And funnily enough, yes, I am. Good guess :)

Did you know, the last time there was a strike it went on for three months? The government had to step in. No clue how long this one will last, which is really kind of annoying. Meanwhile, I hear from U of T that it's a mess--a lot of classes are canceled, but others aren't. Some are running with the prof but no TAs, and others are running with TAs but no prof. York actually seems stress-free in comparison.

At least I had Purim off. That was pretty nice. And I love the social media response to it all. So, overall, I don't mind too much. It is disrupting my placement, though, which is pretty annoying, and I wish I knew when it'll end so I can actually make plans for what to do during it without wondering whether they'll fall through.

~DF

I'm not sure I do, actually. I know I got a complimentary copy (I think?) but I can't remember if I get money from it. Probably not. But it's my first publication in an actual book, and it was a wonderful experience (okay, with stressful pieces due to school, but completely worth it).

I do not mind sharing the title! My post-book launch post was actually supposed to have a picture of me holding it. Some other time, I guess. It's called Living Legacies - A Collection of Writing by Contemporary Canadian Jewish Women (Volume IV), or Living Legacies, Volume IV, for short, and is edited by Liz Pearl. This seems to be the main link to look at, since it's not on Amazon (or if it is, I can't find it); there's a button marked Order Form in the navigation at the top, which seems to be how you buy it. Once you're actually looking at the table of contents, I'm on page...40 or 41, I think, with a piece titled "A Granddaughter's Muse". And I am completely honored (and flattered) that you want to buy it, by the way. I hope you find it interesting--I'm actually the youngest author in there, so the perspectives vary quite a bit. We're also from a variety of religious backgrounds (within Judaism, that is), if I remember correctly, so that adds to it...anyway. Enjoy (and I am open to comments, as most authors tend to be :))

On another note, who are our other published authors? I can't believe I don't know this.

~DF

Now I feel special. And you've been taking on Rose Potter! Well done, Ix! (Ixi? Maz? Hm. Not sure how well any of those work). I've only read the first one so far, but it was fun. Very well done.

Ooh, SPaGhetti. I don't think I've ever had that before (or did you give me some before? You might have...hm.) Thanks very much! *noms*

And thanks! Hm, more to share...well, I got to read at the book launch, which was unexpected and very fun :D I also did the smart thing of taking a course in Israel over winter break (missed the chance for a mini-Gathering while I was there due to programming and exhaustion from programming)...and then flying back on the first day of classes and going directly to an 8:30 am class. Fun, but not too smart overall, if you take jet lag into account. I had a lot of fun there, though--the course was interesting, and I got to immediately see my newest baby cousin (he's absolutely adorable, I flew in on his eighth day of life and got to see him and his family for Chanukah candlelighting the same evening, and I held him multiple times and sang "Goodnight Irene" and other songs to him. I also got to spend time with some very close friends, and even got to celebrate their youngest twins' birthday just before I flew back to Canada.) As to flying back to Canada, there was snow and I was in a pretty light coat. I survived, though!

How's that for more to share? :)

I've also been working on some writing projects, though I had very little time to do that during December...oh! Did I write here that I won NaNoWriMo for the very first time last November? Because I did. I'm still somewhat in shock. I wrote 15,000 words on the last day, too, and I'm still wondering how I did it (Karen and another friend spurred me on, as did word sprints and, I don't know, desperation or something). Oh! And I've been making friends this year. It's exactly what I wanted to do last year, but better late than never, right?

And that really probably is enough to read at one time, so I'll leave it there for now.

~DF