What a Day!

LOL...first of all I have realized that the majority of my post titles end in exclamation points! LOL!!

Well that's just how my life has been going and yesterday was no different.

Yesterday, I turned 'the big 3-0' as my sister calls it. I am the oldest of six. Up to this point we were all in our twenties so they're pretty weirded out that one of us is 30 now...:) because that means they're not far behind....;-)

Over the last few days I have really been doing alot of reflecting about my life. Part of me was shocked that I'd made it this far and part of me was very excited...partially because of how far I've come and partially to see what the future will hold.

Thirty seems to be pretty cool though. I am very grateful because I feel that I've learned so much about life and have much more direction than ever before, but I still have so many years ahead of me to put it all to use, to learn even more and to follow the path that I've chosen.

Yesterday morning my best friend called me first thing. She's always the first one to wish me a Happy Birthday. At work I got a card and a cake. One of the guys at work is Jewish and knows I'm converting...so he wrote 'Mazel Tov'.

Then I was supposed to go to my family's house (my best friend and her family) at 7:30 for a special birthday dinner. Didn't really think too much of it because every year she cooks a special dinner for me. But when I walked thru the door she yelled 'surprise!' and a bunch of other people popped out of nowhere!

Then I found out that more people were coming and that there were still more that had been invited but couldn't come because they were sick at the last minute. Apparently she had been planning this for a very long time. She even called my friend at work to invite her. I had no idea.
All the presents I received were Judaica even from the people who didn't know I was converting! They just thought I would like Jewish things and were very happy to hear that I had decided to convert. I was given a book on Jewish prayer, a book on the 13 principles of faith and a pesach plate!

Then we all ate cake and ice cream and danced to Matisyahu!

I felt so loved and so unbelievably blessed. I know I sound like a broken record sometimes, but truly everyone should have in their life the caliber of people that I do and everyone should have such a life!

OverTheRainbow

It's Official!

I can hardly believe it... only two short months after I contacted my first rabbi (just to 'get the ball rolling') I have officially begun the conversion process. I try not to think about everything that I have to learn as it would be very overwhelming, but I think instead of how excited I am about this incredible opportunity and the amazing way that it has all unfolded.

Of course, I am naturally the kind of person who tends to fast forward things in their head and I've already planned a trip to Israel! An entire year of learning in Israel sounds just like heaven.

But L-rd knows I've got plenty to do before that happens.

With a grateful heart,

overtherainbow

Life as a Musical

Did you ever wish life was a musical?

No... I didn't think so. I am the only person I know who would ever wish something like that. I often think how great it would be if life were to imitate art in this way. Just think how it would be if you were feeling really sad or really happy and you (and everyone around you who just happen to know the same song LOL) with your head thrown back, hands in the air, could sing exactly what you feel at the top of your lungs.

I think that must be why musicals are so alluring to me. Everyone just says (sings) what they're thinking right out loud and on key too...:) It seems like it would be very cathartic to be able to just burst out singing like that.

I mean there are so many times during the day when I just want to break out singing or dancing or something (but people already think I'm crazy) and how much cooler would it be with a full orchestra backing me up.

Oh well... in my world it is very musical ...and I have a grand time there. ;)