Tag Archives: Christmas

5 questions with a Jew-ish Agnostic

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What’s your dream job (& real occupation if different)?

I work for Disqus, a tech startup in San Francisco (and it’s an awesome commenting system if you want to engage your blog/reader community! ask me about it!). My job currently involves everything from facilities management to creating our company culture to business operations to human resources…it’s a lot of work but I love it. I’m planning to grow my career into the human resources/company culture side of things (sometimes called People Operations), planning fun things for our team to do and making our office a super fun place to work – I think that’s pretty much my dream job! I’m extremely lucky to get to spend part of my day doing my dream job right now, and to be working somewhere that encourages me to grow in that direction :)

How would you define your faith/religion (& your faith of origin if different)?

I like to say I’m Jew-ish Agnostic. I was raised culturally Jewish, but my family is not very religious. I really enjoy celebrating my heritage, but I am not a religious or spiritual person. I feel closest to Something Bigger Than Myself in Yosemite National Park.

What is your favorite holiday memory?

I have some great holiday memories…putting marshmallows on sweet potatoes at Thanksgiving with my grandmother, learning to make latkes with my parents, and decorating the Christmas tree with my boyfriend’s parents. One year, I left my menorah at home (Christmas and Chanukkah overlapped that year) when visiting with his family at Christmas, and his uncle and father built me a little menorah made from a log. It was really special to be able to share my family’s traditions with them and to feel so included in theirs.

What is your default dinner?

Oh goodness, usually some form of pasta – I keep packages of ravioli in the freezer pretty much all the time. I also like to keep frozen boneless skinless chicken breasts in the freezer (individually wrapped ones for easy thawing), and I have been known to whip up a little Annie’s Mac and Cheese when I’m feeling lazy. And I will admit to sometimes eating the whole box. My “famous” dinner is called See What’s In The Kitchen, Throw It In A Dish, Cover It With Cheese and Bake It. It’s just what it sounds like (delicious). I hear it’s called Hot Dish in the midwest :)

How do you define the meaning of life? (AKA – Why did you get out of bed today?)

I say you just have to do the best you can with what you have. I try to keep a positive attitude and do things that make me happy, and remind myself that if you’re unhappy with the way things are going, it’s up to you to do something about it! You can’t change how others act; you can only change how you react to others.

Oh, and I don’t take myself too seriously. I grew up in theatre, and did a lot of improv, which teaches you that failure is totally ok. You just have to laugh and move on and hope everyone laughs along with you :)

Thank you Kim! Check out her blog at www.kimskitchensink.com, and follow her on Twitter @kimskitchensink!
Send me your answers to be featured next Monday! alison.holland (a) me.com

Has Facebook become a National Lampoon’s style Christmas Vacation that never ends?

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Facebook started as the place to “be” for college students.  But before long, it was open to the public.  Grandma, Cousin Tom, and Great-Aunt Sue all “friended” you!  Now what?

Facebook has become a holiday meal without food or prayer.  It has taken passive aggressive to the next level.  It’s saying things you’d never say in person – but for all to see.  It’s Uncle Joe pitting his AA family against blood relatives and Sister-In-Law Sally’s series of lies about her grown children.  It, like any family get together, has its nice moments.  Sharing photos and videos.  Announcing the “firsts” for children and grandchildren, engagements, home purchases, job promotions, and upcoming vacations.

But when bad blood surfaces, the clock doesn’t strike midnight, Cinderella, and there’s no going home to escape.  My advice?  If you’re as passive aggressive as my husband, take them off your news feed without unfriending.  It’s a little like toning out their conversation while nodding, and occasionally saying “yeah,” and “oh.”  They’ll never know you aren’t listening (or reading).  Or if you’ve really had it with some inappropriate behavior, up the ante by unfriending.  This is more like hiding in the garage at Christmas.  You may get to slip out quietly, but eventually you’ll be found out when that person wants to post something on your wall.  Sometimes it’s worth it.

An alternative?  We could all apply Lian Dolan’s dinner table advice to Facebook and “try to be nice to each other.”  “Notice the syntax,” Lian continued.  “You don’t have to be nice to each other, just try to be nice… The effort goes a long way.”