Week in Review: Some Firsts
This week was all about "firsts." I'm excited by the opportunities rolling by, works in progress, and opportunities to be made.
We had to cancel our NYC plans due to Haim's work. Hopefully, we'll get to go to see my mom in May. By now, I'm already edgy to see a more familiar face, to walk along the Hudson River and see the NJ shore. Friends and family included. To take Ivry where our hearts desire. Man, I wish I could hop on a number 1 train - anywhere!
1. This week I voted in the PA primaries for the first time. I always sent an absentee ballot from Israel for the last 18 years, but this was the FIRST time I voted on American soil and it felt DAMNED good! (I left for Israel when I was barely of voting age, thus the excitement) I remember the community room of the artists community building in Greenwich Village where I made films, listened to Spencer Holst tell us stories, (I miss him so much) helped my Dad with the Greenwich Village Halloween parade floats together with the famous Ralph Lee (MY! Those were GRAND TIMES) and my brother took karate. This same community room held voting machines and people pulled levers up and down. Does anybody remember those days?
It was weird entering a synagogue presenting my card and proceeding to the computer terminals - all of which were practically empty. Just a few touches on the screen and I felt giddy. My whole body practically shook. Then I cast my vote and all was well.
2. Passover. We went to two seders - one community sedar and one family seder, both Chabad affiliated. They have shown great support helping us settle down. As the youngest, Ivry didn't participate in saying the four questions on the second night, but it was still a special time. We aren't used to the two seder thing as Israel has only one. Just like the voting thing, my memory stops at 1985, when I last participated in grandmother's two seders in Far Rockaway who was Orthodox.
Ivry brought his own Elijah cup and was proud when holding it up. Cute.
3. My coauthor out from Washington state and myself sent off a new chapter synopsis to Corwin Press. We have yet to hear from our prospective editor, but we are picking up speed with regard to revising chapter one. She is rooted in US perspectives, which will help with the writing process. Our collaborative online relationship has become meaty as we are looking now at content and it has become a very interesting process.
4. I signed up for a writer's coach! I feel it's really what I need to help bring my freelance writing to the next level. I enjoy this work from home lifestyle; it suits my personality well and I am doing a lot of networking, sending queries and writing, but I need more.
5. I read to my writing group the first chapter of the WIP "Tomer's Story" (tentative title) about a 14 year old American (Greenwich Village, where else?) boy who spends a year on kibbutz (our kibbutz in the Upper Galilee, where else?) and has difficulties adjusting to the israeli culture and learning Hebrew. (sounds familiar) I think I'm finally get the plot at an angle where I feel comfortable exploring Tomer as a character. My writing mentor sent me these character outlines which should be helpful when further delving into story.
Tidbits: (still can't manage with LJ cut and paste thing)
1. Haim has request an additional leave of absence from the kibbutz as he is a kibbutz member. I'm rooting for him as far as job promotion goes. My Dad however is SO convinced that Haim can get a job doing what he is doing now but back in Israel. Duh... we searched jobs high and low for Haim for 2 years and left no stone unturned. It's painful to leave a beautiful pastoral kibbutz countryside for a new life but when parents do not support you, or their reactions are so shortsighted all due out of worry and concern, it makes the situation even worse. Haim is approaching fifty. We're lucky that he found a job here, as well. A little support, parents, please?? In fact, I was talking about it with Elan last night, my bro, who lives out in San-Diego and he was so surprised by my Dad's reaction, former ex-patriate of America, left Israel himself for the golden opportunity in the fifties as we are seeking now. "If anything..." Elan said. "He should be supportive by Haim's commendable achievements?" It's true - for an Israeli (Kibbutznick) to adopt so quickly to the American culture, rack up sales in excess of thousands of dollars monthly for the food chain, is nothing short of amazing. A true success story. *sigh* Parents just don't get it. I hope I'll never be so damn critical of my son when he grows up. Swear it.
2. Ivry's verbal ability is nothing of amazing. Today he said: "Mommy, it's not my fault!" (never mind the issue as to why) I have these conversations with kids twice his age in the park. He is growing up to be a sensitive, considerate, humane, spiritual, understanding, curious little boy. I love him to death. He IS the light of our lives.
Anyhow, that's all for now. Sorry for the long post.
Have a good weekend, folks!
We had to cancel our NYC plans due to Haim's work. Hopefully, we'll get to go to see my mom in May. By now, I'm already edgy to see a more familiar face, to walk along the Hudson River and see the NJ shore. Friends and family included. To take Ivry where our hearts desire. Man, I wish I could hop on a number 1 train - anywhere!
1. This week I voted in the PA primaries for the first time. I always sent an absentee ballot from Israel for the last 18 years, but this was the FIRST time I voted on American soil and it felt DAMNED good! (I left for Israel when I was barely of voting age, thus the excitement) I remember the community room of the artists community building in Greenwich Village where I made films, listened to Spencer Holst tell us stories, (I miss him so much) helped my Dad with the Greenwich Village Halloween parade floats together with the famous Ralph Lee (MY! Those were GRAND TIMES) and my brother took karate. This same community room held voting machines and people pulled levers up and down. Does anybody remember those days?
It was weird entering a synagogue presenting my card and proceeding to the computer terminals - all of which were practically empty. Just a few touches on the screen and I felt giddy. My whole body practically shook. Then I cast my vote and all was well.
2. Passover. We went to two seders - one community sedar and one family seder, both Chabad affiliated. They have shown great support helping us settle down. As the youngest, Ivry didn't participate in saying the four questions on the second night, but it was still a special time. We aren't used to the two seder thing as Israel has only one. Just like the voting thing, my memory stops at 1985, when I last participated in grandmother's two seders in Far Rockaway who was Orthodox.
Ivry brought his own Elijah cup and was proud when holding it up. Cute.
3. My coauthor out from Washington state and myself sent off a new chapter synopsis to Corwin Press. We have yet to hear from our prospective editor, but we are picking up speed with regard to revising chapter one. She is rooted in US perspectives, which will help with the writing process. Our collaborative online relationship has become meaty as we are looking now at content and it has become a very interesting process.
4. I signed up for a writer's coach! I feel it's really what I need to help bring my freelance writing to the next level. I enjoy this work from home lifestyle; it suits my personality well and I am doing a lot of networking, sending queries and writing, but I need more.
5. I read to my writing group the first chapter of the WIP "Tomer's Story" (tentative title) about a 14 year old American (Greenwich Village, where else?) boy who spends a year on kibbutz (our kibbutz in the Upper Galilee, where else?) and has difficulties adjusting to the israeli culture and learning Hebrew. (sounds familiar) I think I'm finally get the plot at an angle where I feel comfortable exploring Tomer as a character. My writing mentor sent me these character outlines which should be helpful when further delving into story.
Tidbits: (still can't manage with LJ cut and paste thing)
1. Haim has request an additional leave of absence from the kibbutz as he is a kibbutz member. I'm rooting for him as far as job promotion goes. My Dad however is SO convinced that Haim can get a job doing what he is doing now but back in Israel. Duh... we searched jobs high and low for Haim for 2 years and left no stone unturned. It's painful to leave a beautiful pastoral kibbutz countryside for a new life but when parents do not support you, or their reactions are so shortsighted all due out of worry and concern, it makes the situation even worse. Haim is approaching fifty. We're lucky that he found a job here, as well. A little support, parents, please?? In fact, I was talking about it with Elan last night, my bro, who lives out in San-Diego and he was so surprised by my Dad's reaction, former ex-patriate of America, left Israel himself for the golden opportunity in the fifties as we are seeking now. "If anything..." Elan said. "He should be supportive by Haim's commendable achievements?" It's true - for an Israeli (Kibbutznick) to adopt so quickly to the American culture, rack up sales in excess of thousands of dollars monthly for the food chain, is nothing short of amazing. A true success story. *sigh* Parents just don't get it. I hope I'll never be so damn critical of my son when he grows up. Swear it.
2. Ivry's verbal ability is nothing of amazing. Today he said: "Mommy, it's not my fault!" (never mind the issue as to why) I have these conversations with kids twice his age in the park. He is growing up to be a sensitive, considerate, humane, spiritual, understanding, curious little boy. I love him to death. He IS the light of our lives.
Anyhow, that's all for now. Sorry for the long post.
Have a good weekend, folks!