Okay, apparently, I’ve been spending so much time in Los Angeles, I’ve forgotten how to navigate my way around Riverdale. I got lost trying to walk up from my place to Wave Hill, which was only open this particular Monday because it was Labor Day. This wouldn’t have been so embarrassing if I hadn’t been… Continue reading LABOR DAY PAINS: MAKE IT STOP. PLEASE MAKE IT STOP.
I finally broke down and asked my sister if she thinks I attract jerks. I expected her to respond dismissively as I have responded to blog readers who have suggested the same. But in fact, my sister responded with a resounding “Yes!” Yes, you do attract jerks. So why? Am I wearing some sort of… Continue reading Jerk of the Week
Here’s something I wrote last week…. Lately, I’ve been too depressed to write. I can’t get motivated to write my book. I can’t get motivated to write any new articles. Mostly, I can’t get motivated. Sometimes, I wonder what life would be like if I wasn’t depressed. But I can’t remember if there was ever… Continue reading D is for Depression
Whether or not, you love it or hate it, The Jerusalem Post claims Judaism is getting in touch with its feminine side. You’ve heard my spiel before in previous posts about whether or not I would call myself a feminist, much less a Jewish feminist. And here is a redux. In short, I grew up… Continue reading The softer side of Judaism
My intention in posting “Thou Shalt Not Oppress the Ger” was to highlight a very ugly reality that one convert lives in because it is a reality that unfortunately, many converts live in. I have been lucky, so far, that it is not my reality. I have been spared this lot. Mostly, I get snide… Continue reading Further Reflections on Yesterday’s Post
How does the Associated Press even know I exist? This is a question I asked myself last Friday when I got an email from one of their writers asking me if I would mind being interviewed for a community profile on Riverdale. Of course, I said “yes” but I still assumed it was a joke… Continue reading Um, ‘kay?
I have learned that there are some things you don’t get better from. Some things don’t have solutions, don’t have quick fixes. Chronic illness, becoming disabled, living with something like fibromyalgia, has taught me this. But when I tell people I am “sick,” they expect me to get better. It depresses the hell out of… Continue reading Getting Better
It never fails. I get into the Seaman Car Service taxi and tell the driver where we’re going in English. Then I switch to Spanish. At which point, the driver turns around and says, “You speak Spanish?!” And I say, “Yes, I’m Dominican.” At which point, the driver turns around again and stares, “YOU’RE DOMINICAN!”… Continue reading Obviously
I am learning my limitations. And accepting them. It sounds simple enough but for an overachiever who doesn’t quit until her body does, I’ve discovered a knack for never turning down a chance to overwork myself silly. And yet, in the past few weeks, I have been turning down assignments. It’s like I’m in an… Continue reading Learning to Say No
Remember this piece? Read more about my battle with fibromyalgia and how it was affected my life as a teacher, friend, sister, wife and Jew: “Air Hugs: Fibromyalgia and the Power of Touch”
Memoirs of a Jewminicana 