Rude Much??

There is a chance I might delete this after I finish writing ... D (as editor today) will decide.

Today I had to go to the post office to mail an application for my new passport (even though my passport is still valid for FIVE years ... stupid me for changing my name!!!).

Anyways. When I get there, two post office workers are helping two customers. One of these customers was on his cell phone. (Now to be fair to him when I arrived he'd already discussed what he wanted.) However, I have a huge pet peeve about people talking on cell phones while waiting for any kind of service.  It is NOT that important.  Know how I know? Because if it were, you wouldn't have time to stand in line!! (Ok there may be some exceptions to this, please don't yell at me if you are an exception.)

Now in order to understand why this was particularly upsetting, I need to tell a quick backstory.

A few years ago, before D and I met, I started to become more Orthodox/observant.  I won't go into the reasons why I did and why I no longer am, they are irrelevant here.  But as a Jew, and as a former observant Jew, I am very sensitive to how we are perceived.  When someone is featured on the news (say for example Bernie Madoff!) who is Jewish, I am affected.  I feel like his behavior is attributed to all Jews.  And I feel shame.

Ok we're back.  Did I forget to mention this kind gentleman in the post office was Orthodox?  And speaking in Hebrew?  When I walked in he looked around the room to make sure there wasn't anyone there who could understand him.  And so he kept talking.

There are many problems with this.  First, you should pretty much always assume that someone can understand you!  For instance, even though I am far from fluent in Hebrew (seriously, your toddler knows more English than I do Hebrew), I could pick up that he was counting something.

Second, just because I am not "dressed Orthodox" (for a married woman traditionally that would be long skirt, long sleeves and hat/wig) doesn't mean I am not.  And it also doesn't mean I'm not Jewish.  Or that I just happen to understand what you are saying!!

Third, it is incredibly rude to talk on a cell phone, while being helped, in another language.  (In my opinion this just adds insult to injury).

Fourth, I happen to live near a very large Jewish population.  I know and am friendly with some Orthodox people who are absolutely lovely.  However, I am sure these postal workers have interacted both positively and negatively with Orthodox Jews.  And this interaction probably only strengthened his negative opinions of Orthodox Jews.  I hate that this happened.  And although I don't agree with a potentially negative opinion of an entire group based on a few interactions (to be discussed later), I can understand.  And it's difficult.



Now the feisty Sara almost would have made you all proud.  I had my cell phone in hand.  There was still another woman in front of me so I wasn't about to be called.  I almost called my mom (who speaks about as much Hebrew as me) and said "Shalom, Ma shlomech?" (Hi, how are you?) VERY loudly so the guy would hear me.

But I didn't.  I chickened out.  I didn't want to "start."

Instead, I was just very nice to the postal worker when it was my turn (same guy).

What would you have done??

I'm a Double Agent...

...Can't you tell?

So I blog and love it.  When D and I are out and something happens he'll remind me I can blog about it (still waiting for Comcast situation to be resolved .. that could be a whole novel!).

But it is a secret from my family and almost all of my real life friends.

I am winning contests or getting items to review that friends/family notice.  They ask where I got said item(s) and I lie ... sort of.  I usually tell them I entered a contest online.  Which is true.  But a serious omission.

But I enjoy having this to myself.  I still self-censor a bit.  But it's nice that my family doesn't know about this.  It's nice that I can write what I want and not have my mother call me to ask me why I said what I said.  D usually doesn't even read my blog (though I usually write as though he will ... just in case!)

Am I being dishonest? (yes) But enough so that I should feel guilty? (maybe?) I dislike GREATLY lying to my parents.  This may be the longest I have actively kept something from them.  I've even done it in front of them (on my laptop) without them realizing.

Which makes me feel like I am living two lives.  I'm *, my parent's daughter, a sister, friend, co-worker.  And then there is Sara, a wonderful, funny, intelligent, (haha ... I'll stop!) blogger.  I am really both people.  But not simultaneously.

Does your family know about your blogging?  Or are you, like me, leading a double life?

Honey v. Vinegar

I am sometimes very direct, which I wrote about here.  But I am almost never mean, and never intentionally.

I have never understood the necessity of some people to be mean.  I've always been someone who followed the mantra "you can catch more bees with honey than vinegar." 

So it is especially difficult for me when I encounter meanness, or rudeness, that is wholly unwarranted.  Now that isn't to say I can't be rude or mean.  I'm not perfect and don't claim to me.

But I don't enjoy turning every conversation into a fight.  And I don't enjoy surrounding myself with people who do either.

It almost seems like some people take pleasure in making other people feel miserable.  Some people who perhaps never learned a healthy or normal means of interacting with others.

So as a society, as friends, as family, what is our responsibility?  Do we try to challenge these people or simply shrug our shoulders and say "that's just how they are?"

I've grappled with this in many different instances.  Sometimes I'm in public and someone is being incredibly rude.  Do I speak up in defense of the "victim?"  Or do I say it isn't my place and let it go?

For instance, on our honeymoon there was another newlywed couple at the next table.  The bride, who was most definitely a bridezilla, kept making comments to her hubs about the waitress.  We had the same waitress and thought she was wonderful.  At one point I overheard bridezilla say she was going to complain to the manager.  I turned to D and said we have to wait around because that isn't fair to the waitress.  In the restaurant's gift shop I spied and saw her comment card which bashed the waitress.  A few minutes later, D and I were leaving and the waitress was talking to the manager upset because she didn't understand what she'd done wrong.  I interrupted and let the manager know that the waitress was great, it was the bride who was horrid.  (Just for irony sake, guess which bridezilla was staying in the exact same hotel as us ... figures!)

I guess I could have spoken up during dinner.  But this seemed like the best way for me to handle the situation.  But what about for people you interact with more regularly?

Am I alone in this?  Thoughts?

Love is Definitely In The Air!

And the winner is ... number 21!

The 21st comment was Denise

I'll email Denise and she will have 24 hours to respond.  Thank you everyone for entering!!!

So the royal wedding is officially behind us and tomorrow is the first day of May.  May 23^rd marks my first anniversary to D.  Although I have finally figured out his gift, I can’t write about it in case he reads my blog!  Suffice it to say, I’m sure he will love it.

He also keeps going on and on about how perfect his anniversary gift to me is.  I am a bit skeptical.  This is the same guy who bought me a welcome mat as a Valentine’s gift (his reasoning was I was going to move in May so it fit … I say it would have been a nice housewarming gift but not very romantic!).

I am sure many of my readers have been in the same position.  For the month of May I am hosting a series of giveaways in honor of my anniversary.  I say if you want a piece of jewelry, you shouldn’t have to wait until your partner gets it for you!  With that in mind, I started looking through Etsy stores for something that looked romantic and would be appropriate for an anniversary-themed giveaway.  And I found Brass and Chain.

I was immediately drawn to her flower rings and thought they would be perfect! They are super cute but also romantic (in my opinion).  You can only imagine how thrilled I was when Jennifer, from Brass and Chain, agreed to offer one of her flower rings to one of my readers!  I was so curious about what inspires her and decided to ask.

How did you start making jewelry?

My family has always valued handmade crafts. As a child, my home was filled with handmade treasures from various family members. Keeping with the family tradition, I began giving handmade stocking stuffers for Christmas every year. One year I decide to make beaded bracelets for all the women on my list. My bracelets become an instant hit and soon I began getting requests for different types of jewelry. From there I just never stopped creating, experimenting, and learning about different ways to make jewelry.

Why brass jewelry?

The inspiration for my pieces comes from a love of all things vintage and my love for nature. Brass has a beautiful natural color and an awesome antique quality. I love to take something old and breathe new life back into it. Gold and silver are everywhere, brass reminds me of a time when not everything came from a department store. My favorite pieces to create are items that combine brass with other lost and forgotten antiques that I find in local shops, like sheet music and maps.

Why not get something for yourself?  It doesn’t have to be your anniversary.  Or don’t forget Mother’s day is right around the corner.  I am sure your mother would love one of Jennifer’s pieces!!  Make sure you check out some of her other pieces including jewelry made from vintage maps! So creative.

I can’t quite decide which flower ring is my favorite.  Doesn’t matter what I would pick though since the winner gets to pick one of the flower rings.  For some reason I am really drawn to the light pink flower.  I love how you can see the detail.  

I think this light pink is my favorite







                                                 











WIN IT!

I am thrilled that one lucky reader will win their choice of flower ring!  Jennifer has agreed to ship worldwide!  If your email is not visible on your profile it must be included in one of the comments. 

HERE’S HOW TO WIN!

MANDATORY ENTRY (1 Entry):

•  Visit Brass and Chain’s Etsy Store and leave a comment telling me what your favorite item is.

EARN MORE ENTRIES! You may do any or all of these in any order.

Leave a separate comment for each entry completed!

• 1 Entry: Follow IDoTheeWedSara publicly on Google Friend Connect
• 1 Entry: Make Brass and Chain's Etsy Store a favorite
• 1 Entry: Like IDoTheeWedSara on Facebook
• 1 Entry: Like Brass and Chain on Facebook
• 1 Entry: Follow IDoTheeWedSara on Twitter
• 1 Entry: Follow Brass and Chain on Twitter
• 1 Entry: Tweet about this giveaway and include #brassandchaingiveaway (maximum 3x/day and leave a comment here each time)
• 5 Entries: Blog about this giveaway (one time).  Include blog post in your comment below.

Giveaway ends Saturday, May 7, 2011 at 4:00pm EST.  Winner will be chosen via Random.org and will have 24 hours to respond to my email or another winner will be selected. 

Delezhen Giveaway Winner!

Our Delezhen Jewelry giveaway ended today and we have a winner!

Using Random.org the comment number 26 was chosen!

And that makes the winner:

Gin for being a follower on GFC!!

I'm going to email Gin so she can get her pair of earrings!  Thanks to all who entered!

In honor of my anniversary that is in May, I have more giveaways lined up for the month of May!

It Has to be Someone

There is always that person when you go to a training.  You know who I mean.  The person who always raises her hand to ask questions.  The person who knows the answers before you.  The person who corrects the instructor and/or calls him on any errors.

Yea ... I was totally that person yesterday.  BUT I DIDN'T MEAN TO BE!!!

http://www.freeimages.co.uk/

The trainer was very energetic and lively.  He handed out toys to anyone who participated.  Although I was not on board with 100% of what he said, he did a great job.  When we was going through his power point presentation he had written "who's problem is it."  I just couldn't stand it!  I do not always use perfect grammar.  I don't.  But I try.  (I have to write another post about this but for now, we're getting off topic!).

Anyways.  I noticed this really big mistake.  Now I might be that person but I'm not THAT person meaning I am not going to correct him in front of the entire class!  There was another error that someone else pointed out.  In public.  In front of everyone else.  Whatever.

So before lunch I went up to him to show him the mistake.  He was really appreciative.  And said he wants me to point out other mistakes.

HE SAID IT!!!

So ... I did.  I found two more mistakes, or really the same mistake twice.  I hesitated whether to tell him or not.  But I did.  He promised he was glad I told him.  I'm doubtful.

There was also an exercise he had us do that made no sense.  Truly, no sense.  And he kept being his animated self without explaining.  Everyone at my table kept whispering how confused they were ... but no one spoke up.

Well finally I did.  Yes I might be that person, but something it is because of other people!

I am the person to tell you when you have toilet paper on your shoe, food in your teeth, a run in your hose, your zipper open (this has led to LOTS of uncomfy situations), etc.  You may be annoyed by me...but secretly aren't you glad I'm here? 

And please, if you see me make a mistake or have food in my teeth ... TELL ME!

A Death in the Family

Let me back up ...

When D grew up, his parents never let him have a pet.  This is something I don't agree with and wanted to change as soon as possible.  I grew up with a dog and loved the experience.  Unfortunately, we currently live in an apartment building that doesn't allow pets, so my dream/desire/need/wish for a dog will have to wait.  But I was still determined to give D a pet.

So we got fish.  Serpae tetras to be exact.  At first we had three.  They all had a line and I named them Edgar, Allen and Poe.  Then we go another line-less serpae tetra who we named Eduardo.  We then got one that looked like a punk rocker so D named him Ramone (I am not as concerned with my fish's safety so I am using their full names).  Lastly we got Louie.  Ramone was the only one D named.

A few months ago, Edgar died.  We were sad, but he was the biggest of the 6 and a bully so we secretly thought it best for him to pass away.  Then either Allen or Poe (hard to tell w/o the others to compare in size!) died.  That left us with four.

For the past few weeks, Ramone has not been looking so good.  Like really not good.  Like there have been multiple times that D thought he was dead.

Today I got a phone call at work.  D was near tears...Ramone was almost dead. We were worried that the other fish would eat him so D moved him to another container.  Since he was so upset, I said we could bury Ramone in one of the hosta plants as fertilizer and to wait until I got home.

I was so sad for D.  Personally, I'm not happy about losing a fish but I'm not going to really mourn its loss (is that bad??).  But D was crushed so I wanted to be supportive.

So when he called back a few hours later I thought for sure Ramone had died.  Instead the conversation goes something like this:

D: {static} "... at the liquor store and P (the guy who recommends beer to D) mentioned this beer he has..."
S: "Wait, is this phone call about beer or fish?"
D: "Beer."
S: "Then I don't have time to talk."