And with that, autumn wraps up and we enter the winter quarter.
This Sunday, I went to a meet-the-shadchan/single mingle event and due to past negative experiences with singles events, I basically ignored the guys and focused on meeting the shadchanim. Am I holding my breath? I am not, but they were nice, and now I know I have done quite a bit of hishtadlus to tide me over for awhile. Also, in honor of the occasion I got my second manicure of the year (lol – first was for my nephew’s bar mitzvah) and I even had a gift card so I feel like I beat the system. (In my brain, manicures=dating=disappointment and unfortunately this has created a bad feeling around getting manicures; anyone relate?).
The next day, I spoke to Rivkah Fox (mentioned here); this was actually a rescheduled call, we were going to speak next week, but in the end this worked better for her and tbh it was nice to pack in all my shadchanim in a 24-hour period.
I had the rest of the week off from work. On Wednesday morning, I went for my Global Entry interview in Manhattan and got my approval a few minutes later. From there, I went to LOX at the Museum of Jewish Heritage for brunch. You’ll recall (just kidding) that this was on my winter list. I got a jump on things, clearly. I enjoyed this! The menu is Russian-Jewish (I got the “Lower East Side” lox sandwich) and I liked the vibe – soft jazz and a view across the Hudson. I will probably want to check out their second location at the Jewish Museum uptown at some point.
After brunch, I went to the Morgan Library & Museum to see the Renoir drawings exhibit (also on the list), and some illuminated medieval Tehillims.
On Thursday, I went out to eat with a friend for her birthday.
I have added a page to my lit review (total of 22). I know what’s slowing me down. I’m going to need to restructure it and that’s making me nervous which is making me avoid it. But I am determined to have it done by the end of the year so I’m going to recommit myself.
Reading: I recently listened to The Correspondent by Virginia Evans (loved this novel) and I’m reading All the Money in the World by Laura Vanderkam.
Have a good Shabbos!
(Photo credit: Willemijn Doelman/Pexels)
