Our First Hanukkah

Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu, melekh ha'olam shehecheyanu v'kiyimanu v'higi'anu laz'man hazeh. (Amein)

Blessed are you, Lord, our God, sovereign of the universe who has kept us alive, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this season. (Amen)

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This year I decided to embrace the Jewish part of my completely mish-mashed heritage and observe the festival of lights. It was a nice addition to the holiday season. Kari and I agreed that the spread out nature of Hanukkah is much less stressful than Christmas. The Jews are on to something here.

For those who are unaware, about two years ago it was discovered that my grandmother's family are in fact Sephardic Jews who presumably saw the Spanish Inquisition coming and headed for the New World. What can I say? I come from intelligent stock.

Finding a menorah in Fairbanks was near impossible. While procuring shabbos candles I ran into another lady who told me she legit had to duct tape some candle holders together and call her monster creation a menorah. This is why I have to simultaneously love and hate Fairbanks.

Home to Krameria Street

Faithful Readers,

I promise some epic blogging during the break.  Things at school have been hectic and though Kari and I have had many adventures, there has been little time to document.

Sometime today or tomorrow you can expect another photo montage detailing our attempts at celebrating Hanukkah, hanging Christmas stockings, constructing an impromptu Christmas wreath (with supplies from Kari's friend Indie and the local dump) and partying it up at Alyeska with Dave.   It has been a very busy December so far.

As for me, tonight at midnight I will be departing for the great State of Colorado!  My trip itinerary so far includes time with family, high school friends, and college buddies, a pedicure, the Denver Zoo, menudo and a trip to Colorado Springs.  It's going to be busy.  Stay tuned for excellent pictures.

Con Orgullo,
Elena

Time for What? A Holiday Montage!!!

I would like to present the following photo montage to fill you all in on the past month.  Enjoy.

"So a pirate and a bumble bee walk into a bar..." Halloween '10

Birthday Dinner at the Turtle Club

Exquisite Two-Layer Birthday Cake

Thanksgiving Ski Expedition

Operation Impromptu Snowman

Cora Winking at Her Fans

Kiddo Joins Up in Girdwood

Death by Skiing

Future Dictators of America

NOT OKAY, KARI!

Karma Takes Kari's Ski

A Long Overdue Update

Dear Admiring Public,
We are so sorry that we have been neglecting you recently. As a reconciliation we are posting a pile of photos for you. Speaking of reconciliation prizes, the past week has been interesting to say the least. The entire state of Alaska(except for Eagle, Eek, and Point Hope) was hit by the "Great Freezing Rainstorm of 2010." School districts across the state decided it would be an excellent opportunity to test out the transportation skills of students, parents, and bus drivers. We were all sent out to brave the hazardous driving conditions on a Monday morning and see how well we could drive across an ice rink. To say the least, the common consensus was that the coefficient of friction was not nearly large enough to even attempt to travel unless you were a professional Zamboni driver. As a result the school districts decided to close the schools for Tuesday and Wednesday as reconciliation for risking our lives. So, for the first time ever Alaska celebrated Thanksgiving for a whole week.
For Thanksgiving we made the annual pilgrimage down to Anchorage. The food and friends were a plenty. A snowstorm even stopped by, making skiing conditions excellent. We hope you enjoy these fine photos, they will become national treasures someday.

Murkowski claims victory in Alaska Senate race; Miller not conceding

While Lisa claims a "miracle" victory, our dear friend Joe Miller-who promised not to drag Alaska through painful drawn out lawsuits and indecision-has yet to concede. Who shall prevail?  The papers seem eager to call it for Murkowski, and the general mood here in the Great North echoes that.  Forget Sarah, it looks like Lisa is going to be the true Alaskan maverick.

Speaking of Mama Grizzly, I wonder if Sarah Palin is frustrated by the fact that she can't even throw around enough political weight in her home state to get her tea party homeboy elected?  What might that suggest to a nation apparently full of gung-ho tea partiers?

Read more from our gloriously biased local paper: http://www.newsminer.com/view/full_story/10352213/article-Murkowski-claims-victory-in-Alaska-Senate-race--Miller-not-conceding?instance=home_lead_story

Historical Figure I Would Be Most Likely to Take to Lunch

And the winner is... C.S. Lewis. 

What can I say?  A little revisit to The Horse and His Boy this weekend left me wondering what Mr. Lewis would have to say to the children of post-modernism.  I wonder if his message would change drastically, if at all.  Though, I am sure he would be disappointed with the lack of critical thinking our society encourages these days.

One of the greatest things about C.S. Lewis, as far as I am concerned, was his ability to be a man of intelligence and faith.  He was defined by both, and neither identity seemed to diminish the other.  I only wish I could be such a person.


 

Countdown to a Fully Developed Frontal Lobe

There are but 19 days left until my 25th birthday. As many people are aware, the human frontal lobe is not fully developed until 25 years of age. The frontal lobe-of course-largely affects decision-making and impulse control. In essence after November 20, 2010 I am out of excuses and heading toward responsibility.

In honor of the 19 days I have left to celebrate my foolhardy youth I will be staging "The Final Countdown to Elena's 25th." I will kick it off now with a very appropriate music video: