Cymbaline tagged me in something that I've almost forgotten how to do due to length of time - a meme! Here I go...
1. I wish I could.... get a lucrative and interesting job that I would be passionate about and that would allow me to grow as a professional and also fund my desire for travel, my various interests, and good education for my future kids! I also wish I could take away everyone's pain, and teach people around me how to be happy.
2.My biggest fear is... two of them actually. One is not fulfilling what I'm set out to do, not becoming the best person I can be, remaining a mere mediocrity that will have left no impact on anyone or anything. The second is losing control of my mind, whether through old age, disease, or both.
3. I hate to... lower myself in any way and before anyone. Dentist appointments aren't fun either!
4. I love... life, my family, friends, my cat Julie and animals in general, long solitary walks, photography, food, food photography, helping people, law, learning Judaism, self-discovery, personal growth, travel, strong emotions, overanalyzing things to death, long conversations with awesome people, discovering new, exciting books, exploring, desserts, beautiful music, art that affects me in some way, witty humor (dirty or clean, as long as it's sharp and funny), dressing up, theater nights out with my mom, SUSHI, snowfalls, mysteries, deep dark secrets, bizarre, weird happenings, crazy people, lucid dreaming, and some matters that best remain unmentioned for the time being. :0
5. Today I will celebrate the birthday of one of my oldest (in terms of length of acquaintance) friends and have lots of fun!
6. Yesterday I had a great time with friends, greeting Shabbat, eating, and just hanging out together, having a crazy conversation and lots of good laughs.
7. My hair is never curly enough... Oh well. At least I can do nice up-dos with it.
8. I will never regret doing what I think is right. Not for all the pain in the world. :)
Excited,
Irina/Nissan
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Where Did I Go Wrong?
Here's the deal.
I am not perfect!
I know that may come as a shock to some of you, but I really am not. I have plenty of flaws, issues, etc. Nevertheless, I try to be self-critical and when I realize that I haven't done as well as I should in a particular area of my life, I do my best to improve. That's what life is for, growing, learning, working on yourself, trying to become the best person you can be. I am not being "too hard on myself". I don't engage in meaningless self-abuse. Crying "woe is me" without do anything about it is pointless and not helpful. I call my approach to life "constructive criticism." I don't believe in flattery and sugarcoating things when they are wrong. It doesn't help. So right now, I have a particular issue, and I want practical advice on how to handle it best. I know I have many people who are supportive and who don't want me to feel bad, but right now I"m not out for some therapy or hugs. I have a problem to solve!
I know myself pretty well by now. My strength is in self-discipline and a particular type of forcefulness, energy, and determination that helps me force my way through all the obstacles that come my way. I am, what one may call, a "gevurah" person. For the mystical-minded among you, my birthday is on the 14th day of the omer, the "malchut of gevurah". For everyone who is not into that stuff, I am self-critical, and critical in general, a disciplinarian, an analyst, a problem-solver. I approach life itself as a lawyer. I am the one you go to if you want to figure out the issues in your life, where you've messed up. I am the issue and pattern-spotter. I also have a certain level of introversion that makes me more introspective than many people and more likely to turn inwardly for a solution to my own problems; however, even the most self-aware people should turn to the more objective outsiders to help them see what they are doing wrong. I am not always objective towards myself, try as I may be, and it's natural. Fortunately, there are people who are very helpful in pointing out if I need improvement in some areas, but often that help comes indirectly.
While being a disciplined and strong person has been my strength, being kind/compassionate and reaching out to people has NOT been natural for me. That quality is the flip side of the coin. That's something that came naturally to my mother, and I was always slightly envious of her. However, with time I came to realize that by putting in a lot of work I can develop that quality in myself as well and become the person that I want to be, a person who can balance the criticism with kindness and understanding and be fair and helpful without being needlessly abrasive, hurtful, or embarrass people. I've seen what happens when people have no consideration for other people's feelings and just blurt out whatever comes to their mind as long as they feel it's "true" (which ultimately, may not even be the case", and it was not pretty. So I came to appreciate the necessity of being balanced.
While I'm naturally attracted to people who have the same strengths as me - that ability to dish out unsugared truth, to speak their mind regardless of the popularity of their position, to be introspective and self-critical, disciplined, focused on growth, and tough, I've always looked up to those who are, in some way, the opposite, who are just natural kind and mellow and nurturing, and who seem to have a special understanding of people and their situations, and who seem to love everyone and in turn bring out the best in those around them, seemingly effortlessly. It is just as natural for them as being who I am is natural for me. Such people have inspired me tremendously, but again, while I've tried my best to learn from them, that learning comes with tremendous growth pains and awkwardness at times, because it means moving away from the negative extreme of my own qualities into a different direction, adopting something that is not in my nature, and making it my own. In the beginning, it was very strange, and I had to force myself to speak kind words to people or to do the basic "chessed" actions. All of it was extremely awkward, and I had no idea whether what I was doing it right, and it all seemed somewhat surreal, as if I were trying to fit into the life of a totally different person. With time, I grew into it, and doing the basic things became a habit. It was no longer a test for me; it was just something that had to be done, and the more I did it, the easier and more natural it felt.
It became pleasing to me to help others, not because I was hoping to get more people to like me. I've never had issues with that, because I figure that either people will naturally gravitate towards me for who I am, or not, and anyway, you can't have the whole world like you. I've been known to take very unpopular stands, to speak my mind alone in a crowd of aggressive dissenters, and to lead a life that many may found a little bizarre/controversial, because ultimately, what matters to me the most is my own self-respect and the sense of doing what is right. What people think about it is their own business, but I have one life and want to live it the way that best fits me. However, I don't like unhappiness in pain. I don't like it in me and I certainly don't like it in people around me. Rather than sitting around and waiting for external circumstances to change, I apply my own dynamic approach to life and prefer to work on my attitude along with the actual resolution of my problems, but I also want to help others. I know numerous people in difficult situations and my heart goes out to them. I wish I could solve everyone's problems for them, but I can't, so I try to listen, I try to give advice to the best of my ability, and share what I've learned from my own experience. I want to live in a better world, and the only way to achieve that is by acting when necessary. That's it.
But here's the thing. Recently, I realized that I'm doing something wrong. It took me a long time to see the flaw in my approach, and I'm very thankful to the circumstances and people who brought it to my attention, so I could work it out and improve. Without going into the specifics of those particular circumstances and remarks, suffice it to say that I learned that I may be coming across as someone who is a) either is not altogether sincere or has ulterior/selfish motivations for being helpful or b) is playing around with people out of boredom, adopting them as pet project, or c) acting out of pity/looking down on people. I was very tempted to dismiss that as a joke or exaggeration or a simple misinterpretation on people's part, because in my mind it seemed too absurd to be true... except I stopped to think about it and realized that this was far from the first time when people were suspicious of my motives, and maybe it didn't have as much to do with other people's insecurity or cynicism as with the fact that I was acting in a way that made such interpretation of my behavior reasonable. Thinking about what happened I realized that there was a disturbing pattern in my life that I've been ignoring despite the fact that each time I took a particular type of action I would think to myself that I made a mistake in that instance. However, seeing that there's been a few identical instances makes me think that it's time to reanalyze what I do a little and see if I can find a better way.
So, where did I go wrong? That part is pretty clear, actually.
STEP 1:
I ignore people I know in real life for years, without taking the time to get to know them on more than superficial level and without ever really listening to what they are saying, except on small-talk level.
STEP 2:
I end up with an extremely incomplete sketch of who they are and what their life is like. In fact, sometimes I perceive people as the exact opposite of what they are or view them as two-dimensional cartoon characters who play a very background role in the narrative of my life.
STEP 3:
Something bad happens to one of these people. I am shocked into action. I wind up having a real conversation with someone like that for the first time since meeting them or taking note of their existence, and realize that everything is much more complicated that I assumed, that some of my assumptions were baseless and meritless, etc.
STEP 4:
I start playing catch up, trying to make up for all the time I missed out on being actively involved in getting to know the particular people, in order to get to know them better/be helpful etc etc.
STEP 5:
They have no idea what's going on in my head, as I never bother to explain my sudden change in my position towards them. All they see is a girl who never really cared about them much and who is suddenly acting super-involved for seemingly no good reason. They assume that I just got bored with whatever I was doing before and am entertaining myself at their expense.
STEP 6:
They question my motives and don't trust me. Without earning people's trust, I can't get anything done.
OUTCOME:
Everyone loses.
Clearly, I need to find a more graceful and tactful transition from 0 interest to lots of interest. Of course, ideally I wouldn't have been indifferent in the first place... which is what I'm trying to avoid with the new people I meet. Admittedly, it's hard because getting to know someone takes a lot of time and effort, and both resources are limited. You're forced to choose and limit the people you want to be close with. Nevertheless, at least I'm more aware of the problem I tend to have, and can revise my attitude accordingly and be more sensitive, aware, and observant in general.
That still doesn't solve the problem of the "old people", the ones I already messed up with. I understand that it takes time and commitment in winning over people's trust and it doesn't happen in a day, especially after you've already acted suspiciously. But you see the issue as outlined. Just because I made a mistake in the past, doesn't mean that I can't find a better way now. So this is the part where I ask everyone for SPECIFIC, PRACTICAL input on how to resolve this mess. :) (I appreciate messages of support and lavish praise, but that's not what I need right now. I need problem-solving hints here! Specific steps I can take, if possible. Yes, I'm overanalyzing. No, it's not a bad thing, because if I don't, I'll never learn).
Reflective,
Irina/Nissan
I am not perfect!
I know that may come as a shock to some of you, but I really am not. I have plenty of flaws, issues, etc. Nevertheless, I try to be self-critical and when I realize that I haven't done as well as I should in a particular area of my life, I do my best to improve. That's what life is for, growing, learning, working on yourself, trying to become the best person you can be. I am not being "too hard on myself". I don't engage in meaningless self-abuse. Crying "woe is me" without do anything about it is pointless and not helpful. I call my approach to life "constructive criticism." I don't believe in flattery and sugarcoating things when they are wrong. It doesn't help. So right now, I have a particular issue, and I want practical advice on how to handle it best. I know I have many people who are supportive and who don't want me to feel bad, but right now I"m not out for some therapy or hugs. I have a problem to solve!
I know myself pretty well by now. My strength is in self-discipline and a particular type of forcefulness, energy, and determination that helps me force my way through all the obstacles that come my way. I am, what one may call, a "gevurah" person. For the mystical-minded among you, my birthday is on the 14th day of the omer, the "malchut of gevurah". For everyone who is not into that stuff, I am self-critical, and critical in general, a disciplinarian, an analyst, a problem-solver. I approach life itself as a lawyer. I am the one you go to if you want to figure out the issues in your life, where you've messed up. I am the issue and pattern-spotter. I also have a certain level of introversion that makes me more introspective than many people and more likely to turn inwardly for a solution to my own problems; however, even the most self-aware people should turn to the more objective outsiders to help them see what they are doing wrong. I am not always objective towards myself, try as I may be, and it's natural. Fortunately, there are people who are very helpful in pointing out if I need improvement in some areas, but often that help comes indirectly.
While being a disciplined and strong person has been my strength, being kind/compassionate and reaching out to people has NOT been natural for me. That quality is the flip side of the coin. That's something that came naturally to my mother, and I was always slightly envious of her. However, with time I came to realize that by putting in a lot of work I can develop that quality in myself as well and become the person that I want to be, a person who can balance the criticism with kindness and understanding and be fair and helpful without being needlessly abrasive, hurtful, or embarrass people. I've seen what happens when people have no consideration for other people's feelings and just blurt out whatever comes to their mind as long as they feel it's "true" (which ultimately, may not even be the case", and it was not pretty. So I came to appreciate the necessity of being balanced.
While I'm naturally attracted to people who have the same strengths as me - that ability to dish out unsugared truth, to speak their mind regardless of the popularity of their position, to be introspective and self-critical, disciplined, focused on growth, and tough, I've always looked up to those who are, in some way, the opposite, who are just natural kind and mellow and nurturing, and who seem to have a special understanding of people and their situations, and who seem to love everyone and in turn bring out the best in those around them, seemingly effortlessly. It is just as natural for them as being who I am is natural for me. Such people have inspired me tremendously, but again, while I've tried my best to learn from them, that learning comes with tremendous growth pains and awkwardness at times, because it means moving away from the negative extreme of my own qualities into a different direction, adopting something that is not in my nature, and making it my own. In the beginning, it was very strange, and I had to force myself to speak kind words to people or to do the basic "chessed" actions. All of it was extremely awkward, and I had no idea whether what I was doing it right, and it all seemed somewhat surreal, as if I were trying to fit into the life of a totally different person. With time, I grew into it, and doing the basic things became a habit. It was no longer a test for me; it was just something that had to be done, and the more I did it, the easier and more natural it felt.
It became pleasing to me to help others, not because I was hoping to get more people to like me. I've never had issues with that, because I figure that either people will naturally gravitate towards me for who I am, or not, and anyway, you can't have the whole world like you. I've been known to take very unpopular stands, to speak my mind alone in a crowd of aggressive dissenters, and to lead a life that many may found a little bizarre/controversial, because ultimately, what matters to me the most is my own self-respect and the sense of doing what is right. What people think about it is their own business, but I have one life and want to live it the way that best fits me. However, I don't like unhappiness in pain. I don't like it in me and I certainly don't like it in people around me. Rather than sitting around and waiting for external circumstances to change, I apply my own dynamic approach to life and prefer to work on my attitude along with the actual resolution of my problems, but I also want to help others. I know numerous people in difficult situations and my heart goes out to them. I wish I could solve everyone's problems for them, but I can't, so I try to listen, I try to give advice to the best of my ability, and share what I've learned from my own experience. I want to live in a better world, and the only way to achieve that is by acting when necessary. That's it.
But here's the thing. Recently, I realized that I'm doing something wrong. It took me a long time to see the flaw in my approach, and I'm very thankful to the circumstances and people who brought it to my attention, so I could work it out and improve. Without going into the specifics of those particular circumstances and remarks, suffice it to say that I learned that I may be coming across as someone who is a) either is not altogether sincere or has ulterior/selfish motivations for being helpful or b) is playing around with people out of boredom, adopting them as pet project, or c) acting out of pity/looking down on people. I was very tempted to dismiss that as a joke or exaggeration or a simple misinterpretation on people's part, because in my mind it seemed too absurd to be true... except I stopped to think about it and realized that this was far from the first time when people were suspicious of my motives, and maybe it didn't have as much to do with other people's insecurity or cynicism as with the fact that I was acting in a way that made such interpretation of my behavior reasonable. Thinking about what happened I realized that there was a disturbing pattern in my life that I've been ignoring despite the fact that each time I took a particular type of action I would think to myself that I made a mistake in that instance. However, seeing that there's been a few identical instances makes me think that it's time to reanalyze what I do a little and see if I can find a better way.
So, where did I go wrong? That part is pretty clear, actually.
STEP 1:
I ignore people I know in real life for years, without taking the time to get to know them on more than superficial level and without ever really listening to what they are saying, except on small-talk level.
STEP 2:
I end up with an extremely incomplete sketch of who they are and what their life is like. In fact, sometimes I perceive people as the exact opposite of what they are or view them as two-dimensional cartoon characters who play a very background role in the narrative of my life.
STEP 3:
Something bad happens to one of these people. I am shocked into action. I wind up having a real conversation with someone like that for the first time since meeting them or taking note of their existence, and realize that everything is much more complicated that I assumed, that some of my assumptions were baseless and meritless, etc.
STEP 4:
I start playing catch up, trying to make up for all the time I missed out on being actively involved in getting to know the particular people, in order to get to know them better/be helpful etc etc.
STEP 5:
They have no idea what's going on in my head, as I never bother to explain my sudden change in my position towards them. All they see is a girl who never really cared about them much and who is suddenly acting super-involved for seemingly no good reason. They assume that I just got bored with whatever I was doing before and am entertaining myself at their expense.
STEP 6:
They question my motives and don't trust me. Without earning people's trust, I can't get anything done.
OUTCOME:
Everyone loses.
Clearly, I need to find a more graceful and tactful transition from 0 interest to lots of interest. Of course, ideally I wouldn't have been indifferent in the first place... which is what I'm trying to avoid with the new people I meet. Admittedly, it's hard because getting to know someone takes a lot of time and effort, and both resources are limited. You're forced to choose and limit the people you want to be close with. Nevertheless, at least I'm more aware of the problem I tend to have, and can revise my attitude accordingly and be more sensitive, aware, and observant in general.
That still doesn't solve the problem of the "old people", the ones I already messed up with. I understand that it takes time and commitment in winning over people's trust and it doesn't happen in a day, especially after you've already acted suspiciously. But you see the issue as outlined. Just because I made a mistake in the past, doesn't mean that I can't find a better way now. So this is the part where I ask everyone for SPECIFIC, PRACTICAL input on how to resolve this mess. :) (I appreciate messages of support and lavish praise, but that's not what I need right now. I need problem-solving hints here! Specific steps I can take, if possible. Yes, I'm overanalyzing. No, it's not a bad thing, because if I don't, I'll never learn).
Reflective,
Irina/Nissan
Tuesday, February 08, 2011
The Response
Because I cannot stand by silent.
Because my response to a tragedy, after the initial shock wears is off, is not to turn away, but to search for answers. Whether I can find an answer that satisfies me or not, I keep searching for a way to respond. That, too, is an answer. I cannot undo tragedies, but I can help prevent new ones. I can try to help bring peace to those who were affected. I can try to show that those who have suffered and who have died in suffering did not die in vain, that their lives and deaths have not gone unnoticed, but have gone on to have impact on many people, people like me.
Because to me, grief is more than just tears and hand-shaking. It is also rooted in desire to prevent more pain from happening, to change something somewhere for the better.
Because it's too easy to turn away and do nothing, to succumb to my own private pity party, to dwell only on my own misfortunes, and see nothing else. And because the easy way is not my way, for better or for worse.
Because I seek to fill every day, every hour, every minute, every second of my life with meaning.
Because life is short and my mission in it is to be the best person I can be, and do the most I can do.
Because I am the only person that stands in my way of me making an impact.
Because making an impact doesn't have to be something huge. It doesn't have to becoming a ruler of a country, a military leader, or discovering the cure for AIDS. It could be something that's within my own day-to-day capabilities. It can mean not standing by silent, and speaking out. It can mean awakening others to discover that there is more to life that their personal day to day troubles, of showing others how to reach out and help someone else.
Because sometimes having an impact just means listening to a friend who is hurt or asking a stranger who seems upset if everything is ok. Because living a better life is waking up each morning asking yourself "What can I do today to help someone else?"
Because just sitting and complaining and making cynical statements won't get anything done, won't change anything, won't solve any problems.
Because I have it in me.
Because I can, and I want, and most importantly, I have the WILL.
Because somehow, despite all the tragedies, and pain, and suffering in the world, we still have to wake up in the morning and go on.
Because life is beautiful, and challenging, and interesting, and rich, and multi-faceted, and sometimes difficult, and tempting, and trying, and incredible, and worth living.
And most importantly, because I PROMISED.
I promised to those who went too early. I promised to my grandparents, that I will continue carrying on their legacy of reaching out and helping others. I promised it to myself.
And so...
It is our pleasure to introduce you to:
The Samaritans of New York (www.samaritansnyc.org/aboutus )
(For Quick Signup Click Here: http://www.samaritansnyc.org/benefit/benefit1.php )
...
A premier non profit organization that operates NYC’s ONLY 24-hour, Suicide-Prevention Hotline for 25+ years, and answered 69,000 calls last year. The Host Committee is working with them as they need help with money, publicity, events, sponsorship, in-kind donations. We invite you to Supporting Samaritans of New York City Supporting Others!
WHERE
La Pomme NYC
HOW: http://www.samaritansnyc.org/benefit/benefit1.php click to reserve your spot.
$25 minimum donation required to attend
$36 after February 17 – or $40 at the door.
Performance by City Haze & Beats Myth
Music by Demby, of J2M Events
Amazing Raffle Prizes!
Midnight Black diamond earrings -- courtesy of
Denis Mahgerefteh, CEO of UDE collection and celebrity jeweler
Pair of sexy Christian Louboutins
Louis Vuitton charm bracelet
AND FOR MY MALE FRIENDS , I have something for you too.
***100% of proceeds go to The Samaritans of NYC!!!
Here's what the organizer of the event, Anel Quintero has to say about this...
It is our pleasure to introduce you to:
The Samaritans of New York (www.samaritansnyc.org/aboutus )
(For Quick Signup Click Here: http://www.samaritansnyc.org/benefit/benefit1.php )
...
A premier non profit organization that operates NYC’s ONLY 24-hour, Suicide-Prevention Hotline for 25+ years, and answered 69,000 calls last year. The Host Committee is working with them as they need help with money, publicity, events, sponsorship, in-kind donations. We invite you to Supporting Samaritans of New York City Supporting Others!
WHERE
La Pomme NYC
HOW: http://www.samaritansnyc.org/benefit/benefit1.php click to reserve your spot.
$25 minimum donation required to attend
$36 after February 17 – or $40 at the door.
Performance by City Haze & Beats Myth
Music by Demby, of J2M Events
Amazing Raffle Prizes!
Midnight Black diamond earrings -- courtesy of
Denis Mahgerefteh, CEO of UDE collection and celebrity jeweler
Pair of sexy Christian Louboutins
Louis Vuitton charm bracelet
AND FOR MY MALE FRIENDS , I have something for you too.
***100% of proceeds go to The Samaritans of NYC!!!
WHY? By attending this event or by making additional donations, you are helping the problem of suicide that is getting a lot of attention in the news these days, through such stories as the death of British fashion designer Alexander McQueen, passing of Bernard Madoff’s elder son and Hillary Clinton’s speaking out on the suicide of Rutgers student Tyler Clementi. Even the music business has its stories, such as the suicide of Def Jam executive Shakir Stewart, or Alicia Keys and Mary J. Blige talking about depression. We were really surprised to hear from the Samaritans that more people have died from suicide in this country in the last few years than from AIDS or homicide. It seems obvious that we should all be doing our part to help out so we are helping put together this fundraiser so you can help too.
WHO? My name is Anel Quintero. I was involved with The Samaritans Organization for a great amount of time after I lost a best friend to suicide. I knew my friend was going through a tough time but never imagined he would feel it was the end of his world. I’m not going to focus on the struggles he was going through because “everyone struggles” but rather the emotions that were eating him alive. The feeling of anger, loneliness, anxiety, helpless, hopeless, scared and insecurity wrapped him around like a blanket every moment of his last days. People often make the mistake to believe that the war against us is outside. The reality is the battle against us is outside and the war lies within us. I hope you can join me and my All star host committee in giving people who are feeling hopeless a fighting chance for their lives.
ALL STAR HOST COMMITTEE:
Anel Quintero -- Dev Haut -- Florence Haut -- Irina Tsukerman – Alina Fayer--Yehuda M. Neuman -- Kal Holczler --Jonny Ross -- Samson Meyer Freundlich -- Julia Safar -- Michael Adam Chervony -- Michael Richter --Denis Mahgerefteh aka Diamond D.
***
I am doing this for Matthew David Jacobson. And for Bill Zeller. And for thousands of others whose names I do not know, but who end their own lives in despair each day, not knowing that there ARE answers, that help is already on the way...
May there be no more.
One day, I hope to wake up in the world where everyone chooses life.
With love and determination,
Irina/Nissan
Because my response to a tragedy, after the initial shock wears is off, is not to turn away, but to search for answers. Whether I can find an answer that satisfies me or not, I keep searching for a way to respond. That, too, is an answer. I cannot undo tragedies, but I can help prevent new ones. I can try to help bring peace to those who were affected. I can try to show that those who have suffered and who have died in suffering did not die in vain, that their lives and deaths have not gone unnoticed, but have gone on to have impact on many people, people like me.
Because to me, grief is more than just tears and hand-shaking. It is also rooted in desire to prevent more pain from happening, to change something somewhere for the better.
Because it's too easy to turn away and do nothing, to succumb to my own private pity party, to dwell only on my own misfortunes, and see nothing else. And because the easy way is not my way, for better or for worse.
Because I seek to fill every day, every hour, every minute, every second of my life with meaning.
Because life is short and my mission in it is to be the best person I can be, and do the most I can do.
Because I am the only person that stands in my way of me making an impact.
Because making an impact doesn't have to be something huge. It doesn't have to becoming a ruler of a country, a military leader, or discovering the cure for AIDS. It could be something that's within my own day-to-day capabilities. It can mean not standing by silent, and speaking out. It can mean awakening others to discover that there is more to life that their personal day to day troubles, of showing others how to reach out and help someone else.
Because sometimes having an impact just means listening to a friend who is hurt or asking a stranger who seems upset if everything is ok. Because living a better life is waking up each morning asking yourself "What can I do today to help someone else?"
Because just sitting and complaining and making cynical statements won't get anything done, won't change anything, won't solve any problems.
Because I have it in me.
Because I can, and I want, and most importantly, I have the WILL.
Because somehow, despite all the tragedies, and pain, and suffering in the world, we still have to wake up in the morning and go on.
Because life is beautiful, and challenging, and interesting, and rich, and multi-faceted, and sometimes difficult, and tempting, and trying, and incredible, and worth living.
And most importantly, because I PROMISED.
I promised to those who went too early. I promised to my grandparents, that I will continue carrying on their legacy of reaching out and helping others. I promised it to myself.
And so...
It is our pleasure to introduce you to:
The Samaritans of New York (www.samaritansnyc.org/abou
(For Quick Signup Click Here: http://www.samaritansnyc.o
...
A premier non profit organization that operates NYC’s ONLY 24-hour, Suicide-Prevention Hotline for 25+ years, and answered 69,000 calls last year. The Host Committee is working with them as they need help with money, publicity, events, sponsorship, in-kind donations. We invite you to Supporting Samaritans of New York City Supporting Others!
WHERE
La Pomme NYC
HOW: http://www.samaritansnyc.o
$25 minimum donation required to attend
$36 after February 17 – or $40 at the door.
Performance by City Haze & Beats Myth
Music by Demby, of J2M Events
Amazing Raffle Prizes!
Midnight Black diamond earrings -- courtesy of
Denis Mahgerefteh, CEO of UDE collection and celebrity jeweler
Pair of sexy Christian Louboutins
Louis Vuitton charm bracelet
AND FOR MY MALE FRIENDS , I have something for you too.
***100% of proceeds go to The Samaritans of NYC!!!
Here's what the organizer of the event, Anel Quintero has to say about this...
It is our pleasure to introduce you to:
The Samaritans of New York (www.samaritansnyc.org/abou
(For Quick Signup Click Here: http://www.samaritansnyc.o
...
A premier non profit organization that operates NYC’s ONLY 24-hour, Suicide-Prevention Hotline for 25+ years, and answered 69,000 calls last year. The Host Committee is working with them as they need help with money, publicity, events, sponsorship, in-kind donations. We invite you to Supporting Samaritans of New York City Supporting Others!
WHERE
La Pomme NYC
HOW: http://www.samaritansnyc.o
$25 minimum donation required to attend
$36 after February 17 – or $40 at the door.
Performance by City Haze & Beats Myth
Music by Demby, of J2M Events
Amazing Raffle Prizes!
Midnight Black diamond earrings -- courtesy of
Denis Mahgerefteh, CEO of UDE collection and celebrity jeweler
Pair of sexy Christian Louboutins
Louis Vuitton charm bracelet
AND FOR MY MALE FRIENDS , I have something for you too.
***100% of proceeds go to The Samaritans of NYC!!!
WHY? By attending this event or by making additional donations, you are helping the problem of suicide that is getting a lot of attention in the news these days, through such stories as the death of British fashion designer Alexander McQueen, passing of Bernard Madoff’s elder son and Hillary Clinton’s speaking out on the suicide of Rutgers student Tyler Clementi. Even the music business has its stories, such as the suicide of Def Jam executive Shakir Stewart, or Alicia Keys and Mary J. Blige talking about depression. We were really surprised to hear from the Samaritans that more people have died from suicide in this country in the last few years than from AIDS or homicide. It seems obvious that we should all be doing our part to help out so we are helping put together this fundraiser so you can help too.
WHO? My name is Anel Quintero. I was involved with The Samaritans Organization for a great amount of time after I lost a best friend to suicide. I knew my friend was going through a tough time but never imagined he would feel it was the end of his world. I’m not going to focus on the struggles he was going through because “everyone struggles” but rather the emotions that were eating him alive. The feeling of anger, loneliness, anxiety, helpless, hopeless, scared and insecurity wrapped him around like a blanket every moment of his last days. People often make the mistake to believe that the war against us is outside. The reality is the battle against us is outside and the war lies within us. I hope you can join me and my All star host committee in giving people who are feeling hopeless a fighting chance for their lives.
ALL STAR HOST COMMITTEE:
Anel Quintero -- Dev Haut -- Florence Haut -- Irina Tsukerman – Alina Fayer--Yehuda M. Neuman -- Kal Holczler --Jonny Ross -- Samson Meyer Freundlich -- Julia Safar -- Michael Adam Chervony -- Michael Richter --Denis Mahgerefteh aka Diamond D.
***
I am doing this for Matthew David Jacobson. And for Bill Zeller. And for thousands of others whose names I do not know, but who end their own lives in despair each day, not knowing that there ARE answers, that help is already on the way...
May there be no more.
One day, I hope to wake up in the world where everyone chooses life.
With love and determination,
Irina/Nissan
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