i did it! it's been less than a month since my last post, so i'm not too behind. still, though, i feel overwhelmed with things to write about. i'll stop stalling...here goes nothing!

anyone who went to college knows that the time between thanksgiving break and winter break always flies by. i know i'm not in college anymore, but it's still the same deal. i was only at work for about 2 weeks before leaving to head up north for the JCSC Shabbaton and Hillel Staff Conference in Stamford, Conn.

in early december my friend adam and i took a little road trip to san antonio, stopping at the outlet mall for 4 hours on the way. it was a painful 4 hours, let me tell you. needless to say, the only thing i bought was a subway sandwich meal deal and a gift for my favorite cousin one removed (who i was going to visit in SA). i bought her a little shiny soccer ball and soccer shorts. i am going to be her soccer coach; in no time she will be kicking up a storm. promise. she loved the ball, but mostly becuase it was shiny and fun to pick up and walk around with. but soon enough, she will learn. by the time adam and i arrived in san antonio we were pooped. we rested up for a bit and then went out with the soccer baby, agi and roger (my cousins). we went to the riverwalk, which is the cool downtown area in san antonio. we walked around for a bit and then went out to dinner at a fun mexican restaurant. our waiter was bringing out our order, but was startled by someome walking by--he dropped the whole thing on the floor! oops. so, we had more time to chat it up and drink margaritas. then the mariachi band game to play for us. after we said we "would love a song" they said "it'll be $10." so i said "nevermind." hehehe. in any case, it was a good time. a few days later, adam realized we forgot to see the alamo. oh my goodness! we didnt remember the alamo. good one, eh?

i also cooked dinner for some of my friends in early december. it was quite a feast, as i recall. dessert was the big hit--homemade pound cake with berry sauce and whipped cream. yum!

in honor of tam's graduation, i was invited to a party at Salt Lick, a famous BBQ place outside of austin. i had never been there, as it is a long drive from here. no complaints, though. what can be bad about all you can eat BBQ? and, after driving that far, even if the food was bad, i had convinced myself it was the best thing ever. i am still partial to rudy's, but any BBQ if good BBQ.

with the new Hillel building open, we had some fabulous shabbats! the first shabbat in the new building drew over 200 students, which is a big change from our temporary location. it was so nice to see so many students enjoying our new home.

on december 15th, i left austin for a long flight up to new york. i didn't get in until 2am and promptyl took a cab up to long island to sleep at my friend erika's place. the next morning, we drove to our temporary home--the Westin. all the other JCSC fellows were arriving and it was exciting to see everyone. the highlight of the shabbaton was celebrating dorie's birthday. dorie is my good friend and the fellow at UNC. her birthday was saturday and i was determined to make it special for her. the best part was getting all the guys to serenade her to 2 backstreet boys songs. it was hilarious and perfect. they each had a pink rose to hand to her, too.

before i knew it, it was late night--time for the fellows to have a night on the town. we partied it up at the thirsty turtle, a club in the area. we had so much fun dancing...it was like we owned the place! and, the bartender was very, very good to us. most importantly, dorie had fun!

the next morning was the start of staff conference. no more fun and games--well, actually, that's not true. there was still lots of fun, but we did attend more structured sessions and discussions. one night the leevees, a band that plays hilarious jewish songs, did a concert for us; the other nights were filled with good conversations, lots of laughing and lounging in the hotel bar. i definitely can't complain.

the last night of the conference was the gala. everyone dresses up nicely and we have a huge celebration--kind of like a bar mitzvah party, but with no little kids. that was a lot of fun--adam, the director from berkeley was dancing up a storm. it was definitely a sight to see.

the conference finally ended and we left our little bubble. some people hadnt been outside for 4 days! i went home with erika and we did a lot of sleeping, reading, movie watching, eating, etc. i spent thursday in the city exploring on my own and then hanging out with michal, another one of my fellow friends. that night, erika's family treated me to a great night out in the city. we saw sweet charity (the show with christina applegate) which was a lot of fun, and got conned bby a VERY good con man. want more details? ask me...it's too hard to explain in text. (see texas hillel staff -->)

friday night i tagged along to erika's family early hanukkah dinner party. i met some of her cousins and ate good food. satuday night, erika and i cooked up some latkes and then went out in the city. it was christmas eve. can you guess what that means? 99.9% of people hitting up the town are jewish. it was like nothing i had ever seen before. the most used pick up line of the night? shalom OR happy hanukkah. enough said.

sunday was the end of my long stay in the north. i made it safely back to austin and even ate some chinese food with friends, like a good jew. monday night i had some friends over for dessert and drinks--apple cobbler with vanilla ice cream (YUM!). just when i am starting to feel settled again here, i am leaving! tomorrow i fly out to san diego to ring in the new year. i am definitely looking forward to some quality family time.

that's about all on the julia front. love you all. happy new year!