Hey everyone. Sorry for my ridiculously long absence. I just wanted to post briefly about a dear friend who has left this world, in the hopes that writing about her passing will help me to confirm that it is a reality.
My friend Shira, z"l, passed away this past week after a 9 year battle with Hodgkin's disease. She was the wife of our former JLIC rabbi and one of the loveliest people I have ever been blessed enough to know. I met her when she and her husband and son moved to the area back in the summer of 2007, and got to know her through various Hillel events and also through babysitting her son. Though she was not well during her time in the Midwest, Shira always had this luminous smile on her face and an ear for anyone who needed to talk. In the early months of 2008, the family decided to return to Israel in the hopes that Shira's condition would improve. Always gracious, Shira never complained or indulged in self-pity--even though she certainly would have had the right to, given the pain and fatigue she suffered almost daily. Her focus instead was always on her family and her community. Many people speak about how important the Torah is, but Shira truly lived its teachings. I thought many times how much I admired her and aspired to be even a fraction of the magnificent woman she was. I know in times of loss we tend to remember only the best qualities about a person, as is human nature. But Shira was different, she really was an exceptional woman, friend, wife, and mother. I didn't get to be a part of her life for an extended time, but that didn't matter because she was the kind of woman you knew you were instantly lifelong friends with. I will always remember our chats after I would watch her son while she attended her numerous doctors' appointments, and our Shabbos walks to and from shul. We talked about so many things, and I really felt like I could ask her for help or advice without judgment. I will miss her terribly, and regret that I was not able to see her for quite some time as I never made it to Israel to visit as I had hoped to do. What I am sure of, though, is that the light of her spirit will never leave me, nor any of the people she touched during her short time here on earth.
26 years just doesn't seem long enough for such a warm and loving neshama to be on this earth... July 1982-February 2009...
Good-bye, dearest Shira, I will miss you so but know that always you are with me.
-Hila
Monday, February 16, 2009
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
A long time gone...
Hey there folks! I'm sure everyone has presumed this blog dead, but I assure you, it is not...I've just been overwhelmed over the last several months. Some of the reasons for my hectic life haven't been the most positive, but for the most part, things are good in my life. I am finally about to complete cosmetology school (I had to take some time off for personal/medical reasons and also to visit family) and enter the *gasp* real world. I'm scared and nervous but also very excited to get my career started.
Anyhoo, just for fun I thought I'd post some photos on the many changes my hair has seen throughout the last year or so since some of my friends have asked to see pictures (and I have to admit that I do change my hair on what seems to be a weekly basis :0). What can I say, I'm in the hair/makeup/fashion industry, I have to showcase my creativity somehow! Hope you enjoy!
See you all around soon...
Hila
Anyhoo, just for fun I thought I'd post some photos on the many changes my hair has seen throughout the last year or so since some of my friends have asked to see pictures (and I have to admit that I do change my hair on what seems to be a weekly basis :0). What can I say, I'm in the hair/makeup/fashion industry, I have to showcase my creativity somehow! Hope you enjoy!
See you all around soon...
Hila
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
D'var Torah??
Help! I have to give the D'var Torah for Reform Services at Hillel Friday evening...I didn't realize what I was getting myself into, I got an e-mail and thought they needed song leaders (which I have done before and am comfortable with) but apparently the girl in charge thought I was offering to do the D'var...*gulp* I've never done one before and I want to say something meaningful and relevant to the audience (college kids, naturally). Any suggestions? I've checked out the page at URJ but I am not sure how to translate this parsha into anything relevant to the people I'll be addressing. If you have any suggestions please feel free to leave them in the comments or email soon2bejew@gmail.com. Thanks!
-Hila
-Hila
Thursday, March 20, 2008
"The Pimps' Slaves"
In the wake of the Eliot Spitzer drama, Frank Rich writes about the larger problem prostitution poses for American society: the thousands of abused girls who are trapped without hope for escape or rescue. Check it out.
The Pimps' Slaves
The Pimps' Slaves
Monday, January 28, 2008
Wow
So I've been gone for quite some time--my apologies. Lots of things to post about, but they'll have to wait.
Here's a short list though, just for fun:
*School adventures...or lack thereof ;-)
*My brush with death...aka the epic tale of the biatch who crashed into my car because she was on her cell phone and not looking
*My current obsession with Guitar Hero
*My newly purchased Mac Book
*My new Kodak Easy Share digital camera--which has brought me out of the stone age :-)
*Adventures with hair color---or the saga of how to get plum purple back to platinum blonde without it falling out.
*My weight loss regimen, gym misadventures, and tanning bed foibles
*Dating catastrophes and why I will probably end up a spinster...
Yeah, I know you are all excited ;-) Hahahaah stay tuned, dear readers!
Here's a short list though, just for fun:
*School adventures...or lack thereof ;-)
*My brush with death...aka the epic tale of the biatch who crashed into my car because she was on her cell phone and not looking
*My current obsession with Guitar Hero
*My newly purchased Mac Book
*My new Kodak Easy Share digital camera--which has brought me out of the stone age :-)
*Adventures with hair color---or the saga of how to get plum purple back to platinum blonde without it falling out.
*My weight loss regimen, gym misadventures, and tanning bed foibles
*Dating catastrophes and why I will probably end up a spinster...
Yeah, I know you are all excited ;-) Hahahaah stay tuned, dear readers!
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
life...and other things
First off, sorry for my absence! Things have been crazy around here lately, but rest assured, I'm alive :-)
To update the 3 of you that read (used to read? ;-)) this, I have decided to pursue my passion and am going to Cosmetology school. Some of you may be scratching your heads and going "huh?" Let me elaborate a bit. Ever since I was about 13 years old, whenever I was asked what I would do if I could do anything in the world, if I could have my "dream job" I would always reply "I would love to be a celebrity hairstylist and makeup artist." I just never thought that I could make that dream come true, because I 'had' to go to college, get a degree, and find a career. I entered college as a freshman unsure of what I wanted to pursue because I have so many different interests, both intellectual and otherwise, but none of which seemed to really click for me. I thought about becoming an interpreter and translator, possibly working for the State Department or the UN. I contemplated going into social work, working for a non-profit or NGO. Still, nothing really pulled at my heart and said "this is what you're meant to do."
To be honest, I really had quite a hangup about pursuing my dream because of all of the support and encouragement I got while growing up. I know that sounds strange, because my parents always told me I could be anything I wanted to be, and do anything I wanted to do. It's just that I was always told that I was smart enough to do anything, and while I hate to admit it, a big part of me thought that I would be a disappointment to the people in my life if I decided on a career in the beauty industry solely because "I could do so much more." I know that makes me sound shallow, but when you're used to hearing how much potential you have, it makes it hard to choose something that to some people may not be the best use of your talents. Luckily for me, I was beyond wrong. My parents were extremely supportive, and are still. My father told me "If you do what you love, you will never work a day in your life." Well, I'm loving Cosmetology so far, and I can tell that this is really what I want to do. It is such a liberating feeling to be pursuing my dream and not caring if anyone is judging me for it. Like it says on SerandEz, "Be yourself, because the people who care don't matter, and the people who matter don't care." Boy, is that true. I have received nothing but positive feedback when telling people that I am doing Cosmetology, and in fact most of them were like "it's about time!"
So anyway, that's pretty much what's new with me. Along with trying to have a bit of a social life and stay involved with Jewish life. It's great too because my school is in the same city as the University I attended, so I'm still close to all of my friends from college and get to participate in campus Jewish life as if I were still at the University.
Hope everyone is doing well. I'll try not to be absent for so long of a stretch in the future.
-Hila
To update the 3 of you that read (used to read? ;-)) this, I have decided to pursue my passion and am going to Cosmetology school. Some of you may be scratching your heads and going "huh?" Let me elaborate a bit. Ever since I was about 13 years old, whenever I was asked what I would do if I could do anything in the world, if I could have my "dream job" I would always reply "I would love to be a celebrity hairstylist and makeup artist." I just never thought that I could make that dream come true, because I 'had' to go to college, get a degree, and find a career. I entered college as a freshman unsure of what I wanted to pursue because I have so many different interests, both intellectual and otherwise, but none of which seemed to really click for me. I thought about becoming an interpreter and translator, possibly working for the State Department or the UN. I contemplated going into social work, working for a non-profit or NGO. Still, nothing really pulled at my heart and said "this is what you're meant to do."
To be honest, I really had quite a hangup about pursuing my dream because of all of the support and encouragement I got while growing up. I know that sounds strange, because my parents always told me I could be anything I wanted to be, and do anything I wanted to do. It's just that I was always told that I was smart enough to do anything, and while I hate to admit it, a big part of me thought that I would be a disappointment to the people in my life if I decided on a career in the beauty industry solely because "I could do so much more." I know that makes me sound shallow, but when you're used to hearing how much potential you have, it makes it hard to choose something that to some people may not be the best use of your talents. Luckily for me, I was beyond wrong. My parents were extremely supportive, and are still. My father told me "If you do what you love, you will never work a day in your life." Well, I'm loving Cosmetology so far, and I can tell that this is really what I want to do. It is such a liberating feeling to be pursuing my dream and not caring if anyone is judging me for it. Like it says on SerandEz, "Be yourself, because the people who care don't matter, and the people who matter don't care." Boy, is that true. I have received nothing but positive feedback when telling people that I am doing Cosmetology, and in fact most of them were like "it's about time!"
So anyway, that's pretty much what's new with me. Along with trying to have a bit of a social life and stay involved with Jewish life. It's great too because my school is in the same city as the University I attended, so I'm still close to all of my friends from college and get to participate in campus Jewish life as if I were still at the University.
Hope everyone is doing well. I'll try not to be absent for so long of a stretch in the future.
-Hila
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Apples & Honey
Happy New Year, everyone! L'shanah Tovah!
I will be in Seattle for Rosh Hashanah this year, which should prove to be an interesting experience. My Mormon sister HAD to pick the 15th for her wedding, and, being the loving little sister I am, did not complain. Nu, you're thinking, what's the problem? Rosh Hashanah will be over by the 15th, though it is Shabbos. Right, well, in order to be out there with plenty of cushion-time in case of emergencies, delays, etc, we have to leave tomorrow morning. And yeah, she's getting married on Saturday evening, which is still Shabbos. I've basically decided I have to let it go--there are too many other external factors going into her wedding planning/considerations that my wishes/needs have to be left alone. I wish it could be differently, but this is my sister and she's only getting married once (Mormons do this peculiar thing they call "sealing" which means that when you get married, you're married for all of eternity. Yikes!) so I suppose I can suck it up and be involved. LOL no, seriously, I am excited about the wedding and all of that stuff--and besides, it's not like HaShem is gonna get too peeved, I'm not "official" yet anyway. So pffft.
Ok, enough rambling about me---I hope all of you have a sweet and happy New Year and eat lots of good food! (Who am I kidding, Jews are professional eaters--you all will be stuffed!)
Shalom!
-Hila
I will be in Seattle for Rosh Hashanah this year, which should prove to be an interesting experience. My Mormon sister HAD to pick the 15th for her wedding, and, being the loving little sister I am, did not complain. Nu, you're thinking, what's the problem? Rosh Hashanah will be over by the 15th, though it is Shabbos. Right, well, in order to be out there with plenty of cushion-time in case of emergencies, delays, etc, we have to leave tomorrow morning. And yeah, she's getting married on Saturday evening, which is still Shabbos. I've basically decided I have to let it go--there are too many other external factors going into her wedding planning/considerations that my wishes/needs have to be left alone. I wish it could be differently, but this is my sister and she's only getting married once (Mormons do this peculiar thing they call "sealing" which means that when you get married, you're married for all of eternity. Yikes!) so I suppose I can suck it up and be involved. LOL no, seriously, I am excited about the wedding and all of that stuff--and besides, it's not like HaShem is gonna get too peeved, I'm not "official" yet anyway. So pffft.
Ok, enough rambling about me---I hope all of you have a sweet and happy New Year and eat lots of good food! (Who am I kidding, Jews are professional eaters--you all will be stuffed!)
Shalom!
-Hila
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