And Baby E Makes Three: July 2009

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Remembering Michael Jackson

I've been fairly quiet about the death of Michael Jackson. Between figuring out exactly how to frame this post and waiting for the appropriate time to actually post it, I've been listening, reading and remembering.

I remember when Brian and I begged our parents to stay up past our bedtimes to watch the premier of the Black or White video. We sat on the floor of our living room glued to the tv when it finally aired. There were road trips with Jodi to and from college rockin’ out to PYT and childhood sleepovers where we'd dance in the bedrooms and basements of friends to thriller and bad.

In the last few days, others have said it better than I ever could. He was a child superstar who grew up to be an icon. He was damaged. He was talented. He was bizarre. He was influential.To me, put simply; he will be missed.

Below is a collection of performances and highlights from the tribute to Michael Jackson yesterday in Los Angeles.

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Finally- here is a video of his career highlights was also shown at the memorial.

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It was a somber and beautiful memorial. My only complaint/ question is this: Should the taxpayers and city of Los Angeles have to pay for this? Dozens of LA’s busiest roads were closed off, giant screens were erected to provide fans with a view of the ceremony outside the Staples Center and hundreds of additional police officers were deployed for the event. It's estimated to have cost the city nearly $3.8 million to put on this memorial service. Anyone else thinking that maybe some of Michael's 'friends' could pitch in here? OK.. I am getting off my soapbox now.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Congratulations (separately) to David and my mom

As I referred to in my last post, David recently passed his PMP Certification exam. This was no small feat- he was reviewing materials and preparing for this exam for months. He took the exam last week and passed! A PMP Certification is the Project Management profession's most globally recognized and respected certification credential. I am very proud of him.

I am also proud of one Judy Koles, RN, OCN, CBCN
CBCN you are asking...what's that? Is it new? The answer is YES! My mom passed her Certified Breast Care Nurse examination earlier this year. She was one of the 120 eligible candidates in the entire county to pass the examination in AND she is one of only six nurses in New York State to be CBCN certified. Woo Hoo!!

Clearly the folks at Huntington Hospital are proud of her as well...

Jordyn's Naming and Happy Fathers Day

So much for my “I will update the blog more often” pledge. It’s nearly July 4th weekend, and I have not yet posted about Father’s day. So here goes... Unfortunately, David had to work and study for his upcoming PMP exam (which he has since PASSED!!!!) so he stayed in Maryland for the weekend.

I however, drove up to New York on Saturday morning to attend the naming of Kevin and Andrea’s daughter, Jordyn. It was held at Andrea’s parents’ temple, Congregation Sons of Israel in Nyack. It is a traditional, fully egalitarian, Conservative synagogue lead by Rabbi Joshua Gruenberg who actually married Kevin and Andrea a few years ago. It’s evident that he greatly enjoys what he does, and I really enjoyed the service. Rabbi Gruenberg spoke about how special it was for him to be a part of the growth of their Jewish family as Jordyn was given her Hebrew name, Avrahama Masha.

After the naming we went back to Andrea’s parents place for a little while. I was not able to stay for too long but it was especially great to see Amanda and Jamie. We are all saving the date for Jordy’s Bat Mitzvah in 2022!!

Kevin, Amanda and Jamie

That evening I went with Fran and Dov to Perth Amboy for a graduation party for Laura, the daughter of one of Dov’s coworkers. It was held at the Seabras Armory overlooking the Raritan Bay. Unfortunately, it was a rainy evening and we couldn’t walk around the waterfront, but it did not put a damper on the festivities. I got to catch up with several of Dov’s colleagues and everyone had a great time!

These graduation duckies were adorable!

After a loooong day, we returned home. I think I fell asleep about 30 seconds after crawling into bed once we got back to the house in Scotch Plains. And boy did I need it- I snoozed until after 9 on Sunday! In the morning, I called my grandfathers and wished them a Happy Fathers’ Day and I also wished all of my friends who are new dads a great day as well.

My dad, Leslie and Ilan showed up around 11:30 and we had a very nice afternoon. Our father’s day gifts were (I think) enjoyed. Dov got BBQ supplies- maple and oak grilling planks and mesquite woodchips for smoking. My dad got an ecosphere- a self-contained and self-sustaining miniature ecosystem.

For lunch, Fran and Dov had prepared yummy friend plantains, two types of smoked salmon, a delicious ceviche, as well as Fran’s famous potato salad. They brought in ‘Sloppy Joe’ sandwiches from a local deli and we ate, relaxed and had a great afternoon.

plantains getting fried-- delicious!

Dov + BBQ = A Happy Man

yum!

Sloppy Joes.... man, they are BIG.

Stuffed and sad to leave, I hit the road a short time later for my trip back to Maryland. My drive was uneventful (except for a real jerk that liked to tailgate /cause trouble who eventually got pulled over) and I made it home for dinner with David. Not that I was hungry at all after that amazing lunch but it was good to be home!