I am thankful for...

For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything each new day sends.


I am thankful for the opportunities I have been given-- the ability to continue my education at a great university, where I can further my goals and achieve good things, as well as experience a new life and meet so many influential people.

I am thankful for my family. Our family got very small this year-- falling outs, illness, and death have plagued us to the point where our once-large family has dwindled to quite small. So I am grateful to have the family that I do have left, and the time I am able to spend with them making memories.

I am thankful for my friends as well. Friends from high school have all gone their separate ways, but we still always find time to get together with each other during these holiday breaks, share stories, laugh and talk like we never parted. New friends from college have also made a big impact-- I've experienced so many great things and learned so many wonderful things because of them.

I am thankful for the love of my life, Nick, who has shown me how to love and trust again. These past four and a half months have been the best period in my life because of him. As Edgar Allen Poe once said, "We loved with a love that was more than love." I've never been so safe, secure, and happy in my life, and I owe that to my wonderful, handsome, caring man.

What are you all thankful for this Thanksgiving?
Yours til the ocean waves-- Morgan

Dreams are never broken

Nick wrote early this morning about his Jewish heritage and his want to serve in the Israel Defense Forces a few years ago. You can read his entry, "Dreams That Weren't Broken" here. He said that not being able to serve-- because they deemed him "too old" in his early twenties-- upset him for a long time, but then he realized something, which is the point of my entry today...

Your dreams are never broken.

Everyone has dreams. Everyone has things that they want to do, goals that they want to achieve. The only downfall is that sometimes life gets in the way of those dreams. Something comes up, and things change. Fate has other things in store for you. But Fate works in mysterious ways. Your dreams never go away. They may get postponed, but they're never destroyed. And even if you can't do exactly what it is you wanted to do, you find something of equal merit that makes you happy.

I've been encouraging Nick lately to fulfill what he wants to do while he has the chance-- a GED, and a CDL so that he can have more job opportunities in his line of work. It's a difficult and arduous goal, but I know he can do it because it's something he wants deep down in his heart.

Writer Carl Sandburg once said, "Nothing happens unless first we dream." Everything stems from a dream-- every accomplishment, every goal-- it's something within us that we want to happen. We may get discouraged at times and feel like our dreams will never come true, but they do. Times are tough, but dreams never die. Keep praying, keep wishing on those falling stars. And most of all, keep working toward your dreams. They're never too far to reach.

Yours til the ocean waves-- Morgan

Ramblings of a Jewish Man

Hey gang-- great news. Nick got himself a blog, and with no help (or pressure) from me! I-- and he-- would appreciate it if you'd drop by. I know this was a lot easier in the AOL Journal days, but I hope that he'll get a warm reception here so he is encouraged to continue writing. You can find him at:

Ramblings of a Jewish Man

Don't be confused by the name on the blog-- he's writing under the pen name of Netzach Aharon (the Hebrew version of Nicholas Aaron). His first post deals with life philosophies, his personal identity, and thoughts on the world. I found it to be quite interesting (and I'm not just saying that because I'm his girlfriend, lol). He's still got the default word verification enabled, but don't let that discourage you. I'll show him how to get rid of it. Thanks in advance, everyone!

Yours til the ocean waves-- Morgan

Thank Your Lucky Stars

Hey, gang. I've been feeling quite sick these past few days. I even went home early (Thursday night as opposed to Friday night) this weekend so I could try to recoup. I'm slowly getting better. Unfortunately I didn't make it to classes this morning-- 8 am Evolutionary Physiology (AKA Biology) and 9 am Intellectual Heritage.

I'm about to get started on studying for my Psychology as a Natural Science exam that's tomorrow, but I thought I'd catch up with you all first. I'm trying to be better about posting here, on YouTube, and on Twitter too. It's easier to post on Twitter, because I can just say something short (after all, you're limited to 140 characters) and people know what I'm up to. Here is more difficult, and YouTube is the most difficult. I finally made my YouTube debut (yes me, not just my hands on those keys). You can see that in my previous post, "I finally revealed myself!"

Onto the relevance of that picture. Those are origami lucky stars. (I didn't make them-- photo courtesy of Folding Trees). I think those are so interesting, unique, and fun. You can pretty much do whatever you want with them. I'm trying to do a little research on the historical significance and I'll let you know. They're just made from strips of paper! That's right, each one is made from just one strip of paper. Amazing, right? I tried to make one out of regular white printer paper just as a practice and it actually came out pretty good. I'm surprised, lol. I want to get some pretty origami paper, make a bunch of them, and put them in a jar, vase, or bowl to display. There's demonstrations on YouTube of how to make them, if anyone else is interested. Some of the videos are better than others, and there's also written instructions on some other websites. Once I get better at it, I might just post a tutorial myself.

That's it for now-- I also have BIG news for you all, but that's not at all related to this post so I'm going to come back later with the details about that. Enjoy your days!

Yours til the ocean waves-- Morgan

I finally revealed myself!

Wow that sounds bad, right? lol not to worry, dear readers! I just finally made a video on YouTube in which you're looking at me, not just my hands playing the piano. It's really just me rambling, but I'm really excited about it. Check it out here exclusively first, and then (if you've got a YouTube account) go comment and rate it on my page!



Comment, rate, and subscribe here! --> http://www.youtube.com/user/MinstrelOfTheKeys

I'm going to try to do more videos like this if it gets good reception. If not, I've always got my music to fall back on as interesting stuff. Thanks everyone! Enjoy your days!
Yours til the ocean waves-- Morgan

Music, money, and organization

Hey all! As you know, I'm quite the music enthusiast and love discovering new bands and artists (or old ones that are new to me). Over the past few weeks, I've been compiling a list of bands and artists that I've heard about, heard a little from, or really like and want to get more from. I'm going to plead the 5th on where I download my music from, but I'm sure that allows you to guess. That said, I can't do it here at school because file sharing is strictly prohibited and I can get my internet permissions revoked. And we don't want that! So I'm going to wait until I'm home this weekend and get some music from these bands, and then let you all know what I think of them.

While I'm on the topic of music, I do want to share this one song with you all. I heard it a bit ago and now it's been all over the radio. It's "Fireflies" by Owl City. He's on my list of artists to explore more. Usually I don't really care about the music videos, but this one's pretty funky, I like it a lot.


Also in the department of new items to review is the latest book I bought. I'm a big fan of Mitch Albom's work, and his newest novel Have a Little Faith was just released. I got it 40% off with my Barnes & Noble member card, and I also had an extra 10% coupon that I got in their email. Once I get the chance to read that, which may not be any time soon due to all the work I have to do, I will review it for you and post it here.

Onto the wish list? Like I mentioned in my previous entry, I have literally NO money. Granted there is $200 in my bank account, but I don't want to spend that in case I need it. I don't know, I'm weird about my money. I'll complain I don't have any when there's $200 in my account, but I don't want to use that and be left with nothing. Anyway, I've been looking at jewelry displays and organizers. This is how I organize my jewelry right now, lol:

In my own defense, I did have this organized a little better before. I have a jewelry box with places to hang necklaces. However, it's too short and the necklaces get all tangled up with each other anyway; plus there weren't enough hooks in that jewelry box for all of my necklaces. I also had a clear acrylic foldable screen to display and organize my earrings on, but that broke. So now they're in the box as you see. Recently I've acquired more bracelets and want a place to store and display those as well. It's terrible and I hate it, but my money problem is hindering me from purchasing these items that I want and need. This is what I'm looking at:

Each of these t-bars is 12 inches long, which should be enough for all of my necklaces and bracelets. I really like the three-tiered effect. It keeps everything together. This one is covered in black velvet. I've seen them made of wood, and also covered in white velvet, but I like the black. It's $23.32 from JewelrySupply.com.


The other item I'm looking at-- Nick actually found this for me-- is this black metal revolving earring display rack. It holds 96 pairs of earrings, which I think should be enough. I have a lot (seriously... more than I need), more than you're even seeing in that picture. It's also available in an antique copper finish, which I do like, but I want it to match the black t-bar display. This particular item (the black finish) is currently out of stock. But it's not like I have the money for it anyway, right? lol. It's $17.14 from JewelrySupply.com.

That's it for now. I finished writing a resume yesterday, as I'm looking to get a job here on campus for next semester. I wanted to work this semester, but my schedule is so packed, difficult, and ridiculous that I can't possibly fit in work. I'll be glad when it's over-- then I can make that money!

Yours til the ocean waves-- Morgan

Working on a dream

Hey gang! I apologize for my absence-- I'm going to try to write in here more often, even if it's just short little updates instead of my usual lengthy rambling.

There's not much to tell at this point, but I do have big news... Nick came to see me! Yes, he actually kept his promises. No one's ever done that for me before. My earlier followers will remember the problems I had with Joe saying he was going to come to see me, only to cancel on me repeatedly. But that's all past, right? Nick came to see me at the end of September, the 30th to be exact, and stayed until the 4th of October. We had a wonderful time. We spent a lot of time together just talking and watching movies, went out to dinner, and I also gave him mini-tours of Philadelphia. I took him to the National Museum of American Jewish History (that's linked to their website for anyone in the area who wants to check it out). They're in the process of moving the museum to a new location for 2010, but it was still really interesting. We also visited Olde City, the historic section of Philly-- this is a must! We saw the Liberty Bell, of course. It's funny, I remember it being bigger. Of course, the last time I saw it I was... eleven? So it's not that it was bigger, but that I was smaller. Strange how things change. We also visited the iconic Love Park. They had turned the water pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, how cool is that?

I was sad to see him go, of course, but we'll be seeing each other again soon. He's coming down here again a few days after Christmas and staying for a week or so, then taking me back up there ("there" being Massachusetts, for those who don't remember or are just joining me). Also, I might be traveling up there the Friday after Thanksgiving, but I'm not sure. I'm really low on funds and don't want him to have to pay for it, and I would only be able to stay for a few days since I have to be back to classes that Monday. We'll see.

I just sent him a care package in the mail yesterday. Unfortunately I can't share with you all what's in it yet, because Nick gets the emails saying when I've posted, and he'll therefore read it and ruin the surprise before it gets to him. So you'll all have to wait! I'm also waiting on a little package myself. I ordered something for the two of us (yes I said I'm low on funds, but this was really cheap and I just fell in love with it). Again, I can't tell you yet. But I will, I promise!

I was going to continue about other things unrelated to Nick and me, but I think I'll just stop here and post that other stuff in a new entry-- new music interests and a whole list of things I want to buy that I haven't the money for. Welcome to the life of a college student, lol.

Anyway, how's everyone's week going? It's almost over! I'm headed home this weekend to pick up some winter clothes, since it's gotten uncommonly cold here so suddenly. Actually, I feel like I'm getting sick. Major headache, and you know that "drip" in the back of your throat? Yeah. It's making me feel like I'm losing my voice. Hopefully I'll be able to hang in here and not fall ill. But that's it for now, my next entry will be posted shortly. Enjoy your days!

Yours til the ocean waves-- Morgan

It's Friday, I'm in love!

"The time has come," the Walrus said,
"To talk of many things:
Of shoes--and ships--and sealing wax--
Of cabbages--and kings--
And why the sea is boiling hot--
And whether pigs have wings."

I know that was odd to start off an entry with but I was reminded of it, and here's why: The time has indeed come. Not to speak of shoes, ships, or sealing wax, but of love and life. Yes, my friends, this is the entry where I finally talk about my new beau! Well for starters, he's not really "new" anymore-- we've been together a little over two months. Shall we?



Those of you who have followed me for any substantial amount of time (or those of you who have ventured into the archives of my ramblings) know that I've had terrible luck with men. I think it's good when it's really not, I try to make it work even though they make no effort, and ultimately I end up alone and unhappy. After all of that, I've gotten to this point in my life when everything feels right. I've never had that feeling before. You hear people talk about "You'll know true love when it hits you. You'll just feel it." And many a time, you think you've found this true love when in reality you haven't...

"And then you sense a change, nothing feels the same, all your dreams are strange... love comes walkin' in..." ("Love Walks In" by Van Halen)

The basics: His name is Nick, he's 23. He's a wonderful mix of Italian, Portuguese, and Jewish (*whistles* lol). A little on the short side-- or so he thinks, it doesn't matter to me since I'm a little on the tall side-- but totally cute. He's sweet, thoughtful, caring, and gentle. A perfect gentleman and to me, a perfect man.

It really does feel different, and I guess you never know it until you experience it. Well gang, I'm experiencing it. Nick and I hit it off right off the bat and have been inseparable ever since. Well, at least electronically. Yes, another long distance. However-- before y'all say anything-- yes, he lives in Massachusetts (love that accent!), but he's got a plane ticket for September 30th and he's coming to stay with me for 5 days, as well as meet my family. Now that I'm scared of, lol. We talk on the phone every night. He works late (in the warehouse of Coca Cola) but always calls me when he gets home, no matter what time it is. We even fell asleep talking on the phone to each other last night. He sent me a nine page letter (in response to my six page letter to him) in which he expressed his loyalty and love, as well as enclosed a song handwritten in Hebrew. It's called "Malkat Hayofi Sheli" (My Beauty Queen).

I've just been... happy. I've been happy with my life and with him, the way he makes me view the world and myself. It's just an amazing feeling. Even early on, we had strong feelings that we just couldn't hide from each other. I wrote this for him on our "one weekiversary" back in July:

"Years of waiting, wishing, wanting... of being thrown away and tossed aside. Made to feel like she didn't matter, like she held no purpose in this vast, lonely world. She took refuge in her music. It was the only thing in her life that would never abandon her, never let her down. After losing just about everything she had, and feeling like she had no reason to be on this earth, a soul came along that would save her wretched heart. A face that seems so familiar, like it had been there for years. Maybe it had been, she thought. Maybe he'd been there all along, floating deep down in her soul; maybe it was him that had kept her going through all the pain. She didn't know him then, but fate had other things in store for her. Things that she so desperately wanted and needed. Fate had made him come to her, and his spirit made her fall in love with him more than she ever thought possible. He became her life, the very entirety of her being and her happiness. She didn't know how she ever lived without him, or how she would ever live without him again. Fortunately for her, something in her heart told her that she'd never have to find out. Loneliness was just a distant memory. Her prince had finally found her, and he wasn't going to let her go for anything. After nineteen years of having games played with her heart, this time she was playing for keeps."

The feeling hasn't changed, gang. In fact, we love each other more and more everyday. I've never felt anything like this is my life, and I honestly want to spend the rest of my life with this man. It hasn't been very long, but it feels right and I've never been happier. Only twelve days remain until I get to see him, and I can't wait!

Yours til the ocean waves-- Morgan

Hate is too great a burden to bear.

"Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain, but it takes character and self control to be understanding and forgiving." ~Dale Carnegie

This quote is on one of the many pages of my "little black book." Not your traditional one filled with phone numbers, but rather with pages adorned by quotes, pictures, and inspiration. However, I was reminded of this quote today on the Philadelphia subway...

I hopped on the Market-Frankford line traveling westbound toward City Hall. School had been letting out, so there were many young people of the middle-school age. There were also many businesspeople traveling to and from the stops. Needless to say, it was crowded. At the 11th Street stop, the doors opened and a myriad of people shuffled on.

Several people (including myself) were standing due to the lack of seats, and I tried my best to make room for the newcomers. There were three young African-American girls in private school uniforms standing across from me, and two older Asian women came into the car, trying to make their way through to some empty space. One of these women must have accidentally stepped on the foot of one of the younger girls without realizing. This girl screamed at the top of her lungs, "My foot! MY foot!" with an attitude and volume that was completely unnecessary. These three girls then continued to yell and carry on, talking about how "rude" people are, how she wants an apology (the woman didn't even realize that the girl was talking about her, I'm sure), and how they "hate these goddamn immigrants."

It was there that I spoke up: "Just because someone was accidentally rude to you doesn't mean that you have to be intentionally rude to them. That's how hate gets so widespread. You can't fight fire with fire. She didn't realize that she stepped on your foot, and truthfully it's not a big deal. Be the bigger person and move on." The girls just stared at me, and I continued: "Furthermore, just because those women are Asian doesn't mean they're immigrants. That's rude and disrespectful of you. If anyone owes anyone an apology, it's you to them." The girls mumbled quietly amongst themselves, and the screaming girl yelled across the subway car (in a surprisingly sincere tone) "Sorry!"

I got a great many approving looks from the other passengers, some stunned looks, and a very pleased "Wow..." from an older businessman. And when my City Hall stop came up at 15th Street, I departed the subway train to transfer to the Broad Street line toward Temple without another word on the subject.

People have so much hate... so much anger, ignorance, and impatience. In crowded places such as a Philadelphia subway, accidents are bound to happen without the person at fault even realizing, such as today. I hope those girls learned a lesson, however small.

Yours til the ocean waves-- Morgan

Kererte A Ti (Loving You)

I'm waiting for a much-anticipated letter to come in the mail. I don't know when we get mail around here. Hopefully soon! I do believe I've lost my followers, so my [old] news about the love of my life will have to be put on the back burner until people actually start reading here again. In the meantime, this little tidbit is cemented in my mind from a book I just bought. And this picture, I love it. As a Philly-living girl, I'm familiar with the sculpture at Love Park. This is the Hebrew version of it. Awesome!

Kererte A Ti
Kererte a ti es suvir en las nuves
Loving you is like rising to the clouds
En mundos ande yega solo la imajinasion.
In worlds reached only by imagination.
Kererte a ti es bolar en los sielos
Loving you is like flying in the sky
En la luz radiante del dia ke nase.
In the radiant light of a dawning day.
Kererte a ti es bivir en verdad.
Loving you is really living.

Yours til the ocean waves-- Morgan