My Friend Tatiana de Rosnay Discussing Her Novel "Sarah's Key."

Here's a video of my friend Tatiana de Rosnay discussing her novel Sarah's Key for the Jewish Book Council.

Exhausted but illuminated

So tired today. The past two weeks have been hectic. In addition to my class and still trying to get my condo in order (still living out of a lot of boxes), I attended my first Kabbalah Congress through Bnei Baruch. As one can guess, I'm dragging and burnt out.

Since February, I have gone non stop and endured a lot of changes. My husband and I bought our first condo and, as much as I told him we shouldn't, closed and moved on the same day. My godmother, who was my eldest paternal aunt, unexpectedly passed away int he middle of the month. She was 80 and lived a good life, but it was very hard on me. Now I know she is still with me, but I do miss her. Then the WRD 202 classes I have were non-stop. I often think, "When am I going to receive a break and some help?"

Well, God does work in mysterious and wonderful ways. I was in line to buy a coffee at the B&N on DePaul's campus, and next to me as I waited in line was a table of books. One of them was called "What to Do When People Push Your Buttons." I bought it because I know at times I can become quick with people or begin to cry when I am under stress. I am reading it now. Will give my review once I finish it.

"The Empire Strikes Barack": Another gem courtesy of YouTube

My dear friend and fellow struggling literary artist, Debbie sent me this.

Another Song for My Husband and a Song for the World

I listen to this Madonna song on my MP3 player all the time. First it reminded me of when my husband and I first dated. My family and friends didn't believe we were meant to be together. We seemed so different. Clearly, those family and friends didn't know either one of us. Bill and I complete each other; other people forbade it through their actions and words because they didn't understand and didn't try to understand.

And when I view this clip from her Confessions tour, it supports what I said about "other people forbid[ding] it because they [don't]understand." The causes of the Middle East's conflicts are rooted in the time of Abraham. The two dancers sporting the religious symbols of Judaism and Islam provide a beautiful as well as a telling image. We hate what we is different and what we don't understand. Yet we are all one, and when we hate a person or an idea that doesn't correlate with or complement our own views, we hate and ultimately destroy ourselves.

History and the Future. Go Senator Obama, Go!