Kawaii NYC

Kawaii Dogs

2010-04-07T16:43:00.004-04:00

I have not forgotten about Kawaii NYC- but there has been little news in the world of Japanese coolness as of late. But that was until I saw this!!!!
This dog was featured in the International Dog Show 2010 in Tokyo. If my cat would hold still he would so look like this.
These other looks are a bit extreme- even for me- but VERY kawaii!

Happy birthday to me!

2010-03-06T22:40:00.003-05:00

This list has been shockingly successful in the past so here is what I would like this year for turning 28 on March 26:

1. How cool is this watch? I love all the colors but purple/rainbow, azur/ rainbow, and blue/bubble are just too kawaii!
2. A gift certificate to dick blicks- a huge art store! I am in desperate need of acrylic paints and drawing note books... which reminds me
3. A mole skin notebook is always nice, and cheap!
4. I pair of FRYE boots. So classic. Black and a size 6.5 please!
5. BOOKS. I'm poor and they are luxury items. Hook me up with a gift certificate to AMAZON.com and you will make my day.
6. For those of you with an extra $4000 laying around I have been fantasizing about a Cartier Love Bracelet for years and years. C'mon- you know you love me!
... I'll update if I think of anything else (thanks in advance!)

Is size an issue?

2010-01-06T16:06:00.002-05:00

to be perfectly honest I never bought an issue of V Magazine. But previews of their size issue on Models.com having me chomping at the bit to buy. In particular this spread. I look at it and think- my lord I wouldn't have a single complex if all models in magazines looked like this! All I can say is please buy this when it comes out January 14th- and send letters! Tell V this kind of thing gets two thumbs up!!!

Getting my fix

2010-01-05T20:36:00.000-05:00

It's been nearly a year since I went to the Mitsuwa shopping center in New Jersey. I was craving Japanese food, kitsch and books so I ventured down to the NYC Port Authority where Mitsuwa offers a shuttle service. Finding the shuttle wasn't easy, and word to the wise if you are going to take it be there EXACTLY on time because the driver isn't waiting around for anybody.
As I wandered around the stores I found it very frustrating to be broke. Importing from Japan isn't cheap. I held back from buying dishes and Hello Kitty charms in favor of a magazine featuring the 2010 kawaii hair styles (a must since American hair cuts always look so drab). Then I had some beef with cabbage and chocolate rice cakes for dessert. The problem with Mitsuwa is very few people speak English. You can only get this specific dessert there and even after all my poking and careful pronunciation the sales woman STILL almost gave me the wrong thing. There seems to be a very constant theme that the buyer shouldn't touch the object until the given time. Things are put behind glass and out of reach. Everything is clean and lovely but takes 10 times longer to get when you can't select it yourself. In the end I left early mainly to keep myself from the temptation of buying. Still a great trip!

Kawaii Nails!

2009-12-01T01:20:00.002-05:00

Ok I have to give my mom credit for finding out about the Tokyo Nail Expo. 50,000 people attended this event! I wish we had nail art stateside, even here in NYC it's usually only seen in it's most tacky form. Enjoy the pictures and the film clip from the expo.

my motion graphics haiku

2009-11-02T10:22:00.002-05:00

Haiku from Halli Gomberg on Vimeo.

Holiday Wish list

2009-09-27T21:52:00.004-04:00

After a few years of great feed back here in my annual wish list for the Holidays. I don't discriminate, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas- it's all good! Here in no particular order are what I'd love to receive. Oh and ps- if you want something special just email me and let me know!

1. Beige perfume by Chanel
2. Gardenia perfume by Chanel
- these are both exclusive fragrances that have to be bought at the store or at a Chanel make-up counter. The scents date back to private perfumes Chanel made for her friends and best customers. SOoooooo amazing!

3. Mexican art work. I like day of the dead, or those cool tin cut outs called mlagros. Plus they're pretty cheap which is always a plus in this economy. Check out this site for some ideas.

4. If you have a few grand laying around I would dig a Cartier Love bracelet

5. A gift card to Amazon.com, American Apparel, Saks...... just about anywhere with books or clothes.

6. Japanese Cell phone charms- I want them all!

Kiichi Tsutaya Coloring Pictures

2009-09-27T21:37:00.002-04:00

Just when I think i know everything awesome about Japan another amazing tidbit comes out. The Tenri Cultural Institute of NY happens to be wedged between my class buildings. On my way from one class to another I saw the most beautiful illustrations in the Tenri Gallery. Turns out its an exhibit on Nurie- Japanese picture coloring. Nurie is the phenomena that lead to what we now know as Anime or Manga. It originated during the Meji Era when the government decided to incorporate western culture into Japan. Just as young children were encouraged to trace Japanese characters and learn their alphabet, they were also given coloring books to trace with fabulous "western" pictures. These pictures were usually of sweet faced young geisha and girls, with westernized large eyes as idealized by European drawings.

One of the best nurie artists was Kiichi Tsutaya. He drew girls with large heads, foreshortened bodies and chubby legs. This may sound odd- but just as Michelangelo's "David" is anatomically incorrect but looks good- so does Kiichi's girls. His coloring nurie books sold like hot cakes, typically selling 1 million books a month. I would encourage everyone in Manhattan from 9/25-10/3 to give this exhibit a look over. the art is beautiful and a nice flash back to a time before photoshop and the politically correct blah of today.

What am I up to?

2009-08-02T22:57:00.003-04:00

First and foremost I would like to send my best wishes to my Japanese pen pal Tim who is now back in New Zealand due to the economy.

It's amazing the sheer volume of stuff I am producing in "bootcamp", my pre-masters new media program. What have I been doing? Click on these links and take a peek

What's amazing is that this was done only using numbers (code)

Look the ball is moving! HA!

Animation

Boobtastic

2009-07-30T13:42:00.003-04:00

I actually have a lot going on right now
but who wants to hear depressing stuff? Let's look at boobies!

Here is proof why South America has yet to produce a Dior or Ralph Lauren. It's as if the models horrible fake boobs are there to distract from the ugly clothing!

In SHARP contrast comes model Yuri Ebihara, known as Ebi-chan in Japan who despite being covered in clothing thinks she is acting too sexy.

God bless those Japanese.

If the Motel's rockin, start that knockin!

2009-06-26T19:57:00.002-04:00

Where have I been the past month? Well the answer is working as a shop girl surrounded by amazing clothes. I love dealing with customers and the thrill of a large sale, but it's been torturous being low on cash and not being able to buy squat. My graduate program starts in 3 weeks and I'm trying to save all my nickels and dimes which means canceling my gym membership, ending my beloved trapeze lessons, and taking public transit everywhere. That being said I haven't been perfect.

I have to stand for 8 hours at a time since we're not allowed to lean let alone sit. Yes I have been yelled at for leaning. Many times. So to combat the horrible pain my feet were in by the end of the day I went out to Easyspirit- that Grandma shoe landmark. I'm not a proud woman, and it wasn't easy to find granny shoes that even hinted at pretty, but I bought two pair. And you know what? They're the most comfortable freakin things I have ever worn. Not one blister and at worst minimal pain after 8 hours standing. I'm so happy I want to write the CEO!
As for clothes shopping I broke down and bought an amazing dress off

Motel Rocks out of England. OF COURSE over there the dress is like $20 but with the conversion of the pound I made sure to hold back and only bought one. The dress is amazing! Cute pockets, great fabric! I'm trying to get the owner of my clothing shop to buy the brand for the store. Discount here I come!

Whooooa?

2009-05-30T14:50:00.002-04:00

Here are some amazing photos from the Trick Art Museum at the foot of Mount Takao in Japan! And here is a rarity- they have a web site!!! http://www.trickart.jp/en/gallery.html

What's new with me

2009-05-27T13:50:00.002-04:00

Good lord my cup over-flowith (is that a word?) with everything. I've managed to pick up a part time retail job selling high end clothing for a whopping $10 an hour with 1% commission. But the owners are cool, I enjoy working with the customers (except the tranny who stole a blouse) AND I need money for graduate school. Yes ladies and gentlemen you are reading the blog of a future Parsons graduate student for Interactive Media and Design. I'm excited but horrified over the main reason I avoided grad school as long as possible: money.

I am about to be in a butt load of debt. To prevent my debt from reaching collasal proportions I am searching for scholarships. This has proven pretty damn difficult. Most places either don't have them available or they are only for undergraduate students. I even explored using my ties to the Masons- sadly the Maseonic moolah's deadline has passed and I need to wait till next year. Do you know about scholarships I can use? Contact me!

When I'm not sifting through scholarships or getting women to buy a dress that is one size to small I have been breaking in my new apartment. I live in this sweet studio next to Central Park West. It also puts me within walking proximity to my mom and step dad's which is great for me and lame for them- I bring over my laundry and take all their leftovers. Yes I have no pride. But money is tight and as I just mentioned I don't like the idea of being in debt and would like to be in debt for as short amount of time as possible.

What else? Nothing on the Japanese front except I saw this adorable video of a Japanese dog doing a work out with his master. You haven't gone "aaawww" until you see this dog standing on his hind legs doing squat thrusts with his master. I asked my cat Nigel why he doesn't do this with me and he promptly rolled over and fell asleep.

Sakura Matsuri, Brooklyn Botanical Gardens 2009

2009-05-02T17:50:00.003-04:00

If I had let rumors of rain disuade me from going to the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens annual Japanese Cherry Blossom festival, I would have hated myself. I put on my geta sandals (designed to lift geisha and their expensive kimono out of the mud in JUST SUCH a situation) and decided to risk it. Characters dressed in kawaii/ harajuku style were wafting around the gardens. I even came across one girl who had her nails done in the over the top kawaii style! (See below). The weather turned out to be hot and lovely. I made oragami, ate a traditional japanese box lunch, and enjoyed getting a tad bit closer to my beloved Japan.

OOohhhh

2009-04-18T18:21:00.001-04:00

This is a good video of Modern Japan even if the film maker seems a bit obsessed with showing us just how many vending machines there are!

So Freakin Cool

2009-04-17T01:31:00.001-04:00

hey check it out!

http://www.hallisportfolio.com/

Happy 50th!

2009-04-10T09:17:00.001-04:00

TOKYO (AFP) – Japan's Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary as the media hailed ways in which they have adapted the world's oldest monarchy to modern times.

In the half century since they married, Japan has emerged from the aftermath of World War II and US occupation to become Asia's economic powerhouse, and the Chrysanthemum Throne has changed along with the times.

While Akihito's father Emperor Hirohito was once worshipped as a living demigod, Akihito and Michiko have tried to be seen as an "ordinary couple" and narrowed the distance between the palace and the people.

Michiko, educated at a Catholic university, was the first commoner in modern times to marry into Japan's imperial family and the first empress to raise her children herself, famously making them "bento" lunch boxes to take to school.

Now 74, she recalled how in the early years, cloistered behind palace walls, "my heart was filled with anxiety and insecurity," but she said now "it feels like a dream to celebrate the golden wedding day by his majesty's side."

Newspapers praised the couple's pilgrimages to former war-ravaged areas to pray for peace, including Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the sites of the US atomic bombings that led to Japan's World War II surrender.

They also recalled the imperial couple's visits to the city of Kobe after the 1995 earthquake, when both knelt down before survivors -- a stunning scene in a country where the monarch never spoke in public until 1945.

The golden wedding was to be marked Friday in ceremonies at Tokyo's Imperial Palace, including an afternoon tea party with 101 couples invited from across Japan who are also marking their golden wedding anniversaries.

Kyot-NO!

2009-04-07T21:13:00.003-04:00

Geisha are being followed in Kyoto- the victim of curious tourists who are apparently pulling at there kimono and tripping them! Listen, I would totally be that tourist with a camera- but please. Try not to commit assault on some poor young Maiko.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/07/world/asia/07iht-geisha.html?_r=1&emc=eta1

Me

2009-04-06T22:52:00.002-04:00

I made this self portrait in class tonight- I think it's very true

SOOOoooo good

2009-04-03T20:25:00.004-04:00

This has got to be the best POCKY I have ever had.... dark chocolate pretzals from Japan- HEAVEN!

Why was I not informed of this?

2009-03-30T06:27:00.004-04:00

So many Japantastic things to report I hardly know where to begin.

Firstly my friend Christi introduced me to Mitsuwa Market in New Jersey. ::drooling:: Since we don't have a "little Japan" in NYC I was shocked to discover that a hop and skip over the George Washington Bridge lands you in Japanese paradise. Who knew anything this kawaiitastic could come out of the armpit state? And the amazing thing is it's not JUST in NJ! That's right folks, if you're lucky enough to live in Chicago, San Jose, or San Diego they have a store right by you! It's aisles of beautiful Japanese groceries, appliances and medicines- at totally not import prices! You want sobu noodles still somehow fresh? From Japan? YES THEY HAVE IT! This is as close as I've come to visiting my beloved Japan so you'll have to excuse my delight. They also have stores with endless Sanrio and Anime toys, and a Japanese book store. For someone who doesn't read a stitch of Japanese this was very exciting for me. I ended up buying my favorite magazines: Fruits, Gothic Lolita- and some new ones: Brutus and Dog Fan. Brutus ran an issue all about the cats of Japan which in turn lead me to discover THIS.

Do you know what it says? Other then being able to decipher that this is a hotel... OMG Where, What, When? Apparently it's in Taiwan but what else?!

Trying to find something in English about this place I discovered THIS. Hello Kitty Junky? Yes, yes, YES! I bow down to this woman. If I had the dedication Kawaii NYC would look like this.

Happy Birthday from Tim San!

2009-03-24T12:27:00.002-04:00

Goah I just adore my Japanese pen pal. Look at the amazing bounty of birthday goodness he sent me! Times are tough in Japan and Tim is feeling the pinch- he may have to move back to New Zealand. But in my opinion I love New Zealand almost as much as Japan so it's kinda win/win.

Very bad things in Tokyo.....

2009-03-18T08:38:00.002-04:00

This just in...

TOKYO – The U.S. Embassy in Japan has urged Americans to avoid going to bars in Tokyo's raucous nightlife district of Roppongi due to a surge in reports of drink-spiking incidents there.

The number of reports of Americans being drugged in Roppongi bars has increased significantly, the embassy said in a statement released Tuesday. Victims drink drug-mixed beverages and fall unconscious for several hours. They wake up only to realize their credit cards have been stolen, it said.

Harajuku meets Chanel

2009-03-11T14:48:00.002-04:00

I can see many influences in Chanel's Fall 2009 fashion show. Clearly some of it is an homage to the great Coco herself, who became the legend she is due to her depression era chick. But I also couldn't help but notice a big Japanese Gothic Lolita/ Harajuku influence as well. Call me crazy- what do you think?

The list goes on...

2009-02-28T17:26:00.002-05:00

I do have other things going on besides what I want for my birthday but it's one of those things that you just want to write down before you forget
- A model skull from Evolution. They have a shop in the city as well as being online. Would you believe you need a medical liscense to buy a real skull? This isn't because I'm secretly a killer, I just think it would be a great reference for art. Along those same lines a wooden hand model from an artshop like Dick Blicks would be great for drawing!

- A wallet. Maybe something in a Chanel or a light shade of Louis Vuitton.....

Happy Birthday to me

2009-02-26T15:01:00.002-05:00

Yes I am getting older- here are some more things I thought I would enjoy under "what to get Halli for a birthday present"
-2 pairs of pearl earings (I have 4 holes in my ears...)
- Anything Hello Kitty
- Gift certificate to Anthropologie - putting my new apartment together and I can get some stuff there
- Gift certificate to Rickys NYC or Amazon.com (love me some books)
- Beautiful smelling candles or oils pretty whatever to place in my apartment

All I want for my birthday.....

2009-02-15T21:29:00.002-05:00

- Hair extensions (looking for a salon in the city to put them in)
- Time with a trainer
- A semester of Trapeze
- Hello Kitty stuff
- DVD player........

and THIS is big

2009-02-13T17:50:00.005-05:00

I found this video of an American couple giving a tour of their Japanese apartment. I like it because it demonstrates what a large Japanese apartment looks like, and because the Southern dude is just so damn entertaining. Yes sushi is kind of raw- you'll probably have to get used to that.

Friday the 13th is a "Bonkura"

2009-02-13T17:14:00.004-05:00

Not nearly enough Japanese on my Japanese blog. Really need to change that- so today's word is "Bonkura" which mean "dumb/ass".

I have had such an awful day today- battling Time Warner to get a technician over here (no TV is an awful thing), dealing with my cat Nigel's realization that my mom's apartment is waaaaaay nicer then mine, trying to unpack a seemingly endless mountain of boxes, and all the meantime dealing with idiots at every corner.

However some good did manage to come out of today. I sold two nasty old Persian rugs on Craigslist. Yes I only made $45 on two rugs probably worth $500 each. But they were covered in cat hair and vomit. So really both the buyer and I were probably just thinking "sucker". And then tonight some lady is coming to pick up my toaster for $8 (she talked me down from $10). And when you're jobless it all adds up believe me.

My new apartment makes me think about living in the big cities of Japan where housing space is non existent and people have to roll out tatami beds for lack of bed frame space. Personally I probably would be waaaay better off sleeping on a mat and stacking me shit to the ceiling. But some days even rolling out a mat seems like to much effort.

In awesome I-am-so-jealous news my big brother David is going to Japan on business soon. He keeps making the point that it's not for free and he's paying but STILL a girl can be green with envy. Times aren't so great in the land of the rising sun. The Japan Rugby Football Union has indefinitely suspended one of it's players for smoking pot, the economy contracted at an annual pace of more than 10 percent in the fourth quarter, and the U.N. is all up in Japan's grill over greenhouse gas emissions. I feel bad for Japan- mainly because in my dreams it's a place with endless Luis Vuitton purses and sake bottles filled with money. But it's also comforting to know I'm not missing out financially by not being there.

In random news here is a photo of my nephew Tobi after his big brother Liam dumped sand over him. The struggle for dominance continues! MAN can I relate to this photo. It's like a metaphor for everything right now. Goes to show I'm not the only one suffering from Friday the 13th.

wow

2009-02-12T12:13:00.003-05:00

I don't like giving credit where credit is due- what with me wanting all the credit I can get. But damn. This guy is good. He draws on those old fashioned paper bags people bring to eat lunch in. He apparently does the work over his lunch break and myGAWD is it AMAZING

She flys through the air with the greatest of ease....

2009-01-27T22:07:00.001-05:00

What I did this weekend

2009-01-25T18:15:00.002-05:00

Someone knock me up right NOW!

2009-01-22T12:16:00.002-05:00

Ok, well maybe not right now, but if I ever do get pregnant I may have to go to term in Taiwan:
"YUANLIN, Taiwan – Japan's iconic Hello Kitty has been recruited to help calm anxious mothers at a maternity hospital in Taiwan where the cartoon image adorns everything from walls to newborns' blankets .

Hau Sheng Hospital, located 95 miles (150 kilometers) south of Taipei, is the latest destination for the cute cat with a penchant for pink.

A giant Hello Kitty figure dressed in a pink doctor uniform greets visitors in the lobby, while colorful murals of the feline are found in recovery rooms, the nursery and on elevator doors.

Owner Tsai Tsung-ji approached Sanrio Co., the maker of Hello Kitty, about decorating his hospital with a Hello Kitty theme at the suggestion of his mother, wife and daughter — all of whom are huge fans. Tsai said the hospital has delivered about 2,000 babies since it underwent its Hello Kitty makeover in 2006."

Wu-hoo!

2009-01-21T21:24:00.002-05:00

Michelle Obama has now made Jason Wu famous by wearing his dress to the inaguration ball. But before he was designing ball gowns for the first lady he was designing dolls! What does this have to do with Japan? Glad you asked. You see Mr. Wu works for Integrity Toys which produces a line of dolls JUST for Jappan called FP Nippon.
Here are some Harujuku dolls from the line- tres kawaii!

Soooo kawaiiiiii

2009-01-15T16:35:00.003-05:00

My nephews Jack and Alexei- so cute!

I'm trying to stay positive

2009-01-08T17:52:00.002-05:00

I decided I needed a complete make-over,except this time I'd make-over my soul. But what makes someone a better
person?

I'm not this bad

2008-12-20T18:34:00.002-05:00

This is what a Hello Kitty Fanatic can do with the cash and time- NOT kawaii- just plain krazy

My gift guide....

2008-12-19T13:21:00.001-05:00

Yes, even during a recession I can still think of things I want for the holidays. The difference is now with little money a lot of these things I actually need. So this year I'm putting a little * next to practical gifts I'd like.... but don't let that stop you from thinking impractically!

-Adobe Photo Shop
-Dream Weaver
- Zales Hello Kitty Collection
- Cartier LOVE Bracelet
- Cartier Panthere de Cartier ring
-A gift certificate to Dick Blick *
(Some of my paints are 5+ years old- yuck)
-ANYTHING: Pucci
Chanel
Louis Vuitton
Sanrio (aka Hello Kitty)
- Digital Photography camera Olympus Stylus 770
- Gift Certificate to: TopShop
H&M
Bliss Spa NYC
Amazon.com * (God I miss buying books so much and there are like 100 I want)
- Futurama: Bender's Game (The DVD)

If I think of more I'll post..... and please put in the "comment box" what you want!

Halli's Holiday Gift guide

2008-12-16T17:43:00.004-05:00

Good gravy it's like someone heard my screaming for Kawaii Hello Kitty Jewelry with a classy twist and voila! Granted it's Zales, which is like the TOYS R US of jewelry... but if you wanted to get me something I would still be psyched!

And for $150 this cat still makes me purrr

Or my Hello Kitty + Birthstone for $295
For $995 this glittery necklace is a WOW

Thanksgiving Kawaii

2008-11-30T21:07:00.002-05:00

Granted I wasn't there for it- but HOW freakin cute is my family all dolled up for Thanksgiving?

Japanese Cellphones

2008-11-24T22:15:00.002-05:00

Meow!

2008-11-24T21:47:00.003-05:00

Hellloooo Kitty

More cutie pics

2008-11-22T19:35:00.001-05:00

OOOOhhh Kawaii!

2008-11-22T19:23:00.003-05:00

How can you NOT love these outfits? I'd be in them in five seconds if I had the excuse.

I LOVE this cellphone!!!!

New baby

2008-11-18T20:29:00.002-05:00

It's Gombergliscious

Striiiiiiiiiiiiiiike

2008-11-17T23:39:00.002-05:00

I don't know much about baseball. But I do know it's huge in Japan. And now, Japanese baseball is breaking barriors. Eri Yoshida is the first woman in the world to play alongside men in professional baseball. Granted she's 16, cute to a fault, and wears Catholic school girl outfits. But you have to love a country that gives women the right to play ball- and look kawaii doing it.

Lion King

2008-11-16T01:03:00.002-05:00

::Que African Music:

SIIIIiiiimmmmBBBaaa!

(Diamond) Ring! Ring!

2008-11-11T22:49:00.003-05:00

For all you people who have no idea why I can't carry a phone without bling... clearly it has something to do with my Japanamania!

"Japan's Softbank Mobile said Friday that its eight limited-edition phones, each studded with 537 diamonds from Tiffany and Co, sold out in just three days.

The phone, designed by the luxury New York jeweller, went on sale for about 13-million yen each:
-Yahoo

Oh Comme On.....

2008-11-11T22:36:00.002-05:00

This year H&M is doing a collaborative line with Comme des Garcons- a Japanese fashion house- and you'd think I'd be wetting my pants with glee.

But no! With no extra money shopping isn't priority number one for me or a good chunk of the world wide economy. And, shocking as it may be, I've never been a huge fan of Comme des Garcons. If I HAD the $60 I would buy the jodphurs (I have been jonsing for some of those since my POLO days) but the rest of the collection is just UGLY. But that could just be me.

1,500 fans, waiting three days poured into the Ginza store today like they were throwing hundred dollar yen from the rafters. So if the Japanese kawaii girls like it, I may just have to think this over....

What do you think? To Comme des Garcons or not?

Kawaii looks

2008-11-11T22:25:00.002-05:00

Here are some of the more "me" looks I found atTokyo Street Style. Sadly Japanese fashion doesn't appear to be as creative and free as it used to be. Is the era of Fruits over? Check out the cuuuuute pink hair cut too- might ask for this at my next styling appointment.

Halli's Updated Holiday Gift Guide

2008-11-08T19:16:00.006-05:00

PR for Hopeful, PA

2008-11-07T22:26:00.000-05:00

Hopeful,PA- ranking

New Baby

2008-11-06T20:54:00.004-05:00

All Hail Alexander Nathan Gomberg! My latest nephew came into the world October 27th- and I couldn't be more tickled pink. Least we forget my brothers and I were once little babes ourselves I have decided to post these photos from the past.....
Me and Daddy
Eric and David

An Open Letter to Senator McCain

2008-11-04T16:58:00.001-05:00

Dear Senator McCain,
I was an undecided voter. I wanted Hilary Clinton so badly I could taste it- the combination of experience and pro Israel was just what I wanted. When she lost the democratic nomination I decided I was going to vote for you. FOR YOU Senator McCain! Yes I knew you were pro-life but you were just so quiet about it I figured I could ignore it. Here I am, a 26 year old New Yorker talking about how I was going to vote McCain.

And then you lost my vote. You see I wanted a female in the office, this is true. But Palin is a pro-life nut job! She’s not a maverick! She’s an evangelical, hate mongering moron! And you sir, well God forbid something should happen to you…. And the world sees HER as America’s representative. Maybe if she’d been a little bit quieter about being pro-life. I wanted to like her, I really did. But I’m sorry, today I voted for Obama. And you have no one to blame for that except Palin.

Hopeful, PA

2008-10-26T14:18:00.001-04:00

My comic- online

Hopeful, PA

HaaaaaaZAAAAaaaaah!

2008-09-28T21:08:00.002-04:00

Well I wish someone had told me the M4 bus took an hour to get to the cloisters. Yes it does take you RIGHT to the cloisters, but being cramped in a bus full of New Yorkers for 60 minutes can be trying. By the time we got to the Renaissance Faire I practically dove off the bus. I was also wearing a pretty tight corset under a hoodie so I needed to rip that sucker off and reveal my Ren Faire costume least I sweat to death. If you love the medieval ages without the plague then you pretty much will adore any renaissance faire. Everyone in costume is on display, there are giant turkey legs (and of course pesto tomato baguettes- this IS Manhattan after all). I love stopping to watch the players yucking it up like it's 1592 and the minstrels singing. Although I did see something I hadn't seen before- 3 women dressed as nuns were performing what life was like for them in the renaissance and one woman kept moaning about rape. Which is fine and dandy in a theater but with little kids running around it was kinda intense. Now after that comment let me lighten the mood with some Ren Faire jokes:
Why did the king go to the dentist?
To get a crown!
HA!
Why were the medieval times called the "dark ages"?
Because they had so many knights!
HA!
I learned those during the joust. Thank goodness I brought an umbrella since the downpour soaked through many an expensive costume at the faire. It was a great tournament. The "knights" were a mix of old and young guys who you can tell live for ren faires. You know what I mean- long hair, maybe a beard- costume waaaaaaay to detailed. I mean one of them had hand made his chain mail! But that is the fun of renaissance faires. You want to see overweight women in corsets and dorky guys dressed like the matrix so you can be like "why is he dressed like the matrix? This is ren faire not some anime convention."
Yea I guess at the end of the day, even though it took 2 hours to get home and my corset was leaving indents, nothing beats a good renaissance faire. Even in the rain- always in costume- and including at least one guy dressed for the matrix.

The Beast with a Billion Backs

2008-09-24T22:30:00.003-04:00

I have nothing Japantastic to report other then little Tokyo in L.A. may be the coolest thing since the actual Japan. I came :this: close to buying an obi. The reason I didn't was I'm unemployed and I just couldn't justify it. Where would I wear it?

So what is new? Well I'm still fighting the uphill fight for a job. I saw the new Futurama DVD "Beast with a Billion Backs" and lord it was good. It brought back all my youthful desires to go get my PhD in religion and film! Luckily I remembered how those desires got squished and my practical side took precedent.

I just want to say that with all the craziness in my life I am so grateful for the love of my family and friends! Thank you for everything.

Did I mention I'm betrayed?

2008-09-24T22:27:00.001-04:00

Well Nathan Lane really said it best. ]

Linkedin.com

2008-09-17T23:28:00.001-04:00

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/a/674/105

You should reccomend me if your a professional because apparently this is great for networking

More Olympic homo-erotica

2008-08-26T23:02:00.002-04:00

Don't blame Yahoo.com for this photo entirely- after all it only made it on the main page because it was emailed so many times.

It's a good thing they weren't for sale...

2008-08-23T16:42:00.007-04:00

If you happen to love Japanese products (and also work as a wholesaler) I would recommend getting your rear down to Fellisimo Design House sometime in the next month. Rotating merchandise (not for individual sale to my sadness) focus on Kawaii, Home Design, Clothes, Cooking, and Electronics. You get to handle the products which are beyond cool. Here are some of my tops picks:
Like-It CO
If you live in a small space like many Japanese and New York residence do this fits-anywhere design company is INCREDIBLE! I am craving this Slim Tall Stocker Which would go great in my apartment.

Prairie Dog designs cute towels (you need a nice hot one before a good meal) in the shape of beautiful pastries. So Kawaii- to die

Shuwa Co has a signature Hello Kitty, 2ft tall in full kimono. Need I say more?

Mindwave has kawaii stickers and stationary. Something my pen pal Tim knows well!

Torune is cool because it makes food kawaii. You can press rice into the alphabet or make Hello Kitty Sandwiches. Yum

A little gay

2008-08-15T13:42:00.002-04:00

Well at least Yahoo.com shows men can have offensive Olympic photos too.

EEeeeew

2008-08-15T13:34:00.001-04:00

Yes I am proud America took home the gold in Gymnastics- but is this really the right headline picture? CNN.COM thinks so.

Like I needed another reason

2008-08-06T15:31:00.002-04:00

My friends and family (and to a large degree myself) can't comprehend how I have yet to go to Japan. Well here is an excellent reason to move to Japan! According to the Japanese Health ministry, Japanese women can expect to live until 86, a solid trend for the past 23 years. They attribute it to good diet, strong social ties, and tons of kawaii Hello kitty.

OK the kawaii products are more or less MY hypothesis...... But if you're surrounded by things that make you feel young maybe it effects your longevity. Who knows!

What's happening Now

2008-07-31T14:46:00.003-04:00

Well it's certainly not easy cleaning up the mess 8 years of misdirected education, low self esteem and shitty luck have left me in- but I'm certainly trying! I've begun the fun task of narrowing down graduate schools... well so far just PR and Advertising- I still have the art schools (yeegawds). Doing this without a college advisor sucks ass. Although I must note my college advisor was kind of a bitch so really not having her isn't that bad. I bought a ton of books which I'm weeding through going to the colleges' websites and clicking the "send me resources" box (if one exists), and eliminating the colleges who's websites open up with a big Crucifix and/or have the word Jesus in their slogan. Basically out of 39 that means only 8 have been eliminated so far. I don't mind going to school in Texas, I'd just like to be Jewish whilst I do it.

I'm also applying to non-matriculated classes at local colleges so I can have recent "recommendation letters". Oh- and still plugging away trying to find a legit job too. Now I get to blame the economy on why I'm not getting hired! I feel so good having an excuse other than "I have no idea I must be worthless". I actually am trying to get away from all the negative. Not really sure how I got here but at least I'm making a change now vs waking up when I'm 46 and miserable.

In wedding news here are some pics!

My new lil bro and Kris

Oh and I got the "blue bird of happiness" charm in honor of the lucky bird who pooped on my mom's head.

CELEBRATE!

2008-07-21T21:23:00.004-04:00

Now that my Mom and Michael are officially hitched I want to buy a charm to remember the day. Which one do you like? Vote and tell me!

Blue bird of happiness
chocolate cake- like the wedding
chocolate covered strawberry- yum- also like at the wedding
love letter in the mail box

Hot doggers!

2008-07-06T21:46:00.007-04:00

What contest is legit without a guy in a hotdog costume?
I enjoyed the corn dog
I love this photo, something very Norman Rockwell about it
Will the USA take the yellow mustard belt again?
Everyone wants to see the eaters
low fat delicacies

oooOOOOhhhh happy day!

2008-07-01T22:46:00.002-04:00

Well I'm back in New York and not a minute to soon. Five seconds more in the holy land and I may have died of the heat or a nervous break down. I've been home since Saturday and didn't waste a moment searching for my dress for my mom's wedding. After hitting every major department store in NYC my mother and I were exhausted. She was about ready to kick me in the butt for being such a pain, and I was frustrated that I couldn't find anything. I mean yea I liked a lot of the dress BUT I didn't LOVE them. And then just as we were about to throw in the designer towel my mom pointed out Escada. Why no- I HADN'T gone to Escada yet. Sure, why not?

And there it was- a ruffle vision on sale %60! It's being fitted to me, now all I have to do is figure out shoes!

Ani smeecha mayode!

(I'm very happy)

BAD DAY.

2008-06-12T13:46:00.003-04:00

I failed my oral exam. I don't know how. I went to all the freakin classes and did all the freakin HW. Yea I'm not fluent- but FAILED? It's been a bad day....

Say Cheescake!

2008-06-10T10:39:00.003-04:00

It's Shavouot- that means eating cheescake, reading the book of Ruth, and having a good old fashion kibbutz parade!!! My ulpan got to ride on the back of a tractor trailor, wear white, and wave flags for our countries. I handmade an America flag since I couldn't find one around. I have to admit it was fun- all the kibbutz kids paraded by, the youngest did the horah, and for the topper all the new babies born on the kibbutz in the past year were brought out and danced with their parents on stage! Chamood may-ode! (so cute)

Westpoint comes to Israel

2008-06-09T12:42:00.005-04:00

My sister's boyfriend was host to a bunch of students from Westpoint. The students are here in Israel to learn some Hebrew and Arabic, and to learn about the country and culture they are duty bound to protect. I was able to tag along as we went to Haifa (Baihai gardens), Akko (where the crusaders stayed as they raped and pillaged to Jerusalem), and Ceasaria (the capital of king Herod- of Jesus fame).

Sunflower fields

2008-05-29T12:02:00.001-04:00

Japan Anyone?

2008-05-26T08:48:00.002-04:00

Least you think I've been head first in everything Israeli these past few months let me correct you. I'm still mad for Japan and am keeping abreast of all things kawaii and kwazy that side of the world.

First off I read a book called "Bar flower" about the modern floating world in Japan (think less Geisha more call girl/ bar hostess). It's the true story of how an American English teacher ended up as a high class bar hostess singing karaoke with drunken old Japanese men. The story is riddled with new characters making it almost impossible to follow anyone but the main character. Also the ending is abrupt and only kind of satisfying at best. However if you've ever contemplated running away to Japan to be a quasi "geisha" this book will put you off the idea completely!.

Secondly- how FREAKIN kawaii is this? Wakayama Electric Railway, a nine-year-old female tortoiseshell cat is a station master for Kishi station on the Kishigawa line in the city of Kinokawa, in Wakayama prefecture. She sits on the ticket gate and gets to wear this kawaii ensemble. Business has quadrupled! And who can blame them? I would make the trip just to photograph this cutie.

Daddy and Jack

2008-05-24T09:01:00.002-04:00

The Gods must be crazy

2008-05-24T05:44:00.004-04:00

I'm not exactly sure how to explain this weird and exhausting week but I will try.
Monday was spent coughing, sleeping, and sticking medicine in every part of my body the Israelies thought it would help. I was sore, unhappy, and constantly under threat from our ulpan director that I wouldn't be allowed to go on our trip the next day.

Tuesday: Ha! You think that bastard can keep me from dragging my ill butt to the desert? In a fit of what was surely retardedness I joined in my first of many horific desert hikes. Who thought that hiking in the desert, around noon, in the summer, would be fun- is a MORON. At one point the security guard had to literally push me up the mountain. Yea that's how they do it in the Israelie army. Luckily I will never have to be in the flippin Israelie army. After the death hike we went to see where Ben Gurian lived and died (probably one to many death hikes). This was followed by a bus ride to a "Beduin Villiage" where we were to stay the night. It was more like if Disney, Times Square, summer camp, and the Beduin people got togther and built a place for tourists. We watched tea and bread being made, we informed that camel milk is off limits to women because it makes them horny, and got a camel ride. I really did enjoy this! Afterward we had a Beduin dinner (just ehhh) followed by dancing and a drum circle (thumbs up) and slept in a giant tent on mattresses stuffed with what I'm guessing was hay.

Wednesday: We woke up at the butt crack of dawn to drive to Masada. AS I LIVE AND BREATHE I SWEAR I WILL NEVER CLIMB MASADA AGAIN! If I had been slightly intelligent I would have maybe just stayed on the bus. But nooooooooooooooo... I had to go have a cultural experience. Why is it that cultural experiences in this country keep trying to kill me? Masada was followed by a shorter death hike to a natural pool (thank god), where I was able to jump into the water and have fun for five nonsweltering minutes. Then we drove to the dead sea, where there was no mud for us to put on (boo) so we had to suffice with just swimming. PS swimming in the dead sea is BADASS! You just sit there and float around. I highly reccomend it.

Thursday: I was sore and exhausted from so much salt and hiking so I ditched work. When the going was clear we all piled into the Kibbutz Naan pool which is FINALLY open (woohoo!) and swam like happy dogs. One of the things I have yet to experience in Israel is a feeling of mysticism or religious joy. Mostly it's just death hikes and people acting like idiots. My girlfriend Razy told me that, that night in Sfaat there was going to be a religious fest with dancing and bonfires. Hoping to experience the devine I shlepped my ass along. The second we found the right bus stop in Jerusalem we knew there were going to be problems. thousands of HASIDIC jews were trying to cram onto the busses. While we were dressed in long skirts and tops we hadn't expected this to be a specifically hasidic event. WRONG. I drove 4 hours in the back of the bus (women in back) to the biggest religious waste of time ever. The men got to dance and set fires while the women watched the children and just stood there like idiots. This all happened inside what was essentially a massive flea market for messianic chotckes. Since the women were all rude, pushing and carrying their young children around at 3am, we didn't bother in the "viewing area" very long. Some nasty little boy kept stomping on Razy's foot, and then a group of Hasidic women came over and chastized Razy's friend for dressing like a whore. The women said it was a mitzvah to point out when a women is dressed like a whore. But then we reminded her that it was a grevious sin the embarrass someone- BAM IN HER FACE! Boy was she pissed because we were right. Reform girls 1, angry Hasidic women 0. At this point it was 4am and I had, had ENOUGH. I got on a bus to Jersalum where (in the back) I ended up sitting next to a Hasidic woman who thought I WAS ONE TOO. I was too exhausted to correct her and the result was messy at best. But I did learn some sects of Hasidic women really DO SHAVE THEIR HEADS! No lie! So it wasn't a whole waste.

Friday: Sore, delirious with exhaustion, I didn't want to go back to the ulpan and be forced to sit in class (I would have just fallen asleep anyway). So I wandered around Tel Aviv for a few hours beforing busing back home. Had dinner with my kibbutz family, spent some time trying to ride a bike, then came back and passed out like the dead.

Sarah graduates!

2008-05-18T10:38:00.002-04:00

My cousin Sarah graduated college this weekend!!! Snapps to her!

My weekend

2008-05-10T06:08:00.003-04:00

We went to our kibbutz club this weekend where the crowd was a mad house because some famous dude was playing (above). Because of said famous dude the age limit was 20. Not an issue for me (I've been legal 5 years) but when most of the ulpanists are 18 it's a huge flippin deal. We were sneaking around until I was like WTF I am too old for this. Eventually some of us got in. I enjoyed the moshing with the 7ft Russel pummeling the small Israelie dudes. All in all a good time.

Painting the roses red...

2008-05-02T10:36:00.002-04:00

I worked in the garden today. Notice I didn't say my new job is in the garden- because hopefully that may change soon. But in the mean time I am waking up at 5am and making Naan a more beautiful place. For my first assignment they dropped us off and told us to behead a garden of rose bushes. Aparently this makes them stronger for next year- but since most of them were still young and full bloom it felt very very WRONG. As I went around chopping off those helpless red roses I couldn't help but be reminded of poor Alice in Wonderland, assisting the guards as they painted the white roses red.....

In other big, BIG NEWS Sophia (my sis in law) is preggers! I will be an aunt for the 4th time this November!!!

7 Down... 20 more to go

2008-04-27T08:37:00.003-04:00

My ulpan is rapidly shrinking. As of today definatly 2, and maybe as many as five people are kicked out for doing drugs. That would make it 12 since the begining of ulpan. I'm not sure I would want to stay in a ulpan with 5 people but what can you do. One of the people caught smoking is MY roommate. I'm not gonna lie, I like my roommate and I would be sad if she wasn't here anymore. Look out in the mail for letters from me!

This blog is HAMAYTZ!

2008-04-23T12:40:00.003-04:00

I just returned from the North where I experienced an orthodox Passover. I don't know how bread got on the windows and under the bathroom shelves but somehow the whole freakin place was "hamaytz" and we had to clean. Seder was nice except I got sick early and went to bed. The next day we all participated in a walk to remember falled soldiers along the sea of Galalee. It was very hot, up hill, and I was to tired to remember english let alone Hebrew. The next day I went hiking with Yoav in the Golan hieghts. I saw the remains of war torn Seria, mine fields, and a beautiful waterfall. Now I'm back and Naan not sure what comes next....

Thinking rash-ly

2008-04-15T10:45:00.001-04:00

Over the past two weeks I’ve been noticing a rash forming all over my arms. At first I thought it was kiwi, or some other fresh fruit I’d been ingesting. I even feared my beloved peaches and nectarines might be the cause. But the rash didn’t go away, no matter how many things I dropped from my diet. By this morning it was down to my elbows- and then I freaked out. So I left class and went to our pitiful kibbutz clinic. SHOCKER! They didn’t know what it was. Next thing I knew I was on a shuttle to the Rehovot hospital. Horary for socialized medicine. An ancient trilobite of a dermatologist looked me over and figured out my problem- cleaning toilets. This is my job on the kibbutz and apparently I’ve become allergic to it! See I always knew there was a reason I was an awful cleaner, my body literally rejects cleaning! I was able to pick up some creams from the pharmacy and now I await my new job, whatever that may be.

Since I was in Rehovot anyway I decided to go shopping for stuff I needed: shampoo, lint remover, some kiwis (which I am NOT allergic too) at the shook, and then into the mall to buy some painting supplies. Some of you may know my past week was pretty intense- the highs and lows were massive, and my home sickness was extreme. My best friend Rachel suggested I do something very American like see a movie.
What a great idea! So I bought a ticket and waited to go see “Superhero movie”. Jeez you’d think I was seeing a film in communist Russia. First of all they make you wait OUTSIDE the theatre until it’s time for the film. Then everyone is allowed in. Granted to seats were big and fluffy. They the movie starts RIGHT AWAY- no waiting for 20 minutes like in America. It’s like ::BAM:: movie! So then I’m watching and like 60 minutes into it they turned off the film. Everyone in the theatre got up and was like “hafsaka!”(break)
So when in Rome…. I got up, got some popcorn and ::BAM:: the movie started again. Weiiiiiiird. As for the film it was pretty OK, some good lines, but nothing to run to.

And before I go I want to thank everyone for making me feel like the most loved girl in Israel. I got not one- but THREE packages this week! From my Dad, Grandma, and Timsan. THANKS!!!

My New Painting

2008-04-06T13:53:00.002-04:00

I'm probably going to give this to the ulpan because they have some crap art here. Seriously.

YOUTUBE!

2008-03-31T05:31:00.002-04:00

Ok... so the quality is crap- what do you expect with wretched internet like mine? But here is a kibbutz Naan Video!

Purim for Kita Aleph

BEST BIRTHDAY YET!

2008-03-28T07:10:00.002-04:00

26 on the 26th really IS lucky! Who knew?
It all started the day before when I hit up Tel Aviv for some shopping and sushi with my french girls.After we came back, and everyone headed to the pub where insane drinking insued. I ate french fries, drank like a fish, played pool, drank some more,danced, kept drinking.... by midnight I was trashed. Everyone brought out a cake and sang happy birthday (I was delerious with glee). The next morning I was awoken at the crack of dawn by my mom- SHE'S FINALLY ENGAGED! I had this wonderful news to carry me through the day as I opened presents, cards, got two packages, ate junk food, had a picnic with my friend Adam and threw a minnie party in the evening (no drinking for me just lots of good food). My phone rang all day with well wishes from family around the globe- truly it was the best birthday I've had yet.....in retrospect I should have bought a lottery ticket!
Ah well, I feel like I've won the life lottery all the same.

purim

2008-03-24T09:04:00.001-04:00

25 going on 26.....

2008-03-24T07:37:00.006-04:00

It's so flippin hot. I honestly am glad I'm from a country where it gets cold in the winter..... I feel like I may faint if I don't drink water and eat vegtables. I'm grateful for my hand fan (spanish style) with Hello Kitty on it in bright pink. Sadly this country seems to lack both hand fans AND Hello Kitty!

HOWEVER I have been able to get a great Japan fix. My roomate Elly showed my an amazing sushi restaurant in Tel Aviv and I ate my full...... See this past weekend was Purim and all the students had a bit of a holiday. Unlike in America where Halloween is the holiday to dress up and get drunk, Purim is three days here where costumes and debachery rule. On Thursday we had a party in class with games and prizes. I shot video so look for it when I can load it in abotu 2 weeks. On Friday night the kibbutz hosted an insane party with drinking and men dressed like Jesus and drag queens. I went as an American indian in a costume I put together with old clothes left behind from past ulpanists. It was actually pretty sweet. Then yesterday I went to Tel Aviv with Elly and we ate sushi, shopped a bit, and sat on the beach- heaven! Also we had AMAZING gelato! IN TEL AVIV! Who knew?

I am trying to speak Hebrew as much as possible but I get frustrated when I see the other ulpanists asking the locals to speak to them in english. Seriously- just try hebrew... but whatever..... Hopefully next week I will go to HUC in Jersalum for the day and be able to see the university AND speak some Hebrew.

I'M GOING TO BE 26!!!! My Dad an Judy gave my a supscription to TATLER and a new Ipod (:
I'm glad I didn't open my mom's package yet, it will be fun to open on my birthday morning.

yallabye for now xxoo

Birthday Wishes

2008-03-16T05:32:00.004-04:00

I would like.....
- A cute summer dress
- Indian/ tribal looking scarves for my hair and around my neck
- Cool sweaters.... I didn't bring nearly enough
- Jewelry..... rings, bracelets, earrings (I am always in need of those)
- ANYTHING japanese!! KIMONO! HELLO KITTY! You can seriously never go wrong
- PJ's..... or cute night gowns
- A subscription to Tatler magazine (I have been dying for this for years)
- A subscription to People Magazine

Scroll down to see my address here at Naan...
Love you all!

Halli

GODOL Updates

2008-03-14T17:41:00.003-04:00

Ok where to begin? For starters I have been studying Hebrew a lot. It keeps me distracted when I'm not scrubbing toilets or laying out in the sun. We do a TON of laying around on the kibbutz. Something I treasure because I have the wisdom of age to know just how precious doing nothing truly is. Sometimes when we are laying out in front of the ulpan Tiffany brings around Giza the baby goat. Seriously- a baby freakin goat. It is so cute, eating our shoe laces and cuddling with us. THIS is why people go to a kibbutz.
On the war front- I am safe, and I feel very protected in Naan where so many soldiers are just a rifle away. Still if real true WAR breaks out I'll come home. On the news every night we see Hasidic rabbis calling for a kind of jewish jihad against the terrorist who went crazy in the Yashiva. I can't say I think this is the right thing to do.... far from it.
My birthday is coming up in 2 weeks and I keep thinking about it. 26- it's a big number. I hope people remember it, that I get some kind of recognition on my birthday from the other ulpanists. It means so much when I recieve letters and packages! Each one is like winning the lotto. So I must thank Tim san, Kris, My Dad and My Mom, all of whom who have sent great packages to me so far! TODA!
I'm off now... ttyl...
Halli

Updates abound

2008-02-29T13:46:00.003-05:00

Between scrubbing toilets, visting the wailing wall, becoming a zionist, and trying to remember to speak hebrew as much as possible this has been an instense week.
Things I need that are "light to send".....because some of you have been so nice to ask.....

- chicken ramen
-hot chocolate mix
-Cute underwear (size medium)
- Cute socks
- Fake eye lashes from CVS (the pieces not the whole) in medium and small)
.... but enough about me.... what do you want?

2008-02-24T12:38:00.004-05:00

Yom Chameshe-Yom Shabbat

2008-02-24T12:34:00.005-05:00

My wicked weekend all started Thursday when my sister Anna got her boyfriend to call me.
“Do you want to go to mountain climbing?”
“Excuse me?”
“Mountain climbing tonight.”
“Ma haarr?” [Tomorrow]
“No I mean tonight”…..
Turns out the boyfriend knew of a crazy indoor rock climbing gym about an hour away. It was filled with mission impossible style rock climbs, trapezes and 1990 grunge music. I rock climbed and managed to learn how to control the ropes when Peri took a turn (which is good because he could have died otherwise).
The next night was Shabbat. I spent it with my Ulpan friend Allison. “He oh la chadasha” (she is making allyah). She has family here and the food was amazing! It felt good to be in someone’s house, on a couch where only a few/ no people had vomited, eating food that had flavor.
On Saturday I went off again with the boyfiend and two of his friends: Adi and Natalye. We went down south to see the poppy fields in bloom. On the way there we stopped on the Gaza border and watched as patrols drove by. The boyfriend was saddened that it was too early for any Arabs to be awake and bombing us. Once at the poppy fields we hiked and stopped for the most civilized picnic! The boyfriend whipped out some propane, tea leaves, and cookies his mom made. One of the most amazing tea parties I ever had.
For sure my Hebrew is improving. I always feel like I could be doing better but I can really communicate now which is cool.
Talk you up soon!
Shalom!

my address....

2008-02-20T12:51:00.002-05:00

Ulpan, Kibbutz Naan
76829, Israel

Tower of Babel

2008-02-20T12:44:00.002-05:00

It is amazing the small things you are able to pick up when speaking isn’t an option. How studying a person talking, looking, walking, all be it in another nationality and language can tell you so much despite never having sat down with the person for coffee.
For example, here at the Ulpan there is a rash of French speaking Jews, constantly babbling away with the occasional Hebrew word thrown in there for good measure. Two of the French boys seem mentally competent… Well one of them anyway. Like you just know you could sit down and have a conversation with this person. He is a smart capable human being whose single disability is that you cannot say a word to him. It is both isolating and frustrating to not be able to communicate more then three words. I recall the first time I felt this way was when I was 14 and my mother and I first visited Paris. It was my first trip out of the country and we went to visit her old French family the Arlays. I can still vividly feel the bizarre sensation of being in the room with people who were normal, functioning humans with thoughts and dreams, with no way for them to be able to express it or vice versa. Without language the human connection isn’t dead, if anything it becomes more alarming, stripped naked from the clothing of words and left out in the open for all to see.
That being said I’m not big on being naked.
One of the boys here on the kibbutz is a handsome 18 year old named Yvonne from Paris. He is orthodox with a kippa, praying every morning in the tall grasses outside our dorm. The second he found out I was interested in furthering my religious education he became horrified and confused, like I’d left a mangled baby on his door step. He would relentlessly try to speak with me, argue with me- IN HEBREW or FRENCH- an argument neither side could win or fight fairly for that matter. I would tell him, when I speak Hebrew we can argue, till then let’s not bother. But that wasn’t good enough for him. He’d be up in arms calling me a Christian and talking trash about my Rabbi. My freakin Rabbi! Frustration overcame my sense of decorum and smarts. I ended up saying he had no balls and storming out.
Which we all know is the polite way to win a fight.
Where as Yvonne simply refuses to learn English, many local speakers do try to at least meet you half way. One local kibbutz boy named Dan will use French, Hebrew and English until what he’s trying to say comes to fruition. But despite this one look at Dan shows he’s not a fellow with a rich inner life. The way he walks, the tone of his voice, his wide confused eyes. Amazing how I can tell poor Dan isn’t all there without ever having a proper conversation with him.
Another example of a local speaking bits and pieces to communicate is a taxi driver I had recently. He saw I had a coke, made the hand gesture as if he wanted to share it and take a sip. I said no, and when he asked why I said “because”. This was not a good enough answer. So I said, “Because it’s gross”. The driver had no idea what gross was, which is good because I would have insulted him. Turns out he simply wanted to know why I wasn’t drinking my coke- not to share it.
Ultimately I can’t wait to speak Hebrew, if only to test if my human instinct about people’s nature and smarts is true. Ironic if you think how when I meet an Israeli I talk like a two year old, slowly and shy. Perhaps they all think I’m the dumb one!

STOP!!!!

2008-02-20T04:03:00.001-05:00

stop sending me e-cards- my email is so slow I can't open them. I detest them. Do not waste your time. Instead send me REAL letters, REAL cards, REAL PICTURES (I can't print anything)

toda

Halli

Atah medabear Angleet?

2008-02-15T07:59:00.003-05:00

"Do you speak English?"
This is the phrase I've been using the most this past week. And some of the time I actually use the male/female versions correctly. But mostly I ask women if they speak using the male pronoun and vice versa. Luckily no one thinks I'm insulting them- just that I'm a yarr tourette, a tourist. One of the most unexpected things about coming to Israel is how much French is spoken. When my limited vocabulary ("yes""no""big") doesn't work the endless stream of Morrocan Jews seem to appear. The result is a bizarre mix of French, Hebrew and English. Amazing my brain is adapting at all!

Today I went to the mall by myself and was met with many people who did not indeed, medabear Angleet. The most certantly did indeed medabear Eevreet (Hebrew) and this seemed to cause all kinds of problems. Some things I've noticed- as a general rule Israelie stores NEVER have mirrors in the dressing rooms. You have to go outside in what may be a hidous outfit for the whole world to see. Not conducive to the shopping experience.
The only time people do speak english is in American stores like Aldo and Nine West.
PS
I'm not paying $400 sheckels for a pair of shoes that would be like $20 in NY.
Although I was able to haggle with a vendor on the street. I got him to drop the price by 10 sheckels. It was probably lik 20 sheckels less but I'm not putting up a fight when all I can really say is "No big! No big!"

I shared a cab ride home with a bunch of young kids. This was not by design or choice. The taxi drivers here just stop, pick people up, and shove you in. A trip that should take 10 minutes turns into 30. AND EVERYONE wants to know where you're from. "NY? Can? LJGHIUHENBKJMNDCnm,n,msxnckncskmnk,j...." Well that's how it sounds to me anyway. The kids were very nice, looked like the kind of teeny bopper MTV teens you'd see from Long Island. They had balloons and hearts for the chaag Valentines Day. I was able to speak a little in Hebrew, they were able to speak a little in English, and we all parted feeling satisfied in our brilliance.

What's new at the Ulpan

2008-02-12T09:45:00.000-05:00

Hi All,
Well My first week at the Kibbutz is behind me. The insane time change, scrubbing toilets, and a diet that a combination of whatever I can make out from the box cover STILL are not a deterent from enjoying it here.
Well maybe the toilet part.
Classes are very intense. 5 hours 6 days a week, and it's almost entirely in hebrew. But on the plus side I have managed to learn Hebrew script in a week, a feet I avoided for 20 years and now am kind of pleased to know. Also I'm slowly picking up the art of dropping v-w-ls. As for talking... well that is slow but still a 180 from where I was a week ago. My proudest moment was my first phone call on my cell phone. It was a wrong number and under the gun I was able to apologize and say I didn't speak Hebrew and the caller understood! Sounds small but it felt like a million bucks.

My roommate is from Belgum. She is ALSO INTO JAPAN!!!! Maybe more then me... dear god.

She has a massive Geisha tattoo and tons of Hello Kitty Clothes. Clearly I am a sham.

PS
In Hebrew "Sham" means "over there"

Clubb'n at the Ulpan

2008-02-09T05:24:00.000-05:00

Baby Gomberg Comes Home!

2008-01-25T23:05:00.000-05:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FipmWX0iZdI

Back in NYC

2008-01-18T23:24:00.000-05:00

It's been a long cold night. Because I forgot my winter coat in Florida and then got locked out of my apartment.
I shit you not it is freezing and if my hero step mom and dad hadn't been in NYC to save me with extra keys I would be in a homeless shelter right now. Round of applause for Dad and Judy!

What am I up to- great question. Just got back from visiting my Grandparents. I need to say hi to everyone before I head off to Israel. I also saw my cousin Arielle. I see her every 5 years or so. For reasons yet to be explained she is totally into me. Why look a gift horse in the mouth?

In totally kawaii news I got a badass package from Tim-san. I debated baking him a thank you cake but I don't think frosting ships well. I got a myriad of Hello Kitty items including a calender I'm taking to Israel. No doubt my roommate will stand in fear when I unfurl my sanrio madness in our bedroom. Here's hoping she's Japanese.

I'm also sick like a dog! Which I guess means I am licking my crotch and eating kibble. Apparently my next kawaii purchase will have to be a cute SARS mask.

Kibbutz Naan here I come!

2007-12-20T00:21:00.000-05:00

I am so excited, and nervous, I may just wet my pants- I'm going to be in Israel from February until June. Many thanks goes to my generous and supportive family, and the scholarhip I am up for!