Parshat Chaya Sara

PARSHAT CHAYA SARA

        I apologize for the belated post on the weekly Parsha. I had a spontaneous weekend getaway—very spur of the moment. I was considering in forgoing writing about the Parsha (since Shabbat already passed), but then I realized that it’s Parshat Chaya Sara and the biblical character I am named after (Rivka/Rebecca) is introduced and wedded in this Torah portion. How can I possibly spring past this personally meaningful Parsha and meander into trivialities?

       Aside from that, this Parsha is especially relevant to singles because it deliberates upon the union of marriage. Commonly referred to as the “Shidduch Parsha,” Chaya Sara often draws lectures concerning dating and matrimony from Rabbis’ and teachers’ lips.

        Do I have any sermons about courtship and walking down the aisle? Hmm…let’s see…Well, I’ve seen the most genuinely kind and noble-hearted individuals (who are educated professionals and good-looking to boot!) being suctioned into a quicksand of loneliness and jaded dating experiences. I’ve also seen infantile and flighty individuals bask in the spell of fresh love and find their intended sooner than you can pop champagne and holler “Mazal Tov!” So, no, I clearly don’t have any sermons about this confounding labyrinth we like to call dating. I’m still as bewildered as the next single person. With very few exceptions, the whole notion of dating and marriage has left me scratching my head more than any other subject.

Volunteering post Sandy

I’ve Got Your Back

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      There is a slushy coating of snow in early November--causing further harm to Hurricane Sandy victims. Many of us are still expecting a clown puppet to spring out of a toy box and squeak “April Fools!” but then we realize that we are quite distant from April and that this is far from a hoax. This is our reality: N.Y. has once again tiptoed over autumn (all too quickly) and sashayed into weather on steroids.

 

DID YOU GET YOUR VOTE ON?

         

        Voting. It’s today’s prevailing and broadcasted subject. After the heated 2012 campaigns, after Obama’s rebuffs to Romney’s subtle (and at times not subtle) accusations and vice versa—the moment of truth is inching closer and closer.

        I must admit that I’m not politically savvy. When my brainy friends exchange befuddling political jargon, opinions, policies, and historical events, I simply offer a raised eyebrow and a blushed cheek. I wish I could fervently debate opposing sides and sound all politically astute and what not…but I voted! Isn’t that what matters the most in the end?

        I also encountered my 12th grade Political Science teacher today strolling along a main street in Brooklyn. I saw her for the first time in 5 years…you know, on a day when Political Science is just a tad more relevant to me (coincidence?) She was my teacher during the 2008 elections. I vividly remember her stating that she wanted Romney to be the Republican candidate because he’s “the most handsome.” I loved that teacher, mind you.

         Ultimately, in spite of the rising tension between Democrats and Republicans and extreme analysis of who’s more equipped to govern this country, we are mere puppets in the Hands of the Chief President (a.k.a. G-d). We can only pray that the victor of this campaign significantly bolster our economy (oh G-d, please have mercy on the unemployed!), advance education, ensure that firefighters and policemen receive equal salary to A-list celebrities, and maintain the morality and values that are integral to many of us. MAY THE BEST MAN WIN.

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St-EYE-lista Jenna Lyons

 

St-EYE-lista

        Welcome to the first part of November's St-EYE-lista. Remember that column? We've already featured the style renegade Alexa Chung and the "Modest Muse" Olivia Palermo. Who are we shedding the limelight on this month you ask? The inimitable Ms. Jenna Lyons, Creative Director of J. Crew. If you're like me and you tend to pore over J. Crew catalogues like they're your GED practice booklet, then you simply must read about the leading lady who works the backstage and forefront of this iconic brand.

 

 

        I can assure you that Jenna Lyons dwells on my fashion pedestal. Her tall frame is lounged across her gold throne. She sits there with her impeccable denim J. Crew jacket tucked into her silky, fuchsia evening skirt. Her eyes are framed with the ubiquitous hipster glasses and her feet are graced with patent ebony stilettos. Perhaps there is a glass of sparkling water in her hand. Or is that a martini? I can’t tell. Either way, this portrayal evokes eclectic elegance and endearing whimsy in my mind.

 

An End to This Horrific Week, Parshat Veyeira, and Children

 

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         The East Coast is still reeling from Hurricane Sandy. Areas in NY such as the Rockaways and Staten Island, as well as towns in New Jersey, are straining to salvage whatever they can from their flooded homes. Their power is still weakly wavering, they are waiting an hour for a pump of gas, and their grocery markets can’t even supply basic items such as milk or flashlights (being that they’re all sold out). As we’ve mentioned in a previous post, our hearts and thoughts are with those who have suffered terribly as a result of this natural disaster.

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         It seems as though the earth itself is sagging from the weight of her inhabitants’ financial, personal, and emotional turbulence and is reacting by “letting off steam”  or “blowing a fuse” (literally and metaphorically). Obviously, Hurricane Sandy’s devastation is what mainly occupies NY and its citizens. It occupies my mind as well. Yet, in midst of all this chaos and calamity, I can’t help but think about another NY tragedy that occurred merely a week ago. I’m referring to the unspeakable event that occurred in Manhattan involving a nanny, two young children, and an unsuspecting mother returning home from work. I don’t want to flicker a smile off your face and replace it with a grimace or a frown, but I don’t feel it’s respectful to proceed forth in my blog without giving mention to this horrific action either. Our hearts are still aching for the father and mother who have to endure this immeasurable pain.

 

Ms. Duma and Her Coats

 

           November 1^st:  The weather slowly slips from a teasing nip of wind (or ironically not so teasing--Holler to Hurricane Sandy) to hints of winter frigidity. In other words, our fall jackets will soon be replaced by winter coats. Like journalist Amanda Fortini, I too once believed that winter coats were “the sartorial equivalent of a pie crust: an inferior exterior ruining the whole darn thing.” Your precisely coordinated outfit, your sleek pencil skirt, and your ironic sweater are all captives under the prison you call a coat. The question remains: How can you not bear a slight grievance against your winter shield?

           The answer is: Get motivated to no, not wear, but flaunt your winter topper like Russia’s ex-Harper’s Bazaar editor (currently freelance writer) Miroslava Duma. Miroslava Duma’s experimental and show-stopping personal style will be featured in an upcoming “St-EYE-lista: The Editor’s Version” column (which begins in January). Until then—let’s focus on Duma’s ability to work a winter coat like nobody’s business. Her coat collection consists of vivid color, intricate pattern, and high-end designer labels—you know, the kind of coats a university student or freshly employed young woman would surely have in her wardrobe (insert stifled snort or roll of the eyes right here).

 

 

  Autumnal Joys

Hurricane Sandy's devastation has been just that: devastating. That wolfish wind

 has wreaked havoc on countless homes and properties. Most unfortunately, there

 were several people who perished as a result of this monstrous storm (heavy sigh).  

Our thoughts are with those who have been severely affected by this disaster.

 

Yet, amidst all the suffering and destruction, Ms. Sandy's dreaded arrival did bear one

positive  perk. She reminded us to be appreciative of not only toaster ovens, Subway lines, nightstand lights, text messaging, and daily coffee runs, but also of the glorious outdoors.

 

 

There are moments when I catch myself shrugging off  the gift of mellow weather and instead dwell on my various troubles. There will always be some kind of petty excuse to not indulge in a perfectly balmy day. The whiny voice in one's mind will always grumble that it's too sunny, too chilly, too far, too tiring, too time-consuming to explore the adventures of Mother Nature. What then reminds me to pause and soak up her magnificent bounty?

 

When she turns towards me with a chilling glare and the sound of fury. That's when I'm like "okay, Nature. Take a whiff of lavender and relax! I won't be inappreciative anymore. I promise."
 

 

Below are several autumnal activities to revel in once Ms. Sandy packs her purse, salutes the town with a devilish wink, and whisks her way back to heaven (or hell).

Basking in these outdoor activities will remind one that, in reality, Nature is sweetly sensuous, emotionally pacifying, and just plain awesome.