Shabbat in Jew-ville

On Friday morning I decided to go shopping, in search of a skirt for Beth and Dave's wedding. First I went to Lord & Taylor, only to find that in their formalwear, the cheapest things were over 100$ [and the expensive ones were like 600! I'm not exaggerating. There are things there with 600$ price tags!] So although there was a beautiful turquoise skirt that was 60% off, considering that the 60% was being taken off of a 325$ price tag I decided to pass.

Next was macy's. Their stuff wasn't much better pricewise.

Then I stopped in H&M, and as soon as I walked in I saw a gorgeous skirt for 49$. I tried it on and I looked good in it, so I bought it.

The whole process took about 2 hours, most of which was spent walking around, checking the price tag, and thinking "no way!" So I got a lot of exercise.

I then had about an hour until Celine got out of her exam, so I went to Tasty De-lite, and got an ice cream. But you can't really call it ice cream, since it's only 40 calories. Which makes me happy.

Then Celine got out of class, and called me, and I went over. We ordered Israeli food, and we were planning on going to the movies afterwards. The delivery guy was taking too long, so we decided to watch a movie she had rented. It was about these 2 Iranian children, and they were really cute.

After hanging out with Celine and Clara, I went back to my apartment. Bryna called, and said I didn't have to make deli roll. I was tired, so I decided I should take advantage of this opportunity to not have to cook.

Friday night I davened at mount sinai with Estie and Mark. I then met Yosef and Bryna, as well as marlowe1. I had dinner at this girl Arona's house. She and Mark are friends. I got to meet all of Mark's New York friends, who are all cool. The meal went till 12:00ish, and by the end I was so exhausted I just went to sleep as soon as I got in the door of my apartment [which in itself was a feat. Though now I know you have to pull the door towards you as you turn the key.]

Saturday I woke up at 6:00 thinking it was much later, and went back to sleep after looking at my watch. Then I woke up at 8, this time for real.

I davened at YU so I could meet Yosef and Bryna. The walk was annoyingly uphill, but again good exercise. I got in just as they were repeating the shacharit shmoneh esrei. I caught up mid-torah reading.

They actually sang in the kedusha for mussaf, which was unexpected and made me happy. In general, the heights isn't such a singingy community.

I was confused when they didn't do the kaddish afterwards, and asked Bryna what was going on.
Bryna:"we just did it."
Me: "What? no we didn't"
Bryna: "I heard you answer."
Me:"oh...."
So much for that thing called kevanah.

Lunch was fun, even though it was just the 3 of us. It was nice to always be in the conversation, and not feel left out. And me and Bryna made fun of Yosef a bit, which is always fun to do.

They walked me back after lunch and I got into my apartment around 1. I read for 4 hours. Then Estie invited me to walk with her, Mark, and this girl Destiny. We met at Destiny's building [which is also Yoni Ray's building]. She has a cat, named Miss Kitty. She looks like Mittens, only with much longer fur.

We walked to the park and sat in the sun. Then we went back to our apartment and hung out and ate brownies. Then we went to mincha. Mark and I went to Arona's again for shalshuddis [as did marlowe1.]

We went back for maariv, and they did havdallah before alienu, which really confused me. Everyone else thinks it's normal.

motzei shabbat in jew-ville, and Wicked

I got back at 9:40. Shabbat starts and ends really late here!

I was going to go to dinner with Becky Toran and her mom, but when I called her, her mom wasn't up to it. By then Estie had left for her thing [which she had invited me to] so I was stuck.

Becky told me to call her back in 15 minutes if I had nothing to do, and we could talk.

So first I tried Yosef and Bryna, and neither of them answered the phone.

Then I tried Mark, who was decidedly unhelpful.

Then I decided I should call Sarah Meyers about Shavuot. We ended up talking for a long time. Then she had to go and Becky called again and I talked to her. Then I imed with jtersesk and I got an update on her novel. By the way-I have some comments for you.

At 1 Bryna called. She was going to stay at Arona's but Arona was still out. So she asked if you could crash by me. I said "sure."

She had a sleeping bag, though I offered her the futon. She said no. Though when Estie got back she made Bryna take the futon. So she used the mattress under her sleeping bag. We went to bed at 1:30.

This morning Bryna, Yosef, Eric and Sarah [their friends] and I went to brunch at Gruenebaum's, a kosher bakery right near me. I saw no pizza out, so I ordered a bagel, and of course the pizza came out 2 minutes later. But my bagel was good and Bryna treated [even though I told her not to].

After chilling for a while in my apartent I headed downtown to meet Ilana for Wicked. I memorized the address of the theatre, but unfortunately I memorized it wrong. I thought it was on 55th, but it was on 51st. I got in just in time, and fortunately the show started late.

If you haven't seen Wicked yet, you have to see it. Right now. Go online and buy tickets! It is amazingly amazing!

We then went out to dinner at My Most Favorite Dessert, the restaraunt I would have gone with Becky and her mom to. They have excellent food. And excellent desserts. Hence the name.

I just got back at 10:30, since we got out of dinner at 7ish, walked to the station, and chilled until it was time for her to go, plus I went shopping afterwards to fix my lack of shirts and lack of essential toiletries. I had an adventure trying to get a subway [the A was closed, so I had to wait before swiping my pass again to get into the 1. Then walking from the 1 station on 181st was slightly sketchy this late at night.]

I need sleep before Drisha.