Hey Ladies! Shalom Ivy Girls!

Naomi (I want to refer to you as Nomi), I think this is a wonderful idea!
I'm really glad that you started it and I hope we can all join and stay a bit consistent with it.

I'm back in State College, and it's actually nice to return.

Naomi F. kindly drove to central PA (I hope she puts my car-shluffin pics up, they're hilarious) and we visited Tom and Heather Baumgarten (the incredible couple who basically adopted me after my accident in Feb) and we had a delicious kosher dinner & dessert, and much needed R&R. It was the best transition possible...hey when you're headed back to golus, you need all the help you can get!

I've already thought so much about all of you, and telling Ivy Stories just makes me miss you ladies more. BUT! It's great to get back in the swing of things.

I had dinner and a great visit with my Chabad Shluchim tonight; Sarah and the Rabbi are also helping to ease my transition and they're going to be my partners/advisers in kashering my kitchen. It's a big undertaking but I'm SO motivated to do it! My tentative plan is to have a yard sale to help defray the cost, and just do paper/plastic/cold food till I gather the necessary accoutrements...

I have a new roommate/housemate named Nichole who seems very kind and reasonable. She is a great addition to the place so far: her bf painted the door red to cover up the not so tsnius male genitalia graffiti (hahaha oh dear!), she scoured the kitchen floor and upstairs bathroom, and brought potted plants and flowers! And she seems open to the whole kashering the kitchen thing...so we'll see what happens!
Tract gut vet zaiyn gut though, right?!

I love that Baila sent us something about the nine days. It was just what I needed.
Who's looking forward to their shower in honor of Shabbos?!
I know I am!!

Hope to read bits about what you've been up to in the days to come...FYI, I probably won't be back online till after Shabbos.

Shabbat Shalom, Baruch Hashem and take good care everyone!
With love, life and blessings,
Chaya-Bracha <3

P.S.--
Feel free to contact me anytime 215 384 5585
esp. if you want to swap inspirational/motivational stories, or chat about the art of kitchen-kashering!