Elie and the Library (well almost)

So last night (12/11) Elie, also known as “Former President Gold” to those who know him best, took over the CJL library for a very special activity.  While I’d love to blog about a powwow or a séance, I’m going to have to make do with a public display of affection between members of the opposite gender.  As is classic in these kind of encounters, or meetings, the setting and mood are critical.

Setting the Mood:

The mood was to be “pirates”, just pirates!  In fact, in our CJL program: Disney Thursdays – Now on Saturday Nights’, we watched Sinbad (which isn’t even a Disney movie) in honor of Elie’s graduation and the fact that he won’t be with us next semester.  Getting back to the mood, the lights were turned out, a fire was set in the fireplace for the first time in years, candles were lit, incense was burning and the movie was playing.  As the centerpiece for the mood … the twin bed was prepared and ready for it all.

 
The peanut gallery in the room before hand (notice the fire)

The mood (notice the CJL champagne glasses

Jared unscrews a lightbulb to enhance the scary and private atmosphere.

The bed (enough said)

The lead in … the precursor to the event.

Note: The entire CJL community congratulates Elie on his graduation and hopes that he has a wonderful Yeshiva experience next semester in Efrat.

Finals Week — Part 1

These two weeks are probably the two most stressful weeks for Cornell students during the semester.  Filled with work, study, papers, exams and most importantly: finals!  At Cornell, there exists a pair of weeks for finals.  The first 4 days (Sunday through Wednesday) are study “week” and the remaining days are finals excluding Sunday (language finals are on Saturday).  While everyone is going crazy, I felt obliged to share a picture that I feel best represents the anguish, despair and all around tenseness of the situation.

 

Faye rests her head against the stair case leading to the third floor as she pours over bio-chemistry.

CJL House Elections … and knitting (again?)

As we recall from last post, CJL House politics, while usually brutal, was relatively subdued this year.  In fact, relaxing is a good thing, especially as finals begin tonight (good luck everyone).  Anyhow, getting back on topic, the “in” thing to do at this year’s election meeting was not voting, getting involved, angry screaming matches, hurling grenades or even supped up flame throwing war mongerers.  It was however … a continuation of another recent CJL program … knitting.

 
The 104 West! Mashgiach, knitting away.

Jared getting knitting assistance from Becky

Jessica (CJL Co-VP Chessed) models in her recently completed scarf.

The freshmen girls (Becky and Isabella)

 
A chill moment, where the girls sip coffee and knit.

CJL House Election Politics

Unlike in years past, where there has been significant fighting, bickering and even all out wars over CJL Politics, this year’s elections were relatively subdued.  In fact, everyone is on speaking terms and everyone remained friends throughout the whole procedure.  It was really a true display of Achdus (unity) at the CJL, truly something special.

Nevertheless, there always exists slight differences of opinion.  Here are two photos showing those representing those very slight differing viewpoints:

- VERSUS -

In all it was a very productive elections.  Here is s photo of the two candidates in the only contested election after the results were announced:

Caption: Greg and Stuart (the only two candidates running in a contested election) are still friends after the results are read.

Everyone’s just one big happy family!!!

CJL (Wo)Manliness — CJL Hippie Night (Part 3)

This past Friday was the last day of classes, and generally meant that all final projects were due at the end of last week, and consequently led to a drop off in the number of blog posts.  Anyhow, this is the last post about CJL Knitting Night.

While in the past two posts I insinuated that only guys were there, there was definitely a sizeable number (better yet, a majority of) girls.  Here are a few of the fun moments from that event.

 
Caption: Dan … scared by a little knitting

Caption: Girls knit also (LTR: Ariella, Isabella, Adina)

Though not evident from the photograph, Isabella is actually unbelievable at crocheting.  While none of us even came close to completing our scarves, she finished a very well made scarf.

Caption: Scarves for everyone! 

CJL (Wo)Manliness — CJL Hippie Night (Part 2)

In a follow up to last post, the CJL President decided that he knew how to unroll the yarn and make it into the classic spherical shaped entity … classically known as a yarn ball (he’s sort of a cat).  Anyhow, he got to singing and well, you know it couldn’t have ended well.

Caption: CJL President Sings while unrolling the yarn.

Events like this are wonderful, in that they bring out the real creative genius of the individual.