Close Encouters of a Jappy Kind

As many of those close to know, I consider myself a Cashew- half Catholic, half Jewish. But for a number of reasons I identify with the Jewish side. (Still saying I am only Jewish would be like denying half of my heritage and one of my parents. So I am both!) I wear a Star of David around my neck, and yes it is PINK!!!! (I got it in Jerusalem when I was in Israel on a Birthright trip. My best friend in the whole wide world, Nati, and I snuck off to explore the city on our own...but that's a whole other story!) I get a number of comments on my most sentimental piece of jewelry, some of it much more entertaining than others.



Here are some of the more interesting encounters I have had with Portland's Finest and the subject of the Jewish faith-



1. At Nordstrom the salesgirl at the sunglass counter noticed my necklace. She proceeded to tell me how much she loved Jewish people. When she was little she used to wish she was one of us and would wear a Star of David because she thought it was pretty. The young Gentile then asked if I was "really Jewish or wore the necklace for fun" like she used to do. I said I wore it because I was actually a tribe member. I was then told I was the first Jewish person she had met in her entire life. She then asked if she could take a picture with me to commemorate the occasion. (Seriously. You work at the only place in Portland that sells designer sunglasses, cupcake! This is practically the JAP Mecca and I am the first one you've met???)



2. When in line at Whole Foods buying my $14 organic eggplant the stupid woman behind noticed my necklace and then asked if the star around my neck meant I worship Satan. I said no, it means I am Jewish. She then said "same difference,"



3. One fine young man confused the necklace with the "A" with a circle around and was convinced I was an anarchist.

4. In the Starbucks parking lot in Wilsonville near my office I ran into a born-again Christian. The moment I saw this man the words to Elton John's "Tiny Dancer" started playing in my head..."Jesus freaks, out in the streets. Handing tickets out for God." He went up to every person entering Starbucks asking him or her if her or she had found Jesus. The Jesus Freak looked at me, looked at the necklace and said, "I know not to ask you. Even though you're going to Hell, Jesus still loves you." I told him Jesus was probably not too pleased with that remark!

5. I was walking home from the gym the other day and a man was asking people for money. He asked me then saw my necklace. He then said. "Oh you're Jewish. I won't even bother asking you because your people are cheap and run the international financial system. It's because of you I'm broke and on the streets." I then told him it was because he has no job and is a loser that he is broke and on the streets, and if he wants money to get a job like the rest of us.



Ohhhh Portland.

Catharsis

Catharsis

1. Writing

Wow, I have not written in my blog in for-EVA! I figure rather than try to recap my life since May, I will just start off of where my life is now. I really have no idea who many people, if any, read this. But it is sort of a means of catharsis for me. So I wanted to write this entry on the different ways I deal with clarifying my emotions. I have found that I am extremely good at expressing thoughts and opinions with the written word. This has proven to be useful not only in school and work, but also in working through how I feel.

2. Confessions of a Shopaholic- Whoever Said Money Can’t Buy Happiness Didn’t Have a Chloé Bag

“When I was 7 most of my friends stopped believing in magic. That's when I first started. They were beautiful, they were happy. They didn't even need any money, they had magic cards.”

So anyway, “Confessions of a Shopaholic” is one of my favorite books. The first time I watched the movie I didn’t like it, but the second time it started to grow on me. In a lot of ways, I can identify with Rebecca Bloomwood. We both enjoy the finer things in life, are smarter than people give us credit for, and use shopping as an outlet. Although I don’t have her massive amounts of debt.

Just as I said writing is a means of catharsis, so is shopping. (But for good and bad things…not just the bad.) I shop to celebrate, or to make myself feel better. Recently, I was totally screwed over by someone who I thought was my friend. (This person asked me to stay in Portland for the holidays, got mad at me, wouldn’t tell me why, then decided to book a trip to fucking HAWAII!!! By that time tickets home were waaaaaaaaaay too expensive for me to go home…but this is entirely another story. I totally managed to make the best of my time in Portland, thanks so my fabulous friends!!!)

I am actually much happier without this person in my life. And in order to celebrate my newfound bliss, I had to go shopping! Duh!!

I walked into Nordstrom and found the most beeeeeeeea-utiful red Chloé bag I had ever seen in my entire life. I picked it up and it felt perfect. I looked inside, and it had the precise amount of space I needed to store all of my incredibly important belongings! ;) And then...I looked at the price tag. This piece of heaven that originally retailed for over $1,000 was now only $300. How could I resist?!?! This fabulous find brought me an incredible amount of happiness. It was a symbol of all my hard work and ability to support myself. It showed me I am a strong, independent woman. And this also brought me more happiness then my friend who had repeatedly screwed me over ever did. And after the way I was treated...game over, than asshole lost! It made me realize if a bag could make me happier than a friendship, than this person was not meant to be in my life. 3. Running Whenever I have an important decision to make or something on my mind, nothing helps clear my head and come to a realization more than exercise/working out. And what does this best for me is running. I feel like I am one with the road and able to completely clear my head. It helps me focus on what I need to and ignore everything else. Yoga does the same thing. I have have been very lucky in the amazing opportunities I have had in my life. I have lived and traveled all over the world. I have successful completed programs at the most prestigious universities in the world. But I have never left at one with a city until I have gone for a run in it. You get a completely different perspective on a place after running it's streets. You learn so much- about the buildings, the people, the history. And it gives me a chance to collect my thoughts. 4. The Last Resort And if all else fails, I grab a great friend and hit one of my favorite bars! Nothing lets you vent and get things off your chest like a good friend and some alcohol! For me, the poison of choice is def tequila. Nothing makes me forget my troubles like some Patron Silver!