Feliz Hanukkah - Eighth Day January 1

Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, is celebrated for eight days, commencing on the 25th day of the month of Kislev (November/December), to commemorate the victory of the Jews over the Hellenist Syrians in 165 BCE.

Following their victory, the Maccabees, sons of the Priestly Hasmonean family which led the Jews in their revolt against the Syrian overlords, entered the Holy Temple in Jerusalem defiled by the Syrian invaders, cleansed it and dedicated it anew to the service of God. Then, in memory of their victory, the Maccabees celebrated the first Hanukkah. (Hanukkah is the Hebrew term for dedication).

The Talmud, the body of Jewish oral law, relates how the Judean heroes, led by Judah Maccabee, were making ready to rededicate the Temple and were unable to find enough undefiled oil to light the lamps. However, in one of the Temple chambers, they finally came upon a small cruse of oil which, under normal circumstances, would have lasted only one evening. Miraculously, this small amount of oil kept the Temple lights burning, not for one night, but for all the eight nights until new oil fit for use in the temple could be obtained. This is the miracle commemorated by the kindling of the Hanukkah lights.

Lighting of the Menorah
The most important observance associated with Hanukkah is the kindling of the Hanukkah lights on the Menorah or Hanukkiya, a seven- or nine-branch candelabrum. On each night one more light is kindled, beginning with one candle on the first night of Hanukkah and ending with eight on the final evening. The lighting is accompanied by the chanting of appropriate blessings and the singing of songs. The ninth branch is reserved for the shamash, the servant light, which is lit first and used to kindle the other lights of the Menorah.

In a broader sense, however, the Hanukkah light symbolizes the light of religious, national and cultural freedom won by the Maccabees for their people. It gave new force to the faith that had waned under the influence of Hellenism and Jewish culture began to flourish again.

Today, in many ways the struggle for cultural, self-determination and religious freedoms continues all over the world and the miracle of lights during this season should remind us that freedom and tolerance can be won. Every day is a miracle.

Blessings During Hanukkah
The first two blessings below are recited each night. The third, a blessing of joy traditionally recited during each Jewish festival, is recited only the first time the Hanukkah menorah is lit.

BLESSING 1
English:
Blessed are You, Lord our G_d, Ruler of the universe, who has sanctified us by His commandments, and has commanded us to kindle the lights of Hanukkah.

BLESSING 2
English:
Blessed are you, Lord our G_d, Ruler of the universe, who wrought miracles for our fathers in days of old, at this season.

BLESSING 3
This blessing is recited only on the first night or the first time one kindles the Hanukkah lights.

English:
Blessed are You, Lord our G_d, Ruler of the universe, who has kept us alive, and has preserved us, and enabled us to reach this time.

The Great Latka Lunch and Leadership Institute Presentation

Well, on Thursday December 22nd a colleague of mine and I pulled off a very successful Latka lunch at our office. However, it was not without its hitches. As my life would have it, on Wednesday night I had engagements till 10 p.m. in the community which meant that I got a late start on cooking the latkas last night. Sure enough I was up till 2 p.m. cooking this popular seasonal dish and to top it off, my first batch had to go into the trash. I don't know what happened, but they would not bind together, so I had to add additional moisture by adding more onions, I love onions!

Regarless of that rocky start I did manage to cook about 50 latkas, whee, that was a lot. My colleague Randi cooked an additional 35 and we brought them in on Thursday morning. We had made prior arrangements with the building cafeteria to have them heat them up for us, which was fantastic of them. Kudo's to Jeff the owner of the building cafeteria - "you are the best." Of course, we gave him some of the delicious latkas to enjoy.

My department manager volunteered to provide a great salad to go with the latkas. We also provided refreshments, apple sauce and sour cream. I am proud to say, it was a great hit. Adding to this gastronomic event, my department (I'm the director) presented on a project that we have funded which is a leadership institute for priority populations to further engage them in reducing the harm that tobacco causes their communities. It all was a great hit, if I say so myself. This is the third year Randi and I have done this luncheon, but I actually began this over 10 years ago at the state university where I serve as board member. Every year in December I was one of two cooks to prepare latkas for over 100 students and faculty...whee, that was a task.

Anyway, I have continued this tradition on Hanukkah at my workplace, but for a much smaller audience. Our colleagues were very appreciative of our treat and have asked us to continue this activity which creates community in a very fast paced and tough work environment.

Thanks for reading this entry, I don't boast about my successes in public, but this seems okay to do in this venue.

Everyone have a safe and wonderful Holiday Season, whatever your religious perspective.

Lentil and Lamb Soup - Yummm

Well, it was a lazy Sunday and I mean L A Z Y. I slept a lot, till 2 p.m. sorry to say. I have been trying to clean up at my house, but well, I keep finding other little projects to do instead of cleaning :-). I have done a good job in the bathroom, but well I was suppose to also clean my bedroom, livingroom and kitchen, urgh! I got to finish cleaning up the kitchen because I'm going to make latkas for work this week and it usually gets a little messy during the process:-). Living alone is not a great motivator to keep things tidy...at least with a partner, she would be encouraging us to clean up (of course I'm making assumptions that women perfer a clean environment). Humm, I'll have to add female partner to my life wish list of things LOL.

In spite of my laziness, I did get a chance to make this great Lentil and Lamb Soup that I am providing a recipe for. It's very easy to make (hear that Carmel :D). It's a lovely soup if you like lamb.

Well, I wish all of us a great week of success, improvement and wonder - and, oh yes, lots of love!

LENTIL AND LAMB SOUP

INGREDIENTS
1 pound lean boneless lamb
Nonstick spray coating
1 medium onion, chopped (1⁄2 cup)
4 cups water
1 141⁄2-ounce can tomatoes, cut up
1 cup coarsely chopped carrots
1 cup sliced celery
1 teaspoon salt
1⁄2 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed
1⁄4 teaspoon pepper
1 clove garlic, minced
1 bay leaf
3⁄4 cup lentils

DIRECTIONS
Trim fat from lamb; cut lamb into 1-inch pieces.

Spray a Dutch oven with nonstick spray coating. Heat Dutch oven over medium heat. Brown half of the lamb. Remove lamb from Dutch oven. Repeat with remaining lamb and all of the onion. Return first half of lamb to Dutch oven.

Add water, undrained tomatoes, carrots, celery, salt, thyme, pepper, garlic, and bay leaf. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes.

Rinse lentils; add to lamb mixture. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes more or till lamb and lentils are tender. Remove bay leaf.

Makes 6 servings.

TIME
Preparation Time: 20 min.
Cooking Time: 1 hr.

King Kong - a love story

...and lo’ the beast looked upon the face of beauty and beauty stayed his hand and from that day forward, he was as one dead…

Saturday night I went to see the new King Kong movie. It was the third remake of this classic love story - the ultimate tale of beauty meets beast, beast falls in love with beauty and has a tragic end as many real love stories do. The beauty in the first King Kong was Fay Wray, followed by Jessica Lange in the second version and Naomi Watts in this latest epic by Peter Jackson.

It was an excellent three hour movie that kept audiences engaged. It was a very touching film as our heroine and King Kong, two lonely characters are attracted to each other in a world obsessed by greed. In the end, the love and attraction between the beast and beauty are what traps the creature and eventually kills him. You could feel the audience wanting King Kong to go on, but we all knew too well that he would meet a tragic end. The ending is very touching and heartbreaking...and as several reviewers of the film have indicated, it will bring tears to your eyes.

I would recommend this movie very highly, as well as two older similar films, that being "Might Joe Young" and "Son of Kong."

Can't Help Falling in Love With You

Wise men say
Only fools rush in
But I can’t help
Falling in love with you

Wise men say
Only fools rush in
But I can’t help
Falling in love with you

Shall I stay
Would it be a sin
If I can’t help
Falling in love with you

As a river flows
Gently to the sea
Darling so it goes
Some things were meant to be

Take my hand
Take my whole life too
Cause I can’t help
Falling in love with you

As a river flows
Gently to the sea
Darling so we go
Some things were meant to be

Take my hand
Take my whole life too
Cause I can’t help
Falling in love with you

Oh I can’t help
Falling in love with you

Elvis Presley - 1962
Can't Help Falling In Love With You

Amor Eterno

Podrá nublarse el sol eternamente;
Podrá secarse en un instante el mar;
Podrá romperse el eje de la tierra
Como un débil cristal.
¡Todo sucederá!
Podrá la muerte
cubrirme con su fúnebre crespón;
pero jamás en mí podrá apagarse
la llama de tu amor

Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer
Dedicado para Lara, un amor perdido.

The Last Word of a Blue Bird

As I went out a Crow
In a low voice said, "Oh,
I was looking for you.
How do you do?
I just came to tell you
To tell Lesley (will you?)
That her little Bluebird
Wanted me to bring word
That the north wind last night
That made the stars bright
And made ice on the trough
Almost made him cough
His tail feathers off.
He just had to fly!
But he sent her Good-by,
And said to be good,
And wear her red hood,
And look for the skunk tracks
In the snow with an ax-
And do everything!
And perhaps in the spring
He would come back and sing."

Robert Frost

Rabbi Wise's Latkes Recipe

Well, Hanukkah is just around the corner and I wanted to share a great friend's recipe with the world. No Hanukkah dinner would be complete without a serving of fresh-fried potato latkes. Whether you're looking to recreate the tastes of your bubbe's family recipe or yearning to experiment with the following latke recipe, its up to you. They are great! Every year a friend and I cook these for the office of 24 staff. They really love them. We usually provide a green salad to go with the latkes. Enjoy

5 Medium Potatoes
1 Big Onion
1 (3 oz.) Potato Pancake Mix
3 Eggs
• Salt
• Pepper
• Garlic Powder
• Vegetable oil

Grate potatoes and onions together. Add three eggs (scrambled) and the 3 oz. package of pancake mix and blend in with potato and onion mix. Add salt, pepper and garlic to taste and mix. It is best to use cast iron pans when you are cooking latkes. Form the latkes on the thin side not thick to cook through. Cook latkes in hot vegetable oil until they are golden brown on both sides. You may serve latkes with apple sauce and sour cream. Enjoy.

Note - If mix is to watery, squeeze the water out as you form the latka to place in frying pan. As an alternative you could add additional pancake mix, flour or matza meal to thicken mix.

Silly Rabbit

In this post I wanted to talk about someone I will never meet, but totally love—Lucy Liu. I think she is totally gorgeous and should be given parts that are strong and super heroine type. Like, I think she should have been the lead heroine in the Resident Evil series and could be a female Jane Bond type. Lucy did play a heroine type in Ballistic and of course Charlie's Angels. I can’t get enough movies with her in them.

My screen saver at work has pictures of Lucy Liu and I also have a couple of pictures pasted to my credenza of her. She is totally hot.

Anyway, I wanted to highlight some of what I know about her. Lucy grew up in Jackson Heights, Queens, in a modest family. She indicates in interviews that she was taught not to take anything for granted.

Lucy is the daughter of a civil engineer and a biochemist, Lucy Alexis Liu was born on December 2, 1968, in the Italian neighborhood of Queens, New York. Spending her childhood in Jackson Heights, alongside her sister and brother, Lucy's parents, who are Chinese immigrants, educated her in the American way and Lucy felt ethnically estranged due to her Asian background.

Focusing on the importance of education, Lucy, who was taught both English and Mandarin, was sent to Manhattan's Stuyvesant High School. Upon graduation in 1986, she briefly attended New York University. However, feeling disappointed with campus life, Lucy transferred to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor where she studied acting, dancing, fine arts and singing. When she was in her senior year, Lucy tried her hand at theatre by joining the audition for a part in the University of Michigan production of "Alice in Wonderland." Fortunately, Lucy won the lead role, hence encouraging her to pursue acting as a career. After getting her B.A in Asian Languages and Cultures in 1990, Lucy relocated to Los Angeles.

Off screen, Lucy is an expert mixed media artist. She initially exhibited her collection of multimedia art pieces at the Cast Iron Gallery in Soho, New York in 1993. Due to her excellent work, she won a scholarship to study art in China. In 1997, she had her second exhibit in Venice, California. During her off time, Lucy enjoys such sports as rock climbing, skiing and horseback riding, as well as practicing martial arts of Kali-Eskrima-Silat (knife-and-stick fighting). She also enjoys playing the accordion.

Filmography:

Lucky Number Slevin (2005)
Domino (2005)
3 Needles (2005)
Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)
Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle (2003)
Chicago (2002)
Ballistic: Ecks Vs. Sever (2002)
Cypher (2002)
Kill Bill (2002)
Hotel (2001)
Charlie's Angels (2000)
Shanghai Noon (2000)
Play it to the Bone (2000)
The Mating Habits of the Earthbound Human (1999)
True Crime (1999)
Payback (1999)
Molly (1999)
City of Industry (1997)
Gridlock'd (1997)
Flypaper (1997)
Jerry Maguire (1996)
Guy (1996)
Bang (1995)

Lucy is my fantasy love and I wish her great joy and success.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY LUCY!

Buy Your Gas at Citgo: Join the BUY-cott!

Looking for an easy way to protest Bush foreign policy week after week? And an easy way to help alleviate global poverty? Buy your gasoline at Citgo stations.

Of the top oil producing countries in the world, only one is a democracy with a president who was elected on a platform of using his nation's oil revenue to benefit the poor. The country is Venezuela. The President is Hugo Chavez. Call him "the Anti-Bush."

Citgo is a U.S. refining and marketing firm that is a wholly owned subsidiary of Venezuela's state-owned oil company. Money you pay to Citgo goes primarily to Venezuela -- not Saudi Arabia or the Middle East. There are 14,000 Citgo gas stations in the US. To find a location in your area, use the following URL http://www.citgo.com/CITGOLocator/StoreLocator.jsp or click CITGO on the side bar to find one near you.) By buying your gasoline at Citgo, you are contributing to the billions of dollars that Venezuela's democratic government is using to provide health care, literacy and education, and subsidized food for the majority of Venezuelans. Citgo has also recently agreed to provide discounted fuel oil to several cities on the east coast.

So get your gas at Citgo. And help fuel a democratic revolution in Venezuela.

Every Day is an Opportunity

I'm so glad it is Friday night. This was one crazy week with so many things happening, good and challenging. I keep looking for the meaning of life in all this, but my calculator never seems to give me the same sum, LOL.

Normally on Friday's I spend time with friends celebrating shabbos, but today I need to be alone, you know? I really enjoy spending time with people, but every once and awhile I just have to spend some time alone. It would be okay to spend it just with one other person, but not a whole family of friends. Currently, I don't have a sweetheart, as one would say, sadness, but I have lots to offer :-) Taking applications, LOL.

I really enjoy my life, partner or no partner. My friends tell me I will never marry, because I'm too happy most of the times...so much to do, so little time to fall in love. But I admit it would be great to have one other intimate and loving person in one's life, but would she be willing to have five kids-lions, and tigers and bears, oh my, did I really say that???? Must have been a weak moment...hum, or really what I want.

Stupid me, there were several times in my life I could have said "yes," to marriage, but I was too young and stupid in my head, you know, what if someone better comes along. But you can't have regrets about that, that just boggs you down. Got to keep your face to the sun so you don't see your shadow...who said that?

These days with so many sad things going on in the world, I wonder why I have been so lucky in life? Not that I haven't had challenging and gut wrenching times, but overall, I have to admit I have been blessed compared to what has happend around the world to so many people, friends and aquaintances. I really try to think about that when I'm feeling slightly down and I try to contribute as well as I can through my work that is really about social justice. Still, the plans in my head and heart were to really change the world in a very positive way, but age and wisdom has taught me that if I can change things just one little bit, it makes a difference. Than it's up to you and others to pick up where I and others have left off.

When I took a trip to Costa Rica a couple of years ago, I met folks there who didn't have much, but seemed more at peace with life. And here in the USA, we have so much more than they do and its not enough and its killing us. Weird.

Okay, I hope you can take some lesson from this, as for me, I think I'll go workout and try to be more at peace with myself today. Be well.

Awesome Day

Had a successful end of the day event with one of the projects I have been working with in the GLBT community. The community has been doing an assessment of tobacco use and acceptance in their community and today they held a forum to discuss results and future plans.

The forum had a very good turn out and great discussion around how to disseminate the information and to develop/execute appropriate strategies to educate and mobilize the commuity to quit tobacco use.

In case you didn't know, a 1999 study found that 41.5 percent of Gay adults were identified as smokers—almost twice the rate of men in the general population (23.2 percent). Additionally, smoking rates for LGB youth (38 to 59 percent) are found to be significantly higher than youth in the general population (28 to 35 percent). LGBT youth are at higher risk to initiate tobacco use because of stress related to lack of support from family and friends, depression, low self-esteem, and stressful life events related to “coming out”.

We also know that the tobacco industry has and continues to target this community to addict them to tobacco use and eventually kill them. Tobacco industry documents discovered through a historical lawsuit in this country highlight R.J. Reynolds’ Project SCUM (Sub Culture Urban Marketing), a tobacco marketing strategy geared toward Gay males and the homeless community in San Francisco.

The work of this year and a half long project to learn about tobacco use in Minnesota is fantastic. This report will be very helpful to another initiative in the GLBT community that is working on building an initiative to address tobacco-related policies within their community and the broader environment.

Tobacco industry, watch out!!!

Restore Worker's Freedom to Form Unions

Every day, workers are harassed, intimidated and even fired for exercising a basic human right—uniting with co-workers to form a union for a better life.

During the week leading up to Dec. 10, 2005 International Human Rights Day, workers across America and around the world are rallying and speaking out to restore the freedom to form unions and bargain collectively. December 10, 2005 is the anniversary of the ratification of the U.N. Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which recognized the right to join a union and bargain as a basic human right.

Get involved, organize.

Bear Lodge in Wyoming

This past summer I took a quick tour of North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming. I took this trip with a friend working with me to involve the American Indian community in tobacco control. We had a great time visiting the Black Hills, Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Dead Wood and Bear Lodge (also known as Devil's Tower by non-natives). We were going to visit several other places, but did not have enough time. We did all this in three days on our way to another meeting in southern Minnesota.

I really have enjoyed traveling the last few years. Two years ago I went to Costa Rica where I went sea kayaking and whitewater rafting. If you all have not tried whitewater rafting you have to do it. It is great fun. Costa Rica is a beautiful country and I just wish I had enough shekels to live there. I could move there now, but I would have to take some type of cottage industry with me to make a decent living. While I was there I noticed that many of the hotels and resorts were owned and run by ex-patriot Americans who got tired of living in USA. Some of the resorts were also owned by Europeans.

In the last year I have also traveled to San Diego, San Francisco and Monterey California where I have gone sea kayaking. It's great fun as well and different than lake kayaking. Over the Thanksgiving Holiday I spent three great days in Boston, MA where I visited the New England Aquarium and took the Duck Tour (this is a WWII land and water vehicle). The Duck Tour took us through downtown historical sites and than into the Charles River. I had great fun. I spend a lot of time walking all over Boston and visited many historical places including dinner at the oldest tavern in the country that was right across from the Holacaust Memorial. If you go there, make sure you do the Freedom Trail. After my three days in Boston I traveled to Providence, RI where I spent five days with friends. Of course, I didn't want to come back to work.

I recently heard that the biggest aquarium in the world just opened up in Atlanta, I can't wait to go there for a meeting so that I can spend a few extra days to do the aquarium and a couple of other historical sites.

There is so much to see in this country which has great land diversity, but I would also like to travel worldwide if I get the chance.

I hope you enjoy the photo.

Written for a love long lost, but not forgotten.

I Will Love You for a Lifetime

My Love, you came into my life many years ago and you slowly wrapped my heart with your soul and you did not know. For many years I hoped for your love and could only look as you went about your life.

In my mind and soul you are all that I have sought in this world. Your spirit shines and beacons to me, to love you, to want you, to love you for a lifetime.

This lifetime has brought us together and I am hopeful that it will keep us together. In the short time I have held you, you have taught me so much, I now know what it is to feel love’s pure and gentle touch. Your loving eyes have pierced me deep into my soul and your budding love has given light into my life.

I would like to always be there to fill your days with laughter, listen to your thoughts and try to ease your fears. I want to kiss you ever morning, noon and night and love you for a lifetime.

Although I have seen your face 1,000 times or more, each time I see your loving smile my heart is filled with sunshine and I love you more.

Though you may struggle with your heart and soul to find your way to me, to me, you are my heart, my soul and my best friend. My heart is open and reaching like a beacon in the night to your soul, don’t fear the future because we make the future.

You are my one true love and of one thing I am sure, my love for you will live forever in the gentle breezes of the wind and golden sunshine of the day.

I cannot promise you a kingdom, though you are my Queen – and I cannot say that life will be perfect, but I know I will love you for a lifetime.

September 22, 2003

Great Training Day

Today, I had the great opportunity to realize the fulfillment of a great training day for folks in the Southeast Asian community on tobacco control. We brought in three Asian Pacific Islander trainers from California to work with Minnesota folks. It was the second part of a two part training series. The first training took place in September 2005. The community was very interactive in this training that we hope will move the Cambodia, Hmong, Lao and Vietnamese communities more agressively in reducing the harm that tobacco causes their populations.

For those that are not aware, some of these communities have smoking prevelance rates as high as 70% among the male population. Unfortunately, Centers for Disease Control data has lower rates because they aggregate data among all Asian American groups. However, in states like California where they have done more local community studies, they have discovered higher rates. In Minnesota, we are working with various ethnic communities to collect good local prevelance data.

My Beautiful Friend Kim

This is my friend Kim, who is very committed to her Vietnamese community.