Happy Belated Blogaversary!!
Something's gotta be wrong if you forget your own birthd--well, Blogaversary!
It's been four years, folks.
FOUR (4) years. When I read some of my old posts, I think about how my thoughts on some issues have changed; and how others have barely evolved. Maybe it's the remains of some Bais Yaakov kool-aid, or ... um, can I get back to you on that?
Four years ago, I had just finished my first year in Seminary, and was prepared to begin the next year, and I was knee-deep in Brooklyn College. If I'm not mistaken, I still thought kollel was the ideal, and it was just a level for me to "aspire to."
Four years ago, I had high hopes. I thought things would go well. I guess they still can.
Four years of bitching and moaning has done wonders for my skin. Try It!
Here are a few things I've learned since I started this blog many moons ago:
- Remember to tell people how much they mean to you on a regular basis
- Don't base blog posts on people who actually read it!! (Sorry)
- Positive, happy-natured posts receive either no feedback, or some mocking comments
- Negative posts can elicit more comments; some personal attacks
- If someone doesn't know what "Brooklyny" means, they probably are...oh, wait, I knew that already.
- Follow your gut about your make-or-breaks when dating (Yes, I am saying that despite the fact that I am still single.)
- Don't try to understand others' plight; don't expect them to understand yours
- Many of the Yated letters are fabricated, (but are still good fodder)
- Don't forget to renew your library books when you're on vacation
- Never disagree with a Shadchan. Even respectfully. She might never call you back
- Always have your Shidduch resume ready to be e-mailed at a moment's notice (but don't expect to hear anything back from them.)
- Find the positive in people, things, and situations...(I have learned it; just doesn't make it to the blog...see above)
- LG cell phones have a crappy battery
- Don't bother shopping in H & M if you're neither flat-butted, nor well-endowed, no matter how cute the stuff looks in the window
That's right, folks, I learned these very important life lessons the hard way so you don't have to.
All in the past four years. If that isn't wisdom, I don't know what is.
Going To The Country?
I haven't figured out whether this is one of those things that you don't realize until you're an adult, or something that's actually changed, but you'll let me know.
It seems that people are much more back and forth from the country than they used to be.
Maybe when I was a kid, the economy was in a better place, and most mothers were able to have summers off; they only visited the city for a Simcha, or if G-d forbid, there was an emergency.
To me, the city ceased to exist for July and August. When we returned, the house was immaculate (how much damage could my father have done on his own?), and that first drive through the neighborhood shook me back into reality. The one that was about to start all over again. It was back to uniforms, school, and homework.
"This store closed down; this one opened up; this one got a new sign/awning..." we'd comment as we drove down the deserted streets late Saturday night.
A buncha years ago, my mother began to work during the summers, and a few years later, I was attending college here, so the country ceased to exist in my mind. Woodbourne was just a memory. South Fallsburg? Maybe I passed through once on my way to Wal-Mart.
But it feels like that separation no longer exists. More mothers are venturing back into the city during the week to work. The trip doesn't seem as long as it used to (despite rising fuel costs), and it isn't as much of a hassle.
People nonchalantly "go up" at the drop of a hat for a weekend, or a few days, especially with the advent of "summer homes" that are winterized and allow for a getaway all year.
I mean, I heard that Route 17 New York that we use is a relatively recent thing, and the trip used to be longer, but that was waaay before my time. I just remember when I was a kid, "going up" usually just meant at the end of June, and that was it.
When my father arrived Thursday night, my mother always reminded me that "Daddy had a long trip here..." and I thought of that endless drive to our bungalow and wondered how he endured that each week. Whereas now, when men and women make the trip multiple times a week, it's seen as less "long." I still wonder how people endure that (especially the drivers) each week.
Last summer, parking was not as easy as it had been the past few summers. Streets were not as deserted. Now I see more schoolbusses for daycamps. These daycamps, some of which have been around for years, seem brimming with kids. (Although I was never around as a child to see what they looked like 15 years ago)
So, is it just me, or do people travel to and from the country more frequently now? And if they do, why is that? Or am I just noticing this because I'm older?
*btw, I know the "is it just me" bit belongs on my other blog, but I figured it related here too.
