moocowinthecity

So I Finally Figured Out What The Hebrew Graffiti Means

moocowinthecity Jan 7, 2007 0 Comments

So it took me awhile but I was able to figure out what the Hebrew Graffiti Means (the writing on the wall, if you will). For those of you who don’t remember, I found some awesome Graffiti at the stop right after the Briarwood Station on the F line to Queens from The City; Steve (stevivor) was kind enough to take a photo for me, which I’ve now stolen from his site and added to my picture page to save him bandwidth (don’t sue me Steve =P):

The Graffiti 

The above reads:

ב”ה

Now, after some internet research as to the meaning, I came across something that helped over at FAQs.org)

B”H
	(Baruch Hashem) + Translation: Blessed be G-d (occasionally) (B’Ezras/Ezer Hashem) + Translation: With G-d’s help (i.e. at top of papers, sometimes with an ayin following the beis)

(Source)

So I Finally Figured Out What The Hebrew Graffiti Means

moocowinthecity Jan 7, 2007 0 Comments

So it took me awhile but I was able to figure out what the Hebrew Graffiti Means (the writing on the wall, if you will). For those of you who don’t remember, I found some awesome Graffiti at the stop right after the Briarwood Station on the F line to Queens from The City; Steve (

stevivor) was kind enough to take a photo for me, which I’ve now stolen from his site and added to my picture page to save him bandwidth (don’t sue me Steve =P):

The Graffiti

The above reads:

ב”ה

Now, after some internet research as to the meaning, I came across something that helped over at FAQs.org)

B”H(Baruch Hashem)
+ Translation: Blessed be G-d (occasionally) (B’Ezras/Ezer Hashem)
+ Translation: With G-d’s help (i.e. at top of papers, sometimes with an ayin following the beis)
(Source)

Update of Spiffyness

moocowinthecity Jan 7, 2007 0 Comments

A Big Update But You Should Read It =P

I know I haven’t updated in a while, between the splint on my hand, the holidays and the normal Mishugas of life, I was just broadsided (literally, and figuratively); however I’m back in the groove…and if you read the whole thing, I’ll give you…a cookie.

North Carolina

North Carolina was amazing, it was so good to see family friends again, Mom and I had an amazing time just hanging out with everyone and sharing in their traditions, It was so wonderful to see everyone again. We really love their family and I’m glad that they’ve become a part of ours.

Grades & Reflections

This semester’s grades are finally in:

A- in Arabic III
B- in Linguistic Analysis I
B in Linguistic Analysis II
A in Paauw’s class

And yes, they came in that order…if you’re astute you can see that this spells out ABBA which means that, like Margaret Cho, my fairy godmother is a Drag Queen. If you’re even more astute, you’ll see that Arabic has a – next to it, which means I need to work even harder next semester to bring that up to an A…bring it on.

I’m looking forward to this coming semester with great anticipation, one syllabus is online already that I’m aware of (which can be found here in *.pdf format) and it’s eight pages long with a reading list of a little over three and a half pages long and footnotes…and I’m chomping at the bit for it to start. It’s reading, writing and research intensive with options for presentations and no exams (my kind of course). The professor informs us that he’s put together a reader, but as a student who’s been at the University for five years, I’m sort of waiting for the other shoe to drop, so to speak, and for him to go “hahahaha, the reader wasn’t able to be printed, go buy the books.” Ahh experience…one of life’s better teachers.

In my other course I’m studying under the European Union’s lead authority and advisor on Minority Language Rights (he spends half his year in the U.S. and half elsewhere and calls three continents his home)…he’s amazing, and quite frankly, he could read the phonebook to me and make it sound interesting and I’d do what most have never seen me do – sit perfectly still in a chair, on the edge of my seat, in dazed and utter bliss – he has a wicked, tawdry, roguish sense of humor and I love every minute of it.

CPhT, IAPP, CIPP or Alphabet Soup

I’m in the process of completing my Continuing Education Requirements (I have to do 20 CEs over two years for re-certification) for the CPhT this year. I have to say, however, that of the CEs I have the option of doing, none have been terribly thrilling this time around (the next one I get to take in the line is “Safe Bowel Preparation with Sodium Phosphate”). The last time I was in the CE process they had some really fun ones, this year they’re all rather disappointing. I did find a couple of them really instructive though, the Assessing and Managing Risk in Pharmaceutical Settings one, most notably.

I sent in my application to join the IAPP (International Association of Privacy Professionals) yesterday, so I can begin to get ready to take the CIPP Certification Exam (Certified Information Privacy Professional); I took their practice exam blind (with no studying) and did fairly well (well enough to pass). I’m fairly astute with computers and I have a strong medical support staff background (I worked in a nursing home for three years as a volunteer, an audiologists office for four years doing clerical and insurance claims work, and at a pharmacy for four years, three of which were as their lead technician).

The IAPP says you should dedicate 15-20 hours studying for the CIPP Exam, I’m scheduling in 30 hours of study time and adding on an additional 10 so I can complete their reading list of books and case studies to make sure that I’m prepared. After that, I’m taking a follow up practice exam (to see progress over time) and if I’m satisfied, then registering to take it this Summer in Washington, D.C. (or New York City if they’re offering it there again) or this coming Fall depending on scheduling.

I have to say that the really impressive thing about the IAPP is that the study guides for the exam and practice tests are free to download on their website, compared with other certification exams that I’ve taken where you had to pay for a ton of materials (all of which had varying degrees of usability).

I’m also taking a follow up/support class for my Certificate in Paralegal studies this semester at UB from the same instructor I had when I was taking the Certificate Course through the Millard Fillmore College

Of course, things like this leave my grandmother perplexed, because I’m going into translation, so I try to elucidate it for her: Paralegal, Pharmacy directly relate to the ATA Exams (Legal and Medical Translation) and are invaluable for knowledge in the fields I’d be likely to translate in (as well as provide me with practical skills to function as support staff: the paralegal notably with the ability to use a law library, they also provide ways of getting cash until I get to where I want to be). The CIPP Exam illustrates that I know how to keep both Medical and Legal records as well as Sensitive Data properly secured, and the NIH course I took really just illustrates that I know how to not kill or maim research participants. So they’re all sort of related and all reinforce the same message: that I can be trusted with your works to be translated in confidence and will treat them with the confidentiality, security and respect that they deserve. Now I just have to finish learning the languages I want to work in.

I’m hoping Candie (covarla) will come with me sometime in the first few weeks of the semester to sit for the Notary Licensing Exam as well, I’m taking the P.I. exam at the end of the semester, which means that by graduation (providing things go according to plan) I’ll have a B.A,, CPhT, CIPP, P.I. after my name (I’ve already taken and passed quite a few of the certification and certificate exams i want, I just need to take a few more before I graduate)…alphabet soup man, alphabet soup.

Oh…I’m also taking the bartender certification course this year, I’ve been practicing my bottle flipping too.

My Left Wrist

I went to the orthopedist the other day and it turns out it was just a really, really bad sprain with a burn and it’s healing up nicely (and I’m out of the splint!) so I’m quite happy. He said if I feel any pain or need any hand therapy to come back, but I don’t foresee that in my future…first, because I don’t think it’ll be necessary, and secondly because I waited an hour and a half to see him and knowing that my number one pet peeve is when people are late/don’t respect other people’s time then I’m setting up a confrontational Doctor/Patient relationship every time I’d be going to see him and I’d probably be resistive to therapy because of that kind of relationship and therefore I’d essentially be setting us both up for failure. I’d like to avoid that, so if I need it I’ll find another professional.

New Years

blue02dude came up for New Years Eve Weekend and we had a good time hanging out in New York City, going to Four Food Studio & Cocktail Salon, and doing our thing. We attempted New Years Eve at Times Square which turned out to be a bust because we were ten blocks away (we didn’t get up at 6am…) which means not only can’t you see anything, but you can’t hear anything either, add to that the fact that my back was acting up (a side effect of the accident I had a few years ago) that it was just easier to go home (and pick up some champagne on the way) and actually get to see the ball drop from my house on the big screen T.V. in surround. Towards the end of his stay unfortunately I started getting sick so we had to take things mellow but we made it into NYC a good two or three times.

The Non-Existant Long Island LGBT Scene

Long Island has a large amount of social justice organizations that are geared towards LGBT issues and causes and I do recall a few dance clubs at one time in the past, however most of them, it appears, are no longer active. I went to a bar with Chris when he was here and it was just disappointing. Buffalo has an amazing club scene with clubs that rival some you’ll find in NYC (I know, who’d have thought?) and bars that equal or at least come close to those you’ll find in NYC. Toronto has an amazing LGBT scene (Woody’s, Goodhandy’s to name just a few) and on Long Island it’s just not existent or apparently incredibly underground (which I doubt given the prevalence of the social justice organizations that are quite in the open). Also, I enjoy the company of not only Gay and Straight men and Lesbian and Straight women, but a large portion of gender bending, inter-sexed, trans-everything people and I’m just sort of amazed that Buffalo has venues for everyone and that The Island doesn’t, it seems sort of backwards.

Medical Update

The ‘cold’ turned out t be a full blown Upper Respiratory Infection so I feel like shit (though getting better), but I was given a Z-Pack and cough medicine at the doctors so that’s good and it’s clearing up.

I did, however, ask him to prescribe me the Hepatitis B Vaccine (which also, I’m told, vaccinates you against Hepatitis A) which is a series of shots over three months; and while incredibly expensive (since insurance, bless them, doesn’t cover it) is worth it’s weight in gold. I’m a big fan of preventative medicine. I’ll be going in for my first shot(s?) this Monday.

That said, this semester I’ve scheduled a lot of training hours that I have to stick with, including weight vest training (84lbs X-Vest Weighted Training Vest & Tethered Suicides Cardio), Drop in Yoga and Pilates.

I’ve had an overall weight loss (since I started dieting the Summer of my Freshman Year) of 133lbs. I need to loose another 30-50 and more importantly, I need to build flexibility and muscle mass. Work in progress my ass…I’m ready to be the finished product.

Ruminations of a Mad Man Volume I

I head back to Buffalo this Thursday (the 11th) since Sarah had to push it back a day so she could go see Miki’s concert (Miki is her Sister).

Anyways, time to go take my next dose of Z-Pack, more updates later =)

Update of Spiffyness

moocowinthecity Jan 7, 2007 0 Comments

A Big Update But You Should Read It =P

I know I haven’t updated in a while, between the splint on my hand, the holidays and the normal Mishugas of life, I was just broadsided (literally, and figuratively); however I’m back in the groove…and if you read the whole thing, I’ll give you…a cookie.

North Carolina

North Carolina was amazing, it was so good to see family friends again, Mom and I had an amazing time just hanging out with everyone and sharing in their traditions, It was so wonderful to see everyone again. We really love their family and I’m glad that they’ve become a part of ours.

Grades & Reflections

This semester’s grades are finally in:

A- in Arabic III
B- in Linguistic Analysis I
B in Linguistic Analysis II
A in Paauw’s class

And yes, they came in that order…if you’re astute you can see that this spells out ABBA which means that, like Margaret Cho, my fairy godmother is a Drag Queen. If you’re even more astute, you’ll see that Arabic has a – next to it, which means I need to work even harder next semester to bring that up to an A…bring it on.

I’m looking forward to this coming semester with great anticipation, one syllabus is online already that I’m aware of (which can be found here in *.pdf format) and it’s eight pages long with a reading list of a little over three and a half pages long and footnotes…and I’m chomping at the bit for it to start. It’s reading, writing and research intensive with options for presentations and no exams (my kind of course). The professor informs us that he’s put together a reader, but as a student who’s been at the University for five years, I’m sort of waiting for the other shoe to drop, so to speak, and for him to go “hahahaha, the reader wasn’t able to be printed, go buy the books.” Ahh experience…one of life’s better teachers.

In my other course I’m studying under the European Union’s lead authority and advisor on Minority Language Rights (he spends half his year in the U.S. and half elsewhere and calls three continents his home)…he’s amazing, and quite frankly, he could read the phonebook to me and make it sound interesting and I’d do what most have never seen me do – sit perfectly still in a chair, on the edge of my seat, in dazed and utter bliss – he has a wicked, tawdry, roguish sense of humor and I love every minute of it.

CPhT, IAPP, CIPP or Alphabet Soup

I’m in the process of completing my Continuing Education Requirements (I have to do 20 CEs over two years for re-certification) for the CPhT this year. I have to say, however, that of the CEs I have the option of doing, none have been terribly thrilling this time around (the next one I get to take in the line is “Safe Bowel Preparation with Sodium Phosphate”). The last time I was in the CE process they had some really fun ones, this year they’re all rather disappointing. I did find a couple of them really instructive though, the Assessing and Managing Risk in Pharmaceutical Settings one, most notably.

I sent in my application to join the IAPP (International Association of Privacy Professionals) yesterday, so I can begin to get ready to take the CIPP Certification Exam (Certified Information Privacy Professional); I took their practice exam blind (with no studying) and did fairly well (well enough to pass). I’m fairly astute with computers and I have a strong medical support staff background (I worked in a nursing home for three years as a volunteer, an audiologists office for four years doing clerical and insurance claims work, and at a pharmacy for four years, three of which were as their lead technician).

The IAPP says you should dedicate 15-20 hours studying for the CIPP Exam, I’m scheduling in 30 hours of study time and adding on an additional 10 so I can complete their reading list of books and case studies to make sure that I’m prepared. After that, I’m taking a follow up practice exam (to see progress over time) and if I’m satisfied, then registering to take it this Summer in Washington, D.C. (or New York City if they’re offering it there again) or this coming Fall depending on scheduling.

I have to say that the really impressive thing about the IAPP is that the study guides for the exam and practice tests are free to download on their website, compared with other certification exams that I’ve taken where you had to pay for a ton of materials (all of which had varying degrees of usability).

I’m also taking a follow up/support class for my Certificate in Paralegal studies this semester at UB from the same instructor I had when I was taking the Certificate Course through the Millard Fillmore College

Of course, things like this leave my grandmother perplexed, because I’m going into translation, so I try to elucidate it for her: Paralegal, Pharmacy directly relate to the ATA Exams (Legal and Medical Translation) and are invaluable for knowledge in the fields I’d be likely to translate in (as well as provide me with practical skills to function as support staff: the paralegal notably with the ability to use a law library, they also provide ways of getting cash until I get to where I want to be). The CIPP Exam illustrates that I know how to keep both Medical and Legal records as well as Sensitive Data properly secured, and the NIH course I took really just illustrates that I know how to not kill or maim research participants. So they’re all sort of related and all reinforce the same message: that I can be trusted with your works to be translated in confidence and will treat them with the confidentiality, security and respect that they deserve. Now I just have to finish learning the languages I want to work in.

I’m hoping Candie (

covarla) will come with me sometime in the first few weeks of the semester to sit for the Notary Licensing Exam as well, I’m taking the P.I. exam at the end of the semester, which means that by graduation (providing things go according to plan) I’ll have a B.A,, CPhT, CIPP, P.I. after my name (I’ve already taken and passed quite a few of the certification and certificate exams i want, I just need to take a few more before I graduate)…alphabet soup man, alphabet soup.

Oh…I’m also taking the bartender certification course this year, I’ve been practicing my bottle flipping too.

My Left Wrist

I went to the orthopedist the other day and it turns out it was just a really, really bad sprain with a burn and it’s healing up nicely (and I’m out of the splint!) so I’m quite happy. He said if I feel any pain or need any hand therapy to come back, but I don’t foresee that in my future…first, because I don’t think it’ll be necessary, and secondly because I waited an hour and a half to see him and knowing that my number one pet peeve is when people are late/don’t respect other people’s time then I’m setting up a confrontational Doctor/Patient relationship every time I’d be going to see him and I’d probably be resistive to therapy because of that kind of relationship and therefore I’d essentially be setting us both up for failure. I’d like to avoid that, so if I need it I’ll find another professional.

New Years

blue02dude came up for New Years Eve Weekend and we had a good time hanging out in New York City, going to Four Food Studio & Cocktail Salon, and doing our thing. We attempted New Years Eve at Times Square which turned out to be a bust because we were ten blocks away (we didn’t get up at 6am…) which means not only can’t you see anything, but you can’t hear anything either, add to that the fact that my back was acting up (a side effect of the accident I had a few years ago) that it was just easier to go home (and pick up some champagne on the way) and actually get to see the ball drop from my house on the big screen T.V. in surround. Towards the end of his stay unfortunately I started getting sick so we had to take things mellow but we made it into NYC a good two or three times.

The Non-Existant Long Island LGBT Scene

Long Island has a large amount of social justice organizations that are geared towards LGBT issues and causes and I do recall a few dance clubs at one time in the past, however most of them, it appears, are no longer active. I went to a bar with Chris when he was here and it was just disappointing. Buffalo has an amazing club scene with clubs that rival some you’ll find in NYC (I know, who’d have thought?) and bars that equal or at least come close to those you’ll find in NYC. Toronto has an amazing LGBT scene (Woody’s, Goodhandy’s to name just a few) and on Long Island it’s just not existent or apparently incredibly underground (which I doubt given the prevalence of the social justice organizations that are quite in the open). Also, I enjoy the company of not only Gay and Straight men and Lesbian and Straight women, but a large portion of gender bending, inter-sexed, trans-everything people and I’m just sort of amazed that Buffalo has venues for everyone and that The Island doesn’t, it seems sort of backwards.

Medical Update

The ‘cold’ turned out t be a full blown Upper Respiratory Infection so I feel like shit (though getting better), but I was given a Z-Pack and cough medicine at the doctors so that’s good and it’s clearing up.

I did, however, ask him to prescribe me the Hepatitis B Vaccine (which also, I’m told, vaccinates you against Hepatitis A) which is a series of shots over three months; and while incredibly expensive (since insurance, bless them, doesn’t cover it) is worth it’s weight in gold. I’m a big fan of preventative medicine. I’ll be going in for my first shot(s?) this Monday.

That said, this semester I’ve scheduled a lot of training hours that I have to stick with, including weight vest training (84lbs X-Vest Weighted Training Vest & Tethered Suicides Cardio), Drop in Yoga and Pilates.

I’ve had an overall weight loss (since I started dieting the Summer of my Freshman Year) of 133lbs. I need to loose another 30-50 and more importantly, I need to build flexibility and muscle mass. Work in progress my ass…I’m ready to be the finished product.

Ruminations of a Mad Man Volume I

I head back to Buffalo this Thursday (the 11th) since Sarah had to push it back a day so she could go see Miki’s concert (Miki is her Sister).

Anyways, time to go take my next dose of Z-Pack, more updates later =)

I’m alive!

moocowinthecity Jan 1, 2007 0 Comments

Happy New Year everyone, I’ve been away from LJ for a bit what with travelling and the wrist issues and all; however I’ll be reading, commenting and posting either tonight or tomorrow and playing catch up =)

– M

I’m alive!

moocowinthecity Jan 1, 2007 0 Comments

Happy New Year everyone, I’ve been away from LJ for a bit what with travelling and the wrist issues and all; however I’ll be reading, commenting and posting either tonight or tomorrow and playing catch up =)

– M

I Just Got Out of the E.R…and my arm’s in a splint…

moocowinthecity Dec 23, 2006 0 Comments

I was driving to drop off some more holiday cards to the post office (nir1, your card is going to be late, so is yours starbuckx and maleficentseyes you and your mom will have to wait for presents…I know you understand lol), coming off of country drive, about to make a left turn onto Manetto Hill Road in Nassau County, I had the right of way, and was beginning to make a left, when a car decided to gun the red light, out of no where, and slammed full force into the drivers side door of the car I was driving (my Mom’s Acura MDx), deploying my airbag (I do recall screaming “Oh Shit! ” as this was occurring because…what else does one do other than brace for impact)…as soon as I realized what happened (everything happens so fast) I smelled gas and said “fuck whatever’s in the car,” unbuckled, jumped out the passenger door (my adrenaline was pumping and I was like “this shit better not explode”) and then went to the other car…where the other driver (who was younger than I am) immediately admitted fault. Fortunately, the person next to him was an EMT from Jericho…as was another person near by who was an EMT from the Plainview division and they called the police as well as the fire department to deal with the gas and chemical issues as both cars were leaking, while I called my Dad and he and Sam (my 16 year old younger brother) came (Sam so he could take digital pictures for the insurance company and dad so he could deal with the other kids dad who I had him call so they could handle insurance and I could just…stand around).

When the officer got there the other Kid admitted fault instantly, said he tried gunning the light, and this being Plainview, which has a certain small city charm to it despite the population (we’re a close knit Jewish-Italian community), my younger brothers boss (who owns the bagel store near by) was driving home, saw me and then saw dad and said “Is this accident you!?” and when he realized I had been hit, also pulled over and this started the initial town gathering and in about .002 seconds, the entire town knew (he also drove Sam home which was good because my mother was just ready to kill the other driver for what could have happened let alone for injuring me and her car, and Sam was like “this is Matt…he’s alive…this is the car…the car, not so much…”

Two EMS workers (now that the ambulance came) and my Dad said I should get my wrist looked at so I was brought by ambulance to the E.R.; where they took X-Rays, told me that my wrist was burned by the airbag and that they thought it looked like it’s been fractured; but that I had to go to an orthopedist to be sure – and they gave me a tetnus shot (which I was making an appointment to get with my doctor when I got home so that was convenient since I can now cross that off my to-do list), treated the burn, put my arm in a custom fiberglass splint (which they form to your arm) and wrapped it in a couple of ace bandages.

So, now I’m home, about to take Vicodin, watch Southpark and pack to fly on vacation tomorrow because NOTHING is going to stop me from getting on that airplane and heading to North Carolina.

every day’s and adventure.

Peace all 🙂 I’ll keep you updated as I’m updated.

I Just Got Out of the E.R…and my arm’s in a splint…

moocowinthecity Dec 23, 2006 0 Comments

I was driving to drop off some more holiday cards to the post office (

nir1, your card is going to be late, so is yours starbuckx and maleficentseyes you and your mom will have to wait for presents…I know you understand lol), coming off of country drive, about to make a left turn onto Manetto Hill Road in Nassau County, I had the right of way, and was beginning to make a left, when a car decided to gun the red light, out of no where, and slammed full force into the drivers side door of the car I was driving (my Mom’s Acura MDx), deploying my airbag (I do recall screaming “Oh Shit! ” as this was occurring because…what else does one do other than brace for impact)…as soon as I realized what happened (everything happens so fast) I smelled gas and said “fuck whatever’s in the car,” unbuckled, jumped out the passenger door (my adrenaline was pumping and I was like “this shit better not explode”) and then went to the other car…where the other driver (who was younger than I am) immediately admitted fault. Fortunately, the person next to him was an EMT from Jericho…as was another person near by who was an EMT from the Plainview division and they called the police as well as the fire department to deal with the gas and chemical issues as both cars were leaking, while I called my Dad and he and Sam (my 16 year old younger brother) came (Sam so he could take digital pictures for the insurance company and dad so he could deal with the other kids dad who I had him call so they could handle insurance and I could just…stand around).

When the officer got there the other Kid admitted fault instantly, said he tried gunning the light, and this being Plainview, which has a certain small city charm to it despite the population (we’re a close knit Jewish-Italian community), my younger brothers boss (who owns the bagel store near by) was driving home, saw me and then saw dad and said “Is this accident you!?” and when he realized I had been hit, also pulled over and this started the initial town gathering and in about .002 seconds, the entire town knew (he also drove Sam home which was good because my mother was just ready to kill the other driver for what could have happened let alone for injuring me and her car, and Sam was like “this is Matt…he’s alive…this is the car…the car, not so much…”

Two EMS workers (now that the ambulance came) and my Dad said I should get my wrist looked at so I was brought by ambulance to the E.R.; where they took X-Rays, told me that my wrist was burned by the airbag and that they thought it looked like it’s been fractured; but that I had to go to an orthopedist to be sure – and they gave me a tetnus shot (which I was making an appointment to get with my doctor when I got home so that was convenient since I can now cross that off my to-do list), treated the burn, put my arm in a custom fiberglass splint (which they form to your arm) and wrapped it in a couple of ace bandages.

So, now I’m home, about to take Vicodin, watch Southpark and pack to fly on vacation tomorrow because NOTHING is going to stop me from getting on that airplane and heading to North Carolina.

every day’s and adventure.

Peace all 🙂 I’ll keep you updated as I’m updated.

Grade Update, My Donkey Jordy, Christmas in North Carolina, Aliyah & The Vatican Soccer Team

moocowinthecity Dec 20, 2006 0 Comments

Grade Update

Arabic: A-
Fieldwork/Sociolinguistics.Paauw’s Course: A
…now if my other two courses would get their grades in, I’ll be very, very happy.

My Donkey Jordy

Long before I fell in love with Cows, I was a fan of Donkeys (I’ve always been a fan of animals, but these two specifically)…mainly, because my first real stuffed animal – which, I still have to this day, I got at age six…it was an Eeyore.

Well my Mom got me, possibly the best gift I could have hoped for this Chanukah…in Jerusalem there’s a refuge for Donkeys that have been abused and tortured where they rehabilitate these beautiful creatures. Mom adopted, in my name, a Donkey named Jordy (I even have a picture of him, he’s adorable). He’s adopted for a full year, which means that he has his food and his shots paid for so he can be a healthy Jordy. So if you find yourself in Jerusalem with some free time on your hands, go look for the refuge and say hi to Jordy for me (and perhaps donate your time, pet some animals, feed some carrots, you know the deal)…I plan on seeing him next December, so if you’d let him know I’m coming should you run into him, I’d appreciate it.

Christmas in North Carolina

For perhaps close to the past ten years, my Mom has been friends with Margie; over that time my Mom and Dad became close friends with Margie’s Family and Friends and our family has intertwined with her family in wonderful ways (we’ve attended each others weddings and other life events, vacationed together). Margie has a brother whom she adores. She also adores his husband. However, Margie’s parents were not as accepting as Margie (I say were, because their perceptions are changing) and they haven’t had contact with their son and their son-in-law for 25 years. Margie’s parents visited us for Thanksgiving this year and they got to know me, see how me and my Twin (Dave) and my Younger Brother (Sam) interacted and sort of get themselves comfortable with the idea of reconnecting with their son. We saw Hairspray with them (and while I won’t give away any portion of that show, because everyone should experience it first hand) I think that show also changed some of their perceptions of how people can relate to each other.

So Mom and I were invited to attend the reunion so to speak which is taking place in North Carolina on Christmas (Dad’s too busy with work to join us) so not only do I get to celebrate in someone else’s faith and traditions (which is always fun) but I get to be there to see something Margie’s been praying for, for a long time, finally happen. She gets her Christmas wish this year too…it should be exciting…and fun. The southern crowd is always a good time (they’re the one’s who got my Dad into Civil War Re-enacting)…besides, there’s always something charming about a southern drawl.

Aliyah: The Process Officially Begins

So I received the last email I required from Nefesh B’Nefesh to understand how the process of going to go from here-on-in; and of course the entire process, prospect and even the thought of going through with this is not only daunting, but totally frightening to me. Not because it’s not what I want, but because I’m intentionally going far outside of my comfort zone and the hallowed halls of ivory tower academia to pursue a dream, to roll the dice when I don’t know the outcome and to take a lot of risks. However, I also know myself better than anyone else does, and I know that if I don’t do this, if I don’t take this risk, I won’t be happy…I’ll always second guess myself and thats not something I’ll allow myself to do…I’d rather fail, than to never know what could have been.

However, the fact that my parent’s are more than supportive of me makes this much easier, and as my Mom says, I’m a planner and I’m organized (at least with my data) so I now know the next steps and once I get back to Buffalo the ball really gets rolling.

As of Today: 12 Months, 9 Days until I’m in the Middle East

I can’t even begin the application process for another few months (which I understand) however I can prepare myself for the process which is getting forms certified, copied, notarized, paperwork filled out and organized, financial papers and my medical history in order and of course getting all of that organized in a slim binder and prepared for the application process (the expense of doing all this is, thankfully minimal).

I’m entitled to five months of Ulpan for free at whatever level I enter at when I get to Israel which means it would behoove me to keep going with self study in Hebrew (I’m much stronger in Arabic as it’s the language I’ve pursued more seriously) which I can do (I have my textbook and I have the Rosetta Stone Software); doing so will only help me in the long run and will maximize my Ulpan experience. I’m also entitled to a certain amount of shipping; but it’s long been my goal to bring my stuff in a messenger bag and to live completely minimally (not like I own all that much furniture anyway…mostly a bed, a desk, and some dressers that I really don’t use but keep for decoration). I’m told I could move up to three shipping containers…to which I always sort of go “I don’t want three shipping containers of junk in the U.S. why would I want three shipping containers of junk in the Middle East?!” I’ll just pick up a new Hookah at some point when I get there, I just can’t see the point in bringing my crappy Hookah with me (I mean, I love it, but as far as hookahs go, mine’s a jalopy) when I can just buy a new one for cheap at the markets.

As far as my basic philosophy goes, the more I can travel with just a bag and a wallet (and bank account) full of cash, the better off I am. The way I see it, the lighter I travel, the easier my time will be. With the assistance of Pat (mr_weaselpants) I sold off most of my library (with the exception of books that are very important to me, or are professional reference). My professional reference books, while handy to have in the office I’ll one day have setup actually have all their information online and if I recall correctly my UB Alumni Membership will allow me access to the library’s online resources (including all the databases – JStor, LexisNexis, the OED Online and other books online) which means that they’ll grace my parents bookshelves until such a time that I’m totally setup. Most of my music can fit on a few mini-discs or on a web-server or a jump drive so I’m not going to lug a bunch of CDs with me (gryvon would you like to take possession of my CD Collection?). Of course, as it is, I don’t own too many things that are important to me (a lot of tchotchkes are just there for decorations) and the few things that I do, can normally fit into my messenger bag. My LiveJournal is a permanent account so I don’t have to worry about paying for that either and I’m sure if I asked Christie (gryvon) nicely to check my email and delete the spam mail for me she would every few weeks or so until I can get a reliable internet connection setup, so I’m not too concerned with my account being shut down due to lack of use.

Of course some of this seem silly, but the key to planning is to realize when the devil really is in the details.

I return to Buffalo on January 10, 2007. Classes start up again on January 16th. Over the period of four days (January 11-15, 2007) I finish streamlining what I own with the assistance of industrial strength garbage bags. I started a few months ago, and now that I’ll have a few months off I’m junking 95% of my apartment (donating what can be donated, selling what can be sold, trashing what can be trashed).

Other than that, as soon as I can start filling out the application I will, and I’ll complete it…and then there’s going to come a point where I finish everything, finish my courses, have nothing else to do but throw my hands up and go “Okay God, ball is TOTALLY in your court.” Fortunately I’m heading over with skills (Carpenter, Photographer, Pharmacy Tech, Paralegal, Linguist) and while uncertainty scares me, everything in my heart says that I’m making the right decision and I know this is the right thing to do; I also know that I don’t want to go for my masters or my doctorate until I’ve been totally immersed into the languages that I’m supposed to be speaking. I have to serve six months (according to their website) in the IDF since I’ll be 23 when I go over there. I’m okay with that too; I’ve always been a fan of running, jumping and climbing trees…and I’ve always been a fan of uniforms, so the two combined works well.

The Vatican Soccer Team

So according to this CNN article, the Vatican is thinking of starting a soccer team…I’m sort of curious as to what their uniforms would look like…maybe go back to those early crusade designs.

Grade Update, My Donkey Jordy, Christmas in North Carolina, Aliyah & The Vatican Soccer Team

moocowinthecity Dec 20, 2006 0 Comments

Grade Update

Arabic: A-
Fieldwork/Sociolinguistics.Paauw’s Course: A
…now if my other two courses would get their grades in, I’ll be very, very happy.

My Donkey Jordy

Long before I fell in love with Cows, I was a fan of Donkeys (I’ve always been a fan of animals, but these two specifically)…mainly, because my first real stuffed animal – which, I still have to this day, I got at age six…it was an Eeyore.

Well my Mom got me, possibly the best gift I could have hoped for this Chanukah…in Jerusalem there’s a refuge for Donkeys that have been abused and tortured where they rehabilitate these beautiful creatures. Mom adopted, in my name, a Donkey named Jordy (I even have a picture of him, he’s adorable). He’s adopted for a full year, which means that he has his food and his shots paid for so he can be a healthy Jordy. So if you find yourself in Jerusalem with some free time on your hands, go look for the refuge and say hi to Jordy for me (and perhaps donate your time, pet some animals, feed some carrots, you know the deal)…I plan on seeing him next December, so if you’d let him know I’m coming should you run into him, I’d appreciate it.

Christmas in North Carolina

For perhaps close to the past ten years, my Mom has been friends with Margie; over that time my Mom and Dad became close friends with Margie’s Family and Friends and our family has intertwined with her family in wonderful ways (we’ve attended each others weddings and other life events, vacationed together). Margie has a brother whom she adores. She also adores his husband. However, Margie’s parents were not as accepting as Margie (I say were, because their perceptions are changing) and they haven’t had contact with their son and their son-in-law for 25 years. Margie’s parents visited us for Thanksgiving this year and they got to know me, see how me and my Twin (Dave) and my Younger Brother (Sam) interacted and sort of get themselves comfortable with the idea of reconnecting with their son. We saw Hairspray with them (and while I won’t give away any portion of that show, because everyone should experience it first hand) I think that show also changed some of their perceptions of how people can relate to each other.

So Mom and I were invited to attend the reunion so to speak which is taking place in North Carolina on Christmas (Dad’s too busy with work to join us) so not only do I get to celebrate in someone else’s faith and traditions (which is always fun) but I get to be there to see something Margie’s been praying for, for a long time, finally happen. She gets her Christmas wish this year too…it should be exciting…and fun. The southern crowd is always a good time (they’re the one’s who got my Dad into Civil War Re-enacting)…besides, there’s always something charming about a southern drawl.

Aliyah: The Process Officially Begins

So I received the last email I required from Nefesh B’Nefesh to understand how the process of going to go from here-on-in; and of course the entire process, prospect and even the thought of going through with this is not only daunting, but totally frightening to me. Not because it’s not what I want, but because I’m intentionally going far outside of my comfort zone and the hallowed halls of ivory tower academia to pursue a dream, to roll the dice when I don’t know the outcome and to take a lot of risks. However, I also know myself better than anyone else does, and I know that if I don’t do this, if I don’t take this risk, I won’t be happy…I’ll always second guess myself and thats not something I’ll allow myself to do…I’d rather fail, than to never know what could have been.

However, the fact that my parent’s are more than supportive of me makes this much easier, and as my Mom says, I’m a planner and I’m organized (at least with my data) so I now know the next steps and once I get back to Buffalo the ball really gets rolling.

As of Today: 12 Months, 9 Days until I’m in the Middle East

I can’t even begin the application process for another few months (which I understand) however I can prepare myself for the process which is getting forms certified, copied, notarized, paperwork filled out and organized, financial papers and my medical history in order and of course getting all of that organized in a slim binder and prepared for the application process (the expense of doing all this is, thankfully minimal).

I’m entitled to five months of Ulpan for free at whatever level I enter at when I get to Israel which means it would behoove me to keep going with self study in Hebrew (I’m much stronger in Arabic as it’s the language I’ve pursued more seriously) which I can do (I have my textbook and I have the Rosetta Stone Software); doing so will only help me in the long run and will maximize my Ulpan experience. I’m also entitled to a certain amount of shipping; but it’s long been my goal to bring my stuff in a messenger bag and to live completely minimally (not like I own all that much furniture anyway…mostly a bed, a desk, and some dressers that I really don’t use but keep for decoration). I’m told I could move up to three shipping containers…to which I always sort of go “I don’t want three shipping containers of junk in the U.S. why would I want three shipping containers of junk in the Middle East?!” I’ll just pick up a new Hookah at some point when I get there, I just can’t see the point in bringing my crappy Hookah with me (I mean, I love it, but as far as hookahs go, mine’s a jalopy) when I can just buy a new one for cheap at the markets.

As far as my basic philosophy goes, the more I can travel with just a bag and a wallet (and bank account) full of cash, the better off I am. The way I see it, the lighter I travel, the easier my time will be. With the assistance of Pat (

mr_weaselpants) I sold off most of my library (with the exception of books that are very important to me, or are professional reference). My professional reference books, while handy to have in the office I’ll one day have setup actually have all their information online and if I recall correctly my UB Alumni Membership will allow me access to the library’s online resources (including all the databases – JStor, LexisNexis, the OED Online and other books online) which means that they’ll grace my parents bookshelves until such a time that I’m totally setup. Most of my music can fit on a few mini-discs or on a web-server or a jump drive so I’m not going to lug a bunch of CDs with me ( gryvon would you like to take possession of my CD Collection?). Of course, as it is, I don’t own too many things that are important to me (a lot of tchotchkes are just there for decorations) and the few things that I do, can normally fit into my messenger bag. My LiveJournal is a permanent account so I don’t have to worry about paying for that either and I’m sure if I asked Christie ( gryvon) nicely to check my email and delete the spam mail for me she would every few weeks or so until I can get a reliable internet connection setup, so I’m not too concerned with my account being shut down due to lack of use.

Of course some of this seem silly, but the key to planning is to realize when the devil really is in the details.

I return to Buffalo on January 10, 2007. Classes start up again on January 16th. Over the period of four days (January 11-15, 2007) I finish streamlining what I own with the assistance of industrial strength garbage bags. I started a few months ago, and now that I’ll have a few months off I’m junking 95% of my apartment (donating what can be donated, selling what can be sold, trashing what can be trashed).

Other than that, as soon as I can start filling out the application I will, and I’ll complete it…and then there’s going to come a point where I finish everything, finish my courses, have nothing else to do but throw my hands up and go “Okay God, ball is TOTALLY in your court.” Fortunately I’m heading over with skills (Carpenter, Photographer, Pharmacy Tech, Paralegal, Linguist) and while uncertainty scares me, everything in my heart says that I’m making the right decision and I know this is the right thing to do; I also know that I don’t want to go for my masters or my doctorate until I’ve been totally immersed into the languages that I’m supposed to be speaking. I have to serve six months (according to their website) in the IDF since I’ll be 23 when I go over there. I’m okay with that too; I’ve always been a fan of running, jumping and climbing trees…and I’ve always been a fan of uniforms, so the two combined works well.

The Vatican Soccer Team

So according to this CNN article, the Vatican is thinking of starting a soccer team…I’m sort of curious as to what their uniforms would look like…maybe go back to those early crusade designs.