Getting ready to leave

I've been packing and getting ready to leave the US for the UK.

I'll be my new home this week! Wow, I can't believe it!

I don't know if I'll keep up this blog after I get over there.

New thoughts

I was looking at some blogs that are on Material Maidel's blog and clicked on one by Frum College Girl.

I liked one of her posts so much I'm going to do it, too on my blog.

I Am

A female

A California girl

A daughter

A sister

A young woman

A graduate student in Russian and Eastern European Studies

An observant Jew

A Jane Austen fan


But who I am

is more

than just a label

I choose

who I am

and I choose

how I want other people

to perceive me

and I will not let

anyone else

define

who

I am

Converting in the UK = Not Possible

So, I spoke with a Glasgow rabbi this afternoon. For 45 minutes. He basically told me that the London Beit Din is not going to accept me as a conversion candidate because I'll only be in the UK for a year and half to study. He was very nice to talk to (I think the accent helped), but was up front about what the London Beit Din expects of their candidates. The rabbi said that the Beit Din is so strict they want you to study 3 years before converting, and that the US will be easier. 3 years is a long time. If I did go that route, my Hebrew would be pretty good after that time! He also said that it might be worth it to have the Beit Din/Rabbis in Milwaukee get connected to the ones in London. If I studied with this rabbi for 18 mos, then returned to the US, the conversion would take 6 mos. to a year. However, I don't know if this will work.

However, the main problem is that I am and will be, a student. And students move around a lot. I don't know where I'll be in 2-4 years. Job wise I don't think I'll be back to the US, which leaves the UK, EU, and EEA, hopefully. I don't think that's fair but I don't make the rules.

A.) I wonder what if it would be possible to do if the London Beit Din knew I would (tentatively) be in the UK for at least a consecutive 4 years? (After graduation, I'm eligible to apply for a work visa that lets me stay and work in the UK up to 2 years, which I think is great!).

After 2 calls to my rabbi, he said to forget about the conversion being a factor. Decide on a school, what will be best for me, go do the degree, and THEN figure out this Jewish stuff. I guess for me, Scotland is the best way for that.

I hope option A.) works out. I'll find out tomorrow.

Oh yeah. 1 more thing. After emailing the rabbi, and suggesting Option A.), as well as a previous note in which I said where I stand on observance and stuff (including hekshers, tznius stuff, the sheitel thing and Taharat Hamishpacha, though I don't know much Hebrew or Hashkafa at the moment), he tells me that now is the time to look into Judaism on a serious level with regard to beliefs and practice. Helloooooo?! Did he read what I wrote? How many people read about TH on their own, AND before taking kallah classes?!?!?!?! Seriously... I'm sure he's serious, but I was shocked to read that! Would you be?

Scotland

Wow, I didn't realize that I know a ton about Scotland (but just didn't have it in the 'active' part of my brain):

*Dogs: Scotties, West Highland Terriers, Border Collies, Cairn Terriers

*Cows: Cattle: Highland, Angus

*Clothing: Cloth: Argyle, Paisley, Harris Tweed, Tartan.

History:
*The Tudors, spec. James I who took over after Elizabeth died in 1603
*Mary, Queen of Scots
*Falkirk
*Stirling/Stirling Castle

Places to see:
*The Shetland Islands. Shetland ponies! How could I have forgotten about them! They're so cute! Oh, and Shetland Island sweaters!
*The Isle of Skye
*The Hebrides. As in, "Hebrides Suite," which I played at band camp in middle school!
*The Orkneys
*Invernessshire
*St. Andrews' Cathedral
*Perth. When did they set out for Australia?
*Banff. When did they set out for Canada?
*Macduff. I feel like they should act out MacBeth several times a year.

Music post

Ok, so my blog name is HumanitiesGirl and I have a tons of interests in the field, and that includes music. Though I'm American, I don't listen to much US music. I mean, yes, it's nice to chill out to the Beach Boys or Oldies, but the majority of music I listen to comes from overseas:
Thanks to a good friend in Finland, she's gotten me hooked on Finnish rock! Though I can't understand it, I don't really care. It doesn't bother me that I can't understand the majority of songs by foreign artists I like. Personally, I think it's about the experience of it all.
So, this Finnish group, if you're wondering, is called Uniklubi. Their newest album is "Syvään valoon." I'm also a fan of Welsh reggae. Yes, you read that correctly. Welsh reggae. You can check them out on MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/yrannioddefol
Their song "Machlud" seems like the perfect summer anthem! Let's see, who do I listen to a lot?...
Uniklubi
Yr Annioddefol
Elin Kåven
Racoon
Revolverheld
Dixebra
Natasha Bedingfield
Paolo Meneguzzi


I also browse Nòs Ùr, Liet-Lavlut, and Eurovision for new music ideas.

Spring Break weekend

I suppose I should have prefaced the Glasgow post with this one, since some of it leads up to something mentioned in said Glasgow post.

My Spring Break is winding down, and last weekend I went with a friend from school up to [the city I did my undergrad in]. I had forgotten that it is always much cooler there than at our university, since it's on a lake and all...

We left late last week and made it up there by nightfall, with time to settle in and get ready for Shabbos the next night. Since it's an all day trip, 6 hours gave H. and I time to chat. She drove and I paid her money for gas. 2 girls in a car for 6 hours and we eventually got around to talking about guys. I had an idea to make a list of what we're looking for in a guy/future husband (though a bit premature for me, at least I know what I want). Here's mine:
-liberal Orthodox guy, in "the modern world"
-will be okay with my specific academic field of study (if we happen to meet someday, I'll tell you what it is and you can tell me what you think)
-cool with my wearing a sheitel and keeping TH (Taharat Hamishpacha for those in the know)
-cool with languages (esp. less commonly taught ones): either studies them himself or okay with what I'm doing
-doesn't have a temper (verbal/physical abuse fall under this one)
-communication skills: be able to have a conversation and talk it over if we're having a disagreement, or just being able to talk to each other in general. I'd like a guy who can be my best friend, in addition to being my husband
(-willing to move around or live in a cold climate)
(-travelling)

H. mentioned that if he's not interested in the academic part, he's not worth it, and I completely agree with her. The above are the main things I don't want to compromise on. For example, if he's completely against learning a foreign language, or one of those types who insists upon speaking English outside of the English-speaking world, and not bothering to have an appreciation for other languages/cultures, he might not be the guy for me.

The other stuff:
-height and eye color doesn't matter so much. Someone at least 5'8" would be nice though.
-prefer clean shaven
-someone who takes care of his face
-keeps in shape (not too fat or too skinny)
-like to hike, ocean kayaking
-appreciation for the arts
-museums
-okay with pets

I don't think these matter as much, but it would be nice if most of them were met. But I have to remember that I'm looking for a complete package, NOT just checking off things on a list...
What do you think?

Grad School and Scottish Jews?

Wow, I don't believe it!

I have 2 options for grad school: University of Toronto and University of Glasgow.

I've started making lists, pros and cons to each, and the one huge factor is tuition.
Toronto costs $21,879 CAN for their 2 year MA. In USD, total tuition would be just under $40,000.
Glasgow costs £7,500 for their 18 month MA. Which, in USD, is about $10,000, 11,000 max.

Aside from tuition, what other attractions about the area?
Toronto: Lots of Jews, and lots of people that speak the language I've spent 3 years studying.
Glasgow: In terms of either mentioned above, I haven't had a clue. Until this morning.

I did some googling and it turns out that there is quite an established Jewish (Orthodox) community in and around Glasgow and the rest of Scotland!
Here's the link if you'd like to check it out:
http://www.scojec.org/communities/guidebook.pdf

The oldest shul in Glasgow is Garnethill Synagogue, which has been around since 1879! Who knew? I sure didn't!

Aside from 5 Orthodox shuls in the city, there are 6 places that sell Kosher food, a kosher restaurant and networking opportunities for the students. I had no idea about the Scottish Jewish community, but know that I know that there is a huge presence there, I'm excited to check it out! However, the one question that is not answered on the wesbites, is the matter of conversion. I emailed the rabbis and am waiting to hear back.

There seem to be 2 main rabbis in the city, Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks at Garnethill, and a
Moshe Rubin, at the Giffnock and Newlands Hebrew Congregation. That one may be affiliated with Chabad, but I'm not sure.

I'm so excited! After getting rejected from the university I'm currently at, I didn't think any other school would want me, and I have to decide now which one to go to!

Aside from Jewish stuff, it's the freaking United Kingdom!! Tons of history, castles galore, the Scottish Highlands, the Isle of Skye, and amazing accents! What's *not* to love!? Besides, everyone in Canada came from Europe, but maybe that's another story...Anyhow, the UK would be an awesome place to live for the next few years. Something else I love about the Glasgow program: They have a mandatory study abroad, for a semester, and after receiving a University of Glasgow diploma, they also note where you studied abroad and the work you did while you were there. Oh! AND the UK has a visa policy that gives international students a 2 year visa to work in the UK after graduation! I can get started on my EU residency pretty soon, apparently! :-) Comments appreciated, and if you know someone in Glasgow, that would be grear, too! Thanks!