Here's the deal...there are two parts of my life: real life and work life. so, this entry is separated into two parts. read whatever interests you and send me an update email too! =)

Real-Life Update:
my sister (i have started calling her sas--a combination of "sister" and "sarah"...she hated sissy, so i had to change it up) visited this past weekend. good times for sure. we did so much...walked south congress (the hip, up and coming area in austin) and checked out the stores, got food at fire bowl cafe (my favorite, frugal place to eat..sarah said it lived up to expectations!), had friends over for a little party/get-together at my place, conquered the 80,000 sq. ft whole foods, had lunch/brunch at kerbey lane cafe (YUM!) with jackie (the roomie), tanned by the pool, walked at town lake, ate late-night style at threadgills with ari, pumped iron at the gym (and by the gym i mean my friend nick's gym--becuase they have free weights there), saw 40-year old virgin at alamo drafthouse (the best theatre ever, since they serve a full menu there!), travelled to gruene (the cutest little town ever) to have dinner with agi, roger and zofia (my cousins and their baby) and just generally had texas-style fun. i can't wait for other people to come visit. austin does not dissapoint!


Work-Life Update:
i love my job, i hate my job, i love my job, i hate my job, i love my job...
this is pretty much the story of the past week. i go through highs and lows, ups and downs each day. but let it be known that i do love my job, it's just that i tend to get overwhelmed, frustrated, exhausted, sunburned, innundated, sidetracked--and all of these things make me think "i hate my job." but the truth is, i LOVE my job.

my favorite part is taking students out on coffee dates (or ice cream dates or smoothie dates or soda dates). these are the moments when i really feel like i connect with students, like i am actually doing something productive and making a difference.

i have been busy with lots of programming over the past few days. i feel like i am on a moving sidewalk and i can't get off! last week was the first shabbat--craziness trying to fit 150 students into the hillel offices for dinner. but it all worked out in the end...and i got to take lots of leftover chicken home. can't complain. monday was our welcome back bbq...great turnout--probably almost 300 students came for kosher food and a good time in the parking lot of the new building (check out robin with the balloons, and students hanging out). then, wednesday was the freshman chill--free smoothies at smoothie king...lots of freshies showed up and met other students.

in other news, i definitely worked on my tan (read: sunburn) during the day on wednesday. there was a big fair called party on the plaza, where student groups setup and table. i had a great location but it was RIGHT in the direct sunlight for 5 hours! luckily i had sunscreen on my face, but my shoulders are a little red. but it was worth it...met some great students and had fun. i wouldn't exactly call it a "party" per se, but it was a good time.

well, that about does it i guess. the next big event is the freshman float--tubing on one of the rivers around here. should be a fun afternoon.

oh, and in other BIG new...the OC premieres tonight. can't wait!