11-16-08 Chillin in Yeshiva

What up homiez,

   Life has been pretty normal recently.  I had a really crazy incident with my credit card.  I've alloted myself 200 a month of spending money for travel, food, gifts for shabbat families, personal needs, cell phone etc.  At the beginning of being here I was spending a lot and so I tried to cut down and this month the goal was not to break 200!  So I checked my bill and it was 199.85!  I totally didn't even plan that and it includes some of the wine that I bought and am selling so I've actually done really well this month!  So awesome.

   I just saw my Uncle(Yecheskel or exekiel however you spell that in either language haha) and his mother and My Aunt(Ora) and my grandmother.  They were so nice and trying to just give and give to me.  It was too much haha, they sent me home with all kinds of fruit and goodies.  It was amazing enough that they drove all the way into my town to pick me up and drop me off and take me to lunch!  So awesome.  I have the best family.  

   Kate and I are talking about coming home a little early but we're not sure what's going to end up happening.  We'll probably start figuring thought out in the next month.

I've watched a lot of movies while working out... and I'm in the best shape I've ever been in in my life.  All I needed was some motivation haha.

I gtg to class but hope everyone is doing well!

Omri

Wine shop is open! 11-7-08

Today is the aniversary of the opening of AEPi at NYU in 1913... cool stuff

Life is amazing.  Today I opened the wine shop... aka I bought wine from a winery near Jerusalem... they shipped it in and everything... and now I'm selling it almost at cost for the guys in the Yeshiva.  Already sold a few bottles and now I get my own wine for much less money!  

There's a Jewish idea that a person should be a connoisseur in life.  Wine was always one of the things I think of when I hear that.  The idea is basically that G-d made food taste good for a reason(or nature look pretty, flowers smell good etc.).  We are supposed to appreciate it and not take it for granted.  Thus the idea of controlling what goes in your body(Kashrut)... which isn't the entire reason by any means.  Anyway I'm excited to be dealing in wines and maybe I'll continue back in the states.

Another thing I've been working on which has been awesome is called Hakorus Hatov... or appreciating the good in life.  Me and my friend Matt are each working with one of the second years, Asaf, on certain character traits.  That one is the one I chose to work on and it is awesome.  I haven't learned so much about it but I write in my other blog... which is kinda personal but I guess you can look at it if you feel weird and creepy... about the different things I see and appreciate each day... and how I could appreciate them more or how I appreciated them well.  

Last night I went into town and Howard came down from Tel Aviv, Kate and Schlis were there... it was great.  We went to a kosher bar and had chicken wings, fries, chicken fingers and something else with a parve ranch type sauce and sweet chili sauce dips.  Also got a few Tuborgs and Hoegardens.  It was a great night out.  Gotta have those every once in a while.

Speaking of speaking to friends i haven't been in touch with, it is really nice to hear from people.  So if you read this... email me! or im me or something.  If you just read and don't let me know whats going on with your life... that's all take and no give... not very good for the soul haha

Love you smoking hott peeps,
Omri