Can anyone explain this to me, especially my single friends who read this...And highschool girls. Are guys like this as well, or just girls?

Oh, we had a great time. My friend showed up and we got to talk a little. I won one game, and lost two. We met another couple there who just happen to have stopped by to play the arcade games, so we got to shmooze with them for a little.

P910CH, Goodbye

So long farewell, it has been a great eight years.
There is a ton of history with you.
You have been with me my entire adult life.
Sooo looong.........

Surprise Party, for Me?

I think not.

It doesn't work for me. I can't be surprised for a party. I don't think I ever was surprised! I can list a few times of when there was an attempt for one and it almost went through but never fully gone through.

My shower. I used to hang out by my friends house all the time. She lived around the corner from college and I used to park near her, and park myself on her couch between classes or when class was canceled and I had time to shmooze with her. She was planning my surprise shower and never let on about it. But I found out. I called her one night to see if I could come over, knowing she was busy wrapping gifts. She said yes. Then quickly changed her mind, and I asked her why not. She couldn't go into details, otherwise she would spill the beans. I told her don't worry, I will help you wrap. She started laughing. She thought it was funny that I knew and no one else. Everyone thought it was a surprise....She again almost said yes, but said no, because the others wouldn't like that. My secret on how I knew. The best part, I told my mom that night I was going out with my sister. She was getting nervous that I was not leaving the house, as she was to leave after me. It was funny. I went to get my sister and then she needed to be dropped off in Flatbush. I told her don't worry, just show up to my shower, I will show up soon after her and then she can leave the shower. She realized I knew. No one else knew. All the participants thought it was a surprise. It was not.

Another party was in a Chinese restaurant. My friend picked me up and drove me there. I, being me, checked the cars in the neighborhood and noticed a few but said nothing to my friend. She was trying. She even knew which place to take me to. Took her time to cash at the bank and soon we were there on time. I already had my suspicions, but kept quiet, not nice to tell your friend you know the secret. They worked so hard on the surprise aspect. Something was up. We walked into the place and the host there was ready to seat us. He then asked if we wanted to hang up our coats, and I said no, he then proceeded to say that everyone else hung up their coats. BING! There went that surprise. I walked to our tables and lo and behold a lot of people were there. A surprise? For them, they thought so. For me, I figured!

Oh, let's not forget the present. So at this party I noticed who was there and who was not. I noticed a pile of gifts :-) yay, I love gifts. I saw this huge box wrapped right at the front. Everyone was curious as to what was inside and pushed me to open it. Mind you I JUST go to the party and barely had time to say hello to everyone! I tried being nice and saying "you will have to wait until later" I mean who opens a gift right away? But the pressure was so strong I actually had help opening it up. I was always taught NOT to rip the paper, but this time was told to rip it. Right then and there and before that as well, I knew something was up or should I say down, and I played along with everyone. I carefully opened the huge box, and everyone shrieked. I smiled and let out a small shriek with everyone else. It was a great surprise but not a real surprise for me. Granted I knew nothing about it, but a lot of things didn't add up and I figured it out before everyone else. Oh, you want to know what was inside of the box? A good friend of the family was inside with balloons. First came out the balloons, and then he jumped out fully clothed! That was why everyone was pressuring me to open it up already. He was in there for some time already and I was late...

Another party I had at my house. I went to my friend after school to study. She gave me this whole story on how she might have to leave early because she has to go to this important bes din meeting, and it was whenever they called she needed to go. So towards the end, about 15 minutes before I was to leave, she got the call and left. I was left there waiting for my ride to come pick me up. I waited and was thinking about things. When I left I had my suspicions, and when we neared my house I checked out the cars on the block. I looked at the house and noticed the shades moving by someone who does not belong. I played along with everyone as usual, why say you knew when they think you didn't?

This is a good one. I was living in Providence already. I decided that that Sunday I was going to get out of the house early and do things. My husband didn't believe me. He said if I was ready to leave, he would go. So, when he came home from Shacharis and learning, I was already dressed and ready to go (pre-kids). He was not. He was stalling. I was getting mad and then it dawned on me. The conversation he just had on the phone was now making sense to me. My mom was coming up for a surprise visit and I was not supposed to know. I ruined it by being ready on time the day I am not supposed to go very far. We were supposed to go to Massachusetts. I finally told my husband to just go out local and told him what was going on. We played along by not telling my mom that I knew. We couldn't do it to them.

Any other parties? Usually not. My friend on the other hand you can make surprise parties for her doing the same thing, and she doesn't know at all until you actually tell her this is her party. It is funny.

Oh, when I was younger, we used to have these neighborhood get-togethers. It was really nice. Every week we the three or four families would rotate hosting the Friday nights. The parents would sit at the table and the girls would shmooze. Hey come to think of it, there were only girls who were home at that time. It was really great, we used to throw in birthday parties as well. I didn't want to go one time because I was tired, I went to read and relax, when my friends came to drag me out of the house to the party. Oops, didn't mean to ruin that one.

I just remembered. I did have a SURPRISE party. In August the doorbell rang at midnight. My mother asked who it was, and the response was "fed ex". My mother was very confused but while walking to open the door she realized what it was. I was not paying attention, until my neighbors showed up with balloons and cake and wished me a HALF Birthday. Now that takes the cake! Who would go through this effort to make a surprise half birthday?

For one thing, I was surprised, I was not thinking of my half birthday. I guess they realized I wasn't surprised by the other surprises. The neighbors assumed my mother was going to either leave the door unlocked or open it up without asking that she took them off guard by asking who was there. It was funny and lots of fun. Bet you never had a half birthday party!

So my birthday is coming up. My friends are NOT making me a surprise party. Too hard to surprise me and when my high-school friends do not live here it is hard to surprise me by showing up here...But there will be a party for me! Yay. I am excited, I like parties. There will actually be two. The first one is with the same girls we got together with when we took one out for her surprise birthday. Okay, not a real surprise, she knew she was going with a friend and expected me because another friend slipped. But was surprised when two other girls showed up. Then we decided to combine the next three birthdays together as they were only two weeks apart (meaning one full month from the first girl and the third girl, with one birthday in the middle) This party is not a real party, we will meet in the city and figure something out. The second party is where I live and a few friends are hosting it. It sounds great. But again, no surprise. Oh well. I should be happy they are doing this for me.

Boruch Hashem

I like to blog. No one will tell me what I can or cannot do. No one! Unless of course I choose to listen to suggestions. But why do I have to stop because of it? I have started this a long time ago and there are those of you who still read this even if you don't post a comment!

So much interesting things have gone on but don't have the time to write about it.

BH my friend in Israel is doing much better. Amazing. Incredible. I can't believe it. I am so very happy for him and his family. Just a few weeks prior, he was in this terrible car accident and has had surgery, and more surgery and is now recovering from it. He will be in the hospital for ONE YEAR for rehab. ONE YEAR! Can you imagine?! Can you imagine living an entire year of your life in the hospital for rehab? I can't and don't want to imagine it. But BH he is doing better. He even typed a few sentences for us to read. His family has put up a website for all to read about his condition. Such tragic news. A family of six with the youngest a month older than my baby. He is missing out on so much right now. They are missing so much without him. But BH. He is on the road to recovery, albeit, hard road, but nonetheless it is a road towards positive. They request letters, but I am still uncertain how to word my letter to him. I want it private to him, yet sending it second hand is not private. Yet, I feel that I must write something to him and let him know how we are thinking of him. After all, his last trip to the States, he did come and visit us.

Not much else going on. Friends do funny things without thinking. Some friends do think. I have this good friend where I live. You know what she did for me? For an ENTIRE school year, minus one month, she picked up my son from his playgroup and dropped him off at the babysitter. I am very impressed with that. She went out of her way to drive to his playgroup. She went out of the way to drop him off. She was on top of things. She is a true blue friend. One in a million. Think about it, how often do you do that for someone? How often do you go out of your way to do a friend a favor expecting nothing in return? How often do you do the favor that is out of your way, every single day? I know I don't! There really are very nice and caring people out there. There is no way to repay her for her chessed. It's things like this that put a smile on my face, especially when things are down. Be thankful that you're alive. Be thankful for friends like her!

Have a great day my dear readers.

The Meeting

The long awaited school meeting was last night. The dean spoke and had his Rosh Yeshiva speak as well. It was the obvious. An increase in tuition. Who were we kidding what it was all about. We all really knew deep down why this meeting was called. Nothing to do with the politics that is going on in the community. The school is its own community so to speak.

What I don't understand is why the Rosh Yeshiva was there. Was it to break the news to us gently? Was it to tell us the Halachos? It wasn't bad. It was good that I went there, so the news was not that hard once you heard the speech in its whole. It was important to be there. Important enough that I paid a babysitter so that both my husband and I both would be there.

I have friends who did not show up. They had their reasons for not showing up. I felt it was important for me to be an active part of the school. I understand why they need to raise the tuition and it is not so cheap, especially when dealing with more than one child there. They have their expenses and they do deserve a "raise" just like I get a raise at work. The teachers deserve to get a raise too. Why is the education of our children on the last of our expenses? Is it not that important? Obviously it is since we are not homeschooling our kids, and feel the need to have the school help us. Anyone who does a service for you deserves to get paid. You don't work for free do you? (btw these are my opinions and not what was mentioned there)

So yes it will hurt the pocketbook with the new increase. No it does not help matters and does not make it happy, but I understand. I don't think they are money hungry. I think it was nice that there was a meeting to let us know the financial aspect of things, opposed to getting next years tuition bill in the mail and seeing the increase then as a shock. They are taking the time to include us and forewarn us on their decision. I am not happy about it. I am upset. But will pay it anyway.