#avodah11

Over the past 2 months I have experienced one of the best things of my life. I never thought that avodah would influence my life as much as it did. I know the friendships I have developed are lifelong. They know everything about me and will always be my true best friends. Even through the hard times of the summer it was amazing. You would think that after 2 months with the same people, same routine you would be ready to get home; but I would do anything to go back. My camp friends are my best friends. We laugh and cry together and even spend 7 hours outside in the 109 heat lifting every campers luggage. But no matter what we made it fun. I love you guys so much. Take me back to avodah

Almost Done

The days of junior year are quickly winding down and summer is here. Thankfully I am exempt from all of my finals so this last week of school has been really relaxing. I got my wisdom teeth out, which I'm stl recovering from, but now it's time to start relaxing for summer. I was lucky enough to get my wisdom teeth out with Jackie so I had constant company, but
I also was lucky enough to have my friends come visit a lot. It certainly made the recovery seem easier when I wasn't in pain alone.

Today, we have our first SOS meeting. SOS is a senior selected program to help the new freshman become aquainted at Pearce throughout their first year. There are about 50 selected seniors and we will each have a freshman class that we lead during am advisory class on Wednesdays during the school day. For other grade levels the advisory will serve as a study hall and a class to get paperwork and protocol taken care of throughout the hear. I am really excited to have the chance to help pioneer this new program. When I was a freshman I wish I had a senior who I could look up to and go to for advice. Our first meeting is today and I'm excited to see the kind of stuff we will be teaching our freshman.

Camp, the days until camp are very quickly approaching. We leave in just less than two weeks and I am really excited it just seems like there is so much left to do before I am gone all summer. This year we will be avodahs and get to work with campers but not be in the same cabin as them. Most of my friends are doing it except a few of my guy friends but it will still be nice to be at camp and get away for the summer. It's weird that I won't be a camper anymore
and that now I'm partially on staff but at least I still get to be on camp. Can't wait to be back at camp.

Bring your Lexus to Bruceville Texas.

N'siah Of the Best Chapter in NTO

I am officially installed as the Fannie Sablosky N'siah and couldn't be more excited. I have the best exec board to work with and they have already done so much. We have had a successful fundraiser at Mooyah last week and our planning a plug party to vote for our new beau. I love being president. As stressful as it can get it is already so rewarding. Everyone has been so supportive and I know we are on our way to getting sablosky on the right track.

It has been such a busy year and I'm ready for it to wind down. Junior year is never ending. It's almost summer and I can't wait to be at camp with ally friends. It certainly won't ve the same as Israel was last summer but it's going to be amazing.

This One's For the Girls

This past weekend we had a Fannie Sablosky lock-in.  Most chapters have a full retreat over a weekend but we decided to just do one night.  We planned the perfect amount of programs and the night went perfectly.  The highlight for me was getting to lead This One's For the Girls.  This program was started 3 years ago and the juniors write out anything they want to say.  It can be anything imaginable; BBYO related, fears, family, friends, boys, anything.  Sureck, Jackie and I each wrote something and walked in the circle crying just like our other sisters have.  It was truly amazing to then hear each girl say what they want to say.  Some said very personal things and others just said how happy they were to find a place like Sablosky to be able to come to.  That was one of the best feelings I've ever had.  I loved walking and reading with Jackie and Sureck.  The three of us have gone through so much together and to be able to finally lead this program was amazing.  I  couldn't have asked for a better lock-in.  It was perfect.  Sablosky girls I love you so much and I am truly the luckiest girl in the world to have y'all as my sisters. 

Submitted with undying love for,

Old board, new board, henna, this one's for the girls, jackie sweetheart, dani sweetheart, carly best friend, being the newly elected n'siah, and each and every one of you,

I remain
Dani N'siah

Best Seller

Sorry I haven't written in a while.  Last year was the annual Pacesetter revue.  Our theme this year was, "Best Seller" and each dance was tied to a genre of book.  We spent countless hours working on the show, the week of we were at school from 7:25 a.m. to 10 p.m.  The long hours were so worth it.  Each of the 41 Pacesetters put their hearts into the show.  The feeling of being on that stage is irreplaceable.  Every year revue always has its sad moments, mainly when the seniors hang their hats.  I have gotten really close to the seniors because we have been on the team together for 2 years.  They have left such a strong legacy and the junior class will fit in perfectly to be the next leaders of the team.  It is really hard to believe that this time next year I will be done with Pacesetters and will have hung my hat.  It was such a good year and thank you to everyone who helped make it a Best Seller.  41st line forever

Inspired

I am at a BBYO convention known as LTI. It is a leadership convention and the entire weekend is based off improving each chapter and learning more leadership skills. I signed up because of the impact I will have on sablosky during these next few months. I figured it would be a good chance to bond with the two other girls from sablosky going and maybe learn a little something. Never did I think I would learn as much as I did. I was overall very inspired to go to sablosky and truly change the future for this chapter. I have come up with ideas for little things that can only grow into bigger ones. I kept a note on my phone for whenever I thought of an idea for our sablosky lock in which is in two weeks. I am so excited to have the opportunity to lead this chapter that over the weekend my passion has grown so much for. After walkdown I really wanted to be done but I knee that I couldn't be. I didn't think that I had the resources or experience to lead my chapter. My confidence has grown in myself and my chapter. I now believe that I have an endless amount of resources and that I am capable of leading my chapter. Fannie Sablosky BBG you never cease to amaze me and I know that this next term will be challenging but there is now no doubt in my mind that we can't handle anything else that comes our way. JZ and Brianna this past weekend has been amazing with both of you and I am so proud of y'all. I love you both along with every other proud Sablosky girl and BBG.

Catching Up on a Little Bit of Everything

I know I haven't written much lately but it's just that time of the year that gets very busy. My time has been mainly filled by Pacesetters and maintaing my school work before the end of the year. Our Pacesetter spring show: Best Seller, is on April 15th and 16th. We have been getting ready and working on all of our dances nonstop. Our show is my favorite part of the year. You truly realize how much the team means to you and how much you will miss the seniors in the following year. I have become so close to the seniors and next year will be very different. Not only will there only be 11 seniors, we are the seniors. Third year senior is the highest rank you can have in Pacesetters without being an officer. It is a big honor to be a third year senior. I have also been busy getting ready for the ACT. I had missed writing and had a little bit of down time so I decided to write. I've missed blogging and hopefully even through the stress of these next few weeks I will have time to write.

Have a good day!
Dani

SB 2011

This spring break has been fantastic so far.  I have spent time with my friends, had a chance to relax, and now I am in Steamboat Springs, Colorado with my family for a ski trip. We used to come every year and this is our first time back in five years.  Today was our first day on the mountains, and it is just as amazing as I remembered.  The wind in my face, winding down the mountains, and feeling the burn in my legs; there is nothing like it.  I love skiing and forgot how much I missed it.  So far this has been an amazing trip even though its only day one! I'll write more later in the week!

I Wanted to Be Their Girl

I know I just wrote about my love for being a Brandeis nom, but as the days continue I think of more I can say about it. For this one thing I really had thought it was mine. The boys said they loved me and that I would be an amazing sweetheart, so like anyone else, I thought that I would be their girl. Decked out in red and black every Saturday night and Sunday, I couldn't think of anything else I would have rather been doing. Pulling an almost all-nighter with Jackie baking for our boys, there didn't seem to be anything else in the world I wanted to do. I pictured us baking every week together and talking about how our boys were. Now I can sit back and help Jackie bake, watch her get ready, listen to the stories, and be more proud of her than anyone else, I still wish I was standing by her side in my own colors baking for my own boys. With sablosky being troublesome right now, I can take over the title as
President and help my home grow. Although that sounds like an amazing opportunity, which I cannot wait to take, part of me still wants to have boys to call my own. The Kaplan boys will embrace me whenever possible and I cannot be more thankful for that. My new motto is everything happens for a reason, and for now I just have to stick by that and know that something else will fill the hole that sweetheart left.
Forever and always,
Fannie Sablosky BBG proud member and Louis D Brandeis Nom. I cannot be more thankful for the best 6 weeks I have had in BBYO and for such amazing friends, family and sisters. Without each and everyone of you I don't think I would be able to move past this loss.

Everything Happens For a Reason

The one thing I have wanted since my first day in BBYO was to be a sweetheart.  It was finally my year and I did everything possible during Nom period to prove to the boys of Louis D. Brandeis that I was the girl for them.  The night of Walkdown came and the only thing I could focus on was finding out if I had won.  The nerves gradually became more intense as the night progressed and eventually it was time to reveal the winner.  Each LDB nom got a pink box and in each box were beads, whichever box had red and black beads would be the new sweetheart.  Shakily, I opened the box to reveal green and gold beads...the tears began to stream down my face as the boys jumped on stage to sing to their new sweetheart.  The sablosky girls quickly grabbed me to console me, but it didn't seem like anything could get any better.  The only thing I had ever wanted had just been taken right out from under me.  The votes were so close and I thought for once that this could have been mine.  The night seemed to continue even slower than before and every time I thought I might be done crying, more tears streamed down my face.  With every hug, "I love you," "you're amazing," ect. comment I got, nothing really seemed to be better.  I had Nathan by my side, all of my girls next to me, and yet I was still crying.  I cried the rest of the night, all day Sunday and Monday, and I really thought that by today I might be a little bit better.  I am hiding it better than I thought because I don't want to talk about it all the time, but that doesn't mean I am over it.  I know that everything happens for a reason, but right now it just doesn't seem like that.  Past Sablosky girls texted me throughout the next few days, and luckily I have been blessed with the most amazing friends and family I could have ever asked for.  As the last two chapters were announced,  I stood by Jackie and Sureck's side hopping they would be given the title of Sweetheart, that all 3 of us had dreamed of.  Unfortunately, I cannot join them in their journey of being sweethearts, but together they will show those boys how amazing they are.  Kaplan couldn't ask for a better sweetheart and neither could Lacey.  Those boys have no idea just how lucky they are.  My two best friends will be the most amazing sweethearts in the world and I cannot wait to see what they do this next year.  Hopefully things will start to get better but the best thing I can do is wait it out.  I can now return to my home and heart, Sablosky, and do what is best for my girls.  I will forever and always be a nom for Louis D. Brandeis AZA and will never forget the most amazing 6 weeks I spent with those boys.  I made incredible friendships that even without the title I will still cherish.  The new sweetheart for Brandeis will be amazing. 

I love you Brandeis Boys oh yes I do.
JACKIE SWEETHEART AND DANI SWEETHEART: you girls are amazing. yall are the definition of what it means to be a best friend to someone and you're boys couldn't be luckier to have you both. Live up to S4S like I was standing beside you.  I love you both forever and always. 

Long Time, No Talk

I know I haven't written in a very very long time, but recently I have been so busy.  Last week I was not home for more than an hour until I would fall asleep every night.  Between nom period, school and Pacesetters there has been no stopping. On Saturday, Pacesetters competed in our annual contest, and we did amazing!! Although I had to leave so I could go to a Brandeis event, the day was really fun and we performed all of our dances flawlessly.  Nom period basically deserves a blog dedicated to itself.  Words cannot describe how much I have loved being a Brandeis nom and I cannot believe walkdown is on Saturday.  I love these boys so much and I want to be their sweetheart more than anything.  They are all so sweet and I have so much fun around them.  We had our nom overnight on Saturday and even though I didn't sleep for over 24 hours, it was so worth it.  I would suggest that everyone at least plug a chapter and see what happens.  You have nothing to lose and you make such a good friends out of it.  I will cherish these last few weeks forever and hope that everyone gets this amazing opportunity just like I did.  To all of LDB: I know I said this in my walkdown paper but you boys have truly made this the most unbelievable experience I will ever have in BBYO and I don't think I can thank you guys enough.  I love you from the bottom of my red and black heart.  Happy 9:32, because it doesn't matter what time it is, it is always 9:32 in Brandeis.  I love you boys. 

We take TAKS tomorrow, which isn't a big deal, it would be fantastic to get commended so I can get a 100 as my English exam grade, wish me luck!
Well I am going to go get my "full nights rest before taks" ...just a good excuse to catch up on some majorly lost sleep.

I LOVE YOU BRANDEIS BOYS OH YES I DO,
love Dani Nom.  

Stars in the Sky

For me, I spent the Superbowl with the lovely boys of Louis D. Brandeis at their annual Superbowl party.  It was so fun to spend time with the boys just hanging out.  We were eating, laughing, and watching the game in a relaxing environment.  For a change instead of constantly thinking about being a nom, it was much more laid back.  I bonded a lot with the sophomore boys but spent some time with everyone.  They are so much fun to be around and are so caring.  Like typical boys, they asked the noms to get them food and such, which I didn't care at all about it. If I am already getting up, why would I not get someone food? No big deal to me.  The more time I spend with the boys the more I want sweetheart, and hopefully that will work out, but at the end of the day being sweetheart will not determine my life in the long run.  As amazing as it would be and as sad as I will be if I lose, eventually I will move on and leave a different legacy in my home chapter, Fannie Sablosky.  Love you Brandeis boys!

Now onto a different topic;
Over the weekend I received my Avodah acceptance letter for camp! I cannot wait to spend all summer in Bruceville, Texas with some of my best friends.  Although not all of my friends are doing it, it will still be so much fun and a good break from being in Dallas.  While reading over the acceptance packet, it made me think back on my time in Israel.  I know I write a lot about Israel, but it had such an impact on my life.  It made me value the little things, show pride in being Jewish and taught me who my true friends are, as well as me forming the best friendships I could have ever imagined.  Avodah will only strengthen those friendships even if the people I am closest with aren't there.  In Israel I enjoyed not having constant contact with everyone in Dallas. Don't get me wrong, I missed my friends and family a lot, but it was so nice to just spend time with the people I was with and not have to worry about what was going on in Dallas.  When I was in Israel, the drama back at home didn't effect me, as long as everyone I cared about at home were okay, then I didn't have to worry.  During Avodah I will have my phone so I can talk to my friends, but I'm sure there will be times when I just want to turn it off.  Some of my Dallas friends will be on Younglife trips like Wilderness, a week long hike through the Colorado mountains, or Workcrew, a month long working experience cooking, cleaning, and helping the staff at the different camp locations.  I will want to hear all about their experiences when they get home, but it is good for our friendships to be apart of a little bit.  It is so weird to think that I am finally old enough to be an Avodah.  I cannot wait to work with campers and remind them how amazing camp is.  It is where I have some of my most favorite memories and have formed friendships with people who I am certain will be lifelong friends.  I hope the campers I have will have that same connection.

Can't wait to be back in the 76630.  Stars in the sky bring the summer right back to me.

Snow Days!

So living in Texas, we don't get ice or snow very often.  This week has been a very big exception.  Ever since Monday night all the roads have been covered in ice.  We haven't had school since Monday and have barely been able to drive.  On Tuesday afternoon Brooke, Caroline, Jackie, myself and our moms went to see a movie.  The girls saw No Strings Attached, and the mothers saw The Fighter.  It has been a lazy and very cold few days.  All the girls spent the night after the movie, including Vince Anne and Christina.  We spent the day together, had breakfast and did a lot of laying around.  Sarah, April and Trey also came over because their power was going off and on.  Our house was packed like usual, and on a day like this I wouldn't expect any less.  We had family dinner and just hung out.  Although I love being off of school for now, making up the days won't be much fun.  Stay warm!!

Still Excited

I haven't stopped thinking about Brandeis all day.  I have never been more excited about something and I cannot wait to see what is in store.  The boys are so sweet and easy to talk to, and no matter what I know that I have made so many new friends.  I love you boys.

On another note, my friend Marissa, told me today that she wanted to start a blog after reading mine! I am so excited for her and to see what she will write about.  My blog is a place to write after a long day, or whenever I just feel like writing.  Go see her blog; marissashrell.blogspot.com!

LDB Nom Pick Up!

Today I found out that I was chosen to be a Louis D. Brandeis AZA nom! That means that after plug party a few weeks ago, they voted on who they want to be their potential sweethearts.  I am one of five girls that was chosen.  I am now luckily enough to spend the next 5 weeks with these amazing boys trying to win sweetheart.  I was kidnapped this afternoon by the boys and spent the afternoon hanging out with them.  I am so excited to be their nom and can't wait to see what is in the future! I just wanted to write really quickly about how honored and excited I am!

I LOVE YOU BRANDEIS BOYS OH YES I DO!!
love Dani nom!!

You Might Just Start a Chain Reaction

On April 20, 1999 Columbine High School in Colorado, experienced the worst school shooting in our country's history. Two boys put bombs in the cafeteria hoping they would go off during lunch, and as students walked out the boys were prepared with shot guns and other weapons to shoot students. When the bombs didn't go off the boys went into the school and began shooting.  There were 13 people murdered including one teacher. The first girl shot was Rachel Joy Scott. Many of the students were in the library with one teacher trying to hide from the shooters. They started hearing gun shots and within minutes the shooters were in the library. Rachel's brother was in the library with two of his friends. His two friends were shot while he was sitting in the middle of them. One of his friends was African American and the last thing he heard while he was alive were racial slurs. His response, "I want to see my mom," and was then shot.  Rachel Scott was sitting outside by a tree eating lunch with a friend when she was shot. Throughout her life, Rachel kept countless journals. She always wrote that all people had to give was compassion and kindness. With that you can start a chain reaction. She said that she was going to die young and wanted to make an impact on the world and that is what  has happened since her death. The shooters in some ways had a relation to Adolf Hitler, who was their role model. Hitler killed millions of Jews for no reason the same way these two boys shot innocent students. In many ways Anne Frank and Rachel Scott are very similar. Anne Frank wanted to be a famous writer and inspire other people. Rachel was inspired by Anne Frank. They both died for unnecessary reasons at a young age.  Rachel's Challenge has 5 steps.  Step 1: Get rid of prejudice by looking for the best in others, in reality without prejudice there wouldn't be bullying. Step 2: Chose positive influences and role models in your life.  Step 3: Keep a daily journal or diary for a month, it will change your life.  Step 4: Look for little things that make a difference.  Sometimes the smallest thing in life can have the biggest reward on someone else.  Step 5: Tell the people you love how much you care about them, you NEVER know what could happen.  It is all about people treating others with respect and being positive to all kinds of people. Rachel was the girl that sat with the new person on campus, stood up for bullies, and defended people with special needs who didn't have a voice of their own. When Rachel saw a boy getting bullied because he had a disability, she stepped in-between the bully and the boy and told the bully that he would have to fight her too.  The bully stepped aside. Little did Rachel know but the boy that was getting picked on had decided to commit suicide because he was tired of being bullied. Her small act of kindness kept someone from taking his life. Weeks before Rachel's death she wrote an essay about kindness and compassion. One day her teacher saw her drawing; it was a picture of eyes with tears, 13 tears, that when they hit the ground it grew into a flower. A business man called Mr. Scott, Rachel's dad, a few weeks after her death and said he had a dream of a picture. It happened to be the same picture Rachel had drawn in her journal.  No one knew that until Rachel's dad picked up her backpack at at the town sheriff's office. Her dad opened her backpack, took out her journal and flipped to the last page. On the last page, starring at her Dad was the exact picture the business man had described. Normally, school presentations are all about how to better yourself. Rachel's Challenge did more than just that. The entire time I was at the presentation I wanted to immediately make a difference.  After seeing this speaker I want to be the girl to go sit with the new student, stand up for the disabled student and support kids getting bullied. While her parents were cleaning her room, they found a hand traced on her dresser and inside was written, "these hands belong to Rachel Joy Scott and will someday touch millions of people's hearts." 
"I have this theory that if one person will go out of their way to show compassion, it will start a chain reaction." -Rachel Scott. 
Her challenge has inspired people nation wide. From celebrities to students, people have changed their daily lives to adapt to her challenge. I could write on and on about Rachel's Challenge but instead I just want to now challenge you to accept what I have told you about Rachel and take the challenge. 

Rachel's challenge tied into something personal to our school. The Peer Helpers and Peer Mediators have been working on an anti-bullying campaign, "It Starts With Me." In each fourth period class today there was a bullying discussion led by Peer Helpers, Peer Mediators or Student Council class representatives. We discussed types of bullying, how to prevent it, individual stories, and how one person can start a chain reaction; the motto of Rachel's Challenge. 

You might just start a chain reaction. 

Catching Up!

Over the past few days a lot has been going on.  I have caught up on sleep from Chandelle, celebrated my 17th birthday, attended a BBYO event and spent the majority of my time at school or working on school things.  My birthday was exactly what I wanted; time with my friends and family, nothing major.  We went to Gloria's for dinner and then some friends and family came over for cake.  I spent my birthday with the people I love the most.  As the week went on I was busy with school.  This was a good weekend.  We had a family dinner at Babe's on Friday night, followed by me catching up with some friends at Braums.  Brooke, Caroline, Jackie and I went to Vince Anne's to catch up and it was a fun night.  Saturday was exciting! It was finally Brandeis Plug Party for BBYO.  In each guys chapter there is a girl, and Plug Party is the first step in the process.  After plug party the guys vote on who they want to spend 6 weeks with; up to 5 of the plugs.  Following the 6 weeks is Walkdown.  Walkdown is the night when the current Beaus and Sweethearts pass down their titles to the next Beau or Sweetheart of every chapter.  Sweethearts are the girls in the guys chapter, and Beaus are guys in the girls chapter.  It is an emotional night and I cannot wait to see what happens.  But first I need to wait and see if I got chosen to be a nom.  Plug party was so much fun and I am so glad I chose to plug Louis D. Brandeis AZA. 

I'll write again soon!!

Chandelle 2011

Chandelle is a junior senior girls ask guys dance, which happened to be this past weekend.  Throughout all the planning for the weekend there were little spats of drama, but the weekend turned out better than anyone had expected.  The dance was so fun and this was the first dance that my entire group of friends was one group for the dance.  For chandelle there is a committee and two committee heads; next year the heads are Jackie and Brooke, and I couldn't be more excited for them.  They will put together an entire committee and plan the dance for our senior year.  Friday night we met at my house and then rented out the Gymnastics Place for a few hours to jump around and hang out.  We were all exhausted but it was a great start to the weekend.  Saturday I spent the majority of the day getting ready.  Our pictures were at the Richardson's and from there we left for the dance.  Most dances not everyone dances, but we were all on the dance floor having a great time all together.  The dance was amazing and from there we had our after party at Brad's.  It was a night full of food, friends, fun and memories.  We ate nonstop at Brad's, relaxed outside by the fire, watched movies, got very little sleep, and just spent time with our best friends.  Chandelle 2011 has been my favorite dance so far and I can't wait to see how amazing next year's dance is.

New Year

With the new year comes new challenges, experiences, and memories.  Along with the usual new years resolutions of eating healthy and working out, I also want to try and blog at least 4 times a week.  As the year gets busier we will see how that works but I want to write more and take even more pictures than I already do.  Everyone says that a picture says a thousand words, and I want to be able to remember the memories of high school, so what is a better way than to take pictures.  On my phone, there is an app called, Project 365, where each day you take a new picture and at the end of the year there is a picture for each day.  I've already started it and hopefully that will help me remember everything as well.  Since writing has become such an important part of my life, I want to make sure I do everything to make sure it remains that way, especially when it comes time to apply for college! Well before I start my homework for the night I will put up some pictures from Regionals and New Years Eve!

Happy new year!

love you roomz

the sablosky twins reunited

the best friends

new fav pic

Hello Second Semester

Today was my first day back at school and the start of second semester.  It is very weird that after this semester I will be a senior.  Going back to school means no more sleeping in, staying out late, relaxing all day, and doing absolutely nothing without having to worry.  Although, I already miss winter break, second semester will hopefully fly by.  This is only a three day week, and then next week of school and then Chandelle weekend! Chandelle is our junior senior girls ask guys dance.  I am so excited, and cannot wait.  It is also a few days before my birthday and a three day weekend.  First semester was really hard and stressful.  Second semester I am expecting stress and some rough days and weeks but hopefully it will be better than first.  There is a lot to look forward to in the next few months; chandelle, my birthday, plug party, nom period, walkdown, and just so much more! I'm ready for second semester and then its off to camp all summer! I just wanted to write really quick and now back to precal homework. 

Good luck with second semester,
Dani