(no subject)
Wow! It has been a very long time since I updated this. I had a thought last night that I really should start keeping a journal more often because I know these memories will only grow in importance as I grow older. I know I have made this promise before, and have failed before, but I know I am a fan of nostalgia, and what can possibly be more nostalgic then one's own journal? All right, let's get down to it.
Today is Thursday, May 22nd, 2008. As for my life, I think it's going well. I have actively started chasing graduate school while being open about it at work. My co-workers think it's a great idea and support me the whole way. They hope I stay in the area so they can keep me around and help them out. While I have my qualms with my job (as i'm sure everyone does), I could never find these life lessons anywhere else. My hope for graduate school is to attend the University of Washington's History Department and get my Master of Arts and my Ph.D. (Eventually) Only two things stand in my way of Grad School: the GRE and a foreign language. I finally bought a couple of GRE prepbooks and I am doing quite well in studying for the exam. I do not have a set test date as of yet, but I have travel plans that take precedent. I'll get to that later. As for my foreign language, this may be a tougher obstacle to climb, but not for the obvious reasons of learning a foreign language. It is the selection that is difficult. The schools request that the language be related to the area of study. Because I majored in Jewish history, I thought the appropriate language to take would be Hebrew, but due to its lack of conversational or written use outside of biblical texts before the Zionist movement to Palestine in the late 19th century, it may not be as useful as say, German, Russian, Polish, or Yiddish. The problem with Yiddish is just the opposite. It would be incredibly useful for the time periods that I wish to study, however it is now a dead language and cannot be found easily. Nor would I have much practical use for it outside of study. This decision is beyond my capability for decision, and I need some advice from those who have, who are, and who will be instructing me.
Next up: Travel! I'm finally going to Israel! I leave for New York City on the 14th of June, then I leave for Tel Aviv on the 18th. I will be in Ha'Aretz Yisrael (The Land of Israel) until the 29th of June, and I will return to Seattle on the 1st of July. My trip itinerary is quite extensive, and while there are some things we are not seeing and not doing that I would like to, generally I think the trip covers all the bases. I am going with Avi. It'll be nice to have a friend to go with, but I earnestly believe that I will meet all sorts of awesome new people. TO ALL MY CHRISTIAN FRIENDS OUT THERE: Jerusalem is divided into 4 quarters: Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and Armenian. I will most likely visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the holiest Christian site in Jerusalem, and I will for sure be visiting the Sea of Galilee where Jesus walked on water. If you'd like for me to say a prayer for you or a loved one, or something like that, let me know. TO ALL MY JEWISH FRIENDS: Let me know if you want me to say a prayer for you at the Kotel, or if you want me to pick you up something as a gift.
Next, I've started seeing someone. It's been rough sledding the past few months where relationships are concerned. I guess I had a habit of seeing things that weren't there in past attempts at love. Perhaps I was too loyal, and not independent enough. Whatever. All of that is in the past. As I said, i've been on several dates with this girl. We get along really well. We mesh in almost every situation and we are always up for what the other wants to do. This weekend we are going to the Folklife festival together, and then next Friday we are going to the Moore Theatre to see B.J. Novak's stand up comedy act. (He is the head writer and plays 'Ryan' on 'The Office'). We are both kind of united by our desire for graduate school and we keep each other informed on our respective progress. I think we're a good match, and if she's reading this...we need to make lemonade again soon!
I should probably wrap this up, but i'm going to try to make this a more common occurence.
Today is Thursday, May 22nd, 2008. As for my life, I think it's going well. I have actively started chasing graduate school while being open about it at work. My co-workers think it's a great idea and support me the whole way. They hope I stay in the area so they can keep me around and help them out. While I have my qualms with my job (as i'm sure everyone does), I could never find these life lessons anywhere else. My hope for graduate school is to attend the University of Washington's History Department and get my Master of Arts and my Ph.D. (Eventually) Only two things stand in my way of Grad School: the GRE and a foreign language. I finally bought a couple of GRE prepbooks and I am doing quite well in studying for the exam. I do not have a set test date as of yet, but I have travel plans that take precedent. I'll get to that later. As for my foreign language, this may be a tougher obstacle to climb, but not for the obvious reasons of learning a foreign language. It is the selection that is difficult. The schools request that the language be related to the area of study. Because I majored in Jewish history, I thought the appropriate language to take would be Hebrew, but due to its lack of conversational or written use outside of biblical texts before the Zionist movement to Palestine in the late 19th century, it may not be as useful as say, German, Russian, Polish, or Yiddish. The problem with Yiddish is just the opposite. It would be incredibly useful for the time periods that I wish to study, however it is now a dead language and cannot be found easily. Nor would I have much practical use for it outside of study. This decision is beyond my capability for decision, and I need some advice from those who have, who are, and who will be instructing me.
Next up: Travel! I'm finally going to Israel! I leave for New York City on the 14th of June, then I leave for Tel Aviv on the 18th. I will be in Ha'Aretz Yisrael (The Land of Israel) until the 29th of June, and I will return to Seattle on the 1st of July. My trip itinerary is quite extensive, and while there are some things we are not seeing and not doing that I would like to, generally I think the trip covers all the bases. I am going with Avi. It'll be nice to have a friend to go with, but I earnestly believe that I will meet all sorts of awesome new people. TO ALL MY CHRISTIAN FRIENDS OUT THERE: Jerusalem is divided into 4 quarters: Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and Armenian. I will most likely visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the holiest Christian site in Jerusalem, and I will for sure be visiting the Sea of Galilee where Jesus walked on water. If you'd like for me to say a prayer for you or a loved one, or something like that, let me know. TO ALL MY JEWISH FRIENDS: Let me know if you want me to say a prayer for you at the Kotel, or if you want me to pick you up something as a gift.
Next, I've started seeing someone. It's been rough sledding the past few months where relationships are concerned. I guess I had a habit of seeing things that weren't there in past attempts at love. Perhaps I was too loyal, and not independent enough. Whatever. All of that is in the past. As I said, i've been on several dates with this girl. We get along really well. We mesh in almost every situation and we are always up for what the other wants to do. This weekend we are going to the Folklife festival together, and then next Friday we are going to the Moore Theatre to see B.J. Novak's stand up comedy act. (He is the head writer and plays 'Ryan' on 'The Office'). We are both kind of united by our desire for graduate school and we keep each other informed on our respective progress. I think we're a good match, and if she's reading this...we need to make lemonade again soon!
I should probably wrap this up, but i'm going to try to make this a more common occurence.