Hi toomuch00! i also went through a similair situation in high school and it really is very painful and torturous to go through! some things that helped me include repeatedly telling myself that everyone makes mistakes and just because i made a mistake doesnt make me any different! everyone forgets the answer to a question in class and everyone makes a slip of the tongue. no one is perfect.

there was one person in particular that id get intimidated from so id try and break down the barriers by making sure to notice when she didnt do something perfect. not to put her down, of course, but to show that no ones perfect. even if i did say the wrong thing, chances the next second people wont even remember what you said.

another thing was pushing myself to go past my comfort zone. meaning, dont just hang around with the girls you always spend time with, give a “hi how are you” to someone you usually dont. dont avoid get togethers because you dont feel comfortable, do the opposite- go and try to participate in some way. start with something tiny and work your way up.

recently i heard a shiur from rabbi brezak about chinuch, but i think it can apply here too. in seaworld, theres a whale named shamu that can jump 22 ft into the air. how did the train a whale to do such a feat? they set him up so that the whale cant fail. the whale had to jump over the rope? so they started by putting the rope underneath the whale and rewarded him when he went over. slowly slowly they raised the rope and the whale jumped up higher with it. set yourself up to succeed! dont aim to be the head of G.O.! just give a hello to someone new. and work ur way up.

lastly, write a list abt all the positive things u can think abt urself. and refer to it. remember U R NO DIFFERENT THAN ANYONE ELSE! even if u feel different, its just you feeling it, but its not true! you are just as special as everyone else with your own special attributes and talents.

keep repeating these things to urself and keep a record of when u do succeed and give urself a pat on the back!

sorry abt the longwinded post, but i had a lot to say. hatzlacha and keep us posted!

fairly common, though it’s not expected or anything. at least by my husband. he’s gotten tips anywhere from $5-$50, depending on the person and the job that it was

challahback, chaveirim doesn’t owe you anything, they do it purely as a chesed and are leaving their wives and children to help out a yid in need. yes, sometimes all volunteers are busy, but you don’t have aright to be upset at them. Do you get upset if you ask someone for a favor and they can’t do it?

I’m with wolfishmusings on this one. You can’t trust anyone you don’t know in today’s world.

i’ll take 41-50 inclusive, bli neder

My son had it. It’s viral so no medinicines for it and it takes abt a Week to go away. Refuah shelema!!! (Not that I’m diagnosing you….just sharing our experience)

Ehh… my youngest still has time til bicycle days, and I think he still has that tennagery “I’m invicible” attitude. We actually saw a teenager get really hurt when he fell off a bike outside of our house, and the helmet really saved him! Yet that didn’t convince him… ideas anyone?

Hey I just wanted to share a story with u I am a member of this great org and sometimes people don’t act the right way for example my friend thats also a member told me once he went on a call to help a lady she had a flat tire when my friend got there the car owner wasnt there so he called her she said ya please I’m shopping fix my flat during the time that I’m in the store when I come out I expect u will be done now in asking do u think thats nice?

oh, and the jewelry there is exchangeable. they also sell high line handbags, so while your there you an peek at both and decide which you like better. still dreaming about that ring….(anyone want to know my husband’s cell number? lol)

popa, I think you enjoy getting on people’s nerves. Well, you succeded in getting on mine and insulting me. Happy?

For sure babys mask first, but its kinda freaky to think about…. do they get all the same safety stuff??? Otherwise, my baby is getting a seat if we ever fly…

I have the city mini and I absolutely love it! It’s made well, is very lightweight and closes easily with one hand. It folds up nicely too. it also has a very large hood, and if you play with it, it can be used as a raincover in the rain. It costs $230 everywhere, doesn’t go on sale though. I bought mine from bed bath and beyond and got a lifetime warranty! The ride is great- smooth and easy to push. highly reccomended!!

So basically I have nothing to lose by trying? (Assuming I go to the ones you listed) also, how do the illustrations work?

Funny you mentioned it. I was thinkinjg about writing childrens books. Any one know anything about it? How to go about it? How much of an investment is it?

Eclipse, wow. I’ve been reading your posts and I have to say they’re really inspiring! Especially what you said about tefila. I once went through a time that I davened and davened for something (not as critical as things posted here) and seemingly just didn’t get it. I was upset since I was confused and didn’t know what hashem wanted from me anymore, but reading ur posts give me chizuk all over again. You seem like a very special person who’s gone througbh a lot. Keep strong!!!

spghetti and meat is yummy- saute onion add meat and vrown it. add to cooked noodles, add salt marinare sauce bake and enjoy!

mac and cheese

penne vodka (sooo easy, ok not so healthy)

i have some sephardic recipes if you want 😉

sjs- yikes that must have been a nightmare for you!!!! after my son’s bris, i made my husband change the diapers in the beginning or else i would just cry 🙁

ook, first thing straight- to all those who say you should have come on time, who are you to judge why she didn;t come on time? i know that i myself was pregnant last year purim and made it right before the megillah because i was busy throwing up in the bathroom the entire morning and couldn’t pry myself away from the toilet to make it there earlier. so i don’t deserve a seat because i was late? What if I can’t find parking? APY, i can tell you are not a women, so don’t rush to conclusions like that. do you know what its like to be pregnant? do you know what the i-cant-breath-have no-energy-and-feel-like-im gonna throw up on your head feeling is? what about women with circulation problems? what about if she was in the ninth month when its very painful to stand? contractions can happen from seventh month, although not painful its uncomfortable. your gonna tell this poor lady you have to suffer because you came right before for whatever reason – which isnt even late?! coming earlier is smart planning, but i challenge you to time a pregnant lady and see how fast she can move especially in the morning.

WIY, you do have a point, a wife is always supposed to look put together- before he comes home she should fix herself up for him, and most importantly have on a warm smile. I think as long as she is a happy person and thats most important. A skinny grump won’t do too much in a marriage. Theres more to this thought that I just can’t seem to put into words, but hopefully you’ll catch my drift. Think about it- there are heavier women out there who have perfect marriages!

i bought my best wig from Fortune wigs and I wouldn’t go any other way! i can’t even look at my others now! (and i bought it on sale too- supppeeerr cheap – $400.00)

mother in israel- they really did that to you??????? what do they think your baby is a bomb?! This is crazy! I wish i had the guts to tell one of those tsa agents off…. Let see them take off thier shirt for some stranger. Mother in Israel, you shoulda said well, I’m warning you… I’m very prone to throwing up and I’m feeling super nauseous right now lol

what if you tell the tsa person that your wig has metal clips that might go off?